So this is life.
This is not a question but observing truth. And as I look at the contrasts of life, the pain and the joy this temporary life is not temporary at all, it is the beginning of a more abundant life. And there will be abundant laughing, dancing, and embracing when we see Him face to face.
For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Video & Song
'I Can Only Imagine' Amy Grant
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=397731b4a8d105933e57
I went to this site for a change
there are advertisements, you can close them during the video
Wednesday
Tuesday
April 29, 2008, Trust
Trust
Trust; to trust, trust in; to have confidence, be confident; to be bold; to be secure; to cause to trust, make secure; to feel safe, be careless.
Careless; archaic- free from anxiety; effortless and unstudied
If I believe in you, literally there is faith in you and to have trust that means there safety and confidence. I trust that you will do what is right no matter what the circumstances.
It is a blind walk not just alone and living in the moment, but now trusting another and having faith in another, it means a blind walk with them as well.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Proverbs 2:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
If trust is broken, with great care we can heal and a broken, healed heart will be stronger. There is a dying to oneself that must occur, and laying down of the pointing the finger. To walk through shame and anger back to love is a process that must occur for complete healing. Whatever it takes for each involved, trust is a the product of love. We see in our humanness that we are all sinners and fall short of His glory. He are all vulnerable and no one is without temptation. We all have been hurt in many ways. If only we can admit our 'own' faults and that we 'do' hurt each other, we will find healing.
Jesus was sinless, He is God made man, though tempted, He never sinned. We have a Lord who understands us and our temptations. Look... we are created in the image of God, but one that is incapable of a 100% sinless nature. Being human is flesh, and the flesh is corrupt.
To totally trust, I am confidence in, hope in, feel safe and secure in. And this is Jesus, in them, and with Him my trust 'is effortless'.
Video & Song
'In Christ Alone' Travis Cottrell
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rrim6EAnolw
Trust; to trust, trust in; to have confidence, be confident; to be bold; to be secure; to cause to trust, make secure; to feel safe, be careless.
Careless; archaic- free from anxiety; effortless and unstudied
If I believe in you, literally there is faith in you and to have trust that means there safety and confidence. I trust that you will do what is right no matter what the circumstances.
It is a blind walk not just alone and living in the moment, but now trusting another and having faith in another, it means a blind walk with them as well.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Proverbs 2:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
If trust is broken, with great care we can heal and a broken, healed heart will be stronger. There is a dying to oneself that must occur, and laying down of the pointing the finger. To walk through shame and anger back to love is a process that must occur for complete healing. Whatever it takes for each involved, trust is a the product of love. We see in our humanness that we are all sinners and fall short of His glory. He are all vulnerable and no one is without temptation. We all have been hurt in many ways. If only we can admit our 'own' faults and that we 'do' hurt each other, we will find healing.
Jesus was sinless, He is God made man, though tempted, He never sinned. We have a Lord who understands us and our temptations. Look... we are created in the image of God, but one that is incapable of a 100% sinless nature. Being human is flesh, and the flesh is corrupt.
To totally trust, I am confidence in, hope in, feel safe and secure in. And this is Jesus, in them, and with Him my trust 'is effortless'.
Video & Song
'In Christ Alone' Travis Cottrell
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rrim6EAnolw
Monday
April 28,2008 As He Loves Me
As He Loves Me
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Paul said 'this is a profound mystery, the correlation and representation of His church and Christ's profound love is a mirror of love expressed between a husband and a wife. This scripture says, 'husbands love your wives 'just as' Christ loved the church. It is His Word that reveals, and in Song of Solomon the exchange of voice between lovers is the ultimate depth and union of both flesh and spirit. Throughout scripture, stories of love emulate this same union, key women in the bible and their desire for their husband and vice versa. The same as His desire for us and our desire for Him.
Sarah called Abraham 'Lord'; Esther saying 'whatever pleases the King'; Ruth saying, 'I am your servant, I will do whatever you say'; 10 virgins of which 5 kept oil in their lamp waiting for the bridegroom's arrival. So should we be always ready and yearning for the Lord. Stories of our love, desire and service to Jesus.
Matthew 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
As we love Christ, we love ourselves, we love our spouse, we love each other. The creation of the union between man and woman radiates the entire union of Christ and His church, love complete through 'eros', 'philos' and 'agape', which is love complete and the highest love between man and woman, a mirror of man and God.
A mystery because of our finite minds cannot comprehend the entire desire of God's love for us, we will not until we see Him face to face. He is incomprehensible and His love is limitless.
Because He first loved us. There is no greater love expressed.
As He desires me, so is my desire for Him, my King.
Video & Song
'Amazing Love' Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBZXzN0tLU
Video
'That's My King'
http://youtube.com/watch?v=upGCMl_b0n4
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Paul said 'this is a profound mystery, the correlation and representation of His church and Christ's profound love is a mirror of love expressed between a husband and a wife. This scripture says, 'husbands love your wives 'just as' Christ loved the church. It is His Word that reveals, and in Song of Solomon the exchange of voice between lovers is the ultimate depth and union of both flesh and spirit. Throughout scripture, stories of love emulate this same union, key women in the bible and their desire for their husband and vice versa. The same as His desire for us and our desire for Him.
Sarah called Abraham 'Lord'; Esther saying 'whatever pleases the King'; Ruth saying, 'I am your servant, I will do whatever you say'; 10 virgins of which 5 kept oil in their lamp waiting for the bridegroom's arrival. So should we be always ready and yearning for the Lord. Stories of our love, desire and service to Jesus.
Matthew 25:10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
As we love Christ, we love ourselves, we love our spouse, we love each other. The creation of the union between man and woman radiates the entire union of Christ and His church, love complete through 'eros', 'philos' and 'agape', which is love complete and the highest love between man and woman, a mirror of man and God.
A mystery because of our finite minds cannot comprehend the entire desire of God's love for us, we will not until we see Him face to face. He is incomprehensible and His love is limitless.
Because He first loved us. There is no greater love expressed.
As He desires me, so is my desire for Him, my King.
Video & Song
'Amazing Love' Newsboys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBZXzN0tLU
Video
'That's My King'
http://youtube.com/watch?v=upGCMl_b0n4
Sunday
April 27, 2008, It's A Wonderful Life
It's A Wonderful Life
Or is it?
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Unavoidable are trials, troubles, hardships, persecutions, famines, nakedness, dangers and sword (wars). Truthfully, can anyone of us say we lived without these? Somewhere and sometime we may live these literally as spoken in the black and white, and in our walk in finding His will in our spiritual walk. These represent lack and shame and fear and devastation. How did we endure? Did we resist or see these as blessings to build our character, our faith, and draw us closer to God and walk through the storms to the other side? Which we will, always, if we don't resist.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Absolutely nothing can separate us from His love. I tell my little children almost every Sunday, 'There is nothing you can do that will ever stop Jesus from loving you, NOTHING'. I want to make sure that the foundation is there so when they begin kindergarten or 1st grade, they will remember and hopefully for the rest of their lives. So when these precious little ones, throughout their lives encounter rejection, trials, hurt, confusion (each and everyone of us remember the pain and the joy) maybe they will remember to run to Him. His love is the premise for which all things are built....He first loved us; He loved us so much, He gave His only Son.
The trials, tribulations, persecutions will always be there. One thing I know for sure, In prayer, we can ask (not command) in His Name that the mountain be removed. His promises are true and He does answer whether our physical eyes see the answer or not whether it takes trials, tribulations or persecutions to see the answer. And ultimately the answer will always draw us closer to Him.
It's a wonderful life regardless of trials and tribulations. Of course I have to add a clip of this nostalgic wonderful movie, even out of season because the title is not irony, not dreaming, not illusions, this is 'real life' - ours. What a 'wonderful' example of joy and celebration when we make it to the other side of great trials. Even though it isn't shown in this video, we know the ending to this great story, and if I can say it once more...it's wonderful!!! If you don't know the ending, it's in the second attachment and if you do know it may be uplifting to watch again.
Psalm 30:5 He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. ____The Message
It's A Wonderful Life
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6IpGYROU3Vk
the wonderful ending
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY&feature=related
...back again one month later with a different video.
Yes!!! I can praise Him in my storm/s (plural)!!!
Video & Song
"Praise Him In The Storm' Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=s-XzbAVBCgQ
Or is it?
James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Unavoidable are trials, troubles, hardships, persecutions, famines, nakedness, dangers and sword (wars). Truthfully, can anyone of us say we lived without these? Somewhere and sometime we may live these literally as spoken in the black and white, and in our walk in finding His will in our spiritual walk. These represent lack and shame and fear and devastation. How did we endure? Did we resist or see these as blessings to build our character, our faith, and draw us closer to God and walk through the storms to the other side? Which we will, always, if we don't resist.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Absolutely nothing can separate us from His love. I tell my little children almost every Sunday, 'There is nothing you can do that will ever stop Jesus from loving you, NOTHING'. I want to make sure that the foundation is there so when they begin kindergarten or 1st grade, they will remember and hopefully for the rest of their lives. So when these precious little ones, throughout their lives encounter rejection, trials, hurt, confusion (each and everyone of us remember the pain and the joy) maybe they will remember to run to Him. His love is the premise for which all things are built....He first loved us; He loved us so much, He gave His only Son.
The trials, tribulations, persecutions will always be there. One thing I know for sure, In prayer, we can ask (not command) in His Name that the mountain be removed. His promises are true and He does answer whether our physical eyes see the answer or not whether it takes trials, tribulations or persecutions to see the answer. And ultimately the answer will always draw us closer to Him.
It's a wonderful life regardless of trials and tribulations. Of course I have to add a clip of this nostalgic wonderful movie, even out of season because the title is not irony, not dreaming, not illusions, this is 'real life' - ours. What a 'wonderful' example of joy and celebration when we make it to the other side of great trials. Even though it isn't shown in this video, we know the ending to this great story, and if I can say it once more...it's wonderful!!! If you don't know the ending, it's in the second attachment and if you do know it may be uplifting to watch again.
