Sita's Sanctum

Proverbs 31:8 - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

2012-01-11T19:09:00.000-05:00

There was dead silence when the video stopped. All you could hear was quiet sobbing. No one could move. Grief so palpable. We had all just witnessed a dramatic portrayal of what happens in the child sex slavery in Cambodia through the eyes of the little child who looked just like my friend's 9-yr-old daughter, except in real life, this child would likely have been as young as 5 or 6 years old. The little actresses were phenomenal. The fear and betrayal in their eyes wrenched your heart. It is so hard to comprehend the mind that can take a child and thoughtlessly ravage and savage their body and spirit. The organizations like http://www.ratanak.org/ and http://www.ijm.ca/ who are working to bring awareness to this abomination and rescue these children who are sold by their own parents presented this conference today. The members come from all walks of life. The problem is a world-wide horror with child porn videos and internet porn widely disseminated, many featuring children who have no voice, like those in Cambodia.

So what do I do with this knowledge? True compassion is moved to action. In my first two posts I spoke of how God had called me out of the pigpen to embrace His purpose for me. The ensuing year or two was anything but affirming that He had spoken. In fact circumstances brought up doubts and fear and second-guessing. Last night a friend shared with me at length of her own calling and how this been challenged on all sides. Today I heard one of the speakers articulating the same type of journey. It seemed like God is stirring the spirits of His children by bringing them to the point where circumstances do not deter His calling in their lives in any way. He is calling us to absolute trust. He is calling us to listen to His Voice alone and obey His Voice alone. As my friend shared, this can be a very isolated journey as we see Him stripping us of any comfort but His alone. When I experienced my time of climbing on His lap, the feeling of deep love for my Father surprised me. By all rights, I should have been feeling resentment, anger for the never-ending struggle that has seemed to characterize my life in my new country. Why did I feel such a deep love? It was because I knew I was loved by a Father so perfect that He fashioned my struggles to draw me into an intimacy with Him. I was created for Him.

Now that my calling and recent struggles have been put into the light of His will, I understand that He is working deep in my spirit as well and little by little He will reveal in His way and time what His plan is. Like our speaker who saw a beautiful flower in the middle of the brothels in Pattaya, Thailand and thought even in the midst of garbage, operating in the will of God makes a fragrant display, my desire is that I will hunger after my God, seek Him with all my heart, obey His voice and pour out His fragrance to all who hunger for it. For now, this blog is overflowing from a heart determined to trust and obey, a heart tenderized by the knowledge of His love. I have no idea how this is impacting for Him. My instinct is just to obey His prompting.

Father, I pray for Your little ones all around the world on whom the grossest of injustices is being perpetrated. May You surround them with the unseen wings of angels. Expose the perpetrators to those seeking justice for those who have no voice. Deliver these children and open hearts and doors to safe places for healing, rehabilitation and reintegration. Only You can reach into the deep recesses of their spirits and pour Your healing love. Do it, God. I pray for those trapped in the depravity of sin that allows them to treat Your little ones so callously. May Your Spirit open their eyes, convict them of their sin and bring them to repentance. Father, I pray for my friends who have heard Your voice calling them to Yourself and are now so weary of the uphill climb that has ensued. Not only are their limbs at the breaking point, they find themselves battling weapons hurled at them. Please, God, grant them a spacious place, a holy moment, an oasis, to know Your healing love, to run for a while, laugh and enjoy the life that You gave them. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Meditation: 2Corinthians 4: 7-12 (NIV)But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Exquisitely painful...

2011-12-30T18:55:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 4:12 (The Amplified Bible)

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

(**REPOSTING DECEMBER 30, 2011)
My 5th memory verse in the 2009 Beth Moore challenge is Hebrews 4:12 and goes along with my reading from Oswald Chambers My Utmost For His Highest today. He says that only the Word of God is able to penetrate the core of our heart and it is a painful cut but with a healing intent if we submit to His scalpel. It is the bittersweetness of cutting open a wound to expose the infection, the deft incision to remove the toxins, the pouring in of the healing balm that soothes and restores. It is indeed an exquisite pain, meant to clean, heal and restore.

Our lives are full of 'infection', some passed down in our generational DNA, some as the result of our own wilful sin, some an overflow of someone's else's sin against us, some just from being part of a sinful world. That 'infection' clogs our senses so that we are unable to see, hear, feel, touch, smell in optimal functionality. Then God confronts us with His Word and the fog dissipates as Truth invades. Bondage is exchanged for freedom. His Word says (John 8:32 (NIV)), Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." This is a lifelong process.

I want that Word, that exquisitely painful piercing. I want to be free to live abundantly, to thrive and not just survive in every area of my life.
Do you?

Then join me in seeking His Word relentlessly. Like Peter, let us discover our true devotion to our Lord as Oswald Chambers devotion today says::
Have you felt the hurt of the Lord to the uncovered quick, the place where the real sensitiveness of your life is lodged? The devil never hurts there, neither sin nor human affection hurts there, nothing goes through to that place but the word of God. "Peter was grieved because Jesus said unto him the third time. . . ." He was awakening to the fact that in the real true centre of his personal life he was devoted to Jesus..."

Coconut...and more coconut....

2011-11-30T10:44:00.001-05:00

(**reposting --good therapy for a cool rainy morning in Toronto)

I have to confess that LauraLee's post on chocolate where she 'eeewed' on coconut inspired me, in fact took me way back to a time of life that seems magic to me now...life on an island...going to the beach...a hot and scorching day...a cool sea breeze...coconut vendors...coconut water...coconut jelly...family...friends...

Thank you, Lord, I have such a precious memory,...many people do not...

Sing and sway along with me....

Coconut Woman

by Harry Belafonte
Coconut woman is calling out
And everyday you can hear her shout
Coconut woman is calling out
And everyday you can hear her shout

Get your coconut water, four for five
Man it's good for your daughter, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five

A lady tell me the other day
No one can take her sweet man away
I ask her what was the mystery
She say coconut water and rice curry
You can cook it in a pot, four for five
You can serve it very hot, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five

Coconut woman says you'll agree
coconut make very nice candy
The thing that's best if you're feelin' glum
Is coconut water with a little rum
It could make you very tipsy, four for five
Make you feel like a gypsy, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five

Coconut

And what you have always wanted to know...
How to drink coconut water straight...!

More on coconut...recipes...
Coconut Ice Cream with Papaya
Cassava Pone with coconut
The Many Faces of the coconut
OK!! Enough coconut already! Enjoy!

Family time and mental unwellness...

2011-11-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

(**reposting from 2008)
Ok...Family time...
do you have those in your home?
...Mom cheerleader-enthusiastic..
...Dad suddenly philosophic..
...teenager with pout-when-will-this-be-over..
...9-yr-old standing on head...
Do you get the picture, my friend?

Ok..we tried.
So Mom has lightbulb moment. Multi-media! Go where the youth are dwelling!
So she goes to a Christian bookstore looking for DVDs--naturally, The Cross and The Switchblade [which is always in stock as per sales clerk!] is all sold out. So, on a strict budget, she spies some old Billy Graham movies. Decides to show the one called The Restless Ones the other night.

Well, well, well...while my 14-yr-old was not displaying the avid interest I was so hoping for, my 9-yr-old was showing rapt attention.
Oh dear, Billy was talking to youth about you-know-what.
My younger son commented, "Well, it is helpful to know what is going on in my brother's head, so I can torture him!"

Ok, So much for spiritual lessons!
But he did seem thoughtful when Billy was giving the gospel message later.
But, I have to tell you, the featured song, called "The Restless Ones" was the lamest song that I have ever heard! It is true that Billy was really young in this movie and was completely unaware that this was not the catchiest tune ever.
..My son did do a jig to liven it up a bit.
Anyway, we got to prayer time and prayer requests. My younger son had one for the first time.
How pleased I was!
Then he says, "we really need to pray that whoever wrote that song will get over his mental unwellness!"

I really do not know if my sons got anything from my new approach, but from the wisdom gained in the past 14 years of watching my children, they are picking up regardless of the actual interest shown.
So, my job is to make sure they get the spiritual input in a language they like, and leave the rest to God!
How neat is that!

May you be blessed with family times that build warm memories.

Love, Sita

Father, please grant us the wisdom we need to teach our children in their language even as you taught us in ways we could grasp, like your parables. Help us to obey and leave the 'invisible work' to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Arima Evangelical Church--a glimpse back...

2011-09-25T17:33:00.002-04:00

The other day as I was reflecting, God took me back to my childhood, to a church service in my home church, Arima Evangelical Church, Arima, Trinidad & Tobago. The view I got was from the podium looking at the congregation singing. It was strange, because as a child, I thought the hymns being sung were for the old people and the words meant little to me. And to tell the truth, I rather thought the words meant nothing to the people singing either. It was all so boring, yes , the preaching and the people.

Now in this season of my life, God was taking me back to a service and I was looking at the eyes of the people singing. It is at the stage of my life where I now fully appreciate the profound lyrics penned by artists who spoke from a deep well of grace that covered their suffering. I was shocked to see that I was seeing 'people' for the first time, singing words that brought deep comfort and solace, that expressed their gratitude and praise to God for redeeming and sustaining them.

Some eyes bore tears and my heart lurched in compassion. One face in particular drew my eyes. Sister Marcelle. She was one of the exceptions to my looking 'through' the old people. I had always heard my parents speak in respectful tones about her. It was clear to me even at that self-centred age to recognize that she was different. She had carried herself with dignity and grace and her facial expression always mirrored the beauty of a heart dependent on God, something I could not articulate then. Her eyes now brimmed with tears that reflected that the words she sang came from the deep well of grace. Wow, those people were actually beautiful. I am so sorry, God. I could not 'see' that until now.

