So you could be saying to yourself right now, really Hollie – don’t you think you have posted enough musically reference blogs in the past few months? Nope, I say. This year has been a GREAT YEAR of music to me, with favorite bands coming out with terrific new albums to all the bands I am just discovering. For me, music is a very key part of not only my life, but my worship to God. Considering I drive like 30% of my life and while driving I am ALWAYS listening to tunes, not to mention, the handy headphones that are plugged in perhaps half of my work day, I’d say it’s pretty important that the right stuff is going in (so in turn the right stuff can come out).

So with all of that being written, HOW ON EARTH DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT ABANDON UNTIL NOW? Yes, all caps – I am doing the pseudo computer scream, because serious – they are awesome.

I just got their album “Control-Expanded Edition” and over the past week it has been played on repeat almost nonstop, with two stand-out favorites being the ones listed below. What about their music draws me in? Well aside from the super melodic cords of awesome, the lyrics belt out truth and a calling for reformation and transformation of this generation (in time). “Live ItOut” has what will surely end up being in the top favorite 20 verses of all time for me.

We are lost and broken people
Turned our crosses into steeples
Let’s take them down and put them on our backs now

Keep your love on track now

How truthful is this folks? Seriously! I will leave the personal conviction part up to the Holy Spirit, but you cannot deny that it rings true to this generation. Likewise the overall message of the song in which is to share the truth (salvation, love, grace) that which we know. In “YourLove Goes On” and the following section comes around I cannot help but to belt it out, I mean admittedly both of this songs give me chills (not to mention to other tracks), it is hymns of old – you can feel what was meant when it was written, it applies to your life and instinctively know it applies to everyone else as well, so it has that family of believers effect, which I like.

And you would follow me a million miles

And a million times you saved my life

Whew. However, don’t take my word for it – listen to them yourself and have an experience all your own.

In conclusion, here are the most 100 searched bible verse in 2009 on BibleGateway (seriously great resource), in case you were just curious – or wanted a list perchance to start remembering (Bible Drill anyone?)

Dear Heavenly Father – We come to you today simply thankful for ALL things that you have given - from each new day, to the clothes on our back, the people in our lives, to the ability to call you Abba and call Your Son, Savior and Spirit, Helper. We look around and see a world in need, we see people that are suffering and crying out for change, yet they seem to be looking in all the wrong places. May believers be aligned to You Father and may those who do not believe come to Your saving truth. We know the sad truth that not everyone will call upon You as Messiah, and that is very disheartening, but we pray for all people one in the same. As none of us want anyone to perish and spend eternity away from Your love and grace. May we cling to You dear Lord, in the same way that You hold onto us – with an everlasting, unshakable, immeasurable love. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

Another great post by Gina, which I am delighted to share with you all now. She simply is a wonderful woman of God and it has been such a delight to watch her blossom within the almost ten years now that I have known her. Many of you enjoyed her previous piece, Fan The Right Flame, and I am sure you will be touched by this one, just as much.

Governed by the Holy Spirit 

(link will take you to her wordpress blog)

SiC ♥

Recently I listened to a conversation from a woman who does not believe in God. She told a story of how she has (on at least one occasion) had to take issue with the school system for teaching creationism in science class. “Religion is belief and science is fact, they should not be taught one in the same”. Her story continued on with how both of her daughters were good, they knew right from wrong, and both excel in their own right academically and generally speaking they do not cause any trouble. Recently, she said, her youngest daughter (a sophomore in high school), approached her with some concern/question of her own, on the whole matter.

It seems there is a group at school called the “Christian Athletes” (something or other) and she noticed, that all of these people, who stood out to be different, where actually the ones who were getting smashed on Friday night foot ball games. With that being spoke the topic changed to more lighthearted things such as black Friday shopping, thrift store adventures and food, however almost a week later this has remained in my mind.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come”! To this young woman, I imagine she looks upon this group as why? Why do I need this savior you speak of, if in fact you are doing things worse than I when I know nothing of Him? Of course, as believers we know the deep rooted answer to this, but yet onlookers merely see what we have to offer by our actions and our tongue.

Though none of us are perfect, I believe we forget sometimes that we, in fact, have the world watching. Those who do not believe will in a way, judge our savior and our creator through us. This is why we are urged more than a handful of times to be set apart, to lead by and be an example. In these times, this is of the upmost importance, I am sure as you look around at the world around you, we will all agree. Let your light shine, be bold – be quick to listen to the correction of the Holy Spirit, and continuously let the One who knows all guide your way.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your word. Thank You so much for leaving Your letter of love to us, so that we might know how to live! We thank You for Your calling of us into Your court. Help us to continuously be an example of Your love and truth to all those that we meet, to all those that we see. May Your children cling ever more closely to You, for while the world around us is rioting away, You alone are the everlasting hope! In the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. 

SiC ♥

Whelp. I may get some flack for saying this, but I think the term “God is love” has gone into overdrive as of late, eh? Though perhaps for the wrong reason. It seems that there are some people who are now using this phrase to justify anything and everything they do, even though it is wrong. How do we know what is wrong or right? Well the Bible so graciously tells us and for all the new age stuff you can pretty much infer what is good and what is bad by exercising a little wisdom.  Not to mention, once you are saved and have accepted Jesus into your heart, a great helper called the Holy Spirit comes and takes up residence and will call you out, when you are doing this that displeases the Father.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not judging (though it does bring upon a sad countenance to my being when I see this being used to justify sinful things), just simply getting something off my heart. Of course baring in mind that no one is perfect and we ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (aka no pedestal here). Yes, God is love, God loves us despite our sins, God loved us so much He sent His Son to live and die for us, as it says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world He sent His only begotten son that WHOSOEVER SHALL BELIEVE in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life”, but God also brings upon/allows wrath due to disobedience. Anyone remember all the Israelites who came out of Egypt? 40 years, for 40 years they wondered around in a relatively small area due to their fallings.

However, I suppose I should not think it odd, I mean what better tool for Satan to confuse the masses with by taking this great truth and twisting it for his own desires.  It could be that this is the mantra of the subculture who believes in a “God”, but not Jesus (so really they are no better off than one who believes in nothing). Of course as I sit here and write this, wondering if I will actually have the courage to post it, a verse has come into remembrance, which sums it all up …

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

Don’t be one of those people, don’t be the one that gets turned away! Seek truth or burn, it is as simple as that. You may be saying, “it’s hard” and I say TRUST ME I KNOW … it can be an ever present, ongoing struggle depending upon what you are facing, but it’s worth it now on earth and it will be MORE than worth it after this age is done.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for creating us, sending Your Son and sending Your Spirit, our Savior and our Helper – together You are the blessed Trinity. May we be mindful of what we hear and see and what we say. May we be apt to read Your word, so we may know Your laws and Your will for our lives. May we seek the Truth, Your Truth, instead of that which seems to be as it is pleasing on the outside, but inside is full of riot and decay. We thank You for Your constant forgiveness, and we seek each day to better, in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

SiC ♥ 

Whew, well it seems that it has been a minute or two since I posted under the *LoveIs* tag, but all things are still going well on the Little 5 Points and overall in life (concept) fronts. I would like to introduce Mr Mike who is a new volunteer to the Sunday mission (he himself was once on the other side of things once upon a time). We all feel very blessed with him being there and I do enjoy the way he teaches/preaches. Plus anyone who drives a blue motorcycle already gets some platinum stars in my book. ;)

Prayer requests for Brother Dewey and Brother Jimmy as it seems they are both struggling with some health things right now.

Overdue thanks to one attendee who made a little gift for me [yay for skullies and roses, woot!] Prayers for the person below, that he continues to STAY STRONG with whatever life may bring his way, for as we know each day - is a new day, and to CLING TO JESUS!

Today during the end of our time down there we received a compliment from a passerby stranger, this is "love in action", the woman said - who continued forth with saying she was personally inspired (seems God has been working on her for some time) to go out and help someone(s) in need.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

SiC ❤

So let me start off by saying if the SONS album “Keep Quiet” was a cassette, rather than a digital download my copy would cease to be playable. So far into 2012 this is my favorite “new” band find. Their lyrics are sublime representations of the truths I write about and believe. The way they convey authentic biblical messages and current state of the world factualness is bold and elegant. Le sigh. As corny as this may be, if I was ever blessed to publicly speak on a format in which I could "bring a band along" they would be one of my requested choices. 

Here is just one of the 12 tracks on Keep Quiet, “Doubt”. Truth be told, I cannot even pick out top faves from the album, it is honestly THAT GOOD in my opinion. Of course I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to JesusFreakHideout who introduced me to this band via their "Artists We've Been Trying To Tell You About" compilation disc. 

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It seems as if a day doesn’t go by in which a sentence doesn’t escape my lips which begins with “I can’t believe this generation”, “the generation we are in is so”, “for sure Sodom and Gomorrah had to be just like this because”, etc .. etc .. etc. There is no escaping the fact that the world we live in is getting ever more openly sinful by the second and sometimes it just makes me want to scream. Of course, as I was reminded ever so gently by my mother (while driving back from Labor day vacation), “no one is perfect, we all have flaws, we must leave the personal conviction up to God”. Understood, noted and accepted – I retorted back, but alas my repetitive vocalizations as of late would not allow the quick response to go unresolved within my mental faculties yet again. So as with a wonderful and simplistic, but caring sign I was offered a logical “next step” of my merry-go-round view of society presented by the next song that played on the radio …

Losing by Tenth Avenue North

I can't believe what she said

I can't believe what he did

Oh, don't they know it's wrong

Don't they know it's wrong

Well maybe there's something I missed

But how could they treat me like this

It's wearing out my heart

The way they disregard

This is love or this is hate.

We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

Well it's only the dead that can live

But still I wrestle with this

To lose the pain that's mine

Seventy times seven times

Cause Lord it doesn't feel right

For me to turn a blind eye

Though I guess it's not that much

When I think of what You've done.

This is love or this is hate.

We gotta a choice to make

Oh Father won't You forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

Why do we think that our hate's gonna break a hard heart

We're rippin' arms over wars that don't need to be fought

Cause pride wont let us lay our weapons on the ground

We build our bridges up but it's just to burn them down

We think our pain is own apologies and get them to stop

Well truth be told it doesn't matter if they're sorry or not

Cause freedom comes when we surrender to the sound

Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

[X2]

Oh Father won't you forgive them

They don't know what they've been doin'

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

I feel like I've been losing

Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losin'

God is good, great and wondrous, correct? AMEN HE IS (rhetorical question).

Dear Heavenly Father – We thank You for all that You have given your children – from merely being born, to sustaining us with Your Spirit, to offering salvation through Your Son. May we keep our eyes focused on You Father God, not allowing ourselves to be consumed with the world around us, but alas being consumed BY YOU and YOUR WILL for our lives. Thank you for being patient with us Father, as though we may have read the Bible a thousand time, simple concepts elude us. We are grateful for Your earnest understanding and our humility and humbleness. In the name by the One without which there is no hope, Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.

SiC ❤

We fight, because of love for one that's behind us

Have you ever been told that you must pay attention to the surrounding sentences to get the context?

Well...  this is a lyric from Fall, Goliath, Fall by Project 86 that is about to get expanded upon in a few key directions, because it rocks on its own accord (and in addition with all that surround it in this terrific, battle cry tune).

1.   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The Creator of all things loved us so much that He sent His ONLY Son to live, die and be resurrected on the behalf of all those who will choose Him.

2.   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Son of the Creator of the world loved us so much that He lived, died and was resurrected on OUR BEHALF even though we were (and continue to be) imperfect little beings who couldn’t get (and still can’t) get their stuff together aka living as commanded of us.

3.   1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that
      God’s Spirit lives within you?”               

      2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old
      has gone, the new has come!”

      The same Spirit which was present in point 1 and 2 (as for believers) is no longer an
      outside factor, but One that resides within our very being! The same love that 
      allowed a Father to sacrifice His son for His human creation, the same love that
      allowed a Holy Son to be brought down and be sacrificed for His father’s 
      fallen creation, is the same love which beckons within us to die to our earthly
      wills and LIVE FOR THE CREATOR and KING!

[So] Sing it | Believe it |Live it |Repeat it
We fight, because of love for one that's behind us
(Gosh I really do so enjoy great, God tunes music)

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for that which is wrote about above and in Your word, Your love of Your Creation, by even counting us special enough to BE created. You didn’t need humanity, but You desired a family that accepted You in accordance to their free will for what You are, THE TRUTH. We ask that You give us wisdom for the time to come, that your strengthen the family of believers now, so that they might not be fooled, shaken or dismayed, by what is destined to happen. Prepare our hearts and minds, may we crave to read Your word and crave to share it with others. We pray humbly in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

SiC ♥

This guest post is brought by a dear friend of mine, Gina B aka my dollface. She is a treasured sister in Christ to me (as well as too many others) and a wonderful daughter to the King. You can check out more of her writing on her Wordpress blog, Where Can I Run from Your Love - Psalm 139.

❤ † ❤

Throughout the seasons in our lives, we tend to allow ourselves to be consumed by things. These things that consume us are of a wide variety. Our mind can be the root cause of wildfires that lead to devastation  One destructive thought, if not quarantined, will engulf the entire mind. The thoughts that should be controlled are not fruits of the Spirit. Dangerous thought patterns can consist of bitterness, anger, unforgiveness & jealousy. If not surrendered to God, these will eventually manifest into speech and seep into our speech & behavior.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)

Our speech can set the tone for entire walk through this life, so we must be sure that we are not leaving fires burning on the sides of the road. Not only can it lead to burnt bridges, but it can block and hinder the work of God in our lives.  He cannot enter in when there is a wall of fire.

Instead, He guides in His word as to what kind of fire we should be kindling:

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

The question we should be asking ourselves daily is what are we being consumed by? What is our driving force?

Allow God to be the Fire that consumes you…extuingish any fires other than Him. Welcome & invite Him to consume you and let Him fan into flame His perfect will into your fire.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thu  let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire.” – (Hebrews 12:28)

“…for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” – (Song of Solomon 8:6)

 WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT, as the next installment of the AWESOMENESS that is 

Project 86 is being released on 8/21 with WAIT FOR THE SIREN. 

This is for anyone and everyone  who perhaps might have missed out or wasn't able to do the Project 86 Kickstarter campaign, anyone who is new the family a la TEAM BLACK or even if you are just trying to save some cash money in this lackluster economy days. 

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!Happy Sunday Everyone! 

(or happy –insert whatever day you are reading this-)

In thanks to the prompting of a Veggie Tales story, I found myself taking a gander at a place I haven’t been in a while [aka the Old Testament]. Of course there are a few verses, here and there, and everyone loves the Proverbs and the Psalms, but sure before the free salvation offered through Jesus Christ came, things were a bit different, so yes the old testament can seem a bit “rough” at times. However, it is in the roughness we find how God really can move!

What am I on about you ask? Well, let me share a little story of truth and awesomeness with you.

So Joshua led the Israelites after Moses died (Moses wasn’t allowed to see the Promised Land because he disobeyed God and hit the rock more times than God said, so unfortunately he had to pass on before they made it there  - no fear though He is rocking it in heaven). The first place they came upon was Jericho (as you read Joshua you learn that God gave them many kingdoms aside from this initial one), however this land, which God had given to His Chosen People, just so happened to be within and in a stone wall casing. Of chose the people of Jericho weren’t just going to hand over their city, so what where the Israelites to do?  Well, Joshua asked and God answered in the form of a heavenly messenger.

Very specific instructions were given to the whom, the line order and such, but to sum up for 7 days the Israelites where to go around the city, on the 7^th day they were to go around the city 7 times and during the last go around sound your trumpets and when you hear that everyone yell and the city shall be yours.  It sounds a little too good to be true right? It wasn’t, Joshua and the Israelites did has God had commanded and the walls came tumbling on down. The city was theirs for the taking. By taking however, God had strict rules over this. Everything was to be burn (Less Rahab and her family to protecting the spies), the silver and gold was to be collected and put in the house of the Lord.

However, this is not exactly where the story ends. You see, although God had brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, parted the red sea before their very eyes, provided them manna from the heavens to eat during their years of wandering the desert (in an estimated like 7 mile radius because they kept disobey God) and though they had all just seem a miraculous task done, someone disobeyed God and stole some of the precious metals for their own. Alas, when this was discovered (through the Israelites being beaten by a smaller army when they went to take over the next “kingdom” and Joshua petitioning of the reason to God) the man and his entire family was stoned and burned to death.

Points of reference:
God can do anything, He will perform great miracles for You in order for His kingdom to be glorified.
Even if what God tells you to do sounds a little crazy, pay no attention He knows what He is doing.
Do not disobey God, though we have the free redemption through Jesus Christ (aka can you imagine in this day and age if you had to slaughter a firstborn lamb for all your sins?), that does not give us a license to act as we will. This wrath that is shown here is likened to that which will be for those who do not accept Jesus as savior. We preach that God is a God of love, and this is true, but there will come a time, where-as God’s wrath will be poured out and the One who came and died for us will hand out judgments.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for giving us Your holy word as instruction, as a guide in which we might read – meditate upon and share with others, so we might have a better understanding of You, Your will and what this all is about. Though not everyone believes in You, we know the truth, that there are one of two places that each man will end up at, heaven or hell. We pray for everyone, from our loved ones to the people we do not know, that they one day embrace the truth of Salvation. Mend our broken hearts, broken bodies, broken minds and fill us with a peace that only You can provide. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. 

