Category Archives: Remain in Christ

Grace? Walk Right In!

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Grace means:

To get something that you do not deserve;

Unmerited favor

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John 1:14

“The Word became flesh

and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His glory,

the glory of the One and Only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

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Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God—

not by works,

so that no one can boast.”

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You’re standing with your list of regrets that you can’t get past yourself
You wish so bad that you could make the mark
But your dreams are stuck on a shelf
And all you wanna do is turn back time
And redeem the days you lost
But shame keeps calling out your name
The chains refuse to fall

But it’s not over, it’s not over
This is the moment grace walks in
With arms wide open, arms wide open
To tell you this is not the end
When doubt is strong and your will is weak to even believe again
That’s when grace, that’s when grace walks in

You once believed that you could change the world
With a fire deep in your soul
Your faith was strong and the call was clear
You were sure you could make a new road
Like so many the flame grew dark
And your confidence hit the wall
There always seems to be a lot of big questions
But the answers seem so small

Just in the nick of time
Right there to save our lives
Grace is greater
Grace is greater

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2 Corinthians 12:8-9

“Three times I (Paul)

pleaded with the Lord

to take it (the thorn in my flesh) 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.”

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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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2 Peter 1:2

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance

through the knowledge of God

and of Jesus our Lord.”

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John 1:16

“From the fullness of His grace

we have all received one blessing after another.”

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Romans 3:23-24

“…for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God,

and all are justified freely

by His grace

through the redemption

that came by Christ Jesus.”

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2 Corinthians 8:9

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that though He was rich,

yet for your sake He became poor,

so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

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2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself

and God our Father,

who loved us

and by His grace

gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you

in every good deed and word.”

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Grace is at the heart of the Gospel message!

To accept God’s grace…

Means to live in thankful response!

We don’t deserve God’s grace!

Yet, He has chosen to give it to us!

We should be moved to give our all to Him!

Amen!!

It’s Simple! Just Call His Name!!

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Jesus!!  Jesus!!  Jesus!!

Can’t Breathe???

Don’t feel loved???

You belong…

In His arms!!

Feel alone?

No one cares?

 Just want to get away ?

CALL HIS NAME!!

JESUS!

Your hope has died?

He’ll give your heart all it could ever want!!

And so much more!

Call His Name!

Say it now!

Whisper it!

Or say it loud!

Never doubt!

The love He has for you is so alive!!!

Just Call His Name!!

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Philippians 2:9

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

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Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

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Acts 2:21

“And everyone who calls  

on the name of the Lord will be saved.

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God grant our requests…

We come You…

In the Name of Your Son…

In the Name of Jesus!

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Amen!!

Check With God!

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Many people say many things…

I’d like you to_____

I wish that you would_____

Why can’t you_____

You really should_____

Why don’t you_____

You need to_____

I can’t understand why you won’t_____

Don’t____

Oh, you must_____

When will you_____

Stop thinking about_____

Stay on track with_____

Take responsibility for_____

How can you_____

We need you to_____

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And expect you to do many things…

Stay calm

Get excited

Go to work

Stay Home

Have a baby

Make more money

Have another baby

Quit your job

Volunteer

Help out more

Be a great Mom/Dad

Step up

Be a team player

Care for your parents

Give some money

Give more time

Teach your kids

Be perfect

Focus on your job

Cook healthy meals

Keep in shape

Be organized

Be spontaneous

Clean the house

Go have fun

Work hard

Be studious

Mow the lawn

Be polite

Be assertive

Plant a garden

Handle a sick child

Create holiday traditions

Keep in touch with the in-laws

Understand your spouse

Be strong

Be ladylike

Be manly

Be sensitive

Be independent

Send cards

Buy gifts

Delegate

Pay the bills

Organize the carpool

Find anything in the house that’s lost

Read minds

Be confident

Have a sense of humor

Always have an alternate plan ready

Fix the toilet

Save for college

Sign up for classes

Look good

Read your Bible

Spend time with your family

Get everyone ready for back-to-school

Supervise homework

Help at church

Service the car

Throw a party

Buy groceries

Redeem coupons

Bake cookies for school

Watch the news

Run errands

Change your hairstyle

Lose some weight

Buy new clothes

Join a gym

Read more

Take care of pets

Do the laundry

Pick up the kids

Plan the vacation

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Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

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Whew!!

