Conversations with God - Marnie Pohlmann

“People who say they hear God’s voice are crazy!”

I looked up from my desk and responded to my co-worker, who had come in from dealing with a drug-abusing client.

“Um, some are, yeah. God speaks to me all the time.”

“But not in an audible voice.”

“Well,” I said hesitantly, “Sure. In a lot of ways. Sometimes with a hit upside the head.”

“But he doesn’t tell you to do crazy things.”

“God guides me, and some people might think the path is crazy. I am married to a pastor, you know, and I do work here.”

We laughed. He turned to go back on the road.

“Remind me sometime to tell you about when I met God,” I called after him.

That conversation was a while ago now, but I have often pondered how I would respond should the subject come up again. Has God audibly spoken to me? How does God speak to me? The evil one tries to imitate God, and I sometimes act like I am God, so do I know what I hear is God’s voice, God’s direction?

My memory of salvation at a summer Bible camp includes the form of a man sitting beside me, explaining this was my choice, and if I chose to follow Him, He would never leave me. I understood during that conversation the choice did not mean a change in my situation, but I knew I would somehow be protected with His presence in my life.

Jesus? An angel? Perhaps just the imagination of a child creating a memory among so many missing memories? Whatever your theology on the matter, God’s invitation was and is clear. Follow Him. He will never leave you, and His presence makes all the difference.

I’ve also heard God speak to me through songs. Even when I strayed down a stony path, God reminded me through an often-played song, of His presence as He waited for me to follow Him once again.

Many years later the words of a different song began a conversation between God and me about what the song meant at that moment. “It is Well with My Soul.” One of my husband’s favourite hymns began to play as I drove along.

“So, God,” I asked anxiously, “does that song mean the ambulance I just saw is for Wally? Is it well with his soul? Because he is now with you or because he’s alright and not hurt?”

“What did I tell the disciples?”

“That the other disciple’s story is none of their concern.”

“Right.”

“So, Wally’s wellness is none of my business?”

“Right. Is it well with your soul?”

Comfort washed away my anxiety (most of it). Yes, no matter what happened to Wally on that motorcycle, my soul was well because God was ever-present with me.

Three years later, I sat alone in the hospital waiting room. I hadn’t read that day’s devotional, so I opened the app on my phone.

            For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and

says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

“So, after the mammogram and the magnified mammogram, this ultrasound will confirm they are looking for cancer?” I asked.

“Yes, there is cancer.”

“Okay. As long as you are holding my hand.”

The peace at that moment was beyond anything I have known since. God was with me and that would make all the difference.

The story was different after another three years as I stood beside a hospital bed, weeping.

“God, please don’t take my man. I need him. I don’t know how to live without him.”

“This choice is not yours.”

“I know. But I’m not strong enough to handle this,” I argued.

“Am I with you?”

“Yes.”

“Am I with him?”

“Yes.”

“Will you trust me?”

“I can’t fight you. If you want him now, I know it will be right whether I like it or not.” That was as far as I was willing to go at that moment, but I felt the Lord’s arms wrap around me as He stood beside me once again.

It took a long time, years, to give in to God on this. Even though Wally’s cancer and complications did not kill him, and I still enjoy life with him beside me, (40 years next spring!) I was almost resentful that God would treat him - no, me - like that. The fear of abandonment was deep and brought up all sorts of hidden emotions and thoughts; unhealthy thoughts that were buried deep that I once again needed to work through to separate the lies from the Truth. It’s not an easy battle, and it continues to wage on.

Isn’t that the point, though? God is with me and will walk beside me, and even carry me, through this earthly life. Jesus has saved me, so my soul is well. The Spirit does teach me Truth. Yet the question remains and is probably the most important aspect of hearing God’s voice.

How can we be sure we are hearing God’s voice?

We are very good at wanting to go our own way, finding any justification to convince ourselves it is God’s guidance. However, God has provided practical tests that will confirm or deny that we are in God’s will, responding to His guidance, and hearing His voice.

Test 1.

Does what we are hearing line up with Scripture? First and foremost, do we know what God has said in His Word so the Spirit of God can remind us of God’s view? The Bible has been preserved throughout time for a reason.

Test 2.

Have we prayed? Have we opened a conversation with God, believing He will respond to us? How God responds may look different for each of us. Am I listening for how He might talk to me?

Test 3.

Only after talking to God and considering His Word do we go to others for their opinion. And not just any other. This is not a time to collect a team of yes-men, but to seek out other Believers who you respect and trust to ask discerning questions about what you are hearing.

Test 4.

The last test - not to be used before the others - is circumstance. Have you laid out a fleece, and perhaps even laid it out again, as Gideon did in Judges 6? God can use our situation to lead us, to open and close doors, but I reiterate, do not depend on your circumstances to be God’s voice. Know His voice, first.

“Only crazy people hear God’s voice.”
Call me crazy, then. Do you hear God calling your name? 

I hear God’s voice. Do you?

Marnie Pohlmann writes to share the difference made in the life of one who listens to God's voice. Hard of hearing at times, she continues to learn Truth.

The Tasseled Prayer Rock .... by Jocelyn Faire

Become willing to see the hand of God and accept it as a friend's offer to help you with what you are doing. Julia Cameron

I have not grown up with the concept of a prayer shawl. This past Sunday my husband and I listened to a video talk by Rob Bell and he referenced the Jewish prayer shawl. In Numbers 15:37-41 God instructs Moses on the making of a garment with blue tassels to remind the Jews of all He had done. As they spread the garments over their heads and forward stretched arms, they created their own little tent/sanctuary(prayer closet). Here they could shut out the world as they conversed with the maker of the universe. When I was growing up, we had the all heads bowed and eyes closed posture as the evangelist looked over the audience to see who wanted to go deeper with God. My twelve year old hand raised then and at several meetings over the next few years, because I was guilted into uncertainty, knowing I always fell short of the glory of God. If I could but touch the hem(tassels) of his (prayer)garment and be healed ...

Fifty years later I still have my struggles with prayer. But I have learned a few lessons along the way.

ONE:

That God shows up, when we earnestly seek him. Having him alongside in whatever we are going through will be enough. Sadly at times, prayer does not change circumstances, but wonderfully it does bring about His presence, which is of far more benefit in the life long term. And we are in this for life. Throughout my grief journey, I prayed many prayers that felt as though they went unanswered. But, the one thing I do know is that I did not walk the path alone. The God of the Universe was beside me. And when I needed someone with skin on, he brought different people into my life to encourage me.

TWO:

Prayer is a conversation with God. Sometimes it is an argument, and often I need to be silent and listen to what He has to say. But God has also said “Come let us reason together” and I interpret that is an invitation to sort through issues.

THREE:

Sometimes I have felt guilty because I said I would pray for such and such, and I simply forgot. Later when I'm reminded of that situation, even as the crisis is past, I can still lift it up in prayer knowing that God is not on the same time frame as humans are.

FOUR:

God helps us with our doubt. For years the James admonition crippled my prayer life. I have struggled over and over with the words—if anyone of you doubts, don't expect anything ... this pretty much eliminated all my expectations. I could see myself tossed about on that sea of doubt. I was more an I believe, help me in my unbelief kind of person. Somewhere along the way I learned that doubt is not the opposite of faith, but certainty is. As Anne Lamott said, “Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.”

My prayer life has had its share of doubts, but am I chastised for that? No, I am not. The real question is, where do my doubts lie? This was an Aha moment for me. My doubts lay in wondering if anything would or could change. When I realized that even though I did not have a full understanding of the situation, God did. The question for me became: Will I trust God with this situation, no matter the outcome? When I can answer Yes, I pray in faith without doubting. This is a huge difference.

Oh Lord, let my life be like the prism of ice that reflects your beauty.

May my spirit be connected to your spirit

and reflect what it has been shown.

In my life, in my words, and in my actions may your radiance shine through.

May I touch the hem of your garment from time to time ...

Keep my heart from being cold as stone, make me soft and malleable

Keep me from the distraction of comparisons, 

Knowing that you have given me uniqueness

As I lift my hand to you, keep hold of me when I do not have the strength to hold on to you.

And thank you,

You are faithful, even when I am covered with doubts.

The icicles of both pictures reminded me of tassels

Peace of mind as I

Release my control

And say

Yes to God.

Everything

Rejuvenates

"True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." - Charles Spurgeon

Jocelyn is the author of Who is Talking out of My Head? Grief as an out of body Experience

Perhaps if she would pray more about her writing ... she would write more? She is busy with living her life as a prayer, and has a newfound interest in prayer shawls.

Photography by Jocelyn

A Jane Austen-style Summer - Ramona Heikel

Ahh, it's finally summer!  Warm enough to be outside for some hikes and picnics, and time enough to catch up on all the projects half-started during the past nine months of working.

Wait, what was that?  Did you say "all"?  All of your projects?  

Well...I'd like to get them all done...

What do you think God is saying about that? 

Oh.  Well, Lord, we've mainly been talking about slowing down and focusing, right?  Kind of the opposite of getting everything done, actually.

Yes, you're right.  I want you to re-learn how to rest.  Don't be in a hurry, don't make a load of writing plans.  Focus, and don't rush when you write.  Make a point to listen for my voice.  And don't insist on revising and resubmitting, because I might want you to work on something new.

But I have so much writing I want to do, and so little time!  How can I just...what was that intriguing word you used?

Oh, you mean the word "rest"?

Yes, you'll have to remind me how to do that again.  Anyway the point is, I can't be a successful writer by only writing a little during the school year and by "resting" during the summer, can I?  If I start a new project now, it will only just get drafted and then have to be dropped in September, when it will be added to my towering "half-finished" pile.  It's not like I'm a real writer whose entire life is one writing day after another.  The clock is ticking, summer holiday will be over before we know it!  I've got to get these children's pieces submitted and that story finished and review the novel now, or another year will go by and they'll still be sitting around!  It's not like I'm Jane Austen, an unmarried young woman supported by a well-off, creative family, with one long unending holiday from an outside job.

Why not?  It would do you good to get in the mindset of Jane Austen.  Of having a mind calm and uncluttered, a quiet routine; knowing you have a servant to shop and prepare food for you and your family, a sister to share chores with, a desk with paper and ink beckoning.  Not just for the summer, indefinitely.  Do it.  Get into that mode.

What?  You're kidding me.

Not at all.  In fact, since I've called you to write, you can count on me, can't you?  I give you what you need, like a calm, focused writing mind.  And I give you the time you need.

Really?

Of course.  Oh, you're such a child, when will you learn?

I don't know.  But at least I'm your child.

True that.

You'd really do my grocery shopping and make meals?

No, sorry, that part was just a metaphor.  Which reminds me...you'd better work on those, too.