Joe and Ann's wedding, 1979

How I wish I could go back in time and embrace those same people I so easily dismissed as a child as insignificant. I wish I could go back and ask them to share their 'stories'. So many stories have been lost because they were never shared. I have lost out greatly in not knowing how God was working in their lives.
O foolish youth.

In the one picture I found of my church, I was thrilled to see Ann (Neptune). She was one of my peers but unlike me, I remember her as being so full of compassion for everyone, with the joy and beauty of Jesus spilling over. I pray that God will give her an extra special touch of His loving kindness towards her this week that reminds her of her value to Him.

Thank you, God, for a glimpse into my past and the beauty that surrounded me. May You bless the children of many of these dear 'old' people who are now in glory with You. For those of their children who have drifted from You, I ask You to gently nudge them back, help them to remember as You helped me, the eternal truths that were planted in young hearts, and may they long for You. Thank You for the unique brushstrokes You have applied to Your children that teach me about You. Thank You for forgiving me for my selfishness and arrogance. May I extend that grace to the youth of my time who so easily dismiss the 'old' people. And, Lord, would You give an extra blessing to the offspring of Sr. Marcelle? Would You cover, protect and provide for them? I pray that they will carry on the legacy of a countenance radiant with God's glory.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Finding my 'place'...

2011-09-23T14:28:00.005-04:00

I recently finished reading John White's Daring To Draw Near , a classic treatise on the prayers of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Daniel, Hannah, Job, David, Paul and Jesus. And I will keep going back to chew on nuggets of truth that deepen my understanding of God. Today, I highlight Job in a lengthy quotation which I have captioned Reduced to Size.

As I reflect on my life, especially in the immigrant phase here in Canada, I see a woman reduced to invisibility fighting to say "I am somebody! I am valid!" She found herself being 'put in her place' too many times and she balked at that place, for it was not her 'fit'.

Finally, she just got tired of fighting and withdrew. Then God started to strip her of her man-made self-image and started to teach her about who she truly was and where her 'place' is as you can see in this older post. She is still learning this as I pen these words.

If you can identify with me, then these words will minister to you too.

Be blessed.

Sita

Reduced To Size
(Quote taken from John White, Daring To Draw Near:)

~""I am of small account".(Job)

"It is comforting to be reduced to size. I think of the time I entered Ely Cathedral, stark in its naked simplicity, yet awe-inspiring beyond words. My heart stood still before an upward sweep of towering Gothic arches, light and the beauty of space. It was good to feel small; good because something so great made being small at once fitting and uplifting. One cannot simultaneously be puffed up and lifted up.

For Job, of course, it was the same thing on another level. He experienced smallness in every sense: morally, intellectually and physically in the Presence of majesty. It was painful because he was shattered by his stupid folly. Yet: we are never at home when we swell with importance. We may think that we are having a high, but if so, it is a high never free from burdens and tensions. We may be hurt to see our real size for the first time, though in seeing it we will be delivered from the burden of having to keep our bloated image up to size. Being big became to Job as unnecessary as speech had become.

There is something both profoundly healthy and holy about being small and reduced to silence. Nowadays we lay great stress on having a proper self-image. We rightly see that feelings of inferiority can hamper the way we live. To feel that we are no good gives us a hangdog, self-hating attitude toward life. We therefore seek to correct such a state of affairs by having an "improved self-image," by which we usually mean a bigger and better idea of ourselves. Supposedly we are to look in the mirror and be impressed by what we see.

Yet is this how God intends it? It seems to me that the real problem of having a poor self-image (or, in more old-fashioned terms, "an inferiority complex") lies in self-disgust. It really does not matter how samll we are, but how at peace we are with ourselves. And he is at peace who has seen himself appropriately placed in the total scheme of things. The problem is not that we are small but that we are competitive and therefore displaced persons in the mad scramble for a place in life. Consequently we grow resentful of others, resentful even of God. We tread in the footsteps of Lucifer. We are children seeing who is the tallest, but we are measuring ourselves by false and shifting standards.

To know that we are small yet accepted and loved, and that we fit into the exact niche in life a loving God has carved out for us is the most profoundly healthy thing I know. It does not inhibit boldness or assertiveness when these are called for, and it certainly delivers us from silly, aggressive posturing and shouting. Knowing our real place in life we never need to feel threatened. Most of all we are left free to wonder at the glory and majesty of God, drinking in drafts of living water and knowing what we are created for."~ John White

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-11T10:02:00.004-04:00

(**reposting from 2007**)
6 years ago, my eyes were transfixed to the telly watching CNN's coverage of the second plane crashing into one of the towers. I shook my head in disbelief. What just happened? That was just a little plane, right? As it continued, and the full extent of the horror unfolded, I was brought to my knees crying as I realized that while New York's finest had just entered the Twin Towers, they were now being buried under the falling brick and mortar.
That day, shards of glass penetrated my soul, searing it forever. Images of people celebrating the death and destruction both angered and grieved me. I saw the eyes of evil that day, and it was a terrible vision, the eyes of Satan himself, mocking and jubilant. Hatred and revenge using God's holy Name to perpetrate murder. My reading today in the Psalms spoke directly to that day: see for yourself--(http://www.bible.com/)

Psalm 94
1 O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, O LORD; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed."
8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law;
13 you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— one that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The difference between these murderers and I is that by the grace of God I can forgive. That day, I pledged never to leave a legacy of hatred and grudge-bearing for my children to pass on to their children. I realized that God is quite capable of handling matters of injustice. I later read a bio of Osama Bin Laden and saw a man who had been wounded and who had harnessed religion and pain into a diabolical plan of revenge. A man who never knew grace. A man who had probably encountered many Christians. Was he shown grace?

Father, You who knows and sees all, I commit this day to You. I commit all those wounded on that day, those left with a hole in their hearts because those they love will never be with them here on earth, those who live with fear and anxiety, those who bear anger and bitterness. Give them a message of hope and redemption this day. Thwart any murderous plots planned for today. Show Your power, O mighty God. I love You, O God who reigns supreme. I am grateful for Your grace so freely given. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Who are you, Mountain View, California?

2011-07-23T13:21:00.000-04:00

I am very curious after checking my stats. One of my most 'faithful' viewers comes from Mountain View, California. I would love to know who you are if you don't mind identifying yourself. You can email me if you prefer: trinisita at hotmail dot com.
Thanks(:

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place...

2011-07-20T22:58:00.005-04:00

photo credit
How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place,

O LORD Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."

Psalm 84:1-2

My heart's desire is to have a stable home, not just always in transition, never unpacking most of the boxes. This will be my 10th move since marriage. I'm weary.
So I prayed.

Not what I expected when I hear that He gives more than we ever imagined...
So what did I imagine?
...that immaculate apt. with lots of windows, black stainless steel appliances, walk-in closet, clean, shining, all-inclusive at a price we could afford while paying off debt and bills...
Yes! My spirit soared when we saw that one...and fell in love..and were overjoyed that the landlady was a Christian and friend of friends...but...
a beautiful young couple due to be married soon got there ahead of us and got it....
Ouch!
As my son said, "they're just starting off...we've been moving for years...how come they get to start off perfect?"
Well, pretty much because God wanted them to have it as I told the young woman later.
Dangerous lie pops in.."you don't deserve anything nice..."
I reject that for the words of Jesus are totally trustworthy..
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?" (Matthew 6:30..The Message)

So, what was left?
One that was also immaculate but not affordable...stomach sinks...
Trust Me.
Then an unfinished apartment which I probably would not have gone to view if I had known there was a cat. Very allergic. Hubby and sons see the potential. Landlady promises it will be finished and all signs of 'cat' will be removed. I actually really like the couple there, feel at home with them.
Not having the energy left to see people's greasy and smelly basement apts., I agree to sign but with much pain.

Then God spoke.
He used God of All Comfort by Hannah Whitall Smith...
p.118..."God is my dwelling place, and I am going to abide in Him forever. It is all settled. I am in this divine habitation, and I am safe here, and I am not going to move out again."

What's that, God?

Sita, I am offering you the dwelling place your heart desires and it is eternal. It matters not if your earthly environment is in chaos, in my Home, you dwell securely and serenely. My eyes are the windows in your new home through which you will see, perceive all that you encounter. The aroma of my sweet Holy Spirit pervades. Beauty fills my home. Joy pumps through the pipes.
Sita, my child, will you come?

Yes, Lord. I am coming in, unpacking, and I am excited.

The outer surrounding should terrify me.
"Basement"--that word is shrouded with terrible images, cold, dark, dingy. A place where I experienced major losses, a baby, a ministry, my life's dream. (Click on last sentence if you want to read more.)
A place where new immigrants may start, where singles or single parent families reside.
Not usually where a native-grown family moves...as one Guyanese woman so eloquently put it..."yuh mean yuh live here so long and yuh doh even have a house..."

It is now "a new thing" that God is doing.
God's opening.
And I look forward to seeing His Hand, His glory.

I look forward to God, my new Dwelling Place.

(I found this great article: God the Dwelling Place of Man by Reimar Schultze)

Happy 18th Birthday, Nathan!

2011-07-12T22:39:00.000-04:00

6 mths.

10 yrs.old

17 yrs. old

15 yrs. old

NATHAN

Happy 18^th Birthday

My dearest first-born,

Another milestone year and what a year it has been for you:

*basketball *trip to Dominican Republic *Prom king *Valedictorian *Honours graduate *Ontario scholar *University of Waterloo *

What a guy!

