Still and rest.

As I stand here watching a robin hunt for bugs to feed to her young I am reminded of how much God cares for us. He would never leave us or forsake us. He wouldn't leave us as orphans. He provides for the birds of the sky surely he will provide for us. His love and grace surround us. Question is do we really take time to notice it?  I mean are we too busy caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of our walk here in this plane to notice the beauty of what is all around us. I pray sometime in the next week  all who read this will take time from being busy to just be still and thank god for all he has blessed us with. 

Laus deo

http://youtu.be/mq59iE3MhXM

shelter in the storm

It seems to me that we as humans seem to want to always fix things ourselves.  When life throws us a curve ball we try our best to hit it, but always seem to miss the ball.  We keep on swinging trying to make the hit and quell whatever storm is brewing.  

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.23As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

24The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Luke 8:22-25

It seems that when we get in the boat and starting rowing that things are ok and calm, but at the slightest wave or wind we panic.  We loose sight of the direction of shore and our mind takes us places that we don't need to go.  Been there, done that.  More than once in my life have i lost sight of shore and my mind has taken me down dark roads that i didn't need to travel down.  I should have in my panic and fear stopped and Let go and let god.  I know that sounds simple, like easy for you to say you aren't living in my storm.  You're right I'm not...but god is.  He said he wouldn't leave us as orphans.  He said he would never leave us nor forsake us.  He is always right beside us!

1-3God is a safe place to hide,

ready to help when we need him.

We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,

courageous in seastorm and earthquake,

Before the rush and roar of oceans,

the tremors that shift mountains.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,

this sacred haunt of the Most High.

God lives here, the streets are safe,

God at your service from crack of dawn.

Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,

but Earth does anything he says.

7Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10Attention, all! See the marvels of God!

He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,

Bans war from pole to pole,

breaks all the weapons across his knee.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

loving look at me, your High God,

above politics, above everything.”

11Jacob-wrestling God for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

In all things and situations i emplore you, let go and let god.  He can and will break the strongest chains and will bring you through any storm.  Just BE STILL and let him.

leeland - christ be all around me

NeedToBreathe - Brother

who or whom do you serve?

have you ever wondered where our society started slipping down off the edge of morality into the dark places we don't need to go?  who or what is to blame?  Or does the blame lie in us for standing silent in the face of what we know is wrong, or for saying "oh someone else will handle that" or "i don't want to get involved" or "it's not my problem let someone else worry about it."

 While traveling home yesterday from work, i was working 2 1/2 to 3 hours away from home yesterday, i had lots of time to think.  I got to wondering what peoples stories were that were in the cars next to me.  Had they lost loved ones this week, will they lose one this weekend, had they committed adultery or on their way to, are they lost in a dark place and see no way out?  I got to thinking who will be Jesus to them?  Do they have a friend or family member who can go with their lit lantern and shine light into the dark place they find themselves in?

I also got to wondering what would this world be like if everyone who calls themselves a follower and lantern waver for Christ really shined their light for all to see.  It seems to me that for far too long we Christians have remained quiet.  what if we as men and women of Christ BOLDLY proclaimed the love and grace found only in the cross to all we meet regardless of where they are, or what they are going through?  What if we believers bowed at the foot of the cross and really prayed, i'm not talking simply going through the motions, i'm talking weeping at the foot of the cross asking for our savior to use us to proclaim in love his good news and to use us everyday, in every situation?  What if we asked, I mean from every part of our body and soul, to be filled with the holy fire of god?  Filled so full that it ran out of us like water runs out of a glass that is too full?

Lord i pray that you start a revival in this nation, that you will use men and women, who society thinks can't be used.  i pray that you will give them the words and actions to boldly proclaim your message of love and grace.  Send your holy fire to your church that we might change this downward spiral that we find ourselves in.  your grace is enough for whatever is the matter.  Use me oh lord that i might shine brightly your love and grace to all I know and meet.

amen

chris tomlin - lord i need you

hillsong - awakening