HIS
BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE
(The Song of Solomon 2:4)
Banners in the Bible
I think we are all familiar with the first
mention of banners in the bible, Exodus 17:15, "and Moses built an
altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi", The Lord is
my banner."
Another well known verse, Isaiah 11:10, speaks of Messiah as an ensign,
"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for
an ensign of the people." It is also translated standard
in Jeremiah 51:27, "Set ye up a standard in the land." In
Numbers 2 we see that each tribe had it's own standards, and one of
my favorite verses speaking of standards is The Song of Solomon 6:4
and 10. "Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as
Jerusalem, terrible (majestic, awe inspiring) as an army of banners".
Furniture of the Tabernacle
Canopy
How We Began
Three members of our dance team, Pam Stott, Hannah Simpson and myself returned from the 1991 Feast stirred in our spirits.Upon seeing Randall Bane ministering with the Silks he had commissioned Efrocine Auebach to create for the Feast, God placed a new desire in our hearts. We longed to incorporate the silks into our dance. Yet we knew that the places we usually minister wouldn’t accommodate the hanging of such long pieces of material. Our dance troupe, Benote Tzion, was ministering mostly in circle dance using Israeli folk dance as our base. So, we knew we needed something a little different. We weren’t sure just what that would be; but felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to begin, and so we did. After purchasing some yardage of fabric, we called our group together to begin banner dances under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing what happens when those banners begin to move! There is such peace, joy, healing and creativity under there. The wind of the Spirit is truly felt. The Holy Spirit breathed through those banners that day, and we rejoice in what He has done! Our beginning movements were very simple, just billowing, walking in the Seed Thrower and Canopy movements. But soon the Holy Spirit began giving us new movements, which became intercession, as you can see by the names we have given the movements.
NEW MOVEMENTS AND MINISTRIES
Over the past years, God has been birthing new
movements to manifest what He is saying in certain areas.
These banners and movements are truly visual intercession.
For example, when we participated in a parade in a local town, the
Holy Spirit had us doing the Birthing movement and Thresher all the way
along the route. In the
spirit, I felt we were a huge piece of machinery boring through a mountain
and preparing the way for the King to come!
The Holy Spirit showed us that these banners would bring healing to
marriages and lives, as husband and wife teams flow together using music
and color in visual intercession. In
E.W. Bullinger’s book, “Number in Scripture,” a reference is made to
color having sound and being related to the notes of the scale.
So depending on the colors chosen, different melodies may be heard
in the heavenlies! Wow! What
a thought! How wonderful are
God’s works.
You will find
these banners are bridges into churches and lives that are fearful of the
movement ministries. They are
so gentle and acceptable. Many
who feel that they could never dance, will readily take the edge of a
banner and begin to gently wave them.
What a joy to see their faces light up with excitement as they
rejoice in a wider worship experience.
These are also wonderful for nursing homes. Where else is the gentle breeze of the Spirit more needed. The residents love to take the end of a banner (especially if it is offered by a child) and billow with us. Comments from them always include words such as peaceful, gentle, sweet and precious.
Seed Thrower
Thresher
In 1993, Kathy Wilder-Brown batiked our first silks picturing the furniture of the Tabernacle. Up to this point, we were using a polyester fabric called Silk Essence. Silk Essence is a wonderful fabric. It works well for practice and is especially appropriate for working with children. However, silk banners are so much more graceful and flowing as they move. There is a sense of energy and light expressed about the Silks that is not felt with the polyester. Yet Silk Essence has served us well, and we rejoice that the Father has supplied us with this very versatile fabric at a fraction of the cost. Most of our garments and all of the practice pieces are made of Silk Essence.
As we began
praying about the colors and designs for our silks, we felt directed to
the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Soon
the colors of the rainbow and the Tabernacle furniture began weaving
together a visual of God’s presence.
As we set the tabernacle up, by arranging the banners in rainbow
order, we advance from the Outer Court right into the Holy of Holies.
How awesome is our God! How mighty are His plans for stirring
hearts and drawing all men unto Him!
The Dancing Silks, batiked with the Tabernacle
furniture, were finished the very day we left for Jerusalem to participate
in the 1993 Feast, “Preparing The Way.”
Our Dancing Silks had their debut in Jerusalem to Jonathan Settel
singing, “Ram V-Nesa HaMashiach” (High and Lifted up is the Messiah. He is clothed in Glory and Majesty. Here in my heart dwells the Messiah in His temple).
I do believe every piece of Tabernacle furniture speaks of Messiah,
and so do the colors of the rainbow.
The
Lord gave us a new movement while we were in Jerusalem that year.
As we were “laboring” at the Baptist house, the Jerusalem Kiss
was birthed. How awesome is
our God! In 1995, God gave us
two more new banners. Pictured
on them are the four living creatures of Ezekiel 1 and 10, another creation by
Kathy Wilder-Brown. Also,
Kathy has created the Zechariah 4 Dancing Silks; which have the vision of the
golden candlestick and the two olive trees.
The Lord continues to bring forth new banners, or Dancing Silks,
(as we now call them) as they are needed
for specific purposes. The
Father has also sent us Spencer and RhuNelle Williams, who also are
talented & professional artists. RhuNelle created the Beloved Dancing Silk, which is based on
the Song of Solomon. In 2001,
the Lord birthed through RhuNelle the Mediterranean Dancing
Silk for the For Zions Sake Children's Dance Tour to Israel that year.
This Silk was used for a special presentation in honor of Hannah Senesh.
Making The Banners
Dancing with banners is very easy.
Even the “Little Praisers” class (4 & 5 year olds) is able to use
them and my how they love them! They get so excited they just squeal! Some adults squeal too!
We use 9 feet banners for the little ones.
A good size for most age groups is 12 feet. That size is also easier to fit into most churches.
Our Dancing Silks are 15 feet long, which gives more movement and a
larger billow. I suggest 15
feet when you decide to put out the money for silk.
For practice and children, 12 feet of Silk Essence is best.
It washes, dries, and travels wonderfully.
One caution, don’t use dryer sheets as they will stain the
fabric. We use fabric softener in the rinse water to control static.
Joanne’s Fabric stores are the best place to find Silk Essence.
They are located all around the USA.
If you would like to purchase Silk Essence banners already made,
contact me at the address below. The
Williams and Kathy Wilder-Brown may be contacted regarding the silk
banners. They can do anything
that you can conceive.
I hope this
booklet will be helpful for instruction in banner dancing.
We would love to hear from you as to how the Holy Spirit is
directing visual intercession in your area.
Please let us know of any new movements, healings and miracles that
may take place.
We would like
to thank Randall Bane and Efrocine Auerbach for the fertile seed bed from
which these Dancing Silks have sprung.
One person plants and another waters and the garden of the Lord
continues to produce.
Shalom
and Love,
Jean Mabry
1263 Phelps Rd
Lenoir City, TN 37772
Spencer and RhuNelle Williams
Kathy
Wilder-Brown
1901 W. Beaver Creek Dr
Powell, TN 37849 USA