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.

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*The Red Cross *steve and nopaluck *tam

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

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*Derek *Ashley *Tom

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

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*Derrick *Oliver *Sheila

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

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*Skylar *Jaden *Tom

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?

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

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*Herb *Kelsey *Kelly

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.

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*Ann *Rob *Mitchell

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.'

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*Susan *Valerie *Erika

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!

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*Jim *Shari *Eden

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.

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*Nancy and Yawon *Leslie *Casey

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

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*Laurie Beth Jones *Jim *Dave

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!

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*austin *juanita *bruce

Seeking First

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
matt. 6:33

we are now out of the apartment in marietta and into the jasper mountain home, aka 'The Black Diamond'. the home is going to be adventure, ranging from 30 degree slopes to spiders, rodents and bears. i had a run in with a giant, hopping spider this morning, but he lost (his life).

and with all the moving choas, i admit i've not given much time to hanging out in Jesus' presence. and i can begin to tell that it's taking its toll on me. my nerves are easily frayed, and i even snapped at denise on several occasions and steven for doing something what was helpful. pand i'm sure that my body being tired, 5:30 am until 10:30 pm the last two days is a bit much. so this morning i woke in time to read 1 chapter - matt 6. it was a breath of fresh air! hour and fifteen minute drive to work this morning i could sense the my relationship with Jesus was being mended by those simple few minutes of Bible reading. i can sense that this morning i'm much more calm and sensible. 're-focused' may be a fitting term.

Jesus,
You are my Prince of Peace. You've entered my choas and offered peace, and i couldn't be more thankful. thanks for loving me so deeply. thanks for carrying my burden and giving me rest and strength. You are my Source when i am weak. forgive me for choosing to ignore Your Word these last few days. i know that only in You comes true peace and tranquility. thanks for returning me to the cross to see what You've been thru so that i may have peace and life abundantly. i know You're teaching me how to be still and trust in You. i love You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Kathy *Mom and Dad *Derrick

Reality Defined

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
john 16:13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 cor. 5:17

I've been reading this book 'Jesus Life Coach' by laurie beth jones. so far i absolute love it. it has challenged me to dig deeper into the Word - figuring out what God has in store for me. no matter what the topic, laurie just puts it out there - and allows her reader to gnaw on the info at hand. i've pondered many topics under a new light. today's reading was about our reality and how Jesus gives us new terms. with all the 'reality' tv programs on the air these days - it's a wonder why we believe what we believe. for many of us, our lives are going down a regular path, and then comes Jesus. He tells us that our lives are changed - our hearts are made new and we are not longer who we think we are. it's amazing the power He bestows upon us when we relinquish our lives into His care.

Jesus,
thanks for coming into my life and giving me hope for the future. Your plans are wonderful; i praise You for calling me by name to be part of Your wonderful family. may You teach me the reality to which You've called me. i am submitting to Your will. let Your Word be truth in my heart.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Chad *Dan *Jimmy and the rest of 'The Common'

Love of first Note

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Ps. 147:4

from the highest of heights to the depths of the sea, creation's revealing Your majesty. from the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring, every creature unique in the song that it sings. All exclaiming... indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God. all powerful, untameable, awestruck we fall to our knees and we humbly proclaim, You are amazing God. who has told every lightning bolt where it should go, or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow? who imagined the sun and gives source to its light, yet conceals it to give us the coolness of night? none can fathom... incomparable, unchangeable, You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same. You are amazing God.
~lyrics by Chris tomlin 'indescribable'

Jesus -
again i'm thrilled to hear Your voice thru song. i praise You for speaking thru Christ Tomlin. may You, Holy Spirit, continue to speak Your words of grace and truth thru him. may You continue to sensitize his heart to hear Your voice - thru the little things. protect him from the evil forces which wage war against his soul. You are indescribable - and yet intimate with me. thanks for making a way for me to connect with You. You're amazing, unchangeable, imcomparable, untameable
thru Your powerful Name, Jesus, Amen

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*Chris *David *Tim

Holiness Connected to Seeing God

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
heb 12:14

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
matt. 5:8

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
2 pet. 3:14

these 3 verses have been swimming around in my mind since last thursday. here are some of the questions which arise from my mind.

• who are peace with God and peace with man connected?


• so with holiness all will see the Lord?


• what is it truly like to see the Lord?


• do we honestly mean what we say when we sing, "open the eyes of my heart, Lord; i want to see You"?

Jesus,
be praised for opening this passion for Your word. it's awesome to hear You speak thru the words on a page of a book. You, Holy Spirit, are alive and active. I pray for my eyes to be opened that i may see You - so i'm praying for holiness. i want others to come to know You - to see You thru their spiritual eyes which You open. may Your grace flood over us, giving us eyes to see You and the power of Your mighty right hand. i pray for a revival in the hearts on those in pickens county and the surrounding areas. may You continue the impressive work You've started. i love You, Dad.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Caladie *Victoria *Savannah

Enlightenment to the Eyes of my Heart

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
eph. 1:17-19a

lately i've been struggling with knowing what to do with my life. currently i have a job which pays pretty well, but i'm moving 45 miles from it. so that means i'll be traveling 90 miles a day in order to work 6 hours. another thing, the job doesn't keep me busy all day long so i have some down time, which leads to thoughts to uselessness and boredom. i've been searching for a different job, but nothing has transpired so far. so that's a prayer request.

there are some other issues which i have to deal w/ in the near future and i'm needing some wisdom and knowledge greater than myself. i love how paul, the writer of the above scripture, requests God to offer His Spirit of wisdom and revelation - and that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened so we can know the hope for which we've been called. in a nutshell that has been the prayer of my heart lately too. that i'll be enlightened - that He'll pour upon me the same Spirit of wisdom and knowledge - all so that i may know Him better and the plans He has for me.

