LABELS

Snippet

“Once you label me you negate me.” ― Søren Kierkegaard

Scripture

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:8,9 NIV

SONG

No Labels by Debroah Cox

http://www.nolabels.org/blog/americas-anthem#

[Verse 1]

We may not understand this whole process and how things go

I'm just an ordinary woman tryna live free and god knows

See a man with a blue tie

See a man with a red tie

So how about we tie ourselves together and get it done

Do what's right for America

And all we ask from you is some honesty

And motivation give us something we believe

I'm only one woman with a voice to something we got in common

Need a model well then look at me

[Chorus]

He's a democrat

He's republican

There's a fight and a race who's gonna win

Put your differences aside man if you can

Cos there's way too many people suffering

I wish they didn't have no labels

There'd be more change with no labels

[Verse 2]

My kids will grow up soon

Your kids will grow up too

Wouldn't you like to see them raised up next to good hospitals and good schools

Don't want 'em in a juvenile facility or growing up with mental disabilities

When all this time you could've made a difference but you decided to roll with the party

Are you kidding me

Cos all we ask from you is some honesty

And motivation give us something we believe

I'm only one man with a voice to something we got in common

Need a model well then look at me

Sentence Prayer

O Lord, we pray that you will hasten the time

when no man shall live in contentment

While he knows his neighbor has need. 

Inspire in us and in all men the

Consciousness that we are not our own

But yours and our neighbor’s; for His sake,

That he prayed that we might all be one

In –Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen

(Short prayers for the long day Giles and Melville Harcourt)

PURE JOY

Snippet

Life doesn’t always wait for the waters to calm  The Saga of Harlan Waugh Terry Grosz 116

Scripture

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

Song

Can't Complain by Reliant K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ikw0n9uyM

Looking at the cop in the rear view mirror

Probably should have stopped but the crosswalk was clear

I'll just imagine it's a ticket to a Broadway show

Looking at the clouds and they seem kinda funny

Probably gonna rain but my outlook is sunny

I'll just imagine that I'm laying out in Mexico

Cause I know that pleasures gotta come with pain

And I know that things won't always go my way

And I know that life is gonna suck some days

But I can't complain

I can't complain

Every days too short to let it go to waste

Now I can't complain

I can't complain

You gotta treat every day like a holiday

And I'm telling you

That I know some days I'm gonna stumble

And I know the cookie's gonna crumble

And I know that life is gonna suck some days

But I can't complain

Waiting on a never ending train at the crossing

Paying it no mind cause you just keep talking

We'll just imagine it's the good old days and take it slow

Spending Christmas Eve on the floor of the airport

Dying to get back to the people that I care for

Smiling just dreaming about my puppy in my bed back home

Cause I know that pleasures gotta come with pain

And I know that things won't always go my way

And I know that life is gonna suck some days

But I can't complain

I can't complain

Every days too short to let it go to waste

Now I can't complain

I can't complain

You gotta treat every day like a holiday

And I'm telling you

That I know some days I'm gonna stumble

And I know the cookie's gonna crumble

And I know that life is gonna suck some days

If you can't say nothing good

Don't say nothing

If you stop to think you could come up with something

That makes you feel so good when times are rough it's ok

I can't complain

Oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh

Don't let it go to waste

Now I can't complain

I can't complain

Every days too short to let it go to waste

Now I can't complain

I can't complain

You gotta treat every day like a holiday

And I'm telling you

That I know some days I'm gonna stumble

And I know the cookie's gonna crumble

And I know that life is gonna suck some days

But I can't complain

Sentence Prayer

God, give us grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Reinhold Niebur

TROUBLE

Snippet

Self-control  is an exhaustible resource. 

Switch how to change things when change is hard. Heath & Heath pg 10

Scripture

People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire. Job 5:7 NLT

Song

Move it on Over Hank Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lza3NVH6Ig

Came in last night at half past ten

That baby of mine wouldn't let me in

So move it on over (move it on over)

Move it on over (move it on over)

Move over little dog cause the big dogs moving in

Shes changed the lock on my front door

My door key don't fit no more

So get it on over (move it on over)

Scoot it on over (move it on over)

Move over skinny dog cause the fat dogs moving in

This dog house here is mighty small

But it's better than no house at all

So ease it on over (move it on over)

Drag it on over (move it on over)

