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God is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.-I Jn 4: 16b

When a person  is in love, they are engaging with God on a different level.

Love has to be both one of the singularly most misunderstood states on the planet , yet the most universally and profoundly grasped concept of humankind.

This Love is agape (Gk- a-ga-pay)

Relationships are the ultimate place to give and receive love. But broken people cannot give or receive love easily. When God's love is shed abroad in the human heart, bringing healing,love can flourish freely and fearlessly.

Agape is the daddy of all loves and at different times is given expression in all the other delightful forms we have come to think of as ‘love’ (and many we have not!).  But the premium, set apart quality of Agape is that it “seeks nothing in return”. This kind of love , in whichever form it is expressed longs only to be expressed. It lives only to be surrendered and even so, loses nothing of itself in the doing so. It preserves all parties intact whilst simultaneously having the ability to make whole those that are broken. Where it is received, rocks sing-believe it!

This kind of Love is too good to be true!

But it is true!

The Love of God is the creative force of the universe. It sustains all things and is the energy that IS all things, including the space between all things.

The wisest thing I ever did was believe that God was in love with me. It turned my world upside down and inside out and connected me with a Presence that I could literally feel delighting in my company.

“Listen, o daughter, consider and give ear.

Forget your people and your father’s house.

The king is enthralled with your beauty

Honour him, for he is your Lord” Ps 45:10-11

The king is enthralled by my beauty…wow!

The first verses that came alive to me from my Bible, were all like this, telling me of how intoxicatingly in love with me God is. Not with a love like anything I’d known (Ez 16:1-14). Not to use me or abuse me or exploit me or jealously possess me but to adore me, uplift me, adorn me, honour me. As I gazed upon His beauty, drawn in by his love, he showed me a truer reflection of myself and I fell in love again( 2 Cor 3:18. I love the “love version of Lisa”. I choose to live there! That’s what I call “Agapeism” now. It takes a bit of practise, but the more I see how God loves me and believe it, the more  those same beautiful qualities flow from deep within me, where God and I play together in the garden (SS 4:15-5:1).

About 25 years ago, as I rode a train through Sydney’s inner west, I was quietly conversing with God. At one point I asked for reassurance saying “If I could just know that you love me…” ( As in feel it as real) At that moment, I looked up and out the window. We were passing flat concrete blank walls of old terraces backing up to the railway line. Blank , that is, but for the graffiti. And there before me, sliding by on a wall, these words:

“I Love you, Lisa”

I was flooded with the experience of KNOWING God’s love for me again, just as I was the first time I read Ps 45:10-11 and felt the inner witness of it being spoken right then to me. I can choose to relive the reality of this love in my emotions as often as I please.  And I do. And so, more ‘love notes’ come in a variety of expressions. God loves me! I’m a being in the state of love and a love-being, a god-being and have my being in God. And I’m enveloped in love, one with God in this love state of being.

I believe God has given me the gift of being able to help others experience this truth in a deep, life changing, soul healing and undeniable way and I intend to do just that. So, to “whosoever will” out there who wants to know God’s love for them this way…hang around. I guarantee, if this is your desire and if you hunger for it, you will be filled.

Lisa IN Oz

Yesterday I began telling of Ecclesia’s history and purpose. Whilst I don’t wish to spoil any of the story in this book, there’s a lot that can be shared-and part of that includes the process of getting Ecclesia into print.

Balboa Press Australia- a division of Hay House

Escape to Ecclesia is being published by Balboa Press and the purpose behind the recent fundraising cruise was to gather the final payment for the publishing and editing packages, so the work could keep moving.

The night was a great success as an event and a small amount was raised. After conferring with Balboa, the balance owed was able to be met, so everything will be resuming this month. I hope to keep you informed here of progress.

In the mean time, let me introduce to you our protagonist, Molly Grace.

Our protagonist, Molly Grace

Molly is about 15 1/2 when the book begins, set in 1955. She is dark haired, dark eyed and of olive complexion. She has quite a distinct  look about her, some think Spanish or French, and favourite types of clothing enhancethese traits giving her a bit of a gypsy appearance. She is something of an oddity in her small fishing community, not only because of her exotic look but also because she is very artistic and intuitive and not like most teens her age…and she mixes with the Jebediah, the owner of a local second hand bookstore who looks unnervingly like an old wizard.

Life has become quite emotionally difficult for Molly at the commencement of our story and she is desperate to find the peace and happiness she used to have. Whilst an optimistic and insightful teenager, she longs for someone to take care of her and give her the support she feels she needs, which is probably why she attracted the wise elderly father-like Jebediah as a friend.

Molly loves books and spends endless hours in her own garden sanctuary receiving inspiration for stories, songs and other artworks. She often compiles these into handmade books that she shares with her little brother Joey ( 10 years her junior) and sometimes her four cousins who live a few doors up the same road. As she lies on the green lawn of her reverie and listens to the sound of the song of the wind in the trees, Molly dreams of far away imaginary worlds. She feels a deep connection to someone or thing but doesn’t really know who or what. However, it comforts her, so she enjoys it.

