Songs Of My Heart - IN THE NAME OF JESUS

I love this song. Today it brings to mind how we have, throughout history, used this phrase "In the name of Jesus." Wars have been fought, much blood loss, lives destroyed, people burned at the stake, victories won, addictions broken, families restored, and many have willingly surrendered their lives in their refusal to reject - The name of Jesus.

So today I was thinking (hmmm), What do I do in the name of Jesus, how do I want my life to be projected in the name of Jesus, but more importantly, how does He see me living in His name?

I cannot live just to represent myself, but I must always be me. There are and have been times in my life where I have supposedly given up some of the relevant stuff to follow after Him and His will. Going to Mississippi from Seattle was one of those times. I had accomplished much, and was secure in me. People in my field of work, in several different states, knew who I was, I was full of me. When I got to Mississippi, the question became, "Jay who?" Humbling it was. But it became another beginning, another level of learning who "me" is, and to trust the Lord.

I had again started anew in Mississippi, and over 13 years I was no longer a stranger. The Lord allowed me to accomplish a few things there, then in 2001 BAM!!! I'm in Bellingham, Washington. What was the Lord going to do with a woman of 56 years, who had only received her ministerial license one year before, and there was no Full Gospel Baptist Chuch here - what was He going to do with me? And I didn't even have a job! Again, I'm in unknown territory, except to God. A little scared, yet I knew, this time I was really I traveling in the name of Jesus, and walking by faith that He knew what He was doing with me.

I'm a Midwest lady.
In Iowa, Kansas & Minnesota He healed me and moved me (He keeps doing that).
In Seattle, He showed me He loved me, and chose me, and cleaned me up.
In Mississippi, He broke addictions, and taught me how to trust and depend on Him in a land of strangers.
In Bellingham, Wa He taught me how to know Him as Father (Abba= Daddy), and seeing myself as a well loved daughter. Through the precious blood of Jesus I live to carry His name.

The Lord led me to SALT ON THE STREET. SALT is a ministry to the homeless. The word delivered, that Jesus Loves you is constant; in saying and in doing. The healing message and response of the SALT volunteers is an answer to the cry of many:
Is there anyone who loves me or cares about me?
Is there anyone who wants to be with me when I'm not in control?
Is there anyone who is not afraid to touch my tears?
We are servants in the name of Jesus. There have been times over the years where I've had to check myself from not serving just out of Habit. I must serve out of love for the person and the name of Jesus. The results are long lasting, and in some case life saving.

I see our Lord as majestic, awesome and Holy, but also as familiar, loving and close to me. I want to be a vessel that He chooses to use in His name, for His purpose. I don't heal, I don't open blind eyes, I don't break addictions, I don't free the captive soul - Jesus does!

I pray He sees me as surrendered to Him and His will. I pray He sees me as loving to His people. I am His daughter who knows His voice, His touch, and trusts Him to supply my every need. He asks, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep, feed my lambs." I shall, In The Name Of JESUS.

Songs Of My Heart - Tribute to Michael - CRY

Can't get the music off YouTube, but the words are great.

Somebody shakes when the wind blows
Somebody’s missing a friend (Hold on)
Somebody’s lacking a hero
And they have not a clue when it’s all gonna end again

Stories buried and untold
Someone is hiding the truth (Hold on)
When will this mystery unfold
And will the sun ever shine
In the blind mans eyes when he cries

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight

People laugh when they’re feeling sad
Someone is taking a life (Hold on)
Respect to believe in your dreams
So tell me where were you
When your children cried last night

Faces filled with madness
Miracles unheard of (Hold on)
Faith is found in the winds
All we have to do is to reach for the truth, the truth

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight

And when that flag blows there’ll be no more wars
And when all cause I will answer all your prayers (Prayers)
Show the world…

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It’s gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight


I was beginning to get tired of all the coverage of Michael Jackson. His work opened up many doors for many people all over the world. His music gave lil' Black kids a strong vision as they watched him and his brothers on the Ed Sullivan Show. At that time VERY FEW Blacks were recognised and appeared on national TV. I will not go into his wrongs, sins or accusations. The Bible says whoever is without sin cast the first stone. Anybody remember that? Tonight I want to remember all the good. My blog, my post - lol.

I had not planned to watch the tribute today, but I did. And I'm so glad I did. I am not deifying him, he was a man. And today I am grateful for his music, his accomplishments, and I have prayed that he is resting in the arms of Christ. He was a parent that was so evident by the emotions of his baby girl. And he was a son himself.

Michael Jackson's use of his talent reminds me of the three men in the Bible who were given money to keep for their master. They knew he was tough and wanted the best for what he had. So one man invested really wisely, and made a great return on the original amount. The second man also put the money to use, and was able to show his master a gain. The thrid man knew the wrath his master would have if he lost what he was given, so he just buried it and was able to give the full amount back to his master. Naturally the first two were praised, but the third was rebuked because he allowed his fear to rule him. This man did not make use of what was freely given.

Michael used all his assets; voice, creativity, the activity of his body through dance, his brain in studying various scholars. All of the things he did not recieve as a child he tried to give to others. His incredible wealth, he shared. Everything he was blessed to recieve of God our Father, he expanded on and shared with the world.

As I watched, and looked at myself along with all the other folks there, and some I know; I ask the question, "Am I making the best of what God has given me?" No! Not by a long shot. Are you, could you? If we expanded on all of our talents, gifts and love, what would the world around us look like? I'm talking families, neighborhoods, churches, work? Just the immediate stuff we do everyday could be changed.

Read the words to this song, and put yourself in the equation. We can make a difference.