Tag Archive | Christianity

Checkin the Tude

May11
Stained glass window of the sacred Heart of Je...

Stained glass window of the sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in the former Mosque (Cathedral) of Cordoba, Spain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MSG

It seems that several times this week I seriously failed in this challenge.   Even yesterday, I felt the downward tug of my lips and the mantle of cheerfulness sliding slowly like a silk shawl from my right shoulder to the floor.  At that time I acknowledge that I did not have the energy or desire to grab for and pull it back straight.

Oh for the days when being disgustingly cheerful was so easy and effortless.  To again be able to alternate between annoying and brightening the lives of other people.  In these less than star reaching moments I miss being one of those people who was always cheerful.  It is in those times that I find it necessary to constantly call on Jesus.  He, who conquered death has more than enough strength to remove the dark clouds hovering over head, to inject the joy back into my spirit.

When the day seems darkest, I reflect on the goodness of the Lord and the clouds part and the Son is able to shine through.  Praising God again for His faithfulness to me through all storms and difficulties!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Worship Wednesday

May9
The clouds were amazing this afternoon during ...

The clouds were amazing this afternoon during the storm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Psalm 34:9 (MSG)

9 Worship God if you want the best;   worship opens doors to all His goodness.

Today it is all about praising God in all His awesomeness.  No matter what we may be going through, worshiping God is the fastest way I know to change my mood!  Thinking about how awesome He is and how much He loves me, I cannot help but have my mood elevated!!

http://youtu.be/d3kqAqKqcRQ - Charles Jenkins – My God is Awesome

http://youtu.be/aWyep7tvLuU - Fred Hammond – He’s An Awesome God

http://youtu.be/RLwGWv3lTYk - Casting Crowns – Praise You in the Storm

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

 

 

 

 

 

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Singing unto the Lord

Apr20

)”]Psalm 48:10

Psalm 48:10 (Photo credit: [Share the Word

Psalm 5:11 (CEV)

11 Let all who run to you for protection  always sing  joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those who truly love you  and let them rejoice.

I watched American Idol again the last couple nights, no I’m not addicted.  The young people this year are so remarkably talented.   I am permitted to have a favorite or two each year and my favorites this year are Colton Dixon and Phil Phillips.   Both of these young men are so crazy gifted, they can take a recognizable song tweak it, insert their spin on it and have me sitting foot tapping  and smiling like a proud parent.  As I watch them embrace and enjoy the notes of each song they sing, staying up a little longer to watch this year been worth missing a few minutes of sleep.

There are gifts aplenty on that stage, yet what struck me most painfully this week was the youngest singer, Jessica.  This girl can sing anything, with pipes easily compared to current stars, yet there is no passion, no feeling.   True she is only 16 and has from all accounts been singing most of her life.  Yet, my heart breaks for her because her with professionalism, beautiful voice there is a disconnection.   Being “In it to Win it”, can make sure that things are technically right, but emotionally empty.

Last night, Colton’s “Idol” dream ended, yet when it was time for him to sing the final song, he went to his knees and sang again to the Lord.   There were tears in my eyes at his constant, consistent witness.  God has plans for that young man and as he continues to use his talents to give God glory, the standing ovations he didn’t receive from the judges cannot compare to the hand claps and whistles he received from the angel chorus and smiles of approval from God.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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A Time for Joy

Apr10
Christ Mormon

Christ Mormon (Photo credit: More Good Foundation)

Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

 

Last week,  each day of the Purpose Driven Life Devotional email contained excerpts from Kay Warren’s new book “ Choose Joy, Because Happiness is Not Enough”.

 

By day two as the words sunk in I felt them rooting, growing, burrowing deeper and hitting home.  But wait, it was Holy Week, the week when re-enactments retelling the story about last days of Christ were everywhere. Where was the joy in that? Did they get it wrong talking about joy last week?

 

I think not! Christ is alive, sitting down on the right side of

 

God, our Father advocating on our behalf 24/7/365! The story must be told, understanding divined. The graphic re-enactments and readings fueled my imagination and again broke my heart because my mountain of sins were covered by His precious blood. Because Christ lives, I have buckets and buckets of joy to share with others!

 

Making His praise glorious!

 

Ree
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Great is Thy Faithfulness

Mar30
Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness (Photo credit: listentothemountains)

3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3

(NIV)

I had been feeling, in the words of my husband “some kind of way”.  Not good, not bad, not happy not sad, just a little off my normal chart.  Prepaing to write I turned on Pandora and selected my David Neveu  station.  Great is Thy Faithfulness from his Adoration CD began playing and as the song and meditations of the events of this week washed over me it was not long before I was sitting with tears streaming down my face.  With each tinkling note of the piano keys, slowly and melodically the cares, concerns and worries of the week were covered again by the love of God.  God’s faithfulness in the face of my questioning doubt showed up and showed out repeatedly.
Life circumstances happen and occasionally cause us to voluntarily take a knee like a boxer in the boxing ring.  Because of the strength ingested from the power of  God’s promises found in His word we can again stand with both feet planted firmly, eyes fixed heavenward as we welcome whatever else the world has to offer.   Regardless of how many battering, punishing blows we receive, from which we in our finite minds believe we may never recover, God is ever  our refuge.   The tears have dried, my  chin is lifted awaiting whatever may present itself and I can say with assurance, It is Well With My Soul! (David Neveu)  http://youtu.be/yKh8pi2AYCE .

