Recently, for my Spiritual formation class I had to discuss what it means to Abide in Christ so here goes....
There is much to say about abiding in Christ. Many “Christians” have no true idea of what that means, often they think to abide in Christ is being a good Samaritan or being kind to your enemies, or being positive in the face of adversity, yet it is so much more than that. It is truly being connected to Christ in the spirit. It is learning how God’s way become our ways and how God’s thoughts become our thoughts. It is something as simple as understanding that through purposeful time spent with God in communion, prayer, fasting and the likes of it we actually inherit His mind and His personality. John 15 speaks of a connection that is deeper than we can get by spending time once a month or even once a week with Him. To Abide in Christ is to allow and trust Him to prune us, however painful that may be, God will cut off the components of our life that do not bear fruit any longer. Ultimately, since He knows best it will turn out as a beautiful change for the better in our character. Abiding in Christ means that we will bear fruit, such as the fruits of the spirit. Although, we will not achieve perfection the goal is to reflect a life that mirrors that of Christ. As we allow that transformation to happen in and through us, God is glorified and the world will see a picture of who Christ is. The most important component is the Holy Spirit and without His active part in our lives then we are hopeless because He is the one that Christ promised to leave here on Earth with us. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we learn the nature of God. To abide in Christ is to abide in love.
Some thoughts by Paul N. Vincent.
I believe John 15 is one of the most important passages in the New Testament about abiding in Christ and being Fruitful. Whenever I read or meditate on the passage, it always reminds me of the great importance that our Lord places on our Fruitfulness as his disciples. I’ve categorized the passage and my understanding of it under the following sub headings:
The Source – Christ: (vs. 1) - “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” The ultimate source of our Fruitfulness is Christ himself. Our Abiding in Him makes our being fruitful possible. He and the Father becomes our source and we cannot even try to abide or be fruitful without total dependence upon him.
The Requirement – Bear Fruit: (vs. 2b) – “…Every branch that does bear fruit ...” I believe the greatest desire of Christ is to see us show some evidence or make some efforts to bear fruits – no matter how small! Here he is not looking for quantity – he just wants to see us make some efforts to bring forth fruits – and once that happens; he says he’ll help us bring forth even more fruit! So his requirement is for us to bear fruits!
The Process – Pruning for Fruitfulness (vs. 2b) “…He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” The process to help us to bear more fruits once we have started bearing fruits is the pruning process. Here, the Master Prunes us, takes away any and every thing that stands in the way and that prevents us from bearing much fruit. And after his pruning, we then begin to bring forth fruits in much greater quantity!
The Condition – Abide In Christ (vs. 4) “Abide in me, and I will abide in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” The only condition that the Master gives, whereby we can become or remain fruit bears, is by remaining or abiding in him. This condition means that we need to continually Abide in Him if we as the branch of the vine will continue to bear fruit. As long as we meet this condition, we can be sure that our fruits will keep blossoming!
The Consequences – Punishment for Unfruitfulness (vs. 2a, 6b) “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit…he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” It’s quite clear that there is a serious consequence and punishment for anyone who doesn’t bear fruit and who by extension doesn’t remain in the vine. Jesus himself says they will be cut off from the vine (from Him) – for not bearing fruits. This tells me that we should take the issue of fruit bearing more seriously because the Master Jesus himself takes it that serious!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Knit Together
(A poem about Marriage by William Coleman)
Turn the radio off.
Put the paper down.
Give the TV a rest.
I want to hear you--and hear you alone.
Send the children out to play.
Take the telephone off the hook.
I want to listen to your voice and yours alone.
I want to hear how you feel and know what you think.
Tell me what your heart feels, what your mind wonders and how your soul hungers.
Put the car keys back.
Close the door.
Be later for your next appointment.
Share with me what makes you laugh.
Remind me what makes you upset.
I want to hear your voice and keep in touch with your spirit.
Turn the radio off.
Put the paper down.
Give the TV a rest.
I want to hear you--and hear you alone.
Send the children out to play.
Take the telephone off the hook.
I want to listen to your voice and yours alone.
I want to hear how you feel and know what you think.
Tell me what your heart feels, what your mind wonders and how your soul hungers.
Put the car keys back.
Close the door.
Be later for your next appointment.
Share with me what makes you laugh.
Remind me what makes you upset.
I want to hear your voice and keep in touch with your spirit.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Her Husband...a story on Submission
She waits her whole life to know him...
She prays to have a complete life with him...
She picks out his best qualities and wonders which ones he will actually have...
She waits anxiously for the day she will meet him..asking is he already in my life?
She waits for day that she will meet eye to eye as she walks down that aisle...What will that feel like?
She knows not what lies ahead...but knows that together everything will be just right!
A lady and her love can never know what will face them in the journey called Marriage but they will do anything to find out!
As they begin the path of LIFE & LOVE...they grasp hands and pray their years will be long and blessed together.
The love of a husband is like no other relationship. It is one of unique qualities and an even more unique love. They know that their dreams lie in one another's hands.
