Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SONGS OF MY HEART - BE ENCOURAGED
BE ENCOURAGED Isaiah 41:4,10 We get so caught up in the problems of our nations, our world, families and communities. I think we sometimes forget that God is still in control. Pray sincerely for our leaders, that their hearts be turned toward Almighty God; for He has not left us. From generations past, to our generation today, and to all future generations - He is with us. He is with us in Afghanistan, in Isreal, on the Gulf Coast. God is more than the WHOLE world against us. So hold on, be encouraged.
Pray for His presence, His strength, His devine knowledge of our circumstances, and His devine hand to intervene. The hands of our God is not too short to save and deliver. Look to the Word of God for encouragement. Gather with our brothers and sisters in the Lord for fellowship, and pray for direction. Have that little talk with Jesus, let Him be the bearer of our concerns. Don't forget to share our delights, happiness, our joyous events with Him who loves to be a part of our whole life. Then be still for a minute and hear His voice of direction, encouragement and love.
I wrote this today because as I was reading Isaiah 41:1-10, I heard the words "Be Encouraged." So I began to ask, "Why?" So I went back and re-read, and got stuck on verses 4 and 10. That was about 6:30 AM. As this morning has progressed several things have happened, that made me know, He is with me and He encourages in so many different ways. Now let us go out and encourage others.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Songs Of My Heart - HOLY SPIRIT COME FILL THIS PLACE
How often do we get a wonderful gift, love it, use it, then as time passes we move on to other things? Sometimes we put this wonderful gift in an area where we cannot/do not access its beauty or use it to its fullest potential. I think this is what many of us do with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus left us a wonderful gift of a friend, comforter, guide and master teacher. Yet do we invite Him into our lives everyday? This song, expresses so much where my heart is right now; and I pray will be forever. I'm thanking Him for His presence in my life. It is He who allows us to walk in the power of Christ, He leads me through the day; giving me the words to use in difficult situations, the power to love and forgive, and pray for those who are being a little ugly in actions, and keeps from being totally nasty in return; and if I am, allows me the wisdom to ask forgiveness. It is He/Holy Spirit who shows me how to use the talents that have been given to me. He makes His presence known, I/we have but to invite Him into our lives. Good Morning Holy Spirit, please come and fill this place!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
I NEVER THOUGHT this song could get any better until I heard Christina Westbrook sing it. When I first heard it in 1990 my soul soared high. This is one of those songs that don't get old. The message of being satisfied with Jesus is eternal. Nobody can care for me, make a way for me or lets me know He loves me as my Savior. I hope to be able to upload her singing it at The Heritage of Gospel Music Concert, Bellingham, WA on February 6, 2010. As you are blessed listening to Luther Barnes, I know you will be blessed as Christina pours out her heart to the Lord in this song. As the Mighty Clouds of Joy would say, my soul was riding a mighty high to glory as she sang.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Songs Of My Heart - HEAVEN IS THE PLACE I WANT TO BE
Gospel, spirituals, jazz, country, and blue grass; I thank God that He gave me songs. 2009 is gone on bye, and we've entered into a new adventure for 2010. Christmas Eve night my pastor, Baron Miller talked about the bitter and the sweet of the past year. So as I started writing my thoughts two weeks ago, I've been doing more reflecting and prayer about the past and future. I've spent a lot of time asking the LORD for stuff, even spiritual stuff. But what I've really wanted, and he has granted my request is to be used by Him. I want to live so that God can use me, I want to walk in His presence and feel His tender touch, and be guided by His Holy Spirit.
This year He allowed me setbacks in ministry (getting my pastoral license), which was a good thing. Not getting it when I first applied took me into further study of the Bible, my relationship with people and Christ, and His with me and His people. Not getting my license caused me to really think about the why's and the costs of my decision to pursue ministry, and follow His leading. I did get it on the second try. Failure lead to more growth.
2009 has been a year of acomplishment; I finished my second book, "Lord, Take Me Back." It's being edited. My third book (Poetry) is almost done, "Somebody Prayed For Me." He has allowed a very special friendship to form with Pastors Anthony and Christina Westbrook, who brought me back to an old love - teaching, doing workshops for women. With Christina, we've seen the The Bellingham Community Gospel Choir continue to grow, and the gospel be spread through music. This year, I've been able to minister with people from various churches throughout Washington, and from different countries (Canada, Africa and Japan).
2009 has not been without its devastating moments. Sickness struck my family in a big way; my mom, gramma, son, the deaths of folks at the nursing home who were there in 2001 when I first came out here, and the death of my best friend for over 50 years. Sickness in my own body, finances and financial opportunities have come and gone. Yet through it all, I have seen His love well up in the hearts of those who love and trust Him, and God has given me a song to sing and a sermon to teach in every situation.
I'm learning not to take this life for granted. I'm grateful for the people He has put in my life this year; men and women, young and old, acros the nation. Some of these people we've never met, but we are family just the same, who love the Lord, and they also are learning to grow in Him, trust Him more. I'm grateful for the relationships I have with non-believers, and always praying that one day they too will not only seek but receive Jesus who lives in me.
Whatever 2010 brings I know Jesus will be with me, I know I will have a song to sing, and I know that the end result of my praying, singing, teaching and preaching is to win souls for the Kingdom, to one day be gathered in Heaven, hearing Him say to each of us, "Well done my good and faithful servant." In 2010 I will say and sing with my whole heart, "Where He leads me I will follow."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Songs Of My Heart - WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME, IT IS FOR ME
A simple song with a powerful message. Don't sweat the small stuff, God has got me covered and whatever His plans are for me, will come to me. Some of you know I have been job searching. Well I interviewed last month for the perfect job, that would allow me to combine all the talents (art, writing, singing, etc), administrative gifts, and the ministry all together. Wow, what an opportunity. As it came down I was in the top two for over two weeks - tight. But toward the end of last week, the Lord took all my anxiousness about this away, and this song has been in my heart, even as I awake in the morning, "What God has for me, it is for me."
For the last two years, I've been on another journey of trusting the Lord. As I went into retirement, I felt I would be alright financially, and I really needed the time to spend in the Word, and doing my community responsibilities as a pastor. Things have become real tight with the money, and my frustration level began to rise at not finding a position. Plus, all my drawing, painting, beadworking, cooking skills appeared to be going to waste - What's up with that God? Last week He gave me such a sense of peace about where I was, and where He was leading me. I knew in my heart I didn't have the job, but what He has been doing, and the ministers He has brought into my life over this past month has been phenomenal. All of them, unrelated to each other, with the same encouraging message of God's working in my life, and will use these gifts as He has placed me to minister.
There are still times in my life where I try to reason out what my next step should be, instead of allowing the Lord to order my steps. As much as I tell others, wait on the Lord; trust Him to lead you, there are times I need to preach this same message right back to me. When we put our trust in God's plans for us, and really learn to rest in Him, we don't have to worry, fret or cry, or become jealous of others for getting what we think we deserve. He said, He has a plan and a purpose for us. I don't know about y'all, but learning to lean ain't always easy.
Yesterday I learned I didn't have the job, and I was so peaceful. Working it, would have placed me back to 40 hours, cutting back on ministry duties. But, the manager went on to tell me they have another position coming open, that would be part-time. When they said, "Would you be interested in this,"My heart cried out, "What God Has For Me, It Is For Me."
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