myemanna.org

Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot Cross Buns
If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot Cross Buns 

I am walking with Jesus down a cobblestone walkway.  The shops and houses we pass seem to be from the 1700’s.  We stop at a large, sturdy wooden building.  There is nothing lovely about it, but you knew it had weathered many storms.  It is early morning, and the sky is just beginning to lighten the horizon.  We enter, and inside the building is a solitary man.  There is only one large room, with simple wooden desks in perfectly neat rows.  The man is kneeling at the front, praying and worshiping the King of Heaven.  It occurs to me that we are standing in an old schoolhouse, and the man we’re observing in prayer is the teacher.  As he is praying he becomes aware of small demons on his left against the wall.  He takes decisive action against them, using his gun to blow them to pieces.  They seem almost in a drunken stupor because of his prayers - they were easy targets for him.

Outside the schoolhouse a baker is selling his freshly baked bread.  I can hear his cart rattling along the cobblestone street.  He’s singing out, “Hot cross buns - hot cross buns!  One-a-Penny, Two-a-Penny, hot cross buns!”  The teacher must have purchased some from him, because each of the desks in the room now had a bun on top.  The teacher took his sword and began slicing through each bun.  Some were full of worms.  They looked perfect on the outside, but inside they were full of defiling things.  His discernment brought about the revelation that things were not as they appeared.  He discarded those that were not fit for consumption.  The ones that were good he pinched small pieces off, and placed them on the now empty desks.  Instantly they became whole buns - fit for eating.  He then took what looked to be an ink well out of his pocket - filled with oil instead of ink.  With a paintbrush he “painted” each bun with oil - following the marks of the cross indented in the bread.  Satisfied that his room was now ready for the day ahead, he returned to his desk and waited for his students to arrive.

Moments later the boys burst though the door.  What was once peace and quiet turned into reckless pandemonium.  Boys covered in dirt, in unkempt clothing, hair sticking up in all directions - they were a motley crew of energy and boarish masculinity. 

And then at the back of the classroom the door opened again.

In walked Lydia, the teacher’s daughter.  Perfectly polished she stood in sharp contrast to the rowdy boys who had entered before her.  Her features were most delicate - but not frail.  Carefully she made her way to her father at the front of the class.  She held one smooth, red apple in her hand.  As she reached his desk, her father pulled her onto his lap in an unashamed embrace.  How proud he was of this precious one who held his rapt attention!  The whole room was quiet as they watched the interaction between the father and his daughter.  He whispered things to her that only she could hear.  Their great love was on display for the whole class to see.  The only response the boys could give was awed silence.

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Emanna, the teacher made preparations for his students - he loved each one well, and made sure that what he provided for them was wholesome and beneficial.  But did you see them eat?  They did not see the loaves carefully set before them.  They could not see how filthy and unkempt they were, nor how noisy they were being.  Their friends were all the same - they were no different.  It was only in the presence of purity that they finally fell silent.  It was only in the intimate presence of the love the father and daughter had for one another that a holy hush fell upon them.  Only then were their hearts ready to receive what their teacher had prepared for them that day.  Each boy craved the attention and affection of the teacher.  But they were just students - she was his daughter.  In order to enjoy the intimacy and love of relationship on display they would each have to be adopted as sons. 

This is what the bread on each desk represented.  Each loaf represented My sacrifice, My body - given on their behalf.  The oil on each loaf is the presence of My Holy Spirit.  It was painted onto the indentations of the cross because My Spirit was poured out for you as a result of My crucifixion.  The daughter came to her father with a simple gift in hand - a red apple.  It is a gift of love to her father.

“Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.”  Song of Songs 2:5

Daughter, she presents to her father the fruit of intimacy.  She gives back to him the love he has poured into her life.

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men.  I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.  He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.”  Song of Songs 2:3-4

When you come to Me with a heart ready for intimacy, will I not reward you?  My desire is to walk with you each day and partake of the fruits of intimacy.  As you walk with Me and seek Me beyond all others, I will take you personally to the banquet table of My Father.  On His table is the richest of fares, and more besides.  His food is not of this world Beloved, but is given for your edification and spiritual strength.  Revelation is there, as well as wisdom and understanding.  Greater levels of intimacy are prepared and await you.  Authority is there, but you must allow Me to serve this dish to you.  Drink deeply from the cup of My favor.  Savor the fruit of My Spirit.  Partake of the delicacies of promises fulfilled.  These will delight your soul.  It is your Father’s good pleasure to share this meal with you.

“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”  Revelation 3:20

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

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I knew very little about hot cross buns until I had this vision.  Check out the cool info I found about them here.  How appropriate that He would show this to me before Easter!

As I was doing a name search on “Lydia” I found that it is a Greek name which means “from Lydia”, or “beauty”.  For some interesting information about the Lydia of the Bible go here.

After writing this post, I am aware that I have not fully explained each element in the vision.  I expect that I’ll have more revelation concerning each aspect in the days ahead, but I give it to you as it was given to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts if the Lord gives you further understanding concerning the above story.

Blessings,

Emanna

“Look at me,” she thought to herself.  “I’m clothed in dirty rags, my face is covered in mud, and my whole body is dusty and dry and caked with dirt.”  With a sigh, and a terrible longing in the pit of her stomach, she looked toward the house - His house.  Feeling worthless and ashamed at her condition, all she could do is stand in the dark alleyway and look through the window at the display of love and comraderie found within.

Suddenly, the door swings open!  There stands the most gregarious man, filling the entire doorway with His massive frame and infectious presence.  He wipes His hands on His apron and looks at the young woman standing in the alley - tattered and torn.  With a delightful twinkle in His eyes He asks, “Daughter, why are you in the street?”  He beckons her to come in.  As she crosses the threshold He sweeps her off her feet in a huge bear hug.  He has her sit down in front of a basin of water, where he begins to wash the dirt away.  He plays “piggies” with her toes as He washes the grime from her feet, laughing as she tries to pull away.  His laugh is so hearty, so contagious, so joyful and rich - so larger than life itself.  He beckons His new-found daughter to join the others at the table - her brothers and sisters seated at a table prepared just for them.  They too look grimey, but their hands and feet have been washed as hers had just moments before.  Bowls of delicious steaming soup sit before each child.  With joy in His eyes, the Father hands her a bowl as well.

As she is eating, she notices that there’s a warm, inviting fire in the hearth where the soup is cooking in a large black cauldron.  He could feed the whole world from that one pot!  Light from the fire dances across the walls of the room.  It was not a fancy home, but it was full of love, full of life - full of the Father’s presence.  Great peace was in this home as well as freedom.  Freedom from every fear, freedom from rejection, freedom from sorrow or pain.  In this house those things fell away as each child entered the joy of the Father.  All needs were met - cleanliness, food, protection, love, and so much more. 

Some of the children would eat their fill and then leave once more.  If they stayed away too long, they often forgot their Father and forgot whose child they were.  But something invariably would draw them back to the simple home on the crowded street where they would glance longingly through the window at the joy inside.  The Father always invited them back home once more, and would remind them of His great love.  Others would stay way past dinner, sit at His feet, and wait for the stories to begin.  Adventures, heartache, victory, and a host of other dramatic elements peppered His unending stories.  He knew all the stories since the beginning of time when the first breath from the first man was ever released, and all the stories that came before.  Heaven itself could not contain the stories found in the Father’s heart!  There was not a tear that was wasted, not a song unnoticed, not a cry unaddressed in the stories He told.

Full of His stories, the children would leave the Father’s side and venture out into the surrounding neighborhoods, bringing more children to the Father’s door.  Some willingly received His embrace, while others would venture in but hide from the Father’s gaze - afraid of who-knows-what, wrapped in fear and doubt and unbelief.  But as they saw the Father’s lavish love toward His children, they too crept closer, hungry for just one glance, one beaming smile from the heart of Love Himself. 

