Think about this...

The following is called "Christmas Meditation" from a poetry book titled Wings and Sky by Martha Snell Nicholson:

Suppose that Christ had not been born
That far away Judean morn.

Suppose that God, Whose mighty hand
Created worlds, had never planned

A way for man to be redeemed.
Suppose the wise men only dreamed

That guiding star whose light still glows
Down through the centuries.  Suppose

Christ never walked here in men's sight,
Our blessed Way, and Truth, and Light.

Suppose He counted all the cost,
And never cared that we were lost,

And never died for you and me,
Nor shed His blood on Calvary

Upon a shameful cross.  Suppose
That having died, He never rose,

And there was none with power to save
Our souls from death beyond the grave!

As far as piteous heathen know,
These things that I've "supposed"--are so!

Producing the Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control--has been shared with you this Christmas month through posts of songs, words and a brief sermon.  It is only through abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in us that we produce fruit (John 15:4).

"Wise men still seek Him" are the words from a Christmas card sent to my household.  "After ['wise men'] are born into God's family by the Word of God, [they] grow [by the Word also].  (From a gospel booklet sent to my household entitled--"What Does it Mean to Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?" by Mrs. Oliver B. Greene p. 18).  On pages eighteen and nineteen of the same booklet it says, "Truly--"Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before". "  We shall grow spiritually and produce the fruit of the Spirit each day we abide in Christ and He abides in us.  Amen.

Joel Osteen with Words about Self-Control

"Meekness and Majesty"

"O Come All Ye Faithful" Sung by Susan Boyle

Jazz Song about the Lord's Goodness

"Random Acts of Christmas Kindness"

Here are some suggestions for "Random Acts of Christmas Kindness" from youtube.  Perhaps you will adjust these to suit what works best for you!

Christmas Song about Patience

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace--Take 3

How about another take of this one while the peace is flowing!

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace--Take 2

Heavenly Father, I pray for more opportunities to be a "channel of Your peace."  Please forgive me in those areas where I failed You today.  Also, Lord, I pray for Your deliverance of me from the evil that prevented me from glorifying You in any way!  For all glory belongs to You!  With these words of prayer, I add the words of the song--"Make Me a Channel of Your Peace."  In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen!

Prayer/Song of Peace

May the words of this prayer and song be yours throughout this Christmas season and you become a channel of Christ's peace always!

Christmas Song about Joy

Christmas season just would not seem the same without "Joy to the World".  Enjoy!

Christmas Song about Love

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - High Street Hymns

Christmas music performed by Vanessa Williams

Cheerful Music as You Wait for Christmas...

Hold to Treasures Found in Christmas Cards!

May Christmas cards abound! The message received through cards brings to remembrance the events surrounding Christ's birth.  The wise men were shown on a card for my household.  This moved me to turn to the story of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12.  The Christmas hymn "We Three Kings" was also brought to mind.  What a treasure a simple Christmas card holds!

Music as We Await the Celebration of Christ's Birth...

Music as we await the celebration of Christ's birth...

"Feliz Navidad, Amigo" (Translation: "Merry Christmas, Friend")

Anticipation for the celebration of the birthday of our Savior, Jesus, is growing as lights are placed throughout the city.  Oh, what friendly expectation is in the air as the words "Feliz Navidad, Amigo" were shared by a friend tonight! "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is an appropriate song for the occasion.

Thanksgiving in Song!

God has provided a way of salvation for you through His Son, Jesus.  In accepting the mysterious Truth of Jesus, you believe that Jesus has died for your sins, Jesus has risen from the dead and Jesus will come again for those who have believed and do believe.

Let's come before the Lord with thanksgiving for all He has done and is doing for believers.  "Thank You God
for Saving Me" by Chris Tomlin is filled with thanksgiving in song! Amen!

Fellowship and Praise!

Fellowship with other Christians is not to be underestimated.  According to Billy Graham in his book, The Journey: How to Live by Faith in an Uncertain World, fellowship is "[o]ne of the main tools to shape us and make us more like Christ..." "...unless we have active contact with other believers our spiritual lives will be stunted" (p. 128).

Maybe you have found yourself separated from other Christians.  Fellowship may be exactly what you need to revive the spirit within you! Billy Graham says in his book, "Don't take this journey God has given you alone.  God is with you, and so are His people.  You need them--and they need you" (p. 133).

