HEART OF WORSHIP...

Father God, I adore You. I give You praise and honor for who You are:
.

I AM

'
Father God, I confess to You that I am a sinner who desire a clean heart. You are:

SINLESS

Jesus, I thank You for Your gifts of love, mercy, hope, freedom... I realize that these things come with a price. You are:

MY SACRIFICE...

MY SAVIOR

Today, as I consider my blessings on this Memorial Day in the USA, I understand more clearly the freedoms that have been given us here in this country because of what You have done for all of humanity. Thank You, Jesus!

NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN...

~BLESSED~

HEART OF WORSHIP,,,.,HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH... MY FATHER'S EYES...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

Today, like each Sunday on this blog, I have changed the first song on the playlist to become our theme song for the week. This week, I have chosen 3 songs in honor of:

.

God, the Father

God, the Son, and

God, the Holy Spirit who lives in my husband -Steve Sikes.

Let me put it this way - we are ending the month focused on BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD. This whole concept takes me to the song "Heart of Worship". Then, to take it a step further, the second song, "Household of Faith", reminds me of Steve and I as a young couple years ago, who out of pure hearts, committed to building our home to the glory of God. It's now been over 24 years since our youngest of four was born. Our children love their Daddy, dearly. They see Him as a reflection of our Heavenly Father. He has so many of our Father's characteristics, including, those described in the song "Father's Eyes". On this day that we celebrate and remember Jesus, we also celebrate you, Steve Sikes... we see Jesus in you! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

-You see the good in things when good is not around.

-You look for sources of help - seeking and finding.

-You are full of compassion!

HEART OF WORSHIP LYRICS

as sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come

Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

CHORUS
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

I'm sorry, Lord for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve

Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

LYRICS AS SUNG BY STEVE GREEN

Here we are at the start,

committing to each other
By His word and from our hearts
We will be a family

in a house that will be a home
And with faith we'll build it strong

Chorus:
We'll build a household of faith
That together we can make
And when the strong winds blow

it won't fall down
As one in Him we'll grow

and the whole world will know...
we are a household of faith.

Now to be a family

we've got to love each other
At any cost - unselfishly
And our home must be a place

that fully abounds with grace
A reflection of His face.

Chorus:

MY FATHER'S EYES
AS SUNG BY AMY GRANT
I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl,
And my face may not grace the mind of everyone in the world.
But that's all right, as long as I can have one wish I pray:
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say,

She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes;
Eyes that find the good in things,
When good is not around;
Eyes that find the source of help,
When help just can't be found;
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing every pain;
Knowing what you're going through
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.

And on that day when we will pay for all the deeds we have done,
Good and bad they'll all be had to see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand and tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know, I want your words to be,

She had her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes;
Eyes that found the good in things,
When good was not around;
Eyes that found the source of help,
When help would not be found;
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing every pain;
Knowing what you're going through,
And feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
Just like my Father's eyes.
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART... NO BITTER ROOT...

As we've journeyed through the be-attitudes, since the first of this year, I have been challenged by whichever one is our current topic. Needless to say, it's been convicting!

1. In January, I was reminded that this world is not about me. Humbling myself to the One who is in control, must be a daily mind set - "Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT..."

2. In February, I came face to face with my humanity as I considered my sinful state and how it is only my LORD and Savior who can forgive my sins and lead me in the right direction. "Blessed are those who MOURN... Blessed are the MEEK....".

3. In March, I knew that it was time for me to re-cultivate an appetite for Jesus... for His righteousness. "Blessed are those who HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS..."

4. In April, as I struggled with giving others second, third, fourth, and more chances... I was reminded once again how I needed to step it up, "BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL..."

5. This month's be-attitude has been hard! Purity! Holiness! A Clean Heart! It's hard for that to happen when a person is bitter. Somewhere along this journey, I have become bitter about a few things. Conquering this battle is not easy. Yet, to move on to the next be-attitude (peace), I must remove the bitter root in order to live this verse, "BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART..." These verses in Hebrews 12 are helping:

.
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone

and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord.

15 See to it that no one falls short

of the grace of God

and that no bitter root grows up

to cause trouble and defile many..."

Another thing, that is so helpful to me, is the encouragement that I get from the lives of other believers who so obviously have chosen the LORD to reign and rule in their lives. This week, I posted about some of my christian family who have been such an encouragement to me. I hope you have time to link to their amazing stories HERE .

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART.... LIKE MAGGIE'S...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

I could write a post today, but it has already been written. Please join me today over at a blog written by Maggie's daddy by clicking on this picture:

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART... FROM A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART...

Let's practice the last section of our May scripture memory today - from Psalms 51:

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.

.

16 You do not

You do not delight

You do not delight in

You do not delight in sacrifice,

or I

or I would

or I would bring

or I would bring it;

.

You do not

You do not take

You do not take pleasure

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

.

17 My sacrifice,

My sacrifice, O God,

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

.

a broken

a broken and

a broken and contrite

a broken and contrite heart

.

You,

You God,

You God will

You God will not

You God will not despise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, ____________________;

You do not take pleasure in _________________.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a __________________;

a broken and contrite heart You, God, ______________________.

16 You do not __________________, or I would bring it;

You do not ______________ in burnt offerings.

17 My ______________, O God, is a broken spirit;

a _________ and ________ heart You, God, will not despise.

.

.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.

.

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART... AS I'VE SEEN IN MY GRANDPARENTS...

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART,

FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD!

What sweetHEARTS... what pure HEARTS...

Thank you, God for the heritage that this young

couple were handed down 8 years ago today.

.

How BLESSED we were that God answered our prayers and brought Jacqueline to Jordan. GIGATTAATTGIG

Jacqueline's grandparents on the left;

Jordan's grandparents on the right.

.

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART... RIGHT SPIRIT...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Pure praise... non-distracted... focused on praising God and God alone... giving Him the glory...

...yet, satan does not want that to happen...

he will do whatever it takes

to distract us from praising God...

As we joined our church family and visitors for our celebration weekend of our new building, there were many of us who were tired. There's been a lot of work... quite a few challenges along the way... we set aside Sunday morning to be a praise service to THE MOST HIGH GOD.

.

Steve suggested a way to praise:

1. Just do it!

2. Make a list of 30 BLESSINGS and carry it with you... read it and refer to it often...

3. Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray throughout your day. Eventually, you will be praying prayers of praise for your blessings.

We spent our Sunday morning worship time in Psalms 145 - praising God. Yet, the author, David, didn't always praise.... his previous Psalms were of lamentation... he had to make a decision... an effort... to turn his provocations, problems, and protests to PRAISE. God had said that

.

Blessed are the PURE IN HEART,

for they will see God.

.

It is my desire to seek God with pure motives and praise Him continually, out of a pure heart, no matter what the circumstances. It is not always easy.

.

Yesterday, Dan said, "God is not here to prevent the 'valley of the shadow of death'. He's here to walk through it with us and sustain us."

.

~BLESSED~

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

Create in me a clean heart, oh LORD, my God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh LORD, my God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh LORD
Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, oh LORD
And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, oh LORD, my God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh LORD, my God
And renew a right spirit within me...

within me...

~BLESSED~

HOLY GROUND... AS IF I HAD NEVER SINNED...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY
.

Let's face it! If you are reading this, then you have sinned! SIGH! As Romans 3 says, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."

Yet, many people these days think SIN is an "old-timey word". Most are more comfortable saying, "I made a mistake!" or "I had an indisgression."

I'd like to be frank. It is hard to face the truth head on. SIN IS SIN! Your sin and my sin is what Jesus died for. It's up to us to trust and obey Him. We must trust that Jesus has taken our sins away. We live in Him as we choose to walk the walk of obediece to Him... No turning back!

It's important that in our quest to love the LORD that we live to please Him by being obedient. Obedient to what? His word! Understanding what it means to walk the CROSS WALK. Understanding what SIN is and what SIN is not. Comprehending what it means to live a SINLESS life.

I just went to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and did a word search of SIN. The word SIN is in the Bible 1364 times. SINNED? 88 times. SINNING? 22 times. SINNER? 63 times.
.
Galatians 5 refers to SIN as "acts of the flesh" and lists them accordingly,

"...sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20 idolatry and witchcraft;

hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,

selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21 and envy;

drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before,

that those who live like this

will not inherit the kingdom of God."
.

So, what would it look like to live the opposite? Could we write it something like this?

...sexual morality, purity and self discipline;

20 JESUS;

love, harmony, giving honor, fits of joy, humility,

collaboration / cooperation, unity

21 and honoring the differences;

filled with the Spirit, fellowship with believers,

and the like.

I warn you, as I did before,

that those who live like this will inherit the kingdom of God.

What happens if I mess up? If I'm living in JESUS and for JESUS, He takes the blow... the punishment... the condemnation... Romans 8 says,

"Therefore,

there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus..."

So, no turning back my friend!

Jesus has you covered.

Live intentionally!

Each new day, we step out of the bed and

STAND ON HOLY GROUND -

AS IF WE HAVE NEVER SINNED...

~BLESSED~

HOLY GROUND... THEN, I WILL TEACH...

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

You who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

The above verses begin with the word THEN. What does that imply? It implies that something happened first and these verses are conditional on what happened in the verses before. Remember these words from the last few weeks?

.

~cleansed

~clean

~washed

~joyful

~glad

~crushed

~rejoicing

~pure heart

~steadfast spirit

~joy

~willing spirit
.

13 Then I will teach

transgressors Your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

You who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
.

MOST OF MEMORY PASSAGE FOR MAY:

PSALM 51:7-15

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity. (sinless)

.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

.
13 Then

I will teach transgressors Your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

You who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
.

~BLESSED~

HOLY GROUND... PRAYING CONTINUALLY...

Thank you sweet Jesus! I find myself standing on holy ground a lot lately.
.

~Joyful always~

~Praying continually~

~Giving thanks in all circumstances~

~HOLY GROUND~

~BLESSED~

HOLY GROUND...

MEDITATION MONDAY

"BLESSED are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God."

.

Our HOLY GOD is looking for those who are seeking Him... It is His SON, JESUS, who purifies those who "seek and find" with His holiness. Because of JESUS, we shall see God!

.

Saturday night, as I was setting this blog up for the new week, I had chosen another song as our theme song. Yet, God kept pricking my heart to use the one that has now become our theme song for this week: HOLY GROUND.

.

As usual, there were some connections to be made:

• 
  
  at about the same time my heart was being "pricked"; so was Garth's who would lead songs on Sunday morning. Yep! You guessed it! He led HOLY GROUND.


• 
  
  Then, there was also this scripture on the power point:

EXODUS 3:4-6

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

.

.

It is JESUS' blood that purifies us! Jesus does so much for us! Yesterday, Dan's sermon was on the names of JESUS. Now, if you've followed this blog very long, you know that is one of my favorite topics. In my typical ABC format, I began to consider the names of JESUS that specifically connect us with this purity of heart that is our blog theme for this week. Join me in meditating on these names or descriptions of JESUS today:

.

Anointed One

Blood giver

Clean

Deliverer

E

F

Guiltless

Holy One

High Priest

Innocent One

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

Righteous One

Sinless

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

.

~BLESSED~

HOLY GROUND...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

HOLY GROUND

as sung by Don Moen on Playlist

This is holy ground!

We're standing on holy ground.

For the LORD is here and where He is - is holy.

This is holy ground!

We're standing on holy ground.

For the LORD is here and where He is - is holy.

.
.

These are holy hands!

We're lifting up holy hands.

For the LORD is here and where He is - is holy.

These are holy hands!

We're lifting up holy hands.

For the LORD is here and where He is - is holy

.

.

We are standing on holy ground!

And I know that there are angels all around.

Let us praise JESUS now!

We are standing in Your presence on holy ground.

.

.

We are standing on holy ground!

And I know that there are angels all around.

Let us praise, praise, JESUS now!

We are standing in Your presence...

We are standing in Your presence...

We are standing in Your presence...

on holy ground.

.

.

.

OTHER POSSIBLE VERSES:

.

When I walked through the doors I sensed His presence
And I knew this was a place where love abounds
For this is a temple - the God we love abides here
And we are standing in His presence on holy ground

In His presence, I know there is joy beyond all measure
And at His feet sweet peace of mind can still be found
For when we have a need He is still the answer
Reach out and claim it for we are standing on holy ground

~BLESSED~

ABIDE WITH ME... TRUST! OBEY! WAIT!

and...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

FRIDAY:

Today I was outside for graduation for over 4 hours. I sat in my black robe/hat up on the podium and realized how very thankful I was for cloudy days. The sun was definitely still there... I could feel it's presence.

I looked out over the faces of 2,000 graduates (minus 3) and the many thousands of family/friends and pondered heaven. What will the throng around the throne look like? How many of the people sitting there today are ready?

In the last 24 hours, I have also thought a lot about the worldwide family of believers - the family of God. We are to know that no matter what the cloud cover or the storm, the Son is still there. We can feel His presence in the midst of suffering and difficult circumstances. It is not necessarily in days of celebration that we are drawn closer to our LORD and Savior, the LIGHT of the world.

• Today as a missionary family returned to Ecuador, their son, James (our nephew) continued to have seizures. Have the prayers gone unanswered for the seizures to cease? No! God continues to abide with this family. His answers require trust, obedience, and waiting.



• Last night as transformed mom Cherryl and one daughter, Darah, traveled by interstate, another daughter, Krissa, was in surgery to remove a large clot from her brain. Her family now surrounds this young woman who is in her 20's. We have seen Cherryl's family connections on her FB statuses like this: "Father. I am so very scared. I need your peace." This is requiring my friends Cherryl, Darrah, and the family to trust in Him as they wait and obey.



• Today, Tyson Lewis needs a new heart... he needs one now! He and his family have been through so much over the years. This young man has overcome cancer and amputation... doctors say if he does not get a heart this weekend, he will need the help of a mechanical heart on Monday. What a blow to Tyson and his family and friends. Tyson's dad is the campus minister at York College where Steve and I used to teach. His large extended family love the LORD deeply. What are they to do? Trust! Obey! Wait!
  

Hear Him say: "ABIDE WITH ME!"

~BLESSED~

SATURDAY:

I am tired! It's early Saturday morning and I'm alternating between grading papers, checking FB, and blogging (praying all the time). There are a few things I forgot from yesterday:

1. ABOUT GRADUATION: It's silly. Yet, I am so aware of different cultures depending on where I've lived in the USA from the West to the Midwest to the South to the East Coast and then to Europe to Asia. Yesterday, I thought, "Only in Jersey!", as graduates walked across the stage to get their diploma's, names were called:

"Nicolas ____i

Nicolas ______a

Nicolas ____o

Nicole _____i

Nicole _____a

Nicole _______o."

It's time for there to be a few more Saint Nic's in Jersey!

2. I LEFT DOTTIE OFF THE LIST! Yet, I am praying for Dottie continually. Our church secretary/administrative assistant has a tumor on/near her carotid artery. Procedures and surgery are May 25 and 26. Oh, how we have been waiting on the LORD as we trust and obey. Dottie's sisters in Christ are praying at assigned times around the clock for her.

3. I LEFT MAGGIE OFF THE LIST! Maggie Colwell is the new baby girl born to our friends Stephen and Joy at the end of April. Maggie has MANY challenges. Her daddy is blogging about it here as they trust, obey, and wait:

http://mabeecolwell.weebly.com/1/archives/04-2011/1.html

4. OF COURSE, THERE ARE OTHERS... you know of some, as I know of others who are waiting, trusting and obeying... Marcia had heart by-pass surgery recently... Cathy's needs are so great that her church family is selling their belongings today to raise money for her...
http://www.yorknewstimes.com/articles/2011/05/13/news/doc4dcc85f642259762130312.txt

5. I JUST LEARNED OF ANOTHER: Our friend, Jim, has a malignant melanoma in his eye. His wife, Janet, recently entered remission from a horrible bout with cancer. When God's saints are bombarded, what do we do? Trust! Obey! Pray! Wait!

