To 7 of the Apostles by Sea of Tiberias/ Galilee – Catch of Fish:
Reading for today
John 21:1-25
John is the only one who shares this story. Again, as I keep saying – I trust John’s version a lot more because he was present. I know that now – 1977 years later – there are people who have decided John wasn’t the author – but I believe he was. I believe he was an eyewitness – and that his record is true….
I have a lot of reminders in life about the difference of ‘being an eyewitness’ – or only hearing stories through another person’s eyes. That reality in my own life makes me pay attention more closely when I believe the person sharing the story was actually there. Oh, I know even at the scene of an accident each witness present is going to see and remember the events differently – but being there means something. Knowing what actually went on – not what we’ve been told with too many layers between – means something.
That’s why this story as reported has so much meaning for me. John was there.
I love this whole story. It is so amazing. John reports that this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples since his resurrection. So – according to my very reliable source, John, Jesus had appeared on Resurrection Sunday to them in a closed room behind a closed door +-April 5 that year); had appeared precisely one week later when Thomas was present (+-Sunday, April 12 that year); and now – this third time by Lake Galilee.
I’ve been to Lake Galilee, specifically to Tiberias, on the shore of Lake Galilee, which is also called Lake Tiberias, Lake Genessaret, and Lake Kinneret. I’ve ridden in a boat that replicates one like they would have fished from in the years encompassing the 33 A D era. It makes it all so visual.
But – what I love about this story is what Jesus did for Peter. Peter was still the same, impetuous Peter we’ve grown to know and love – the Peter who cut off the ear of Caiphas’ servant, Malchus; the Peter who vowed to ‘even die’ with Jesus – then turned cowardly and ran tearfully into the early morning of that dreadful Friday morning so recently past.
Yep – the Peter who denied he even knew Jesus – 3 times, just as Jesus said he would. Now – Jesus lets Peter make that up – redeems it – with 3 affirmations of his love – but this time Jesus makes it clear that he knows just what Peter is capable of promising. We lose that in the English translation. All we see is the word love. But in the original, Jesus asks him, “Do you agape me?” And Peter replies “You know that I phileo you.” Peter had learned his lesson. He was not capable of God’s total complete unconditional agape love – certainly not in his own strength…and now he knew that. But he did love – he loved with phileo love – brotherly love – the same kind of love defined by Philadelphia – ‘the City of brotherly love’.
So Jesus replied to Peter, ‘Feed my lambs.”
A second time Jesus asked, “Simon son of John, do you truly agape-love me?”
Again Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, (you who see and know all things) – You know that I phileo you,” And Jesus says, Take care of my sheep.”
The third time Jesus asks him, he changes his question to phileo. He asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you phileo me?” John says that Peter was hurt by the question. I’m not so sure he reported that accurately. John may have been infusing how he’d feel with what Peter felt – I’m just not sure. But – what I do know is that Jesus questioned Peter that time with the kind of love Peter was capable of committing to. Peter had learned his limitations. And this time, Peter acknowledged what we all acknowledge: You know all things, and a 3rd time he professed his phileo love to Jesus.
How many times did he deny him? 3 times.
How many times did Jesus insist he affirm his love? 3 times.
I love, love, love that the Lord redeemed Peter’s words.
Peter, and this story, are why I believe in Jesus Christ. If Jesus had just died and stayed dead, like Nietzsche would like to have you believe – there would be no Christianity worth its salt. We would be just like followers of Islam – following a dead prophet to a dead end. But – Jesus – raised again from the dead, met on this specific day with his disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee, took Peter aside and reinstated him to complete restoration – redeemed what he had done, and gave him his marching orders for what he was to do to live out that faith: feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. And our author – who was following along close enough to hear – tells us about it. Thanks, Peter. Thanks, John. Thank you, Lord.
Wa-hoo!!!!!! I love this touchstone to our Christian heritage.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES (Part 2)
To the 11 on a mountain in Galilee where Jesus told them to go
Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:36-48
During the forty days that Jesus was on earth between his resurrection and his ascension, we have only a few recorded times that he appeared to his disciples. It doesn’t mean there weren’t more – it’s just that these are all we have as a record. After grappling with trying to meld them – I have decided just to report them as we have them – and let them be as they are: the corroboration of his physically and tangibly being among them. Before I get to today’s specific passages, I have to backtrack a little bit for clarity.
On Sunday morning (+-April 5, 33 A D) reported in Matthew 28:7-10, the angel who told the women Jesus was risen, also told them, “Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
The angel obediently delivered the message as instructed. They saw the place where Jesus had been – and then they obeyed, but as they were running away from the tomb: Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said…. Then Jesus said to them…. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
In Matthew’s Gospel, verse 16 of Matthew 28 picks up the continuation of that story. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Note: according to Matthew they were told to go to Galilee to meet Jesus. When he told them that it was early – very early – that first Sunday morning – the Sunday of resurrection.
Bunny trail: The next verse is a doozie: When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Wow! I guess that lets me off the hook for times when I am not absolutely certain if what I heard was from the Lord. He was standing right in front of them; hands, feet and sides pierced from nails and sword. They could see him, touch him – and some doubted….
Back on track: Mark’s account agrees that the angel told the women to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee – but he also specifies ‘the disciples and Peter’…. I love that Jesus knew how dreadfully Peter was hurting – and that we have this record that he reached out to him specifically.
I have to address the confusion Luke’s gospel creates. Luke 24:33-35 tells us about Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus that Sunday – two who jumped up from the table after Jesus had left them and immediately ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
So – it’s Sunday evening, and even though the disciples were told by the women that they were to go to Galilee, they are behind a closed door in Jerusalem?
And further – was Peter (Simon Peter) the other disciple walking on the road to Emmaus with Cleopas? I’ve never thought about that possibility before…. If so, why doesn’t’ the Bible account tell us? Guess I’ll just have to wonder about that one…. But Luke reports Jesus appeared to Simon…and the Simon we know is Simon Peter.
Then, in verse 36 Luke reports: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” I love this passage in Luke. Love that Jesus explained everything to them; Love that they had a time of ‘show and tell’ when he let them touch the sites of his physical wounds – and explained everything again to them – opening their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (which – as a reminder – was the Old Testament Law, Prophets and Psalms. The New Testament wasn’t written yet.) Verses 46 – 49 are wonderful verses: He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
There is definitely a glitch here somewhere. In fact, John corroborates the fact that Jesus appeared to them behind the locked door on that first day of the week – on the Sunday of his resurrection. And he attests that a week later, on the next Sunday, +-April 12, 33 A D, when the 11 disciples were in that very same house again, that Jesus appeared to them again for Thomas’ benefit. Thomas had not yet seen him.
So – it is probable that the Galilee appearance took place sometime after that first week. It also appears that the disciples didn’t obey Jesus’ directive to go immediately to Galilee. And – what he did tell them when he was with them was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given. Hmmm…. I wonder…. Galilee is in the northern part of Israel…. They couldn’t be two places at one time…. All I can do is wonder….
Strangely, the glitches in the stories just affirm the Truth of the Good News Jesus came to bring. IF these had just been writers who got together to concoct a story to make us believe in something that had absolutely no truth in it, they would have collaborated to make their stories align. Some had more accurate memories than others. Each reports different parts of the same story from a different perspective. Part of it depends on whether the writer as an eye-witness or whether he is transcribing the story as told to him some years after the fact – but the most important facts are there. The Good News that Messiah came, took on sin, died for our sins, was raised again on the third day, appeared to his disciples and others after his resurrection, proving he was alive is all true.
I don’t have to make it all fit sequentially to believe the basic truth presented.
In real life:
Last night when I quickly wrote my blog I only had a few minutes to write. I didn’t share much – but today I’ll share more.
My Potato Masher Parables presentation was at University Place Presbyterian Church in University Place in the metropolitan area of Tacoma, with University Place situated just before going across the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor.
I lived in University Place for a short while a long, long time ago. It was in 1969/1970. I was in my early 20’s. It was during that fairly short – but very painful – time of my life that I tried living life without God. It wasn’t pretty. The first place I lived in University Place was a small apartment in the basement of a Dental Office – right across the street from the University Place Presbyterian Church – the one I spoke at yesterday to their ‘Scintillating Seniors.’ (I don’t know what they call themselves – but they are a lovely group of people – and I was blessed to get to share being present with them for a few hours.)
Anyway – when I received the invitation to speak I thought, “How fun!” I knew where the church was, had been back there while I lived in Montesano to attend a Conference – and knowing I would be there for their event was pure joy.
I wasn’t prepared for the ‘blast of emotion from the past’ that hit me as I drove up to the church yesterday. It was completely unexpected. Tears leaped to my eyes as I was parking my vehicle – and I had to quell them and divert my attention away from the intrusion of being interrupted. I was there for a purpose – and the purpose was one of JOY to me – and this certainly was not joy! The flood of emotion blindsided me. I took a deep breath – and went inside to set up. I love giving my Potato Masher Parables talk – but even so, the memories lingered palpably ‘at bay’ making it a little harder to just enjoy the moment to its fullest – still, it was a joy. I choose joy!
Less than five minutes before I left the house yesterday, my glasses broke. I think that also affected my connecting to my audience. I couldn’t see them nearly as well as I like to…. I like to look into people’s eyes as I speak and get 'visual feedback.’
Even knowing I had broken glasses to deal with later, just before I left the house yesterday, I impulsively ran back up and grabbed the phone number for the lady I referred to yesterday as ‘an old friend.’ She was. She was also my former mother-in-law. I had been wanting to see her – had contacted her younger son, and he asked her – and she was open to my coming. I didn’t give her much warning. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to the visit after the ‘talk time’ so I called after I was finished with my commitment at U Pres and told her I was in Tacoma and could be there in about 20 minutes.
We had a lovely visit. She was a very special lady in my life – and I wanted to tell her I was sorry for the pain I caused her when her son and I split up. She told me she had forgiven me a long time ago. We agreed that ‘whatever happened’ it takes two. We didn’t discuss any details.
What was good was seeing her again. She looks great. It was wonderful to look into her face, see her beautiful blue eyes – and they are really blue, blue, blue and beautiful – and be able to hug each other and let the past be past. I told her, “You can’t be my Mom, but you can be my friend.” I plan to visit again. It’s a new chapter.
Back about 1973 I thought she had chosen not to be part of our lives because a letter I wrote to her came back to me unopened. Contact just suddenly ended – after I had tried to maintain contact. What happened between her son and I was not her fault and I wanted her to have a relationship with her grandson – who at that time was her only grandchild. I don’t know what happened at that point. I didn’t pursue finding out. But – we lost touch for many years. The in-between doesn’t matter now. What matters is what we do with today.
There was a phrase that I love which is part of my Presbyterian heritage: Saved and being saved. Yes. There is that beginning of ‘being saved’ – of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior – but every day we are ‘being saved.’ Yesterday was a day I was very aware of that cleansing work of God’s continual salvation. It was a good day.
Reading for Today:
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 24:36-48
During the forty days that Jesus was on earth between his resurrection and his ascension, we have only a few recorded times that he appeared to his disciples. It doesn’t mean there weren’t more – it’s just that these are all we have as a record. After grappling with trying to meld them – I have decided just to report them as we have them – and let them be as they are: the corroboration of his physically and tangibly being among them. Before I get to today’s specific passages, I have to backtrack a little bit for clarity.
On Sunday morning (+-April 5, 33 A D) reported in Matthew 28:7-10, the angel who told the women Jesus was risen, also told them, “Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
The angel obediently delivered the message as instructed. They saw the place where Jesus had been – and then they obeyed, but as they were running away from the tomb: Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said…. Then Jesus said to them…. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
In Matthew’s Gospel, verse 16 of Matthew 28 picks up the continuation of that story. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Note: according to Matthew they were told to go to Galilee to meet Jesus. When he told them that it was early – very early – that first Sunday morning – the Sunday of resurrection.
Bunny trail: The next verse is a doozie: When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Wow! I guess that lets me off the hook for times when I am not absolutely certain if what I heard was from the Lord. He was standing right in front of them; hands, feet and sides pierced from nails and sword. They could see him, touch him – and some doubted….
Back on track: Mark’s account agrees that the angel told the women to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee – but he also specifies ‘the disciples and Peter’…. I love that Jesus knew how dreadfully Peter was hurting – and that we have this record that he reached out to him specifically.
I have to address the confusion Luke’s gospel creates. Luke 24:33-35 tells us about Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus that Sunday – two who jumped up from the table after Jesus had left them and immediately ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
So – it’s Sunday evening, and even though the disciples were told by the women that they were to go to Galilee, they are behind a closed door in Jerusalem?
And further – was Peter (Simon Peter) the other disciple walking on the road to Emmaus with Cleopas? I’ve never thought about that possibility before…. If so, why doesn’t’ the Bible account tell us? Guess I’ll just have to wonder about that one…. But Luke reports Jesus appeared to Simon…and the Simon we know is Simon Peter.
Then, in verse 36 Luke reports: While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” I love this passage in Luke. Love that Jesus explained everything to them; Love that they had a time of ‘show and tell’ when he let them touch the sites of his physical wounds – and explained everything again to them – opening their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (which – as a reminder – was the Old Testament Law, Prophets and Psalms. The New Testament wasn’t written yet.) Verses 46 – 49 are wonderful verses: He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
There is definitely a glitch here somewhere. In fact, John corroborates the fact that Jesus appeared to them behind the locked door on that first day of the week – on the Sunday of his resurrection. And he attests that a week later, on the next Sunday, +-April 12, 33 A D, when the 11 disciples were in that very same house again, that Jesus appeared to them again for Thomas’ benefit. Thomas had not yet seen him.
So – it is probable that the Galilee appearance took place sometime after that first week. It also appears that the disciples didn’t obey Jesus’ directive to go immediately to Galilee. And – what he did tell them when he was with them was to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given. Hmmm…. I wonder…. Galilee is in the northern part of Israel…. They couldn’t be two places at one time…. All I can do is wonder….
Strangely, the glitches in the stories just affirm the Truth of the Good News Jesus came to bring. IF these had just been writers who got together to concoct a story to make us believe in something that had absolutely no truth in it, they would have collaborated to make their stories align. Some had more accurate memories than others. Each reports different parts of the same story from a different perspective. Part of it depends on whether the writer as an eye-witness or whether he is transcribing the story as told to him some years after the fact – but the most important facts are there. The Good News that Messiah came, took on sin, died for our sins, was raised again on the third day, appeared to his disciples and others after his resurrection, proving he was alive is all true.
I don’t have to make it all fit sequentially to believe the basic truth presented.
In real life:
Last night when I quickly wrote my blog I only had a few minutes to write. I didn’t share much – but today I’ll share more.
My Potato Masher Parables presentation was at University Place Presbyterian Church in University Place in the metropolitan area of Tacoma, with University Place situated just before going across the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor.
I lived in University Place for a short while a long, long time ago. It was in 1969/1970. I was in my early 20’s. It was during that fairly short – but very painful – time of my life that I tried living life without God. It wasn’t pretty. The first place I lived in University Place was a small apartment in the basement of a Dental Office – right across the street from the University Place Presbyterian Church – the one I spoke at yesterday to their ‘Scintillating Seniors.’ (I don’t know what they call themselves – but they are a lovely group of people – and I was blessed to get to share being present with them for a few hours.)
Anyway – when I received the invitation to speak I thought, “How fun!” I knew where the church was, had been back there while I lived in Montesano to attend a Conference – and knowing I would be there for their event was pure joy.
I wasn’t prepared for the ‘blast of emotion from the past’ that hit me as I drove up to the church yesterday. It was completely unexpected. Tears leaped to my eyes as I was parking my vehicle – and I had to quell them and divert my attention away from the intrusion of being interrupted. I was there for a purpose – and the purpose was one of JOY to me – and this certainly was not joy! The flood of emotion blindsided me. I took a deep breath – and went inside to set up. I love giving my Potato Masher Parables talk – but even so, the memories lingered palpably ‘at bay’ making it a little harder to just enjoy the moment to its fullest – still, it was a joy. I choose joy!
Less than five minutes before I left the house yesterday, my glasses broke. I think that also affected my connecting to my audience. I couldn’t see them nearly as well as I like to…. I like to look into people’s eyes as I speak and get 'visual feedback.’
Even knowing I had broken glasses to deal with later, just before I left the house yesterday, I impulsively ran back up and grabbed the phone number for the lady I referred to yesterday as ‘an old friend.’ She was. She was also my former mother-in-law. I had been wanting to see her – had contacted her younger son, and he asked her – and she was open to my coming. I didn’t give her much warning. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to the visit after the ‘talk time’ so I called after I was finished with my commitment at U Pres and told her I was in Tacoma and could be there in about 20 minutes.
We had a lovely visit. She was a very special lady in my life – and I wanted to tell her I was sorry for the pain I caused her when her son and I split up. She told me she had forgiven me a long time ago. We agreed that ‘whatever happened’ it takes two. We didn’t discuss any details.
What was good was seeing her again. She looks great. It was wonderful to look into her face, see her beautiful blue eyes – and they are really blue, blue, blue and beautiful – and be able to hug each other and let the past be past. I told her, “You can’t be my Mom, but you can be my friend.” I plan to visit again. It’s a new chapter.
Back about 1973 I thought she had chosen not to be part of our lives because a letter I wrote to her came back to me unopened. Contact just suddenly ended – after I had tried to maintain contact. What happened between her son and I was not her fault and I wanted her to have a relationship with her grandson – who at that time was her only grandchild. I don’t know what happened at that point. I didn’t pursue finding out. But – we lost touch for many years. The in-between doesn’t matter now. What matters is what we do with today.
There was a phrase that I love which is part of my Presbyterian heritage: Saved and being saved. Yes. There is that beginning of ‘being saved’ – of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior – but every day we are ‘being saved.’ Yesterday was a day I was very aware of that cleansing work of God’s continual salvation. It was a good day.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
POTATO MASHER PARABLES, ETC
April 27, 2010
I am so thankful God chose me for this little role as the POTATO MASHER PARABLE lady. Perhaps some day I’ll share some of them in my blog….
