Step by Step
Today I go out Lord with no plan but for you to show me step by step Your way.
Psalm 139:17 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.
This is the way that sets me free, without fear, without being anxious, to walk with the Lord and seek Him moment by moment. Breathe with Him, walk with Him, invite Him into my home, my work, my car when I'm driving, the days are His, day after day.
We get caught up in moments of uncertainty, matters that are difficult to find our way through them and answers that seem to never come. We do have a choice. Lord, let us hear Your voice.
Every face I see I will see You, everything I touch I will see Your plan. Every open door I will see Your direction. Every closed door I will see it's either not time or it's finished. Lord God of heaven and earth You are exalted. We seek Your face and not Your hand. You supply our every need. I understand the excess is for Your Kingdom, that is for Your work on earth as it is in heaven.
Every moment today I will be aware of Your presence, I will be aware of Your direction regardless of my activities and where I go. I will rest knowing regardless of what I see with my eyes, You are with me, and You are showing me the way. How can I ask for more but to live for You, moment by moment. This is heaven on earth. This is the peace of Your Holy Spirit that goes beyond all understanding.
Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
My eyes are wide open to Your guidance every moment of my day.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2575023100_104582759d.jpg?v=0
This is on my heart from last night
Video & Song
'I Give You My Heart' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5v9r2HdVjPY&feature=related
Monday
Sunday
July 6, 2008 Search
Search
You are my help in time of trouble, there is no other who stands ready to give love and mercy and redemption. You are our greatest beginning, the in-between and the ultimate end of our journey when we stand before You face to face. Why do we look to anyone but you? Why do we search when You are ultimately the one we are searching for? What can give us joy and peace but You?
Why should I search where there is still another ending? Why should I search any longer when I have found Truth? All other logic and philosophies are Your knowledge because all knowledge comes from you, and it is enjoyable to study and ponder, but You fulfill them all. They all point back to You. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father, Your Father, our Father, except through You.
All of creation and everything we experience and will experience is of Your kingdom. All mankind searches for Your truth, some may call it nirvana, raptured bliss and enlightenment. The ultimate end is eternal life with You and through You. You stand in Love for all Your Creation. You see all things and know all things. Your hand is not too small that You cannot supply. Your vision is not too short that You cannot see and Your heart has compassion for us all. Your steadfast love never ceases.
We cry out to You our Lord and our everlasting God, You do give us all what we need for life and to have life more abundantly and it doesn't matter how and when it comes to us. Our vision and heart with You is our ultimate answer.
May we find rest in You, now and forever.
Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble.
I love this scripture!!
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. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/873100700_52f3b71597_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/33200760_6e0ded2479_m.jpg
Video & Song
'I Could Sing of Your Love Forever' Delirious
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NE6sisrjPNk&feature=related
You are my help in time of trouble, there is no other who stands ready to give love and mercy and redemption. You are our greatest beginning, the in-between and the ultimate end of our journey when we stand before You face to face. Why do we look to anyone but you? Why do we search when You are ultimately the one we are searching for? What can give us joy and peace but You?
Why should I search where there is still another ending? Why should I search any longer when I have found Truth? All other logic and philosophies are Your knowledge because all knowledge comes from you, and it is enjoyable to study and ponder, but You fulfill them all. They all point back to You. You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father, Your Father, our Father, except through You.
All of creation and everything we experience and will experience is of Your kingdom. All mankind searches for Your truth, some may call it nirvana, raptured bliss and enlightenment. The ultimate end is eternal life with You and through You. You stand in Love for all Your Creation. You see all things and know all things. Your hand is not too small that You cannot supply. Your vision is not too short that You cannot see and Your heart has compassion for us all. Your steadfast love never ceases.
We cry out to You our Lord and our everlasting God, You do give us all what we need for life and to have life more abundantly and it doesn't matter how and when it comes to us. Our vision and heart with You is our ultimate answer.
May we find rest in You, now and forever.
Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us; We have waited for You. Be their arm every morning, Our salvation also in the time of trouble.
I love this scripture!!
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. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/873100700_52f3b71597_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/33200760_6e0ded2479_m.jpg
Video & Song
'I Could Sing of Your Love Forever' Delirious
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NE6sisrjPNk&feature=related
Saturday
July 5, 2008 Genuine Love
Genuine Love
I've talked about birth as life and death as life, but what about life in between.
There is no disconnection between each. As we are created to love and serve God and love and serve each other. There is no time in relation to any of these. It is continuous.
Life is filled with emotions, joy and grief. We learn to overcome obstacles and defeat throughout every day. We are transformed daily through the renewing of our minds. We cast off the old and become new.
From the day we are born into this world we experience love and rejection through touch and facial expressions. As we grow older we experience pain and hurt of rejection when we don't fit into social molds, or molds even within our own families. Genuine love cannot be faked, it is all inclusive, unconditional, nourishes and protects. Then there is the lie about the word love that is exclusive, damaging, hurtful, the word 'love' in itself becomes confused with the truth of genuine love. The lies which skew our understanding of genuine love form our view of ourselves and others around us, as a result our vision is obstructed. It is not until we find real truth and genuine love that we begin the process of healing and become set free.
Numbers 18:18 God, slow to get angry and huge in loyal love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin; Still, never just whitewashing sin. But extending the fallout of parents' sins to children into the third, even the fourth generation. ___ The Message
Our vision and hearing as we view life begins at home. And after the damage and 'fallout' there is still redeeming grace within each generation.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. __ NIV
Regardless of what has occurred in time, His infinite glory and grace is able to give us what we need when we are ready, in a moments time to be transformed. And as we are transformed and the scales fall off our eyes and our ears begin to hear, we must serve and reach out to each other, being careful to reach out with His genuine love and His genuine truth. Because Jesus Christ took it all upon Himself, willingly sacrificed Himself that we would know Genuine Love.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2250395225_4aee25e28d_m.jpg
With scenes from The Passion
Video & Song
'Grace Flows Down' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zlNE0pHwrng&feature=related
I've talked about birth as life and death as life, but what about life in between.
There is no disconnection between each. As we are created to love and serve God and love and serve each other. There is no time in relation to any of these. It is continuous.
Life is filled with emotions, joy and grief. We learn to overcome obstacles and defeat throughout every day. We are transformed daily through the renewing of our minds. We cast off the old and become new.
From the day we are born into this world we experience love and rejection through touch and facial expressions. As we grow older we experience pain and hurt of rejection when we don't fit into social molds, or molds even within our own families. Genuine love cannot be faked, it is all inclusive, unconditional, nourishes and protects. Then there is the lie about the word love that is exclusive, damaging, hurtful, the word 'love' in itself becomes confused with the truth of genuine love. The lies which skew our understanding of genuine love form our view of ourselves and others around us, as a result our vision is obstructed. It is not until we find real truth and genuine love that we begin the process of healing and become set free.
Numbers 18:18 God, slow to get angry and huge in loyal love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin; Still, never just whitewashing sin. But extending the fallout of parents' sins to children into the third, even the fourth generation. ___ The Message
Our vision and hearing as we view life begins at home. And after the damage and 'fallout' there is still redeeming grace within each generation.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. __ NIV
Regardless of what has occurred in time, His infinite glory and grace is able to give us what we need when we are ready, in a moments time to be transformed. And as we are transformed and the scales fall off our eyes and our ears begin to hear, we must serve and reach out to each other, being careful to reach out with His genuine love and His genuine truth. Because Jesus Christ took it all upon Himself, willingly sacrificed Himself that we would know Genuine Love.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2389/2250395225_4aee25e28d_m.jpg
With scenes from The Passion
Video & Song
'Grace Flows Down' Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zlNE0pHwrng&feature=related
Friday
July 4, 2008 Life, Libery and Vision
Life, Libery and Vision
Today we celebrate our Independence Day. It is the vision and guts of men and women that saw hope in God and freedom in Him through the means of this great 'new' land to declare independence from Great Britian on this day in 1776.
We are the land of the free and the brave. We have lived strong, a beacon to the rest of the world. We have been the ones who stood for democracy and fought to redeem the oppressed. We looked to God to be with us and saw His vision.
Now our primary site and vision is turned on wealth throughout this great country and has become the driving force for all decisions made to the devastation of 'the people'. Vision is no longer for the people, but rather the dollar. The dollar, the driving force in goverment, businesses, homes, churches, families and even our young children.
We cannot serve mammon and God. Matthew 6:24 We cannot lose sight of the fact if we continue in the direction we are going we will be faced with some hard decisions. And it will not be the hand of God who brings devastation but our own hand. Can we open our eyes and begin to see each other and love each other as His children? Can we cry out to Him for forgiveness of our shortsightedness looking at money to supply our needs instead of God?
All the protests of the 'words' In God We Trust on money mean nothing, it doesn't make money or mammon in these situations a sacred blessing. Money is not our God, we do not worship the money. Or do we? And the inscription of these words on it doesn't make it God's money. Money is a means by which our 'needs' are met and it is what we make of it, or whether it becomes everything we want.
When devastation comes, which will we choose, 'things' or each other? Which will we see as necessary, 'money or things' or each other? We are here for each other.
This is my desire and prayer for the United States of America and the world, that we turn our hearts and keep them on Him, Who is our God, Who is love, Who loves us with an everlasting love, Who does supply our every need. That we see each other with a pure heart and our hope is in Him not money.
We live in a great country and His blessings have been with us. Let us turn our hearts and look in the right direction. This does not mean money.
2 Corinthians 6:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ___ Declaration of Independence
Our 'unalienable rights', the Source is evident, in our Lives, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, we are His people forever.
Hold on to this 'pure' vision, Who is our only security.
http://static.flickr.com/135/326278151_841af2de2c.jpg
Video & Song
'Heal Our Land' Jamie Rivera
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zjTSLLLYlk&feature=related
Today we celebrate our Independence Day. It is the vision and guts of men and women that saw hope in God and freedom in Him through the means of this great 'new' land to declare independence from Great Britian on this day in 1776.
We are the land of the free and the brave. We have lived strong, a beacon to the rest of the world. We have been the ones who stood for democracy and fought to redeem the oppressed. We looked to God to be with us and saw His vision.
Now our primary site and vision is turned on wealth throughout this great country and has become the driving force for all decisions made to the devastation of 'the people'. Vision is no longer for the people, but rather the dollar. The dollar, the driving force in goverment, businesses, homes, churches, families and even our young children.
We cannot serve mammon and God. Matthew 6:24 We cannot lose sight of the fact if we continue in the direction we are going we will be faced with some hard decisions. And it will not be the hand of God who brings devastation but our own hand. Can we open our eyes and begin to see each other and love each other as His children? Can we cry out to Him for forgiveness of our shortsightedness looking at money to supply our needs instead of God?
All the protests of the 'words' In God We Trust on money mean nothing, it doesn't make money or mammon in these situations a sacred blessing. Money is not our God, we do not worship the money. Or do we? And the inscription of these words on it doesn't make it God's money. Money is a means by which our 'needs' are met and it is what we make of it, or whether it becomes everything we want.
When devastation comes, which will we choose, 'things' or each other? Which will we see as necessary, 'money or things' or each other? We are here for each other.
This is my desire and prayer for the United States of America and the world, that we turn our hearts and keep them on Him, Who is our God, Who is love, Who loves us with an everlasting love, Who does supply our every need. That we see each other with a pure heart and our hope is in Him not money.
We live in a great country and His blessings have been with us. Let us turn our hearts and look in the right direction. This does not mean money.
