Hear the word of God:
Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
"Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!"
John 4:15-26
Jesus knew the woman at the well before she even showed up. He knew the type of life she had been living. When she asked for the living water so she would never thirst again, he brought up a sore topic. He brought up the fact that she had been living in sin for a while. The woman told the truth, but she was convicted. She changed the subject quickly onto worship. She knew this man had to be someone special, but she didn't want to talk about her personal life anymore. Where are we supposed to worship? Jesus told her that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The woman stated that she knew the Messiah was coming, then Jesus said those resounding words. I AM the Messiah! What would you have done in her shoes, or sandals?
In looking through this passage and trying to put our lives into it, I am challenged because I believe that we go through conversations like this one every day. People come and talk to us or a conversation just happens and when we challenge them with the right thing to do, the subject is changed. They don't want to always admit their wrongs, or talk about what they have been through. Shouldn't we understand this. We have been there too. I would guess that there are some of us who would change the subject ourselves. Jesus had to help her look past where she had been and showed her that he was who she had been longing for in her heart for so long.
The boys we minister to, and the people we work with everyday are watching us and they can see if we are reflecting the love of Jesus. They can see if we are pointing them in the direction of the Son, or if we seem to be as lost as they do. Spend some time in a peaceful setting today and let God show you where you have been and if there are things you need to deal with, then lay them at the feet of Jesus. Spend some time preparing your heart, so you are able to point others to the Messiah!
Jason
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Where Jesus met you ...
Hear the word of God:
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
"Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
Do you remember the first time you met Jesus? The first time you felt that urge to give everything you have to the Son of God? How did Jesus meet you? Were you sitting in a pew in worship? Were you at a church camp? Were you at college, alone and searching for the first time on your own? Were you just sitting in your room asking for God's help and felt his warm, comforting presence? For each one of us, the place we met Jesus is important. It is the place where we first made a decision. We made a decision to seek God, or at least pursue that relationship.
I want you to remember this, because I am challenging you over the next few days, to share that moment with someone. We have gone over several disciplines and focused our hearts by being silent, praying, studying, and worshiping. We will go back to learning more disciplines after this little break. I am challenging us all to practice these disciplines. Take that time to build up your spiritual muscles, and then share that meeting time with God with someone. For those of you who are houseparents, share that with your boys, or at least one of your boys. Be open with them about your time with God. Tell them how you first met Jesus. Share this passage of scripture with the person you talk with. Use this as an opportunity to discuss Jesus meeting with people. Use this passage to challenge yourself. Here are some thoughts that have been going through my head this week concerning this passage.
Did Jesus go and sit at that well to purposefully meet with this Samaritan woman? He already knew her heart. Did he know that in this conversation, he was going to change her heart and challenge her to speak about him to her entire village? Jesus used a thing as small as a drink of water to start a spiritual discussion. What can you use to start your discussion? Think about the time you first had that encounter with Jesus. Did you drink that living water or did the drink come later? Can you see that the person you are sharing your faith with, has even the slightest feeling about wanting a drink of that living water? That is something we should be on the lookout for every day in our ministry here at Westview. Not all of our boys have made that decision yet, and some have no idea why they made the decision in the first place. Some of them are like the woman. They are just worshiping like they worship because someone taught them that way. It is just something they do. It hasn't become real to them. This woman had come to this same well several times a day for years. She came there through each of her husbands. When Jesus made the comment, "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling stream within them, giving them eternal life." She wanted that water. Just like we wanted it when we decided to follow Jesus.
The point of giving you the spiritual discipline tools we have already discussed, is to help you have this passion for the Lord, overflowing out of your life. It is overflowing so much that opportunities and conversations just happen because the Spirit is moving in amazing ways in your life. Have you seen it happen yet? Keep your eyes open. You might have a "woman at the well" moment happening today. Don't think you are too busy to share what God has done in your life. Get ready for the overflow.
Jason
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
"Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
Do you remember the first time you met Jesus? The first time you felt that urge to give everything you have to the Son of God? How did Jesus meet you? Were you sitting in a pew in worship? Were you at a church camp? Were you at college, alone and searching for the first time on your own? Were you just sitting in your room asking for God's help and felt his warm, comforting presence? For each one of us, the place we met Jesus is important. It is the place where we first made a decision. We made a decision to seek God, or at least pursue that relationship.
I want you to remember this, because I am challenging you over the next few days, to share that moment with someone. We have gone over several disciplines and focused our hearts by being silent, praying, studying, and worshiping. We will go back to learning more disciplines after this little break. I am challenging us all to practice these disciplines. Take that time to build up your spiritual muscles, and then share that meeting time with God with someone. For those of you who are houseparents, share that with your boys, or at least one of your boys. Be open with them about your time with God. Tell them how you first met Jesus. Share this passage of scripture with the person you talk with. Use this as an opportunity to discuss Jesus meeting with people. Use this passage to challenge yourself. Here are some thoughts that have been going through my head this week concerning this passage.
Did Jesus go and sit at that well to purposefully meet with this Samaritan woman? He already knew her heart. Did he know that in this conversation, he was going to change her heart and challenge her to speak about him to her entire village? Jesus used a thing as small as a drink of water to start a spiritual discussion. What can you use to start your discussion? Think about the time you first had that encounter with Jesus. Did you drink that living water or did the drink come later? Can you see that the person you are sharing your faith with, has even the slightest feeling about wanting a drink of that living water? That is something we should be on the lookout for every day in our ministry here at Westview. Not all of our boys have made that decision yet, and some have no idea why they made the decision in the first place. Some of them are like the woman. They are just worshiping like they worship because someone taught them that way. It is just something they do. It hasn't become real to them. This woman had come to this same well several times a day for years. She came there through each of her husbands. When Jesus made the comment, "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling stream within them, giving them eternal life." She wanted that water. Just like we wanted it when we decided to follow Jesus.
The point of giving you the spiritual discipline tools we have already discussed, is to help you have this passion for the Lord, overflowing out of your life. It is overflowing so much that opportunities and conversations just happen because the Spirit is moving in amazing ways in your life. Have you seen it happen yet? Keep your eyes open. You might have a "woman at the well" moment happening today. Don't think you are too busy to share what God has done in your life. Get ready for the overflow.
Jason
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Living water ...
We will talk about one key passage over the next several days. Hear the word of God:
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
"Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
"Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!"
John 4:1-26 – NLT
Blessings,
Jason
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn't baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?"
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."
"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," she said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?"
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
"Please, sir," the woman said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."
"Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.
"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.
Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!"
"Sir," the woman said, "you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"
Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!"
John 4:1-26 – NLT
Blessings,
Jason
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Here I am to worship ...
Paul and Silas in Prison
One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."
This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.
Her masters' hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. "They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice."
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!"
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, "Let those men go!"
So the jailer told Paul, "The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace."
But Paul replied, "They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!"
When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Acts 16:16-40 NLT
Every time I read this passage of scripture, I am blown away at Paul and Silas' attitude of worship. No matter where they were or what had just happened to them today, they were hardcore God-followers, longing to have that close time with their Father. I hope that over the past week, you have had so many of those times with your Father. I know that I can feel God working and moving in my life in ways that I haven't experienced in a long time. I am seeing changes in the lives of those around me, and I even have been noticing changes in some of our boys.
Tonight at the Wellington Athletic Center, we all decided to take our boys and our families to just get some time and get some exercise and have some fun. While we were there, a woman walked up to me and asked me where we were from. I told her that we were from the Westview Boys Home and that we are here just having fun together. She asked me several questions about our ministry, and she commented that she could tell that we were "church" people as she called it. She said that she hadn't seen such polite young men in a long time. She commented that she had a grandson that has had so many problems lately that she wished she had a place like Westview that she could contact and get some help for him. I gave her the office phone number. We will see if she calls.
What does this have to do with anything? Paul and Silas had so many things happen to them. No one would have blamed them if they had done a little complaining that day, but they worshiped. They lived their lives and spent their time in such a way as to let everyone around them know who they love and what they stand for. I believe that our boys were doing that tonight. One of the boys was even running around the gym singing "Here I Am to Worship". How appropriate could you get?! God moves in our lives. He is working every day just trying to break down the barriers in your life. Once he has started breaking through, he wants to overflow into the lives of those around you. Paul and Silas witnessed this firsthand and the Kingdom grew that day. I pray that you can see the change in your own life as we continue on our journey to spiritual growth.
Jason
One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."
This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.
Her masters' hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. "They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice."
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!"
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, "Let those men go!"
So the jailer told Paul, "The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace."
But Paul replied, "They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!"
When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Acts 16:16-40 NLT
Every time I read this passage of scripture, I am blown away at Paul and Silas' attitude of worship. No matter where they were or what had just happened to them today, they were hardcore God-followers, longing to have that close time with their Father. I hope that over the past week, you have had so many of those times with your Father. I know that I can feel God working and moving in my life in ways that I haven't experienced in a long time. I am seeing changes in the lives of those around me, and I even have been noticing changes in some of our boys.
Tonight at the Wellington Athletic Center, we all decided to take our boys and our families to just get some time and get some exercise and have some fun. While we were there, a woman walked up to me and asked me where we were from. I told her that we were from the Westview Boys Home and that we are here just having fun together. She asked me several questions about our ministry, and she commented that she could tell that we were "church" people as she called it. She said that she hadn't seen such polite young men in a long time. She commented that she had a grandson that has had so many problems lately that she wished she had a place like Westview that she could contact and get some help for him. I gave her the office phone number. We will see if she calls.
What does this have to do with anything? Paul and Silas had so many things happen to them. No one would have blamed them if they had done a little complaining that day, but they worshiped. They lived their lives and spent their time in such a way as to let everyone around them know who they love and what they stand for. I believe that our boys were doing that tonight. One of the boys was even running around the gym singing "Here I Am to Worship". How appropriate could you get?! God moves in our lives. He is working every day just trying to break down the barriers in your life. Once he has started breaking through, he wants to overflow into the lives of those around you. Paul and Silas witnessed this firsthand and the Kingdom grew that day. I pray that you can see the change in your own life as we continue on our journey to spiritual growth.
Jason
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Then sings my soul ...
I know that you are busy. I know that so much is happening around you. I know that you feel like you have so many people and situations calling your name and needing your help right here and now, but you need to take about 30 minutes at least and go for a walk. Put your walking shoes on and step out your door and just start walking down the road, or down the sidewalk, or just around in your yard. Get out, and while you are out, I want you to think about these words.
How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg (1886)
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Can I tell you how amazing it is to step outside after being cooped up all day doing homework? This is something I can speak of personally. I step out the door and see all of the words of this song come to life. I can hear, smell, see, and feel the beauty of our Lord around me.
So often I can't though. I get up and I rush around to get the boys ready, or get myself and my children ready. I try to make sure that things get done, and that I don't make mistakes. It is a life of go, go, go. When I slow down though and take it all in and get a little exercise, I can feel the change in my heart and my spiritual life. We need this. We need to step out in to creation and just take in all that God has given us. We need to share these moments with our families, with our boys, with each other. It was all made for us. Take a break today and enjoy what God has given. Enjoy it with someone you love and use this time to recharge your batteries and then you can start all over again tomorrow, but this time you will be ready for the hustle and bustle, because you spent time worshipping and praising God for what he has given you.
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:1-4
Jason
How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg (1886)
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Can I tell you how amazing it is to step outside after being cooped up all day doing homework? This is something I can speak of personally. I step out the door and see all of the words of this song come to life. I can hear, smell, see, and feel the beauty of our Lord around me.