God, for these people we pray that YOU ABIDE WITH THEM and their families. May You get the glory through it all. Please join me in praying now for:

Cathy

Dottie

James

Jim

Krissa

Maggie

Marcia

Tyson

~BLESSED~

ABIDE WITH ME... FORGIVE ME! PURIFY ME!...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

.
Sin separates us from God! The Bible tells us so. Yet, our all-knowing and all-loving Heavenly Father longs to snatch us up into His arms...
. .
...if we are willing... to desire purity... to want holiness... to long to be in His presence...

Are our minds being dulled by the bombardment of the acceptance of sin around us each day? Sin is every where! God wants a voice... in your world and mine... in your home and mine... on your FB page and mine... the following verses transform my heart every time I read them - especially those big words/phrases in bold:

.

1 John 1:5-9

5 This is the message we have heard from Him

and declare to you:

God is light;

in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him

and yet walk in the darkness,

we lie and do not live out the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light,

as He is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus, His Son,

purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin,

we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and just and

will forgive us our sins

and purify us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we claim we have not sinned,

we make Him out to be a liar

and His word is not in us."
.

~BLESSED~

ABIDE WITH ME... SUSTAIN ME...

Today, we'll begin by reviewing the first part of our May scripture memory PSALM 51:7-9


7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
.
CAN YOU MATCH A PHRASE IN COL. 1 WITH A PHRASE IN COL. 2?

COLUMN 1

COLUMN 2

Cleanse me with hyssop,

joy and gladness;

wash me,

and I will be clean

8 Let me hear

and I will be whiter than snow

let the bones You have crushed

my iniquity

Hide Your face from

rejoice

blot out all
.

my sins.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

NEXT 3 VERSES OF PSALM 51 ASK GOD TO:

.
Create in me...

.

renew...

.

Do not cast me...

.

or take...

.

Restore to me...

.

and grant me...

.
.
10 Create in me .............a pure heart, O God,
and renew.............. a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me................. from Your presence
or take ................Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me .....................the joy of Your salvation
and grant me................. a willing spirit, to sustain me.

NEW COLUMNS... READ FROM LEFT TO RIGHT... BACK AND FORTH:

COL. A: WE TRUST GOD TO...

COL. B: RESULT OF OUR FAITH IS...

7 Cleanse me with hyssop,

and I will be clean;

wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear

joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed

rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
.
10 Create in me

a pure heart, O God,

and renew

a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me

the joy of Your salvation

and grant me

a willing spirit, to sustain me.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

~BLESSED~

ABIDE WITH ME... SING IT...

They arrived by bus on Saturday afternoon. Nine of the sixty-ish were "sick". Over the course of the next few hours, they unloaded their bags, stretched, and ate a wonderful meal prepared by Harriet and Judy. Three of the "sick" were taken to an urgent care facility by "Woody-the bus driver". Others prepared to sing. The additional ones who were sick sat at the back of the auditorium. They are the Oklahoma Christian University chorale. Their harmony in working and singing together (in spite of the challenges) was inspirational!
.





The first song of their program was Abide with Me. It was the inspiration for me to put it as our theme song for this week. The words are listed on my Sunday post. Dr. Ken Adams has directed this chorus for almost 40 years. Using his gifts, in this work, is a blessing to many.

I am so thankful for all those who came from OC and all the hospitable people who put them up for the night (sick or not). Sunday, after services and lunch, the choir stayed around to clean up, wash dishes, tables, sweep floors, etc. - servant hearts...

I am especially grateful for the moms who gave up being with their children on Mother's Day, as well as the families of Ken and Woody. Blessings to you all! As God blesses you, may you continue to bless Him through your work and music.
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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

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~BLESSED~

ABIDE WITH ME... LET ME SEE YOU, GOD...

