1 Chapter 14 THE MYSTERY HIDDEN FOR AGES Reunion Continued I referred to this chapter in Reunion, but it needs an Explanation or Introduction. I feel that this excerpt definitely fits into this book: The Magic, The Miracles, The Mystery. I questioned: How much of this should I include here? You see, the book, In Search of Dutch Cleanser: The Mystery of Me, is somewhat of an autobiography, as it tells about my search for my identity, especially as I looked to my relationship with my family of origin for answers. This excerpt came toward the end of the book. Dad always insisted I should write a mystery, and I explained that I m not a mystery writer. But, somewhat facetiously, I decided to write the Mystery of Me. In the meantime, my dad had died and I wanted to communicate with him, as I had with others who had made their transition. This is my experience: Parent Communication Process During the next week I decided to complete my "Parent Communication Process" with Dad. It's an imaginary time to create a space to communicate with your parent (alive or dead), and say whatever you need to say to them, and ask them what they have to say to you. "Okay, Dad," I said, after I'd listed some of my feelings, including that I felt abandoned by him, and hurt that he hadn't shown more interest in my writing and ministry, "so what do you want to say to me." Clearly the words came through me, "I'm sorry. I had so many hang-ups. I know I let you down, but I'm going to make it up to you. I'll help you write your book, and I'll help you with your ministry. It's much easier here. I have no limitations, and I know what must be done. I've already given you your title." I thought a minute, and said, "That's right, I didn't have that title for this, book until after your death." I remembered that shortly before he died I'd read the first chapter to him, but it wasn't part of this book at that time; just another uncompleted writing project. "I'll also help with the publication, and I'll be helping with your ministry," he added. "That's why you've been unable to move ahead. The timing was created long ago, in agreement between us, before our births. Now it will happen, and
you'll know it's me. Oh, there's so much more to existence than you can ever imagine. It's wonderful. Don't ever despair. You are never alone or abandoned. Not by me, not by anyone, and especially not by God. Soon you'll be free of that pattern forever, and then just be happy. I love you. Remember, In Search of Dutch Cleanser is the point of contact between us." Within a week, guided to the Bible, I began reading the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, written when he was in prison. I'd read it many times, but this time God revealed the words to me in a new way. And no doubt of Dad's communication came to mind when I read: "He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will....for he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will...a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." Wow! I gasped. "Can this be the mystery I'm writing about? Can this be the mystery of me? Of course it is, and I've known it all along. But something is different. I continued reading: "...the Father of glory may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you." My body quivered in excitement. The answer to the mystery is in these pages. I know it. I turned the page: "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." I put the book aside; "The household of God." Oh my God. I hadn't thought of it that way. I am a member of God's family. I've read those words so many times, in so many ways, but they were never real until now. I read on: "...assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ... Well, of course, Paul's talking about Christ in you your hope of glory, which he referred to as the mystery hidden for ages in his Letter to the Colossians. I've always loved that verse. It confirmed that God lives within us as the very essence of our being; the energy of the atoms from which we are created. I know there's no separation. We are one with God, but I hadn't gotten the connection on this level until now. Is there more? Yes, lots. As I read the next words, I realized that they're 2
not just about Paul and the Ephesians, but like the entire Bible, they are meant for me too. "Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord... It came to me that through trying to solve the Mystery of me, by writing this book, I could make a contribution toward my readers so they could resolve their family dysfunctionalism and inharmony by realizing that they too are members of the family of God, and that is their true inheritance, and their true legacy. I'd been given this journey of unraveling my own inner child, and attempting to resolve my childhood issues. Now, it seems, Dad has guided me to the very words I needed to solve the mystery, and God has revealed them to me, and healed my heart, which is already filled, but I kept reading: "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. "Every family is named after the Father, God." How much clearer can it get? And how many times and ways must it be said? Love is the key to solving this mystery. After several verses, describing the riotous behavior of the "sons of disobedience," when we fall into the grips of the Adversary through ego-oriented self-indulgence, Paul gives us the solution to growing-up the inner child. "Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life, and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." Paul not only solves the mystery, but tells us how to live with each other as a family-in-love. 3
Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." He even gives us modern-day psychology that says we must feel our feelings, even anger: "Be angry but do not sin (failure to fulfill our divine perfection); do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil" (the Adversary, or adverse consciousness who tries to control through the ego, patterns, and addictions, or whatever rules us other than God). There's more: "Therefore be imitators of God (our Father) as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." "...Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time... but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." Is there any question in your mind that this God-guided material is the conclusion of a book on the family? If so, read on: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother'(this is the first commandment with a promise)'that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Would we have the violence and chaos in the world today, if these words had been followed? I think not. Paul gives us a handbook of life, and I suggest you read his letter in its entirety for the complete solution to the mystery of me, which is also the mystery of you. May you find the solution to your life's mystery, as I have. For I feel even more strongly guided in my ministry to those in bondage, whether behind bars, or within limitations of the Adversary. I will continue to teach that love is the key to inner freedom. As the Bible says, we must love and forgive ourselves, and then our families, and this is the basis for a harmonious and peaceful life. I close with words that have sustained me, and will continue to give me strength. I pray they speak to you: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood <our family>, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present 4
5 darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying." An Interlude I m being guided to explain to myself, and my readers, that this chapter is an interlude between what has preceded and what is to follow. I could not continue with the book, or my life, without reinforcement of the words in this chapter, which were given to me many years ago; and which still are not published, as such. However, as I m editing this book in my Recovery Series, I can add that my book, In Search of Dutch Cleanser; The Mystery of Me, has been entered on my innerfreedom.net website, and is available for all to read, as my ministry is now ready to move forward, and my former website is professionally redesigned into two websites: innerfreedom.org and innerfreedom.net. Hooray! It is, and always has been, a matter of God s timing in order for me to go through what I ve experienced in the last two years, as I approach the second anniversary of the separation of my marriage, which will be August 15 th, two weeks from the time I m writing this chapter. I am told that I will be guided how to move forward with redesigning and restructuring my website, and the help I need will come forth. The theme of my new focus will be Recovery, which will fulfill the commitment I made while writing the words that are repeated in this chapter, to reach out to people who are recovering from dysfunctional families, addictions, patterns, and other limitations. I invite you to visit my website, www.innerfreedom.net, and click on How
to Change Money Patterns. This will take you to the location of In Search of Dutch Cleanser, for now. This website is not completed, but the book is there. Once the changes are completed, it will be much easier to find my books and other features, which will still include my Inner Freedom Ministry and my Inner Freedom RV Journeys, as well as How to Change Money Patterns. In addition, I invite you to innerfreedom.org for more of my writings. In the meantime, I will continue adding to my latest book, Who is Joyanna? Life Goes on, Era 9: 2018, as my life unfolds, and editing my Recovery Series, which I ve already lived and written; and those books are available on innerfreedom.org, under the Recovery Series link 6