Colossians 1:9-14

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Love this passage!

Living Stones

1 Peter 2:5

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Peter called believers in Christ "living stones." The New Testament contains several different Greek words for rock...Peter used lithos, which can refer to small or large stones [to refer to believers]. Interestingly, lithos is also the original term used for the stone rolled away from Christ's tomb. Wouldn't it be something if our lives became living stones exposing the empty tomb--the proof Jesus lives? What if people were convinced we worship a living Savior simply by watching the effervescent life of the Spirit in us?


Beth Moore, Whispers of Hope

A Prayer As You Go

All the world is a story
All the world is a stage
All the world is a canvas
All the world is a page
All the world is a horizon
All the world is a field of dreams
All the world is an open doorway
All the world is a place for me


(Chorus)
To be your voice
To be your touch
To give an answer
To show your love
To hold out hope
To offer peace
To shine your light for everyone to see
In all the world


All the world is a someone
All the world is a dance
All the world is a moment
All the world is a chance


You are amazing mercy
You are undying grace
I want them all to see how wonderful you are Upon my face


All the World
Point of Grace

Beyond the Sky

One morning
When time is done
Bright heaven
Will be our refuge
The city of God most high

I long for
That holy day
This longing
Sometimes it captures my heart
And carries me far away

Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes

When darkness
Falls over me
This promise
It's like a fire inside
Burning the dark away

Beyond the sky
Beyond all telling
Our Father himself
Will be our light
His arms will hold us
And with his hands
He'll wipe away the tears
That stain our eyes



I heard this song by Fernando Ortega last night, after an evening of work. It stirred so many thoughts within. The memories of a loved one flood upon us at random times throughout life. And, each day I see dying people, people looking forward to meeting their Creator, but longing to spend more time in this place they call "home."

What a comfort to know Who welcomes the faithful who have gone Home!

The Lord is faithful. He never ceases to provide the encouragement we need, at the moment we need it. I can only pray that He blesses those who encouraged you greatly in the last few days. ; )

To someone I care about,

I thought of you when I read this in my devotional book last night...Praying for a steady light to guide you and to clear the confusion.

My Father, there are so many paths I could walk--so many ways to choose. And there are certain decisions I must make that lead me around and around, until my heart is in confusion.

Today, I will fix my heart on this truth:

When I feel confused, there will always come a light, held low so that my feet won't stumble--a sure light that will shine on each step of my path. Thank you, Father, that you will speak the counsels of your word to me.

Taken from I Come Quietly to Meet You, arranged by David Hazard.

When Life Distracts

Amy Carmichael, in Edges of His Ways:

I think distractions in prayer are often because we have let ourselves wander too far from the things that matter most. And so we slip into an easily interrupted, easily distracted frame of mind.

My Father, something inward tells me I have been living scattered. Sometimes anxious. Restless. Distracted. Wandering inside.
I fix my eyes upon the cross now---upon the post and crossbeam...
I come, Father, to hide myself in You.


Excerpts from "I Come Quietly to Meet You," arranged by David Hazard

Healing Rain

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain

Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain

To be washed in Heaven's rain...

Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...

Michael W. Smith

The following is a beautiful picture of marriage, as written on a plaque in our house.

Woman was created from the rib of man,
not from his head to be above him,
nor from his feet to be walked upon,
but from his side to be equal,
near his arm to be protected,
and close to his heart to be loved.

Something Beautiful

I wanna start it over
I wanna start again
I want a new beginning
One without any end
I feel it inside
Calling out to me

CHORUS
It's a voice that whispers my name
It's a kiss without any shame
Something beautiful
Like a song that stirs in my head
Singing love will take us where
Something's beautiful

I've heard it in the silence
Seen it on a face
I've felt it in a long hour
Like a sweet embrace
I know this is true
It's calling out to me

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE
It's the child on her wedding day
It's the daddy that gives her away--Father
Something beautiful
When we laugh so hard we cry
It's the love between you and I
Something beautiful

Newsboys

Made to Love

The dream is fading, now i'm staring at the door
I know its over cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection, I ain't feelin' what I see
It's no mystery
Whatever happened to a passion I could live for
What became of the flame that made me feel more
And when did I forget that...

