No Fear In Love

As I have some downtime this week, this song has touched my heart deeply. So, I share it with you.

https://youtu.be/pu7Tc_j62ak

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

Grateful

And Now

As I consider my whole life up to now and especially as I am the oldest I have ever been, this passage from The Psalms has become a very personal prayer of my own:

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

Grateful 

Heart Purity

"Blessed are the pure in heart..." Words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5:8a

I have learned that heart purity causes me to have heightened expectations of God and lower expectations of people. 

What I mean is this: sanctification, purity of heart, enables me to focus on how pleased I am with God over how disappointed I could be with people. 

Here's the point: people are not God. So, we should not expect them to never let us down. Too often, because I am not God, I can disappoint myself. So, why would I expect unrealistic performance from other people like me when I know perfect performance is only a God-Himself-quality? 

Recently, I heard Ravi Zacharias make a powerful three-word statement: "Don't Play God!" It impacted me very undeniably. It reminded me of Brother Earl Clarke's prayer: "God, You be God all by Yourself!"

So I pray: Lord please continue to purify my heart. Help me to heighten my expectations of You, as I extend more and more mercy to the people in my life. If and when people let me down, I still want to lift them up. And when I let others down, may it only serve to prove to them that they need to look beyond my weakness and see You in Your perfect power. Teach me that the pure in heart prove their authenticity by believing in You and by blessing others. Yes, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they/we will see God," and as a result others will see God in them/us! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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

Grateful     

Such Love

We are highly valued. I know this to be true because of the indescribable price Father God was willing to pay to buy us back from sin and death. Yes, our Redeemer was/is the one and only Son of Father God. 

As a boy, one of my favorite church hymns was titled "Such Love!" Here it is in an updated acoustic style for your encouragement. You are welcome! :)

  https://youtu.be/lYP7FPtUk_8

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

Grateful 

Very Much

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

Grateful 

Beauty Present

Today, in Atlanta, my son, Grayson, and I took a morning walk. As I paid attention, two words came to mind -- beauty present. 

Here's proof:

Didn't see that last photo coming now did ya? Beauty to me. Old pickup truck still in use. 

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

Grateful 

The Glory

Journeying south toward Atlanta today, this song pressed in upon me...

https://youtu.be/4Kdlf0WO0hQ

Lyrics of last verse move me deeply:

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

Grateful

Matthew 9

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

Grateful 

Happy Anniversary

Today, my bride and I celebrate 37 years of marriage. A cord of three strands is not easily broken -- God, husband, wife. 

Our engagement photo from 1980...

 

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

Grateful 

 

"SO"

Psalm 86:5 from The New Living Translation of God's Holy Word has been "SO" inspiring to my own soul these days:

"O Lord, You are 'SO' good, 'SO' ready to forgive, 'SO' full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help."

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

Grateful  

Love

I recently heard a secular author give an interesting definition of Love: 

Love is giving someone the power to destroy you and trusting them not to use it.

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

Grateful 

Jesus / Sinners

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

Grateful 

Renew Strength

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

Grateful 

Connect / Communicate

The thought came strong into my thinking this morning that I was born to connect and to communicate. It's possible that people closest to my circle of life get weary even of my life's call to connect and to communicate. I notice sometimes how people around me fall almost silent and possibly so because I seem to never totally tire of connecting and communicating. 

The funny thing is -- maybe even seemingly a contradiction -- I am an introvert deep within my being. In other words, too much of people can leave me breathless, nevertheless, I seem to have been entrusted with the spiritual gift of not losing connection and communication with especially the people I believe God has entrusted me to encourage.

In conclusion of what may seem like my rambling thoughts, I want to be like Jesus, in that He will never abandon those who desire connection and communication with Him. I cannot be and do not aspire to be Jesus, only to be like Him and yes, to be one sanctuary in which He may flow His Holy Presence in order to connect and to communicate His Love and Hope to those in my life and lifetime and even beyond. 

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

Grateful  

Hiddenness

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

Grateful 

Presence / Protection

Psalm 46 is always inspiring!

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

Grateful 

Unknown / Known

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

Grateful 

Racism / Nazarene

Prayers for mercy continue from the depths of our souls... 

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

Grateful

Evangelism 101

I preached on this passage today. Well, I preached Part 1 at least. Title: "To Reach People!" So powerful. Thanks to The Apostle Paul for his personal approach to Evangelism.  

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

Grateful 

No Longer

It may be a surprise to some to learn that I have been a drummer since about age 12. I still own a small set of Blue Oyster Pearl Drums and have completed my set with a few titanium Zildjian cymbals in my office at home. 

Occasionally, I put on my headphones and worship the Lord in solitude as I play for Him. Today, was one of those days. It's been a while since I worshipped this way, nevertheless, it was so inspiring to my soul. 

My practice song is always "Ventura Highway" by the seventies band, America." It'not a worship song but it gets me ready for worship on my drums.  

Today, the song that broke through the heavens and gave me access to The Throne Room from my drum room was the worship arrangement titled "No Longer Slaves!" 

Here it is:

https://youtu.be/xMdI1uiUIwc

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

Grateful 

Speak Grace

Over the past week or so, the Lord seems to be enlarging my understanding pertaining to the importance of speaking -- in all conversations -- gracefully. 

Too often we mostly want people to hear what we are saying rather than sensing in every conversation with us how very much God cares for them. 

Take the grace challenge with me. It's a thing of simplicity but can profoundly add eternal value to the lives of those we encounter in communication.

Here's a few ways to speak grace:

1. Listen carefully as others talk.

2. Ask questions to encourage them.  

3. Speak the truth in love with grace.

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

Grateful 

 

  

Death Arrested

Pastor Adrian led our Dawn Patrol Men's Prayer session this morning at 6:10 a.m. This song was played as our initial inspiration for our time of intercession:

https://youtu.be/uMsMiluCUUI

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

Grateful 

I Enter

Paul Wilbur will be at our local church on Thursday evening, September 21, 2017, to lead us in a night of Jerusalem-style worship. Here's one of his arrangements:

https://youtu.be/s4CRvAPzxjI

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

Grateful 

Near / Here

Saturating in Philippians 4:5, NLT, my heart finds strength in these four words: "THE LORD IS NEAR!" So this is my vulnerable and sincere prayer:  

Lord, You are near. 

Yes, You are here.

Increase Your awareness.

Heal my barrenness.

Strengthen my essence.

Give me Your presence.

Don't leave me alone.

Or I'll perish soon.

Do not forsake me.

Come closer. Embrace me.

Lord, I know You are near.

Whisper, "I AM HERE!"

Amen.

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

Grateful  

Keep On

"Be patient in trouble and keep on praying." Romans 12:12b NLT

Enough said. 

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

Grateful 

Too Much

When our son, Grayson, started to talk as a young child, his two signature words were "too much!" I am not sure how exactly he came up with these two powerful words when we would ask him "how much he loved us?" Nevertheless, his answer from the first time we asked him "how much he loved us?" was "too much!" 

The same words came whenever we asked him "how much does Jesus love Grayson?" Yes, he replied: "too much!"  

My guess is that whenever he heard the word "love", perhaps "too much" triggered in his young mind. 

These thoughts remind me of another question: "Is it even possible to love a loved one too much?" It's an interesting question don't you think? And "is it possible to care too much for others?" If it's possible, I am probably quilty. 

So, if it's possible to love and care too much for others, maybe I owe an apology to some people across my lifetime.

What am I really talking about? Well, if it's possible to love and care about people too much, or so much that they miss The Love of God, I would want to apologize for that kind of love and care. And if I loved or cared about others more than I loved and cared for the Lord, well I am sorry for that epsecially.

Don't get me wrong. I want to love and care for others and I want and need the love and care of others, but I do not want it to interrupt in anyway The Love of God! 

And without doubt, if we reflect on the truth of John 3:16-17, surely we would agree that God loved and cared for us "too much" and for that we are surely most grateful!

Thanks for thinking about loving and caring with me on this blog post. It seemed to come out of nowhere but I am pretty sure it came my way from The Mind of Christ. I hope I learn the lessons He wants me to know and to live.

Oh yeah, and our son, Grayson's, very first full sentence was spoken to me, his dad. As I held him after a life-saving surgery, he said with a laugh: "I love you." It was unbelievable but I have witnesses who heard him say it, and get this, he was only four months old. Told you it was unbelievable. "Too much", indeed!       

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

Grateful  

    

Live Simply

My wife and I spent Saturday morning enjoying breakfast at a small town diner and then riding our bicycles in the cool morning breezes along the quiet streets of another little village. As we left the breakfast spot, this bumper sticker reminded us of a new lifestyle we are just beginning to truly embrace and really learn. Was grateful for the visual.

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

Grateful 

Heaven Bound

When I was a teenager growing up along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA, Southern Gospel Music was a staple of our culture. One singing group had a most wonderful name -- Heaven Bound! They were a men's trio with sweet three-part harmony that sounded like one three-dimensional voice. 

Come to think of it, Southern Gospel is made up of songs mostly about Heaven and The Blood of Jesus! And without the Blood of Jesus, we would not have the hope of being Heaven Bound. 

Today, as I was praying for many people in my life's circle of influence who are either physically sick or relationally broken or in a spiritual battle, I thought how blessed we are to be able to plead the Blood of Jesus and know we are headed to a place where physical sickness and relational brokenness and especially, spiritual warfare are not allowed.

Exhale my friends and remember -- we are Heaven Bound! There's no sorrow in that Tomorrow! Hallelujah!!! 

Here's an old video of Heaven Bound from the 1980s singing "Canaanland (Heaven) is Just in Sight!"

https://youtu.be/ScXty64f_Rw

Be encouraged. 

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

Grateful     

What A Day That Will Be!

I awoke with this old song on my heart this morning:

https://youtu.be/ycz4s2xwDhc

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

Grateful 

Evening Prayer

As evening falls

My soul calls

To You my Father God.

As birds retire

And the sky's on fire

You are my Solid Rock.

While here I roam

I dream of Home

Where darkness will never come.

From my heart

Do not depart

For of my life, You are the sum.

In the Name of Jesus.

Amen.

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

Grateful 

God Hears

These words from 2 Chronicles 30:27b, touch my heart as I consider the goodness of our God when His people call out to Him in prayer:

"... God heard their prayers from His holy dwelling in Heaven." (NLT)

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

Grateful