Monthly Archives: May 2013

Holy Spirit, “Super Soak” Me!

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Yesterday was our last day of school!

“Yipee!!!” said all the teachers…

“Hooray!!!” said all the students…

“Oh, Dear Lord, No!” said all the parents…

Ha!

We decided to have a “Water” Fun Day to celebrate!!

Wear sandals or water shoes to school…

And bring a change of clothes!!

Let the games begin!!

It was Super Soaker Heaven!

We had water toys of all types and sizes!

Thinking I was going to merely be in the defensive mode…

If the kids were rude enough to come bother me…

In my lawn chair in the quiet, shade under the nearest tree…

I did not purchase a Super Soaker!!

My son did!!

A really nice, big one!!

I brought a ketchup/mustard “squeezy-thing,” like they have in diners!

Sometimes, I just don’t know any better!

Ha!

The kids parked themselves as near as they could get to the water spigot…

Filled and refilled their toys, cups, and the whole Tupperware container…

Soaked everything and everyone in sight!!!

While I, and one of our volunteers…

Talked, shooed them away, and tried to keep things dry!

When I tired of not joining in the fun…

I grabbed my ketchup/mustard “squirty-thing” filled with water…

And started squeezing it at everybody!!

Such fun!!!

But, I ran out of “fuel” quickly!!

While I was refilling…

The Super Soaker people got me, and got me good!!

But, I didn’t care, it was a beautiful day to be soaking wet!!

Then, I had this idea to go soak my son…

Who was soaking the older kids…

Armed with the dinky, little, plastic ketchup/mustard weapon I had…

I attacked!!

 He retaliated, and saturated me!!

I went back for reinforcements, and rallied the elementary kids to join me…

They had all the good tools that could drench!!

It worked…

I was elated to soak my son!

‘Til my son brought his troops to our territory…

Sneaked up behind me…

Aimed and fired…

As I laughed with joy!!

Great to be alive!

Very wet and happily alive!!

Unfortunately…

Some of our kids were not so joyful with our fun, wet plans for the last day of school…

One stayed home…

One slept most of the day…

Under a desk…

One refused to get wet…

And got upset when he did!!

Do you see yourself here???

When the Holy Spirit is moving…

Do you stay home?

Sleep?

Hide?

Refuse to get wet?

Let’s enjoy God’s washing…

He’s pouring out His Spirit like rain…

5-29-13 Golf Course 086“You Heavens above,

rain down My righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness flourish with it;

I, the LORD, have created it.”

Isaiah 45:8

5-29-13 Golf Course 061Soak it up!

Be saturated!

God’s elated to soak us…

To saturate us with His Holy Spirit…

To pour His Spirit on us…

5-28-13 Laishley Park 071“And afterward,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.”

Joel 2:28

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 064Be healed when the water’s being stirred…

“An angel of the Lord would go down into the pool from time to time

and stir up the water.

Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up

recovered from whatever ailment he had.”

John 5:4

5-29-13 Golf Course 051Jump right in!

Wearing the right garment of praise…

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD,

that He might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

5-29-13 Golf Course 054Remember  your water shoes…

And splash away!!

God’s With Us!!

Dear Holy Spirit…

Super Soak us!

Saturate us!!

Help us to not just sit on the sidelines…

And watch while others receive Your drenching, and power!

Help us to appreciate when someone else gets filled with Your Spirit…

Or receives something overflowing from You!!

Let us be smart enough to splash in it!

Keep Your Spirit flowing…

And overflowing, in our lives!

Amen!

The Lord Will Restore…

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What The Enemy Has Taken!!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;

neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field,

saith the Lord of Hosts.”

Malachi 3:11

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,

My great army which I sent among you.

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied,

and praise the Name of the LORD your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and My people shall never be ashamed.”

Joel 2:25-26

Grow old together…
Don’t quit…
Love…
Commit…
No excuses…
Don’t try to justify…
Listen to the truth…
Even when it feels like life’s falling apart…
And it can’t go on anymore…
But God is a God who knows how to heal…
So just give it up to the Lord…
And He will restore!!
He said, “I promise…”
She said, “I do, forever…”
But right now if they’re being honest…
They don’t know if they’ll stay together…
Fast forward to the future…
After struggling on their own…
They finally figured out they needed…
Jesus in the middle!!
Now, I’m watching God rebuild their home…
The enemy tries to come and divide…
Trying to get us to give up the fight…
But darkness will always lose out to light…
‘Cause we’ve got the…
Power of Christ on our side!!

Grow old together…
Others are praying…

They’ll find a love like yours…

And He will restore!

Like it was before…

You may have strayed off course

But He will restore!!

  “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:4

“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part…”

Job 42:12

Read:  “God Will Restore Your Wasted Years” by David Wilkerson at: 

http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/1300

Would You Take The Place Of This Man?

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Would You Take The Nails From His Hands????

(from ‘The Passion Of The Christ”)

You don’t need to…

It’s finished!!

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“A week later His disciples were in the house again,
and Thomas was with them.
Though the doors were locked,
Jesus came
and stood among them and said,
‘Peace be with you!’
Then He said to Thomas,
‘Put your finger here;
see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into My side.
Stop doubting and believe.’
Thomas said to Him,
‘My Lord and my God!’
Then Jesus told him,
“Because you have seen Me,
you have believed;
blessed are those
who have not seen
and yet have believed.”

                           John 20: 26-29

Have Hope That “There Will Be A Day…”

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We  try to hold on to this world with everything we have …

And feel the weight of what it brings…

The hurt that tries to grab…

Trials seem to never end…

But, His Word declares this Truth…

We’ll enter in His Rest with wonders anew!

Hold onto this Hope…

And the Promise that He brings…

There will be a place with no more suffering…

There will be a day…

With no more tears…

No more pain…

And no more fears…

There will be a day…

When the burdens of this place…

Will be no more…

We’ll see Jesus face to face !!

But until that day…

We’ll hold onto You always…

The journey seems so long…

Like we’re walking on our own …

But there has never been a step…

Where you’ve walked out all alone!

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart …

 Joy and Peace He brings…

And the Beauty that’s in store …

Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting !

I can’t wait!!

Until that day…

Where the very One I’ve lived for…

Will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced …

To touch the scars that rescued me…

From a life of shame and misery…

This is why, this is why I sing!!

There will be a day!!

He’ll wipe away the stains…

He’ll wipe away the tears…

Oh yeah, have Hope!

Yes, there will be a day!

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You’re Forgiven, Because He Was Forsaken!

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“…then know this, you and all the people of Israel:

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom you crucified

but whom God raised from the dead,

that this man stands before you healed.

Jesus is

‘the stone you builders rejected,  

which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other Name under Heaven given to mankind

by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10-12

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

The past plays inside your head
Failure knocks you down again..
You’re reminded of the wrong that you have said and done…
That devil just won’t let you forget…
In this life…
You know what you’ve been…

But here in His arms
You know what you are!
You’re Forgiven!!

  You don’t have to carry the weight
  Of who you’ve been, ’cause you’re…
Forgiven!
Your mistakes are running through your mind
  You relive your days in the middle of the night…
Struggle with your pain…
Wrestle with your pride…
Sometimes you feel alone and you cry…
But, you don’t have to carry the weight of who you’ve been…

‘Cause you’re forgiven!!

When you don’t fit in…
And you don’t feel like you belong anywhere…
When you don’t measure up to much in this life

Oh, you’re a treasure in the arms of Christ!
‘Cause you’re forgiven!!

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:13-14

You’re forgiven because He was forsaken..
You’re accepted, He was condemned
You’re alive and well…
His Spirit is within you!

Because He died and rose again!!

Amazing love, how can it be?
That your King would die for you
Amazing love, you know it’s true
It’s your joy to honor Him!
In all you do
Honor your King!

Jesus , You are our King!!

“The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,

nor will He keep His anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the Heavens are above the earth,

so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:8-12

I’m A Believer In Christ!!

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Here’s the answer to all your questions!

I can see through the laughter…
I know you’ve cried your share of tears…
But You don’t have to do this by yourself…
You tell me that you feel abandoned…
Carrying the weight of all this pain inside…
You trust in someone else…
But you’re cryin’ out for help…
Yes!
I’m a Believer!
That He’s strong enough to hold you now, where you are…
I’m a believer!
In the One who’s always reaching out to your heart…
He understands you…
There’s not a greater love that you’ll find in this life…
I’m a Believer in Christ!
Trying to escape the landslide…
Running from the choices that you make…
When will you surrender to His Grace?
His promises will never leave you…
Offering to free you from your past is the sacrifice…
He made..
He can be your shelter and your strength.
No matter what you’ve done…
How far you’ve run…
There is hope for you…
Through every broken heart…
He’ll  meet you where you are…
He will rescue you…
Let Him rescue you!
Yes!
I’m a Believer in Christ!!

You’re The Reason For Every Good Thing!

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It’s A Beautiful Life You Give!!

“John replied,

‘No one can receive anything

unless God gives it from Heaven.'”

John 3:27

“If you, then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in Heaven

give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

Matthew 7:11

Busier than you should be???

Time won’t wait!

Don’t forget…

Or take it for granted!

I’s a beautiful life we live!!

Don’t want to miss a moment!

It’s a beautiful life You give!

You’re the reason for:

Every good thing…

Every heartbeat…

Every day we get to breathe…

Anything that lasts…

Every second chance…

Every laugh!!

Oh, Life is so sweet!

There will be days…

That give me more than I can take…

Jesus, make beauty from my heartache…

It’s our family…

It’s our friends…

It’s the feeling we get when we see our children smile!!

This life…

Everything we love…

It’s You alive in us!

You’re alive in us!!

Yes, You are…

You’re here in every moment…

You’re every good thing…

That’s ever happened to ME!!!

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

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“Now the God of Peace,

who brought up from the dead

the great Shepherd of the sheep 

through the blood of the eternal covenant,

even Jesus our Lord,

equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ,

to whom be the Glory forever and ever.

Amen”

Hebrews 13:20-21

Taste And See!! The Lord Is Good!!

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good;    

blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 34:8

Sometimes people taste something awful!!

Eeeeew!

Their first reaction, after almost gagging…

Is to offer it to someone else!!

Why???

So that someone else can agree with them that…

“Yes, It’s really, really disgusting!!”

Normal people say…

 “No way, why should I try it???

You just said it’s gross!!

No one in their right mind…

Is actually going to taste it!!

But, think of your Bible as a recipe book…

Chock full of goodness!!

A recipe book for your life…

With awesome instructions for God’s goodness…

Drool at the menu God has created…

The feast He prepares and sets  before you!!

Know the Bible!  Live it!  Share God’s Word!  Talk about it!

So others will want to get a  taste of it, too!!

My Bible lesson in Kids Church on Sunday was…

God Is Good!!

Psalm 78

It’s a whole chapter on God’s goodness to the Israelites…

(verse 4-7)

We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    His power, and the wonders He has done...
Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget His deeds
    but would keep His commands.”

They were to tell their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, etc…

About all His mighty works and miracles!!

So they could also trust is their good God!!

They didn’t!

Instead they murmured and whined…

God was NOT pleased!

And they paid the price with His anger!!

Even today…

We taste God’s goodness…

But do we expect people to want to taste it, too…

If we refuse to share it!!

In a way that they will desire…

To taste it for themselves???

My son’s object lesson was…

“Taste and See!”

(Based on a lesson from  http://www.sermons4kids.com, called, The Taste Test)

Props:  cake, cookies, or other sweet treat!

Begin by eating the decadent, delicious treat!

And telling the kids how scrumptious it is!

Go on and on about how it’s the MOST delicious thing you’ve EVER eaten!!