Making His praise glorious!

Renee

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Temple – Under Construction

Mar13
Temple de Liber Pater, Sàbrata

Temple de Liber Pater, Sàbrata (Photo credit: Sebastià Giralt)

19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves? 1 Corinthians 6:19 (CEB)

How is it possible that a temple constantly under construction has fallen into disrepair?  I mean really, after 50 years, it is still not finished and now the foundation has apparent cracks, walls previously solid have crumbled and been removed, brick by brick.  This temple is a mess, yet God keeps working to ensure that His temple is habitable.   The word on the street may be that it should have been condemned, torn down to make way for something new and solid, but God!  Windows still have not been installed, however, there again God shines through and illuminates that wreck of a temple.   Granted, it may be surrounded by tall gleaming, pristine temples, with members streaming to and through its doors.  What an incredible God, to send the Holy Spirit to live within this and all other less than pristine temples in a world with so many updated, state-of-the-art models.   For it is those seemingly broken down, ramshackle temples that have a wealth of stories to share.  I pray this construction is never complete, that the walls be built and rebuilt as often as long as it permits me to be continually in service to the God who loved me when I could not love myself.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Reppin the Family

Mar7

11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.    Hebrews 2:11 (NIV)

Footnotes:
  1. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.

Growing up most of us were taught to be mindful of how we represented the family.  When we stepped out that front or back door, the family reputation good or bad was in our hands.  For many that was a pretty heady and heavy responsibility. One misstep in word or deed could tarnish the family name and credibility with the repercussions affecting generations.

The legacy of zealously guarding and upholding family honor is not new.  People killed or were killed to do so.   Understanding the importance of family affiliation, as I walk out of the door, I understand that I represent more than just the family into which I was born or married.  As God’s daughter and a sister of Christ, I must be ever aware that my words, my actions and even looks reflect upon my family heritage.  have an idea of where I would be without the direction and guidance of my Father and the love He has for me.   As a result, I would not want to do anything to cause anyone to miss out on being woven into the fabric of this family by becoming a cherished brother or sister!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

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Here We Snow Again!

Mar5

5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 ((NIV)



Watching the news this weekend, I saw the absolute devastation wreaked by multiple tornadoes in multiple locales and I was overcome by a strange sense of deja vu.  My unceasing prayer has been for restoration and healing and I found the tears flow when I hear Tom, Bubba or Bob tossing timber with tears in their eyes as they tell of what they and their families have lost and with yet in their next breath they are thanking God. It is so often told and repeated, these tales of heartbreak and loss. The sole surviving baby, the ruined church and the promise of more. Through it all, God is praised and the spirit of community is once again invoked and enacted.  God told Joshua “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”, this promise is still relevant today and what has to fuel and sustain the faith of those who must survive after the storms, hurricanes and tornadoes.

We awoke to snow, again, this morning but unlike so many other times instead of cowering cowardly inside peering from inside,  I am out in it, marveling at the peaceful, pristine beauty. The views change from day-to-day but God is unchanging and his handiwork always beautiful provides promises of Heaven.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

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Homecomings

Feb8
prayer.. 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
   Exalted be God my Savior.  Psalm 18:46  (NIV)

Last night and this morning I worked on the blog post for today.  It was going to be awesome!  On the third editing the Holy Spirit told me to go back to my previous posts, which I did.  Imagine my surprise when I realized that with different words, I had written that blog before.  I hit save, closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, what is the word YOU have for me for today?” 

Praise, Praise, Praise!!  See, this is why I don’t rely on myself!  I have such an awesome praise report!  My Daddy went home on Monday night!  Before Christmas I flew to be at his side because the doctors did not expect for him to survive.  For months since folks have been praying for his life to be spared and for his healing to continue and God’s hands surely have been all over Dad!  The prayers for his healing are ongoing but he will be able to be able to keep convalescing at home, sleeping in his bed and eating food that he enjoys, ok maybe not all the foods he enjoys!   As I replay the events of the last several months, I stand again in awe of the power of prayer and the faith of so many who repeatedly and faithfully put their trust in the God who has healed us all at one time or another!  To God be the glory great things He has done!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Do With me as You Will

Feb2

14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Jeremiah 26:14 (NIV)

In this day, no lofty witty words,

    No laments, no deep insights, no sage advice.

Today, I pray.

     I pray for that will of God, that deeper understanding of what it is He would have for me to do, speak, write and how to live!

Kneeling Praying God Clip Art

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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