Psalm 30:5 He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter. ____The Message
It's A Wonderful Life
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6IpGYROU3Vk
the wonderful ending
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ErrzjGCi3gY&feature=related
...back again one month later with a different video.
Yes!!! I can praise Him in my storm/s (plural)!!!
Video & Song
"Praise Him In The Storm' Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=s-XzbAVBCgQ
Saturday
April 26,2008, Listening and Holding On
Listening and Holding On
I go to You Lord and listen to Your voice and what You lovingly say to me.
John 10:25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Throughout the same chapter Jesus says, 'My sheep know my voice.
There is no inflated story here. This is a 'real life' human story here. We are like lost sheep, desperate, wandering, searching, needing, sick, hurting....lost until we realize Jesus, the good shepherd, has always been there.
No one else can fulfill what He is able to do in our lives, no one. If we would just let Him find us when we are lost, and not just when we are lost, when we are desperate, wandering, searching, needing, sick and hurting. The question is, why are we afraid of Him, He who is Love. A gentle and loving God, not forceful, not demanding, not overpowering. He with great love and compassion waits, He will not intrude, because He who is love is patient, beyond our comprehension.
What unbelievable love!!! Why wouldn't we want it? Hold onto Him, He's holding onto you.
Video & Song
'East to West' Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7Wh1xVh7EQs&feature=related
I go to You Lord and listen to Your voice and what You lovingly say to me.
John 10:25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Throughout the same chapter Jesus says, 'My sheep know my voice.
There is no inflated story here. This is a 'real life' human story here. We are like lost sheep, desperate, wandering, searching, needing, sick, hurting....lost until we realize Jesus, the good shepherd, has always been there.
No one else can fulfill what He is able to do in our lives, no one. If we would just let Him find us when we are lost, and not just when we are lost, when we are desperate, wandering, searching, needing, sick and hurting. The question is, why are we afraid of Him, He who is Love. A gentle and loving God, not forceful, not demanding, not overpowering. He with great love and compassion waits, He will not intrude, because He who is love is patient, beyond our comprehension.
What unbelievable love!!! Why wouldn't we want it? Hold onto Him, He's holding onto you.
Video & Song
'East to West' Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7Wh1xVh7EQs&feature=related
Friday
April 25, 2008, 27 Years
27 Years
1 Corinthians 12:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
And the beginning of verse 8, Love never fails.
If we break down each part of this scripture and are truthful, we will admit we fall short in all these at various times in our lives. We might take inventory of our lives and say, 'well that one, yeah more than the others' and 'that one, well, not sure', and 'that one, that one, keep no record of wrongs?!!' What do we do with 'that one?' When our human nature is missing the mark we not only keep records of our own wrong doing, to justify it we tend to unfairly divert attention to other's wrongs, keeping record in judgment as if to get back or punish. After all, 'I'm hurt and feeling really taken advantaged of' or 'he or she abused me or neglected me', so hmm....
Again, please remember at any time, I am speaking and sharing about myself and being truthful about my shortcomings (we are members of the same body of Christ) in order that someone may feel free to be set free. And anytime if someone wishes to talk with me, I will share my heart, my pain, my hurts and my journey, this walk of going into the fire. He is gracious and loving and desires each of us to be whole and to be completely set free. In this healing we are able to love ourselves and love our neighbor as ourselves. And the greatest commandment again, love Him with our whole heart, mind and soul.
He is...love is....the answer is, He who is love never fails. He first loved us.
Ken and I are celebrating our 27 year anniversary today. After being rescued from death, love persevered and now a new beginning. I am remembering what He gave us to confirm the beginning 27 years ago (what a journal!)
To everyone who persevered with us through the despair of our separation, walked with us, supported us, prayed with us, cried with us, encouraged us, kept their hand in the door for us (and we didn't break your fingers) and reminded us that we were never spiritually separated, we love you and thank you. What great love you have expressed to help us make it through one of the worse times to this new beginning.
Video & Song
'I Will Carry You' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EMZj0520v0g
1 Corinthians 12:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
And the beginning of verse 8, Love never fails.
If we break down each part of this scripture and are truthful, we will admit we fall short in all these at various times in our lives. We might take inventory of our lives and say, 'well that one, yeah more than the others' and 'that one, well, not sure', and 'that one, that one, keep no record of wrongs?!!' What do we do with 'that one?' When our human nature is missing the mark we not only keep records of our own wrong doing, to justify it we tend to unfairly divert attention to other's wrongs, keeping record in judgment as if to get back or punish. After all, 'I'm hurt and feeling really taken advantaged of' or 'he or she abused me or neglected me', so hmm....
Again, please remember at any time, I am speaking and sharing about myself and being truthful about my shortcomings (we are members of the same body of Christ) in order that someone may feel free to be set free. And anytime if someone wishes to talk with me, I will share my heart, my pain, my hurts and my journey, this walk of going into the fire. He is gracious and loving and desires each of us to be whole and to be completely set free. In this healing we are able to love ourselves and love our neighbor as ourselves. And the greatest commandment again, love Him with our whole heart, mind and soul.
He is...love is....the answer is, He who is love never fails. He first loved us.
Ken and I are celebrating our 27 year anniversary today. After being rescued from death, love persevered and now a new beginning. I am remembering what He gave us to confirm the beginning 27 years ago (what a journal!)
To everyone who persevered with us through the despair of our separation, walked with us, supported us, prayed with us, cried with us, encouraged us, kept their hand in the door for us (and we didn't break your fingers) and reminded us that we were never spiritually separated, we love you and thank you. What great love you have expressed to help us make it through one of the worse times to this new beginning.
Video & Song
'I Will Carry You' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EMZj0520v0g
Thursday
April 24, 2008, Free From Hypocrisy
Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
This chapter in Romans speaks of the body of Christ and its members being one. When one rejoices we rejoice, when one mourns we mourn, to live in harmony is the body of Christ.
What is sincere love? Sincere in the Greek New Testament Lexicon says the from eipokrenomae or hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. Isn't it what we hear most from those who see us from the outside, in? The sincerity of love is the opposite. The definition of sincerity is freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; probity or honesty in intention or in communicating; earnestness.
(correction added) I will be the first to say, myself as an example, that by actions and more so by spirit which makes us one body, there is no way to hide hypocrisy from the observer. His Spirit will reveal it every time. And there is no awareness of its devastation when we are hypocritical, because we are operating in pure blindness.
The freedom from hypocrisy comes from a washing and purging, going through the fire of the Holy Spirit and letting Him reveal what is in every crevice of our lives. To cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Again, 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins (falling short of His glory, missing the mark), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And why? Because He first loved us. And His love is unconditional. We may never be able to be totally set free before we see Him face to face. But in surrendering to Him, He WILL reveal the 'dirt filled' crevices in our lives in order that we not be 'hypocrites' and can love sincerely.
And being sincere...there is serenity!
Video & Song
Not my usual by a great message
'Serenity' Kutless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AozEmDS773w
This chapter in Romans speaks of the body of Christ and its members being one. When one rejoices we rejoice, when one mourns we mourn, to live in harmony is the body of Christ.
What is sincere love? Sincere in the Greek New Testament Lexicon says the from eipokrenomae or hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. Isn't it what we hear most from those who see us from the outside, in? The sincerity of love is the opposite. The definition of sincerity is freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; probity or honesty in intention or in communicating; earnestness.
(correction added) I will be the first to say, myself as an example, that by actions and more so by spirit which makes us one body, there is no way to hide hypocrisy from the observer. His Spirit will reveal it every time. And there is no awareness of its devastation when we are hypocritical, because we are operating in pure blindness.
The freedom from hypocrisy comes from a washing and purging, going through the fire of the Holy Spirit and letting Him reveal what is in every crevice of our lives. To cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Again, 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins (falling short of His glory, missing the mark), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And why? Because He first loved us. And His love is unconditional. We may never be able to be totally set free before we see Him face to face. But in surrendering to Him, He WILL reveal the 'dirt filled' crevices in our lives in order that we not be 'hypocrites' and can love sincerely.
And being sincere...there is serenity!
Video & Song
Not my usual by a great message
'Serenity' Kutless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AozEmDS773w
Wednesday
April 23, 2008 No Greater Love
No Greater Love
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Notice Jesus said 'that my joy may be in you'. Imagine that, His Joy in us. This isn't a temporary, whenever it feels like it, fix. It is permanent, in you, never to be taken from you.
As we walk this walk of finding the definition and awareness of 'love', that is 'love unconditional', not by the world's standards. We will find it. And love is patient and waits, He who is love, stands at the door of our heart and knocks.
The compassion and heart ties with others is when you realize, yes, I would die for them, die to myself and if necessary die that they may live. Jesus the perfect lamb, became a propitiation for our sin, showing us incomprehensible love. This is the premise of everything, because He first loved us, 1 John 4.
This was His desire for us from the very beginning to receive His love and forgiveness and we fall short. As a matter of a fact we do constantly and even when we do come to this realization. we fall short again. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. And taking it further, 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
So to stay on topic, our compassion and love for one another becomes real, once we, confess or admit our sin or falling short (same text, right smack-dab in the middle of the other two) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The true beginning of healing. Admitting our shortcomings, being cleansed and set free from what has imprisoned us and imprisoned others as a result of our shortcomings. It is about us first, getting right with God.
Then slowly we can begin to truly have His joy, His love, and in turn love our neighbor as our self and we would lay our life down for them.
Ringing in my heart this morning...
Video & Song
'Everlasting God' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qXsYaBQGbM0
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Notice Jesus said 'that my joy may be in you'. Imagine that, His Joy in us. This isn't a temporary, whenever it feels like it, fix. It is permanent, in you, never to be taken from you.
As we walk this walk of finding the definition and awareness of 'love', that is 'love unconditional', not by the world's standards. We will find it. And love is patient and waits, He who is love, stands at the door of our heart and knocks.
The compassion and heart ties with others is when you realize, yes, I would die for them, die to myself and if necessary die that they may live. Jesus the perfect lamb, became a propitiation for our sin, showing us incomprehensible love. This is the premise of everything, because He first loved us, 1 John 4.
This was His desire for us from the very beginning to receive His love and forgiveness and we fall short. As a matter of a fact we do constantly and even when we do come to this realization. we fall short again. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. And taking it further, 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
So to stay on topic, our compassion and love for one another becomes real, once we, confess or admit our sin or falling short (same text, right smack-dab in the middle of the other two) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The true beginning of healing. Admitting our shortcomings, being cleansed and set free from what has imprisoned us and imprisoned others as a result of our shortcomings. It is about us first, getting right with God.
Then slowly we can begin to truly have His joy, His love, and in turn love our neighbor as our self and we would lay our life down for them.
Ringing in my heart this morning...
Video & Song
'Everlasting God' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qXsYaBQGbM0
Tuesday
April 22, 2008 Love or Fear
Love or Fear
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
We either operate out of fear or love.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Love changes us, molds us, revives us, reforms us to see His truth and then we are able to see each other. In conditioning and falling short of understanding love, we live, operate in and have fear.If we look at what this is saying, we do not know God if we do not love. This is heavy duty! We cannot hate our neighbor and say we know God and if we aren't made perfect in love, and operate in fear, we do not know God. Because He is not fear, He is love. He who is Love says 'if we love one another, He lives in us and His love is made complete'. This is communion with Him and with others.
I pray that He continually opens our eyes to see this love, unspeakable love, in order that we may be healed and made whole, to love Him with all we are and to love one another with His love.
Remember the very first thing we learned as a child is, God is Love? Let us get back to having the faith of a child to believe it.
Video & Song
'God's Love Letter'
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ggGwDrxrC2k&feature=related
1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
We either operate out of fear or love.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Love changes us, molds us, revives us, reforms us to see His truth and then we are able to see each other. In conditioning and falling short of understanding love, we live, operate in and have fear.If we look at what this is saying, we do not know God if we do not love. This is heavy duty! We cannot hate our neighbor and say we know God and if we aren't made perfect in love, and operate in fear, we do not know God. Because He is not fear, He is love. He who is Love says 'if we love one another, He lives in us and His love is made complete'. This is communion with Him and with others.
I pray that He continually opens our eyes to see this love, unspeakable love, in order that we may be healed and made whole, to love Him with all we are and to love one another with His love.
Remember the very first thing we learned as a child is, God is Love? Let us get back to having the faith of a child to believe it.
Video & Song
'God's Love Letter'
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ggGwDrxrC2k&feature=related
Monday
April 21, 2008, Yes, Giving and Receiving Love
Yes, Giving and Receiving Love
Coming together in my life again in a moment's time inspired by two precious friends to remind me this is my call to share with you. Thank you Connie and thank you Jim.
Thank You Lord that you give each of us the capacity to 'give and receive love'.
The entry before last I briefly spoke of the reason why we are unable to give and receive love. As a precious baby brought into this world, first focuses on the faces of those peering into his or her eyes, the ability to give and receive love is formed. As adults, our 'peering' and our voices begin the change from pure unconditional love to confusion about what love is. Faces, voices, expressions of love, inability to love and even anger set the course for the life of a child.
As we grow in our lives the expressions and voices continue to form how we see ourselves and how we will react to others. It will affect our view of our ability to 'give and receive' love. And 'giving and receiving love' is the entire process of our lives. It is our interaction with God, family, friends and acquaintances. It is also the interaction between colleagues, partners and consumers. It is giving and receiving, although it may not seem as love, it is, whether our focus is able to see this or not, whether we resist it or not.
Think about it. Everything we do is either reaching out or taking, whether with family, friends, business or work. Serving in itself is giving love, acceptance is receiving that love. Whatever capacity it is given.
The ability to serve in love or give love, that is unconditionally, can only happen with healing of our heart, soul and mind. And receiving love, that is unconditionally, can only happen with healing of our heart, soul and mind.
This will be a topic which I will stay with for awhile. Since it covers the reason for living. The reason and purpose for everything in which we were created. To be able to reach out to others in unconditional love and receive love is so profound. This is Jesus, God is love. The very first thing we learn about Jesus, is God is love. And as precious children in His sight, children give unconditional love, whether it is received unconditionally or not.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
My question was always, Lord, how can I possibly understand what You are saying and be able to do this, to love will 'all' these? This is not a mystery. And in these next entries I will share my journey and process to this revelation. Because these truly are the greatest commandments and these fulfill all else.
And this worship moves me deeply as I understand who He is.
In '24/7 obedience', hearing and living this. This is my call. And now the second time in a month
I've added this song, it is just as much for me as for you. Because it is about Him always, about Him first. He is the reason that I live, the reason that I sing and I will worship Him.
Video & Song
'With All I Am' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0rwP1NxcxkU
Once again this is my heart's cry to the Lord from the inside out.
'Inside Out' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wwJEdo1FlMo&feature=related
Coming together in my life again in a moment's time inspired by two precious friends to remind me this is my call to share with you. Thank you Connie and thank you Jim.
Thank You Lord that you give each of us the capacity to 'give and receive love'.
The entry before last I briefly spoke of the reason why we are unable to give and receive love. As a precious baby brought into this world, first focuses on the faces of those peering into his or her eyes, the ability to give and receive love is formed. As adults, our 'peering' and our voices begin the change from pure unconditional love to confusion about what love is. Faces, voices, expressions of love, inability to love and even anger set the course for the life of a child.
As we grow in our lives the expressions and voices continue to form how we see ourselves and how we will react to others. It will affect our view of our ability to 'give and receive' love. And 'giving and receiving love' is the entire process of our lives. It is our interaction with God, family, friends and acquaintances. It is also the interaction between colleagues, partners and consumers. It is giving and receiving, although it may not seem as love, it is, whether our focus is able to see this or not, whether we resist it or not.
Think about it. Everything we do is either reaching out or taking, whether with family, friends, business or work. Serving in itself is giving love, acceptance is receiving that love. Whatever capacity it is given.
The ability to serve in love or give love, that is unconditionally, can only happen with healing of our heart, soul and mind. And receiving love, that is unconditionally, can only happen with healing of our heart, soul and mind.
This will be a topic which I will stay with for awhile. Since it covers the reason for living. The reason and purpose for everything in which we were created. To be able to reach out to others in unconditional love and receive love is so profound. This is Jesus, God is love. The very first thing we learn about Jesus, is God is love. And as precious children in His sight, children give unconditional love, whether it is received unconditionally or not.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
My question was always, Lord, how can I possibly understand what You are saying and be able to do this, to love will 'all' these? This is not a mystery. And in these next entries I will share my journey and process to this revelation. Because these truly are the greatest commandments and these fulfill all else.
And this worship moves me deeply as I understand who He is.
In '24/7 obedience', hearing and living this. This is my call. And now the second time in a month
I've added this song, it is just as much for me as for you. Because it is about Him always, about Him first. He is the reason that I live, the reason that I sing and I will worship Him.
Video & Song
'With All I Am' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0rwP1NxcxkU
Once again this is my heart's cry to the Lord from the inside out.
'Inside Out' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wwJEdo1FlMo&feature=related
Sunday
April 20, 2008, Freedom
Freedom
The door is open, the chains are off, we can walk freely into the moment with a new freshness opening up before us, and we don't.
What we seek is familiar. It takes a radical idea to seek what is unfamiliar and unacceptable. To make choices based on who you were created to be and not what you have been made out to be. To walk through the prison door and leave the chains on the floor behind you and not walk back. It takes radical change.
Luke 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED....21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus came that we might be set free. He said it was finished in His last human breath. He took it all, that we as 'captives' might be free; free from EVERYTHING that keeps us in prison.
To be able to live in peace in the midst of storms, detriment, ack, turmoil, hatred, and differences. When we lack understanding and find understanding we are 'being set free'. When are eyes are 'wide open' and we can see, when we can walk with peace in the midst of it all, 'we are set free'.
And this scripture, Isaiah 40:28-31 (highlighted) is dropped in my heart. The entire chapter is so awesome, so I will show it here. How loving and gracious our Lord is, in giving us what we need to be set free! And He begins by saying, (my paraphrase)...be comforted, you are my people, and to Jerusalem, His chosen people. Remember we are adopted children, we have been grafted into the vine, if a Gentile, we are also His people. And notice 'her sin has been paid for. I pray that His greatness and glory may be revealed in this superabundant revelation (which is His entire Word) to 'be set free' in the midst of it all.
Isaiah 40: 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? 15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. 18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to? 19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 20 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 25 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God"? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
His Mercy reigns,
Video & Song
'Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI&feature=related
The door is open, the chains are off, we can walk freely into the moment with a new freshness opening up before us, and we don't.
What we seek is familiar. It takes a radical idea to seek what is unfamiliar and unacceptable. To make choices based on who you were created to be and not what you have been made out to be. To walk through the prison door and leave the chains on the floor behind you and not walk back. It takes radical change.
Luke 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED....21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus came that we might be set free. He said it was finished in His last human breath. He took it all, that we as 'captives' might be free; free from EVERYTHING that keeps us in prison.
To be able to live in peace in the midst of storms, detriment, ack, turmoil, hatred, and differences. When we lack understanding and find understanding we are 'being set free'. When are eyes are 'wide open' and we can see, when we can walk with peace in the midst of it all, 'we are set free'.
And this scripture, Isaiah 40:28-31 (highlighted) is dropped in my heart. The entire chapter is so awesome, so I will show it here. How loving and gracious our Lord is, in giving us what we need to be set free! And He begins by saying, (my paraphrase)...be comforted, you are my people, and to Jerusalem, His chosen people. Remember we are adopted children, we have been grafted into the vine, if a Gentile, we are also His people. And notice 'her sin has been paid for. I pray that His greatness and glory may be revealed in this superabundant revelation (which is His entire Word) to 'be set free' in the midst of it all.
Isaiah 40: 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? 15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. 18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to? 19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 20 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 25 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God"? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
His Mercy reigns,
Video & Song
'Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI&feature=related
Saturday
April 19, 2008 Consider The Lilies
Consider The Lilies
Matthew 6
:34a Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
To be able to live 'now' in this moment and not worry for tomorrow, is a miracle in itself. Think of the unbelievable peace that we would experience if we lived for today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
And what about the past. To put those things behind, is to live today and 'now' and in this moment, that is a miracle as well.
Exodus 14:13a And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
In that moment, Moses did stand still. Can you imagine the miracle in both standing still and watching such a great miracle unfold before your eyes, when the sea parted?
This is an example of standing still and living today or in this moment, the miracles open up before us in the same way as the sea. Each day, which is here, does have enough trouble of its own, tomorrow will come, but today is 'now'.
Does the miracle happen tomorrow? The miracle is happening now, isn't it?
'Cosider the Lilies'
Video & Song
'Here With Me' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=74CNUExD4I8&feature=related
Matthew 6
:34a Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
To be able to live 'now' in this moment and not worry for tomorrow, is a miracle in itself. Think of the unbelievable peace that we would experience if we lived for today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
And what about the past. To put those things behind, is to live today and 'now' and in this moment, that is a miracle as well.
Exodus 14:13a And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
In that moment, Moses did stand still. Can you imagine the miracle in both standing still and watching such a great miracle unfold before your eyes, when the sea parted?
This is an example of standing still and living today or in this moment, the miracles open up before us in the same way as the sea. Each day, which is here, does have enough trouble of its own, tomorrow will come, but today is 'now'.
Does the miracle happen tomorrow? The miracle is happening now, isn't it?
'Cosider the Lilies'
Video & Song
'Here With Me' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=74CNUExD4I8&feature=related
Friday
April 18, 2008, Rescued
Rescued
Psalm 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek." 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own..." Nikos Kzantzakis, Living Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia.
Thank you for giving of your lives. Those who give of their hearts and see themselves only facilitators showing direction down life's roads. Giving what is needed in the moment of time like bits of permanent sweetness and jewels to remember and carry in the heart and will forever. And then letting go with an incomprehensible love to build our own bridges.
We know that this is not always the case there are teachers who sow seeds of pain and destruction (and if we are willing to admit we all do.) Teachers are in the classrooms of every aspect of our lives. First teachers being parents. And of course, my heart wanted to go here in the first place, at this time in my life and in many lives around me, the topic of parents and how they 'taught' us is emerging. When the 'mean, ugly' world out there hurts and abuses us, when our parents protect us and love us unconditionally, they teach us our value and how to love in the midst of it all.
On the other side of this, when we as children seek their love, protection and self worth constantly from our parents as our teachers, nurturers, and protectors and they are unable supply these essential needs (for whatever reason) and abandon, abuse and neglect (for whatever reason), our ability to give and receive love and value is damaged.
Anyone who took psychology first studied, Maslow's hierarchy of needs in which the development stages of a child cannot progress if there is a deficiency in the basic needs of:
Physiological which are food, water, sleep, etc.; Safety which are security of body, shelter, of the family etc,; Love/Belonging which are family, relationships and intimacy; Esteem which are confidence, respect for self and respect for others; and the progression of growth is fulfilled only when all these basic needs are met to Self Actualization which are morality, spontaneity, creativity, acceptance and the ability to problem solve.
Definition of self-actualization, is the instinctual need of humans to make the most of their abilities and to strive to be the best they can. Working toward fulfilling our potential, toward becoming all that we are capable of becoming.
There is a time to face it all and the decision to do so brings both forgiveness of self and others. And ultimately we can move to know who we are (self-actualization) as a wonderful created being loved by God. We then can understand and participate in what Jesus called us to do in the greatest commandments of all.
Matthew 12:30 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
And this video and song I love and it's worth repeating from the day before yesterday.
Because He comes and rescues us when we call Him, always.
Video & Song
'Came To My Rescue' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yAMbEPZfWCY
Psalm 27:7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek." 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own..." Nikos Kzantzakis, Living Loving and Learning by Leo Buscaglia.
Thank you for giving of your lives. Those who give of their hearts and see themselves only facilitators showing direction down life's roads. Giving what is needed in the moment of time like bits of permanent sweetness and jewels to remember and carry in the heart and will forever. And then letting go with an incomprehensible love to build our own bridges.
We know that this is not always the case there are teachers who sow seeds of pain and destruction (and if we are willing to admit we all do.) Teachers are in the classrooms of every aspect of our lives. First teachers being parents. And of course, my heart wanted to go here in the first place, at this time in my life and in many lives around me, the topic of parents and how they 'taught' us is emerging. When the 'mean, ugly' world out there hurts and abuses us, when our parents protect us and love us unconditionally, they teach us our value and how to love in the midst of it all.
On the other side of this, when we as children seek their love, protection and self worth constantly from our parents as our teachers, nurturers, and protectors and they are unable supply these essential needs (for whatever reason) and abandon, abuse and neglect (for whatever reason), our ability to give and receive love and value is damaged.
Anyone who took psychology first studied, Maslow's hierarchy of needs in which the development stages of a child cannot progress if there is a deficiency in the basic needs of:
Physiological which are food, water, sleep, etc.; Safety which are security of body, shelter, of the family etc,; Love/Belonging which are family, relationships and intimacy; Esteem which are confidence, respect for self and respect for others; and the progression of growth is fulfilled only when all these basic needs are met to Self Actualization which are morality, spontaneity, creativity, acceptance and the ability to problem solve.
Definition of self-actualization, is the instinctual need of humans to make the most of their abilities and to strive to be the best they can. Working toward fulfilling our potential, toward becoming all that we are capable of becoming.
There is a time to face it all and the decision to do so brings both forgiveness of self and others. And ultimately we can move to know who we are (self-actualization) as a wonderful created being loved by God. We then can understand and participate in what Jesus called us to do in the greatest commandments of all.
Matthew 12:30 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
And this video and song I love and it's worth repeating from the day before yesterday.
Because He comes and rescues us when we call Him, always.
Video & Song
'Came To My Rescue' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yAMbEPZfWCY
Thursday
April 17, 2008 Smell The Rose
Smell the Rose
It is absolutely amazing that our days are filled with wonder and beauty and we let it pass us by as stress and the frenzy of our lives put us on auto pilot.
Stop and smell the roses, look at the beauty around you in the midst of turmoil and loudness in our work pile up, city traffic pile up, laundry pile up, whatever fills up your day, whatever stresses you out, stop in the midst of it all and thank God for the beauty in it all.
Okay, here's a couple of scenarios.
Think about every car that passes you, in each car is a person that has been created in the image of God, precious in His sight going through similar stresses you go through. Every single one of them. Look at the highway as a desitination to something, in this situation use it as an analogy of the destination to 'life'. We are all searching for 'life', some in a trap of their frenzy and turmoil. All created by God. Look at them (of course not too long while driving, but you get the point), think with your heart. Then when you are cut-off, honked at in impatience you will be at peace in the midst of the stress and your frenzy will diminish.
One more - let's pick laundry. Maybe for me it represents life regardless of whose it is. Whether scattered garments or in a pile, colors, textures, sizes, spills, tears, all of it, like us, really. Stop and look, this is your life!! Represented in an analogy of how our lives are lived day after day. Your family, you!! And every piece represents someone in your life. Stop and think, this is no longer a pile of colors and garments, each represents a person created in His image. Your family, then thank God for them, each one of them, they are your special gifts, both spouse and children, and extended family. Thank God for the spills and tears and textures, they represent more than garments...they represent lives and all that comes with life.
Stop, and 'see' the rose in the midst of frenzy and turmoil.
You create the next scenario.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Video & Song
'With All I Am' by Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns&feature=related
It is absolutely amazing that our days are filled with wonder and beauty and we let it pass us by as stress and the frenzy of our lives put us on auto pilot.
Stop and smell the roses, look at the beauty around you in the midst of turmoil and loudness in our work pile up, city traffic pile up, laundry pile up, whatever fills up your day, whatever stresses you out, stop in the midst of it all and thank God for the beauty in it all.
Okay, here's a couple of scenarios.
Think about every car that passes you, in each car is a person that has been created in the image of God, precious in His sight going through similar stresses you go through. Every single one of them. Look at the highway as a desitination to something, in this situation use it as an analogy of the destination to 'life'. We are all searching for 'life', some in a trap of their frenzy and turmoil. All created by God. Look at them (of course not too long while driving, but you get the point), think with your heart. Then when you are cut-off, honked at in impatience you will be at peace in the midst of the stress and your frenzy will diminish.
One more - let's pick laundry. Maybe for me it represents life regardless of whose it is. Whether scattered garments or in a pile, colors, textures, sizes, spills, tears, all of it, like us, really. Stop and look, this is your life!! Represented in an analogy of how our lives are lived day after day. Your family, you!! And every piece represents someone in your life. Stop and think, this is no longer a pile of colors and garments, each represents a person created in His image. Your family, then thank God for them, each one of them, they are your special gifts, both spouse and children, and extended family. Thank God for the spills and tears and textures, they represent more than garments...they represent lives and all that comes with life.
Stop, and 'see' the rose in the midst of frenzy and turmoil.
You create the next scenario.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Video & Song
'With All I Am' by Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns&feature=related
Wednesday
April 16, 2008 Hold On
Hold On
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 3:13 For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. ____The Message
...But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ____NAS
Sin- Hamartano literally 'to miss the mark'.
Deceit - Apatao - literal word origin 'to cheat, beguile, deceive'.
The Lord is my helper and I will not fear. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the same yesterday, today and forever. We can pray, ask, believe and receive. Our rest is in Him.
Because His promise IS 'I will never leave you nor forsake you', when we begin to fear or forget or fall short, or waiver, or begin 'to miss the mark', and are becoming 'cheated, beguiled, deceived', let us encourage each other every day, day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today', stand with to encourage each other not to give up, to remember that His promises are true.
So this morning my brothers and sisters, I am standing with you and remembering His promises and praying and encouraging you not to give up.