Move over old dog cause a new dogs moving in

She told me not to play around

But I done let the deal go down

So pack it on over (move it on over)

Tote it on over (move it on over)

Move over nice dog cause a mad dogs moving in

She warned me once, she warned me twice

But I don't take no ones advice

So scratch it on over (move it on over)

Shake it on over (move it on over)

Move over short dog cause the tall dogs moving in

Shell crawl back to me on her knees

Ill be busy scratching fleas

So slide it on over (move it on over)

Sneak it on over (move it on over)

Move over good dog cause a mad dogs moving in

Remember pup, before you whine

That sides yours and this sides mine

So shove it on over (move it on over)

Sweep it on over (move it on over)

Move over cold dog cause a hot dogs moving in

Sentence Prayer

God,

Give us work till our life shall end,

And life till our work is done.

Look kindly on our world, our God

As we suffer and struggle with one another.

Look kindly on your church,

Driven by the same necessity;

And may the light we have seen in Jesus

Illuminate and brighten all the world.

Amen

(A New Zealand Prayer Book pg 125)

BITTERNESS

Snippet

“No one can tell what goes on in between the person you were and the person you become. No one can chart that blue and lonely section of hell. There are no maps of the change. You just come out the other side.  Or you don't.” ― Stephen King, The Stand

Scripture

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Hebrews 12:14-16

Song

KJ52 So Far Apart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtnoHRaEYy0

You know it only breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark (ohh)

you know it always breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark

I read your post on your facebook

Reminisced on the pics how your face looked

See But now I’m walking away straight shook

You’ve changed so much you don’t got the same look

I guess the pain took its toll I guess the pain took control

I guess the pain went and took your soul

Cause I aint seen the same one I used to know

you stop going to the places that we used to go

We used to flow man we used to build

We used to stop used to talk and we used to chill

It all stopped now whats the deal

I miss you so much this is how I feel

you know it only breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark (ohh)

you know it always breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark

so far apart

so far apart

so far apart

I feel so apart (I miss you)

Can’t you see right now just what’s going on

You try to close your eyes can’t see whats going wrong

that little compromise when you was going strong

but you ignore the signs kept it rolling on

so get ya fake smile proceed to throw it on

man your living wild all the while sort of calm

so how you living now I hope I’m sort of wrong

just When I say that I already know what’s going on

still all along just through the thick and thin

your holding on to your bitterness deep within

Its time to forgive it begins w/ Him

God is knocking on the door let him in

you know it only breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark (ohh)

you know it always breaks my heart

to see you standing in the dark

so far apart

so far apart

so far apart

how did we get so apart

come back (its never too late)

come back (it’s never too late for you)

come back (its never too late for you)

and I just want to know why don’t you go home

its never too late for you..

Sentence Prayer

Jesus,

You are knocking,

Holy Spirit give me the courage to open up

Leaving my bitterness and sin with my Savior.

Amen

PLAY BALL

Snippet

Jackie Robinson: “You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back?”  Branch Rickey: “No. I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.”  Jackie Robinson: “You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I’ll give you the guts.” From Movie 42

Scripture

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

Song

The Ball Game by Sister Wynona Carr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0dMYEJEOEg

Life is a ball game

Bein' played each day

Life is a ball game

Everybody can play

Yes you know, Jesus standing at the home plate

He is waiting for you there

You know, the life is a ball game

But you've got to play it fast

The first phase is temptation

You know the second phase is sin

The third phase tribulation

If you pass, you can make it in

Old man Solomon is the umpire

And Satan pitchin' a game

He'll do his best, strike you out

He playin' just the same

You know, Daniel's up to bat first

You know, he pray three times a day

Yes Satan pitched him a fast ball

But he hit it anyway

Yes you know, Job is up to bat next

Satan's struck him in every way

But Job hit a home run

And he came on in that day

Yes you know, prayer is a strong bat

To hit at Satan's ball

And when you start to swing it

You got to give it your all and all

Yes you know, the priest gonna be your catcher

And on him you can depend

Oh Jesus standing at the home plate

And He is waiting for you to come in

Yes you know, Moses is on the sidelines

Waiting to be called

You know, the day he parted the Red Sea

Little price all and all

Then John came in the ninth inning

And the game was almost done

Then God gave John a vision

And he knew we'd already won

Yes you know life is a ball game

Being played each day

You know life is a ball game

Each and everybody can play

Yes you know, Jesus is standing at the home plate

He is waiting for you there

Well you know, life is a ball game

But you've got to play it fast

Sentence Prayer

God grant me wisdom,

to tell a strike from a ball,

to know where to throw

and never to fall.

