Ryan Stevenson - Eye of the Storm

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
And in the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

She Is Clothed in Strength and Dignity

 "There is a distinct difference between those who live for God, and those who simply go to church, and call themselves "Christians." Living for God is a life of self sacrifice. He begins to live, move, and breathe in and through us. It's a life of doing His will above our own. Its a life of love, kindness, compassion, gentleness, integrity, and boldness. It's a life that bears FRUIT! It's not a self-seeking life that follows only its own selfish desires, even at the expense of others. It's a life that can be seen in our home, work, and relationships... both publicly and privately. It can be evidenced by the way we talk to people, the way we forgive people, the way we treat people, the way we handle their feelings and deal with their actions toward us. It's a life of humility, not pride. It's a life of forgiving others and ourselves. It is not a life of perfection, but it IS a life of accountability; to God, and to others. It's a 7 day a week life. Not a 1 day a week, when certain people are looking, kind of life. If we live for God, people will know it. They will see it, as they come to know us. If not, we need to ask ourselves if we might just be going to church, and going through the motions. Are we trying to change the Word, or are we allowing the Word to penetrate and change US? Because the closer we draw near to a loving and powerful God, the more He changes us. We don't remain stagnant. We don't remain hard. We soften, and we grow."

-"She Is Clothed in Strength and Dignity" blog post

The Sound of Our Breathing

The Sound Of Our Breathing
Take a breath and breathe it out. Do it again, slowly, and try to mean it. Breathing – of all things maybe we take it most for granted. Do we ever wonder why we are built this way, this soft machine of ours always pumping oxygen in and out?

In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs. In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst.

In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down.

When we’re about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage. When looking at it this way, can breathing be said to be a kind of praying?

But what is the sound? What are we saying?

When Moses had the nerve to ask God what his name is, God was gracious enough to answer, and the name he gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH. We’ve added the vowels to it to have it become Yaweh.

Breathe in again …Yah now exhale….Weh. A wonderful question rises to excite the imagination: what if the name of God is the sound of breathing?

This is a beautiful thought, especially considering that for centuries there have been those who have insisted that the name of God is so holy that we dare not speak it because of how unworthy we are. How generous of God to choose to give himself a name that we can’t help but speak every moment we’re alive. All of us, always, everywhere, waking, sleeping, with the name of God on our lips.

It makes you wonder what this means in key moments like when a baby is born – newly arrived on planet earth, must they take their first breath, or rather speak the name of God if they are to be alive here?

On our deathbed, do we breathe our last breath? Or is it that we cease to be alive when the name of God is no longer on our lips?

Can’t find the words sometimes when you pray? Breathe in. Breathe out. It’s all we need. Yahweh. He knows our hearts. In Romans 8:26 we read “He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs.

-Taken from The Rabbit Room- Jason Grey 2011

After Awhile

 

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
and you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flower.

And you learn that you really can endure…
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn…
With every goodbye you learn.

-Veronica Shoffstall

Morning Reflection: Give Thanks In All Things

Morning reflection: It's radical, It's joyful, It's calming... giving thanks to God in all things. Every morning, every day as the seasons of my life continue. ........" God asks us to give thanks in everything --- because this is the way you live through anything. … the counting of everyday gifts is a wildly simple way to move our focus beyond burdens of life to the blessings of now. Scavenger hunt every day for God’s glory, His grace gifts — and find more joy — more joy in Him. And count all the ways He loves you — and find yourself Beloved" - "Ann Voskamp".


"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Thessalonians 5:18

Stand

If I stand for the grace that I've known, For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone, No I won't stand alone.....


 With visible breath, I'm calling your name
With visible tracks, I'm finding my way
With a sorrowful heart, I honor this pain
And offer these tears to the rain
In a moment of truth at the top of the hill
I open my arms and let go of my will

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone
There's a new pair of eyes to embrace all I see
A new peace of mind and it comes quietly
There's a joy in my heart that you've given to me
And I offer this soul's melody
So I beat on my chest till my song has been sung
And I cry like a wolf at the top of my lungs
And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone
When the thundering voices of doubt try to shake my faith, oh
I'll be listening from inside out and I won't be afraid to
Stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand...I won't stand alone

You Say...God Says....