He is always with you.
Video & Song
'Came To My Rescue' by Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yAMbEPZfWCY
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 3:13 For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. ____The Message
...But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ____NAS
Sin- Hamartano literally 'to miss the mark'.
Deceit - Apatao - literal word origin 'to cheat, beguile, deceive'.
The Lord is my helper and I will not fear. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the same yesterday, today and forever. We can pray, ask, believe and receive. Our rest is in Him.
Because His promise IS 'I will never leave you nor forsake you', when we begin to fear or forget or fall short, or waiver, or begin 'to miss the mark', and are becoming 'cheated, beguiled, deceived', let us encourage each other every day, day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today', stand with to encourage each other not to give up, to remember that His promises are true.
So this morning my brothers and sisters, I am standing with you and remembering His promises and praying and encouraging you not to give up.
He is always with you.
Video & Song
'Came To My Rescue' by Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yAMbEPZfWCY
Tuesday
April 15, 2008, In Memory of Bob
The Beauty of A Gift
Gifts come in many forms, and today this entry is in memory and honor of Bob Mitchell. As he is a gift and a gift to many. He is alive in the presence of God. What a profound gesture of Jesus' love to donate his magnificent, fearfully and wonderfully created body, in order that others may live.
These are the moments that God smiles, when the love that we share, which comes from Him, is poured out and flowing, unrestricted, just as He loves us.
There is not much more to say other than gifts come in many forms. But every one of them are gestures of love. Remember, and they don't need to be as profound as is Bob's, they don't even need to be tangible, sometimes they are just reaching out in love.
Psalm 139:13 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
And Bob When You Awake You Are Still With Him Forever.
Video & Song
And Bob, Your Lifesong Sings, You Live!
'My Life Song Sings', by Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uz10TKVNpYI&feature=related
Gifts come in many forms, and today this entry is in memory and honor of Bob Mitchell. As he is a gift and a gift to many. He is alive in the presence of God. What a profound gesture of Jesus' love to donate his magnificent, fearfully and wonderfully created body, in order that others may live.
These are the moments that God smiles, when the love that we share, which comes from Him, is poured out and flowing, unrestricted, just as He loves us.
There is not much more to say other than gifts come in many forms. But every one of them are gestures of love. Remember, and they don't need to be as profound as is Bob's, they don't even need to be tangible, sometimes they are just reaching out in love.
Psalm 139:13 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
And Bob When You Awake You Are Still With Him Forever.
Video & Song
And Bob, Your Lifesong Sings, You Live!
'My Life Song Sings', by Casting Crowns
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uz10TKVNpYI&feature=related
Monday
April 14, 2008 Ahh, Rest
Ahh, Rest
Hebrews 3: 1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
A resting, a wonderful rest. It is His 'good news'. But some hear and some don't. God rested, from His works, I am reading this not as the resting on the Sabbath, but the wonderful, glorious, peace that surpasses all understanding rest. We see it, we hear it, but miss the understanding to enter into 'it'. It is rest that doesn't just come when we repose or at the end of the day when we sleep, or at the end of the week when we are off work. And even in the 'rest' of the Sabbath, in the law, this rest is deeper that ceasing 'doing'. It is the rest that permeates your entire 'being' as we are in communion with Him constantly every moment of every day.
:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 'wrath', the original Greek origin is 'oragomae' meaning; to stretch one's self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something. As God in 'wrath' stretches Himself out, in His desire. And we obtain it by faith, believing.
:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Be diligent, don't fall into 'Apetheia". Do you see it? The original Greek is apathy! Apathy; absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement, or literally - 'without feeling'. There it is, how can we rest, even in His Word, as it discerns our heart, when our heart is not 'feeling'?
Entering into His rest as my heart feels, really feels. As we stand before Him, we are not hidden from His sight, but naked before Him. And we have a God that passed through this realm of heaven, Jesus, and we can relate to Him as a man Who felt it all in order that we may feel..we then can come boldly to that wonderful place of 'rest' where mercy and grace are always waiting.
Video & Song
'Amazing Grace' LeAnne Rimes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FM5kYUoMmuA
Hebrews 3: 1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
A resting, a wonderful rest. It is His 'good news'. But some hear and some don't. God rested, from His works, I am reading this not as the resting on the Sabbath, but the wonderful, glorious, peace that surpasses all understanding rest. We see it, we hear it, but miss the understanding to enter into 'it'. It is rest that doesn't just come when we repose or at the end of the day when we sleep, or at the end of the week when we are off work. And even in the 'rest' of the Sabbath, in the law, this rest is deeper that ceasing 'doing'. It is the rest that permeates your entire 'being' as we are in communion with Him constantly every moment of every day.
:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 'wrath', the original Greek origin is 'oragomae' meaning; to stretch one's self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something. As God in 'wrath' stretches Himself out, in His desire. And we obtain it by faith, believing.
:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Be diligent, don't fall into 'Apetheia". Do you see it? The original Greek is apathy! Apathy; absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement, or literally - 'without feeling'. There it is, how can we rest, even in His Word, as it discerns our heart, when our heart is not 'feeling'?
Entering into His rest as my heart feels, really feels. As we stand before Him, we are not hidden from His sight, but naked before Him. And we have a God that passed through this realm of heaven, Jesus, and we can relate to Him as a man Who felt it all in order that we may feel..we then can come boldly to that wonderful place of 'rest' where mercy and grace are always waiting.
Video & Song
'Amazing Grace' LeAnne Rimes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FM5kYUoMmuA
Sunday
April 13, 2008, The Church and A Grape
The Church and A Grape
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Have you every looked at a grape, closely? A single grape, a wonderful fruit covered in a skin which on it has a natural yeast. The yeast in itself starts the fermenting process once the grape is pressed and broken.
Where am I going with this? The grape is like the church, like the world/earth, the fruit inside is us, everywhere. As we come together in the Lord we are covered with His everlasting protection. A wonderful fruit, good for nourishment. But once the grape is crushed a natural fermentation begins and new wine is made. But if the juice of the wine sits it becomes fermented wine.
Do you see it yet? The church is like a grape, what are we good for once we are crushed, and then just sit and do nothing? But in the process of being crushed and surrendering to the Lord and allowing His awesome power sanctify us and cleanse us and wash us, we are protected under His covering. It is His Word that washes us, it is His Holy Spirit.
So have you ever really looked at a grape? Leave it out in the open it dries up, shrivels up into a raisin. But try this, put a raisin in water and over time it will plump back up again into a grape, amazing!!
So if you are shriveled up, wash yourself in the Word of God, and He will revive you!!
Just a note found on wine making process:
Most people think that red wine is red because it is made from the juice of red grapes and that white wine is white because it is made from the juice of white grapes. In fact, the juice of most grapes is clear. It's actually the skin that gives wine its distinct colors.
When making red wines, makers leave the dark skins to ferment with the juice. As the yeast converts the grapes' sugar into alcohol, the pigment from the skins is released, coloring the wine a deep red.
(And I'm sure I could continue, but I will come back to this in relation to our fellowship another day.)
Video & Song
'You Are My Word' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NWC4z2NBsgM&feature=related
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Have you every looked at a grape, closely? A single grape, a wonderful fruit covered in a skin which on it has a natural yeast. The yeast in itself starts the fermenting process once the grape is pressed and broken.
Where am I going with this? The grape is like the church, like the world/earth, the fruit inside is us, everywhere. As we come together in the Lord we are covered with His everlasting protection. A wonderful fruit, good for nourishment. But once the grape is crushed a natural fermentation begins and new wine is made. But if the juice of the wine sits it becomes fermented wine.
Do you see it yet? The church is like a grape, what are we good for once we are crushed, and then just sit and do nothing? But in the process of being crushed and surrendering to the Lord and allowing His awesome power sanctify us and cleanse us and wash us, we are protected under His covering. It is His Word that washes us, it is His Holy Spirit.
So have you ever really looked at a grape? Leave it out in the open it dries up, shrivels up into a raisin. But try this, put a raisin in water and over time it will plump back up again into a grape, amazing!!
So if you are shriveled up, wash yourself in the Word of God, and He will revive you!!
Just a note found on wine making process:
Most people think that red wine is red because it is made from the juice of red grapes and that white wine is white because it is made from the juice of white grapes. In fact, the juice of most grapes is clear. It's actually the skin that gives wine its distinct colors.
When making red wines, makers leave the dark skins to ferment with the juice. As the yeast converts the grapes' sugar into alcohol, the pigment from the skins is released, coloring the wine a deep red.
(And I'm sure I could continue, but I will come back to this in relation to our fellowship another day.)
Video & Song
'You Are My Word' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NWC4z2NBsgM&feature=related
Saturday
April 12, 2008, Like Peas In A Pod
Like Peas In A Pod
Like peas in a pod and cozy in its wrapping, all happy and never complaining, working together.
No... like peas in a pod all uncomfortable and cramped for space, all complaining and fighting with each other.
No...like peas in a pod, all working together, comforting each other, loving each other, having compassion on each other, feeling each other and seeing each other as we all grow together with one purpose, to serve Him and love and support each other...yes.
The body of Christ is like this. When one hurts we feel them, when one rejoices we rejoice with them, when one mourns we mourn with them. What a beautiful purpose and plan that God has given us when we don't resist.
Romans 12:4 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
Then this Word goes on to say, use your gifts, whether prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving liberally, leading with diligence, showing mercy cheerfully, loving without hypocrisy, (loathe, detest)abhorring what is evil, clinging, holding onto what is good, showing affection to one another in brotherly love, giving (priority,) preference, to one another...and I could rewrite the whole text but it's worth reading until we 'see' this calling. We all have been 'called'. Which brings me to scripture always. "He who has ears, let him hear, he who has eyes, let them see". Who will hear? Who will see?"
This is a great translation ___The Message Romans 12:5 The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, 6 let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; 7 if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; 8 if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. 9 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. 10 Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. 13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 14 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. 15 Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. 16 Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. 18 If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. 19 Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
So the members of the entire body, becomes one, we are one body in Christ. The body of Christ isn't in a building, it is over the earth. Our call is to go out as disciples. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". (Go into all the world, and don't neglect your own neighborhoods, of course my entry). And this riddle that we all learned as a child, isn't what it's about, 'Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the doors, and here's the people'. This is the fellowship, a place to come together, after going out into the highways and hedges and bringing them in to be fed, and grow and in turn, 'called' to go out and do it again.
Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!! Don't resist!! Break out of the pod and go out into the world and preach the Good News! Proclaim the Name of Jesus, His peace and salvation, unashamed!
Video & Song
'Here Am I' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1bfn4BUBuKw&feature=related
Like peas in a pod and cozy in its wrapping, all happy and never complaining, working together.
No... like peas in a pod all uncomfortable and cramped for space, all complaining and fighting with each other.
No...like peas in a pod, all working together, comforting each other, loving each other, having compassion on each other, feeling each other and seeing each other as we all grow together with one purpose, to serve Him and love and support each other...yes.
The body of Christ is like this. When one hurts we feel them, when one rejoices we rejoice with them, when one mourns we mourn with them. What a beautiful purpose and plan that God has given us when we don't resist.
Romans 12:4 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
Then this Word goes on to say, use your gifts, whether prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving liberally, leading with diligence, showing mercy cheerfully, loving without hypocrisy, (loathe, detest)abhorring what is evil, clinging, holding onto what is good, showing affection to one another in brotherly love, giving (priority,) preference, to one another...and I could rewrite the whole text but it's worth reading until we 'see' this calling. We all have been 'called'. Which brings me to scripture always. "He who has ears, let him hear, he who has eyes, let them see". Who will hear? Who will see?"
This is a great translation ___The Message Romans 12:5 The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, 6 let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't. If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; 7 if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; 8 if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. 9 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. 10 Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. 13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 14 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. 15 Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. 16 Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. 17 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. 18 If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. 19 Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
So the members of the entire body, becomes one, we are one body in Christ. The body of Christ isn't in a building, it is over the earth. Our call is to go out as disciples. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". (Go into all the world, and don't neglect your own neighborhoods, of course my entry). And this riddle that we all learned as a child, isn't what it's about, 'Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the doors, and here's the people'. This is the fellowship, a place to come together, after going out into the highways and hedges and bringing them in to be fed, and grow and in turn, 'called' to go out and do it again.
Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!! Don't resist!! Break out of the pod and go out into the world and preach the Good News! Proclaim the Name of Jesus, His peace and salvation, unashamed!
Video & Song
'Here Am I' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1bfn4BUBuKw&feature=related
Friday
April 11, 2008, You're Called
You're Called
The call is clear, we must go out into the harvest, it is ready and the laborers in the vineyard, are going out as sheep among wolves.
We are to direct the focus on our Lord and Savior, to proclaim His Good News to those captive and slaves to this world. For there is no other Name by which we can be saved Acts 4:12. Do not be deceived, study to show thyself approved, so that you are able to divide the Word of Truth. 2 Titus 2:15. For without His Holy Spirit we will fall short in His ways and slight, tempting interjections will tantalize us into believing a lie in order to divert us, to keep us from the blessings of 'new life' and an abundant life in Him.
The words to this timely, wonderful 'older' song is my direction for keeping my eyes in the right place. 'Turn your eyes on Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace'.
Keep seeing Him and keep listening to His voice, in order that you don't mistake a plagiarized, mimicked message, so slyly tweaked (whether in ignorance or unknowing or more deadly with a purpose to destroy His truth) to sound like His Voice.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Act 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
2 Titus 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Prepare yourselves. The 'call' is real and we cannot wait any longer. Go into the harvest it is ready!
Video & Song
Amazing Art!!!!!
(If you are at work, turn off the volume and just look at the art)
'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BB36QLWNG5g
The call is clear, we must go out into the harvest, it is ready and the laborers in the vineyard, are going out as sheep among wolves.
We are to direct the focus on our Lord and Savior, to proclaim His Good News to those captive and slaves to this world. For there is no other Name by which we can be saved Acts 4:12. Do not be deceived, study to show thyself approved, so that you are able to divide the Word of Truth. 2 Titus 2:15. For without His Holy Spirit we will fall short in His ways and slight, tempting interjections will tantalize us into believing a lie in order to divert us, to keep us from the blessings of 'new life' and an abundant life in Him.
The words to this timely, wonderful 'older' song is my direction for keeping my eyes in the right place. 'Turn your eyes on Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace'.
Keep seeing Him and keep listening to His voice, in order that you don't mistake a plagiarized, mimicked message, so slyly tweaked (whether in ignorance or unknowing or more deadly with a purpose to destroy His truth) to sound like His Voice.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Act 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
2 Titus 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Prepare yourselves. The 'call' is real and we cannot wait any longer. Go into the harvest it is ready!
Video & Song
Amazing Art!!!!!
(If you are at work, turn off the volume and just look at the art)
'Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BB36QLWNG5g
Thursday
April 10, 2008, Sin, Guilt, Shame & Grace
Sin, Guilt, Shame & Grace
Have we really come to an understanding, completely, what Christ did on the cross? The road and way to His death, He lovingly and willfully laid His life down for us because He loves us. Our sin, guilt and shame He took it all upon Himself. He said 'it is finished'. So why do we continue to suffer and carry guilt and shame of sin even after being set free? We have a choice, to give it all to Him, and lay it at the cross where He took it all for us. There is the yoke of bondage and there is His yoke which is easy...His yoke is our covering.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
There it is, 'grace'!! Grace, He gave us 'grace'. One word that is lacking in ever other religious system, no one other than Jesus Christ gave us 'grace'.
Romans 3 says a lot, but to look at the statement of grace, here we are justified He took it all, sin and everything that comes with sin - guilt and shame.
:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Cross+Jesus - Sin, Guilt & Shame = Grace
Get some tissues..
Video & Song
'Grace' Michael W. Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YRXDsbRQNlA&feature=related
Have we really come to an understanding, completely, what Christ did on the cross? The road and way to His death, He lovingly and willfully laid His life down for us because He loves us. Our sin, guilt and shame He took it all upon Himself. He said 'it is finished'. So why do we continue to suffer and carry guilt and shame of sin even after being set free? We have a choice, to give it all to Him, and lay it at the cross where He took it all for us. There is the yoke of bondage and there is His yoke which is easy...His yoke is our covering.
Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
There it is, 'grace'!! Grace, He gave us 'grace'. One word that is lacking in ever other religious system, no one other than Jesus Christ gave us 'grace'.
Romans 3 says a lot, but to look at the statement of grace, here we are justified He took it all, sin and everything that comes with sin - guilt and shame.
:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Cross+Jesus - Sin, Guilt & Shame = Grace
Get some tissues..
Video & Song
'Grace' Michael W. Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YRXDsbRQNlA&feature=related
Wednesday
April 9, 2008, Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem
There is a land waiting to be claimed, rich and lush and every good thing. I have two choices, first to see myself as more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ or second as an insect waiting to be stomped by giants. If I choose to be a conquering warrior, a reward is waiting; if I choose to be a grasshopper, I am overpowered and die in my meanly little self.
Moses sent one spy from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to spy the land of Canaan to see if the people were strong or weak, few or many, whether the land was good or bad and whether the inhabited cities were camps or strongholds. Numbers 13
Now when they returned and reported about all they had seen, they brought back 'a' cluster of grapes which they carried on a pole between two of them. Now honestly people get this picture, and have you ever seen a cluster of grapes this size in any grocery store or farmer's market? If so, please let me know where!! They brought back figs and pomegranates, wonder what size they were? And they reported, 'it truly is a land flowing with milk and honey'. BUT BUT BUT BUT...HERE IT COMES THE BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, forever holding us back word....BUT!!! 'we saw the descendents of Anak there', it's time to retreat, Oh no, we can't do that!!! And thank you Caleb! He's the man!!! Confident, steadfast, 'nothing is going to get in my way-man...not even giants!!! LET'S GO GUYS!!!...CARPE DIEM, MEN!!! COME ON, WE CAN DO IT GUYS!!! DON'T GIVE UP, I'LL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!!! Now this is encouragement!!! AND FORGET THIS, JUST STOP IT!!!, where did you get the idea you were like 'grasshoppers'? RISE UP MEN!!! SHAKE IT OFF!!!
Really, after saying all this I just want to say, "We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ", we have wonderful brothers and sister that are always there for us (and you touch my heart, you move me to tears feeling your love and seeing your compassion) when the obstacles of our lives look so huge and enormous 'in our eyes' like they can't be defeated, they are there to encourage us to break through to the other side, victorious and take claim and walk steady into our heart's vision and desire. So stay near to each other, encourage each other, support each other, and most important, LOVE EACH OTHER.
CARPE DIEM!!! YUM!!
Video & Song (no sound, if at work you can watch this one, beautiful!!)
'Song of Moses' Learn it, we will sing this song of the Lamb
And the names of our awesome God, My Elohim, Yahweh
He Shall Reign Forever and Ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVIl51ChE9Q
There is a land waiting to be claimed, rich and lush and every good thing. I have two choices, first to see myself as more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ or second as an insect waiting to be stomped by giants. If I choose to be a conquering warrior, a reward is waiting; if I choose to be a grasshopper, I am overpowered and die in my meanly little self.
Moses sent one spy from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to spy the land of Canaan to see if the people were strong or weak, few or many, whether the land was good or bad and whether the inhabited cities were camps or strongholds. Numbers 13
Now when they returned and reported about all they had seen, they brought back 'a' cluster of grapes which they carried on a pole between two of them. Now honestly people get this picture, and have you ever seen a cluster of grapes this size in any grocery store or farmer's market? If so, please let me know where!! They brought back figs and pomegranates, wonder what size they were? And they reported, 'it truly is a land flowing with milk and honey'. BUT BUT BUT BUT...HERE IT COMES THE BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, forever holding us back word....BUT!!! 'we saw the descendents of Anak there', it's time to retreat, Oh no, we can't do that!!! And thank you Caleb! He's the man!!! Confident, steadfast, 'nothing is going to get in my way-man...not even giants!!! LET'S GO GUYS!!!...CARPE DIEM, MEN!!! COME ON, WE CAN DO IT GUYS!!! DON'T GIVE UP, I'LL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY!!! Now this is encouragement!!! AND FORGET THIS, JUST STOP IT!!!, where did you get the idea you were like 'grasshoppers'? RISE UP MEN!!! SHAKE IT OFF!!!
