IT'S A GIRL!

Snippet

The idea that no one is perfect is a view most commonly held by people with no grandchildren. 

~Doug Larson

Scripture

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

 My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

 Were I to count them,

    they would outnumber the grains of sand—

    when I awake, I am still with you.  Psalms 139:13-18 NIV

Song

"All-American Girl" Carrie Underwood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36xv75MJ4U

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Since the day they got married

He'd been praying for a little baby boy

Someone he could take fishing

Throw the football, be his pride and joy

He could already see him holding that trophy

Taking his team to state

But when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket

All those big dreams changed

And now, he's wrapped around her finger

She's the center of his whole world

And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect

All-American girl

Sixteen short years later

She was falling for the senior football star

Before you knew it he was dropping passes

Skipping practice just to spend more time with her

The coach said, "Hey, son, what's your problem

Tell me have you lost your mind?

Daddy said you'll lose your free ride to college.

Boy, you better tell her goodbye."

But now, he's wrapped around her finger

She's the center of his whole world

And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect

All-American

And when they got married and decided to have one of their own

She said, "Be honest, tell me what you want?"

And he said, "Honey, you ought to know...

A sweet, little, beautiful one just-a like you.

I want a beautiful, wonderful, perfect all-American..."

Now he's wrapped around her finger

She's the center of his whole world

And his heart belongs to that sweet, little, beautiful, wonderful, perfect

All-American girl

All-American girl

Sentence Prayer

Sarah;

May your day be filled with blessings

Like the sun that lights the sky,

And may you always have the courage

To spread your wings and fly!  

(Read more at: Http://www.faithandworship.com/Celtic_Blessings_and_Prayers.htm#ixzz2UxqlUwa9

Under Creative Commons License: Attribution)

Father

Thank you for the Miraculous gift of life.

Every birth is new hope to this fallen world.  Amen!

THE AWFUL GRACE OF GOD!

Snippet

He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. Aeschylus

Scripture

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:7-9 NIV

Song

"What Doesn't Kill You" Kelly Clarkson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I

You know the bed feels warmer

Sleeping here alone

You know I dream in color

And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me

Think you've had the last laugh

Bet you think that everything good is gone

Think you left me broken down

Think that I'd come running back

Baby, you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong

[chorus]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

[bridge]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself, and I

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new

They told you I was moving on, over you

You didn't think that I'd come back

I'd come back swinging

You tried to break me, but you see

[repeat chorus]

[repeat bridge]

Thanks to you I got a new thing started

Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted

Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me

You know in the end the day you left is just my beginning

In the end

[repeat chorus]

[repeat bridge x2]

I'm not alone

Sentence Prayer

Father,

Use my tears

To water a garden of eternal life.  Amen

WE WILL NOT BE SHAKEN

Snippet

The most important thing about any one of us is not

what we do but what God does, not what we do for 

God but what God does for us. Eugene Peterson 

Practice resurrection pg 80

Scripture

For God alone my soul waits in silence;

    from him comes my salvation.

 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall never be shaken. Psalms 62:1,2 NRSV

Song

"We Won't Be Shaken" by building 429

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDYWOH-q-RI

This world has nothing for me

This life is not my own

I know You go before me and I am not alone

This mountain rises higher

The way seems so unclear

But I know that You go with me so I will never fear

I will trust in You

Whatever will come our way

Through fire or pouring rain

We won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

Whatever tomorrow brings

Together we'll rise and sing

That we won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

No we won't be shaken

You know my every longing

You've heard my every prayer

You've held me in my weakness

Cause You are always there

So I'll stand in full surrender

It's Your way and not my own

My mind is set on nothing less

Than You and You alone

I will not be moved oh

Whatever will come our way

Through fire or pouring rain

We won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

Whatever tomorrow brings

Together we'll rise and sing

That we won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

We will trust in You

We will not be moved

We will trust in You

And we won't be shaken

[x3]

No we won't be shaken

Whatever will come our way

Through fire or pouring rain

We won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

Whatever tomorrow brings

Together we'll rise and sing

That we won't be shaken

No we won't be shaken

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

No we won't be shaken

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

Oooh oooh oh

No we won't be shaken

Sentence Prayer

Father,

You did not send Jesus to die on the cross

To make us safe

Jesus,

You died on the cross to make us dangerous.

Holy Spirit,

Empower and Equip us to wreak havoc on the enemy

Amen

FAITHFUL -FAITHLESS

Snippet  

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

Scripture

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

If we endure, we will also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself 2 Timothy 2:8-13 NASB

Song

Little Black Submarines The Black Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wklgehHnDE

Little black submarines

Operator please

Put me back on the line

Told my girl I'd be back

Operator please

This is wreckin' my mind

Oh can it be

The voices calling me

They get lost

And out of time

I should've seen it glow

But everybody knows

That a broken heart is blind

That a broken heart is blind

Pick you up, let you down

When I wanna go

To a place I can hide

You know me, I had plans

But they just disappeared

To the back of my mind

Oh can it be

The voices calling me

They get lost

And out of time

I should've seen a glow

But everybody knows

That a broken heart is blind

That a broken heart is blind

Treasure maps, fallen trees

Operator please

Call me back when it's time

Stolen friends and disease

Operator please

Patch me back to my mind

Oh can it be

The voices calling me

They get lost

And out of time

I should've seen a glow

But everybody knows

That a broken heart is blind

That a broken heart is blind

That a broken heart is blind

Sentence Prayer

Father, you are faithful

Your mighty gift Jesus, faithfully fulfilled every promise

Your Holy Spirit is a faithful guarantee

Forgive us for we are unfaithful

Grant us the strength to be just a little more faithful

Today. 

Amen

THE MISSING.

Snippet

I don't have a problem believing in God and Jesus. But in Genesis one has to wonder about these sentences that just go on and end without finishing. The thought is unfinished. Where did Adam go? What is he doing? Hello? There has to be some pages missing.  Bill Cosby 

Scripture

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14

Song

The Hymn for the Missing by Red

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEsrQx6A2U

I tried to walk together

But the night was growing dark

Thought you were beside me

But I reached and you were gone

Sometimes I hear you calling

From some lost and distant shore

I hear you crying softly for the way it was before

Where are you now?

Are you lost?

Will I find you again?

Are you alone?

Are you afraid?

Are you searching for me?

Why did you go? I had to stay

Now I'm reaching for you

Will you wait? will you wait?

Will I see you again?

you took it with you when you left

These scars are just a trace

Now it wanders lost and wounded

This heart that I misplaced

Where are you now?

Are you lost?

Will I find you again?

Are you alone?

Are you afraid?

Are you searching for me?

Why did you go? I had to stay

Now I'm reaching for you

Will you wait? will you wait?

Will I see you again?

Sentence Prayer

Lord,

So strange to us

This doorway labeled death!

-A door of darkness

Still closed to protect us

From the brilliance of eternal life;

A final obstacle

To the fullness of your presence.

We stand together at the threshold,

(Name)

And I pray this prayer

For this your child.

Give courage, Lord,

For this uncharted journey,

Peacefulness at parting

From all that must be left behind

An inner vision of invitation

For all that is better that awaits.

And I  also must release (name)

From my own flawed embrace

To your precious and perfect presence.

Soon enough I too must follow.

Placing my footsteps

In those of Christ Himself.  Amen 

(Celtic Daily Prayer pg 225 North Umbria Community)

WAR

Snippet

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.

Ernest Hemingway

Scripture

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:2-4 KJV

Song

21 Guns Green Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r00ikilDxW4

o you know what's worth fighting for?

When it's not worth dying for?

Does it take your breath away and you feel yourself suffocating?

Does the pain weigh out the pride?

And you look for a place to hide?

Did someone break your heart inside,you're in ruins

One, 21 Guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 Guns

Throw up your arms into the sky

You and I ...

When you're at the end of the road

And you lost all sense of control

And your thoughts have taken their toll

When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul

Your faith walks on broken glass and the hangover doesn't pass

Nothing's ever built to last, you're in ruins

One, 21 Guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 Guns

Throw up your arms into the sky

You and I ...

Did you try to live on your own?

When you burned down the house and home?

Did you stand too close to the fire?

Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone

When it's time to live and let die

And you can't get another try

Something inside this heart has died,you're in ruins

One, 21 Guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 Guns

Throw up your arms into the sky

One, 21 Guns

Lay down your arms

Give up the fight

One, 21 Guns

Throw up your arms into the sky

You and I

Sentence Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.  ST. Francis

HOLY SPIRIT SELF STUDY 16

Holy Spirit 16

     1 Corinthians & 2 Corinthians

May 26 2013

Self-Study

I am convinced that one of the reason 1 and 2 Corinthians is so misunderstood, is an ignorance of the issue of Apostolic authority.  A sub-theme in these books is the Corinthian churches rejection of Paul’s apostolic authority.  Apostles had different qualifications:  Been with Jesus and a witness to the Resurrection this meant only a select few could be an Apostle.  Apostles had different responsibilities: They are called several times in New Testament the foundation of the Church.  They had the responsibility to establish the church and it’s doctrine.  So Apostles had different gifts:  miraculous healing, Divine inspiration and the gift of laying on hands to disciples of Jesus to share in these gifts.  This week’s self-study my desire is you begin to see the uniqueness of the Apostles.

Monday:  Read I Corinthians 1:1-3

List one qualification to become an Apostle verse one?  What does this also tell us about our calling?

Read I Corinthians 4:1-5  Who is the pronoun us in verse one?

What are some of their responsibilities?

Tuesday:  Read I Corinthians 4:8-13

How is verse nine a clue that the “us” in verse on should be regarded as apostles?

What did the Apostles have to endure?  By these examples, what type of power did they have available to themselves?

If someone claims to be an apostle but rules like Saddam Hussein, is he a true or false apostle?

Wednesday: Prayerfully read I Corinthians 9:1-18

What new insight have you learned about those who were apostles?

Who else in this text was an apostle?

Thursday: Read 1 Corinthians 12

How important were Apostles verse 28

What is the reason for Spiritual Gifts?

In the early church did every believer have miraculous gifts?

Friday: Read I Corinthians 15:1-9

Why did the Apostle Paul consider himself the least of all Apostles?

If you did not witness the Resurrection of Jesus can you be an apostle?

How important is the Resurrection of Jesus?

Saturday: What is the similarity between 2 Corinthians 1:1,2  and 1 Corinthians 1:1-3?

Why?

Sunday:  Read 2 Corinthians 11 and list the following

 What makes a True Apostle?                                                    What makes a False Apostle?

PEACE

Snippet

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.  Martin Luther King, Jr.

Scripture

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[f] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;

    I will pay them back,”[g]

    says the Lord.

Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.

    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap

    burning coals of shame on their heads.”[h]

 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21 NLT

Song

Hope To Carry On by Rich Mullins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYR9DhnrN8

I can see Jesus hanging on a cross

I can see Jesus hanging on a cross

Oh, I can see Jesus hanging on a cross

He came looking for the lost

And love has come

Love has come

Love has come

And given me hope to carry on

I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive (Father forgive)

I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive (Father forgive them)

I can hear Jesus saying Father forgive

And what a thing He did

Love has come

Love has come

Love has come

And given me hope to carry on

And I can see love

Love is all I want to see

It can make a beggar rich

It can set a prisoner free

I know He can do it for you

God knows He did it for me

And I can see love

And love is all I want to show you

Love

Love's the only way to go

And love

But love is all a man might need to know

This I know

And you know Peter put away his sword

I can see Peter putting away his sword

Well I can see Peter put away his sword

He won't fight no more

Love has come

Love has come

Love has come

And given me hope to carry on

To carry on

To carry on

Sentence Prayer

Praise you O God, for you are Love!

By faith I affirm Love is greater than hate!

Yet, in this sin filled world violence forces us to change instantly

And our prayers for peace seem to be pie in the sky

Holy Spirit give us the courage to carry on with love

While the world practices hate.

We pray for Jesus return when Shalom

Will finally come.  Come Lord Jesus

Come Quickly.  Amen