Jesus -
my heart is heavy with requests, Friend. but before i beg You for what i think i need, i lay down my cares to You. i'm clinging to Your promises which say You'll never leave me or forsake me. You have perfect plans for me. You desire faithfulness and sacrifice, so i offer all of me for Your use. may this servant be useful for Your purposes. i don't want to be useless anymore. help me to be faithful in the little things. thanks for speaking to me thru my friends and those who care about me. You have an incredible way of supplying all my needs and i praise You for that. thanks for giving so faithful of Yourself. let me bless You in the same way.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Bill & Maria *Laura

Practicing the Word - Faith in Action

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
eze. 33:31-32

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
james 1:22

it's been an interesting couple of days. i've had 2 separate conversations with different people about what am i doing w/ me life. i feel as tho i'm in a holding pattern, waiting to land - marking the start of a new beginning - but the plane just won't get clearance to land. lost in limbo.

and yet at the same time i feel condemnation about not pursuing more ways to express my faith - that God is able to reliquish me from the debt that i owe. that i could attend africa university. that there is a cure for my dissatifaction. that i don't have to reside in a heart that feels nothing - dullness - numbness. i say that i trust God with my life - but then i think about my debt and my faith fails. do i honestly believe that God could ship me off to africa in the spring - without any debt? i wish i could answer yes... and i dont' have to figure out the way that He could do it. my friend, denise is always telling me that i don't have to figure everything out. it's difficult for me - really difficult. i'm a fixer - a technical person. i want to know how things work and why they do what they do. so that my current struggle.

Jesus,
i bare my soul to You. i admit my lack of faith and lay it down on Your altar. i need thee, oh i need thee - every hour i need thee. my heart is filled with ideas - with ways to accomplish getting my debt paid off. so i lay down that too - i want to trust that You can accomplish it without me knowing the way. You own more money that i can imagine and You delight in fulfilling Your people. why am i so quick to write You off - that it can't happen b/c i'm broke? oh God, i want so much to trust You. please help me overcome my unbelief. i can't live w/o You to sustain me and show me the way.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*the professors at AU *Denise *Ed

Turn and Live!

"But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
Eze. 18:21-23

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"
Eze. 18:30-32

admitting that i've not spent much time in ezekiel, i profess that this book is packed full with applicable Truth. i thought ezekiel was only about dry bones. man, was i wrong.

i love the way God is calling us to holy living - to turn from what defiles us. at one point in the book, He asks us to repent of what our hearts lust after, that which is not Godly. [20:24] and He tells us to get a new heart and spirit - the Holy Spirit who leads us into lives which glorify Christ. how incredibly awesome is that! we can have heart transplants by just turning from our sin.

Jesus
how awesome it is to serve You. i praise You for giving me a new heart and a Spirit who leads me into more Truth and righteous living. i love You so much. Jesus, i pray for those who are holding on to their idols, those who are struggling to let go of the lusts of their hearts. may You give them stregth to release their addictions on to You. please give them the power to be freed from whatever is holding them fast to the evil one. let our hearts be set right before You. Spirit, may You open our hearts to receive the love the Father as lavished on us, cleansing us from all unrighteouness by the blood of Jesus. You are power to do miracles, and i am expecting to hear of what You've done. be praised for hearing this prayer. You are good.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Casey *Cathy *Parker

Adulterous Hearts

Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me-how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.
ezekiel 6:9>

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
james 4:4

in a Bible study i had in attended a few years ago, we studied the book of James. that was when i first put some thought into being an adulterous person. if i claim that Christ is my husband, my groom, and i turn my affection onto someone or something that is not Him, than i am truly an aduterous woman. and how often i fall into this trap. all those times when i chose to disobey His voice, and go on my own will instead of His...

and these verses remind me that God in all His sovereignty is greived by my adulterous heart which turns away in selfishness, trying to please my desires. i cause my loving Groom to suffer.

Jesus,
my Groom - my Lover. i am sorry for hurting You, for causing You such intense grief. my heart is ever wandering. Spirit, come into me, fill me so that i may live according to what You desire instead of this sinful nature. i desire to love You with a faithful heart. Jesus, i cling to Your cross, knowing the sacrifice You made in order for me to be part of Your family. Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging. You are passionate about pursuing me, and that's what i adore about You. You are my King, and i bow down in adoration of You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen.

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*Cathy *Herb *Regina

Falling Facedown

Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Lev. 9:24

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.
Num. 20:6

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
eze. 1:28

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
Matt. 17:6

lately i've been hearing a great deal about people falling facedown. matt redman's new cd, called 'facedown', is wonderful. in my journey thru the Bible, i've made it to ezekiel, and he is falling facedown after seeing the glory of the Lord.

so i began to think if there has ever been a time in my life when i fell facedown. i remember several times when i was crying out to the Lord, interceding for either my needs or the needs of somebody else. but i can't recall a time when i fell facedown due to the glory of God. perhaps i'm not the only one.

Jesus,
i've been ushered into Your presence. may You fill me with Your Spirit, sensitizing me to see Your glory. i want to fall down before You, before Your awesome glory. let my eyes see You - to behold Your glory. i want to be near You. i want to know You more. Jesus, i trust that You are at work within me - transforming me to be more like You. i love You, Jesus. may my work be a blessing to You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Derrick *Linda *Matt

Authority to Forgive Sins

"Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Mark 2:10-12

this story is mostly told from the viewpoint of the deep faith of this paralytic's friends who dug a hole in the roof and lowered this man down. and it's a touching story, but did you noticed that first Jesus forgave this man... so Jesus was condemning him of being a sinner, but forgave him. i can't imagine the man went to Jesus to be forgiving, but instead he went to be healed by the great Physician. i wonder if this story would have made it into the parables if Jesus would have only forgiven the man, and not healed him of this debilatating illness. just a thought.

but Jesus did both, forgave and healed him. so the man went away, clean both inside and out. oh, to know Jesus and the power He possesses. it is good to be in His family and to know that He is my brother and Savior.

Jesus,
thanks for forgiving me. i love the way You love me. thanks for the faith of these men who came to You to be healed, and received cleansing. Your love and compassion are great. be praised for giving of Yourself to us sinners. may Your forgiveness which we've experienced also be passed on to those who sin against us. may You, Holy Spirit, impart in us the power of Jesus to forgive, and to love the way You love. help us look into the hearts of others, and not get hung up on the outward appearance. may You give us eyes to see the need of the heart before the physical needs. i am so glad to be Your child.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Ashley *Leslie *Mike

Consequence of Trusting in God

While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.'"
Jer 39:15-18

earlier in chapter 38, ebed-melech saved jeremiah's life. this is a re-cap: jeremiah was lowered into a cisern, a muddy pit, and left there to starve to death. ebed-melech went to the king and requested something be done about jeremiah, and the king granted his request. jeremiah was to remain in confinement, but he was allowed food for survival.

and later in chapter 39 we discover why ebed-melech was showing compassion to jeremiah, simply because he trusted in the Lord. his faith motivated him to act on an unjust cause. ebed-melech knew that jeremiah was a man of God, and that jeremiah had prophesied about this fall of jerusalem. it impresses me that even tho ebed-melech knew he was about to be destroyed by the babylonians, he still sought to do the Lord's work. tho death was knocking on his door, he continue in what he knew was right. that is good news and a witness for us to live by.

Jesus,
i praise You for using ebed-melech to rescue jeremiah, and for using jeremiah to proclaim Your word of rescue back to ebed-melech. You were true to Your word, by bringing upon the disaster spoken thru jeremiah, and yet those who heeded Your word survived by their faith. You are God in heaven, and Your plans stand firm thru all generations. Your word is eternal, and it gives light to our paths. thanks for the hope Your provide. thanks for allowing us to enter Your presence and to confer with You about the plans for the future. thanks for still speaking thru men and women. may Your word be heard and acted upon. may Your life be spread thru Your word. i love You.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Kimberly *Laura *Flora

A Passionate Pursuit of Perfection

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Heb. 6:1-2

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4

Finally, brothers, good­bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Cor. 13:11

as i was watching TV a few days ago, i noticed an advertisement for Lexus. i don't have a lexus, nor do i intend to purchase one any time soon, but what caught my attention was their motto, "A Passionate Pursuit of Perfection". isn't that the motto we Christians should have, not some car company? (no offense to Lexus; i think it's brilliant that they use it!)

we should be passionately pursuing Christian perfection. 'aim for perfection'. we should be using all our energy, time and resources to attain it, and to share it with everyone we meet. our goal in life is not to remain in the basic teachings of Jesus Christ. We should instead be raising up leaders who are passionate about leading others in pursuit of Jesus Christ and the perfection which comes thru Him. it's not by our own strength, or for our own benefit that we pursue perfection, but for the sole purpose of glorifying the One who was glorified for our sake. ultimately may He be honored for our perfection.

Perfecter of my faith, [heb. 12:2]
i want to be like You. upon Your altar and with the strength You've given me, i lay down my ability to achieve perfection. i can't achieve anything without Your help. may You allow me to strive for the perfection which comes from knowing You and doing Your will. may Your Spirit rest upon me, guiding me to accomplish Your will. may You use my words and body to love others in a way which draws them close to You. may You use my wisdom to train others to serve You faithful. i want to glorify You, and only You. i want to honor You with my life.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Cory *David *Jasemine

The Way of Life and The Way of Death

"Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.'"
Jer. 21:8-9

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matt. 10:24-26

Jeremiah had think that God was out of His mind - surrender the Babylonians and live? that must have seems like an oxy-moron. but we know the whole picture. we know that nehemiah and esther had their roles fulfilled after this fall of Jerusalem. we know that the Israelites were taken care of, all their needs met and they were given supplies, workers and livestock for the re-building of the Temple. God didn't leave or forsake them. He simply allowed them to be disciplined for their stubbornness and then restored to their homeland. they had an option to choose life or death.

and nearly a thousand years later Jesus offers the same message. choose Me and live abuntantly, choose your own way and live in eternal damnation. again God has given us a choice. He has set up a way for us to be united with Him without fear and shame. He has given us Jesus in exchange for our condemnation. we have a way to enter into eternal life thru a relationship with Jesus Christ = the One who loves us so much that He gave His life as randsom for ours. He laid down His life - it's time that we do the same for Him.

Jesus,
it is an honor to be in a relationship with You. i praise You for openning a way for me to access You. because of what You've done on the cross i have hope for the future. You've promised an eternal friendship - to always be near. thanks for the love You've poured over my life. i want to bless You for it.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Ruth *Juanita *Roxanne

Beyond Cure

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Jer. 19:9

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Ps. 139:23

'Follow your heart.' ever really thought about that statement in light of God's word? that old cliche` seems to be a negative thing to say to someone who is searching for answers. 'go and pursuit deceit and a wayward life-style.' isn't that what we are actually saying? just a thought.

i love the way David gives God an open invitation to search his heart and to test him. seems pretty risky to me - allowing God to test me. but that is also a sign of my lack of trust, and David's astounding trust in the One who matters most.

or maybe David is tired of his deceitful heart and he's saying, 'God, clean me out. refine me in your fire because i can't stand these impurities in my life any longer. i want to be be clean.' in any case, i want to be cleaned out from the deceit which lurks in my heart. i want to put on the full armor so that i can battle in the Lord's army.

Jesus,
at the fall of adam and eve, sometimes changed in our hearts. our eyes have been opened to the sin and wreckedness of our being. and now Jesus, You've come to earth to heal those symptom of this disease. please come into my heart and clean me out. refine me in Your fire so that i can be rid of these impurities. i love You and desire to do what pleases You, instead of what pleases me. please give me the strength and power to do Your will. Holy Spirit, i pray for You to fill me with the same power which raised Jesus for the dead, which seated Him on the throne. may i be a servant of the King. let this heart hear Your voice, respond with enthusiasm and endurance. as i draw near to You, i rejoice that You've given me the strength and wisdom to follow You. You are my Dad.
in Jesus Name~ Amen

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*Audrey *Casey *Hope

Bearing His Name

Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, O Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
Jer. 14:9

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.
Jer. 15:16

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
John 14:13

for me, i have very little 'pride' in bearing the name my parents gave me. with a last name of 'gartamaker', how can i be proud? lol. but as a follower of Jesus Christ, i am honored to be called a Christian - a follower of Christ. i bear His name through circumcision of heart by the blood of Christ and santifying work of the Holy Spirit. [Deut. 30:6, Rom. 2:29]

Jesus allows me another 'benefit' to being called by His name. He's entrusted me to ask for whatever i may in His name, and He act. that 'benefit' has always amazed me. how i, a person on earth, can aske the God of the universe to act on my behalf, and He does it. just have to love friendships - especially depending on your Friend to get the job done.

hey Jesus,
what's going on? just at work, getting my day started. thanks, Man, for allowing me to be friends with You. it's awesome how i can depend on You to do more than i could ever ask for. it's a real blessing to know You. so i want to bless You in the same way, but i can't without Your help. please guide me to say the right words, to be compassionate, to be loving and kind to tho around me. please let Your light shine in my heart, through my work and attitude. Spirit, please help me to be sensitive to Your voice and Your promptings. i wanna please You. thanks for hanging out with me today. i love You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Susan *Steven *Fenise

"Return, faithless people," declares the Lord, "for I am your husband. I will choose you-one from a town and two from a clan-and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."
Jer. 3:14,15

No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
Jer. 3:17b

it amazes me that God continues to draw us back to Himself even tho we are a wayward people. continually we turn our backs to him and not our faces. [Jer. 2:27]i'm preaching to myself here. He lovingly refers to Himself as our husband and we are His bride. that is so intimate. being a single person, it is difficult to understand the relationship between husbands and wives, partly because so many of the marriages around me seem to be falling apart. they don't seem to be thriving and basking in the love of each other. perhaps that is just my understanding because i don't know how a marriage is supposed to be. so God as my husband is something i'm learning- a relationship which is perfect, completing, fulfilling, encouraging, uplifting, comforting, supporting, loving...

