7 Day Holy

unyielding spirit and anxiety

2009-04-07T09:37:00.001-04:00

From My Utmost for His Highest, April 7^th:

God cannot reveal anything to us if we don’t have His Spirit. And our own unyielding and headstrong opinions will effectively prevent God from revealing anything to us. But our insensible thinking will end immediately once His resurrection life has its way with us.

1 Chron. 22.12-13

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Amos 3.7

Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

1 Cor. 1.9-12

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Rom. 15.13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

lately i’ve been anxious about so many things. my heart, soul and body are filled with anxiety, worry, fear, etc. i feel as tho i can’t find solstice anywhere. i pray and pray, yet my thoughts focus back on the unrest and trouble happening all around me. i’ve heard 3 sermons about worrying – so i know that God is trying to get me to change...

so what motivates my worry/anxiety/fear? first i need to get to the bottow of what is causing so much unrest in my soul.

today the house in flowery branch goes up for auction – april 7^th. the kids are on spring break at deanna’s, and they may not have a house to return to when we take them back on sunday.
if the house doesn’t sell for more than the loan amount plus lawyer fees, troy will be expected to pay back the difference. this means he will need to file bankruptcy, which will ruin any chance of us getting a house in the next 5 years.
i would fight for michael and alex to come and live with us, but troy doesn’t necessarily want that. in the 3 days that we’ve had them this weekend, i can already tell a difference in their attitude. i feel as though they desperately need stability and structure, in order to develop into confident and mature young men.
the anxiety which michael and alex bring into our house causes me to feel uneasy and anxious. they both continually are chewing the skin off their fingers, biting their nails, and alex sucks his thumb and twills his hair all the time. this cause troy also to be more antsy, bites his nails and shaking his leg. these little motions reveal so much unrest in their lives. it’s bothersome for me to feel so uneasy around them. there’s not peace, rest, or confidence.
insecurities drive me crazy. i pray for the kids and troy to overcome their insecurites, so that they can be confident and bold. for me, i have the attitude that i can accomplish anything. too often i feel they fall into the thinking that they might get hurt or something might happen to them. they live in constant fear, and i don’t know how to help with that. the bondage of fear and distrust causes them to miss out on so much happiness, thrill and life.
michael is getting more and more bullheaded and rebellious, and alex is following in those shoes. the kids lack respect for authority, which drives me crazy. i see more and more how important it is to learn these lessons from our parents on earth so that we know how to respect our Father in heaven. if we can’t accept discipline from our earthly dad, how are we ever going to learn to yield our spirits to our heaven Dad? how will we know to obey His commands, if we don’t listen to our earthly dad’s requests? [1 john 5.3 this is love for God: to obey His commands.] how does one instill obedience, respect and honor?

2007-12-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

2008 new year's resolutions is to get back to this blog. i have missed you, 7 day holy.

2007-01-19T10:39:00.000-05:00

hey - sorry for the lack of posts on this blog. i've not died, nor have i abandon ship. take a little journey with me to this blog to see what's happening in my world.

2006-12-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

God Come by Shane & Shane

Come meet us
King Jesus
Oh wind of change
Blow through the temple

Sweet Spirit of God
Come mend our hearts
For all we have are songs
Unless You come

Awaken what's inside of me
Tune my heart to all You are in me
Even though You're here
God come

May the vision of You be the death of me
And even though You've given everything
Jesus come

Here we are, Lord
In this place
Crying out for
Your embrace

To hear Your voice, God
More than songs
Please come...

2006-11-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

The Reality is Found in Christ

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
col. 2.21-23
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
col. 2.17

last weekend i attended a training for The Truth Project. click on the link for more info. the teacher, Del Tackett, has amazing ability to communicate. since the training, different thoughts/ideas have come to mind regarding this training. it's the universal issue of good versus evil: to know the difference, we need to find what the Truth is. where is the Truth found? why is it important to know the Truth? does everyone question the Truth? how does knowing the Truth help to communicate Christ to the nations? how does knowing the Truth affect us on an everday basis? does it affect our views on sociology, theology, economics, community, etc.? i'm learning that knowing the Truth, God's Truth, does affect every area of our lives because it transforms the way we think. (rom. 12:2)

because of the training, i'm more apt to look for Truth in scripture. i realize that what Paul was referring to when he said, 'do not handle, taste or touch' were 'what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.' (col. 2.16) what in my life do i continue to obey which is the old law instead of the Spirit of Truth? what have i learned along the way that is law-abiding instead of Spirit-inspired? what do i hold onto that has an appearance of wisdom, with its self-imposed worship, its false humility and its harsh treatment of the body, but it lacks any value in restraining sensual indulenge? what has power to restrain sensual indulenge?

man, i wish i could think deeper than my carnal self. i know that i have answers to these questions...

i'm really trying to give time for these questions to set it. starting with the last question, about 'restraining sensual indulence'. my thoughts go two ways: the first, 'when i'm tempted, what do i do?', and secondly, 'is the church equipping me to restrain sensual indulence?'
*what do i do: after thinking for too long about the temptation, my spirit kicks in and pushes me to pray or read some verses - trying to get my focus from me to Christ. i seldom (if ever) tell my friends what i'm struggling with. i have great friends who would do whatever they could to help, but i don't depend on them for this type of support. (not sure why i added that, but it just kinda typed itself.)
is the church equipping its members to restrain sensual indulgence: somewhere along the way, i had to learn that when tempted i needed to shift my focus from me to Christ. (my initial answer was 'no', but the more i thought about it, my answer changed.) what am i, a member of the church, doing to equip others to restrain sensual indulgence... that's a tough question. know the Truth and it will set you free, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

somewhere along my journey, Christ revealed Himself to me. He's used people to teach me how to seek Him, who is the answer to every question. He equips, He sustains, He never lets go or leaves us. He sent His Spirit to lead us deeper into 'reality', and away from the virtual. i'm learning that because i think or feel something, that is may not be the Truth. the Truth is Jesus, and that reality is found in Christ. I'm learning that the more i study the Bible, the more knowledge i have on people's natures, community, the reason so many people are broken and in need of the Truth. we, as a people, have been lied to from birth. we are not unworthy, useless, unloved. the Truth is we are loved, worthy, and a people of purpose.

i'm praying for an opportunity to lead/be a participant in this Truth Project. it's a study that begins and ends in the Truth.

Jesus,
You are the Truth. sometimes is building within me to know more and more Truth. i pray for You to give it to me, and not just me, but give it to the all the people. we all need to know this Truth. so much of the teaching i hear today involves emotions and feelings, but i know there is so much more to You. i'm rejoicing that this Truth has come into my life. my reality is found in You - guide me deeper into You to know reality. don't let me be deceived any longer. Spirit of Truth, let me see where i've follow the customs of this age, instead of following Your teaching. if i'm pursuing anything that holds an appearance of wisdom with its self-imposed worship, please reveal this to me. i've died with Jesus to the basic principles of this world. remind me of this when i return to them - that they are not part of who i am any longer. they've been dealt with on the cross and have no power over me. You made a public spectacle of them. You give new meaning to "let Truth reign". i'm letting Your reign in my life. i'm surrendering toYou. again, i'm humbled and amazed at how You bring to light and expose the lies. i'm praying for You to prepare others to be involved in this Truth project. may You open my eyes to see whom You are drawing to this study. i'm praying for 8 people, tho i don't know who You are going to choose. You chose me before i chose You, that's what i know. that's my reality. thanks for choosing me.
in Christ's Name ~ amen
*Tricia *Darcy *Jon

2006-10-23T19:01:00.000-04:00

Discipline and Punishment

Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.
deut. 24.16
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Ex. 34.6-8
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Heb. 12.11

i can't help but have interest in the battle in darfur. children soldiers, holy war, rebellion, separation from Christ. people are dying for a cause that most of can't comprehend. what are these rebels trying to prove? why are they fighting? why are they killing children and raping women? what causes a group of rebels to do these things? are they fighting for peace? I don't know exactly, but i'm saddened by the events which have taken place.

'each is to die for his own sin.' there seems to be some accountability in that statement. but what about these families near darfur who have become fatherless and widowed? i bet they feel like a piece of them have died because of this war. are they feeling disciplined - certainly it doesn't seem pleasant, but painful. i can only imagine the depth of their pain. it breaks my heart to think of how terribly they feel - to live in those conditions. but then this new testament verse goes on to say, 'later on it produces a harvest of righteouness and peace for those who have been trained by it.' this isn't for those who harbor the bitterness and revenge, but for those who have been trained by grace and forgiveness. those who know that God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness. just think about how difficult it would be to forgive the rebels how raped you and your daughters, killed your husband and forced your sons to become slave-militants. is there such a forgiveness? does it exist? who's bold enough to preach this type of God? who is taking the good news to those who need it most? he who has been forgiven much, loves much. that's Jesus' lesson. ask the woman caught in adultery. ask paul. if someone were to ask me what has been forgiven in my life and how has it affected who i am, what would i answer? how am i being trained to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace? how abundant is my harvest - is it a bumper crop? what proof is there that i am being trained?

gracious God,
i trust that You are disciplining me from my flesh. continue to separate/divide me from who i was. there is a change in my life that i can't explain. i'm learning who i am, as oppose to who i was before i surrendered my life to You. have You way in me. Holy Spirit, i lay down my will and offer it to You; be glorified in me. let this year produce a bumper crop - only thru You am i capable of remaining faithful and able to produce anything good. let Your peace dwell in me that it may overflow and produce praise and good fruit.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Amanda *Melissa *Laura

2006-10-16T12:32:00.000-04:00

Unfolding Grace

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
jonah 2.8
The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
rom. 5:20-21

play song. it's called 'unfolding grace' by lili haydn. looks like she's into new age theology which i don't agree with (just to clarify), but the chorus to this particular song makes me think deeply about what grace is and how it affects me every moment of every day. these are some lyrics:
pouring down like the hands of a weeping willow tree....
are we unfolding grace with every breath that we take? are we unfolding grace with every step that we take? if we are not unfolding grace, what are we doing?
there is truth to be found in those simple words. (if anyone can find all the lyrics to this song, please shoot me an email or post them as a comment.)

i can tell this post is gonna be: 'tanya: wide open". perhaps i should change the title.... (already looking forward to the comments which will follow.)

so i freely admit that i struggle with the thin line between being legalistic and being spirited. (not sure that's the exact way to word it, but i'm going with it for now.) last week during youth group, i saw a kid (i say "kid", but what i really mean, is young man) getting a skateboard out of his vehicle. and knowing church policy, which states there shall be no skateboarding on church ground due to insurance issues (all that technicality stuff; blah, blah, blah), i went outside to say something. but there was already another youth leader outside. and since there were other kids out there riding their skateboards, i didn't really feel right about saying something to them (meaning the youth), since the other leader was allowing this to take place. (i'm normally the one who tells the youth to put their skateboards away - every week.) so i told the youth minister (the one in charge :-) <-just for you denise!) that i was having this crisis/dilemma about wanting to uphold the policy, while other adult leaders don't seem to care.

for me it's a spiritual issue. it's not necessarily about the kids breaking the rules or the adults not upholding the rules. it's about my role as a leader and my commitment to do what i'm expected to do. (i feel honored to be on church council, to be a volunteer youth leader, to be a member of JUMC - all of which i take seriously.) these verses are my reason for why i do what i do:
[Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 peter 2:13-14]

[Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. romans 13:1-3

[Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. hebrews 13.17]

cue: psycho-Christian babble [thanks, kimberly, for dubbing those words for me. i really appreciate it! wink wink]

so with all that being said, when i entered one of the youth rooms last night, and saw 'tanya is a skater hater' written on a wall, a great many thoughts came rushing into my mind. (as you can tell from the length of this post!)

then i said something to one of the senoir high girls who we've not seen in a few weeks. it was along the same lines - about trying to get her to do what was asked of her when she didn't want to. (the grammar in that last sentence was terrible, but try to keep up.) pretty typical, i'm-too-cool-to-be-here syndrome. then i noticed one of the middle school boys had a golf tee in his mouth, which i told him to remove. then a young man was drawing on the wall with a marker, which i told him to stop. it seemed like one thing after another. then i got home and read a few pages from 'Out of the Saltshaker' by rebecca manley pippert. my mom sent that book to me for my birthday. with my mom, one never knows what type of books they will be. but so far this one is pretty decent. the part i read about was dropping our guard and getting to know people. don't assume they know you or you know them. expect God to move in them - that's it. and often that means being real about our faults and weaknesses. it also spoke of what they think is their reality, and what we think is our reality.

kinda like the skateboard issue. for me, i'm trying to do what i think is right. they see that as being a skater hater. i see it as a teenage girl who isn't doing what is asked of her. she sees me as an adult who doesn't understand her or cares for her. i see a young man vandalizing church property. i don't know what he sees me as.

oh, i forgot something. after reading about how to get out of a salt shaker, i pulled out an old journal from about 8 years ago. (the question was asked during 7.22 last week, 'how have you changed in the last 10 years?') my first entry was a list of questions. many of the question made me realize that i still don't know the answers. like, 'what satisfies?' or, 'who's opinion matters to me?' these are the question of a young person, trying to learn who they are. i bet the same questions are asked by the teenages in the youth group. and somehow God still answers. i marvel at this.

being a martha in a mary world? or being mary in a martha world? which do i fall under? am i connecting with Christ? -that is the question of my heart. (that wasn't one of the questions written in my journal 8 years ago, but i guarantee that was the deep answer and question at the time. i'm still seeking.

Mind-opener. that is how i would describe You today, Jesus. You are delving into my heart. this is unfolding grace in my life. i trust these question and thoughts are coming from You. i trust that tho i fall, You'll be with me. perhaps you didn't realize who asked the question yesterday during shottie and my walk. it was her saying, 'give me something to think about, a question or thought or scripture'. that wasn't me. but i guess You had another thing in mind. perhaps it was me asking for something to think about. and You answered the unspoken prayer. in piggly wiggly yesterday - the gift bag, You again reminded me that You'll lead me in the way i should go, You'll watch over me and direct me. that was You on the bag. that was You during the hike, saying 'follow me, I'll show You the waterfall.' You are the giver of clean, refreshing water. You are the one who takes the rough edges off the hard rocks. You are the one who breathes life into legalism. You are the one who is teaching me to be softer, get to know those to whom i give instruction, not to lord my authority over others. You are the one who give grace to the sinner and binds up the broken hearted. that's You. my heart rejoices as it is filled with this new mystery. You've changed me in 10 years - from someone who justified her drinking to someone who justifies upholding the law. good thing You aren't through with me yet.
thru Jesus my Savior ~ Amen
3 unspokens

2006-10-11T10:06:00.000-04:00

Women: Support and Power

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Luke 8.1-3
When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther 4.12-14

Habari za asubuhi.(good morning.) slowly but surely some swahili words and phrases are sinking into my thinking. (i absolutely love it!) it's like waking in the early morning, going outside and breathing in a huge breath of cool, refreshing, clean air. like the rush you get after stretching first thing after climbing out of bed. like opening your eyes to see someone who you've not seen in a long time. like hearing the voice of a friend from your past. like experiencing your first kiss. like discovering you didn't wet yourself during your first rollercoaster ride. like the first time you rode your bike without help. like trusting your dad to catch you when you jump into his arms. like someone pushing you higher and higher as you swing. it feels kinda like that.

so these ladies are following Jesus because He has done something great for them. so why do they continue to follow Him? what draws these ladies to this man? we know a couple things: mary was cured of demons, and joanna was married and had money. but that's not it. we also know that these ladies helped support Jesus and the disciples out of their own means. that the catch. they used their money and resources to support Jesus and his friends. that amazes me, especially joanna. i wonder what her husband thought? i can only imagine how joanna and her husband discussed what she was doing with her time and their money. i'm reminded that people want to give their time and resources to support people and organizations which offer something in return. Jesus had/has a way of moving people to give. i'm relying on that realization as i think of the next year ahead.

let's not forget the famous queen ester. mordecai and the jews were in dire need of a miracle. long story short: some unbelieving official decreed that all jews should dies, and esther was the last ray of hope to overturn to ruling. she was afraid to approach the king with this major request, so mordecai had to send her an 'encouragement' note. the note: you and your family will die if you don't do something. so she rallied the prayer warriors, fasted, and presented her request before the king. he granted her request, allowing the Jews to exist. so i question, what am i to do? what challenges lie ahead, and what type of risk will be involved? who will i need to request help from? who can i call on for prayer support? who will rise up and present a 'encouragement note' to me? am i willing to die if the King doesn't answer my request?

not sure why these two stories keep rolling thru my mind or how they are connected, but they do.

Aba, Baba, mambo yote yawezekana kwako. Tafadhali niondolee kikombe hiki cha mateso. Lakini si kama nitakavyo mimi, bali mapenzi yako yatimizwe. (Marko 14.36) i surrender to You. i will live my life as a child in awe of You.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen
*Cheryl *Earl *Denise

2006-09-25T11:39:00.000-04:00

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
ps. 121:1-2
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
ps 107.29
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
ps 147.3
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
heb. 13.8

I Will Lift My Eyes
Written by Bebo Norman and Jason Ingram

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

‘Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
‘Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

shottie introduced me to this song yesterday. it's pretty much rocking my world.

this verse sums up how i feel today:
"I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me." [job 30.20] it feels like i've made myself vulnerable before God, and all He is doing is standing there - staring at me. i'm uncomforable, trembling... but at least He hasn't looked away. our eyes are searing each other's souls and we both refuse to relinguish our gaze. neither of us are blinking. my eyes are burning from being dried out so long. how long will this last, my God?

2006-09-22T08:14:00.000-04:00

Each Day's Need

"May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time."
Solomon's Prayer of Dedication for the Temple [1 Kings 8.58-61]

where to begin? where to begin? solomon, king of israel who was preceded by david - the man after God's heart... he was the chosen one to build the table, a place for God's name to be revered. tho it was a building, solomon knew that God could not be contained within its walls. (The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain You. How much less this temple I have built! 1 kings 8.27) yet it was built for the people to remember how important God must be to each of them. He was to be the center of their community. He was to be the reason why people lived upright lives and brought sacrifices to this temple.

within the words of solomon's prayer, i can hear the heart of a man who knows his weaknesses. he pray again and again for the people to turn their hearts to the Lord, to be fully committed to Him, to live by His decrees and obey His commands. solomon knew the word of God; God spoke directly to him 2 times already. solomon grew up seeing his father run after God. he wasn't without an example of how to live by the commands of God.

so who has been my example? who has taught me to live by the commands of God? who currently holds me accountable to those lofty standards? where do i get my instruction or discipline? i grew up in a small church in south dakota where people learned to seek the truth thru the word. my youth leader (aka the pastor's wife) took me under her wing and mentored me. she was and remains to be a godly woman, someone i look up to and respect. she helped shape who am i and what i stand for. and my grandma tieman taught me the importance of blessing the food, interceding for the needs of others, and attending services. kimberly was and remains to be my nathan, my discipler. she has a way of knowing when i'm tempted and reprimands me for wandering from the chosen path. denise is a constant reminder that i'm beloved, chosen and worthy of the love of Christ. shottie encouranges me to dig deeper, to express my faith in words and be steadfast. juanita's gives grace and understanding. for these women, i'm eternally grateful.

gracious daddy,
thanks for the friends You've given me. i know each of these women has a vital role in Your kingdom and i'm grateful for what they've given to me. thanks for surrounding me with many people who challenge me to seek You deeper, harder, longer, wider. may You continue to turn my heart toward You. may i continue to learn how to obey your decree and commands and love Your word with all my heart.

'Lord, i am willing
-to receive what You give
-to lack what You withhold
-to reliquish what You take
-to suffer what You inflict
-to be what You require'
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*denise, juanita, deena, shottie, kimberly

2006-09-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

Idolatrous Commotion

"Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding." "Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God. Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

idolatrous commotion. that's how i would describe much of what i see in the world.
idolatrous: the worship of a physical object as a god
commotion: a condition of civil unrest or confusion
we are all searching for satisfaction. we are born with unrest and a desire to have our longings fulfilled. we can thank eve and adam for that one. and we search high and low to find what gives us the most satisfaction.

so what satisfies me? where do i look to be fulfilled? what have i sought after which left me empty and worse off than when i began my search? who do i expect to fulfill my wants? what do i expect of people? where am i most satisfied in my life? what kind of activities bring me the most joy? i realize these are pretty selfish questions, but without asking, how can i know how to help others find what satisfies their needs? what brings the most joy to people? the commotion from the world is deception. surely the Lord, Yahweh, is our salvation - our hope - our satisfaction. and without Him, we are seeking more commotion instead of peace and satisfaction.

Jesus, You are my hope. as i draw close to You, i know You draw close to me. help me to find what satisfies. open my eyes to know what satisfies You the most.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

*Courtney * Shottie *Jennifer

2006-09-06T10:32:00.000-04:00

Do Not Think...

The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
rom. 13.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
psalm 119.9-11

it's a foreign thought to me that paul had to tell the roman church to refrain from sexual immorality, drunkenness, etc.? i can only imagine what we americans would call that roman church... we think the problems in our churches are bad? i can only imagine my pastor preaching from the pulpit: "people, you need to stop having drunken parties where you end up having sex with one another." that would be the day.

so am i saying that this type of sinful behavior doesn't happen in the church? no, i'm not saying that. i know people who attend church services every sunday, people who struggle with low self-esteem and those who give into peer pressure. sometimes i fall into the catergory. perhaps we need to hear the bold words of paul, 'put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light, and this is what we as the church are going to do to help you along the journey...' i'm guilty of forgetting that last part, "and this is what i'm going to do to help you..." followed up by, 'i'm not going to leave you in the midst of this struggle. together we are going to make it thru."

so what can the church do to better help us along our journey Home? how can the church nuture it's people? (that's been the question on my heart lately.) what can the church do better to get people discussing their daily struggles, instead of feeling guilty of concealing their sin? we all sin - there are none who don't, even tho the people in the church often come across as being 'perfect'. God knows the condition of each of our hearts; we can't conceal our sin from Him.

i'm as guilty as they come about confess my sin to others. (confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. james 5.16) so since paul said to do it, and i'm not doing it, am i sinning by keeping my mouth shut? are we as the church sinning by not offering an environment where people feel comfortable to express their struggles and sins? are we aleinating those who need Jesus?

the psalmist asked a spiritual question, and came up with a 'practical' answer. i'm praying for the same to happen for our church.

Loving Father,
how can we keep our lives pure? only by living according to Your word. let us seek You with all our hearts; don't let us stray from Your commands. let us hide Your word in our hearts that we might not sin against You. let Your words resound thru our minds throughout the day, beckoning us to be pure. just as You calmed the storm for Your disciples, may You calm the storm raging in our hearts. may You transform Your church to be a place for sinners and the sick. may Your healing flood Your church with abundance. may Your Spirit dwell in our hearts as we go to meet Your children. may You teach us to invest in the lives of others. help us to love our neighbors the way You love us. and help us to love You with a steadfast love. break us of the sin of concealing our sin. bring something into Your church to break us from our arrogance. we are not perfect, not put together. sometimes we are lonely. let us be able to express that to one another. help us to confess our sin to You and to others. teach us how to be listeners and communicators of Your truth. teach me to be able to ask questions which enable others to speak their heart openly and honestly. teach me ways to encourage others to open up with me. shine Your truth thru me.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.
*Courtney *landra *karensa

2006-08-31T09:37:00.000-04:00

wrestling and mercy

When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?"
1 chron. 13:9-12

so what's been going on with me? let's see. i've been to vegas and the grand canyon. cue photos guess i've not uploaded too many photos. it was good for my soul to get to spend some time with kimberly. we had some intriguing talks during our 8 hour drive to and fro the 'big hole'. it's good to re-connect with friends, and to spend time in their presence. it's important to see their facial expressions and to hear their voice. since kimberly lives in las vegas, we don't get to spend much time together. about once or twice a year we get to spend a few hours together because of vacation or Stone Mountain Highland Games.

many of our conversations revolved around God, and what He's doing.
+ Kimberly's church has already out-grown their new facility.
- Kimberly feels more disconnected
+ kimberly has a great small group
- kimberly fears being open and honest in small group about what is deeply going on within her - the wrestling with God.

wrestling with God... seems like David had some moments of wrestling when Uzzah was killed because he was attempting to keep the ark from falling off the wagon. 'david was angry.' that's a very bold statement. things didn't go the way that david had intended - he wasn't getting his way. was david out of line to have these feelings? i don't think so. i think it shows the humanness of david, the man after God's own heart. did david sin because of the anger - david decided to drop the ark off at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite instead of taken it to the City of David? did he miss God's mark? was God upset with David for doing this?

i've been doing some of my own wrestling lately. and tho it feels heavy and exhausting, i know i'm not alone in the fight. i'm not an island, tho the journey is my own.

from 'this journey is my own,' by sara groves:
When I stand before the Lord, I'll be standing alone. This journey is my own. Still I want man's advice, and I need man's approval, but this journey is my own. : Chorus: Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price? What would it mean to gain the world, only to lose my life? . So much of what I do is to make a good impression. This journey is my own. So much of what I say is to make myself look better. This journey is my own. . Chorus . I have never felt relief like I feel it right now. This journey is my own. 'Cause trying to please the world it was breaking me down, it was breaking me down. . Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, now I live and I breath for an audience of one. Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, 'cause I know this journey is my own. . Chorus . You can live for someone else, and it will only bring you pain. I can't even judge myself. Only the Lord can say, "Well done."

Jesus,
tho my heart feels heavy and tired, and my words don't seem to flow gracefully, i'm crying out to You. some of my words to You are weighted and strong. sometimes the road doesn't feel fair or kind. but i'm learning to praise You with gratitude even if You chose not to answer my call today. help me to see Your mercies which come in various ways. thanks for my daily bread, and for friends who are willing to stand in the gap. thanks for grace that falls on weary lands. leed me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. i'm cling onto this verse, "A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil." (prov. 13.19) i'm clinging to the hope of my longing to be fulfilled. i desire to please You, my God and my King.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Mike *Patsy *Patsy

2006-08-24T10:14:00.000-04:00

listening

Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, I gave you my full attention.
job 10-12a

'To relate effectively with a wife, a husband, children, friends, or work associates, we must learn to listen. And this requires emotional strength. Listening involves patience, openness, and the desire to understand - highly developed qualities of character. It's so much easier to operate from a low emotional level and to give high-level advice.' -Stephen Covey from 'the 7 habits of highly effective people'

sometime it seems God speaks in a whisper, sometimes He has to use force; in both instances, God speaks with purpose. this quote from stephen covey speak so loudly to me that i can't help but notice. it's nearly as tho Jesus is sitting across my desk in my folding chair, and saying that statement to me. after i read that statement, i set the book down, and continued in conversation with Jesus, since He was already speaking to me.

so what has God spoken to you lately? what have you heard Him say? have you responded to Him with patience, openness, and a desire to understand?

(and for denise, i know what you are going to say. 'nobody thinks like you, tanya. maybe the Lord Jesus Christ can figure you out.') or in the lyrics to 'you get me' by zoegirl,
No more tears,
It's a silent ride.
You've broken down all fears,
Cuz you have made an all of me.
You know me better,
Than I know myself.
The key to my security,
Cuz there is no one else,
Who gets me.

Jesus,
Your word has refreshed my soul. tho it's painful to hear the words, i know You're calling me to a deeper understanding of listening. thanks for speaking truth to me. i can't change on my own, Jesus; i need Your help. i need You to teach me how to be open, patient and have a desire to understand what's being communicated. open my heart to hear. and about this low emotional level while offering high-level advice... well, i'm so guilty of this. may Your grace cover me. teach me, Father, how to effectively communicate truth with love. only thru You...
amen
*the miller family *skylar *the buffintons *derrick

2006-08-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

go and love and touch in the name of Jesus

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
heb. 13.15-16
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 john 4.16

i feel like the rain is falling on me. like the way the earth must feel after a drought. there are so many people in my life who need the rain which i'm basking in. and i'm trying to give them rain, but some people refuse to accept the gift. they'd rather remain in the sun-scorched land, like the plants that wither because they have no root. (matt. 13.6) perhaps my presentation of the rain isn't very appealing, or maybe my motives are divided. deep within me i wish that these people would accept this rain and be refreshed, as i am.

this tatto series that louie has presented throughout the summer was rain for my soul. he said, 'just GO and LOVE and TOUCH in the name of Jesus Christ.' he was referring to the way we are to be the body of Christ to those who need to be touched the most. Jesus made constant examples of the untouchables - to the blind, Jesus smeared mud on their eyes; to the man leprosy, He touched him; to the prostitute, He touched her; to the man with questions, He touched him. how do you fire God up? do this: sing God a song of praise while pouring out your life into those who most need to be touched. in the midst of the pain and hurting, sing Your song to Christ. get over Your own wants, and care for the needs of others - all while singing a song of praise to God. don't grumble when things don't go your way - sing and pray all the more. build others up instead of tearing them down.let others know that we are the Body of Christ thru our unity and love. find what breaks the heart of Christ and do something about it. 'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.' james 1.27

something in last night's message gripped my heart and it hasn't let me go. i'm drawn to the hope in the words. i.m convinced more than ever before that i want to go to africa; i've been called from darkness into light. (1 peter. 2.9) my prayers are moving from 'God, i really want to go' to 'God, don't let me stay here any longer.'

Jesus,
what an incredible name. You've conquered death and You hold life in Your hands. Your power and might are great. and Your name can fell the enemy. be praised for choosing me to sing a song of praise to You. my heart rejoices that You've rained down upon me with light and hope, love and compassion. as i abide in You, You come and make this heart Your home. it's a joy to know and be known by You. teach me to represent You well. let me offer others some rain in a way which will be pleasing and acceptable. let them see and desire to have what i'm offering. use me as a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. (mother teresa)
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*Leslie *kimberly * Derrick

2006-08-04T11:41:00.000-04:00

Honoring God and Wisdom

'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.'
exodus 20.24
All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"— but this was beyond me. Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound— who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.
eccl. 7.23-25

this has been a busy week for me. work has be exceptionally busy, and after work i'm staying with a friend of mine who recently had hip replacement surgery. oh and somehow in the midst of all that, i lost my cell phone for 3 days. last night was a much needed let down - it was game night with some friends; it was a wonderful comic relief to the busyness of life. certainly good for the soul!

so last saturday i was reading exodus 20, the big 10, and stumbled across this verse tacked on the end. Yahweh says, "wherever i cause My Name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you." where has God caused His Name to be honored in my life? what points can i identify as movements of God? what have i done to honor Him - what altars have i constructed for others to see that i worship the Living God? am i looking for Him to make His Name honored in my life? am i giving Him sufficient time? this week i haven't giving Him my time. last week, i was intentionly giving him time everyday... oh to be able to set aside time daily to surrender my life will to His...

(with all those questions in the previous paragraph, i feel like i'm writing a bible study!!!!)

oh the importance of 'selah' - pause and calmly consider.

and last night before my head hit the pillow at midnight... my eyes fell upon these verses about wisdom. when i was younger, mostly in middle school when my faith was developing in leaps in bounds, i remember earnestly praying for wisdom. i remember reading verses in Proverbs about how important it is to have wisdom. i would get on my knees next to my bed and meditate and pray for God to bestow wisdom upon me. i still find myself praying for wisdom often, perhaps not quite as earnestly, (the old age symptoms of knowing wisdom comes with time and age are setting in.) this verse about desiring to 'turn my mind to understand, to investiage and to search out wisdom,' still grabs my attention.

if i had wisdom when i was given my first credit card, i would not be in this debt now. if i had demonstrated wisdom with my sexuality, i would not have had to confess as often as i did... and still do. but i don't feel God let me down or didn't answer my prayers for wisdom. He answered in more ways that i could have asked. when i asked for wisdom, He strengthened my faith, gave me 'proof' that He exists, opened doors for me to experience the work of the gospel. also, my grades in elementary school were average, in middle school and high school they were above average, and some how i managed to graduate with honors. that has to be some form of wisdom...

so what can i do to pursue wisdom? what can i do t oturn my mind to understand and investigate wisdom?

Jesus,
may You in Your abundant grace give me wisdom. if it pleases You, give me ears and eyes to recognize where You are causing Your Name to be honored. may i have all that is needed to build an altar where my humble sacrifice may be may given unto You. and may this humble sacrifice be pleasing in Your sight, worthy of Your Name and honor.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Melody *Cathy *Glenn

2006-07-26T09:35:00.000-04:00

Waiting in Expectation

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
psalm 5.3
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
psalm 37.7
If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
john 15.7

i want some answers. i want to see some things change. i want some direction. i want to know this "energy, which so powerfully works in me" (col. 1:29). i want to see people come to know Jesus as their savior, life coach, redeemer, and friend. i want children in foreign countries to have enough food and water to sustain them. i want our ad council to be on fire for Jesus, and to take risks - to move from worrying about if we have enough money to challenging God to move on behalf of the poor and needy in pickens county. i want many things.

so what sacrifice am i willing to make in order for these things to come to pass? that is the question in my heart these days. what am i willing to do in order for others to know Jesus? when will i tell others of the life God has breathed into me? am i willing to give up food? am i willing to reach out to the needy, offering my time, talents and money? am i willing to find someone who needs to be loved? am i willing to speak up in a crowd? am i giving all i have to give on behalf of others? am i storing up things for myself on earth or in heaven? am i still enough to hear Jesus calling me from ordinary living into a life which takes risks? are my requests to God self-centered? am i living out purpose or lacking purpose? how is it that a precious flower can give me so much joy and a heart filled with gratitude?

Father,
i'm seeking You. You hold time in Your hand. You allow flowers to spring from the earth to give You glory and praise. let me do the same; let my heart resound with 'amens' and 'hallelujahs'. for my brother, i ask for redemption. for my parents, i request peace. for denise, humility. for shottie, wisdom. for brandon, compassion. for steven, self-control. for jerry, strenght. for tricia, truth. for juanita, patience. for patsy, gentleness. for amanda, hope. for kevin, perseverance. for cindy, love. for becca, knowledge. for glenn, will-power. for valerie, kindness.
Thru Jesus my requests are made known ~ Amen.
*Derrick *Marcus *Derek

2006-07-19T13:46:00.000-04:00

where's hope?

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
lam. 3.21-26

last sunday's message was about hope. what i got from it was about how our hope lies in Jesus Christ, and that hope gives us strength to persevere. and this perseverance isn't only for our benefit, but for the benefit of others who should to know Hope. last night i attended 7:22. (go there and watch it!) the message was about being light to the world which will cause others to desire to know the Light. seems to be a connection: to know this Hope and Light.

Louie Giglio is a gifted, godly speaker. it's amazing how God uses Louie to speak truth into a thristy generation. and it's even more amazing how those who are thristy are filled when God moves. last night was a perfect example. louie began with the scripture, lev. 19.1-2, "The Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." somehow from there he launched into eph. 5:8-9, "Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)." from an illustration of being whole to a lamp shining in the darkness, God moved thru the Church last night.

after the service, shottie and i had a good conversation. it was refreshing to re-connnect with her. i chalk the credit to Jesus for this refreshment. it's good to have friends, especially those who can relay their thoughts of what God is doing in their lives. that encourages my heart, along with my drive to shine more light.

Jesus
my thought are all over this place today. thanks for giving me these few minutes to focus on You. You are holy, and i desire that holiness. show me where i'm messing up. guide me into a deeper whole-ness. let my life be light in the darkness, just like the lamp on the stand. help me to get away from the bowl. You are the hope of glory and the light that shines in the darkness. in You there is no darkness, for darkness is as light to You. expose the deeds of darkness in my life - help me to confess to my friends for support. as i wait for Your salvation, have me always remember that You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.
in Jesus' holy Name ~ Amen
*Philip *Donna *Louie

2006-07-15T20:46:00.000-04:00

Letter to Tim

I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
1 tim. 5:21
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
1 tim. 5:24-25

i wonder what type of person timothy was. when paul wrote him this letter, he must have been under some pretty stong pressure to change the ways of those around him. these commands from paul drive a nail directly into the heart.

if someone were to say, 'i charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism,' i think i may feel pretty intimidated. that type of confrontation normally doesn't sit well with me. there's just something about someone commanding me to do something. i'm ok when asked to do something, but when someone commands me to do something - normally my defenses go up and i'm up for a fight. i suppose that's a confession about failing to be submissive and to keep quiet (as also commanded in the book of first timothy.)

to do nothing out of favoritism... what does that mean? we all have favorite friends and we treat them differently than we do strangers. before this passage paul was referring to young widows who should be encouraged to marry should they feel the impulse. after this the passage speaks about drinking wine, instead of plain water. so this verse about partiality and favoritism sort of seems out of place. but it is out of place enough that it caught my attention. and made me think about how i treat certain people, and how i don't treat certain people whom i don't know as well. 'be fair' may be a way a saying what paul is trying to relay.

then comes this verse about sins and good and bad deeds. when i see this verse played out in my minds eye, i envision people either pushing or pulling a large, black box. their sins are either in front of them or behind them. either way, every person has sin - not one person is without his or her box.

denise and i had the priviledge of moving some furniture this morning. sometimes i was leading backwards, sometimes i was on the backside. one particular upright closet was difficult to move because of the height. so as we moved this large closet, we would only go as far as my legs could extent. without me pushing, denise couldn't pull it. also, without her pulling it, i could barely move it an inch. together we could move the closet, but apart we couldn't succeed. sometimes we push; sometimes we pull.

so which way do you see yourself right now? the one who has their sin ahead of them, or the type who carry their sin behind? and what can we do for others to help them to move their sin? perhaps that could be a good question to ask someone who desires to mentor someone. it's not just a matter of bringing to light the sin, it's a matter of guiding that person along the journey, away from the sin. and how many of us are willing to take the time to do that?

Jesus,
this post went in a completely different direction than i first intended. guess You had a different plan for me. so as i think about the illustration of pushing or pulling my sin, which way do i come across to others? do i have a good front, but the darkness eventually shows it's ugly face? Your word says that we should confess our sin to one another and pray together. that's the kicker. finding that someone willing to guide us away from the sin which entangles our souls. may You help me to be trusting of the friends You've given me - those who would be willing to guide me and stand by my side thru good, the bad, and the ugly of life. may You receive the praise for the friends whom You've blessed upon me. may Your truth expel the darkness, my black box. help me to be open with You about what's going on within me. forgive me for having a quick tongue and an anal retentive, critical spirit at times. may You open my eyes to see when this sin is shining thru so we can deal with it. with Your help, i know the box will move.
in Jesus Name ~ amen.
*mom *kimberly *robin

2006-07-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

Holy Living

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
1 thes. 4:3-7
I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground.
lev. 11:44

during my lunch hour today i began to think about holiness. and how if we truly realized how holy we are expected to be, we would probably take more effort to clean up our thoughts lives, mouths, and the way our body language speaks volumes of what's going on within our souls. holy from webster.com has some pretty standard definitions. strong's #38 speaks of consecration, purification, and sanctification of heart and life. so now we all know what is involved in being holy.

but to dig deeper, sanctification of heart and life seems like a might extensive overhaul. seems like that reaches the depths of who we are, or perhaps maybe even deeper than who we are. perhaps it reaches to who we are in Christ and where we are going. that's the part i'm looking forward to, because getting there is often painful, annoying, and exhausting.

