Category Archives: The Word

Jun13

“I Pledge Allegiance…”

Posted on June 13, 2013 by sagescenery

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We do these pledges at our school every day:

To The Flag Of The United States Of America…

I pledge allegiance to the Flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands:

one Nation under God, indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice for all.

To The Christian Flag…

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag

and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands.

One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again

with life and liberty to all who believe.

To The Holy Bible…

I pledge allegiance to the Bible

God’s Holy Word, and

I will make it a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path, I will hide its words in my heart

that I may not sin against God.

What a great way to start our school day!!

God Bless The USA (Proud To Be An American)

By Lee Greenwood

At Yankee Stadium (Go, Yankees!!)

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
To be livin’ here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
And they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God Bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
And New York to L.A.
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
And it’s time we stand and say.

God Bless the USA.

One Nation Under God..

Indivisible…

Liberty and Justice for All…

Our Flag still Stands for Freedom…

Men gave that Right to Me…

We Love this Land…

From Sea to Shining Sea…

We Stand and Say…

We Bless You, Lord…

Our Savior brings us Life and Liberty…

We Believe…

In Our Savior who was Crucified and has Risen…

May His Kingdom Come…

Your Holy Word is Sure…

A Light and a Lamp…

Unto My Path..

Its Words are Hidden in my Heart…

I’m Proud to be an American serving you, Lord!

Please, Bless our Country!

“…if My people,

who are called by My Name,

will humble themselves and pray

and seek My face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from Heaven,

and I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

Jun12

Invest In Your Future!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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“‘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

This is my son’s favorite verse!

Mine. too!

Along with…

“Call to Me

and I will answer you

and tell you great

and unsearchable things

you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:3

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

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 50:15

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!

You have now invested wisely in your future!!

Praise God!!

Jun12

You Put Your Light In Me!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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“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.’”

John 8:12

“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.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

“The night is nearly over;

the day is almost here.

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness

and put on the armor of light.”

Romans 13:12

“Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Isaiah 60:1-2

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness,

like the stars for ever and ever.”

Daniel 12:3

A flame burning down…

You gave me Life…

You put Your Light in me!

You let Your Love shine down…

Now the world can see…

You put Your Light in me!

Now, I’m a reflection of…

You, Lord!

I’ll let it show…

You will be known…

And all will see…

You put Your Light in me!

Christians…

Go!

Shine…

Brightly!!

With His Light in you…

Wherever you go!!

Jun10

You Are Amazing God!

Posted on June 10, 2013 by sagescenery

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Majesty…

Indescribable!

Uncontainable!

Amazing God!

All Powerful!

Untameable!

Awestruck…

We fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim…

You are Amazing, God….

None can fathom…

Indescribable!

Unobtainable,

Incomparable!

Unchangeable!

You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same!!

You are So Amazing, God!!!

Feel free to add your own words!!!

How about…

God, You are…

Holy, Grand, Vast, Great, Marvelous, Excellent, Glorious, Exalted, Dynamic, Thrilling, Astonishing,

Breathtaking, Magnificent, Overwhelming, Impressive, Permanent, Exciting, Stunning, Heart-Stirring,

Wonderful, Outstanding, Splendid, Faithful, Enduring, Divine, Extraordinary, Inspiring, Fantastic, Imposing,

Astounding, Fantastic, Unforgettable, Wondrous, Incomprehensible, Spectacular, Incredible, Phenomenal

Miraculous!!!

He’s definitely all these things…

And more!

This is the Amazing God who rules our lives!!

Mind-Boggling, huh???

Makes you want to go and tell everybody, doesn’t it???

Jun10

Jesus, You’re The Lover Of My Soul!!

Posted on June 10, 2013 by sagescenery

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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???” *

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

“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

Jun6

Carry Me…I’m Just A Dead Man!

Posted on June 6, 2013 by sagescenery

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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!!

Jun5

Even If The Healing Doesn’t Come…

Posted on June 5, 2013 by sagescenery

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This post is dedicated to my beloved Cousin Tom…

Who just passed away…

One month after his Mother, my Aunt Rachel…

Who I spoke about recently…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/leave-a-legacy/ ‎

Tom, or “Cousin Tommy Boy!”

As we used to call him…

Was two days older than I…

We celebrated all our Birthdays together for many years as children…

Running and playing with all our siblings, and our other cousins…

He loved trucks…

And his favorite sound was his “truck” sound…

“Gilly-Gilly-Gilly…Vroom!”

A happy, fun, and playful child,

Who grew up to be a Mighty Man of God…

Who loved his family, and cared for my Aunt…

Heaven welcomes you, my precious cousin…

Well done, good and faithful servant…

Rest now…

I know you’re seeing your Jesus face to face!

You’re Home!!

May our Lord bring His Peace to everyone in our family…

We will miss you!

Sometimes, all we have to hold onto…
Is what we know is true of who You are…
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane…
That could never change who You are…
And we trust in who You are!

Even if the healing doesn’t come…
And life falls apart…
And dreams are still undone…

You are God!

You are good!

Forever Faithful One !

Even if the healing…
Even if the healing doesn’t come…

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Lord, we know Your ways are not our ways…
So we set our faith in who You are…
Even though You reign high above us…
You tenderly love us…
We know Your heart…
And we rest in who You are…

You’re still the Great and Mighty One !

We trust You always…
You’re working all things for our good …
We’ll sing Your praise!

“Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief.

He shaved his head

and threw himself face downward on the ground.

He said, ‘I was born with nothing,

and I will die with nothing.

The Lord gave,

and now He has taken away.

May His Name be praised!’

In spite of everything that had happened,

Job did not sin by blaming God.”

Job1:20-22

You are God and we will bless You!
As the Good and Faithful One!
You are God and we will bless You!

Even if the healing doesn’t come!
Even if the healing doesn’t come!

Amen!

“Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him;
I will surely defend my ways to His face.”

Job 13:15

We pray for blessings…
We pray for peace…
Comfort for our family, protection while we sleep…
We pray for healing, for prosperity…
We pray for Your Mighty Hand to ease our suffering…
All the while, You hear each spoken need…
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things…

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops…
What if Your healing comes through tears…
What if a thousand sleepless nights…
Are what it takes to know You’re near…
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise…

We pray for wisdom…
Your voice to hear…
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near…
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love…
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough…
All the while, You hear each desperate plea…
And long that we have faith to believe…

When friends betray us…
When darkness seems to win…
We know the pain reminds this heart…
That this is not, this is not our home…

What if my greatest disappointments…
Or the aching of this life…
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy…
And what if trials of this life…
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights…
Are Your mercies in disguise…

“For this world is not our home;

we are looking forward to our City in Heaven,

which is yet to come.”

Hebrews 13:14

“But our citizenship is in Heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control,

will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His Glorious body.”

Philippians 3:20-21

May31

Holy Spirit, “Super Soak” Me!

Posted on May 31, 2013 by sagescenery

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Yesterday was our last day of school!

“Yipee!!!” said all the teachers…

“Hooray!!!” said all the students…

“Oh, Dear Lord, No!” said all the parents…

Ha!

We decided to have a “Water” Fun Day to celebrate!!

Wear sandals or water shoes to school…

And bring a change of clothes!!

Let the games begin!!

It was Super Soaker Heaven!

We had water toys of all types and sizes!

Thinking I was going to merely be in the defensive mode…

If the kids were rude enough to come bother me…

In my lawn chair in the quiet, shade under the nearest tree…

I did not purchase a Super Soaker!!

My son did!!

A really nice, big one!!

I brought a ketchup/mustard “squeezy-thing,” like they have in diners!

Sometimes, I just don’t know any better!

Ha!

The kids parked themselves as near as they could get to the water spigot…

Filled and refilled their toys, cups, and the whole Tupperware container…

Soaked everything and everyone in sight!!!

While I, and one of our volunteers…

Talked, shooed them away, and tried to keep things dry!

When I tired of not joining in the fun…

I grabbed my ketchup/mustard “squirty-thing” filled with water…

And started squeezing it at everybody!!

Such fun!!!

But, I ran out of “fuel” quickly!!

While I was refilling…

The Super Soaker people got me, and got me good!!

But, I didn’t care, it was a beautiful day to be soaking wet!!

Then, I had this idea to go soak my son…

Who was soaking the older kids…

Armed with the dinky, little, plastic ketchup/mustard weapon I had…

I attacked!!

He retaliated, and saturated me!!

I went back for reinforcements, and rallied the elementary kids to join me…

They had all the good tools that could drench!!

It worked…

I was elated to soak my son!

‘Til my son brought his troops to our territory…

Sneaked up behind me…

Aimed and fired…

As I laughed with joy!!

Great to be alive!

Very wet and happily alive!!

Unfortunately…

Some of our kids were not so joyful with our fun, wet plans for the last day of school…

One stayed home…

One slept most of the day…

Under a desk…

One refused to get wet…

And got upset when he did!!

Do you see yourself here???

When the Holy Spirit is moving…

Do you stay home?

Sleep?

Hide?

Refuse to get wet?

Let’s enjoy God’s washing…

He’s pouring out His Spirit like rain…

“You Heavens above,

rain down My righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness flourish with it;

I, the LORD, have created it.”

Isaiah 45:8

Soak it up!

Be saturated!

God’s elated to soak us…

To saturate us with His Holy Spirit…

To pour His Spirit on us…

“And afterward,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your old men will dream dreams,

your young men will see visions.”

Joel 2:28

Be healed when the water’s being stirred…

“An angel of the Lord would go down into the pool from time to time

and stir up the water.

Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up

recovered from whatever ailment he had.”

John 5:4

Jump right in!

Wearing the right garment of praise…

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD,

that He might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

Remember your water shoes…

And splash away!!

God’s With Us!!

Dear Holy Spirit…

Super Soak us!

Saturate us!!

Help us to not just sit on the sidelines…

And watch while others receive Your drenching, and power!

Help us to appreciate when someone else gets filled with Your Spirit…

Or receives something overflowing from You!!

Let us be smart enough to splash in it!

Keep Your Spirit flowing…

And overflowing, in our lives!

Amen!

May31

The Lord Will Restore…

Posted on May 31, 2013 by sagescenery

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What The Enemy Has Taken!!

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

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;

neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field,

saith the Lord of Hosts.”

Malachi 3:11

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,

the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,

My great army which I sent among you.

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied,

and praise the Name of the LORD your God,

that hath dealt wondrously with you:

and My people shall never be ashamed.”

Joel 2:25-26

Grow old together…
Don’t quit…
Love…
Commit…
No excuses…
Don’t try to justify…
Listen to the truth…
Even when it feels like life’s falling apart…
And it can’t go on anymore…
But God is a God who knows how to heal…
So just give it up to the Lord…

And He will restore!!

He said, “I promise…”
She said, “I do, forever…”
But right now if they’re being honest…
They don’t know if they’ll stay together…
Fast forward to the future…
After struggling on their own…
They finally figured out they needed…

Jesus in the middle!!

Now, I’m watching God rebuild their home…

The enemy tries to come and divide…
Trying to get us to give up the fight…
But darkness will always lose out to light…
‘Cause we’ve got the…

Power of Christ on our side!!

Grow old together…
Others are praying…

They’ll find a love like yours…

And He will restore!

Like it was before…

You may have strayed off course…

But He will restore!!

“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

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

Psalm 103:4

“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part…”

Job 42:12

Read: “God Will Restore Your Wasted Years” by David Wilkerson at:

http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/1300

May29

You’re Forgiven, Because He Was Forsaken!

Posted on May 29, 2013 by sagescenery

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“…then know this, you and all the people of Israel:

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom you crucified

but whom God raised from the dead,

that this man stands before you healed.

Jesus is

‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other Name under Heaven given to mankind

by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10-12

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

The past plays inside your head…

Failure knocks you down again..

You’re reminded of the wrong that you have said and done…

That devil just won’t let you forget…

In this life…

You know what you’ve been…

But here in His arms…
You know what you are!
You’re Forgiven!!

You don’t have to carry the weight…
Of who you’ve been, ’cause you’re…
Forgiven!
Your mistakes are running through your mind…
You relive your days in the middle of the night…
Struggle with your pain…
Wrestle with your pride…
Sometimes you feel alone and you cry…
But, you don’t have to carry the weight of who you’ve been…

‘Cause you’re forgiven!!

When you don’t fit in…
And you don’t feel like you belong anywhere…
When you don’t measure up to much in this life…

Oh, you’re a treasure in the arms of Christ!
‘Cause you’re forgiven!!

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption,

the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:13-14

You’re forgiven because He was forsaken..

You’re accepted, He was condemned…

You’re alive and well…

His Spirit is within you!

Because He died and rose again!!

Amazing love, how can it be?
That your King would die for you…
Amazing love, you know it’s true…
It’s your joy to honor Him!
In all you do…
Honor your King!

Jesus , You are our King!!

“The LORD is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,

nor will He keep His anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the Heavens are above the earth,

so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:8-12