Jesus,
i praise You for being so loving and caring. thanks for coming near to be even though You know i will at times fall into the pit of sin. thanks for extending Your arm of forgiveness to me when i need to be draw back into Your loving embrace. Jesus, i want to be a bride who is faithful, who lavishes my love on You, who stick with You thru the thick and thin of life. and i want You to teach me how You are my husband. i want to give You my love, to be whole devoted to You. You are my Lover and my Friend, my Comforter and my Counselor. let me be a blessing to You, Jesus. i want to love You with everything in me. i want to be the kind of person who upon hearing Your voice am filled with joy. the type of person who goes out of my way to make Your day a little better. my heart overflows with love for You, Jesus. thanks for calling me into Your family.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Jenni *Ashton *Jacob

The Word That Sustains The Weary

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. The sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.
Is. 50:4-5

last night i went with some friends to 7:22. as always God used that service to draw my heart closer to His. the worship leader last night was Matt Redman, and Louie Giglio presented the message. Matt is the guy who's written a few of my favorite worship songs like 'let my words be few' and 'blessed be Your name'. the man has passion for Jesus.

the songs and message were about blessing God, because we've already been blessed with more than we could ever imagine. so i'm looking forward to attending the next to services of 7:22 to see what else Louie has to say about prayer and communicating with the God of the universe.

so, tying in the verses from the top of this post, i've been feeling drawn to God thru His Word lately, and i'm very curious to know more about His sovereignty. it is amazing how His Word can speak words of encouragement to a weary soul. His words are life, are food for the hungry, freedom for the captives, and thought for the intelligent. He softs hard hards thru them and discourages the plans of the wicked. and faith comes from hearing His Word [Rom 10:17]. i feel like Isaiah in that His Word is on my mind when i wake in the morning and when i lie down to sleep. is it my consuming passion.

Jesus,
i praise You for who You are. i love the way You love me. i want to be a blessing to You, Father. use me to witness for You. let Your light shine thru me. i love You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Ed * Susan *Zach

Wearying Ourselves for Him

"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel. You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses."
Is. 43:22-24

in all my reading in isaiah, i've never before noticed this statement. that God desires us to weary ourselves for Him. that blows my safe and easy thoughts of Christianity out of the water. He expects us to get out hands dirty, to get in the world and serve those whom He desires to serve: to sacrifice for Him...[there's a word we don't want to talk about!]

or when is the last time i 'lavished' anything on God? when have i gone out of my way to worship Him - when has it been intimate - between He and i in the presence of ourselves - no one else around to distract us? too long ago. that's a love affair with the Savior - like rubbing lotion on someone. that is lavishing my love on Him - giving Him my undivided attention - and my strength and my thoughts. pursuing Him in the most intimate way. this is actually really beyond me, but i can only imagine this is how He desires us to worship Him.

Jesus,
i lay down my heart to before Your royal throne. i desire to worship You with everything i have. i want to be intimate with You - letting you know me and i know You. i want to weary myself so that You may be pleased. i want to give You my sacrifices with a joyfulness that trascends understanding. i want to offer to You my heart - the very breath of my lungs and my mind which seems to think too much. i love You, Jesus, and i want to be Your servant. i desire to love You with my whole heart. let me please You, God. thanks for carrying my heavy burden and for rejoicing over my with songs of deliverance. it is for Your glory that i live. let Your truth rule in my heart, keeping me on the straight and narrow. keep my heart from deceit and lies, my hands from stealing and my eyes from desiring what the world has to offer. i know You are the only One who satisfies complete. i give You my all.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Cory *Juanita*Stacy

Desires of my Heart

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.
Is. 26:8-9

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD ; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Ps. 84:2

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Ps. 37:4

i'd like to think that all my heart desired is God, but i know that is not the case. i still run after selfish gain far too often. my heart gets sidetracked with the 'wonders' of the world. the pleasures of the world look so appealling and the ways of the Lord can seem so demanding. but giving into those pleasures do not bring about the righteous life my Father desires. most of the time they leave me empty and alone, wishing to be filled with something which can satisfy. so again i'm drawn back into His resting place, His sanctuary, His hospital for the hurting. and there my heart is satisfied, my wounds healed and my heart complete. it is then that i realize that He is my heart's desire. it is His name and renown that i desires more the silver or gold. He is my Satisfy-er!

Jesus,
i enter into Your presence knowing that You love sacrifices, especially broken spirits. i love the way You mend the hearts of those who humble themselves in Your sight. You give grace to all, not showing favortism or partiality. and Your grace is sufficient to heal all the hurts, bitterness and longings. You know my heart's desire, God, and i want it to be You. i long for You and for Your presence to be made known among the peoples of earth. let us be filled with Your glory. fill our longings, and our emptiness with Your holiness and kindness. we long for You, yearn for You, are dying without Your satisfaction.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Eden * Topher *Andy

Passion for Salvation

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Is. 12:2

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Ps. 29:11

if i truly believe that God is my salvation, why should i fear anything? salvation is eternal... we are carnal. if i truly believe that the most important thing in this life is preparing people for the next life which last forever, why do i fear telling others about Jesus? why do i fear taking risks for the sake of others? their lives are dependent upon knowing Jesus and the salvation which comes through Him. guess i've just been very burdened for the lost lately, and it's motivating me to be more adament about telling others of Jesus.

i've been good at telling those whom are already involved in church about Jesus...that's safe. and honestly i don't have much contact with anyone who doesn't believe. there are two guys whom i work with that are not believers, but i only see them for about 2 minutes a week (literally). sad that i am not more out in the world trying to reach others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. so i'm fired up about intentionally meeting others with the sole purpose of telling them of Jesus. this changing churches has been phenomenal for me. can barely wait to see where He's going to lead me.

Jesus,
i trust You. i know that You've opened my eyes and my heart to Your salvation and i praise You for that. thanks for giving me the grace to fall into Your embrace. i love You with my whole heart. this burden for the lost comes from You and i love that. i want to be broken with the things which break Your heart. don't let me remain complacent any longer. i want to share You with others. please guide me into places where Your name can be mentioned. use me for Your glory. i want to take risk for You. i want to lead others closer to You. may You prepare these people to receive You. may You soften their hearts so they can fall on Your grace also. may You release captives from the chains of sin, and give them hope. let them see You and know that love You have for them. may You open my mouth to speak Your name with boldness and with love.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Michelle *Parker *Derrick

Walking in the Light

Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Is. 2:3, 5

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Ps. 122:1

in the past i've mentioned that i love the illustrations where God is mentioned as light. this is another reference to that. walking in God's presence...ever experienced that before? or driving in your car and you know that God is among you? or at work or school and just knew that You weren't alone? i love those times. i love it when the presence of God is so real that it almost feels like you can touch Him, or hold His hand, or speak a dialogue with Him.

"come, let's go..." isn't that a great invitation? it's intimate, said from one friend to another, not strangers. and the reason to come along is to learn from God Himself. what a great reason to enter the Sanctuary! and learning isn't the only reason, but so that our lives can be changed, so we can walk upright lives - live righteously.

there is a lot more that could be said about these verses, but i need to wrap things up and get to work.

Holy Jesus,
be praised for inviting me with come and learn from You. i praise You for convicting me of my wrong-doings and for turning me toward You. i love entering Your presence. thanks for revealing Yourself to me. may i be bold in my asking others to join me in Your glorious presence. may You equip me to speak Your truth in love. let the Your light shine around me, illuminating my path and leading me to those who need to hear of Your love and truth.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Jasemine *Brandon *Cindy

Let Your Words Be Few

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecc. 5:1-2

my words are seldom "few". i'm a talker. i enjoy conversation... on the other side, silence can be excruciating to me. like when someone is upset with me but refuses to tell me what is on their mind and heart. that doesn't sit well with me. just get it off your chest and move on - that's my philosophy.

i've been getting into the song, 'let your words be few' by the passion band. some of the lyrics are: 'i'll stand in awe of You,' 'Jesus, i am so in love with You.' that songs moves my heart to worship in spirit and truth. and sometimes i just need to shut up and worship - to listen to what the Master of the universe is telling me. He desires more of me than i can read about. He wants my heart, my mind, my will, my anxious and joyful thoughts, my desires. He wants to fulfill my every longing, my deepest desires. He wants all of me, even the parts which i want to get rid of.

so i'm learning to stand in awe of Him. learning to quiet my busy mind and find His hiding place. learning to be still and know that He is God. learning to listen with my heart. and after hearing from Him, to act accordingly. this is my hope - to be a faithful servant of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus,
You are God in heaven and i am here on earth. so i stand in awe of You, with my mouth shut and my ears open. speak to me for Your child is listening. You are my King, my God, my Lord. i love You. i desires to cling to You, to obey You, to be submissive to You. i want to be Your pure and blameless bride. You are my groom. thanks for calling me to live with You. thanks for giving me grace to know and desire You more. i love You so much.
In Jesus' Name - Amen!

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*Parker *Allison *Stacy

Knowing How

Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
Eccl. 8:5-6

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom. 12:2

i often question the future: what is coming next? what should i be doing? am i doing what God desires me to being doing? am i where he wants me? am i best glorifying Him in a way that i am satisfied? and tho i question often, i still feel this is where He wants me and i'm doing what He wants me to do.

after reading the verse from Ecclesiastes, i can't help but think about Jesus' words when He says, "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." {John 14:15} I can nearly hear His voice saying that to me. so i scrutinize my heart, searching for ways in which i'm disobeying my King.

then, later in the new testament this is stated, "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." {1 John 5:3} i can still remember my youth director sitting me down to discuss this verse. she could sense that i was struggling to do all that God commanded me to do. i was feeling overwhelmed by the weight of my calling. i knew i was called to be holy, to be perfect as God is... i couldn't do. i couldn't live up to those expectations, and i was about to give up. deena, my youth director, spoke wisdom into my heart - and God is still calling me to holy living - to obey all His commands. and now my heart is learning to become more steadfast in pursuing obedience.

Jesus,
i praise You for calling me to be Your disciple. i fall so often, and Your love always restores me. i love You with all my heart. i praise You for filling me heart with desire to obey Your commands - to follow hard after You. in You i am made holy. i can't acheive holiness on my own - it is a gift from You... that is Your grace raining down on me. i love that way You rain down, the way Your spring up, the way you comfort my anxious heart. You are more that i could ever imagain. You're perfect!
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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Hotze's *May's *Barbara

Holy Discipline

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Job 5:17

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.
Hebrews 12:10-11

into Job's life now. he was a man of many words, once he decided to speak. (still amazed at the friends who sat with job for a week in silence while they mourned the great loss.) interesting that the passage from Job listed above is from one of the friends, Eliphaz who was trying with all his might to encourage Job thru his suffering.

discipline is a thought-provoking word because we've turned discipline into the word 'beating'. these two words don't necessarily go hand and hand. discipline is the process of correcting us, of making us the way we were intended to be - "pure". i know i need some of that, even when the method is not easy or fun. ultimately the goal is not to be fun, but to make us like Jesus who died on a cross. imagine that strong of discipline...

Jesus,
it is for Your glory that i come to You this afternoon. i know You are disciplining me into a strong, more submissive servant. it just seems strange/wrong to pray for brokenness, but i know that is what You desire. so i lay down my burdens and cling to Your cross. i open Your Word and hope to receive some insight into what You want me to hear. open my ears and eyes to see You, Jesus. i want to be like You. You are my King of glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Juanita *Janice *Dave

Petitioning for the Future

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23

don't you love ezra's honesty? he was too ashamed to ask the king for an escort, so he goes to the King of all kings for protection? he'd rather humble himself before the God of the universe than before his friend, the king of babylon. but he wasn't the only one involved in this fast and petition - he involved all those traveling from babylon to jerusalem, approximately 1300 men. one would think that that many men would be able to protect themselves from bandits and theives. guess not.

as i've been reading thru ezra and nehemiah, i'm amazed at how they used fasting and prayer to call upon the Name of the Lord for various reasons. the one listed above is for protection for the future. in the first chapter of nehemiah, he fasts because of the devastation in his homeland, judah. so i started thinking about my future and the gartahotze future. we have some major changes coming in the near future. this sunday will be our last sunday at st. paul. the following week will be our first sunday at jasper. that seems to be a reason to fast and petition God's guidance and protection.

