Mar 23 2024
Every year when the Jewish holiday “Purim” is celebrated, (which happens to be today, March 24th) I try to revisit a wonder-full article by Charis Psallo, a blogger at https://charispsallo.me/. Having received her permission, I would like to share it with my small list here. It’s so worth a read, and not just because there is a stunning connection between Esther and Ephesians. But it also sheds more light into the Woman of the Song of Songs. I hope you enjoy it!
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/esther-in-ephesians-for-such-a-time-as-this/
Jul 14 2022
Hello friends. It’s been awhile since writing here, but it appears to be time to pop in and say “Surprise!” and share something amazing that happened last week. Please pray about what you read here. For me, it was life-changing. But it will need your own personal confirmation and application.
But first, a back story:
Recently I asked Father why I haven’t received many dreams, insights or revelations in awhile—specifically the kind from nature. Life feels dry, although to some degree, I understand why. I’m heavily committed into writing a book, and it’s challenging and time-consuming. But still. I miss the freshness of His presence, you know? The kind of “visitations,” or even “heavenly peeks,” that leave you speechless, yet overflowing. That kind.
After asking, the answer came…
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/bird-prohecy/
Apr 28 2020
In a discussion of differences between men and women, I once heard a comical depiction of men and a “cave” that they sometimes emotionally and mentally retreat into. There is apparently nothing in this cave, which is exactly how they like it, and a women especially isn’t allowed, (although they try) because if she did get in, she would take one look around and begin decorating it with pictures, rugs, and curtains! :-)
Women generally do love to decorate, whether it’s their homes, their men, or themselves. I used to think it was a natural feminine trait, but I’m rethinking this, knowing more than ever that deep in the heart of the woman, i.e. the Bride of Christ, there is a desire more powerful than to decorate. It is to be decorated.
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/ministry-of-beautification2-1-10/
Apr 22 2020
I’m noticing something in my study of the Song of Songs. Translations cannot be fully trusted to give an accurate picture of all that should be conveyed. Some seem to even tamper with the meaning, watering verses down to make them less offensive. I blame religion for this, who is knowingly or unknowingly always coming up with ways to strip the Bride of her association with Christ’s offense — thus making people fit their perfect ideal of “who gets in, and who stays out.” In 1:9 for example, a few versions translate “my mare” as a “company of horses,” when the Hebrew is clearly a female horse, who is among Pharaoh’s horses. But of course this would be a problem for the ancient mind. Often, and for a variety of suggestive details, a comparison of a woman to a mare or filly in poetic literature was a provocative one. In addition to that, horses in general were often associated with a pagan, extravagant lifestyle as well.
But there’s more to it than even this!
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/the-courage-of-the-bridal-mare/
Mar 15 2020
Finally! King Solomon sends back an answer to the Shulamite about a “noontime rendezvous.” :-) In his note, he gives her instructions for the path ahead. Now the only question is, “Will she venture out?”
I want to share a few things I see in his interesting response:
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/a-guided-mission/
Jan 24 2020
Jay Ferris had a striking analogy that was not always understood at first.
“The Kingdom of God is like a drop dead gorgeous woman
who walks into a room full of women….gender neutral.”
The point was not this woman is beautiful, or that she is confident in her beauty, but rather the reaction she gets from the other women. Jay went on to explain the “gender neutral” part:
“A man generally has to either say something or do something to get the same effect. And if a man either says something or does something that is prettier than what the other men in the room are saying or doing, it’s the same dynamic that goes on. It’s seen best when Jesus came to Jerusalem.All the experts who were experts before He got there, wanted to kill Him.”
What a poignant image this is, considering there was a houseful of women in …
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/black-tent-beautiful/
Jan 16 2020
Did you know there is a “mark” for the people of God? Ezekiel 9 and Revelation 7 are a couple places that speak of it. It is not the “mark of the beast,” or the “mark of Cain,” but a mark of identification with Christ. It is the reproaches of Christ Himself, by which He bore loss, rejection, ridicule, and misunderstandings.
The Shulamite woman in the Song of Songs was a “marked” woman as well. What little information she does reveal is intentional. Consider the following points:
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/gods-stigma-dark-secret-2/
Jan 14 2020
I believe we can assume self-consciousness was a temptation for the Shulamite at some point in her life, perhaps as soon as she came out of the chamber room of the King for the first time.
It’s not that Solomon made her feel that way. In his gaze she felt vulnerable, yes, but loved. He was ever so kind in how he dealt with her. A “consummate gentleman,” as the old saying goes. :-)
Rather, as soon as she came out of the King’s chamber she found herself suddenly under the judging eyes of her very own friends. At first they seemed to be encouraging to her, but now they are finding fault with her suntanned skin, which was an undesirable trait in those days. It was most likely because it looked even darker now, in contrast to the “glow” she was wearing on her face from being in the Beloved’s bed!
How did she respond to her friends? What can we learn?
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/being-gazed-upon-2/
Esther in Ephesians – For Such a Time As This!
A Tour of a Secret Garden
An Absolute Captivation by T. Austin-Sparks
Journey of Tears
Upping the Torch Flame
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