Category Archives: Cry Out!

My Soul Pants For You, My God!!

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Psalm 42

As the deer pants for streams of water,   

so my soul pants for You, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.   

When can I go and meet with God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

while people say to me all day long,   

“Where is your God?”

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These things I remember   

as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go to the house of God   

under the protection of the Mighty One

with shouts of joy and praise   

among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 

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Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,   

for I will yet praise Him,   

my Savior and my God.

My soul is downcast within me;   

therefore I will remember You

from the land of the Jordan,   

the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

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 Deep calls to deep   

in the roar of Your waterfalls;

all Your waves and breakers   

have swept over me.

By day the Lord directs His love,   

at night His song is with me—   

a prayer to the God of my life.

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I say to God my Rock,   

“Why have You forgotten me?

Why must I go about mourning,   

oppressed by the enemy?”

My bones suffer mortal agony   

as my foes taunt me,

saying to me all day long,   

“Where is your God?”

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Why, my soul, are you downcast?   

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,  

for I will yet praise Him,   

my Savior and my God.

Amen!

(P.S.  You’d think these photos might have been taken in NJ, but actually they were taken while we were visiting friends in the Keys.  Our friend, Billy Butler, grabbed my camera while we all quietly watched from the car, and took these beautiful photographs!!!)

Jesus, Set Me Free!!

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Galatians 5:1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery.”

It hasn’t always been this way…

I remember brighter days!

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(My son, Casey… and our drama team choreographer, Kaya… at a community Outreach)

Before the dark ones came…

Stole my mind…

Wrapped my soul in chains!

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Now I live among the dead…

Fighting voices in my head…

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Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away…

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Set me free of the chains holding me...

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free!!

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Morning breaks another day

Finds me crying in the rain…

All alone with my demons I am!

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Who is this man that comes my way?

The dark ones shriek…

They scream His Name!!!

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Is this the One they say will set the captives free?

Jesus, rescue me!!!

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As the God man passes by…

He looks straight through my eyes!

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And darkness cannot hide!!

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Do you want to be free?

Lift your chains…

I hold the key!!

All power on Heav’n and Earth belong to Me!!!
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You are free !
You are free !!
You are free!!!!

Do you want to be Free???

Romans 8:1-2

“Therefore,

there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus,

because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit who gives life

has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

John 8:36

“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.”

Amen!!

Speak Up! God Can’t Bare Your Silence!!

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Come Closer!!

You’re Too Far Away!!

Break your silence!

Talk to God…

About what you’re experiencing…

Let His Holy Spirit guide you through your life…

When you feel far from Him…

Whisper His Name!

Find a quiet place…

Away from the noise of this world…

Where you can be alone with God!

Speak Up!

Speak to Jesus in Love-tones!

Reach Out!

To have a relationship with Him!

Prepare to receive His Love!

It flows eternally from the Cross!

Seek His Face!

Then, listen!

Hear His Voice!

He’ll hear yours!

He’s delighted that you opened your heart…

To His Presence!

Take His Hand!

He’s already bridged the distance!

By running to you!

By sending His Son to die for you…

Go the distance!

He came to hear you cry out for Him!

He wants to commune with you!

“His eyes search to and fro throughout the earth…

Looking for one whose heart is seeking Him…”  (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Genesis 28:15

 “I Am with you

and will watch over you wherever you go,

and I will bring you back to this land.

I will not leave you

until I have done what I have promised you.”

And when you meet Him???

Ahhhh..

JOY!!!

Mutual JOY!!

(Read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

April 4th Devotional-Pg. 99

and April 8th-Pg.103)

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“God shows His love

in spanning the canyon between mankind and Himself

with the humble cross.”

-Shawn Craig –

of

Phillips, Craig & Dean

You could’ve waited…

But You couldn’t stand the distance…

You wouldn’t bare the silence anymore

Love broke the fall…

Bridged across to reach us…

You opened Heaven’s door…

‘Cause You couldn’t stand the distance!

You saw the love I needed… 

You ran to where I was waiting…

Your love crossed the canyon between us…

You came to save me!

In Your mercy…

You ran to me…

Your forgiveness embraced me…

It called me by name…

Hallelujah!

You couldn’t stand the distance…

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1 John 4:19

“We love because He first loved us.”

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1 John 4:10

“This is love:

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us

and sent His Son

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

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Genesis 5:1

“…When God created mankind,

He made them in the likeness of God.”

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Leviticus 26:12

“I will walk among you

and be your God,

and you will be My people.”