One thing I have to understand is that a husband is like a precious jewel...rare to find and lovely to behold. I love being a wife because I am married to my best friend. He loves, respects, protects and honors me. I have learned a lot about what it is to be married by the scripture which captures the essence of marriage. Ephesians 5:22-33:
"22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[c] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
There is no better way to explain this, the scripture is so clear and so invigorating! Many women feel the need to make there own rules in marriage because they don't understand what it means to "submit" which in verse 33 we see that it is meant to respect your husband. By a woman disregarding this key element of respect to her husband she is not respecting or honoring God (she is in sin). In fact by learning to respect her husband she learns to submit to and respect God.
I personally never liked the word "submit" but as I become more knowledgeable of the meaning and of the Word of God I see that it is not meant in a degrading manner but we are to submit to our husbands as we do Christ. Likewise I see how my own husband seeks to protect, love, honor and respect me and I know he is a godly man who loves me...so I will gladly submit to, honor and respect the husband that God gave me to honor both God and my Husband...
I love him endlessly....
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~Simone Signoret
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Strippers vs. Churchgoers
This is an article I found online and thought it worth sharing!!
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/2010/08/strippers-vs-churchgoers/
Posted: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:04:33 +0000
Yesterday we tweeted about a strange little story in Ohio where a group of strippers protested a church. It’s such a bizarre story that we couldn’t help diving in further (it seems the rest of the web couldn’t either). Here’s the story in a nutshell:
Pastor Bill Dunfee and the New Beginnings Ministries church have spent every weekend for the past four years picketing Tommy George’s Foxhole strip club. They show up with bullhorns and video cameras, preaching and capturing the license plates of customers to post online.
George tried suing the church in federal court several years ago and lost on free speech grounds. So he opted to use the church’s own tactics against them and started a protest of his own on Sunday morning. George and the strippers show up with bikinis and burgers, sitting in lawn chairs with their protest signs.
The first few weeks Dunfee had the sermon piped outside, but that only caused the strippers to “dance in the streets” (there’s your new tagline: “Preaching so good, the strippers dance in the streets!”). Now the two sides mostly ignore each other, though the article notes that one church member stopped to pray with one of the women, who appreciated the gesture.
Lessons
Getting people to church is a good thing, but I don’t think this is how you want to do it. Protesting, shaming and antagonizing people is never a good way to communicate the gospel. In this case it’s blowing up in their face as so many point and laugh.
Your strategy should be consistent with your message. If you believe in love, you should communicate with love. Maybe this church believes in judgment and, whether or not that’s the case, that’s exactly what’s being communicated.
The lone example of the one church member crossing the lines and talking to one of the women is encouraging. That’s where the story of the gospel is happening. In the Gospels you don’t find Jesus shouting at sinners with a bullhorn or shaming people into following him.
These kinds of stories show up all too often as Christians and their churches wage a painful culture war. In the end hearts are hardened on both sides and innocent bystanders become victims of holy tirades. You certainly can share the gospel by aiming a sword or a bullhorn at the heathen masses, but history has proven that it doesn’t go over well.
If you want the strippers to stop stripping, you might try loving them instead of protesting them, talking to them instead of shouting at them, befriending them instead of vilifying them.
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/2010/08/strippers-vs-churchgoers/
Posted: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:04:33 +0000
Yesterday we tweeted about a strange little story in Ohio where a group of strippers protested a church. It’s such a bizarre story that we couldn’t help diving in further (it seems the rest of the web couldn’t either). Here’s the story in a nutshell:
Pastor Bill Dunfee and the New Beginnings Ministries church have spent every weekend for the past four years picketing Tommy George’s Foxhole strip club. They show up with bullhorns and video cameras, preaching and capturing the license plates of customers to post online.
George tried suing the church in federal court several years ago and lost on free speech grounds. So he opted to use the church’s own tactics against them and started a protest of his own on Sunday morning. George and the strippers show up with bikinis and burgers, sitting in lawn chairs with their protest signs.
The first few weeks Dunfee had the sermon piped outside, but that only caused the strippers to “dance in the streets” (there’s your new tagline: “Preaching so good, the strippers dance in the streets!”). Now the two sides mostly ignore each other, though the article notes that one church member stopped to pray with one of the women, who appreciated the gesture.
Lessons
Getting people to church is a good thing, but I don’t think this is how you want to do it. Protesting, shaming and antagonizing people is never a good way to communicate the gospel. In this case it’s blowing up in their face as so many point and laugh.
Your strategy should be consistent with your message. If you believe in love, you should communicate with love. Maybe this church believes in judgment and, whether or not that’s the case, that’s exactly what’s being communicated.
The lone example of the one church member crossing the lines and talking to one of the women is encouraging. That’s where the story of the gospel is happening. In the Gospels you don’t find Jesus shouting at sinners with a bullhorn or shaming people into following him.
These kinds of stories show up all too often as Christians and their churches wage a painful culture war. In the end hearts are hardened on both sides and innocent bystanders become victims of holy tirades. You certainly can share the gospel by aiming a sword or a bullhorn at the heathen masses, but history has proven that it doesn’t go over well.
If you want the strippers to stop stripping, you might try loving them instead of protesting them, talking to them instead of shouting at them, befriending them instead of vilifying them.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sloth....
Spiritual sloth
The most dangerous form of sloth is spiritual neglect—becoming careless in our relationship with God. The writer to the Hebrews asks a haunting question:
How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation,
which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him (Hebrews 2:3, NIV).
To neglect our duty may result in temporal loss, but to slothfully neglect our spiritual well-being may result in eternal loss—not only for ourselves, but those we influence.
Biblical antidote for sloth
Solomon gives some instruction to his son for dealing with sloth. He sends him to one of the smallest creatures to learn a vital lesson:
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no
commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8, NIV).
Notice that the first step in overcoming slothfulness is a humbling action.The son of the king, too indolent to learn in normal ways, is sent to a lowly creature for a lesson.
Note at least five lessons to be learned from the ant:
* It plans ahead—considers its ways.
* It is self-motivated—it has no commander.
* It takes responsible action—it stores provisions.
* It exerts effort—it gathers its food.
(Reflections for every woman @ ag.org)
The most dangerous form of sloth is spiritual neglect—becoming careless in our relationship with God. The writer to the Hebrews asks a haunting question:
How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation,
which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him (Hebrews 2:3, NIV).
To neglect our duty may result in temporal loss, but to slothfully neglect our spiritual well-being may result in eternal loss—not only for ourselves, but those we influence.
Biblical antidote for sloth
Solomon gives some instruction to his son for dealing with sloth. He sends him to one of the smallest creatures to learn a vital lesson:
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no
commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8, NIV).
Notice that the first step in overcoming slothfulness is a humbling action.The son of the king, too indolent to learn in normal ways, is sent to a lowly creature for a lesson.
Note at least five lessons to be learned from the ant:
* It plans ahead—considers its ways.
* It is self-motivated—it has no commander.
* It takes responsible action—it stores provisions.
* It exerts effort—it gathers its food.
(Reflections for every woman @ ag.org)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
THE DISCIPLINE OF DIFFICULTY
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High . . . there shall no evil befall thee" - no plague can come nigh the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, there is nothing for you to fear." Men who before they were saved would scorn to talk about troubles, often become "fushionless" after being born again because they have a wrong idea of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. The temptation is to face difficulties from a common-sense standpoint. The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God.
An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High . . . there shall no evil befall thee" - no plague can come nigh the place where you are at one with God.
If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come. "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, there is nothing for you to fear." Men who before they were saved would scorn to talk about troubles, often become "fushionless" after being born again because they have a wrong idea of a saint.
God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. The temptation is to face difficulties from a common-sense standpoint. The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
My thoughts on L-O-V-E!
Here are my thoughts on L-O-V-E!
It's not about how often you talk on the phone throughout the day, its about what is said. It's not about the hugs and kisses but rather that look that says "You mean the world to me." It's not about the expensive gifts you get but rather the gifts that show his true feelings for you! It's not how much time you spend together but rather how you feel when you're apart. It's not about how often you say "I love you" or "I miss you", but about the butterflies in your stomach when you hear the words spoken.
It's not about how much he has to offer you but about the fact that you know he would give you the world if he could.
It's about the chills that he sends down your spine with just the thought of him.
I have been on an unexpected journey for quite some time now...but in the last few months I have learned something special about L-O-V-E! I love the lessons God gives...
The funny thing is that years ago I was adamant that I would never marry and I meant it. But God...intervened and changed that! Now I can say I am happily married....THANK YOU LORD!
In the last few months...I have fallen more in Love with my husband--more than I could have ever expected.. Everyone told me that our new journey would bring us closer. But I didn't realize how right they were. It's beautiful how God takes a marriage and blesses it, shows His own love through it, and teaches us to be self-less. I understand marriage a little more everyday...and I would not change a moment of it! Love is a wonderful thing...it gives us fearless strength and endless hope to continue to reach new levels and heights in this life. I couldn't ever imagine my life without my husband. I don't believe that there is only one person out there for everyone, but I do believe that my husband is perfect for me! I needed him to encourage me, to push me, to give me confidence to accomplish my dreams and most of all to love me.
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. ~Mother Teresa
There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder. ~Charles Morgan
You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. ~Jonathan Carroll
Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence. ~Eric Fromm
Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
When love is not madness, it is not love. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca
For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard
Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense. ~Mark Overby
Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown
Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown
It's not about how often you talk on the phone throughout the day, its about what is said. It's not about the hugs and kisses but rather that look that says "You mean the world to me." It's not about the expensive gifts you get but rather the gifts that show his true feelings for you! It's not how much time you spend together but rather how you feel when you're apart. It's not about how often you say "I love you" or "I miss you", but about the butterflies in your stomach when you hear the words spoken.
It's not about how much he has to offer you but about the fact that you know he would give you the world if he could.
It's about the chills that he sends down your spine with just the thought of him.
I have been on an unexpected journey for quite some time now...but in the last few months I have learned something special about L-O-V-E! I love the lessons God gives...
The funny thing is that years ago I was adamant that I would never marry and I meant it. But God...intervened and changed that! Now I can say I am happily married....THANK YOU LORD!
In the last few months...I have fallen more in Love with my husband--more than I could have ever expected.. Everyone told me that our new journey would bring us closer. But I didn't realize how right they were. It's beautiful how God takes a marriage and blesses it, shows His own love through it, and teaches us to be self-less. I understand marriage a little more everyday...and I would not change a moment of it! Love is a wonderful thing...it gives us fearless strength and endless hope to continue to reach new levels and heights in this life. I couldn't ever imagine my life without my husband. I don't believe that there is only one person out there for everyone, but I do believe that my husband is perfect for me! I needed him to encourage me, to push me, to give me confidence to accomplish my dreams and most of all to love me.
