Tag: change

President Abraham Lincoln’s Words to America, 1863

Do we remember words of Abraham Lincoln in 1863? Perhaps, they need to be heard again today.

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!

It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

April 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation for a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer.

America. God whispers His warning. Are we willing to listen today? 2018? How can we respond to old words brought to light? Over 150 years ago. Today America, “Be still and know . . .”

God.

Sometimes a poem expresses best.

God speaks every day.  America, please listen with open ears and willing heart. Stop striving. Believe again, and pray.

 

America, America

Where is your heart and mind?

Have you truly turned your back to Me?

Are you lead by greed and pride?

“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!” (1)

America, America

What do you prove today?

People divided. Hatred, fights, and lies?

America, a nation falls this way.

 

I, the King of heaven can see.

On the throne of glory, I reign.

Whether or not a man believes,

I, Almighty God, forever unchanging, remain.

 

America, America,

Of My grace, undeserved favor you sing.

But mercy and grace aren’t found in you.

Stop now. America, and heed My warning.

 

“Repent, for My Kingdom is at hand.”

John proclaimed in Bible years,

America, wake up! His message is for you!

Put off pride and indignation, and put on reverential fear.

 

America, America

Repent, Remember, Return to My Word.

With contrite spirit and broken heart,

“Be still and know, I am the Lord.” (2)

 

Isaiah 40:15,

No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. NLT

 

One heart at a time. Let us turn our faces to God. Let us ask God for His mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps again, we will acknowledge Him, and obey Him in all we do and give Him glory, praise, and honor as He graciously sees us through., “And crown Thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.”

“In Jesus name,” (and who joins me in saying,) “Amen.”

 

 

(1) America the Beautiful, Katherine Lee Bates

(2) Psalm 46:10

Pictures credited to The Rebirth of America. The Arthur S. Demoss Foundation

 

 

 

Broken Path? Look up. Start over.

Our path on the picture in our minds is often straight. We don’t envision the bends and the breaks along the way. Though we don’t know the beginning from the end, it is comforting to know that God does . . .

So, instead of a continual cry over “spilt milk,” after a time of grief of loss, it’s time to look up.

The Bible is opened again, with a prayer and hope for comfort and a plan.

“What does God have to say? I open up to the beginning:

Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God . . .”

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep,” (Gen.1:1,2).

How many of us can say, “Yep, this says it all for me.

“There’s void. There’s darkness on the face of my heart, deep.”

Is this what life feels like now? And you wonder, How? Words like ‘void’ and ‘darkness’ describe all you are inside – so deep and painful.

The clock ticks on, responsibilities for the day don’t stop, but the heart inside cries like a never ending rain.

“God, revive me again,” is the cry through this night, and God speaks:
” And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

The Spirit of God was hovering. The Spirit of God is here,  hovering over my tears.
Gen.1:3, Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

God said, “Let there be light.”

Somehow, my spirit is stirred, as if for the first time.

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it, John 1:5,

Here I thought the Bible was telling me of stories long ago, but somehow, these words are only for me, right now.

You better believe, I don’t understand God when it’s dark and cold all around. But somehow, today, I’m willing to look up and see His light.

Even though I don’t understand all that goes on each day, I know He is faithful and loves me. I’m not happy in storms and my feet are torn by rough terrain, but somehow, today,

I’m sick of the failures. I’m tired of the night. I have to believe again.

Do you join me in this fight? Together let’s reap a new harvest and allow

God’s Word to speak:

Haven’t you known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?” Isaiah 40:21.

We forget so easily, especially when our path has been severed and cut. We pray:   “God speak again and fill me with hope.”

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV.

God’s Word. Read aloud, with heart soft and willing, hovers over the void and darkness and says, in the midst of the mystery, “Let there be light.”

Let’s turn around and find day. We’ve had enough night:

Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord[a];
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken,” Isaiah 40.

The mouth of the Lord has spoken, and He has given me light. And you?

Today, we will go out with joy and be led forth in peace because the Spirit of the living God has fallen afresh on us. Together we pray,

“Jesus, fill us with Your Spirit. Refresh us today.”

Together in faith, we say,  “Amen. God is with me, and He’s guiding me. He knows all that concerns me. He’s protecting my way.”

 

A Letter to my High School Graduate

A letter to you, our High School Graduate:

I am so thankful and proud that you chose to take your high school years seriously. I’m also very thankful for the great and wonderful teachers and mentors you’ve worked with along the way.

As words from the Book of Proverbs proclaims: “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance . . .” (Proverbs 1:5).

And Proverbs 12:1 makes a contrast: “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge; but he that hates reproof is brutish.”

But son, I want to remind you what God’s Word says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7.

You see, words and voices are at your finger-tips. Opinions, facts, judgements, complaints, entertainment, and hate-speeches, but son, what comes in is very important.

We hear the word “Change” like a charge. Change is good. But I plead with you, Please make that “change” be to seek the Lord, more each day.

Each day, be “careful—full of care,” to read His Word and grow in who He is and what He has to say.

God knows what we need. He instructs. He is protects. He speaks:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 warns us. Put a guard around your heart.

Make a distinct decision to be apart for God.

Be sold-out for Jesus. If He would feel uncomfortable standing around the words of thought and conduct, then so should you.

How do we gain and increase in wisdom? God doesn’t leave His children in the dark:

The Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:6-8.

It is always right to trust God. He is able.

You’ve grown up in a house where there is nothing we can stand on except God to get us through. He has given exceptional gifts in each one of us and He is available to lavishly pour out His Spirit.

Keep the rivers flowing.

 “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7.

Turn daily to seek the Lord’s face. And you will continually be able to have within you this glorious prize,

“I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” Psalm 119:99.

This world is conditional. On condition of this, you can do that. On condition of that, you can have this.

Well, Jesus is love, unconditional. Today, tomorrow, never changing. He will not turn His back. I pray that each and every day, His face is what you seek.

“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.

Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once  far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.”

Picture by Jonathan Rypkema. God’s Hand.

We need each other

Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation.
 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved. 

Psalm 62
To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

In all honesty, my soul waits for God. But silently? No, not always. At times it’s more like an ocean in a storm.

“I shall not be greatly moved,” David proclaims. Perhaps slightly moved he was because he continues his psalm:

 How long will you attack a man?
You shall be slain, all of you,
Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. Selah

This is not a time of peace for David. Selah, or “pause and think quietly about it,” makes us consider for ourselves what these verses mean.

These thoughts of great trouble, confusion, and lies could be in regards to our own personal battles, or our family dynamics, dealing with people, or sickness and bills, or school, finances, or work, car troubles. Each of these can bring us down from a stable position.

The lies that come flooding in from the enemy, for me are:  “This is how’s it’s been, forever.” “This is how it will be forever.” “Nothing will ever change, this is all you have forever.”

The Word, a refuge. God speaks and instructs. What did David do?

He talks to his own soul. Psalm 62 proves to instruct me to do the same:

 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;

I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:5,6.

David is changed. I’m sure his circumstances haven’t changed. But he has changed.

How?

His eye focus changed to the only rock and salvation. Right now, is there anyone else who needs some corrective glasses, like me. I must focus up, o-n-l-y. Not once and forever, but step by step, moment by moment:

 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

Change is going on. my heart is being moved to increased faith. Satan has no victory. But the next verse caught me by surprise. It no longer uses the word me, or I, but your and us:

Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Pause and think quietly about this. “You people,” “your heart,” “God is a refuge for us.” We need community. We need each other.

We can all come together and agree, men, (women, all people,) will disappoint. We are all sinners. Not one is exempt from the fall. David writes:

 Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed on the scales,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
 Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them.

But together, if we remind each other to “look up,” and focus on God, we will not be shaken.

God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
For You render to each one according to his work. Psalm 62.

How we need to talk of His power and mercy. His faithfulness. His grace. We can wait on God, together. We will say to our souls:

wait silently for God alone,
For our expectation is from Him.
He only is our rock and our salvation;
He is our defense;

We shall not be moved.

Selah, We will pause and think quietly about that!

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24.

 

A Moment’s Getaway, Like a River Glorious

Like a River Glorious

In the old church hymnal, Frances Havergal, paints a moving picture with song, yet with a constant under-girding of calm.

Like a river glorious, Is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious In it’s bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest; Finding as He promised, Perfect peace and rest. 

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace!
Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow Never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry Touch the Spirit there.

“Then, like a river glorious I desire to be. Moving steadily on, Dear Lord, in trust of Your security. Hide me in the hollow of Your great hand, mighty.

Reliable and more.
This world spins out of control leaving me fatigued and confused. Take me the way I am. Move me, like a river glorious.

Transform me, because You can—through Your gracious and gentle Hand.

Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth Deeper all the way.

Peace. Rest. Victorious. Bright increase. Words speak. As the stars across the heavens at night. As an abundance of roses on a stem. Wherever I may be, Lord, let this hymn energize me to believe.”

Could it be? Words, lead me, to my refuge and help? The pages in a hymnal read aloud. A remedy constant to revive. I turn to it’s page. I find Rock of Ages, on the other side.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me let me hide myself in Thee.”

The Lord is speaking. He is ministering to me. Like a River Glorious, a Rock of Ages that I might hide. Two different pictures, bringing about a solid theme, that wherever I go, I am being held and protected from Fear and Anxiety, two of my greatest foes.

Peace came to this furious world. Willing to allow the water and the blood from His wounded side to flow. . .  His death gives life to me, and all the people of the world, who see.

Like a River Glorious.

These words are living. Hymns teach of hope! Refreshment and revival. “Stayed on Jehovah, hearts fully blest! Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest!”

Moving forward, constant. Like a River Glorious. Yet, Stayed on Jehovah, our mighty God, Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand.

To this morning meditation, let all the people say, “Amen.”

Holding Fast. A Prayer for Today

“This world, this wilderness, this desert place— where You watch our steps, it’s ruthless and rough, scary and often-times, a disgrace. This world, O Lord, that You ‘so loved.’ You sent Your precious Son that the people might see  with their eyes, and experience Love.

But at each turn, moment by moment, for us, (and 2,000 years ago, for You, Jesus), there’s strife, accusing, and distrust. This world is broken with edges that are sharp. So often, Lord, our hearts are left bleeding all over the place.
You know all about that, and remind us: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (1)

Pour out that ‘sufficient grace’, Lord. Give us ears open, for listening. Give our hearts increased understanding:
I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown. Revelation 3:11.

God, these words seem at times, foreign and distant. What do we have? How do we hold fast? Remind me of the crown. What’s the meaning of all this?
The old folks are weary, fighting to persevere. The children are caught in a cultural fast-paced race. Your Book is open. We will be still, and hear:

These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open.
Oh, Lord, in awe and reverence, we are listening, with the Book open in Revelation 3:

I know your [record of] works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My Word and guarded My message, and have not renounced or denied My name. (2)

But God, You can see that I have not always kept Your Word. Please forgive me. You see my shame. Wash me new, today. Help my eyes acknowledge the work You have done for me:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Psalm 103. (3)

Yes, I see a door in my mind, open, with Your nail-pierced hands before me. You speak ever gently, Remember Me.
Flooding now in my memory from Your Word: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life . . . Psalm 23. (4)

And then a hymn comes cleansing me:

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms (5)
Dear Lord, the Welcome mat to Your house of Love is often an Hymn from so long ago:
Come, ye thirsty, come and welcome
God’s free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry ’til you’re better
You will never come at all
He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. 
 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (6)
Today, as if it were my first. Today, as if it were my last:
I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms (5)

(1) 2 Corinthians 12:9.
(2) Revelation 3:7-8.
(3) Psalm 103:2-4.
(4) Psalm 23:6.
(5) I Will Arise and Go To Jesus/ Joseph Hart/ 1759.
(6) Revelation 3:12,13.

A Blind Woman’s Calling was to Help the World to See

A blind woman could see much more than most of us dream. She couldn’t see color, or line, or form, but she had eyes to see the Lord.
Her heart would write scores of words to increase our vision and understanding of the Lord.

Fanny Crosby teaches devotion to God as we open old hymns and speak them and sing.

We weep on earth when loved ones pass, but in the LORD, hope continues on. Saved by Grace, 1891, Fanny’s chorus repeats confident and strong:

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace; 
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace. 

Who is He that she longs to see. Our hearts long to read on and hear her words because we are born into this broken world, and in the midst of happy moments and and fun and life, there are great hurts. Great losses threaten to shadow all delight.

But God, He’s there. He asks quietly, “Do you believe?”

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You  must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit,” John 3:5-9.

With God, at times it seems all mystery. But Fanny writes of her Lord to show us the end before the beginning:

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

This is hope. What does it all mean? Does God put this hunger in us all that we search for answers that we might see and know?

Some day my earthly house will fall,
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know-—my All in All
Has now a place in heav’n for me.

Can I know? Without a doubt? How can I know that I will see the Lord face to face. How could Fanny write with such confidence of God’s grace?

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace.

We are born as a baby, but before our death, is there a birth that must take place? Is this the meaning of this mystery?
A day in our life, either early or late, we must look up to Jesus, God’s Son Whom He has sent. A second birth? It is on that day, we look up and choose to say, “I believe in all You did for me on the cross.”

“Take my sin and all my misery. Empty me that I might be filled with You. Give me new life today. Fill me with Your Spirit now, and for every day.”
Then the chorus Fanny wrote will be our song of hope that we sing with heart’s strong.

Some day, when fades the golden sun
Beneath the rosy-tinted west,
My blessed Lord will say, “Well done!”
And I shall enter into rest.

All because of the grace of God through Jesus.
Fanny wrote, that years later I could remain confident and sing until the very end:

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Savior opes the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.

Amen, Amen. Fanny would have us speak joyfully her chorus again:
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—-Saved by grace.

True Riches: Faith in God through Jesus His Son

Earthly riches we see and often desire. And once acquired, there is almost always, the let down: “Is that all there is?”

But Jesus, who came to be Savior, was also the unparalleled Teacher. He, Wisdom came down and spoke to ears that would hear:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21.

The heavenly treasure of faith in God through Jesus His Son is higher and deeper, richer and forever. “Blessed—happy, fortunate, prosperous and enviable—is the man . . . whose delight and desire are . . .

What comes next? What’s this key to happiness? What makes a man “fortunate?”

What is possessed by the man or woman who is “prosperous and enviable?”
The possession of the glorious key to open the closed-door of Peace is faith in God through Jesus His Son.

Lasting. Forever. Promises enduring:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God,” Romans 5:1,2.

This sounds rich. This rings glorious, but can we understand what it all means?”
“Give us faith. Help us understand the glory of God!” We pray. And . . .
He does.
Having faith to call out to God and pray, the Bible says, is all pleasing:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” Hebrews 11:6.

Heavenly riches, heavenly rewards—this is what I desire. You and me alike?
Just as if I have never sinned, my Jesus sees me now. Faith in what He did for me on the cross is the beginning of riches and glory and hope for all eternity for me, and you, and anyone who believes.

The Bible says it. The Bible is truth.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him,” Proverbs 30:5.

Let us sing in our hearts, even in the midst of sorrow and loss, praises to God, because God will build in us a character that counts:

“Faith God, in Your Son who suffered and died. We stand at the foot of the cross and ask for help that we may at this time,

“glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.
 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:3-5.

To the One whose name is “Faithful and True,” (Revelation 19:11), no matter what happens, help us remember time and again, that the greatest of riches is faith and trust in You. Thank You for giving us the key of faith to unlock the door of Peace with each breath we take.

Amen, and Amen. Shall we continually say, “Let it be, and to Your glory. Let it be.

Blessed is the man whose, “delight is in the law of the Lord,
And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity], Psalm 1, Amplified.”

Believing. In God. According to His Word, indeed reaps True riches. Lasting. Forever.

“Led by grace that love to know . . . I am His and He is mine”

“Loved with Everlasting love, led by grace that love to know. . .”
The Hymn by George Robinson, I Am His, and He is Mine, 1876, is especially speaking to my heart as I sit on a couch in 2018, reading the words aloud.

This world seems to coldly whirl by and grab, push, and shove, but this timeless hymn carries me, as if “grace” took my hand out of anxiety and stress, and an impossible mess, to remind me:

I’m Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!

Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.”

How my frame is weak and my heart grows weary, thoughts of doubt and terror flood in, “I can’t do this. I’ll never make it through. There is nothing left for me to do. Temptations to escape and lose this race flood to my view.

But, the Spirit breathing from above, saves me from inner turmoil, time and time again. My Rescuer, my Comforter, my present Help in need, the Spirit of the living God, He does “fall afresh on me.”

This new day, the Spirit says, “Rise,” open the hymnal. Though sitting on my living room couch, I feel as if carried to view the beauties and the healing powers of creation. Increased faith helps to lift my eyes:

“Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;

Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine;

Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.”

I pray, “Let me know Lord, even now, that ‘I am His, and He is mine.'”

Scriptures suddenly flood my mind, washing the filth of the faithless world away: Be still and know that I am God. (1)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (2)
In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (3)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (4)

Hymns and the word build faith like no other. God hears our prayers and leads us to sing. He wants us to remember, . . .
Him:

“Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest,
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on His loving breast;


Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear
I am His, and He is mine.”

A prayer:

“Dear Lord Jesus, teach me to number my days.

That I walk, knowing, believing I am a child of the living God.

That I would not walk in a way that seems orphaned and restless.

Today, let me put my hand in Yours, Father, and allow You to lead me.

Trusting with joy that You provide all I need for this moment.

Spirit lead my eyes to “look to the hills.” Give me a new song to sing.

I am Yours Lord, and You are mine, today, tomorrow, for all of time.
Amen, Amen. And, in Jesus’ name, Amen, again and again.

(1) Psalm 46:10
(2) Isaiah 26:3
(3) Psalm 16:11b,
(4) NASBPsalm 23:4,5

In Brokenness, The Lord’s Prayer, a Hymn.

“Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name, . . .” May I come to You with pure motives.

So many times I don’t.

I come for myself. You already know.
May I draw near to seek Your holy face.

But God, our Holy Father, you see when I only seek Your hand of blessing, without a thought to give You praise.

My thoughts aren’t Your thoughts. My ways aren’t like Yours.

May I seek to worship now. Thank You for Your everlasting love. You see my heart, Your know my thoughts, You know . . .

I have failed to stop and remember, of what You’ve already done. You’ve carried the cross up that steep, rugged path. You willingly suffered nails in Your hands.

You loved me first. You love me last. You love beyond the farthest star in the Universe.

I am held in Love’s grasp.

I love You Jesus. I draw near to You. And You draw near because Your name is Faithful and True. Not because of anything about me. You died on the cross.
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, . . .” in this heart, right now. Cover me with the blood of Your Son.

You rose from the dead.

May I come to know the power of Your resurrection.

“Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us, . . .” from our natural ways.

All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give, 
let me do whatever lies before me as if it were for You Lord.
For You Lord, may my work be my praise. May this hymn be my song, all of my days:

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. 

I surrender all,
  I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
    I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23.

May I praise with all that I do, today. In Jesus name, Amen.

He Still Changes Water to Wine


“Read the Bible.” We hear people say.
But even when opened, do the words feel dry on the page?

It’s OK. God must know, because the only thing He gets at times from me at best, is a moan.
But, in the end, I can still say, “Thank You Lord. Thank You Lord, for putting up with me. Oh God, I’m confused and feel alone. Will You help me?”

So, the Word seemed dry, not moving me at all, but my eye caught focus at the bottom of the page of a short Spurgeon poem:

“Lo, Moses scatters plagues of wrath, A ministry of fire and death, But our Immanuel cometh forth, with life and love in every breath.
He turned their water into blood, for vengeance was his dread design: But, thanks to our incarnate God, He turned our water into wine.” (1)

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17.

Jesus is unlike all the rest.

Five minutes in devotion to God, with an opening of His word with a few Spurgeon thoughts, I am changed from a whine to hope.

Jesus still changes water to wine.

Water is necessary. Like food and roof over our heads. We have school, or work. We all are under some authority.

We move quickly, we plan out our day, and we grab a water bottle as we go our way.

Water sustains.

The Holy Spirit is likened as water in the Word.  It’s God’s Word that refreshes, the Holy Spirit directs us to be touched by Jesus. He changes us and gives us a song:

And when I think, that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin. 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.

Jesus still changes water into wine. For me, my whine to a song, that I might rejoice and experience His fullness of grace and truth, this day.
Let us celebrate today. We’re simply passing through. Let’s let others know about our eternal home:

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and then proclaim, 
“My God how great Thou art!” 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art. How great Thou art.
God is love. “Dear Lord give me understanding to know Your Name. Faithful and True, Merciful, Gracious, and Above all names:

“Lo, Moses scatters plagues of wrath, A ministry of fire and death, But our Immanuel cometh forth, with life and love in every breath.
He turned their water into blood, for vengeance was his dread design: But, thanks to our incarnate God, He turned our water into wine.”

Keep me singing dear Jesus, and drawing close to You that You might heal me and help me the entire day through:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art! How great Thou art. 

Poem taken from C.H. Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible. Hymn: How Great Thou Art.

