Musical Mondays

Welcome to another glorious week in the Lord! God I love to praise you! \o/

This weekend I had the priviledge to spend a little over four hours drive to/from a conference for the National Guard. I was able to span the radio and listen to some of the Radio stations that are dedicated to Christ, that I've not had a chance to listen to in a while. Yesterday, as I was just beginning the 2+ hour return trip my song for this week came on the radio and it immediatly drew me in, and reminded me of my time when I was deployed back in 2002.

A little back ground... while I was on active duty I often spent a lot of time in my room (since I am not into going to the NCO club, or drinking with the others in their rooms, I would frequent the PX (post exchange - or military equivilant of Wal Mart). One one such trip I picked up Michael W. Smith's DVD "Worship". I played that DVD over, and over, and over again. So much so that I actually worried about somehow wearing it out. Any way, on that DVD the song "Agnus Dei" is really moving to me. I almost always slow down or stop what I am doing to reflect on my relationship with God. The words are pretty simple...

- - alleluia, alleluia

For the lord God almighty reigns

Alleluia, alleluia

For the lord God almighty reigns

Alleluia

Holy, holy are you lord God almighty

Worthy is the lamb

Worthy is the lamb

You are holy, holy are you lord God almighty

Worthy is the lamb

Worthy is the lamb

Amen

The words may be simple, but the image and meaning behind them are quiet powerful to me. And Mr. Smith does a really good job in singing it. I am going to work on learning how to imbed the video's into my blog, so stand by for an update (I hope). But here is a link to the YouTube video.

Edited note: Ok, here is my attempt to add the video...



Verse for today:
Revelation 5:11-14, ESV
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Running around

Today was supposed to be my "Theological Thursday", aka book review time, but I have been preoccupied with other things and I never got the first chapter read. :( Not an excuse, merely an explination.

Today is my beloved's first day back to work after almost twelve years of being out of the paid work force. Well that's not entirely true. She had some training and administrative things to get done the past two days, but it is the first day she will be doing what she was hired to do. We've both had mixed feeling about this, but have decided to give it a go until at least May. It's just really, really hard to go it with just one salary, and with me 'losing' my National Guard pay in July we have some concerns about the old "emergency fund". It has also been happered with my beloved recently starting to get migrane headaches, almost every day. There is a lot going on there, but needless to say our medical bills have been going up too.

On the flip side, I am hoping to get some things done around the house while she is at work.

Not much else going on today... God bless...
Verse for today:
Proverbs 10:19-22, ESV
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it. [1]

How do we know?

Since Christmas I have had the chance to watch a few movies. In two of them there was a line or two that kind of caught my attention.

The first one was in "Ratatouille". The main human charecter, Linguini . When he shows up at Gusteau's asking for a job it is found out that his mother (who had written a letter to help him) has passed away. When the Chef offers his condolences Linguini says something to the affect that she is "covered" because she believe in heaven. It is also important to state that why she is "covered", or what exactly she believed, is not expounded upon in the movie. It is more a part of the conversation to help the audience feel sympathy for the boy, and a sense of concern for how the whole plot unfolds for him.

The other movie is "Meet Joe Black". At the end Bill Parish (Anthony Hopkins) is leaving with 'Joe Black' (Brad Pitt), he turns and asks, "Should I be afraid"? Joe responds, "Not a man like you". Once again it is important to note that the movie does not go in depth as to the charecters view on heaven and hell, or his theological beliefs.

I am not really sure how much to go into this whole subject. From an observers point of view we can try and discern things, but in both of these cases, the 'people' being observed are completely fictional. The charecters themselves do not have souls, once the movie ends so does there existance. I guess my main point of concern is the messages that are being conveyed.

I have several relatives who are (or where) of the mind that "all roads lead to heaven". I only mention this, and I guess it is on my mind because, the comments were specific references to heaven and the people on their way to the afterlife. I love both of these movies, and these references do very little to diminish my enjoyment of them. But I would like to speak to my fellow believers in Christ who come upon these pages.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy [1] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)

"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. [4] From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:5-7, ESV)

As Christians we may doubt about our salvation. We may question our own walk with the Savior, but we must guard our hearts and minds against how salvation (the path to heaven) is obtained. There is one God, and there is but one path to salvation, and that is through Jesus Christ. He cannot be both a great prophet and a liar. He is either one or the other, and I place my trust in the former.


Verse for today:
John 10:22-30, ESV
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, [1] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

Musical Monday - a day late

My appologies for not having kept up with the very thing I am trying to start! Musical Mondays! No good excuse, just poor explinations... but I am here today, to pick up where I left off, even if it's a day late this week.

I listen to music all the time. Pretty much whenever I get the chance, but I still struggle with what I want to share on Mondays. This morning, just as I was getting to work the song I've chossen for today came on. I almost sat and listened to it, but I was already running a little late. My song for today is by Mercy Me, titled "Bring the Rain".

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

How many times have I prayed for God to reveal His glory through me? Or asked for Him to do His work in me? When I first came to KNOW him, when I confessed that I am a sinner and asked for Him to come live in me, accepting His substitution for my payment, did I not say that I trust Him ultimately? But how often have I held back? How often have I feared what He might do? I trust Him with my soul, but not my flesh?!?

The book of Job has been a long time favorite, and I know - at least intellectually - that God is ultimately trust worthy. This song really speaks to me about how truly trustable God is, and that even in the midst of the storms of life, God is there. He is there to not only calm the waves and wind, but He controls them as well. In the opening chapters of Job is shown that the enemy can only move so far. In Romans His word shows that He uses ALL things for our ultimate good.

This song really moves me, and it reminds me that if God were to bring a storm (even more than a light 'sprinkle') that I can trust Him, that I can stand in the midst of the raging wind and water, and look to the heavens and rejoice. Our time on this earth is incredibly short in the light of eternity...

Verse for today:
Revelation 21:5-8, ESVAnd he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

I need to stop!

Ok, Facebook is taking over my life! I need help... serious help. :-)

I've been obsessive compulsive with an application called 'Jedi vs. Sith'. So much so that I had to set a goal for myself, so that once I achieved it, I could feel better about walking away! I achieved that goal today, but in the meantime my blogging and my writing have suffered. I've also not tended to my preperation for tonights caregroup (Bible study) as I should have. Fortunately I still have some time to ready myself for that.

For today I would like to ask for everyone's prayers that I GET A GRIP ON REALITY! :-) God has been working on me in the area of self discipline of late, and I think this is a testament to how the enemy can, and will, step up the temptation in peoples lives when God is moving. I just need to slow myself down, take the deep breath, and turn from the temptations... (that sounds so easy). I need to remember, and act upon the verse that says, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ESV)

May God grant each of you a peace and grace filled weekend. :-)

Verse for today:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ESV
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, [2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Red in the morning...

The old sailor's legend says, "red in the morning, sailors take warning", but what may be true out at sea does not necesarrily mean danger here on land. At least, I've never been one to be very superstitious. That does not mean my day did not get off to a rough start. I've been trying to work on my self discipline. Get up, have some time with God (also known as a quiet time), hopefully get in a little exercise, but the bed is so warm, and sleep so inviting... Today I actually got up when the alarm went off (well, I did hit the snooze once), but I didn't hit the shower running. I strolled in, checked e-mail, casually got a shower, and then realized that it was a school morning and DS1 and my beloved were not awake. As a result I was not able to walk downstairs and open up my Bible. I did, however, get DS1 to school on time, and as a result, to work a tad early. While I was coming in to work I glanced to my left and I saw one of the most incredible sunrises. The sky was a pristine blue (the kind only a really sharp cold can produce) with just wisps of clouds. Lower towards the horizon there was one cloud that was a burnt orange that extended for about one half of the visibile horizon. But what made this one so incredible was what looked like a thick beam of an orange red straight up. It originated from the upper edge of the sun, that appeared to be exploding in light as it 'broke forth' from the horizon. Since I was driving it was niegh impossible to stop and enjoy it, nor did I have a camera with me. I was encouraged instead of being disappointed about not actually doing what I had hoped to (quiet time, exercise). But I am concerned that my focus the past six to twelve months has not been all that great. I really need to exercise my self disicpline. My view on it is this, discipline is like a muscle. It only gets stronger when exercised. :-) Verse for today: 2 Chronicles 11-16, ESV Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king's house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house he successfully accomplished. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.

Happy New Year, 2008!

Wow the time really flies when you are having fun. Even when that fun is a vacation spent at home for the holidays. Christmas was a very nice time. We stayed home, and did not have anyone over. I was a little disappointed when the movies that I ordered for my beloved - 2 weeks before - had not arrived in time for Christmas. :( But she was very gracvious and I still received my presents from her. ;-) I received a copy of 'The Unit - season 2' on DVD, a copy of 'Amazing Grace' on DVD, a copy of "Ratatouille' on DVD, a Carolina Panthers hat, and the first of what I hope becomes a collevtion of little churches. Sort of like the 'David Winter' type houses. This one was a small 'Country Church' that could be used as an ornament on the tree. Later, I received a very nice fleece jacket from my sister and brother-in-law. The rest of the week was spent painting a bathroom, moving an entertainment center, installing a surround sound system that I had bought a year ago, and hanging a sconse (? sp) and some curtains for some windows previously hidden by the afor mentioned enterainment center. :) New Years eve was spent catching up with some old friends. It was a large crowd, but I played some scrabble, a game called Man's/Woman's Law (very interesting), and then had the chance to catch up with an old friend who is also an army buddy. He has had a pretty interesting life since we last had a chance to catch up. But the chit-chat is catching up with me today. We stayed up until 4 in the morning, and then I was up early to make sure he was not ambushed by the kids. The last night we were invited over to a freinds house for dinner. They have 3 kids about 4 years older (average), but it was nice to be invited out so we accepted. The result is I am starting my New Year a little burned out. LOL But that's ok. I still have 2 more small sconses to hang up. 3 more curtain rods (the curtains will come later), and a ceiling fan. I hope you all had a great Christmas and start to the New Year. I need to catch up with all of the blogs I've been missing. Verse for today: Psalm 2:1-6, ESV Why do the nations rage [1] and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”