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/
Feb 06 2020
Do you know the song Artificial Flowers by Bobby Darin? It’s about an orphan girl forced to make paper decorations for rich women’s hats. She dies and finds out that God has a special garden just for her, with real flowers she doesn’t have to abrade her little fingers on.
This touching song was shared with me several years ago, and then recalled this week when reflecting on the Shulamite’s story. I’ve also been thinking about my own past and wondering what to share about it. We all have them, I know: stories of abuse, regrets, or both. The Shulamite woman talks about hers briefly, because she has moved on.
❀∙❀∙❀
🥀 … One of the things I’d like to mention is …
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/artificial-flowers/
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 22 2020
A brief pause here, to share a lesson I learned this week. As it often happens, it’s related to where we are in the Song of Songs. It is:
Telling others too much, too soon.
Doing so may feel good in the moment, but the results do not!
Think about it. Declaring “he brought me into his chambers” (1:4) was a true statement for the Shulamite, but it brought out the immaturity and hidden jealousy of the young women who heard her.
They immediately scanned her for faults. They judged her unworthy of a high calling. And they were closed off from rejoicing with her.
In the next post we’ll look at the stunning way she responded. (Sorry, I don’t mean to keep dangling that!) :-)
But meanwhile I got to thinking…
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/pausing-to-think-about-friends/
Dec 19 2013
Jay Ferris had a striking analogy that was not always understood at first, saying,“The Kingdom of God is like a drop dead gorgeous woman who walks into a room full of women – gender neutral.”
A poignant image considering there was 140+ women in King Solomon’s life when in relationship to the Shulamite.
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/beautiful-obscurity/
Dec 12 2013
Those who have “the mark” know that it is deeply painful, deeply personal, and one of the most profound honors imaginable. The Shulamite woman in the Song of Songs was one such woman. What little information she does reveal is very intentional. Consider the following:
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/gods-stigma/
Dec 09 2013
I am black, and lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem…Don’t see me only as dark, because the sun has looked upon me this way. My brother’s burned in anger with me; they made me guard the vineyards; but I have not guarded my own. Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where do you go to feed your flocks? Why should I be as one that is veiled by the flocks of your companions? ~Song 1:5-7
Permanent link to this article: https://intimatekingdom.com/gazed-upon/
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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