Jesus,
in my limited understanding, i believe that You've called me to live a holy life. and only thru Your Holy Spirit am i capable of calling myself holy and worthy to enter into Your presence. thanks for rescuing me from the darkness and unrighteousness. You are the source of my strength and holiness. so i fall before You and beg to be filled with Your Presence. i want to live a holy life. i want to be transformed from my ordinary thinking, into thoughts which glorify You. cleanse me with hyssop, and i will be clean. do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. You do not delight in sacrifice, or i would bring it. i am all i have to offer. i am the sacrifice, a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. thanks for accepting me just the way i am. and thanks for not allowing me to remain the same.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Gail *Mike *Flora

2006-07-08T22:37:00.000-04:00

Binding the Word

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
deut. 11.18-19

back on the bandwagon... of memorizing the Word. this is one of those disciplines which comes and goes for me. for awhile, i'll be very disciplined and memorize each day. but then something comes along which looks more entertaining, perhaps less challenging and i'll fall away. and then like an alarm clock, i'll be reminded of how i miss it, and how i love it when my thoughts focus on the words of life. so i'm currently at the point where my heart is longing to memorize again. so i'm going to begin by refreshing the verses and chapters which are already in my mind and heart: Psalm 139, 19, and 51. then i'll move on. i would really like to one day memorize colossians, but that's a ways down the trail.

Jesus,
again my heart is missing something; missing the closeness of having Your truth run thru my mind. i confess that i've fallen from this discipline. thanks for drawing this to my attention, and for giving me the perseverance to open my mind and heart to listen intently to Your Word. i can hear my professor from college say there are ways get into Your Word: hear, read, study, memorize, meditate. forgive me for falling away. i long to be near again. i trust that Your grace is sufficient, and You'll be my stamina to draw from the well, even when my feelings do not desire it. Your death on the cross made a way for us to connect intimately, and i want to be close with You. thanks for loving me enough to take my place.
thru Jesus'
*Denise *kevin *Philip

2006-07-05T15:04:00.000-04:00

God, Our Sanctuary

Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.'
ezek. 11.16
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.
ezek. 44.9
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.
1 cor. 7.19
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

gal 5.6

sometimes the Bible confuses me. more specifically, Jesus confuses me. He changed things up, but did not do away with the old. He fulfilled the Law, but did not abolish it. (matt. 5.17) so that means the old law is still in effect, along with the new transformation thru the Spirit. sometimes that feels like a war in my soul.

i love reading and studying the bible. it amazes me how Jesus came to rescue us from the rule of satan. and Jesus's life is proof of God's immense love for us. and i believe that Jesus was all God and all man. and He changed up the thinking of the disciples and some of the rulers of the temple and government. and He still changes the thinking of those who seek Him.

the mental picture of God being our sanctuary comforts me. but my definition of sanctuary is probably different than the israelites definition. so these foreigners who were living within the community of the chosen people could not enter into the sacred temple. but then Jesus comes - and states the He is the new high priest. so does that eliminate the heirachy of the church. over and over we read about the different members having equally important positions. and several times in the new testament, we can find verses referring to circumcision having no meaning, except for circumcision of heart. and even in the old testament, some verses comment about that. again, it's coming back to the condition of our hearts.

i've been calling myself a Christian for 18 years. some of those early years tested my faith in pretty strong ways. along the journey, i've fallen into some pretty serious sin. and today i still deal with those actions. my mind often refers back to that life. and growing up in the household which i grew up wasn't always the easiest life. perhaps from an outside view it looked like the good life, but within the walls our our house was some tremendous dissension. through all those struggles, God had a way of offering His hand of grace. i've learned first hand that His grace is sufficient for all sin: past, present and future.

Amazing God,
tho my understanding is limited, i know You are great. i'm not sure if you are changing, but i do know that You have been the same yesterday, today and forever. and tho i don't understand the culture of the israelites and their understanding of 'sanctuary', i grasp the concept of You being my sanctuary. and i understand why it matters most to express ourselves by loving You and others. help me to love the way You love - and to be rid of this critical spirit. help me to pray for those who are different than me. give me a heart of compassion to see past their petty facade, and see their hearts. may You, Holy Spirit, open a way for me to speak Your love at my workplace.
in Jesus' Holy Name ~ Amen
*mom + dad *sam *emma

2006-06-30T09:30:00.000-04:00

Sorting out the Thoughts

"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
Matt. 15.16-19
You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God.'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.' 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.'
Lev. 18.3-4, 22, 24
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Rom. 14.1-4

this is a difficult post to begin. on one of the blogs which i frequently visit, there has been an heated discussion about intolerance or acceptance of homosexuality. and my little mind has been rolling around what i believe about it, not what i've read or seen or experienced. admittedly, i'm not close friends with anyone who lives a homosexual lifestyle. i have some acquaintances, but none who i would consider a close, intimate friend. with that being said, i find myself drawn to homosexuals. perhaps it's because i want to know what originally drew them into that lifestyle. perhaps because God has given me a compassionate heart for them. perhaps it's because i want to see God's amazing transformation in their lives. or maybe it's a tactic of satan to try to get me involved. in any case, i'm drawn like a bug to a zapper.

i'll never forget hearing tony campolo speak about loving others, especially anyone living as a homosexual. with tears in his eyes and a broken heart, he spoke of his relationship with a good friend who is a homosexual. that's the kind of humility and love we are to have for all of God's people, no matter what type of lifestyle they are pursuing.

in my pursuit to find what i believe, i've become increasingly annoyed by people who use the verse, "judge not, or you also will be judged," (matt. 7.1) as a cop-out. that's using scripture as a knife to kill, instead of a tool to transform lives into obedient disciples of Christ. which leads me to what i believe. i believe that each of us was born with a sinful nature. and this sinful nature manifests itself in each of us different. for some, we struggle with arrogance, some have a wicked tongue, some have murderous thoughts, some have a need for sex, some have lust for humankind. some people struggle from abuse at a young age which leads to different sins. each of us carry this sinful nature like a heavy coat. and i believe with all my heart that anyone can be set free from any sin which leads us away from being obedience to the scripture. i think that if we fail to do what the Bible asks of us, we sin. James of the bible says, 'Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.' (4.17) being aware of what sin is seems to make the difference.

so you could say i'm being intolerant. but i know i'm a sinner. and i have to repent of my sin every day. but i'm trying with all my heart to allow the Spirit of God to cleanse me from the wickedness from which i was born. i try to give up my heavy coat on a daily basis. i know my sin is great, but i also know that the grace of my Father is enough for all the wrong i've done or will do. that's what it means to be free. and for this freedom i am forever grateful.

God,
i lay down my beliefs before You. i want to be righteous and holy - being right in word and deed before and at the same time being set apart of your purpose. break me of the sin which entangles me. if i'm wrong, show me where i've sinned. He have a way of turning things upside down. what i nature would do, is often the opposite of how You expect me to react. teach me to be more like You. help to be love those who cross my path. let me to friends with sinners, so they can see You in me. let my heart radiate with Your love so that others can bask in your warmth. let me love - even if it is tough love - those whom You would set before me. Father, i am not enough without You. You've changed this sinner's heart to sing Your praises. You've given me new passion, new reason to uphold what is right. and You provide the strength to flee from temptation. thanks for the reassurance that Your grace is enough, even for the worse of the sinners. thanks for transforming lives with Your Holy Spirit. thanks for still moving in the midst of the darkness. give me compassion for those who need to be loved. help me to love without judgment.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*adam *cat *robin

2006-06-22T11:39:00.000-04:00

Blogs

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
isaiah 43.19

so what is it that draws readers towards blogs? what blogs do you find yourself returning to, day after day in hopes that the writer will update?

for me, its constantly getting into the lives of people. finding out what makes them tick. (perhaps i should've pursued sociology or psychology!) i love reading life happenings, which seem ordinary to them, but to me they seem extraordinary. like the little things - those people who can constantly see God moving in their lives - drawing them from regular life to do amazing feats. those who hear God's voice, recognize His promptings, and respond with abandon. and they update nearly everyday. that's amazing to me.

i also tend to read people's blog who are struggling w/ life. not sure if that's a woman thing, or if i'm naturally drawn to the downtrodden. looking back, most of my friends from high school needed help - and that's how i became their friends. i responded. curious to know what that says about me?

the sinful side of me falls into the temptation of reading blogs which tell of a wild child's life. some people are just a mess and they love it. some are bi-sexual and tell freely of their desires. some are married and tell of their messy families. many are non-Christian and freely proclaim that.

so i guess that blogs that draw me the most are people who share life with the world. they are the ones who update consistantly about the ridiculous things of life. the ones who can express themselves via a keyboard. the ones who look deeper than surface level - to find who they are and how they are most satisfied with their lives. for me, i find who am i thru the words of Christ. tho my blog is lame with devotions, that's who i am - or who i aspire to be - or where i find i'm most satisfied. since i don't have a husband or kids - or am sexually active - or jobless - or in a band - or cuss - or an alcoholic... all that doesn't matter. i'm me. and other bloggers are themselves, too.

so thanks to readers who link to this site from yours. thanks for being real.

jesus,
what a strange time - when people connect more thru the net than in real person. God, you know my heart - and you know there are times when i desire to have more friends to hang out with. but then there are times, when i'm reminded that You've blessed me with some pretty incredible friends. i chalk up to You my praise for my friends. tho i may struggle at times to be single, i trust that You are my Friend in all situations. You know when i sit and when i rise - when i go out and when i lay down. You're familiar with all my ways. that's inspiring! tho my heart may not always be content to be single, i lay down these feelings to you. thanks for reminding me this morning that Your unfailing love will sustain me. and that Your plans are best for me. so if you have a spouse for me, help me seek You for patience and wisdom. and if not, i will always trust You as my Husband - the one who purchased me at a price, but not one that money could afford. thanks for my 'net friends who don't even know that i read their blog, but still i talk with You about them all the same. may You fill the brokenness some of my close friends are feeling. may Your unfailing love embrace them - and quench the desires of their hearts. may they seek Truth, instead of instant gratification. may their hearts blaze when they enter Your presence. may You awaken our passion to find You, our first love. tho my words fail, i trust that You hear my heart's cry.
thru Jesus ~ Amen
*misty *susan *kevin

2006-06-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
isaiah 50:4
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
psalm 119:34

this verse in isaiah beholds much wisdom. first it speaks of God giving me an 'instructed tongue' - a tongue that knows the words which sustain the weary. that's a big responsibility - speak to the weary and give them words which will encourage them and lead them to satisfaction. we've all been there before: when we know one of our friends is down, and we feel it's our responsibility to cheer them up. and we try to give them a shoulder to cry upon or a listening ear so they can get rid of whatever is weighing them down. but sometimes we are expected to tell them of the love which Christ has for them - and that is the word which will sustain them.

secondly, this verse speaks of God wakening us on a daily basis with ears that listen for His voice. seems to me this part of the verse should have preceded the other part of the verse. first we need to listen for God's voice - teaching us how to give the words which sustain the weary. without His word of instruction, His promptings, His leading, His guidance . . . we are lost and purposeless.

i have many friends right now who are going thru hard times. i'm not going to name them, but i can sense them becoming weary. their faith once blazed the way - taking on challenges much larger than they could conquer, but they faithfully went thru the unknown with help of the Known. now the One whom they knew so well in the past, has become commonplace. . . and this saddens me. one of my friends who is struggling with temptation said, 'it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission'. it breaks my heart that we've cheapened grace. oh the wise words of bonhoeffer. so i ask myself, in what ways am i cheapening grace? where in my life have i given into temptations - or where have i been numb to the Spirit's leading? what in my life is unholy? what white lies have my lips spoken - what exaggerations have i said? where have i been a hypocrit? is there someone whom i should ask for forgiveness? what in my past is causing fear or discouragement? where have i withheld my love for Jesus or others? when have i shown a 'don't care attitude'? have i said i'll do something and didn't do it? how's my daily pursuit of Jesus - am i digging into His word and truly listening for His voice? do i hear Him speak and forget? am i who i think i am? what things in my life cause dissatisfaction and what am i doing about them? am i pursuing righteousness? is my money being spent on things which will have a lasting effect on others - or am i being selfish in my spending?

dearest Friend
i ask these questions in Your presence. help me to find the true answers. give me understanding and i will keep Your law and obey with my whole heart. Jesus, forgive me for not being real with You. too often i try to cover my struggles from You - help me to get them out in the open so that You can cleanse me for falling into sin. use Your hyssop to cleanse - wash me, then i'll be whiter than snow. when i wake in the morning, let my first thoughts be of You - speak to servant for she is listening. may i be silent long enough to hear the words which satisfy and give rest to the weary. i'm not an island.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Kimberly *Maverick *Lexi

2006-06-15T11:34:00.000-04:00

Combining Worship

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
Isaiah 19.23-25

so i'm working my way thru isaiah. man, i love that book! the Jesus story, the fall of satan, the history of our Christian faith all rests in it. good stuff.

so this verse - about egypt, assyria and israel all being part of God's amazing plan - brings so much history together. normally i'm not a history buff, but to hear that egypt - the land where moses was enslaved by pharoah will be a blessing is beyond me. and to hear that assyria which includes nineveh (the terrible people from whom jonah was running) will be included in being a blessing - that's beyond me too. and not just that - but that israel will be third in line. israel, the gaza strip, and all the fighting going on there will be a blessing? that is beyond me.

the more i think about it... the more it concerns me. because these verses speak of egypt (in africa) and assyria (syria/iraq/turkey) will have a highway connecting them. well, israel seems to be in the middle. no wonder there is much fighting going on there.

religion stats for israel: Jewish 76.5%, Muslim 15.9%.
for syria: Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%
for egypt: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%

Most Gracious God,
You are the original blesser. and even today You are the One who pours out so much blessing that we don't have room enough for it. Your word has many mysteries to me. i see in part - but someday i will see full, even as i am fully know by You. and this road that leads from egypt to syria will be one of worship - that will be an amazing day. so i think about the roads i travel on to work, to play, to south dakota . . . are they roads of blessing or curses. i pray that where i travel i may be a blessing to those whom You place in my path. may You use me as an instrument of Your love. may these roads before me lead me deeper into our relationship. i seek to know You more.
by Jesus ~ amen.
*kerri *President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak *philip

2006-06-05T08:41:00.000-04:00

Become a slave

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Romans 6.18
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.
Lev. 26.13
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8.17

yesterday in sunday school our class went thru Romans 5. romans just gets me right there! tho i may have a shallow understanding of the book because of this culture and current traditions, it still remains relevant. if i could choose one main theme which draws me to Christianity, it would be the theme of having to become a slave. slaves don't have rights - or a vote - or say-so in any matters. they are expected to do what they are commanded without pay. they can be abused or honored, depending on their master. they are to be obedient and submissive.

ephesians 6.6, speaking to slaves about their masters, goes on to say, 'Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.' so being a slave of Christ is to draw new joy and strength from the depths of their hearts.... and our hearts, too. we are not excluded from being slaves to Christ. too often serving and submitting does not draw joy and strength from my heart... usually it tends to draw out the heathen in me.

o merciful master,
you've ask of me to give everything i have ever possessed, including my very soul. when my focus is so shallow - when my eyes fall upon how hard i have it, show me that You've already called me into priesthood. tho You've given me the status of kingship, help to remember that You've equipped me to perform the duties of a slave. i want to be obedient to You. i want to submit with a grateful heart. break me when my ego arises. o Lord, it's hard to be humble... in You i am made whole. as i abide in You, i see how surrendering to Your commands is not a burden, but a joy. my heart rejoices that i can abide in You, even when i fall hard.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen

*lexi *juanita *cynthia

2006-05-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

Continuously Evoking a Response

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8

sometimes during my personal study times, i grab my dictionary (the big, thick book with all the pronounciations and origins) and search the simple words to find greater meaning. perhaps it's a way of enlarging my vocabulary, but every time i use the dictionary, some deep understanding hits me. tonight is no different.

before i opened my Bible, i asked Jesus to show me what He wanted me to hear. the song, 'draw me close to you' popped into my mind. so i thot, hmm... where's that verse about 'draw near to God and He draw near to you'? james is quite the straight shooter - no beating around the bush with him. so i read the verse a couple times, and thought of some other verses which could relate. like isaiah 33.3 - written the same way - 1st, i have to do something, then Jesus will do something. both have a promise. 1st i need to move, then He will move.

and then i grabbed my hefty dictionary and scrutinized the word, 'draw'. there are about 20 definitions, but 4 of them jumped out at me.
A.) to cause to move after or toward one by applying continuous force; drag
B.) to suck or take in
C.) to evoke to response
D.) to receive at a regular time

...continuous force. what else am i to do continously? PRAY!!! what an amazing connection. draw near to Jesus by praying constantly. and what a great image: to suck in God and He will suck me in. i love that. i desire that. to be sucked in by God.

and the next one i absolute was blown away with. (it's probably my dippiness shining thru, but, hey!) what can i do which will cause Jesus to evoke a response, which in turn will cause Him to evoke a response to me? i've mused that question over and over tonight. and again i'm draw to prayer, but a specific type. (guess i'm dividing prayer into different types!) supplication or intercession. listening is part of prayer, but i don't believe that listening is all that prayer is. sometimes we need to get in the trenches and pray until God is evoked to a response. that is the discipline of prayer... praying continuously when no response is evoked. and i'm confessing that this area of my life has been void lately. i've failed to dig in and get dirty in the trenches. i've backed away - ran AWOL.

Jesus has used a couple people in my life lately to challenge me - to search out my priorities - and to seek what has been lacking. He even used this incredible couple whom i met at a garage sale. this couple reminded me that God doesn't keep secrets, but instead He waits for us to trust in Him to reveal the next move. and sometimes that next move isn't known until we are falling thru the air.

Hey Jesus,
it seems so bold for me to evoke You to a response so that You can respond to me. and honestly, i'm not sure that i could ever evoke You to respond, but You do tell us to ask. and You give us the story about the widow and the judge - and her consistency gained a way to her heart's desire. i don't want to run anymore. i know the difficulty of spending time and energy and effort on my knees. and i'm again at a place where i desires that. i've missed it... honestly i've missed that time with You. so, i humbly ask You to train me how to apply a continuous force which will evoke a response from You. Holy Spirit, have Your way within me. if lacking sleep is what You desire, then i'm ready. if fasting, then let's go! i'm trusting You to reveal what is next. i'm claiming ps. 33:20-22 as my means to stand upon. i wait in hope for You; my heart rejoices, for i trust in Your Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon me, even as i learn to put my trust in You.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen
*Tatia *Valerie *Laura

2006-05-01T19:25:00.000-04:00

Distinguishing the Holy from the Common

You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.
Lev. 10.10-11
Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
Ezek. 22.26

in reading about the acts of the priests near the beginning of leviticus, i've been reminded of a few things:
~ the priests had a messy job
~ they knew specifically what their tasks were

about the priests having a messy job - one of their tasks was to kill the sacrificial animal and throw its blood against the altar. can you say, "slaughter house"? but thru this sacrifice, people were made right with God. and the priests knew better than anyone how this occured. it amazes me how one Sacrifice, a human being, could make restitution for all of us. Jesus, the perfect One, restored us to God so that our sacrifices are no longer needed. no wonder it was so difficult for the priests and teachers of the law to understand Jesus. He transformed the need for church.

the priests didn't wonder what they were expected to do: it was written out for them. the law taught them everything needed to perform their jobs to the fullest. they knew specifically how to sacrifice different offerings. and then comes along this verse: 'YOU must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and YOU must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.' it had to start with their hearts. they needed to know the law and teach others to obey it.

sara groves has a lyric in the song 'just showed up' that catches my attention often. this is what it says, 'I'm going to live my life inspired, look for the holy in the common place, open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed'. i wonder if this is how the priests lived their lives, or if they were de-sensitized to the holy. i wonder where in my life, i've become de-sensitized to the holy. where have i've lost my sense of wonder and inspiration?

my High Priest,
may You help me to live this life inspired. help me to see the holy in the common place. sensitize me to distinguish between the holy and the common. i open the windows on my heart to feel all that's honest and real until You amaze me. show me ways that i can choose to bring the holy into the common place. may You create holy moments during my job, my resting, my playing, my praying, my times of laundry and ironing. let Your holy rain down from on high, filling my heart with wonder. please don't let me loose this sense of awe.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Lee Ann Womack *Sara Groves *Kelsey

2006-04-29T09:10:00.000-04:00

The hard things in life

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Luke 9.23-26

there are stages in life - phrases thru which we all pass. i go thru stages of reading. there are times when i desire to read absolutely everything in front of me, and then there are times when i dread reading a chapter. currently i'm in the 'read-anything-i-can-get-my-eyes-upon' stage. so next to my bed right now are these books: The Message Bible, Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible, The Sacred Way, The Sacred Romance, Prayers That Avail Much, Revolution in World Missions, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Utmost for His Highest, Simplify Your Life, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Book of Sudoku, The Practice of Godliness, The Power of Prayer and Fasting, Enjoy the Silence, Heaven, my prayer journal, Diary of Daily Prayer, Thunder of Heaven, Love and Respect, Red Moon Rising, Thr3E, SpiritLed Woman magazine, and The Secret of Victorious Living. Those are all the books stacked up next to my bed. (it's pretty pathetic, but i've read parts of each of them within the last 3 weeks.)

so i was reading The Secret of Victorious Living and came across this passage which jumped out at me. this is a fictional statement as to what our forefathers may tell us today. (and keep in mind, this book was written before 1934 (which is the copyright date.):
"...We were not so tempted as you are to forget that the destinies of the race are within the soul. It is easier to build a skyscraper than to build great caracter. It is easier to erect your modern apartment houses than to achieve the peace that passeth all understanding, when you are in them. It is easier to amass physical power than it is to achieve spiritual life which knows how to use it. It is easier to harness the forces of the external universe than to release the inner powers of the divine world by which man lives indeed. And when you do this easier thing and omit the deeper matter, where does it bring you save to catastrophe? Lift up your eyes and see. One civilization after another has fallen, fooled by its illusions. What profit without the soul?"

i love how our forefathers would tell us about character, spiritual life, peace that passeth understanding, and innner powers of the divine world. i long for those things, those things which satisfy the soul. and it is so easy to get lazy and not pursue them. i'm learning that it's very difficult to quiet the soul and listen for what my Savior desires to say to me. it is easier to skip on building character... oh but the profit which will come should one put in the time and energy to raise one. and about this peace that passeth understanding - in this crazy world which forces us to be constantly busy and moving, it is so tough find peace. but Jesus proclaimed that He came to bring peace. and so spending time with Him has to be fulfilling, and it builds character.

