Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Today's "Verse-A-Day"

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the
LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I love this verse. Strong and Courageous! Not Terrified! Not Discouraged! God is with me WHEREVER I go. I needed that today!

What helps you when you are discouraged? Afraid? Feeling weak? That is kinda how I feel right now, Spiritually. I am so thankful for this promise that God gave to Joshua (I think I will read Joshua again...), which also is a promise for us - for ME!


What inspires you?

Monday, June 18, 2007

The Old Man Is Dead

This song was sung at my brother's induction service yesterday. I thought it was awesome.


The Old Man Is Dead song lyrics from the album Calvary's The Reason by Del Way

~ Written by Del Way ~

Now and then an old friend of mine,I’ve not seen for some time,
Will stop by and ask me where I been,
What’s on my mind.
They wonder why I’m not drinkin’,
And still painting this old town red.
I tell them I’m serving Jesus now,
And the old man is dead

Chorus:
And the man you see before you,
May look a lot the same,
I may wear the same clothes,
And have the same old name.
But you’re looking’ on the outside,
If you could see inside instead,
You would see a brand new man,
Cause the old man is dead.

I used to live such a wicked life,
I had no peace inside.
I was lost in darkness,
Searching for the light.
Then one night in a little church,
After hearin’ what the preacher said,
I gave my life to Jesus,
And the old man is dead.

Chorus:
And the man you see before you,
May look a lot the same,
I may wear the same clothes,
And have the same old name.
But you’re looking’ on the outside,
If you could see inside instead,
You would see a brand new man,
Cause the old man is dead.


What inspires you?

Sunday, June 10, 2007

"Followin' Jesus"

Pastor AJ's sermon this morning was about "Followin' Jesus" - is there really anything else?

New insight into the last passage of John 21, where Jesus asks Peter 3 times, "Do you love me?", then the directive "Feed my sheep"... I never thought of it this way before, in fact I always thought it rather redundant to have asked the same question and given the same directive 3 times, but AJ, this morning, drew for us the parallel between Peter's denial of Jesus THREE TIMES, and Jesus' questioning of Peter THREE TIMES. I love it when I learn something new out of something I have heard/read so many times...
Also, when Jesus tells Peter, "when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go", Jesus was not talking about someone taking Peter by the hand... The stretching out of his hands will be in crucifixion... Then Jesus said to Peter, "Follow Me".
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.

*and the verse that really got to me this morning...*

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

Do you ever feel like you are going this road alone? Do you ever wonder, as Peter did, "Hey, what about him...what about her... Are You asking the same of them as You are of me?" Or, "There are none who go with me..." I sure do...

What inspires you?

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The Lotus Flower

I like to liken myself to a lotus flower.

For one thing, they are NOT small and delicate, but rather round and hearty...

But more than that, I relate to the manner in which they grow.

You see, a Lotus flower takes root in the muck and the mire of a swamp or a pond. The roots become strong in the icki-ness, and they grow.

The stalk, too, is hearty, and then at just the right time the most amazing, beautiful flower appears.

This flower is born out or the muck and the mire (adversity and filth of life, perhaps?) and is shown to be radiant and beautiful.

We are like that... See Psalm 40...

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.





What inspires you?