God has His eye on you and has chosen to put you very much in the public eye and equipped you with the social skills to engage a wide range of people.
People are drawn to your love of life and your honest expression of faith.
You also have a huge capacity to love and are concerned about injustice.
You, sir, are authentic.

Satan also has his eye on you and there is a target on your back. You, sir, are in a battle for your mind and heart.
So put on that spiritual armour daily and fight lies with the truth you have been memorizing for so long. Or you may fall like the kings of Israel who after God had blessed them, looked at themselves and said “Look what I have done”.

Remember the wisdom of Dungy in your speech, that God cares not for wordly successes, but treasures a heart that is humble and contrite, in tune with His will and heart.

In my Bible reading I asked God to give me a blessing for you and as I read the following portion, I smiled. See for yourself:

Psalm 45 (The Amplified Bible)

(To the Chief Musician; [set to the tune of] "Lilies" [probably a popular air. A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem. A song of love.)

1MY HEART overflows with a [a]goodly theme; I address my psalm to a King. My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

2You are fairer than the children of men; graciousness is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

3Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O mighty One, in Your glory and Your majesty!

4And in Your majesty ride on triumphantly for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); and let Your right hand guide You to tremendous things.

5Your arrows are sharp; the peoples fall under You; Your darts pierce the hearts of the King's enemies.

6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

7You love righteousness, uprightness, and right standing with God and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.

Yes, I believe that God is leading you to be His voice on behalf of truth, humility and righteousness. The 2-mth service trip to the Dominican Republic started a passion for service and also brought soul searching questions.

So, continue to serve wherever he has placed you, doing all to His glory.

Continue to question and seek Him with all of your heart and mind for answers, for ONLY in HIM will you find Truth that satisfies.
He ALONE is completely trustworthy.
He cannot lie.
He may not give you all the answers for He is God and only when we see Him will we know fully.

Balance your tendency to keep busy with a meaningful time of complete silence, where all the inner and outer noise is hushed. You need this to refresh your spirit and to listen to His whispers to your heart.

May God give you friends who have your trust and with whom you can share honestly and who always draw you to God.

I bless you with a hunger for righteousness, a heart of humility and a passion for justice.
RIDE FORTH!

So, son, yet another essay from your Mom. The rest is reserved for when you leave for university.

With Love, thoughts and prayers

Your devoted Mom.

July 13, 2011

Down at Your Feet...

2011-07-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

No Higher Calling

Down at Your feet, O Lord, Is the most high place,
In Your presence Lord, I seek Your face, I seek Your face..
There is no higher calling, No greater honour,
Than to bow and kneel before Your throne,
I'm amazed by Your glory, Embraced by Your mercy,
Lord, I live to worship You.

LEBLANC, LENNY
Copyright: 1989 DOULOS PUBLISHING Year: 1989

All day I have had a headache and a general feeling of unwellness so I had to fight to get things done, except for one thing. In my quiet time I willingly ran to my Father, but I told Him I couldn't manage to climb on to His lap, so I stayed on the ground and hugged His ankles. Oh, it was so comforting. God is so comforting. I was indeed embraced by His mercy. How precious is that! After soaking in His Presence a little while, my spirit summoned praise to my lips in song.
It was an oasis moment for me. Thank You, Lord.

Later on I received an email from Carol Kent's mother in response to an email to Carol about how her book had blessed me. Her Mom was helping her to respond to emails because of the overwhelming response to her sharing about her son. It was such a thoughtful email and she reminded of this: "Peace is not the absence of trouble; peace is the presence of God." and the verse that they cling to: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
While all we see is the visible 'destruction', as we persevere and will to trust God, an invisible work is being accomplished in our hearts with an eternal value.

Father, some of us are overwhelmed with the visible circumstances, illness, financial difficulties, errant children, depression, relationships... and it is hard to see through the emotional fog. Please Father, just as You spoke into the darkness in the beginning and said "Let there be light" and there was light, please speak into our situations and let us have a glimpse of Light, Hope. Thank You, Father. You are our Comforter. Please bring a song to the lips of my friends who need a song at this time. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-18T19:58:00.001-04:00

...to my Daddy. He has always been my hero and I always thought I was his personal favorite (ha-ha). Then many years later, I realized he made each of us think that. Isn't that a God-ly trait?

He also has a 'pet' name for each of us. Hey, do you think God has one for us as well? Would it not be a hoot to ask Him to 'reveal' it to us?

My father made it so easy for me to love and trust God as a child and I thank God for that. More than anyone else, I always thought my Dad 'knew' my heart and spirit. He gave me all that he could. He only came to know Jesus later on in his life, but when he did, he came with a hunger for God's word and loved the old classic theologians like Spurgeon.

I love you, Dad and pray that God allows you to live out the rest of your life with dignity and honour in every way. I miss not having you near me.

This song is for you:

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths

its flow May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze

its day May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

Happy 13th Birthday to my last-born!

2011-02-16T12:35:00.002-05:00

To my dearest lastborn, Daniel

Happy 13^th Birthday,
Feb. 17^th, 2011!

6 mths.

10 yrs.

6 yrs.

Proverbs 3:1-2 (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.

It is so hard to believe that my ‘baby’ is a bonafide teenager today—13 years old!

Happy Birthday, dear Daniel.

Each day I realize what a perfect gift you are to me and to our family. In a way, you are the glue that binds us together with the special love and understanding you have of all of us. God has gifted you with a unique sensitivity and insight into people’s hearts and you ‘get’ each of us.

You are the best hugger I have ever met, ever since you were a baby. You know how to express love and give of yourself and your resources willingly to those in need.

I pray that as you prayed for this new year, that you will learn to love and know God’s love for you, that you will recognize Him:

“Recognize God’s Voice
I recognize God’s voice like I do the voice of anyone I talk to a lot. A new friend is going to have to identify herself the first few times she calls me, but then I’ll recognize her voice and the kinds of things she talks about.
Suppose Mary loves shopping and hates baseball. If someone calls up and says, “Hey, it’s Mary. Wasn’t that a great baseball game?” I’d know it is someone other than Mary, because that’s just not what Mary is into.
It’s like that with God, too. I recognize Him by the way He talks to me and what He says. If what I’m hearing doesn’t sound like His personality and character, then I know it can’t be Him talking. That’s why people who want to hear from God need to develop an in-depth knowledge of the Bible. It’s there we find out what He loves, what He hates, what is dear to His heart.
Michelle McKinney Hammond”

God has given you a gift in music and creativity—a true artist with that sensitive artist’s heart. I pray that you will guard your heart with God’s Word. I pray this for you: Ephesians 3:14b-21

^14-19… I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
^20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Also remember:

Joshua 1:5b-9 (The Message)

In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Daniel, thank you for the way you love me, so unconditionally..for the way you make sure our eyes meet to wave goodbye when I drop you to school…the way my heart fills up when I see you walking back to meet me after school..for the way you know when I just need to be hugged…for the way you are loyal to your brother and Dad…wow, so much about you wows me..what a perfect gift God gave me when He gave or rather ‘lent’ you to me. I look forward to all that he has in store for you. Remember, stay close to Him, spend time with Him, so that your heart connects with His, so that what flows from your heart to create will be for His glory. Remember to listen humbly to wise counsel and respectfully submit to those He has placed in authority over you, for that is how we grow. I love you with all of my heart, Dee-dee(:

Thank you, God, for a glimpse into my son's life in a different window.
Be pleased, O God, to continue to sow into his life, his spirit, your good and perfect gifts.
Guard and protect him from situations or people that would crush his spirit in any way. Bring into his life those who would edify him and lead him on higher ground.
Grant him a humble and contrite spirit, for that You will not despise.
Give him and those who influence his life daily, like us, his parents, his teachers, his youth leaders, a glimpse of Your purpose for him and grant us all the wisdom to encourage him along.
Grant to him a fear, a holy reverence for You so that he will have wisdom to make the right choices.
And, God, did I say thank you for all You have done for him? For I know I have been a most imperfect mother, yet as I gaze upon him, all I see is Your stamp, and it is so beautiful, I am entranced and cannot take my gaze away from his countenance.
He is Yours and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Thank You, Lord for Daniel. May Your blessings fall on him. May You protect and provide for him all that is needed to keep him on the right path.

With all my love, thoughts and prayers,

Mom

If I Could
(Songwriters: Sharron, Martha Vanessa; Hirsch, Kenny; Miller, Ronald Norman)

If I could
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes
Give you courage in a world of compromise

Yes I would

If I could
I would teach you all the things I've never learned
And I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned
Yes I would

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
I've watched you grow so I could let you go

If I could
I would help you make it through the hungry years
But I know that I can never cry your tears
But I would, if I could

If I live
In a time and place where you don't want to be
You don't have to walk along this road with me
My yesterday won't have to be your way

If I knew
How to try to change the world I brought you to
And there isn't very much that I can do
But I would, if I could

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
I've watched you grow so I could let you go

If I could
I would help you make it through those hungry years
But I know that I can never cry your tears
But I would, if I could
Yes I would, yes I would
If I could

In 2010 He gave me a new song!

2010-11-11T00:00:00.003-05:00

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

I don't quite know how to say thanks to God for this very special song that played today in which each word reverberated with me. I remember a long time ago when Andrae Crouch's Through It All became my life song. And tonight, on the eve of my 55th birthday, my life song has a new dimension in What Faith Can Do by Kutless.

My friends, the past several years have been difficult. Totally different from what I had envisioned my life would be. Yet tonight, instead of despair and disappointment, my heart and my spirit bubble with a joy that springs from deep within me. There is a wellspring of joy in me. Jesus in me.

