Once Again

This vintage Steve Green prayer song has been inspiring my heart, mind, soul, and strength the past 24 hours or so:

http://youtu.be/Z_NBjiYq2gY

In Jesus' Name.

Grateful

The Christmas Story -- The Children's Perspective

On Christmas Eve, my friend Suzanne sent me this precious clip of children acting out their own rendition of the Christmas Story. It is inspiring. So before this Christmas season is totally past, watch the story of our Savior's Birth, yes the Luke 2 story, from the refreshing and inspiring perspective of children.

 Click here: The Christmas Story - YouTube

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD! ALL PEACE TO YOUR SOUL!
Grateful

We Were Restored to Friendship With God By the Death of His Son!

My friend, Brian, leads our Mens' 20/20 Dawn Patrol Bible Saturation every second and fourth Tuesday morning of the week. Presently, we are saturating in the New Testament Book of Romans. This morning our concentration was on Romans 5. The opening paragraphs are so inspiring that I sensed I should share them with all the world, especially with you :-).

(I invite you to read these wonderful words aloud and to discover how long it takes for your own soul to be moved):

(1) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. (3) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. (4) And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. (5) And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. (6) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. (7) Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. (8) But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (9) And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. (10) For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. (11) So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. -- Romans 5:1-11 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Revival?

2010 is a year of Readying for Revival for me and for the local church I pastor. It's more than a theme, it's like a mandate on my life to invite our people to get ready for a fresh spiritual awakening in and beyond our lives. I must say, as I saturate in 2 Chronicles 7:14, I have vision like I have never before known, yes vision that is overflowing with awesome anticipation and encouraging expectation. In short, I am very humbled, totally grateful, and somewhat speechless as I consider my Lord's promises.

What is your most inspiring definition of Revival?

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Forever?

I challenge you to come up with a definition for the word forever. It will be a frustrating but inspiring experience if the Lord is Your Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23:6 (TLB) -- Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in your home.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

What Does God See When He Looks at Me?

My brother recently asked me, "What's your favorite Clint Nelson song?" Clint Nelson was the music leader at our home church on the little coastal island where we were raised. Clint is one of the most gifted singers and songwriters ever born. You may think I'm biased but if you heard him sing one of his many inspiring songs, you'd agree with my comments about Clint. (Clint is now the senior pastor at that same little church and still is the music leaders as well).

Anyway, when my brother asked me, "What's your favorite Clint Nelson song?", while I have many favorite Clint Nelson songs, I knew immediately the answer to my most favorite one. The heart of the song is: "When He looks at me He only sees the Blood." How powerful those words are to everyone who has found favor with Holy God because of the shed blood of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, the Sacrifice. As a result of being redeemed, God is satisfied with me, only because When He looks at me He only sees the Blood.

And I will never forget these loving lyrics from another old hymn of the church: What can wash away my sin? NOTHING BUT the blood of Jesus!


ALL JOY!
Grateful