SiC!

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Congrats Richard J!

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I love automobile ink AKA bumper stickers. The part I regret most about trading in my old car is departing with all the lovely band stickers and the rest I had collected along the way (alas I am still on the look our for another Project 86 [black and white] Rival Factions vampire sticker should anyone come across one). I think they are a great little boost to show something you are a fan of or even as a witnessing tool. However, admittedly every time I see one of those emblems with a Darwin creature eating a Jesus fish I wish I had a monster truck with a metal grate on the front. So far the ones that are affixed to the current car is …

First came “Our sin is great, God’s grace is greater” which I had been eye balling for a while, because of the honest boldness of it (wasn’t sure if I could handle it), yet the truth applies to one and all. This one has come across some quizzically looks for the time it has been present on my car, but I believe the verbiage is interpretive of a few various meanings (or rather) outlooks towards the same central meaning.  

The second “God Rules” came upon a time in which after many conversations had been had with a lot of people in regards to “why God allows this, why God allows that”. As we know good and bad falls on the just and unjust, as sin is present in the world and until that time when it is no longer here, things will continue forth as such, but never fear, because God watches out for His children. The noted verses on there are …  

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Amen! So what do you have on YOUR car, if anything? I understand stickers are not for everyone, but alas to each their own. On the horizon I would like to get the one mentioned above, the Demon Hunter “True Defiance” cross, as well as, one that references *One Way* and a skulliebow and possibly cupcake.

Dear Heavenly Father – We thank You for giving us a reason to witness, we thank You for giving us the truth to share to all that we meet, in many different fashions, whether by verbal conversation, song, written script, etc. A special thank You Father for allowing One member of *LoveIs* to “come home” again, as did the wayward son. We pray Father for ALL of mankind. May ALL men turn to You and follow Your will, as we do not wish ANYONE to see the destruction that is Hell. We ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

SiC <3

The Beatles had it right when they pinned down the popular track, “Love Is All You Need”, though I am not quite sure they had in mind what I am about to share. Likewise, the way the world denotes that “love” is somehow primarily displayed as an act of the “adult kind”, it is truly misleading. However, let me paint for you the true picture of love, as I see, the trifecta if you will.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Of course this is the jumping off point of the trifecta, as which it is what applies to us all for the everlasting, however I would be remise of course if I did not likewise mention, we have all been created in love.

Imagine, you have child, you are told that in order to save all of mankind, well imagine even if just for one person, he must die by your hand, could you do it? God did. As we know God is omniscient, which means He knows all, past – present and future. In Genesis it clearly tells us that Jesus (the Son) was already with God (the Father) before the foundation of this world. So even though, He knew what was going to be done, He created us all anyways. We are that special to Him. I mean just think for a moment, He is God, He could have made us without free-will, but alas He didn’t. He sacrificed His Son, for His creation, so that we might in our own hearts chose to serve Him. Powerful.

 But God demonstrated His own love for us, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8-9

Next, the Son of God, willing died for His Fathers creation, so that we may be reconciled back into “their family”. Not to mention, that for those that who do accept Him as Lord and Savior, will be spared from certain wrath. He, who could have called down ten thousand angels, He who had NEVER been “separated” from the Father, allowed the Creator of all things, his Dad, Yahweh, to turn His back to allow Him, causing Him so much anguish to the point, where as He had to suffer so much, He cried out, “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” as for that time He was unable to feel the presence of God that He had known forever.

My commandment is this: Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

So we come to the third piece, which has all to do with us. Jesus commanded that we, His brothers and sisters, love each other as He had loved us. How did He love? He gave His very self, so that we may live in the Spirit now and one day (one glorious day) for all eternity, be a part of a place of so much splendor. I am even tempted to say that our ideas of what it will be like, does not even come close.

Yet where do we all stand in this? For I know I could be better … As you may know, this is the verse that *LoveIs* is founded upon, but alas from times I have a slip of the tongue and may say something negative about someone to another person or may have a short temper with someone where as it is unjustified. Yet, if I am commanded to love as Jesus loved, does this fit the line? No, He rarely got upset and when He did He had concrete means, and we are told straight up in several places not to “slander”, so if it says not to do it, I am 100% certain that Jesus didn’t do it.  Yet, we are all works in progress, and honestly these are two things that God is definitely working to rid me of completely (its been a lifelong process, I’d say I’m up about a 95% success rate now). ;)

So yes dear Beatles, love is all you need, because all that is love is God, and God is all anyone needs.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your love, that which is immeasurable. May we yearn to love like You do Father, without cause or concern, but freely, true love. A love that cares, shares, promotes lifts up and countless encourages everyone (not just our friends and family) that we meet. May we show You to a world that so desperately needs to understand what LOVE is. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

SiC <3 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

The truth is, if you are saved … you are saved … and being saved is everything and everything is good.

