Category Archives: Love

We’re Restless! God’s Relentless!!

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So many restless souls looking for God…

Humans seeking rest for the soul…

Restless…

Restless without God…

And restless for God…

Even with so many other people around…

“I think of a time…

That we are not living in now…

When injustice will cease…

When hatred will be overcome with love…

When grace will reign supreme!

And I get restless for that final course…

Are you restless with me, my friends?”

-Jon Foreman from Switchfoot at Heaven Fest 2012-

Isaiah 11:6-9

“The wolf will live with the lamb,  

the leopard will lie down with the goat,

the calf and the lion and the yearling together;  

and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,  

their young will lie down together,  

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,  

and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my Holy mountain,

for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord   

as the waters cover the sea.”

 http://www.intouch.org/god

Pastor Charles Stanley

“Deep down,

there’s a place within each of us

that is made for one thing—

a relationship with God.

No matter how hard we try to cover it up

or fill it with something else,

we will never be satisfied.

Our hearts will remain restless

until they find their home with God.

That deep, hidden part of you is there,

even if you haven’t realized it until now.”

Jesus offers rest to all who will come to Him.

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to Me,

all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.”

God wants us to search for Him while He can be found.

James 4:8

Come near to God

and He will come near to you…”

In searching and praying to know the truth about Him…

He allows Himself to be manifest to you.

James 1:5-7

“So, if any one of you is lacking in wisdom,

let him keep on asking God,

for He gives generously to all

and without reproaching;

and it will be given him.

But let him keep on asking in faith,

not doubting at all,

for he who doubts

is like a wave of the sea

driven by the wind and blown about.

In fact,

let not that man suppose

that he will receive anything from Jehovah;”

We’re restless to find God…

We’re restless for Him to come back for us!

   God’s relentless to find us!

He won’t give up!

Song of Solomon 8:6

“Set Me as a seal upon your heart,

as a seal upon your arm,

for love is strong as death,

jealousy is fierce as the grave.

It’s flashes are flashes of fire,

the very flame of the Lord.”

God’s relentless in pursuing you…

‘Til He has all of you…

Not just a part…

Don’t stay restless…

Relentlessly pursue Him…

“Til you have all of Him!

You won’t relent

Until You have it all

My heart is Yours

I’ll set You as a seal upon my heart

As a seal upon my arm

For there is love that is as strong as death

Jealousy demanding as the grave

And many waters cannot quench this love

Come be the fire inside of me

Come be the flame upon my heart

Come be the fire inside of me

Until You and I are one

John 4:23

“Yet a time is coming

and has now come

when the true worshipers

will worship the Father

in the Spirit and in truth,

for they are the kind of worshipers

the Father seeks.

God is Spirit,

and His worshipers

must worship in the Spirit

and in truth.”

2 Chronicles 16:9

“For the eyes of the Lord

range throughout the earth

to strengthen those

whose hearts are fully committed to Him…”

Relentless!

Luke 15:3-7

“Then Jesus told them this parable:

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep

and loses one of them.

Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country

and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

And when he finds it,

he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

and goes home.

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in Heaven

over one sinner who repents

than over ninety-nine righteous persons

who do not need to repent.'”

Luke 15:8-10

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins

and loses one.

Doesn’t she light a lamp,

sweep the house

and search carefully until she finds it?

And when she finds it,

she calls her friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me;

I have found my lost coin.’

In the same way, I tell you,

there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner who repents.’”

Your God is relentless for you!!

Love Is A Bright Idea Of God’s!!

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2012 Kraft Cheese Commercial:

“Make Something Amazing!

At Kraft, we’re stretching our cheese as far as it can go.

So go ahead, make something amazing!”

Lyrics, based on a song by Mother Mother called “Bright Idea”

I woke up to a light bulb…

Every little thing is possible…

I woke up to a feeling…

Every little thing has meaning…

Now I’m gonna use my two hands…

I’m gonna move a mountain…

I woke up to a light bulb on…

Every little thing is possible now…

Love is a bright idea…

Love is a brilliant plan…

I built my life around a bright idea…

I built my life around the Love that I’ve found!

I woke up to a new day…

Every little thing’s gonna go my way…

I woke up to a perfect thought…

Every little thing in a perfect spot…

Now I’m gonna use my own voice…

I’m gonna sing the song of my choice…

I woke up to a light bulb on…

Everything is possible now…

Love is a bright idea…

Love is a brilliant plan…

I built my life around a bright idea…

I built my life around the Love that I’ve found!

I’m gonna use my two feet…

I’m gonna walk to my own beat…

I woke up to a light bulb on…

Every little thing is possible…

Hey!

Love is a bright idea…

Love is a brilliant plan…

I built my life around a bright idea…

Yes, I have!

I built my life around the Love that I’ve found!

Life is amazing with the Love that I’ve found!!

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…”

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world

that He gave His One and Only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish

but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced

that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us

from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ

and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I now live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me

and gave Himself for me.”

1 John 3:1

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us

is that it did not know Him.”

I John 4:7

“Dear friends,

let us love one another,

for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves

has been born of God

and knows God.”

John 15:9-17

“As the Father has loved Me,

so have I loved you.

Now remain in My love.

If you keep My commands,

you will remain in My love,

just as I have kept My Father’s commands

and remain in His love.

I have told you this

so that My joy may be in you

and that your joy may be complete.

My command is this:

Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

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.

You did not choose Me,

but I chose you

and appointed you

so that you might go

and bear fruit—

fruit that will last—

and so that whatever you ask in My Name

the Father will give you.

This is My command:

Love each other.”

Life Is Amazing With The Love That I Have Found! 

Amen!!

Where Are You???

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I’m at your feet, Lord!

There is nowhere else for me!

My King!

All I need is at Your feet!

My soul sings!

Here at Your feet I lay my life down!

Kneel before His feet!

Pour out your love for the Master!

Pour praise on Him like oil!

You weren’t there the night Jesus found me!

You did not feel what I felt…

When He wrapped His love all around me!

I was a prisoner to the sins that had me bound…

Until the day when Jesus came to me!

And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch!

So now I’m giving back to Him all the praise He’s worthy of!

I’ve been forgiven…

And that’s why I love Him so much!

You don’t know the cost of my praise!

You don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box!!

At The Feet Of Jesus

Sermon by Rodney Burton

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/at-the-feet-of-jesus-rodney-burton-sermon-on-jesus-christ-131517.asp

Luke 10:38-42

 “As Jesus and His disciples were on their way,

 He came to a village where a woman named Martha

 opened her home to Him.

 She had a sister called Mary,

 who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.

 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

 She came to him and asked,

 ‘Lord,

 don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

 Tell her to help me!’ 

 Martha, Martha,’

 the Lord answered,

 ‘you are worried and upset about many things, 

 but few things are needed—

 or indeed only one. 

 Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken away from her.'”

 

“This is where worship occurs.
Every time in the Word
we encounter Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus),
we find her at the feet of Jesus.
The heart of worship is to find ourselves at the feet of Jesus in submission.
How often do we find ourselves there?
Do we really possess a strong desire for God and His presence?
Do we go through life largely consumed with secular pursuits and worldly entertainment,
while the things of God have little place in our lives?

1. At His Feet to Listen to His Words.

a. While Martha was busy,

Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.

b. She was open to what He had to say.

c. She was hungry to know Him and hear from Him.

d. Jesus declared that Mary had chosen the good part.

e. Sometimes we get so caught up like Martha

in trying to do the work and service of Christianity

that we forfeit what is really important.

f. We can get so busy in the doing that we forget the being.

g. The most important thing a Christian will ever do is

worship Jesus,

and the best place to do that is at His feet.

2. At His Feet to Bless and Anoint Him.

a. John 12:3  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard,

an expensive perfume;

she poured it on Jesus’ feet

and wiped His feet with her hair.

And the house was filled with the fragrance

of the perfume.”

Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair.

b. So often people are looking to receive an anointing or blessing from God

rather than looking for opportunities to anoint and bless Him.

c. The highest degree or form of devotion is to give to someone

without the motivation of getting anything in return.

d. Mary’s act was motivated purely by love.

e. A note in the Full Life Study Bible declares,

(Mary’s) faith in and devotion to the Lord

is the highest example of what God desires in believers.