In your fellowship, God should be worshipped and given all the glory in all circumstances.  Above is a great song called "Revive Us Again" performed by the Charlie Hall Band.  Praising God for all He has done and giving Him all the glory will certainly revive you also!  Amen!

Waiting for the Word of God.?.?

Perhaps "Word of God Speak" by MercyMe speaks to your condition.  Here are the lyrics:

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay....

Many times the Word of God seems to pour down to me in the Northwest rains!  It so happens before this post tonight the Word of God came through my sister, Treasa, during a much needed spiritually edifying telephone conversation! Amen!

"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.  Let all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26).  Amen!

Mandisa is Quite the Overcomer!

A theme of overcoming has surfaced in this blog which makes the timing right to introduce Mandisa's album, in its modernity, to you.  The album is called "Overcomer" which opens with the song of the same name.  "Overcomer" sets the mood of God's children overcoming the world.  Fearfulness, hopelessness and brokenness result from tribulations in the world.  When God's children rely on their Savior, Jesus, all fearfulness, hopelessness and brokenness fade away.  This is shown in the songs "The Distance", "Face 2 Face" and "Press On."  There are times when the children of God are moved to thank God and praise Him as shown in the songs "Back To You", "At All Times" and "Joy Unspeakable." 

I found the song "Back To You" unique in the sense that it is talking about giving a life to God for His purposes instead of futilely giving a life to earn God's favor for salvation.  "Back To You" is written from the perspective of someone who has already accepted Christ as indicated in the testimony of words from the song:

"I'll testify, testify how You gave Your life for mine"



"Dear John" is a letter in song for you if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior.  You will find your opportunity to choose Jesus' forgiveness by His scars.  If you choose Jesus, the Father is waiting with open arms.  Here is the description from "Dear John" of choosing Jesus' side:

There's freedom

On the other side of

Things that keep us tied up and afraid

There's hope in every situation

No matter what you're facing everyday

But it's up to you

You get to choose

The Father is waiting there with open arms



When the child comes home to the Father, there is a celebration in store.  "Joy Unspeakable" is an awesome celebration of the Lord with all reverence intact!

Endure to Overcome!

The scenario in the previous blog entry is certainly a time of testing for a Christian.  The blog ended with the words "Christians must endure...endure!"  Since the time of this blog post, I came across a related point in a book called The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good about the Good News? by the late Peter J. Gomes.  Gomes said, "It is [God's] love that allows us not simply to endure, but to overcome, when our time of testing comes, and it is the constant assurance that God allows us to be" (p. 102).  Gomes tied this into the sermon given by Billy Graham at Washington's National Cathedral on the National Day of Mourning where George Keith's 'powerful old hymn'--"How Firm a Foundation" was quoted:

Fear not, [H]e is with thee; O be not dismayed!
For [H]e is thy God, and will still give thee aid:
He'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by [H] is righteous, omnipotent hand.

You Must Endure...Endure!

Why is it that once you have noticed good deeds in someone or an organization, you pay a compliment, where, initially, the compliment is happily accepted, then, before you know it, things tend to work in a direction to steer the deeds away from good?  It is almost as if once the good deeds are brought to light that the thinking turns in another direction like--we should not be doing things the good way.  Clearly, Satan has acted on the situation and tried to turn a good way into a shameful way of doing things.  There is nothing to be ashamed of in doing good.  Satan is attempting to steer things in his direction.  The Christian walk takes much inner and physical strength.  We must endure in the walk to continue in serving the Lord.  Where there is good the Christian can be certain that Satan is nearby with his schemes.  We must continually be on alert because Satan will try to take a hold on things and try to stop the good.  Christians must endure...endure!

Words and Song for the Weary

If you are weary in your Christian walk, continue to find rest in Jesus because Satan seeks to devour you (I Peter 5:8).  Use your faith to "[q]uench not the [H]oly Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19) but "...to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).  The song "All Your Anxiety" is about casting your cares upon God.  Remember, through the power of Christ, you are strong when you are weak (II Corinthians 12: 9, 10).

Is it Time for a Rest?

Perhaps in your weariness God has drawn you to learn of Jesus through Whom you will find rest for your soul (Matthew 10: 28, 29).  Does this song "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North speak to your condition?

