wow

Found this verse today in my new copy of the Amplified Bible*, and it really struck me:

Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love? (James 4:5, Amplified Bible)

I'm still learning to grasp the concept that the Holy Spirit has deeply profound emotions. Meditating on that will be life-changing.

*the guy at the Canadian Bible Society asked me if I had had an Amplified Bible before and I told him no, but that I'd heard many people refer to it a lot lately. He told me I was in for a treat. He wasn't kidding! I got a $15 paperback version on sale and I can see I'll have it falling apart in no time. The next one will be in leather for sure.

losing sight

"In many churches you can find a plethora of twelve step programs. But in many churches, the one who really needs a twelve step recovery program is the pastor because he has lost sight of what he should be doing and become addicted to marketing cultural relevance, politics, social reform and other substitutes for the real thing." ~ John MacArthur

by our love

I just heard this song for the first time a few minutes ago (while painting my daughter's room!). I find the video below extremely distracting and wish I could find a version with just the album cover, but it's worth listening to if you close your eyes or scroll below the video. Nothing wrong with the video, but in my opinion it takes away from it! I posted the lyrics below.



Brothers, let us come together
Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done...
We will come reaching, out from our comforts
And they will know us by our love...

Sisters, we were made for kindness
We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us...
We will come reaching, with a song of healing...
And they will know us by our love!

The time is now
Come Church arise...
Love with His hands
See with His eyes...
Bind it around you,
Let it never leave you,
And they will know us by our love...

Children, You are hope for justice,
Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above
You will be reaching, long after we’re gone,
And they will know you by your love!

Written by Christy Nockels
© 2009 worshiptogether.com Songs / sixsteps Music (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) (ASCAP)

hope and trust

"The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams." ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

restless rebellion

crows in a storm

"I often wonder what those preachers do who feel called to make up their message as they go on; for if they fail, their failure must be attributed in great measure to their want of ability to make up a moving tale. They have to spread their sails to the breeze of the age, and to pick up a gospel that comes floating down to them on the stream of time, altering every week in the year; and they must have an endless task to catch this new idea, or, as they put it, to keep abreast of the age. Unless, indeed, like chameleons, they have a natural aptitude to change colour, they must have a worrying time of it, and a horrible amount of shifting to get through. When they have done their best to preach this gospel of their own, then they are accountable for having made that gospel. For every bit of its teaching they are accountable, because they were the manufacturers of it, and it came forth from their foundry, bearing their stamp. If they take this yoke upon them, and so refuse to learn of Christ, they will find no rest to their souls." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Original sermon found here.