Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Getting ready for CHRISTmas
Long before Jesus was born, the bible scriptures told of the need to prepare for the coming of a saviour.
Isaiah 7: The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Micah 5: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "
Isaiah 7: The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Micah 5: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. "
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Abide With Me ~ James Last arrangement
Abide With Me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out lifes little day;
Earths joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwellst with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempters power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is deaths sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
James Last - Abide With Me
Words: Henry Lyte, 1847.
Music: William Monk, 1861.
Category: Music
Tags: James Last Abide With Me instrumental Henry Lyte William Monk
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Phil Wickham - Safe
To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone
Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong and never let you go
oh you're not alone
Chorus:
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms
Verse 2:
Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone
Bridge:
These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas
These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me
These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free
www.philwickham.com
Safe ~ Phil Wickham the story behind the song...
Phil Wickham's song Safe came about after he spoke to someone after a concert one night.
The man whom he spoke to told him a story that moved him to tears and he then wrote his beautiful and poignant song Safe. ( see the post above). which is on his new album out November 2009.
The story: The man started to tell his story. He was a sucessful business man with a company that was doing really well, but over recent times the going became harder and tighter and tighter. He got to the point where he said "Lord I just don't know what to do" The man was in debt with his house repayments and with other things too. The lord eventually brought him to the place where he was broken and he realised that the most important thing, far more important than his business and his sucess was to be in love with God and to know his love. God said to him that he should be faithful to him, to his wife and to his children as God had put them in his care. The money and everything else didn't matter, they paled into insignificance because God and his family were far more important.
One morning the man got up and took large pieces of card. he stuck them to the side of his car with his name and his number and said "I'll do anything" and all of a sudden there was contractor after contractor coming to him saying "I've got work for you". Phil was struck by the love the man expressed for the lord, that even though he was in toough times he could still praise the Lord.
This could easily be anyones story in this present climate... I pray that for all those going through hard times, that Gods love and fithfulness will be real to them.
The man whom he spoke to told him a story that moved him to tears and he then wrote his beautiful and poignant song Safe. ( see the post above). which is on his new album out November 2009.
The story: The man started to tell his story. He was a sucessful business man with a company that was doing really well, but over recent times the going became harder and tighter and tighter. He got to the point where he said "Lord I just don't know what to do" The man was in debt with his house repayments and with other things too. The lord eventually brought him to the place where he was broken and he realised that the most important thing, far more important than his business and his sucess was to be in love with God and to know his love. God said to him that he should be faithful to him, to his wife and to his children as God had put them in his care. The money and everything else didn't matter, they paled into insignificance because God and his family were far more important.
One morning the man got up and took large pieces of card. he stuck them to the side of his car with his name and his number and said "I'll do anything" and all of a sudden there was contractor after contractor coming to him saying "I've got work for you". Phil was struck by the love the man expressed for the lord, that even though he was in toough times he could still praise the Lord.
This could easily be anyones story in this present climate... I pray that for all those going through hard times, that Gods love and fithfulness will be real to them.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Psalm 65 ~ Songs of Joy
Psalm 65
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing. ....
Because how can we fail to do otherwise when God supplies our needs.
Thank You Father that you know our needs so much more than we do, that you provide both physically and emotionally. Thank you Father that your love surrounds us ...
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing. ....
Because how can we fail to do otherwise when God supplies our needs.
Thank You Father that you know our needs so much more than we do, that you provide both physically and emotionally. Thank you Father that your love surrounds us ...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Be Still My Soul - Selah
This is a beautiful song of worship for those going through uncertain times.
"in every change, he faithful will remain"
Monday, October 26, 2009
Only Grace
Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
This passage from the bible is titled "The accent" ~ The climb up . Life as a christian is not always an easy path. No one promised that following Christ would be an easy walk.
Yet we are given God on which to fix our eyes. When we stumble and when we fall his grace and his love helps us to stand back up and begin again.
I wasn't intending detailing the song that I have done today, but as I searched and searched for the one I wanted this song kept jumping up before me and so eventually I listened (yes I was listening at the service on "listening to God" yesterday!)How perfectly they fit with what I am wanting to share and so....
The words of Matthew Wests song Only Grace tell us this:
There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear
There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace
You're starting over now
Under the sun
You're stepping forward now
A new life has begunYour new life has begun
An’ there's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me…it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace…
And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back upGet back up again
Ohh…get…back…up…again…
There's only grace…
There's only love…
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough…
it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only…there’s only…grace…
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
This passage from the bible is titled "The accent" ~ The climb up . Life as a christian is not always an easy path. No one promised that following Christ would be an easy walk.
Yet we are given God on which to fix our eyes. When we stumble and when we fall his grace and his love helps us to stand back up and begin again.
I wasn't intending detailing the song that I have done today, but as I searched and searched for the one I wanted this song kept jumping up before me and so eventually I listened (yes I was listening at the service on "listening to God" yesterday!)How perfectly they fit with what I am wanting to share and so....
The words of Matthew Wests song Only Grace tell us this:
There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it's clear
There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace
You're starting over now
Under the sun
You're stepping forward now
A new life has begunYour new life has begun
An’ there's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy and believe me…it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only grace…
And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back upGet back up again
Ohh…get…back…up…again…
There's only grace…
There's only love…
There's only mercy and believe me it's enough…
it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there's nothing left now
There's only…there’s only…grace…
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Light of the world ~ Tim Hughes
Would you believe that before October is even through, I have planned the Christmas day service at church. I was reading a blog where a lady had recently found she was pregnant. She said "It won't change anything!" somehow I think she is in for a bit of a shock!
Anyway I began to think about how the tiny child born at christmas became light to a world shrouded in darkness. Tim Hughes' song Light of the world was one that immediately sprang to mind:
Light of the word
you stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you.
and then our response to this
So here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
Your all together lovely
Altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
then that poignant bridge:
And I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross,
No I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.
That's when the realisation dawns that this little baby laid in a manger is destined for the cross. it's all in Gods special plan so that i can say and you can say I am free, I am redeemed (bought back), I am saved because Gods son took my place on the cross.
For the month of December I am planning my own Advent calender on this and my other blog creative and faithful.
Anyway I began to think about how the tiny child born at christmas became light to a world shrouded in darkness. Tim Hughes' song Light of the world was one that immediately sprang to mind:
Light of the word
you stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you.
and then our response to this
So here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
Your all together lovely
Altogether worthy
altogether wonderful to me
then that poignant bridge:
And I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross,
No I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.
That's when the realisation dawns that this little baby laid in a manger is destined for the cross. it's all in Gods special plan so that i can say and you can say I am free, I am redeemed (bought back), I am saved because Gods son took my place on the cross.
For the month of December I am planning my own Advent calender on this and my other blog creative and faithful.
Monday, October 19, 2009
God of Justice ~ Tim Hughes
Last night we had the wonderful experience of formally welcoming and commissioning our schools and church youth worker Mark Tiddy.
It was wonderful to hear how the vision held by three churches over a very long period had come to fruition over many years until finally after metaphorical walls had been broken down at the senior school and chance meetings, opportunities andconversations had taken place, the Hunsley christian youth trust had come into being and the search for a youth worker had begun.
Mark fitted the criteria and was appointed.
The Bishop of Hull attended and comissioned mark andthe trust.
Our music group was swelled by the addition of some wonderful young instrumentalists and singers and the congregation from All Saints South Cave, Elloughton cum Brough Cof E, St Barnabus Swanland and The Baptist church at Pateborough (where Mark used to work) entered into the praise and worship.
Last Monday we'd learnt a new song which Mark had requested. "God of Justice" which he felt was a job description.
God of Justice,
Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must goStepping forward
keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
Please pray for the Hunsley trust and for Mark that this wonderful opportunity will bear much fruit and that this job disription can be a real inspiration and model on which to build.
It was wonderful to hear how the vision held by three churches over a very long period had come to fruition over many years until finally after metaphorical walls had been broken down at the senior school and chance meetings, opportunities andconversations had taken place, the Hunsley christian youth trust had come into being and the search for a youth worker had begun.
Mark fitted the criteria and was appointed.
The Bishop of Hull attended and comissioned mark andthe trust.
Our music group was swelled by the addition of some wonderful young instrumentalists and singers and the congregation from All Saints South Cave, Elloughton cum Brough Cof E, St Barnabus Swanland and The Baptist church at Pateborough (where Mark used to work) entered into the praise and worship.
Last Monday we'd learnt a new song which Mark had requested. "God of Justice" which he felt was a job description.
God of Justice,
Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must goStepping forward
keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
Please pray for the Hunsley trust and for Mark that this wonderful opportunity will bear much fruit and that this job disription can be a real inspiration and model on which to build.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Dancing worship
There are many many ways in which we are able to worship God. I am always in awe of the uplifting feeling I feel watching others dance in worship and praise to him. I'm not a dancer myself. I've never felt comfortable in movement, but it doesn't mean that I can't worship whilst seeing other people dance.
Our church is blessed with a number of very tallented dancers who regually share this gift with us. Dancing to both gentle contemporary Christian music and more experimental and dance type christian music. Not only do they dance, but they encourage the yonger and older members of our congregation to join with them.
The dance video above is the first of a series of worship dances I'll share with you over the next few posts.
www.paradosiballetcompany.com are the dancers dancing to How great is our God (the splendour of the king
Our church is blessed with a number of very tallented dancers who regually share this gift with us. Dancing to both gentle contemporary Christian music and more experimental and dance type christian music. Not only do they dance, but they encourage the yonger and older members of our congregation to join with them.
The dance video above is the first of a series of worship dances I'll share with you over the next few posts.
www.paradosiballetcompany.com are the dancers dancing to How great is our God (the splendour of the king
Friday, May 15, 2009
Living Water
Kees Kraayenoord dutch song writer wrote this song after reading the story of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well
John 4
Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
"I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
The woman to whom he spoke was an adulteress, a woman who had really made a mess of her life. Culture at the time meant that Jesus should not be talking to her on both the grounds that she was a woman and the grounds that she was "living in sin". But he did talk to her. He recognised the pain in her life that caused her to seek love from man after man. He knew the inner depths of her soul without her having to say anything and his words to her were words of comfort, that struck her deep within. She recognised that he spoke with authority and she took on board his calling.
Later in the reading we read:
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
I remember being at senior school and the Christian Union there was supported by one of the teachers Val Fotherby. She was a member of the Prison Christian Fellowship. One day she invited a guy called Michael Tony Ralls (I think) to talk to us. His was a story of drugs and gangs and yet in prison he received a copy of the living bible and read it. The truth of Jesus spoke to him and changed his life around.
I sin too. I make mistakes in my life that hurt my very essence and effect those around me and yet Jesus takes my imperfection if I allow him to and uses me. And he can use you too.
If perfection was a requirement of being used by God then there is not one of us on this planet good enough for him. But because the grace of God is Forgiveness and he gives everyone who want it the living water he handed to the Samarian woman at the well.
John 4
Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
"I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
The woman to whom he spoke was an adulteress, a woman who had really made a mess of her life. Culture at the time meant that Jesus should not be talking to her on both the grounds that she was a woman and the grounds that she was "living in sin". But he did talk to her. He recognised the pain in her life that caused her to seek love from man after man. He knew the inner depths of her soul without her having to say anything and his words to her were words of comfort, that struck her deep within. She recognised that he spoke with authority and she took on board his calling.
Later in the reading we read:
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
I remember being at senior school and the Christian Union there was supported by one of the teachers Val Fotherby. She was a member of the Prison Christian Fellowship. One day she invited a guy called Michael Tony Ralls (I think) to talk to us. His was a story of drugs and gangs and yet in prison he received a copy of the living bible and read it. The truth of Jesus spoke to him and changed his life around.
I sin too. I make mistakes in my life that hurt my very essence and effect those around me and yet Jesus takes my imperfection if I allow him to and uses me. And he can use you too.
If perfection was a requirement of being used by God then there is not one of us on this planet good enough for him. But because the grace of God is Forgiveness and he gives everyone who want it the living water he handed to the Samarian woman at the well.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The passing of friends
Over the last two years, I've felt privaledged to have known two women who have been taken by cancer, both of them far too young.Both their funerals had elements of joy in them. Yes there was sadness, but also happiness for their release from suffering and their meeting with the Lord.At one of the funerals, a passage was read that was written by one of the women and I'd like to share that with you. It was how she imagined meeting with God would be.
"I was at an airport once to neet a friend. There were a lot of people there and a lot of noise. A tall man carrying a heavy suitcase walked through from the luggage pick up area into the main concorse. His wife and three year old son were standing right at the back of the crowd of waiting people.
As soon as his son saw him he shouted "daddy" and raced through the crowd at full sprint and launched himself into his dad's arms.They said nothing, but gazed at each other and laughed and laughed.
The busy-people noise had stopped and everyone turned to see what the laughter was all about. I had a lump in my throat and quite a few people had tears in their eyes.
Ever since then, that's how I have imagined what meeting God will be like: to hug each other tightly, look into each others eyes and laugh our heads off."
What a wonderful image. I only hope that when I meet with Jesus it will be just like that!
"I was at an airport once to neet a friend. There were a lot of people there and a lot of noise. A tall man carrying a heavy suitcase walked through from the luggage pick up area into the main concorse. His wife and three year old son were standing right at the back of the crowd of waiting people.
As soon as his son saw him he shouted "daddy" and raced through the crowd at full sprint and launched himself into his dad's arms.They said nothing, but gazed at each other and laughed and laughed.
The busy-people noise had stopped and everyone turned to see what the laughter was all about. I had a lump in my throat and quite a few people had tears in their eyes.
Ever since then, that's how I have imagined what meeting God will be like: to hug each other tightly, look into each others eyes and laugh our heads off."
What a wonderful image. I only hope that when I meet with Jesus it will be just like that!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Who am I?
Who am I,
that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I,
that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Lord I am yours because you paid for me by your death on the cross. Those nails through your hands and feet were the price it cost to buy me back from the claims of hell. Thank you.
that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I,
that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Lord I am yours because you paid for me by your death on the cross. Those nails through your hands and feet were the price it cost to buy me back from the claims of hell. Thank you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friends ~
My Daughter is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment. She's a sensitive little 9 year old and one of her friends has recently moved to a new house 15 miles away. Although she's still attending the same school, it is likely that in the new school year or possibly even sooner this friend will move to a nearer more practical school. For Eden this is tough. Her world is small, she's never gone through the moves and seen that you can come out at the other side.
During my childhood up to the age of 11 I was a frequent mover. A new home meant a new school and then making new friends, there was always that feeling of loss each time you moved, but in time it lessened and you could move on.
As an adult I have moved several times. My biggest move was London to Yorkshire (back to my home village) It was a strange time for me. I had left a handful of very close friends behind and it took me a long time to settle. But eventually I did settle and made some close friends here.
Today I wasn't sure what i was going to post about until I popped up the You tube window and there was this song that fitted so perfectly in Eden's situation.
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy youll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Thank you God for the gift of friendship. For those you give us to be close to. You know both the joys and sorrows of having friends. Help us to be the very best a friend can be: honest, caring, supportive and encouraging. I thank you for the friends I've made through blogging, thankyou for their encouragment and support.
Amen
During my childhood up to the age of 11 I was a frequent mover. A new home meant a new school and then making new friends, there was always that feeling of loss each time you moved, but in time it lessened and you could move on.
As an adult I have moved several times. My biggest move was London to Yorkshire (back to my home village) It was a strange time for me. I had left a handful of very close friends behind and it took me a long time to settle. But eventually I did settle and made some close friends here.
Today I wasn't sure what i was going to post about until I popped up the You tube window and there was this song that fitted so perfectly in Eden's situation.
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy youll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Thank you God for the gift of friendship. For those you give us to be close to. You know both the joys and sorrows of having friends. Help us to be the very best a friend can be: honest, caring, supportive and encouraging. I thank you for the friends I've made through blogging, thankyou for their encouragment and support.
Amen
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Joyful, Joyful
Who can fail to love the movies Sister Act and Sister Act 2. Dispite being written for a secular audience, the story lines are based in a convent and feature lots of "religious" practice.
The songs are full of praise to God. Maybe not all in Christian songs, but in an earthly manner. Songs that can be applied to our relationship to God when we know what to look for. It is our experiences as Christians that allow us to take song such as You raise me up or bridge over troubled water and make them intop acts of praise to God.
Other songs in the movies are re jigged christian songs and anthems. Joyful Joyful is one of those. The lyrics were originally written in 1907 and designed to go with the music ode to joy by Beethoven, and yet so naturally the words flow into this modern interpretation.
Enjoy and worship!
The songs are full of praise to God. Maybe not all in Christian songs, but in an earthly manner. Songs that can be applied to our relationship to God when we know what to look for. It is our experiences as Christians that allow us to take song such as You raise me up or bridge over troubled water and make them intop acts of praise to God.
Other songs in the movies are re jigged christian songs and anthems. Joyful Joyful is one of those. The lyrics were originally written in 1907 and designed to go with the music ode to joy by Beethoven, and yet so naturally the words flow into this modern interpretation.
Enjoy and worship!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Jesus be the centre ~ Michael Frye
Jesus be the centre
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus be the centre
Be my hope, Be my song, Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live, Jesus
Jesus be my vision
be my path, be my guide, Jesus
For without you in all areas of my life I cannot live effectivly for you. I cannot be a "godly" person if I keep earthly desires. I need to hand everything that I am over to you.
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus be the centre
Be my hope, Be my song, Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live, Jesus
Jesus be my vision
be my path, be my guide, Jesus
For without you in all areas of my life I cannot live effectivly for you. I cannot be a "godly" person if I keep earthly desires. I need to hand everything that I am over to you.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter ~ He Has Risen
He has Risen
He is risen indeed Hallelujah
Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I woke with the challange in my head this morning of what song would be right to put on the blog to celebrate this Easter Day.
He is risen indeed Hallelujah
Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I woke with the challange in my head this morning of what song would be right to put on the blog to celebrate this Easter Day.
The song I eventually chose is See What a Morning by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
The words of this song are a celebration of the intricatly woven plan of God that is "bourne in pain, wrought in love and paid in sacrifice. Fulllfilled in Christ the man..... For he lives Christ is risen from the dead!"
He is risen
He is risen indeed ..... Hallelujah!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Still By: Reuben Morgan
"When oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm"
Explanation in the post below.
Approaching Easter ~ The loss
When Jesus died it was the Jewish day of preparation (the day before the sabbath ~ on the sabbath, Jews do no work ~ including burying the dead) Jesus' body was taken down from the cross and because there was no other tomb near by they laid Jesus in a tomb in the Garden belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a secret follower of Christ because he feared the Jews.
Matthew tells us that Pilate ordered guards to seal the tomb and to stand guard. He had heard that Jesus has said "I will rise again in three days" Pilate did not want the disciples to take the body to make it look as though Jesus had risen.
I wonder how Jesus friends and family felt. Over the last few days they had watched Jesus endure horrendous treatment and then to saw him die on the cross. They witnessed his anguish and pain. They'd barely had time to put his body into strips of cloth and into the tomb before the sabbath.
They must have been afraid that Pilate, Caiaphas and the other chief priests and people of the law would not be satisfied with having "got" Jesus. What if they came after the followers of Jesus too. Perhaps they hid away keeping a "low profile"
To loose a friend is a very painful and hard event to go through. To see the empty place at the table, to think ' I must tell him, about it' an then realise that you can't.
We are not told what the disciples did over this time. We do know that Mary the mother of Jesus went with John and was then cared for in his home. I think this must have been a comfort to both of them. When you loose someone it's always a comfort to talk to other people who also knew them and share your loss.
Although Jesus said he would rise again in three days time, and they had witnessed him giving life back to Lazarus and Jairus' daughter and Peters mother in law they would have had doubts that a dead person would rise on his own. On the third day women went to the tomb to anoint the body with spices and if they were expecting Jesus prophesy to come true they'd have had more expectation and wouldn't have felt the need to spice the body.
Father God
To loose a loved one is a devastating experience
Facing each new day is so difficult when you feel the pain
Let the void they have left in my life be filled with happy memories
Wrap your loving arms around me
With your help I can get through each day
Help me let go of the pain.
Amen
Matthew tells us that Pilate ordered guards to seal the tomb and to stand guard. He had heard that Jesus has said "I will rise again in three days" Pilate did not want the disciples to take the body to make it look as though Jesus had risen.
I wonder how Jesus friends and family felt. Over the last few days they had watched Jesus endure horrendous treatment and then to saw him die on the cross. They witnessed his anguish and pain. They'd barely had time to put his body into strips of cloth and into the tomb before the sabbath.
They must have been afraid that Pilate, Caiaphas and the other chief priests and people of the law would not be satisfied with having "got" Jesus. What if they came after the followers of Jesus too. Perhaps they hid away keeping a "low profile"
To loose a friend is a very painful and hard event to go through. To see the empty place at the table, to think ' I must tell him, about it' an then realise that you can't.
We are not told what the disciples did over this time. We do know that Mary the mother of Jesus went with John and was then cared for in his home. I think this must have been a comfort to both of them. When you loose someone it's always a comfort to talk to other people who also knew them and share your loss.
Although Jesus said he would rise again in three days time, and they had witnessed him giving life back to Lazarus and Jairus' daughter and Peters mother in law they would have had doubts that a dead person would rise on his own. On the third day women went to the tomb to anoint the body with spices and if they were expecting Jesus prophesy to come true they'd have had more expectation and wouldn't have felt the need to spice the body.
Father God
To loose a loved one is a devastating experience
Facing each new day is so difficult when you feel the pain
Let the void they have left in my life be filled with happy memories
Wrap your loving arms around me
With your help I can get through each day
Help me let go of the pain.
Amen
Friday, April 10, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ The Crucifiction
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
Today is Good Friday. In many ways it's hard to understand the "good". The son of God killed as a common criminal having endured torture and humiliation and the pain of Crucifixion. For the disciples it must have been very hard indeed. Their leader and friend whipped, tried and crucified. Unlike us, they hadn't the chance to read the end of the book. How much easier for us who have read the end and know the wonderful things to come.
Many Christians world wide will be gathering today to celebrate the death of Jesus, looking forward to Sunday when we can celebrate his Resurrection.
Just imagine the hammer and the nails. The clang as metal connects with metal. That clang representing our reasons for Jesus being nailed to the cross. Because without our sinfulness, the cross would not have been there. With out our wrong doing, the need for this perfect, blameless sacrifice would never have had to be made.
The sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross bought each and everyone of us from the claims of hell.
Thank you Jesus that you died for me.
Thank you that you took my sins on your shoulders and subjected yourself to the nails and the cross.
Jesus, with out you I am nothing. With out you I am lost and wretched.
You died for me because you love me.
Thank you Jesus
Amen
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
Today is Good Friday. In many ways it's hard to understand the "good". The son of God killed as a common criminal having endured torture and humiliation and the pain of Crucifixion. For the disciples it must have been very hard indeed. Their leader and friend whipped, tried and crucified. Unlike us, they hadn't the chance to read the end of the book. How much easier for us who have read the end and know the wonderful things to come.
Many Christians world wide will be gathering today to celebrate the death of Jesus, looking forward to Sunday when we can celebrate his Resurrection.
Just imagine the hammer and the nails. The clang as metal connects with metal. That clang representing our reasons for Jesus being nailed to the cross. Because without our sinfulness, the cross would not have been there. With out our wrong doing, the need for this perfect, blameless sacrifice would never have had to be made.
The sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross bought each and everyone of us from the claims of hell.
Thank you Jesus that you died for me.
Thank you that you took my sins on your shoulders and subjected yourself to the nails and the cross.
Jesus, with out you I am nothing. With out you I am lost and wretched.
You died for me because you love me.
Thank you Jesus
Amen
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Trial
We often read of mistrials and miscarriages of justice. If the judges and lawyers looked into the trial of Jesus, then it might be headlined as the Biggest misscarriage of Justice ever...
