Closing off 2009

It's been a strange year for me. There have been momentous highlights like my son's baptism and my sister's mission trip. But for almost half the year, my blogging 'motivation', perhaps inspiration, just fizzled. I lost heart. So I have been seeking God.

Transition? New focus? I asked Him.

No more has been revealed to me except that He wants me in His Word. When I started this blog, I needed a 'safe place' to share my wounded heart. I don't need that anymore.

This year I participated in Beth Moore's Scripture memory challenge (see sidebar). What started as a 'dry' exercise has transformed my attitude to His Word. Indeed, it has become as Psalm 19 says "sweeter than honey and the honeycomb". Only God could do this. His Word is alive.

So I close off 2009 with hope and waiting as I plant myself in His Word and bloom for His glory. I hope you join me. For those who still 'follow' me, I thank you for your faith in me. It means a lot.

God Bless You all.

Love, Sita

2009 Beth Moore Scripture Memory Challenge

1. Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

2. Matthew 5:8 & Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

3. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

4. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

5. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

6. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

7. Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

8. Psalm 107:9 (NIV)

For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

9. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

10. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

11. Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

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?

12. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (Amplified Bible)

You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,

But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

13. Jeremiah 29:12-13 (Amplified Bible)

Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.

Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

14. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

15. Psalm 57:2 (NIV)

I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

16. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

17. Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

18. Psalm 27:14 (Amplified Bible)

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

19. Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

20. Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

21. Proverbs 16:20 (NIV)

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

22. Psalm 119:38-40 (NIV)

Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.

How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.

23. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

24. Psalm 19: 7-10 (Amplified Bible)

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

¹More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.

Blog under reconstruction

Please bear with me as I rework the blog.
Feel free to peruse my archives.
Love, Sita

Heaven and earth collide...let all the earth rejoice!

"And when I attempted suicide and I didn't succeed, I knew for the first time unconditional love—which God is. God is unconditional love. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment I was not allowed to die, and something happened to me which is very difficult to explain. I had an eternal moment of truth, in which I knew I was loved, and knew I was here for a purpose." (Jill Jackson Miller, author of "Let There be Peace on Earth," describing events in her early life.) 

“Eternal moment of truth”—a moment where you know your spirit has just connected with God’s—and you know a satisfaction that defies any human experience—a perfect mixture of unconditional love, joy, beauty, light, hope and wisdom.

 "When the completion of the time came [that is: in the fullness of time], God sent his Son, born of a woman" (Galatians 4:4), and in the fullness of time God will "bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). It is in the fullness of time that we meet God. (Henri Nouwen)

...At some moments we experience complete unity within us and around us...a captivating view...a birth...in prayer...a moment we want to last forever...an experience of the fullness of time...moments of grace to sustain us when God seems far away and all seems useless...(Thoughts from Henri Nouwen)

 God’s mind is revealed in His Word to us and this year He has clearly shown me where my focus is to be as I continually seek Him and thirst for Living Water. I want to be that tree replanted in Eden, blooming for Him, bringing glory to His Name.

As I have been reading through Kings, I was struck by the fact that the mother of the kings was usually noted before the words “and he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. It struck me that we as mothers do play an integral part in the spiritual upbringing of our children. When I saw Nathan at 16-yrs-old descending into the waters of baptism to declare to the world his desire to follow Jesus, my spirit soared and I had that ‘eternal moment of truth’ where heaven rejoiced with me. A moment of ‘rightness’.  The fullness of time.

My blogging friend and an informal spiritual mentor to me, Lidia, gave me an extraordinary blessing this year and reinforced the conviction that God desires for me to drink from His Living Water, His Word. In there I will receive the desires of my heart.

Will you join me? Seek Him with all your heart and be satisfied. Have a blessed Christmas and I pray that you may know many eternal moments, when heaven and earth coincide for just a moment, the fullness of time.

Thank you for being my blogging friends.

With Love, Thoughts and Prayers, Sita

On Blog Hiatus

Hi, for the few who check up on me, I am on a blog hiatus right now as I wait on the Lord. Hope to be back with a new focus. Thanks for checking up on me.
Love, Sita

TSMSS - For As Long As I Shall Live...

Originally posted at the beginning of the year, but reposting for TSMSS hosted by Amy--reaffirming my love for my God. Will you join me?

==================================

...I will testify to Love...With every breath I take, I will give thanks to God above...I declare my love to You, my God!


I can think of no other song to start my New Year off with than with one of the moments in a Touched By An Angel episode that made my spirit soar and touched emotions deep within...if this is your desire, sing with me...Testify to Love (Psalm 151) sung by Wynonna Judd...
Happy New Year to one and all and may you all testify to His love in 2009!



All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
Reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify

Chorus:
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
Be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the seas
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart
will speak what love has done

My birthday prayer, November 11, 2009

My friend, Lidj,has honored me with this prayer she posted on her blogsite, Rhythms of Grace, for my birthday. I am mesmerized by her heart and words and there are no words to express my gratitude to her. Thank you, Lidj.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

As the deer pants for the water brooks
So pants my soul for You, O God.

Psalm 42:1


Today, November 11, is the day your were born, dear Sita.

It is a special day, and heaven is rejoicing as the Father sees what you are becoming.

He is proud of you, and delights in you.

He sees your hunger :

...for righteousness

...for His presence

...for His peace to reign in your life.

And your heart will be filled.

He says to you today, "I will not turn the hungry away. You will never leave My presence empty-handed. You open your mouth and I will fill it. I will give you the desires of your heart."

He hears you ask, "How long, my Father, how long before I see your glory reign upon my circumstances, and upon the earth?"

He says, "I am giving you brand new eyes to see my glory in a way you've never seen it before."

Dear Father, I thank you for this dear woman, Sita. She is a friend You have given me. She is a gift I never expected to have, and yet, you sent her into my life.

You have a purpose for allowing our lives to meet.

And today, as God fills my heart with love and thanksgiving for you, I pray that God will satisfy the longing of your heart to have more of Him in your life.

I know of your passion to be a woman after God's heart. God has gifted you with an incredible gift of compassion and tenderness. The struggles and disappointments you have been through have served to make your heart soft, instead of hardening it. Satan is baffled why his plans are not pushing through. I see that God has kept you safe in the hollow of His hands all these years.

Your childlike innocence has been kept pure and intact, and God sees your eyes of faith, your eyes which are a window to your soul.

You are always waiting... for the breakthroughs...for the promises...for the fulfillment of godly plans, not only for yourself and your family, but even for your homeland, and for the land where God has sent you, and even for other nations where you have seen affliction wreak havoc upon young lives.

There is a coming day when your mourning will turn to songs of joy and deliverance!

Father, I lift up Sita on this her special day. When I thought of her this morning, the picture of a deer drinking by a stream of water came to my mind.

And indeed she is a deer, Father, always looking for Your water.

She is a Mary sitting at the feet of her Master...eyes looking up into His, soaking herself in the ONE THING that shall not be taken away for her, YOUR WORD.

Fill her heart today with a deeper love for Your water, Your word. Hide your word in her heart, and she will be as a tree, planted by the water...whatever she does she prospers, she will not fear when the heat comes.

God is giving you His songs to sing, keeping your heart soft, a heart of flesh, though Satan had sought to put a thick wall around it, he has not succeeded.

"You are mine, fear not," the Father says. "No weapon forged against you will succeed. Because you have come often to the water... and have stayed close to my heart."

Dear Sita, this is my prayer of affirmation for you today.

Love
Lidj

TSMSS - Psalm 1 - Tree replanted in Eden...

Instead you thrill to God's Word,

       you chew on Scripture day and night.

   You're a tree replanted in Eden,
      bearing fresh fruit every month,
   Never dropping a leaf,
      always in blossom. 

 (Psalm 1:2-3 The Message)

This 'replanting' can only happen if:

²But her (Sita's) delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) she habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night^.

    ³And she shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything she does shall prosper [and come to maturity]

(Psalm 1:2-3 The Amplified Bible)

May it be so, my Lord.
 

Drop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

TSMSS - Lord, Heal Our Land

(photo credit) 
 

(TSMSS is hosted by Amy. Please pop by to hear more songs that minister.)

Today, I was tremendously moved by a post by Lidia from Crown of Beauty. Please pop over and read the entire post. Even as you read this post on Saturday morning, Manila may be in the throes of yet another typhoon. I played this song she posted and I stretched out my hand to be part of that prayer and I pray that it encompasses my birth and adopted countries. Lidia quoted:
.."John Donne once wrote, "...any man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind...and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.".."

As a global community, can we uphold the country of Phillipines today? Can we bleed with our global family? Can we pray that our Hope will filter deep and wide into the hearts of those in utter devastation?

But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings...

- Malachi 4:2

Maskless...and radiant...

2 Corinthians 3:18 -
We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (NIV version, The Holy Bible)

Eons ago, I read C.S. Lewis' book, Till We Have Faces, for an English course in Bible college. This acclaimed author just fascinates me with his brilliant thought patterns and amazing illustrations that bring his point to life for the average reader. In his own words, when asked about the title of his book, he said,

"How can they (i.e. the gods) meet us face to face till we have faces? The idea was that a human being must become real before it can expect to receive any message from the superhuman; that is, it must be speaking with its own voice (not one of its borrowed voices), expressing its actual desires (not what it imagines that it desires), being for good or ill itself, not any mask, veil, or persona."
— C.S. Lewis in a letter to Dorothea Conybeare [cited at Constance Babington Smith, Letters to a Sister from Rose Macaulay, 1964, 261; also at Hooper, Companion (see IX) 252

Indeed, we must unpeel our masks when we encounter God. I have been involved with various communities in which the Christian heritage runs deep and strong. Many speak the Christianese very well and rules are very important to them. I have to confess though that many times I do not sense a genuine relationship with God, one in which people cannot help but be real.

I think about my own life and I know that I can be 'real' with very few people. With most people, when asked the Canadian "how are you", I give the Canadian response, "fine, thanks", no matter how rotten I feel. In recent months, I have been learning that God wants me to express exactly how I am feeling to Him, not give Him the lofty sounding platitudes. If you look at the Psalms, you see a 'real' man, expressing anger, desire for revenge, sorrow, depression, you name it..he vents it..but he does not stop there, he always goes to God's perspective. Is it any wonder God considered him a 'man after His own heart'?

The opening Scripture shows an ongoing transformation into His likeness going on as we submit to His Spirit and lift the veils. There are people in my life who reflect His glory with radiance. In my Beth Moore homework, she remarks on Moses' radiant face when he came back for 40 days and nights from meeting with God:

-1. There was a change. Moses' face was radiant, an undeniable mark of the glory of God.

-2. He was unaware of the change. Beth says that God protects us from pride by 'veiling' our progress. His light on us presents a 2-edged sword: it helps us to see Him and His Word more clearly; and it also reveals our sin more clearly, a perfect safeguard against pride. True intimacy breeds true humility.

- 3. Others were aware of the change. Intimacy with God shows. Some may not like it as it confronts them with their true self, others who are genuinely seeking Him are drawn to it.

Beth concluded the study by asking us to read Psalm 43 with her. I have put The Message version to reinforce the 'real' language of today:

Psalm 43 (http://www.thebible.com/)
1 -2 Clear my name, God; stick up for me against these loveless, immoral people. Get me out of here, away from these lying degenerates. I counted on you, God. Why did you walk out on me? Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands over these outrageous people?
3 -4 Give me your lantern and compass, give me a map, So I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of your presence, To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God, Sing my thanks with a harp, magnificent God, my God.

5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.

Father, so many of us have become disconnected to our true heart and even in the safety of Your Presence and unconditional love can only speak a false language. Please help us to lift the veils and become transparent to reflect Your glory to draw people to You. Let Your Spirit guide us into truth, the truth of Who You are and who we are. Bless us with Your Presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TSMSS - My One Aspiration

Today my childhood friend, Cheryl, sent me this link to a song that resides deep within our history. Our youth group choir loved this song and its beautiful harmony. We sang it in open-air meetings in the town of Arima in Trinidad, at Victory Heights camp where we originally learned it from the St. Anne's group. Our group: Vids, Bonnie, Russell, Vish, Irma, Arlene, Leah, Michael Joseph, Wilbert, Sandra..and others...I miss them!
Wow, an amazing song sung with a military conviction, My One Aspiration by the Continentals. Drop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

Scripture base:

...Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing...because Jesus loves us.... I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

(Romans 8:37-39 The Message)

TSMSS - When God Ran...