Praying for You

In hopes that you are drawn closer to the Lord and His word, I pray the words of a prayer found in a sermon called "The Bible and the Believer" by the late Peter J. Gomes in his book entitled Sermons: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living:

"Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."  Amen.

Are You Offended by Jesus?

If man is offended because of Jesus, it is because the man has not come to the realization of how essential Jesus is to life.  The offended man views Jesus as being in the way instead of being 'the way.'  It is through trying the Word of God that man comes to know how good the Lord is (Psalms 34:8).  How can man be offended by goodness? How can man be offended by Jesus?

True life begins when man lets go of his own plans to follow Jesus without offense.  "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in [Jesus]" (Matthew 11:6).

How about Giving the Lord a Taste

As you venture out to your various "taste of _______" celebrations, receptions etc..., remember to pause and taste your portion of the Lord.  "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalms 34:8).  In "tasting" the Lord, you come to realize what Jesus meant when he answered in response to Satan that "[m]an shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).  Amen!

Praise Ye the Lord!

God is searching for worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  When we continually praise God, we are walking humbly with Him.  We can humble ourselves before God and praise Him through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Through praise we are giving all the glory to God! Amen!

Gift of "Every Praise" to Our Father God

How about sending the gift of "Every Praise" up to our heavenly Father for Father's Day and every day!

For Christ's Sake

When we selfishly set out to live life any way we choose, this life will eventually be lost in hell for eternity; however, when we sacrifice our life to live for Christ, we have found our life for eternity in heaven.  "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39).  Here are the words to a hymn called "Only One Life" from The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration to help you contemplate living your life for Jesus:

Only one life to offer
Jesus, my Lord and King;
Only one tongue to praise Thee
And of Thy mercy sing (forever);
Only one heart's devotion
Savior, O may it be
Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory,
Yielded fully to Thee.

Only this hour is mine, Lord
May it be used for Thee;
May ev'ry passing moment
Count for eternity (my Savior);
Souls all about are dying,
Dying in sin and shame;
Help me bring them the message of
Calv'ry's redemption
In Thy glorious name.

Only one life to offer
Take it, dear Lord, I pray;
Nothing from Thee withholding,
Thy will I now obey (my Jesus);
Thou who has freely given
Thine all in all for me,
Claim this life for Thine own to be used, my
Savior, Ev'ry moment for Thee.

Showing Mercy to Jesus

To show mercy to Jesus, we must sacrifice our life daily to Him.  We are shown in Romans 12:1 that our reasonable service is our living sacrifice.  Remember how Jesus was among man to do the will of God.  We are to change our selfish worldly way of thinking to Jesus' way of thinking and do the will of God also (Romans 12:2).  "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken" is a hymn that shows a life sacrificed to follow Jesus.  How does our mercy that God delights in compare to the mercy that Jesus showed to all of us by dying on the cross?  Jesus has given us so much more and requires so little!  Amen!

Amy Grant Shows a Good Eye for Mercy in Her New Album

Our merciful God and His Son, merciful words, merciful acts, merciful moments and merciful places--all appear in Amy Grant's new album called "How Mercy Looks From Here."  Expressed throughout this album is what Jesus meant when He said, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice[.]..." in Matthew 9:13.  Jesus will have mercy for us as He wills for us to have mercy toward Him and others instead of animal or material sacrifices of old.

Listen to the song called "Here" for a vivid description of our omnipresent God.  In the song "Faith", we find that God requires us to believe in Jesus by faith.

Shared mercy is shown to one another in "Not Giving Up":

Oh, not so long ago you pulled me through
So, I'm not giving up, not giving up on you...

Amy Grant's son showed respect in burying his deceased friend in the song "Shovel in Hand."