I know God was, is, and will be in the details and He surely equips for what He has ordained for each of us. I realize now the faith that He has solidified in me for His glory. He is doing that for you too in the midst of your struggles today and one day, He will let you glimpse the glory that is being created in the invisible realm, like He did for me today.

My desire is to know Him, my purpose is to know Him and make Him known. I must decrease so He will increase.

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

1 Peter 1 (The Message)

A New Life

^3-5What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

^6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

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

On my birthday I want to bless all my friends with "hope that never ends, even when the sky is falling".

(Read the lyrics, then play the video clip below.)

What Faith Can Do Lyrics

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

TSMSS - Lord, I come to You...

2010-09-14T23:37:00.001-04:00

(**The Lord nudged me awake this morning to add this to TSMSS. Perhaps someone there needs to hear this today. So please pop by Amy's blog, host of TSMSS to hear more songs that minister.)

Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I’ve found in You
Lord I’ve come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

~ chorus ~
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love

(repeat chorus twice)

And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
(repeat)
(Lyrics: Geoff Bullock, Darlene Zschech))

Like a Crashing Wave...Holy Love, flow in me...

2010-09-12T23:56:00.000-04:00

**reposting

As we were singing Holy Love this morning at church, I was acutely aware of the oceans of fear that surrounds us this day. Satan is grinning. It is washing over us, seeping into the unprotected zones, the parts of us that we control.

(Any time Satan comes with fearful thoughts in any area that we have relinquished control to God, we can simply point him to Jesus, say, man, tell it to Him, He's in total control here...(-;)

Then up pop things we cannot control:

Betrayal in relationships

Illness,

loss of jobs,

financial distress...

just to name a few...

so, it is time, like Mary, seated at Jesus' feet,

to drink in all He had to say;

like Esther, who put on her royal robes,

to face Xerxes at the risk of death.

He extended the royal sceptre,

she had to reach out and touch it to be safe.

Go to Jesus, pour out your heart, surrender...

Reach out, sing this song, read the Scripture, claim it,

and let His holy love come crashing like a wave,

washing all that fear away...

wiping Satan's grin away...

1 John 4:18 (Amplified Bible)
18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

Holy Love

(click on title to hear the song)
(Andy Park)

Many waters cannot quench your love

Rivers cannot overwhelm it

Oceans of fear cannot conceal

Your love for me

Many waters cannot quench Your love

Rivers cannot overwhelm it

Oceans of fear cannot conceal

Your love for me

Your love for me

Holy love, flow in me

Fill me up like the deepest sea

Like a crashing wave pouring over me

Holy love flow in me

Many sorrows cannot quench Your love

Darkness cannot overwhelm it

I will not fear,

Your love is here to comfort me

Many sorrows cannot quench Your love

Darkness cannot overwhelm it

I will not fear,

Your love is here to comfort me

You comfort me

(Bridge)

When I find you I find healing

When I find you I find peace

And I know that there’s no river so wide

No mountain so high,

no ocean so deep

That You can’t part the sea

TSMSS - Come As You Are

2010-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

This song really ministered to me today. Pray you are blessed as well.
Drop by Amy's blog to hear more songs that minister on TSMSS (Then Sings My Soul Saturday).

Come As You Are (Pocket Full of Rocks)

He's not mad at you

He's not disappointed

His grace is greater still,

than all of your wrong choices

He is full of mercy and he is ever kind

Hear his invitation, His arms are open wide

You can come as you are,

with all your broken pieces

And all your shameful scars

The pain you hold in your heart,

bring it all to Jesus

You can come as you are

Louder than the voice that whispers your unworthy

Hear the sound of love,

that tells a different story

Shattering your darkness and pushing through the lies

How tenderly he calls you,

His arms are open wide

You can come as you are,

with all your broken pieces

And all your shameful scars

The pain you hold in your heart,

bring it all to Jesus

You can come as you are

You can come as you are with all your broken pieces

And all your shameful scars

The pain you hold in your heart,

bring it all to Jesus

You can come as you are

I Am Willing, Lord

2010-09-09T11:29:00.001-04:00

(***Reposting)
God first brought this song to me many years ago when my heart was broken. It was a time in my life I will always cherish as a time of wonderful intimacy with my God as He poured Himself into my pain. Today, He brought this song back to me and I sing it back to Him.

"I am willing, Lord, to be just exactly what You want me to be...please don't ever stop working with me, till You see I can be all You want me to be..."
I dedicate this to my mother on her birthday today. Because of her love and faithfulness, I am here today with a strong foundation that will not allow me to move away from God even when He appears absent. Instead, I am drawn to Him as the only Hope. Thank you, Mom. You are indeed a treasure and I miss you so far away.
"Father, please give Mom a special touch of Your goodness today. Let her know how special she is and pour unexpected blessings into her life even now. Thank You."

A time to laugh...

2010-08-28T12:27:00.000-04:00

I saw these 2 video clips on Facebook and just had to share them here in case you are not on FB.
Enjoy the laughs. I sure did!

#1 - Woman goes back to work after 30 years (:

#2 - Lifeguard with a sense of humour (:

God Will Make A Way even when your world is burning...

2010-08-17T23:58:00.001-04:00

Here is a story I received in my email a long time ago that ministered deeply. I found it again at this site and pray you find hope as you read:

THE BURNING HUT (author unknown)

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forth coming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut was in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky!
The worst had happened; everything was lost! He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could You do this to me?" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

You say, "It's impossible." God says: "All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)
You say, "I'm too tired." God says: "I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28-20)
You say, "Nobody really loves me." God says: "I love you." (John 3:16)
You say, "I can't go on." God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9)
You say, "I can't figure things out." God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say, "I can't do it." God says: "You can do all things." (Phil. 4:13)
You say, "It's not worth it." God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:28)
You say, "I can't forgive myself." God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9)
You say, "I can't manage." God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil. 4:19)
You say, "I'm afraid." God says: "I have not given you the spirit of fear." (II Tim. 1:7)
You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated." God says: "Cast all your cares on Me." (I Peter 5:7)
You say, "I don't have enough faith." God says: "I've given everyone the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
You say, "I'm not smart enough." God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)
You say, "I feel all alone." God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

The following song by Don Moen, God Will Make a Way, says that no matter how impossible your situation seems, God is able to make a way for you, not usually what you thought or imagined, for God's ways and thoughts are not ours, or else he would fit into our finite, temporal boxes. He is God, infinite and holy, gracious and compassionate, merciful and just, majestic and omnipotent, incapable of being boxed in by our views or circumstances. Trust Him today to see you through.

God will make a way (by Don Moen)

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His word will still remain
He will do something new today.

He Lowers to Raise

2010-08-10T09:41:00.002-04:00

This Spurgeon devotional struck a chord with me this morning.
Maybe it will bless you too.

"Thy LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich:

He bringeth low, and lifteth up" (1 Samuel 2:7).

ll my changes come from Him who never changes.

 If I had grown rich, I should have seen His hand in it,

and I should have praised Him;

let me equally see His hand if I am made poor,

and let me as heartily praise Him.

When we go down in the world, it is of the LORD,

and so we may take it patiently:

when we rise in the world, it is of the LORD,

and we may accept it thankfully.

 In any case, the LORD hath done it, and it is
well.
            It seems that Jehovah's way

 is to lower those whom He means to
raise and to strip those whom He intends to clothe.

 If it is His way, it is the wisest and best way.

 If I am now enduring the bringing low, I may well rejoice,

because I see in it the preface to the lifting up.
The more we are humbled by grace, the more we shall be exalted in
glory. That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment
is to be welcomed.
            O LORD, Thou has taken me down of late and made me feel my
insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience, but I pray
Thee make it a profitable one to me. Oh, that Thou wouldst thus fit me
to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness; and when I am
ready for it, then grant it to me, for Christ's sake! Amen.

Trust and Obey

2010-07-31T20:59:00.004-04:00

As has been my experience in the past couple of years, when my spirit is in agony and I cry out to God, He brings the words of a song, many times old hymns from my childhood.

I know it is from Him, because, I never think on or sing these songs on a regular basis, and certain words reach down with profound ministry to where it hurts.
Thank you, Lord.
As usual, I will share it here in case it ministers to someone else.

467. Trust and Obey

Text: John H. Sammis, 1846-1919
Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1850-1919
Tune: ---, Meter: 669 D with Refrain

1. When we walk with the Lord 
 in the light of his word, 
 what a glory he sheds on our way! 
 While we do his good will, 
 he abides with us still, 
 and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
 Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
 to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

2. Not a burden we bear, 
 not a sorrow we share, 
 but our toil he doth richly repay; 
 not a grief or a loss, 
 not a frown or a cross, 
 but is blest if we trust and obey. 
 (Refrain) 

3. But we never can prove 
 the delights of his love 
 until all on the altar we lay; 
 for the favor he shows, 
 for the joy he bestows, 
 are for them who will trust and obey. 
 (Refrain) 

4. Then in fellowship sweet 
 we will sit at his feet, 
 or we'll walk by his side in the way; 
 what he says we will do, 
 where he sends we will go; 
 never fear, only trust and obey. 
 (Refrain)

I want to be like Enoch...

2010-07-30T12:32:00.002-04:00

This was my Bible reading this morning. The bold highlighted portions rose up to greet me (:

When I read that ...the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible... I saw that while humans, created beings, have to power to create from that which is visible, Our Creator, just spoke and VOILA!

(photo credit)

When I read that Enoch ... received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God...I had to stop and pray "how I desire that to be the legacy I leave, Lord"

When I read... ¹⁵If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it. ¹⁶But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]... I was reminded of the Israelites who after God delivered them from bondage in Egypt began to long to go back when things got hard in the wilderness. I was reminded of how I also and many new immigrants look back to our homelands with rose-coloured glasses when things get difficult in the new land.