Someone needs to hear this today. Reposting for TSMSS hosted by Amy. Blessings to all.
I just happened to run across this video and I just had to post it. It is a powerful depiction of how our Heavenly Father loves us. The song is "When God Ran" by Phillips, Craig & Dean:

Young Celebrity Makes a Stand

(photo credit)

^{Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible)}
And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

I remember Ravi Zacharias talking about meeting a young celebrity, then starring in a very popular sitcom many years ago. This young man had come to speak with him after a service. He stated his problem simply: "I feel like I am my own god. I have people at my beck and call. Fans adore me and I feel I can do anything..."

I'm not sure what happened in this young man's life specifically, but he thereafter took a stand for what he believed in and soon his Hollywood career ended. From what I've read of Hollywood, he was probably blacklisted. Fast forward several years, this man is still married to the same woman, and still refuses to compromise his values for acting jobs. Shunned by the politically correct Hollywood and those enticed by its superficial glitter, he is embraced and highly respected by those who love God and follow after righteousness. In fact in a recent inspirational movie produced in which he was the star, he requested that his wife replace the actress for the only kiss in the script.

Integrity. Wholesomeness. Salt. Light.
Like when you saw Chariots of Fire and Eric Liddell's stand. Here is a brief summary from Wikepedia:
During the summer of 1924, the Olympics were hosted by the city of Paris. Liddell was a committed Christian and refused to run on Sunday (the Christian Sabbath), with the consequence that he was forced to withdraw from the 100 metres race, his best event. The schedule had been published several months earlier, and his decision was made well before the Games began. Liddell spent the intervening months training for the 400 metres, an event in which he had previously excelled. Even so, his success in the 400m was largely unexpected. The day of 400 metres race came, and as Liddell went to the starting blocks, an American masseur slipped a piece of paper into Liddell's hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honour me I will honour." Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand. He not only won the race, but broke the existing world record with a time of 47.6 seconds.

Do you remember the feeling of 'cleanness' you were left with after watching that movie? Would you not like to leave that legacy everywhere you touch?

I'm afraid not many celebrities who proclaim the Name of Jesus frivolously can attest to this courage. In fact, many of us cringe when we hear celebrities talk about Jesus in one breath and then see behaviour that does not seem consistent, like cavorting in clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. Lest we judge them harshly, we have to remember that Satan hates when we publicly make a stand for God's kingdom and does all that he can to discredit any testimony that might bring people to God. Yes, Satan targets them in many ways, temptation, media slander etc. Instead of slamming them, we should pray for them.

Not many of us have that public rise and fall. But all of us should come to that point when we realize that we have been trying to be god with our lives. I would say that God gave this young man a good dose of fear for a holy God that allowed him to make wise decisions that to the world was career suicide, but served in advancing God's kingdom. Perhaps there were people praying for this young man.

Why don't we pray for all our young people carried along by a tsunami of temptations?
Pray for:
-a reverential awe of God to infiltrate and clear minds that are foggy.
-that God will fill them with wisdom that comes from that sense of God's holiness, that would result in wise decisions.
-that God would write His instructions deep within their hearts.
-that they would yearn to follow Him and His ways.
-that they would ask themselves before any action, "How does this glorify God?"

How about you?
Do you question yourself?
Do your actions bring you glory, or do they shine glory on Him Who created you?

Proverbs 3 (Amplified Bible)

¹MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

²For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.

³Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.

⁴So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.

⁵Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

⁸It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

⁹Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;

¹⁰So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.

¹¹My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof,

¹²For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

¹³Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],

¹⁴For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.

¹⁵Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.

¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

¹⁹The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens.

²⁰By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distill the dew.

²¹My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion,

²²And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).

²³Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble.

²⁴When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

²⁵Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless],

²⁶For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].

²⁷Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it--when you have it with you.

²⁹Do not contrive or dig up or cultivate evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly and confidently beside you.

³⁰Contend not with a man for no reason--when he has done you no wrong.

³¹Do not resentfully envy and be jealous of an unscrupulous, grasping man, and choose none of his ways.

³²For the perverse are an abomination [extremely disgusting and detestable] to the Lord; but His confidential communion and secret counsel are with the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him).

³³The curse of the Lord is in and on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous.