Jesus,
i know that You've heard the cry of the jews time after time. You've graciously responded when they've returned to You with humble hearts. You've provided them with protection and safety thru out their many journeys. You've granted them salvaton and a place to worship. i praise You for offering me salvation and the ability to worship You. i give You glory and honor for hearing my prayer and petitions. may You go before us and prepare the way. may You direct our relationships with the members at jasper. may You establish friendships among denise and the youth and youth leaders. may Your hand be upon her as she leads these young people into a deeper relationship with You. may You help me to know the purpose for my being in jasper. use my hands, feet and mouth for Your glory.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*kevin *kevin *valerie

Bound with a Curse and an Oath

"In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."
Neh. 9:38

"The rest of the people-priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand- all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord."
Neh. 10:28-29

"We will not neglect the house of our God."
Neh 10:39b

moved on from Ezra to Nehemiah. learning how passionate Nehemiah was about prayer and the pursuit of holiness. it rocks! in the verses listed above, the jews were making an agreement with the God of the universe that they would pursue holy living. they were confessing their inability to follow the law, yet confirming their faith to obey it with all their heart. they are also confirming their willingness to give their tithe for the sake of God the Father. it became a life-style change.

we say our world is so much different than it was in the days of nehemiah. but get this: they chose to not purchase from those who opened their booths on sunday. sunday is the sabbath, the day set apart for the Lord...the holy day.

the people came back to the Lord wholeheartedly. they had to make many adjustments, i sure. their boats were rocked, their normal lives was inconvenieced, but they became holy people again. Nehemiah led these jews back into a sacred romance with the Savior of the world. their first love became their heart's desire again. how cool is that?

Lover of my soul,
i love You. i am amazed at the way you opened up the way for me to enter into Your presence. i praise You for drawing me close to You, just like You drew these jews back into Your embrace. thanks for calling my name and having me respond with joy. i love the way You love me. i confess my inability to follow Your law completely. i've sinned and not done all You've asked me to do. Jesus, i pray for Your forgiveness. may Your Spirit dwell in me richly and may i find favor in Your sight. thanks for going before us to jasper to prepare our way. i trust that You've ordained this move.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Kaylen *Stacy *Tom *Susan

Ezra's Honesty

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Ezra 7:10

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23

Last night after youth group i read thru ezra ...(still on my quest to finish the bible in one year.) the first 6 chapters of the book of ezra interestly are not about ezra. (who knew?) they are about the jews returning to Judah from captivity by the babylonians. they've returned to rebuild the Temple. they went thru some hardship to finish the Temple, but it was completed before ezra arrived in Jerusalem. and once he arrived some changes were made - some holiness was instructed upon the people.

the last 2 chapters, 9 and 10, tell of the struggle of intermarriage with foreign women. intermarriage with foreign women had been prohibited, because of the women's belief in foreign gods. it's a spiritual reason, not because of race. ezra's heart is broke for the thing that breaks God's heart; ezra's prays this incredible prayer of brokenness. and while he as praying, weeping and laying prostrate before God, the jews gathered around him. they also began to weep. so this guy, shecaniah, says that the people are willing to confess and returning their wives and children to their homelands. can you imagine what that must've been like? these men bowing before their Master, and rising from their brokenness only to face more heartache? that had to have been a very intense moment. the women and chilren were sent back to their countries...

hey Dad,
what's going on? i love Your Word. it moves me to understant more about You. thanks for allowing me to read and hear Your voice. thanks for drawing these israelites back from captivity so they could worship You in Your House. thanks for allowing me to worship You, too. i love the way You've opened up the path for foreign women to come to believe in You also. may You help ed to relax on vacation and enjoy his time with his in-laws. and may this week between You amd me be a vacation together also.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Ed *Susan *Kathy *Doug

Repent Upon Hearing

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord." He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 'Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you,' declares the Lord.
2 Kings 22: 8, 11, 19

Josiah was the king at this time. he took that position when he was only 8 years old. he followed a few very lousy kings who desecrated the Temple, made shrines to false gods and encouraged worship to Asherah poles. but josiah stepped up to the plate with prudence and wisdom. he cleaned out all the false worship shrines, poles and everything else used to distract from worship of the Lord. he ordered the priests and leaders to clean out the Temple, and Hilkiah found the book of Law. i guess it must have been hidden, neglected for far too long, dusty...

but then something amazing happened. the Word was opened, hearts were changed, and God turned his wrath from Josiah. a miracle happened. often that is what the Word does for my heart as well. my heart transforms into soft clay instead of a dried up clump of stone. the Word is still living and active. (heb. 4:12) it still changes hearts of stone to tears of love. it converts years of abuse and torture into compassion for the violators. we truly worship a magnificent Savior!

Jesus,
i know that You had an active part in finding that lost book. You opened the Word so that josiah could come before You in his brokenness. You have done the same for me. i once was lost, but now i'm found in You. i was stone, now i'm pliable clay. You continue to annihilate my wretchedness. be praised for Your transforming power. may You continue to move among us. i love You for what You've done for me.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Steven *Zack *Herb

Go to the Source

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the Lord. and Hezekiah prayed to the Lord : "O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. "It is true, O LORD , that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men's hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God."

after receiving some 'hate mail' from a distant aquaintance, hez took the letter into the sanctuary, spread it out and prayed with earnestness over this letter. man of faith! i would prolly cry, become defensive, highly irritated, and spout off to whomever was within earshot. oh how i want to be more like hezekiah. i want to be the one to go directly to my Source of strength and comfort, to the One who can change the situation. i want to cry out to Him when trying times come my way. i want to be like that... discipline! discipline! discipline!

Lord Jesus,
i know that You are the One who created all the earth and the heavens. You know what makes people tick, and what can cause a grown man to fall on his knees in repentance. You are the Source to whom i want to retreat. You are my resting place, my comfort, my hope of the future. i lay aside my tendecies to retaliate to men, instead of clinging to You. please draw me close to You when satan rears his ugly face. let me be discerning to know when the battle is raging with me and with others. let these weapons which You've taught me how to use be effective in this war. don't let me give up ground which belongs to You. You're my God, my Salvation. i love You, Jesus.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Justin *Carrie *Brandon

Seeking God

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
2 Chron. 31:20-21 NIV

Hezekiah carried out this work and kept it up everywhere in Judah. He was the very best--good, right, and true before his God. Everything he took up, whether it had to do with worship in God's Temple or the carrying out of God's Law and Commandments, he did well in a spirit of prayerful worship. He was a great success.
2 chron. 31:20-21 MSG

for the past few days, i've been studying hezekiah's life. from the first month he began his reign of Judah, he followed the Lord's commands. immediately he instructed the priests and levites to clean out the temple. hez restored the consecrated priests and levites to their holy positions: worship leaders. he had a Passover feast which was out of this world. the people celebrated the Lord's greatness for 2 weeks straight! and once the fesitval was complete, the worshipers went out into the community and smashed all the Asherah poles, the high places and sacred stones...they smashed all their foreign gods! one worship experience changed their lives! can you imagine the smile on God's face when that was taking place? go hezekiah!

so what made hezekiah the man that he was? 'he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.' 'he did well in a spirit of prayerful worship.' he was a james 1:22 type of guy...(don't just listen to the Word, but DO what it says!) he was obedient to the Law - God's Word. he chose to do what was right, even tho it was against the norm of society. i want to be more like that.