There’s a lot of unexpected surprises in this book…a sci-fi/spiritual  fantasy, not a period piece.

Ecclesia is a "liminal" island...unlike any other.

In anticipation of my upcoming novel “Escape to Ecclesia”, subtitled Molly Grace’s Flight For Freedom, I have decided to use this space to let people know a bit about this world of Ecclesia, its history and some of the characters that are introduced in this novel. There are more characters that will be revealed in subsequent instalments, but we’ll just pick up here and see how we travel.

Ecclesia Sands is an island.

Recorded earth history of this island dates back to the 1200s. At this time, Ecclesia was land locked, attached to a subcontinental plate somewhere in the Tasman Sea, between Tasmania and the Australian mainland.  The island was populated by a race of beings that were alien to the earth and these amphibious creatures were referred to as Sea Ecclesians, or S”Ecclesians. The Guardian,  and then overseer of the island, was a S”Ecclesian known as Luminat but the founder of Ecclesia, and her ultimate sovereign, was Lord Liminal.

Liminal’s purpose in establishing Ecclesia and bringing a community of S”Ecclesians to earth was to aid humanity’s evolution into its fullness and to usher in the dawning of a New Age with its divine way of living and being.

In keeping with the nature of the beings inhabiting her, Ecclesia had a submarine terrain as well as a surface one. Although the S”Ecclesians lived beneath the sea, they were able to function quite capably on land, especially if they had regular time out of water. These creatures set up alternate forms of industry and power, being far more advanced in these processes than human kind. Being skilled craftsmen and artisans of all kinds, Ecclesia soon boasted stunning architecture, exquisite sculptures and diverse kinds of artworks, as well as oracles that spoke of the destiny of Ecclesia and all those called to participate in her work on planet earth.

But Ecclesia’s greatest glory was a large fiery orb,  known as The Pearl of Great Price-like a miniature sun that hovered over a specific place in the Desolate Ranges. It is the light of The Pearl that was the source of life on Ecclesia and provided access to other dimensions, worlds, knowledge and power, connecting all things in a singular state of being.

The “call” of Ecclesia reverberates throughout the earth (even today), calling to those who long to know Truth and Love and are ready to face their fears and believe. For this reason Ecclesia  was named as her title is Greek meaning “the called out ones”.

Escape to Ecclesia traces the tale of one group of such “called out ones”, and in particular, an adolescent known as Molly Grace.

Well, the “Escape to Ecclesia” Sunset cruise was a great night according to pretty much all I’ve heard.

A lucky door prize went to Christiana, the best dressed to Ben ( below ) and the treasure hunt prize to Dana. Thanks to MotoButler, Morton Massage and me, hee hee for the prizes contributed. As well as Craig Mitchell for help with studio music and my brother James Shah for the flyer/logo design and for the loading music to website. AND Kenny , our cruise director.

Ben won the "Best Dressed Award" which gives him one of my portraits in this guise.

We had great music with extras, beginning with Aaron Lewis, Aaron West, Rachel Schembri (Shah), Mitch Pattulagan and David Fennel as well as a song by Davina Drinan.

Some monies were raised but an update on how much closer we are to publishing will be posted next week, after some final calculations.

Enormous thanks to everyone for participating and having so much fun!

Any future updates of “Escape to Ecclesia” will be posted here, twitter and facebook and possibly Youtube, so make sure you’re connected!

Lisa

Qld, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Oct 30, 2011.

At the river end of Cavill Ave, the MV Empress (of Gold Coast Party Cruises) sets sail on its fancy dress “Escape to Ecclesia” Sunset Cruise-part of a pre-launch incentive for local author, Lisa Shah’s new novel. Attendees will be treated to a complimentary first drink, a BBQ and salads, excellent live music from a range of well known Gold Coast talent, prizes and giveaways in addition to earning their own special place in the list of Acknowledgments in the front of the book.

Local mother of 5 and music professional, Lisa Shah is already recognised by many for her musical and artistic talents, but in this latest work, Ms Shah has combined these skills with her storytelling to write what one editorial review describes  as follows “The author takes a more original tack with this manuscript than most young adult fantasy novelists, avoiding obvious heralds to “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings”…there is something special about this story, and the author has done great work in developing her characters and moving the plot along a very efficient and exciting path. Young readers will delight in Molly’s turn of events, and the tremendous adventure she endures with her bevy of new friends.”  (Balboa Press 2011)

The novel is of the Fantasy genre for 12+ and even has several songs written into the text-some of which are being given away to guests attending this memorial Cruise. When asked what future Ms Shah would like to see for her book, she says with a big smile, “A feature film, of course!”  She goes on to say, “Ecclesia is a special place that’s been a ‘world’ in progress for more than 13 years with a comprehensive history that intersects with real world events and people, blurring the boundaries and creating new perspectives. It is an experiential way to help people understand how their talents and passions are part of a much bigger picture and in following them with commitment they will develop character to overcome their fears, live out their destinies and create powerful personal legacies.”