 Keep me always in the base line,

running straight and true

and I'll look for your sign,

to stretch one into two.

 God give me vision,

to see every pitch,

so if a player needs help,

then I will see which.

 Let me always hustle,

so I'll be at my best

and take pride in myself,

in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,

when I throw the ball

when I'm far from home plate,

or against a wall.

 So I never miss a base,

please guide my feet,

bring me home safely,

so my job is complete.

 When I help younger players,

let me always give praise,

so they'll see you in me,

in all of my ways.

 God please guide our coach,

to be fair and smart,

to teach us to be good,

let it come from his heart.

 Let me take a loss,

just as well as a win,

to do any less,

is surely a sin.

 As long as I can play,

let me make my parents proud,

as proud as I am,

when they yell MY name out loud.

 However my games end,

let me always have fun

and if Heaven has All Stars,

I want to be one.

 When my games here are over

and my seasons are done,

let me play on your team.

just like your son.

 Amen.

BUILD YOUR KINGDOM

Snippet

Seek ye first the Lord, and then he will provide for you everything that is profitable for you in this life and He will crown it with everything that is glorious in the life to Come.  Charles Spurgeon

Scripture

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NASB

Song

Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective

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

Come set Your rule and reign

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we're made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your Church

We need Your Power

In us

We seek Your Kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You're our joy and prize

To see the captive hearts released

The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for Heaven's Cause

We are Your Church

We pray Revive

This Earth

CHORUS:

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your Church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here

We pray

Unleash Your kingdom's power

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your Beauty changes hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your Church

We are the hope

On Earth

Sentence Prayer

Lord,

You know that we love you,

And we know what you ask us to do-

But for those times we have been too busy,

When we’ve been too hardhearted,

When we’ve been lukewarm,

We say, sorry.

And ask for your forgiving love.

Prepare us for your way, O Lord.

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE.

LORD,

You know our good intentions

And we know your will-

But hold us back long enough to listen to those in need

And to learn from them

And to learn of our own need

Where we think we are sent, make us ready to receive

Where we are keen to teach, make us ready to learn

PREAPRE US FOR YOUR WAY, O LORD

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE

Lord,

You know our deepest desires,

And we know the vision of your kingdom-

We bring before you those elements in our lives

In need of your transforming power;

That which we misuse or neglect

That which we most reluctantly let go of.

That which we believe is not good enough.

Inspire us and disturb us to examine our deepest desires

Prepare us for your way, O Lord

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE

Lord,

You know our potential

But what is your purpose for our lives?

In our uncertainty

And in the knowledge of your faithfulness

Prepare us for your way, O Lord.

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE.

(The Pattern of our Days Worship in the Celtic Tradition from the Iona community Pg 112)

GOD OF WONDERS

Snippet

God’s ever present hospitality in both nature and other people, the idea that, properly understood, everything in creation invites us to share in God’s love. Dakota: a Spiritual geography Pg 202 Kathleen Norriss.

Scripture

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

Song

God of Wonders by Chris Tomlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7F-B2DLvAQ

Lord of all creation

Of water, earth, and sky

The heavens are Your tabernacle

Glory to the Lord on High

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth (2x)

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light

And as I stumble through the darkness

I will call Your name by night

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth (2x)

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3x)

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me

Father holy, holy

The universe declares Your majesty

You are holy, holy, holy, holy

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (6x)

Lord of heaven and earth

Lord of heaven and earth

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light

And as I stumble through the darkness

I will call your name by night

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

The universe declares your majesty

You are holy, holy

Lord of heaven and earth

Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

God of wonders beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy

Precious Lord reveal your heart to me

Father holy, holy

The universe declares your majesty

You are holy, holy, holy, holy

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Sentence Prayer

God,

You are our beginning and you will be our end;

We are made in your image and likeness.

We praise and thank you for this day.

This is the day on which you created light

And saw that it was good.

This is the day in whose early morning light

We discovered the tomb was empty,

And encountered Christ, the world’s true light.

This is the day you have made;;

We shall rejoice and be glad in it.  Amen

(A New Zealand Prayer Book pg 106)