And yet He desires to dwell in us!

On 112th St and West Central Park Ave, there is a beautiful place called St. John's Cathedral.  It's a gothic cathedral that has been in the process of being build for over 100 years!  They use all of the original masonry techniques and hand creating of this gorgeous place.  I don't have much experience with cathedrals, but this one is breath taking!  Stained glass windows, candles, vaulted ceilings, it's a beautiful place.  Last year, we came to this cathedral as a class and spent about 20 minutes inside.  During that time, I can remember sitting there in the main area of the audience seats and saying, "God, this is a place that is worthy to be your dwelling place.  It is really beautiful."  And just as soon as I prayed that little conversation starter to the Lord, I heard Him say right back to me, "Caitlin, I would much rather dwell in the halls of your heart.  That is beauty to me."  Tears ran down my cheeks and I think that started a new journey for me in my spiritual life (and not enough time to tell that whole story).  

So, needless to say, I figured that of all the places I could go in NYC, I would hit the spot where God spoke some pretty radical things to me last year.  I hit the subway and found the place--completely from memory, which is a miracle--and spent two hours there with the Lord.  During my time, I read the word, an activity that is done by a very small minority of people who visit the cathedral, and was photographed by a large group of Korean tourists who came to visit.  

Empty chairs mean that we still need to win people to the Kingdom.  Yeah!

A place for God to dwell.  

My Jesus.

During my time there, I wrote down the following thoughts. . .

"The vast halls of such a place are worthy of Him.  They are huge and beautiful with architecture greater than any ever seen.  Will we have cathedrals in heaven?  In the heavenly city, will we worship in halls like these?  And what of the great halls of those who live in the rainforests and in the bush?  The Spirit of God dwells just as comfortably in longhouses and huts.  These places too are worthy of him.  

I am sitting as close to the altar as I can right now.  But I have access to the thrones of heaven.  A member of the holy priesthood, this sanctuary is a home to me.  I can worship here and be free in His presence.  It is a place of great beauty.  He is my High Priest and my Beloved.  

The Lord and I are literally the only two here.  O, great solitude!  Psalm 25:14 says, 'The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,' an other translation is, 'The intimacy of the Lord is for those who fear Him.'  Beautiful.  

Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them."  

Father, where is your house?  Where do you dwell?  'Tell me, O You whom my soul loves, where do you pasture your flock? (Song of Songs 1)' 

In green pastures, beside quiet waters.  In paths of righeousness.  Sometimes through valleys and sometimes into battle but My goodness will go with you and My rod and My staff will be your comfort.  I am your Beloved and you are Mine.  All of Me is for you, and all of you is for Me."