This is exhausting stuff…

Trying to please everyone!

STOP!

Check with God!!

Say, “I’ll pray about it!”

Be who He wants you to be!

That’s what pleases Him!!

1 John 5:14-15

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us—

whatever we ask—

we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

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Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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John 8:28-29

So Jesus said,

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man,

then you will know that I am He

and that I do nothing on My own

but speak just what the Father has taught Me.

The One who sent Me is with Me;

He has not left Me alone,

for I always do what pleases Him.”

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Proverbs 16:7

“When a man’s ways please the Lord,   

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

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Trying to do it all???

Relax!

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Ask in prayer and obey!!

Jesus will give you joy for the things He wants you to do!

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Let Jesus take your burdens to lighten your load!

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Don’t be pressured by the world!

Psalm 118:8

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.”

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You’re confidence is in Christ!!

The opinion that matters is His!

1 Timothy 2:5

“For there is one God

and one mediator between God and mankind,

the man Christ Jesus…”

Simplify your life!

Listen to One Voice!

The world doesn’t dictate…

The culture doesn’t define…

God’s voice is the loudest…

At all times!!

Before you take a new job…

Take on a new volunteer position…

Do another chore…

Let go of things God says are not yours!!

Suggested reading: 

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

Kingdom Woman-Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities by Tony Evans and Chrystal Evans Hurst

“…your life flows through different seasons.  Each of these seasons carries with it different time constraints, blessings, and demands.  To try to do all things without being cognizant of the season you are in is the surest way to burnout and even bitterness…Yet God never said that you would receive praise for trying to please others….Place what God says and what God requires as the highest priority in your life.”  Chrystal Evans Hurst

Teachers…Parents Are Sending You The Best That They Have!!!

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Give Them The Best You Have!!

A Back-To-School Lesson!

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Romans 12:7

“If your gift is serving others,

serve them well.

If you are a teacher,

teach well.”

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Titus 2:7-8

“In everything

set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned,

so that those who oppose you

may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

For additional verses about teachers, go to:

http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-teachers.html

Where according to:

Prayers for Special Help,

“These Bible verses about teachers enlighten us

first on the exceptional responsibility that one has while teaching.

Due to the impact a teacher has on a student,

one quote warns us that teachers will be judged

with a greater strictness than others.

Jesus is often called a teacher

and he himself confirmed that he was one;

the apostles were also teachers.

The teaching passages above

also insist that the ability to teach is a gift

in which the teacher serves others

and leads by example

with the objective to make the students

as wise as the teacher.

It is the teacher’s task to study,

handle the truth correctly,

and teach accurate information

while treating the pupil with respect.

These quotes identify integrity,

dignity,

faithfulness,

and lack of hypocrisy

as traits that the teacher should possess.

Overall, the teacher is warned about too much study

that does not focus on the fear of God

and living a godly life.”

Humbling stuff, huh???

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James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom,

you should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault,

and it will be given to you.”

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Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

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Luke 12:12

“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time

what you should say.”

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2 Timothy 3:14-17

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it,

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed

and is useful for

teaching,

rebuking,

correcting

and training in righteousness,

so that the servant of God

may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

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Deuteronomy 11:18-21

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;

tie them as symbols on your hands

and bind them on your foreheads.

Teach them to your children,

talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down

and when you get up.

Write them on the door frames of your houses

and on your gates,

so that your days

and the days of your children

may be many in the land the Lord

swore to give your ancestors,

as many as the days

that the heavens are above the earth.”

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Lord,

Teachers are going Back-To-School now!

We need Your help!!

Please help us to show Your love!

Even when our days are chaotic!

Especially, when our days are chaotic!!!

Amen!!

Come To Your Senses! Get Down! Go Back Home!

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The way up is to get down!

This was our sermon on Sunday!

It’s the cure for…

“Give me!”

“Notice me!”

“Poor me!”

When it really should be…

“Search me!”

“Make me!”

It means…

Total surrender!

To Jesus!!

Two examples…

King Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 4: 33-37

“Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.

He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox.

His body was drenched with the dew of heaven

until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle

and his nails like the claws of a bird.

At the end of that time,

I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven,

and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High;

I honored and glorified Him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.

He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back His hand or say to Him:

‘What have you done?’

At the same time that my sanity was restored,

my honor and splendor were returned to me

for the glory of my kingdom.

My advisers and nobles sought me out,

and I was restored to my throne

and became even greater than before.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,

praise and exalt and glorify the King of Heaven,

because everything He does is right

and all His ways are just.

And those who walk in pride He is able to humble.

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-24

Jesus continued:

There was a man who had two sons.

The younger one said to his father,

‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’

So he divided his property between them.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had,

set off for a distant country

and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

After he had spent everything,

there was a severe famine in that whole country,

and he began to be in need.

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country,

who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

He longed to fill his stomach with the pods

that the pigs were eating,

but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said,

‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare,

and here I am starving to death!

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son;

make me like one of your hired servants.’

So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off his father saw him

and was filled with compassion for him;

he ran to his son,

threw his arms around him

and kissed him.

The son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants,

‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.

Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;

he was lost and is found.’

So they began to celebrate.”

There’s a downside to being puffed up…
Our inside is empty of the one thing…
Our heart truly needs
We feel invincible…
It’s always all about us!
Let’s love Him like we should…
Like He loves us!
Through bad and good…
And finally figure out where happiness is found!
In the midst of sadness…
  We are closer to Him now…
And that’s the upside of down!
It’s all switched around…
I was lost and now I’m found!
The upside of down!!
He is “more” in our “less…”
He is strength in our weakness…
Don’t go back again
His sunshine ends the rain!!
Don’t return to your old ways…
Don’t be a fair- weather friend!
The upside of tragedies…
Is knowing He’s holding your heart always…
Always!!!
  We may be down…
But find the joy in the pain…
The upside of down!
It’s all switched around…
I was lost and now I’m found!
The upside of down!!
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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What A Web We Weave…

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The other day…

My husband called me outside on the lanai…

“Come quick!

Bring your camera!

Here’s a shot of a lifetime!!”

At first, I just couldn’t see it!

What was he pointing at???

Then, I moved closer…

And the light shifted…

And suddenly…

I saw this beautiful spider’s web!!!!!!

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It was huge!

Oh, so perfect!

Nice to look at…

But, if I was a tiny, little, helpless fly…

I would be tempted to fly into that web…

Which is soooo attractive to me!

And get hopelessly caught!!

Don’t get caught in a web of the devil’s lies!!

Sin may look beautiful…

Even bring temporary pleasure…

But it’s a death trap!!

Just like this beautiful spider web is…

To the spider’s prey!

The enemy of our soul…

Seeks to steal from us…

Ensnare us…

Entangle us…

Kill us…

And destroy us!!

He uses beautiful counterfeit!

It’s hard to see his tricks!

Let Jesus shine His Light…

At just the right angle…

And you’ll be able to suddenly see…

The devious plans…

The enemy has for you!

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

Turn away…

And embrace God’s Plan for your life!!

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘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.'”

Ahhh…

I love this promise of God!!!

Mom Brown’s Legacy Lives On…

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This was written by my dear cousin…

To read at the funeral…

To honor her Mother-in-law…

When she passed from this earth…

into the loving arms of our…

Lord Jesus Christ...

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 “My Mother-in law,

who we called Mom Brown,

touched so many,

 in so many different and amazing ways,

myself included!

I can relate story after story concerning the generosity,

kindness, spiritual wisdom, and guidance

she bestowed on this fast talking,

hard to understand at times,

Jersey Girl.

But I have selected one powerful,

life changing example

that began over 24 years ago,

just after I married her son.

    She gave me a gift,

the first book of many that followed.

It was a book entitled,

My Utmost for His Highest

by Oswald Chambers.

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It is a daily devotional

that has a month and day at the top of each page,

common to most devotionals on the market today.

However, at this time in my life,

I had never purchased one

and was unfamiliar with its true purpose.

I started reading it daily on July 1, 1989

and when I completed the June 30th reading a year later,

I stored it on my library shelf,

feeling a sense of accomplishment

that I had made my way through a year of these very deep

and complicated writings by a man who lived in the nineteenth century.

A few weeks later, Mom asked me

if I was reading the book she gave me.

I replied,

“Yes, I finished it and placed it on my library shelf for safe keeping.”

I have to admit, her response set me back a bit.

She said, “Oh, no,

you have to keep reading it,

year after year,

and each year it will mean something different to you

and you will understand it better and better,

as the years pass.”

The thought of getting the book off the shelf

and reading it again really didn’t appeal to me.

However, the excitement and enthusiasm in her reply

motivated me to give it a shot.

     This book has become one of my most prized possessions.

I carry it on every trip I take,

and read it every day.

And you know what?

Mom Brown was absolutely,

positively right!

Each year it provides more incite into the woman who gave it to me

and her best friend,

Jesus!

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My husband and I started reading it together,

most likely around 1999.

I don’t know why it took me 10 years to start sharing it with him,

but maybe it was because I understood the passages more and more

and realized,

“You don’t keep something so special to yourself!”

We both read it every morning still to this day.

However, because my copy has a broken binding

and many pages are loose and on occasion fall to the floor,

and also because there are so many of my written notes covering the pages;

My husband purchased his own leather bound copy several years ago.

He realized I was never replacing mine.

We have grown so much spiritually, both individually and together as a couple,

thanks to our dear departed Mom

who read this book every day of her life for over 40 years

and lived the scriptures quoted in it to the max!

I have been so blessed to have known her

and to have her influence in my life.”

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  Proverbs 1:8

…and do not forsake your mother’s teachings.

They will be a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

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 “I always keep extra copies on hand to pass out to others.

I have several with me today

and if anyone would like one of these books,

please take it before you leave.

I would like you to think of it,

not as a gift from me,

     but instead a gift from Mom Brown…

  so her legacy can live on!

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Can You See A Change In Me???

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Oh, Yeah!!

I’ve been Reborn!!

If you see a change in me…

Don’t wonder…

There’s Someone in my life…

A Peace I can’t describe…

 I’ve been Reborn!

I’ve found a whole New Life

And Hope that I can’t hide!!

 Have you ever felt…

A longing

A searching in your soul…

For something more?

But, you don’t know what for…

There’s One who will reach across the distance…

From Heaven to the earth…

Because He loves you…

He loves you!!

A Peace I can’t describe… 

Have you ever felt that something’s missing

Within your soul?

You want something more..

But, you don’t know what for…

There is only One you need

But, you’ve got to Believe

That He loves you!

Enough to give His life!!

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Oh Yeah!!
It’s time for a change!!
Go ahead!
He loves you!!!
 Be Reborn!

Lord, It’s Always Been About You!!!!

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Revelation 1:8

“I Am the Alpha and the Omega,”

says the Lord God,

“who is,

and who was,

and who is to come,

the Almighty.”

John 1:1-3

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through Him all things were made;

without Him nothing was made

that has been made.”

Song lyrics:

Out Here, The Greatest Love Is Bold…

Out Here, The Greyest Skies Are Gold…

Out Here, It’s All Laid On The Line…

Out Here, You’re Always On My Mind…

And It’s Always Been About Love…

It’s Always Been About Grace…

It’s Always Been About Hope

And It’s Always Been About Faith

It’s Always Been About Peace…

It’s Always Been About Truth…

Oh, Everything That’s Ever Been Before

It’s Always Been About You…

Out Here, We’re Running With The Light

Out Here, We’re Breaking Up The Night…

Out Here, The Lost Are Coming Home…

‘Cause Out Here…

No One Goes Alone…

And It’s Always Been About Love

It’s Always Been About Grace…

It’s Always Been About Hope…

And It’s Always Been About Faith…

It’s Always Been About Peace

It’s Always Been About Truth…

Oh, And Everything That’s Ever Been Before

It’s Always Been About You!

We Will Run For You!

Always Been About You!

We Will Go For You!

Always Been About You!

We Will Fight For You!

We Will Run!

We Will Go!

Oh, We Will Fight!

Oh, With Everything!

It’s Always Been About You!!!

Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were born  

or You brought forth the whole world,  

from everlasting to everlasting

You are God.”

Lord…

In my life…

It still is…

All About You!!!

Amen!

7-17-13 Calvary & Gilchrist 077