Our/Your

(Click type below for a prayer recently prayed by a pastor friend of mine, David Rodes:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

The Cross

"By the Cross death was slain and Adam was restored to life. The Cross is the glory of all the Apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the sanctification of the saints. By the Cross we put on Christ and cast aside our former self. By the Cross we, the sheep of Christ, have been gathered into one flock, destined for the sheepfolds of Heaven." 

-- Theodore the Studite

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Faith Heroes

Thursday evening I was blessed to be in the Kansas City area for church meetings and was double-blessed to spend three hours and supper with my hero friends, Drs. Neil and Bonnie Wiseman. 

The Wisemans were my professors in Bible College on the early 1990s. The influence they have had on my life ever since has been immeasurable and sacred. 

Though they are in their mid-80s now, they are no less essential to my life, in fact, they grow increasingly essential as they, and as I, get older.

Just being present with one another was so inspiring. I spent about an hour and a half with them both, about an hour alone with Mr. Wiseman and finally about half-hour saying goodbye to Mrs. Wiseman. 

As the taxi pulled up to transport me back to my hotel my heart was overcome with gratitude. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Never Rush

"We can never rush the will of God... Are you pushing Him? Do not be content until you are free to let the Spirit of God order your life." 

-- Dennis Kinlaw

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Double Lives🚫

(Click type box for full-frame message:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

IN UNITY! Let's Light Our World!

IN UNITY!

Let’s Light Our World

          If I could only have one chapter from the entire Word of God, I would choose John 17. In John 14, 15, and 16, as our Lord Jesus was hearing the drumbeat calling Him to the Hill call Mount Calvary, He was trying to get those who would be His fully devoted followers to understand what His last will and testament was for them, for us. In John 17, His trying gives way to His crying. Yes, in John 17, Jesus quits telling human beings what He wants for them and starts praying to His Father to close the deal.

            So, we come to the part in the prayer where the desires of Jesus really seem to crystallize on our behalf – John 17:21. Here’s His prayer: The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

            In Matthew 5, Jesus was sharing His Sermon on the Mount. Here’s a portion of what He said to us: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

            When I consider the words of Jesus in John 17 & Matthew 5, it seems clear to me that the way we become the light of the world is by being one in the Spirit. Yes, UNITY is the fuel that causes us to be a beacon of hope in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Together, let’s continue to be an answer to the prayer Jesus prayed and the sermon He preached. Together, let’s Raise Praise and light our world with His Love.  

(Newsletter to local church originally written 1/2008, Pastor Kerry)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful

The Word

"The Word spoke first of all through the prophets, but because the language of their message was hard to understand, the Father sent The Word in person, commanding Him to show Himself openly so that the world can see Him and be saved." -- Hippolytus

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Be Light

"Christ Himself is our Light. In the same way He is our Light, we ought also to be the Light of the world around us." 

Dennis Kinlaw

Pray with me, please:

Lord, you have come into our darkness as our delightful Light.

We are debtors because of Your Light.

Empower us to enLighten the world.

May we even enter the darkness knowing Your Light overcomes the shadows.

Enable us to be Light, go shine.

In Your radiant Name, we pray. Amen.

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Ever Never

"Don't ever tell God 'never.'"

Sue Mills

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful

In Unity

Sunday's message was from one of my most favorite Psalms:

(Click for full-frame.)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Marriage Benediction

Today, our local church hosted a marriage enrichment event for couples. The event was called "Love First." We had about 30 couples present. It was a sacred day.

Here is a marriage Benediction that seems right on this day:

(Click type below for full-frame:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Advance the Cause of Christ

"The things of this world were as valuable to The Apostle Paul as withered grass in the field. The tyrants and villains that raged against him were no more than gnats to him. Death, pain, and torments were no more than child's play to him, so long as he could use them to advance the cause of Christ."

-- John Chrysostom

Read Philippians 1 for more background of these thoughts. 

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

The Calm

I heard Reba McEntyre's sister sing 25 years ago in Colorado Springs. While she has been in her sister's shadow all her life, she is a light for Jesus in the darkness.

https://youtu.be/jEM4rUS-cIY

Worship Only Jesus! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Know/Obey

This passage from The New Testament is so very clear and powerful: 

(Click type below for full-frame:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Love Disappears

On this Valentine's Day in the USA, there's much made of the word LOVE. I awoke with this passage from The New Testament on my mind:

(Click type for full-frame.)

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Valuable Time

As the years pass, the time studying God's Word will become the most valuable time we have spent, and we will be more of a real person and more of a true person because of our time with God. Did you know you can read the whole Bible through in one year if you simply read three chapters each day and five chapters each Sunday.

-- Dennis Kinlaw

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Generous Hearts

I have been reading through the Old Testament this year, and certain sentences really minister to my heart bringing such inspiration, even invitation to my soul. Here is a sampling of what I am talking about. Just a few words but so very powerful:

"Let those with generous hearts present... ...gifts to the Lord."

Exodus 35:5b NLT

And...

"All those whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord." 

Exodus 36:20-21a NLT

"Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Onslaught Overcomers

I recently sent this message out on my @ProjectGalilee Twitter account:

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Reflecting Time

In case you're not yet fifty-years-old, once you pass the fifty number there's much more time to spend reflecting on days gone by. 

It's not all bad, however, because for me at least, after topping the fifty-hill, I have spent more time reflecting on the faithfulness of God over the course of my years. 

As a matter of fact, I am now beyond the fifty-five mark. And guess what? The faithfulness of God across my life only gets larger and larger. 

So, today, on my blog, as I am just a few months away from fifty-six-years-old, I want to write a few lines to my Faithful God, and you're welcome to read them, even pray them, if you'd like:

My God, You have forever been the Lover of my soul. I don't understand all the reasons why, I only know it's so. 

In my loneliness You have given me the loveliness of Your Friendship. When others were unaware of my uncertainties, You have always been atuned to my heart.

To reflect on my days is to see all of Your ways at work on my behalf. Though Your ways are mysterious, surely Your ways are marvelous. 

Often, Precious Lord, I have testified in these words concerning You: "Life is often hard, nevertheless, God is always Good!"

Because of Your grace-filled guidance, my past regrets have been minimized. Through the persistent prayers of my parents and grandparents You have kept me and cared for me, even when, especially when I was unaware of Your kindness towards me.

Indeed, I am a debtor of Your devotion towards me. I was young and now I am older and in all of my many reflections of You, You have always shown compassion and comfort to me that is indescribable and immeasurable. 

Finally, my God, I want to say: "Your Name is Faithful and my name is Grateful!" When others look at my life's walk, may their undeniable talk be only of Jesus! 

A few weeks ago during corporate worship at our local church, I wept during this song, because it helps me to say the things I think about You, my God, especially during my reflecting time. I want my story to be for Your glory!

https://youtu.be/KB7bAlTULqE

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

   

   

"Call It Grace"

This morning at 6am as I left our warm home and crawled into my frigid Ford on the way to our Pastor's Prayer Patrol at the local church, this familiar song was playing on the radio. It touched me. I pray and believe it will also touch you.

https://youtu.be/AAMU68NTVQw

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Missing Daddy

This message and photo were on my Twitter and Instagram posts today:

#Daddy, somedays I really miss the strength of your presence in my life. Like today. "We shall meet on that Beautiful Shore..." My Dad, Capt. Billy, was a man of great strength. Even when I was sixteen, he had no problem carrying me on his shoulders with energy to spare. At the end of his earthly life, it was my joy to carry him for a while. Miss ya Dad. Thanks for pointing me to our Abba Father. Still... Miss your voice. Miss your humor. Miss your Christlike ways. See ya. Someday. #goodgrief ⚓️#rushpointlanding #HarkersIsland #1977 #wearingmyChucks

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Shared Love

"With the shared love that binds us together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation and giving ourselves unceasingly to fasting, vigils, and praying together. Using these heavenly weapons gives us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are spiritual defenses and God-given armaments that protect us. Let us then remember one another and be united in mind and heart. Let us pray without ceasing, you for us, we for you. Our shared love will relieve the strain of these great trials."

-- Cyprian of Carthage

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1st Corinthians 12:26

Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful

Stay Calm

Moses' words as the Israelites were envisioning the Egyptians about to attack them just before The Red Sea opened up as their route of deliverance:

"Worship Only God! Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Guilty Stains

(Click type for Good News:)

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Symbolically/Reality

"What boundless love, that while we share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ symbolically, yet we gain salvation in reality."

Cyril of Jerusalem

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Miserable Place

"Drowning in self-pity and accusing God of forgetfulness is a miserable place for any believer to be in. God knows every moment of our existence and everything that has happened to us. His eyes are on us, and they have not wavered. He does not forsake us. We are never out of His sight."

Dennis Kinlaw

So I pray: Lord, help me to live not in a miserable place, but in a marvelous place – – yes, in an unending awareness of Your Presence!

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful 

Love You Need You

My friend, Ed, went to be with the Lord in 2016. His sickness came upon him rather quickly and just a few months later his life's work had ended. 

Once Ed got his cancer diagnosis, his messages to me always ended with the same four words: "Love you, need you!" 

Ed was what most people might see as an independent man. Nevertheless, he knew he was not an island, as he made his need for connection with others vulnerably obvious. 

Today, as I think about Ed and his four words of confession, I remember how Ed knew he needed God as well. Yes, today, I find myself saying especially to Jesus: "Love You, Need You!" 

The hymnwriter wrote the truth: "Lord, I Need Thee Every Hour!" 

(Click link for Matt Maher's song of worship along these same lines:)

https://youtu.be/gS9e0nxHP-w

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful  

  

Give Extravagantly

"Remember the future hopes you store up for yourself by casting off the material cares of this life. Come, spread your wealth around, be generous, give extravagantly to those who are in need."

-- Basil the Great

"Worship Only God!" Rev. 22:9 NLT

Grateful