Give thanks to the Lord
Our God and King
His love endures forever!
For He is good
He is above ALL things!
His love endures forever!
Sing praise.....
Sing praise.....
Sing praise.....
Sing praise.....
FOREVER GOD IS FAITHFUL
FOREVER GOD IS STRONG
FOREVER GOD IS WITH US FOREVER
FOREVER GOD IS FAITHFUL
FOREVER GOD IS STRONG
FOREVER GOD IS WITH US FOREVER
FOREVER AND EVER...
With a mighty hand, and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God will will carry on
His love endures forever!!!!!!!
SING PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SING PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Sing praise to Him who is faithful indeed brothers and sisters!
Rejoice in your Maker! Dance before the King! Sing praise!*
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
celebrating the young at heart
It seemed like a fairly laid back day Thursday as I interacted with and laughed alongside the residents at Morningside. The residents seemed to have nearly worn themselves out this week participating in all their “Appreciation Week” activities. One thing is for sure at this assisted living home – most of the staff (the one's I've met) are kindhearted and thoughtful people. This is important because I think to run a living home like this, or a ministry successfully, it requires good attitudes and creativity on behalf of the leadership.
I was emotionally a little tired this particular day, but that made me appreciate the vibrant, curious spirits of the residents even more. Many of them suffer from memory loss, dementia, and even hints of Alzheimer’s. I find this quite sad when I put this together with how I saw them remembering and functioning earlier this summer. Most of them over the last few days have come to know my name and that I am from Maine, and go to school in Canada – but watching some of my favorite ladies talking to me and Mrs. Donna, I realize how quickly they forget – even if we’ve explained something to them several times.
Older people may be ‘set in their ways’ but I sure have loved being able to serve them as “kings and queens” for a few hours this week. Their smiles and thankfulness make all the repeating of sentences, running of errands, and slow paced work all worth it! They are precious, beautiful people – made by Christ, His children, and a brilliant blessing in my life for sure!
This is important because it is so easy to forget about serving people on a daily basis – I know sometimes I sure do. We get so caught up in serving ourselves, we might not thing to do one extra little thing for someone else. The principle involved with this concept is displayed clearly in Philippians 2, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”. In the future I hope for this to be my heart cry, and at the center of whatever ministry the Lord places me in.
Monday, September 14, 2009
21 Days for Global Harvest
The Student Volunteer Movement 2 (SVM2) is spearheading a prayer movement coming up next month for 21 days - for the nations - for our personal lives - for our generation. Check out their promo video:
Saturday, September 12, 2009
reflecting on September 11, 2009
Growing up my Grandma always told me how she’d forever remember what she was doing and where she was the day President Kennedy was shot. Likewise I think this is the similar situation we encounter with my generation – we will all forever remember where we were September 11, 2001 – busy at work in our middle school classrooms – and what we were doing, the day our country was attacked by terrorists. I had been in New York City just a month prior to the attacks with my dance school – catching a Broadway performance, touring Central Park, and climbing the Empire State Building. It was a beautiful city and I fell in love with it the first time I walked mouth agape, neck craned upward through the bustling, busy streets. It felt like a whole other world from where I’d come from – in the Northern Maine woods!
Reflecting on this experience, though it took place eight years ago, I can still feel the chill and eeriness that filled the air that day. Everything was canceled in town and everyone went home early to join their families crowded around the television – waiting for some explanation, some understanding of what had taken place that morning.
I related the news of these dreadful events to the effects it would undoubtedly have on the structure of my family because my family was a military family. All I had ever known growing up is that my Daddy was a soldier – my hero and a man who served our country well. With talk of these terrorist attacks, my whole family stewed in fear that my dad may have to respond to the later implications of these attacks.
I assumed perhaps my Dad would be deployed to New York to help with clean-up and relief work at the site itself, but that window of opportunity never came about. Instead, our answer to that fearful question came three years later about a week before Christmas. My dad was being deployed to serve in Iraq for a year. He would depart in January for training – fly to Afghanistan in April – and return sometime the following May.
This is important because my Dad, my number one supporter, fan, and motivator – in service to our country and his obligations to the United States Military would miss the remainder of my junior year in high school and the entirety of my senior year – with the exception of graduation. I was crushed, and I remember being really frustrated as well. I was glad my dad was willing to serve, yet I was upset that he has to miss out on over a year of my life. It somehow didn’t seem fair, none of it seemed fair – and then I was reminded of that chilling, sunshiny, overly quiet Tuesday morning in New York City, Washington D.C, and the farm fields of Pennsylvania – and I guessed our country would never be the same after those events.
When I put this together with where I am at in life now – preparing to wrap up my undergraduate work in college – still working, living, and thriving in a country where eight years ago we were shaken and not sure we’d ever recover from terrorists, I am reminded that the love of the Lord endures, and “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world”!
As ministers it is essential to never forget the lasting impressions that world events have on people. Something about having your safety invaded, your home destroyed, or loved ones killed leaves lasting scars deep in the minds and hearts of people affected. This is important because as representatives of Christ, as vessels of the Holy Spirit we are given the healing balm required to bring true healing into the lives of these people – to see freedom dance where oppression once consumed – to see laughter thrive and spread where sadness once drug dully upon one’s heart. We have the key and we must use it! We simply must!
In the future I will continue to reflect on the significance of days like this. We never know who we may encounter that needs our hearts to be able to relate to theirs. Reflecting is a great way to find understanding and to collect our own thoughts so we can present them to others in a fashion that encourages growth, learning, and fresh perspective. God bless America!
Reflecting on this experience, though it took place eight years ago, I can still feel the chill and eeriness that filled the air that day. Everything was canceled in town and everyone went home early to join their families crowded around the television – waiting for some explanation, some understanding of what had taken place that morning.
I related the news of these dreadful events to the effects it would undoubtedly have on the structure of my family because my family was a military family. All I had ever known growing up is that my Daddy was a soldier – my hero and a man who served our country well. With talk of these terrorist attacks, my whole family stewed in fear that my dad may have to respond to the later implications of these attacks.
I assumed perhaps my Dad would be deployed to New York to help with clean-up and relief work at the site itself, but that window of opportunity never came about. Instead, our answer to that fearful question came three years later about a week before Christmas. My dad was being deployed to serve in Iraq for a year. He would depart in January for training – fly to Afghanistan in April – and return sometime the following May.
This is important because my Dad, my number one supporter, fan, and motivator – in service to our country and his obligations to the United States Military would miss the remainder of my junior year in high school and the entirety of my senior year – with the exception of graduation. I was crushed, and I remember being really frustrated as well. I was glad my dad was willing to serve, yet I was upset that he has to miss out on over a year of my life. It somehow didn’t seem fair, none of it seemed fair – and then I was reminded of that chilling, sunshiny, overly quiet Tuesday morning in New York City, Washington D.C, and the farm fields of Pennsylvania – and I guessed our country would never be the same after those events.
When I put this together with where I am at in life now – preparing to wrap up my undergraduate work in college – still working, living, and thriving in a country where eight years ago we were shaken and not sure we’d ever recover from terrorists, I am reminded that the love of the Lord endures, and “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world”!
As ministers it is essential to never forget the lasting impressions that world events have on people. Something about having your safety invaded, your home destroyed, or loved ones killed leaves lasting scars deep in the minds and hearts of people affected. This is important because as representatives of Christ, as vessels of the Holy Spirit we are given the healing balm required to bring true healing into the lives of these people – to see freedom dance where oppression once consumed – to see laughter thrive and spread where sadness once drug dully upon one’s heart. We have the key and we must use it! We simply must!
In the future I will continue to reflect on the significance of days like this. We never know who we may encounter that needs our hearts to be able to relate to theirs. Reflecting is a great way to find understanding and to collect our own thoughts so we can present them to others in a fashion that encourages growth, learning, and fresh perspective. God bless America!
Friday, September 11, 2009
remembering
I'd just encourage everyone to take a moment in their day to remember this significant day and series of events in our country's history. 8 years ago, on a chilling, fall, brilliantly sunny day - our country's idea of safety was turned upside down --- I still remember watching the events unfold on TV.
Remember to pray for the families of those still grieving their loved one's from 8 years ago - and all those who are survivors and still carry the memories of that day deep in their hearts! God bless y'all!
Remember to pray for the families of those still grieving their loved one's from 8 years ago - and all those who are survivors and still carry the memories of that day deep in their hearts! God bless y'all!
at the mission
Working with Mrs. V on Wednesday I was able to meet some of the kiddos at suppertime, much to my delight! The first little guy I met was a beautiful little boy. A curly mop of blond hair rested atop his head, and his big blue eyes danced when he realized someone new was in the room to give him attention.
Gabriel (he’s only two and will turn three on my Mom’s birthday - on October 22nd) wasted no time in grabbing my hand and pulling me to the table to sit with him and his Momma for supper. “You sit right here, okay!” he pronounced as he patted a special spot on the bench for me. Tanzi, the birthday girl who turned four today followed in tow. “I’m going to sit here” she declared, clad in her little crown, and fairy wand. “Alright!” I said excitedly, a big grin consuming my face, “I get to sit between Mr. Gabriel AND the birthday girl!”
The kids giggled at this and my heart filled with a warmth and love for them. Cory (he’ll be three this month) and his Momma joined us as well and I was able to share with the mom’s a little bit about where I’m from. Watching these kids interact with one another was precious. Several of the moms were rather unimpressed with their kid’s energy at this time in the evening – but I was more than happy to keep them entertained.
Gabriel quickly made him self right at home in my lap and ate his supper bouncing on me and smiling and talking with Cory, myself, and his mom. This opened a door for good communication with his mom. Gabriel was a rather persistent charmer – bustling with energy. I cannot wait to get him running around and tuckered out. I’m sure his mom will appreciate that!
I noticed Tanzi’s mom was not too interactive at supper-time and rolled her eyes as well as made nasty faced every time Tanzi tried to do something silly. I felt led in my heart to make sure this little girl felt like a princess on her birthday. She was wiggling around in the cafeteria, swinging her body back and forth, twisting and turning in excitement – so I said, “Look at that birthday dance, girl! You are good!” She smiled and giggled, and then decided it as time to eat some cake. I asked her which she liked best – the cake or the frosting.
With big smiling eyes she replied, “The frosting”. Much to her mother’s disgust she proceeded to eat all her frosting as I told her, “That is some good birthday cake huh? You sure like that frosting”. My favorite part was watching this little girl, so full of life enjoying her birthday – allowing me to be her friend after only a short time. It was a beautiful moment and in the future I look forward to how the Lord is going to grow these relationships with the kiddos and allow me to speak truth and life into their hearts. Lord, let me be a blessing!
Gabriel (he’s only two and will turn three on my Mom’s birthday - on October 22nd) wasted no time in grabbing my hand and pulling me to the table to sit with him and his Momma for supper. “You sit right here, okay!” he pronounced as he patted a special spot on the bench for me. Tanzi, the birthday girl who turned four today followed in tow. “I’m going to sit here” she declared, clad in her little crown, and fairy wand. “Alright!” I said excitedly, a big grin consuming my face, “I get to sit between Mr. Gabriel AND the birthday girl!”
The kids giggled at this and my heart filled with a warmth and love for them. Cory (he’ll be three this month) and his Momma joined us as well and I was able to share with the mom’s a little bit about where I’m from. Watching these kids interact with one another was precious. Several of the moms were rather unimpressed with their kid’s energy at this time in the evening – but I was more than happy to keep them entertained.
Gabriel quickly made him self right at home in my lap and ate his supper bouncing on me and smiling and talking with Cory, myself, and his mom. This opened a door for good communication with his mom. Gabriel was a rather persistent charmer – bustling with energy. I cannot wait to get him running around and tuckered out. I’m sure his mom will appreciate that!
I noticed Tanzi’s mom was not too interactive at supper-time and rolled her eyes as well as made nasty faced every time Tanzi tried to do something silly. I felt led in my heart to make sure this little girl felt like a princess on her birthday. She was wiggling around in the cafeteria, swinging her body back and forth, twisting and turning in excitement – so I said, “Look at that birthday dance, girl! You are good!” She smiled and giggled, and then decided it as time to eat some cake. I asked her which she liked best – the cake or the frosting.