I have found that I have never felt a sense of belonging anywhere and that creates in me that longing for my heavenly Homeland, where I have already been proclaimed a citizen.

If this reading has also blessed you, I invite you to share in the comments.

Hebrews 11 (Amplified Bible) (Bible Gateway)

Hebrews 11

¹NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].    ²For by [faith--trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.
    ³By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.
    ⁴[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.
    ⁵Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God.

⁶But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

    ⁷[Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world's unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith)^.
    ⁸[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.
    ⁹[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
    ¹⁰For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.
    ¹¹Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word.
    ¹²So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore.
    ¹³These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God's] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth.

¹⁴Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country).

¹⁵If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.

¹⁶But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them.

TSMSS - The Prayer - Rhema Marvanne

2010-07-23T22:36:00.003-04:00

I first saw this posted on FB. I got goosebumps and tears, especially after Elaine said that this sweet 7-yr-old "lost her mother to ovarian cancer at the age of six; she now sings for the glory of God. Fitting for a girl named "Rhema" meaning "The Word"... The Word, indeed."
Here is a link to more of her story from DFW Reporting. Or go to Rhema's website.

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

TSMSS - Jim Reeves

2010-07-03T00:04:00.001-04:00

These songs posted in honour of my parents.

They just love the voice of Jim Reeves.
Here are 2 of his classic songs: This World is Not My Home and I'd Rather Have Jesus.
Enjoy these oldies and then pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.

Happy 143rd Birthday, CANADA!!!

2010-07-01T16:02:00.003-04:00

A redemption story...

2010-06-29T10:38:00.001-04:00

For those of you who do not know, there are several people from our church involved in ministry with Ratanak Foundation who minister to those caught up in the child sex slavery in Cambodia. The Toronto rep., Lisa, is in Cambodia right now and in her last post talks about a wonderful story of God's redemption...

"...Mien who at the age of 14 chose to sell herself as a sex slave in order to pay off the debts her family had incurred. For 6 months she was raped and sexually tortured from 5pm to 5am. After that horrendous ordeal, she continued to move from brothel to brothel over the next 6 years in order to support her family. One day she was rescued and brought to the Newsong centre....

She has survived such a traumatic past and yet today she is a beautiful young woman with a beautiful smile. God indeed has not only restored her hope, He has restored her dignity, He has restored her joy and He has given her a new life, a new future as she lives out her dream of having a tailoring shop right in this community, a place she calls home. She is a reminder that there is no life so destroyed, so devalued and so degraded by Satan, that God cannot heal and redeem. She is a living testimony of the power of God to do the impossible because He really is the God of the impossible!..."

I invite you to pop by the Ratanak Missions Blog and peruse the archives to see God's Hand at work in marvellous redemption.
In His time, he makes ALL things beautiful.

Happy Anniversary - 59 years!

2010-06-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

My parents celebrated 59 years of marriage on June 26th. So glad they are with us for a short time. I am blessed.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday...Beauty from Pain...

2010-06-26T05:37:00.003-04:00

(Reposting an old 2009 TSMSS--thankfully in a different season in my journey of faith)

Pain ---> Beauty

My song today comes from my personal brokenness. A few of you have been aware of a 'numbness' that I have been experiencing and have prayed for me. (Thank you, you know who you are.) What do you know? From deep within, something is happening. God introduced me to a new blogging friend recently, Crown of Beauty, and on her blog, a certain post filtered straight through my 'fog' and the tears started flowing. Since then, she also had an insight about me as she read one of my posts, and that struck a chord as well. (Thank you, Lidj.)

Then tonight I attended the first session of a conference entitled "Reflecting God's Beauty In A Broken World - Setting The Captives Free" focusing on the child sex slavery in Cambodia. I will write in greater detail on this in a later post because it is so important. But for this post, I want to share an illustration the speaker, Kathy Klassen spoke of. A young Vietnamese orphan had been adopted by a wonderful family and they tried to lavish her with love and all that they had. But they noticed that at meal times, she would barely eat and put away the dinner roll in her pocket. One night they heard a noise in her room. They went in to find her in the closet, surrounded by her stash of rolls and munching on one. It suddenly sunk in. This adopted child still believed she was an orphan.

That got to me. Yes, the Father has called me to be a daughter of the King, but my life suggests that I am not convinced of my new status. I am that orphan in the closet. That is why when I read the profile of Crown of Beauty, I said, "Wow! She knows it! She bears her crown of beauty regally!" Kathy says that we must confront our own brokenness. Laid out before God, it is transformed into a beauty that defies comparison. I absolutely loved it when she referred to Ezekiel 37 about God raising armies from the graveyard. He says to the dead bones --"Breathe!"

And this is my hope and prayer tonight for you who can identify with the words from Superchick, Beauty From Pain, may God breathe new life into the broken places and present you with a crown of beauty.

Please go to Amy's blog to hear more songs that minister.

TSMSS - Hold Me Now

2010-06-18T21:11:00.000-04:00

Dedicating this song to a very special lady who took the time to let me know that God blessed her through His blessings to me. Hope this blesses anyone who needs His Hold.
(Please drop by Amy who hosts TSMSS to hear more songs that minister.)

HOLD ME NOW (Kirk Franklin)

The spring of April's gone

The leaves have all turned brown

The children are all grown up

And there's no one around

I'm looking over my life and all the mistakes I've made

And I'm afraid

Afraid

Somebody told me that You would wash all my sins

And cleanse me from the scars that are so deep within

So I'm calling to You

If you can hear me

I don't know how

I was wondering can you hold me now

You are the only one that's patient when I fall

Your angels come to save me every time I call

You don't laugh at me when I make mistakes and cry

You're not like man

You understand me

See people change one day

They don't like you the next they do

I wish that everyone could love me just like You

So here I am this sinful man peace won't allow

I was wondering can you hold me now

(speaking)

I know it seems like the storm would never pass

ans it seems like the rain would never end

and the rain sea is in front of you

and pharaoh and his army is behind you

but ma brother if you lift your head up to the sky

God has not forgotten you

and his angels will camp around you

and he'll never leave you nor forsake you

his word is true

he did it for me and he'll do it for you

To every broken person that may hear this song

To every boy or girl that feels their smile is gone

I know exactly how it feels to lay in the bed at night

And cry

Don't you worry God is faithful and He cares

About the tears you drop and the pain you feel He's there

When you are weak that's when he's strong

Even though you don't know how

God can and he will hold you now

Don't you worry he can hold you now

TSMSS - I Will Change Your Name...

2010-06-05T12:37:00.005-04:00

I really did not plan on posting a song today, but after a conversation my friend, Ivel, last night, and reading Lisa's last post on her trip to Cambodia, God brought this song to my attention.

Yes, God will change your name. God's purpose is always to transform us into His likeness, for His purposes. When I think about the victims in Cambodia that Lisa works with, I am so grateful to God that He is in the business of changing lives for His glory. These photos come from the Ratanak Foundation. Please pop by to see God's Hand at work and how you can help.

Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one

Faithfulness, friend of God One who seeks My face

(Please pop by Amy's, host of TSMSS, to hear more songs that minister.)

I will change, will change your name

I will change your name

You shall no longer be called

Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

I will change your name

Your new name shall be

Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one

Faithfulness, friend of God

One who seeks My face

21 years!

2010-06-02T21:41:00.001-04:00

Happy 21st Anniversary, Hubby!

June 3rd, 1989

Lord, bless and preserve my cherished husband, Mike, whom You have given me: let his life be long and blessed, comfortable and holy; let me ever be a blessing and comfort to him, a sharer in all his sorrows, a consolation in all the accidents and trials of life; make me forever lovable in his eyes and forever dear to him; unite his heart to mine in fondest love and holiness, and mine to him in all sweetness, charity and submission. Keep me from all ungentleness; make me humble and obedient, that we may delight in each other according to Your blessed word. May both of us rejoice in You, having our portion in love and service to God forever. AMEN

Author: Francis Coomes, S.J.

Praying God’s Blessing for My Husband, Mike...
God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the
sheep, equip my husband, Mike, with every good thing for doing your will, and
may you work in my husband what is pleasing to you, through Jesus
...Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.—Hebrews 13:20-21

and here is the song he sang for me in the DR!

The Champion in me...in you...

2010-05-30T13:16:00.001-04:00

I hear these 'pep' talks all the time. Oprah and the many motivational speakers/writers out there all testify to that 'champion' in all of us. Blogs flourish with formulas and nicely laid out plans to fulfilling dreams.
Yeah, yeah.
All empty rhetoric for me for it speaks to the sufficiency of man.

Yes, there is a Champion in me, but it has nothing to do with my efforts or achievements or attitudes.
However, it has everything to do with my submission to the Master Sculptor, chiselling away at my life.
Honestly, at times I feel, is there going to be anything left? I feel so bare.

I believe that all these years of leanness for me, emotionally, financially, spiritually, mentally, have been to show me that "My God is my Sufficiency". Yet, I do not live as if I believed that. I lack that radiance that Psalm 34:5 speaks about. (Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.)
I look in the mirror and see a face covered in shame and at the same time I struggle each day to 'look' to Him.
In fact, in recent times, I had begun to feel that this was all that God had planned for me, that this was all I deserved. The Enemy is real. He subtly and overtly tries to kill you.
But my God is even more real to me and I never give up on going to Him. And I did, I do. That last song, "My Heart Is Fragile" is a prayer to Him from me.

Today, He sent a 'word' from Bishop Kenneth Ulmer speaking on his book "The Champion In You".
....excerpt...

