Nobody Like You Lord

Last evening in an out-of-town restaurant, Kim and i met a family on the way out — Christ within us immediately resonated with Christ within them. We had a wonderful time of fellowship about the goodness of the Lord. 

Just before we parted ways, the mother told her 9-year-old son, Elijah, to sing us a song. Without hesitation, he began to sing with an anointing a song titled “Nobody Like You Lord!” My my. 

Then the mother asked me to place my hand upon her son’s head to bless him. I was blessed as well. 

God’s people are my people, no matter where i meet them and regardless of their skin color. It’s a matter of the inner soul and the facial countenance.

I found a rendition of the song on YouTube: 

https://youtu.be/WFmnlqbvNK8

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

New Mercy

This song is on my mind in the early morning hours of this day. So So glad the Lord’s mercy is new every morning.

https://youtu.be/ab85KKNQoN8

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Exodus 14:14

This verse is very close to my heart these days:

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Suffering

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

God Be...

This is my prayer today...

Hear the prayer at this link and pray with me...

https://youtu.be/dBxSJWjB8vM

Maranatha — “Cone, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

My Prayer Today...

My prayer today is that i will have...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Better

Someone recently sent me this song link and said they thought of me when they heard it. It surely is how I feel about Jesus. Touching...

https://youtu.be/Iuu-PpkdmYo

Maranatha — “Cone, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

“The Cross” Sung by Kevin Wallace

Last night I had the honor of hearing Kevin Wallace sing in Buena Vista, Virginia. It was a benefit concert for the Bridge of Hope food bank at Rockbridge Community Church of the Nazarene. Kevin has one of the most dynamic male voices I have ever heard and this song about The Cross is like dynamite. I hope you enjoy it.

https://youtu.be/jD5k5AxALOs

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Beloved

https://youtu.be/r-Nbt8lCJrk

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

The Mystery Hidden for Ages

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

God = Love

Where would we be apart from the God of love and the love of God? We would be lost and hopeless for forever and today. Yet, God so loved us that He gave His only Son to save us from a disastrous existence and a destructive end. Let us love the God Who has loved us so deeply and Who even now desires our love. 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Listen... The Refiner’s Fire

Saturday morning I sensed these words from the Lord for my own life and then heard this holy surrender song (from my past spiritual walk) shortly thereafter. Sacred. Tender. Tears. His voice is my reward. 

https://youtu.be/pX0knHZorb0

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Anytime You Need a Friend

While searching YouTube for music that my personality type prefers, I came upon this Mariah Carey song. As she sings with a spiritual choir backing her up, it’s truly a song Jesus sends to me/us. 

In my/our loneliness... He will not abandon me/us. He has called me/us friend(s). John 15:15 declares it so. 

https://youtu.be/Li6vpAMmfw0

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Beyond Ourselves — Men’s Retreat 2018

Last evening the Lord helped me to speak on the subject of Holiness in a message and testimony presentation that I titled “Beyond Ourselves.” 

A statement by Oswald Chambers set the course for my sharing: “In our lives either God must die or sin must die.” The practical idea is this: “We either surrender our lives and go God’s way, or we go on our own way, leaving God behind.” 

So, I pray: “Lord, Lead us. Be our Lord. Yes, take us Beyond Ourselves!” 

Images from Ocracoke Island where our retreat happens. 

Ocracoke Lighthouse and Light Keepers Home

Flying goose on decoy carving shed 

Grayson and Greg, baseball buddies 

Island roots and buoys

Window in decoy carving shed

“Uncle”’Walt, Lantern Waver of the Year

Methodist Chapel built in part by shipwreck beams and washed up wood.

Inside the church — The Amen Corner

Wake of the ferry leaving Ocracoke 

Water shining and bright 

Azaelaea bushes and live oaks backlit by sunset 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Beyond — Men’s Retreat Ocracoke Island

“Beyond” is our theme for our Year 24 men’s retreat — Beyond Control, Beyond Ourselves, Beyond Understanding. Here are a few Ocracoke Island images.

Welcome session

Part of my message tonight 


My carver friend, David ONeal signing my new shorebird decoy, a Willet

Spring is here 


My son and me


Rest awhile 

Resting place Village Craftsman 

My dad’s first cousin, John Ivey, looks so much like my dad. 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Year 24 — Men’s Retreat — Ocracoke

I am blessed to be at our 24th year of men’s retreat to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Our drive down today was sacred in many ways. Pray for us as some 110 men and sons are gathering to grow in Holiness together. 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Trust and Pray

There seems to be a heightened level of enemy warfare about us these days. In my solitude with the Lord, it seems I hear these words lending me hope: “Trust and pray!” 

These words from Isaiah 26 are speaking hope to me and below the hope-filled words, find the prayer I am praying today: 

Note: Sometimes it seems the enemy is on the war-path, so we cry out to our Wounded Warrior, Jesus, The One called Wonderful, Who has won our Victory!

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

“In My Life” (Maybe You Will Get It)

Monday mornings, almost always, are especially tender and vulnerable seasons for my soul. Already today, a friend, Bob, has been texting me words of encouragement and promises to pray for me this week. I am a debtor. 

In our message exchanges, we included music, and somehow I fell upon this song on YouTube titled “In My Life.” It was recorded originally by The Beatles in their boyish beginnings but performed here by a seasoned James Taylor. It touched me deeply. Yes, even to the edge of tears. Maybe you will get it?

https://youtu.be/BOU8hFBJqpg

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

They Will Know We Are Christians

Love this theme song of true Jesus- believers... 

https://youtu.be/xyHvO4xoEh4

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

A Christian is...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Family

Last evening I sent this message and music video to my pastoral team. Thought I would also share it with my blog friends today. 

https://youtu.be/tCqWMk8jXeY

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

How Great The Father’s Love

I posted the lyrics to this sacred song during holy week and here is a beautiful music video of it.

https://youtu.be/z65YxhqY0_E

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful

Obey God Over Others

Oswald Chambers words are so powerful today that I just photographed the devo and uploaded it...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

Jesus > i / There is None Like You

In the afterglow of Resurrection Sunday many thoughts fight for first place in my mind. Today, the overwhelming thoughts are actually the words spoken by John the Baptist about Jesus: <Song Link also below verse.>

This song has been on repeat over and over at my house this morning as i worship tenderly through tears, sitting — all the  while — at my Pearl Drum set. 

https://youtu.be/BmcCWFFf2wQ

...and Deo Volente — Whatever God Wants!

🙏🏼 Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful 

55 Resurrections — Easter 2018

This was my Instagram message Easter Sunday afternoon...

There is no greater honor than to stand between An Alive Lord and never-dying souls and share the Good News 📖 of The Resurrection 🦋 of Jesus Christ as The Way ⬆️ to right relationship with Father God. Today, in our three English Easter Celebrations, 55 people let us know unashamedly that they choose Life ✝️ over death, Light 💡 over darkness, Saved 🕊 over lost by accepting Jesus 🙏🏼 as their Savior. #Maranatha

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

Grateful