Sentence Tuesday

The only thing that ever hinders peace 

is when we refuse to surrender our troubles to God.

—Jack Hayford

Lyrical Friday - Great Are You Lord

[photo credit: Kerry Halasz]

Hello Friends. A few days ago I read Ezekiel 37, the portion where Ezekiel is found in a valley with dry bones. These words haven't left my mind:

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” 

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”

Wow! Every time I read this passage my bones are rattled, my faith renewed, and my hope restored. Oh to have been  present at this valley and witnessed the breath of the living God filling the lungs of these dead bones, being raised to life. This is the mighty power of God. Guess what? He didn't limit His power to only that valley, He is still pouring His Holy Spirit on dry bones today. He is still breathing upon those who are frail and lifeless.

I have experienced my share of valleys:
Valley of discouragement
Valley of depression
Valley of uncertainty and confusion
Valley of waiting and growing weary
Valley of injustice
Valley of brokenness
Valley of hopelessness

Need I continue? I am human and at the core, I am dry bones with skin. But God—  He breathed upon me each and every time as He did these bones in Ezekiel. He breathed life into my life, His life.

Are you in a valley? Are you feeling dry, frail, or practically lifeless? God can do the same with you, and breathe life into your lungs and raise your dry bones from this pit. He is that great! His hand is not too short that it cannot save, nor is He deaf that He cannot hear you (Isaiah 59:1). I am here cheering you on: Go on, cry out to God. Ask Him to breathe upon you with His Spirit. If sin has kept you far from God, repent of your sin and cry out to God. If you are bitter confess this to God and cry out to God. Believe that He can help you forgive. And the best remedy to life's hangups is praising God. Worship Him and sing His praises, for His faithfulness and loving kindness endures forever and ever. I believe that He will fill you with His Spirit.

Spirit of God breathe upon us.

Great Are You Lord, All Sons & Daughters 


You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
To give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken

Great are You, Lord

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise

To You only

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great... Are... You, Lord

Sentence Tuesday

Prayer keeps spiritual oxygen supplied to the body

 to keep it productive and alive. 

-Lois Evans 

[photo credit]

when you're troubled...

Imagine with me the disciples troubled in a room. Their leader was constrained by a tomb, lifeless and powerless. They must have be frightened, discouraged, and ashamed. And then, Jesus appeared.

Overwhelmed
Discouraged
Defeated
Ashamed
Afraid
Empty
Lost

Whatever it may be that is bringing you down, think of this scene.
And then, Jesus appeared.

In your troubles Jesus can and will appear.
He will comfort,
He will refresh,
He will renew,
By the power of the Holy Spirit when you cry out for Him.

"In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land." Jeremiah 29:12-14

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Lyrical Friday - Holy Spirit

Happy Friday!
So excited to be sharing with you a song that has overtaken my Thursday nights. The girl youth leaders and I have been doing a bible study on the Holy Spirit by Pastor Jim Cymbala. (I highly recommend it, get it HERE). On our first day meeting together one of the leaders asked if we had heard Holy Spirit by Jesus Culture. Only she had known of it, and with that we were each encouraged to listen to it. Every Thursday since, these lyrics have been sung and prayed out. We are crying out for the Holy Spirit. May you long for the Spirit of God and seek Him! God bless you.

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:25-26

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11

Holy Spirit, Jesus Culture


There’s nothing worth more,
That will ever come close 
Nothing can compare, 
You’re our living hope
Your Presence Lord

I’ve tasted and seen, 
Of the sweetest of Loves
Where my heart becomes free, 
And my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your Glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence
Let us experience the Glory of Your Goodness

Sentence Tuesday

Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts.

- Elisabeth Elliot

[photo credit]

hello April

[photo credit]

Happy April to YOU!
Where did March go? It was been a busy month. Lot's of birthday fun and love, with many breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It was a great month that ended with the greatest celebration of all: Easter. Jesus is Risen!

I'm secretly hoping for a quiet April.
With two bible studies happening, I find it more difficult to actually sit down and receive from the Word without it feeling like homework. So as the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, I am praying for an out pour of the Holy Spirit to shower over me and bring forth much fruit. I pray the same for you!

From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. Genesis 28:27




I will be to Israel 
Like a refreshing dew from heaven. 
Israel will blossom like the lily; 
It will send roots deep into the soil 
Like the cedars in Lebanon. 
Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, 
As fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. 
My people will again live under my shade. 
They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. 
They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.
Hosea 14:5-7