This was the 16th time I’ve given a talk titled, Potato Masher Parables, but it is different every time I do it – though some of the main stories are woven throughout all of them pretty consistently. Today, I added one that has never been presented before - related to my one masher that I say reminds me of an Amazon. When I was lying awake this morning after 5:13, thinking about the day, praying to remember all God wanted for this day, the idea was planted that when I talk about the Amazon’s I could talk about armor – the armor listed in Ephesians 6:10-18. I just love it when God reminds me of new ideas to incorporate.
The group I spoke to was a great group. The music they had as entertainment before I spoke was amazing!
I topped off the fun of the day by going to visit a dear older friend whom I had not seen for about 36 or 37 years.
God is good! His mercies endure forever! Unless we’ve experienced forgiveness, we cannot begin to fathom what that means.
SHARING ERIN'S COMMENTS ON THE BETH MOORE SIMULCAST
Tuesday, April 27
I'm off shortly to go share my Potato Masher Parables 'talk' in Tacoma, but I just read my daughter's blog about the Beth Moore Simulcast, and want to share part of what she wrote with you, since she elaborated more on each specific area of the S-E-C-U-R-E acronym.
From Erin Cain’s Blog:
A SECURE woman is:
Saved from herself:
My insecurity is a form of pride. I must stop the comparisons, feeling threatened, my own selfishness…I must know that I am clothed in strength and dignity by God. Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Entitled to truth:
Too often we believe the lies of “If I could be this or do this or have this, then…” Instead we must believe God, His plans for our life and the truth of His word.
Clothed with intention:
We need to walk in SECURITY on purpose! “Today I choose to put off the old me and put on the new me.” Jesus Christ is my security and empowers everything I say and do if I will let Him.
Upended by grace:
Grace turns everything upside down. Grace makes the weak strong. Grace makes the poor rich. Grace makes the impossible possible. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by faith we have been saved through grace.” We would be more likely to forgive if we
are secure. We must first truly believe we are forgiven. Receiving God’s
forgiveness honors Him. Out of the overflow of grace given me, I must give grace to others.
Rebounded by love:
We must live a life of love! God’s love for us in unwavering. I am absolutely LOVED by my Father. We must be convinced that we are dearly loved by God. We can not “out-sin” God’s forgiveness. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know grace has been extended to us, we extend grace.
Exceptional in life:
Because of who Jesus Christ is in me, I can be exceptional! I must let Christ overtake me. I can trust that, in the intensity of the pain I go through in life, God will use it for GOOD. Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I'm off shortly to go share my Potato Masher Parables 'talk' in Tacoma, but I just read my daughter's blog about the Beth Moore Simulcast, and want to share part of what she wrote with you, since she elaborated more on each specific area of the S-E-C-U-R-E acronym.
From Erin Cain’s Blog:
A SECURE woman is:
Saved from herself:
My insecurity is a form of pride. I must stop the comparisons, feeling threatened, my own selfishness…I must know that I am clothed in strength and dignity by God. Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Entitled to truth:
Too often we believe the lies of “If I could be this or do this or have this, then…” Instead we must believe God, His plans for our life and the truth of His word.
Clothed with intention:
We need to walk in SECURITY on purpose! “Today I choose to put off the old me and put on the new me.” Jesus Christ is my security and empowers everything I say and do if I will let Him.
Upended by grace:
Grace turns everything upside down. Grace makes the weak strong. Grace makes the poor rich. Grace makes the impossible possible. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by faith we have been saved through grace.” We would be more likely to forgive if we
are secure. We must first truly believe we are forgiven. Receiving God’s
forgiveness honors Him. Out of the overflow of grace given me, I must give grace to others.
Rebounded by love:
We must live a life of love! God’s love for us in unwavering. I am absolutely LOVED by my Father. We must be convinced that we are dearly loved by God. We can not “out-sin” God’s forgiveness. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know grace has been extended to us, we extend grace.
Exceptional in life:
Because of who Jesus Christ is in me, I can be exceptional! I must let Christ overtake me. I can trust that, in the intensity of the pain I go through in life, God will use it for GOOD. Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
BETH MOORE SIMULCAST 4/24/2010
Bonus Blog: April 25, 2010
Friday night, April 23, my middle daughter, Erin, her two Mom’s (her Mom-in-law and me), and her 3 daughters, ages 3 ½, almost 7, and 10 going on 16, had a girl’s night: soaking feet, doing nails, having Sundaes, watching a movie (Because of Winn Dixie). We had never done that before as a girlie group. It was fun – and a fun memory for the girls to have both of their Grandmas – who both love them dearly – together to soak toes and just hang out as ‘the girls.’ Originally we were to go to the ‘Retreat’ that night – but because of circumstances we needed to adapt the plan - and our adapted plan was a wonderful treat – and invested in the girls in a very positive way.
Saturday, the two Moms joined Erin for the retreat she had invited us to attend with her. It was a Simulcast done by Beth Moore titled after her book, SO LONG, INSECURITY.
We were in a room with several hundred women – and we were connected via Satellite to a church in Birmingham, Alabama, where Beth was speaking live. A church called Woodstock! There were something like 869 other sites around the country who were all connected as well, for a total of more than 300,000 women. What an amazing tool Satellite connection offers. Pretty incredible….
In addition to her two teaching sessions, we had worship led by Travis Cottrell and a Praise & Worship Team who did a fantastic job – all via satellite…. When there were little glitches in the satellite transmission the ladies gathered at Real Life Family Center in Puyallup just kept going – and the simulcast rejoined us in perfect timing….
Beth’s message was to women – but anyone who is grappling with feeling insecure in some area of their life – man or woman – could benefit from the message. While I disagreed with her in her book when she ‘assumed’ all women feel certain ways – attributing feelings to ‘all women’ I have never felt – she is undoubtedly right that we all have some area where we feel insecure.
Among the many good points she made were:
Insecurity will not do one single thing for your life.
Insecurity is not humility. They are two different things.
Insecurity is not weakness – it is unbelief.
Live a life worthy of your calling:
We are meant to be free, secure and made new by grace.
It is a battle of the mind.
People who feel graced by God will extend grace
It does not honor God for us to disbelieve His forgiveness.
Forgive others even if they have not asked – even if they don’t want forgiveness.
We can give grace away and still keep it. We don’t lose it by giving it.
She made an acronym of S-E C-U-R-E, did 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon:
WHAT A SECURE WOMAN LOOKS LIKE:
She is:
1. Saved from herself
2. Entitled to truth
3. Clothed with intention
4. Upended by grace
5. Rebounded by Love
6. Exceptional in Life
I have 4 pages of notes covering what she said on those topics.
One thing she said that really got my attention was this: One of the curses spoken over the earth after Adam and Eve sinned was that there would be thorns. She identified it as the sign of sin on planet earth. Jesus was crowned with thorns – and his blood sprinkled onto the earth in front of the cross was akin to the sprinkling of blood in front of the mercy seat. Accordingly, he paid the price for earth as well….
Wow! That was a new thought to me. I had never correlated the crown of thorns specifically with the curse on the earth when sin entered the world. And Jesus was crowned with a very symbolic crown of thorns. Because of my very intentional journey through Jesus’ final days on earth – that really stuck out to me….
I imagine the simulcast will be distributed later. I highly recommend it for a ladies’ day – but even men would benefit…. I really enjoyed sharing the day with Beth. She is an amazing speaker – very humorous as well – and conspicuously loves the Lord!
As for the book – I had a problem occasionally with being told what I feel – when in fact I had never felt some specific thing she assumed was common to all women – but in general the book was worth reading. At 64, I’ve dealt with most of my issues, I hope! Still – there was one chapter that really spoke to me, and it was one on the fears we face, as in ‘What is your worst fear?’ What she says God showed her was to take it one step further: suppose that ‘worst fear' came true, then what? Of course, for one who loves the Lord – and knows He loved us even before we loved Him – we know He will be with us through it – whatever it is – and beyond.
For my own little bunny trail on that topic: As Peter said to Jesus when Jesus asked him, Will you leave also?” the immediate reply was “To whom would I go? You have the words of life.”
We live in a fallen world. Rotten things happen to people – even good people – but the difference for those who know the Lord is that we know He walks with us through the storm, and only He can bring comfort in the darkest hour. That is a confidence we have, so we can face life with security in Him – because there is no security in anything else.
Bad stuff will happen. Count on it. But don’t let it immobilize with fear. Fear just steals today’s life and today’s joy – and ruins today. Don’t anticipate trouble. Know He will walk with you, in you, beside you – and be there when you reach the other side….
Go in His grace….
Friday night, April 23, my middle daughter, Erin, her two Mom’s (her Mom-in-law and me), and her 3 daughters, ages 3 ½, almost 7, and 10 going on 16, had a girl’s night: soaking feet, doing nails, having Sundaes, watching a movie (Because of Winn Dixie). We had never done that before as a girlie group. It was fun – and a fun memory for the girls to have both of their Grandmas – who both love them dearly – together to soak toes and just hang out as ‘the girls.’ Originally we were to go to the ‘Retreat’ that night – but because of circumstances we needed to adapt the plan - and our adapted plan was a wonderful treat – and invested in the girls in a very positive way.
Saturday, the two Moms joined Erin for the retreat she had invited us to attend with her. It was a Simulcast done by Beth Moore titled after her book, SO LONG, INSECURITY.
We were in a room with several hundred women – and we were connected via Satellite to a church in Birmingham, Alabama, where Beth was speaking live. A church called Woodstock! There were something like 869 other sites around the country who were all connected as well, for a total of more than 300,000 women. What an amazing tool Satellite connection offers. Pretty incredible….
In addition to her two teaching sessions, we had worship led by Travis Cottrell and a Praise & Worship Team who did a fantastic job – all via satellite…. When there were little glitches in the satellite transmission the ladies gathered at Real Life Family Center in Puyallup just kept going – and the simulcast rejoined us in perfect timing….
Beth’s message was to women – but anyone who is grappling with feeling insecure in some area of their life – man or woman – could benefit from the message. While I disagreed with her in her book when she ‘assumed’ all women feel certain ways – attributing feelings to ‘all women’ I have never felt – she is undoubtedly right that we all have some area where we feel insecure.
Among the many good points she made were:
Insecurity will not do one single thing for your life.
Insecurity is not humility. They are two different things.
Insecurity is not weakness – it is unbelief.
Live a life worthy of your calling:
We are meant to be free, secure and made new by grace.
It is a battle of the mind.
People who feel graced by God will extend grace
It does not honor God for us to disbelieve His forgiveness.
Forgive others even if they have not asked – even if they don’t want forgiveness.
We can give grace away and still keep it. We don’t lose it by giving it.
She made an acronym of S-E C-U-R-E, did 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon:
WHAT A SECURE WOMAN LOOKS LIKE:
She is:
1. Saved from herself
2. Entitled to truth
3. Clothed with intention
4. Upended by grace
5. Rebounded by Love
6. Exceptional in Life
I have 4 pages of notes covering what she said on those topics.
One thing she said that really got my attention was this: One of the curses spoken over the earth after Adam and Eve sinned was that there would be thorns. She identified it as the sign of sin on planet earth. Jesus was crowned with thorns – and his blood sprinkled onto the earth in front of the cross was akin to the sprinkling of blood in front of the mercy seat. Accordingly, he paid the price for earth as well….
Wow! That was a new thought to me. I had never correlated the crown of thorns specifically with the curse on the earth when sin entered the world. And Jesus was crowned with a very symbolic crown of thorns. Because of my very intentional journey through Jesus’ final days on earth – that really stuck out to me….
I imagine the simulcast will be distributed later. I highly recommend it for a ladies’ day – but even men would benefit…. I really enjoyed sharing the day with Beth. She is an amazing speaker – very humorous as well – and conspicuously loves the Lord!
As for the book – I had a problem occasionally with being told what I feel – when in fact I had never felt some specific thing she assumed was common to all women – but in general the book was worth reading. At 64, I’ve dealt with most of my issues, I hope! Still – there was one chapter that really spoke to me, and it was one on the fears we face, as in ‘What is your worst fear?’ What she says God showed her was to take it one step further: suppose that ‘worst fear' came true, then what? Of course, for one who loves the Lord – and knows He loved us even before we loved Him – we know He will be with us through it – whatever it is – and beyond.
For my own little bunny trail on that topic: As Peter said to Jesus when Jesus asked him, Will you leave also?” the immediate reply was “To whom would I go? You have the words of life.”
We live in a fallen world. Rotten things happen to people – even good people – but the difference for those who know the Lord is that we know He walks with us through the storm, and only He can bring comfort in the darkest hour. That is a confidence we have, so we can face life with security in Him – because there is no security in anything else.
Bad stuff will happen. Count on it. But don’t let it immobilize with fear. Fear just steals today’s life and today’s joy – and ruins today. Don’t anticipate trouble. Know He will walk with you, in you, beside you – and be there when you reach the other side….
Go in His grace….
POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES (Part 1)
FINAL 'CATCH-UP DAY'
April 25, 2010
Reading for Today
Jesus’ appearance to two on the way to Emmaus (Cleopas and another):
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-32
Wow! Talk about random reports! We have to piece the reports together to gain some semblance of the recorded post-resurrection appearances Jesus made between Sunday, +-April 4 and his ascension 40 days later on +-Friday, May 7, 33 AD.
In Part 1 I want to talk primarily about Jesus' appearance to the two who were on their way to Emmaus. That will catch me up with the portions of the story that occurred that I didn’t cover in real time…. I already jumped ‘ahead’ on April 11 and talked about Jesus’ appearing to his disciples behind the closed door a week after his resurrection so I could stay ‘in time’ except for the last couple of days of his life. Everything else following Easter (except April 11) has been written in ‘catch-up’ mode…. This is the last segment to catch up on.
I would love to have the complete verbatim record of all of the things Jesus said to these two who were walking through the country toward Emmaus. Mark gives us the ‘Cliff’s Notes’ version of the story – but the one fact he includes which is of great significance is that Jesus appeared to them in a different form. I had always wondered why they didn’t recognize him…supposing it was perhaps because they didn’t look him in the face - and that their hearts were just too heavy to 'hear' his voice.... Mark’s observation indicates that Jesus intentionally kept them from seeing Him for who He was. However he achieved that, they didn’t realize that He was walking beside them.
When Jesus asked them what they were discussing, Cleopas sadly replied, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” Jesus inquired.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied, their sadness palpable….
The two men witnessed to Jesus as a prophet – a mighty powerful prophet – but not as the Son of God.
Then Jesus scolded them and said, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Some of those things that were likely included are:
Genesis 3:15 (Part of what God told the ‘serpent’ Satan in His curse against him:)
“…And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Daniel 9:24
"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
Malachi 3:1
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Of course John hadn’t been written yet – but the first verses that came to my mind were John 1:1 – 4
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
As they walked, Jesus shared all of the prophecies – all of the history – all of what Israel had looked for – and who it was fulfilled in: Jesus of Nazareth….
Their hearts burned with them. They found him so engaging that they prevailed upon him to stop and stay with them….and as he broke the bread, their eyes were opened – and he disappeared.
Jesus, Messiah. Name above all Names. Blessed Redeemer, Immanuel. The Ransom from heaven. The Savior for Many. Jesus Messiah. Lord of All….
Those are words in a song we sing at church.
And Jesus, Messiah, joined with 2 people on the road to Emmaus and told them everything…and their hearts burned within them.
I am so glad to know the One who is Truth. My heart burns within me when He opens the Truth of His Word to me in study. Thank you, Lord, for the joy of being in relationship with You. I want to know You more, love You more, serve You more….be filled to the brim with You….so I can spill over to others and let them see Truth in You too….
In real life:
Yesterday was the funeral for the young woman (14 ½ years younger than I am) who died of Pancreatic Cancer April 16. I was not able to be two places at one time – and knowing the family would be surrounded by people who love them, kept my original commitment to go to a Beth Moore Simulcast with my middle daughter, Erin. I’ll commit an extra blog entry to that!
I have a cute personal story to end with today:
As a Mom it is all too easy to raise one’s voice just a bit when frustrated with repeated dialogue with a strong-willed child. Many people grapple with that in parenting. I certainly remember having to discipline myself to keep my voice modulation in control– and certainly didn’t always succeed to my liking.
I’m prefacing the story because it is not an issue just one person deals with. My lovely, sweet, Christian, middle daughter told her kids: “I am not going to raise my voice when I speak to you any more. In fact, no one is going to yell at anyone any more at our house." Ah, great in theory. So – last week, when she was in the car with her 3 girls, her eldest, who has arguing down to an art form, pushed her Mom’s buttons one too many times, and Erin raised her voice to her. Immediately the youngest one, who is 3 ½ piped up and said, “Mommy, if you want me to, I could pray for you right now that Jesus will take that yucky sin away from you.” Her Mama said, “Yes, that would be a good idea.” Bless her heart…. A gracious Mama in the middle of the situation!
April 25, 2010
Reading for Today
Jesus’ appearance to two on the way to Emmaus (Cleopas and another):
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-32
Wow! Talk about random reports! We have to piece the reports together to gain some semblance of the recorded post-resurrection appearances Jesus made between Sunday, +-April 4 and his ascension 40 days later on +-Friday, May 7, 33 AD.
In Part 1 I want to talk primarily about Jesus' appearance to the two who were on their way to Emmaus. That will catch me up with the portions of the story that occurred that I didn’t cover in real time…. I already jumped ‘ahead’ on April 11 and talked about Jesus’ appearing to his disciples behind the closed door a week after his resurrection so I could stay ‘in time’ except for the last couple of days of his life. Everything else following Easter (except April 11) has been written in ‘catch-up’ mode…. This is the last segment to catch up on.
