THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND

Snippet

“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. ” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Scripture

Place me like a seal over your heart,

    like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

    its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

    like a mighty flame  Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV

Song

Thank you for being a friend Andre Gold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzrq52qaXZI

Traveled down the road and back again

your heart is true you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say

I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party

Invited everyone you knew

You would see, the biggest gift would be from me

and the card attached would say,

Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack

I'd surely buy you a cadillac

Whatever you need, anytime of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say

I hope it always will stay this way

My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older

With walking canes and hair of gray

Have no fear, even though it's hard to hear

I will stand real close and say,

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Let me tell you bout a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

And when we die and float away

Into the night, the Milky Way

You'll hear me call, as we ascend

I'll see you there, then once again

Thank you for being a friend

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

(I want to thank you)

Thank you for being a friend

Whoa, tell you about a friend

(Thank you right now, for being a friend)

Thank you for being a friend

(I wanna tell you right now, and tell you again)

Thank you for being a friend

(I wanna thank you, thank you, for being a friend)

Thank you for being a friend

Sentence Prayer

Dear Lord,

With my whole heart I ask

That you look after my friends

Guide them in troubles

Lead them when lost

Give them your ear

When they just need to talk

Lend them a hand

When they’ve nowhere to turn

Show them a new road

When a bridge has been burned

Teach them to smile

When everything seems bad

And show them there is happiness

After all that seems sad

Dear Lord,

This is my prayer

I hope that every word you can hear

This message is from my heart

For my friends are so dear

Amen.

(http://www.thepoetrypad.com/friendship-poems/friendship-prayer)

JEN

Snippet

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Scripture

Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, my love, how full of delights! Song of Solomon 7:6 NLT

Song

Come to Me Goo Goo Dolls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m2R6CLkvyQ

I'll be kind, if you'll be faithful

You be sweet and I'll be grateful

Cover me with kisses dear

Lighten up the atmosphere

Keep me warm inside our bed

I got dreams of you all through my head

Fortune teller said I'd be free

And that's the day you came to me

Came to me

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

Come to me my sweetest friend

Can you feel my heart again

I'll take you back where you belong

And this will be our favorite song

Come to me with secrets bare

I'll love you more so don't be scared

When we're old and near the end

We'll go home and start again

Ooo Ooo Oooo, Ooo Ooo Oooo

I caught you burnin' photographs

Like that could save you from your past

History is like gravity

It holds you down away from me

You and me, we've both got sins

I don't care about where you've been

Don't be sad and don't explain

This is where we start again

Start again

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

Come to me my sweetest friend

Can you feel my heart again

I'll take you back where you belong

And this will be our favorite song

Come to me with secrets bare

I'll love you more so don't be scared

When we're old and near the end

We'll go home and start again

Start again

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

Today's the day I'll make you mine

So get me to the church on time

Take my hand in this empty room

You're my girl, and I'm your groom

Come to me my sweetest friend

This is where we start again, again

Come to me my sweetest friend

Can you feel my heart again

Take you back where you belong

This will be our favorite song

Come to me with secrets bare

I'll love you more so don't be scared

When we're old and near the end

We'll go home and start again (yeah)

Start again (yeah)

Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

Sentence Prayer

Father

Thank you for sending the love of my life

Amen

PLAYING IN OCTOBER

Snippet

Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.”

― Leo Durocher

Scripture

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT

Song

Centerfield John Fogerty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0R5orBZis8

Well, a-beat the drum and hold the phone

The sun came out today

We're born again, there's new grass on the field

A-roundin' third and headed for home

It's a brown-eyed handsome man

Anyone can understand the way I feel

Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Look at me, I can be centerfield

Well, I spent some time in the Mudville Nine

Watching it from the bench

You know I took some lumps, when the mighty Case struck out

So say hey, Willie, tell the Cobb

And Joe DiMaggio

Don't say it ain't so, you know the time is now

Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Look at me, I can be centerfield

