Category Archives: Light pushes out darkness

My 1st book, Beach Blessings, has been published!

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Hey, everyone! Letting you know what I’m up to!

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.

All God’s Blessings! Pastor Renée Joyce Debrowski

Have You Finally Figured Out…What Christmas Is Really All About?!?!

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It’s Christmas time again…

Spread some good cheer…

Volunteer…

Sing!

Grin from ear to ear… 

Christmas time is here!!

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Christmas has nothing to do…

With livin’ for yourself…

Let the Light of Christmas shine through…

Your eyes, your smile…

You know you can…

Shine on…

Through the good you do for the people that don’t have it so good!

Light up…

Show the way…

Don’t wait for Christmas Day!

Light up…

And finally figure out…

What Christmas is all about!!

Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!

Hear the sound?

A thousand angels singing out!

To God Almighty.. .

We’re bowing down…

And that’s what Christmas is all about!!

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Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and will call Him Immanuel.”

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Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a Son is given,
    and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of His government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over His kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Amen!

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!!

I Didn’t Understand Its Value…

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We’re talking about…

My husband’s prized…

Signed Baseball!

That he’s had since he was a kid!

From the 1957 World Series Yankees!!

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1957ws.shtml

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ws_recaps.jsp?feature=1957

With 28 signatures…

Including…

Manager-Casey Stengel,

Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Moose Skowron, Bobby Richardson, Hank Bauer, and the other teammates;

Plus Joe DiMaggio who was in the dug out with my husband (who was 10 years old at the time) and his Dad.

My husband’s dad knew them from the Newark league…

Before they played with the Newark Bears…

Which at the time was the Triple A Yankee minor league!!

They were watching the Yankees at batting practice…

Hank Bauer got in the dug out and said to everyone…

“Sign the ball for the kid!”

The Yankees lost that game to Warren Spahn…

But my husband really cherished that ball!

He says it’s worth about $4,000-$5,000!

Well…

When our sweet little boy was around two years old, perhaps…

I remember he and I were at home, while my husband was at work…

I was trying to wrap Christmas presents…

 My rambunctious, little guy was no help at all!!

Sooooooo…

Wanting to distract him…

So I could get this job done…

 I grabbed this treasured ball of my husband’s…

And gave it to the child to play with!!!!!

I know…

If you’re a baseball fan…

Or even a collector of anything…

You’re horrified!!!

It’s beyond belief!

I know!!!

But, not being a guy…

Or a very sports-minded girl at all…

I just didn’t know its value!!

Soooo…

In walks hubby…

Who is horrified as he sees his two year old…

Gumming Mickey Mantle’s signature!!

He looks at me, “Are you Crazy???”

“What?” I say!

He grabs it…

And stomps out of the room…

Well…

We’re still together after 36 years…

But, I haven’t seen that baseball since!

“Where is it???”

I ask, as I’m writing this…

“Where you can’t get at it!”

He replies!

Wise move!!

Our son is 23 now…

And we may have grandchildren someday…

Who need to be distracted, too! 

Ha!

Lord…

You’re seated above…

Enthroned in the Father’s love…

Destined to die…

Poured out for all mankind…

God’s only Son…

Perfect and spotless One…

You never sinned…

But suffered as if You did…

All authority…

Every victory is Yours…

Savior…

Worthy of honor and glory…

Worthy of all our praise…

You Overcame!!

Jesus…

Awesome in power forever…

Awesome!

And great is Your Name…

You Overcame!

Power in hand…

Speaking the Father’s plan…

You’re sending us out…

Light in this broken land…

We will overcome…

By the blood of the Lamb…

And the word of our testimony…

Everyone overcome!!

Because You Overcame!

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Savior…

I see and understand your value…

You’re worthy of all our praise!

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John 16:33

“I have told you these things,

so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

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Revelation 12:11

“Our people defeated Satan   

because of the blood of the Lamb   

and the message of God.

They were willing   

to give up their lives.”

Amen!

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Recognize His Value!

Rejoice!!!

He has Overcome!!

Ready? Or Not??

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Luke 12:39-40

“But understand this:

If the owner of the house

had known at what hour the thief was coming,

he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be ready,

because the Son of Man

will come at an hour

when you do not expect Him.”

