To You
who are weary and worn
tired of the strife and stress
warring against the worries and realities
Be still soul
read these words over and over.
pray them
speak them over yourself
realize that there is a purpose unfolding in this
You are not alone dear one
your brothers and sisters world round are having to say the same words
There will be a day that it will be worth it all
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duGBIPEusks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6HSrcTvMqU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwkPsKe-39Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FASG0h6-5XQ
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Change
...no not what is jingling in your pocket
Im talking about becoming different from your normal.....
When Christ comes into our lives we are supposed to see change. It will be slow going in some areas and others things will happen overnight.
That is not important.
What IS important is that you and others notice a difference. God sees and knows and will continue to mold us right until the day of death or rapture.
How pliable are you? Are you soft in His hands? Do you balk at His commands? Do you resist His ways? When we consider His sacrifice, when we really "get it" we will want to let Him have His way in us.
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LiTy7ndOzw
change me Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnJqop2hZJ0
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Im talking about becoming different from your normal.....
When Christ comes into our lives we are supposed to see change. It will be slow going in some areas and others things will happen overnight.
That is not important.
What IS important is that you and others notice a difference. God sees and knows and will continue to mold us right until the day of death or rapture.
How pliable are you? Are you soft in His hands? Do you balk at His commands? Do you resist His ways? When we consider His sacrifice, when we really "get it" we will want to let Him have His way in us.
Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LiTy7ndOzw
change me Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnJqop2hZJ0
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Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ending Badly
I have been involved in a study of the Kings of the Old Testament.
I was happy to see in my reading tonite that after studying about the very bad king Jeroboam would come Asa.
In 2 Chronicles 14:2 it says that "Asa did good and right in the eyes of the Lord." I said "Great! some positive news... a good king." Then I read...."At the end, however, Asa stumbled and the last 5 years of his reign were out of step with the Godliness that had characterized it up to that point."
We are only one step away from turning away. There is no fence so the fact is you either are or you aren't. You are walking towards or away, with Him or not, obeying or disobeying.
We must be careful to never get so smug that we think we are unable to fall. It has happened to many. It is a moment by moment choice we make to follow the Lord.
Friend.... recommit today. Make sure you are where you are supposed to be. Life is short and the last thing you want is to end bad....No one plans it that way.....but it can happen.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength." Deut 6:5 and Matt 22:37
It needs to be your full time job!
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ps
please bear with me as I try to use a different server for my blog...I'm looking for some aid so this one will go out normally but I will most likely be experimenting a bit in the near future thanks!
I was happy to see in my reading tonite that after studying about the very bad king Jeroboam would come Asa.
In 2 Chronicles 14:2 it says that "Asa did good and right in the eyes of the Lord." I said "Great! some positive news... a good king." Then I read...."At the end, however, Asa stumbled and the last 5 years of his reign were out of step with the Godliness that had characterized it up to that point."
HOW SAD!!
But how easily it can happen!!
We must be careful to never get so smug that we think we are unable to fall. It has happened to many. It is a moment by moment choice we make to follow the Lord.
THANKFULLY we serve a God who forgives,
Who loves reconciliation,
Who constantly is calling to us.
Friend.... recommit today. Make sure you are where you are supposed to be. Life is short and the last thing you want is to end bad....No one plans it that way.....but it can happen.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength." Deut 6:5 and Matt 22:37
It needs to be your full time job!
content
ps
please bear with me as I try to use a different server for my blog...I'm looking for some aid so this one will go out normally but I will most likely be experimenting a bit in the near future thanks!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Hims and the Hers
Yesterday I listened to a You tube update of a young woman who ministers with Street Life in New York. I know this young one so was particularly interested in what the Lord was doing in and through her life.
I came away thinking about the "Hims and the Hers".
"We prayed for Him" "We asked Her what we could do to help" on and on she told of the one on one encounters that she and her team experience every week.
So many ministries today deal with the hundreds and the thousands. All well and good but God began with a HIM and then made a Her. The Scripture is personal and speaks to each and everyone of us personally. He says that He would that NONE would perish....none...not one. 2 Peter 3:9. The whole of the Bible is about people most often mentioning one by one.
