Dwell Deep

Child of God, get away from the surface dwelling. Plunge into the ocean of God's love. Dwell deep. There are surface dwellers who come in contact with every storm that crosses their ocean. There are others who plunge for God. They are so far out in the ocean, so far away from the surface, so deep in the waters, underneath the waves, that no matter what comes their way, they remain unmoved, untouched, unharmed. Dwell deep. Be kept safe.
Author Unknown 

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Let Us Remember and Believe

It's Memorial Day in the USA.

Today, we remember the ones who laid down their lives to secure earthly freedom for our people. It is a tender day as we realize we live because others died. 

This Day causes me to also remember The One Who laid down His life to secure Never-ending Freedom for all people -- The Son of God, Yes, Jesus is His Name. Let us remember that Name. Tender, indeed. 

A song has been on my heart the past week. Somehow, when I consider what it means to remember, I also think of faith, what it means to believe. In other words, it is essential that we remember the Name of Jesus and that we believe in His Name. 

Here is the link to the song titled "Give Me Faith."

https://youtu.be/P8PLBQrzWQ8

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Christmas. Easter. Pentecost.

Three Holy Days point us towards the Whole Wonderful Gospel Message:

1. Christmas. 

    God The Father Sent.

    God with us.

2. Easter.

    God The Son Saves.

    God for us.

3. Pentecost. 

    God The Holy Spirit Sanctifies. 

    God within us. 

Let us live and share all of The Good News, not falling short of the total inheritance that is ours as joint-heirs with Jesus.

(Click image for full-frame.)

"Jesus paid it ALL!"

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

God is Intimately and Intricately Involved

Let us never forget that nothing about our little lives will ever be too big for Almighty God to handle. 

At the same time, let us also remember that even the so-called "little things" that concern us, also concern our Father God, so much so, that He is intimately and intricately involved in the details.

Yes, He even cares about my old Beagle, The Oreo Pup, who turned 13 years-old this week and is seemingly at the end of his days. If not one sparrow falls to the ground without our God knowing, then certainly He knows and even cares about those who have become our "best four-legged friends". In fact, I am reminded of what unconditional love is all about because of my old dog. It's so humbling. 

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

"There is One Who Knows"

"How unseeing the world goes on! How unknowing of your heartaches and troubles, your battles won, your conquests, your difficulties. But be thankful, that there is One who knows, One who marks every crisis, every effort, every heartache." 

-- Russell remix 

https://youtu.be/DswtbFUPo3Y

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

All The Thrills My Soul

In my quiet time today, an old hymn of the church came so very clear in my thinking. It was a favorite of mine as a child growing up in the church. 

Listen at the link below as George Beverley Shea sings "All That Thrills My Soul (is Jesus)". 

 https://youtu.be/UCtmiQlSU1w

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

My "Let" Prayer to My Lord Jesus

My "Let" prayer to My Lord Jesus:

Let me experience an uncompromised and unending communion with You. Be My King. 

Let my desires be undeniably delighted, even dominated by Your mind. Be My Master.

Let Your countenance continuously cover me inside and out. Be My Comforter.

Let Your song of stillness be the soundtrack of my soul, regardless of the circumstances that surround me. Be My Savior.

Let me know You and know that You know me every moment of my life. Be My Everything.

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Fan the Flame of Faith

I captured this portrait of an Eastern Orthodox priest in Samaria, The Holy Land. He is caretaker of Jacob's Well, also known as The Well of Sychar, yes, the same Well of Samaria where the John 4 encounter took place.

The priest was melting wax to seal small quantities of water from the well in small ceramic pottery jars so we could bring them home. 

I have taken portraits much of my life, nevertheless, I must admit none have moved me anymore than photographing this image. 

I hope the portrait inspires you in some way and serves to fan the flame of faith within your own soul.

(Click on image below to view full-frame.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Love is God / God is Love

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love;

Joy is Love's Strength,

Peace is Love's Rest,  

Long-suffering is Love's Patience;

Kindness is Love's Attitude:;

Faithfulness is Love's Confidence;

Goodness is Love's Character;

Gentleness is Love's Humility;

Self-Control is Love's Triumph.

(From Galatians 5:22-23)

And Remember, GOD IS LOVE!!! So, wherever you see Love above, you can replace it with God. How wonderful is that!!!

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Arrogance or Humility

(Click on font below for full-frame truth worthy of our prayerful reflection.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW 

Grateful 

Don't Worry...

(Click on image below for full-frame view giving reasons not to worry.) 

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Psalm 40:2 -- Rescued and Redirected

Today, God's Word witnessed so wonderfully to my soul. It was one verse from the Old Testament. The reference is Psalm 40:2. I cannot explain the joy that flooded my soul when I realized the Psalmist was not only testifying to God's amazing grace in his own life, but also to God's amazing grace in my life.

Here's the verse below:

"He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure." GW

My prayer today is that you can say "Amen!" to this verse of testimony penned by the Psalmist. Yes, that I alone will not echo his witness, but you also are able or will choose now to witness the wonderful reality of having been rescued from sin, death, Hell and the devil by Holy God and redirected on The Highway of Holiness. 

If you are still in need of rescue and redirection, look now to Jesus and live! He's as close as the whisper of His name.

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful

Another Rainy Day, Nevertheless...

Yes, it's another rainy day where I am, nevertheless, The Wonderful One, also known by the Name "I AM" is here! ALL IS WELL!

(Click image for more inspiration.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Pastors

My friend Keith from Michigan sent me these sobering words today about pastors:

1. Pastors are called by God.
2. Pastors are called by God to be the overseers of his church.
3. Pastors called as overseers who will one day stand before the Lord and give account of their faithfulness.
4. Pastors are to serve the Lord’s people, but not to take orders from them.
5. Pastors are sent, not to make the people happy, but to make them holy and healthy and to make the Lord happy.

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

My Prayer for You Today...

I pray for you today:

May the encouragement of Jesus Christ cause Jubilee to break out on the dance floor of your heart.

The God of all mercy absolutely adores you and is for you. I pray you will hear Him tenderly whispering your name deep within. 

In the midst of all of your life's uncertain undertakings and confusing circumstances, may you know the rule of the Prince of Peace on the throne of your life.

As you go about your daily duties, I ask the Lord to deepen your devotion with Him. Yes, I hope you will know Him more and more with every passing moment.

Finally, I pray your focus will be fixed on becoming the perfect will of God for your own soul's contentment and for the eternal care of every soul you encounter.

In Jesus Name. Amen. Amen. And Amen.

"...and I wait." Psalm 5:3 GW

Grateful 

Resurrection Life

Spring reminds us of The Resurrection Life of Jesus available to all who will turn from Sin and turn to Him. 

(Click on image to see our pink and white Dogwood petals of Spring in unity. It amazes me how they resurrect each year after long, cold winters.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GW)

Grateful 

John 4 Illustrated

Sunday's upcoming message from John 4:1-42 is illustrated below in a spontaneous portrait I snapped in The Holy Land. 

(Click on image for full-view)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GW)

Grateful 

I Was Drowning...

Click image below for my testimony and if you are drowning now in your sin, call out the Name of The Savior with all of your heart, because, Jesus Saves. 

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

Glorify Thy Name

This song came to my mind while on my knees in desperate prayer. 

https://youtu.be/QltVKW6wXdo

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

The Dogwood

Our Pink Dogwood is so beautiful this Spring. Today, as I photographed its blooms, I was reminded of "The Legend of The Dogwood" that I heard for the first time as a child. My parents loved The Dogwood and we had one of the trees in our front yard. Their love for The Dogwood transferred to their eldest son and I now have two trees in my front yard. 

(Click below on first image to see our Pink Dogwood blooms and second image to read The Legend.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

 

Battlefield Worship

Scottish worship leader and songwriter, Kathryn Scott, calls my heart to worship my God in all circumstances of life like few other voices can:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?sns=tw&v=IyVP1ImEj9s

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

Afterglow

I pray that whenever I exit the lives of people, there is an undeniable afterglow that proves I am a real carrier of the presence of Jesus. I want to truly minister His presence to the people I encounter and when I am absent I want them to say, "Surely, he is a sanctuary of the Lord." 

In my life Lord, be glorified, I pray. Let my life be a suit of clothes that You wear to wave the Lantern of Your Hope to everyone I meet. Amen.

(Click image below that I took in 2015 at Peggy's Cove Lighthouse situated on the solid rock in Nova, Scotia, Canada.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful

M-O-T-H-E-R

As a child, I remember this old song about "MOTHER" being sung at the church of my upbringing -- The Free Grace Church on The Old Ferry Fock Road. The melody and the words of the old tune still warm my heart:

(Click on type below for full-frame)

So glad I still have my Momma. She will spend some days at our home this week after Mother's Day 2016. (We'll both miss Dad being here, however, we know we'll meet up with him again in The Sweet By-And-By.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

Brothers

So very grateful for my two brothers, Billy Joe and Stephen Gray. I am a brother most blessed. Thank you, Jesus. I want to be the elder brother in your image. Amen. 

(Click on photo and song link below.)

https://youtu.be/7VlsHLbPoJA

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful

Encountering The Glorified Christ Face-to-Face

A friend recently asked me: "Can you imagine what it will be like to see Jesus face-to-face?" I could only reply with words written in Revelation 1: 

(Click font below for full-frame view.)

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

We Need a Revival -- The King is Among Us

This song link below is my deep prayer this week as we are hosting our Project Galilee Season of Revival at our local church. This purposeful season is marked by the promise of our Resurrected Jesus in Mark 16:7, that His disciples would surely see Him again if they would only journey to The Sea of Galilee. That's the Spirit of our cry and this song embodies our desperation. We need The King Among Us and Within Us!  

https://youtu.be/2BfNKFLxOcI

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

Child Warrior

I pray this inspiring song from 1984 will hit close to home for you today and renew your spirit. 

https://youtu.be/uRNFf3ykQvM

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

"A Higher Plane"

This old hymn entered my prayertime today: 

(Click font below for full-frame.)

"...and i wait." Psalm  5:3 (GWT)

Grateful 

Saint Anne's Church in Jerusalem

Saint Anne's Church in Jerusalem is a favorite stop for our Hearts Aflame Discipleship Journeys to the Holy Land. The church is built next to the Pools of Bethsda where Jesus healed a crippled man. 

We always sing in this cathedral. The acoustics are unmatched anywhere. This video was sent to me by my friend Walt who has journeyed with me there. It is a touching presentation of an old hymn sung by a soloist in Saint Anne's Church. 

https://youtu.be/eQhi1YYdJ8w

"...and i wait." Psalm 5:3 (GWT)

Grateful