As we study all of Paul’s writings we see him encompass the above, time and time again. Though he is imprisoned many times, on the run and truly hated by his peers, He did not let that slow him down. The life he lived was one for God, regardless of outside circumstances.

 It is something that I earnestly pray to one day be able to achieve in full, before this all comes to an end. You see, I have a nasty habit of sometimes complain first, pray later; when it should be pray first and leave it with God (for all my troubles). My conviction is that it makes me seem ungrateful for that which I have been given, as there are many more with less. Even more so heartbreaking that there are people who do not know the Trinity! Yet I know of the truth, I know that all of this is temporary, yet and still I allow it to put a block between the Father and I.

As it is written in Philippians 4::6-7 (NIV), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So, in effect if you are not following the word, you are living apart from the word, so you knowingly (or unknowingly) laying blocks down.

It is little things like this, that are the foundation for a wall to replace the open space that God has with His children. Yet, when you truly seek an open door (per say) between the creator and yourself, you should call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show to you and remove all the hindrances (negative traits) that you possess.  As Romans 12:2 (NIV) tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will”.

I pray we all in this age and future cling to this, as so easily the true word of God being manipulated and miscommunicated to our very ears.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for given to us the Holy Bible, Your love letter to Your children. May we be apt to us it, so that we may know Your commandments, Your will for our lives in all areas and be aware of that which is to come. May You search our hearts Father, and remove the areas that You find displeasing. May we be but vessels for You to use, for that is our purpose, You so graciously gave us life, and we willingly give it back to You. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

SiC ♥

An extremely powerful video ...

Old school verse blast below, you all don't need a devotional - you need a collection of the awesome scripture that talks about being free right?! ;)

Hope everyone had a great 4th! 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15-17

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Romans 6:6-8

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

Dear Heavenly Father - Thank You for making us free through YOUR SON, Jesus Christ, which whom without we would have NO HOPE, in Jesus's name we pray, ><>

SiC <3

So is it just me thinking this or does the world as a whole REALLY have zombies on the brain? Arguably the best reference to zombies would be in the musically styling’s of Family Force 5 (video below) and/or the biblical references that could paint believers as zombies – just not of the brain, human flesh eating variant.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

Of course the above verses refers to a spiritual death (death of self), but lets not split hairs (just roll with it, you know you want to). ;)

As the chapter continues on …

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old selfwith its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:5-17 (NIV)

This truth is also written about in Romans 6.

What does it mean? Simply to paraphrase, you are a new creation. With that new creation/new life you are called to be a different person – just as if you were a new baby human from your mother’s womb. Be like Christ, kind – compassionate – faithful - forgiving, able to heal the sick, perform miracles as the Holy Spirit works through you and be completely of/about God.

Dear Heavenly Father, We come to you today thankful for what You have done for us and humble to be Your servants. May we boldly declare as a family YOU ARE GOD and not, by any means, be ashamed to speak the truth of You. Though the world around us is falling into decay, we know that You are still in control, and one day all will have to answer to You. In the name of Yeshua, ><>

SiC <3

35 cans were collected at Rock The Box, plus an unexpected surprise from a co-worker of toothbrushes and toothpastes. 

Thanks to those who donated and help raise awareness for the cause (past, present & future), such as The 7 Venue, Demon Hunter, The Great Commission, A Bullet For Pretty Boy, Your Memorial, Sleeping Giant and Mr Marty. Thanks be to God seeing it through and for putting it on my heart to reach out to the Venue, admittedly I was a bit hesitate when it came upon me to do so.   

It was in need for sure this a.m. due to some last minute happenings/changes, as such please keep Brother Dewey in your prayers.

Just a little note, don't forget to show compassion even in the simplest way. Such was shown to me in recent days just a seemingly simple conversation, by an unknown person - in a place once wouldn't perhaps expect, but as a result of this, well something(s) been forever changed. Ah[God]mazing. :)

May you each go through-out this week showing love to one another, bringing the glory of God down, while you act in His will. 

SiC <3

*Thanks again to The 7 Venue for making this possible*