Tag Archives: Peace

“Some Fell On Rocky Places…”

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(All the photos on this post were taken by my sister, Tina!)

Matthew 13:5-6

Some (seed) fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly,

because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up,

the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.”

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 Matthew 13:13-17

Though seeing, they do not see;   

though hearing,

they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;   

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   

they hardly hear with their ears,   

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,   

hear with their ears,   

understand with their hearts

and turn,

and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see,

and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people

longed to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

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Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what

was sown in their heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground

refers to someone who hears the Word

and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root,

they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution

comes because of the Word,

they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns

refers to someone who hears the Word,

but the worries of this life

and the deceitfulness of wealth

choke the Word,

making it unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil

refers to someone who hears the Word

and understands it.

This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred,

sixty 

or thirty times what was sown.”

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Don’t let your heart become calloused!

Open your eyes to

See...

Open your ears to…

Hear the Word

Open your heart to…

Understand the Word

Turn to the Lord…

He will Heal…

So you can be Fruitful

and…

Produce a Crop!!

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Amen!

Every Starry Night Was His Design!!!

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Give your life to the only One…

Who makes the moon reflect the sun!

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(All photos on this post taken by my sister, Tina!)

John 14:6

Jesus answered,

“I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Chris August explains the story behind the song:

“In ‘Starry Night,’

I sing about how amazed I am

when I look at the stars

or trees blowing in the wind.

People take great pictures

and make great drawings of nature

and I think that’s very creative,

but God was the One who made those things.

There was a void,

and God created everything.

Those are the things I’m thinking about

when I sing the song.

The line in the song,

To the Faith it takes,

to pray and sing,

from the painted sky,

to my plank-filled eye,

He is God of all,

He is everything’

is based on me trying to process my own emotions

and doubts about myself.

I recognize that I’m a sinner.

Sometimes,

singers and pastors can get so caught up

in their popularity and giving messages

that they forget that God gave them everything

including their songs and sermons.

When I have something on my heart,

I pray

and ask God to reveal what He’s trying to tell me.

All of my songs are based on my prayer life.”

To read more about Chris August, go to:

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=411

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Romans 3:23

“…for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God,”

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He’s God of all…
He is everything!

Give your life to the only Son
Who was and is and yet to come!

Let the praises ring…
‘Cause He is everything!!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
I believe!

On that starry night, He changed my life!!

He gave me hope when I had none…
So let the praises ring!

Every angel sings…
That He’s Heavenly!

So let the praises ring!
‘Cause He is everything!

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Psalm 147:4

“He determines the number of the stars   

and calls them each by name.”

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Psalm 148:3

“Praise Him, sun and moon;   

Praise Him, all you shining stars.”

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Matthew 2:9

“After they had heard the king,

they went on their way,

and the star they had seen when it rose

went ahead of them

until it stopped

over the place where the child was.”

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We’re here because of that starry, starry night!!

It was His Design!!

And He’s still guiding wise men, today!

Come Into His Presence! Glorious!!!!!!

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Jude 1:24

“Now all Glory to God,

who is able to keep you from falling away

and will bring you with great joy

into His Glorious Presence

without a single fault.”

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He’s Holy!

He deserves all…

Glory

Honor

Praise

Reverence

Respect His Splendor…

With Awe

Adoration

Worship

(We did this song as a human video drama several years ago at Fine Arts Competition)

Start Dancing!!!

Psalm 100:2

“Worship the Lord with gladness;   

come before Him with joyful songs.”

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Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before His presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”

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When you come into His presence
Lifting up the Name of Jesus
And you hear the music playin’
And you see the people praisin’
Just forget about your worries
Let your troubles fall behind you
Don’t you wait another minute
Just get up and on your feet and

Get to dancing
Singing, jumping, leaping
Get to shouting
Make it loud, and make it Glorious
Start rejoicing, praising, lifting, raising
Get to shouting
Make it loud, and make His Praise
Glorious! Glorious!

I was created
To make Your Praise Glorious!
I was created
To make Your Praise Glorious!

Glorious
Yes I was!

Yes I was!!

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Psalm 16:11

“You will show me the path that leads to life;   

Your Presence fills me with joy   

and brings me pleasure forever.”

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Is His “Presence” in our lives?

He’s near to us…

Are we close Him?

Be filled with His Spirit!!

Think His thoughts…

Walk the walk…

Love…

Forgive…

Gain His perspective on our lives…

Know what’s really important…

And what’s insignificant…

In His Kingdom!

Ahhh…

Joy, Peace, Contentment!

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Exodus 33:14

The Lord replied,

“My Presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest.”

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Glorious!!

I Still Believe…Even When I Don’t See…

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Ever Felt Like This???

Scattered words???

Empty thoughts???

Torn???

Feel His Grace…

Falling like Rain…

Washing away pain…

Believe in His Faithfulness
Believe in His Truth
Believe in His Holy Word
Even when you don’t see…

Still Believe!

Let Jesus prepare your heart…

Brokenness???

Fall into His Arms…

He’s near…

Jesus!!

Believe!

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Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.”

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Matthew 9:28-30

“When He had gone indoors,

the blind men came to Him,

and He asked them,

Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied.

Then He touched their eyes and said,

According to your faith let it be done to you;’

and their sight was restored…”

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Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,

if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,

but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and it will be done.

If you believe,

you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

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Mark 9:23

“What do you mean,

‘If I can’?’

Jesus asked.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.”

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Still Believe…

Even when you can’t see!!

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Yes, I Am

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Who Are You, Lord????

John 8:56-58

“Your father Abraham

rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day;

he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,”

they said to Him,

“and you have seen Abraham!”

“Very truly I tell you,”

Jesus answered,

“before Abraham was born,

I Am!”

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Think about it…

He Is…

Maker of the Heaven  

Bright and Morning Star  

Breath of all Creation

Who Always Was

And Is To Come

One Who Walked on Water  

One Who Calmed the Seas  

Miracles and Wonders

So Come and See

And follow Him

You will know

Fount of Living Water
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Spirit Deep Inside You
Word Upon Your Heart
One Who Even Knew You

Before Your Birth
Before You Were

Before the Earth
The Universe
In Every Heart

Where You Are
The Lord of Love
The King of Kings
The Holy Lamb

Above All Things!

Yes, He Is!

Almighty God Your Father
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Right there beside you!!

Amen!

Comforting, huh???

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Believe It!! We’re Safe In His Arms!

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You Can Believe God’s Promise!!

Ahhhhh!  Safe!! 

Relax!!

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Deuteronomy 33:12

“…Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him,   

for He shields him all day long,   

and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”

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Deuteronomy 33:27

“The Eternal God is your refuge,   

and underneath are the Everlasting Arms.

He will drive out your enemies before you,   

saying, ‘Destroy them!’”

Hallelujah and Amen!!

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Psalm 139:5-6

“You hem me in behind and before,   

and You lay Your Hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,   

too lofty for me to attain.”

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To the one who’s dreams are falling all apart
And all you’re left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
But you’re not all alone!

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet?
With a love so strong He’ll never let you go
Oh, you’re not alone!

You will be safe in His arms!
You will be safe in His arms!
‘Cause the Hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always!
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms!

Did you know that the Voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same Voice that calls you to rise?
So hear Him now He’s calling you home
You will never be alone!

These are the Hands that built the mountains
The Hands that calm the seas
These are the Arms that hold the Heavens
They are holding you and me!

These are Hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the Arms that were nailed to a cross
To break our chains and set us free!

You are safe in His Arms!!

Go to:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9JBFBJNU

To hear the story behind this song by Phil Wickham

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John 10:28

“I give them eternal life,

and they shall never perish;

no one will snatch them out of My Hand.”

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Run to Christ…

Into His Arms of Safety!!

And stay there!

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2 Timothy 2″13

“…if we are faithless,   

He remains faithful,   

for He cannot disown Himself.”

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We’re safe not because we’ll never fall,

We’re safe because He never fails!

Praise God!

Let God embrace you in His Mighty, waiting Arms!

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Psalm 144:2

“…He is my steadfast love and my fortress,   

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and He in whom I take refuge,   

who subdues peoples under me.”

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What more do we need to feel safe and secure?!?!

All Of Creation…Sing With Me Now!

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My sister, who lives in Brooklyn, NY…

Just e-mailed me this gorgeous sunrise shot…

She took of the city from her apartment!

She said God woke her up early to see it!

It was as if God was saying…

“Good morning…

My Child!!!

Have a Blessed Day! 

I’ll be taking care of everything that concerns you today!

See? 

I’ve started with the beautiful sky above you! 

Tomorrow, I’ll provide you with another spectacular display!!”

Isn’t God awesome!!!

Psalm 118:24

“This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

(this was my Mom’s favorite verse!)

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Sunrise…Sunset

Wherever we are…

We’re joined together by  the sun rising and the sun setting each day!

I love knowing my sister’s sharing God’s wonders at the same time I am!

At the same time you are!

Whether we live in the city, at the beach, in the mountains…

Wherever…

Let’s do this life together!

Let’s start each day together…

Let’s end each evening together…

Let’s plan our next day together…

By prayerfully…

Looking at God’s amazing Creation…

And asking…

“What can I learn about God…

And His Character…

Through what He loved us enough to Create for us to enjoy!!”

One of the things I love about living in Florida…

Is that while it’s hot, steamy, rainy, and buggy right now!  Ha!

Most of the time, we wake up to Sunshine!  

Amen! 

And Hallelujah!!

It gives Hope…

As we rise to go to work, school,  or get the kids ready for their day…

That His mercies are new each day!

Sunsets…

Declare that God will protect us…

And give us peaceful sleep…

Calms our spirit down…

As He blankets the earth with radiant colors!

Let’s not miss His beautiful gifts!

Stick around for the magnificent views of the stars and the moon, too!!

Separated until the veil was torn

The moment that hope was born

And guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated, but no longer bound by chains

Left at an empty grave

The sinner and the sacred resolved

And all of Creation sing with me now

Lift up your voice and lay your burden down

And all of Creation sing with me now

Fill up the Heavens

Let His Glory resound

Time has faded and we see Him face to face

Every doubt erased

Forever we will worship the King

The reason we breathe is to sing of His Glory

And for all He has done

Praise the Father!

Praise the Son!

And the Spirit in One

And every knee will bow

And every tongue

Praise the Father

Praise the Son

And the Spirit in One

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Psalm 113:3

“From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same

the Lord‘s Name is to be praised.”

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Isaiah 45:6

“…so that from the rising of the sun   

to the place of its setting

people may know there is none besides me.   

I am the Lord, and there is no other.”

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Praise the Father, Praise the Son, and the Spirit in One!!

I’m Gonna Love You Through It!

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When I first heard this powerful song…

I heard Jesus saying these words…

“I’m Gonna Love You Through It!”

“It”

Being, anything that life throws at me!

Then, I heard…

“And I will send you angels…

Those in Heaven…

And those dressed in flesh…

To support you…

Help you…

And love you through life’s rough spots!”

Cancer…

Affects us all…

Those who’ve experienced it…

And those of us who have loved those who have…

My prayers are with you and your families!

May God always love us through it…

And bless us with people who will go through it with us!

To those who have survived…

I celebrate your life!!

She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight
Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said, “I know that you’re afraid and I am, too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

She made it through the surgery fine
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned
Now it’s forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
But she just wants to feel like a woman again
She said, “I don’t think I can do this anymore”
He took her in his arms and said “That’s what my love is for”

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.
I’m gonna love you through it.

Luke 4:10

“For it is written:

‘He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you carefully;”

Amen!

Thank you, Jesus!!

Speak The Truth In Love!

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I reblogged this from Holley Gerth’s blog…please check out her entire blog!!

When You Really Want to Be Heard

photo by vl8189

photo by vl8189

Next time you’re afraid you won’t be heard, try this secret weapon: gentleness.

A gentle tongue can break a bone. {Prov. 25:15}

Lower your voice.

Speak a bit softer.

Look into someone’s eyes a little longer.

Yes, speak truth…just do it in love.

It’s fear that makes us respond with harshness–fear that we won’t be heard, that we’ll lose control, that we’ll be overlooked.

And so we fight with the sword of our tongues and wound those who love us.

Gentleness is powerful, friend. And it takes great courage to use it. But you’re brave enough to try it. I know it.

Our world needs more people who dare to be gentle. People like you.

They’re actually the strongest of all.

XOXO

Holley

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!!