Yeah, I got it, I got it

Got a beat-up glove, a home-made bat

And a brand new pair of shoes

You know I think it's time to give this game a ride

Just to hit the ball, and touch 'em all

A moment in the sun

It's a-gone and you can tell that one good-bye

Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Look at me (yeah), I can be centerfield

Oh, put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today

Look at me, gotta be, centerfield

Yeah

Sentence Prayer

Lord God,

When you give to us your servants any great matter to do,

Grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the

Continuing of it, until it Is thoroughly finished

Which yields the true glory.  Amen

A New Zealand Prayer Book: pg 11

HOLY ROLLER

Snippet

Incongruent living is exhausting. 

(Brene Brown Gifts of Imperfection preface Hazelden 2010 Pg 28)

Scripture

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15,16 NIV

Song

Ms. Holy Roller Will Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2qXyiU72XE

INTRO]

Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2.. this is dedicated to an old friend of mine, Michelle

She a holy roller now

Now everything old gon' burn

[CHORUS]

Ms. Holy Roller, new angel, got ya Bible out shoutin' and you're ringing a bell

mid-life, reborn, can't wait to tell, if I don't believe what you believe,

I'm going to hell...

I've been down with Jesus since Sunday school & Easter speeches

The Bible was survival, that's what my grandma would teach us

Since I was 5, I've been dying and trying to read it When I did I did, it redefined it

Now you was 34 when you found Jesus after your life fell to pieces

Wife two times, with two guys, now enlightened in speeches

Seemed to flow out your mouth with the hype of a preacher

Took your whole life to reach you, now I'm a trifling creature

[CHORUS]

Come on, if I die right this second, I reckon that God would simply check

into my life & times, dissecting my rhymes, he'll see how I've been leading his troops

You can't do dirt your whole life then say "oops'!

[BRIDGE]

Now where was Jesus, when you life then you was cheatin', when you was deceiving me?

Where was Jesus when you greedy, your lawyers was bleeding me?

Where was Jesus when every weekend, a new man living with you?

Oh, wait he was with me, trying to keep me from killing you!

Now, where was Jesus when you was lying & you was betraying me?

When I was trying to make it, you was hatin' delayin' me, huh?

Where was Jesus when the ice was thrilling you,

Oh, he was he with me trying to keep me from killing you!

If I ain't know Jesus, ain't no telling where I would be

It's been nights I felt like feces; I needed to fight to release it

I'm in the limelight, it's hot & the heat is ceaseless,

Holding my tongue while little bums cut me to pieces

The only reason's cause I studied the life of Jesus &

Venting with my pen, intending to write & release it

But when an ex-friend would slight me or slam me with venom

I hate it, I can't stand it, damned, I really resent it

I always strive to be righteous, my version of God

The reason why I never write verses with curses inside

The reason I never purposely hurt persons,

I've applied many teaching of God,

Searching the reaches of God

Pondered the mysteries of why you be dissing me,

I adore you all I hope for you is freedom from misery

You made mistakes & blunders, you breaking from under

But yo, If I'm going to hell, it's making me wonder.

[BRIDGE]

The greatest atrocities ever committed on this planet have been in the

name of God

This country was founded by Puritans, for the expressed purpose of

oppression-free worship

Your attitude is the same arrogant, fearful fundamentalism that fueled the

hatred of the Crusades

& the attacks on 9/11.

If we are not allowed to worship God as groups & individuals free from

persecution, in respectful

Tolerance, there's only one outcome...

[CHORUS]

Sentence Prayer

Father;

May I first take hold of my own hypocrisy

Before I ever shake a finger at others.

Jesus,

Help me to visualize the thief on the cross

And know many a day that has been I

Holy Spirit,

Transform this sinful heart

So what people see in my life is Jesus.