Oh Jesus,
thru Your Word i read how my forefathers struggled to pursue You. they stumbled and fell, gained strength and rose again just to stumble more. i see the same pattern or stage in my own life. but thru the trials and errors, the strength to persevere continues to pour into my soul. as i try to hold fast to you, my mind is filled with thoughts of who You are creating me to be. You've changed me - You placed within me desires that this world could never offer. i want to know this peace, and to be able to release the divine powers into a lost and hurting world, and have Your characteristics, and be compelled to live out what my Spiritual life manifests. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
thru Your Name, Jesus, i humbly pray ~ Amen.

*Tricia *GNC Event across the nation *Prom go-ers

2006-04-26T09:01:00.000-04:00

His Song

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
psalm 42.8

saturday night i stayed up way too late to finish a book. it was an excellent book - part of a series called the Martyr's Song series which i highly recommend by Ted Dekker. so after finishing the book i laid in bed for a few minutes trying to fall asleep, but plagued by all the action-packed adventures from the book. so, i turned on the light, grabbed my Bible and felt compelled to turn to psalm 42. after reading about the thristy deer, panting souls, downcast souls, and deep calling to deep, i ran across this verse about God directing His love by day and His song being with me at night. i could tell it was one of those verses that would roll around my head for a few days, and then something would tie it to my heart. well, i've found what it is: Invisible Children i've read articles and books about these chidren soldiers. these kids are abducted in the dark of night and forced into becoming soldiers. some kids walk 10+ miles a night and sleep in towns, so they won't be quite as scared to sleep in the bush. i can imagine how they fear the dark of night... and how this verse ties right in - "at night His song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life." can you hear their broken hearts praying to the God of their lives? and to have His song be a comfort in the thick blackness at night. that moves my heart... to tears.

this weekend there are events thru out the nation - rallying people to make a stand for these kids. i realize it's a problem on foreign soil, but our God is there, too. and that transcends my pride as an american. these are people need help - they are oppressed and in slavery. Isaiah, a great prophet, wrote: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?"
Isaiah 58:6

this is a chance to make a difference, even if it means i loose some sleep.

All-Powerful God,
i fall before You; i stumble and fall at Your greatness. You are omnipotent, and that makes You worthy of praise. You use Your power for good. You have the power to break free those bound in slavery. i lift up this event for these invisible kids to You and set it upon Your altar. may it be an offering which pleases You. use this event to move people to see beyond the walls of our nation, and do something good. you know each of the kids and families affected by these wars. make Your presence known among this country of uganda. reign down, Holy Spirit, and let these people soak You up. let their weary souls find rest in You. Jesus, baptize these broken souls with Your blood, the blood that cleanses all sin and shame.
in Jesus's Powerful Name and by His Blood ~ Amen

*GNC *World Vision Uganda *Andy

2006-04-25T13:58:00.000-04:00

Oh so many lessons to learn in one parable

Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
proverbs 25.6-7
"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
luke 14.8-11

i read the proverbs often, and some how these few verses slipped past me. i've heard this parable spoken by Jesus many times, and yet i didn't realize He was expounding on the wise words of solomon. Jesus simply added some 'life application' to the story which solomon spoke nearly 2000 years earlier. i love it when the old and new testaments connect. that fires me up!

there's something amazing in the words which the king and the wedding host say, "come up here," and "friend, move up to a better place." i've been rolling those phrases around my mind for about 2 hours now, since my lunch break. to hear a king say to me, 'come up here'... has to be such a great honor. but before this person hears those words, he needed to take a back seat. he had to decide to be humble - to give up what would would have been a good seat.

a friend and i have a phrase for the seats near the rear of an airplane... we call them 'dumpster' class, as opposed to first class. as someone who worked for an airline, i flew in dumpster class often. but then there were times... oh the good times, when i would be sitting in dumpster, and the flight attendant would come to me and say, 'your seat assignment has changed.' and that is the key to move to first class... to the good seats! oh what joy to sit in first class as opposed to those cramped seats. and the warm towelettes... and the food and drinks for free! it's a real treat!

there's something amazing when someone invites you to come... like when Jesus says, 'come to me, all of you who are struggling right now, and i will give you rest.' (loose translation of matt. 11.28) there's power in an invitation. and there is power in being willing to give up what may be entitled to us - in being humble enough to hold open a door for someone - in giving up our hard earned money for someone in need - in opening our homes to a homeless person - in losing sleep to pray for someone.

King of kings...
it is by Your great invitation to join You on this journey called life. thanks for calling out to me when i needed You most. Your timing is excellent. thanks for giving us this example to be humble and how to give of ourselves. Your life is an example of humility; let me follow hard after You. guide me in ways which i can be willing to give up for Your sake. let Your light shine thru me. be glorified thru my actions and thru times of seeking Your wisdom and truth.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*valerie *valerie *Allison

2006-04-11T08:54:00.000-04:00

Untamed Animals

"Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the Lord and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the Lord has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us and that it happened to us by chance."
So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.
1 sam 6.7-12
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
mark 21.1-7

so as a reader you probably skipped over the verses. but can i recommend going back and reading them? go back and catch how the two stories resemble each other. see how the ark and Jesus both had a mission which included wild animals. see the animals overcame their natural instincts.

not sure if you've ever experienced the wrath of a bucking bronco or a cow without her calf, but it's pretty intense. my grandfather was trampled once by a cow when she felt threatened for the safety of her calf. and i've been bucked off a horse... (there's a funny story in that somewhere!) but some how God ordained for these animals to behave and do exact what they needed to do. not only did the cows abandon their calves, but they were under control even after being yoked and pulling a cart. critters feel very threatened when something is following them! so it's really not a normal behavior for these cows. and this colt knew how to behave with a rider on it's back. (again, that's not normal!) i've been part of training horses, and it's not easy. horses have a mind of their own.

time after time in the Bible, God uses object lessons to get people's attention. i can only imagine how these philistines marveled at these cows, and how the disciples must have thought Jesus was insane for attempting to sit on a wild colt. but the miracles happened. and they still happen today.

Amazing Father,
You have a way of taming the wild, from jonah's experience in the belly of the fish to calming the raging sea. what in me needs to be tamed? what object lesson do you have for me today? open my eyes so i can see great and marvelous things You create and say. let me hear Your voice, and not miss what it is that You desire for me to understand. (that was the long version, "let me hear what You are saying.") as the trees lift up their arms in praise, let me rejoice even more, for You are good and Your love endures forever.
*Derrick *Landra *Misty

2006-04-11T08:51:00.000-04:00

Untamed Animals

"Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the Lord and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the Lord has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us and that it happened to us by chance."
So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.
1 sam 6.7-12
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it.
mark 21.1-7

so as a reader you probably skipped over the verses. but can i recommend going back and reading them? go back and catch how the two stories resemble each other. see how the ark and Jesus both had a mission when then were on the wild animals. see how both needed the overcame to natural instincts of these two 'beasts'.

not sure if you've ever experience the wrath of a bucking bronco or a cow without her calf, but it's pretty intense. my grandfather was trampled once by a cow when she felt threatened for the safety of her calf. and i've been bucked off a horse... (there's a funny story in that somewhere!) but some how God ordained for these animals to behave and do exact what they needed to do. not only did the cows abandon their calves, but they were under control even after being yoked and pulling a cart. critters feel very threatened when something is following them! so it's really not s not a normal behavior for these cows to behave. and this colt knew how to behave with a rider on it's back. (again, that's not normal!) i've been part of training horses, and it's not easy. horses have a mind of their own.

time after time in the Bible, God uses object lessons to get our attention. i can only imagine how these philistines marveled at these cows, and how the disciples must have thought Jesus was insane for attempting to sit on a wild colt. but the miracles happened. and they still happen today.

Amazing Father,
You have a way of taming the wild, from jonah's experience in the belly of the fish to calming the raging sea. what in me needs to be tamed? what object lesson do you have for me today? open my eyes so i can see great and marvelous things You created and said. let me hear Your voice, and not miss what it is that You desire for me to understand. (that was the long version, "let me hear what You are saying.") as the trees lift up their arms in praise, let me rejoice even more for You are good and Your love endures forever.
*Derrick *Landra *Misty

2006-03-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sovereignty of God

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
job 1.20-21
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. "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. 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.
isaiah 40.24-25

i've sat here for about 5 minutes staring at my monitor after i posted those verses. and i'm still sitting here - trying to collect my thoughts. there are just not words to describe what is going thru my mind and heart.

apart from my inability to express myself, i find much comfort in the Word and the silence. every person reacts differently to pain and suffering. i find in those times, that i tend to cling more strongly to Jesus. my prayer life is more receptive, instead of being demanding. my heart is more open to hear Truth in different forms.

there's an illustration which i recently heard about persecution, but it seems to apply to hurt and suffering for me. if you think of a stream, it flows at a steady, slow moving pace when the stream is wide. but, when the stream is narrow, when it finds opposition, the stream quickens, even rushes thru the narrow opening. right now i feel like i'm rushing, or pushing to get thru the narrow parts; my strength is high, my faith is strong. and i give the glory of this feeling to the One who hears the prayers of the faithful. surely that great cloud of witnesses is standing in the gap, pulling heaven down to earth. and for those of you who are standing in the gap for me and my friends, we are grateful.

oh sovereign God. tho i don't understand, i believe. and it is You whom i believe, because right now my heart is torn asunder. with all my strength, i cleave to You. tho my head races with thoughts, my heart is quiet - waiting to see how You are repairing the broken walls of these temples. let your praise be heard in the depths of who i am. God, i praise You with everything in me for being our comfort. tho i may joke about the Holy Comforter Church, You've truly raised up a church to be your comforters. thanks for sending us your love thru Jesus Christ.
amen.

2006-03-26T11:29:00.000-05:00

Quiet Eye

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
psalm 46:10

so i'm reading this book, The Secret of Victorious Living by Harry Emerson Fosdick. it was copyrighted in 1934, and is a collection of sermons from Harry. so one would think that sermons from nearly 75 years ago would not be relevant, but let me tell you, that could not be farther from the truth. i highly recommend picking up a copy for yourself.

so to continue with this post, and to complete my shoutout to mr. fosdick, here are two quotes.
"We certainly must know people-and it would be strange if they were not often ourselves-whose religion is shallow and cheap, superficial, ineffective, no staying power in it, no depth to it, because the life knows no quietness. It is commonly said that the trouble with such people is that they lack faith, that they do not believe enough, but the chances are all in favor of another diagnosis. There is no great spiritual life without a quiet eye."

"You see, it is true-our lives are like brooks. When they babble they are shallow. When they are deep they are still. That is prayer-to run deep and still."

and so i fall with my knees to the earth and my hands lifted high with my head bowed low... and wait for that still, small voice to be heard in me. and this is what i hear, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"Speak, for your servant is listening."
*Denise *Shottie *Brandon *Chad

2006-03-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Subjection

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 cor. 9.27
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
rom. 6.18

Oswald Chambers rocks my world. his book, Utmost of His Highest, is truly one of my favorites. today passage is about fixing our eyes on the goal, and not allowing ourself to fall away. here are some lines which have struck me:
*It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal.
*My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life.
those two statement are worthy of putting some thought into.

sometimes being a single 29 year old is really tough. it's easy to begin to think that i'm not 'complete' because i am not married... and i should begin seeking a spouse, (cause those who know me know i don't look for someone 'special'). and then i read some scripture about families and all their troubles. and i look to my family and see all its trouble. and i get scared. "gun shy" is a term that would apply to me. and it's not because i've been hurt by some boyfriend whom i've loved deeply. i have had some great boyfriends - and most of them i'm still good friends with. some are married, one divorced, one still single.

yesterday while at work, i had this crazy idea - this thought which again this morning has re-visited my mind. this is the thought - "in one year you will be married". so with that being said, i'm scared, and at the same time, kinda anxious to see if it will be true.... and if so, how God will place someone in my path. even as i type this, i'm nearly trembling, which is not like me at all. i don't tremble.

Jesus,
as i tremble at the thought of finding a husband, so i bend my knees to You. if this is Your will, let me follow obediently. let my subject all my independence to You and Your Lordship. my desire is to follow You faithfully - for You to be my focus and my goal. Father, let my devotion to You in my private time result in radical worship for You. let all my affections be for You. before You i lay down my fears and hesitations. i've guarded my heart with an iron scepter, and now this one thought is causing me much discord. so i seek You for reassurance and guidance. when i seek You i will find You when i seek You with my whole heart. that's the promise i'm leaning on.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*denise *steven *cheryl

2006-03-16T11:32:00.000-05:00

Knee Pains

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
heb 12.7
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
heb 12.10-11
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
heb 12.12

so yesterday my knee started hurting. if i straightened it and placed any pressure on it, it would shoot throbbing pains up my leg. so walking was a real pain. (denise so lovingly continued to call me 'limpy' all night.)gotta love having roommates!

so before i went to bed last night i grabbed my bible. i had been thinking of the verse about Jesus being the author and perfector of our faith all day yesterday, so i opened the old good book to hebrews 12. and lo and behold in chapter 12 it speaks of hardship as discipine from the Lord. how ironic is that...? and then it goes on to say 'strengthen your weak knees'. so it was good reading. good for the soul and the knee.

i have this 'pact' with God when i have pains in my body. instead of praying about my pains, i pray for others who are struggling w/ the same issue. and that tactic often seems to take away my pain, or it brings me some peace at least. so last night i was intensely praying for those who struggle with knee issues.

so back on topic... this discipline from the Lord can come in different ways. suffering and pain - hardship - whatever. the SLR speaker this year focusing on embracing interruptions. and surely God couldn't have 'disciplined' me at a better time, driving home this lesson about embracing interruptions. so i go limping along and praying for others. by the grace of God go i.

amazing Father,
tho no discipine seems pleasant at the time, i'm grateful that You treat me as a child. i'm grateful for this time while You've drawn me closer to You

2006-03-10T09:19:00.000-05:00

Mighty Prayers

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Acts 12.5
Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
Acts 12.8-10

i was challenged by a guy who works with Wycliffe to read thru the book of Acts. and since that was 2 weeks ago, and i'm only on chapter 13...

so this is the challenge to read thru Acts: 1st, see how God moved; 2nd, see how the people were faithful; 3rd, see how the people were unfaithful. and so this challenge adds new light to all that Jesus commanded. it's been really good for me to attend Perspectives.

so this guy peter, a.k.a. the Rock, had some belief changes. God revealed to Him that he should not declare anything unclean which God has made clean. for Peter, this was definitely crisis of beliefs. he had been taught that salvation is predominately for the Jews. not so anymore - the times have changed! Gentiles were to be included in the blessing of salvation.

so Peter is out preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen. and in so, he upset some officials and incidently he was throw in jail. (there's a lesson about suffering for the Name of Christ in there somewhere!) so what do these faithful believers do? they gather together for the sole purpose of calling down heaven for the release of Peter from the chains of imprisonment. an urgent prayer vigil.

so what happened to this kind of prayer? why have we shyed away from getting on our knees and begging God to move? why don't we call up our most dear friends and have a prayer vigil when things are going awry? how can we get back to this? when is our faith in God gonna drive us to believe that He is only one who can transform a terrible situation into one that can transform lives?,

oh, Holy Spirit, may You come in power and might - drawing our hearts to surrender our strength to You, for You are the only One who can transform what was dead to something alive and active! free us to cry out with expectant hearts for Your mercy and grace. We need You more now than ever before. it is by Your grace that we live free from fear and emprisonment. thanks for bestowing this salvation upon me. may i be used for Your kingdoms growth. may You open doors that have been locked for way too long. may You free the prisoners, set the captives free to know You and You crucified and raised. may Your salvation spring up and may the earth open wide to receive it. it is an honor to be called a follower of You. where in my life am i desperate to see You move? open my eyes and heart to beg of You to move on behalf of others.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Lacey *Kyle *Philip

2006-01-29T09:35:00.000-05:00

To What Have I Died?

