To worship in prayer...

Psalm 19

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹ The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
² Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
³ They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
⁴ Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
⁵ It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
⁶ The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

⁷ The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
⁸ The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
⁹ Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
¹¹ They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

¹² How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

¹⁴ May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Clouds

Isn't it magnificent, seeing both above AND below the clouds?

Have you ever heard the analogy that even on the rainiest cloudiest days, the sun is still shining? And have you considered that God is above the clouds and can see all that happens, even when you can't?

These pictures from my latest airplane trip remind me that even though when i'm on the ground it seems like my life is a cloudy day, God knows the sun is still shining. And He's leading me to that place.

Be blessed :)

A merciful God

Alright, I have got to share this with you guys because it's just something I can't keep to myself. This morning was one of the harder moments I've had in awhile. As you may know, I've been running a crazy schedule lately. I have almost every moment of my week carefully scheduled. Everything I'm doing is carefully chosen and has a definite purpose in my life. And I'm very confidant that evrything I'm doing is something God has led me to take up.

This morning, it kind of came crashing down. I struggled once again with setting up meetings with a lady at my church, since I have almost no spare time. Those emails stressed me out. Then I try and record a project for class and I can't figure out how to get the technology to work together like it used to, so I can write it to DVD. I realize I have papers I need to write, gifts I wnt to make, Letters to write and send out, a room to clean, homework to do, classes to study for and NO TIME TO DO IT!!!! So I desperately try to figure out what I can get out of my schedule for next semester, so maybe I won't live this chaos for longer than necessary, but as I run through all that I'm doing, I realize I can't get rid of any of it!

So I break down.

And then, that still small voice, through my tears, reminds me that the one who gave me this schedule is the one I need to turn to for help. And I haven't been giving Him as much of my time as I need. So I turn to Him, and cry out. Really God? Why can't I get this figured out?!?! Can you at least give me SOME sort of a sign that will show me You actually notice me and that you are still in control? i know you are all powerful, but lately I haven't noticed your magesty. I've been too busy!

(Add on top of this the fact that I barely missed a much needed hug frm mom this morning, she returned from working all night right after I left. I got a wave, as we passed on 688).

So, through my tears, still, I drive into town. I'm headed to school. Clearly, my schedule never stops. On the way down 29, I see something that almost puts me off the road. Daisies! In the median! I saw two bunches of them, growing as though it were May! Remember me asking God for a sign? I did! What other reason would daisies have for blooming in November?!? Thank you Lord, I know you are in control!

So thats the first few hours of my day :)

PS- Isn't it great to have a God who isn't afraid or offended when we complain to Him? He takes it all in stride. Don't be afraid to tell God what you think, so long as you have an open heart to recieve the peace and reassurance He will send you!

HOP Team

Hey guys! My dance team at church did the most AWESOME worship performance this morning- and i think I've *finally* got this link to work! Click HERE to see the video!!

Meekness, not Pride

In my devotions this morning, I was pondering the story of Joseph. His brothers betrayed him, and turned against him. He was apart from them for years, and when they came in his presence once more, he had a choice, to despise, or to forgive. Can you imagine what a place his brothers must have been in, upon hearing the words “I am Joseph” come from his lips? Truly, have you ever been in that place? Have you ever had a sin weighing upon you as a burden because it had not been reconciled? And then to find yourself in the presence of him who has power to bring judgment upon your head- how would you respond? Joseph’s brothers were stunned into silence, and greatly troubled. You and I can relate to this feeling, and can imagine the emotions and fears that would pass through their minds!

Our Lord and Savior holds a similar power, do you not realize? We each have sinned against Him greatly, and rejected Him to the depths of our being. Though we may be apologetic, repenting, and remorseful, there is nothing in our whole beings that deserves anything less than punishment to the fullest extent. Too often we forget that! When we approach the throne of grace, we aught not to come in expectation of grace- we should come in reverence and fear, as Esther did to the Persian throne, and as Josephs brothers do now.

When we lose sight of our state, and do not carry respect for our position and His, we come expecting a party. Remember the prodigal son? He came with a heart full of shame and remorse. We Christians are hindered by our knowledge of the end of the story. Let that not change our attitudes as we approach the throne. You must understand your position, before you can appreciate what a great love He has for you.

In his sermon titled “Joseph and the Brethren”, Charles Spurgeon presents His love this way:

“I want you to notice again, having given the invitation, what consolation Joseph gave! He did not say, “I am not angry with you; I forgive you:” he said something sweeter than that- “Be not angry with yourselves,” as much as to say, “As for me, ye need not question about that: be not grieved nor angry with yourselves.” So my blessed, my adorable Master, says to a poor, cast down, dejected sinner- “As for my forgiving you, that is done. My heart is made of tenderness, my bowels melt with love; forgive yourself; be not grieved nor angry with yourself: it is true you have sinned, but I have died; it is true you have destroyed yourself, but I have saved you. Weep no more; dry those eyes and sing aloud“‘

All this said, the Scriptures do say to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name". I do not intend to call you to a persistently mournful and depressing spirit. I intend to call you away from a callous heart that comes for favors, expecting blessings. A heart must be soft and broken, or His gift cannot be fully received. Do not let yourself get bored with the Gospel- it is the greatest amount of love and forgiveness you have ever received. Truly, it has changed your life. Do not allow yourself to become insensitive to this.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/0449.htm