There was a very famous sculptor who one day instructed his servant to bring into his workroom this huge mass of unfinished marble covered with dust - a rugged looking piece of marble. He pulled it in and pulled it in and finally the servant said, "Master, what will you make of this unattractive mud- and dust-covered mass of marble?"

The sculptor backed up and looked at it this way and looked at it that way and looked at it this way again and looked at it that way again, and then he said, "I see a magnificent stallion. I see a stallion with glaring eyes and flared nostrils and flowing mane. I see encased in this mass of unattractive marble, a magnificent stallion.

The servant said, "Well master, how will you get such a masterpiece out of this unattractive dust- and mud-covered mass of marble?"

The sculptor said, "Well, I'm going to take my hammer and I'm going to take my chisel and I'm going to begin to chip away and chip and away and chip away and chip away and I'll chip away everything that does not look like a horse. There's a horse in there and when I get rid of everything that does not look like a horse, I'll have a masterpiece."

God says he wants to conform you into the image of his Son to release the champion in you. And those times when it seems as though life is battering you, and your experiencing pain and sorrow and confusion and disappointment and discouragement and even failure,. God says, "I'm going to chip away everything in your life that does not look like a champion so that when I finish, the champion in you will come forth. There is a champion in you." ...

This is so chock-full of God's truth, I want you to read it in its entirety or listen, so I invite you to go HERE right now if you need to hear God's voice, if life's circumstances have you bowed down, in that foetal position crying out for help.
It is NOT over. Satan has not had the checkmate.
The King has the final move. The King is ready to reposition you to His glory.
God also reaffirmed His Word as I popped by my friend and mentor, Lidj, as she wrote on a "Divine Repositioning".

At the same time, God brought a song from my youth back to my lips:
And I Thank You Lord

And I Thank You Lord
For the trials that come my way
In that way I can grow each day
As I let You lead

And I thank You Lord
For the patience those trials bring
In the process of growing
I can learn to care

But it goes against the way I am
To put my human nature down
And let the Spirit take control of all I do
'Cause when those trials come
my human nature shouts the things to do
And God's soft prompting can be easily ignored

But I thank You Lord
With each trial I feel inside
That You're there to help, lead and guide
me away from wrong

'Cause You promised Lord
That with every testing
That Your way of escaping is easier to bear

Yes, I thank You Lord
For the victory that growing brings
In surrender of everything
Life is so worthwhile
And I thank You Lord
That when everything's put in place
Out in front I can see Your face
And it's there You belong

Here it is being sung by the Continentals:

TSMSS - My Heart Is Fragile...Jamie Slocum

2010-05-28T23:39:00.005-04:00

(photo credit)

I only just saw this song posted on FB by my friend Joy, and it immediately caught my eye as it seemed to describe me, but as 2Corinthians 4 (below) points out, what seems like 'death' to us is producing a new life that is indestructible, eternal, the life of Jesus.
Be encouraged. Read how God turned a child brothel hotel in Svay Pak, Cambodia into a church, a sanctuary.
"...It is just like God to take a brothel - a place being used to repeatedly destroy lives - and transform it into a place where little children, teens, all the way through to the elderly, now sing praises to Him! In this place, those who love Him are the hands and feet of Jesus, ministering to the sick by giving them care and medicine, teaching their children the love of Jesus, and encouraging them how to live in Christ on Sunday at church. And, it is only God who can take the ashes and ruin of these lives and form beauty, strength and dignity. This we saw in the young people who help at the church, the little ones who we played with in the school yard at Hagar, and the young ladies who served us at Bloom (cupcake/coffee shop), at Daughters and Hagar Restaurant.

It is God's brilliant irony. God having the last say. God showing He hears the cries. God's Son - the Savior - saving. The Redeemer redeeming...one heart and life at a time. And we, having been in this place, see with eyes of faith and wait in expectation, for greater things than we can think to ask for or imagine!..."
Death to life. Ashes to beauty.

(Pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.)

2Corinthians 4: 6-9 (Amplified Bible)

⁶For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

⁷However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

⁸We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;

⁹We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;

My Heart is Fragile (Jamie Slocum)

The storms of life are surrounding me

They’re closing in on every side

And I’m so scared I don’t know where to run

I’m crawling to Your Door, Jesus, I need a lifeline

Don’t turn me away,

Here I am

Lord, I need You to rescue me,

This pain inside is too much for me

I’m broken and shattered

I need You more than ever

To piece me back together

To handle me with care

‘Cause You know my heart is fragile

I can’t take another sleepless night,

I’m weary from the battles of life

God, don’t be far away, I need You to find me

You’re the Only One that I can talk to

Lord, I need You to rescue me,

This pain inside is too much for me

I’m broken and shattered

I need You more than ever

To piece me back together

To handle me with care

‘Cause You know my heart is fragile

Here I am

Lord, I need You to rescue me,

This pain inside is too much for me

I’m broken and shattered

I need You more than ever

To piece me back together

To handle me with care, with care

Here I am

Lord, I need You to rescue me,

This pain inside is too much for me

I’m broken and shattered

I need more than ever

To piece me back together

To handle me with care

‘Cause You know my heart is fragile

I googled God....

2010-05-21T15:42:00.001-04:00

I admit it.
I ask Google about everything and this search engine rarely fails me in delivering a helpful solution.
I never thought the day would come when, yes, I would google God with a tiny expectation that he would answer.

(photo credit)

It was one day last week when I asked a couple of people to pray. I was in deep agony of spirit and I had just finished praying. I came to the computer still feeling lost and that idea 'popped' into my mind.
As I typed "Lord, what would You have me do?", I smiled..."What if..?"

You see, I believe that God can speak through any medium.
Remember that famous donkey in the Bible? (Numbers 22)
So, I did. I googled God.
And, no, I did not get a link to www.heaven.God, but I did find this article that spoke to me.
Perhaps you may also find it helpful.
[The site (Hidden With Christ Ministries) gives permission to reproduce the entire article with credit:]

Lord, What Would You Have Me To Do?

by Rita Langeland
© 2004 Hidden With Christ Ministries

Trembling and astonished he asked, “Lord, what do You desire me to do?” The Lord said to him, “But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6 Amplified Bible)

Saul was a very religious man who sincerely desired to serve and please God. As a result, he spent years studying at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the leading teachers of the Hebrew law at that time. He became so zealous for his faith that he began to persecute anyone who did not follow the Jewish religious traditions as he had learned them.

But though he was sincere, he was sincerely deceived in his understanding of the truth and of what was pleasing to God. But God saw his heart’s desire for the truth and revealed Himself to Saul. On the road to Damascus, Saul had an encounter with God that changed his life forever. A blinding light shown from heaven and Saul heard the voice of God speak to him. The Lord told him that he was kicking against the ways of God by persecuting Jesus Christ (the one that Saul thought was a false prophet) and not pleasing God as Saul thought. Once Saul understood this, Saul immediately asked God the most important question of his life: “Lord, what would You have me to do?”

Saul (who later became known as Paul the apostle) began his Christian life with the singular desire to know and to do the will of God. When Saul arrived in Damascus, the Lord sent a man named Ananias to speak to him, and Ananias told him: “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will….” (Acts 22:14)

God’s plan for Saul and for every one of us is that we know the will of God and do it.

Andrew Murray, the famed Scottish preacher and writer from the late 1800’s said: “Christian conversion is nothing less than the complete abandonment of one’s will to do the will of God and of Christ. True conversion is such a complete yielding of my will that never again under any circumstances will I seek it, but I will always, with all the strength I have, seek only to know and to do God’s will.”

Many people are like Saul before his Damascus road experience. They assume that they already know and are doing God’s will in their lives. They proceed along in life under a false assumption and feel very content in it. But like Saul, they are deceived. The key that changed Saul’s life was that he had a desire to know the truth and to do God’s will and God responded to that. Hebrews 11:6 tells us: But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (KJV)

God rewards and responds to the person who diligently seeks after Him and His will. If you truly want to know God’s will for your life and you seek Him for it, He will reveal it to you. If the preceding statement is true, then why do so many people (even in Christian churches) claim that they do not know God’s will for their lives?

One reason that many people do not discover God’s will for their lives is rooted in fear and selfishness. I have met Christians that are afraid to seek God for a revelation of His perfect will for their lives because they fear that God will ask them to do something that they do not want to do. So they prefer to plead ignorance (“I don’t know what God wants me to do so I am just doing the best I can…”) rather than to search out God’s plan for their lives. This is a sinful attitude and it will rob you of God’s best for your life.

The devil would tell you that if you discover and pursue God’s will for your life, you will be miserable. The truth is that in the center of God’s will is “fulness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)

I have found this to be true in a most marvelous way. Years ago, I never would have dreamed of going to Africa to minister on a regular basis. I had no desire for it nor could I imagine myself enjoying a place that is known for intense heat, a multitude of insects and endless dirt. I didn’t like camping because of those three natural things that went with the territory. But my reasoning was purely selfish and had to do with my own carnal desire to be “comfortable.” Yet once I recognized that going to Africa was God’s will for my life and I yielded myself to it wholeheartedly, I found a joy in it that I could never have imagined. Ministering in Africa has truly given me a “fulness of joy” that I had never experienced before. Now, rather than resisting the very idea, I find myself weeping when I must leave Africa to return to the U.S. Yielding to God’s perfect will for your life will bring you a “fulness of joy” that will amaze you.

A second and somewhat similar reason that people fail to discover God’s will is that they are willing to follow God’s plan for their lives only under certain conditions. They want to be the one who sets the specifications for their obedience to God’s will. They will say, “I will serve God if He allows me do this or that OR as long as He does not ask me to go here or go there.” But God is looking for people who are dedicated to HIS WAYS and are willing to surrender their own ways.

Andrew Murray put it this way: “Jesus cannot reveal Himself fully to us until we are entirely given up to Him. Would you spend thousands of dollars on building a house on a piece of land without knowing for certain that the land belonged to you?”

Kathryn Kuhlman once stated, “It is the easiest thing in the world to find the will of God once you have no will of your own.”

One hundred percent surrender of your own desires and your own will is the key to receiving a revelation of God’s will for your life.

A third reason that people have a hard time discerning God’s will for their lives, is that they failed to obey God the last time He gave them a directive. (And God is still waiting for them to obey Him!)

If years ago you felt God prompting you to do a certain thing or go to a certain place and you did not obey, why would God give you a new directive when you have not obeyed the last one He gave you? If this is the case with you, the first thing you need to do is to repent and ask God’s forgiveness for your disobedience. Then ask the Lord the same question Saul asked, “What would You have me to do?”

Genuine repentance places you in a position to return to the center of God’s will for your life, and He is fully able to redeem the years that were wasted in disobedience.

The Bible gives us a very vivid example of someone who obeyed God’s will but did so with a wrong heart attitude. Jonah was given an assignment from God to go to a certain city called Ninevah, and preach a message of repentance. Initially, Jonah ran in the opposite direction because he did not want to obey God. Then after three nights in the belly of the whale, Jonah reluctantly agreed to obey God’s will. But the last chapter in the book of Jonah clearly reveals that even though Jonah obeyed, his heart was not in it, and God rebuked him for his attitude. Isaiah 1:19 says: If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land. God is looking for people who are not only obedient to God’s will but have a willing heart as well.

You can ask God to change your heart if you are obeying His will but you don’t have a desire for it. God is happy to answer that prayer. I found this out when I recently was preparing to go to minister in a certain country in West Africa. I had been there only once before and had spent more time in East Africa and loved the people there so much. The Lord spoke to me before the trip and said, “You don’t have My heart for the people in West Africa, in fact you favor the East Africans.”

I protested and said, “What do you mean...Lord I am obeying you by going to minister there.”

(But I knew deep down that I did not have the same enthusiasm for traveling there that I did for East Africa.)

The Lord reiterated, “You don’t have My heart for them. You are obedient to Me in this matter but reluctantly so.”

So I repented and asked God to give me His heart for the people. That trip turned out to be one of the most outstanding times of ministry I had ever had on the African continent. I found a sudden overwhelming love for the people that I had not possessed before. And I knew that God had answered that prayer to change my heart attitude.

When you do God’s will with God’s heart, there is tremendous blessing released. You will literally “eat the good of the land.”

God wants us to be like King David with regard to the will of God.

David wrote in Psalm 40:8: I delight to do thy will, O my God.

It was written about David in First Samuel 13:14: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which will fulfill all my will…

David both delighted to do God’s will and fulfilled God’s will.

He was both willing and obedient.

If you want to be like David, pray this way:

Lord, I want to be a man (woman) after Your own heart. Give me Your heart for whatever it is that You will for my life. Give me grace to obey and to have joy in Your will. Show me what You would have me to do. Amen.

One of my very favorite songs of prayer to God was recently brought to mind by a special young lady. (Thanks Melissa!) Please sing prayerfully with me:

The Potters Hand

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour
I know for sure all of my days are
Held in Your hand,
Crafted into Your perfect plan.

You gently call me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord
To live all of my life through Your eyes.

I'm captured by Your Holy calling
Set me apart, I know You're drawing
Me to Yourself, lead me Lord I pray.

Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand

Written by Darlene Zschech

Thank you, Sister Ann Marie...

2010-05-21T15:00:00.000-04:00

I recently 'met' a new blogging friend, a St. Franciscan sister named Sr. Ann Marie. A Roman Catholic and a Christian & Missionary Alliance divine appointment! (: There is just something so warm and beautiful that draws me to her and she encourages me. She is a poet whose heart beats with God's. In recent times when I urgently needed prayer, she was one of the few God brought to my mind and now I know why. She just bestowed upon me an award that I think of when I think of her..the Sunshine Award..for when I think of her and see her photo, I can't help but think of the Son shining in and through her and her words.

This award has the following guidelines:
1. Post the logo on your blog and/or within the post.
2. Pass it on to 12 other bloggers.
3. Add links to these 12 bloggers within your blog.
4. Let them know they are receiving the award.
5. Share the link of the person from whom you received the award.

Well, I'm not very good at following rules that I don't have to (;, so I'll just award this to people who come to mind who shine on me with His love. Thank you.

In no particular order, the Sunshine Award goes to:

1. Sr. Ann at Franciscan Life.

2. Amrita at Yesu Garden.

3. Lidia at Crown of Beauty.

There are more but feeling a bit weary right now.

May His Son shine on you!

Irony in Pictures (:

2010-05-16T08:53:00.001-04:00

..Thanks to my cyber pal, Mary from Brunei!

Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster

2010-05-12T10:14:00.001-04:00

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God You reign forever
Our Hope our strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting

TSMSS - It Is Well With My Soul

2010-04-30T23:05:00.011-04:00

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."

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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...

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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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...

2010-04-29T13:05:00.004-04:00

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.

***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

2010-04-27T12:04:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-04-22T12:19:00.001-04:00

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;

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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....

2010-04-20T10:07:00.001-04:00

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...
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"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

2010-04-17T08:58:00.000-04:00

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...

2010-04-15T23:25:00.001-04:00

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

2010-04-15T22:57:00.008-04:00

(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

2010-04-15T22:57:00.005-04:00

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?

The Normal Life...

2010-04-13T19:18:00.012-04:00

(***Please pray for China today and those affected by the latest earthquake.)

The wife of Jonathan Goforth, Rosalind Goforth (1864-1942), was not an ordinary missionary wife. After reading her memoirs, Climbing, I am truly humbled. She quite literally continued to choose hardship over comfort, for Manchuria, China in those years was anything but safe or comfortable. **(see note below) In fact, she lost five of her children. I think of the 'mother' in my contemporary culture. We are obsessed with safety for our children. In fact, we live our lives around our fears.

photo credit

Rosalind chose obedience and trusted God for the rest. What mother do you know would choose to take her children to physical conditions that include cold, disease, bugs, and separation, no privacy, nomadic living? Not me. Strangely enough, while reading this book, I was experiencing extreme discomfort, including headaches, earaches, unable to eat properly, do normal activities. It made me irritable, frustrated and longing to be 'normal' again.

At the beginning of her ministry in China, Rosalind overheard the servants talking about her. It cut her deeply when she heard them say, "If only she would live more as she preaches." Rosalind says "impatience and quickness of speech were my besetting sins". She had thought that all of her sacrifice would have resulted in a change in her disposition. She soon realized that transformation has nothing to do with deeds. It is a heart matter that is dealt with in a relationship with the living God.

This woman submitted to God her all. By the end of her ministry journey, she was overwhelmed when an evangelist made a special journey to enquire of her husband what was the secret of the change in her. Her husband told her, "none of the servants wanted to serve you, but now they all want to be your servants."

She recounts toward the end of her memoirs attending a conference and hearing Charles G. Trumball speak. He asked them to picture 2 lives:
First, an 'up and down life of intermingled victory and defeat".
That sounds pretty much like our Christian walk, doesn't it?

Second, the life God planned with abundant provision: a life marked by victory, not defeat, peace and trust, not struggle and worry.
Did that hit you? The life God planned.
Overcoming.
Victorious.

She realized this was not what she had been living. In fact, she thought it was not possible. But she did as God has been showing me. She sought Him, in Scripture and prayer. 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!"
The overcoming, victorious life in Christ was the normal life God planned for His children.

She had a new realization of Christ as it says in Colossians 1:27:
(NIV) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(Amplified Bible) To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.

As I finished reading this book, I sobbed, for my 'discomfort' paled in comparison to what Rosalind faced. I asked God to enable me to live in victory through whatever circumstances, instead of waiting for them to subside or go away. I wanted to learn victorious living in the struggle.
And the secret is, just to let Him live in me, stand on His Word.
Are you too tired of the seesaw?
Will you join me?
It will take time, in fact lots of time...
...to live the normal life.
I eagerly anticipate this.

[**When asked in a women's conference: "We mothers have heard with mixed feelings of Mrs. Goforth's going with her husband on his country tours and of taking her children with her. I should like to ask Mrs. Goforth a question, in the name of other mothers, as well as myself, who want to do God's will--but we do fear for our children. My question is: Have your children suffered as a result of such a life? We hear five of your children have died."

Her response: "I am most thankful for the opportunity to answer this question. The five children who have gone before all died before I began the touring life. Since I began that life, two children have been given us. Further, I have found the children happier and healthier than before. I have found it possible to give actually more time to them than before, for the time necessarily given to keeping up a foreign house may, when outside, be given to the children. I can truly say I know of no harm that has come to any during these eight or nine years of that life. Not one has contracted any infectious disease and, best of all, God has set His seal upon this plan of work by giving a harvest of souls everywhere we have gone."]

Victory in Jesus
Words and Music by E.M. Bartlett
© 1939 - Administrated by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.
All rights reserved 1 Corinthians 15:57
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins And won the victory.

Chorus O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing pow'r revealing. How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see; And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit," And somehow Jesus came and bro't To me the victory.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory. And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea; About the angels singing, And the old redemption story, And some sweet day I'll sing up there The song of victory.

Feeling fuh a Trini infusion...

2010-04-05T11:22:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-04-03T12:02:00.002-04:00

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.

Lenten Reflection - my Saviour Lives...