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
Rom. 7:4
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:2, 5, 8

oh, the good book of Romans. again i'm reminded how complex this book can be, and yet, how simple it's truth can be discerned. all this talk about the law... learning about what reigns in my body and what shouldn't. i realize that we don't speak much about a specific law very often, but these Romans had to know the law well, in order to discern what Paul was speaking to them about.

ok, so i died to the law so that i could belong to Christ in order to bear fruit to God. but what does it mean that i died to the law? what part of me died, because somedays, those parts feel mighty alive? where in my life am i feeling God 'prune' me? what parts of the law am i still upholding, but should be 'put to death'? what fruit have i been bearing lately? do others know that i am a disciple because of my actions? what does 'fruit' look like? ...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. has my Father's glory increased lately due to my 'fruit'? does increasing my Father's glory honestly matter to me?

my Jesus,
i know that i've died to the law thru Your blood, and i'm clean, and i belong to You. i know all these things are true. but i want to open myself up to You. if there is any place within me where the law still residse, please prune it away. i desire to bear fruit for You. let me be discerning to know when to move. may You create opportunities for all the fruit within me to be evident to those around. let me know when to do good to others, to speak the Truth in love, to humble myself enough to do those deeds which others care not to do. give me a servant's heart; replace arrogance with compassion. Holy Spirit, what in me needs to die? please reveal this to me - i want to be a true disciple. refine me - melt me- mold me - burn out the impurities within that i may be made holy for Your glory. as the hymn goes:
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

In Jesus's Holy and Precious Name ~ Amen
*Leslie *Hamilton *Linda

2006-01-23T12:23:00.000-05:00

Seeking Discernment

"Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
1 kings 3:7-10

webster defines discernment as the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. also discernment is a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. seems like a similar definintion of faith: now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (hebrews 11:1).

in any case, i've been reading the Word about discernment. the book of proverbs has many insights into how a discerning person reacts to varying situations. and the story listed above about david is a prime example of someone who possesses discernment. david could've asked for anything, but he chose to ask God for a discerning heart to guide him. that's amazing to me. so now i'm on a quest to seek discernment - to find ways to increase in discernment - to cry out to God for this grace to be bestowed upon me.

my Jesus,
as i read about david and how he chose to requests a discerning heart, i'm convince that discernment is something to be sought after. so i come before You and ask for a discerning heart. let this be for Your glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.
*Sarah *Lydia *Denise

2006-01-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Wisdom in 'Zip Your Lip'

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isa. 53:7

on my drive home from work today i was thinking about the fool who comes across as wise if he holds his tongue. and then i was thinking of times when i've held my tongue... and times when i should've held my tongue. funny how our minds remember the bad times, and forget the good ones. i could list several times when i should've zipped my lips, and only a few when i remained quiet. there are certainly times to keep silent, to not put up a defensive argument. (too often i fail at this.) and there are times to open our traps and let the words of Christ speak.

there's a verse in 1 peter, 4.11 i think. [If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.] and sometimes the words of God slice to the heart. even Jesus and his parables brought division. but then there are times when his words fall like a gentle rain, healing our deepest pain and hatred. there is a grace that runs deep in Christ, even when he chooses to remain silent. perhaps i could learn a lesson in discernment about shutting up.

hey Jesus
loving a person ain't not small thing... and you constantly flood my life with Your love. thanks for speaking the truth to my heart. may You teach me discernment, to know when to speak and when to remain silent. it had to be so difficult to go before the judge and not defend Your noble cause. but now, i want to say thanks, for going down that path, so i may enjoy Your presence and know You in a personal way. You've graced me in a deep way. You've given me wisdom to seek You and trust that will help me to know You. Thanks for giving to me. You are the bread of my life.
in Your holy Name, Jesus ~ Amen
*Kim *Courtney *Tricia

2006-01-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

Expecting Much

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Prov. 6.34
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5.3

i have to give props to denise for the title. she uses this phrase periodically, and it's catchy! and i sense this is what God is laying on my heart for this new year. 'Expecting Much'. there's just a ring to it.

i was reading the Word this morning, and came across this verse in proverbs. can't you sense the wonder in the air - about being active in listening for the voice of God, and watching every day at the doors of heaven, and waiting eagerly at His door. it just sends a shiver over my body - seeking God is exciting... or at least i think i should be.

it's interesting this is what was laid on my heart first thing this morning. and this is why it is interesting: because 2 fellow employees have been laid off today. the entire office staff is tense; so tense you can feel it in the air. and yet i am pressed to expect much. it is quite a mix of thoughts/emotions. tho i've mentioned to shottie about my lack of job security.. it just doesn't seem right that others were let go and i remain. but i am grateful, and continue to seek His face about a career.

Dearest Lord Jesus,
it is a stir of emotion here today. let Your consistancy effect me. let this belief which You've given me strengthen my heart, since it trembles like a leaf. as Rich sings, 'hold my Jesus...' truly You are doing a new thing and a good thing. Your light radiates even in the midst of financial crisis/lack of security/unbelief. 'Yours is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 chron. 29:11. thanks for allowing my strength to come for You - to source of living water.
tho i don't even know how to pray for my co-workers who have been told the news of being laid off, i trust that You know my heart. i want for them the best in life... and You know what's best. where there is insecurity, be secure. where there is anger, be peace. where there is questioning, be their answer. where there is brokenness, be the healer. may You be evident in this trial.
in Christ's Name ~ Amen
*Terry *Kim *Glenn *Ron

2006-01-01T18:05:00.000-05:00

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Jer. 31:33-34

i wait with eager anticipation for the day when all will know Jesus. won't that be a wonderful day? this is mostly how i'm feeling right now... 'God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.' - Psalm 63:1 so this time when every one will know Jesus is sounding pretty amazing! a great way to begin a new year - longing after Jesus.

tho all may not know Jesus, i trust this new covenant began when He was born on earth. i trust that He has put His law in my mind and on my heart. by having His word in my heart - thru memorization, reading His Word, and the Holy Spirit, i know it - and I'm learning to know Him more. that is my heart's desire, as it has been fore years.

i've been trying to formulate a new year's resolution, but i'm struggling with it. as super wa mentioned this morning, 'i haven't had enough quietness to think of a resolution'. so this week, i'm spending moments in calm quietness - meditation and reflection. for sure i want to get back into the 'habit' of going to the gym and healthier eating. (i have a wedding in may to attend - always a bridesmaid, never a bride.)

How awesome it is, Father, to begin anew. Your gentle embrace draws me in like the warming of the seasons. my heart is awake and alert - longing for more of You. 'expecting much' seems to be my phrase for the upcoming year. where are you going to conquer battles which satan has held for so long? where are you going to blow me away with miracles? what wisdom are you going to bestow upon me this year? what new births are your going to create? who is going to accept You as their Lord this year? what ways are You going to challenge me to be more bold for You? who are You going to call to abide in Heaven this year? where will my heart be broke? where will You lead me to trust You? --oh so many questions... truly i am looking forward to seeing You move and knowing You more deeply thru the upcoming 12 months. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.' 1 Chron. 29:11. Amen.

*Derrick *Kimberly *Denise

2005-12-13T09:55:00.000-05:00

i would love to see where all you readers are from.
Add your location to my map, please.
Click Here

2005-12-12T09:11:00.000-05:00

Obedient Satisfaction

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Hosea 12:6

oh the great commands of Hosea: 'Sow', 'Reap', 'Break Up', 'Seek', 'Return', 'Maintain', and 'Wait'. all these commands demand some action, even waiting. i remember going thru a phase in my spiritual journey when i thot the Bible was a list of exhausting duties. do this, do that. but as i mature (a bit), i'm learning that obeying the commands is so much better than disobeying. there are blessings ('the blessing! - from christmas vacation!) which give joy. so in doing what is expected, a feeling of fulfillment satisfies my soul. this is a profound understanding for me. more often than not, i lack the feeling of my soul being satisfied. (aka - contentment) even if i weary myself in doing what is expected, my exhaustion is surrounded by a shower of righteousness. 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' - John Piper.

Christ,
as the season of Your birth is upon me, i can sense a renewed passion to seek You. thanks for calling me to seek You, to place within me a desire to seek the real You. i give You praise and ascribe honor to Your name for the righteousness You shower upon me. how good it is to be in Your light. obedience brings about a righteous lifestyle... and only by Your grace am i made holy. Come, Holy Spirit, and sanctify this child. i want to know You more.
in Christ' Name ~ Amen.
*Gail *Susan *Devin

2005-12-07T08:19:00.000-05:00

I Beg of You

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
Dan 9:18-19

have you ever found yourself saying to someone, "i beg of you, please..."? when i was reading thru this passage in Daniel, my mind thot of that line. this is the extreme urgency with which daniel is crying out to God. i've prayed that way before, but it's been awhile since i was that adamant about something. (that's a confession.)

my friend Shottie has a great post about some issues. i want to encourage any reader to do what you can about the issues in the world. focus on something and move. pray for specifics for that issue. research the topic and find out as much as you can about it. get connected. plug in. do something.

Here's a brief list of international organization.

Make Poverty History

Unicef

International Justice Mission

Salvation Army on Sexual Trafficking

Compassion International

World Vision

YWAM Thailand

just to name a few off the top of my head. i love in the verse written above - 'We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.' not on our accord, but because of who God is. that is why we are motivated to act on behalf of others.
O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! Amen!

2005-12-01T08:50:00.000-05:00

what are you doing about it?

World AIDS Campaign

2005-11-19T08:21:00.000-05:00

Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Prov. 10:12
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Prov. 17:9
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Pet. 4:8
in swahili: Zaidi ya yote, pen daneni kwa moyo wote, maana upendo hufunika dhambi nyingi sana. 1 Petro 4:8

so i bought the new sara groves cd. she's done it again. intertwined lyrics with music to make my eyes water and my heart sense the love of an amazing Father. this song, When It Was Over, gets me. not sure what it is about it, but the simplicity of the words and music enriched with forgiveness moves my heart to listen more closely to Jesus.

'How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.' (1 John 3:1) i rejoice that a love deeper than my understanding of love exists. i tend to think of love being amazing, but i add that it fails... i'm a doubter. somewhere in my past, someone who said they'd love me forever let me down. so my view on 'loving forever' is tainted. and i can't even point my finger on who this person is. guess satan stamped me with this trait from birth. but i am beginning to understand that a love deeper than anything i can perceive exists. and i'm being lavished by that love.

here's my confession, i'm so selfish that i think i am the only one who will keep my promise to love until death. again, i rejoice that a love deeper than my understanding of love exist.

somehow God put it in my heart to not hold grudges too long. i don't mean that as bragging rights, but it is true. most of the time, i forget what someone has done against me. so perhaps it's because i'm not very bright. but this 'forgetfulness' benefits me when it comes to covering over a multitude of sins with love.

i know i am the way i am today, because of the way i was raised. mostly i'm fearless - i was told that i can take on the world. i'm especially guarded - i went thru some rough childhood years of my brother being an alcoholic and drug user, and my parents giving him all their attention. i was the good kid - good at school and sports, so my parents didn't need to worry about me. my grandparents took me in and cared for me during those rough times. but thru those rough times, i never spoke of how i felt. i always hid my hurt with a smile. my friends at school had no clue as to what went on in my house, nor did my grandparents. i was the queen of hiding my feelings. i ran from the hurt and pain. and in my adult life, i still tend to lean that way.

when i was in middle school, a family took me on as their project. i don't think they intended on taking me on, but it simply happened that way. i entered their family as a babysitter and a kid from their youth group. they revealed to me that love covers over a multitude of sins. they didn't force me to talk of my family issues, but they knew about them. they loved me as i was. they invited me into their family, to share and love and trust. they taught me that to love, one needs to forgive; without forgiveness one cannot love. that was a tough lesson, because i had a great deal of hurt and pain to confess. this family, all 5 of them, taught me of Christ, humanity, and my responsibility to live what i believe. and to them i am forever grateful.

Sweet Jesus,
You've brought me out from the pit of despair. You've given me a love deeper than i can fathom. and Your grace that covers me is wider than i could ever know. i am a changed person because You first loved me. thanks for calling me to be holy, righteous, steadfast, beloved, blessed - and so many more. You've given me love to cover over all my sins - that is a multitude! and so i pray for You to use me as a vessel of this love which covers over sins. let Your forgiveness be known thru me. let me be sanctified thru You that You may be worshipped. let Your kingdom come, Father. Spirit, thanks for Your conviction which draws me to the throne of grace. You draw me close to the One whom i love. my heart rejoices that You've revealed to me this lavishing love. what made You love me when You knew what i was all about?
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

*Shottie *Derrick *Misty

2005-11-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

Finding What Pleases God

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Col 1:9-12
And find out what pleases the Lord.
Eph. 5:10

a while ago i caught ephesians 5:10. it's just thrown in there. 'find out what pleases the Lord.' that is a loaded command. it's not going to the store and finding milk. it's not looking for the coin which was lost in the house. but that lady held a huge party over finding a 10th of her wealth. ...or maybe it is like that. honestly i'm not sure.

paul mentions that he asks God to give the colossians knowledge of God's will. surely God wants to give the colossians knowledge of His will. so in this case, paul and God have the same desires. i think that link between God's desires and what we desire needs to connect. 'pursing after that which moves the heart of God'

*bear fruit
*grow in the knowledge of God
*be strengthened with all power
seems like 3 basic rules to live by. but those all come from God. i'm not sure i've ever prayed for God to move in my life in those ways. i've prayed to know His will and to do it faithfully, but... first comes the hard work: getting on my knees and finding out who God is and why i should desires the things which please Him.

and i should be praying for others. because of those who have prayed for me, i am being filled with the knowledge of His will, being strenghtened and bearing fruit. i know the prayers of my grandma, a prayer partner i had when i was a kid, family and friends have truly been answered. this is why i am a seeker of Christ.

God,
i'm searching after what pleases You. reveal Yourself to me, because of Your mercy. You give to those who ask, so i'm asking to be filled with the knowledge of Your will thru all spiritual wisdom and understanding. i want to find out what pleases You and faithfully complete it. i know You've mentioned that You know the plans for me... but could You fill me in on those plans?

i lift up the SLR staff to You. seems like there are some obstacles popping around their plans. Father, you know the spiritual battle which rages, and You have the power to detain the enemy who wages war. protect these young people from the flaming arrows that fly by night. send Your spiritual wisdom upon these faithful servants. if they are not walking faithfully, convict them of their sin - send Your grace to draw them back. let this group be holy unto You. may You speak unto their hearts, having them listen to Your call. let their decisions be based on what would draw others nearer to You. if being in the chapel, so be it. if being outdoors, so be it. if being without music, so be it. whatever would please You most, let that be known to each of these servants. most importantly, above each of our agendas and thoughts on how we can best make You know, is Your desire. soften our hearts that we may listen to Your voice and hear what You are saying. close any plans which have arose from our desires alone. what do You want to say at SLR this year? what will it take to tear down the walls of sin and shame, and to let Your light shine to these students? how do You want to reveal Yourself to them? as Samuel had to learn to say, 'speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' let this listening Spirit rest upon all who are helping with SLR this year.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.
*SLR *Jenna *RJ

2005-11-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

Listen to His Voice

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deut. 30:19-20

i got on a deuteronomy kick the last few days. been quite the interesting journey. there are some pretty graphic things in the book. (see Deut. 23:10) but then you stumble across some verses like the ones above. these three 'commands' are rocking my world...
*Love the Lord your God
*Listen to His voice
*Hold fast to Him

if all thru one day i could be reminded of these big 3... i would be changed, or more like - i'm being changed. to love God intimately... to hear God's voice... to hold God steadfastly.... incredible. this reminds me how intimate my relationship with my Dad is. he chooses to satisfy my desires with good things. (psalm 103:5) it doesn't get much more intimate than that.

so some friends and i are on this kick of memorizing a chapter of scripture. anyone wanna join? i'm attempting to memorizing psalm 103. so far i've made it to verse 6. needed to stop for a day and deeply consider how God works righteousness and justice to all the oppressed. too often i'm caught up in the moment of need and desperation, and forget to see beyond the physical. my heart goes out for some oppressed - those sold into sex slavery... and zimbabweans. not sure how zimbabweans are oppressed, but my heart goes out to them. i guess since HIV/AIDS is claiming 30% of the citizens... that seems like oppression of the spiritual natural.

there's another verse in deuteronomy which caught my attention. it's deut. 23:14 'For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.' God protects me and delivers my enemies to me. (when i think of enemies - i often think of demons.) and then my camp - my home, my heart, my thought life, my fleshly desires, anything which i hold dear - must be holy. where am i outta step with Jesus? where have i messed up? where have i disobeyed, not fought the good fight? and the reason why i am to be holy is so that God can be near. He is too holy to be near evil. that is a big thought for me. i know that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, but...

as i get older and hopefully more mature, i'm learning that obedience is more important than rules. that righteousness comes before rules. this is a tough understanding to me, cuz i'm pretty analytical, play-it-by-the-rules type of person. just as Jesus was healing on sabbath. Jesus must have thrown a huge wrench into the pharisees thinking. 'how could someone claiming to be 'God' disobey what we know is the way to righteousness?' i wonder that sometimes too.

hey Jesus,
thanks for opening my heart to know You more. thanks for allowing my questions to be answered. in james you promise to give wisdom to anyone who asks. well, i'm on my knees, humbled by Your greatness - begging for wisdom. i wanna know You and who You are. i desire to hear Your voice. i want to love You more. i want to be the one who holds fast to You. i desire those things. i want to be faithful, Jesus. thanks for hearing my pleas for help. thanks for giving me the strength to be obedient, even when it feels like everything within me is desiring to sin. Your grace is sufficient for me...keep that thought before me. Holy Spirit, i know You are in me - calling me out of darkness into Jesus's glorious light. You've rescued me from the chains of sin and death, and clothed me with righteousness, peace and love. thanks for giving of Yourself so that i can have life. You are my life. i'm only beginning to understand the depth of this statement. thanks for Your love lavished upon me.

*Sean *Stephen in Kenya *Philip @ YWAM

2005-10-27T18:45:00.000-04:00

Meth

This is what the Lord says: 'Cries of fear are heard— terror, not peace. Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.' 'In that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them. Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.'
Jer. 30:5-9

2 meth seminars and many thots about my brother... let's just say my prayer life has reached a new level for those oppressed by drugs. it is a spiritual battle, i am convinced of this. this morning when i opened by Bible, it fell on this 30th chapter of Jeremiah. i couldn't help but see how the parallel connection between this passage and those affected by drugs.

perhaps you can hear the cries of fear and terror coming from the users, their families and friends. or how about the men with their hands on their stomachs and their deathly pale complexion? i can see it so clearly - the illness that follows using drugs and alcohol. it is awful! it is a time of trouble, but God promises that the user will be saved out of it. Jesus will break that slavery of satan, and set the captives free. no longer will these users be enslaved by the drugs. these free men will serve the Lord instead of the drugs.

Jesus is our hope. He is the One to set the captives free. He saves those who call on His Name. in the past this verse has jumped out at me - maybe because it seems so redundant. 'Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.' (Jer. 17:14) but i'm learning there is a much deeper understanding to these words. it takes Jesus to really save us... and heal us... We need Him. addicts need Him.

Jesus,
even as i learn the effects of meth and other drugs, i can't help but see that it is a spiritual battle. and tho the battle rages, the war is won. You've conquerered... tho i don't quite understand that completely. the war seems like all i see, tho i know this is only a battle. may You rise up workers who are willing to reach out with Your love to those addicted to meth and other drugs. come, Holy Spirit, in power and release these captives. let us run in grace to the throne of our Father. like a mighty wind or torrential rain - come and make Your Name known. we need You Jesus. equip us to train others to obey You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Derrick *Thomas *Kevin's friend

2005-10-25T19:03:00.000-04:00

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30

great - by ten shekel shirt

I have always wanted to be
somebody who is great

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To love my enemies
To serve others until I
become the least

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

Greatness in this world
is different than greatness
in your eyes

To be great in, great in
your eyes, is my dream
To be the one who makes
you smile is everything

To be genuine in my love
for others and for you is
to be great

2005-10-16T16:40:00.000-04:00

Interceding with God

Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the Lord for you."
1 sam. 7:5
They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf, and the Lord answered him.
1 sam. 7:8-9

prayer... speaking with God... requesting God to do something... seeking wisdom from God... begging God to deliver us... thanking Him for answering our prayers... praising Jesus for saving us... isn't it amazing that the God of the universe desires us to speak with Him about what's on our hearts?

this passage, 1 samuel 7, speaks of samuel stepping up to the plate and crying out with God on behalf of the israelites. (did you noticed the word 'with'? how cool is that?) and i can imagine Jesus kneeling with His head to the ground, and Samuel next to Him in the same position. and all their words intertwined - where one ends the other begins. kinda how Jesus met with God on the mount of olives before He was betrayed.

hebrews 5:6 says, 'During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.' guess samuel did the same for His people. guess i should be doing the same for my people.

i know that life is lived in two realms, the physical and the spiritual. and tho i know of the spiritual, my focus tends to fall on the physical. and paul tells us that our battle isn't against humans, but against the spiritual forces manifesting themselves thru humans. (eph. 6:12) so tho it may not look like i am in a war zone, i cannot deny that i live in barracks. and with Jesus and samuel, my prayers shall be of the same urgency as they interceded with God to save their people from the enemies waging war against their souls.

denise and i were discussing some events which took place this weekend. saturday morning there was an accident involving about 50 students and leaders travelling to a christian spiritual retreat. on saturday this man gave denise's car a door ding, and acted as tho it was her fault. then on the way home from an event later saturday night, we were stuck in traffic b/c of an accident. let me re-emphasize: i cannot deny that i am involved in a war.

Jesus,
how can i be so oblivious to the war that is raging all around me? may Your grace flood over me, giving me wisdom on how to combat the forces of evil. help me to see past the physical and know who is under fire. sensitize my heart to not only see the war, but to use the weapons You've taught me to use. Your people are not defenseless, tho they too often fail to use their weapons. thank You for choosing me to be a soldier in Your army. i want to be a valiant fighter for You. let me not be ineffective.

Your protection around that bus shows of Your love. Holy Spirit, encompass each of these people affected by this accident to see that You love them and have protected them. i pray over the service tonight for the youth in our community. may You use the speaker to express the Truth You want us to hear. i pray against distraction, equipment failure, and unbelief. may lives be changed by the blood that cleanse us from sin. come, Holy Spirt, in power and might that we may see God clearly and be convicted of our sin and released from the chains of the evil one. You are God of all, and father to those who long for a dad. let us draw near to You, embracing the grace You have for us. set the captives free, Jesus, please.
in the power of Jesus' name ~ Amen
*Jack *Courtney *Melissa

2005-10-03T21:08:00.000-04:00

Seasons

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 pet 5:10

personal restoration by Jesus. getting personal by making us strong, firm and steadfast. i want to experience that again. i have before, but i want to again. seems like it's been awhile since i felt this.

there are seasons in life; there are times of drought, times of plenty, times of rejoicing and mourning. lately it's felt like a drought, or the winter season when things seem dead and cold. i'm looking forward to a change in season. i can sense that a new thing is beginning. it may be a year, but i trust that a new season will come.

oh to be steadfast in the Lord, in my witness, in my boldness to share the gospel. 'steadfast' is one of those words that makes me think of my faith journey. i know some believers who i would consider steadfast - they inspire me to strive to know Christ more. and that knowledge of the Holy One leads to a faithful and steadfast believer.

hey Jesus,
You are the God of all grace. thanks for calling me to Your eternal glory. You tell us that if we believe in You we will suffer like You. and You promise to deliver us, restore us, and make us strong and steadfast. help me to know You more; open my heart to know Your voice. What are You trying to say to me? i quiet myself and wait for Your to speak.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen
*Sam *Lisa *Jack

2005-10-01T07:49:00.000-04:00

Who's Great?

'O Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?'
Moses ~ deut. 3:24
'For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'
Jesus ~ luke 22:27

when i woke up this morning, one of my first thoughts was how little time i've been spending in the presence of Jesus. perhaps i should have said, 'in the presence of Greatness'. as i think of the greatness of God, or in ways that Jesus serves me, i'm truly humbled that He would desire to call me into His likeness.

Charlie Hall has a song, psalm 126. check out that link to see all the lyrics. what great things can i attribute to God and no one else? how has He revealed His greatness to me? and another question: how has Jesus served me today? in today's society, we are taught (and commanded) to 'serve God', but this passage clearly says that He came to serve. i don't think i've ever thought of ways that Christ has served me. i think of ways that He 'blesses' me, but to think that Christ serves me is quite a different thought. use your imagination and envision Christ serving you. what image came to mind? to me, that image is pretty entertaining.

Jesus,
You have done great things for me. for You to serve me is a new thought, tho i should have known this all along. there is so much talk these days about doing great things for You that i forget to meditate on the great things You do for me. help me to learn from Your example. help me to take 'backseat middle' with joy, to give my offering with trust knowing You'll be honored, to surrender myself to the flames when they arise - for You've shown Yourself faithful in all these little things - and that makes You great. if lowering myself makes me like You, that so be it. and Amen.
*Jenna *Shelby *Devin

2005-09-25T16:28:00.000-04:00

Exalted Vs. Humbled

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke14:7-11

so this is my confession: i don't especially get into the Gospel books. when the disciples were complaining to Jesus about always speaking in parables... i'm standing right there with them. see matthew 13 for Jesus's responds... insert knife in the heart, then twist!

so i'm trying to be proactive in reading the gospels. it's a challenge... partly cuz i stink at literature, poetry and abstract thinking. but grammar rocks! anyways...

this passage about taking a lesser seat so the host may offer you a better seat... what else can this relate to? how about asking for a raise? should we not ask for a raise, but instead wait for our boss to offer one? or how about backseat middle? (that's my favorite seat in the car!) does that have the same meaning? (i'm really trying to think outside of the box - it's hurting my brain.)

Jesus,
forgive me for being so ignorant. too often your parables seem like nice stories, but i struggle to relate them to my life. i begging You to teach me to think more like You. help me to understand - to hear and see and understand. i want to learn more about You - why You said what You said, and did what You did.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Shottie *Karen & Paul *Derrick

2005-09-21T21:18:00.000-04:00

Peace

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
Nahum 1:15
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Peace: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. that definition comes from the webster.com website. i truly wonder if that is the kind of peace Jesus was talking about when He mentioned that He was leaving us with peace? or i wonder of this is what was meant by the good news be proclaimed? and i wonder if i know that type of peace? do i truly experience this peace to which Jesus was talking about? i want to know/experience/possess this peace Jesus gives.

Jesus,
too often i chase unworthy thots around my mind. these thots are nonsense, useless, and often unbeneficial. lead me to this peace which You claim to provide. teach me to not allow my heart to be troubled and to not be afraid. i love You, Jesus.
In Jesus's Name ~ amen.
*Sam *Pam *Marissa

2005-09-20T20:30:00.000-04:00

Immanuel

The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Ps. 118:7
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him "Immanuel" —which means, "God with us."
Matt. 1:23

i'm only beginning to get how amazing/spectacular it is that God is with me. He is my Immanuel. the Creator of the world, the Word became flesh, the Judge of all mankind, is with me. He chooses to remain with me, to befriend me, to help me and guide me and console me. i've know this all along, but for some reason this understanding is rocking my world.

this verse in psalm about God being my helper and thru Him, i may look in triumph over my enemies. i've learn thru the years that the word 'enemy' doesn't only mean people who are against me. it also means spiritual forces against me. debt. negative attitudes. selfishness. pride. unforgiveness. and the reality that thru Christ alone am i able to triumph against these is absolutely mind boggling.

i've been thinking about my debt alot lately. trying to find ways to get out from under it's burden. wishing i was free of it, so could be pursuing a life in Zimbabwe. but i'm brought to the reality that this is where God wants me. His discipline can be hard to take, but i know that He is with me. He won't leave me or forsake me. He knows my struggle, my desires, my hopes and dreams. He is my helper, able to get me out of this mess. and so i rest in Him, trusting that he hears my cries for freedom. but i still pray that He will give me the courage to remain where He would have me. Thy will be done.

Jesus,
forgive me for complaining about how terrible i have it. i need to have a attitude adjustment. i see now that You are my helper. You've not abandoned me or forsaken me. You are with me, and that is more important than what i want. so i place my trust in You, surrendering my wants and desires for Your will. Jesus, open my heart to praise You for where i am, what i have, and who You are creating me to be. soften me, cleanse me, purify me so that all i am is all You are. i love You. may You give me the courage to be where You would have me.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Lacey *Jason *Steven

2005-09-19T19:34:00.000-04:00

Hiding

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Ps. 119:11

this morning i awoke with this verse on my heart. and thruout the day this verse has popped into my thots. perhaps it's cuz i've been slacking on my time in the Word. perhaps it's cuz i have not been faithful in memorizing verses lately. perhaps i'm speculating. i really don't know. in any case, it has lead me here to blog about it.

so Shottie, Denise and i went camping last weekend. i had a blast. it was great to get away from the hustle of life and relax, hang out with friends and learn a thing or two along the way. i'm grateful that denise didn't hate all of it, cuz that would have made me sad; also, i'm grateful for shottie's willingness to share her camping experience with us. shottie's mountain pies ROCK!

so back to hiding God's word... thruout the weekend we didn't speak too much about Jesus, or our devotion to Christ, or what God is doing in our lives, etc. but i know that thru the experience God moved in each of us differently.

for me, it began on the way to setting up the tent. not sure how we got on the subject, but it came up about how we as Christians often fail to nurture baby Christians. we give them an invite to accept Christ, but then we fail to follow thru with them in their journey. and on saturday morning i began reading The Lost Art of Disciple Making. the book is about nurturing others to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. so far i am only about 20 pages into the book, but i can tell it is going to challenge me to be more open to make a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus,
thanks for saving me. my heart is changed because You love me. Thanks for the beautiful weather, the great friends and the experience of spending time outdoors. i give You my heart; lead me to whom You would have me disciple. let Your word be hidden in my heart that i may not sin against You. i want to be faithful in the little things. i want to obey You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Shottie *Shelby *Leah

2005-09-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

Brokenness

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
Isaiah 58:9b-12

where to begin...???
first off, my heart breaks for the people affected by hurricane katrina. i wish there was some way i could get down and help those hurting, broken people. i wish i could take in a family who has lost everything - giving them a home filled with love and compassion. tomorrow i'm planning on going to atlanta to serve food to 'refugees'. (that word sounds so terrible...'displaced people')

in my head i have some projects i would like to build or construct. i would like to run away for a few days - go camping or shopping or something outside of being 'trapped in my home'. but each of these things all cost money. but they all seem quite selfish compared to 'spending myself on behalf of the hungry or satisfying the needs of the oppressed' to which i'm called. on friday i read this chapter in isaiah and it has JUMPED into my head and heart. i can't help but think how selfish i am...what a wretch i am. how can i be worried about the cost of gas, when there are so many dying because of lack of food and medicine?

Father,
i've prayed to have my heart broken by the things which break Your heart...and You have granted my request. i'm broken, saddened, hurting with those who are suffering. here's my offering - myself - use it for Your glory. may my hands serve You thru a heart full of praise.

and for the those affected by this terrible storm, i cry out to You for mercy. move Your children to spend on behalf of these hurting people. loosen the chains of oppression that Your light might shine forth. Holy Spirit, come and open the door for Your Truth to be heard and accepted with open hearts. let Your name be praised - let the revival begin in America. Come, Jesus, to Your people and let Your holiness be known among this country.
in Christ Name and thru the Power that Raised Jesus from the Dead ~ Amen

*City of Refuge Ministry *Tom & Steven *Mayor Ray Nagin

2005-08-25T21:27:00.000-04:00

Who's Discipline?

Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
luke 1:18-20

so i was reading this verse last night, and thot to myself, 'i wonder if Gabriel chose (on his own accord) to discipline Zechariah for his disbelief, or was it God?' we know what happened when satan chose for himself to be like God. (How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! Isaiah 14:14) and if Gabriel chose for himself that Zechariah should be disciplined, than what other types of 'punishment' can these angels inflict?

i can't help but think about satan's conversation with God regarding Job. God and satan go back and forth about what satan was allowed to do to Job. satan had a choice to mess with Job, and God allowed him that 'pleasure'. satan was an angel -then converted to the dark side.

i can nearly hear denise's comments on this one...

Jesus,
You are Lord of all Lord. You knew satan before his fall. You know the answer to my question, about angels chosing to discipline on their own. so i ask You, do angels discipline on their own, or do they carry out your instructions only? i suppose if i knew the answer that my life would not be changed, but just knowing would rock my world.

in either case, i pray to You, knowing You are able to give and take away. You the Holy One of Israel - in the midst of this gaza evacuation. You are in the midst of the hurricane, as well as the heart beat of ministries who counsel illegal sexually trafficked young women. i trust You, and i place my trust in You - the omniscience One. and You know my desire to go on a mission trip.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Burke & Deena *Karen & Paul *Laura & Paul

2005-08-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

To Know Jesus...

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10

many of us have heard this verse a thousand times. we know it - our heads know this verse. but do our hearts? do we get that the Savoir of the world, the Lover of our souls, the One who redeems us, is asking us to ask Him for whatever is laid upon our hearts?

i've been reminded lately of how i am to be in love with the man, Jesus Christ. when i read God's Word, i tend to read all the books except the gospels. why is that? i love the history books, the minor prophets, the epistles and revelation! what is it that draws me away from the gospels? i'm yet to find the answer to that question, but i'm forcing myself to delve into the life of Jesus, to rediscover the way he treated his disciples and the people of the culture. He was a man of power, yet gentle enough to look upon children as his own. that is an amazing man!

Lord Jesus,
how good is it to know You. You're drawing me in, teaching me of Yourself in ways that i could have never imagined. i love the way You allow me to see You thru Your Word. thanks for coming to earth and making Your dwelling among us. Fuel this desire to know You - my heart's desire is to know You and to do what You desire of me. surprise me, Jesus - i love surprises!
in Your powerful Name - Jesus ~ Amen

*Derrick *my Dad *Jerry

2005-07-31T21:23:00.000-04:00

Stench

I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask. I'm here, ready to be found by those who haven't bothered to look. I kept saying "I'm here, I'm right here" to a nation that ignored me. I reached out day after day to a people who turned their backs on me, people who make wrong turns, who insist on doing things their own way. They get on my nerves, are rude to my face day after day, make up their own kitchen religion, a potluck religious stew. They spend the night in tombs to get messages from the dead, eat forbidden foods and drink a witch's brew of potions and charms. They say, "Keep your distance. Don't touch me. I'm holier than thou.' These people gag me. I can't stand their stench.
isaiah 65:1-5

often it's difficult to see the Truth hidden within an event. this afternoon some adults were hanging out in the kitchen at our church and someone notice a rancid smell. some food had been left in one of the warmers for far too long. it made all of those present in the room gag when we discovered the culprit. it was so disgusting. there was some serious 'stench' going on!

so what's to be learned? i'm still trying to sort out my thots. i think of Mother Teresa and her example to the children living in the sewers of India. i think of these verses about how our actions can cause Jesus to gag - we become a stench in His nostrils. i think of Jesus and how he had to clean out the evil from within the temple/church. i think of how terrible the smell must have been when the romans raided Jerusalem, killing most of the Jews and piling their bodies in open pits. or when the raids in Rwanda thru genocide - wars in general. how must stench would all that killing cause? and personally i think of what my actions must smell like to Jesus. am i an aroma or stench? is what i do pleasing or appalling? am i a servant - or am i self-serving? oh so many questions from one experience which caused my nose hairs to cringe.

Jesus, cleanser of my soul, come and make me whole. i don't want to make you gag or be a rancid smell in Your nostrils. i desire to be an aroma which is pleasing to You and those around me. i want to serve. and if serving means cleaning trays with maggots, then so be it. i want to be faithful in the small things. You are my hope and salvation - i am stench without Your robe of righteousness encompassing me. i love wearing your as my garment. i praise You for this experience to realize how i trule desire to please You. and i praise You for cleansing my soul -for making me whole - for warm water to wash away the muck and grime - the filth which leads to sin.
in Jesus' Name - Amen.

2005-07-18T21:36:00.000-04:00

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
hosea 2:19,20

Betroth:
1 : to promise to marry
2 : to give in marriage
i'm contemplating the thot of Jesus promising to marry me. and not only bound physically, but in righteousness, justice, love and compassion. to find a man of compassion... now that seems to be a real challenge... (wink, wink)

Thank You for promising to marry me. that thot helps me to realize that i'm not unworthy of love or of someone treating me with respect. Your heart shines thru this statement, and it truly gives me hope that one day we will meet face to face - on our wedding day. until then, may You equip me to remain faithful to You.
in Your holy Name ~ Amen.

*Shamute *Jennie *Jennie

2005-07-01T18:12:00.000-04:00

Seeking God's Will

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
psalm 40.8
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 thessalonians 5.16-18

wow i'm easily distracted. i've tried to update this blog for a week now... well, it's already friday. and as i begun to type i noticed these clip things at the edges of the crossbars on the window. they are plastic things that slide and a nail in the middle. never seen them before. and since i needed to find out their meaning, i had to move one, to see what it did. now that i know about these sliders, i can write about my thots. (lol)

so i've been house sitting for some friends of mine while they are in florida on vacation. house sitting is a great thing... get paid to live at someone's house. sweet deal. anyways, this house has this awesome window bench, and i love it. i've spent quite a bit of my time on this bench, praying, reading, hanging out. great hide-away! wish i had one with a great window view like this one. ok, there i go again, getting distracted...

so i have some friends who are struggling with knowing God's will for their lives. i've been there. after one year at college, i decided it wasn't my thing so i did something different. i got a map, pointed, and moved. (oh, and i found a job there too.) it was a God thing, tho i sometimes question if it was His will, or if He allowed me to take that path so i could learn some incredible lessons. in any case, i've traveled the world and discovered that my faith matters.

i've chosen some wrong paths along the way, but thru them Christ was next to me - and i was ultimately being held by Him. (by the way, i said, 'held' cuz natalie grant has this new cd out, and i really want to get it b/c of the song called 'held'.)

so about knowing God's will...sometimes we need to jump into deep seas to find it. even when the unknown is knocking at the door, it's ok to open it. strangers are strange because we've not taking the time to let them be friends. seek God, pursue with passion, love your enemies and your neighbors more than yourself. and on those days when you don't want to continue..force yourself anyway. don't give into the ways of the world. dream big. pray more. that's my advice.

Jesus,
for my friends who are seeking to do Your will, i pray for You to open their spiritual eyes to know You more. may Your passion burn deep in their souls to seek out what You want them to do. give them the courage to pursue You and their dreams. let their hearts be filled with You, Holy Spirit, that they may walk in confidence of doing what You desire for them. hold the fast, and let them do the same to You. Father, it is our desire that we do Your will. let Your will be done on earth, just as You're doing in heaven. i love You and praise You for allowing me to run after You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Stacy *Brandon *Sarah

2005-06-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

my Father's Day

"Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.
is. 16.4
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
1 john 3.8b

isn't it incredible how Jesus came to fulfill what was written about Him hundreds, even thousands, of years before He was born? our hindsight is 20/20, so our view is much different than what the people in isaiah's era experienced. their oppressor/aggressor vanishing meant that a king or ruler would have to die. guess our understanding isn't much different. Christ had to die, and be raised to life, in order for the devil's work to be destroyed. and what a relief it is to live under the new Kingship!

when i was reading this verse in isaiah, the part that mostly jumped out was this statement, 'be their shelter from the destroyer'. too often i feel that we as Christian are not living up to what we are asked to do. we are wonderful at making up every excuse in the book in order to justify our actions or lack of actions, but the truth remains that we are called to rescue people from the flames. and i am guilty to the 9th degree about making excuses. 'oh i don't know if i should say something.' 'i'm too busy to run over to their house.'

and my prayers can be mighty wimpy, too, 'God, you know the struggle they are going thru; please help them. amen.' if that were the conversation between me and a close friend - that close friend would ask, 'what do you want me to do?' -be specific. 'do you think that is God's best for them?' and hopefully many other question before running off and intervening. i claim that i know Jesus, and the He is a close friend. so why would the be any different than me speaking to a person with skin as opposed to Christ who sits at the right hand of my Father?

my Jesus,
i say that i know You, but i'm so quick to not take Your advice. You are the greatest Counselor ever, and yet often i choose to do as i wish - ignoring the wisdom You've offered me. Jesus, i desire to be a shelter for those who are being tortured/pestered by the destroyer. please give me wisdom and motivation to go out of my way for them. lay heavy on my heart those who need Your guidance, Your grace and Your love. You are the best friend i could ever ask for. You know me inside and out, and yet You want to hem me in, behind and before. that rocks! thanks for this beautiful father's day. this is Your day. let me glorify You today, Dad. i love You.
in Jesus's Name ~ Amen.