Really, after saying all this I just want to say, "We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ", we have wonderful brothers and sister that are always there for us (and you touch my heart, you move me to tears feeling your love and seeing your compassion) when the obstacles of our lives look so huge and enormous 'in our eyes' like they can't be defeated, they are there to encourage us to break through to the other side, victorious and take claim and walk steady into our heart's vision and desire. So stay near to each other, encourage each other, support each other, and most important, LOVE EACH OTHER.
CARPE DIEM!!! YUM!!
Video & Song (no sound, if at work you can watch this one, beautiful!!)
'Song of Moses' Learn it, we will sing this song of the Lamb
And the names of our awesome God, My Elohim, Yahweh
He Shall Reign Forever and Ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVIl51ChE9Q
Tuesday
April 8, 2008, Cannot Be Separated
Cannot Be Separated
Romans Chapter 8, what a rich, life changing and life steadying, to stop me in my tracks, to pay attention.. message.
Beginning in verse 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Ponder the entire chapter as it speaks of everything regarding hope for our life, how we are living it, our value in His eyes, His value in our eyes, where we came from, where we are headed. what we are doing, more important, what He is doing
:26 And the power of the Holy Spirit as He intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray, (and I love this next phrase!) with 'groaning' too deep for words. NAS.
What a description of the unfathomable spans of His love.
35:Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A Love Story
We ask Jesus 'How much do you love me?" And He stretches out His arms and His nail pierced hands and says 'This much'.
Absolutely Beautiful Video & Song
'Amazing Love' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-NeKnC4WXCs
Romans Chapter 8, what a rich, life changing and life steadying, to stop me in my tracks, to pay attention.. message.
Beginning in verse 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Ponder the entire chapter as it speaks of everything regarding hope for our life, how we are living it, our value in His eyes, His value in our eyes, where we came from, where we are headed. what we are doing, more important, what He is doing
:26 And the power of the Holy Spirit as He intercedes for us when we do not know how to pray, (and I love this next phrase!) with 'groaning' too deep for words. NAS.
What a description of the unfathomable spans of His love.
35:Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A Love Story
We ask Jesus 'How much do you love me?" And He stretches out His arms and His nail pierced hands and says 'This much'.
Absolutely Beautiful Video & Song
'Amazing Love' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-NeKnC4WXCs
Monday
April 7, 2008, Feet
Feet
Fascinating - feet.
Feet are one the most utilized parts of the human body. Our feet are constantly under stress as we go about our normal lives. Our feet work for us the whole day, whether we stand, play, run, or walk, and in the process they become the most affected part of our anatomy.
Many things affect the condition of our feet: activity level, occupation, other health conditions, and perhaps most importantly, our shoes.
The foot is an incredibly complex mechanism which serves as a shock absorber, and propulsion engine.
The foot and ankle contain: 26 individual bones, 33 joints, Ligaments, More than 100 muscles, Tendons, Blood vessels, Nerves, Skin % Tissue
All these foot components combine to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility.
__'Anatomy of the Feet'
http://www.foothealthcare.com/html/articles/anatomy/anatomyoffoot.htm
Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
My thought that prompted this topic, I was thinking about Jesus' feet. His beautiful feet. And thinking about those who came to Him and gathered at His feet. stood at, washed, anointed, cried on, embraced, held onto, sat at, kneeled at, crawled to, were healed at and fell at His feet.
No doubt, like John, I will fall at His feet when I see Him.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
Yes, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just look at your feet, alone, not to mention the rest of this awesome mechanism given to us.
Video & Song
"We Fall Down' Kutless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9hT4jKDiGdY&feature=related
Fascinating - feet.
Feet are one the most utilized parts of the human body. Our feet are constantly under stress as we go about our normal lives. Our feet work for us the whole day, whether we stand, play, run, or walk, and in the process they become the most affected part of our anatomy.
Many things affect the condition of our feet: activity level, occupation, other health conditions, and perhaps most importantly, our shoes.
The foot is an incredibly complex mechanism which serves as a shock absorber, and propulsion engine.
The foot and ankle contain: 26 individual bones, 33 joints, Ligaments, More than 100 muscles, Tendons, Blood vessels, Nerves, Skin % Tissue
All these foot components combine to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility.
__'Anatomy of the Feet'
http://www.foothealthcare.com/html/articles/anatomy/anatomyoffoot.htm
Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
My thought that prompted this topic, I was thinking about Jesus' feet. His beautiful feet. And thinking about those who came to Him and gathered at His feet. stood at, washed, anointed, cried on, embraced, held onto, sat at, kneeled at, crawled to, were healed at and fell at His feet.
No doubt, like John, I will fall at His feet when I see Him.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
Yes, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just look at your feet, alone, not to mention the rest of this awesome mechanism given to us.
Video & Song
"We Fall Down' Kutless
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9hT4jKDiGdY&feature=related
Sunday
April 6, 2008, Search For Love
Search For Love
What do I search for? And when I search am I looking with my heart? And when I search is it for love? And if it is for love, where am I searching?
I testify that He is Christ, Son of the Living God, and I testify and proclaim He is my Messiah, that in Him I have life and life more abundantly. And the gate of Hades, death and darkness will not overcome it (Jesus speaking of Himself 'Petra' Matthew 16:18). He is the chief cornerstone, the stone that the builders (of the law) rejected. He is my Rock and my Salvation.
Oh Lord, my heart is steadfast in You, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You...everywhere I search for You.
Video & Song
'Testify To Love' Avalon
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TgZ1ds0WM2k
What do I search for? And when I search am I looking with my heart? And when I search is it for love? And if it is for love, where am I searching?
I testify that He is Christ, Son of the Living God, and I testify and proclaim He is my Messiah, that in Him I have life and life more abundantly. And the gate of Hades, death and darkness will not overcome it (Jesus speaking of Himself 'Petra' Matthew 16:18). He is the chief cornerstone, the stone that the builders (of the law) rejected. He is my Rock and my Salvation.
Oh Lord, my heart is steadfast in You, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You...everywhere I search for You.
Video & Song
'Testify To Love' Avalon
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TgZ1ds0WM2k
Saturday
April 5, 2008, Finding Myself, Finding My Beloved
Finding Myself, Finding My Beloved
We pray and wait and pray and wait and seek and wait and search and wait and wait and wait.
And another entry I spoke of 'wait' back on March 26 as an action of hoping, looking, collecting or binding. This entry is the definition of 'wait' as being inactive or a state of repose. But is it ever, really? Is there ever a period of time that is inactive? The immensity in proportion to my finite mind cannot really comprehend the nature of measuring the length and depth and height but according to this text Paul says being rooted and grounded in love, that we may be able to comprehend His love and be filled with the fullness of Him.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
So to make this personal, this entry today is when my seeking, and my waiting and my searching Him, and surrendering to Him allows me to truly see myself. And as I can see all things come together in His time when I don't resist and control His 'perfect will' Like Song Of Solomon, the Shulamite woman seeks her beloved, and she searches and asks the watchmen 'have you see my beloved?'
And today I am the Shulamite woman, seeking Him continually, I found my beloved.
And here's to my watchmen that showed me the way, that stood with me in my praying, seeking, searching and waiting.
And the journey will be lovely but thankfully still always praying, seeking, searching and waiting. But this time I will not fall asleep with a 'lazy-mind and a lazy-heart' but will 'listen' and 'see'. Because in many ways it is His Heart My Heart; 'Continuously joined together, going on, without interruption. One continuous expression of love.' This is the way He planned it and all our trials and pain brought us to a absolutely perfect place to fulfill His purpose and His plan and this time we are 'seeing'.
And as you are reading this, my beloved is home.
And this morning this song was ringing in my heart when I woke up. It is my heart's cry always, Word of God Speak, to hear Your voice, continually washing my eyes to see, resting in Your holiness. My journey will always be growing... 'finding myself'.
Video & Song
'Word of God Speak' by Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Yx4eT7ZxZk&feature=related
We pray and wait and pray and wait and seek and wait and search and wait and wait and wait.
And another entry I spoke of 'wait' back on March 26 as an action of hoping, looking, collecting or binding. This entry is the definition of 'wait' as being inactive or a state of repose. But is it ever, really? Is there ever a period of time that is inactive? The immensity in proportion to my finite mind cannot really comprehend the nature of measuring the length and depth and height but according to this text Paul says being rooted and grounded in love, that we may be able to comprehend His love and be filled with the fullness of Him.
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
So to make this personal, this entry today is when my seeking, and my waiting and my searching Him, and surrendering to Him allows me to truly see myself. And as I can see all things come together in His time when I don't resist and control His 'perfect will' Like Song Of Solomon, the Shulamite woman seeks her beloved, and she searches and asks the watchmen 'have you see my beloved?'
And today I am the Shulamite woman, seeking Him continually, I found my beloved.
And here's to my watchmen that showed me the way, that stood with me in my praying, seeking, searching and waiting.
And the journey will be lovely but thankfully still always praying, seeking, searching and waiting. But this time I will not fall asleep with a 'lazy-mind and a lazy-heart' but will 'listen' and 'see'. Because in many ways it is His Heart My Heart; 'Continuously joined together, going on, without interruption. One continuous expression of love.' This is the way He planned it and all our trials and pain brought us to a absolutely perfect place to fulfill His purpose and His plan and this time we are 'seeing'.
And as you are reading this, my beloved is home.
And this morning this song was ringing in my heart when I woke up. It is my heart's cry always, Word of God Speak, to hear Your voice, continually washing my eyes to see, resting in Your holiness. My journey will always be growing... 'finding myself'.