Having been passed from pillar to post, he is finally taken to Pilate. Pilate can find nothing worthy of the punishment of death and tries to set Jesus free, But the crowds who days before shouted "Hosanna" shouted for hs crucifiction and when Pilate tries to offer them a murderer "Barabas" they choose the murderer in exchange.
John 19
Pilate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!" They also hit him with their fists.
Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty."
Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him guilty of anything."
The crowd replied, "He claimed to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death."
When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. He went back inside and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer.
"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?"
Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse."
Then Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the Emperor."
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as "The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha."
It was about noon on the day before Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!"
"Kill him! Kill him!" they yelled. "Nail him to a cross!"
"So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked.
The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus was taken away.
Having been passed from pillar to post, he is finally taken to Pilate. Pilate can find nothing worthy of the punishment of death and tries to set Jesus free, But the crowds who days before shouted "Hosanna" shouted for hs crucifiction and when Pilate tries to offer them a murderer "Barabas" they choose the murderer in exchange.
John 19
Pilate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!" They also hit him with their fists.
Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty."
Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him guilty of anything."
The crowd replied, "He claimed to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death."
When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. He went back inside and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer.
"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?"
Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse."
Then Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the Emperor."
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as "The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha."
It was about noon on the day before Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!"
"Kill him! Kill him!" they yelled. "Nail him to a cross!"
"So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked.
The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus was taken away.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Not my will but yours
Today we look at the Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It is night and Jesus takes his disciples to the garden. He leaves them and takes his three friends James, John and Peter further into the garden. He asks them to wait before going further on his own. He is displaying real human emotions. Those of distress and troubledness. How would we feel knowing that a death sentance was hanging over us with a cruel and horrible death awaiting us. But worse still, what if it was your own Father who'd organised it?
Mark 14 32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Jesus asks his Father to let him escape the death, but in doing so he also acknowledges Gods power and control over things.
Jesus returns to Peter, James and John to find them sleeping... this must have added to his hurt. Coudn't they see what he was going through, how could they sleep at a time like this?
He wakes them and then goes off to pray again, but on returning find them sleeping. The disciples can find no words for him.
God gives a great big No to Jesus' request to "take the cup from him". Jesus returns to his freinds, wkes them and stands to see the soldiers and his frined Judas coming into the garden....
Mark 14 32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Jesus asks his Father to let him escape the death, but in doing so he also acknowledges Gods power and control over things.
Jesus returns to Peter, James and John to find them sleeping... this must have added to his hurt. Coudn't they see what he was going through, how could they sleep at a time like this?
He wakes them and then goes off to pray again, but on returning find them sleeping. The disciples can find no words for him.
God gives a great big No to Jesus' request to "take the cup from him". Jesus returns to his freinds, wkes them and stands to see the soldiers and his frined Judas coming into the garden....
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ With Friends like these ....
With Friends like these, who needs enemies?
Ever felt let down by your friends?
Perhaps you felt like they let you down, didn't do what you thought they would, broke a confidence.
Jesus had friends and followers, then there were twelve appointed friends who were like his best friends. The ones he could trust and that he went places and did things with.Today's post looks particularly at two of those friends Peter and Judas.
Judas. He was known among the disciples to be light fingered. he carried the money bag around and was known for dipping his hand in to it. Jesus knew his imperfections and yet still held him dear.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' Said Jesus at the last supper. He was referring to Judas. he knew that Judas was going to betray him.
Jesus was aware of how the next few days were going to pan out.After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
John 13 18 - 30
Jesus Friend problems didn't end there either. His friend Peter would also play out a role. That of disowning Jesus.
Peter said: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22 34.
Even though Jesus was in full knowledge of these facts, I'm sure the pain he felt at these Revelations must have been great.
Ever felt let down by your friends?
Perhaps you felt like they let you down, didn't do what you thought they would, broke a confidence.
Jesus had friends and followers, then there were twelve appointed friends who were like his best friends. The ones he could trust and that he went places and did things with.Today's post looks particularly at two of those friends Peter and Judas.
Judas. He was known among the disciples to be light fingered. he carried the money bag around and was known for dipping his hand in to it. Jesus knew his imperfections and yet still held him dear.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' Said Jesus at the last supper. He was referring to Judas. he knew that Judas was going to betray him.
Jesus was aware of how the next few days were going to pan out.After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
John 13 18 - 30
Jesus Friend problems didn't end there either. His friend Peter would also play out a role. That of disowning Jesus.
Peter said: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22 34.
Even though Jesus was in full knowledge of these facts, I'm sure the pain he felt at these Revelations must have been great.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Washing Feet
John 13 1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
It was just before the Passover Feast.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"Jesus answered,
"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Washing feet was an honor that a good host awarded to his guests. Sandals were the standard foot wear and the dusty roads meant that people were often glad to have this service offered to them. It was a refreshing thing.
When Jesus offered to wash his disciples fee, he was met with horror. peter could not imagine Jesus washing his feet. But Jesus explained that he had come to Earth, not to serve, but to be a servant. Of course, we know that he then goes on to offer the most subservient service of all and give his life for us.
Although he'd predicted his death to his disciples, I'm sure that none of them fully understood.
Jesus says "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you" What we do for others, we are doing for Jesus.
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
It was just before the Passover Feast.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"Jesus answered,
"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Washing feet was an honor that a good host awarded to his guests. Sandals were the standard foot wear and the dusty roads meant that people were often glad to have this service offered to them. It was a refreshing thing.
When Jesus offered to wash his disciples fee, he was met with horror. peter could not imagine Jesus washing his feet. But Jesus explained that he had come to Earth, not to serve, but to be a servant. Of course, we know that he then goes on to offer the most subservient service of all and give his life for us.
Although he'd predicted his death to his disciples, I'm sure that none of them fully understood.
Jesus says "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you" What we do for others, we are doing for Jesus.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ The Triumphal Entry
Mark chapter 11 V 1 - 10
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Today is Palm Sunday. The day when we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. It might be thought that a donkey would not befit a king and wouldn't a fine horse be better suited. The fact that a donkey is used shows us that Jesus came in Peace. Donkeys were used in civilian life whereas horses were used more in War situations. The donkey was a young colt and had probably never been rode on before. The Fact that the owner of the donkey allowed Jesus to use it shows the respect he had for Jesus.
Hosanna means "O save us" Once people knew that Jesus was coming they ran to see him. They had heard that he had raised Lazerus from the dead. Belief was fast spreading that Jesus was the Messiah (the saviour) they'd been waiting for. They shouted about his decendancy from David.
What great value they gave to Jesus they spread their clothes on the floor to be trampled underfoot. Clothes in that period of time were a very valuable commodity. They also took palm branches and waved them shouting "Hosanna"
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Today is Palm Sunday. The day when we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. It might be thought that a donkey would not befit a king and wouldn't a fine horse be better suited. The fact that a donkey is used shows us that Jesus came in Peace. Donkeys were used in civilian life whereas horses were used more in War situations. The donkey was a young colt and had probably never been rode on before. The Fact that the owner of the donkey allowed Jesus to use it shows the respect he had for Jesus.
Hosanna means "O save us" Once people knew that Jesus was coming they ran to see him. They had heard that he had raised Lazerus from the dead. Belief was fast spreading that Jesus was the Messiah (the saviour) they'd been waiting for. They shouted about his decendancy from David.
What great value they gave to Jesus they spread their clothes on the floor to be trampled underfoot. Clothes in that period of time were a very valuable commodity. They also took palm branches and waved them shouting "Hosanna"
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Jesus what a wonder you are ~ Maranatha Singers
Picture Mary sitting at Jesus feet, having poured out the perfume on to them. ..........
Approaching Easter ~ Jesus is Annointed
With Holy Week starting tomorrow, I thought I'd dedicate the posts into the story line of the build up to Easter.
Jesus had some close friends based in Bethany. Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were brother and sisters.
John 12
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. (Earlier in John we read about how Jesus raised Lazerus from the dead.)
Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (Mary took the expensive perfume and apoured it on to the feet of Jesus. Was she annointing him in preparation for death?)
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (a thief and yet one of Jesus' disciples)
"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (Jesus predicts his death)
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. (Lazarus has become famous among the Jews for being raised from the dead. He's a bit of a celebrity)
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, (He was known to the cheif priests)
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
(Lazarus was spreading the news about Jesus being the son of God and people were listening and changing).
Jesus had some close friends based in Bethany. Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were brother and sisters.
John 12
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. (Earlier in John we read about how Jesus raised Lazerus from the dead.)
Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (Mary took the expensive perfume and apoured it on to the feet of Jesus. Was she annointing him in preparation for death?)
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (a thief and yet one of Jesus' disciples)
"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (Jesus predicts his death)
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. (Lazarus has become famous among the Jews for being raised from the dead. He's a bit of a celebrity)
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, (He was known to the cheif priests)
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
(Lazarus was spreading the news about Jesus being the son of God and people were listening and changing).
Friday, April 3, 2009
With All I am ~ Hillsong
Into Your hands
I commit again (again ... I keep turning back to youand you keep accepting me)
With all I am, (not worthy of your love)
for You, Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand (I am so insignificant, but you hold me in your loving care)
And I am Yours forever (I give my life to you)
Jesus I believe in You Jesus
I belong to You You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am (with out you I am nothing... with you I am loved and accepted and have reason)
I’ll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I’ll trust in You (you share my joys and sorrows)
And I will live
In all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever
I will worship
I will worship You
I commit again (again ... I keep turning back to youand you keep accepting me)
With all I am, (not worthy of your love)
for You, Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand (I am so insignificant, but you hold me in your loving care)
And I am Yours forever (I give my life to you)
Jesus I believe in You Jesus
I belong to You You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am (with out you I am nothing... with you I am loved and accepted and have reason)
I’ll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I’ll trust in You (you share my joys and sorrows)
And I will live
In all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever
I will worship
I will worship You
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Lord have mercy ~ Michael W Smith with Amy Grant
Psalm 86 v3 -.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
You are forgiving and good,
O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave
The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life—
men without regard for you.
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.
Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
You are forgiving and good,
O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave
The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life—
men without regard for you.
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.
Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Mary Did you know?
Mary did you know is traditionally seen as a song for Christmas time, but with it being Mothering Sunday (mothers day) in the UK yesterday I'd thought that today I would focus on the Mother of Christ.
Mary, Did you know?
This song never fails to make me think what joy and pain motherhood can inflict upon a woman. Mary allowed herself to have that pain inflicted upon her when she said "let it be acording to your will" in response to being told that she would bear Gods son.
I truely wonder whether she could have really understood what this entailed or indeed, whether when she was living through the tring times of her sons childhood she could understand what it all meant.
As a young girl, unmarried and being told "you have been chosen" cannot have been easy. There would have been ridicule, rumours and disowning to deal with.
One day the family had joined a pilgrimage to the temple in jerusalem. On the return home, there were a lot of people travelling together and after a full days travel, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was "lost". What terror must have gone through her mind. I remember my little sister being lost on the beach in France when we were little. Seeing my parents fear and then their joy at being reunited with a small teary faced child, glad to be safe back in the arms of her mum. and yet when Mary found Jesus he was happily sitting in the temple discussing deep subjects with some teachers. His response is not that of a lost child. He says "did you not know I would be in my Fathers house" How Mary must have felt at that I don't know.
Later in Jesus life we see Mary, along with her son at the wedding in Canan. Here she has great faith in her son. She tells the servants "do as he tells you". Jesus then performs his first public miracle. How proud she must have been.
Then picture her seeing her son captured, tried, publically flogged and led through the streets carrying his cross. How her heart must have broken, the pain she had to bear. I can't begin to imagine that sorrow at seeing her child be placed upon a cross and to hear his cries.
Seeing Jackie, the mother of Jade Goody (UK - 27 year old reality TV star) standing at the gates of her daughters home over recent weeks, sharing what is happening as her daughter battles with ravaging cancer, it is plain to see how devastating it is to see a child dying. Jade passed away in the arly hours of the morning on Mothers Day, a week after being batized along side her sons.
Adrian Snells song "Son of the world" echo's the sentiments in the song above.
Sonof my heart where are you roaming?
I have wandered many paths in search of you
Rising with the sun as the early flowers open
You wander lonely through our country
With words I cannot understand
Son of my heart.
Son of my life I love you dearly
Love so deep I don't know how to say
I want you close to my heart and walking by me
Yet ways are strange,
your people change
Son of my life,
Son of the world I was your mother
Mine was the pain that once unlocked you to the world
And now I see a stranger held in chains and taken from me
What words remain when daylight fades
Son of the world.
Father God
We ask that you bless mothers everywhere.
You saw your own mothers pain as she saw you grow to manhood. You understand the frustrations, pains and joys that Mothers go through.
Be a comfort to mothers who suffer loss of their children through death or circumstances.
Heal relationships between mothers and children and restore the love.
Thank you for the gift of children that turn us from womanhood to motherhood. Let our children be a blessing to us and let us share your love with them.
Amen
Mary, Did you know?
This song never fails to make me think what joy and pain motherhood can inflict upon a woman. Mary allowed herself to have that pain inflicted upon her when she said "let it be acording to your will" in response to being told that she would bear Gods son.
I truely wonder whether she could have really understood what this entailed or indeed, whether when she was living through the tring times of her sons childhood she could understand what it all meant.
As a young girl, unmarried and being told "you have been chosen" cannot have been easy. There would have been ridicule, rumours and disowning to deal with.
One day the family had joined a pilgrimage to the temple in jerusalem. On the return home, there were a lot of people travelling together and after a full days travel, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was "lost". What terror must have gone through her mind. I remember my little sister being lost on the beach in France when we were little. Seeing my parents fear and then their joy at being reunited with a small teary faced child, glad to be safe back in the arms of her mum. and yet when Mary found Jesus he was happily sitting in the temple discussing deep subjects with some teachers. His response is not that of a lost child. He says "did you not know I would be in my Fathers house" How Mary must have felt at that I don't know.
Later in Jesus life we see Mary, along with her son at the wedding in Canan. Here she has great faith in her son. She tells the servants "do as he tells you". Jesus then performs his first public miracle. How proud she must have been.
Then picture her seeing her son captured, tried, publically flogged and led through the streets carrying his cross. How her heart must have broken, the pain she had to bear. I can't begin to imagine that sorrow at seeing her child be placed upon a cross and to hear his cries.
Seeing Jackie, the mother of Jade Goody (UK - 27 year old reality TV star) standing at the gates of her daughters home over recent weeks, sharing what is happening as her daughter battles with ravaging cancer, it is plain to see how devastating it is to see a child dying. Jade passed away in the arly hours of the morning on Mothers Day, a week after being batized along side her sons.
Adrian Snells song "Son of the world" echo's the sentiments in the song above.
Sonof my heart where are you roaming?
I have wandered many paths in search of you
Rising with the sun as the early flowers open
You wander lonely through our country
With words I cannot understand
Son of my heart.
Son of my life I love you dearly
Love so deep I don't know how to say
I want you close to my heart and walking by me
Yet ways are strange,
your people change
Son of my life,
Son of the world I was your mother
Mine was the pain that once unlocked you to the world
And now I see a stranger held in chains and taken from me
What words remain when daylight fades
Son of the world.
Father God
We ask that you bless mothers everywhere.
You saw your own mothers pain as she saw you grow to manhood. You understand the frustrations, pains and joys that Mothers go through.
Be a comfort to mothers who suffer loss of their children through death or circumstances.
Heal relationships between mothers and children and restore the love.
Thank you for the gift of children that turn us from womanhood to motherhood. Let our children be a blessing to us and let us share your love with them.
Amen
Thursday, March 19, 2009
In his time
Ecc.3 v1-8
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
This beautiful song speaks about how God can turn mourning into dancing, how he'll make all things beautiful but it will be in his time, not ours. This really means that we need to hold strong to the promise he gives us, as all too often we expect imediate answers to our prayers and we expect them to be answered in the way that we want rather than the sometimes creative way that God chooses to answer them.
Verse one begins "In his time" but as the song is sung we see a deepening of the personal realtionship with God as the words change to "In your time".
In His time, in His time,
He makes all thing beautiful in
His time.Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing,
in Your time.
In Your time,
in Your time,
You make all thing beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing,
in Your time.
Ecc 3 v11
"He has made every thing beautiful in his time"
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
This beautiful song speaks about how God can turn mourning into dancing, how he'll make all things beautiful but it will be in his time, not ours. This really means that we need to hold strong to the promise he gives us, as all too often we expect imediate answers to our prayers and we expect them to be answered in the way that we want rather than the sometimes creative way that God chooses to answer them.
Verse one begins "In his time" but as the song is sung we see a deepening of the personal realtionship with God as the words change to "In your time".
In His time, in His time,
He makes all thing beautiful in
His time.Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing,
in Your time.
In Your time,
in Your time,
You make all thing beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing,
in Your time.
Ecc 3 v11
"He has made every thing beautiful in his time"
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Alpha and Omega ~ Adrian Snell
Alpha and Omega ~ The first and the last.
This song is based on many of the words spoken by Jesus.
John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14 v10 " I am in the Father and the Father is in me"
John 12 v 36 "Whoever serves me must follow me"
"Come to me with your burdens and I will give you rest"
This song is based on many of the words spoken by Jesus.
John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14 v10 " I am in the Father and the Father is in me"
John 12 v 36 "Whoever serves me must follow me"
"Come to me with your burdens and I will give you rest"
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Bridge over troubled water ~ Paul Simon
Again, this song was not written as a song for God, but the words are very fitting to the way God talks to us.
Isaiah 49 v 13
Shout for joy, O heavens;
rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
When youre weary,
feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all; (because I know what you are feeling)
Im on your side. (I'm by your side)
when times get rough (I've been through rough times)
And friends just cant be found, (my friends turned their back on me too)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (I lay down on the cross for you)
When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
Ill take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around, (I've been in the darkness, I've suffered the pain for you)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (I lay down on the cross for you and I will pick you up and carry you accross the troubled water of your life.)
The lord comforts his people and will have compassion for the afflicted
Isaiah 49 v 13
Shout for joy, O heavens;
rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
When youre weary,
feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all; (because I know what you are feeling)
Im on your side. (I'm by your side)
when times get rough (I've been through rough times)
And friends just cant be found, (my friends turned their back on me too)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (I lay down on the cross for you)
When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
Ill take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around, (I've been in the darkness, I've suffered the pain for you)
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down. (I lay down on the cross for you and I will pick you up and carry you accross the troubled water of your life.)
The lord comforts his people and will have compassion for the afflicted
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I call you faithful ~ Donnie McClurkin
Rev 1 V8 I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Donnie McClurkin wrote this song as a simple reflection on the many facets that God has to us. Bet you'll be singing it all day. see how many more thing you can add to the list!
I call you holy
Your name is holy
You are so holy to me
I call you holy
Your name is holy holy you are and holy you'll be.
I call you Righteous ...
I call you awesome ....
I call you faithful ....
I call you healer ...
I call you saviour ....
I call you all that ....
Thank you father that you are so many things to me. Thank you that you are able to meet every need I have. You are everything to me.
Donnie McClurkin wrote this song as a simple reflection on the many facets that God has to us. Bet you'll be singing it all day. see how many more thing you can add to the list!
I call you holy
Your name is holy
You are so holy to me
I call you holy
Your name is holy holy you are and holy you'll be.
I call you Righteous ...
I call you awesome ....
I call you faithful ....
I call you healer ...
I call you saviour ....
I call you all that ....
Thank you father that you are so many things to me. Thank you that you are able to meet every need I have. You are everything to me.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
We Bow Down ~ Viola Grafstrom
2 Corinthians 9:8-9
And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
You are all I need
It's your face I seek
In the presence of your light
we bow down
we bow down
We bow down
and confess
You are Lord in this place
And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
As it is written:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.
You are all I need
It's your face I seek
In the presence of your light
we bow down
we bow down
We bow down
and confess
You are Lord in this place
Friday, March 6, 2009
Above All Powers ~ Baloche and Le Blanc
The verse of this song is based on the passage I Chronicles 29 V 11
Yours, O LORD,
is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
There's no way to measure what you're worth ......
Crucified ......You died
you lay behind the stone ..... you were burried
You lived to die .... you were sent in human form to this earth with the sole intention of saving us
rejected and alone .... you knew what it was like to feel rejected and ostracisied and at the hour of your death, you felt that even your own father had "forsken you"
like a rose trampled on the ground
you took the fall ... it was for my sins you died
and thought of me ... you took my punishment
Above all
Thank you father for your love for me
Thank you Jesus that you died for me
Thank you Spirit that you're here with me
And I love you. I love you
Yours, O LORD,
is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
There's no way to measure what you're worth ......
Crucified ......You died
you lay behind the stone ..... you were burried
You lived to die .... you were sent in human form to this earth with the sole intention of saving us
rejected and alone .... you knew what it was like to feel rejected and ostracisied and at the hour of your death, you felt that even your own father had "forsken you"
like a rose trampled on the ground
you took the fall ... it was for my sins you died
and thought of me ... you took my punishment
Above all
Thank you father for your love for me
Thank you Jesus that you died for me
Thank you Spirit that you're here with me
And I love you. I love you
Thursday, March 5, 2009
We Fall down ~ Chris Tomlin
The words to this chris Tomlin song are of absolute surrender and worship.
In the bible we are constantly told of people falling down at the feet of Jesus in both reverence, fear and worship.
In Luke 8 v 28 The man who was posssesed by an evil spirit," saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!"
and then in verse 35. and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
in the same chapter v41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house.
Luke 17 v 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
The feet of Jesus is a place where we can come in what ever situation we find ourself. whether we are burdened or thankful.
We fall down
we lay our crowns
at the feet of Jesus
The greatness of mercy and love
at the feet of Jesus
We cry Holy Holy Holy
we cry Holy Holy Holy
and we cry Holy Holy Holy is the Lamb
And the wonderful thing is that Jesus knows just why we are at his feet. he knows our joys and our sorrows and he shares then with us.
In the bible we are constantly told of people falling down at the feet of Jesus in both reverence, fear and worship.
In Luke 8 v 28 The man who was posssesed by an evil spirit," saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!"
and then in verse 35. and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
in the same chapter v41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house.
Luke 17 v 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
The feet of Jesus is a place where we can come in what ever situation we find ourself. whether we are burdened or thankful.
We fall down
we lay our crowns
at the feet of Jesus
The greatness of mercy and love
at the feet of Jesus
We cry Holy Holy Holy
we cry Holy Holy Holy
and we cry Holy Holy Holy is the Lamb
And the wonderful thing is that Jesus knows just why we are at his feet. he knows our joys and our sorrows and he shares then with us.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Fathers Song ~ Mat Redman
Zephaniah 3 v 17
The Lord your God is with you
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing
The words of Matt Redmans song take this verse from the bible and make it into a personal statement. The comforting words of Love spoken to us by Gods words and actions imprint his love in our hearts.
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Fathers song
The Fathers love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It's written on my heart
Heavens perfect melody
The Creators symphony
You are singing over me
The Fathers son
Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Fathers song
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Fathers song
The Fathers love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It's written on my heart
The Lord your God is with you
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing
The words of Matt Redmans song take this verse from the bible and make it into a personal statement. The comforting words of Love spoken to us by Gods words and actions imprint his love in our hearts.
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Fathers song
The Fathers love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It's written on my heart
Heavens perfect melody
The Creators symphony
You are singing over me
The Fathers son
Heavens perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you're singing over me
The Fathers song
I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all
The Fathers song
The Fathers love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It's written on my heart
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Still ~ Reuban Morgan
The scriptural base for it is Psalm 46
v2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with the surging.
v10 Be still and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the heavens.
How wonderful that our God surrounds us with his wings of love.
Like the little ducklings or chicks return to their mother and she protects them, cuddles then warm and safe in her soft feathers, so we too can turn to God knowing he will be there for us.
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
Thankyou Lord that you are there for us. That you wrap your loving arms around us. Loving arms that once wrapped the whole world in love as you hung on the cross.
Lord we pray that we will feel you near to us as we face challenges in our lives.
Amen
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