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Revelation 3:20

“Here I am!

I stand at the door and knock.

If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door,

I will come in and eat with that person,

and they with Me.”

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John 15:14-15

“You are My friends

if you do what I command. 

I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from My Father

I have made known to you.”

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Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus

you who once were far away

have been brought near

by the blood of Christ.”

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God could never stand the distance between us…

Or my silence…

And when I no longer could stand it either…

He sent Jesus to bridge the gap…

And we connected!

Amen!

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Need A Revelation? Sing A New Song!

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Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus Your Name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

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2 Corinthians 5:21

“God made Him

who had no sin

to be sin for us,

so that in Him

we might become

the righteousness of God.”

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Revelation 4:8

“Each of the four living creatures

had six wings

and was covered with eyes all around,

even under his wings.

Day and night they never stop saying:

‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,

who was,

and is,

and is to come.'”

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Revelation 22:1-21

Eden Restored

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

down the middle of the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life,

bearing twelve crops of fruit,

yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,

and his servants will serve Him.

They will see His face,

and His name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light.

And they will reign for ever and ever.”

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John and the Angel

“The angel said to me,

‘These words are trustworthy and true.

The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,

sent His angel to show His servants

the things that must soon take place.’

‘Look, I am coming soon!

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.’

I, John,

am the one who heard and saw these things.

And when I had heard and seen them,

I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel

who had been showing them to me.

But he said to me,

‘Don’t do that!

I am a fellow servant with you

and with your fellow prophets

and with all who keep the words of this scroll.

Worship God!’

Then he told me,

‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll,

because the time is near.

Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;

let the vile person continue to be vile;

let the one who does right continue to do right;

and let the holy person continue to be holy.’

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Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

‘Look, I am coming soon!

My reward is with Me,

and I will give to each person

according to what they have done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

the First and the Last,

the Beginning and the End. 

Blessed are those who wash their robes,

that they may have the right to the tree of life

and may go through the gates into the city.

Outside are the dogs,

those who practice magic arts,

the sexually immoral,

the murderers,

the idolaters

and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

 I, Jesus,

have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches.

I Am the Root

and the Offspring of David,

and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say,

‘Come!’

And let the one who hears say,

‘Come!’

Let the one who is thirsty come;

and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:

If anyone adds anything to them,

God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy,

God will take away from that person

any share in the tree of life

and in the Holy City,

which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says,

‘Yes, I Am coming soon.

Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus

be with God’s people.

Amen.'”

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Life’s Not A Snapshot…Hang In There!!

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                          (Photos taken by my husband)

Galatians 6:9

“Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.”

Got a story of rejection???

Defeat???

Trials??

Pain???

Hurts???

Mistakes???

Uncertainty???

Regrets???

Hardship???

Indecision???

Doubts???

Walking in darkness???

Are you scared???

Need some faith???

Some direction???

Is life a bumpy roller coaster ride???

Need some Light in your life???

RIGHT NOW???

To find your way???

Be Brave!

Have Courage!

You’re Not Alone!!

He’s Holding You!

Step Out!

Dare To Believe!

Press On! 

Hang On For The Long Ride!

Fight The Good Fight!

Wait For The Light!

The Dawn Does Come!

This Is Just The Dark Before The Morning!!

Life Is Not A Snapshot!

It May Take Awhile!

Take Some Processing Time!

Processing Time For Your Miracle!

For Your Circumstances To Be Changed!

Through God’s Perfect Plan For You!

For Your Life!!

Hang On!

“Til He Shows You The Bigger Picture!

His Panoramic View!

Of Your Life!

Believe!!

It’s His Best Plan For you!

In The Meantime…

Wait Patiently!

With Great Expectation!

And Use Your Experiences!

To Help Others Along The Way!

Just Wait A Little Longer!

Don’t Feel Compelled To Try To “HELP” God!!

He Doesn’t Need Your Help!

Trust Him Completely!

Amen!!

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Lyrics:

Do you wonder why you have to,
Feel the things that hurt you,
If there’s a God who loves you,
Where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Some day, some how, you’ll see, you’ll see

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
’cause the pain you’ve been feeling,
Can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you’ve been feeling,
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you’re going,
You just don’t know how you get there
So just say a prayer.

And hold on, cause there’s good for those who love God,
Life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
But you’ll see the bigger picture

Once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory

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Lamentations 3:22-24

“Because of the Lord’s great love

we are not consumed,   

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;   

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself,

‘The Lord is my portion;   

therefore I will wait for Him.'”

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Yes…

Say this to yourself ever day!!

To walk the walk of Faith in our Mighty God!

Amen!

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Psalm 30:5

“His anger lasts only a moment,   

His goodness for a lifetime.

Tears may flow in the night,   

but joy comes in the morning.”

“Oh, By The Way…Do We Have Any Gauze?!?”

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That’s how our son greeted us on Tuesday evening…

After walking through the door…

Dropping down his bag…

And saying to our “Crazy Siberian…”

“Oh, please don’t jump on me!!”

Hey!

What’s going on???

He knows our “Precious Little Girl”

Jumps up on everybody who walks through our door…

Especially up on him…

Since he’s been away for five days!!

Also…

What’s with the “gauze” question???

Well…

Crazy story here…

Seems that he and his three friends…

While at the Dragon Conference in Atlanta, Georgia…

–Comic Book/Gaming, etc.–

Saw William Shatner (Captain Kirk) from Star Trek,

Billy Dee Williams (Lando) from Star Wars,

And John Glover from Smallville…

And purchased several fine prop swords…

For a great discount (I learned later…)

Two remarkable swords for only $50.00!

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The third young man went ahead…

And purchased his own REAL fighting sword…

So now three young men…

Out of the four…

Have beautiful, long, shiny swords…

Two quite sharp and real-looking…

And the third sword the real thing!

In one hotel room!

To what???

Play with???

To swing and pretend..

You’re a Ninja Warrior!!

Well, let’s just say…

Because I’m sure we don’t know all the details…

Ha!

The sword of the Friendly Ninja Warrior…

With the prop sword…

Punctured the buttocks of our equally friendly Warrior-Son!!

As I hear it…

And again, I’m sure that in the telling…

We don’t know…

And will never know…

All the gory details…

But…

(Pun intended!  Ha!)

Blood was gushing…

Pain was felt…

Apologies were accepted…

Bandages and Neosporin were purchased…

And friends rallied to…

Help take care of their wounded Warrior friend!

Bleeding stopped…

Pain subsided…

No reason to stop a perfectly good trip…

Or tell the parents…

Who would have insisted…

On a trip to the ER…

For the gaping hole…

Where the sword went in!!

No!

The wound was kept clean…

Bandages were changed…

And the fun continued…

At the Conference…

And the next day at Six Flags!

Mom and Dad called…

To wish their 23 year-old Boy

Man

Now Warrior!

A Happy, Happy Birthday!!

And by then the Warriors had conquered this slight glitch…

And reported that all was well!!

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It brought back memories of my parents never knowing EVERYTHING either!

PLUS: 

Did I tell you in any other posts…

That this kid is blessed???

I was at home praying:

“Dear Lord,

Please put a hedge of protection

Around him…

Wherever he is…

Whoever he’s with…

Whatever he’s doing!”

God’s good, huh?!?!

The kid could have been punctured by the other sword…

The real one…

Or, he could have punctured something other than the backside, fleshy area!!

So I took him to the ER…

On Tuesday night…

So he could get those…

Sterile tape things…

To hold the edges of the wound together…

An antibiotic…

A tetanus shot…

And have a nice conversation with him…

About how blessed he is…

Ha!

To have a God-trusting Mom like me!!

About how MY mother would have freaked out about this…

Since she was shocked at everything…

And how my grandma would have been screaming in Italian…

“O, Mio Dio!”

So he’s getting off easy! 

Ha!

Since, I thought of it as a good blog post!

He thought of it as a good story to tell his kids someday!

And it reminded me that my younger brother…

Was a hazard to my health, too…

As we were growing up!

Once when we were playing with a pretty good-sized wire spring…

It somehow landed in my eyelid…

Grandma was watching us that day…

Hence, the “O Mio Dio” screams!

And once when we had about 6′ of  snow fall in NJ…

With snow drifts up to the windows!

Or, so it seemed to me…

And everything was at a stand-still!

Schools were closed…

No vehicles could get through…

We all went out to shovel snow…

And that same little brother took that shovel to pick up some snow…

And it landed right in the left side of my lip!!!

Emergency police in a jeep had to come get me…

To bring me to the hospital for stitches!

With four kids…

These are only two reasons why my Mom just stayed shocked…

All the time…

While we were growing up!

Thank God…

We all made it to adulthood!!

Who says, it’s dull around here?!?!

Sometimes…

Our prayers are needed just to protect ourselves…

from ourselves!!

Don’t ever apologize…

for being highly blessed by God!