So often I can't though. I get up and I rush around to get the boys ready, or get myself and my children ready. I try to make sure that things get done, and that I don't make mistakes. It is a life of go, go, go. When I slow down though and take it all in and get a little exercise, I can feel the change in my heart and my spiritual life. We need this. We need to step out in to creation and just take in all that God has given us. We need to share these moments with our families, with our boys, with each other. It was all made for us. Take a break today and enjoy what God has given. Enjoy it with someone you love and use this time to recharge your batteries and then you can start all over again tomorrow, but this time you will be ready for the hustle and bustle, because you spent time worshipping and praising God for what he has given you.
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:1-4
Jason
Monday, March 16, 2009
Feel the glow ...
In Pennsylvania, it begins to get cloudy around November and it stays cloudy until around early April. As a break from the gloom one year, we were able to fly down to Florida to be with Misty's family. We had a great time in the sun and a great time in the warmth. When we came back from Florida, people at our congregation noticed how nice and tanned we were. We had gotten some sun, the very thing that they had not seen in months. You could look especially at my face and see how much sun I had been exposed to. I had a massive sunburn. I could feel the glow and warmth of the burn on my face. Although the people were jealous of the sun and fun we had in Florida, no one was envious of the pain.
In Exodus 34:29-35, Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai where God chiseled the new tablets that held the ten commandments. He spent 40 days and 40 nights away from his people, away from food, and away from water.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
I have always thought this was an amazing story. Moses would spend so much time with his God: listening, worshiping, and speaking with Him, that he would walk away with a glowing face. The people would see this glow and know that Moses had been with God. He just glowed with the warmth, love, joy, glory, and presence of the Lord. How awesome! We are told in 2 Corinthians that Moses would veil his face to keep the people from seeing the glow fading away from his face.
How much time do we spend with our God? What is our worship time like with God? Is it amazing and hope-filled? Do we leave with this joy in our heart and this love to share? Moses would just sit, walk, and talk with God. He would come back with God-burn! Just like I came back with sun-burn, Moses had his own version. I know that I have days where my time alone with God in personal worship and my times in public worship have left me feeling like I had God-burn. I felt like I was just glowing from my wonderful, awe-inspiring time with our God. I pray for days like that. I pray for worship times like that. I pray that for you as well. If you are longing for that relationship, it starts where you are. You make the effort to stop all you are doing and try to quiet your soul enough to just "Be" with God.
God-burn, what a way of overflowing to those around you! If you choose to take the time to spend with him, forget the sun tan lotion, and get ready to soak up that time with your Father. Get ready to share that time with someone else.
Jason
In Exodus 34:29-35, Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai where God chiseled the new tablets that held the ten commandments. He spent 40 days and 40 nights away from his people, away from food, and away from water.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
I have always thought this was an amazing story. Moses would spend so much time with his God: listening, worshiping, and speaking with Him, that he would walk away with a glowing face. The people would see this glow and know that Moses had been with God. He just glowed with the warmth, love, joy, glory, and presence of the Lord. How awesome! We are told in 2 Corinthians that Moses would veil his face to keep the people from seeing the glow fading away from his face.
How much time do we spend with our God? What is our worship time like with God? Is it amazing and hope-filled? Do we leave with this joy in our heart and this love to share? Moses would just sit, walk, and talk with God. He would come back with God-burn! Just like I came back with sun-burn, Moses had his own version. I know that I have days where my time alone with God in personal worship and my times in public worship have left me feeling like I had God-burn. I felt like I was just glowing from my wonderful, awe-inspiring time with our God. I pray for days like that. I pray for worship times like that. I pray that for you as well. If you are longing for that relationship, it starts where you are. You make the effort to stop all you are doing and try to quiet your soul enough to just "Be" with God.
God-burn, what a way of overflowing to those around you! If you choose to take the time to spend with him, forget the sun tan lotion, and get ready to soak up that time with your Father. Get ready to share that time with someone else.
Jason
Sunday, March 15, 2009
How I praise the Lord ...
Hear the word of God:
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:4-13
Jason
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:4-13
Jason
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