Category Archives: Alive in Christ

Vision From God: Prayers for “ALIVE! Worship”

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(Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

I’d appreciate your prayers!!

My son and I have been directing our A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team for 10 years now.  

I’ve been a licensed minister for 2 and a half years.

I’ve been praying for God’s will

in what He wants to accomplish in our lives,

and with our drama team.

I have a heart to encourage everyone to use and develop their gifts and talents for the Lord,

and to raise them up as leaders.

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Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

One Saturday morning, several months ago, God gave me a vision for a worship service.

I am to pastor an outreach ministry, for all ages, called,

“ALIVE!  Worship.”

It should consist of dynamic preaching and teaching,

contemporary Christian music,

relevant drama, anointed dance, skits, Improv, anointed art,

prayer time, altar time,

and from time to time, we’re to host guest worship leaders,

preachers, teachers, dancers, etc.

Included in worship time/altar time, there should be anointing with oil,

for all those needing a touch from God.

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(Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

My son and I are to direct this ministry through our existing

A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team Ministry

of kids, teens, young adults, parents, and also other church workers.

We will design “ALIVE!  Worship” t-shirts.

To start out, we’re to use the last Friday of each month for this ministry

starting on September 26, 2014,

from 6 pm to 8 pm, at our church.

Then, we’re to wait for God to enlarge it!

“ALIVE!  Worship”

will lift up the Name of Jesus

and will be used by the Lord in any of the following outreach areas where He leads: 

Kids Church, Youth Groups, Church Services, Schools, Conferences,

Competitions, Camps, Community Outreaches, etc.

We will actively seek out venues for “ALIVE!   Worship”

to serve the Lord in our community,

and we will be obedient when He opens those doors.

The criteria for workers to be included in “ALIVE!  Worship” is:

1-A Godly attitude of worship to Jesus Christ our Lord

2-A heart that desires to outreach to lost souls

3-A willingness to work and cooperate as a team

4-A willingness to pray for our goal to glorify our Lord

5-All ages welcome

6-Participants will be viewed as “leaders and ambassadors” for the Lord,

and behavior, speech, and attire must reflect that.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to enthusiastically worship with us!!!

We declare that we have prayed about this ministry vision from the Lord,

and feel the Lord will equip us to step out in faith at this time. 

We pledge to continually pray for His wisdom and guidance

as He shows us His will

and the way we can glorify His Name

and serve in His Kingdom. 

The Lord has given me a vision of

“ALIVE!  Worship”

becoming an

Awesome, Mighty, Outreach Force for the Lord! 

Amen! 

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Photo:  A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team

Please pray with us

and for us!

Thank you!!!

1 John 5:14

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.”

            

You’re Brand New Now…Ya Gotta Let Go Of Your Past!!

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Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the dessert

and streams in the wasteland.”

Brand new!!

Is that person in the mirror looking back at you?

It’s true!

But, you can’t see it…

‘Cause you’re stuck on what you’ve been through…

You got that white knuckle, red faced…

Kung fu grip on all your chains..

But, that’s not who are…

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Tell me why…

You’d think that you deserve a life of just getting by…

You are alive!!!

Stop taking flowers to the grave of the old you that died…

If God can take your sin and free ya…

Forget, just like amnesia…

Why are you holding on?

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Let it go!

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 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore,

if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!”

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“Brand New looks so good on you!!”

Amen! 

Start A Fire In Me!!

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Cold?  Bitter?

Dead of winter?

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Waiting on something better?

You can’t hide forever!

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Over and over…

You hear His voice in your head..

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Let His light shine!

Let His light shine for all to see!

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Lord, start a fire in my soul…

Fan the flame and make it grow…

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No doubt…No denying…

Burning so brightly…

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So everyone can see…

It’s You…

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It’s You we need!

Start a fire in me…

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A spark starts a blaze…

With only a little faith…

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Here in this city…

We’ll never be the same…

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They need to know…

I need to go…

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Holy Spirit fall on my heart now… 

You are the fire!

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You are the flame!

