Category Archives: Church

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’ve Got Mail!! Let’s Read God’s Love Letters!!

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Most of the books of the New Testament are actually letters…

These Epistles contain general Christian teaching…

 And specific instructions for the congregation to which they were addressed…

Paul’s Letters to the Churches:  

 Mail…Florida Style!!

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Romans 1:1-7

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,

called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 

the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures 

regarding His Son,

who as to His earthly life

was a descendant of David,

and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power

by His resurrection from the dead: 

Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 Through Him we received grace and apostleship

to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from

faith for His Name’s sake. 

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Galatians 1:1-5

“Paul, an apostle—

sent not from men nor by a man, 

but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, 

who raised Him from the dead…

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 

who gave Himself for our sins 

to rescue us from the present evil age, 

according to the will of our God and Father, 

to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Amen.”

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Colossians 1:3-6

“We always thank God, 

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

when we pray for you,

because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus

and of the love you have for all God’s people—

the faith and love that spring from the Hope stored up for you in Heaven 

and about which you have already heard

in the true message of the Gospel that has come to you.

In the same way,

the Gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—

just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it

and truly understood God’s Grace.”

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1 Timothy 1:1-2

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus

by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our Hope,

To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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1 Corinthians 1:4-9

“I always thank my God for you 

because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. 

For in Him you have been enriched in every way—

with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 

God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift 

as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 

He will also keep you firm to the end,

so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

God is faithful, 

who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

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Ephesians 1:3-10

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world 

to be holy and blameless in His sight.

In love He predestined us for adoption to Sonship

through Jesus Christ,

in accordance with His pleasure and will—

to the praise of His glorious grace, 

which He has freely given us in the One He loves. 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 

that He lavished on us.

With all wisdom and understanding, 

He made known to us the mystery of His will

according to His good pleasure,

which He purposed in Christ, 

to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—

to bring unity to all things in Heaven and on earth under Christ.”

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1 Thessalonians 1:2-6

“We always thank God for all of you 

and continually mention you in our prayers. 

We remember before our God and Father 

your work produced by faith, 

your labor prompted by love, 

and your endurance inspired by hope 

in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, 

that He has chosen you, 

because our Gospel came to you not simply with words

but also with power, 

with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

You know how we lived among you for your sake. 

You became imitators of us and of the Lord,

for you welcomed the message

in the midst of severe suffering 

with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

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Philemon 1:4-7

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 

because I hear about your love for all His holy people 

and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith

may be effective in deepening your understanding

of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, 

because you, brother,

have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

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Philippians 1:3-6

“I thank my God every time I remember you. 

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy 

because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day 

until now,

being confident of this,

that He who began a good work in you

will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus.”

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Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ

to further the faith of God’s elect

and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 

in the hope of eternal life, 

which God,

who does not lie, 

promised before the beginning of time, 

and which now at His appointed season 

He has brought to light 

through the preaching entrusted to me 

by the command of God our Savior,

To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”

Read your mail!!!

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!”

Happy 3rd Birthday, Beautiful, Precious Hannah…All God’s Blessings!!

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This was written by our Children’s Pastor…

My good friend, Marla…

About her daughter, Hannah’s birth…

Praying it blesses you!

Hannah’s Arrival

An awesome story of God working in our lives. –Marla-
“Hon…”

I called out to my sleeping husband. 

No response. 

“Hey, hon…”

I called a little louder.

“Huh?  Everything okay?”

he asked groggily.

“Ummm…yeah, everything’s fine.  Could you come here?” 

He stumbled into the bathroom. 

“What is it?”

“I’m not positive, but I think my water just broke.”

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This is not what either one of us was expecting.  It was 4:30 AM on June 2.  Our baby girl wasn’t due for just over another month. Sure, I had felt like she may come “early,” but not this soon!  The nursery was still a glorified storage room.   Hannah’s baby shower was not scheduled for another 3 days.  We had no clothes for her, no diapers, not even a car seat to take her home!  All of those little things we were going to complete in the next few weeks were left undone.  But there was no time to do any of that now.  We scrambled around, made arrangements for Moriah, our older daughter, finished packing for the hospital and we were on our way.

Several weeks earlier I began asking God to give me a verse to meditate on through childbirth and in those often-difficult weeks after, when I knew our lives would be changed forever and we’d be navigating through the familiar but somehow distant waters of caring for a newborn and adjusting to a completely different lifestyle on little—if any—sleep.  I expected that completely changing our schedule and routine, then going back to work, would require extra strength and a greater measure of peace from God.  So I simply made my request known to God for a verse to cling to, maybe something along the lines of “I can do all things through Christ…”  I thought about different verses, but nothing clicked.  Then one evening a passage came to me very distinctly:

 …there was given me a thorn in my flesh,

a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 

But he said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

That is why, for Christ’s sake,

delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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 I read the passage again and thought, “Yeah, having a newborn and adjusting is a bit difficult, but I would hardly refer to it as a ‘thorn in the flesh.’  Sounds a bit harsh.”  But I knew that this was the passage God gave me, so for several nights before Hannah’s birth, I read it again and again.

Once at the hospital, the nurses confirmed that I was indeed in labor and were very sure to tell us that we were having a baby that day.  We were both in shock.  Nonetheless, she was on her way.  A few hours later, at 10:15 AM, we heard the long awaited cries of our little girl.  Due to last minute medications during labor, I was unfortunately quite groggy the first few hours of Hannah’s life.  I held her and looked at her, but failed to pick up on the little details of her appearance.  I could hardly hear the nurses’ comments as they evaluated her.  I remember one nurse asking, “Does she look like your other daughter?”  And I answered that no, she had her own distinct look.

A few hours later, as I was trying to recover, the pediatrician came in the room and brought the news that changed us forever.  He gently told me that they suspected Hannah has Down Syndrome based upon her features and her weak muscle tone.  I was in shock.  Down Syndrome?  We had no idea.  We never imagined we’d be the family with a special needs child.

When Eddie came back to the room, I shared the Doctor’s report with him.  Thoughts came rushing through our minds.  Tears flowed.  Our joy was overshadowed by grief and fear of the future.  She’ll never be like other kids.  She’ll be made fun of.  She won’t go to a typical school, have a normal social life, go to college or get married.  Hannah will always be dependent upon us.  What will happen when we’re too old to take care of her?

Since then, I’ve thought a lot about those irrational fears.  What child comes with a certificate guaranteeing that she will live a successful life, go to college, get married and be independent anyway?  I’ve never seen that certain promise at birth yet.  Our responsibility as parents is simply to give our kids our best in way of care, training, and teaching and to raise them to know and love God.  We simply encourage them to be all they were created to be.

Family came to visit and see her.  More tears.  More feeling of loss of all the little things we had planned for our child.  Wave after wave of grief followed.

It wasn’t until later that evening that I remembered the verse and certain promise God had given me several days earlier:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

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     “Oh, God, I’ve never felt weaker in my life.  I need your strength, your grace,” I prayed through the tears.

 Sleep came sporadically that night.  I was able to visit Hannah in the NICU just a few times before I was discharged the next day.  They had to keep Hannah due to complications arising from her prematurity.  Leaving the hospital without a baby was somehow just not right.  (And in the weeks to follow, leaving her each day left me feeling like I was never home.  Wherever I was—whether with her at the hospital or home with the rest of the family—I was never complete.)  When I walked out of the hospital the day after her birth, my heart was still heavy with the news of her diagnosis.  I was thankful to have her, but somehow still grieving all the dreams I had for her that would never be realized.

Late that evening, I found myself the only one awake in a quiet house.  Seemingly out of nowhere I felt a sudden urge to read the verses God had given me, but in the Message version of the Bible.  I don’t often turn to the Message version, but I appreciate its plain, everyday language and way of putting God’s Word into a fresh perspective.  As I opened to the passage, I was amazed at the wording:

     I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. 

Satan’s angel did his best to get me down;

what he in fact did was push me to my knees…

At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. 

Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough;

it’s all you need. 

My strength comes into its own in your weakness. 

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. 

I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. 

It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. 

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer…

I just let Christ take over! 

And so the weaker I get,

the stronger I become.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (the Message version, emphasis added)

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That instant, I had peace about Hannah’s diagnosis.  I knew that her unique and special qualities had been given as a gift, and I should see them as nothing less.

A few days after her birth, I was holding Hannah in her NICU room when the thought occurred to me: I didn’t even know what her name means—I, of all people, who usually obsess over things like this.  I, the mother who long before Moriah’s arrival had researched her name and written a poem based upon it’s meaning, could not even think of the meaning of my youngest daughter’s name.  A few months before, Eddie and I had deliberated quite a bit over what to name her, and finally agreed that Hannah was perfect.  I’m sure in the process I had looked at the meaning.  But sitting in the hospital room with her, I was in shock that I could not recall something so important.  With her in my arms, I managed to get a hand free and search for the name on my phone.  When the results came up, I was in awe.

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Hannah means “grace.”

“My grace is sufficient for you…”  God had promised.

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Whatever the future holds, for every unknown challenge on the road before us, so long as I call Hannah’s name I will have a reminder of God’s promise ever before me.  His grace will be enough to meet every challenge.  His grace will carry us through the frustrations and strengthen our faith in times of uncertainty.  His grace will flow through us and enable us to show grace to those who show ignorance or even cruelty toward her.

And God’s grace will pour out joy upon us as we delight in Hannah’s adorable smile and melt in her hugs.  His grace will sing over us as we cheer her on and take pride in her accomplishments. 

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Most of all, His grace will enable us to fully enjoy the precious gift of our sweet Hannah.
Amen!!

 

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!

 

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/

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning.  It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there.  Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave.  Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand.  Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!!  And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness.  Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!!  Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure.  Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too.  Amen!

Based on:  http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

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Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

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When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years. 

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day. 

And God is smiling!  

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago? 

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Answer:  “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

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May I have the rings and roses?  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.”  The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises.  In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes.  As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

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Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me:  Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me:  Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day.  Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love.  Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

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Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.  

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil,

 But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

 Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres. 

Love never fails…”

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Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad.  Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day.  You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on:  http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

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1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

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John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

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1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

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Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

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Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

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Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Great God Almighty…Rock ‘n Roll For Your Soul!!

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1 Corinthians 15:22

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

I just can’t believe
Where my life was at
All that I know is that my heart was broken
And I don’t ever wanna go back

Ain’t no explanation
How I saw the light
He found me and set me free
And it brought me back to life

Blame it on the transformation
Changed down to the core
His love is real
And I can’t sit still
‘Cause my name’s not shamed no more

Great God Almighty, gonna change this
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me

You gotta shake, shake, shake
Like you’re changed, changed, changed
Brand new looks so good on you
So shake like you’ve been changed

Come on and shake, shake, shake like you changed
Shake, shake, shake like you changed

Maybe He came to you
When everything seemed fine
Or maybe your world was upside down and hit you right between the eyes
No matter when it happened
At 7 or 95
Move your feet ’cause you are free
And you’ve never been more alive

Great God Almighty, gonna change me
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
Great God Almighty, gonna change me
Great God Almighty, He gonna change me

Matthew 18:3

And He said:

“Truly I tell you,

unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

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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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Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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Oh, yeah…

Amen…

Brand new looks so good on you!!

You’re changed! 

Changed! 

Changed!!

You’ve never been more alive!!