Message

"Raising the Tent over L.A."
by Rev. Lorraine D. Coconato,
Leaves of Healing Ministries

Tentmakers are blessed people; people who flow in a graciousness of service, selflessness and steadfastness. Paul, the Apostle, was a tentmaker, (Acts 18: 3), outfittinging God's people with the tools and training that they would need to erect tents of praise throughout the territories that were entrusted to him.

Tentmaking was a commonplace occupation throughout the centuries, as the early patriarchs were tent-dwellers, living transient lives, affording them the opportunity to move, leave, regroup whenever an enemy lurked nearby.

Ever mindful of the temporary inconveniences and sometimes perilous pitfalls in the service of the Lord, Paul enumerated on several occasions, the difficulties, beatings and hardships that he sustained in the ministry. Yet, in a world, similar to ours today, engulfed with idolatry, preaching autonomy, immersed in relativism, he said, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4: 14) So must we!

This reminds me of an amusing story that took place twenty years ago in the backyard of our Loveland, Ohio home. My husband and I purchased an innovative tent for our sons, so that they and their friends could camp out in our backyard. (with adult supervision) Our eldest son, then about six years old, assisted me in deciphering the instructions that accompanied this new wonder that promised hours of fun, years of learning life skills, and family enjoyment. The store salesman guaranteed that the assembly was simple! Thus, we were very anxious to assemble it and experience the promised fun!

From early morn until dusk, we assembled the tent. Around the dinner hour, we completed the task with the assistance of other neighborhood children. Since we lived in a rural community, all the neighbors knew that we had erected a tent in our backyard. The kids excitedly discussed who would camp out first.

Though the assembly was not simple, as promised, (we pressed on in deter- mination!) I gathered my children indoors and spent the evening planning our overnight campout that would take place the following night. We went to bed with great anticipation that the next evening we would be sleeping in the great outdoors! Crickets chipping, birds singing, frogs croaking would be music to our ears!

But, sometimes things happen that are not expected. Know that adversity is a ladder for instruction and discipline.

Upon arising the next morning, our son and two friends packed food to
eat in the tent and planned to spend the day, undercover, enjoying the
gentle autumn breezes. Peering out the back door, we observed that the breeze of the previous day had turned into a full blown gust with a weather alert of "tornado warning!" Worst of all, our tent was no where to be seen! I couldn't believe my eyes! Could someone have stolen our tent? Were the robbers our neighbors?

Little did I know that several hours earlier, our tent had become airborne and had flown about a half mile down the road! The neighborhood kids and I formed a search team and after several hours, we found our tent stuck high in a tree and twisted around an electrical wire! Our plans, our hopes, our expectations were changed in a moment by a mighty rushing wind!

Oh, Los Angeles, how I wait to visit you. How I yearn to be your God! How I yearn to fill your hands with blessings!
Forsake your plans, forsake your goals. (Matthew 10: 37-39). Give Me all your expectations and your desires. (Psalm 62:5).
Allow Me to raise up a tent over your city! Permit Me to blow the wind of My Spirit into your city.
Sit at My feet. (Luke 10:39). Learn from Me. (Matthew 11: 29). Suspend
all that is formed by man. (Genesis 11: 4). Bow before Me and seek My face and I will flow life into streets of darkness. I will change hearts that are dull into hearts that delight in Me!
I will flow rivers of love through your streets. Not rivers tainted by the pollutions of sin, but rivers of crystal clearn, life-begetting waters that will rinse and clean your walkways, highways and waterways.
I will be to My people a Redeemer. I will be to My people a Shepherd.
Will you allow Me to be the Wind of Deliverance? Will you allow Me to be the Defender of your ways?
For I have heard the cries of My faithful ones and I will raise up a tent over this city and I will transform this city for My praise.
So gather the shepherds, call in the sheep, rescue the strays and know that I will raise a tent of praise in L.A!
For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake, says the Lord. (Isaiah 37: 35).

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