TSMSS - It Is Well With My Soul

photo credit

Tonight I was transported to heaven as I listened to a 400-voice choir of high school students singing that old hymn "It Is Well With Soul" arranged by Mark Hayes. The story behind the song was given first and it lent such depth to the words. Let me share this with you and after, please listen as Wintley Phipps sings.

HYMN HISTORY
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled, 'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.

Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.

Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. 

And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago.
Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read:
"Saved alone."
 

photo credit

On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. 

Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.

The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.

It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.

No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   •  
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

Oh Lord, may I this day in my particular trial say the words, "It is well, It is well, with my soul."

Please pop by Amy who hosts TSMSS (Then Sings My Soul Saturday) to hear more songs that minister.
Have a blessed weekend.

Only the best for YOU...

Today I was reminded of a story that someone told me when my heart was broken over a relationship many years ago. It really stuck with me through the years as God gently and not-so-gently at times 'took away' those things that I was holding on to that was hurting me, though many times I would not have acknowledged that.

But wisdom comes with age, so they say, and I know that any person or object or situation that becomes my centre, that takes away the central position of God in my life, has become an idol that must be dethroned for me to discover and live the life He wants for me. And He wants only the best for me, for you...
[***added things I gleaned from story at very end.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jenny's Necklace

Jenny was a bright-eyed, pretty five-year-old girl.

One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace priced at $2.50. 

How she wanted that necklace, and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll tell you what. I'll buy you the necklace, and when we get home we can make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for the necklace. And don't forget that for your birthday Grandma just might give you a whole dollar bill, too. "Okay?" 

Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her.

Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure enough, her grandma gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday.

Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls. 

How Jenny loved those pearls. She wore them everywhere-to kindergarten, bed and when she went out with her mother to run errands.

The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower. Her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green! 

Now Jenny had a very loving daddy. 

When Jenny went to bed, he would get up from his favorite chair every night and read Jenny her favorite story. One night when he finished the story, he said,

"Jenny, do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you," the little girl said.

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh! Daddy, not my pearls!" Jenny said. 

"But you can have Rosie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party outfit, too. Okay?"

"Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. 

"Goodnight, little one." 

A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, 

"Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you."

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play with it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her, Daddy," the little girl said to her father.

"No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. 

"God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams." 

Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling.

"Here, Daddy," she said, and held out her hand. 

She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father's hand.

With one hand her father held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a blue velvet box. 

Inside of the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls. 

He had had them all along. 

He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing. 

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so he can give us beautiful treasure.

Isn't God good?

What are you holding on to, the "fake or the real pearls"?

 

God only wants you to have the best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

 ¹⁰For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Deuteronomy 31:8 (Amplified Bible)

⁸It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].

Psalm 32:8 (Amplified Bible)

⁸I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

¹¹For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

 I was so glad that God in His mercy took away the false pearl and gave me that which would work out His purposes in me. I had to realize that the relationship that my heart sought could only be satisfied in One Person and I had to fall in love with Him first, so that I would never demand of another human what only God could satisfy.
Read my story here. (Click on link as the mouse hovers over 'story')

***edited to add things I gleaned from this story:

- Jenny bought the pearls without knowledge of pearls, simply because from the outside it appeared beautiful.  
How often do we make decisions or choices without consulting He Who made all, He Who knows all, based on outer appearances, our limited knowledge?

- Jenny's father waited for her to relinquish the false pearls.  
God is a Gentleman. He waits for us to make that choice.

- Jenny's father had the genuine pearls all along. God had a plan for us before we were born. We just need to get close to Him, submit our lives, so that He can reveal His perfect plan.
What did you learn? 

Gone to Heaven -- Homecoming

Joyce Wiebe is one of those people that His fragrance rests upon and falls gently on others. I came to 'know' her through my husband always talking about "Abe and Joyce". When Abe passed away, I went to his memorial service and was simply blown away. I wrote this soon after. His dear wife, Joyce, found it while on Google and saw me in church and thanked me. How awesome is that! Since then I have come to realize what an amazing heart she has. When I saw this in our church paper, I asked her permission to post it here.