The title of the album, "How Mercy Looks from Here", is also shared with a song on the album.  The song has such touching lyrics of a ninety-one year old survivor.  The final chorus is the ultimate on mercy:

When you face your greatest fear
Losing all that you hold near
Open up your eyes my dear, my dear
That's when boundless grace appears
Unseen angels hover near
Saints are singing loud and clear
Oh, how mercy looks from here
Oh, how mercy looks from here

What do you thing about the following description of Paradise in "Deep As It Is Wide?":

There's a place at the edge of the sky
Where there's a love deep as it is wide
The weak are strong, the hungry are all fed
And there's a breeze from the angels
flying over head

Here is the chorus:

Every breath taking me closer
Every step leading to paradise
They say the faithful get to go there
I believe there's a love
Deep as it is wide

Finally, the last song on the album is called "Threaten Me With Heaven." Oh, to be threatened with the likes of the "Paradise" described in "Deep As It Is Wide" in your final days, huh?:

What's the worst thing that could happen
If they say my time is through
Would it take away the love
Or the years I've shared with you
What's the worst thing that could happen
What's the worst that they could do
Threaten me with heaven
If they want to...
Threaten me with heaven
That's all they can do
Threaten me with heaven
Threaten me with heaven
I'll be waiting on you

A number of people helped with the writing of the songs.  As noted on the CD sleeve, the "...songwriters have been listed in the order in which they came to the song."

Words and Songs for Spiritual Warfare!

Perhaps you are having Spiritual warfare.  "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).  Here are several songs to fill you with the Spirit of God to help you with your battle.

God's Love and Mercy

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you turned from the Lord? If so, once you have realized your wrong, the way to correct it is to immediately turn back to the Lord and makes things right.  As the verse and refrain goes in the hymn 'Jesus Loves Even Me':

Tho' I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

Refrain
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

In Luke 18:13, the tax collector prayed the words--'God be merciful to me a sinner.'  He was justified for humbling himself to the Lord.  You can sincerely pray these words as well and God will show his mercy to you also.  Amen! 

Share Your Song about God's Mercy

Have you ever noticed in Psalms 136 that the words 'His mercy endureth forever' occurs in each verse? Through this repetition, the point of the infinitude of God's mercy is clearly made.  Everyone can make his/her own song about God's mercy to continue God's infinite mercy in song! Amen!  If any of you would like to share your song with me I'd love to hear it!  For now, I'm going to leave you to ponder your life song about God's mercy.  If the Lord wills, I shall share more about mercy next week.  God Bless. 

"And I Enjoyed Every Moment of it Too" --Peggy Townsend

"And I enjoyed every moment of it too."  I shall always remember these words recently spoken to me by my Aunt Peggy about how she felt in sharing meals with me at her kitchen table over the years. 

Oh, the countless times our family has been united at the home and table of Auburn and Peggy Townsend.  I have such good memories of the fellowship  and unity that has taken place at their home.  Unity is favored in Psalms 133:1, "Behold, how good and  how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Following is a song based on this Psalm verse called Blest Be the Tie that Binds with words written by John Fawcett and music by Johann G. Naegeli.  This version is printed in the expanded 4th edition Maranatha! Music Praise Hymns and Choruses.  I dedicate this to the memory of Aunt Peggy Townsend who passed away on Tuesday:

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

Aunt Peggy, thank you for sharing meals with me at your table and for all the fond memories.  May you rest in peace! Amen!

"Who Will Go?"

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36).  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few (v. 37); Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (v.38).

The title for today's blog entry comes from a hymn printed in Melodies of Praise (copyright 1957)  written by Jesse A. Barney in 1913.  The first verse of the hymn makes a good parallel accompaniment to the Bible verses listed:

Hark! I hear a sound from o'er the water,
'Tis the cry of anguish and despair;.  .
'Tis the cry of precious souls in darkness,
While waiting for the light of Jesus, there;. .
Hear the idle laborers near us saying,
"Master, what wilt Thou have me to do?"
The harvest now is great, oh! haste, my brother,
The Reapers few.

Chorus (for 1st and 2nd verses).

Who will go?. . Who will go?. .
To the ends. . of the earth,
Hast thou a passion for the lost? . .
Dost thou realize what a soul is worth?. .
Who will go?. . . Who will go?. . .
Tell of Jesus's death upon the tree?
Oh! who will answer quickly, "Here am I, O Lord, send me"?    

Jesus Calls Tax Collectors and Sinners

Jesus had made known His power to forgive sins through healing a paralyzed man (Matthew 9:5,6).  When He and His disciples went to the house to eat, many publicans (tax collectors) and sinners sat with them.  This action stirred the Pharisees to ask the disciples, " Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners" (Matthew 9:11)? Jesus heard and responded, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (9:12).  Likening Himself to a physician and demonstrating mercy, Jesus said "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (9:13).  Sin is a sickness in need of healing through the Great Physician, Jesus.  Healing or wholeness comes when Jesus forgives us of our sins.