I would love to have the complete verbatim record of all of the things Jesus said to these two who were walking through the country toward Emmaus. Mark gives us the ‘Cliff’s Notes’ version of the story – but the one fact he includes which is of great significance is that Jesus appeared to them in a different form. I had always wondered why they didn’t recognize him…supposing it was perhaps because they didn’t look him in the face - and that their hearts were just too heavy to 'hear' his voice.... Mark’s observation indicates that Jesus intentionally kept them from seeing Him for who He was. However he achieved that, they didn’t realize that He was walking beside them.
When Jesus asked them what they were discussing, Cleopas sadly replied, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” Jesus inquired.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied, their sadness palpable….
The two men witnessed to Jesus as a prophet – a mighty powerful prophet – but not as the Son of God.
Then Jesus scolded them and said, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Some of those things that were likely included are:
Genesis 3:15 (Part of what God told the ‘serpent’ Satan in His curse against him:)
“…And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Daniel 9:24
"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
Malachi 3:1
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Of course John hadn’t been written yet – but the first verses that came to my mind were John 1:1 – 4
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
As they walked, Jesus shared all of the prophecies – all of the history – all of what Israel had looked for – and who it was fulfilled in: Jesus of Nazareth….
Their hearts burned with them. They found him so engaging that they prevailed upon him to stop and stay with them….and as he broke the bread, their eyes were opened – and he disappeared.
Jesus, Messiah. Name above all Names. Blessed Redeemer, Immanuel. The Ransom from heaven. The Savior for Many. Jesus Messiah. Lord of All….
Those are words in a song we sing at church.
And Jesus, Messiah, joined with 2 people on the road to Emmaus and told them everything…and their hearts burned within them.
I am so glad to know the One who is Truth. My heart burns within me when He opens the Truth of His Word to me in study. Thank you, Lord, for the joy of being in relationship with You. I want to know You more, love You more, serve You more….be filled to the brim with You….so I can spill over to others and let them see Truth in You too….
In real life:
Yesterday was the funeral for the young woman (14 ½ years younger than I am) who died of Pancreatic Cancer April 16. I was not able to be two places at one time – and knowing the family would be surrounded by people who love them, kept my original commitment to go to a Beth Moore Simulcast with my middle daughter, Erin. I’ll commit an extra blog entry to that!
I have a cute personal story to end with today:
As a Mom it is all too easy to raise one’s voice just a bit when frustrated with repeated dialogue with a strong-willed child. Many people grapple with that in parenting. I certainly remember having to discipline myself to keep my voice modulation in control– and certainly didn’t always succeed to my liking.
I’m prefacing the story because it is not an issue just one person deals with. My lovely, sweet, Christian, middle daughter told her kids: “I am not going to raise my voice when I speak to you any more. In fact, no one is going to yell at anyone any more at our house." Ah, great in theory. So – last week, when she was in the car with her 3 girls, her eldest, who has arguing down to an art form, pushed her Mom’s buttons one too many times, and Erin raised her voice to her. Immediately the youngest one, who is 3 ½ piped up and said, “Mommy, if you want me to, I could pray for you right now that Jesus will take that yucky sin away from you.” Her Mama said, “Yes, that would be a good idea.” Bless her heart…. A gracious Mama in the middle of the situation!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Music For The Soul
I spent all day yesterday working on gathering titles of music to add to my growing list of 'oldies' - in preparation for an Old-Time Singspiration of songs I cut my spiritual teeth on - songs that elicit incredible memories. I love all music (almost all - not so big on heavy metal!) but I miss singing the songs of my early faith - so many of them have been lost - and some need to be revived! Others carry sentiment with little connection to today's world.... Most of those I chose not to include, as they're probably better left as relics.
The first Singspiration - last October - was wonderful. So - we will do it again! Even preparation is a joy - though it diverts me from everything else, including blogging time.
Today is filled with 'to do' tasks - but I'll be back soon! In the meantime, check these song titles for a flashback or two - a jog down memory lane - a music museum:
A Child Of The King
A Glorious Church
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A Shelter In The Time of Storm
Abide With Me
All For Jesus
All Hail The Power
All I Need
All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus
Amazing Grace
Are You Washed In The Blood?
At Calvary
At The Cross
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be The Name
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Break Thou The Bread Of Life
Bringing In The Sheaves
Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
By My Spirit
Christ Arose
Christ Returneth
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Cleanse Me (aka Search me)
Come And Dine
Come, Thou Almighty King
Constantly Abiding
Count Your Blessings
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Deeper, Deeper
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Faith Is The Victory
Faith Of Our Fathers
Fill Me Now
Follow, I Will Follow Thee
Friendship With Jesus
Glory To His Name
God Be With You ’Til We Meet Again
God Leads Us Along
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Happy Day
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
He Arose!
He Brought Me Out
He Hideth My Soul
He Is Able To Deliver Thee
He Keeps Me Singing
He Leadeth Me
He Lives!
He Set Me Free
He Took My Sins Away
Heavenly Sunlight
He’s Coming Soon
Hold the Fort
Holy, Holy, Holy
Honey In The Rock
How Great Thou Art
I Am Thine, O Lord
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I Know Whom I Have Believed
I Love To Tell The Story
I Must Tell Jesus
I Need Thee Every Hour
I Surrender All
I Will Sing The Wondrous Story
If Jesus Goes With Me
I’ll Fly Away
I’ll Live For Him
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
In The Garden
In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar
In My Heart There Rings A Melody
In Times Like These
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar?
It Is Mine
It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is Truly Wonderful
It Is Well With My Soul
It’s Just Like His Great Love
Jesus Breaks Every Fetter
Jesus, I Come
Jesus Is Calling
Jesus Is Coming Again
Jesus Paid It All
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus Saves!
Jesus, Use Me
Joy Unspeakable
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Just As I Am
Kneel At The Cross
Launch Out
Lead Me To Calvary
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
Like A Mighty Sea
Look To The Lamb Of God
Love Divine
Love Lifted Me
Make Me A Blessing
More About Jesus
More Abundantly
My Burdens Rolled Away
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Sins Are Gone
My Redeemer
My Savior’s Love (How Marvelous)
My Wonderful Lord
Near The Cross
Near To The Heart Of God
Nothing But The Blood
No, Not One!
Now I Belong To Jesus
O For A Thousand Tongues
O Happy Day
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O That Will Be Glory
O Worship The King
O Say But I’m Glad!
O How I Love Jesus
Oh! To Be Like Thee
Old-Time Power
One Day!
Only Believe
Onward, Christian Soldiers!
Open My Eyes That I May See
Pass Me Not
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty
Ready
Redeemed!
Revive Us Again
Rock Of Ages
Room At The Cross For You
Saved By Grace
Saved! Saved!
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Send The Light!
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Softly And Tenderly
Some Golden Daybreak
Speak My Lord
Springs Of Living Water
Stand Up For Jesus
Standing On The Promises
Such Love
Sunlight
Surely Goodness And Mercy
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Sweeter As The Years Go By
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Tell Me The Story Of Jesus
The Comforter Has Come
The Cross Is Not Greater
The Haven Of Rest
The Healer
The Healing Waters
The Lily Of The Valley
The Love Of God
The Name Of Jesus (Is So Sweet)
The Old Rugged Cross
The Solid Rock
The Unveiled Christ
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
There Is Power In The Blood
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
Throw Out The Lifeline
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Trust And Obey
Trusting Jesus
Victory
Victory Ahead
Victory All The Time
Victory In Jesus
Waiting On The Lord
We Have An Anchor
We Shall See The King
We’ll Understand It Better
What A Day That Will Be
What a Friend
What A Wonderful Savior!
When I See The Blood
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When We All Get To Heaven
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus
Wonderful Peace
Wonderful Words Of Life
Yes, I Know!
Yesterday, Today, Forever
You May Have The Joybells
And that doesn't even include my list of choruses!
The first Singspiration - last October - was wonderful. So - we will do it again! Even preparation is a joy - though it diverts me from everything else, including blogging time.
Today is filled with 'to do' tasks - but I'll be back soon! In the meantime, check these song titles for a flashback or two - a jog down memory lane - a music museum:
A Child Of The King
A Glorious Church
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A Shelter In The Time of Storm
Abide With Me
All For Jesus
All Hail The Power
All I Need
All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus
Amazing Grace
Are You Washed In The Blood?
At Calvary
At The Cross
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be The Name
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
Break Thou The Bread Of Life
Bringing In The Sheaves
Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
By My Spirit
Christ Arose
Christ Returneth
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
Cleanse Me (aka Search me)
Come And Dine
Come, Thou Almighty King
Constantly Abiding
Count Your Blessings
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Deeper, Deeper
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Faith Is The Victory
Faith Of Our Fathers
Fill Me Now
Follow, I Will Follow Thee
Friendship With Jesus
Glory To His Name
God Be With You ’Til We Meet Again
God Leads Us Along
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Happy Day
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
He Arose!
He Brought Me Out
He Hideth My Soul
He Is Able To Deliver Thee
He Keeps Me Singing
He Leadeth Me
He Lives!
He Set Me Free
He Took My Sins Away
Heavenly Sunlight
He’s Coming Soon
Hold the Fort
Holy, Holy, Holy
Honey In The Rock
How Great Thou Art
I Am Thine, O Lord
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I Know Whom I Have Believed
I Love To Tell The Story
I Must Tell Jesus
I Need Thee Every Hour
I Surrender All
I Will Sing The Wondrous Story
If Jesus Goes With Me
I’ll Fly Away
I’ll Live For Him
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
In The Garden
In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar
In My Heart There Rings A Melody
In Times Like These
Is Thy Heart Right With God?
Is Your All On The Altar?
It Is Mine
It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is Truly Wonderful
It Is Well With My Soul
It’s Just Like His Great Love
Jesus Breaks Every Fetter
Jesus, I Come
Jesus Is Calling
Jesus Is Coming Again
Jesus Paid It All
Jesus Loves Me
Jesus Saves!
Jesus, Use Me
Joy Unspeakable
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Just As I Am
Kneel At The Cross
Launch Out
Lead Me To Calvary
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
Like A Mighty Sea
Look To The Lamb Of God
Love Divine
Love Lifted Me
Make Me A Blessing
More About Jesus
More Abundantly
My Burdens Rolled Away
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Sins Are Gone
My Redeemer
My Savior’s Love (How Marvelous)
My Wonderful Lord
Near The Cross
Near To The Heart Of God
Nothing But The Blood
No, Not One!
Now I Belong To Jesus
O For A Thousand Tongues
O Happy Day
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O That Will Be Glory
O Worship The King
O Say But I’m Glad!
O How I Love Jesus
Oh! To Be Like Thee
Old-Time Power
One Day!
Only Believe
Onward, Christian Soldiers!
Open My Eyes That I May See
Pass Me Not
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty
Ready
Redeemed!
Revive Us Again
Rock Of Ages
Room At The Cross For You
Saved By Grace
Saved! Saved!
Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Send The Light!
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
Softly And Tenderly
Some Golden Daybreak
Speak My Lord
Springs Of Living Water
Stand Up For Jesus
Standing On The Promises
Such Love
Sunlight
Surely Goodness And Mercy
Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Sweeter As The Years Go By
Tell Me The Old, Old Story
Tell Me The Story Of Jesus
The Comforter Has Come
The Cross Is Not Greater
The Haven Of Rest
The Healer
The Healing Waters
The Lily Of The Valley
The Love Of God
The Name Of Jesus (Is So Sweet)
The Old Rugged Cross
The Solid Rock
The Unveiled Christ
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
There Is Power In The Blood
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
Throw Out The Lifeline
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
Trust And Obey
Trusting Jesus
Victory
Victory Ahead
Victory All The Time
Victory In Jesus
Waiting On The Lord
We Have An Anchor
We Shall See The King
We’ll Understand It Better
What A Day That Will Be
What a Friend
What A Wonderful Savior!
When I See The Blood
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When We All Get To Heaven
Wonderful Grace Of Jesus
Wonderful Peace
Wonderful Words Of Life
Yes, I Know!
Yesterday, Today, Forever
You May Have The Joybells
And that doesn't even include my list of choruses!
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