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. ~Mother Teresa
There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder. ~Charles Morgan
You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip. ~Jonathan Carroll
Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence. ~Eric Fromm
Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
When love is not madness, it is not love. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca
For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard
Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense. ~Mark Overby
Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown
Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Transitions of LOVE
Something lit up in my soul tonight! There truly is no LOVE more fulfilling than the LOVE of GOD!
In life I have learned that...there are things we will understand and some things we never will! My life has not taken quite the direction that I thought it would, but I have no regrets. I have to admit though...God showers me with His LOVE and surprises me so very often! I am so glad to live with God in my life. I would not change a single moment. He makes me happier than I could ever be on my own. God knows the right timing for things to happen and He knows how much I need to grow and all along He is right beside me helping me to grow and be fruitful in my walk. I could not ask for a more LOVING God!!
So have you ever sat there and just pondered His immense love for you?
Have you ever sat there and literally felt His love in your heart/soul/being?
It's an unreal feeling...You can actually feel it deep down in your soul...those are the moments that I can't help but say...God I know what it is to be in LOVE with you!!! The moments that you cry because you can feel His LOVE brewing inside your being...that's why I can say "God there is NO LOVE MORE FULFILLING than your LOVE.
No LOVE has the power to change you....
No LOVE has the power to move you....
No LOVE has the power to humble you....
No LOVE has the power to make you weep instantly....
No LOVE has the power to shape you....
No LOVE has the power to sustain you....
No LOVE has the power to comfort you....
No LOVE has the power to save you....
No LOVE has the power to heal you....
No LOVE like God's LOVE!!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thought on Evangelism...
“Debate has flourished about which of the wounds inflicted on Jesus actually caused his death. Among the many wounds he received were lacerations, punctures, abrasions, and contusions. In a sense we can say that none of these killed Jesus. The wound that killed him was silence. No one spoke up for him.” (Excerpt from the book Share Jesus without Fear by William Fay) Many of us are familiar with the story of Peter and how he denied Jesus 3 times. (Mark 14:66-72) As we read that story we can easily find ourselves shacking our heads thinking “I would never do something like that,” or we might think, “How could he deny Jesus, whom he loved?” The fact is that we have all been in Peter’s shoes without realizing it. Although you may have never said, “I don’t know him,” like Peter did, we have all still found a way to deny God. We deny him by never opening our mouths. We deny him with our silence…
Matthew 28:18-20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Evangelism is a way for us to share the gospel with those we come in contact with. Jesus commands us to evangelize! Unfortunately, “Evangelism” can be an intimidating word because we often associate it with preaching or something challenging or uncomfortable. The truth is that evangelism is as easy as simply offering a prayer or meeting a need. Through those actions we open a door to sharing the gospel with non-believers. Evangelism requires action on our part but it is not difficult, as we may think.
There is an important key to Evangelism and that is none other than LOVE! We love God, and as a result we share the gospel to be obedient and please Him. We love people and as a result we share the gospel so that they can take part in the truth. A part of love, is meeting needs. Take a chance, be intentional, and meet a need however it may be possible. God’s love has a powerful effect on people. God uses His people as a channel of love to reach the lost world, and if they don’t get that from His followers they may never come to understand God’s love.
One challenge to Evangelism is that we have a misconstrued idea of its “goal.” We think that if the person does not receive Christ then we have failed. That is far from the truth! The fact that you share your faith is a success because it is obedience to Christ. We often think that it is our responsibility to save people and that is not the point of evangelism. By simply being obedient in sharing your faith, you are giving God the opportunity to work through you and in the people you share with. Again, it is not our job to save people, but it is our responsibility to share the gospel, the rest of the work is up to the Holy Spirit. Think about this: if you could convince them into the truth then someone else could easily convince them otherwise, but the Holy Spirit works in each person’s heart perfectly.
Don’t allow yourself to fall into the sin of silence. Speak up for Jesus, spread the good news, preach when necessary, minister to the lost, and share the gospel so that others can have the opportunity to hear the truth and be saved! Remember that you were once in need of someone to speak to you about God, let Him use you to draw others closer to Him. Evangelism is important to God and must be important to us! If we are not sharing our faith then we are not leading an exemplary Christian life.
Acts 26: 16-18 16 Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
Statistics for thought:
* People will hear the gospel an average of 7.6 times before they accept it.
* People most afraid to share the gospel are usually the ones who have been Christians the longest!
* 75% - 90% of new believers come to Christ through a friend or acquaintance explaining the gospel one on one to them.
* 85% of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.
* 95% of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ
CHALLENGE: What kind of Christian will you be: The kind that talks about the lost? Or the kind that talks to the Lost? Either you share your faith, or you can say nothing and in your silence watch your friends and family stay condemned and on a path to hell.
Matthew 28:18-20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Evangelism is a way for us to share the gospel with those we come in contact with. Jesus commands us to evangelize! Unfortunately, “Evangelism” can be an intimidating word because we often associate it with preaching or something challenging or uncomfortable. The truth is that evangelism is as easy as simply offering a prayer or meeting a need. Through those actions we open a door to sharing the gospel with non-believers. Evangelism requires action on our part but it is not difficult, as we may think.
