Grace of God

Grace of God~

I have been in a real funk lately.  I have felt so disconnected from the Lord and didn’t completely understand why I felt so alone.  God has been working in my life lately and I have reluctantly allowed Him bits and pieces of me but didn’t really want to give Him my all.  Well last night he really got a hold of me.  It wasn’t a slight nudge, or a quiet whisper, it was a hang on tight I am bringing you to your knees.  And He literally brought me to my knees.  I was in the youth worship service and the first song I only half-heartedly sang.  Then Rick pointed out that we were more excited to play the game than to worship our Lord.  I have to say “Guilty”.  My heart wasn’t in the worship.  I was honestly there partly for show.  So we prayed and I felt my heart soften and open up to the words I was singing.  The second song was The Great I Am… for those of you who don’t know this song please go listen to it!  While this song moved me it wasn’t the one that brought me to my knees.  The third song was Grace Flows Down. 

 

 Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,

Amazing love now flowing down,

From hands and feet that were nailed to the tree,

And grace flows down and covers me, 

 

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,

Amazing love now flowing down,

From hands and feet that were nailed to the tree,

And grace flows down and covers me,

 

 It covers me,

 It covers me,

It covers me,

And covers me.

 

Last night I could not help but fall to my knees and know that Gods amazing grace is covering me!  Well it didn’t stop there!  It always amazes me the way God talks to me.  I picked up my bible to do my quiet time (which I must admit very sadly that this is my first time since September) and started studying Acts 11:19-30.  We are walking through Acts in our Bible study class on Sunday morning and so I thought what better place to start than what we will be studying this Sunday.   Acts 11: 23 (ESV) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. There it is again Grace.  I really started digging into what the Grace of God is.  I have always believed that Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your doing; it is the gift of God meant that grace was a free gift from God and that was the end of it.  But in my study this morning I realize it means so much more.  Yes the Grace of God is a gift from God, which God bestows upon those who have true faith in Him!  But the Grace of God doesn’t stop there.  The grace of God was sent with a purpose.  It seems so silly to not have realized this sooner.  Of course it has a purpose.  But I never realized it.  Maybe it’s in the way it was always worded or in the way that I heard it, but I always thought the grace of God was simply that the Grace of God. 

Well in my study I found myself in Titus.  It amazes me that when you follow the footnotes where it takes you. 

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

There it is.  The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation for all people (no this does not mean universal salvation, this means it is available for all who accept it), and it is there to train us.  The Grace of God did not stop on the cross.  And it gives a whole new meaning to the words Grace falls down and covers me.  The way that I will live a life glorifying God and walking in His light so others may see, is by accepting the training of the Grace of God, by realizing that it has to cover me completely in His strength and power.  I have to believe that one of the ways that this training comes is from the Holy Spirit.  Acts 11:16-17 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’  The Holy Spirit was sent here to be our helper.  We are to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not just listen to Him now and then but to be submerged under His power. 

In the past few months I have not allowed the grace of God to work in my life, the Holy Spirit was shushed by the business I allowed in my life.  It is a very humbling experience when you realize that the silence and loneliness is a result of your own walking.  The longer I focused on the business of the world the farther I was from God.  I was knocked to my knees last night realizing that His grace covers me (not by my own doing but by the faith I have in Christ), and today He revealed to me that I do not get to just sit in the midst of this Grace but I must allow it to work in my life.  Good works do not result in faith but faith results in good works.  It is time for my faith to result in action as I wait for the Lords return.

This may not be something you are struggling with, and honestly I hope it’s not.  I pray that your walk with the Lord is strong and you are not struggling as I am.  But for those of us who are, this is a gentle reminder that God’s grace is there for us, and in our true faith we can accept it.  But it is not a gift to accept and put on the shelf.  It is a gift given to us to train us, in His perfect way.  It will not always be easy, it will hurt some, but it is done so that we may bear fruit. 

I Will Pray...(part 4)

I WILL PRAY FOR THE LOST PEOPLE:

I will pray for those who have yet to trust Christ. Jesus referred to the them as "lost" and said, "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Allow Romans 10:8-17 to guide your praying for those friends and family members who are lost.  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  What is the process?  Work backwards from the last verse and pray each step God uses to bring people to faith.

Romans 10:8-17
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between the Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.  For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"  But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, "Lord who has believed what he has heard from us?"  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1. Pray God will send someone to them to five them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Pray they will hear the gospel with understanding in their inner being.

3. Pray they will believe the gospel.

4. Pray they will call on the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved.

5. Pray they will believe in their heart God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with their mouth Jesus is Lord.