MEDITATION MONDAY
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“Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God”
Matthew 5:8

This weekend I had a remarkable view of God through a variety of avenues that included: life, death, sickness, health, music, noise, silence, youth, motherhood, service, sorrow, celebration, and worship. I was able to recognize that I was in the presence of something very extraordinary.... I perceived LOVE.

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HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO OUR BE-ATTITUDE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY? Let's take a look:

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WHAT ABOUT "PURE in heart"?

1. The word "pure" is used 27 times in the New Testament.

2. It is "katharos" in Greek.

3. It means clean or free from contamination.

4. Matthew 27:59 refers to the clean (katharos) cloth that Jesus' body was wrapped in after He was taken off the cross.

5. Matthew 11:5 says, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed (katharos), the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." This is used multiple times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke to refer to the cleansing/purification of lepers.

6. Luke 5:13 is another of those scriptures that I love ... "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him."

7. Spiritually speaking, we can look at purity to describe the spiritual heart/mind as free from contamination... In Jesus' words, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:34-36

8. In the highest sense, a heart desiring God, as Jesus shares in Mark 12:29-31:

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:

‘Hear, O Israel:

The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Love the Lord your God

with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your mind

and with all your strength.’

The second is this:

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

There is no commandment greater than these.”

WHAT ABOUT "SEE GOD"?

1. It's used 449 times in the New Testament.

2. It's "horao" in Greek.

3. It can mean to physically/literally have a clear viewing of something or to look at something clearly OR it can mean figuratively to perceive, recognize, or experience.

4. On earth, we have the opportunity to see (look straight at) creation as well as the opportunity to see (recognize) the master Creator God through all the wonders of His creation. I think Elizabeth Barrett Browning understood it when she said, "Earth's crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God. And only he who sees takes off his shoes, the rest sit round and pluck blackberries."

5. Then, there's Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

6. Finally, there's the “see” that means to experience something. John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life...."

This weekend, I saw LIFE!

This weekend, I saw LOVE!

This weekend, I saw GOD!

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-BLESSED~

(More connections to this post to come throughout the week!)

ABIDE WITH ME...

SUNDAY IN THE SON
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ABIDE WITH ME

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

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Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
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I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
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I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
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Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
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~BLESSED~

WITH HIS LOVE... SING HOLY... SAY, "I'M SORRY"...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

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For a "transformed mom", there is nothing that she wants more than to have healing for her family - at the cross.

Maybe, in honor of our mom's, this weekend, it's time to say, "I'm sorry!"
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I love this video by The Skit Guys that encourages us to be pure in heart and say, "I'm sorry!"

http://skitguys.com/videos/item/im-sorry-mom/

~BLESSED~

WITH HIS LOVE... SING HOLY... AROUND THE THRONE...

In the end, when earth is no more, it will be the family of PURE HEARTS who will see God... be with God... be His family.
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I love when the LORD talks to Samuel about David,

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“ The LORD does not look at the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.”
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David wrote many Psalms which reflect the heart that God loved so much:

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Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to you, LORD,
with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
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Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
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Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth
and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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Psalm 24:3-5
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in His holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
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How does one become pure?

1 Peter 1:18-20

For you know that it was not with perishable things

such as silver or gold that you were redeemed

from the empty way of life

handed down to you from your ancestors,

but with the precious blood of Christ,

a lamb without blemish or defect.

He was chosen before the creation of the world,

but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
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Revelation 7:14
“These are they who have come out

of the great tribulation;

they have washed their robes

and made them white

in the blood of the Lamb.

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~BLESSED~

WITH HIS LOVE... SING HOLY... WHITER THAN SNOW...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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I know that some of you, in the USA, are still having snow - and it's May 5! You are waiting for spring to arrive and stay. Others of you are saying that it seems like it went from winter to summer - what happened to spring? Whatever the case, in your neck of the woods, I know for certain that God teaches us about transformation through His creation. We come to expect it to happen when it's "supposed" to happen.

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How about this transformational thought? Think snow - every day of the year!

Cleanse me with hyssop,

and I will be clean;
wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow.

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His mercies are new every morning!

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~BLESSED~

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