Dear Brothers and Sisters~
I study many of the writings of past Lovers of the Lord. I do this because in these
writings I have found a *communion of the saints* that I did not realize was available to us... not just in horizontal relationships with each other.. but also with that great crowd of witnesses that went before us, who have left behind written testimonies of their relationship with their Lord. (same Lord!)  In these testimonies, I have been greatly challenged to let go of *20th century - Self Centered - Christianity* - the effect of a gospel that has left *self* on the throne of our hearts..

This morning I was considering the nakedness of the soul, as described by Mechthild of Magdeburg... the nakedness of a soul that has truly been emptied of all the glitter of works.. of self-focus... of will-power.. stripped of all its covering.. and realized this stripping-action is the birth of one *poor in spirit*. A brother wrote of his desire to stay in this place of *smallness* ... and his search for humility. 

I believe that we even need to let go of the *striving for* this humility... for this is still *us* instead of HIM. As God brings death to each of us.. death to the flesh-works.. death to the *self*...true death to our own *goodness*.... then He will call us forth, as He did Lazarus and fill us with the resurrection power that He desires to pour out on His people.  But the death part.. we must not fear. We are not to be the center of anything.. He is!  (Praise God) And He is preparing His Bride right now... stripping away our false pride... stripping away wrong foundations... stripping away things that cause harm to us (even when we don't know) and He is purifying for Himself a people... emptied of all their false trust in themselves and their good works... ready to be filled with the Oil that the wise virgins had... Himself.

I think some of us are dying a painful death.  We really don't need to fight so hard to keep our lives.. although it is totally unnatural not to... but it only makes it harder on us in the long run. You who are agonizing the *death* that He has allowed to touch you right now.. don't lose heart. don't lose hope. don't lose faith... this death is really Resurrection.  We must die to be Resurrected!  It looks bad on the one side.. but the other side is a work of Beauty! Don't be afraid Church.. God is working in you.

When He has called us forth in new life.. it will be All His Life.  We will not be so consumed with *our part*.. for it will be All His Part and we won't know, where we end and He begins.  United.  Jesus prayed that we would be ONE, as He was One with the Father.. so shall we be One with Him!  But the *poor in spirit* will have nothing of themselves to hinder Him any longer.

If I could say a word of encouragement to you this day, it would be *let go and die*  ...  it isn't as it seems. This is a good work in you (and me) and God will be
Glorified!

Praise be to God.