I love that!!
I love that I stand out in the crowd when the Lord looks....and you do too!! This all seeing God...sees us as if we were the only one! WOW!! It strikes me even as I type!
So it just stands to reason that God, like a parent of an only child, longs to hear from you! HE longs to be with you. He longs to comfort, guide, provide for you, the one He loves!
Won't you let Him?
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I came away thinking about the "Hims and the Hers".
"We prayed for Him" "We asked Her what we could do to help" on and on she told of the one on one encounters that she and her team experience every week.
So many ministries today deal with the hundreds and the thousands. All well and good but God began with a HIM and then made a Her. The Scripture is personal and speaks to each and everyone of us personally. He says that He would that NONE would perish....none...not one. 2 Peter 3:9. The whole of the Bible is about people most often mentioning one by one.
I love that!!
I love that I stand out in the crowd when the Lord looks....and you do too!! This all seeing God...sees us as if we were the only one! WOW!! It strikes me even as I type!
So it just stands to reason that God, like a parent of an only child, longs to hear from you! HE longs to be with you. He longs to comfort, guide, provide for you, the one He loves!
Won't you let Him?
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Monday, February 18, 2013
Hannah's Prayer
In 1 Samuel 1 we see Hannah, barren wife of Elkanah, crying out to the Lord is prayer. Her heart is heavy and her spirit is broken as her peers taunt and tease her because of her "lack". Her husband loves her and is understanding but it is not enough. The Scripture says that the "Lord had closed her womb" v 5. Thus she was provoked to anger. It was a long standing battle that finally took its toll. Hannah, worn out from within, stopped eating and fell into deep depression. Her husband although sweet did not have the abilitiy to hear her deepest heart cry.
This year, this time, she wept bitterly, praying and promising God if He would give her a son that she would give the child back.
Eli, the priest, did not "get it" either. Thinking she was drunk he proposed that she join AA. She explained to him her plight and he heard her. He blessed her by sending her away in peace and asking the God of Israel to grant her prayer whatever it was. v 17.
This year, this time, she wept bitterly, praying and promising God if He would give her a son that she would give the child back.
Eli, the priest, did not "get it" either. Thinking she was drunk he proposed that she join AA. She explained to him her plight and he heard her. He blessed her by sending her away in peace and asking the God of Israel to grant her prayer whatever it was. v 17.
Verse 18 finds our lady eating and no longer downcast. Her burden had been lifted.
How did that happen?
She went and did business with the Lord
She told the Priest of her anguish and he blessed her
She laid her burden down
and put on a different face.
Now the awesome ending is that
she worshiped with her husband....
spiritually and physically
and conceived.
The story builds in power
and if you have not read it in a while
I suggest you do.
Friend
The Lord is the One
Who opens and closes the womb
The Lord gives and takes away
The Lord sends rain and scorching sun
and
the Lord hears and answers prayer.
Don't give up
Take your anguish and questions to Him
He is waiting.
Stay there until the burden is lifted off
and you can stand again in worship.
The answer will be on its way.
content
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Control ~ Or Lack Of
Today I'm out of control.
I'm having some painting done in my home which (to my and the painter's dismay) is turning out to be a bigger job than planned.
My schedule has been upset. A thin coat of dust has covered and penetrated every area. What seemed so innocent of a task has turned into something quite unexpected!
I find myself either needing to leave the house or clean some random, out of the way space to keep my sanity. This is no ones fault. Sometimes life just deals a hand like this. I fully realize there are much more tragic and serious things.....but none the less, I have "lost control". I realize there is nothing that I can really do until the task is done.
I keep talking to my self...breathing deeply and keeping questions at bay.
It's out of my hands.
How like life.
For a period everything is running smoothly .....our plans play out unhindered. The hiccups of life are just that.. mild distractions.
BUT THEN
something comes that tries to blow us off our course. We question, we doubt, and if we are not careful, our ill-adjusted attitudes can get the best of us and all those around us.
It's a test Beloved.
He's watching.
His Grace is readily available.
His promises continue to be true.
SO how are you doing?
while you lay sick in bed
have lost your job
get bad news
have your car breakdown
get an unexpected bill
lose a friend or loved one
hear your name being slandered
etc etc etc
Life is just this way.
Hold on to your hats ~ the ride can be twisty and scarier than a roller coaster in the dark!
Yet
When I'm not in control
I trust all the more that HE IS!!
Put your hands in the air
and let out that big scream!!!!
You're nearing the end of the ride!
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Friend Request
The other evening, in a conversation with a friend, the question came up as to whether a person who had just passed away had a relationship with the Lord or not. My friend said it would be up to God to figure out and "I can't even imagine how He does that!"
My response was "you know when I come into a room I KNOW who my friends are! I KNOW whom I have a relationship with. Yes I have acquaintances but they do not all involve relationship."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKjUoE2fack
My response was "you know when I come into a room I KNOW who my friends are! I KNOW whom I have a relationship with. Yes I have acquaintances but they do not all involve relationship."
God is the One Who knows.
He says "If you draw near to Me I will draw near to you."
It's a promise.
He is longing for relationship.
His "friend request" went out to you on the day of His death.
He was just "dying" to KNOW YOU!!
Won't you let Him in?
There is NOTHING to be afraid of.
He is the Lover of your soul.
He longs to walk with you
and give you the strength you need to get through this hard life.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Our Capital
This is a good reminder of our Countries Foundation.
Its time to go into the "basement" and inspect the walls. Prayer is the repair
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Eat and Sleep
Sounds kind of like a newborn babe doesn’t it?
Last year a mother bird decided to build a nest at eye level
in the shrubs next to our steps. It was
so interesting to watch the change in the nest from eggs to baby birds and then
empty again.
I noticed that those birds seemingly did only 2 things: eat
and sleep…Sometimes I would walk by and there would just be a mound of new
feathers but then….a small shake and those neck would immediately stretch up,
mouths wide open…expecting the next feeding.
Eat and Sleep…. Sounds so simple, so uninvolved, so
uncomplicated
You know I think that is what the Lord would have for His
children.
Rest…until the next “feeding”.
Be anxious for NOTHING.
NOTHING is too difficult for God.
In ALL things be grateful…. I have come to give you rest.
Do you believe it?
Does He care so much about you and your situation that you actually have
NOTHING to worry about?
Rest dear Saint….if He cares for the birds of the air as He
says…You have NOTHING to fret about.
Eat and sleep J
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Debt I Cannot Pay
Heard a news report on the Student Loan Crisis in America. Money borrowed for school that NOW needs to be paid back. Many of these young people are not able to even find a job in their field of learning and the interest keeps climbing!
How frustrating and nerve wracking!!
BUT WAIT!
God knows....
He was there all along.
Why don't you first decide how the situation came about.
Were you praying and asking for guidance when you took out the loan? ~or~
Did you just "do it" because it was the thing to do with no thought of God?
If the first is true and you were praying about this next step of schooling and felt guided in this direction you need not fear. God will guide you. Be patient and wise as you wait on Him for direction.
IF the latter is true and you just went ahead and took the loans out without thinking about God.....you also need not fear.
Take the matter before Him He holds the wealth of this earth ! Your loans are nothing to Him . Ask for His forgiveness and draw near to Him for guidance. I'm not suggesting that a wide way is going to open up before you but I can confidently say that when you come before the Lord humbly with your need He hears you and He will answer you.
Stay on your knees until you are confident that you have done the "business" that needs to be done. Repentance, receiving forgiveness and listening for guidance.... Then it is up to you to now walk in His ways. Do not fall back into the trap of worry and fretting.
These are dark times for many..... stay close to your Savior ~ Praise Him in the storm and in the valley of the shadow. He will not let you down
Many have gone before you and have left testimonies for you to read ~ the Scripture is full of the Faithfulness of God.
Believe
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How frustrating and nerve wracking!!
BUT WAIT!
God knows....
He was there all along.
Why don't you first decide how the situation came about.
Were you praying and asking for guidance when you took out the loan? ~or~
Did you just "do it" because it was the thing to do with no thought of God?
