Winter is really hanging on here on the East Coast of the USA. More ice and snow yesterday. It's quite frigid for our region of the world. Shoveling snow is getting to be somewhat burdensome. Yesterday, after the snow stopped, I put off clearing my driveway as long as possible. Finally, around 3 p.m. I bundled up and pushed myself out of the house to make it happen.
Though my neighbor Philip had come early in the morning while it was still snowing, to blow of the driveway initially, it had continued to snow and about 3-4 inches was still needing to be moved. As I started to shovel alone, honestly, I was about to be discouraged with it all, when all of a sudden a pick-up truck pulled up and my friend, Eddy R., got out with his big smile and even better his big shovel. Together, we talked about life and the goodness of our Lord Jesus and too soon the snow was all moved.
The Scriptures tell us in Proverbs, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." How true it is. Once Eddy arrived, shoveling snow became a good reason for two friends to fellowship. In fact, it didn't last long enough. Funny, how even your attitude can shift when you have companionship in life.
Then, last evening, my wife and I sat at our dining room table at 6 p.m. to have a prayer vigil together. This past Sunday, I called our congregation to host prayer vigils in their homes on Monday evening to pray for Relationships in three dimensions -- Our World, Our Community, and Our Families. When we first sat at the table, I was somewhat heavy-hearted, but as my wife and I took turns praying aloud, inspiration flooded my soul and before we knew it, we had prayed an hour as one.
Don't miss the point. The Lord gave us one another, because we really do need each other. Let's not isolate ourselves from one another. Dear friends of the faith, Real Christianity really is all about right relationships -- loving God, life together, and lighting our world. UNITY!
Grateful
Showing posts with label unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unity. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Friday, July 22, 2011
Eagerly Waiting
This weekend I am a guest speaker for a Unity Rally of Praise, Worship and Word in the county of my birth. To be a part of this is so humbling, as churches in this historically racial and denominationally divided community are coming together as brothers and sisters. This evening we had a shared meal and a prayer gathering on the eve of the main event. A 76-year-old, God-anointed, Black Reverend led the prayer, Brother Willie Murray. He said he had been praying his whole life for this miracle meeting to happen. As Reverend Willie and I shared a holy embrace as brothers, I was immediately reminded of another elderly man of God in the Bible who was eagerly waiting for a miracle -- the birth of Messiah. That man's name was Simeon.
(25) At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him (26) and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (27) That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, (28) Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
(29) “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
(30) I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people.
(32) He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the glory of your people Israel!”
(33) Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. (34) Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the Baby’s mother, “This Child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. (35) As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
-- Luke 2:25-35 (NLT)
Please pray that God will be glorified during this seemingly impossible coming together of races and churches. It is called "Until the Whole Word Hears!" Pray that His favor will become familiar in the community of my birth and spread beyond these geographical borders.
Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful
(25) At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him (26) and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (27) That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, (28) Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
(29) “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
(30) I have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people.
(32) He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the glory of your people Israel!”
(33) Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. (34) Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the Baby’s mother, “This Child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. (35) As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
-- Luke 2:25-35 (NLT)
Please pray that God will be glorified during this seemingly impossible coming together of races and churches. It is called "Until the Whole Word Hears!" Pray that His favor will become familiar in the community of my birth and spread beyond these geographical borders.
Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful
Saturday, July 9, 2011
IN UNITY: Live Together In Harmony!
A song by David for going up to worship...
(1) See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony! (2) It is like fine, scented oil on the head, running down the beard —- down Aaron’s beard -- running over the collar of his robes. (3) It is like dew on Mount Hermon, dew which comes down on Zion’s mountains. That is where the Lord promised the blessing of eternal life.
-- Psalm 133 (GWT)
Click: YouTube - Dwell Together In Unity - Paul Wilbur
IN UNITY!
Grateful
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Afterglow of Pentecost = Life Together
My dearest brothers and sisters in God's Family of faith, hope, and love. I offer to you today, these passionate and powerful New Testament words, :
The Afterglow of Pentecost
(41) On that day about three thousand believed his (The Apostle Peter's) message and were baptized. (42)They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.
Life Together Among the Lord's Followers
(43) Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (44) All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. (45) They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. (46) Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, (47) while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
-- Acts 2:41-47 (CEV)
Lord, be glorified in our Unity today and day-by-day, I pray.