3. At His Feet When He Didn’t Do Things The Way She Wanted or Expected.

a. John 11:32 “When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him,

she fell at His feet and said,

‘Lord, if You had been here,

my brother would not have died.’”

Lazarus was in a tomb.

Surely Jesus could have prevented that.

b. Even though Jesus had not acted in the way Mary had desired,

she still laid at His feet in devotion, submission and worship.

c. The true character of a person’s heart will be revealed

when God acts differently from their desires or expectations.

d. Whenever God is doing things that are beneficial or going your way,

it is real easy to worship Him

and be at His feet.

e. True worship that is genuine and from the heart

comes regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.”

Fall at His Feet!

Always!

Stage 2 Improv…You Got Me Out Of My Funk!! Ha!

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I Love You!

http://stage2improv.net/index.html

http://www.marcoislandflorida.com/article/20130614/ENT/306140015/Naples-based-Stage-2-Improv-adds-show-dates

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130531/ENT/305310024/Stage-2-Improv-opens-Naples

https://www.facebook.com/Stage2Improv

And apparently others do, too!

 Extended by popular demand!

Thursday to Saturday-8 pm

July 11th-13th, July 18th-20th, and July 25th-27th

Yipee!!

I went down on Friday night with my son to see the show a second time…

Hubby stayed home this time ’cause it was too late for him..

I finished a long day of summer cleaning….

Ugh!

Rushed to get ready…

We’re meeting friends there…

He had rehearsal, so I went backstage with my son…

 We peeked into the other theater, and saw a dress rehearsal for Les Miserables!

Talked to cast members, watched them putting on makeup, rearranging chairs and stuff…

They got kicked out of the hallway, because it’s a fire hazard to be there…

Since the cast from Les Miserables took over the dressing room!

Then, I went to get my ticket, and chill before the show…

(No complimentary ticket from my son for the second time!  Ha!)

Got to the box office, and said to the nice lady…

“I’d like one ticket please.”

She looked at me so sweetly and said,“Sold out!”

What!?!?!?!?

I thought she was kidding!

“It’s a very good thing,”

She said…

“Of course it is, I understand that, but…

“My son’s in this show!”

I whined…

Gee, doesn’t that mean anything???

The sweet lady at the box office was sympathetic, but helpless to help me…

So I did what any mature person would do…

I sulked!!

I walked backstage to tell my son I wasn’t going to get to see his show…

The director said…

“Do you want to be in the show???”

This is why these people are so funny!!

They say crazy stuff like that!

I was so desperate, I almost said,

“YES!!!”

‘Til my sanity came back…

And I quietly sat down on a couch in the lobby…

And read my Kindle!

I’ve been reading a great book by Pastor Bill Johnson…

Called…

When Heaven Invades Earth

It’s an awesome book…

About having dominion from God to take authority over the enemy…

In all situations…

Knowing we have the authority in Christ Jesus, and then using it!

Amen!

But I just couldn’t concentrate…

I thought…

“Well, I rode an hour and a half with my son to get here….

  Cut my summer cleaning time short (okay, that’s pushing it…really!!)

And now I’m going to have to find something else to do in Naples for 2 and a half hours!”

No problem!

It’s a beautiful area…

I have my Kindle…

I have my camera…

I can walk up and down 5th Avenue…

Looking in shops…

Going to Starbucks…

Taking photos…

While mingling with the tourists…

It will be a piece of cake!!

But…

I want to see the show again!!

Woe is me 😦

The box office lady told me to come back at 8 pm…

But, she warned me she had no hopes for me getting a ticket!

So, I shut down the Kindle at 7:30 pm…

Went to the bathroom…

And prayed!!

“Dear Jesus…

Please…

I don’t want anyone to be sick, or have a car accident, or anything…

But, if someone simply could not use their ticket…

I would so appreciate it!!”

I was really in a bad funk!

First, from working all year, so that my house is a total wreck…

And I was cleaning all day to try to make a little dent into the major overhaul it needs…

And now, I’m going to miss my son in this show that makes me laugh so hard…

That I can forget my funk!!

My dejected, sulking mood…

So, I kinda just slowly walked to the box office…

And the lovely box office lady looked up at me…

And whispered…

“See that couple???

They don’t have two tickets…

So they might want to sell one…

I can’t get involved…

But, if you want to talk to them, go ahead!!”

“Yes, Yes, Yes!”

I say…

The wife had gone inside to tell someone, that they’re not coming in to see the show…

The husband says…

“It’s her ticket I have to wait ’til she comes out!”

More praying…

Dear Jesus!!

More waiting…

Then out she comes…

Looks at the dear box office lady…

And says…

“Yea, go ahead, do whatever you want with the ticket!”

Box office lady looks at me…

And I say to the pretty lady…

“Can I buy the ticket from you?”

And the lovely, beautifully dressed lady…

Says, as she and her husband walk away…

“No, just take it!!”

“Thank you, Thank you!”

I say…

Hallelujah!!

And Yippee!!

Praise God!

There ya go, enemy!!!

How’s that for answered prayer!!

And taking dominion over my situation!

Ha!

I proudly…

I mean proudly!!!

Walked to the stage  door up to the ticket collector…

And presented my favor from God!!

When she gave me back my ticket stub…

I practically danced to my seat!

Don’t you just love God for His goodness?!?

The show was amazing!

  I laughed and laughed…

Our friends laughed and laughed…

All the people in the audience…

And the adorable 3rd grade little girl siting next to me…

  Laughed and laughed…

One our friends was called up on stage to do sound effects for whatever the cast was acting out…

Very funny stuff!

Oh, you should go…

I highly recommend it!!

Go see it!!

It’s different every time!

The cast is remarkable…

They play off each other so well!

You’ll love the directors, too!!

But, make sure you go on-line first….

TO GET A TICKET!!!

‘Cause they’re selling out each night!

After the show…

We all went to Fridays for a bite to eat…

They’re truly a “fun” group!

Two of our friends from Sarasota joined us at Fridays…

When we were done eating….

They left shortly before we did…

It was already late, and they had a longer ride home…

After we got on the road, they called…

  They had a flat tire and were stuck on the side of highway!

We found them and stopped to help…

  But, soon realized that not one of us knew how to change a tire!!

My cop husband says it’s dangerous to do that, anyway…

People get killed…

Our friend’s Dad told her to just leave the car, have us drive her to the next exit, and get off the highway…

So again, I’m praying….

“Lord, please do not allow a creepy person to stop to help us…

Please give us traveling mercies and keep us safe!”

Just then…

A state trooper came up behind us with his flashing lights on…

  To ask us if we were having trouble!!

An angel…

He had to check on another car, but would come right back…

TO CHANGE THE TIRE FOR US!!

What?!?!?

 My husband’s a retired cop…

So, of course, we called him and woke him up at 12:30 pm at night…

Only seems right, huh???

But he doesn’t believe us…

Because he’s NEVER EVER heard of a state trooper changing a tire!!!

The trooper had a jack and that air pump thing to inflate the spare tire…

What???

My husband couldn’t believe it!!

This “take-dominion-stuff” really works…

Thank you, Jesus!!

Oh, God, You are good!

It was not an easy job…

The trooper worked long and hard because the tire was in shreds and difficult to get off…

He was oh, so close to the line separating the highway with speeding cars, and the shoulder…

I just felt compelled to pray again…

“Dear God, please keep this trooper safe…

Don’t let him get hit by a car while helping us!”

Actually, in FL, a new law states that you must pull into another lane if you see a a police car with lights flashing…

Awesome, what a great law!!

Our friend got her spare tire out, and the trooper finished the rescue…

He told my son that not too many other troopers are set up to change tires…

Angel in disguise!

He said she should be able to get 150 miles on the spare if she drove 5o miles per hour…

It was already late…

And the girl who drove down with her, had to be at work at 7 am…

So she slept through the whole thing in the back seat!

Well, I slept ’til 11:30 am that morning…

And I feel great!

God is good!

The show was great!

And I’m out of my funk!!

Wait!

Gotta go and check on our friend to see if she got home yet!!

Ten Simple Rules!!

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The 10 Commandments – God’s Revelation in the Old Testament
The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible’s Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt: – See more at: http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-Commandments.htm#sthash.bhOr7bFa.dpuf
The 10 Commandments – God’s Revelation in the Old Testament
The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible’s Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt: – See more at: http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-Commandments.htm#sthash.bhOr7bFa.dpuf
The 10 Commandments – God’s Revelation in the Old Testament
The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible’s Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the LORD your God… – See more at: http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-Commandments.htm#sthash.bQMyUs0U.dpuf
The 10 Commandments – God’s Revelation in the Old Testament
The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible’s Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt: – See more at: http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-Commandments.htm#sthash.bhOr7bFa.dpuf
The 10 Commandments – God’s Revelation in the Old Testament
The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible’s Old Testament at Exodus, Chapter 20. They were given directly by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt:“And God spoke all these words, saying: ‘I am the LORD your God… – See more at: http://www.allabouttruth.org/10-Commandments.htm#sthash.UFim2NPI.dpuf
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20
Given directly by God
to the people of Israel
at Mount Sinai
after He had delivered them
from slavery in Egypt…
“And God spoke all these words, saying:
‘I am the LORD your God…'”

I am the LORD thy God
Thou shalt have no other gods
No graven images or likenesses
Not take the LORD’s name in vain
Remember the sabbath day
Honour thy father and thy mother
Thou shalt not kill
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not bear false witness
Thou shalt not covet

 “And, behold, one came

and said unto Him,

Good Master,

what good thing shall I do,

that I may have eternal life?

And He said unto him,

‘Why callest thou Me good?

There is none good but one,

that is, God:

but if thou wilt enter into life,

keep the commandments.’

He saith unto Him,

‘Which?’

Jesus said,

‘Thou shalt do no murder,

Thou shalt not commit adultery,

Thou shalt not steal,

Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Honour thy father and thy mother:

and,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.'”

Matthew 19:16-19

 “Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

For this,

Thou shalt not commit adultery,

Thou shalt not kill,

Thou shalt not steal,

Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Thou shalt not covet;

and if there be any other commandment,

it is briefly comprehended in this saying,

namely,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour:

therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Romans 13:8-10

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 14:15

“Blessed are they that do His commandments,

that they may have right to the tree of life,

and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

Revelation 22:14

Invest In Your Future!

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6-11-13 Lido Key 108

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’

declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future.

Then you will call on Me

and come and pray to Me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek Me

and find Me

when you seek Me

with all your heart.'”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

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This is my son’s favorite verse!

Mine. too!

Along with…

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“Call to Me

and I will answer you

and tell you great

and unsearchable things

you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

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

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 50:15

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God’s plan is to…

Prosper you…

Not harm you…

Give you Hope…

And a Future…

Call on Him…

Come to Him…

Pray to Him…

He will listen to YOU!!!

Seek Him…

Find Him…

With all your heart!!

Call to Him…

He will answer YOU!!

And tell you great and unsearchable things…

You don’t know!!

Call on Him in your times of trouble…

He will deliver you…

And you will honor Him!!

Amen!

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You have now invested wisely in your future!!

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Praise God!!

Jesus, You’re The Lover Of My Soul!!

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“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”
Middle Church Jerriese Johnson Gospel Choir
Tina Cernero, solo (My sister!!)
music by Bach/Wesley
arr. P. Williams-Jones
To learn more about Middle Church visit:
http://www.middlechurch.org

Lyrics to the old hymnal, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” by Charles Wesley, pub. 1740

  1. Jesus, lover of my soul,
    Let me to Thy bosom fly,
    While the nearer waters roll,
    While the tempest still is high.
    Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
    Till the storm of life is past;
    Safe into the haven guide;
    Oh, receive my soul at last.
  1. Other refuge have I none,
    Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
    Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
    Still support and comfort me.
    All my trust on Thee is stayed,
    All my help from Thee I bring;
    Cover my defenseless head
    With the shadow of Thy wing.
  1. Wilt Thou not regard my call?
    Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
    Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—
    Lo! on Thee I cast my care.
    Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
    While I of Thy strength receive,
    Hoping against hope I stand,
    Dying, and behold, I live.
  1. Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
    More than all in Thee I find;
    Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
    Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
    Just and holy is Thy Name,
    Source of all true righteousness;
    Thou art evermore the same,
    Thou art full of truth and grace.
  1. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
    Grace to cover all my sin;
    Let the healing streams abound;
    Make and keep me pure within.
    Thou of life the fountain art,
    Freely let me take of Thee;
    Spring Thou up within my heart;
    Rise to all eternity.