Chorus
I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love
and be loved by you


The dream's alive with my eyes opened wide
Back in the ring you've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the haters spittin' vapors on my dreams
But I still believe
I'm reachin' out, reachin' up, reachin' over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And daddy I'm on my way
'Cause I was made to love...


Bridge
Anything I would give up for you
Everything, I'd give it all away

Toby Mac

Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior


He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave


So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything i believe in
Now i surrender
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

Hillsong

To Be a Woman of God

Timothy 3:11

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

What a life to strive for, what a calling! On top of Proverbs 31, this verse gives a lot for us women to learn, cultivate, and practice. Sometimes it seems impossible, but the godly characteristics are worth the effort.

Men should be looking for a woman who is striving to be the Proverbs 31 woman, and the 1 Timothy 3:11 woman. But, at the same time, women need to be living in such a way that emulates these verses.

Am I becoming this type of a woman? What am I doing each day to become a woman of such caliber? Am I thankful, encouraging and optimistic? Or do I criticize, gossip, and complain? When I step out in faith, He will provide the strength and grace I need to become the woman of Proverbs 31 and 1 Timothy 3:11.

Longing to Hear

Staring in the face of God
Feeling His breath run across my face
Touching the hands of Christ
Feeling His wounds dripping with my faith
He wipes my face of all of my tears
All my painful memories

Chorus
Welcome good and faithful
Welcome home
Welcome good and faithful
Welcome home

I see the angels on their faces
As they cry out to you
Singing praise and glory
And all honor be to you

Then I lift my eyes
I see my King
And I hear Him say

I hear the angels
As they sing your praises
I see the saints
As they dance in your name
I feel your arms
As you draw me closer
You whisper in my ear and say


Welcome Home
Farewell June


I cannot wait for the day that I will hear these words. What a comfort to know that those dearly loved friends and family who have gone before now hear these words from the One they served so faithfully.

Wait for Me

Darling, did you know that I
I dream about you
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time
And darling, did you know that I
I pray about you
Praying that you will hold on
And keep your loving eyes only for me

'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait

Darling did you know
I dream about life together
Knowing it will be forever
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
And darling when I say
" Til death do us part"
I mean it with all of my heart
Now and always faithful to you

Now I know you may have made mistakes
But there's forgiveness, and a second chance
So wait for me, darling wait for me
Wait for me
Darling wait for me

Rebecca St. James

Beauty of His Hands

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
Psalm 19:1

Soli Deo Gloria.

To God alone be the glory.

Nothing Compares

I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine

Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

I see all the people
Wasting all their time
Building up their riches
For a life that's fine

Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord

I find myself just living for today
'Cause I don't know what
Tomorrow's gonna bring
So no matter if I rise or fall
I'll never be alone, oh no


Third Day

Following You

When I look to You suddenly I see
I see the real me
Stripped of all the worlds coverings
That’s my true, my true identity

This world has so much more clarity
With You walkin’ right in front of me

And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You
And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You

And I’ll keep it short ‘cause I learn so much more
When I’m just listening
With my eyes on You, You’re watchin’ all I do
That’s when my motives are true

This world has so much more clarity
With You walkin’ right in front of me

And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You
And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all my strength

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all my strength, I’m Yours

I’m following You
I’m following You
I’m following You
I’m following You

This world has so much more clarity
With You walkin’ right in front of me
It’s such a better place to be
With You in front of me

And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You
And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You

And I’m following You
Yes I’m following You
And I’m following You
And I’m following You

Following You, Following You

Jadon Lavik

Gravity.

The ways of this world are grabbing a hold
Won't let me go, won't let me fly by
It takes it's toll down on my soul
‘Cause I know what I need in my life

Don't let me lose my sight of You
Don't let me lose my sight

I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me on down
I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me to the ground

This world keeps making me cry
But I'm going to try, going to try to fly, going to fly high
Don't want to give into the sin, want to stay in You ‘til the end
Don't want to lose my sight of You
Don't want to lose my sight

I want to fly
Into the sky
Turn my back on this old world
Leave it all behind
This place is not my home
It's got nothing for me
Only leaves me emptiness
And tears in my eyes

Shawn McDonald

Soli Deo Gloria

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.