³⁴Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted.

³⁵The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools.

TSMSS - Rains Down in Africa

A choir from Slovenia performs this song jazz style--no instruments but hands, feet, mouths...scroll to my last post to listen to this amazing rendition, then visit Amy's who hosts TSMSS to hear songs that minister.

Amazing!

Had to share this:

TSMSS - Knowing You...

^{Philippians 3:8, 10 (The Amplified Bible)
8}Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
¹⁰[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death,...

I know many people who feel ashamed when they are going through bad times. This could be that they come from cultures based in shame, or perhaps if they believe in the idea of 'karma', then there would be shame that people would see them as being punished for their sins. There are many other reasons 'shame' is added on to our suffering.

Not so for Christians who freely claim suffering as part of their maturing in their faith. In fact, Jesus suffered freely for all mankind. It is in suffering that we are stripped of the unimportant and at the end we know that what was, is, and will be important, is knowing Him, and being known by Him.
Listen to this song I chose for TSMSS, hosted by Amy, and be blessed.

All I once held dear, built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus
Knowing you, there is no greater thing
You're my all, you're the best
You're my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know you more
To be found in you and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh, to know the power of your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like you in your death, my Lord
So with you to live and never die

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music,
www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

Praying along with David...

Psalm 119:17-32 (The Message)

^17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
insatiable for your nourishing commands.
And those who think they know so much,
ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!
Don't let them mock and humiliate me;
I've been careful to do just what you said.
While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
I listen to them as to good neighbors!

^25-32 I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.

=========================

Psalm 119:17-32 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁷Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.

¹⁹I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me.

²⁰My heart is breaking with the longing that it has for Your ordinances and judgments at all times.

²¹You rebuke the proud and arrogant, the accursed ones, who err and wander from Your commandments.

²²Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I keep Your testimonies.

²³Princes also sat and talked against me, but Your servant meditated on Your statutes.

²⁴Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

²⁵My earthly life cleaves to the dust; revive and stimulate me according to Your word!

²⁶I have declared my ways and opened my griefs to You, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes.

²⁷Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on and talk of Your wondrous works.

²⁸My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.

²⁹Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness [to You], and graciously impart Your law to me.

³⁰I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me.

³¹I cleave to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame!

³²I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.

A Sunday message...

Today, I am home sick with my younger son. We decided to worship with the Peoples Church this morning via their TV telecast Living Truth. Their pastor, Charles Price gave a wonderful exhortation to us, "Be still, and wait for the deliverance of God." Please go to their site to download the full sermon if you wish.

Here are some of the main principles he outlined using the Israelites deliverance from Egypt and journey to Canaan, the Promised Land, as a parallel of our walk with Him:

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The LORD will fight for you. You need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14
  The Israelites have marched boldly out of Egypt. Led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, they followed the route God had marked for them. Three times, God had affirmed He would bring them out of Egypt to bring them into Canaan and naturally, they expected a smooth, straightforward journey.

BUT the route God had mapped out was not as the crow flies.
In fact, it was a route that had confused, frustrated and even angered them.

From this story, Author and Bible teacher, Charles Price, focused on three things we can learn about God that are immensely relevant to our lives today.

1. God will lead by unpredictable roads.

2. God will lead us into unexpected battles.

3. God will lead with unpredictable resources.



God had led them by unpredictable roads.
  Pharaoh had, once again, changed his mind. He went in pursuit of the Israelites. The pillar of cloud led the Israelites right onto the bank of the Red Sea. Too deep to wade through, too wide to bridge over and too long to go around, they were stuck. Here, they face their first big crisis which quickly grows by the hour. They cannot cross the Red Sea and while grumbling to Moses about it, they face their second crisis. In the distance, they see the silhouette of the Egyptian army hot on their trail and that precipitated their third crisis. The people were terrified and they panicked.

The moment we face a crisis in life we are usually inclined to think, “Oh, man. We were better off before,” and this is exactly what the Hebrews thought. They grumbled bitterly to Moses, blaming him and Moses replied, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still.”

God will lead us on unpredictable roads but they are also reliable roads because God always knows what He’s doing. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.

Secondly, God will not only lead us on unpredictable roads but into unexpected battles. Being in the will of God, allowing Him to direct our paths, does not exempt us from problems. Problems never frighten God. They frighten us but we are to stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will bring. We need only stand still and trust Him.