Is Jesus calling you today? How about repenting and turning all your sins over to Him! Here is a helpful verse from a hymn by Fanny J. Crosby called "Healing at the Fountain":

There is healing at the fountain
Come and find it weary soul,
There your sins may all be covered;
Jesus waits to make you whole.

Are You Fearful or Faithful?

The detours of the Holy Spirit have returned me to chapter eight in the gospel of Matthew.  This chapter has many miracles performed by Jesus.  Of particular interest at this time are the verses of twenty-three thru twenty-seven where the waters and wind were calmed by Jesus.

The disciples were afraid for their lives so they turned to Jesus for help.  Jesus asked them, ""Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith (v.26)?  The portion of "O ye of little faith" reminds me of a friend of mine who often said before passing away that she was not afraid of dying, but she expressed concern about what was going to happen while she lived until the time of her death.

During a visit with my friend while she was in the hospital, our conversation turned toward the struggles that come along with the Christian walk.  "O ye of little faith" were words she uttered to steer her back to faith to get through those tough times of her Christian walk.  Each time I come across those words in searching the scriptures, I am reminded of my friend's testimony of the Lord.   How powerful those words of Jesus are to move me to supplication for an increase in faith.

Jesus gives the directive to have faith in God in the eleventh chapter of Mark verse twenty-two.  There is a hymn by B.B. McKinney with the title of Jesus' words that you may find encouraging.  God is with you every step of the way!  Here are the words of the hymn:

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely, He sees and knows all the way you have trod; Never alone are the least of His children; Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your pray'rs are unanswered, Your earnest plea He will never forget; Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient, Have faith in God, He'll answer yet. 

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow, His heart is touched with your grief and despair; Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him, And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God tho all else fail about you; Have faith in God, He provides for His own; He cannot fail tho all kingdoms shall perish, He rules, He reigns upon His throne.

Refrain

Have faith in God, He's on His throne; Have faith in God, He watches o'er His own; He cannot fail, He must prevail; Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Death Swallowed in Victory--1 Corinthians 15:54

A coworker of mine shared the following hymn with me a number of years ago.  It was special to her for she had sung it at the funeral of a family member.  For this Easter holiday, I thought I would share it with you.  The title is "Thine is the Glory".  The words are by Edmund L. Budry and the music is by George Frederick Handel :

Thine is the Glory

Thine is the glory, Risen, conqu'ring Son; Endless is the vict'ry Thou o'er death hast won.  Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave-clothes Where Thy body lay.

Lo! Jesus meets us, Risen, from the tomb; Lovingly He greets us, Scatters fear and gloom; Let His church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing, For her Lord now liveth; Death hath lost its sting. 

No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Prince of Life! Life is naught without Thee; Aid us in our strife; Make us more than conqu'rors, Through Thy death-less love; Bring us safe through Jordan With Thy power and love.

Refrain

Thine is the glory, Risen, conqu'ring Son; Endless is the vict'ry Thou o'er death hast won.  Amen.

God's Presence/God's Consuming Fire

In addition to His Holy Word, God still speaks to us through writings, songs and experiences of others.  One such person through whom God has spoken is Nicolas Herman also known as Brother Lawrence.  Brother Lawrence's writings date back to the seventeenth century and can be found in the book called Practice of the Presence of God which was rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick.

In Psalms 16:11, David said in reference to the Lord, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  Similarly, when Brother Lawrence's soul was firmly fixed upon God, "[i]t is then his soul's joy is full--what he calls the actual presence of God..." (p. 132).  "The presence of God is thus the life and nourishment of the soul" (p. 133).

Clearly the Comforter abided with Brother Lawrence (John 14:16).  It was through love that the Lord manifested Himself.  Love toward the Son resulted in love received from the Father and Son (John 14:21).  Brother Lawrence said, "...God's love is truly a consuming fire, burning to ashes all that is contrary to His will.  The soul that is thus kindled cannot live except in the presence of God.  This presence also works within the heart a consecrated zeal, a holy ardor, a violent passion to see this God become known and loved and served and worshiped by all His creatures" (p. 135).