            “Wow!  This is great! 

Do you believe that this tastes wonderful? 

There is only one way to really know for sure how good this dessert is: 

You have to try it. 

I can tell you all about it…

You may even believe me…

But to really understand how good it is…

You have to try it for yourself!

Let’s have a volunteer taste this yummy treat? 

Go ahead, enjoy, eat it up!! 

Is it good???

Is it the best tasting treat you’ve ever had???

I was right, then, huh? 

See, it really is wonderful!!!

            The Bible says to…

“Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Psalm 34:8  

That doesn’t mean that we’re going to take a great big bite out of God! 

It simply means that we have to know God personally…

Before we can understand just how good He is. 

I can tell you how good God is…

You may even believe me!

But, you’ll never know for sure how good He is until you know Him for yourself!!

            Once you have seen just how good God is…

There’s something else you need to do…

You need to tell others about Him! 

Tell them how good God has been to you…

So that they will want to know Him, too!!

You can’t force them to know God…

But, you can tell them what He’s done for you!

Then give them a chance to choose Him, too!

  God is soooo good!! 

You have to taste and see for yourself!

P.S.  Also check out Kids sermons/object lessons at: http://www.calledtokids.com

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good…”

Psalm 135:3 

Now, go and share something…

Everyone will want to taste!!!

God’s Goodness!!

You Carried Me…To The Table!

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“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,

all you who remain in Israel.

I have cared for you since you were born.

Yes, I carried you before you were born.”

Isaiah 46:3

(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet.

He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel.

His nurse picked him up and fled,

but as she hurried to leave,

he fell and became crippled.

His name was Mephibosheth.)”

2 Samuel 4:4

2 Samuel 9
David and Mephibosheth

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’

Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’

‘Your servant,’ he replied.

The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’

Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’

‘Where is he?’ the king asked.

Ziba answered, ‘He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.’

 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’

 ‘Your servant,’ he replied.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.

 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’

Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, ‘I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.’

(Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, ‘Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.’

 So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.”

 

Wounded and forsaken…
I was shattered by the fall…
Broken and forgotten…
Feeling lost and all alone…

Summoned by the King!

Into the Master’s courts!
Lifted by the Savior!
And cradled in His arms!

Carried to the table!
Seated where I don’t belong!
Swept away by His love!

I don’t see my brokenness anymore!
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord!

Fighting thoughts of fear…
Wondering why He called my name…
Am I good enough to share this cup?
This world has left me lame…

Even in my weakness!
The Savior called my name!
In His Holy presence!
I’m healed and unashamed!

You carried me, my God!
You carried me!

I’ve been so busy, I missed the reasons…
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all…
Still You’ve loved me, and You’ve healed me…
You’ve given all and it brought me to Your Cross…
I stand only because You’ve given me grace to walk…
Only because…
You carried me!
You carried me through it all!

And I believe!
Yes, I believe!
You’ll carry me all the way home!
‘Cause mercy covers all!

I know the Scripture, I’ve known the songs…
I sang the words from my hollowed heart…
But You’ve spoken softly through the storm…
I’ve heard Your voice, and I’ve felt the calm…
I stand only because, You’ve given me faith to walk…

I know that you love me!
I’ll never doubt it, I can’t live without it!
Your mercy has found me!
I am astounded, I can’t live without it!

Jesus Messiah…Name Above All Names!!

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 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,

and given Him a Name which is above every name: 

That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the Glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

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Jesus Messiah!!

Became sin…

Who knew no sin…

 Our Righteousness!

Humbled…

Carried the Cross…

Amazing Love!

Name Above All Names!

Blessed Redeemer!

Emmanuel!

Rescue for sinners…

Ransom from Heaven…

Jesus Messiah, Lord Of All!

Your body is the bread…

Broken…

Your blood is the wine…

Poured out for love…

Earth trembled…

Veil was torn…

All Hope Is In You!

All Glory To You!

God!

Light Of The World!

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all!!