“The lyrics speak of a personal and intimate relationship with Christ.

Revealing Jesus as Lover, Protector, and Provider.

Do you know Jesus that intimately???

Are you filled with His Love???

Can you feel His Protection???

Do you rely on Christ’s Provision???” *

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Hymnal Bible Verse References:

“Praise be to God

 and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 the Father of compassion

 and the God of all comfort.”

 2 Corinthians 1:3

  “…and from Jesus Christ,

 who is the faithful witness,

 the firstborn from the dead,

 and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

 To Him who loves us

 and has freed us from our sins by His blood…”

 Revelation 1:5

 “You have been a refuge for the poor,

a refuge for the needy in their distress,

a shelter from the storm

and a shade from the heat.

For the breath of the ruthless

is like a storm driving against a wall…”

Isaiah 25:4

 “Truly my soul finds rest in God;  

my salvation comes from Him.

Truly He is my rock and my salvation;   

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2

 “My salvation and my honor depend on God;    

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in Him at all times, you people;    

pour out your hearts to Him,    

for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62: 7-8

 “Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:2-5

“For the director of music.

Of David the servant of the Lord.

He sang to the Lord the words of this song

when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies

and from the hand of Saul.

He said:

 ‘I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,   

my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,    

and I have been saved from my enemies.'”

Psalm 18:1

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“Jesus is the lover of my soul

Jesus is my only refuge.

Jesus Christ fulfills all our needs and wants.” *

My Lord is the lover of my soul!

*   http://biblestudies.stores.yahoo.net/jloofmyso.html

For more history about Charles Wesley go to:

http://suite101.com/article/jesus-lover-of-my-soul-a70344

When Did Going On Vacation Become So Difficult???

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Apparently…

When I became an adult…

With responsibilities…

A family…

A job…

A house…

And a dog!!

When we were children…

We just hopped in the car…

And we left!

Okay, so we are packed…

But, it was a rough road to get to this point!! 

This vacation has been planned well in advance…

I’ve been looking forward to it all year…

You know how much I love the beach…

You know how much I love to be at the beach…

To read, to write, to do whatever I feel like doing, or nothing at all!!

But, working part-time this year…

As much of a ministry opportunity as it was…

Has put quite a crimp in my retired lifestyle…

Where all my ministries were challenging…

But, I was a volunteer…

And the beauty of that is that I still had control over my time…

 I’m feeling drained…

I’m really stressed…

I just don’t feel like going on vacation right now…

That’s crazy, I know!!

Plus, my poor, precious Crazy Siberian has not been feeling well lately…

We certainly all love her deeply…

But, we’ve all lost sleep…

Lots of sleep…

We’ve all cleaned up pee, poop, and throw-up…

More times than we care to…

We’ve made multiple runs to the vet with her…

And she definitely, ridiculously, horridly hates the car ride to see the vet!

It’s exhausting!!

We now have a calendar on our kitchen counter…

Just for her…

So we can keep track of all the medicines she’s on…

It’s just like living with a newborn, needy baby…

Which I remember so well…

Or, an ornery, elderly person…

Which I also remember!!

Teaching was so crazy at the end of the year…

That I lost my cool…

And it ceased to be fun…

I had to apologize for my grouchiness to everyone…

There, and at home, too!

 I really just want to stay home…

And vegetate on the couch!

But, no…

Not me!

I decided to tackle the humongous job of cleaning my house from top to bottom!

Starting with the ceiling fans the day after school got out…

My son, the one actually cleaning those fans…

Was not elated!

Well, that’s as far as we got…

When I had to stop cleaning to start packing for this vacation…

While dealing with a sick dog…

I hate packing…

Why can’t all my “stuff” just be there when I get there…

And I don’t do well with unfinished jobs…

So I’ll be planning my next cleaning job…

The blinds and windows…

For when we get back from vacation!

