Daily devotional thought/s song/s & idea/s

[yotlyolqualli]

There is something about music that reaches out and touches us in places that nothing else can. I created this thread so that we can share encouraging thoughts and songs and idea's with each other.

The song on my heart this morning is a very simple song. It has 2 "verses" each verse has only a few words sung over and over again. When I sing it, when I hear it, my mind and heart goes to a place where there is complete rest, complete peace, complete safety.

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God

I am the Lord that healeth thee

I am the Lord that healetth thee

I am the Lord that healeth thee


Daily devotional thought: ...and now abides these three things; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love...

faith without works is nothing. You can't have hope without faith. Niether faith nor hope can exist without love.

First idea...
While attending Rosedale Bible College (it's a university now), in the girls Dorm, we had a "Joshua" tree. Don't ask me why it was called that, because I have no clue! LOL It was put out in a common area, so that even guys could post on it. If you wanted to encourage someone, or congrat someone, or just let someone know that they were being thought of, you posted a note to that person, anonymously. I can't tell you what it meant to me to get notes on that board. It was encouraging, it was uplifting and it was beautiful. I wish there were a way to do that on here, but I don't see how it could work. BUT you can do it in your everyday life.

At the church I grew up in, we had a Secret Sister group. Every year we would put everyone's name in a basket and draw a name. You became that person's "secret sister". You sent cards, you bought gifts for holidays, anniveraries and birthdays. That too, was encouraging and uplifting, as well as being FUN! At the end of the year, we would reveal our "secret sisters" and draw names for the next year.

Choose someone in your neighborhood or at your work place and become their "secret sister." Implement a "Joshua" tree in your home or church or even your work place. I can honestly say that giving was just as beautiful and uplifting as receiving, if not more so. Take the time out of your day to make someone smile and forget, even if just for a moment, their worries, struggles and pains. Knowing you have lifted someone's spirit, will lift yours too!


and remember, for those of you who believe in God... when life starts getting chaotic, when hurts and situations seem out of control...

Be still and know that I am God

He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

[Ciaran]

This is a hymn called "These Alone Are Enough" by Dan Schutte. It's comparatively recent, having only been written in 2004.

In my opinion, it's an incredibly beautiful piece of music, with equally powerful lyrics. I am a strong proponent of Schutte's musical compositions.

[ArkansasPiscesGrrl]

Originally Posted by Ciaran

This is a hymn called "These Alone Are Enough" by Dan Schutte. It's comparatively recent, having only been written in 2004.

In my opinion, it's an incredibly beautiful piece of music, with equally powerful lyrics. I am a strong proponent of Schutte's musical compositions.

thanks, Ciaran, it really is a beautiful song.

[yotlyolqualli]

Absolutely beautiful, Ciaran! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

What a concept, huh? "My God shall supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory, He will give His angels charge over me!

It reminds me of a song we sang when I was a kid.

My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is His name
In pastures fresh He makes me feed, beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back, when I forsake His ways
And leads me for His own Name's sake, in paths of truth and grace.


Beautiful thought and glorious truth for those who believe! Thanks again!!

[aishah]

my favorite daily devotional resources...
just for today
ucc stillspeaking
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Reader-Contemplative-Living-Excerpts/dp/0826415156"]daily reader for contemplative living[/ame]

i have been trying to finish this post for like thirty minutes and my brain isn't working right now, hehe i'll be back later to post more. i wanted to say - i really love the idea of the joshua tree. i'm trying to think of places in my life where i could put that into practice.

[Gráinne]

V'Sham'ru is a prayer sung every Friday evening at Shabbat services. It comes from Exodus 31:16-17, regarding the order to keep Shabbat as a rest, just as G-d promises a time of rest and peace for all people.

Hebrew:

V’shamru v’nei Yisrael et ha-Shabbat,

La’asot et ha-Shabbat l’dorotam, b’rit olam.

Bei-ni u-vein b’nei Yisrael ot hi l’olam.

Ki shei-shet ya-mim ah-sah Adonai,

Et ha-sha-mayim v’et ha’aretz,

uva-yom hashvi’i shavat va-yi-nafash.

English Translation:

The people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath,

observing it in every generation as a covenant for all time.

It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel,

for in six days the Eternal God made heaven and earth,

and on the seventh day God rested and was refreshed.

[ArkansasPiscesGrrl]

My favorite daily readings, for my meditations, are:

One Day at a Time (my Al-Anon "ODAT" book)
Jesus Calling
Language of the Heart
The Language of Letting Go

plus I also have several phrases that are "go to" for me, to help me through stuff:

Everything, absolutely everything I need today IS being provided
Let go and let God
One day at a time
God is everything, or He is nothing
God, please let everyone treat me tomorrow as I have treated them today

those are just a few....

[yotlyolqualli]

Another gorgeous piece of music guihong! Thanks for sharing!

The Joshua tree was very helpful to me. It was when I was at RBI that I began the arduous painful task of airing out my past abuse and learning to let go. One of my professors was also a psychologist who worked daily with me, the entire time I was there. Sometimes, the notes from the "tree" kept me from falling completely apart!

Love. That one word descibes God. Love. I want to strive to show and give people that. It encompasses so much. Peace, hope, faith, rest, safety, family. Love.

This thread is going to be one my favorite, I just know it!

[yotlyolqualli]

In the hardest and most terrifying times of my life, I have been able to "calm the storm" inside, by simply saying a name. It's a Name above all names. A Name that will come from every tongue on that last day. A Name that has power and authority behind it. When it is spoken, power is released, the Scripture tells us that. That name is Jesus. There have been many songs with that name in it. "Jesus loves me" Jesus loves the little children" ...

I'm gonna share some here with you today.

First, His Name is above all names.

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord
Emmanuel, God is with us
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word

Now I'll share verses from several different hymns, that are laying on my heart right now.

I would like to tell you what I think of Jesus
for in Him I found a friend so strong and true
I would tell you how He changed my life completely
He did something that no other friend could do

No one ever cared for me, like Jesus
There's no other friend so kind as He
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me
Oh how much He cares for me!

Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye
to the dearest on earth to me?
When my sad heart aches, till it nearly breaks
is it ought to Him does He see?

Oh yes! He cares, I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary
I know my Savior cares!

Jesus Thou mighty Lord,
great is Thy name!
Still through eternal years,
Thou art the same!
Changeless Thy Holy Word
true ever more!
Thy name we glorify, Thy name adore!

This is my favorite of all the "Jesus" songs I know. When I speak His name in the midst of my sorrow, pain, despair, anger and resentment and even fear, I am pulled into the safety of His name.

The name of the Lord, is a strong and mighty tower
The name of the Lord, is a comfort to my soul
The name of the Lord, is a pillar I can lean on
The righteous run into the name of the Lord
The righteous run into the name of the Lord!

He truly is my peace and my safety. "He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own."

The thought for the day: If God the Holy Spirit dwells in us, then we are the temple of the most high God! When things get hectic just concentrate on Him and He will calm the storm. "The Lord is in His Holy temple, let all the earth keep silent, keep silent before Him."

And now all glory to Him, who alone is God, who saved us through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. For He is able to keep us from falling away, He brings us into His presence with love and joy. All power, authority; all splendor and majesty are His from the beginning and ever more. Amen and amen!
(Blessing of Jude)

[yotlyolqualli]

Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
Oh Lamb of God! I come. I come.



My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole!
Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, oh my soul!


Living God, consuming fire
Burn the sin from my life.
Make Your will, my desire
Take my life in Your hands
Purify me with Your blood
Until I shine far brighter than purest gold
In Your eyes.



Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me!
Cast me not away from Your presence, oh Lord!
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me!
Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me.



They that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings as Eagles!
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait.

Teach me Lord to wait
Down on my knee's
Until in Your own time, You answer my plea's
Help me not to rely on what other's do
But to wait in prayer for an answer from You!

They that wait upon the Lord,
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings as Eagle's
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not be faint
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord, to wait!


Refiner's Fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be Holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be Holy
Set apart for You my Master, ready to do your will!

Yes, Lord, yes! To Your will and to Your way.
Yes, Lord, Yes! I will trust You and obey
When Your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be
Yes, Lord, yes!

[Luv]

everyday I listen to this,puts things in perspective for me when the hard times come

[Ciaran]

I thought I'd post this song by Robert Galea. Galea is a Roman Catholic priest from Malta (for those who don't know of Malta, it's a relatively small and beautiful island in the Mediterranean, relatively close to Italy).

I like this sort of modern Roman Catholic-themed music much more than most of the "traditional hymns" which, for whatever reason, don't really appeal to me. Perhaps it's my inner Jesuit instincts which reiterate the presence of God in real-life, real-time and everything, not just prayer or such like.

Anyway, whatever, it's an unpretentious and beautiful song.

[LeftWriteFemme]

[yotlyolqualli]

I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.


... a song written by Marsha Stevens-Pino

You said You'd come, and share all my sorrows
You said You'd be there for all my tomorrows
I came so close to sending you away
But just like you promised, you came here to stay
I just had to pray

Your goodness so great, I can't understand
But dear Lord I know that all this was planned
I know You're here now and always will be
Your love loosed my chains and in You I'm free
But Jesus why me?

Jesus I give You my heart and my soul
And I know now, that without God, I'd never be whole
Savior You've opened all the right doors
And I thank You and praise You from earth's humble shores
Take me, I'm Yours

...and Jesus said come to the water, stand by My side
I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied
I felt every tear drop, when in darkness you've cried
And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died.


a word about Marsha... from Mark Allan Powell from an article for Christian Century Magazine in 1999...
Stevens-Pino became "conservative Christianity's worst nightmare - a Jesus-loving, Bible-believing, God-fearing lesbian Christian."

yeah.... I like that.

[yotlyolqualli]

The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock and let the God of my salvation be exalted!!

I will call upon the Lord
Who is worthy to be praised
So shall I be saved from mine enemies
I will call upon the Lord!




Majesty! Worship His Majesty!
Unto Jesus, be all glory, honor and praise!
Majesty, Kingdon authority, flows from His throne
Unto His own, His anthem raise!
So exalt, lift up on high, the name of Jesus!
Magnify! Come glorify, Christ Jesus the King!
Majesty, worship His Majesty,
Jesus who died! Now glorified! King of all kings!


It's bubbling! It's bubbling! It's bubbling in my soul!
There's singing and laughing since Jesus made me whole!
Folks don't understand it, nor can I keep it quiet!
It's bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling day and night!

I knew some folks who had it, I saw their faces shine!
But little did I ever think, that bubbling could be mine!



I love to go to Sunday School, I love to sing the songs
I hate to see an empty pew, I know there's something wrong
Oh I want the Lord to be proud of me, His work I'll surely do!
Here's a song I love to sing, listen and learn it too!

Go to the highways, tell 'em on the bi-ways, tell 'em
that you're their friend!
Tell 'em the church is open, they're welcome to drop in!
Sing just a little bit, talk just a little bit, throw in a smile or two
And go heavy on the howdy-do!
For the Lord is counting on you!!





Smile a while, and give your face a rest
Raise your hand to the One you love the best
Then shake hands with those nearby
And greet them with a smile!



There's is a Redeemer, Jesus Gods' own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One!

Jesus our Redeemer, name above all names
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
All for sinners slain

When I stand in Glory, I will see His face
There I'll serve my King forever, in that Holy place!

Thank You, oh my Father! For giving us Your Son
and leaving Your Spirit till the work on earth is done!




Born in a stable, His mother virgin
Raised in a carpenters shop
His people were slaves
His parents were poor
His friends were lowly lot
His chances at life are very slim, He's expected to be a slave!
But the people in darkness saw Light in Him and the hope of freedom He gave

All of the power in Heaven and earth, God had invested in Him
He's to die on the cross, descend into Hell, meet the devil and take the keys from him.
He yielded Himself to the death on the cross, cried it's finished and sought to die!
And in the regions of Hell the devil celebrated, we've destroyed the King!, he cried

But int he midst of the celebration, footsteps were heard
Walking the corridors of Hell.
And the shouting stopped, when a voice rang out, a voice that rang like a bell!
Satan trembled as he recognized Him, He had come to deliver His Own!
Shut and lock the gates he cried! Don't let Him ascend this throne!

and the gates swung shut, but the face of the King to prove God's salvation shone through!
And He shook Hells gates and He cried, "lift up your heads! The King is coming through!"

and out of the devils prison house, came a procession led by the King,
shouting, "our grave! Where is thy victory and death, where is thy sting??"

Who is the King of Glory? The Lord God Mighty in battle is He!
Who is the King of Glory? The Master and Host of Heaven Supreme!
Who is the King of Glory? The One that not even death could stop!
He is the King of Glory! The little boy from the carpenter shop!!





God be with you till we meet again!
By His council; guide, uphold you,
with His sheep securely fold you!
God be with you till we meet again!

Till we meet, till we meet!
Till we meet at Jesus feet!
Till we meet, till we meet!
God be with you till we meet again!

[Luv]

[yotlyolqualli]

A new day is dawning, and things are quite the same
You wake up and make up another days routine
But then the sun begins to shine as if the face of God were near
And the trumpets sound as plain as if, all the world could hear


Behind you, beside you, believers on their knees
And somehow, you know now, everyone you see
So hand in hand you fly away to meet Him in the sky
This Man that you have dreamed about
He's right before your eyes


That's the day when the wind blows
That's the day when the earth begins to move
When the Lion and the Lamb start walking,
Two by two
That's the day when the wind blows
That's the day when the sky is torn in two
And the Lord of lords in all His Glory, comes for you
That's the day when the wind blows

[PinkieLee]

Every time life seems to be spinning out of control, my heart & soul sing this song... it never fails to bring me peace & comfort.

[yotlyolqualli]

One of my "passions" is children. The one thing that breaks my heart the most, about being unable to fully participate in a church, is teaching. I've taught Bible School, Sunday School and was a mentor for children through a local CPS office, (when in the mission field). The mind of a child is so clean and so extremely thirsting and hungering.

Communion at the church I grew up in, (and taught in) was/is held 4 times a year. Two times, in the spring (Good Friday) and the fall... were the "big ones" where we would also include a foot washing service. (explanation soon lol). The one in summer and winter were simply the partaking of the sacrements.

It is a very solemn, very humbling occassion and I remember as a child always feeling that "auora" of mystery... why were some people crying, why was there a very palpable feeling of the Holy Spirit? What WAS this thing called communion?

Of course when I grew up and was born again and was baptized, I understood. One such service, as an adult, I found myself watching the children who were in my S.S. class and saw the same look of bewilderment on their faces. At the time I was teachying K1-1st grade. Two of my students were a niece and a nephew, one was my god daughter, and the four other's were two sets of brother and sister. Try as I might to concentrate on the service, I found myself going back to my own childhood and the questions I had.

I am of the strong opinion that children are much more wise than we give them credit for, and I think, are or can be, closer to God they an adult will ever be, until Glory. I decided that on the coming Sunday (which was Easter) I was going to teach them about communion and foot washing.

Now, I'll take the time to explain the "foot washing". In scripture, at the last supper, before Jesus passed the wine and bread, as symbols of His flesh and blood, He washed His disciples feet. It was symbolic of His coming, even as the Son of the Most High God, His coming, was to serve mankind. When we, as a church, wash each other's feet, (men wash the men, women wash the woman) we are declaring that we are there, within that family, within that circle, to serve each other. Not in any D/s or BDSM way, lol, but in the "family" way. We were there to carry one anothers burdens, to bear each others loads, to lift each other up and to represent Christ, not only to our brothers and sisters but to the world. It is a humbling experience to get on your knee's in front of someone and wash their feet. It is even MORE humbling, to allow someone to kneel before you and wash your feet. It's so easy, sometimes, for us to be willing to serve, but at times, especially in my culture, allowing someone to serve us is, at times, very difficult to do. Both washing and being washed is a beautiful and moving experience and can truly only be understood, if one actually does it, I think.

Ok, back to Easter Sunday. I brought in the "special foot washing buckets" and even brought along one of the "cup holding" offering plates, and some home made bread. Then, I explained, step by step, why we took communion, why we ate the bread, why we drank the juice (wine is never served in a Mennonite church, instead pure grape juice is served) and then served the children communions. After we had taken communion, I took each of my students, and I washed their feet. It wasn't solemn, they giggled, it tickled some of them and it was an odd thing, but, for me, it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. As I washed the feet of each child, I prayed God's protection and love over them, I prayed for their life and their soul and then I hugged each of them close and in the traditional way said, "blessings to you, my brother/sister, I love you. As I spoke those words to each child, that same feeling, the same Holy Spirit feeling came over our classroom. You could see it on their faces! Then we celebrated. Communion and footwashing are remembrances of the sacrifice Christ made for us, us His broken body, of His shed blood... but Easter... Easter is the time to celebrate life!

A mother, who had born the youngest two of her four children in Costa Rica, where she and her husband served for many years as missionaries, came to me the next week. She cried as she told me how her two children, Joey and Janet just couldn't stop talking about "communion" and how I had washed their feet and called them my sister and brother.


Years later, just a year and a half ago to be exact, my now grown god daughter, who was pregnant with TT at the time, and her 3 year old daughter Ava, attended a Good Friday service with me, and I washed their feet. It was a sweet moment, when I washed Danielle's feet and recalled how I used to bathe herwhen she was a baby, and indeed how I had washed her feet in S.S. class back when she was 4 years old. Then, and then I washed Ava's feet and I wept. I was extremely overcome with emotions. A want to protect her, a want to teach her, a want to show her the love of Jesus.

Children, our precious children, are indeed our future. They are sponges who soak up everything around them. They can't help it, it's how they learn. I was reminded then and am now, with TT sleeping here beside me... that it is up to us, the adults in their lives, to make sure that what they are absorbing, are life, faith, soul, and spirit affirming and feeding experiences that will help shape them into faith filled adults, compassionate, caring, loving young men and women, who will in turn, be helping to mold the minds and hearts of the next generation.

"Train a child in the right way and when he grows up, he will not depart from it."


So... now Im going to share some of the songs I share with TT on a daily basis.


David was a kid with a sling in his hand
and old Goliath was a big, big man, and he said
David, I'll kill you with my sword!
But David brought him down to size, with that rock between his eyes!
Because he came in the name of the Lord!

Zaccheus was little like me, so he climbed up in a sychamore tree
So he could see Jesus, passing through!
But he slid down so fast they say there's still no bark on that tree today!
When Jesus said I'm going home with you!

and we're God's little people, we've got a light and we're going to let it shine
and we're God's little people, God's little people is God's big people sometimes!


...isn't it just like Him to want to walk with us
Just the kind of Friend He is to want to laugh and talk with us
Listening to the things we say and joining in the games we play
Sharing, caring, that's His way!
Just... like.. a father understands his own
knows what it's like to be afraid or lost or all alone
He is up above to watch and heal and help and love us that's Him!
That's Him!

You can be short, fat, red haired or freckled face,
dressed in a shirt with big holes and your shoes unlaced
tall, thin, with red, black or yellow skin and still He loves you,
that's just Him! He likes blue jeans, jelly beans, hot dogs and bubble gum
He doesn't care what your name is or where you're from
He is up above to watch and heal and help and love us that's Him
that's Him!!


Does He ever laugh? HO HO HO!
Does God ever laugh? HA HA HA!
Does God ever laugh with glee? HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE!
Does God ever laugh? HO HO HO!
Does God ever laugh? HA HA HA!
YES! God laughs and we will see!




My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God can not do!
The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handy work too!
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God can not do, for you!


Jesus went about doing good, the Bible tells me so!
He healed the sick!
He healed the blind!
To little children He was kind!
To hungry people He gave food!
Jesus went about doing good, the Bible tells me so!



and so many more.. but they always end with these...


"When nighttime comes and my prayers are said,
I go to sleep in my little white bed, and God takes care of me!"

"God takes care of me everyday! When I run about and play!
And at nighttime when I sleep, God takes care of me!"


They need to know that even as children, they are indeed very dear and very precious and very important to God, who has a very special plan for each of them. They need to know that no matter what happens in this world, God will always be with them. Always.



Take care and God bless...

[yotlyolqualli]

I need you Lord
In all I do
You're always there to see me through
I can't get by unless I lean on You Lord

I thank You Lord, Your Word has sewn
Into my heart and there it's grown
It's roots are deeper than living water's are known

The Lord has a will and I have a need
To follow that will
To humbly be still
To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it
Following my Father's will



I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl
My face may not grace the minds of everyone in the world
But that's alright as long as I can have one wish I pray
When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say...
She has 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 hope when hope just can't be found
Eyes full of compassion, feeling every pain
Knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same..
Just like my Father's eyes.




When the weight of all my dreams
Are resting heavy on my head
And the thoughtful words of health and hope
Have all been nicely said....
And I'm still hurting wondering if I'll ever be the one I think I am
I think I am
Then You gently re-remind me, that You made me from the first
And the more I try to be the best, the more I get the worse
And I realize the good in me is only there because of who You are
Who You are...
and all I ever have to be is what You've made me!
Anymore or less would be a step out of Your plan
As You daily recreate me, help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find
And all I have to be
All I have to be
All I ever have to be...
is what You made me.



Jehovah Jireh! My Provider!
His grace is sufficient for me...
My God shall supply all my need, according to His riches in Glory!
He will give His angels charge over me, Jehovah Jireh cares for me!




Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus...
like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all Heaven and earth proclaim!
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there's something about that name.


We'll call Him Jesus
The name the angel whispered
We'll call Him Jesus
Come from Heaven to be our Friend
We'll call Him Jesus
The sweetest name in all the earth
We'll call Him Jesus, He'll save us from our sin.

But when your heart is full of joy, you'll call Him Wonderful!
And when you've almost lost your way, you'll call Him Counselor!
And in the midst of your confusion whisper..
Prince of Peace!
And when you're all alone, He'll be Emmanuel!

Emmanuel! Emmanuel!
His name is called, Emmanuel!
God with us! Revealed in us!
His name is called, Emmanuel!



.... Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness, instead of light, because their deeds were evil. Anyone who does evil, hates the Light and will not come into the Light, for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who lives by the Truth, comes into the Light, so it may be seen plainly, that what he has done has been done through God.....


....if Christ be for us, who can be against us?....

...I can do all things, through Christ, Who strengthens me...