Grateful
The Afterglow of Pentecost
(41) On that day about three thousand believed his (The Apostle Peter's) message and were baptized. (42)They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.
Life Together Among the Lord's Followers
(43) Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (44) All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. (45) They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. (46) Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, (47) while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
-- Acts 2:41-47 (CEV)
Lord, be glorified in our Unity today and day-by-day, I pray.
Grateful
Monday, November 8, 2010
Revival Season: Free From the Devil's Lies
Revival is in Season within our local church and tonight we plan to be re-released on and in this world our Lord's died to save, sharing the Good News of His Resurrection like never before.
This morning this e-mail arrived in my e-box from one of my sisters in the Lord. It's her inspiring testimony as a result of God's healing in her heart during this Sacred Season.
Good Morning, Pastor Kerry:
God is so good! His hand of mercy and forgiveness extends beyond what we think we need forgiveness for and takes us a step further into His loving arms. I feel so totally cleansed and renewed this morning as I was able to kneel at the altar last night and it was like rising up out of the River Jordan with a clean heart. Praise God! There's a soul-cleansing revival ready to take place for the willing heart on a bended knee. I am free, totally free at last. Free from my painful past that was not my fault. Free from my failures. Free from the devil's lies.
As a child spending many years at church camp, one of my favorite campfire songs was "They'll know we are Christians by our Love" because that was one that I could play easily on my guitar for the group. Last night the words of that song opened up in my heart in new ways for me and I will never be able to "just sing it" ever again. We are so totally BLESSED to have such a family of believers in our church, and what an blessing it is to be part of that congregation.
WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD.
WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD.
AND WE PRAY THAT ALL UNITY MAY ONE DAY BE RESTORED.
AND THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE, BY OUR LOVE.
YES, THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE.
WE WILL WORK WITH EACH OTHER, WE WILL WORK SIDE BY SIDE
.....AND WE'LL GUARD EACH MAN'S DIGNITY AND SAVE EACH MAN'S PRIDE.
WE WILL WALK WITH EACH OTHER WE WILL WALK HAND IN HAND
......AND TOGETHER WE'LL SPREAD THE NEWS THAT GOD IS IN OUR LAND!
ALL PRAISE TO THE FATHER FROM WHOM ALL THINGS COME
AND ALL PRAISE TO CHRIST JESUS HIS ONLY SON
AND ALL PRAISE TO THE SPIRIT WHO MAKES US ONE
AND THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE, BY OUR LOVE
YES THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE.
I can't wait to be re-released knowing that I have the backing, love and support of the Church behind me.
Hallelujah!
"A Daughter of God"
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
This morning this e-mail arrived in my e-box from one of my sisters in the Lord. It's her inspiring testimony as a result of God's healing in her heart during this Sacred Season.
Good Morning, Pastor Kerry:
God is so good! His hand of mercy and forgiveness extends beyond what we think we need forgiveness for and takes us a step further into His loving arms. I feel so totally cleansed and renewed this morning as I was able to kneel at the altar last night and it was like rising up out of the River Jordan with a clean heart. Praise God! There's a soul-cleansing revival ready to take place for the willing heart on a bended knee. I am free, totally free at last. Free from my painful past that was not my fault. Free from my failures. Free from the devil's lies.
As a child spending many years at church camp, one of my favorite campfire songs was "They'll know we are Christians by our Love" because that was one that I could play easily on my guitar for the group. Last night the words of that song opened up in my heart in new ways for me and I will never be able to "just sing it" ever again. We are so totally BLESSED to have such a family of believers in our church, and what an blessing it is to be part of that congregation.
WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD.
WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE IN THE LORD.
AND WE PRAY THAT ALL UNITY MAY ONE DAY BE RESTORED.
AND THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE, BY OUR LOVE.
YES, THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE.
WE WILL WORK WITH EACH OTHER, WE WILL WORK SIDE BY SIDE
.....AND WE'LL GUARD EACH MAN'S DIGNITY AND SAVE EACH MAN'S PRIDE.
WE WILL WALK WITH EACH OTHER WE WILL WALK HAND IN HAND
......AND TOGETHER WE'LL SPREAD THE NEWS THAT GOD IS IN OUR LAND!