May it be a comfort to all those who mourn those who have gone ahead of us to meet the Father.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat beside her just a week ago at our last meeting of Solemn Assembly.  

 I turned to her and said:  I love you, Nancy.  

 She looked at me and said:  I love you, too, Joyce. 

A few days later she was in the Father’s House. ‘Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him….’

 NANCY

Unaccustomed to the dazzling light of Glory, so lately come was she

From earth’s dark labyrinths of shadows,

With eyes of wonder, she beholds the beauties

Of celestial majesty spread out before her;

With heart so full of indescribable delight

She hears the sounds of harmony she’s never heard before!

But wait – What now does her eye behold?

The Wonder has centered in the light-filled eyes of One she knows and loves

Yet Who up to now she has not seen - except with the eye of Faith!

With awe and worship she gazes upon His Holy Beauty,

Such love overwhelms her soul, she listens to a Voice as of many waters, saying:

Welcome Home!  You have come, He said, in answer to My call.

For your delight and joy in every way, these things have been prepared  –

Things your earthbound mind could not imagine but which now you see and hear.

Look and listen and glory in their beauty for they are yours because - you love Me.

But wait, that’s not all, He said, My brightest jewels are coming through the gate!

Come with me and see the precious eager crowd of  My children there.

They have just arrived from Haiti and I wanted you

To stand with Me and welcome them Home!

They’ve come through trauma and loss of all around them

To the Heavenly Home of warmth and joy and fulfillment at last;

Where hunger and sorrow, earthquakes and tsunamis, cannot touch them ever again.

And so she stands, with arms outstretched beside her Saviour;

In awe she contemplates the Salvation He has completed for His own.

She gathers to her heart these little ones once lost and far from God.

For He has called them, too, from living in the Shadowland outside the Gate

Into the Reality of His  presence – into the Fulness of Life in His Father’s House.

Together they raise their voices in Praise to Him!

With such multitudes streaming through my Gate just now, He said, I wanted you

To join my welcome Team – to stand with me to greet my other sheep whom I love,

To hug the little ones, to reach out a healing hand to my wounded ones –

To watch with me as they become strong and whole in My Presence.

Yes, she said, there is no greater joy than to be a ‘ministering angel’

In the courts of my Lord!  My heart responds to His voice –

This is what I’ve been practicing for lo, those many years on earth!

To serve Him in His heavenly Kingdom is my highest calling.

I fall in worship and praise at the feet of my Lord.

Amen!  Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death (Homecoming) of His saints!

(written by Joyce Wiebe at 2 a.m., Friday, January 15, 2010  for our comfort in the loss of our dear friend Nancy, who has gone from the Shadowlands into the shining Presence of His Glory.)

The Earth is the Lord's...

Psalm 24:1 (The Holy Bible, NIV)

 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;

 

photo credits

Who Am I (Casting Crowns)

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

It's All Yours God....

A volcano erupts in Iceland and paralyzes the world's air traffic...what a powerful reminder to 'man' that we are not in control, because...it is all....
 YOURS ...by Steven Curtis Chapman...how he blesses me...
photo credit

"Lord, It is ALL Yours....I am all Yours...use me this day--Your instrument--to display Your glory--

even in my weakness....to You, O God be the glory for ever and ever, Amen.."