And then there were the others.  They never left their Father’s house.  They ate at His table and were as fat as they could be.  Even in the presence of such great love, they chose to hoard what the Father gave them, they vied for the best positions at the table, and bickered amongst themselves.  The Father encouraged them to go and bring others to His house, and to His table, but they refused to go.  They didn’t want to share His goodness and love with others, but wanted it all for themselves.  Their greed corrupted their hearts.  And yet they remained in the Father’s house because of His great love, never realizing they were in danger of losing their reward.  He’s so patient with them, not wanting any of them to perish.

Sometimes a spirit of repentance would fall upon one of them, and that beloved child would throw himself in a heap at the Father’s feet.  This would greatly anger the others and pour conviction into their hearts.  In their anger and frustration they would begin kicking at the one at the Father’s feet until he was bruised and bleeding.  The Father would hold them back with one arm, while gently picking up and holding His precious child with his other arm - rejoicing over the salvation of His sorrowful child.  He tenderly knit this precious one to His side so health and healing, love, joy, and peace would flow freely into the one so bruised and broken. 

Of course the child could remove himself at any time.  But if he allowed the Father to remove him at the proper time, then he would be strong enough to join the Father in His work, and go out and bring others to the Father’s house.  He would completely identify with the Father and not forget the love poured out for him.  If he remained long enough, his heart would begin to beat in perfect time and rhythm with the Father’s, and his veins flow with the same compassion that flows through His.  And peace, and truth and love will cover his footsteps.

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One morning when I was sitting before the Lord He began to unfold this story in my heart.  I was a teen once more, peering through the window of my Father’s home at the joy on display.  I was the one in the alley wanting more, but feeling unworthy to partake.  We’ve all had those times in our lives when our failures hang over our heads like the Acme weight perpetually found in the Roadrunner cartoons.  Discouraged and beaten we somehow make it to the door, but are afraid to go in.  “Will He condemn me too?”  “Will He heap more condemnation onto my battered soul?”  Oh Beloved, that is the biggest lie the enemy feeds us, because he knows if we walk through the door of the Father’s house there is abundant provision for every need.  He receives all who come.  Not a one is turned away who humbly comes into His presence. 

The most surprising thing I found about this story was that the Father is so playful!  He was so fun to be around - so joyful and full of life.  He was warm and inviting.  I think we carry this picture of God in our hearts that is unapproachable.  It is an untrue picture.  If you have one of those tucked inside your heart destroy it quickly.  Draw a new picture.  Please believe me when I tell you that He is utterly approachable.  He’s in a good mood, and He loves you!  Heaven could not contain the love He has for you.  Not only is He in a good mood, He also prefers your company.  He lives to provide for His children.  But those who decided to stay even after receiving their needs met received the greatest blessings.  Then they in turn blessed others, and led them back to the Father.  Freely they received His love, and freely they gave it away.

This time I was the girl in the alley desperately wanting more, but at other times I’m the one cowering in the corner, or sitting at His feet, and yes, I’ve even been the one fat and contented but lacking in love and compassion.  So where are you in the story?  Does you heart long to go deeper?  Are you hiding fearfully in the corner of the room?  Are you hungry?  Are you desperate for time at His feet?  Are you busy bringing others to the Father?  Are you struggling with self-righteousness?  He’s aware of it all.  And whatever state we find ourselves in, He is faithful.  And He knows what it will take to get you from the alley to the table where He wishes for you to be.  Oh Beloved, seek His face.  Truly those who seek Him find Him, and often what He reveals turns our world upside-down and challenges every notion we’ve ever had of who He really is.  I want to know Him as I am known.  He is utterly amazing, endearing and delightful!

Sounds like dinner is ready and the stories are about to start…wanna come?!