Tabgha

So this is Tabgha.  The beach where the disciples saw Jesus after his Resurrection.  The beach that Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep.

I’ts an amazing place, one of my favorites from the trip.  When I was there I was engulfed in a sense of peace, calm, and just felt that everything was going to be alright.

That’s saying a lot considering that I was in a very poor mood that day, and didn’t feel well at all!

I loved it here.  This is the type of place that would draw me to fast and pray, simply being quite with my Savior, and enjoying His presence.  It is a sweet place.

You should go.  When you visit Israel, you need to go to Tabgha.

Jerusalem

It was amazing.  Here are a couple of pics from the trip.

If you were to ask me what one thing I liked best about my trip, I wouldn’t have an answer.  So the next few entries are going to be about my trip, video that I took (thanks again Shellie for the flip camera) and pics.

Enjoy!

This is a model of  what the city of Jerusalem would have looked like just after  Jesus’ day.  From what I understand, the big outer wall (bottom of the pic) would not have been there.  The big rectangle on the left is the temple.  To the left of it is the mount of olives.  He was crucified outside the (inner) wall, next to the big upside down “V” that extends from the inner wall.  That is the north side of the city.  The temple is on the east.  Pilate would have been staying at the citadel, which is on the west side of the city.  Caiaphas’ house would have been between the temple and the citadel.

If I can figure it out, I’ll load the video that corresponds to the pic– that will be much more clear…

Tell next time.

A

Being Redeemed

A man cannot redeem himself– redemption is the work of God, and is absolutely finished and complete.  And its application to individual people is a matter of their own individual action or response to it.  A distinction must always be made between the revealed truth of redemption and the actual conscious experience of salvation in a person’s life.  — Oswald Chambers

A  man cannot redeem himself.  Not something that we like to admit to ourselves, but that’s the entire reason that Jesus came– to redeem us.

So, what’s your response?

And your response cannot simply be, “Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior.” then leave it there– Spend time in the Word of God, read, pray, but most importantly, allow those things to be a way that you foster a relationship with God.  To learn to see things His way.  To learn to do things His way.  To become more like Christ.

To draw near to God, because He is God, and not simply because you have a hurt or a need.  To draw near to him because you desire His presence!

I’ve Come to Worship

I’ve come to worship

I’ve come to lift up your name

for you deserve this life laid down like the one that you gave
Amen.  That’s my purpose.  That’s my calling– I am a child of the King, and because of what Jesus did on the cross, how he conquered sin and death, I will live my life in response– I’ve come to worship, I’ve come to lift up Your Name, Father, for You deserve my life to be laid down before you– Lord I lay my life at your feet– be glorified in me.  Lord, be Glorified in me!

(lyrics from Glorified by Jared Anderson.  Great song.)

In the Light of Your Glory

I came across a song recently, it’s called “In the Light of Your Glory” by Tommy Walker.  I love it.

Verse 1

All the things that seemed so big, Now look so small
The selfish dreams I held so high, I let them fall
Now that I have tasted
And I’ve seen who You are
I let go now, I give You my all

Chorus 1

In the light of Your glory and love
In the light of Your beauty and grace from above
I consider all things of this earth only loss
In the light of Your glory and love

Verse 2

So many are the fears that were controlling me
So many voices calling me away from Thee
Just give me Your presence  and Your grace from the cross
It’s to You I cling, Lord I give You my all

(BRIDGE)
I give my love
I give my life to You forever
No one compares to You
My precious Lord my Savior
I give my love I give my life to You forever
No one compares to You
My precious Lord my Savior

I highlighted several of the phrases myself– I think they speak volumes– when we come face to face with the Lord, Everything else pales.  Everything.  We see that we can trust Him.  We know that we are Loved.  We know that we don’t need to worry because He is in control.

Lord, I’m sorry for the ways I’ve forgotten.  The ways that I’ve looked to myself for answers, instead of turning to You, and asking for Your Perfect Will to be done.  Thank you that you are capable, and that you delight in caring for me.

Thank You Lord, that you are the LORD, and I am not.

Jesus,  I love you.

Late

I was late this morning to staff meeting.  I have been on time every day for a long time.  But today I was late.  As I walked in to church and realized it I was angry, frustrated, and ticked that I did this.  A thousand excuses started rolling thru my head—you were late b/c… and well… they don’t know about this…” but in the end, excuses are like armpits—everyone has them and they all stink.

Ugh.  True

I got to staff meeting and apologized for my tardiness.  After though, it was still gnawing at me—I was late, I screwed up, and there was nothing that I can do to rectify it.  Plain and simple, I messed up!  There is nothing in my own power that I can do to right my situation.

Sounds familiar—this is where each and every one of us lands—having screwed up, fallen short, and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it.  We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  So what do we do about it?  We talk to the boss—we talk to the one we’ve sinned against.  In my case two bosses—asking forgiveness from Glenn, and from the Lord.

Where do I go from here?  Obviously, I’m going to do my best to be on time.  I never try to be late.  But sometimes, it just happens.  Is it completely my responsibility—yes.  Sometimes I just screw up, despite my best efforts.  I’m not perfect.  That’s where Grace comes in—grace to get up, and learn from my mistakes, and try again.  God’s forgiveness allows me to do that without living under condemnation—I don’t have a voice running through my head always saying you screwed up.  You’ll never learn to be on time.  You’re always going to be a failure… Instead I live under conviction—yes, I have been late in the past.  But I’m forgiven.  Knowing that, I’m going to do my best to change. Lord, I need your help to not just be on time, but to be early. Condemnation grinds in my failure.  Conviction tells me where I’ve been, and gives me hope to do the right thing the next time.  Condemnation is from the devil.  Conviction is from the Holy Spirit.

So, where are you today?  Living under condemnation, or conviction?  In what area?  And what are you going to do about it?  Make excuses?  Allow yourself to be condemned continually, or come honestly before the Lord, laying down what you’re struggling with, and where you’re at, and allowing Him to begin a new work in you to fix what is broken.

A thousand times I fail, still your mercy remains

And should I stumble again, still I’m caught in your grace…

…Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades,

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise

From the inside out, Lord my soul cries out!

(From the Inside Out, