New Friends

This is my new friend, Gina from Sarasota. This is her 2nd year. She came equipped with blankets. Our seats are over the ice rink of the Tampa Bay Lightening. Hope my toes don't get cold! #womenoffaith

Women of Faith at St. Pete Times Forum

I'm blogging today from the Women of Faith conference at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

The doors are open and small groups of women are on their way in. Lots of smiles and laughter. A quiet but palable energy. Given the huge buses that were lining the streets surrounding the Forum, I expect a nice crowd.

Wednesday Worship: You Hold My World

You hold my world in Your hands, 
You hold my world in Your hands, 
And I am amazed at Your love, 
I am amazed that You love me. 

You hold my world in Your hands, 
You hold my world in Your hands, 
And I'm not afraid, 
My world is safe in Your hands, 
In Your hands. 

I first heard this Israel Houghton song shortly before my brother passed away earlier this year. He was alone when he died, in pain and suffering.

I think about him a lot. I wish I'd been a better sister. We were so close and he knew I would do anything for him, knew that I loved him. I just wish I could have done more.

We used to talk about the things of God some times. He wasn't where I am, not quite as sure that his Heavenly Father cared about him or loved him the way I know that Jesus did. He believed in Christ as His Savior, but organized religion, church, wasn't his thing. To my knowledge, his relationship hadn't deepened but perhaps stagnated over the years.

In truth, I don't really know.

Oh, I wish I could have done more. But when I hear this song, as tears stream down my face, I always imagine Daniel hearing these words, almost as if the Holy Spirit was whispering them to him as confirmation, in his final minutes:

You won't let go of me,
You won't let go of me, 
You won't let go of me. 
Never let go. 

You will take care of me, 
You will take care of me, 
You will take care of me, 
You will take care, 
Always take care.

It's such a strong image, with him sitting in a particular chair in the living room, facing the picture window in the house where we grew up. It's almost as though God burned that image in my head to comfort me. It's the same image every time I hear this song.

I'm glad I know that God holds my world and that my world is safe in His hands. Do you know who holds your world?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Lord, How I Love You

Lord, my heart is yours
It all belongs to you
I give you all the glory,
Yes, I love You.
I worship and adore
I'm gonna tell you more
Oh oh, Lord, how much I really do love You.

I must have really been going through.  Because I completely missed Fred Hammond's Love Unstoppable CD. I frequently heard and bopped to one song, They That Wait, but considering Hammond is one of my all-time favorite gospel artists, I'm not sure how the rest of the CD slipped by me.  I didn't buy it and I'm not sure why. But I'm listening now and as always, I'm in awe of Hammond's talent.  He's great in a live performance, but he's at his best when he's writing and singing contemporary worship songs.

Lord, How I Love You sings to my soul.

If you're a Fred fan, have a listen and lets cyber-worship together.  If you're not, well, you just might be after hearing this beautiful song.

You are worthy,
I love You...


Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Addictive Love, Anniversary Love

A special song selection today. Addictive Love by BeBe and CeCe Winans.

Today's my 20th wedding anniversary.

A lot of people, when these major anniversaries occur, say, "I never would have thought..."

I can't say that.

I never thought we wouldn't make it. When I said, "I do", I meant it. I can't imagine us any other way. Perhaps that's "Addictive Love".

Oh, there have been times when things got nip and tuck. Times when we had to have serious discussions to decide whether going on together was the way to go.

Even then, I assumed we'd find our way out of the jungle of whatever issue was threatening to consume us.

We did.

And here we are.

Babe, thank you for 20 years. The good and the tough, the ups and the downs.

Thank God for 20 years of marriage.  The good and the tough, the ups and the downs. (See, He's the 3rd spoke in this marriage wheel and definitely the reason the wheel is still turning.)

Here's to a lifetime more.

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: You Put The Light In Me

You put the light in me...

Got this one from a new FB friend.  That's why I love social media.  We will only get better if we draw closer to, not farther from, each other.

The spark,
The shot to the heart,
You are the hope that leads me out of the dark.
You let your love shine down
So that the world can see,
You put the light in me.

Are you shining your light?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

Wednesday Worship: Nobody Greater

Searched all over,
Couldn't find nobody.
I looked high and low,
Still couldn't find nobody.
Nobody greater, nobody greater,
Nobody greater than You.

I heard other people cover this song for the longest...and didn't like it.  Tempo was changed, usually too slow, and song just didn't speak to me.

But then I heard the original, and now I can't get it out of my head.  Love the smooth music and love the simplicity of the lyrics.

Is there anyone greater than Jesus?

Nobody greater, nobody greater...

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia