Visiting Arise

Several weeks ago Aaron took me to another church called Arise. It was held at Meysen Maruyama campus and the pastor was Meysen's HR guy. Two of Aaron's friends picked us up in the morning and give us a ride.  They informed us that there would be a guest speaker this week. It was the former pastor of their main church (of which Arise is a sister church) in Tochigi. By a really strange series of events, I had just been offered a job in Tochigi to work at an international school that was also part of church there. Well, it turned out that this guest speaker was the former pastor of that very church in Tochigi and the school's principal was his daughter-in-law. It was crazy timing and crazy networking. 

Being in that church was very energizing. Unfortunately I was feeling really sick that day and was kinda out of it. But the speaker gave a very empowering message on having God's authority as his apostles. It was nice to hear such a powerful message that was building up the faith and community. He was really enthusiastic and excited for God. His attitude was really uplifting. At the end he prophesied over everyone in the church. This was something that I definitely needed. It has been nearly a year since someone had prophesied over me. 

The first person he prophesied over was the pastor. While he was prophesying I also started to see something for the pastor and got a picture for him. This was such a relief because I haven't gotten pictures from God in months and I haven't prophesied in ministry in almost a year. Well I didn't deliver the word I got to him yet because there was a long line of people waiting to get prayed for. 

The next person after the pastor was me. The speaker prophesied and of course got everything right. He mentioned my spiritual battles that I had been going through and identified them. This was an encouragement just for them to be acknowledged. But he mentioned a particular battle I knew I was facing but I hadn't quite put it together what it was exactly and he said it. Religiosity. My own pastor from Bluewater had mentioned that word in an email but somehow it didn't click. I guess I was afraid of calling it that because I've been trying so hard to adapt. It somehow felt wrong and judgmental to use that word. But when he said it I knew it was the truth. Thankfully he prayed for me and that I would break out. He also said that I was a creative person and prayed that I would get to use it. Finally, he said,  "You are going to prophesy. I don't know if you have any experience with this kinda stuff. But prophesy, prophesy, PROPHESY!" When he said that I laughed to myself because God had already given me something!  

After Aaron had gotten his prophetic word (which is he's the Son of Thunder!  So I'm dating Thor. The geek in me is excited about that!), we went over to the pastor and I gave him my word. I was really rusty!  It was not graceful or articulate at all. I really need and want to practice more. But I'm sure he was blessed and I felt so happy to prophesy over someone in Japan. 

Afterwards I still wasn't feeling good. (I shoulda told them to heal me!) So we went to get some udon for lunch. Not long after I got a sudden call. Aaron was holding my phone at the time, so he answered.  It was the principal of the school in Tochigi. I guess her father-in-law told her about me. We had a short chat and hung up pretty quickly. I told her I couldn't take the job at the moment. But it sure felt nice to be pursued!

I spent the night resting to get over my sudden cold. But it was a nice spiritual day for me. It felt like real rest. And I didn't feel so isolated anymore. It also made me see that God is still up to his stuff even though I can't see it. I guess what I needed was a heavy dose of the Holy Spirit and I was glad to receive it. I hope I can visit that church again one day.