If the first is true and you were praying about this next step of schooling and felt guided in this direction you need not fear. God will guide you. Be patient and wise as you wait on Him for direction.
IF the latter is true and you just went ahead and took the loans out without thinking about God.....you also need not fear.
Take the matter before Him He holds the wealth of this earth ! Your loans are nothing to Him . Ask for His forgiveness and draw near to Him for guidance. I'm not suggesting that a wide way is going to open up before you but I can confidently say that when you come before the Lord humbly with your need He hears you and He will answer you.
Stay on your knees until you are confident that you have done the "business" that needs to be done. Repentance, receiving forgiveness and listening for guidance.... Then it is up to you to now walk in His ways. Do not fall back into the trap of worry and fretting.
These are dark times for many..... stay close to your Savior ~ Praise Him in the storm and in the valley of the shadow. He will not let you down
Many have gone before you and have left testimonies for you to read ~ the Scripture is full of the Faithfulness of God.
Believe
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Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Journey
Chatting with a friend who has just made a move, we talked about how hard change is, untangling ourselves from all the stuff we acquire over the years.
It made me think about the Pioneers, who packed their wagons with the necessities for a long and arduous trip. They often tried to add a few "reminders", delicacies of a life left behind.... books, lace tablecloth, dishes etc etc.to their bulging wagon.
I picture their husbands trying to be patient, as axes and tools, food stuffs and medicines all needed space. I know that the woman may often have looked at those barrels and trunks and found security as the road became long, knowing she was carrying some of her previous life with her. These things held memories of loved ones left behind and a semblance of "dignity" as the path wound out ahead..
It never failed but somewhere along that trip, a mountain pass, a rushing river, a stuck wagon, accident etc would end up forcing the couple to heave their things overboard to make the load lighter. How painful! Often they would arrive at their new property with seemingly bare bones....often needing to start from scratch......BUT THEY MADE IT!!
Before long the business of making a new life would take over and even though there were times of "missing" their lost things, life was too full to take much time in mourning their losses. Years later the things left behind would be totally forgotten, replaced by new memories and life lived forward.
I don't think it is too much different today. When we take on the new life of being a Christian we tend to want to take a few "old things" on our journey, to make it not so scary and more familiar. But it is not long before the Father causes things to happen that we must lighten the load and simplify. He knows that we can not be laden down with the old and still be able to receive the new. This happens over and over until we meet Him face to face.
Friend we will all agree that it is often hard to let go. Things hold so much meaning and memory~ but we MUST TRUST GOD. If He says simplify..do it. It will be for your good. He has more and more for you. Remember He is the Creator He's always doing something NEW~
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It made me think about the Pioneers, who packed their wagons with the necessities for a long and arduous trip. They often tried to add a few "reminders", delicacies of a life left behind.... books, lace tablecloth, dishes etc etc.to their bulging wagon.
I picture their husbands trying to be patient, as axes and tools, food stuffs and medicines all needed space. I know that the woman may often have looked at those barrels and trunks and found security as the road became long, knowing she was carrying some of her previous life with her. These things held memories of loved ones left behind and a semblance of "dignity" as the path wound out ahead..
It never failed but somewhere along that trip, a mountain pass, a rushing river, a stuck wagon, accident etc would end up forcing the couple to heave their things overboard to make the load lighter. How painful! Often they would arrive at their new property with seemingly bare bones....often needing to start from scratch......BUT THEY MADE IT!!
Before long the business of making a new life would take over and even though there were times of "missing" their lost things, life was too full to take much time in mourning their losses. Years later the things left behind would be totally forgotten, replaced by new memories and life lived forward.
I don't think it is too much different today. When we take on the new life of being a Christian we tend to want to take a few "old things" on our journey, to make it not so scary and more familiar. But it is not long before the Father causes things to happen that we must lighten the load and simplify. He knows that we can not be laden down with the old and still be able to receive the new. This happens over and over until we meet Him face to face.
Friend we will all agree that it is often hard to let go. Things hold so much meaning and memory~ but we MUST TRUST GOD. If He says simplify..do it. It will be for your good. He has more and more for you. Remember He is the Creator He's always doing something NEW~
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