"On December 1, 1875 the beacon of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse filled the remaining "dark space" on the North Carolina coast between the Cape Henry light to the north and Bodie Island to the south. " (from brochure @ Currituck Lighthouse)
Think on this: The season of Pentecost is a celebration of the Holy Spirit coming in power to the world. The early chapters of the New Testament book of Acts tells of the transformation that took place in the lives of the disciples with the coming of the Holy Spirit. This was God's plan all along: a crucified, risen, and exalted Christ would not leave us as orphans (John 14:18), but would send us a Counselor (John14:26) who would lead us "into all truth" (John 16:13). With the fullness of the Spirit, there are no more remaining "dark places" of the heart.
John 16:7 (NKJV): "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
"Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until the eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my soul's most inward citadel, and order all my doings. Be with me in silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and the weariness of the evening. Give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship." - John Baillie
Click to hear "Holy Spirit Rain Down" by Hillsong
Blessings!
Mar 31, 2011
God speaks..... through a Snickers bar
Recent Snickers slogan: "You're not you when you're hungry. Snickers Satisfies"
Think on this: The season of Lent is a journey to the cross. It is in the journey with Jesus that we find who we truly are and who we are meant to be. With sin, we are simply not us. The people Jesus encountered in his ministry found, in him, purpose, meaning, healing, and forgiveness. Jesus truly satisfies. How will his encounter change you?
Ephesians 5:8 (GNT) "You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,..."
"He is intangible and invisible. But His work is more powerful than the most ferocious wind. The Spirit brings order out of chaos and beauty out of ugliness. He can transform a sin-blistered man into a paragon of virtue. The Spirit changes people. The Author of life is also the Transformer of life." - R.C. Sproul
An old worship song, but still a great one.
click to hear "Change my heart O God" by Hosanna Music
Think on this: The season of Lent is a journey to the cross. It is in the journey with Jesus that we find who we truly are and who we are meant to be. With sin, we are simply not us. The people Jesus encountered in his ministry found, in him, purpose, meaning, healing, and forgiveness. Jesus truly satisfies. How will his encounter change you?
Ephesians 5:8 (GNT) "You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,..."
"He is intangible and invisible. But His work is more powerful than the most ferocious wind. The Spirit brings order out of chaos and beauty out of ugliness. He can transform a sin-blistered man into a paragon of virtue. The Spirit changes people. The Author of life is also the Transformer of life." - R.C. Sproul
An old worship song, but still a great one.
click to hear "Change my heart O God" by Hosanna Music
Mar 29, 2011
God speaks..... through coffee with a shut in
I had a wonderful time visiting with one of our shut-ins a few weeks ago. I knew it was going to be a great visit when I was offered coffee upon my arrival. As we shared coffee, we also shared memories from our childhoods. Through that visit, I learned many things about the host, as well as an era that seems all too distant.
Think on this: May we never forget that there is a difference between 'traditions' and 'traditionalism' The former teaches and serves as a foundation; the latter is an idol that ultimately blinds us to fresher experiences of God's moving. Let's not forget those traditions that paved the way to where we are now. May we also remember, they should not be a cul de sac.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
Isaiah 43:19 (NCV) Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it?
"Don't glory in man, for the best of men are but the best of men; bank on God alone." - Oswald Chambers
Click here to hear "Future Generations" by 4Him
Blessings!
Think on this: May we never forget that there is a difference between 'traditions' and 'traditionalism' The former teaches and serves as a foundation; the latter is an idol that ultimately blinds us to fresher experiences of God's moving. Let's not forget those traditions that paved the way to where we are now. May we also remember, they should not be a cul de sac.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
Isaiah 43:19 (NCV) Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it?
"Don't glory in man, for the best of men are but the best of men; bank on God alone." - Oswald Chambers
Click here to hear "Future Generations" by 4Him
Blessings!
Mar 26, 2011
God speaks..... through Duke Basketball 2011
Like many, I enjoy filling out a bracket every year at tournament time. It is fun to see how many games I can guess correctly. This year after picking Duke to make it to the Elite 8, I learned an injured player might be coming back for the tournament. There was a temptation to change my bracket, because it seemed like it would benefit to me. I resisted. Duke lost, anyway.
Think on this: Continue to allow God to lead your life. Do not let popular opinion take you from the path you know to be right. Tournament brackets are good fun, but your spiritual walk is far more important. In him, you will never be disappointed.
Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV) "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
"To place ourselves in range of God's choicest gifts, we have to walk with God, work with God, lean on God, cling to God, come to have the sense and feel of God, refer all things to God."
- Cornelius Plantiga, Jr.
Enjoy this great song:
Click here for "One True God" by Newsong
Be a purveyor of His presence!
Think on this: Continue to allow God to lead your life. Do not let popular opinion take you from the path you know to be right. Tournament brackets are good fun, but your spiritual walk is far more important. In him, you will never be disappointed.
Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV) "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
"To place ourselves in range of God's choicest gifts, we have to walk with God, work with God, lean on God, cling to God, come to have the sense and feel of God, refer all things to God."
- Cornelius Plantiga, Jr.
Enjoy this great song:
Click here for "One True God" by Newsong
Be a purveyor of His presence!
Mar 24, 2011
God speaks..... through an Ash Wednesday service
I had the wonderful privilege of joining with Christian brothers and sisters across denominational lines at a recent Ash Wednesday service. One of the highlights was lifting our voices together in the singing of "Just as I Am." I had never heard that song divorced from an invitation to come pray at the close of a service. My heart was touched as the words of the hymn were incorporated into our preparation for the message
Think about this: Sometimes we can become so focused on tradition or the way "I think it should be", we might miss God breaking in and speaking. When out of the routine, or comfort zone, it may be fertile ground for a God sighting.
Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV) "The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
"He has right to interrupt your life. He is Lord. When you accepted Him as Lord, you gave Him, the right to help Himself to your life anytime He wants." - Henry Blackaby
Listen to this wonderful hymn with fresh ears:
Just As I Am by Brian Doerksen
Blessings!
Think about this: Sometimes we can become so focused on tradition or the way "I think it should be", we might miss God breaking in and speaking. When out of the routine, or comfort zone, it may be fertile ground for a God sighting.
Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV) "The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
"He has right to interrupt your life. He is Lord. When you accepted Him as Lord, you gave Him, the right to help Himself to your life anytime He wants." - Henry Blackaby
Listen to this wonderful hymn with fresh ears:
Just As I Am by Brian Doerksen
Blessings!
Mar 22, 2011
God speaks..... through a walk up Mill Mountain
I enjoyed a wonderful walk on nice day up Mill Mountain. This walk was along the "old road," the narrow, twisty one on the front of the mountain. It was not as fast, or as straight, as driving the "new way," but I was able to take in marvelous views while enjoying the slowed pace.
Think about this: Easter, or Resurrection Dawn, is on the way. We have a tendency to jump ahead in our plans and vision, as we anticipate that great day. Lent reminds us there is much to appreciate while we journey with Jesus to the cross. Sometimes it is arduous, but the slowed pace gives us a fresh view of what we are missing.
Matthew 16:21 (NRSV) From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping, so that the God of the entire universe, as he beholds our intention, may cleanse us from all sins, fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand, and grant us the change of heart that saves. God has called you, and you have your calling.” — St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Listen to this wonderful song of worship:
Hillsong - Lead Me to the Cross
Blessings!
Think about this: Easter, or Resurrection Dawn, is on the way. We have a tendency to jump ahead in our plans and vision, as we anticipate that great day. Lent reminds us there is much to appreciate while we journey with Jesus to the cross. Sometimes it is arduous, but the slowed pace gives us a fresh view of what we are missing.
Matthew 16:21 (NRSV) From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping, so that the God of the entire universe, as he beholds our intention, may cleanse us from all sins, fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand, and grant us the change of heart that saves. God has called you, and you have your calling.” — St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Listen to this wonderful song of worship:
Hillsong - Lead Me to the Cross
Blessings!
Mar 14, 2011
God speaks..... through "House" episode 7.15
In this particular scene during a recent episode of "House", hospital administrator, Lisa Cuddy is breaking up with love interest, Dr. Gregory House. It appears, that House's behvior is not worth the effort. Part of the dialogue goes like this:
House: I can do better.
Cuddy: I don't think you can. You will always choose you.
Think on this: This is why we need a Savior. Without Christ, we will always choose ourselves. He does for us and in us what we could not do on our own.
Hebrews 2:14 (BBE): And because the children are flesh and blood, he took a body himself and became like them; so that by his death he might put an end to him who had the power of death, that is to say, the Evil One;....
"The Bible reveals...anarchy in the heart of men against God; therefore the need is strong that something should come into us from the outside to readjust us, to reconcile us, to turn us around, to put us right with God." - Oswald Chambers
Click to hear Casting Crowns: If We Ever Needed you
Blessings!
House: I can do better.
Cuddy: I don't think you can. You will always choose you.
Think on this: This is why we need a Savior. Without Christ, we will always choose ourselves. He does for us and in us what we could not do on our own.
Hebrews 2:14 (BBE): And because the children are flesh and blood, he took a body himself and became like them; so that by his death he might put an end to him who had the power of death, that is to say, the Evil One;....
"The Bible reveals...anarchy in the heart of men against God; therefore the need is strong that something should come into us from the outside to readjust us, to reconcile us, to turn us around, to put us right with God." - Oswald Chambers
Click to hear Casting Crowns: If We Ever Needed you
Blessings!
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