Rats!

Why do I do this to myself?

Please tell me to stop!

Take a deep breath…

Count to ten…

And enjoy my blessings of a wonderful beach vacation…

With my wonderful family…

And the whole summer off from work!

Just tell me, Lord…

I’ll listen to You!!

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“My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5

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“Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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Thank you, Lord!! 

Amen!

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“Blessings crown the head of the righteous…”

Proverbs 10:6

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I love the refrain of the old hymn:

“Count Your Many Blessings”

Count your blessings, name them one by one…
Count your blessings, see what God hath done…
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!!

Here’s A Great Prayer…Lord, That The Lost Get Found!!

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“For the Son of Man

came to seek

and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:10

Hello my friend…
I remember when you were…
So alive with your wide eyes…
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen…
Now you say that it ain’t worth stayin’…
You wanna run but you’re hesitatin’…
I’m talkin’ to me…

Don’t let your lights go down…
Don’t let your fire burn out…
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe…
Why don’t you rise up now?

Don’t be afraid to stand out…

That’s how the lost get found!

So when you get the chance…
Are you gonna take it?
There’s a really big world at your fingertips…
And you know you have the chance to change it…
There’s a girl on the streets, she’s cryin’…
There’s a man whose faith is dyin’…

Love is calling you!

Why do we go with the flow?
Why take an easier road?
Why are we playin’ it safe?
Love came to show us the way…
Love is a chance we should take…
I’m movin’ out of the gray!

Stand out!!

You know you have the chance to change it!!

Love is calling you!!

Take the chance!

Luke 15: 4-24

The Parable Of The Lost Sheep

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep,

if he lose one of them,

doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,

and go after that which is lost,

until he find it?

And when he hath found it,

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home,

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found my sheep which was lost.’

I say unto you,

that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,

more than over ninety and nine just persons,

which need no repentance.”

The Parable Of The Lost Coin

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,

if she lose one piece,

doth not light a candle,

and sweep the house,

and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it,

she calleth her friends

and her neighbours together, saying,

‘Rejoice with me;

for I have found the piece which I had lost.’

Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”

The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

“And He said, ‘A certain man had two sons:

And the younger of them said to his father,

Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

And he divided unto them his living.

And not many days after

the younger son gathered all together,

and took his journey into a far country,

and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all,

there arose a mighty famine in that land;

and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country;

and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat:

and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said,

‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare,

and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,

I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son:

make me as one of thy hired servants.’

And he arose, and came to his father.

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,

and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him,

‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven,

and in thy sight,

and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’

But the father said to his servants,

‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found.’

And they began to be merry.”

God rejoices when one of His lost children…

Is reconciled to Him…

When the lost get found!!

What a great prayer!

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Carry Me…I’m Just A Dead Man!

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“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin

and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,

to make you obey its passions.”

Romans 6:11-12

“What shall we say, then?

Shall we go on sinning

so that grace may increase?

By no means!

We died to sin;

how can we live in it any longer?

Or don’t you know that all of us

who were baptized into Christ Jesus

were baptized into His death? 

Romans 6:1-3

January 1…

I’ve got a lot of things on my mind…
I’m looking at my body through a new spy satellite…
Try to lift a finger, but I don’t think I can make the call…
So tell me if I move, ’cause I don’t feel anything at all…

“But if Christ is in you,

your body is dead because of sin,

yet your spirit is alive

because of righteousness.” 

Romans 8:10

So Carry Me…
I’m just a dead man…
Lying on the carpet…
Can’t find a heartbeat…
Make me breathe…
I want to be a new man!
Tired of the old one…
Out with the old plan…

“For as in Adam all die,

so in Christ all will be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:22

I woke up from a dream about an empty funeral…
But it was better than the party full of people I don’t really know…
They’ve got hearts to break and burn…
Dirty hands to feel the earth…
There’s something in my veins…
But I can’t seem to make it work…

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation;

the old has gone,

the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Can you find a beat inside of me?
Any pulse?
Getting worse?
Inside of me, can you find a beat?

“But because of His great love for us,

God,

who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions-

it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

Thank You for carrying me…

I’m dead inside without You, Lord!!

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