*my dad *Cheryl *Burke

2005-06-15T07:04:00.000-04:00

Fearing God

"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary."
isa.8:12-14a

those Words move me. the words of a true comtemporary... 'don't fear what the world fears; fear God and all the He can do.' if only our thinking could be transformed to get a real grip on these words.

all my personal fears - stresses - cares - would all be taken away b/c my faith would trust that God was truly in control. i would be able to simple state my whatever was going on in my mind to the God Almighty, and leave it there - not to make much of it. all i would need to make much of would be Jesus Himself. that would leave a whole lot more time for praising and exclaiming how good He is and how wonderfully He cares for me.

but instead i seem to stumble around the dark = following the world in its pattern of keeping my fears bottled up inside. with the mentality, that i'm a big girl and i can handle it. i'm anal; my mind races with too many thots of 'what if's?'.

my God,
i cry out to You because You are the Lord Almighty. You desire for me to trust You with a trust that is beyond my comprehension. i'm only beginning to understand how deeply You want to be to involved. i ask for You to deepen my the way i regard You as holy and the way i fear You. i want to be free from the worries which drag me down. You are able to take full control. give me wisdom, Father.
in Christ's Name ~ Amen

*Sam *Pantsy *Amanda

2005-06-13T07:08:00.000-04:00

The Fool Says...

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
ps. 14:1

ever met anyone like this? someone who always is ragging you for your belief in God? an unbelieving corrupt person? or how about someone is seems to not do anything good or worthwhile?

life can really throw us some interesting twist and turns, but sometimes it throws us a bone. not sure why i'm posting about this verse, but it has been circling my brain - trying to find some meaning in it. so far i've been drawn to pray for my brother thru it. that's about it.

Dearest Jesus,
you are my rock. You've established by faith in You by revealing Yourself to me. and You are a glorious revelation. thanks for opening my heart to seek You, to feel You, to know You more deeply. i love You. and because of this deep love i'm draw to pray for my brother. he seem to be like to fool who says there is no God. and his ways often seem corruptible. but Your ways are perfect, and You desire for him to walk upright before. Please draw him in; let him see the likes of Your light. pull him from the sin which so easily entangles that he may sing Your praises. may he love You with a sincere heart, a faithfulness that is long, and may peace that is beyond comprehension descend upon him like a dove.
in Christ's holy Name ~ Amen

*derrick *deena *jenna

2005-06-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

Author of Life and Faith

'You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.'
Acts 3:15
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb. 12:2

Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, stood before the men who came running to hear the message (v. 11) and gave them a speech which was difficult to hear and hard to take to heart. he told them that they've killed the author of life. then he goes on to tell them that Christ came to turn these men from their evil ways. i recommend reading paul's message in acts 3:11 thru the end of the chapter.

when i read those words i could nearly hear paul giving the message for me. i, in my brokenness, nailed Christ to the cross. and so i, also, 'killed the author of life'. that is tough for me to understand. the Christ whom i love, is the Christ whom i killed. but God, in His great mercy, raised Him from the dead. and i am a witness to that fact thru the Holy Spirit.

and so the Author of life who is alive is also the Author of faith. and that faith reigns in me. every thing i do, everything i think, every part of who i am is the way it is because of this Author. He has affected my life, and i will never be the same.

My Blessed Christ, it is good to remember my past, to see how You've transformed my life into who i am today. i am not sure how Paul knew that You were the Author of life, but that truth was deeply alive in him. and i, too, know that You are the Author of life and faith. i want to thank You for living in me, and for allowing me to abide in You. by being my Author, You pave the way for me to travel. and Your road is the best way, i trust that to be true. my faith is grounded in You; my life is firmly established in You. i am nothing without Your breath of life within me. You've awakened me from the dead - i was stillborn and You chose to revive me. for this, i am forever grateful.
in Christ's Name ~ Amen

*Allison *Linda *Herb

just want to give a shout-out to ganns.

2005-06-10T07:05:00.000-04:00

Calm Yourself

Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—
isa. 7:4

for the last week i've been trying (discipling myself) to read the bible at least 3 chapters a day. it's been pretty incredible. not sure i consider myself postmodern or what, but i've been trying to lectio divina method. this is my dumbed down meaning.
4 parts - RMPL (i call it "rumple")
~r - read scripture
~m - meditate - think of other verses relating to the scripture/life lessons
~p - pray the scripture
~l - listen to what Christ is trying to teach you

guess i'm a sucker for those acronym methods of praying - ACTS is the one i've used for the longest time.

anyways.... last night i was reading this verse and it just jumped out at me. ~be careful... keep calm... don't be afraid... don't lose heart... those words seem to calm my fears. and then i remembered joshua 1:9 being a similar verse, tho that verse adds, 'cuz the Lord your God is with you.' good stuff!

prayer people: Amanda, Denise, Mom, Kimberly.

2005-06-01T18:43:00.000-04:00

Drugs or Jesus

In my home town
For anyone who sticks around
You're either lost or you're found
There's not much in between
In my home town
Everything's still black and white
It's a long, long way from wrong to right
From Sunday morning to Saturday night

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus

My whole life
I've tried to run, I've tried to hide
From the stained glass windows in my mind
Refusing to let God's light shine
Down on me
Down on me

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
There's not much space between us
Drugs or Jesus

Everybody wants acceptance
We all just want some proof
Everyone's just looking for the truth

Everybody just wants to get high
Sit and watch a perfect world go by
We're all looking for love and meaning in our lives
We follow the roads that lead us
To drugs or Jesus

Oh I need You, Jesus
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Tim McGraw

2005-05-27T06:56:00.000-04:00

i'm around.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

hey all - what's going on? i no longer 'should' make updates at work so that's been my trouble. i'm doing well and the new job is going very well. i'm lovin' it. today a trainer is coming in to help me out - to learn the program better - it's called 'servicom'.

these verses in colossians have been running around my head the last few weeks. something about the 'being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks'. as i grow older, and hopefully more mature, i'm beginning to see the connection between endurance, patience and being thankful. and even more so, the source of the strength comes from all power of His glorious might.

i'll try to be better at updating. sorry for the lack of input.

2005-04-27T09:20:00.000-04:00

Thoughts

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
col. 3:1-3
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
phil. 4:8
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
rom. 13:14

ok, so i entered those verses above, and then sat staring at my monitor for about 5 minutes, pondering the sum of my thoughts. so it's time to jot down some of those thoughts. orginally i had thot about speaking of taking our thoughts captive (2 cor. 10:5). and how that is a powerful form of spiritual battle. how in the midst of our temptation struggles, we should force ourselves to think of Christ, and our death and resurrection in Him. (making it personal, i'm re-learning this stategy.)

then i jumped over to something i read the other day. a quote from chuck swindoll, "Life is 90 percent attitude and 10 percent what happens to you." the way we re-act to situations can change to direction of life.

then i jumped over to this series were are going thru with the jr. high at youth group. it's a study on the beattitudes. last weeks lesson was on being blessed when we are poor in spirit. i challenge you to ask a 6th grader what 'blessed' means. or ask them what "poor in spirit" means. you may be amazed at their definitions of these terms. i know i was.

so that's a brief tour thru my mind. random thoughts jumping from sermons to life experiences.

on a side note, irene has suggested this link. it's a bit disturbing - but very heartfelt. just warning there is some risque info on it. please read at your own risk.

Amazing Christ,
You perceive my thoughts; You know all about me. You're the One who searches me and knows me. i can't run or hide from You. nothing is hidden from Your site.

it still amazes me the way You use the Word to form truth in my life. as i turn to You for wisdom and guidance, You rain down Your righteousness in abundance. You fill my desires (ps. 145:16); You're my satisfier, my provider. so i give You my praise for hearing my prayers, for caring so lovingly, for carrying my burdens and healing my hurt. i love You so much, Father. thanks for being my Friend.

Father, You know all the concerns of my heart, and there are plenty. (new pastor and the flanders transition) (the family of dee and him beeson) (the frye's) (the visa situation and the china trip) (derrick) (ym of jumc) (ed's daughter) (recovery of jackie) (career path) (mission trip opportunity) (staff @ jumc) (hope's cruise and babysitting the kiddos) (SD trip?) oh so many others...

but all these are in Your care (and off my chest). i lay them down on Your altar. i can't change and heal and help any of these cares, but You can. You are able. and so i expect You to deal with them in Your incredible way of mercy and grace. thanks for letting me unbound my heart's desires to You.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen

*irene *tucker *isheanesu project

2005-04-13T13:24:00.000-04:00

Struggling in Prayer

Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
Gen. 32:26-29

Jacob must have had bad blood with his brother, Esau. if you read a few verses earlier in teh chapter, Jacob was down on his knees - crying out for mercy, because he feared his brother was going to kill him and all his people. on his knees, jacob took God at his Word and stated that God had promised, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.' (gen 32:12) seems like a crisis of belief...

and then comes along the visitor of the night. Jacob and this stranger duke it out all night. finally it's daybreak, and the stranger wants to quit. (enter my questioning mind!) i wonder why ...the stranger wanted to quit when it becomes light? ...jacob was so eager to be blessed by this fighter? ...the stranger need to know jacob's name in order to change it. ...and i wonder how life would have been for a man named "struggles with God."? how would you like that name -'struggles with God'? seems a bit brash to me, but whatever, i guess.

and as it turns out - Jacob got the stranger's blessing...and an embrace by his brother. the prayer of jacob was answered in abundance.

Jesus,
i know You were the Stranger. Jacob called on Your Name and sought Your protection. and for some reason You blessed him in more ways than he could have asked for. and i know You do the same for me, and for this i'm grateful.

Your mercy is abundantly, new every day. thanks for carrying me in your hands, and for allowing me to dig deeper into our relationship. You are an amazing God, and You are trustworthy. so i place my trust in You, expecting You to supply my needs and heart's desire.

i have some friends who are struggling in relationships. may You grant them courage to speak their minds in a spirit of love and forgiveness. may You soften their hearts. please let them experience You thru their relationships with others. thanks for knowing us completely and for continuing to stretch us in different directions. life with You is not boring.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen.

*Kimberly *Denise *Jennifer

2005-04-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

What's Stupid?

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
prov. 18:13
Wise thinking leads to right living; Stupid thinking leads to wrong living.
eccl. 10:2
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
psalm 119:9

after youth group last night, i took some time to catch up on some proverbs. man, there is some good stuff in the Word of God! like this one, "The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here." (Prov. 17:24) i could go on and on about my reading last night, but you could read a few chapters of Proverbs, and you'll probably feel the same way.

so i have this habit of filling in people's sentences. i guess i get bored when people speak slowly and they don't get out what they are trying to say. but i've been feeling some conviction about this. laid on my heart have been two scriptures about this: prov. 18:13 (see above), and 1 cor. 13 (about what it means to love). if love is patient than it is not impatient. and so rushing people to get out what they are saying is not love. ...and so back to Jesus i return.

Christ,
You always seem to get my attention in the most odd ways...but i love it! thanks for being outside the box with me. thanks for knowing me completely and yet You still love me. that is amazing! i praise You for being the Christ, for suffering the abuse of men so that i may have a way to re-connect with You in a very personal way.

You know my short comings. You know how impatient i can get. so i lay this struggle down at Your feet. on the cross You conquered this sin, and covered it with Your sacrificial blood. there's nothing i can do to make myself more clean than what You've accomplished in the act of death on the cross and resurrection into Heaven. You've finished the work. and so i ask for You to rise up within me, creating a way for me to overcome this impatience. it's no longer my struggle; it's all Yours. be praised for rescuing me from the chains of sin. ony thru You am i more than a conqueror.

in Christ's name ~ Amen.

*Mitchell *Savannah *Courtney

2005-03-31T13:17:00.000-05:00

Forgiveness

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
col. 3:12-14

as i grow older (and hopefully more mature) the importance of taking on these qualities becomes a need, and not just something i can 'work on'. (i don't want to count how many times i've used that phrase - i need to 'work on' this or that.) love can't happen with out compassion or kindness or humility or gentleness or patience. it just can't. and that is such a hard lesson for me.

i can work on all these qualities all i want, but until i allow Christ to move thru me with His love - all this 'working on' is meaningless - a chasing after the wind. and lack of these qualities comes down to my unwillingness to allow Christ to move mountains. so my struggle to see beyond the here and now, and to take on Christ's eternal perspective of people will only come to an end when i turn over my criticial and unyielding spirit. i yearn for love...but sometimes my discipline doesn't like the procress of surrendering to Jesus.

Holy Jesus,
i yearn to be more like You. i want to have Your qualities of love, humility, gentleness, compassion, kindness and patience, but i confess that i've failed to yield my critical spirit to You. so i surrender this negative outlook to You. this is a battle which You've already conquered, and so i'm a champion in a fight which continues to rage. You've paid the price and the deal is sealed. now i ask for You to fill me, Holy Spirit, with Your qualities. open my eyes that i may see people thru the same lens as You see them. and may You receive the praise for this transformation in me. thanks for guiding me closer to You thru this journey. i am homesick today, not to see my earthly parents, but to see my home in paradise where we can commune like never before. i desire You.

i know You've heard my prayers and requests for my brother, and i know in my heart that You've been with him thru this struggle. so i praise You for responding in Your time. You are excellent and great. and You are worthy to praise, forever and a day. You are so great. thanks for caring for derrick in Your perfect way. thanks for rescuing him from the depths of sin and death. thanks for releasing him from the sin which has entangled him. Your power is great and armored with strength.

2005-03-28T11:42:00.000-05:00

Rescued

So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!
Gal. 1:3-5

last night before falling off to sleep i had some interesting thoughts. it's an analogy, i suppose. 'better to have 2 singed souls than only one unharmed and one lost.' let me attempt to explain.

in an effort to save lost souls from the raging fires of hell, we, Christians, need to be willing to get singed. we need to reach down into the pits of hell and latch a strong hold onto our unsaved friends. and in doing so we'll be singe along with them, but we'll both be rescued. if we never try, they may never be saved.

now i'm not saying that we are the ones who rescue them. God is the One, and only One, who saves. we can be the 'medium' for which God's saving grace flows. and i believe we are called to be singe.

so i ask myself, 'for whom have i been singed?' and 'whom am i being singed for?' and honestly, i'm not feeling much heat right now for anyone besides my brother and his girlfriend. i've heard that he is struggling to be made whole, and i pray that he finds the only One who can make that happen.

Jesus,
i praise You for Your saving grace. i rejoice in the way You've opened my heart to know You. and because i know this wonderful love, i beg You to let my brother know Your love, healing and forgiveness. may You rescue him from the pits; please don't let him get burned any longer. he needs You so bad, Jesus. as tears fill my eyes, i fall on knees, begging for Your mercy.

You are able to save, and You are willing to save. You are God of this universe, and Lord over all mandkind. Your kingdom is forever and You reign from the highest heavens. You've heard my prayers and intercession, and i know You've prayed with me. thanks for caring and loving us, even though You know all our shortcomings. You are amazing. i love You, and praise You for moving in Derrick's life. i know that You've protected him from so much evil, and i know that You are present in his life, just as You are in mine. Your blood is sufficient for all our sin; nothing more needs to be done.

as i go, i'm filled with comfort, knowing You are at work. You long for Derrick's heart to be captured by Your love even more than i do. and that gives me great comfort. thanks.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.
*Derrick *Deb *Wendell

2005-03-23T11:21:00.000-05:00

well, this morning i had typed this long post about the one foreigner who returned to give Jesus the praise for healing him from leprosy. but when i clicked the publish button, it took me to a page to sign in. it was all very strange.

so in my previous invisible post, my thoughts focused around me returning to Jesus to say 'thanks' for giving me life. this man who suffered from leprosy was shunned by the multitudes, but this Jesus took the time not only to speak with him, but to heal him of his disease. that Jesus is the same Jesus who healed me from the disease of sinfulness which i could not find a cure. He accomplished what i could never do. and for that i want to be the one to return to Him with a heart filled with thankfulness and praise.

Jesus - Healer of my soul,
You're so good, and Your love endures thru my stupidities. You've taken upon Yourself all the disease and brokenness and restored us unto Yourself. thanks for giving to me what i could never gain on my own. You've healed me.

in Your powerful Name ~ Amen

*kevin *dalit ministries *Kris

2005-03-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

Be Peaceable

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
titus 3:1-2

i just had something happen at work which just got under my skin. working in an environment where i am the only female can be challenging.

this passage gets my mind off the reality of self, and see into the unseen which is eternal. (So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 4 Cor. 4:18) --learned that verse last night during our last crown bible study.)

this passages starts off w/ 'remind the people'. well, in order to not be hypocritical, then certainly we need to be the example of what we preach... this is where the trouble comes in. i need to be in the Word, finding what is says and carrying it out. no compromising. i need to be the one who submits to the government, to be obedient to the laws (includin the speed limit and allow the person on my right turn first), be ready to step up when i see something which needs to be accomplished, to hold my tongue and be in control of my thoughts at all times, put others interests before my own and peaceable, and to show true humility to all men. (for me the emphasis is on "men".)

i tend to be defensive around others who are demanding and controlling. i do not play with other who demand my attention...but i need to learn to. my spirit knows who i am, and my Spirit knows i need to change. so i'm stuck in this 'in-body battle'. it feels like the scene on the Looney Tunes when there is an angel on one shoulder telling me to do good, and the demon on the other shoulder is screaming to do the opposite. so i'm battling in my mind to be at peace, to submit and be obedient with a willing spirit.

Jesus,
You've been where i am. surely You were tempted to lash out against those who rose up against You. yet, You refrained. i pray for strenght and wisdom to refrain. to love those who persecute me and treat me unfairly. may You receive the glory for this change of heart. i can't change on my own, nor am i capable of loving those who are rude. Spirit, i know You desire me to be Christ-like...so i cry out to Your for help.

thanks for hearing my heart, for knowing my battle, for sustaining me thru this trial. You are surrounding me with Your love and understanding. Your grace covers me like waves of the ocean. thanks for divine grace. i love You.
in Jesus Name = Amen.

*Shottie *David *Sarah

2005-03-17T12:33:00.000-05:00

i've had some trouble updating the last 2 days...so i'm glad to see this is up and running again.

2005-03-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

my tattoo

2005-03-11T10:57:00.000-05:00

Closeness of God

"Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD , "and not a God far away?"
jer.23:23
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
psalm 139:7-10

rob bell. have any of you ever heard rob bell give a message? click here to listen. i enjoy his preaching style. i've seen him give 2 messages, and both times i left pondering what he had said.

so i was listening to the message about Teenage Liberation. and my thots drifted to thinking, 'where is God?', 'if God is present, why is all this misery happening?', 'how powerful is He?', etc. good questions... and He will answer all my questions (and He is the only One who gets me).

Jesus,
You are above all things - You are involved in history. You desire to be active in our lives - communicating Your heart to us. You are blessed above all.
tho i have many questions, You calm my cares and allow me to rest in You. You take me by the hand and sing Your love over me. then i'm changed - my fears are calmed and my heart is at peace. that comes only from You. You fill the hungry with good things. I am hungry for more of You.
in Your name - Amen

2005-03-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

Unified Effort

I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:23
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Eph. 4:11-13

For the last two weekends i've been volunteering my time and effort with hundreds of middle and high schoolers at a camp in the north GA mountains. the purpose for the camp is to offer a place to experience God, and to develop and mature our faith. (as i typed the statement 'and to develop and mature our faith', i thot... 'this camp is not about us - it's about God and extolling His glory.' it's really not about us and our growth, but completely about He and His worthiness!)

and about unity...the staff volunteers rock! God has done an incredible thing thru these people. it's wonderful to work with others for a common goal - and do it without complaining and arguing. our hearts are unified and are spirits are melded together. we are all of one Head, one Spirit, one Purpose. and we are all at the camp to know that Christ loves us and that He desires to be in a thriving relationship with us. (my favorite word right now is 'thriving'.)

Jesus,
You amazing me. there is nothing boring about You. from the way You meld together minds to the way You warm hearts with Your love - nothing is boring or dull. thanks for allowing me to be part of Your purpose. it is amazing to me how You move thru Your people - those You've called by name.

i praise You for what you've begun anew with this generation. You've not forgotten us or abandon us. You're alive and active in our lives - more so than i've seen before. You've captured my heart with Your love, and now i see clearly. Your people still are able to display Your glory. You've shone Your light thru us, and now we see You more clearly. i could love You so many times!

may You continue to reveal Yourself thru Your people. Holy Spirit, may You equip us to continue to tell others of Your love. may You continue to let Your light shine thru those You've touched. ~ Amen.

2005-02-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

Being Real With Myself

John Wesley asked these questions to him self everyday...
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I'm better ......than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass on what was told to me in confidence?

4. Can I be trusted?

5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self justifying?

7. Did the Bible live in me today?

8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

9. Am I enjoying prayer?

10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

11. Do I pray about the money I spend?

12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

13. Do I disobey God in anything?

14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

17. How do I spend my spare time?

18. Am I proud?

19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees ......who despised the publican?

20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?

21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

22. Is Christ real to me?

so i'm gonna try to ask myself a few of these questions a day...

2005-01-31T13:39:00.000-05:00

That What is Devoted Cannot be Redeemed

But nothing that a man owns and devotes to the Lord -whether man or animal or family land-may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord.
Lev. 27:28

last night before falling to sleep i opened my Bible to chapter 27 of Leviticus. there are some very 'interesting' teachings in Leviticus. anyway, this one verse caught my attention.

my thoughts jumped to 'once saved always saved' theory. just a thought: when someone devotes himself to the Lord - He becomes most holy and cannot be bought back. now i realze this verse is speaking of possessions, but are our lives not possessions? slaves certainly become possessions.

now i am not sure what i believe about 'once saved, always saved', but i do know that when i devoted myself to the Lord, it was a serious commitment. my life has been changed forever. and Jesus is to blame.

Jesus,
thanks for entering into my life. You've changed me from the inside and out. i don't want to try to redeem myself from You. i know that i am lost in You, and You are found in me. thanks for residing in my inmost being. thanks for making my holy thru Your sanctification. although process is not easy, i am grateful You've chosen me. my love for You is great. thanks for always being faithful.
in Your precious Name, Jesus ~ Amen

*Kathryn *Savannah *Iraq Elections

2005-01-14T08:23:00.000-05:00

Worldly Traditions Vs. Commands of God

"He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."
Mark 7:8

since traffic was flowing like a beaut this morning, i got to work 30 minutes early. and it was a God thing that i 'happened' to have a Bible in the back seat of my car. and on the way to work this morning i was challenged by, Leo Giovinetti to read my Bible for 1 hour a day for a week and see what changes happen within me. so for about 30 minutes i read.

and i came across these verses in Mark about the Pharisees and teachers of the law. these men were entrusted to teach the holy commands of God to those whom would follow. the Torah was their law. and they were obviously misguiding souls, because of their misconception of Scripture.

so i'm praying and asking my Father to search me and know me, and show me where i'm misguiding others. what 'traditions' have come into my life where i am not living the Truth? what has been passed onto me, which i've accepted as Truth, but is all a lie? whom has God entrusted to me to teach His holy commands? oh so many questions...

Jesus,
it amazes me how You can open up the Scripture each time i read Your Word. thanks for moving me closer to You. i pray with the psalmist, 'O Lord, search me, test me, and lead me in Your righteousness.' may You be my guide, my counselor, and the author and perfector of my faith. let Your light shine within me. and more than that, let us be led closer to You.
For and thru Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

*Tricia *Bret *Fran

2005-01-10T07:59:00.000-05:00

In the Know

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 4:33-34

i love the way mark describes certain situations. he says that when Jesus was alone with His disciples, He explained everything. how incredibly awesome is that that? he didn't keep the Truth hidden, or have the disciples try to decipher it for themselves. He explained it. simple as that.

i feel that sometimes i struggle to understand the Truth. i go to the Scripture for knowledge and wisdom, but none seems to come. maybe because i don't go to the Teacher first. i go to the book, and search with my own strength and understanding, instead of going to the person Jesus, and waiting to hear from Him. there is a relationship which i sometimes ignore. Jesus is still alive and He longs to speak directly to me. He tries to get me to listen to His instructions, tho sometimes i'm too A.D.D. to sit still and pay attention. There's a song in Sister Act II which has these lyrics, "If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you got to wake up and pay attention." there's a great deal of wisdom in those simple words.

Hey Friend,
You are the greatest Teacher of all times. You spend time with Your disciples, and desire for them to come to You with their questions. so i come before You with open ears and a calm spirit, waiting to hear an answer from You. forgive me for seeking the book, without expecting You to say something directly to me. our relationship does matter to me. and i love times spent in Your presence. You have an incredible way of drawing me close to You.
may You continue to explain everything to Your disciples as they come to You for answers to the questions in their hearts. have us pay attention and expect to hear a new Word from You, the Word become flesh. thanks for revealing Yourself to me.
thru the power of Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Marty *Scott *my mom

2004-12-29T08:23:00.000-05:00

A Time to Take Refuge

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Ps. 57:1

my heart breaks for all these people who were and continue to be affected by the tsunami and earthquake. i believe the death toll now is about 65,000 ...(updated: now 80,427 have been confirmed dead as of 10:35 am 12/29/04). the fear of disease taking more lives than what has already been reported is weighing heavy on peoples minds. 3 days after the devastation, and dead bodies are still decomposing in the streets and on the beaches. there are not enough people alive in the affected areas to bury those who have been killed.

most of me wishes i could be there, helping in some way. part of me is glad i'm here in america where it seems safe and comfortable. but all of me is crying out to my heavenly Father - for mercy and grace. even in the midst of devastation as great as this one, He still reigns on high. He's present with them there, providing their needs which He knows. and He hears my prayers. that is why i pray.

Powerful Jesus,
i continue to lift to You the people affected by this disaster. may You use this opportunity to draw these broken people back to Yourself. Spirit, i know that You are moving in a mighty way to mend the hurting. i lift up those carrying Your good news - may You equip them with power to speak boldly of Your truth and to resound with Your love thru their actions. thanks for the outpouring of help from various nations willing to provide financial support. tho i don't know why this happened, You do and are using it for Your grand plan. Your power is great, and armed with mighty strength.
in Your holy Name, Jesus, Amen

a mighty fortress is our God

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

*The Red Cross *steve and nopaluck *tam

2004-12-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Josh. 1:8
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Ps. 119:97

Life has been kinda crazy lately - running here and there, getting Christmas cards together, adjusting to a new cat, etc. the list could go on and on. and because i've been busy with all those activities, i've not had much time with Jesus. His word hasn't been my first thot in the morning or my last thot at night; all day long i've not meditated on it. and i'm feeling the effects.

the gartahotze's have been trying to get their lives together, but it seems to be a losing battle. and yet God has a way of reigning down His sovereignty in the midst of the havoc. 1st, i got a speeding ticket, and discovered that i needed to rely on His grace to get me thru. 2nd, denise's computer started acting up - not booting up - and she thot that she may have lost all her documents (but it kinda fixed itself after a visit to the computer clinic). and 3rd, steven told us last night that his Palm ran low on battery power, which means that the memory and all its info was reset to factory settings. even tho technology is so great and fabulous, it certainly doesn't compare to the power of Jesus Christ!

Jesus,
i know that You're presence with me and in me. thanks, Holy Spirit, for abiding in me, and for having me abide in the Father. it's amazing how Your grace works. and now that You've gotten my attention, i lay down my ways and agenda, and profess my reliance on You. You are the true source of power and strength for today. i love You. thanks for drawing me back.
in Jesus Name

*Derek *Ashley *Tom

2004-12-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

Peace: Where Is It?

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.
mic. 4:5,6
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
eph. 2:14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
is. 9:6

i've started something new - i've been studying different qualities of Christ, and examining myself to see if these same qualities are evident in my daily life. the current quality i'm studying is peace.

i'm working on being content while being patient. too often i am not at peace b/c of the busyness of my life. and when i have free time, i'm rushed to get other things accomplished. i'm a do-er and it's irritating and boring to just sit and be still. but i've found that stillness before my Christ is what brings abundant peace. and i'm slowing learning that He is my peace, even in the midst of storms and raging seas, too.

those are difficult lessons to learn. this quality may have to be studied for a very long time.

my Prince of Peace,
i come to You as one filled with busyness. i need You to be my peace. may my quietness before You be an avenue for which You can penetrate my life with Your being. i want to abide in You richly, and let Your word dwell in me. speak to me, Jesus, and open my ears and brain to new understandings of Your peace. i love You and desire to do Your will. may You reveal more of Yourself to me thru this advent season.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Derrick *Oliver *Sheila

2004-12-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

Truth Thru Predictions

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matt. 28:6
"When all this comes true-and it surely will-then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
Ez. 33:33
"But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true."
Jer. 28:9

in today's society i don't hear many predictions, perhaps because i don't read the star or enquirer. (lol) and the predictions that i hear, i tend not to believe. so i am as guilty as those folks listed in the Bible who slain the prophets and denied their predictions.

1000's of people didn't believe Jesus. they took him as a blasphemous liar, not a great prophet sent from yahweh. but Jesus predicted the temple be distructed and then reconstructed in 3 days. He fulfilled many of the prophecies of old. His very life was a fulfillment of a prediction made 1000's of years before His arrival upon the earth. that in itself is proof the He is the Son of God most high.

Jesus,
as the advent season is upon us, i praise You for coming to earth to accomplish a task Your Father asked You to perform. and since You accomplished the mission, my life is changed. You've given me a gift of eternal life by simply calling on Your Name and trusting that You are who You say You are. You're not a fake. Your predictions came true, and the temple was rebuilt in 3 days. how great You are, and most worthy to receive all my praise and worship. i love You. thanks for Your gift of eternal life. may the joy i know spill out of my life - witnessing to others that You are my King and my God.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Skylar *Jaden *Tom

2004-11-16T15:36:00.000-05:00

solitude?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
mark 1:35

is it really solitude when you hide away to be with Jesus?

2004-11-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

Connection between mercy and forgiveness

"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed." "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
matt. 18:32-35

this passage brings new light to the importance of forgiveness. how many of us want to be 'tortured until we pay back all we owe'? i have some clue about how much i owe, and there is no way i could repay Christ (or my debtors) for all that owe. i would be in eternal torment.

and yet there are times when i know i am to forgive others, and i choose not to. i am the same person as this unmerciful servant. i choose to hold a grudge, talk poorly against others who have offended me, etc. the list could continue on and on. and yet Jesus' words say that i will be treated the same unless i forgive from my heart. i think the key is from the heart. my mouth can say the simple words, 'i'm sorry', but my heart doesn't always get that memo. too often i harbor negative thoughts of others, and share that 'anger/hatred' with others.

oh Jesus,
please forgive my hard heart. You've forgiven me in a greater way than i could ever repay, and my 'thanks' is holding accounts against others. love holds no records of wrong --that's a tough one, Jesus. i can't do it on my own. i need You in my heart, refreshing me from the uncleanness which lingers. if there is any unforgiveness in my heart, please reveal it to me so that i may be made clean. i know Your blood set me free from sin and death, and yet there is a war raging in my inmost being. i praise You for allowing me to cling to You. i know that with You in my heart, i can't help but forgive others, and erase my slate of their wrong-doings. i beg You to help me forgive in the same way that You forgive. only thru You am i forgiven and without punishment from the sin i commit. Your mercy is great. i love You, sweet Jesus, and my heart rejoices that You are doing a new thing within me.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

*Herb *Kelsey *Kelly

2004-11-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

Faithfulness

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Is. 25:1

the last two days i've been thinking about my past, and how God has been so faithful to me. it's amazing to me.

and the lincoln brewster song 'all i really want' is my praise song today. i enjoy most of lincoln brewsters stuff.

*Ann *Rob *Mitchell

2004-11-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

Crisis

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matt. 6:25-27

so sunday night i'm driving home from youth and my car begins to make a funny noise when i go over 30 mph. not good. so monday my car goes to the car hospital to diagnose the problem. the wonderful people at Lawson Chevrolet fix "kelly" (my car). in the morning i will pick her up and we'll be re-united again.

that's the story. but the part that i'm leaving out is how i've fretted about getting it fixed. how am i going to pay for it? how long would it take to be repaired? how am i going to get to work? who will i need to bum a ride from? where do i need to take kelly? 'dear God, please don't let it be too expensive, cuz you know i don't have much money for repairs." (like i can tell God how much money i have or don't have? --definitely lacking some faith there.)

so i'm feeling a bit better about my car. the lawson people gave me a bit of a discount - always helpful. and all will be fine. 'why so downcast, o my soul; put your hope in God.'

*Susan *Valerie *Erika

2004-11-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

Blessings Galore!

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
ps. 145:16, 19

this morning i awoke to the most amazing sight! the sun had peaked over the mountain, and was brilliantly blazing upon the trees. it was incredible! (of course i had woke up late...really late...and shouldn't have ever seen it, but the blessings flowed none-the-less.) since i get up and leave before the sun rises, i never have a chance to see the glory of the morning. it was fascinating! oh to be able to enjoy that beauty every morning. and as it turned out i was only 30 minutes late for work. pish-posh! oh, for the glory of God, right there! do you see it?

yesterday i cleaned my desk - it was long over due. got rid of a calendar under my keyboard which was opened to July. just a hint of how overdue it was. now my monitor is lowered, and my desk seems to have much more room. i'm loving it. being more productive with my time is a good thing.

an opportunity has arose for a change in my career. more to come!

*Jim *Shari *Eden

2004-10-20T08:40:00.000-04:00

Mission

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deut. 6:5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 cor. 13:4-7
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34

this is going to sound cocky, but i don't mean for it to come across that way. i have a great deal of head knowledge about the Bible; i can quote scripture with the best of 'em. if people need to know where to find a verse, they come and ask me. (for which i'm honored, and surprised.) it's a priority in my life to know God's Word - in my heart and in my mind. but lately i've been struck with the question, 'what am i doing with all this knowledge?' can others see that i'm a christian thru my actions? am i loving others with a passion that portraits Christ? what am i saying when i say nothing at all? and who do i know that may have never heard me speak of my Savior, my Lover, my very Life?

too often my mouth is filled with complaints, harsh words, put-downs, negative criticisms, slams, hypocrisy, slander, gossip, and just plain filth. and sometimes denise so graciously points out my quick tongue. i love having a close friend who is willing to speak some truth into my life,(tho i may not enjoy the chastising when it's being administered). that is a larger blessing that i could ever express. (thanks be to the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for accountability partners.) so i guess my challenge is to consciously make an effort to love those around me with the love my Friend has lavished on me, that others may see His grace and melt away their selfishness.

most precious Jesus,
it is an honor and privilege to know You in an intimate way. i love waking up in the morning and You are my first thought. and then comes the praise song filling my heart with gratitude and awe of who You are, and how You are creating me to be more like You. let me be a light to shine Your love. may You send others into my life whom You need to touch. let me be faithful to You. i adore You, Jesus. i love You. my heart swells to be called Your beloved daughter. humbly i bow to Your majesty, Your grace, Your mercy. my heart shall say, 'blessed be Your name.' may You continue to cleanse me from the muck which wages war within me. thru You i am more than a conqueror.
in Your precious name, Jesus ~ Amen.

*Nancy and Yawon *Leslie *Casey

2004-10-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

Filling Needs

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matt. 25:34-40

so it's been too long since i last updated, but i'm back - and doing well.

there has been a question resting on my heart the last week, 'what needs am i fulfilling in others?' somewhere in that statement is the heart of my life's purpose. when i am needed - or being used - am i most content with life. often i don't feel content with where i am or what i'm doing. perhaps i'm lacking in peace - since peace and contentment seem to be hand and hand.

so what am i doing about it? i have a young friend whom i feel compelled to 'disciple'. i met with her this week. it was good to be in contact again. she's going thru some difficult times - learning the importance of not procrastinating, caring for others, and living out her faith. and aren't those the heart of Christianity - when our reason for being pro-active is Jesus, caring for others w/ His love, and striving to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him?

Jesus,
my peace, my contentment - You are the reason i matter to anyone. as i continue to grow in the knowledge of You, i rejoice that You value me enough to be You to others. may You guide me to those whom You needs Your touch. i wanna be used by You. i love You and desire to matter for You. shine thru me. You've blessed me in so many ways - let me bless You in return. i love You so much.
in Your Name ~ Amen

*Laurie Beth Jones *Jim *Dave

2004-09-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

Fearing the Worst

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Ps. 27:1, 5

what a storm! Denise and i have had quite the last couple of days. please read her post to hear all about it. hurricane ivan made an impact on my life, needless to say.

and in the midst of it all, God is faithful. He does shelter us in the shadow of His wings and carries us in His arms. what an amazing Creator - of storms and humans. He truly is good and worthy of our praise.

Jesus
You've proctect us and calmed our fears. You've allowed us to place our trust in You - knowing no matter what happens that You are still God and ruler of our hearts. i praise You for Your protection and deliverance. it is good to praise You. and i praise You for this birthday and for allowing me to live in Your care for another year. You are my Dad and i'm rejoicing with You today.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

*austin *juanita *bruce

7 Day Holy

unyielding spirit and anxiety

The Reality is Found in Christ

Discipline and Punishment

Unfolding Grace

Women: Support and Power

Each Day's Need

Idolatrous Commotion

"Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding." "Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God. Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

Do Not Think...

wrestling and mercy

listening

Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, I gave you my full attention.job 10-12a

go and love and touch in the name of Jesus

Honoring God and Wisdom

Waiting in Expectation

where's hope?

Letter to Tim

Holy Living

Binding the Word

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.deut. 11.18-19

God, Our Sanctuary

Sorting out the Thoughts

Blogs

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.isaiah 43.19

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.isaiah 50:4Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.psalm 119:34

Combining Worship

Become a slave

Continuously Evoking a Response

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.James 4:8

Distinguishing the Holy from the Common

The hard things in life

His Song

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.psalm 42.8

Oh so many lessons to learn in one parable

Untamed Animals

Untamed Animals

Sovereignty of God

Quiet Eye

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."psalm 46:10

Subjection

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.1 cor. 9.27You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.rom. 6.18

Knee Pains

Mighty Prayers

To What Have I Died?

Seeking Discernment

Wisdom in 'Zip Your Lip'

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.Proverbs 17:28He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.Isa. 53:7

Expecting Much

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.Prov. 6.34In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.Psalm 5.3

Obedient Satisfaction

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.Hosea 10:12But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.Hosea 12:6

I Beg of You

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.Dan 9:18-19

Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins

Finding What Pleases God

Listen to His Voice

Meth

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate youLuke 6:27He must become greater; I must become less.John 3:30

Interceding with God

Seasons

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.1 pet 5:10

Who's Great?

Exalted Vs. Humbled

Peace

Immanuel

The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.Ps. 118:7The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him "Immanuel" —which means, "God with us."Matt. 1:23

Hiding

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.Ps. 119:11

Brokenness

Who's Discipline?

To Know Jesus...

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.Luke 11:9-10

Stench

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.hosea 2:19,20

Seeking God's Will

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.psalm 40.8Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.1 thessalonians 5.16-18

my Father's Day

"Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.is. 16.4The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.1 john 3.8b

Fearing God

Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, I gave you my full attention.
job 10-12a

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
deut. 11.18-19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
isaiah 43.19

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
isaiah 50:4
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
psalm 119:34

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
psalm 42.8

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
psalm 46:10

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 cor. 9.27
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
rom. 6.18

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Proverbs 17:28
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isa. 53:7

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Prov. 6.34
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5.3

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
Hosea 12:6

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.
Dan 9:18-19

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 pet 5:10

The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Ps. 118:7
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him "Immanuel" —which means, "God with us."
Matt. 1:23

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Ps. 119:11

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
hosea 2:19,20

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
psalm 40.8
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 thessalonians 5.16-18

"Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.
is. 16.4
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
1 john 3.8b

"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary."
isa.8:12-14a

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
ps. 14:1

Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—
isa. 7:4

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
prov. 18:13
Wise thinking leads to right living; Stupid thinking leads to wrong living.
eccl. 10:2
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
psalm 119:9

So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!
Gal. 1:3-5

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
titus 3:1-2