Wednesday Worship~I Will Rise

Since last Thursday evening, I've had the privilege of spending much time at the bedside of my precious Grandmother as she makes her way to eternity. The memories we share are such treasures. It is difficult to let go of those we love, but the burden is lessened when we know what joy awaits them if they belong to Jesus. My Grandmother loves the Lord and His Word. Before her mind was compromised to the effects of dementia, she was truly a student of the Word and took her 40 years of teaching Sunday School very seriously. Soon she will be in the arms of Jesus and hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And a grand reunion awaits her...my Granddaddy, her son, her brothers and sisters, and other great friends and family. Blessed assurance.

As I took a little time to come to my parents house and change clothes, God showered some love on me as this song played on the local Christian radio station. What encouragement to my soul.

The victory is won. It is well.

Monday Meditation on a Tuesday~Psalm 23

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Wednesday Worship~Your Heart

How appropriate during this Heart Month to share this Chris Tomlin song which portrays the heart of David, whom God called "A man after His own heart." Probably not many of us have been called to fight a giant, strum songs for royalty, or be annointed as king, but consider your story in the midst of this song.

At the end of the day, I want to hear Jesus and people say that my heart looks like His heart.

Dancing and lifting my hands in praise,

Monday Meditation~Reflection of the Heart

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."
Proverbs 27:19

I'm praying our lives reflect His heart today. Let's walk close by His side.

Love you!

A Look at the Heart

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

I lay on my side barely able to see the screen from which a total stranger examined the inner chambers of my heart. Occasionally he would turn on the volume and I could hear the thumpety thumping or the whooshing of blood being transported from the center of my being to the extremities that could not function apart from its workings.

I wondered how it could be that he didn't declare the majesty of the One who created it. And I'm ashamed that I didn't shout it out myself.

It all struck me as odd. A man looking into my heart, rambling on about pursuing his MBA, his band, whether or not he was ready to start a family (all intended to make me feel at ease, I'm sure). All in a day's work for him. He found my heart to be working fine. And I was on my way.

Yet, the memories of that day continue to permeate my thoughts. Seeing the image of my heart on a computer screen with technicians looking on. And even more than that, the vision of Creator God, who needs no cold gel or roller wand or state of the art technology to view what truly lies at the essence of my very being.

He peers inside...without an appointment...at any moment in time...observing all that pulses within. He is the "LORD Almighty, [who] examine[s] the righteous and probe[s] the heart and mind." (Jeremiah 20:12) He knows every thought, emotion, and desire residing there.

He sees the heart as it is...pure or filthy...blameless or evil...arrogant or insecure...gentle or callous...grieved or joyful...undivided or deluded...faltering or steady...yielding or stubborn...committed or rebellious.

And He loves us unfailingly...enough to send His Son to die on our behalf...expressing grace and lavishing mercy that knows no bounds.

But we have a choice. The sacrifice He made is not one that He takes lightly...nor should we.

In 2 Chronicles 16:9, we read, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." Yet, He says, "The perverse of heart shall be far from Me. I will have nothing to do with what is evil." (Psalm 101:4)

I think in these days of "feel good" theology, we are losing proper fear and reverence of our God, who will not be mocked. He will not stand for flippant honoring with our lips when our hearts are far from Him. (Isaiah 29:13)

I don't want to be far from Him. I want to be prepared to enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart...a pure heart. I want His love to fill my being and radiate from within. I want Him to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

So I cry out to Him and say, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin....Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place....Wash me and I will be whiter than snow....Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.' (Psalm 51)

I pray, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Lord, we come to You with our heart conditions...yielding them to You. Give us hearts to know You, to return to You. (Jer. 24:7) Help us to seek You with all our hearts, knowing that we will find You there. (Jer. 29:13) And please keep Your Word in our minds and write it on our hearts that we will choose to follow You. (Jer. 31:30) Guard our hearts and make the overflow pleasing in Your sight.

Wednesday Worship~We Are

Wake up sleepers, lift your heads! We were made for more than this!

Here's a little something to get your feet tapping, your heart pumping, and your light shining!

We gotta...we gotta...we gotta let our lights shine. Shine into the darkness today!

Wednesday Worship~Lord I Need You

Every hour we need Him...our hope and stay...our one defense...our righteousness.

A Tale of a Tuesday at Starbucks

I lead a sheltered life.

Today was my first time ever to pack up my computer and head to Starbucks for focused writing time.

It left me giddy.

I have to admit I felt a little tentative as I approached the door. Silly, I know. But then a burst of exhilaration hit me in the face as that delicious aroma filled my senses.

I scoped out the place, locating the perfect spot. Comfy sofa bench. Check. Table to hold my computer, Bible, and other essentials. Check. Outlet, just in case. Check. Display filled with yummy treats out of sight. Check. View of sojourners...inspiring to see others busily tap-tap-tapping. Check.

And then, yes, the tall, nonfat Mocha, no whip...and ice water (to wash the calories away).

In all my secret giggly-ness, I whispered a prayer for God's presence and help. And I felt it. I received it. I loved it!

Just over an hour later my alarm sounded alerting me to return to Mommy mode.

I packed up my belongings and breathed a sigh. One of contentment. I inhaled that delectable fragrance once more as I walked out the door.

Aaaaah.

Monday Meditation~Just Wait

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

Lines, lines, lines...waiting, waiting, waiting.  There are lines at WalMart, the grocery store, in traffic, at restaurants, at the DMV, at stoplights, and even at Disneyland..."the happiest place on earth"...and Disney World...the place "where dreams come true."  How is your attitude when you have to wait?

Life holds lots of waiting...and not just in lines.  Sometimes you have to wait for direction, wait for test results, wait for healing, wait for a job opening, wait for someone to come to know the Lord.  How do you handle waiting?

One thing is for sure.  If we are waiting on the LORD, it will definitely be worth it.  We are promised in Isaiah 64:4 that "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."  Our hope is in Christ alone.  He is the only source of true happiness.  He is the One who can really make our dreams come true.


Lord, help us to wait on You...with good attitudes.  We love You.  We trust You.

Better Than Anything I Could Say!

Listen and watch as Louie Giglio shares and amazing message from Psalm 148! It left me speechless.

Wednesday Worship~Chosen, Loved, New!

This is Jason Gray's song I Am New! It is the perfect followup for Monday's Meditation. Listen and let the words fill your soul!