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.”
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
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.”
“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)
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.
Hannah means “grace.”
“My grace is sufficient for you…” God had promised.
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.
Most of all, His grace will enable us to fully enjoy the precious gift of our sweet Hannah.
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.
As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant. And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:
Affordably gorgeous,
Infallible,
Flawless finish,
Brilliant strength,
Liquid power,
Go nude,
Age defying,
Instant age rewind,
Choose your dream,
Nearly naked, and
Natural beauty.
When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with, a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.
But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep, unshakeable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
A father’s words aren’t different words, but they are words with a radically different meaning:
Brilliant strength. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart. May you discern in your center who you are, and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.
Choose your dream. But not from a department store shelf. Find the still-quiet place within you. A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world. And when you have chosen, may you faithfully pursue it, with integrity and with hope.
Naked. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
Infallible. May you be constantly, infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection, may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself, and for everyone around you.
Age defying. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
Flawless finish. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.
Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,
Daddy
Like the last letter I wrote to my daughter, I wrote this first for her and the day I’ll eventually read it to her. But I also wrote it for every woman who needs to hear the words of a father. Women, no one else can define your beauty for you. But they’ll try.
My daughter is four years-old now. If her awakening to the makeup aisle comes at the typical age, I figure we have about five years to radically alter the arc of history and the subjugation-by-image of the female gender. We’ve got a lot of work to do. And it begins in the heart of each and every woman.
Audio: Click here to hear an audio version of this post
Next Post: “The Key to a Man’s Heart (and Why He Gets Road Rage)”
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Disclaimer: My writings represent a combination of my own personal opinions and my professional experiences, but they do not reflect professional advice. Interaction with me via the blog does not constitute a professional therapeutic relationship. For professional and customized advice, you should seek the services of a counselor who can dedicate the hours necessary to become more intimately familiar with your specific situation. I do not assume liability for any portion or content of material on the blog and accept no liability for damage or injury resulting from your decision to interact with the website.
Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing at Alliance Clinical Associates in Wheaton, IL. He is also a writer and blogs regularly about the redemption of our personal, relational, and communal lives. Kelly is married, has three children, and enjoys learning from them how to be a kid again. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
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!
Global Christian Ministry Forum International (GCMF Int’l) is a spiritually focused overseeing international presbytery consisting of national leaders from around the world. The presbytery provides oversight and guidance to GCMF national leaders, working in partnership for the cause of Christ. The mission of Global Christian Ministry Forum International is to link with national Christian leaders and network with them to establish effective ministry organizations in various parts of the world, whereby pastors and Christian leaders can be locally equipped, inspired, and motivated for their unique ministry.
Global Christian Ministry Forum International provides ministry credentials to qualified individuals. Ministry credentials are issued in conjunction with a national leaders’ recommendation coupled with accountability and oversight at the national level.
I’m a licensed minister with GCMF and
I’ve also spent many weeks over the years at Christian Retreat with
Kids-A-Fame Camp and
YEX Youth Camp!
Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL, is certainly…
“an oasis of spiritual refreshment!”
They host conferences, retreats, camping, events, family church, and more…
The facility includes the conference center and church, with hotel style lodging, a cafeteria,
meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a youth center, and outdoor recreation.
As soon as you turn onto Glory Way Boulevard,
you sense the peace that permeates Christian Retreat
located on the banks of the beautiful Manatee River in East Manatee County.
Towering oaks dripping with Spanish moss shade the 110-acre property
that is home to year-round residents, overnight guests, and groups
who use the conference center to host events, meetings and camps.
The speakers at the morning and evening services were phenomenal…
Rev. Eugene Weaver, our GCMF President, Pastor Emmanuel Derry from Trinadad, Dr. Phil Derstine, Pastor of Christian Retreat Family Church, which was founded by his Father, Dr. Gerald Derstine.
The worship/choir music was anointed, also…
Led by Worship Pastor, Rick Giannico, of Glad Tidings Assembly
God has raised Pastor Rick up in this fellowship
and has equipped him to encourage others to fall in love with Jesus
and to make “Melodies from the heart unto the Lord”.
The Lord has blessed Pastor Rick with an ability to write songs, such as;
“‘Indebted”, “‘Lord Of Everything”, “Glory, Glory To The Lamb”‘, “Rescue Me” and several others.
The songs God gives him are specific for a time and season for the ministry of the church.
“In February 2013, we conducted our first crusade in Vero Beach, Florida,
and the Holy Spirit moved mightily.
Then, in September we had our second outreach in the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
There we saw some 20,000 in attendance,
and nearly 2000 people make a decision for Christ!
Now, we will continue across the nation,
Gospel crusade after Gospel crusade, from stadium to stadium.
This is not the day to join the choir of the despaired
but to ‘blow the trumpet of God in Zion.’
This day is the best day ever, because it is the day of salvation.
There will be a crop for God’s glory, not a flop.”
“Evangelism must always lead into the church.
This is a central truth I have practiced everywhere.
I, the evangelist, bring my nets and borrow the boats of the local churches.
Together we will cast our nets into the human ocean
and pull them in to be emptied on the beach.
My promise to you is not to take a single fish
but to leave them all with the local churches.
Then I will dry and mend my nets and move to the next place.”
“I am scanning the skies for men and women
who pray and weep for the salvation of America.
As Bill Bright used to say, ‘Let’s leave our logos and egos.’
Let’s rally at the foot of the Cross of Calvary
And preach the Gospel of salvation to the nation.
The Holy Spirit will cooperate.
God is pouring out His Spirit
With glorious indifference to our differences!
He said, ‘I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh.’
And it seems to me He pours Himself into the mold of any vessel.
Please determine how you and your church
can participate in any of these upcoming crusades.”
“The primary truth about God is that He is the Deliverer, the Emancipator, and the Savior.
He is God only to the free.
Faith is a venture that turns life into an adventure.
Doubts get us nowhere.
They are mooring ropes.
Believing God means we cast off,
like ships designed for riding the high seas and going somewhere.
Faith inspires. Doubt paralyzes.
Faith says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
Unbelief does nothing.
Faith in God is exciting.
I’m an incurable believer, and I don’t want to be cured!
God bless you!”
Rev. Reinhard Bonnke, Evangelist
hwww.facebook.com/evangelistreinhardbonnkettps://
I walk the streets of London And notice in the faces passing by Something that makes me stop and listen My heart grows heavy with the cry
Where is the hope for London? You whisper and my heart begins to soar As I’m reminded Every street in London in Yours, oh yes, it is
I walk the dirt roads of Uganda I see the scars that war has left behind Hope like the sun is fading They’re waiting for a cure no one can find
And I hear children’s voices singing Of a God who heals and rescues and restores And I’m reminded That every child in Africa is Yours
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours You’re the Maker and Keeper Father and Ruler of everything, it’s all Yours
And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai I brush by the beggar’s hand and the wealthy man And everywhere I look I realize
That just like the streets of London For every man and woman, boy and girl All of creation This is our Father’s world
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours You’re the Maker and Keeper Father and Ruler of everything
It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God It’s all Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God All the honor is Yours, God The power is Yours, God The glory is Yours, God You’re the King of kings And Lord of lords
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours All the greatness and power The glory and splendor and majesty Everything is Yours, yeah, it’s all Yours
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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