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 - ROADBLOCKS TO VICTORY

The song says:

I WANT TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, I want to be one of His disciples.
I want to walk in the newness of life, so let me be a follower of Christ.
What do I have to do?
What do I have to say?
How do I have to walk each and every day?
Tell me what does it cost, just to carry the cross?
So let me be a follower of Christ.


I'm thinking all of us have "Roadblocks/Stealers" in our lives that attempt to trake us away from being a "Follower of Christ;" stealers that we consent to which sway us from following the road Christ is leading us down today. For me it is "games". I love computor games. I can come in and be mindless for a few minutes, relax, and not think. Sometimes as I'm playing a game I get a really good idea for something to write about, but more often I fall into the quicksand of wasted time, that lasts much longer than I first anticipated. Then I find myself playing catch-up on the assignment the Lord has blessed me to have. I finish it - always. But my best was not given to the Lord.

In this song I find not only self examination, but a statement of my purpose to walk in the newness of life that Christ daily sets before me. Proverbs 1:8 says to listen to what your father and mother teach you. What you learn will crown your with grace and clothe you in honor. I was taught, do the work first - then play. Set your priorities. We have often heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words," the enticement for me of technology (games)can be as compelling as people who have no purpose but to draw me from my purpose, and destroy what the Lord is growing inside. And I have played a willing part.

For me and for all of us who want to be and are 'Followers of Christ,' these roadblocks must be identified and dealt with - EARLY. When the games I play take 1st place - God's place, they become sin.

The beginning of wisdom is God. With wisdom get understanding of who you are, where is God in your life today, what/who are the roadblocks in your life, and where is your strength?

Thank you Lord for the Your wisdom, and giving me understanding of my weaknesses, and strength in Christ. Thank you for Your amazing love that leads me back on the road to victory. Let not my eyes sway from You today, let me not pass up the opportunity to speak in kindness, to love others as You have loved me today.

Songs Of My Heart - YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

It's funny how TEMPTATION can take on the appearance of 'good, innocent, fun, and desireable. Even like, for me, the temptation of the internet. Staying on too long, putting really important things in my life on hold for a few games. Dumb and wrong when it interferes with life's responsibilities. But there are other temptations also that can/will produce long lasting pain. But after we have experienced what we should have examined more closely, we find the downside of temptaion to be deceit, devestation and depression and often despair. Temptation does not become sin untill we succum to it and commit into action that which we have been tempted. The Bible tells us to FLEE from the very appearance of sin, and in different passages lists the things that would we need to RUN from.


I think all of know the strong pull that temptation has on each of us, though it may not appear, at first, as something that would snare us into a very sticky web. The temptations we face are embedded within us. I do believe we all must look at our weaknesses within as well as our strengths. Knowing our weaknesses will keep us close to the cross, in the Word and in communication with our Lord. Now, I'm not saying that we live in continuous temptation, but the inner desires can seep out and overtake us when we neglect this great state of salvation we have been gifted with.

When temptation comes upon us, the Bible tells us to be submitted to God, resist the Devil and he will flee. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands and recognize the sin within, and if we are double-minded, purify your hearts. Humble yourself before God and He will lift you up (Paraphrased, James 4:7-10). We are to Follow the Lord. Think about where this temptation is and can lead us, and take the time to verbally re-commit to: "Where you lead me Lord, I will follow you." Then sometimes we must RUN. Yes, as Christians strong and steadfast, there come times to run, flee from sin. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, Flee/run from youthful lust... 1 Corinthians 10:14 tells us to flee/run from idolatry. But read the scriptures before the 14th. Very clear as to where we should be, and that there is no temptation that is not common will come upon you. The victory is ours if we follow the roadmap. Each victory we win will help us to gain strength for the next temptation to come our way.

Remember at the end of the line is the prize eternity with Christ.