Archive for October, 2009

War Child

Posted: October 31, 2009 in family, life, pray
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Many families today, in many countries, are mourning the death of loved ones who have been serving their country in a foreign land. We’ve heard of soldiers being killed in active service abroad, nearly every day these days.

Today I’m going to spend time praying for those currently serving their country and for those who have sadly been killed or injury while carrying out their duties. The families of these soldier need our prayers too, so I will be particularly praying for them too.

I’d ask you today to spend time in prayer for our soldiers in active service, those injured and for the families of those killed in service.

Our soldiers and their families need our prayers.

Mark Schultz is one of my favourite singer/songwriters and his song Letters From War fits wonderfully with today’s blog message. It tells the story of a mother left at home as her son is a soldier, fighting in a far away war. I hope you enjoy it as much I do – it reminds us not to ever give up hope no matter what faces us and we can apply that philosophy to all we do!

Letters From War (Mark Schultz)

She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war far away

He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he’d made
Said I’d been thinking ’bout dad
And the life that he had
That’s why I’m here today
And that the end he said
You are what I’m fighting for
It was the first of the letters from war

She started writing
You’re good and you’re brave
What a father that you’ll be someday
make it home
make it safe

She wrote every night as she prayed

Late in December
A day she’ll not forget
Oh her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read

It said “I was up on a hill
I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out
And bombs were exploding
And that’s when I saw him
He came back for me
And though he was captured
A man set me free
And that man was your son
He asked me to write to you
I told him i would, oh I swore”
It was the last of the letters from war

And she prayed he was living
Kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say

You are good
And you’re brave
what a father that you’ll be someday
Make it home
Make it safe
Still she kept writing each day

Then two years later
Autumn leaves all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand

He said “mom I’m following orders
From all of your letters
And I’ve come home again”,
He ran into hold her
And dropped all his bags on the floor
Holding all of her letters from war

Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home

Please checkout Mark Schultz’ website: http://markschultzmusic.com/home/

Because of Jesus

Posted: October 30, 2009 in religion
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Christ is alive in me – Is He alive in you?

Everything we do is done because of Jesus.
Everything we are is because of Jesus – because He died on a cross.
Everything around us was made by God.

Do everything for Jesus – He gave everything for you!

All Because Of Jesus
Written by Steve Fee

Giver of every breath I breathe

Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I’m alive in You

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man’s life
It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
I’m alive, I’m alive

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I’m alive in You

It’s all because of Jesus I’m alive
It’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man’s life
It’s all because of Jesus

Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I’m singing freedom all my days
Now that I’m alive

I’m alive, I’m alive, I’m alive

Visit the Casting Crowns website: http://www.castingcrowns.com/

Jesus Paid It All

Posted: October 29, 2009 in Easter, life, love, religion
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What’s the greatest thing someone could ever do for you?

In my opinion the greatest thing someone could ever do for me is to willingly die for me, just because they love me!

It’s difficult to comprehend how anyone could love me enough to die just for me. But hold on, someone has died just for me, because they love me…Jesus! Not only that, Jesus died not just because God loves me, but because he love you too.

God did the unthinkable and sacrificed His only son just because he loves us and wants us to be free. Repay God by loving Him too – He will love you forever.


Jesus Paid It All (by Elvina M. Hall)
I hear the Saviour say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Refrain

And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ‘neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

Refrain

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Refrain

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Refrain

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Let God

Posted: October 28, 2009 in Easter, love, religion
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Are you ready and willing to give your heart to Jesus today?
Are you wondering what you need to do to let God into your heart?

It’s simple, ask God to lead you to the cross.

Lead Me To The Cross
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you’re risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

God showed us just how much He loves us on that fateful day all those years ago, when Jesus, His son died on the cross at Calvary. What more could a father ever sacrifice than his one and only son.

Let God show you the way to the cross where you can kneel down before Him. When you do so, He will forgive you of every sin you have ever committed. He will then help and guide you through every day – He’ll be there for you when you need Him most and will rejoice when you rejoice.

Let God lead you through the rest of your life.

Knowing God

Posted: October 27, 2009 in religion, Salvation Army
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I read somewhere yesterday about someone who had bought a new bumper sticker for their car. It read…

Short and concise, but it really hits the mark doesn’t it?

We must truly know God, and believe in Him, to have the assurance that when our life on earth is over, we will go to heaven.

How do get to know God, to really know Him enough that we can call Him our friend? Here are just a few ways:

  • Read and study the bible
  • Pray to God
  • Believe in the resurrection of Jesus
  • Read the Ten Commandments – they describe how God’s expects us to behave
  • Our conscience – God has given us the ability to understand the difference between what is right and what is wrong
  • Look around you – God made this earth, He made you and me, made the flower, the trees, the sky, the oceans, He made everything

By knowing God we can have true peace and eternal life. Come to God today and begin your adventure of finding out more and more about Him every day. You can know and enjoy your friendship with God forever.

John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The New York Staff Band of the Salvation Army sing Knowing You


The New York Staff Band website is: http://www.nysb.org/SalvationArmyNewYorkStaffBand.htm

Broken Heart

Posted: October 26, 2009 in life, love, religion
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GOD can do wonders with a broken heart, if you give Him all the pieces.

Psalm 25:17-18
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

No matter how desperate you feel or how low you feel, don’t give up, instead give it all to God.
God can do all things and can heal all wounds.

Psalm 40:12-13
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to save me;
O Lord, come quickly to help me.

I Give You My Heart performed by Hillsong:

Use Me

Posted: October 25, 2009 in family, life, religion
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Anyone of us can be a rainbow in somebody’s clouds. – Maya Angelou

Have you been a rainbow in someone’s life today?
Do you make a point of trying to help those whose life seems to be full of clouds?

As a Christian, I know God wants me to try to help those in need. I’m not a person who finds it very easy to talk openly to anyone about feelings/emotions (mine or anyone else’s!), so when I felt God was directing me towards blogging I had no idea that nearly ever blog post I made was going to be me talking about God and how He can use us and work in us. I’ve been as amazed as anyone by my blog posts!

I pray that God continues to use this blog to reach others. I pray that through something I write, you may accept God as your Saviour and friend, or indeed reaffirm your love for Him if you have already accepted Him into your life.

Thank you Lord for using me in this way. I pray I may be “the rainbow in somebody’s clouds” through what I write, as I do it in Christ’s name.

I pray you will let God use you to to do His will in whatever way He sees fit.


The Potter’s Hand…

Forgive Me

Posted: October 24, 2009 in life, religion
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“Be good” – how many times to we say that to our children or hear others saying that to their children?

Put those words into a different scenario…God telling you to “Be good”. God wants us to be like Jesus and that means we must be good and we must do good.

Do you consider yourself to be a “good” person?

If you’ve answered “yes” to that question, I’d urge you to reconsider your answer! Even if we are nice, law abiding people who do our best in all we do, we are not good enough to get into heaven unless we ask God to forgive us of all our sins.

Jesus said, “I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3). Once we are willing to change our ways, Jesus said a childlike trust and humility will help us become great people on earth and wonderful citizens of heaven.

Don’t think you’re good enough, or too good to have to ask God to forgive you. It’s easy, just ask God to forgive you, He is waiting and willing you to do so.

Forgive Me
Written by Scott Dyer and Rebecca St. James
For all the times I’ve failed You, Lord
Forgive me
For all the ways I’ve fallen short
Lord, forgive me now
God, I’m so in need of grace
I fall upon my face
Forgive me

You see the tears fall down my face
Forgive me
Take my fear, Lord, take my shame
Lord, forgive me now
Purify me, make me new
Like only You can do
Forgive me now

Lord, we come to honor You
We are forgiven
We bring our love and thanks to You
We are forgiven now

God we praise You for Your grace
Before You we are raised
Forgiven
God we praise You for Your grace
Before You we are raised
Forgiven
Forgiven

Stillness

Posted: October 23, 2009 in life, religion, Salvation Army
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Life works best when you create an oasis of stillness within the day. Take time to connect with your creator.

God needs and wants us to spend quality time with Him in the same way we would with any other relationship. Make time for God everyday.

Enjoy the beautiful song “Still” performed here by Sydney Staff Songsters of the Salvation Army.

Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Please checkout the Sydney Staff Songsters website: http://www.sydneystaffsongsters.com/

Beautiful Things

Posted: October 22, 2009 in life, religion
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I was listening to my ipod at work and this song (Beautiful Things by Roxette) came on. Nice tune and words that for Christians we can answer the question posed in the song…
Is there someone I can talk to?
Someone on the line?
Does anybody want to hear
What’s on my mind?

For me there is a very positive answer to those questions…God! Even when it seems no one is there for you, your friends and family don’t want to know or you feel you can’t talk to them, God is still there for you.

God surrounds us with “beautiful things” every day, so talk to Him, thank Him for your day, just tell Him what’s on your mind.

Beautiful Things by Roxette
Beautiful things
Are comin’ my way
Beautiful things
I want them to stay
But after a while
My beautiful things
Don’t seem beautiful at all

Terrible things
Like when you wake up
And all of your dreams
Seem to crack up
Like things you have done
Like breakin’ my heart
For you it don’t seem
Terrible at all

Is there someone I can talk to?
Someone on the line?
Does anybody want to hear
What’s on my mind?

Beautiful things
Like leaves on a tree
Beautiful things
The sky and the sea
Since you’ve been gone
No beautiful things
Seem beautiful to me

Is there someone I can talk to?
Someone out there on the line?
Does anybody want to hear
What’s on my mind?

Make the grass grow in the garden
When the rain is passin’ by
Does anybody want to know
What’s on my mind?

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