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
 Matthew 11:28-30

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 Corinthians 12:9 
Psalm 91:15

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
Philippians 4:13. 

You say: 'I'm not able'
God says: I am able
II Corinthians 9:8

You say: 'It's not worth it'
God says: It will be worth it
Roman 8:28 

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'
God says: I Forgive you
I John 1:9 
 Romans 8:1

You say: 'I can't manage'
God says: I will supply all your needs
Philippians 4:19

You say: 'I'm afraid'
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
 II Timothy 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 feel all alone'
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
Hebrews 13:5

Isaiah 40

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28‭-‬31 NIV

Sunday Will Come

“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.” 

― Joseph B. Wirthlin
source: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/10/sunday-will-come?lang=eng

Good Friday. The Day Death Died

Never again wonder if you are loved. If you had been the only sinner on the planet, Good Friday would still have happened, just for you. Someone asked Jesus, "How much do you love me?" He answered, "This much," as he spread out his arms and died. All for you. Just for you. 
- Jim Dennison
source: http://www.denisonforum.org/why-easter/326-good-friday

Lift Up Your Head

God does not want you to be downcast – constantly looking at the regrets behind you, the problems around you and the sin within you. Rather, lift up your head and see the help above you – walk with your head held high, and your eyes fixed on Him.

All Is Grace

"God loves you unconditionally as you are, not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be"..
-Brennan Manning

To Hell And Back

Ever wonder why when people say they had a "near-death experience" they all go to heaven? This intrigues me. Why is it that no one ever has a near-death experience and goes to hell? Well, that is where the woman in this video, Tamara Laroux claims she went . She shot herself in the chest, died, and went to hell, but God rescued her from hell and took her to heaven for a glimpse of it, before returning her spirit to her body.

 I don't know what to make of this woman's story. Surely she did not die. Scripture says in Hebrews 9:27 we only die once. But she definetly experienced something very powerful. She truly believes she experienced the love of Jesus so much so it changed her life. God chooses many ways to call His children to Himself. This just may have been one of them. 

I Believe

• A simple song of simple faith that I have loved since I was a little girl.
  
  I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.
  I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.
  I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way.
  I believe, I believe.
  I believe above the storm the smallest pray'r will still be heard.
  I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word.
  Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf or see the sky,
  Then I know why I believe!
  
  
  Writer(s): Yvan Eric Cassar, Shirl Jimmy, Al Stillman, Jule Styne, Ervin Drake, Sammy Cahn, Eric Levisalles, Irvin Graham
  Copyright: Sands Music Corp., Larry Spier Music LLC, Universal Music Publishing
  
  

Father’s Love Letter

My Child ~

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32

Can You Give Me Directions To Heaven Please?

What price are you willing to pay for Jesus today?

There's a story about a group of Christians in Nazi Germany who were meeting in secret. Suddenly a band of soldiers broke through the door, rifles at their shoulders.

They herded the believers against a wall and ordered them to deny their faith. Those who renounced Christ could leave, but those who remained would be shot. Most of the group chose to save their lives; only a handful stood against the wall, ready to die for Jesus.

The soldiers herded the others out, locked the door behind them, dropped their weapons, and embraced the shocked believers. "We have been looking for genuine Christians," they explained. "We want to join you."

What price are you willing to pay for Jesus today?

Prayer For Today

God, please give me a heart that can hold all of the good things in life:

a heart with compassion and kindness, with gentleness and patience,

and a heart that is open to spontaneity and joy.

Please form in me a heart that listens to all of your messages of love;

one that trusts, always looking for the goodness hidden in others;

one that will readily share the gifts you have given,

and one that can hope beyond difficulties.

Grant me a peaceful heart that will hold on to the real values in life

so that I can respond with assurance to what is important;

give me a heart that is grounded in love rather than fear;

one that is open to the needs of others

and will reach out with sincerity.

Please God, give me a heart filled with your Spirit. Amen.

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  

      Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  

      Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.                            

       Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  

       Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  

       Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  

       Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  

        Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  

        Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa