Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Alpha and Omega
One more and I'm done. Another favorite of mine, by the Gaither Vocal Band.
http://youtu.be/uImq3U1BA0M
http://youtu.be/uImq3U1BA0M
Jesus' Blood
This video is by my favorite christian band of all-time, Delirious?. It tells a story that will never get old.
http://youtu.be/I-1cEWKr5us
http://youtu.be/I-1cEWKr5us
Grace
I am always amazed at how God moves in the lives of HIS children. During my mountaintop experiences HE is all I can think of, and rightly so. Even when am lost and confused in the valley of despair and death, God is with me. Why? Because HE loves me and nothing I can do will ever be enough to repay that love. His grace is beyond measure and HIS mercy goes beyond the debts of the deepest oceans. Just when I thought the battle was lost, HE proved me and the enemy wrong. To God be the glory. Enjoy this video.
http://youtu.be/CLbdBkONm20
http://youtu.be/CLbdBkONm20
Monday, July 9, 2012
HIS Rest (3)
My heart was pounding in my chest. One of two explanations was running around in my mind--atrial fibrillation or my heart was about to make a(n) surprise appearance in our church service, by jumping out of my chest. I stood there now knowing if I should flee? My feet were anchored to its spot and there was no turning back.
After a minute or two, I knew what I had to do. Humble myself, yield to the Spirit and ask for prayer.
Prayer. Spiritual communication with God.
My steps were slow and unsure, yet, I just knew without a shadow of a doubt i was being led by HIS Spirit. I lifted my hands in surrender. That being the most important--surrender. I had come to a point within and in spite of myself, that I needed to let God have the pre-eminate position (of master) in my life. Just like the people in the upper room in Acts chapter 2, when they were filled with Holy Spirit, I felt HIS presence and cleansing from within. Something was happening. I cannot call it a new-birth because that came with my acceptance of Jesus as my saviour, but I can call it a 'restoration' and returning to my first love. Oh, the joy of knowing HIM and having that constant fellowship with HIM.
During this time I said very little. What could I say? God knew my heart and I needed not add anything to the conversation. It seems a contrast from the old testament High Priests in the Torah and how often they made intercession for the people, going before God in the tabernacle. Now, Jesus is our High Priest and we can go boldly before the throne of God and make our requests know ourselves. What a privilege. What an honor. What a God!!!
God routinely asks His people to enter into His rest and not let the cares of life keep us from experiencing HIM.
Let me close on this note. We miss entering into God's rest because of unbelief. Hebrews 4:3 says, " For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he (God) said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world."
My life consists of much unrest, civil unrest if you will, and my soul was aching for rest and I found it in the Lord.
After a minute or two, I knew what I had to do. Humble myself, yield to the Spirit and ask for prayer.
Prayer. Spiritual communication with God.
My steps were slow and unsure, yet, I just knew without a shadow of a doubt i was being led by HIS Spirit. I lifted my hands in surrender. That being the most important--surrender. I had come to a point within and in spite of myself, that I needed to let God have the pre-eminate position (of master) in my life. Just like the people in the upper room in Acts chapter 2, when they were filled with Holy Spirit, I felt HIS presence and cleansing from within. Something was happening. I cannot call it a new-birth because that came with my acceptance of Jesus as my saviour, but I can call it a 'restoration' and returning to my first love. Oh, the joy of knowing HIM and having that constant fellowship with HIM.
During this time I said very little. What could I say? God knew my heart and I needed not add anything to the conversation. It seems a contrast from the old testament High Priests in the Torah and how often they made intercession for the people, going before God in the tabernacle. Now, Jesus is our High Priest and we can go boldly before the throne of God and make our requests know ourselves. What a privilege. What an honor. What a God!!!
God routinely asks His people to enter into His rest and not let the cares of life keep us from experiencing HIM.
Let me close on this note. We miss entering into God's rest because of unbelief. Hebrews 4:3 says, " For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he (God) said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world."
My life consists of much unrest, civil unrest if you will, and my soul was aching for rest and I found it in the Lord.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Rain Delay
Proverbs 18:24a "A man that has friends must show himself to be friendly..."
God continues to amaze me no matter what the circumstance is. Earlier this evening, I was racing home to try and beat the coming rainstorm. Needless to say, I did not make it home. However, as I was rushing from the south side of Hazleton to my home I noticed something that made me say "Whoa!"
Just before the rains came, they sky was an eerie green with a tint of blue, and all the clouds in the sky seemed to be turned upside down. Yes, upside down. Immediately I stopped in my tracks and reached into my pocket for my iPhone and soon realized I had left it at home. BUMMER!!! No pics to back up my story. Any who. Gazing up at this celestial phenomenon I easily cried out "Thank you Lord." For me this is a rare privilege because I had never seen this before and for the briefest of moments I ventured to think a tornado was emanate. The sky turned darker with wind and debris moving about in a circular motion 20+ feet in the air. Fearing the worst, I willed my feet to move and they did (without hesitation) and proceeded to make it to one of my safe houses. (Safe houses are places I know I can go to in an pinch or emergency.)s
As I sat out the rain delay, I got to talking to one of the residents of the safe house, a young lady Josephine, whom I had seen around town and in passing said hello to. During our time together we talked about the weather (oddly enough), sports (me mostly, wanting to get home and listen to the Tampa Bay Rays on the radio) and life in general. Over the next 30-40 minutes or so we also covered the Internet and some of its 'propietary issues', her hometown of Shenandoah, Hazleton and flowers. Truth be told I was quite taken by her and her story. What a joyous time.
The rain slowed to a crawl. I waited a few more minutes to be sure it was done(Texas weather in Pennsylvania) got up, said my goodbyes and wished everyone well.
Once again I thanked God for the rain delay because it afforded me the opportunity to spend time with someone who had shown herself to be friendly and in turn gained a friend--me.
Solis dios Gloria
(to God alone be the glory)
God continues to amaze me no matter what the circumstance is. Earlier this evening, I was racing home to try and beat the coming rainstorm. Needless to say, I did not make it home. However, as I was rushing from the south side of Hazleton to my home I noticed something that made me say "Whoa!"
Just before the rains came, they sky was an eerie green with a tint of blue, and all the clouds in the sky seemed to be turned upside down. Yes, upside down. Immediately I stopped in my tracks and reached into my pocket for my iPhone and soon realized I had left it at home. BUMMER!!! No pics to back up my story. Any who. Gazing up at this celestial phenomenon I easily cried out "Thank you Lord." For me this is a rare privilege because I had never seen this before and for the briefest of moments I ventured to think a tornado was emanate. The sky turned darker with wind and debris moving about in a circular motion 20+ feet in the air. Fearing the worst, I willed my feet to move and they did (without hesitation) and proceeded to make it to one of my safe houses. (Safe houses are places I know I can go to in an pinch or emergency.)s
As I sat out the rain delay, I got to talking to one of the residents of the safe house, a young lady Josephine, whom I had seen around town and in passing said hello to. During our time together we talked about the weather (oddly enough), sports (me mostly, wanting to get home and listen to the Tampa Bay Rays on the radio) and life in general. Over the next 30-40 minutes or so we also covered the Internet and some of its 'propietary issues', her hometown of Shenandoah, Hazleton and flowers. Truth be told I was quite taken by her and her story. What a joyous time.
The rain slowed to a crawl. I waited a few more minutes to be sure it was done(Texas weather in Pennsylvania) got up, said my goodbyes and wished everyone well.
Once again I thanked God for the rain delay because it afforded me the opportunity to spend time with someone who had shown herself to be friendly and in turn gained a friend--me.
Solis dios Gloria
(to God alone be the glory)
Thursday, July 5, 2012
HIS Rest (2)
My time was fast coming to an end, and I did not know what to do. Life was passing by, but slowly. In a room full of people I felt as if I was alone. Making my way to the exit I sneak a glance over my right shoulder and cross the threshold. Hoping, wishing and praying, I descend the stairs two, three at a time. What is the use? I've turned the corner in this relationship and the only benefit is NOW the healing can begin. Turning the page will be easier said than done.
Fast forward three months
I switched off my phone, radio and laptop, sitting in virtual silence with the only noise being life outside my house doors. Suddenly I felt the weight of life. You never know what you've got till it's gone. Life these past three months has been like night and day. Not a day passed when I did not awaken under the weight of the present, not wanting to face the cold fact that I had to make peace with God.
There had been moments of joy, sure. But they were few and far between the constant wrestling going on in my conscience. How much could a man take; literally, how much could a body and mind endure? In whom could I confide? What has become of me?
Raw truth was invading my reality and I tried to push it out of my mind. No! Now is the time to face myself and God. The hound of heaven was pursuing me and I would have to be foolish to think I could outrun him. God was now calling me.
Deep down within I knew I could no longer live with the person I had become these past few months. (Emotional, angry, irrational, fearful, frustrated.)
Seeking the peace that can only come from God, I bowed my head and prayed.
Feeling inadequate, I got off my couch and slowly made my way to the floor and lay prostrate. There were few words I could say other than , "Lord help me." I asked for HIS forgiveness and then I shut my mouth. It took some time to clear away the noise within my mind and spirit, but HE eventually won out and I found myself at peace.
Fast forward three months
I switched off my phone, radio and laptop, sitting in virtual silence with the only noise being life outside my house doors. Suddenly I felt the weight of life. You never know what you've got till it's gone. Life these past three months has been like night and day. Not a day passed when I did not awaken under the weight of the present, not wanting to face the cold fact that I had to make peace with God.
There had been moments of joy, sure. But they were few and far between the constant wrestling going on in my conscience. How much could a man take; literally, how much could a body and mind endure? In whom could I confide? What has become of me?
Raw truth was invading my reality and I tried to push it out of my mind. No! Now is the time to face myself and God. The hound of heaven was pursuing me and I would have to be foolish to think I could outrun him. God was now calling me.
Deep down within I knew I could no longer live with the person I had become these past few months. (Emotional, angry, irrational, fearful, frustrated.)
Seeking the peace that can only come from God, I bowed my head and prayed.
Feeling inadequate, I got off my couch and slowly made my way to the floor and lay prostrate. There were few words I could say other than , "Lord help me." I asked for HIS forgiveness and then I shut my mouth. It took some time to clear away the noise within my mind and spirit, but HE eventually won out and I found myself at peace.
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