In my 1st book, Beach Blessings, I share my thoughts about God while enjoying and photographing His beautiful scenery at the beach. The beach gives me time to relax and savor the moving of His Holy Spirit, while listening to the contemporary Christian music on my phone.
I’m praying my book will bring Holy Spirit peace and calm to your heart as you drink in God’s beautiful scenery and learn of His faithful promises to you.
Please feel free to comment, ask questions, share prayer requests, or declare praise reports, when you’re directed by the QR code to my YouTube Channel at the end of my book, or simply share your thoughts while on this blog.
Please take a moment today to listen to the beautiful music and lyrics to: “Beloved” by Jordan Felice and “Testify” by needtobreathe.
Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.”
To get an autographed copy, or copies, of Beach Blessings, simply click on the PayPal button. Each book is $15.00 (+ shipping and handling).
Here’s a great idea, purchase two, keep one and give one as a gift!
Beach Blessings has 6 chapters, contains beach photos taken by me, along with Scriptures, contemporary Christian song suggestions to listen to, and devotional questions at the end of each chapter. Great for Bible studies.
My 2nd book, Let God Build It, and my 3rd book, a Christian fiction illustrated children’s book, called The Little Star That Couldn’t Shine, will both be published soon, also.
feels like one that throws the door open really wide…”
So Come!!
AMEN!!
Come out of sadness From wherever you’ve been Come broken hearted Let rescue begin Come find your mercy Oh, sinner come kneel Earth has no sorrow That Heaven can’t heal Earth has no sorrow That Heaven can’t heal
So lay down your burdens Lay down your shame All who are broken Lift up your face Oh, wanderer come home You’re not too far So lay down your hurt Lay down your heart Come as you are
There’s hope for the hopeless And all those who’ve strayed Come sit at the table Come taste the grace There’s rest for the weary Rest that endures Earth has no sorrow That Heaven can’t cure
So lay down your burdens Lay down your shame All who are broken Lift up your face Oh, wanderer come home You’re not too far So lay down your hurt Lay down your heart Come as you are Come as you are Fall in His arms Come as you are There’s joy for the morning Oh, sinner be still Earth has no sorrow That Heaven can’t heal Earth has no sorrow That Heaven can’t heal
So lay down your burdens Lay down your shame All who are broken Lift up your face Oh, wanderer come home You’re not too far So lay down your hurt Lay down your heart Come as you are Come as you are Come as you are
Oh, yes!!
I come, Lord Jesus, I come!
Revelation 22:17
“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.”
“The simple idea for the chorus of this song, funny enough,
came from when I was on a jog,
and a lot of times I’ll write songs when I run.
I was running on a path where there are some big rocks.
Every time I run down that path, those rocks are there.
There was the weird contrast in my mind and heart
that my mind and my heart are ever-changing and ever-moving,
and there’s this place I come back to where things are always the same.
These rocks are always there.
It popped into my mind that the Rock won’t move.
At that point, I thought of our ultimate Rock,
and that’s Christ.
In the ever changing nature on planet earth,
to know that there’s a firm foundation underneath us,
a God that never changes
and a story of redemption and a salvation that never changes.
I knew right then that I had to put that into a song.”
When the ground beneath my feet gives way And I hear the sound of crashing waves All my world is washing out to sea I’m hidden safe in the God Who never moves Holding fast to the promise of the Truth That You are holding tighter still to me
The Rock won’t move and His word is strong The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone The Rock won’t move and His word is strong The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone The Rock of our Salvation
My hope is in the promise of Your blood My support within the raging flood Even in the tempest, I can sing I’m hidden safe in the God Who never moves Holding fast to the promise of Your Truth That You are holding tighter still to me
Woah, woah, woah… The Rock of our Salvation
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move When darkness seems to hide His face I rest in His unchanging Grace The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move
1 Corinthians 10:4
“For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,
and that Rock was Christ.”
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine,
and does them,
I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
and the rain descended,
the floods came,
and the winds blew
and beat on that house;
and it did not fall,
for it was founded on the rock.
But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine,
and does not do them,
will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
and the rain descended, the floods came,
and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it fell.
And great was its fall.”
Tyler Miller, continues, “Our salvation rests upon His eternally unchanging substitution in our place,
which is the Rock of our Salvation.
It’s the Cross,
and the nature of God that can’t change.
There’s a line in the song that says,
‘I’m holding fast to the promise of the Truth
that You are holding tighter still to me.’
If my hope resides in me,
I’m hopeless,
but my hope resides in God
who doesn’t change.
He’s a covenant keeping God
and He’s chosen to give His love to me,
and that’s a Rock that I can go to always.
No matter what emotional state I’m in,
and no matter the type of day I’m having,
the Rock doesn’t change.
Ultimately, it is a song of hope for the Church.
Everything we do and everything we have
needs to come from the place of who we are in Jesus.”
Proverbs 18:10
“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Tyler says,
“There’s safety and security in the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus.
There’s only one Name under Heaven by which we can be saved:
Jesus.
Trusting completely in the Lord’s Grace for liberty from sin and self-reliance.
‘The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone / The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong, / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone…’
The Rock of our Salvation.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
‘The Rock won’t move, no, the Rock won’t move!’
That’s a wonderful Truth that all followers of Jesus can adopt as their anthem of faith.
There are over 120 passages that reference the rock throughout Scripture.
Our Firm Foundation, Christ the Solid Rock,
is the only ground where we can stand that won’t move
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!
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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…”
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!
To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life.
To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made.
True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.
This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy.
The road is narrow and few will actually find it!
We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way.
Be totally in love with Christ.
Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ.
Don’t just let life happen.
Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free!
Let God change us.
We need to let Him in our life.
We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.
Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ.
We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world.
True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.
Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.
People obsessed with Christ…
Love people and are friends to all…
They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…
They’re humble…
They serve…
They give…
They think about eternity…
They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…
They’re passionately in love with God…
They’re unguarded and open with Him…
They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…
They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ.
They know they’re a child and a friend of God.
Let’s evaluate our lives…
Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????
Taken from: Crazy Love by Frances Chan
Lukewarm is completely useless…
Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…
Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…
Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…
It had no permanent supply of good water…
Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…
But, it would arrive lukewarm…
Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…
Often used for medicinal purposes…
And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…
Both hot and cold water are desirable…
Both are useful for distinct purposes…
All believers can be used of God…
The spiritual state of this church…
More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…
That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…
Neither hot nor cold…
It was putrid!
The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…
Spiritual healing (being hot)…
Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…
Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.
They spread spiritual disease…
What disease?
They believed they were spiritually rich…
When in fact they had gone bankrupt…
They thought they could see…
But they were blind…
They thought they were healthy…
But they were corrupt….
They thought they were fully clothed…
But they were naked…
The difference was in their opinion of themselves…
vs reality…
They thought they were well off…
But they were starving to death…
They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…
Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…
In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…
“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”
The problem with being lukewarm…
And the case against Laodicea…
Revolves around the idea of self-deception…
They were self-deluded…
The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…
Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…
Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,
Lukewarm…
Useless and self-deceived…
They thought they were of great value…
But were hypocritical…
Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…
When in fact they did not…
Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!
Lord…
Help us to be obsessed with You…
Show us where we’re lukewarm…
Give us the strength to deal with these areas…
Do whatever it takes…
For us to please You…
We need constant infilling of Your Presence…
A constant love relationship…
Constant prayer…
Constant worship…
Constant renewing of our minds…
With the Word of God…
We don’t want to be lukewarm:
A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,
A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,
Who no longer brings God glory,
Who no longer accomplishes His will,
Who no longer builds His kingdom.
Refresh!
Rekindle!
Our lukewarm hearts…
Restore!
Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!
Amen!!
Lukewarm is not enough…
Try Crazy Love!
Ahhh…
My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!
Cold and Colder!!
To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…
Hot and Hotter!!
Forget lukewarm!
If a dryer’s not HOT…
Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…
They’re useless…
And so are we!!
Amen!
Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
End Times Bible Prophecy and News, End Times Deception, Societal Collapse, Apostasy, False Christs - Prophets - Apostles - Teachers, Whore of Babylon Church, Opinion, Commentary & Bible Teaching, Demonic Power, War, Rumors of War, Famine, Pestilence, Familiar Spirits,Salvation in Jesus Christ, NWO, UFOs, Earthquakes, Counterfeit Christianity, New World Order, Conspiracies, Nephilim, Giants, Signs and Lying Wonders, End Times Sin & Corruption
A text & video blog striving to honor Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through Bible lessons, devotionals, Sunday School studies and small group studies.
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