Evidence of a Spirit-filled life? Singing? Dear God, fill me that I might sing again

Evidence of a Spirit-filled life?

Singing?

As I open, Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan, a hymnal-devotion, many a mornings to me, I acknowledge even in the first of the day, after moments to pray, that my song is lost to thorns and rocks hidden within the soil of my heart.

I read the hymn, In My Heart There Rings a Melody, written way back in 1923.  Elton M. Roth penned the words: I have a song that Jesus gave me, It was sent from heav’n above, There never was a sweeter melody, ‘Tis a melody of love. 
In my heart there rings a melody, . . .”

But God can clearly see, this morning, my heart is out of key.
But the Lord won’t give up on me, “O ye of little faith.” His voice rings out over and over again to the disciples throughout His Word, yet with such tenderness and grace. There is none like our Lord.

He knows my heart, which is sad, so many days. Worried, and heavy, “leaning on my own understanding.” He watches me wrestle and strain. The illustration of me, is Romans 7—completely. I confess. My heart is weeping:

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.

This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? (Romans 7:21-24).

Look at all those I’s! Truly, this is not to be ignored.

I thank God for the next words I read. May each word permeate my whole being, and Lord, please give me depth of understanding:

 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:25 ends only to bring me to Romans 8: 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, . . .

Yes, I belong to Him.

the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you, . . .

That’s what I need to be reminded continually. I am like a sheep, forgetting God’s promise of the Spirit in me:
the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you,  from the power of sin that leads to death. 

 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.
 So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 

 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

God declared an end to sin’s control . . .by giving His Son . . . the requirement of the law would be fully satisfied . . .
This, yes, this brings back to me a song!

So I look on again at that age-old hymn, and yes, these are the words of praise I sing:
I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry, For He washed my sins away; He put within my heart a melody, And I know it’s there to stay.

‘Twill be my endless theme in glory, With the angels I will sing; ‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony, When the courts of heaven ring. In my heart there rings a melody, There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony;

In my heart there rings a melody, There rings a melody of love.”

Thanks be to God. He will meet me today and work in my heart to trust in Him more. And lean on His Word, not my own understanding. To get rid of the “I’s” and look to the Lord!

Do we all agree with an Amen? “Amen.”

 

 

New Year, New Directions, New Hopes, Old Foundations

If holiness is the music God hears and a broken heart the sacrifice He honors, let us turn aside our eyes each morning and be moved by the cross.

And each night in the coming year, let us give thanks and worship Him, Who faithfully and patiently watches and keeps, and never fails to zealously love us.

“Transform us Lord, these coming days, as we wholly desire to know You more, and more, and grow in Your grace to trust more fully in Your ways. This is my prayer me, Your Church, Your Bride—and for all who choose to draw near and abide.”
This is the closest thing to a New Year’s resolution.

I remember the first time the Lord put on my heart,

“You’re a worship leader.” It was many, many years ago when my second child was in a baby seat.
I thought I had an image of what a “worship leader” was to be, but God had plans way beyond my imagination.

Through the course of over 30 years, marriage, pregnancy, chronic laryngitis, children, teaching, serving, moving, sickness, and recovery, and the beauty of brokenness, God has shown me,

“Toni, to lead in worship is simple and true. Look to Me. Talk to Me. And Believe Me and My Word, through and through, no matter the rough terrain, the pain;

I wash all the stains.

Look to the cross, and lead others there—children, and hurting, and feeble, and doubting. Talk of Me and pray, I will strengthen and empower.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself, John 12:32. 

So, to begin a new year with old foundations laid, I set out to frame God’s Word, powerful and true:

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth, Psalm 46:10.


Jesus. Old words, prayerful songs, I pray I will remember and consider the whole year long.
It seems easy, yet not—to let sound out on these words so sweet. The reality is, . . . these thoughts are difficult to speak,  in truth and honesty.

The Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, He knows my heart, He sees. He knows and understands the wrestling.

As a child, I want to open up my voice. Will you join me? Not reluctantly, but the best we can today, faith-fully:

“Open my eyes, Lord. I want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch You, And say that I love You. 
Open my ears, Lord, and help me to listen. Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus.
To mean these words, with all my heart, soul, and mind, I need help from Him, but I believe. Help me grow to believe more, . . .

In His time.
In His time.
He makes all things beautiful,
In His time.
Lord, please show me everyday,
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say
In Your time.
Lord, our lives to You we bring
May each song we have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing
In Your time.”
I never thought a worship leader could lead with a pen. But I hope and pray that I have put a song on your heart to sing to Him.
“Dear Lord, Open my, (our) ears, open my, (our) eyes, help me, (us) to trust that You will make all things beautiful, in Your time. In Jesus name, I, (we) pray, Amen.”

The Best Gift I Can Give to My Kids

The best gift I can give to my kids, is first and foremost, to remind them, they are His.

The Creator of all the beauty they see. The Father, the Son, The Holy Spirit will continually speak. And when their hearts believe, God is pleased.  Hearts soft and open, have eyes to receive.

Jesus is not only the giver of light and life, He is Light.

Jesus is not only the giver of life, He is Life.

Jesus is not only the giver of bread, He is Bread.

He is LORD. He is above the rest.

So, the best gift I can give my kids today, is to faithfully, and honorably, live and believe all this, but also, . . .

show them moment by moment, with all of my heart, faithful and honorable love for their dad. Yes, I believe the best gift today, that I can give our kids, is love and grace for the dad-of-all-dads.

I want to please God.

He says to me, “love.”

I fail miserably time and time again, but each new day, He says, “My mercies are new. S e e k Me.”
And He watches me fall. He watches me miss. And He forgives me new, as each day, His face I seek.
And He says to me, “Now . . .
do that for others, as they miss the mark too. Offer grace. Offer forgiveness. Be patient and kind. Remember Me, and abide.”

And kids, you watch me, day after day, so easily offer this as I go on my way. But it is hard stuff to do as I walk through our front door. It is hard to honor and offer grace to the very one, that I said to God “I Do, for all of my days.” And for this, daily, I seek His grace.

How I miss the mark and fall flat on the floor.
(Forgive me, Mike.)

Forgive me kids.

I want to do a better job at offering love and all of this.

So I seek the Lord and He fills and supplies. He is our Lord. He is the One we will both lift up our eyes.

So, I will start this all off with the word: Remember.

It is good to look at pictures of beginnings, that we might reminisce. And kids, I sure hope you spend time praying for us both, as we need your prayers that we might faithfully keep our oath.

That we continue to bring glory to our Lord and our King. And that we love each other, day after day, faithfully. Etched on the inside of my wedding ring, you find the name Mike. His, has the name, Toni. We do well thinking on and remembering these things.

I love you kids. I give you a gift. A promise that I will give it my best, day in and day out to faithfully and honorably love your dad.

“Gory to God in the Highest. And on earth, peace and good will to all men.” Amen.

Holidays can bring inside rain. The Remedy?

Holidays. Family plans. Thoughts of giving and sharing—overwhelm. Memories. The good, and the bad—stir up at times, a storm.
Christmas lights and music. Christmas movies and food. Along-side of  family needs, and neighbors’ crisis, and attacks of  the enemy. We are tempted to break down like a blown fuse.

Light vanishes. Darkness makes its move. Feelings and tired nerves leave heavy judgments to dis-prove. Busy-ness and time crunches cloud up our Holiday mood.
Then a song comes from no-where. A song to turn my head. I see the words and I read them. As if, God says, “Think on this, instead:

‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.'”

Oh, how the Lord loves us. He is a present help in times of need. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are active and alive. God again and again, saves me, He saves us from life’s oppression.

He saves me from my self. From my doubt. He lifts my head to see. He uses words of old hymns and familiar melody. Somehow, it’s a mystery. God transforms me. O let the hymnal sing:

“O soul are you weary and troubled. No light in the darkness to see. There’s a light for a look at the Savior and life more abundant and free”

“Thro’ death into life everlasting, He passed and we follow Him there. Over us sin no more hath dominion. For more than conquerors we are!”

It’s as if a wave of hope comes upon me. Everything inside begins to breathe. Words and music, and new songs begin to flow. God’s Holy Spirit directs my heart to sing. Time and time again:

“Fall on your knees, O hear, the angel voices, O night divine, O night , when Christ was born. O night divine, O night . . . when Christ was born.”

It is night for so many. It is a time of great dismay. But, Christ is born. Right here, right now! He is come to be our help this day.

“His word shall not fail you, He’s promised.

Believe Him and all will be well.

And go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell.”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,. . . 

He’s the lifter of our head. He’s the light, the hope of heaven. He is our Immanuel.