The Christian music group Third Day relates to the experience of the presence of the Lord in their song "Consuming Fire" with music and lyrics written by band member Mac Powell.  Amen!  Here are the words to their song:

Set this place on fire
Send Your Spirit, Savior
Rescue from the mire
Show Your servant favor

Yesterday was the day that I was alone
Now I'm in the presence of Almighty God

And yes, our God, He is a consuming fire
And the flames burn down deep in my soul
Yes, our God, He is a consuming fire
He reaches inside and He melts down this cold heart of stone

Set this place on fire
Send Your Spirit, Savior
Rescue from the mire
Show Your servant favor

Yesterday was the day that I was alone
Now I'm in the presence of Almight God

Did you realize that inside of you there is a flame?
Did you ever try to let it burn, let it burn, let it burn?

Sacred Presence

From my previous post, you know that it is by God's grace that I have my current job which is a blessing indeed!  Prior to my current employment, God permitted evil to come into my life for His good reasons.  This has been hard for me to accept and understand, but I would not be where I am today had God not permitted it.  With this said, I am brought back to write about my current work.

 There is certainly nothing glamorous about my work.  You can imagine--I work in the soil department in the textile industry.  Let me tell you, though, God can be found in the most unexpected places.  Like Brother Lawrence in the book  The Practice of the Presence of God which was rewritten by Harold J. Chadwick "...[my] soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great, that [I am] forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their appearing outwardly" (p. 73).  I know that my management and coworkers have seen my smiling expression and wondered what was up.  If so, they have done so without passing judgment.  As a matter-of-fact, a coworker recently said that I always come in the morning with a smile.  This smile is the joy of the Lord coming with me in the morning!

More closely to the point that I am trying to make is that I am blessed with the Presence of God in my work as well as wonderful management and coworkers.  For these reasons, I find my job one of the best! You can make your job one of the best also by inviting God's presence.  Listen closely to the words of the song above called "In the Presence of Jehovah".  Glory to God!

Much Ado about Grace

God continues to have me search for the treasures in the book of Ruth.  One of the treasures found is that of grace.  Ruth finds grace in the eyes of Boaz.  Ruth asked Boaz, "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me seeing I am a stranger?" (v. 10).  It turns out that Boaz was kin to Ruth.

I can closely relate to Ruth because of the grace I found in my temporary employer's eyes I was led to my current permanent employer.  Even while I worked as a temporary employee, there was something about the work environment that made me feel a sense of kinship.  A sense of family.  A sense of belonging.  I was so thankful to become a permanent employee.  The only thing I can attribute it to is grace.  God's amazing grace in action!  Amen.  This calls for Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace above!

The Words of Ruth to Naomi in Song

Here are the words of Ruth to Naomi in song plus additional sentiments.
   

Ruth Respects the Living and the Deceased

The book of Ruth speaks to the family condition in relation to the respect shown for the living and for the deceased family members.  Naomi had lost her husband and two sons. Orpah and Ruth had been the wives of Naomi's sons.  The time came when Naomi wanted to return to her homeland of Bethlehem, Judah and tried to part ways with Orpah and Ruth.  Orpah decided to return to her people and her gods (Ruth 1:15).  Ruth, however, wanted to remain with Naomi.  Ruth said, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." (vs. 16,17).  Naomi acquiesced to Ruth's wishes and the two traveled to Bethlehem.

Ultimately, Ruth and Naomi were blessed.  Ruth remarried their next of kin named Boaz.  It was through this marriage that Ruth became a part of Christ's family tree with their son Obed.  For Naomi, who was bitter when she first returned to Bethlehem, Obed would be a restorer of life and nourish her old age for she would be his nurse (Ruth 4:15,16).

Aunt Shirley--You Will Always be Remembered

I have mixed emotions of happy and sad today because my beloved Aunt Shirley passed away.  I am happy because I know she will be in a place specifically prepared for her by Jesus! Amen. (John 14:2).  I am sad because I miss her already.  I shall miss the lengthy telephone conversations.  I shall cherish the wonderful memories. 

Aunt Shirley, you no longer have to imagine what it will be like when you walk by God's side.  Remember the above song?  Now, I am the one who can only imagine.  Rest in Peace!  You will always be remembered!  Until I see you again, "Good night, sweet dreams, I love you!"