With big smiling eyes she replied, “The frosting”. Much to her mother’s disgust she proceeded to eat all her frosting as I told her, “That is some good birthday cake huh? You sure like that frosting”. My favorite part was watching this little girl, so full of life enjoying her birthday – allowing me to be her friend after only a short time. It was a beautiful moment and in the future I look forward to how the Lord is going to grow these relationships with the kiddos and allow me to speak truth and life into their hearts. Lord, let me be a blessing!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
the punctuation police
I read a neat saying from an old e-mail today that identified perfectly where I am at in my life right now, “Never put a question mark where God puts a period”. When I put this together with what we learned in first grade grammar I find myself smiling. Before we could ever fully manage to wrap our minds around the implications of this simple rule, grammar taught us that a command always ends in a period – there is no question to it – it is simply a direct command. Reflecting on this statement, I realized how tempting it is for us as Christians to waltz around daily like the punctuation police, questioning things that were intended to be simple instructions.
I think the reason this quote resonated so much with my heart is because God has put a fair amount of “periods” in my life over these last couple of months during internship – no ands, ifs, or buts about it! Just when I began to feel like I was hitting a dead end in the barrel of opportunities, the Lord faithfully opened a door of unique ministry for me to team up with and participate in. As of this coming week I will be helping out at a local rescue mission - and possible with a local Christian counselor - whatever God has planned. The statement on the Rescue Mission’s newsletter said this, “serving the least, the last, and the lost”. That’s my heart cry! I know it may be tempting to question - but once again He keeps putting periods, exactly where they're needed in my life!
I think the reason this quote resonated so much with my heart is because God has put a fair amount of “periods” in my life over these last couple of months during internship – no ands, ifs, or buts about it! Just when I began to feel like I was hitting a dead end in the barrel of opportunities, the Lord faithfully opened a door of unique ministry for me to team up with and participate in. As of this coming week I will be helping out at a local rescue mission - and possible with a local Christian counselor - whatever God has planned. The statement on the Rescue Mission’s newsletter said this, “serving the least, the last, and the lost”. That’s my heart cry! I know it may be tempting to question - but once again He keeps putting periods, exactly where they're needed in my life!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
hurricane bombardment
I feel like the last few days have been filled with a hurricane of hardcore questions, directly routed toward me about my life. Person after person has asked me: “So what exactly are you doing?” and “Where are you going to do your Master’s? How come you don’t know yet?” as well as, “When are you going to be doing real counseling? What exactly is your internship all about?” When I put this together with how bombarded I was with questions and expectant ears tuned for answers I did not have, I was emotionally a little overwhelmed and irritated.
Seriously! Why do people EXPECT me to have my life all figured out? It’s like they all sit here hovering over my life waiting for me to produce some glorious 12-step program I’m working diligently through – complete with financial updates, perspective job opportunities, a timeline for getting married and starting my family – and where I plan on being “firmly” established ten years down the road, all so they can sit comfortably on their sofas at night soaking in their favorite weekly sitcom and a bag of potato chips.
I think the Lord places people like this in our lives to pester us to a point of recognition – a place where we see we don’t have everything together or figured out. This is important because it is at this point that we see all we are required to do is to surrender control to the Lord, open our arms and hearts wide for His instruction, and allow Him to pilot our lives. We’re called to fly free in His will!
The logic behind this mentality is fairly reasonable and to be expected in society today. However, I must admit, I have no clue what I’m doing next; let alone what I’m doing now. Every morning I wake up, find air in my lungs and approach the day with open arms – right now, that’s good enough for me, I don’t want it to be any other way. Funny as it may be, this 12-step program I’m supposed to produce with the blueprints of my life – I no longer carry the rights to.
Roughly five years ago I surrendered complete control of every hope, dream, desire, and relationship in my life to the Lord. I handed over the title and deed of my life as well as my side notes of plans I made for myself and let the greatest Carpenter set to work in my life. I look back on this moment, a hinge point moment in my life testimony, with a big ol’ smile, a joyful heart, and curious expectancy, but I think others look at me like I have six eyeballs or something.
