Change

"But I don't want anymore change!" -- Kassie

It reminded me of a lot of things I've been going through. She's 7 and she was in tears over the changes in teachers. She wants me to stay forever and Tracie wishes I would so she wouldn't have to hire different teachers. On the bike ride back, I thought a lot about her comment on change.

Change. When I was 7, I cried about going to college. Then there were other things I didn't want to do, but I was taught that doing things I don't like to do builds character. Then I went to college. That was change. A lot of change. And many times... I hated change. But change often hurts. But God has something special and better planned through change... even if I don't see it yet.

Change. It's not so scary as it was last year.

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee,
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows:
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise:
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wanderer, far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away;
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him Who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Savior God that drew thee
To that cross, new life to give,
Held a blood sealed pardon to thee,
Bade thee look to Him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee,
Roused thee from thy fatal ease;
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee,
Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express.
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant’s prayer to bless:
Let Thy grace, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.

What is happening to American churches these days?

Today is what is known as "Superbowl Sunday." 98 million people in America are watching the Superbowl. In the words of ANM, "America is bowing down the idol of stuff and worshipping several pieces of leather stiched together and big boys playing." Whatever happened to the fourth commandment? Churches plan around the superbowl. Some even cancel their worship services to watch it. Others set up a TV in the church building and watch it. Does it remind you of anything? What about Jesus coming in and cleansing the temple? What is happening! The effects of this are widespread. No longer is the Lord's Day hallowed. Many people in school here don't think twice about working on Sunday. As long as they go to church in the morning, the rest of the day is free for them to do whatever they want. In fact, right now in the cafeteria, they are showing the game on a giant screen for everyone to watch on the LORD'S DAY.

I had never really thought about the Superbowl before. I never really thought what it meant because I grew up in the Philippines. I never really realized how big it is. I know it shows in the Philippines on Monday (because the Philippines is ahead by 13 hours), but here is a thought: even if it plays on Monday, what day is it in the States? It's SUNDAY. That game showing Live on Monday on the other side of the world is a game being played on Sunday over in America... millions of Americans violating the commandment for pleasure. Is there a difference to watch it in a different timezone or is it the basically the same thing because the time that it is actually playing is the Sabbath? What is happening to this nation? Send revival, Lord!

Thoughts...

Hmm... I was wondering...

* What preachers are my children or the next generation for that matter going to listen to? I mean I have been blessed to hear preachers like Pastor Martin, Pastor Nene, Pastor Tracey, Pastor Donnelly, and many, many more! Who's going to follow them? Who is going to take their place?

* How quickly will the Spring semester go?

*What will this year be like?

So true...

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let satan have one more

What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus:
What if His people prayed
And all who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And Turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Casting Crowns

Rejoice!

All praise to Thee, Eternal Lord,
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
Choosing a manger for Thy throne,
While worlds on worlds are Thine alone.

Once did the skies before Thee bow;
A virgin's arms contain Thee now,
While angels, who in Thee rejoice,
Now listen for Thine infant voice.

A little Child, Thou art our Guest,
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth;
That we may rise to Heaven from earth.

Thou comest in the darksome night
To make us children of hte light;
To make us, in the realms divine,
Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.

All this for us Thy love hath done;
By this to Thee our love is won;
For this we tune our cheerful lays,
And sing our thanks in ceaseless praise.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:1-4, 14, 29

Who is this so weak and helpless, Child of lowly Hebrew maid,
Rudely in a stable sheltered, coldly in a manger laid?
'Tis the Lord of all creation, Who this wondrous path hath trod;
He is God from everlasting, and to everlasting God.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I am.

Devotions 12/16/06

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:20-31