Amen

MOSAIC

Snippet

Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it with an attitude of praise. You can wash dishes, repair a machine, sell a product, write  a computer program, grow a crop, and raise a family for the glory of God. The Purpose Driven Life 2002 Zondervan Rick Warren  pg 74

Scripture

I am your creator.  You were in my care even before you were born.  Isaiah 44:2 CEV

Song

Mosaic by Ricky Skaggs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buYArD1Y9eA

Carve my name upon a tree

A knife into the bark

Trying to make a mark

So they’d remember me

Wanting to matter to someone

Maybe a reason why

Be the apple of an eye

Before my life is done

(and all I am sayin)

I’m in a place where

(all I’m prayin)

I see my face in

(Your mosaic)

And I am a piece

In the deal

And it is real

Tell me who it is you see

A little piece of colored stone

And placed here on it’s own

To me a mystery

So many grains of sand

Could they be all the same

Or would each see their name

Engraved upon your hand?

(and all I am sayin)

I’m in a place where

(all I’m prayin)

I see my face in

(Your mosaic)

And I am a piece

In the deal

And it is real

I catch a glimpse of

Your lovely ideal

And that can be enough

That can be enough

(and all I am sayin)

I’m in a place where

(all I’m prayin)

I see my face in

(Your mosaic)

You are a piece

With the deal

And it is sealed

It is sealed.

Sentence Prayer

Lord, Teach us the power of a generosity that interrupts the logic of scarcity with the extravagant self giving of divine love. Amen      

(Common Prayer a liturgy for ordinary radicals 2010 pg 488)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH

Snippet

From Rich’s accountant] He said he wanted to live at the average working man’s wage, which at the time was about $24,000 per year. Obviously, his songs were on the radio, and his albums were selling well, so he actually made several times more than that. He told me he did not want to know how much he made because it would make it harder to give away. http://thingsotherthings.blogspot.com/2007/06/wisdom-from-rich-mullins.html

Scripture

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man[a] has no place even to lay his head.” Matthew 18:19-20

Song

You Did not have a home Rich Mullins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvzkWam1PRE

Oh, You did not have a home

There were places You visited frequently

You took off Your shoes and scratched Your feet

'Cause you knew that the whole world belongs to the meek

But You did not have a home

No, You did not have a home

And You did not take a wife

There were pretty maids all in a row

Who lined up to touch the hem of Your robe

But You had no place to take them, so

You did not take a wife

No, You did not take a wife

Birds have nests, foxes have dens

But the hope of the whole world rests

On the shoulders of a homeless man

You had the shoulders of a homeless man

No, You did not have a home

Well you had no stones to throw

You came without an ax to grind

You did not tow the party line

No wonder sight came to the blind

You had no stones to throw

You had no stones to throw

And You rode and ass' foal

They spread their coats and cut down palms

For You and Your donkey to walk upon

But the world won't find what it thinks it wants

On the back of an ass' foal

So I guess You had to get sold

'Cause the world can't stand what it can't own

And it can't own You

'Cause You did not have a home

Birds have nests, foxes have dens

But the hope of the whole world rests

On the shoulders of a homeless man

You had the shoulders of a homeless man

No, You did not have a

Birds have nests, foxes have dens

But the hope of the whole world rests

On the shoulders of a homeless man

You had the shoulders of a homeless man

And the world can't stand what it can't own

And it can't own You

'Cause You did not have a home

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;

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;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.  Amen

God's Mercy

Snippet

“Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness. ” — Timothy Keller

Scripture

God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him. 

Luke 1:50 NCV

Song

Come Ye Sinners Robbie Seay Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CDybtiAeU8

Come ye sinners poor and needy

Weak and wounded sick and sore

Jesus ready stands to save you

Full of pity, love, and power

Come ye thirsty come and welcome

God's free bounty glorify

True belief and true repentance

And every grace that brings you nigh

(chorus:)

I will arise and go to Jesus

He will embrace me in his arms

And in the arms of my dear saviour

There are ten thousand charms

Come ye weary heavy laden

Lost and ruined by the fall

If you tarry until you're better

You will never come at all

I will arise and go to Jesus...

Sentence Prayer

God, have mercy on me a sinner. Amen