Lord~
I come to you with a humble heart asking for you to grant me a sensitivity to the lost.  Lord help me to move past my prayers of just need, thankfulness and such in my own life to prayers that also and primarily center around others, especially those who do not know you!  Lord I lift up my family and friends who do not know you as their personal Savior.  Lord you say the Harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.  Lord I ask that you raise up more laborers.  Lord I pray that you will help me to be one of these laborers.  God I ask that you will send someone into the lives of my family and friends to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Lord use me if it is your will.  Lord I pray that you will open their eyes and ears to have an understanding of the gospel.  Let them hear the gospel, let them understand the gospel and let them believe the gospel.  Lord for some they hear and understand, yet for some reason they choose not to believe.  God I lift these up to you that you might soften their hardened hearts to know you personally.  Soften their hearts so that they may call upon you and be saved.  Soften their hearts so that they may truly believe that God raised you from the dead and they may confess that you, Jesus, is Lord.  Father let those of us who believe life a life for you that is a true testimony to you and your Glory!  Let the lost see you clearly and believe you are Lord!
Amen

I Will Pray... (part 3)

I WILL PRAY FOR MY CHURCH:

*I Did my reading yesterday but I allowed the distractions of life keep me from honestly praying.  So I am posting it all this morning having prayed this morning and will be posting the part 4 a little later today!*

1. Pray for the unity of the church.

Read John 17 and pray through the prayer of Jesus for unity.
2. Pray for the mission of the church.

Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Matthew 9:37-38
Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.


Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.  Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you.  And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.


3. Pray for the revival of the church. The basic prayer for revival of spiritual awakening is to pray that God will be known and served as God. It is a prayer for the Glory of God and the manifest presence of God.


Psalms 51:12-13
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways; and sinners shall be converted to You.

Psalms 80:7
Turn us again, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Habakkuk 3:2
O Jehovah, I have heard Your report; I am afraid. O Jehovah, give new life to Your work in the midst of years; in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

Mark 11:17
And He taught, saying to them, Is it not written, "My house shall be called the house of prayer for all nations?" But you have made it a den of thieves.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches... Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22

2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Revelation 2:4-5
But I have against you that you left your first love.  Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent.

Acts 4:31-33
And when they had prayed, the place where they assembled was shaken.  And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.  And the multitude of those who believed were of one hear and one soul.  And not one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own.  But they had all things in common.  And the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. And great grace was on them all.


Lord God~
Forgive me for allowing the distractions from the world to keep me from truly lifting this up to you.  Father God yet again I find myself distracted and my thoughts wandering.  Lord I lift up my church.  God first of all I lift up the entire body of believers, all across the world.  I pray for unity amongst us, that we quit thinking and believing that its about what "church" we attend and start focusing on the fact that WE ARE THE CHURCH!  Lord I pray that we understand that it is the church's responsibility to teach the truths found in your word. And I pray for a revival to spread like a wildfire! Father God let that revival start here!  Let that revival start in me!  Let that revival start in Mescalero Baptist Church.  Le your glorious light shine so brightly in our church that it cannot be hidden!  All that keeps going through my head is the song This Little Light of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine let it shine...Hide it under a bush OH NO! I'm gonna let it shine... Won't let Satan Blow it Out!  I'm gonna let it shine... Father as simple as this song is that is my hearts desire for this church!  My hearts desire is for us as individuals to stand with our light shining so brightly, united together to become a beacon on the hill for Amarillo Texas!  Lord at times I know Satan is trying to come in and cause a sense of tension in our church.  Lord I pray for unity amongst the believers at Mescalero Baptist Church.  Lord I pray that you help ALL to see that what matters is coming together to worship you and sharing the Good News with others.  Lord help us to continue our growth to being outwardly focused not just inwardly focused.  Help us to continue to get out into the community sharing Your LOVE!  Help us to go and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you.  Lord I lift up this revival asking once again to let the spark start in me, let the spark start in each one of us as individuals and then let it unite together so that it may be spread like a wildfire her and Amarillo, then continue to spread out and across the world.  Lord let this revival no be just another spiritual high that lasts for a while then gets snuffed out.  Let this be a life changing, church altering renewal in each of us that DAILY we take up our cross and follow you.  Lord let us never be the same again.  Lord let your joy shine so brightly in us that while others may not understand it, they see it and want to know more about it. Thank you Lord for the mighty works you are doing and will be doing in Mescalero!
Amen

I Will Pray... (part 2)

I WILL PRAY FOR MY PASTORS:

My Pastors include: Pastor Kevin, RC, Jesse, Bobby, All Sunday school teachers, anyone in leadership positions, and Bro Bruce.

1. Pray for their holiness.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we also toward you, in order to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

2. Pray for their families.

1 Timothy 3:4
Ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor.

Also Psalms 78:1-8


3. Pray for their protection.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Finally, my brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it also is with you.  And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have faith.

4. Pray they may preach the Gospel of Jesus among unreached and unengaged people.

Romans 15:20
Yea, so I have been eager to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation.

5. Pray for their life and ministry to be served in joy.

Psalm 90:17
And let the beauty of Jehovah our God be on us; and establish the work of our hands on us; yea, the work of our hands, establish it.

Hebrews 13:17
Yield to those leading you, an be submissive, for they watch for your souls, as those who must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

* Just a note I have struggled with whether or not I should put the prayer part on these posts because I do not want to be like the Pharisees praying for others to hear.  I have chosen to go ahead and put them on to hold me accountable to praying them over and over.  You have the choice to read them or skip them.  This is my heart to the Lord! *


Lord God~
Lord please clear my heart of any hindrances that keep me from coming to you with a clear and humble heart.  Lord as we are all humans it is easy for us to justify any hard feelings towards one another but you tell us to make things right.  Lord it is also easy to justify any sins, thoughts or actions, in our lives but then we are not in complete obedience to you.  Lord forgive me!  Forgive me for allowing others and sin and Satan any control in my life.  Help me to walk in complete obedience to you!  Lord today I come to you lifting up my Pastors.  Lord as the leaders of the church, whom watch for our souls and must give account I pray they are completely sanctified for and by you!  Lord I pray that they are made holy in your eyes and strive to live a life completely obedient to you.  Lord I pray that their life and ministry are served with an attitude of joy.  Help them to live a life with an eternal perspective not a worldly perspective.  Let them live a life of joy and serve in joy based on the hope and knowledge that you became sin, died on the cross and rose again ~ you overcame this world!  Our joy is founded in you and the hope you give us, not on the circumstances of this world.  Lord I lift up their ministries, that they preach the Gospel in its entirety, not water it down for fear of offending people.  Lord help them to reach the lost and unengaged as well as disciple and help others to grow in their walk with you!  Lord I lift up their families that they might walk along side them growing daily in you.  Lord when they surrendered to the ministry of serving you in the church their families surrendered right along side them.  I pray for the attacks that can come upon them and that they all get the encouragement they need.  Lord I know sometimes its easy to fell judged and depleted because of being in this position but Lord I ask for your strength to flow through us.  Lord I pray for you protection around the Pastors as they walk in you daily.  Lord we know that Satan hates this and therefore attacks with a vengeance.  Lord I lift them up to you, knowing you hear my prayer!
Amen

I Will Pray...

Our Pastor challenged us to pray very specifically over the next few weeks as we are preparing and going through our upcoming Revival! I have chosen to break it down to one section a day and lift each one up. There are 5 sections and I will be posting them on here. Please feel free to join me in praying! I will be typing what Kevin gave us and then going into my prayer time as I have found that writing these prayers out help me in my time with the Lord.

I WILL PRAY FOR MY FAMILY:

1. Pray that the love (Love for God; love for one another) in your home will be greater than the attacks upon your home.

Song of Solomon 8:7
Many waters cannot quench love, nor will the rivers overflow it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be scorned.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity has patience, is kind; charity is not envious, is not vain, is not puffed up; does not behave indecently, does not seek her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Charity does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth, quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

2. Ask God to give you insight that your home may be a place where truth is taught and learned.

2 Timothy 1:5
Taking recollection of the unfeigned faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded that it is in you also.

My Family: Nanny, PawPaw, Grandma Mary, MeMaw, Dad, Mom, Ron, Ede, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nyki, Jeremy, Rylee, Jakob, Shawn, Tasha, Bently, Nathan, RC, AC, Trace, Andrew, and Kailey.

Lord God~
I come to you right now lifting up my family. First of all my household. Thank you for entrusting to me such wonderful blessings! Lord I ask that you help me to build a love in this home so strong that it can withstand any attacks upon our home. Lord help us to teach and learn your truths in our home. Let this home be a home that lets your light shine brightly through us. Next I lift up all of my extended family. I pray that you reignite a spark in them that they might experience you in a whole new way. For those who know you put a yearning in their souls that nothing can extinguish it. For those who don't or who have chosen to move away from you let their eyes and ears be opened to your truths. Lord I pray for peace and unity in my family and lift them up to you! Lord even though I get frustrated with my family and the drama I am thankful for each and everyone! Let your love overwhelm us so that we may only live for you!
Amen

The last few weeks...