To make enquiries or reserve your place on the cruise visit www.lisashahcruise.com or call Lisa Shah on 0438 944 746 .

Places are strictly limited and booking is essential.

$55 a head. Early bird ( till Oct 15) and group discount specials apply.

This is an 18+ event.

Call 0438 944 746

In short, EVERYTHING!

God is LOVE. The terms are synonymous, the names interchangeable.

When a human being stands and surveys their life, wondering what part love plays, let me say this:
Love is ALL.
This Love is not restricted to some whimsical emotion that shifts with mood or circumstances. This Love is a commitment to rid oneself of the Fear that brings any and every kind of suffering. It takes the greatest kind of courage.
When what enters your life is not that which you desire, it is still Love? Yes. How so?
It is the work of Love revealing where you have Fear.

Fear and Love are the only forces at work in this world. The first of these resides in the brokenness of humanity, the latter in the wholeness of the Authentic nature deep within.

You are born of Love, but where Fear has been allowed to live and fester in your thinking, it has the ability to become the overriding motivator of your actions. It leads you to take paths that will not bring life and peace. It leads some into a pit of despair from which they feel they can never escape. I know.

All is not lost, though. It never is -in spite of how it looks or feels.

By choosing to face the circumstances, the people and yourself and realise that a deeper part of you is wanting to persevere through into Love’s power and fullness, you can become a “shock absorber” and turn what was of Fear into Love, leading to the joy and fulfilment you desire.

“All things work together for good for those who love the Lord [Love] ” Romans 8:28

Suffering is a cruel teacher and not the only way to learn, but when we fail to heed the voice of our own inner guidance, this breach brings pain -WITH torment. This then can become a greater force for Fear and perpetuate the cycle repeatedly…until one stops, decides to learn the lesson, feel the grief of having made our lives harder than they needed to be, forgive ourselves for being less than we wanted to be and receive the restoring work of Grace that Love alone can wrought within a soul.

Making things “right” ( that is, WHOLE), changing the fruit of our harvest, involves bringing to birth a new part of one’s Authentic nature. This is no different in principle to giving birth in the natural. There are cycles of tightness and tension and discomfort but there is a part of us within that knows how to do this when left unhindered to do so. Simply surrender and breathe-just the same way a woman’s body knows how to conceive, incubate and deliver a baby.

The deeper we grow into Love, the more intense this process becomes because we are uprooting major tumours and the more radiant we will be for the journey. The evidence of what manifests in a person’s life is proof that they are ready to address these things, whether they feel ready or not. Their desire for what they love is drawing them.

Light up your world with Love

All of this is the work of Love. Love doesn’t come cheap. Not this kind of Love. Because Love drives out Fear. It reveals it and when allowed to do its work, drives it out,leaving the heart FREE and CLEAN.
It requires your WHOLE HEART.
But when it comes down to it, the human soul will be content with nothing less. And distraction from this purpose only gets harder to find and more anguishing to maintain.

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”
“Draw near to Love and Love will draw near to you”

But, Love is not for the faint hearted. Be prepared to covenant yourself to Love. This is the higher way of Agapeism.
“Why spend money on what is not bread
and your labour on what does not satisfy?” Is 55:2
This is why a reverent heart that adores God stands us in such good stead and fills a being with a deep sense of purpose and nobleness.
Nothing feels as good as living TRUE TO ONESELF through and through.
Let Love and Truth abide in your inmost parts. They will protect you

Find your life in LOVE.

“God is Love[Agape], whoever lives in love[agape], lives in God and God in him. There is no fear in Love [agape],but perfect love [agape] casts out fear.”

Agape is the Greek word ascribed to the Love of GOD.

Agapeism is the practice and philosophy of Agape as a way of living ( and dying where applicable!) We are that Love.

A heart on fire with the Love of God will be full of radiant light.

The path of Agapeism views all of life’s occurrences as opportunities to know and grow in Love and beyond Fear. These are the only two compelling forces. One from Ego ( judgment/reason/sin nature) one from authentic Self (intuitive/compassionate/spirit nature).

When you know all things enter your life by way of you own heart’s door, you can open yourself to the insights they bring, release the pain of being a victim and become a Champion in Love.

Humans fear pain more than anything else-phyiscal pain, but even more so, emotional pain. Love ensures a path that will be the least painful and whatever discomfort there is, when embraced, it comes with a peace, a grace and a confident expectation that makes it bearable.

Agapeism has a heart of worship at its core. It reverences Love and life with a holy appreciation and sees God for the love He is within and surrounding us.

Agapeism Ministries is all about this worship.

Connecting and communing with God, experiencing that Love, aligning with it and living more free of Fear every day