2 Corinthians 6:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ___ Declaration of Independence
Our 'unalienable rights', the Source is evident, in our Lives, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, we are His people forever.
Hold on to this 'pure' vision, Who is our only security.
http://static.flickr.com/135/326278151_841af2de2c.jpg
Video & Song
'Heal Our Land' Jamie Rivera
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zjTSLLLYlk&feature=related
Thursday
July 3, 2008 Beauty in Diversity
Beauty in Diversity
There is room enough for everyone and everything.
Real diversity is so beautiful. From my perspective as an artist it's like a kaleidoscope constantly changing. Everywhere, everything, and everyone. It's another one of those profound, eyes wide open experiences. Take a look.
I do think about the artistry of God's hand, like a painter, sculptor and of course the scriptures also talk about Him being the Potter. No two things are alike that are created by His hand; leaves, trees, even considering the number of branches, and not that I would count them but I'm sure even the number of leaves on each are different within the same kind of trees. Flowers, insects, birds, dogs, cats, camels. And the one thing that brings us all together is 'life and breath'. Even plants breath as filters for our air.
Can we fathom what God was and is really doing? All of these things have been put here for our pleasure, for our needs. Sometimes I think He was having a blast, enjoying the process of His creation, I love it!! Maybe only an artist can relate. Maybe you can see and feel what I am talking about. Because it isn't like one painting in front of me trying to capture God's beauty. It's like the entire earth was His canvas and platform. Think about the mandrill's beautifully painted faces, a baboon with enormous canines and they are fruit eaters.
I love thinking about all the beauty in life. I love looking at the diversity in people and their faces. WOW! Just thinking about all this is too profound. Just 'trying' to think about all this gives me a glimpse of who God is and His heart.
This is where it is easy for me to slow down and be in 'this' moment. I don't have to struggle with anything cluttering up my mind, from the past, or the future, with cleaning the house, dealing with traffic, paying the bills etc. I just 'stop' and the whole earth seems to stop for me to give me a nano second of understanding God's heart. Yes, He does love us, no doubt about it!
Yes, there is room for everyone and everything to give praise back, in thanksgiving to Him for who He is and what He has done for us.
Psalm 33:13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.
Isaiah 42:10 10 Sing to God a brand-new song, sing his praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. 11 Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. 12 Make God's glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast.
Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. 5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, 6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, 9 For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.
Also consider the great symphony of His creation and He being the Master Conductor of it all.
And here's the mandrill if you want to see and think about this for awhile.
http://sp1.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/1/f12/604415140
Video & Song
'All Things' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zy9YXys4gnk
There is room enough for everyone and everything.
Real diversity is so beautiful. From my perspective as an artist it's like a kaleidoscope constantly changing. Everywhere, everything, and everyone. It's another one of those profound, eyes wide open experiences. Take a look.
I do think about the artistry of God's hand, like a painter, sculptor and of course the scriptures also talk about Him being the Potter. No two things are alike that are created by His hand; leaves, trees, even considering the number of branches, and not that I would count them but I'm sure even the number of leaves on each are different within the same kind of trees. Flowers, insects, birds, dogs, cats, camels. And the one thing that brings us all together is 'life and breath'. Even plants breath as filters for our air.
Can we fathom what God was and is really doing? All of these things have been put here for our pleasure, for our needs. Sometimes I think He was having a blast, enjoying the process of His creation, I love it!! Maybe only an artist can relate. Maybe you can see and feel what I am talking about. Because it isn't like one painting in front of me trying to capture God's beauty. It's like the entire earth was His canvas and platform. Think about the mandrill's beautifully painted faces, a baboon with enormous canines and they are fruit eaters.
I love thinking about all the beauty in life. I love looking at the diversity in people and their faces. WOW! Just thinking about all this is too profound. Just 'trying' to think about all this gives me a glimpse of who God is and His heart.
This is where it is easy for me to slow down and be in 'this' moment. I don't have to struggle with anything cluttering up my mind, from the past, or the future, with cleaning the house, dealing with traffic, paying the bills etc. I just 'stop' and the whole earth seems to stop for me to give me a nano second of understanding God's heart. Yes, He does love us, no doubt about it!
Yes, there is room for everyone and everything to give praise back, in thanksgiving to Him for who He is and what He has done for us.
Psalm 33:13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.
Isaiah 42:10 10 Sing to God a brand-new song, sing his praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. 11 Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. 12 Make God's glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast.
Psalm 98:4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. 5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, 6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; 8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, 9 For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.
Also consider the great symphony of His creation and He being the Master Conductor of it all.
And here's the mandrill if you want to see and think about this for awhile.
http://sp1.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/1/f12/604415140
Video & Song
'All Things' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zy9YXys4gnk
Wednesday
July 2, 2008 Living in Service
Living in Service
Is it I am here for you? Or you are here for me? Or we are here for them? Or they are here for us?
The answer, as the Lord is always here for us, in the same way we are here for Him and each other.
Our very existence is to serve God and to serve each other. To love God, to love yourself and to love your neighbor (who are everyone you encounter).
It is so beautiful just to think on this throughout your day. As you are with family, and coworkers, clients, everyone you pass and meet, whether in a store or office think of your 'service'. And in the serving them, you are spreading His love to them.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, 12 holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. __ The Message
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/112957423_79df86edaf.jpg?v=0
My husband found this song. It brings back memories. But it also reminds me who I am. This is exactly where I want to be in the presence of God, in serving Him and other children (both adults and young). To have the mind of Christ and a heart of a child. This is where my eyes are open and love pours out.
Listen carefully..
Video & Song
'The Warrior Is A Child' Twila Paris
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K5o2YY5BRUg&feature=related
Is it I am here for you? Or you are here for me? Or we are here for them? Or they are here for us?
The answer, as the Lord is always here for us, in the same way we are here for Him and each other.
Our very existence is to serve God and to serve each other. To love God, to love yourself and to love your neighbor (who are everyone you encounter).
It is so beautiful just to think on this throughout your day. As you are with family, and coworkers, clients, everyone you pass and meet, whether in a store or office think of your 'service'. And in the serving them, you are spreading His love to them.
1 Thessalonians 2:11 You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, 12 holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. __ The Message
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/112957423_79df86edaf.jpg?v=0
My husband found this song. It brings back memories. But it also reminds me who I am. This is exactly where I want to be in the presence of God, in serving Him and other children (both adults and young). To have the mind of Christ and a heart of a child. This is where my eyes are open and love pours out.
Listen carefully..
Video & Song
'The Warrior Is A Child' Twila Paris
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K5o2YY5BRUg&feature=related
Tuesday
July 1, 2008 Freedom or Fear
Freedom or Fear
What an unexpected response yesterday morning as I passed by a group of 'American?' men picketing and the 'day laborers' men, had moved less than 1/2 block down the street. As I was driving by at 40 miles per hour the 'wordy' signs weren't all legible except those in bold or red protesting illegal immigrants 'taking our jobs'. Screaming signs, 'secure our borders!'. Maybe about 8 to 10 men both picketers and the same number of day laborers. And who really knows if they are illegal immigrants or not.
I just watched a movie 'The Golden Door' in hopes to catch a glimpse of my Sicilian grandparents journey into this country. And there is no difference to the vision of immigrants today coming in from Mexico. They, like them, come into the United States for a better life. As previous immigrants some come for the illusion of prosperity and wealth, and some from government oppression and poverty. And we are them, descendants of 'them'. They are those who sought a better education and a better life, in most cases from absolutely nothing, into small communities and small businesses. Not only for their generation but for generations after that. Community and closeness of family within these small communities mimics the norm in the old country.
