Tag Archive | Religion & Spirituality

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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Thankful Thursday

Apr12



Acts 24:3 (NIV)

3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

My eyes opened and I saw the sun streaming through the window.  My lungs pumped in air without hesitation or wheeze  and when I rolled over and pushed myself up, I was able to do so.  As my feet touched the floor, I did not hear the usual and customary  snap, crack and pop of my bones realigning.

This is yet another day that the Lord has made and blessed me to see and I am filled with gratitude!!

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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Thankful Thursday!

Mar22
god lives in yu - treo_062809_002_web

god lives in yu - treo_062809_002_web (Photo credit: kevindean)

11 Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;    proclaim among the nations what he has done.  Psalm 9:11 (NIV)

Each and every single day there is something to be thankful for!  From the breath filling my lungs, the blood that pulsates through my veins, the smile I can share but most of all for a Savior who loves me!  This day is special because it is the day of my 100th blog posting, I am truly amazed that it  happened so quickly.  Praises to the Lord for inspiring, touching and blessings with these posts, I am so grateful to be used by Him.   My humble thanks to those who pray for me and read these words!

This week I am also very thankful for good medical reports! My Dad no longer needs dialysis and his body and life are miracles and he truly has a testimony to share. I am also thankful for the blessing of being able to witness the promises and possibilities that another Spring brings.

Today, I thank God for the love and possibilities that surround me. Lord, let Your light and love shine through today!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

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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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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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Come by Here, Dear Lord

Oct27

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9

The a song  “Already Here” by Brian Courtney Wilson was quietly playing in my office the other day and once again I was moved to acknowledge the presence of God. Right there in that windowless, space I felt the warm, comforting  embrace of the Holy Spirit and a flood of peace enveloped me. In the time it took for that song to play I had an on purpose worship session that colored the rest of my day. As I begin this day, recalling that precious interlude with God, my prayer is that more of those moments infuse my days.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

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