Church

Church is hard.
Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.
Church is hard for the preacher’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.
Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.
Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.
Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.
Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.
Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.
Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.
Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.
Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.
Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.
Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.
Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.
Church is hard for the sinners.
Church is hard for me.
It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.
However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.
But, here is the beauty of church—
Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.
Church is a body.
Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.
Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.
Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.
Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.
Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.
Church is a lesson in faith and trust.
Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.
Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.
Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.
So even on the hard days at church—
The days when I am at odds with a friend, When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn the pressures of the world, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.
I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.
Adapted from Choosing Freelen, and also at http://www.choosingfreelen.com/ .

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

Morning Reflection: Because God Sees

Morning thoughts: There are many choices in life we must make. We all choose a certain way to act, to speak, to respond , to be. Whether it be with our spouses, our families, friends or co-workers or just by ourselves. For me, in my life, I choose those actions knowing with all certainty that the eyes of God sees everything.  Think about that awesomeness. The eyes of God see everything. This truth has guided me, inspired me, charted my daily course and steered my direction. Am I perfect? No. Do I fail miserably? Yes. Terribly.  But one thought sustains me. I know the eyes of God are loving and forgiving. I wrap myself in the warmth of that knowledge and I go on each day.. And with all certainty, I know I am perfect in His eyes.

Morning Reflection

But I do understand this: my mind is to finite and fallen to understand the God of the universe. This is only logical. If I could understand God, either I would be God, or He would not be.
-Jim Dennison,The Daily Article

How Sweet

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.

John Newton

In My Daughter's Eyes ♡ Martina McBride

                                                           In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
                                                    I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me gives me

strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe 

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

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

New York Street Games

New York Street Games Trailer from Gigantic Studios on Vimeo.

Rod McKuen - Where Are We Now

The Remedy

The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.

Warren Wiersbe 

THY WORD - Amy Grant

One of my favorites

Climax Blues Band - I Love You

                         

When I was a younger girl
I hadn't a care
Fooling around
Hitting the town
Growing my hair

You came along
And stole my heart
When you entered my life
Ooh, babe
You got what it takes
So you made me your wife

Since then
I never looked back
It's almost like living a dream
And, ooh
I love you

You came along
From far away
And found me here
I was playing around
Feeling down
Hitting the beer
You picked me up
From off the floor
And gave me a smile
You said
You're much too young
Your life ain't begun
Let's walk for awhile

And as my head was spinning 'round
I gazed into your eyes
And thought, ooh
I want you

Thank you, babe
For being a friend
And shining your light in my life
'Cause, ooh
I need you

As my head was coming round
I gazed into your eyes
And thought, ooh
I want you

Thanks again for being my friend
And straightening out my life
'Cause, ooh
I need you

Britt Nicole - All This Time

"The prayerful practice of joy and thanksgiving leaves no room for stress or worry."

 David Jerimiah

Bee Gees - Words

Ever have one of those days when you hear a song and your just stare off into space and smile?

I Can Hear Music Kathy Troccoli and Beach Boys-

In My Arms by Plumb with LYRICS

Your baby blues, so full of wonder
Your curly cues, your contagious smile
And as I watch, you start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash around
But you will be safe in my arms

Storybooks are full of fairy tales
Of kings and queens
And the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see
The truth from lies

When the clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
You are never all alone
Cause I will always
Always love you

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash around
But you will be safe in my arms

Colossians1:9-11

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion…are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments".

Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence

Philippians 4:6-7

Psalm 27

Happy New Year 2019

But I am trusting in you, oh Lord, saying,"You are my God!' My future is in Your hands.