Many people get frustrated and irritated, hearing that we’re leaving our problems to God. “Do something,” they say but God has promised, ‘I AM WHO I AM’, present tense, totally sufficient in any situation and I will do it. If we are going to live effectively with God, there are two essential things we need to stand firm in. We obey what He says and trust who He is. God used the first problem of the Red Sea holding back the Israelites to destroy the second problem of the Egyptian army in pursuit, which resolved the third problem of their panic and fear.

God will lead us onto unpredictable roads, into unexpected battles and the third point God will lead with unlimited resources. The LORD said to Moses, “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14:16.


The pillar of cloud that had been leading the Israelites moved behind them, blocking the Egyptian army from further approach. All night long, Moses held the ‘Staff of God’ over the Red Sea and with a strong east wind, God drove the sea back. When the sun broke on the eastern sky, the waters were divided and the Israelites went through on dry ground. The Egyptians followed but God threw their army into confusion and made the wheels of chariots fall off. He told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again and at daybreak, the water flowed back, swallowing the Egyptian army, chariots, horses and all. Not one survived.

It wasn’t Moses who freed the Hebrews, but God in Moses’ shoes. This was God’s business, God’s agenda, God’s battle and so it is in our own lives when we turn our problems over to God. We may not be relieved from tensions but we do experience an underlying peace as we rest in God’s sufficiency as Moses did. There are good reasons for every route God takes us on. Proverbs 16:9 says:

“In his heart man plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.”

Let us trust Him together today.

Our God reigns.

Inside Investigation of Alleged Sex Predators in Cambodia - ABC News

Inside Investigation of Alleged Sex Predators in Cambodia - ABC News

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TSMSS - His Eye Is On The Sparrow

**edited to change the video as the Jennifer Holliday clips were removed by YouTube. Instead I have used Lauryn and Tanya Blout's version:

Let Jesus be your portion this day...His eye is on you and me.
...then pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.



His eye is on the sparrow
(Artist(Band):Lauryn Hill)

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely?
And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He over watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches (I know He watches)
I know He watches me

(I) I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
I know, He watches me
He watches me
He watches me
I know
He watches me.

Not you, nor friend...only God...

Sharing Spurgeon's devotional with you this Sunday morning:

A Strong Heart

 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,
 and he shall strengthen thine heart:
 wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) 

Wait! Wait! Let your waiting be on the Lord!
He is worth waiting for. He never disappoints the waiting soul.
While waiting keep up your spirits.
Expect a great deliverance, and be ready to praise God for it.

The promise which should cheer you
 is in the middle of the verse--
"He shall strengthen thine heart."
This goes at once to the place where you need help.
 If the heart be sound,
 all the rest of the system will work well.
 The heart wants calming and cheering,
 and both of these will come if it be strengthened.
 A forceful heart rests and rejoices
 and throbs force into the whole man.

No one else can get at that secret urn of life, the heart,
so as to pour strength into it.
He alone who made it can make it strong.
God is full of strength, and, therefore,
He can impart it to those who need it.
Oh, be brave; for the Lord will impart His strength to you,
and you shall be calm in tempest and glad in sorrow.

He who penned these lines can write as David did--
"Wait, I say, on the Lord."
 I do, indeed, say it.
 I know by long and deep experience
 that it is good for me to wait upon the Lord.

TSMSS - My Redeemer Lives!

Today, I am so aware of people I know and love who are going through circumstances that leave them without words, bereft of spirit. I know, I have been there, will probably be there again. But one fact covers the whole journey, the fact that My Redeemer Lives. Because of this, I can face tomorrow. Listen and be ministered to.
Then pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister in Then Sings My Soul Saturday (TSMSS).

My Redeemer Lives

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah
The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
And now He's alive and
There's an empty
Grave!

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know
My Redeemer lives
*I know my Redeemer lives*

*I know, That I know, that I know, that I know, that I know
He lives
*my redeemer lives*
*Because He lives I can face tomorrow
He lives
*I know, I know*
He lives
*I spoke with Him this morning!*
He lives
*The tomb is empty*
He lives
*He Lives! I'm going to tell everybody!!*