So back to my response . I didn't even make it to the next light and I began bawl. I called my husband and tried to communicate my feelings on what I just saw and couldn't even talk. At the same time I'm thinking this is not good to do this while I'm driving. The only thing I was able to get out of my mouth was the scripture, 'perfect love casts out all fear'. Honestly, I was surprised at my reaction. It was a deep hurting for all of them. My husband consoled me and told me to dive into the peace within me and allow the Lord to cover me with His wings.
It was in response to their fear, I was empathetic to their hurt and pain in both the day laborers and the picketers. The quick passing peripheral view of what was occurring might have been described as a 'peaceful demonstration' in the media but it was anything but peaceful. The projection was of hate and fear. And as I think of all of us, anyone living within this great country, we are all here for the same reason the day laborers or illegal immigrants are here...vision... freedom and a little heaven on earth.
Where is love? Where is our love for one another? If perfect love casts out all fear, then in love we have nothing to fear. No fear of illegals coming into our country, no fear that they are taking our jobs, no fear of race or creed.
The very words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty tell the story of our ancestors. And who am I to say the newest immigrants are not worthy. I would say this speaks of love...
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
We are God's people, we are all God's children. We need to find our place of unconditional love and put on the mind of Christ and love as He loved.
Isaiah 58:6 "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. 7 What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. 8 Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. 9 Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places, If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, 10 If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
Real change, real love shines bright
And just in time for our Independence Day Celebration!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/197663118_e26fe4c6dc.jpg?v=0
Video & Song
'Perfect Love' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_zslw6WulFo
What an unexpected response yesterday morning as I passed by a group of 'American?' men picketing and the 'day laborers' men, had moved less than 1/2 block down the street. As I was driving by at 40 miles per hour the 'wordy' signs weren't all legible except those in bold or red protesting illegal immigrants 'taking our jobs'. Screaming signs, 'secure our borders!'. Maybe about 8 to 10 men both picketers and the same number of day laborers. And who really knows if they are illegal immigrants or not.
I just watched a movie 'The Golden Door' in hopes to catch a glimpse of my Sicilian grandparents journey into this country. And there is no difference to the vision of immigrants today coming in from Mexico. They, like them, come into the United States for a better life. As previous immigrants some come for the illusion of prosperity and wealth, and some from government oppression and poverty. And we are them, descendants of 'them'. They are those who sought a better education and a better life, in most cases from absolutely nothing, into small communities and small businesses. Not only for their generation but for generations after that. Community and closeness of family within these small communities mimics the norm in the old country.
So back to my response . I didn't even make it to the next light and I began bawl. I called my husband and tried to communicate my feelings on what I just saw and couldn't even talk. At the same time I'm thinking this is not good to do this while I'm driving. The only thing I was able to get out of my mouth was the scripture, 'perfect love casts out all fear'. Honestly, I was surprised at my reaction. It was a deep hurting for all of them. My husband consoled me and told me to dive into the peace within me and allow the Lord to cover me with His wings.
It was in response to their fear, I was empathetic to their hurt and pain in both the day laborers and the picketers. The quick passing peripheral view of what was occurring might have been described as a 'peaceful demonstration' in the media but it was anything but peaceful. The projection was of hate and fear. And as I think of all of us, anyone living within this great country, we are all here for the same reason the day laborers or illegal immigrants are here...vision... freedom and a little heaven on earth.
Where is love? Where is our love for one another? If perfect love casts out all fear, then in love we have nothing to fear. No fear of illegals coming into our country, no fear that they are taking our jobs, no fear of race or creed.
The very words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty tell the story of our ancestors. And who am I to say the newest immigrants are not worthy. I would say this speaks of love...
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
We are God's people, we are all God's children. We need to find our place of unconditional love and put on the mind of Christ and love as He loved.
Isaiah 58:6 "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. 7 What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. 8 Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. 9 Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places, If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, 10 If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
Real change, real love shines bright
And just in time for our Independence Day Celebration!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/197663118_e26fe4c6dc.jpg?v=0
Video & Song
'Perfect Love' Hillsong
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_zslw6WulFo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)