Jesus,
You are worthy of my praise. i can only imagine how You enjoyed those worshipers singing and dancing for You glory. i can bet that You were dancing and singing with them! thanks for using hezekiah to examplify Your obedience and faithfulness. thanks for equipping him to change the society. i know that You can do the same today. i know that You still desire for Your people to give You their offerings, and worship You alone. thanks for calling me to be Your servant. i confess that i've not sought You in all i've done. i can't worship You without Your help. Jesus, please come and teach me how. let me be faithful, right and good. i want to please You. i want to know Your Word and obey it. may You use me to draw others back into a right relationship with You. may my words and actions be used for Your purpose. i'm seeking You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Mike *Sean *Brett

Trascending Faith

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD , I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Hab.3:16-19

Just before these words were written, Habakkuk had a vision from God which was not what Habakkuk wanted to see. the vision was one of God reigning down in power - overpowering the people who were attacking the israelites. it was when God showed Habakkuk that the Israelite people would be devastated by the Babylonians, and yet God would still conquer the war. Habakkuk's mind had to be rushing 4 million miles a second... he knew that he and his family were in danger. yet his faith rose up within him, out-weighing his instinct to protect them. he says, "i will wait patiently for the day of calamity to comeon the nation invading us.".

habakkuk knew that hard times were ahead. yet he chose to look at the situation thru the eyes of the Beholder. ultimately the Lord was going to win - it was shown to him in the vision. all he had to hold on to was that fact...that his Holy One, his Lord, was the conqueror.

you and i have that assuarance also. tho the battles rage around us, tho we know our time on this earth is not easy, we ultimately know that our God reigns. we worship and are faithful to the Conqueror. He has already won. tho we die trying to win the battle, the war has already been completed. our eternity lies in the hands of the Beholder. we are not victims, but victors thru Him who gives us strength!

Jesus,
be praised for Your victory - Your victory over death. the grave couldn't even hold You!i praise You for raising me to be in the heavenlies already - i'm already seating in Your palace. thanks for choosing me to be in Your infintry. Jesus, when the battles rage all around, i praise You for lifting my eyes and heart to know that i am part of the team which has already won. i pray for others who are in the midst of their battles right now. may Your strength come upon them, lifting their eyes to see Your prevailing glory. please don't let them give into the temptations, the addictions, the habits which have gotten a strong grip on their hearts. set the free, Healer. let them run the race without all that baggage. may Your praise rise from Your people. let us lift up our voices in a shout which can bring down the strongest of walls. i know Your healing power can set all the captives free. please speak to them; show them Your glory, Lord. let their faith rise up within them - drawing them closer to You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Ben *Brett *Derrick

Light of Men

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
John 1:4, 9

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."
Matt. 5:14-15

i love the concept of light. i love waking up in the morning and the sun is shining thru my windows. i love knowing that there was a time in my life when i was living in darkness, but now i have been called to be a light to the world.

and the concept about me being light is powerful. i have a light which shines brighter than the sun (b/c He is the Son who created the sun.) and people all around me are living in darkness, and i am responsible for shedding Jesus' light with them. i've been appointed, called, instructed, entrusted to accomplish this mission. it's a granduer request of the Savior of the world. how incredibly awesome is that? like a match lit in a dark room is how my actions should represent Christ. that is bold, outrageous, outside of the box type of faith.

Jesus,
because You have loved me and entrusted me with the mysteries of Yourself, i desire to share Your light with men. i want to give my all because You cared enough to me to give Your all. may You create opportunities for me to share what You've blessed upon me. let me to an instrument for Your light. draw those living in darkness to me, so that i can have a chance to represent You. may Your light radiate from my smile, from my kindness, from my love. i want to be so full of Your light that others question what is different about me. Holy Spirit, let Your light shine.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Donald *George *Jason

Believe This!

When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' " At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
Luke 7:20-23

i've been thinking of these verses later, and i don't quite understand why. do you ever do that? some verses come to mind, over and over again...but for no apparent reason. so i'm blogging about them, trying to put to rest this insatiable questioning of why i have these verses pressed hard against my heart.

last night i grabbed one of my old books from college (NIV Harmony of the Gospels) and started searching for answers about this passage. mostly what i found was discussions about why John had sent the disciples. many scholars believe John thought Jesus would be glorified before his death. they insist that John was asking, "how are You going to prove to be the Messiah?" i tend to lean that way, instead of thinking that John was questioning if Jesus truly was the Messiah. none-the-less, i don't think that is the part of the story which i am to be focused on.

so far, my heart has been most contented in understanding the lesson to be, "Believe what you see! even if you don't believe all that i teach, please believe in the miracles for Your proof!" that's just my simple lesson...

Jesus,
i lay down my veiled understanding of this passage. please show me what You want me to learn. let it be clear, distinct, and comprehended. don't let me miss Your voice, please. i long to understand more about You. please continue to reveal Yourself to me. i love You. thanks for giving me an insatiable curiosity for Your Word. i need it. my trust is in You and in what You've done. You are the King of glory, the Great I AM. i worship You.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Oliver *Eden *Colin

Against Authorities' Will

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
2 cor. 11:32-33

You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego-who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
daniel 3:10-12

sometimes it's right not to obey the authorities. if what the authories are trying to uphold is directly opposed to what the Spirit of Christ is saying, then i can only assume that it is ok to obey Christ and not the human authorities. i can only assume that Christ wants His message proclaimed in areas where the authorities do not want His message proclaimed, even if this means becoming a martyr. i've heard it said, "nothing is worth becoming a martyr over," but i beg to differ. i believe there is a calling higher than our very lives which may lead us to surrender ourselves to death. just ask Jesus - He went thru it. and if the Father would chose to give His Son to death, why would i be so arrogant to think that i would be saved from brutal treatments?

in the verses listed above, paul, meshach, abednego and shadrach were all willing to go against their earthly authorities. and i respect them immensely for their boldness. they all knew the punishment which was ahead, and yet they didn't compromise under the extreme circumstances. they faced the challenge with great bravery and faith. that's the type of faith Christ is calling each of us to live up to.

Jesus,
thanks for allowing me to read these accounts of these men of faith. thanks for their courage and trust in You which transcends all knowledge. You've called us to a higher living. may Your Spirit guide and direct us to live our faith out boldly. let our worship for You burn so the world can see. it is for Your cause that i lay down my life and desire Your will to be done. have Your way, O Lord, have Your way.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen

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*Flora *Ed *SPRC

Fit and Holy Temples

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.
2 cor. 7:1

been going to the gym lately. trying to get somewhat more fit and trim. so far i've gained 5 pounds. don't think that is the way it's supposed to go. hopefully this week i can 'trim' away some of what i've put on during my trips to exercise.

when i'm going thru different situations in my life, i try search the Word for verses which affirm why i'm doing what i'm doing. this is normally my pattern: find verses, memorize them, and continue to have them before me while going thru whatever situation. so, this is my new challenge to memorize this verse.

Father,
i know that You are helping me to be discplined about going to the gym and being active. i want to be fit for Your glory. i want to be a holy temple, inside and out. may You, Holy Spirit, continue Your transformation power within me. i praise You for changing me to be more like You. i love You.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Lamoureaux's *Short's *Rob

Love Without Stopping

Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute, and love without stopping.
1 cor. 16:13-14

"Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" Jesus said, ""Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: "Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."
matt. 22:36-40

often the message version of the Bible adds an intricate twist to the normal words which we know so well. these words are not just commands but stirrings in my heart, empowering me to go out of my way to share Jesus with others. the statement, 'give it all you've got!' just seems so real, so immediate, so demanding. i love that! often i need to hear something directly before i get it...this is one of those lessons.

while i was on vacation denise redecorated my room. it's wonderful, by the way. i have this cross hung in the center of one of my ways, and on it is inscribed these words, "love one another". that's a command - a mission statement - a reason worth dying for. Jesus chose to obey that command, even with blood pouring from his pores. this morning as i looked at this simple cross, something deep within me began to cause me to think of broken relationships, unforgiveness in my heart, resentment toward others. with those feelings toward others stored up in my heart, i can't really love the way Jesus loves... extravagantly! so, Jesus and i had a time of reflection and repentance first thing this morning. it was refreshing, revitalizing, worthwhile. my heart feels lighter and my mind is challenged to keep those thoughts of content out of my brain. forgiveness is a choice... not a feeling. it's good to be alive in Christ! i am free, but only because of the grace of God.

Jesus,
i love You. thanks for getting me out of bed this morning for our moments together. You have a way of transforming my heart into clay. You are amazing. i'm learning to love like You, but i'm struggling. i tend to hold hurt feelings in my heart far too long. Jesus, i continue to ask You to cleanse me of those those and feelings. let me reliquish them onto You. i trust that Your death on the cross was enough for me...more than enough. You've died so that i might live...and live abundantly. thanks for guiding me thru this challenge. thanks for transforming my heart into the person You desire. without You i can't change. i love You so much.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Herb *both Grandmas *Cheryl

Comfort thru the Hard Times

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

it's hard leaving a church family. since denise has accepted a position at Jasper UMC, she/we had to break the news to the current youth and parents last night. there were many tears, many hugs, many words of encouragement. we, gartahotze's, have been praying for last night and the coming month for a few weeks. we've been praying for God to prepare the hearts of those who have come to know and love us at st. paul. we've been praying for God to encourage our hearts as well. and those prayers are definitely being answered. God has moved mountains in these hearts. the youth have shown such courage and support - it's awesome. and denise has been strong - tho her heart breaks for this separation.

so we solicite your prayers for this transition. i believe that May 23 will be out last day at st. paul. and being honest, some families are really struggling with denise, steven and i not being at st. paul. please keep us all in your prayers.

Jesus,
we know You as our Rock and our Comforter. we've seen You move mountains. we've heard Your calling to 'Go' and we want to be faithful. but God, it's not easy. our hearts are broken, empty, hurt, and yet there is a sense of purpose within all this chaos. we know that following You wasn't going to be easy; and we know that You are the One encouraging us thru this difficult time. i praise You for this opportunity to be faithful. thanks for the support and love the church family has shown us. thanks for equipping us to do Your work where ever we are. we give You the glory for allowing us to be Your servants. help us to always keep that before us as we continue to say, 'we'll see You later' to our close friends and loved ones. may You continue to bind together this youth ministry at st. paul. may the person You've chosen to fill the youth director role be passionately in love with You and enjoy kids. may this person have a desire to go way out of their way to make a youth's day. thanks for upholding the youth thru this trying time. thanks for carrying them. i know that You are present and active in their hearts. thanks for pursuing them with Your passion. let their fire for You burn ever stronger thru the fire. i love You and You are my strength.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*st. paul's youth ministry *Jasper's youth ministry* denise

Work of His Hands

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4

last weekend my friend, Laura, and i took a roadtrip to Rhode Island. by the way, it is a rather long drive from Atlanta to Newport, RI, but it's all worth it! during the drive, i had a chance to get out of the city and enjoy the brillant landscape God has created. and night, the stars seemed to jump from the sky. it was incredible to see how bright those stars shine, when the city lights don't distract from their glory. those stars helped me realize that everyone in the world, excluding those who are blind, can see the works of God's hands in the heavens.

too often in life we get distracted from the glory of God. kind of like the city lights hindering our view of how bright those stars are shining. my reality gets mess up at times. when i'm in the city i think that the stars are beautiful, but when i get outside of the city limits, those stars are brilliant and radiate - nearly bright enough to light the way in the darkness. it was incredible for me to experience that again. i've gotten used to seeing the stars thru the haze of ambient lighting. but God is great enough, big enough, extravagant enough to shine even brighter in the complete darkness. that is a wonderful understanding to me.

Jesus,
i praise You for allowing me to experience Your greatness during my trip. it was incredible to see You thru the stars, thru the ocean, thru the beautiful weather, and so many more ways. i give You glory for the safe travels, good company and joy of experiencing You thru nature. You've refreshed my soul. i love You and it's an honor to be called Your child. thanks for caring for me so radically. i love the way You love me.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Ed and family *Laura *Paul