Steven Curtis Chapman - Yours lyrics

 

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Something that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London is Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God
It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God

You're the King of Kings
And Lord of Lords

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
Yeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours
The glory and honor is Yours, everything is Yours

It's all Yours, God
My life is Yours, my heart is Yours
My hands and my feet are Yours
Every song that I sing
It's all Yours, all is Yours
All belongs to You
Our gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours

TSMSS - I'm Forgiven (You Are My King) -Newsboys

This was the song on my lips as I woke up this morning. What a joy it is to know that I am forgiven, accepted, alive and well...because He died and rose again, and this Victorious Saviour lives in me:

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken

I'm accepted, You were condemned

I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me

Because You died and rose again



I'm forgiven because You were forsaken

I'm accepted, You were condemned

I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me

Because You died and rose again



Amazing love, how can it be

That You, my King, should die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true

It's my joy to honor You

In all I do, I honor You



I'm forgiven because You were forsaken

I'm accepted, You were condemned

I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me

Because You died and rose again



Amazing love, how can it be

That You, my King, should die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true

It's my joy to honor You

In all I do, I honor You



You are my King

You are my King

Jesus, You are my King

You are my King

Please join Amy who hosts TSMSS to hear more songs that minister.

A Thousand Questions...

A powerful video presentation that must conclude with you and me joining in the chorus: Here Am I, Lord, Send me...

God's Revelation - Part 2 - Allowing new conceptions of Christ

(Part 1 here)

Part 2: a recap of what I garnered in Session 1/2 of Beth Moore study, Here and Now...There and Then... A Lecture series on Revelation.

One of the most interesting observations that Beth made about John was that "he had a history of allowing his former conceptions of Christ to be altered". Some of these conceptions included:
1. Day-to-day encounters with Jesus as his disciple, talking, eating...etc...routine stuff.
-His humanity.
2. "Who-is-this" moments. (Like when he saw Him walking on the water, commanding the storm to subside and it obeyed! A glimpse of the supernatural.)
His authority.
3. A moment of transfiguration. John knew then Jesus was God!
-His Divinity.
4. Seeing His suffering up close. He was the only disciple to come back and join Mary at the foot of the Cross.
-His suffering.
5. The sight of glorification in his vision here in Rev.1. John fell at Christ's feet as if dead. ( The OT Israelites knew that you could not 'see' the Most Holy God and live.)
-His true image.

Beth concludes, "We also need to allow our former conceptions of Christ to be altered," adding that we need to become people that God reveals Himself to, each uniquely suited to His purposes. For example, Beth said that God reveals Himself in dreams and visions to many people especially in the East and Meditteranean. But if He did reveal Himself like that to her, she would close her Bible and just spend time talking about that 'dream'. Instead, He continually shows up in her study of His Word.

How does He show up to you?

I totally 'grasp' this, for it is something that at times is 'forced' upon you when the unthinkable happens in your life, something inconsistent with your former theology (knowledge of God). And the more it happens, the more you realize that God can never be 'grasped' in His infinity. He allows us new revelations of Himself as we love Him by obeying His commands, and they are always 'holy moments', like that of Rosalind Goforth in my last post, where she suddenly received a new vision of Jesus, the indwelling Christ, the secret of victorious living: "And God showed up..."the sun suddenly seemed to come from under a cloud and flood my soul with light...I saw as in a flash the secret of victory. It was just Jesus Christ Himself!"

One blogging friend constantly reveals God's revelation to her. Whenever I read her posts, the "truth" resonates with His Spirit in me. I invite you to pop by Lidj's blog and read her archives and her determination to crucify the flesh in her daily life. Or pop by Amrita's blog. Her daily living is one of continual sacrifice of the flesh from the time she wakes up to when she lies down. Yet this woman lives in victory. God has used their 'holy moments' to bless readers from around the world.


Sometimes the "who-is-this" moment comes in a time of unexpected devastation. I've had this. When the unthinkable happened, something deep within me trembled, and I looked to heaven, "God, for You to allow this to happen, You must want to teach me. Teach me, Lord." 

Then followed the period in my life that became the unshakeable foundation through all circumstances thereafter, marked by intimacy with my Heavenly Father like I have never had. A time when I fell completely in love with my Lord as I discovered that He was the Man, the Only Man, who could love me with a love that satisfies. Fully God and man. So when I met my husband later on, I did not demand of him what only God could give. Here is a conversation I wrote to Him at that time as a university student:

An Adventure Into You.

The journey begins….