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1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

“For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven,

with a loud command,

with the voice of the archangel

and with the trumpet call of God,

and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that,

we who are still alive and are left

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Don’t try to cover your “Shine!”

Or try to stay “In the lines!”

Don’t hide!

No! 

Don’t take your light…

And try to fit it in a box!

Be confident in Who you belong to!!

Ready or not!

Here you go!

Showing the world where the Light comes from!

Whether they’re ready or not…

This is who you are!

You can’t hide it…

Take it all over the world!

To the young, to the old, every boy and girl…

Ready or not, here you go!

Show the world where the love is!

Never sell out!

Loving out loud is what it’s all about!

Give everything to see the lost get found!

Refuse to keep this buried deep inside… 

It’s time to let your little light shine!

No point hiding it

It’s everything You are…

The source of all your hope

The reason why you stand

Be somebody real!

No holding back!

Show them how you feel…

Love is more than a word

Put it into action…

Hiding it is absurd!

Make sure everyone’s heard…

Everyone needs to be ready!!!

Show them where the love is!!

And where your Light comes from!!

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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.”

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Ephesians 5:8

“For you were once darkness,

but now you are Light in the Lord.

Live as children of Light…”

Lord, What Am I Missing??? Give Me Your Eyes!!

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Oct.2013 Sunrise 001                         (This beautiful sunrise photo-by my friend, Marian!)

What’s Wrong With Seeing With My Own Eyes ???

Isaiah 5:21

“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes   

and clever in their own sight.”

Proverbs 23:26

“My son, give Me your heart   

and let your eyes delight in My ways,”

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What Does God See Through His Eyes???

Job 28:24

“…for He views the ends of the earth   

and sees everything under the heavens.”

Job 34:21

“His eyes are on the ways of mortals;   

He sees their every step.”

Psalm 33:13-15

“From Heaven the Lord looks down   

and sees all mankind;

from His dwelling place He watches   

all who live on earth—

He who forms the hearts of all,   

who considers everything they do.”

Matthew 6:4-6

“…so that your giving may be in secret.

Then your Father,

who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.”

2 Chronicles 16:9

“For the eyes of the Lord

range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts

are fully committed to Him…”

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How Does God See Us Through His Eyes???

Zechariah 2:8

“For this is what the Lord Almighty says:

‘After the Glorious One has sent me

against the nations that have plundered you—

for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—'”

Psalm 33:18

“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,   

on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,”

Mark 8:18

“Do you have eyes but fail to see,

and ears but fail to hear?

And don’t you remember?”

Matthew 6: 22-23

“The eye is the lamp of the body.

If your eyes are healthy,

your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eyes are unhealthy,

your whole body will be full of darkness.

If then the light within you is darkness,

how great is that darkness!”

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath

There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, he’s buying time

All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes just moving passed me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well, I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You see the people all alone

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What Does It Mean To Have God’s Eyes???

Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge,

or you too will be judged.

For in the same way you judge others,

you will be judged,

and with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye

and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

How can you say to your brother,

‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’

when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,

and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Psalm 19:8

“The precepts of the Lord are right,   

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,  

giving light to the eyes.”

Matthew 13:13-16

“This is why I speak to them in parables:

‘Though seeing, they do not see;   

though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;   

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   

they hardly hear with their ears,   

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,   

hear with their ears,   

understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see

and your ears because they hear.”

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When You Pray…

“Lord, Give Me Your Eyes!!”

Be Prepared To See What You’re Missing…

To Really See What God Sees!!

Are You Ready???

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“Yes, Lord…

I don’t want to see…

With my eyes…

They see nothing beyond myself in the mirror…

With my heart…

  It feels nothing beyond my own little safe world…

My arms…

  They touch nothing for eternity…

And only reach for pleasures in this life…

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I NEED…

Your Eyes, Lord…

They see lost and hurting people everywhere…

Direct me to them…

So I can minister through Your Holy Spirit!

Your Heart, Lord…

Which feels deep love for everyone of Your children…

So I can learn to love like You do!

Your Arms, Lord…

That reach around the world…

Embracing all humanity…

With your magnificent and abundant love…

For eternity!

Use me, Lord…

To see, love, and reach!!”

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.”

Lord, Whenever Needed: Undo What I’ve Become!!

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You have my permission!!

Whatever it takes!

If it doesn’t line up with Your Word…

Or Your plan for my life…

I’ll need an…

Undo!”

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1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins

and purify us

from all unrighteousness.”

Been here before, and again…

At the door, please let me back in…

I’m known to be a prodigal…

Please, Lord…

Turn me around…

Pick me up

Undo what I’ve become!

Back to the place…

Of forgiveness and grace!

Need You…

Need Your help…

Can’t do this myself

I know…

You’re the Only One who can undo…

What I’ve become!

Focused on the score…

Could never win…

Tried to ignore…

Hiding my sin

Hypocrite…

Lead me back…

To You!

Through forgiveness and grace!!

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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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Hebrews 10:17

“Then He adds:

‘Their sins and lawless acts   

I will remember no more.’”

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Psalm 103:11

“…as far as the east is from the west,   

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

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Hebrews 4:16

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace

to help us in our time of need.”

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Oh, Lord…

This is where I belong…

With You!!

Amen!

Light Pushes Back Darkness!!

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Josh Wilson’s story behind…

“Pushing Back the Dark”

http://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/posts/07-18-13/story-behind-pushing-back-dark

“I was in seventh grade.

It was five minutes until our Wednesday night youth service,

and I was hiding,

sitting on the cold tile of a bathroom in a dark corner of our church.

They were about to start the worship music,

and I was supposed to be playing guitar.

I told them I was sick and couldn’t go.

I wasn’t sick.  I was scared.

I was scared of what everyone else might think of me.

 

What if I messed up?

 

What if I failed miserably?

 

God had given me a talent and passion for music,

 

but I was afraid to use it.

 

To this day, the darkness of doubt pushes me to avoid my calling.

 

Last year, as I was working on this album (Carry Me),

 

that darkness became tangible

 

as I began to struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.

 

At one point, I thought I might have to quit music altogether.

 

But God promises to never leave or forsake us,

 

and He kept that promise.

 

As he carried me through the rest of the record,

 

I realized that there will always be darkness pushing me to hide.

 

At some point, though, every Christ-follower

 

has to realize that we carry a sacred,

 

burning light that is infinitely more powerful than the lies of the enemy.

 

Your light might seem small,

 

but even the smallest act of love can illuminate the shadows.

 

To every single mother,

 

every missionary,

 

every doctor

 

and poet,

 

every seventh grader who is scared to sing in youth group,

 

every truck driver,

 

politician,

 

and school teacher,

 

anyone who is rich,

 

poor,

 

young

 

or old:

 

someone else desperately needs the light you carry.

 

I think it’s time that we each take that light

 

and start pushing back the dark.

Ultimately, this difficult season has caused me

to rely on God’s strength

to carry me through each day.

I’ve been praying more often and more earnestly,

and I’m thankful that coming to the end of myself

has brought me so close to a

Father and Savior

who loves me and will never leave me.”

Oh, yes, this is so true!!

There are a million reasons not to try!!

When you’re just one candle in the dark…

Where the shadows are scary…

Thinking you don’t have what it takes!!

Do you dare to try to make a change?

Never underestimate the God you follow!

Don’t look back…

Somebody needs the light you have!

Don’t lose heart…

Keep on pushing back the dark!!

Be a shining city on a hill…

Every sinner saved by grace…

Has a purpose and a place!

Sometimes we don’t understand the bigger plan!

Just keep walking on…

To see His Kingdom come!

 Let your lights all shine…

He’s the Light that burns inside your soul…

You’ve got keep shining for the whole world to know…

Even when you feel like you’re too small…

We all need to shine…

Like sunrise through the window…

A symphony crescendo…

Wake up…

Rise from the dead…

Shine like stars…

Pushing back the dark!!

With your lights!

Push back the darkness at every step…

Light pushes back darkness!!

Amen!!

1 John 1:5

“This is the message we have heard from Him

and declare to you:

God is light;

in Him there is no darkness at all.”

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