I think the only thing I can do in this situation is laugh and continue turning my face and steps toward Christ. I don’t even know for sure if I’ve made it past step one yet, and people already want me to know what step twelve is. They have seriously got to be joking – no other logical explanation of such a bizarre, demanding request would make sense, and this is why I thank the Lord for only taking me day by day – if He gave me all twelve steps at once, I know I would without a second though plot and plan my way to the end.
This is important for me to recognize because my journey has just begun – He’s not finished with me yet and such hope and adventure lay in the valleys and mountaintops to come. If I saw the places He plans on taking me ahead of time, I’d perhaps be tempted to turn back, or to reroute my travels. Come muck or grime, rain or shine, rocks or sand, deserts or wetlands – I’m in this for life. It’s time to push forward on the trail – I’ve got a lot of ground to cover!
So what if I never have a pretty piece of embossed paper hanging on my wall that shows people I’d educated enough to “counsel” them?! I’ve got the powerful teaching of the Holy Spirit pumping through my veins deep into my soul that empowers me far more than any number of classes or seminars ever could. I understand the necessity of these things, as well as the discipline, and I also know and trust this is where the Lord has currently stationed me – but regardless of the questions, the demands and requests of others – I live to follow and please only One – Christ Jesus my Lord, Savior, and Lover!
In the future I will continue to rest in this truth – that I serve a God who “heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds – Who counts the stars and assigns each one a name – Who is great and limitless in strength – and I will never be able to comprehend what He knows and does” (Psalm 147:3-5). So why bother planning a twelve step program when I’m following the leading of the One whose thoughts and actions I can, and never will be able to comprehend? Who knew this would be a day of much thinking, surrender, and battling the demands of man!
Seriously! Why do people EXPECT me to have my life all figured out? It’s like they all sit here hovering over my life waiting for me to produce some glorious 12-step program I’m working diligently through – complete with financial updates, perspective job opportunities, a timeline for getting married and starting my family – and where I plan on being “firmly” established ten years down the road, all so they can sit comfortably on their sofas at night soaking in their favorite weekly sitcom and a bag of potato chips.
I think the Lord places people like this in our lives to pester us to a point of recognition – a place where we see we don’t have everything together or figured out. This is important because it is at this point that we see all we are required to do is to surrender control to the Lord, open our arms and hearts wide for His instruction, and allow Him to pilot our lives. We’re called to fly free in His will!
The logic behind this mentality is fairly reasonable and to be expected in society today. However, I must admit, I have no clue what I’m doing next; let alone what I’m doing now. Every morning I wake up, find air in my lungs and approach the day with open arms – right now, that’s good enough for me, I don’t want it to be any other way. Funny as it may be, this 12-step program I’m supposed to produce with the blueprints of my life – I no longer carry the rights to.
Roughly five years ago I surrendered complete control of every hope, dream, desire, and relationship in my life to the Lord. I handed over the title and deed of my life as well as my side notes of plans I made for myself and let the greatest Carpenter set to work in my life. I look back on this moment, a hinge point moment in my life testimony, with a big ol’ smile, a joyful heart, and curious expectancy, but I think others look at me like I have six eyeballs or something.
I think the only thing I can do in this situation is laugh and continue turning my face and steps toward Christ. I don’t even know for sure if I’ve made it past step one yet, and people already want me to know what step twelve is. They have seriously got to be joking – no other logical explanation of such a bizarre, demanding request would make sense, and this is why I thank the Lord for only taking me day by day – if He gave me all twelve steps at once, I know I would without a second though plot and plan my way to the end.
This is important for me to recognize because my journey has just begun – He’s not finished with me yet and such hope and adventure lay in the valleys and mountaintops to come. If I saw the places He plans on taking me ahead of time, I’d perhaps be tempted to turn back, or to reroute my travels. Come muck or grime, rain or shine, rocks or sand, deserts or wetlands – I’m in this for life. It’s time to push forward on the trail – I’ve got a lot of ground to cover!