As I come to meet You every day,

I want to sit and look straight into

Your eyes…

As I would ..

With someone that I wish to know

As I would ..

With someone I am attracted to,

As I would..

With someone from whom I can learn.

I want to travel into those fathomless depths

That your eyes mirror..

Like waters, deep and mysterious

Strong, calm, and peaceful with

Undercurrents so powerful, yet so controlled.

I have heard that in You

"are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"

This I seek to unravel..to discover..to unlock..

For I have heard that You willingly share

With those who would only take the time to listen.

"This is what the Lord says.. call to Me and

I will answer you and tell you

Great and unsearchable things you do not know.."

You have drawn a clear treasure map..

But I see the enemy lurking like a lion,

Seeking whom he may devour.

Momentarily distracted, I focus on obstacles the enemy set.

Larger and larger they loom

As my heart sinks in despair.

In desperation I cry out Your Name,

"Help me to turn and

Keep my eyes on You,

So that "the things of this earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of Your glory and grace."

As our stares lock into each other,

I feel my mind and spirit

Becoming in tune with Yours..

What an enriching emotion!

I realize that my insight and understanding of

Your words to me are growing, deepening..

How it illumines a dull and dark mind!

How it refreshes a dry and thirsty soul!

Oh, what a marvelous relationship

This is turning out to be.

You are Friend and Teacher.

But…

There is something else….Your eyes!

They seem to be piercing right through me..

Right through my heart..my soul..

The deepest and darkest corners

Covered in cobwebs and "filthy rags".

I am being exposed.

Shame and horror fill me

As You root out and expose the true intent,

The unholy and stained heart.

I look away.

Is there any place that I can hide?

You are the Holy God, the Righteous Judge.

Suddenly, Your Presence overwhelms me.

Bowed in shame, I mutter..then cry out!

"Cleanse my heart, O God!"

"Hide your face from my sins and blot out my iniquity"

Time goes by so slowly

As the painful, humbling process of purification goes on..

My heart grows oh so tender

And my unworthiness before you grows.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changes,

I feel compelled to look up

As Your warmth envelops me.

I look up and straight into Your eyes,

Now brimming over with mercy,

Compassion, love and sweet forgiveness.

Oh, thank You!

My heart overflows with gratitude and praise..

You are my Saviour.

I do believe that I am falling in love.

Oh, to become worthy of Your love,

A fitting bride I want to be!

You are my Bridegroom!

What is that ?

"While you were yet a sinner,

I loved you…I died for you..

Nothing you do or say could add or subtract from

My perfect love for you."

Do you know what?

Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting You again.

There is so much to learn,

So much to be transformed

by the renewing of the mind.

How I long to gaze upon your Beauty,

Yet once again.

Thank you, Jesus.

The time has been precious.

Lovingly Yours,

Sita

*(All Scripture used is taken from The Holy Bible, NIV Version unless otherwise noted.)

So I go on, looking forward to new revelations from God.

Join me, will you?

God's Revelation - Part 1 - Choosing to live in the spirit

This is a 2-part post.

Part 1: What God revealed to me for my daily life today.

Part 2: A recap of the lesson I learned in Beth's study.

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

Part 1

John 14:21(Amplified Bible)

The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

Last week I started a new Beth Moore study, Here and Now...There and Then... A Lecture series on Revelation.

It's different from the others I've done so far and I am truly excited by what I have been learning. Revelation has always been a difficult book for me to grasp, but as we delve into Chapter 1 and how John, God's youngest and 'beloved' disciple, received this revelation, I eagerly anticipate how God is going to reveal, make known Himself to me, Sita.

This is just so wonderful because this year, my sole focus is to seek His Word, to perceive the 'new thing' that He is doing, to get a 'word' designed especially for me.

John was 'in the Spirit' when he received this revelation from an angel whom Jesus sent to reveal a message from the Father. I need to be 'in the Spirit' to receive His word to me as well. Daily I must declare that I choose to crucify the flesh and live in the Spirit. If I do not, I will default to my old flesh nature.

For example, this morning, had I declared this, I would not have 'lost it' when my sons delayed so much that we missed my older son's school bus,
then had to follow the route to catch up,
but, get this,
another school bus was in front of us and kept stopping to pick up children...
AND therefore...
I could not pass and my older son's bus kept getting further!
Do you feel my frustration barometer rising?!
There was no hiding my mumblings and groans.
We did finally catch up and turned around to get my younger son to school on time.
He then asked a simple question when we got there. It required a simple response in low well-modulated tones (:.
Somehow it came out in quite a voluble snappish tone. 

My younger son calmly responded, "Did you have to say it like that, Mom?" 

To which I responded, again in that voluble tone ): "Well, yeah, I'm not perfect you know, I'm a work-in-progress!"  

To which my son [he's 12!] again in a calm voice said, "Well, did you at least try, Mom?"

OUCH!

So, I announced to them when I picked them up this afternoon that the next time we were late (grrrr!), we would proceed with a new attitude, one that anticipates a new adventure. The more I thought about that 'chase' and that lumbering old school bus that was between us and our bus and me grrr-ing--well, it was a hoot!
Yes, I would like to daily declare," I choose to crucify the flesh and live in the Spirit."

Will you join me?

Feeling fuh a Trini infusion...

Enjoy the music of the island! Move dem hips and shoulders....drink a coconut water while yuh at it...with some good mango chow...

Watch the Lamb...

I saw this on FB and was mesmerized by the power of the words and video. Indeed, Jesus was no mere man. 

Surely He is the Son of God.

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

 (John 1:29b-NASB) 

Watch The Lamb (Ray Boltz)

Walking on the road to Jerusalem,

The time had come to sacrifice again,

My two small sons,

They walk beside me on the road,

The reason that they came

was to watch the lamb.

Daddy, daddy,

What will see there,

There's so much that we don't understand,

So I told them of Moses

and father Abraham,

Then I said dear children watch the lamb,

There will be so many in Jerusalem today,

We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away,

And I told them of Moses

and father Abraham,

Then I said dear children watch the lamb.

When we reached the city,

I knew something must be wrong,

There were no joyful worshipers,

No joyful worship songs,

I stood there with my children

in the midst of angry men,

Then I heard the crowd cry out

Crucify Him.

We tried to leave the city

but we could not get away,

Forced to play in this drama

a part I did not wish to play,

Why upon this day

were men condemned to die,

Why were we standing here,

Where soon they would pass by.

I looked and said, even now they come,

The first one cried for mercy,

The people gave him none,

The second one was violent,

He was arrogant and loud,

I still here his angry voice

screaming at the crowd,

Then someone said there's Jesus,

I scarce believed my eyes,

A man so badly beaten,

He barely looked alive,

Blood poured from His body,

From the thorns upon His brow,

Running down the cross,

Falling to the ground.

I watched Him as He struggled,

I watched Him as He fell,

The cross came down upon His back,

The crowd began to yell,

In that moment I felt such agony,

In that moment I felt such loss,

Till a Roman soldier grabbed my arm

and screamed, you, carry His cross.

At first I tried to resist him,

Then his hand reached for his sword,

So I knelt and took

the cross from the Lord,

I placed it on my shoulder,

And started down the street,

The blood that he'd been shedding

was running down my cheek.

They led us to Golgotha,

They drove nails

deep in His feet and hands,

Yet upon the cross I heard Him pray

Father, forgive them.

Oh, never have I seen such love

in any other eyes,

Into thy hands I commit my spirit

He prayed and then He died,

I stood for what seemed like years,

I'd lost all sense of time

until I felt two tiny hands

holding tight to mine,

The children stood there weeping,

I heard the oldest say,

Father please forgive us,

the lamb ran away.

Daddy, daddy,

What have we seen here,

There's so much

that we don't understand,

So I took them in my arms,

And we turned and faced the cross,

Then I said dear children

watch the lamb.