DARK DAYS

Snippet

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens. J. R. R. Tolkien

Scripture

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John 3:18-20 NIV

Song

Dark Days by Punch Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-u3JD-inYA

Mother, listen to my heart.

Mother, listen to my heart,

Just as one beat ends, another starts.

You can hear no matter where you are

Sister, hide our love away

From the evil we both know.

[Chorus]

It can see you through these dark days,

Though they seem to darken as I go.

Our love will see us through these dark, dark days sister,

'Til it lights the way back home.

Sister, hide our love away.

It can turn the whole world upside down,

Shake it 'til the sky falls to the ground.

We don't have to reap the fear they sow,

Friends, as long as we hide our love away,

In the good they'll never know.

[Chorus]

It can see us through these dark days,

Though they seem to darken as we go.

Our love will see us through these dark, dark days sister,

'Til it lights the way back home.

Sister, hide our love away.

Mother, listen to my heart,

Just as one beats ends, another starts.

You can hear no matter where you are.

Sentence Prayer

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams. Saint Augustine

INTEGRITY

Snippet

Character is who you are when no one is looking

Scripture

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Ps 25:21 KJV

Song

You’ve Got to stand for something 

by Aaron Tippen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_s-Qk07KxA

Now Daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along

Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on

He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light

But you could always find him standing up

For what he thought was right

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house

If Daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backing down

But we always had plenty just living his advice

Whatever you do today you'll have to sleep with tonight

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days

But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string

Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Sentence Prayer

Father, Just today let my yes be yes and my no be no! Help me keep my word to you and my neighbor.  Jesus, wash away all hypocrisy by my life.  Holy Spirit reveal to me anything that is offensive to you Help me to stand for the way, the truth and the life you have called us too. Amen!

EYES

Snippet

Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living? Bob Marley

Scripture

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. Proverbs 20:11,12 KJV

Song

"Eyes Wide Open" By Gotye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVJsg0XIIk

With our eyes wide open, we...

With our eyes wide open, we...

So this is the end of the story,

Everything we had, everything we did,

Is buried in dust,

And this dust is all that's left of us.

But only a few ever worried.

Well the signs were clear, they had no idea.

You just get used to living in fear,

Or give up when you can't even picture your future.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

(Walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...)

Yeah, we walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

(Walk the plank with our eyes wide open.)

Some people offered up answers.

We made out like we heard, they were only words.

They didn't add up to a change in the way we were living,

And the saddest thing is all of it could have been avoided.

But it was like to stop consuming's to stop being human,

And why would I make a change if you won't?

We're all in the same boat, staying afloat for the moment.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

(Walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...)

Yeah we walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

(Walk the plank with our eyes wide open.)

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open,

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open,

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

With our eyes wide open, we walk the plank, we walk the plank.

With our eyes wide open, we walk the plank, we walk the plank, we walk the plank.

With our eyes wide open, we walk the plank, we walk the plank.

That was the end of the story.

Sentence Prayer

Father, help me to wonder at the eye you have made that sees what is seen and unseen.  Teach me to pluck from my eye, all the distractions that keep me from the life I was created for.  Holy Spirit fill my eye with all that is worthy of sight.  Amen

YOUTH

Snippet

It takes a very long time to become young.” ― Pablo Picasso

Scripture

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:21, 22 NLT

Song

"Disparate Youth"

Santigold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIMMZQJ1H6E

Don't look ahead, there's stormy weather

Another roadblock in our way

But if we go, we go together

Our hands are tied here if we stay

Oh, we said our dreams will carry us

And if they don’t fly we will run

Now we push right past to find out

Oh, how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah

We know now we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

Oh ah, oh ah

We know that we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

So let them say we won't do better

Lay out the rules that we can't break

They wanna sit and watch you wither

Their legacy's too hard to take

Oh, we said our dreams will carry us

And if they don’t fly we will run

Now we push right past to find out

Oh, how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah

We know now we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

Oh ah, oh ah

We know that we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

In their heads, hedging their bets

In their eyes it shows

When the beacon breaks, what then?

You ask and they don't know

Oh tell me that

I turn my back well the odds all stand beneath me

And they all said I was mislead

But now the odds all stand beneath me

Oh ah, oh ah

They're frozen to the core

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

Oh, we said our dreams will carry us

And if they don’t fly we will run

Now we push right past to find out

Oh, how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah

We know now we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

Oh ah, oh ah

We know that we want more

Oh ah, oh ah

A life worth fighting for

(We hear them run, but don't hear what you say

Now here we come, can't throw nothing in our way

We hear them run, but don't hear what you say

Now here we come, can't throw nothing in our way)

Sentence Prayer

I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time in my youth, you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation, through your son Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection.  Amen  (Based on Psalms 69:13)

WINGS

Snippet

Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings. Victor Hugo 

Scripture

Look up into the heavens.

    Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army, one after another,

    calling each by its name.

Because of his great power and incomparable strength,

    not a single one is missing.

27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?

    O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

28 Have you never heard?

    Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

29 He gives power to the weak

    and strength to the powerless.

30 Even youths will become weak and tired,

    and young men will fall in exhaustion.

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

    They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

    They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:26-31 NLT

Song

Wings Little Mix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwNJwz2-a8U

[All:]

Mama told me not to waste my life

She said spread your wings my little butterfly

Don't let what they say keep you up at night

And if they give you shhhh...

Then they can walk on by

[Jesy:]

My feet, feet can't touch the ground

And I can't hear a sound

But you just keep on running up your mouth yeah

[Jade:]

Walk, walk on over there

'Cause I'm too fly to care, oh yeah

[All:]

Your words don't mean a thing

I'm not listening

Keep talking, all I know is

Mama told me not to waste my life,

She said spread your wings my little butterfly

Don't let what they say keep you up at night

And they can't detain you

'Cause wings are made to fly

And we don't let nobody bring us down

No matter what you say it won't hurt me

Don't matter if I fall from the sky

These wings are made to fly

(Hey, hey, woo!)

[Perrie:]

I'm firing up on that runway

I know we're gonna get there someday

But we don't need no ready steady go, no

[Leigh-Anne:]

Talk, talk turns into air

And I don't even care, oh yeah

[All:]

Your words don't mean a thing

I'm not listening

Keep talking, all I know is

Mama told me not to waste my life,

She said spread your wings my little butterfly

Don't let what they say keep you up at night,

And they can't detain you

'Cause wings are made to fly

And we don't let nobody bring us down

No matter what you say it won't hurt me

Don't matter if I fall from the sky

These wings are made to fly

I don't need no one saying hey, hey, hey, hey

I don't hear no one saying hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

You better keep on walking

I don't wanna hear your talking, boy'd

You better keep on walking

I don't wanna hear your talking, boy'd

Your words don't mean a thing

I'm not listening

They're just like water off my wings

Mama told me not to waste my life

She said spread your wings my little butterfly (my little butterfly)

Don't let what they say keep you up at night

And they can't detain you

'Cause wings are made to fly

And we don't let nobody bring us down

No matter what you say it won't hurt me

Don't matter if I fall from the sky

These wings are made to fly

And we don't let nobody bring us down

No matter what you say it won't hurt me

Don't matter if I fall from the sky

These wings are made to fly

Sentence Prayer

Father;  Maker of tiny wings of a hummingbird and the mighty wings of an eagle.  Father when the arrows fly let me fly to you.  Protect and care for me as I rest in your hollow.  Renew me so I may not lose my life in pettiness.  Help me to wait upon the Lord, so I can navigate the winds of this life.  Amen!

TREES

Snippet

Jack Pines. . . are not lumber trees [and they] wont win many beautie contests either.  But to me this valiant old tree, solitary on it’s own rocky point, is as a beautiul living thing can be. . . In the caligraphy of it’s shape against the sky is written strength of character and perseverence , survival of wind, drought, cold, heat, disease . . . in it’s silence it speaks of. . . wholeness. . .an integrity that comes from being who you are.  Douglas Wood Fawn Island (Minneapolis; university of Minesota press, 2001 pg 3,4’

Scripture

After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.  Genesis 21:32-34

Song

Mighty Oak Tree By Hank Williams Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0yz1cUexKc

Like Mighty Oak Trees

They line a shaded well worn path

They're the souls that have walked beside me

And I can see that looking back

Friends that stood by me

Right up to the last

Like Mighty Oak Trees, that help me walk this well worn path.

Down by the waters

Of a stream that never ends

They shelter me from the noon day sun and guard me from the wind

I close my eyes and I can see them all once again

Like Mighty Oak Trees, down by that stream that never ends.

Strong and always there when I needed them the most

You know they're rooted way down deep in my soul

I think about them all the time when I'm out on the road

And every night when I lay down I know I'm looking up at Mighty Oak Trees

Like Mighty Oak Trees

They have stood the test of time

They were always there to lean on

When strength was hard to find

I just hope that one day you're lucky enough to find

Mighty Oak Trees

Mighty Oak Trees like those rowdy friends of mine....

Sentence Prayer

Father Make me an oak of righteousness,

Your plant spread my branches upward pointing to your splendor.  Amen

HOLY SPIRIT SELF-STUDY GUIDE NINE

Holy Spirit Self Study Guide 9

Monday & Tuesday

How many Spiritual Gifts are there?  (See Please read Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:8-1, I    Corinthians 12:4-10; 28-30 and 1 Peter 4:7-11.  Please list them and then note if they were miraculous or not?

Wednesday

Read Article on Miracles In International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/M/miracle.html

By definition are Miracles a common or uncommon way God Works?

Thursday

What is the purpose of all spiritual gifts?

Romans 12:5

Ephesians 4:12

1 Corinthians 12:7

1 Peter 4:11

According to the purposes what would indicate a gift is not from God? (I.E. Unhelpful to other ETC)

Friday

Read 1 Corinthians 13  What is the greatest spiritual gift of all?

Saturday

Prayerfully Read through 1 Corinthians 12-14

What were some of the Abuses of Spiritual Gifts and Worship in Corinth?

Sunday

Prayerfully Read through I Corinthians 12-14

What are some actions God’s people are to take using Spiritual Gifts and Worshiping in as a body?

LET THE DAY BEGIN!

Snippet

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scripture

The stone the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone;

the Lord has done this,

    and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Lord has done it this very day;

    let us rejoice today and be glad.

 Lord, save us!

    Lord, grant us success! Psalms 118:22-25 NIV

Song

Let the Day Begin Black Rebel Motorcycle club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaaP_TjBPZo

Here’s to the babies in a blind new world,

Here’s to the beauty of the stars

Here’s to the travelers on the open world

Here’s to the dreamers in the bars

Here’s to the teachers in the crowded rooms

Here’s to the workers in the fields

Here’s to the ṗreachers of the sacred word

Here’s to the drivers at the wheels

Here’s to you my love let the day begin

Here’s to you my love with blessings from above, let the day begin

Here’s to the winners of the human race,

Here’s to the losers in the game

Here’s to the soldiers of the bitter world

Here’s to the water that’s their names

Here’s to you my love let the day begin

Here’s to you my love with blessings from above, let the day begin

Day begin, day begin, day start.

Here’s to the doctors and their healing work

Here’s to the loved ones in the can

Here’s to the strangers on the streets tonight

Here’s to the lonely everywhere

Here’s to the whistle from the mouths of bets

Here’s to the lions and their kids

Here’s to the struggles of the silent war

Here’s to the clouding of age

Here’s to you my little love, let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love, let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love, let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love, let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love with blessings from above

Let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love with blessings from above

Let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love with blessings from above

Let the day begin

Here’s to you my little love with blessings from above

Let the day begin

Sentence Prayer

Eternal God,

Grant to us this day and every day

Such readiness and delight in following Christ,

That whether our lives are short or long

We shall have lived abundantly.

Amen.