We have had a busy few weeks!
Last weekend (3/30-4/1) my family came in from McKinney to celebrate 3 very special kids! On Friday night we celebrated my 2 boys, AC and Andrew! It was so much fun to have family and friends all in our home to celebrate my sweet sweet boys! On Saturday we headed to Dumas to celebrate the 1st birthday of my beautiful niece! I have to say my Sister-in-love Tasha is so incredibly talented and creative! She had the Sweet Shop up and decorated so beautifully! Then on Sunday we went to church (which my Mom and Dad got to worship with us), then family lunch at my grandparents and then church again and then dinner with my parents and brother and sis-in-love and sweet precious niece! Poor boys didn't get to bed until 10 and had school the next morning! Kailey and I did get to go shopping with my Mom and Nanny on Monday and then lunch with my grandparents, parents and Aunt!

This last week we have been focusing on trying to get our garage cleaned out. RC and I have agreed to take at least 1 box each per day. We have a sorting system, they get put in one of four categories... 1) We really want to keep it so it finds a home and gets placed there. 2) We aren't ready to get rid of it but it doesn't have a home in the house so it gets re-boxed and placed in the attic. 3) Its served its purpose now its time to pass on to others. (planning a garage sale at the end of the month). 4) Trash!!! I know that many would say "Y'all have been there 6 months and you still aren't completely unpacked!" Well no we aren't but most of these boxes we are going through have been boxed up since 2008 when we moved back to Texas so they haven't been a priority! Also some might say why not just get them done instead of 1 box per day, well just a reminder we have 4 kids, RC is working 2 jobs, and I am in school full time. We are trying to get this done without feeling incredibly overwhelmed.

This weekend was amazing but busy! The kids have a 4 day weekend. Friday off for Good Friday and Monday off because we didn't take any snow days :)! Friday we we hung out around the house until Friday evening, the kids playing and me trying to get homework done. We had an awesome Good Friday service! I love getting to share an amazing worship service with my children! On Saturday morning, well actually 10-2 (that's what time we finally left), we had a backwards Easter egg hunt. The kids got to hunt for 5 empty eggs (1 of each color). They then got to go to 5 stations and hear bible stories. 1st station was hearing about Palm Sunday. They received a piece of gray felt for their eggs (donkey fur). 2nd station let them hear about The Last Supper. They received some Cheerios for their eggs. 3rd station was about the Cross and crucifixion. I was so excited because I got to teach this one. The kids got to touch a crown of thorns. We talked about the beating Jesus experienced. I love that when we talked about the mockers who said for him to save himself the kids understood that he could have but chose to stay there to save us from our sins! He could have but it wasn't part of Gods plan to allow us the opportunity to spend eternity with our King! Yes as you can see I am still very excited about this!!!! The kids received little crosses for their eggs! 4th station was about the tomb! We even built a tomb for the kids to have a glimpse of understanding. They received a chocolate egg but they had to eat it then because the egg must stay empty because the Tomb is Empty!!! 5th station was when Jesus reappeared. We had a great guy who dressed as Jesus and shared the story with the kids. They also had lunch, games and received a basket with candy and toys. We really enjoyed this because it kept the kids focused on the true reason we celebrate Easter! Then yesterday I woke up with an overwhelming since of joy knowing that my Savior suffered a horrific death and the defeated the grave because he loved us! I asked my children do you understand the joy I feel this morning and AC told me "I don't understand it but I see it!" We had an awesome morning service celebrating that our Savior is Risen!! The kids were in service with us again! Amazing worship! Home for lunch. We chose to have a lunch just our 6 because it was such a busy weekend. I once again had to disappear to work on homework. Then had church again yesterday evening. Another great time of worship! Today is going to be a day of recovery for the kids and I have a test.

Things don't really slow down for us from hear on out. RC is taking back over EMF. Daddy had a great opportunity come about for him! Its so amazing and funny how God works sometimes! We have been praying about a job for RC and God gives a new job to Daddy (one that fell in his lap), which allowed RC to have EMF again. Then in 2 weeks we have our church revival. I have school, school and more school. And the kids well they are 4 hyper and amazing kids that keep us very busy!!!

Double digits! The Big 1-0! AC is 10! Oh my goodness my sweet baby is growing up! The picture above just exemplifies the kind of young man he is turning into! He is praying during morning devotions while snuggling with his baby sister! Pure sweetness! He loves the Lord! He loves to read and learn! He is an amazing kid! Happy Birthday to my sweet AC!!!!

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow

Okay I really very strongly feel that we are suppose to mean what we say!! I know many of us (me included at times) sing just to sing. We love the songs, we find the tune catchy, or whatever may be. But do we really truly stop and consider the words. Take this song above. It has a catchy tune that you can't help but move to but have
you considered the words and what they mean...

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

Think about it are you really ready to make this bold statement to God. Where you go, I'll go... means you could end up somewhere you NEVER thought or even wanted to go, but you are willing to go! Where you stay, I'll stay... Okay this one means you may have to stay in a situation that you so desperately want out of! Think about it Christ stayed upon that cross for you and I. Do you really think that he was enjoying that situation? When you move, I'll move... Guys we have been called to action! We are called to move and we are to move in sync with what the Lord has planned. I will follow... Meaning more than just going to church and putting our time in. We must truly know Christ in order to follow Him!!

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Do we truly believe these words? Its easy to sing them. Its easy to raise our hands and want to believe them but actually believing them and living a life that represents these words... Not so easy!! All your ways are good All your ways are sure I will trust in you alone... This means ALL!!! We tend to want to trust Him in the easy things. We want to trust Him when things are going great but when things get hard we second guess Him. I do this! I second guess Him when I worry. Worry is not having true faith in Him! Trusting in Him alone means we have to quit relying on ourselves and others and truly trust in Him ALONE!!!! Higher than my side High above my life I will trust in you alone... Do we believe that He is higher? Do we exalt Him to His rightful place? Or do we place our lives higher? Once again I will trust in you alone means in HIM not ourselves!!!

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Okay so I've talked about what I believe the first part means so I will just jump into the next. Who you love, I'll love... Ouch I am stepping all over my own toes! This means we are suppose to love everyone, even those who hurt us and betray us. Christ died while we were still sinners. He didn't just die for those who were closest to Him but for ALL who believe!! He died for those who beat him and crucified Him. He asked the Lord to forgive them for they know not what they do!!! How you serve I'll serve... For those of us who want to just put our time in and move on that is not what we are called to do. Jesus came to serve not be served. Which means that if we are going to follow Him then we must be out serving others. If this life I lose, I will follow you, I will follow you... Guys scripture tells us we must die in order to live. Are you willing to lay down your life for Christ? There are people out there putting their lives on the line in order to spread the truth of Christ to all. They could very seriously lose their life. Have you thought about the fact that at any given moment Christ could call you to do this? Would you?

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

Do we believe Him when he says he is the light of the world? He is the light unto my path? Are we serious when we say I will live for you alone, you're the one I seek knowing I will find All I need in you alone, in you alone! These are some mighty words. They mean something! When we sing them we should mean them!!

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow

This says it all!! In you there's life everlasting... John 3:16. In you there's freedom for my soul...Galatians 2:4 and Galatians 5:1. In you there's joy, unending joy...You can find examples of this joy all throughout the Psalms.

Seriously the reason I am writing this blog is because God has really pressed it on my heart that we sing these songs and don't really think about the words!! We don't really understand what we are singing to our Lord! I mean if you are singing a love song to your honey don't you really think about what you're saying. You're not going to sing something you don't mean or you might have to live up to it. Isn't that what we are doing, singing love songs to our King? Shouldn't we mean it, fully understanding that someday we might have to live up to those words!!!

Happy Birthday my Sweet Andrew!!!!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17



Six years ago I was blessed by my 3rd child coming into this world!!! Andrew is such an amazing blessing! On this day six years ago I posted the following post...

http://crosbyspalace.blogspot.com/2006/03/god-is-in-control-even-when-we-feel.html

When I posted that I had no idea that he would come that very evening! My life was changed forever when my sweet baby boy came into my life. There were a few complications when he was born. He was born with the chord wrapped around his neck, he was born with meconnium in the womb. I remember very vividly panicking because my sweet baby didn't cry immediately after he was born. He was rushed to the nursery to be monitored (I don't know if it was NICU or not) but he was there for a couple of hours. I was on crutches with my lime green cast and had many nurses act surprised that I delivered in that...uhm No I had them remove it and then put it back on... sorry I still feel the sarcasm.

Little did I know what an amazingly loving little boy he would turn out to be!!! He loves to give hugs and kisses. He tells me he loves me all the time!! He has stolen the hearts of almost everyone he meets!! He is eager to learn about the Lord and loves to memorize scripture!

I am truly blessed that the Lord has intrusted such a sweet child to my care!! I am trying my hardest to raise him up to be a God-fearing man whom loves and seeks the Lord with all of his heart! I pray for him daily! Happy Birthday my Sweet Andrew!!!!