The light on the darkest day…

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We have hope!

We bear Your Name!

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Carrying the news…

You’ve come to save!

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Only You can save!

John 17:3

“Now this is eternal life:

that they know You, 

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom You have sent.”

Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance. 

But after me comes One who is more powerful than I,

whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 

Amen!!

Thank You, Lord!

What Do We Believe???

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The Newsboys are spreading the Good News!!

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Believe in the One Foundation…  

Believe in the One Salvation…

Believe in God the Father

Believe in Jesus Christ…

Believe in the Holy Spirit…

Believe He’s given us New Life…

Believe in the Crucifixion…

Believe that He conquered Death…

Believe in the Resurrection

Believe He’s coming back again…

Believe the lost are found, the dead are raised!

When Love invades!

Believe the gates of hell will not prevail!

Believe the Power of God, has torn the veil! 

Believe His Love will never fail!

Believe!

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Mark 1:15

The time has come,” he said.

“The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!”

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

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                                            (Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,”  I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive! 

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information! 

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While  we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

 I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and  Master’s  Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore  it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

 The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

  But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:
“In every marriage more than a week old,
there are grounds for divorce…
the trick is to find, and continue to find,
the grounds for marriage!!” 
Thank you, Jesus!
Amen!!
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Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

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Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

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Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

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Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus  is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!

 

Grace Was Made For People Like Me!!

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John 1:14

“The Word

became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His Glory,

the Glory of the One and Only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of Grace and Truth.”

And you!!

Be honest with God…

He’ll never let you go…

Jesus, we need You…

Lord, help us to believe…

Show us Your arms are open…

Your blood redeems…

Show me You can love…

Even me…

Show me Grace was made for…

People like me…

Amen!

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1 Corinthians 1:3

“Grace and Peace to you from

God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

All Eyes On You!!

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2 Corinthians 4:18

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen,

since what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.”

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Everything else fades away

When You step on the scene

In my heart, take center stage

And I’ll follow Your lead

So let me step aside

And put Your Name in lights

Headline this life

All eyes on You

In everything I do

Everywhere I move

Let Your Love shine through

So all the world can see

You’ve taken over me

Let me be a reflection of Your Truth

And turn all eyes on You

You burn brighter than a million stars

And nothing can compare

So let me shadow who You are

Every second and everywhere

Yeah!

Can’t take my eyes off You

I was blind, but now I see

You gave it all, to set me free

So everyday ’til my time is gone

I’ll live my life, turning eyes on You

No matter where I am

No matter who I’m with

With everything I do, let it point to You

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Amen!! 

What a great prayer!

Be A Lighthouse! Go, Light Someone’s Way!

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We’re working on a human video to “Lighthouse” by Anthem Lights…

With our A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team…

Powerful song!

I’ll walk you through my choreography!!

We’re thinking of adding lights for each lighthouse

(cell phone, flashlight, etc.),

a big light behind Jesus,

a fog machine for the ship scene,

and perhaps a black light!)

“Many of the songs on the record

speak about being the light of Christ in this world,

to how essential His light is in this dark world.

“Lighthouse”

is a metaphor for we are in this world.

Ours is a brave task:

“Climb to the highest point,

scream in your loudest voice,

there’s a lifeline waiting for you…

Strike up the brightest fire,

fan the flames and let it burn,

let it burn…

the world is waiting.”

It’s up to us to be the lighthouse,

to tell hurting people that they’re not alone

and there is more for them”

–ALAN-Anthem Lights–

Scene 1:  Have 4-6 kids form the front of a ship by kneeling at an angle, so there’s a point, and linking arms, have them rock and shake when the waters get rough, and have the ship  “sail” (move) closer to rocks

Have 1 kid be the captain of the ship, loading his gear on board, and then standing inside ship, steering, reacting to danger, and seeing the lighthouse as a place of refuge & rescue

Have several kids kneeling with head & legs tucked in to form rocks in the water

Have kids on their backs with arms & legs moving, like pedaling a bicycle, to be rough waves in the water

Have 1 kid stand with hands touching over their head as a Lighthouse, add light, if desired, have them turn as the light would on a lighthouse

Have 1-2 kids kneeling with their palms together on their foreheads as the fins of sharks in the water

Like ships bound for shipwreck

Most people just simply drift along

And miss their destination without knowing anything is wrong

No direction and without a care

Feels so good and then you’re lost out there

Don’t you remember how it felt ’til someone showed you the way

Chorus:  Have Jesus come out to tell everyone to be a Lighthouse

It’s up to you, it’s up to me

To be the lighthouse

They should know they’re not alone

So shine so they can see the lighthouse

And find their way back home

Scene 2:  Have everyone leave their position…and reposition as a church setting

Have 1 kid be the preacher, waving a Bible

Have 2-3 kids kneel as church pews

Have 2-3 kids sit on the backs of kneeling kids to face the preacher, who is preaching passionately

The seated “congregation” while “numb” at first, gets the message, and praises the Lord in agreement

Have 1 kid off to the side be the Lighthouse that the preacher is talking about

Tragically we’ve forgotten

The reason we’re even here at all

Worst still, we remember it’s just that we feel so comfortable

Do we notice, do we even care

All the people that are lost out there

Don’t you remember how it felt ’til someone showed you the way

Chorus:  Have Jesus come out to tell everyone to be a Lighthouse

It’s up to you, it’s up to me

To be the lighthouse

They should know they’re not alone

So shine so they can see the lighthouse

And find their way back home

Scene 3:  Have your 2 strongest kids kneel next to each other, so your lightest kid can climb up on them, as if climbing up rocks, then act as if they’re screaming in their loudest voice

Transition to make a line of kids, pull as in a tug-of-war to make a Lifeline, preacher will pull them in

Have kids come together in a U-shape. and wave arms over their head as the flames of a fire

Have kids separate, and all become a separate Lighthouse,with hands touching over their head to look like a Lighthouse, add light, if desired, have them turn as the light would on a lighthouse

Have Jesus, come from the back, to touch and light each Lighthouse with His Presence, when He touches them they raise their hands higher, so we can see they are burning brighter with His Light to reach others

So climb to the highest point

Scream in your loudest voice

There’s a lifeline waiting for you

Strike up the brightest fire

Fan the flames and let it burn

Just let it burn, the world is waiting

Chorus:  Have Jesus come out to tell everyone in the audience to also be a Lighthouse

It’s up to you, it’s up to me

They should know they’re not alone

So shine so they can see the lighthouse

And find their way

It’s up to you, it’s up to me

To be the lighthouse

They should know they’re not alone

Scene 4 (Ending):  Have 2-3 kids wandering as lost, see the Lighthouses, and because of a Lighthouse, they are directed home to Jesus…then they kneel & praise Him

So shine so they can see the lighthouse

And find their way back home

Try the drama with your kids/teens!!! 

I know you can do it!!

Any questions???

Let me know!

When we minister with this, I’ll blog some photos!!

John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people,

He said,

I Am the Light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the Light of Life.”

Psalm 43:3

Send out your light and your truth;
    
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    
and to your dwelling!”

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—   

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—   

of whom shall I be afraid?”

Matthew 5:14-16

 “You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Amen!

A previous post about a Lighthouse:  

Beach Blessing-The Lighthouse

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/the_lighthouse/

The Brandisa Tour Came To Town!!

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It was a rockin’ worship service!!

We all sang along with Brandon Heath…

“Jesus In Disguise”

Plus:

“I’m Not Who I Was”

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“Give Me Your Eyes”

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“The Light In Me”

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“Your Love”

 And with Mandisa:

“Overcomer”

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Plus:

“Good Morning”

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“My Deliverer”

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“Stronger”

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“Press On”

Psalm 100:1-2

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

 Serve the Lord with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.”

Psalm 98:4

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,   

burst into jubilant song with music;”

Psalm 95;1-2

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;   

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving   

and extol Him with music and song.”

Such a joyful evening!!

Amen!