Praise God

I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

Psalm 92:4

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow...
Praise Him, all creatures here below...
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host...
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


Written in 1674 by Thomas Ken

creation calls...

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.

Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities...

his eternal power and divine nature.

So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:20 NIV

We had the privilege of visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah yesterday...

and were blown away by God's amazing creation!

As we stood on the rim trail looking down on the scene pictured above...

we commented on the awesome landscape before us.

We got to chatting with a young couple from LA...

who wondered aloud how anyone could think that all this had happened by chance.

What an amazing Creator we have!

How could I say there is no God?

When all around creation calls!!

mother's day blessings to you...

May the Lord richly bless
both you and your children.
Psalm 115:14

For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Luke 6:38

The love you give as a mom...will be returned to you in abundance.

Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. Proverbs 31:30

Live out your faith in God...He will be your joy.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

God will give us the strength we need for what we face...if we wait on Him.

Blessings to you on Mother's Day...

palm sunday...

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 118:25-26

 The Royal Welcome...

When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you're doing, say, 'The Master needs them!' He will send them with you."

This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:
Tell Zion's daughter,
"Look, your king's on his way,
poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
foal of a pack animal."

The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!" "Blessed is he who comes in God's name!" "Hosanna in highest heaven!"

As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?"

The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 21:1-11 The Message

It's Palm Sunday...let's put on the garment of praise....and worship Him...King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

the tie that binds...

Blest be the tie that binds...
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds,
Is like to that above.

The words of a song that we often sang at communion in years gone by, came to mind as we worshiped with believers at this little church in Hawaii on our recent vacation.

We started every day off with a morning walk. One Sunday morning, our walk took us past Living Stones Church where the 7:30 am service was just beginning. Though the little church was already full, there was plenty of room in the oceanfront overflow area...and so we joined the outdoor service. The morning service ended with communion...and though we knew not a soul in the congregation...we felt that 'tie that binds'. How special to share that common bond...our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

from the heart...

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart.

Matthew 15:18

It seems to be a good day to think about the heart...and what condition it is in.

If I want the words I speak to reflect His grace...I must begin with a clean heart.

I'll make that my prayer today.

Happy Valentine's Day...

torchbearers...

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Today we are celebrating the Olympic torch relay in our city.

The duty of the torchbearer is to hold the light high...

and pass it on.

I'm just thinking...not only should we as followers of Jesus be 'letting our light shine'...

we should also be passing it along.

Let's hold our torch high...carry it proudly...and pass it on to others.

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...

Romans 1:16

a call to worship...

Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Psalm 96: 8-9

The Message

'On worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness'...are the words in the King James version of the scriptures. They were words that were written across the front of our church when I was a child...and I read them every Sunday as I sat in the pew...and I see them even now in my mind's eye. They are words that often come to mind when I see the artwork of our Creator stretched across the evening sky...or the morning sky. How can one help but bring our gift of thanks...and bow before our Maker?

words...

Words kill, words give life;
they're either poison or fruit—you choose.
Proverbs 18:21

The Message

A friend shared this song with me this week...and so I am passing it along to all of you.

The words are ones that should be shared!

Words ~ by Wendy Francisco
(take a listen)

Loose lips sink ships, this is widely known.
Be careful what you say, the ship you sink may be your own.

We may fly or we may fail by the words that we set sail.

Wings of life or webs of death dance upon our very breath.

Place your hand on your letter.

Steer your ship by what you utter.

Your bed is made, you bread is buttered by blessings sung or curses muttered.

Words can heal a wounded heart , ease a child and her fears apart.

Bring hidden darkness into the light.

Make what is wrong in a friendship right.

Choose your words as you choose a jewel, a good word is like rocket fuel.

Proclaim God's grace, evoke his power.

Spread His Love in this needy hour.

We may fly or we may fail by the words that we set sail.

Wings of life or webs of death dance upon our very breath.

am I following?

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2

It's not following...unless you let Me go first.

Love, God

It's the beginning of the year...and though I have no idea what the road ahead may look like...my prayer is that I allow God to lead. The temptation is often to barge ahead...as though I know what I am doing. May I be willing to be led through 2010.

Sunday blessings...

my heart's delight...

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

A new year is always a good time to take stock.

I have a short list of resolutions...very short!

But this I know...if I have only one resolution it should be to 'delight myself in the Lord'...then the rest will fall into place.

He has my best interests at heart...He will lead and guide if I let Him...He will give counsel and direction.

If all else should fail in 2010...He will never fail.

And so I choose trust in God rather than fear the future...and I look forward to what great things He has in store for me.

don't keep the change...

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine...

you did for me.

Matthew 25:40 NIV

If you happened to visit the same Costco I did over the weekend...you may have heard Christmas carols being played next to the Salvation Army kettle. It was most lovely...and rather difficult to ignore! If we all gave something...even just our change...what a difference we could make. Let's not pass by those who need our help this Christmas.

joy to the world...

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not...for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy...

which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:10

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus...who came to change lives.

If we are experiencing the joy that is 'for all people'...

let's share it this Christmas season.

That is a gift that goes on giving!

presence

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalms 16:11

Gifts we give and receive may make us happy for a time...but joy comes only when we remain in a right relationship with God. In this advent season...let us celebrate His presence.

Sunday blessings...

peace...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Let's not allow the beauty of the advent season to be lost in the bustle of activity that we find ourselves in. My prayer is that I will pay attention to what really matters and not worry about the rest...that I will be aware of God's presence in my life and know His peace...that I will have joy and a sense of humour...and that I will be the 'hands and feet' of Jesus to those around me during this advent season.

Sunday blessings...

Your faithfulness...

After a week of storms...I was reminded again that He is faithful no matter what may come my way.

Your Faithfulness ~ Brian Doerksen

(click link to listen)

I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, or filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
I don't know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?
I don't know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness
I don't know how or when I'll die
Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?
No, I don't know how much time is left
But in the end, I will know your faithfulness
When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts and storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful
Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in your faithfulness
Surer than a mother's tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in your faithfulness
I don't know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?
I don't know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness.

come and dine...

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine"
You may feast at Jesus' table all the time...

We sang those words as a table prayer...a very long time ago.

Jesus invited his disciples to come and dine...and the invitation is for each of us as well.

How often are we putting our feet under his table?

He's waiting.

a new perspective...

Sometimes we just need to look at things from a different vantage point...

to see things a little more clearly.

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah Yeah yeah

These wonderful words are lyrics from a song called 'Give me Your Eyes' by Brandon Heath...a reminder to look at life the way God does.

Sunday blessings...

lifted up...

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10 NIV

If we allow God to lift us up out of the pumpkin patch of life...and clean us up, inside and out... then His light will shine through us...for all to see.

give thanks...

In everything give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving thanks in every situation may not be easy...
but we know God can use all things for good.

We are celebrating Thanksgiving here this weekend.
I have much to be thankful for!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend...