Wednesday Worship: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

From the Piano Guys.  Melodically, one of my favorite Christmas hymns.  Hauntingly beautiful.

O come, O come, Emmanuel 

And ransom captive Israel 
That mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appear 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

I must confess I have never considered the lyrics as an adult, although I've known them since childhood.  In this day, they seem very political as well as spiritual.  More thought required. I hope you enjoyed.

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: This Christmas

And this Christmas will be
a very special Christmas for me.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, usually the Donnie Hathaway version but I like this one too.

I love the Christmas season. How about you?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: God Knows Best

So with everything within me,
I say, "Yes" to thee, O Lord
Even though my faith gets weak,
I'm standing on Your word.
So forgive me, Lord, for doubting You
When Your way I cannot see
Now I rest assured that You know what is best for me.

So let the faint of heart take courage,
Let the weak one say, "I'm strong."
God will exchange gloom for gladness
And your sadness for a song.
Do not cast away your confidence
God will always see you through
He knows just what to do and He knows what is best for you.

I've found great comfort in this song since I first heard it over 20 years ago.  Miller's voice, combined with the lyrics, provides a balm that soothes the deepest of wounds.  And now, when I'm not feeling particularly wounded but simply need a word of encouragement, the words are uplifting and remind me how great God art.

I pray that all the peoples of this earth--in the end, after the fighting, bickering, judging, doubting, denying, hurting, accusing, lying, mistrusting, torturing...after all the horrible things we do to one another--put their faith in God, realizing that He knows best for us all.

Does God know best for you?

Have a safe, happy, healthy, blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Keep Living

Are you living, really living?

I know that some friends have left have you high and dry
And meeting challenges have left you petrified,
But as long as you still have life and breath
You still have something to do for the Savior.
Keep living because after this is the victory!

Keep living
Through your troubles.
Keep living
Through your pain.
Keep living
Through your worries.
Yes, keep living
God will sustain you.

A number of folks have passed away.  Bills remain.  Dreams are dashed.  Day-to-day is a struggle.  Health is a challenge. 

Maybe you simply don't believe in yourself or you doubt God's love and grace in your life or His ability/willingness to bless you as He has blessed others.

KEEP LIVING!

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Hello Fear

Hello Fear ,

Before you sit down there's something I need to explain 
Since you're here 
I think I should tell you since we last talked things have changed...


Hello Grace,

It feels like forever, I thought my chance with you was gone 
See your face, it reminds me of mercy 
And please let me say I was wrong 
Never knew your touch was endless 
How you never run dry of forgiveness 
Didn't know how bad it was, was afraid just because 
Sorry fear, grace took your place 

Unquestionably one of my favorite songs from Kirk Franklin's latest CD, but this rendition by Pastor Michael Lampkin during the recent season of Sunday Best was silk.

See ya, Fear.  Welcome, Grace!

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: I Will Win

Don't you like how God uses the things of this world to speak to you?

I heard this song and watched the video just yesterday.  It met me at the door, on my way out of a bit of a pity party. You see, I have a major birthday coming up in just under six months.  MAJOR.  And, well, there are some things I hoped to do, some things I wanted to see happen, that don't seem to be on the horizon.



In truth, I haven't done what I need to do to make those things happen.  Pounds don't drop off, books don't write themselves and job changes don't fall out the sky.

The reasons, no matter how good or justified, don't matter.

Time to get busy.

If you're like me, you have the greatest clarity of thought in the early hours of the morning, when you rise and as you dress, before the demands and noises of the day encroach upon your mind and spirit.

Today's thought was "What will I do today for today to be a good day, and for tomorrow to be an even better one?"

If I want to move toward a healthier weight, one at which I will feel and look better, I have to make good decisions about what goes in my mouth today.  Today's good decisions tend to spur me to make similarly good choices tomorrow.

If I want to become a published author, I have to write.  Writing today gets the creative juices flowing and inspires me to write tomorrow.

If I want a different job, I have to take a step toward getting one.  One step usually leads to another.

I have to do something.

After seeing and deciding to post the video, a devotional hit my inbox yesterday with two Scripture quotes that further affirmed what I need to do:

Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every cloud will never harvest crops. -- Ecclesiastes 11:4, New Century Version

Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise. -- Psalm 90:12, New Century Version

Because God has done His part, but He's waiting to see what I'm going to do.

I'm going to win!

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Your Presence is Heaven

Your presence is heaven to me...

Israel Houghton has a special style of worship that speaks to me no matter what circumstance, what mood I find myself in.

A Lifeway Research study came out recently that said Christians are spending less time reading the Bible than ever.  If we're not reading the Word of God, we're not refilling our cup.  Jesus is the cup that won't run dry, but we can't quite say the same.  I hope if folks aren't reading the God's Word, then they're hearing it or spending time in communion with him.  Anything that fills the distance, that bridges the gap that too easily opens up and widens between us and God.

It's so important to spend time in His presence.

Will you find a moment to spend with Him today?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia