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