2010-03-30T12:07:00.003-04:00

...God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives...

Reposting a reflection from 2008 as we near Easter weekend.

The Passion of Christ—a personal impact

The loathing

I recently attended a showing of the Passion of the Christ. Did I sob? Yes. During His scourging, during the mob beating, during the nailing of His Hands, the pulling of his arm out of the socket.
Violence has always traumatized me.

Was it anti-Semitic? Did I become inflamed at the Jews as some people insidiously suggest I might upon seeing what was done to my Lord?
How could I?
The atrocities crossed all ethnic boundaries, past and present.
No, I became incensed at the same evil emotion I have become familiar with in our times.
The kind that says, "I’m gonna put you in your place for challenging my status."
That look in the eyes of Caiphas, Herod, the Roman soldiers, the mob.
The look of demonic hatred.
The hatred that brought down the Twin Towers,
the hatred that dragged a black man to death,
the hatred that killed millions of innocents of diverse ethnicities in civil wars all over the world,
the hatred that takes away the innocence of children and teaches them to hate,
the hatred that puts guns into the hands of our children, drugs into their system.
The same hatred that called me "Paki" and pushed me off the curb.
The loathing that has filled my own heart unconsciously and astonishingly at times when I want to see ‘them’ put in their place.
I am incensed at the source of that hatred,
the silent coordinator of all the atrocities performed upon our Lord,
Satan himself.

The Look and the Love

I envied the people of New Testament times who got the opportunity to have Him look deeply into their eyes straight into their souls.
One look from Him would surely pierce and bind, expose and forgive, cleanse and restore, satisfy and fulfill.
And I am deeply affected by a love that I cannot understand.
He could have called ten thousand angels to His side, to erase the smirks, silence the mockery, bind the strong scourging whips, to humiliate the arrogance.
Yet He chose to do the unthinkable, to endure till death and utter the words,
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," and finally, "It is finished."
His mission on earth was accomplished.
In the daze of pain, I can’t help but wonder if His mind found refuge at His home where He was worshipped and adored by angels and loved by His Father.
He, who created this man was now spitefully betrayed by the same. All our sins were piled on Him that day. Hatred, envy, jealousy, pride, unbelief, injustice. He experienced all our emotions, endearing love, gut-wrenching betrayal, abandonment, isolation, helplessness.
And finally, victory!

The Life

Our last brief view of Him shows Him who has conquered death.
He has risen.
In Him we find new life.
This Christ now lives in me!
He wants to live in you too,
just ask Him.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
John 3:16 (The Holy Bible, NIV version)

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.
For thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou,
if ever I loved Thee,
my Jesus,
’ tis now.

The conclusion of the matter...

2010-03-22T14:07:00.015-04:00

^{The other day, my family used the subway to go downtown. Fun time. In one station, we had to change lines and there were 2 signs/exits facing us as we got off the crowded train. One was right in front of us and said "For Northbound Train". The other was a little distance off and said "For Southbound Train". We were going southbound, so I naturally yelled "over there!", but my 'guys' headed for the nearer exit yelling back.."We can go here..."}

^{So I followed them knowing what would happen. When we got upstairs, the Northbound train was right there. Not ours. My 'guys' looked a tad confused, then saw another sign "To Southbound Train". This required a climbing another set of steps and going down another set.}

^{More time. More work. More aggravation. Just because we chose to modify the instructions for our convenience. God requires exact obedience from us. Anything else is disobedience and painful consequences always result. To obey exactly, I must know exactly, to know exactly, I must read His Word and ask for spiritual vision.}

^{I love how God reinforces His 'word' to me in my current reading. To obey His commands, I must know what they are, thus I must read His Word...}

^{Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 (The Amplified Bible)}

¹³All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is]

and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

¹⁴For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

John 14:15, 21 (The Amplified Bible)

¹⁵If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

²¹The 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.]

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
- Refrain:
  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
  To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

TSMSS - We Are The World For Haiti - by non-celebrities

2010-03-20T16:41:00.002-04:00

Saw this on Sr. Ann-Marie's blog:
"Diane Sawyer interviewed Lisa Lavie, the woman who coordinated this video. Seems Lisa got the idea that the concept of "We Are the World" could be broadened to include folks who are not "stars" or celebrities.
Apparently she advertised and found people all over the country who liked to sing and were willing to record their "piece" of the project."
Love it!
Join Amy who hosts TSMSS (Then Sings My Soul Saturday) for more songs that minister.

Beth Moore in Toronto: Something brand-NEW...Don't you see it?

2010-03-14T16:49:00.012-04:00

"Forget about what's happened;
don't keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.
It's bursting out!

Don't you see it?"

(The Message-Isaiah 43:18-19)

Well, no, Beth, actually, it's the same-old, same-old...

Yes, I am responding to Beth Moore who posed the question from Scripture at the Living Proof conference held in Toronto over the weekend.

(Yay, Toronto loves Beth!! Check out the Tim Horton's gift card in her hand!) (Photo credit: Lily Taylor)

The theme: "I'M UP TO SOMETHING NEW", in reference to Isaiah 43:16-21.

Well, even as I responded inwardly to the beginning question, God again reinforced his current word to me this year. Continue on in His Word. Beth shared how God speaks to her, shows His 'new' thing as she reads His Word and He presses certain Scripture in her heart. So, even as I go through the same-old, same-old, I will continue to be alert to 'perceive' (to become aware of through the senses) the new thing He is doing as He walks with me through the same-old.

^{John 13:7 -}Jesus said to him (Sita), You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on.

Recap of Beth's teaching:

1. God is up to something new.
-so be alert, be present as you read His Word to 'perceive' it. (Isa.43:18-19)

2. God rarely does a new thing the old way.
-in Exodus God carved a desert road in the middle of the Red Sea to deliver His people. In Isaiah He promises to open a sea in our desert.

-Beth shared an anecdote that wonderfully depicts how God works: She was playing with some building blocks with her grandson who was feeling out-of-sorts and trying her best to give suggestions that seemed pretty good--symmetrical, logical suggestions for a balanced structure--but he kept shaking his head. Finally, he just had to tell his grandma, "Bibby, that's not what I'm doing!"
How many times do we try to nudge God in complying with our plans? No matter how much sense our suggestions make, many times, He has to gently and firmly press upon us, "But...that's NOT what I am doing..." (Jer.29:11)

3. God can do something new in an old place.
- Yes, in our old place, that desert, be it chronic illness, financial hardship, relationship issues, job issues, He can make streams and promises to walk with us through them. (Isa.43:19) Pray and ask God to help you perceive the stream.

4. Just patching up the old won't result in something new.
- Luke 5:36-38^{- 36}He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. ³⁷And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. ³⁸No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

5. We, too, must be up to something new.

- Anything that we rehearse in our minds defines our current mood.

Lamentations 3:19-20 [O Lord] remember [earnestly] my affliction and my misery, my wandering and my outcast state, the wormwood and the gall. ²⁰My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me.

²¹But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: ²²It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

- Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Amplified Bible)

- Psalm 32:1 - BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. (Amplified Bible)

6. God grants new mercies for each new day.
- "I could never handle that"--not true, God's grace is always sufficient for the need.

- Lamentations 3:22-25 - It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

²³They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

²⁴The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.

²⁵The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word].

- every morning, establish authority over your day and ask Him to give you all that you need to abound.

2 Cor.9:8 (Amplified Bible)- And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

7. One day we will go from a new thing to a new everything.

- Revelation 21:1-5 (Amplified Bible) - THEN I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea.

²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband;

³Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.

⁴God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.

⁵And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).

Ladies, shall we walk the 'new' road together with Him?

The day is brighter here with You

The night is lighter than its hue

Would lead me to believe

Which leads me to believe

(chorus)

You make everything glorious

And I am Yours

What does that make me?

My eyes are small but they have seen

the beauty of enormous things

Which leads me to believe

there's light enough to see that

(chorus)

You make everything glorious

And I am Yours

From glory to glory

You are glorious You are glorious

From glory to glory

You are glorious. You are glorious

Which leads me to believe

why I can believe

You make everything glorious

And I am Yours

You make everything glorious

And I am Yours

From glory to glory From glory to glory

You are glorious. You are glorious.

TSMSS - Where does my help come from?

2010-03-10T11:13:00.001-05:00

Today I am so filled with hope. I received heavenly drops of dew from random places and people...and yeah, it can be traced right back to God. Listen to Casting Crowns as they sing to find out "where does my help come from". Don't know what your circumstances are today, but I do know who Our Refuge is:
(Please pop by Amy's to hear more songs that minister.)

Pray with me today:

Psalm 5: 8, 11-12 (Amplified Bible)

⁸Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way level (straight and right) before my face.

¹¹But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.

¹²For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).

Love Sita

Celebrating Women

2010-03-08T19:46:00.001-05:00

In honour of International Women's Day.
International Women's Day is a day to celebrate women around the world. Samaritan's Purse is celebrating the accomplishments of women rising above poverty, abuse, and exploitation through livelihood and support projects in the developing world.

The song He brought today...

2010-03-05T12:14:00.001-05:00

An oldie sung by one of the greatest gospel singers...worship with me...then pop by Amy's who hosts TSMSS to hear more songs that minister.

How Great Thou Art
Lyrics ~ Carl Boberg, 1859 - 1940

English Translation ~ Stuart K. Hine, 1899 -

Stanza 1:

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;

Stanza 2:

When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

I hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze;

Refrain:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

Stanza 3:

When Christ shall come,

With shouts of acclamation,

And take me home,

What joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow

In humble adoration

And there proclaim,

"My God, how great Thou art!"

Refrain:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!