TSMSS - Lord, Heal Our Land

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(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

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^{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: