Tag Archives: Gospel

I’ve Decided To Love…

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Yes!

To love you!!

Even though…

You…

My spouse, my father, my mother, my son, my daughter, my family or my friend…

Whoever you are…

Make me crazy at times…

Or annoy me with your habits…

Don’t appreciate me…

Or pay enough attention to me…

Get on my last nerve…

Or make a mess for me to clean up…

Bark orders…

Or give me the silent treatment…

Aren’t punctual…

Or snore…

Don’t call…

Or call too much…

Expect too much of me…

Or give too little of yourself…

Are too negative…

Or too needy…

Too loud…

Or too intolerant…

Whatever we disagree about…

Or however different we are…

I choose to love you…

Because God does!

I want to love like this…

As God does!

I want to live like that!

Listen to:

“Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets

“Sometimes I think…

What will people say of me…

When I’m only just a memory…

When I’m home where my soul belongs…

Was I love?

When no one else would show up…

Was I Jesus to the least of those…

Was my worship more than just a song…

I want to live like that!

And give it all I have…

So that everything I say and do…

Points to You…

If love is who I am

Then this is where I’ll stand…

Recklessly abandoned…

Never holding back…

I want to live like that!

Am I proof…

That You are who you say You are…

That grace can really change a heart…

Do I live like Your love is true?

People pass…

And even if they don’t know my name…

Is there evidence that I’ve been changed…

When they see me, do they see You…

I want to live like that!

I want to show the world the love You gave for me…

I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King…

I want to live like that!”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient and kind…
Love does not envy or boast…
It is not arrogant or rude…
It does not insist on its own way…
It is not irritable or resentful…
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing…
But rejoices with the truth…
Love bears all things…
Believes all things…
Hopes all things…
Endures all things…
Love never ends…”
So it’s final…
I’ve decided to love!

Okay, This Is NOT On “My Bucket List!”

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Skydiving…

Wearing thongs…

Running for political office…

Living in the past, or on past glories…

Backpacking around the country…

BASE jumping…

Being a groupie of a famous person…

Walking a tightrope, like our friend, Bello the Clown…

Being stuck in an air-conditioning vent…

Falling into a mine shaft…

Working again for my least favorite principal…

Being made to eat anything slimy…

Oh, I’m sure I could go on and on…

But, I love that many of you do want to do these things!

And I’ll pray for your “Bucket List” to be fulfilled…

But, I refuse to live without JOY everyday…

So, I do have a Prayer List…

And here’s what’s on it:

I do want to…

Write a book…

And have it published…

See my son successful in life, especially in God’s eyes…

See him married to a Godly girl, and have a family that serves the Lord…

To live healthy, so I can see my grandchildren…

And teach them to love God…

Live a peaceful life with the Lord…

But, know how to battle spiritual warfare when necessary!

Impact for Christ, all kids, young adults, and adults…

Minister and speak where God leads…

Encourage our drama team to outreach far and wide with God’s direction…

Travel to Italy to see relatives still living there…

Go to Israel to see where Jesus walked…

Serve the Lord on Earth, ’til I get to Heaven to hear…

“…well done, good and faithful servant…”

Mathew 25:23

Leave a legacy of love and encouragement…

To all those…

I’ve been blessed to come into contact with in my life on Earth…

In Jesus Name I pray…

Amen!

Lord, Thanks For Giving!

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Psalm 69:30  “I will Praise the Name of God with Song, And shall Magnify Him with Thanksgiving.”

Gracious Heavenly Father…

Thanks for Giving Me…

All Your Promises…

Your Precious Word to Guide Me through this Life…

Your Beloved Son to Give Me New Life…

And Your Holy Spirit to Teach me all Truth!

For my Parents who Brought Me Up to Love You…

For my Husband who Works to keep us Safe…

For my Son who never ceases to be the Delight of my Life…

For Our Precious Siberian who Gives us Unconditional Love and Affection every Day!

For my Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who Know How to Pray…

For Good Friends wherever we have Lived and Worked…

For Caring Believers wherever we have Worshiped…

For Helpful Acquaintances along the Path of Life…

For our Jobs over the years that have been Blessings from You…

For the Safety and Protection of our Home, Cars, and Finances…

For our Health in Body, Mind, and Spirit…

For Your Gift of allowing us to Retire to the Town and Neighborhood of our Dreams…

For Teaching us to Delight in You…

To Love Others…

And to see Everyone as You see Them…

To Minister with Grace and Encouragement for Your Kingdom!

I Pray Your Blessing on this Blog, to be a Powerful Ministry for You…

And that I Always Know how Very Blessed I Am…

In Knowing Who You Are!

Lord, Thanks for Giving…

I Welcome You Into My Life Always, Lord!

Collide With The Healer!

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Are you hurting???

Listen to  “The Hurt & The Healer”

by MercyMe

Here are the lyrics…

“Why?
The question that is never far away…
The healing doesn’t come from the explained…
Jesus, please don’t let this go in vain…
You’re all I have…
All that remains…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Breathe…
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do…
Pain so deep that I can hardly move…
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You…
Lord, take hold and pull me through…

So here I am…
What’s left of me…
Where glory meets my suffering…

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

It’s the moment when humanity…
Is overcome by majesty…
When grace is ushered in for good…
And all our scars are understood…
When mercy takes its rightful place…
And all these questions fade away…
When out of the weakness we must bow…
And hear You say ‘It’s over now!’

I’m alive…
Even though a part of me has died…
You take my heart and breathe it back to life…
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…

Jesus, come and break my fear…
Awake my heart and take my tears…
Find Your glory even here…
When the hurt and the Healer collide…”

Take your hurt…

and…

Collide with the Healer!  Amen!

My New Bank Is Stalking Me!

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I feel the need to vent!!!

I have a new bank…

Well, an old bank with a new name…

And a new way of doing business…

I think they’re super sugary sweet…

And super annoying!!

Every time I go through the drive-thru window…

They want to chat, sell me some new services, or invite me to come in and talk with one of their helpful representatives…

Duh…if I wanted to “COME IN”…

I wouldn’t have driven up to the window!!

Or, they ask about my family members…

I call that preying…

I’m always in a hurry when I need to run to the bank…

Especially after work!

Hence, the name “Drive-Thru” window…

Not…”Come-In!  Sit-And-Chat-Awhile” window!!

You’re supposed to get your business taken care of quickly, and drive on thru!!!!

Ladies, you know this is true…

I’m thinking of other things!!

My next stop,

Drama choreography,

Things I need to do when I get  home,

What am I going to eat when I get there,

When am I going to finally get to collapse and get some sleep,

How to keep my “Siberian Craziness” dog from jumping on me when I walk through the door with all my packages from Wal-Mart?????

Now, these are important questions that I need to mull over while driving…

And while waiting at the drive-thru window at the bank…

I don’t need to have a long drawn out conversation with anyone!

A teller at one of the bank branches in my town is from NJ, like me…

So you can imagine how long that conversation was…

When I was already running late to unlock the door for drama practice after work!!

Last week, one of the tellers asked me how my husband was doing…

She called him by name!!

What does that mean…

I don’t even know her!

Should I say, “Well, we had a huge argument…”

And then, go on and on about the details, ’til she says, “I have another customer…”

Should I say, “He’s wonderful!  I love him!  He does so much for me!”

And risk nauseating her?

Should I tell her,  “He’s outside doing lawn work in our front yard and complaining because there’s so much work, and it’s hot and humid here in FL!”

I just don’t know the “Bank-Teller-Sharing-Confidential-Friends-Only-Information” Policy!!

I don’t even know if there is such a policy!

This is my first run-in with this!!

Also, my husband complains about them because he has to show his driver’s license at the window every time he drives thru…

I don’t know if they give him the 3rd degree about me when he’s there…

But, if they know him so well, why does he need to show his driver’s license????

Does anyone else out there in blogger’s land feel this way???

Before the “Take-Over,” and name change at my bank…

I loved my bank!

They were friendly, helpful, and knew their place in my life….

Now, I have a bank that wants to come right in, and dwell in my life…

Only Jesus gets to do that!!

Don’t get me wrong…

Before my wonderful bank changed its name…

And the bank with the new name started stalking me…

My husband and I had a great rapport with our banker!

He was young, knowledgeable, and spoke “banking” in a way we could understand!!

Amen and Hallelujah!!

We loved him, and still keep in contact with him…

He’s at another bank!

My son and husband even played golf with him, and his Dad!

Where they could talk all day if they wanted…

I might have to change banks!

Folks, is church the same way?

Sugary sweet for the purpose of selling people something?

Selling them our wonderful programs???

Selling them on Jesus?

He needs no selling…

Just let people  feel the moving of His Holy Spirit in their lives…

And God will take it from there…

Are we welcoming or pushy??

No stalking, please!

There’s a fine line, Church…

“Hi!  Welcome to our church…Thanks for visiting…We have church tonight, come on back…Monday night we’re off, so you can enjoy your family at home…Tuesday is game night…Wednesday is family night…Thursday is choir practice…Friday night is youth group…Saturday night is pot luck…Sign up for the Bible study…Men’s meeting…Ladies outreach…

And, Oh, yes, the missions trip to Haiti is in two weeks!!

Do all of your family members go to church?  We have  Kids church, a Toddler class, a Nursery, a media center, a playground……………..etc.

And also, a group for the senior citizens!!”

You get the point!

I love all these programs…

But, it’s not about them…

It’s about Jesus!

Be sincere!!

Show them God’s love…

Point them to Jesus…

Welcome them into the Family of God…

Not just into your church!

Love the people…

Care for their needs…

Not just inviting them to the great ministries you provide…

People can spot sugary sweet a mile away…

I know I can!

Yes, You Can Change!

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I just heard a new contemporary Christian song…

“Who You Are” by Unspoken

Go…Listen to it!

It’s Awesome!

Here are the lyrics…

“I know that look you’re givin’ like you got something to prove…
‘Cause I have walked for miles and miles in that same pair of shoes…
You refuse forgiveness like it’s something to be earned…
But sometimes pain’s the only way that we can learn…

You can never fall too hard, so fast, so far…
That you can’t get back, when you’ve lost where you are…
It’s never too late, so bad
So much, that you can’t change who you are!

You can change who you are!

You believe in freedom, but you don’t know how to choose…
You gotta step out of your feelings that you’re so afraid to lose…
Everyday, yeah, you put your feet on the floor…
You gotta walk through the door, it’s never gonna be easy…
But it’s all worth fighting for…

You can never fall too hard, so fast, so far…
That you can’t get back when you’ve lost where you are
It’s never too late, so bad
So much, that you can’t change who you are...

You can change who you are!

So let the ashes fall wherever they land…
Come back from wherever you’ve been…
To the foot of the cross, to the feet of Jesus…
The feet of Jesus!

You can never fall too hard, so fast, so far…
That you can’t get back when you’ve lost where you are…
It’s never too late, so bad…
So much, that you can’t change who you are...

At the foot of the cross you change who you are!

You can change!”

I’ve Changed My Mind…

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Again…

Yes, I have!

Many times over the  years!!

Like the time when, newly married in our first apartment in NJ, we bought a pine roll-top desk…

Had it stained a dark walnut…

Used it and loved it!

Then, some of my friends took me to an antique auction, and I saw my first antique oak roll top desk…

An “Ah-ha” moment, for sure…

I definitely changed my mind!

And fell in love with something new!

Or, when we moved to FL…

And finally got to buy furniture we loved…

Instead of family hand-me-downs…

We bought a master bedroom suite…

Loved it…

Then I saw on HGTV that “matchy, matchy” wasn’t IN anymore…

Uh-Oh!

Here we go again…

I’m not an overly fickle person, I only buy things I really, really, love…

So when we got to choose stuff for our house in FL…

I chose colors, textures, and patterns that I could love for a long time…

Like curtains, carpets, room colors, tile, light fixtures, pool tiles, lanai screen, etc.

I don’t want to keep changing my mind!!

It’s frustrating…

Well, we have a God that loves us!

Always!

God never changes His mind about us…ever!

He loved us yesterday…

He loves us today…

And, He’ll love us tomorrow!!

He’s not fickle at all!!

It keeps our  life and our heart so peaceful…

Have you changed your mind lately?

If you don’t know Jesus…

That’s the only change you need to make!

Change your mind and accept Him…

And then He’ll show you…

That He’ll never change His mind about you…

He’ll never want something new…

No “Ah-ha” moments…

No “Uh-Oh!”

Or, falling in love with something else…

He created you…

He loves you!!

That’s final!

No game change…

He will never change His mind about that!

Ahhhhh….peace!

How And When Did You Meet Jesus???

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This is your post today!!

Your Comments will tell the story and witness to others…go for it!!

Was it anything like this???

Listen to “When Mercy Found Me”

by Rhett Walker Band

Here are the lyrics:

“Something had to give, something had to give…

‘Cause living my life so wild and free, finally caught up…

Oh, it left me broken, left me hopeless…

But that’s where I met Jesus…

In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
All those days, all those doubts…
They don’t seem to matter now…
His Grace is all I need…
And the chains that I was in before…
They don’t hold me anymore…
His love has rescued me…
His love has set me free…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…
My mind found peace…
My soul found hope…
My heart found a home…
In one moment everything changed…
Who I was got washed away…
When mercy found me…
My Savior’s arms were open wide…
And I felt love for the very first time…
When mercy found me…”
Yes, it felt exactly like this!!  Amen!

Lest I forget…

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This song’s for me today….and maybe for you, too!

Listen to “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray

Here are the lyrics:

“When I lose my way, and I forget my name…
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see, is who I don’t wanna be…
Remind me who I am...
In the loneliest places, when I can’t remember what grace is…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You
When my heart is like a stone, and I’m running far from home…
Remind me who I am
When I can’t receive Your love, afraid I’ll never be enough…
Remind me who I am
If I’m Your beloved, can You help me believe it…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You
I’m the one you love, I’m the one you love…
That will be enough, I’m the one you love…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You...
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You…
Tell me once again who I am to You, who I am to You…

Tell me lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You!”

How can we forget so easily????

Song Lyrics For The Church…

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Listen to “Jesus, Friend Of Sinners” by Casting Crowns

It teaches the Church a powerful message…

Here are the lyrics…

“Jesus, Friend of sinners…

We have strayed so far away…
We cut down people in your name…

But the sword was never ours to swing…

Jesus, Friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see…
The world is on their way to You…

But they’re tripping over me…
Always looking around, but never looking up…

I’m so double minded…
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided…

Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners…
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours…

Jesus, Friend of sinners the one who’s writing in the sand…
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands…
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves…
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees…

Nobody knows what we’re for, only what we’re against…

When we judge the wounded…
What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines…

And love like You did…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners …
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours…

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast…
For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came…
Lord, I was that lost cause…

And I was the outcast…

But you died for sinners just like me…

A grateful leper at Your feet…

‘Cause You are good, You are good…

And Your love endures forever…
You are good, You are good…

And Your love endures forever…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners…
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers…
Let our hearts be led by mercy…
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors…
Oh, Jesus, Friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks Yours…

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast…

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet…”

Amen and Amen!!

I have nothing to add…

Except to pray that we the Church listen…