Video & Song
'Word of God Speak' by Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Yx4eT7ZxZk&feature=related
Friday
April 4, 2008, We and Them
We and Them
2 Chronicles 28:15 The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow countrymen at Jericho, the City of Palms, and returned to Samaria.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Obed spoke to the Israelites and said their rage reached to heaven. And warned them against keeping them slaves because they too were guilty of sins against the Lord. They then realized their guilt was already great. So they took the plunder to heal them.
Awareness of how unworthy I really am, I then can see how my fervor, enthusiasm, rage when used to ostracize and judge and destroy, stinks all the way to heaven.
Aren't we the same, our righteousness is like filthy rags. Don't be ashamed to be totally transparent and receive His healing love, to give His healing love. Don't be afraid to take the plunder, what we took from them and broke their hearts, that 'killed' them (2 Chronicles 28:9) and keeps them from seeking Him and use it for their healing, directing them to Jesus as they are able to see Him in us. There is no more inside and outside; there is no more we and them.
"Come soak this dry heart with healing rain"
Let Him Hold Your Hand and Heal You
Video & Song' Healing Rain' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O54FixTgses&feature=related
2 Chronicles 28:15 The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow countrymen at Jericho, the City of Palms, and returned to Samaria.
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Obed spoke to the Israelites and said their rage reached to heaven. And warned them against keeping them slaves because they too were guilty of sins against the Lord. They then realized their guilt was already great. So they took the plunder to heal them.
Awareness of how unworthy I really am, I then can see how my fervor, enthusiasm, rage when used to ostracize and judge and destroy, stinks all the way to heaven.
Aren't we the same, our righteousness is like filthy rags. Don't be ashamed to be totally transparent and receive His healing love, to give His healing love. Don't be afraid to take the plunder, what we took from them and broke their hearts, that 'killed' them (2 Chronicles 28:9) and keeps them from seeking Him and use it for their healing, directing them to Jesus as they are able to see Him in us. There is no more inside and outside; there is no more we and them.
"Come soak this dry heart with healing rain"
Let Him Hold Your Hand and Heal You
Video & Song' Healing Rain' Michael W Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O54FixTgses&feature=related
Thursday
April 3, 2008 Break Me, Use Me
Break Me, Use Me
Psalm 51:7 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. 8 Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. 9 Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. 10 God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. 11 Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. 12 Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! 13 Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. 14 Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. 15 Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. 16 Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. 17 I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. 18 Make Zion the place you delight in, repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls. 19 Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large, Including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar! _____The Message
Create in me a clean heart...and after I have been broken, give me a new heart, a fresh start and new beginning, yes, from the chaos in my life. Breathe Your Holy Spirit in me, that I may love those hurting and searching - to You.
And my prayer from the other day, as I gladly climb on the operating table myself, begging Him to do heart surgery.
'Lord, crack me open, I need to be totally exposed, naked and transparent to be a servant, a 'transformer' for You. My true desire is for my actions to be responses from my heart.. I, 'myself', gladly climb on the operating table and beg You to please do the surgery to help me 'see' and 'feel', change my behavior, set my priorities, choose my actions, see principles to my changes and choices, be a transformer in the systems of my life, a catalyst, yeast (forgot salt to season), have courage to be a transformational leader. And before You close me up, please leave even a small portion of "wisdom, vision, trust, self-awareness, persistence, patience, introspection, initiative, humility, faith, and courage".Oh, and while I'm there, I need an eye transplant to go with my new heart and connect them both to my hands and feet.'
Video & Song
'Open Arms' Michael W. Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZIgX_6Fi2AQ&feature=related
Psalm 51:7 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. 8 Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. 9 Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. 10 God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. 11 Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. 12 Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! 13 Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. 14 Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. 15 Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. 16 Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. 17 I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. 18 Make Zion the place you delight in, repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls. 19 Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large, Including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar! _____The Message
Create in me a clean heart...and after I have been broken, give me a new heart, a fresh start and new beginning, yes, from the chaos in my life. Breathe Your Holy Spirit in me, that I may love those hurting and searching - to You.
And my prayer from the other day, as I gladly climb on the operating table myself, begging Him to do heart surgery.
'Lord, crack me open, I need to be totally exposed, naked and transparent to be a servant, a 'transformer' for You. My true desire is for my actions to be responses from my heart.. I, 'myself', gladly climb on the operating table and beg You to please do the surgery to help me 'see' and 'feel', change my behavior, set my priorities, choose my actions, see principles to my changes and choices, be a transformer in the systems of my life, a catalyst, yeast (forgot salt to season), have courage to be a transformational leader. And before You close me up, please leave even a small portion of "wisdom, vision, trust, self-awareness, persistence, patience, introspection, initiative, humility, faith, and courage".Oh, and while I'm there, I need an eye transplant to go with my new heart and connect them both to my hands and feet.'
Video & Song
'Open Arms' Michael W. Smith
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZIgX_6Fi2AQ&feature=related
Wednesday
April 2, 2008, Yield To Him
Yield To Him
Jeremiah 18:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
The clay must yield to the potter's hands; if it does not yield it cannot be formed, it becomes marred and must taken off and is reformed. It must be perfectly centered and in balance and as the potter's hands begin to press in and steady the clay with a gentle lifting pressure the vessel is formed and grows upward.
Isaiah 44:2a This is what the Lord says-- he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:
The Creator's Hands, the One Who formed us in our mother's womb, Who knew us and knows us and knows our future, His ways are not our ways. If we resist, while being formed our shape becomes mangled and we are taken off the wheel. But the wonderful thing, we can be put back on the wheel and reformed. It is never too late to yield to His perfect Creating Hands to allow Him to form us into a beautiful vessel to be used for His purpose, 'as seems best to Him'.
Jeremiah 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
And that's not the end, the next step, we must go through the fire to be strengthened.
Video & Song'
The Potter's Hands' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6beNoG0H0E0&feature=related
Added an instruction video of a potter using an electric potter's wheel.Listen to the potter, this is how we feel His hands as we are formed, we may feel uncomfortable and want to resist, until we feel Him pull us towards Him. The rest of the forming is uncomfortable, ouch!"
Hand on us, feeling pressure, releasing, support, push away, pull towards."
Centering the Clayhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=m7s9KLc4Q6I&feature=related
Making the Cylinderhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=KZLBroIOu0o&feature=related
Jeremiah 18:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
The clay must yield to the potter's hands; if it does not yield it cannot be formed, it becomes marred and must taken off and is reformed. It must be perfectly centered and in balance and as the potter's hands begin to press in and steady the clay with a gentle lifting pressure the vessel is formed and grows upward.
Isaiah 44:2a This is what the Lord says-- he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:
The Creator's Hands, the One Who formed us in our mother's womb, Who knew us and knows us and knows our future, His ways are not our ways. If we resist, while being formed our shape becomes mangled and we are taken off the wheel. But the wonderful thing, we can be put back on the wheel and reformed. It is never too late to yield to His perfect Creating Hands to allow Him to form us into a beautiful vessel to be used for His purpose, 'as seems best to Him'.
Jeremiah 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
And that's not the end, the next step, we must go through the fire to be strengthened.
Video & Song'
The Potter's Hands' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6beNoG0H0E0&feature=related
Added an instruction video of a potter using an electric potter's wheel.Listen to the potter, this is how we feel His hands as we are formed, we may feel uncomfortable and want to resist, until we feel Him pull us towards Him. The rest of the forming is uncomfortable, ouch!"
Hand on us, feeling pressure, releasing, support, push away, pull towards."
Centering the Clayhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=m7s9KLc4Q6I&feature=related
Making the Cylinderhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=KZLBroIOu0o&feature=related
Tuesday
April 1, 2008, Rescued Out of Darkness
Rescued Out of Darkness
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Revelations 12:7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelations 19 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Satan, our adversary, the 'thief' who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He comes to steal my joy, my health, my family, my relationships, my vision, my wallet, my life, He comes to fill our hearts with lies and deception to destroy us Acts 5:3; he tempts us 1 Corinthians 7:5; he takes advantage of us 2 Corinthians 2:11; he comes as a deceptive angel of light 11:14; he hinders us 2 Thessalonians 2:18; he represents every negative thing that comes to destroy us. And his primary and most abhorrent task is to destroy my relationship with God, Who he hates, loathes and despises.
The beautiful part of this real life story is he and his angels have no power over me unless I relinquish it to him. We have a God that is greater than all his kingdom combined and His name is Emmanuel, 'God with us', Jesus Christ, The Messiah. And there is a real ending to this real life love story, our King, our Savior, is coming to rescue His bride, she has been waiting with oil in her lamp, He comes riding in on a beautiful white horse to SAVE HER, to take her back to His kingdom to live with Him forever and ever. And we are His bride. The END
Now that's a Love Story with a happy ending!
Video & Song
'God With Us' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y7OzU6FgHC0&feature=related
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Revelations 12:7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelations 19 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Satan, our adversary, the 'thief' who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He comes to steal my joy, my health, my family, my relationships, my vision, my wallet, my life, He comes to fill our hearts with lies and deception to destroy us Acts 5:3; he tempts us 1 Corinthians 7:5; he takes advantage of us 2 Corinthians 2:11; he comes as a deceptive angel of light 11:14; he hinders us 2 Thessalonians 2:18; he represents every negative thing that comes to destroy us. And his primary and most abhorrent task is to destroy my relationship with God, Who he hates, loathes and despises.
The beautiful part of this real life story is he and his angels have no power over me unless I relinquish it to him. We have a God that is greater than all his kingdom combined and His name is Emmanuel, 'God with us', Jesus Christ, The Messiah. And there is a real ending to this real life love story, our King, our Savior, is coming to rescue His bride, she has been waiting with oil in her lamp, He comes riding in on a beautiful white horse to SAVE HER, to take her back to His kingdom to live with Him forever and ever. And we are His bride. The END
Now that's a Love Story with a happy ending!
Video & Song
'God With Us' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y7OzU6FgHC0&feature=related
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