ALL PRAISE TO THE FATHER FROM WHOM ALL THINGS COME
AND ALL PRAISE TO CHRIST JESUS HIS ONLY SON
AND ALL PRAISE TO THE SPIRIT WHO MAKES US ONE
AND THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE, BY OUR LOVE
YES THEY'LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE.
I can't wait to be re-released knowing that I have the backing, love and support of the Church behind me.
Hallelujah!
"A Daughter of God"
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Surrendered Heart. In Unity. We Get To.
By now, must who of you probably know that I was a professional photographer for about fifteen years before becoming a full-time minister. Though I do not use my photo skills often these days, I do publish a yearly full-color calendar titled "Surrendered Heart" and it contains photos I have taken of the places I love or have traveled in the previous year. The purpose of the "Surrendered Heart" calendar is to encourage others day-by-day, or at least month-after-month and yes, it is one way to keep my creative skills at least dusted off?
My 2010 calendars are almost totally distributed now, marking seven straight years of publishing these "Surrendered Heart" calendars. While there are thirteen color photos in each collection -- a front cover image and a monthly selection -- the final page of the calendar is the most important to me. Yes, on the back inside cover of each yearly calendar I write inspiring words that are especially close to my heart and take time to dedicate each particular calendar.
In today's blog entry, I have decided to print the words from this year's back inside calendar cover. I hope it inspires your life in some meaningful measure.
"Surrendered Heart -- We don’t have to. We get to."
True Love has a Surrendered Heart.
True love is marked by giving, not getting.
We love because we want to.
Philemon 8, is an irresistible and inspiring invitation:
“I appeal to you on the basis of love…”
In other words: “You don’t have to. You get to.”
In John 14:15, Jesus teaches us that our love is proven by our will.
Listen to His Love letter:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
We do not obey Him to prove we are His.
We obey Him because we are His.
We love God so much, because He first loved us too much.
Holy God is True Love.
True Love is not a job-description. True Love is all joy-description.
True Love is not about hard and stressful, religious duty,
but holy and blissful, relational devotion.
True Love is undeniably about pleasure, not pressure --
opportunity, not obligation -- invitation, not intimidation.
I dedicate this year's calendar to the local church that has partnered
with me in Love & Unity for 16 years. We don’t have to. We get to.
Yes, to the family -- Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene --
You’re a generous people. I’m a grateful pastor. All Joy!
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! - God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
My 2010 calendars are almost totally distributed now, marking seven straight years of publishing these "Surrendered Heart" calendars. While there are thirteen color photos in each collection -- a front cover image and a monthly selection -- the final page of the calendar is the most important to me. Yes, on the back inside cover of each yearly calendar I write inspiring words that are especially close to my heart and take time to dedicate each particular calendar.
In today's blog entry, I have decided to print the words from this year's back inside calendar cover. I hope it inspires your life in some meaningful measure.
"Surrendered Heart -- We don’t have to. We get to."
True Love has a Surrendered Heart.
True love is marked by giving, not getting.
We love because we want to.
Philemon 8, is an irresistible and inspiring invitation:
“I appeal to you on the basis of love…”
In other words: “You don’t have to. You get to.”
In John 14:15, Jesus teaches us that our love is proven by our will.
Listen to His Love letter:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
We do not obey Him to prove we are His.
We obey Him because we are His.
We love God so much, because He first loved us too much.
Holy God is True Love.
True Love is not a job-description. True Love is all joy-description.
True Love is not about hard and stressful, religious duty,
but holy and blissful, relational devotion.
True Love is undeniably about pleasure, not pressure --
opportunity, not obligation -- invitation, not intimidation.
I dedicate this year's calendar to the local church that has partnered
with me in Love & Unity for 16 years. We don’t have to. We get to.
Yes, to the family -- Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene --
You’re a generous people. I’m a grateful pastor. All Joy!
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! - God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Saturate in John 15
Yesterday I was saturating in John 15 and today I still am. Jesus, the True Vine, is this branch's (my) Life-Source. Apart from Him I can do nothing. Enough said.
I invite you to Saturate in John 15 along with me. :-)
ALL JOY!
Grateful
I invite you to Saturate in John 15 along with me. :-)
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Our Definition of Success: To See God!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 -- Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God!
Also, Jesus prayed for our protection and His projection in us and through us. Listen as God the Son prayed a four-part declaration to God the Father concerning His fully, devoted friends (disciples):
1. ...they are Yours... (John 17:9b)
Do we belong exclusively to God? Do we belong to Him or to sin?
2. ...all I have is Yours... (John 17:10a)
Does all we have belong to God, too? Our hearts, our dreams?
3. ...and all You have is Mine... (John 17:10b)
Do we know we're joint-heirs with Jesus? Talk about success!
4. ...and glory has to come to Me through them... (John 17:10c)
Are we the glory of "Jesus in our time?" Do we manifest Him?
Let's Pray: Our Holy God, let our definition of success (as Your fully, devoted friends) be to see God and for others to see God in us and through us... Yes, our Holy God, we only exist so that You, Holy God the Father, might reveal the glory of Holy God the Son, in us and through us by the presence of God the Holy Spirit. Yes, You are God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit... ONE... in us and through us. We want to be "Jesus in our time." Amen, Amen, Amen!
The songwriter defined what our definition of success really is: "Holiness is what we long for. Holiness is what we need."
Hebrews 12:14 ends with these words: "...without holiness no one will see the Lord..." And this is true, "...without holiness no one will see the Lord in us, either."
Let us be an answer to the prayer of Jesus, Unity, lest we embrace the snare of the devil, division. Let us declare with our Holy God that we are "ONE IN THE SPIRIT... HIS!"
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Also, Jesus prayed for our protection and His projection in us and through us. Listen as God the Son prayed a four-part declaration to God the Father concerning His fully, devoted friends (disciples):
1. ...they are Yours... (John 17:9b)
Do we belong exclusively to God? Do we belong to Him or to sin?
2. ...all I have is Yours... (John 17:10a)
Does all we have belong to God, too? Our hearts, our dreams?
3. ...and all You have is Mine... (John 17:10b)
Do we know we're joint-heirs with Jesus? Talk about success!
4. ...and glory has to come to Me through them... (John 17:10c)
Are we the glory of "Jesus in our time?" Do we manifest Him?
Let's Pray: Our Holy God, let our definition of success (as Your fully, devoted friends) be to see God and for others to see God in us and through us... Yes, our Holy God, we only exist so that You, Holy God the Father, might reveal the glory of Holy God the Son, in us and through us by the presence of God the Holy Spirit. Yes, You are God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit... ONE... in us and through us. We want to be "Jesus in our time." Amen, Amen, Amen!
The songwriter defined what our definition of success really is: "Holiness is what we long for. Holiness is what we need."
Hebrews 12:14 ends with these words: "...without holiness no one will see the Lord..." And this is true, "...without holiness no one will see the Lord in us, either."
Let us be an answer to the prayer of Jesus, Unity, lest we embrace the snare of the devil, division. Let us declare with our Holy God that we are "ONE IN THE SPIRIT... HIS!"
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Make Us One... In Unity!
Yes, John 17 is the most precious passage of Scripture to me. There's a prayer song that has lyrics that I love based on John 17:
Make us one heart... make us one mind... make us one...
Let YOUR will be done!
ALL JOY... In Unity... Let us become HIS will!
Grateful
Make us one heart... make us one mind... make us one...
Let YOUR will be done!
ALL JOY... In Unity... Let us become HIS will!
Grateful
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Real Lord's Prayer
My most cherished passage in the Holy Scriptures has to be, without doubt, John 17. (Now, what we commonly refer to as "The Lord's Prayer" in my opinion is actually "The Disciple's Prayer" taught to us by the Lord. You know, it's in Matthew 6, and begins with "Our Father Who Art in Heaven...") However, "The Real Lord's Prayer" has to be "His High Priestly Prayer" recorded in John 17. If you haven't read it lately, I highly recommend that you consider reading it.
Here are a few verses just to heighten your hunger and thirst to read and saturate in the whole prayer of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Jesus is praying to the Father shortly before being crucified. Here's a portion of "The Real Lord's Prayer" -- John 17:19-23 (NIV)
(19) For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (20) My prayer is not for them (the original disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: (23) I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
Here are a few verses just to heighten your hunger and thirst to read and saturate in the whole prayer of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Jesus is praying to the Father shortly before being crucified. Here's a portion of "The Real Lord's Prayer" -- John 17:19-23 (NIV)
(19) For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (20) My prayer is not for them (the original disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: (23) I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
ALL JOY!
Grateful
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