So what if I never have a pretty piece of embossed paper hanging on my wall that shows people I’d educated enough to “counsel” them?! I’ve got the powerful teaching of the Holy Spirit pumping through my veins deep into my soul that empowers me far more than any number of classes or seminars ever could. I understand the necessity of these things, as well as the discipline, and I also know and trust this is where the Lord has currently stationed me – but regardless of the questions, the demands and requests of others – I live to follow and please only One – Christ Jesus my Lord, Savior, and Lover!
In the future I will continue to rest in this truth – that I serve a God who “heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds – Who counts the stars and assigns each one a name – Who is great and limitless in strength – and I will never be able to comprehend what He knows and does” (Psalm 147:3-5). So why bother planning a twelve step program when I’m following the leading of the One whose thoughts and actions I can, and never will be able to comprehend? Who knew this would be a day of much thinking, surrender, and battling the demands of man!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
motivated
Do you ever make goals or seek after aspirations you later only find yourself further from - as life's busy schedules and pressure creep in, somehow you manage to neglect or simply forget those initial, simple, important goals?
I believe to reach our full capacity as a person - to be able to truly bless others and to see growth in our own lives we must engage our whole person. The Power of Full Engagment is a wonderful writing which addresses this concept - and I was made to read it in our PLC group on campus for the last two years. The core principles in this work have stuck with me - and while I have applied them to my mind, and many of them to my life - I believe now its time to FULLY ENGAGE.
If I want to "run the race well", I think it's time for me to push my limits - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. (For accountability sake, I've decided to share them here - and perhaps it will encourage y'all to do some thinking and consideration as well.)
Physically, I have some conditioning to do -- and likely some sore complaining muscles in the not so distant future - but I'm certain my body will rejoice later - once the stretching allows me to push that much further and that much harder than when I began. Mentally, I believe it's time to start learning another language...I'm prayerfully considering what exactly...but I've recently felt led toward Swahili. (will you join me in praying about this?) Emotionally, I wish to become more aware of my emotional reactions to situations and to be more open in expressing these to others - not to burden them, but to add perspective to our interactions and communication. Spiritually, it's time to write more of the Word upon my heart, and to really study His Word consistently - verse by verse, step by step.
It's time to get motivated!
Are you motivated? If not, what's holding you back?
It's time to step up friend - time to get some sore muscles - time to stretch yourself, and experience the joy of pain that comes in change and growth!
You can do it! Remember, the Word promises, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - not "some things" or "this thing and that thing" or even "one thing". Nope! "ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!" Believe it! Live it! Enjoy the journey! :)
I believe to reach our full capacity as a person - to be able to truly bless others and to see growth in our own lives we must engage our whole person. The Power of Full Engagment is a wonderful writing which addresses this concept - and I was made to read it in our PLC group on campus for the last two years. The core principles in this work have stuck with me - and while I have applied them to my mind, and many of them to my life - I believe now its time to FULLY ENGAGE.
If I want to "run the race well", I think it's time for me to push my limits - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. (For accountability sake, I've decided to share them here - and perhaps it will encourage y'all to do some thinking and consideration as well.)
Physically, I have some conditioning to do -- and likely some sore complaining muscles in the not so distant future - but I'm certain my body will rejoice later - once the stretching allows me to push that much further and that much harder than when I began. Mentally, I believe it's time to start learning another language...I'm prayerfully considering what exactly...but I've recently felt led toward Swahili. (will you join me in praying about this?) Emotionally, I wish to become more aware of my emotional reactions to situations and to be more open in expressing these to others - not to burden them, but to add perspective to our interactions and communication. Spiritually, it's time to write more of the Word upon my heart, and to really study His Word consistently - verse by verse, step by step.
It's time to get motivated!
Are you motivated? If not, what's holding you back?
It's time to step up friend - time to get some sore muscles - time to stretch yourself, and experience the joy of pain that comes in change and growth!
You can do it! Remember, the Word promises, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - not "some things" or "this thing and that thing" or even "one thing". Nope! "ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!" Believe it! Live it! Enjoy the journey! :)
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