Since that means that…

We Believe…

  Jesus is watching over us at all times!!

He is!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!

Mark 9:22

“Everything is possible

for one who believes.”

(photo of Casey’s sword)

I have to believe

He sees my darkness

He knows my pain

I have to lift up

My hands to worship

Worship His Name

I have to declare

He is my refuge

I have to deny… 

I am alone

I have to lift up…

My eyes to the mountains

Where my help comes from

He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

Oh, I have to stand tall

When the wind blows me over

I have to stand strong

When I’m weak and afraid

I have to grab hold

Of the garments of praise

I know, that I know, that I know

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains…

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to sing praise

When the hour is midnight

He unlocks these chains

That bind up my soul

My sin and my shame

He has forgiven and made me whole

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to believe

He’s got everything under control

I have to believe

Lord, I believe

Help my unbelief

I have to believe in You

I have to believe!

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Mark 11:23-24

“Truly I tell you,

if anyone says to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and does not doubt in their heart

but believes that what they say will happen,

it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.”

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John 11:40

“Then Jesus said,

Did I not tell you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?’”

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Mark 9:24

 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,

‘I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!'” 

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Mark 5:36

“…Jesus told him,

Don’t be afraid;

just believe.’”

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Yes, Lord…

I do believe You’re in control of our lives!

Amen!!

When God Ran

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Luke 15:20

“So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him

and was filled with compassion for him;

he ran to his son,

threw his arms around him

and kissed him.”

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Almighty God…

The Great I Am…

Immoveable Rock…

Omnipotent…

Powerful!!

Awesome Lord…

Victorious Warrior

Mighty Conqueror…

Commanding King of Kings!!

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Yes, He’s Our Almighty God!

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And the only time…

The only time…

I ever saw Him run…

Was when…

He ran to me…

Took me in His arms, held my head to His chest

And said, “My son’s come home again.”

Looked in my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice

He said “Son, do you know I still love you?”

It caught me by surprise when God ran!

The day I left home…

I knew I’d broken His heart

I wondered if

Things would ever be the same…

Then one night…

I remembered His love for me

And down that dusty road, ahead I could see…

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I saw Him running to me!

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It dropped me to my knees…

When God ran…

Holy God…

Righteous One

Who turned my way

Now I know…

You’ve been waiting

For this day!

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When I would run back to You!!

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Luke 15:24

“For this son of mine

was dead

and is alive again;

he was lost and is found.’

So they began to celebrate.”

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If you find yourself in a “pig pen”

Eating what the pigs eat…

Remember the House of your Father…

Come to yourself…

Your Father’s servants have plenty to eat…

Humble yourself…

Get up and go back home!

Your Merciful Father will see you…

And run to you!!

Your Heavenly Father will take you back!

The door is always open to a repentant heart!

The banquet table is ready!

The royal robes are ready!

You will be received by the King!

Rejoice!!

With those who have never left the Father’s House…

Who know that everything He owns is theirs…

Who have known His Abundant Grace…

All along…

It’s time to celebrate!

The lost has been found!!

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Amen!

God, Can You Hear Our Cries to YOU???

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‘Cause We Need You NOW!!!

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Psalm 57:2

“I cry out to God Most High,   

to God

who will fulfill His purpose for me.”

Psalm 84:2

“My soul yearns, even faints,   

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out   

for the Living God.”

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Psalm 88:1

“O Lord, God of my salvation;   

I cry out day and night before You.”

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What’s your story?

Wounded?

Need to be healed?

Yes!

Believe there’s beauty here…

Even when you’re tired of holding on…

Don’t let go…

Move on…

There’s meaning here!

God, how many times have You heard us cry out…

“God please take this?”

How many times have You given us strength…

To just keep breathing?

Oh, Lord, we need You…

God, we need You now!

On a road we didn’t plan

How did we get here?

Help us…

Hear Your still small voice…

Above all the noise…

In the shadows…

We’re so afraid

Please…

Stay right beside us…

With us…

Every single step we take!

We need You!

We need You NOW!!!

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Even Jesus cried out to YOU!

Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,

He offered up prayers

and petitions

with fervent cries and tears

to the One who could save Him from death,

and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

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Lord, hear our cries, also!

We can’t make it on our own!!

Lord, never tire of our cries to You!!!

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Psalm 50:15

“…and call on Me in the day of trouble;   

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

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Psalm 34:17

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears them;   

He delivers them from all their troubles.”

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Ahhhh…

God’s Peace…

Amen!