There is an important key to Evangelism and that is none other than LOVE! We love God, and as a result we share the gospel to be obedient and please Him. We love people and as a result we share the gospel so that they can take part in the truth. A part of love, is meeting needs. Take a chance, be intentional, and meet a need however it may be possible. God’s love has a powerful effect on people. God uses His people as a channel of love to reach the lost world, and if they don’t get that from His followers they may never come to understand God’s love.
One challenge to Evangelism is that we have a misconstrued idea of its “goal.” We think that if the person does not receive Christ then we have failed. That is far from the truth! The fact that you share your faith is a success because it is obedience to Christ. We often think that it is our responsibility to save people and that is not the point of evangelism. By simply being obedient in sharing your faith, you are giving God the opportunity to work through you and in the people you share with. Again, it is not our job to save people, but it is our responsibility to share the gospel, the rest of the work is up to the Holy Spirit. Think about this: if you could convince them into the truth then someone else could easily convince them otherwise, but the Holy Spirit works in each person’s heart perfectly.
Don’t allow yourself to fall into the sin of silence. Speak up for Jesus, spread the good news, preach when necessary, minister to the lost, and share the gospel so that others can have the opportunity to hear the truth and be saved! Remember that you were once in need of someone to speak to you about God, let Him use you to draw others closer to Him. Evangelism is important to God and must be important to us! If we are not sharing our faith then we are not leading an exemplary Christian life.
Acts 26: 16-18 16 Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
Statistics for thought:
* People will hear the gospel an average of 7.6 times before they accept it.
* People most afraid to share the gospel are usually the ones who have been Christians the longest!
* 75% - 90% of new believers come to Christ through a friend or acquaintance explaining the gospel one on one to them.
* 85% of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ.
* 95% of all Christians have never won a soul to Christ
CHALLENGE: What kind of Christian will you be: The kind that talks about the lost? Or the kind that talks to the Lost? Either you share your faith, or you can say nothing and in your silence watch your friends and family stay condemned and on a path to hell.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Breaking the Barriers!!!
I came across a great website with ministry tools, here is a cool tract I found on a website: www.atstracts.org
One of the greatest stories in American history is the day Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers stood as one in a baseball game that would begin a cultural transformation. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black American to penetrate the color barrier in major league baseball. Decades of prejudice and discrimination had created a climate that would make racial integration a painful experience and seemingly impossible.
The game called "America's pastime" should have been inclusive for all Americans, but it was far from it. The crowds would boo and jeer each time Jackie Robinson was introduced in the lineup. On May 14, 1947, the Dodgers played the Reds at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Jackie was booed so loudly that the game could not continue. The rancor and rejection were deafening. How could anyone change this infamous blight upon our culture? Pee Wee Reese, a popular white Southern shortstop, left his position and walked to Jackie Robinson and simply put his hand on Jackie's shoulder and stood courageously as if to say, "If you are going to boo Jackie, you must boo me, also. If you are going to reject him, you must reject me." In essence, he took on all of Jackie's public rejection in one act and gave Jackie all of his public favor in the same act.
Those present reported the noise of disapproval began to fade. Within moments the silence was as deafening as the previous noise.
Although the barrier was broken, prejudice still exists in some areas of sports. Yet that was the day baseball began to change. And everyone has benefited from that "one-act" play on the diamond of America's national pastime.
As great as that act was, an even greater act took place when God's Son, Jesus Christ, broke the sin barrier on our behalf. Sin had infected us with prejudice, hatred, selfishness, anger, immorality and greed. We were doomed to rejection. Jesus willfully walked to our side and stood beside us. Our accuser, Satan, and the minions of hell were booing, jeering and threatening our existence. We stood helpless, unable to change our sinful nature. Jesus placed His arm around us and stood triumphantly. The sin barrier came crashing down and the heavenly cheer began. Now, great rejoicing occurs over every single person who confesses Jesus is the Christ (Luke 15:7). Heaven's hallways are filled with the cheers of affirmation from that moment forward.
God created Jackie Robinson, but sadly many Americans tried to connect his worth and worthiness to the color of his skin. Baseball was forever changed in one act, on one day, by one man, in one game. Life and human destiny were forever changed by one act, by one Man, on one day, on one cross.
Jesus became our Mediator and changed our helpless state to a heavenly one by breaking the barrier of sin in our lives. He stands next to us the moment we believe. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Written by Don Spradling. Reprinted from Pentecostal Evangel, March 9, 2003.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Kobe's Evangelism..
Meet BJ!!
What a night to remember! (This blog is long overdue!)
On our 2nd anniversary we celebrated by going out to Kobe's! (How typical..Kobe's is our favorite spot to go!!) Anyways our cook came out he seemed to be a very happy man! He was doing the usual Kobe's entertainment and we were really enjoying it... but then something amazing happened!! Just before eating our food we asked our cook if there was anything we could pray for and he just grabbed our hands and said "sure let's pray." I could hear him praying but it didn't sound like English...so I just assumed he was praying in a different language. He was Asian so I didn't think much of it. We blessed our food and then said Amen!
But then our Cook asked to pray for us and we said "Sure!" The man started praising the Lord Jesus and began to speak in tongues and pray for us...WOW!!! Talk about Holy Spirit filled?! Yes he was! After he prayed for us we were so overjoyed, but then he started to tell his testimony of how his whole family are Buddhists but he serves Jesus. He started testifying how Jesus saved his life..you see, he was addicted to cocaine and crystal meth and the only one that could get him out of that was Jesus!!! not buddha...But JESUS! Amen!
