Guess What?

1. Medicare is a government run program
2. There are no death panels being set up by the government in the health care reform bill
3. God isn't an American, Republican, Baptist...
4. God isn't a Liberal Democrat...
5. None of us OWN God, but He owns the world
6. God's kingdom is NOT a democracy; HE is most definitely the King and we don't get a vote
7. God will not stand before us, but we will definitely stand before Him
8. The Declaration of Independence is not inspired by God, but God's Word is...every word
9. God knows we care about Him when we care about each other: when we don't/won't...
that sends Him a strong message too
10. Give me wisdom any day over passion...passion is short term, wisdom lasts forever

My prayer:

May the words of my mouth
And the thoughts of my heart
Bless your name, Bless your name
Jesus
And the deeds of the day
And the truth of my ways
Speak of you, speak of you,
Jesus

For this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases you
And I will give my all to you
Surrender everything I have and follow you
I’ll follow you

Lord be my vision
Lord by my guide
Be my hope
Be my light: in the way
And I’ll look not for riches
Nor praises on earth
Only You be the first of my heart

For this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases you
And I will give my all to you
Surrender everything I have and follow you
I’ll follow you

I’ll follow you, by Christy Nichols

"I Confess my Dependence on You"...

I have found some new tunes. I love music, but I'm really into the words more than anything else! So, I am especially loving Meridith Andrews and Jamie Slocum. The song, "Dependence on You" has really resonated with my life right now. Even in the midst of so much pain that friends and family are going through, I still know the peace of Christ...only HE can make that happen! So here are the lyrics: 'hope you love them as much as I do!

This is the life I’ve always wanted
To know the Prince of Peace
To feel my faith restored
As your grace surrounds me

This is the day of new beginnings
This is where my freedom starts
And now death has lost its sting
And Jesus how can I thank you?

Just to know, Just to know that you love me
Gives me hope to carry on
What can this world do to me?
Just to know, just to know that you’re with me
On all these roads I travel on
When all I have is gone
I confess my dependence on you

There is lightness in my laughter
There is a joy inside my soul
My heart is overwhelmed
And Jesus how can I thank you?

Just to know, Just to know that you love me
Gives me hope to carry on
What can this world do to me?

Just to know, just to know that you’re with me
On all these roads I travel on
When all I have is gone
I confess my dependence on you

Just to know, Just to know that you love me
Gives me hope to carry on
You’re the one thing I can turn to

She walks alone...but she is never alone. That's what life is like for my mom. She is taking care of my Father. You see, she's fulfilling that part of her vow promised over 50 year's ago, "in sickness and in health"...and now it's "in sickness".

She manages his health, completely cares for him, and also watches his health deteriorate every day. She is losing her life-long love and companion a little bit every day. She is being faithful, even when it is so very, very difficult. I see her suffering and I hate it on one side, and yet I'm inspired on the flip side.

It's a rare thing in today's world to see someone literally give up their life for another. It's a picture of Christ alive in her and His spirit speaking to all of us.

God, abundantly bless my mom. Love and comfort her like no one else can. Let her know that she is not alone, and that you are ALWAYS WITH HER! Protect and defend her. Strengthen her and help her to have joy, even in the midst of such pain. Lord, be with mama!

I want to be different

Ever have a song that is "a right word, with the right tune, at the right time"? This one says it all for me...I am totally captivated by the lyrics, it's my anthem right now...oh that it could truly be!


I have had the right
To stand and fight
But it would have still been wrong
I've had the chance to prove
A hurtful truth
I had to let it go and just move on

'Cause there's a gift called grace
That's captured my life
Though the way of the world is power and pride

I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love

Let me have the kind
Of heart that shines
The light and shows you're real
And where hope is dim
And fear sets in
Will you use me Lord to help and heal

I don't want wealth or fame
To define the life I live
Oh let me be known
For what I give

I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love

Every day is a chance to serve You
By caring for someone else
I will make the choice to surrender
And not live for myself

I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love

Different Song Lyrics
by Jamie Slocum

The Original Top 10

There's lots of "top ten" lists out there...in fact, I think David Letterman does one ever weeknight on his show. Today, however in my reading, I was in Deuteronomy 5: now That's a "top ten"!

I am struck by one specifically though...tonite it was "to have no other god's before me". It might seem that that's one of those "well that certainly only fits with old testament times"...but it really doesn't...at least not for me!

I do honor other gods...my work, my own sense of "what's right/wrong, and who should suffer for their actions", my own pleasures, money, etc. These things really aren't any less offensive than the actual idols that were made in "thousands-ago-bc". So, I don't have an actual golden calf in my home, or a silver replica of some other god....but I do have "things": and lots of them!

Father: help me to honor you first...above everything and everyone...

The original