What a blessing to see what the Lord had done in his life.
There is always an opportunity to evangelize...Ask the Lord to show you how and when...You will be amazed!!
Bless the name of the Lord!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
So I have decided to join the choir here in our new church Westover Hills Assembly of God...This past Thursday was my first rehearsal with them and can I just say WOW!?!!
First of all they have a worship team that sings every service, with the choir behind them and a full band!!! It sounds amazing...(not just because my husband does sound) because they are really talented!! Praise the Lord!
So..the first hour of rehearsal is usually separated...choir in one room & musicians on stage rehearsing. So the second hour of rehearsal is everyone together. We rehearsed all the songs and at the last one we just could not stop worshiping the Lord. His presence just took over and everyone was crying and praying and worshiping Him! I have never experienced that at a rehearsal before...I am so glad to be a part of this plan of God for my life!!!
In everything we do, we must remember that worship is key to victory in our lives and without worship we will dry up. Learn to worship in the good, the bad, the hard and the easy! It absolutely NEEDS to be a part of our daily lives.
LOVE THE JOURNEY that God has set before you, embrace it, because it is part of your destiny! WOW!
Here is a challenge for you today: Our music Pastor gave this challenge...When you go to a restaurant and are about to eat, stop & tell the waiter or waitress this: In a moment we will pray for our food, is there anything we can pray for you about? That is a great way to evangelize! You will be surprised at the reaction...Amen!
I will praise you oh Lord with my whole heart, I'll sing praises to your name!!!
GOD! I love you FOREVER #thereisnothinglike YOUR LOVE!!!! Over and over again you amaze me...I can't wait for eternity with you! It's gonna be GLORIOUS!!!! Here is a tidbit of our worship time!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
This journey continues...
This journey continues...
Philippians 4:19
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
It's been a while since my last blog and so many little adventures along the way...
From Orlando, Florida to San Antonio, Texas was 1186.07 miles...and it felt like an eternity...yet God was taking us to our new destination one step at a time. David and I had no doubt about that!
We were able to talk and dream about our future...I really think God loves that!
I have heard it said "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" I thought that was very wise because it's true...God doesn't just throw us into the next phase of life he eases you in, prepares your heart and makes you ready. (Leading to my next post coming soon!!)
Each step you take you learn more about yourself and about God!
Each step takes you closer to your next destination while preparing you mentally, spiritually and physically.
I never thought that I could live miles away from the family, church, and friends that have been part of my life for over a decade. These people helped me through the toughest years of my life and were there when my entire life flipped around on me...I love them. Yet God prepared me and has fulfilled every desire so that I don't doubt my place here and now! Don't get me wrong...I do miss them still...BUT GOD was ready to take me to the next step and knew exactly what needed to be done to get me out here. I had even put certain petitions before Him, things I needed for Him to do so that I could come out here with peace...and of course God almighty answered all of them and more!!!
I know that God finished with me there in Orlando and if I want more of Him, then I have to trust more and walk out in faith. So I obediently did so...
The people in my life (from Orlando) were amazing and whether or not they stay in my life, I am confident that there was a purpose for them & each person marked me in a very different way. I know that I will never have the same friendships but God will provide new ones along the journey.
I am loving life and all that God provides, He truly is the master of all and I trust Him alone as the ONLY GOD and guide in my life!
This journey continues....
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Simplicity of Love
A four letter word that has the power to change the WORLD!
Do we really understand LOVE?
It is a cure for so much pain.
It is a way to live freely.
It is a necessary ingredient for all relationships.
It is the hope for tomorrow.
While people seek sources and things for LOVE....
The Bible says it is the Bond of perfection (COLOSSIANS 3:14)
Here is a song that touched my heart <3... written by Newworldson You say love is just a word, just four letters in a row.
Just a thing that people say, or they never tell you so.
And you use every excuse, to let nobody in.
Now this cloud you bring around, has become your only friend.
And everybody saying that it's going to go away, but it don't go.
And everybody's telling you one day it's going to change,
but you don't know, if it's really going to end.
But there is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.
But if love became a man, if the word had flesh and bone.
Would you recognize His face, if He came to bring you home.
You think you're all alone, gotta do it on your own riding solo.
Is there someone you can call, when you stumble and fall?
Cause you don't know, if you'll be getting up again.
There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.
Don't you think your life's worth saving?
Don't you know that love's amazing?
Don't you want to lay your troubles down?
Lay them down.
If I thought love was just a word, I might feel the same way too.
But there's so much more than that, and it's waiting here for you.
There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way,
there is a way,
there is a way.
Truth and the life and the way.
Come on, there is a way.
Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way,
there is a way.
Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way.
Truth and the life and the way.
Ooooh, there is a way back home.
Truth and the life and the way.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Today...
What you do today is important because you are exchanging a whole day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; and in its place will be something that you had left behind... let it be something good.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I want it all by Shane & Shane (Beautiful song lyrics)
use me, break me, waste me on You, Lord
ruin me, take me, waste me on You
for to die is to live...
to starve is to feast
and less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all
if i lose my life
i gain everything
and at the cross
away with all death's sting
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all
there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
come in power, wash me clean
overwhelm me with Your presence
there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
help me glory in the cross
help me find my gain in loss
(philippians 1:21-23; 3:7-11)
ruin me, take me, waste me on You
for to die is to live...
to starve is to feast
and less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all
if i lose my life
i gain everything
and at the cross
away with all death's sting
Lord, i want it all
Lord, i want it all
there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
come in power, wash me clean
overwhelm me with Your presence
there is power in the blood
there is victory in Jesus
help me glory in the cross
help me find my gain in loss
(philippians 1:21-23; 3:7-11)
Snapshots of Angry People (a reflection from A/G)
Moses is not the only person in Scripture who dealt with anger. While we read of his anger on several occasions, we only have short descriptions of others. Thankfully the Scriptures were written before iPhones© were invented, or we might have some very surprising snapshots of famous people. Looking at them in their moments of anger may help us understand ourselves in similar circumstances.
An Angry King
Saul, in my opinion, is one of the tragic figures in Scripture. He started out well but came to an ignominious end.
Great celebration accompanied the coronation of handsome young Saul. But something happened to the man so humble that he hid from those who wanted him to be king. Almost immediately he assumed more authority than he had, and offered sacrifices inappropriately. His later disobedience cost him the throne, according to the prophet Samuel.
The stinging rebuke of Samuel was probably still in his ears when he heard women exalting David in song:
Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”(1 Samuel 18:8, NIV).
It is easy to see that Saul’s insecurity and jealousy spawned his anger at David. His wrath was so vehement he threw a javelin at David, who escaped by the mercy of the Lord. This is not a pretty picture of a king, but one important to us in our desire to understand anger.
An Angry Prophet
Jonah’s anger was not directed at another person but at God. He reluctantly but obediently prophesied against Nineveh, and had seen great results as the city repented. But Jonah didn’t like it:
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish” . . . But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” (Jonah 4:1,2,4, NIV).
Saul was angry because he was jealous of someone else’s success. By contrast, Jonah was angry when he himself had been successful, but not in his own eyes. He had prophesied judgment, and it did not come because the people repented. The egocentric Jonah thought he looked like a false prophet, and he was mad.
This is not a pretty picture of a God-fearing prophet, but it shows us the consequences of having wrong motives while doing the right thing. What we get angry about has a way of revealing what is in our hearts.
Some Angry Disciples
Jesus and the disciples were walking to Jerusalem, the last trip before the crucifixion. The rich young ruler questioned Jesus and had the surprising assignment to give away his wealth. When Jesus continues his teaching about his Kingdom, the disciples were amazed and then more amazed and then astonished, according to Mark 10.
In this state of mental confusion, one thing came through to James and John. Jesus was going to set up a Kingdom, and they asked for a prominent place in it. The other disciples were angry at their request:
When the ten other disciples heard this, they were angry with James and John (Mark 10:41, CEV).
Some translations use softer language, like became indignant, but the Contemporary English Versionstates bluntly that they were angry.
What spawned the anger this time? The Bible does not say specifically, but we know from other passages that the disciples regularly discussed who would be the greatest. Apparently the others were now angry with James and John for assuming they would fill those positions. This is not a picture of the disciples we like to keep in our mental scrapbook.
These pictures of the angry king, the angry prophet and the angry disciples can be mirrors to reflect our own anger which may flare at times. All three became angry when they perceived something as personally threatening. Saul’s subsequent behavior brought his kingdom to an end. God in His mercy and Jesus in grace helped Jonah and the disciples confront their anger, which gives us hope for mercy and grace if we need it.
An Angry King
Saul, in my opinion, is one of the tragic figures in Scripture. He started out well but came to an ignominious end.
Great celebration accompanied the coronation of handsome young Saul. But something happened to the man so humble that he hid from those who wanted him to be king. Almost immediately he assumed more authority than he had, and offered sacrifices inappropriately. His later disobedience cost him the throne, according to the prophet Samuel.
The stinging rebuke of Samuel was probably still in his ears when he heard women exalting David in song:
Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”(1 Samuel 18:8, NIV).
It is easy to see that Saul’s insecurity and jealousy spawned his anger at David. His wrath was so vehement he threw a javelin at David, who escaped by the mercy of the Lord. This is not a pretty picture of a king, but one important to us in our desire to understand anger.
An Angry Prophet
Jonah’s anger was not directed at another person but at God. He reluctantly but obediently prophesied against Nineveh, and had seen great results as the city repented. But Jonah didn’t like it:
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish” . . . But the Lord replied, “Have you any right to be angry?” (Jonah 4:1,2,4, NIV).
Saul was angry because he was jealous of someone else’s success. By contrast, Jonah was angry when he himself had been successful, but not in his own eyes. He had prophesied judgment, and it did not come because the people repented. The egocentric Jonah thought he looked like a false prophet, and he was mad.
This is not a pretty picture of a God-fearing prophet, but it shows us the consequences of having wrong motives while doing the right thing. What we get angry about has a way of revealing what is in our hearts.
Some Angry Disciples
Jesus and the disciples were walking to Jerusalem, the last trip before the crucifixion. The rich young ruler questioned Jesus and had the surprising assignment to give away his wealth. When Jesus continues his teaching about his Kingdom, the disciples were amazed and then more amazed and then astonished, according to Mark 10.
In this state of mental confusion, one thing came through to James and John. Jesus was going to set up a Kingdom, and they asked for a prominent place in it. The other disciples were angry at their request:
When the ten other disciples heard this, they were angry with James and John (Mark 10:41, CEV).
Some translations use softer language, like became indignant, but the Contemporary English Versionstates bluntly that they were angry.
What spawned the anger this time? The Bible does not say specifically, but we know from other passages that the disciples regularly discussed who would be the greatest. Apparently the others were now angry with James and John for assuming they would fill those positions. This is not a picture of the disciples we like to keep in our mental scrapbook.
These pictures of the angry king, the angry prophet and the angry disciples can be mirrors to reflect our own anger which may flare at times. All three became angry when they perceived something as personally threatening. Saul’s subsequent behavior brought his kingdom to an end. God in His mercy and Jesus in grace helped Jonah and the disciples confront their anger, which gives us hope for mercy and grace if we need it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Some inspiration for TODAY!
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
Shakespeare
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein
The man who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Anyone can fail. The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticized. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility. Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done.
C. V. White
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller
Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.
Jawaharal Nehru
Our life's a stage, a comedy: either learn to play and take it lightly, or bear its troubles patiently.
Palladas
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are no classes in life for beginners: right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.
Rainer Maria Rilke
To live is like to love--all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it.
Samuel Butler
One life - a little gleam of time between two eternities.
Thomas Carlyle
Thomas Jefferson
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
Shakespeare
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein
The man who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Anyone can fail. The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticized. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility. Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done.
C. V. White
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller
Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.
Jawaharal Nehru
Our life's a stage, a comedy: either learn to play and take it lightly, or bear its troubles patiently.
Palladas
Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are no classes in life for beginners: right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.
Rainer Maria Rilke
To live is like to love--all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it.
Samuel Butler
One life - a little gleam of time between two eternities.
Thomas Carlyle
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Be Careful!!
Food for thought!!!
Watch your thoughts;
they become words.
Watch your words;
they become actions.
Watch your actions;
they become habits.
Watch your habits;
they become character.
Watch your character;
It becomes your destiny.
Watch your thoughts;
they become words.
Watch your words;
they become actions.
Watch your actions;
they become habits.
Watch your habits;
they become character.
Watch your character;
It becomes your destiny.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Pocahontas- Movie moments!!
Ok so latley I have had a lot of movie moments and I don't know why but...I love this song in Pocahontas and it has such a deeper meaning than what we already know... it's about being selfless and finding worth and beauty in everything that surrounds us!!
COLORS OF THE WIND
You think I'm an ignorant savage
And you've been so many places
I guess it must be so
But still I cannot see
If the savage one is me
Now can there be so much that you don't know?
You don't know ...
You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name
You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew
Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?
Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest
Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth
Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth
The rainstorm and the river are my brothers
The heron and the otter are my friends
And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends
How high will the sycamore grow?
If you cut it down, then you'll never know
And you'll never hear the wolf cry to the blue corn moon
For whether we are white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind
You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mr. Deeds Hallmark card!!! LOL!
So I randomly thought of this poem today and was determined to find it on the internet and I did!!
"Hard to breathe, feels like floating,
So full of love my heart's exploding.
Mouth is dry, hands are shaking,
My heart is yours for the taking.
Acting weird, not myself,
Dancing around like the Keebler elf.
Finally time for this poor schlub,
To know how it feels to fall in lub."
I just had to look it up for a good laugh today!! LOL!
"Hard to breathe, feels like floating,
So full of love my heart's exploding.
Mouth is dry, hands are shaking,
My heart is yours for the taking.
Acting weird, not myself,
Dancing around like the Keebler elf.
Finally time for this poor schlub,
To know how it feels to fall in lub."
I just had to look it up for a good laugh today!! LOL!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Love the Journey
I can't sleep!!! Ahhh!! There is a journey and greatness that calls out to me and I can't get it out of my head. I love the journey although there is the natural fear of the unknown staring me in the face, but TRUST is the fruit of a relationship where I know I am loved and cared for....I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds my future!! That is enough for me....
I am so blessed to have an amazing husband right there alongside with me. We are crazy enough to do ANYTHING that God lays before us and that is exciting!! TRULY!!!
Love the giver of life and love the life that he gives.......
Yesterday is history....Tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift called the Present!!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
He Loves us!!!
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
Such a beautiful song....God is amazing! I can feel his love literally spewing over me.....
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy 2010!!
Twenty TEN!!! Is here!!!
How crazy!
I don't know what to expect from you but I know there is a lot of Blessings coming!
I have heard it said....
Sometimes you turn the page in your life and other times a new chapter begins!!
That I am most certain of... it's a new chapter!
I am so excited for what is to come and I pray that this new year I hear the Lord's voice and know it!
Let's make it amazing...God is in it, how could it not be amazing!!
How crazy!
I don't know what to expect from you but I know there is a lot of Blessings coming!
I have heard it said....
Sometimes you turn the page in your life and other times a new chapter begins!!
That I am most certain of... it's a new chapter!
I am so excited for what is to come and I pray that this new year I hear the Lord's voice and know it!
Let's make it amazing...God is in it, how could it not be amazing!!
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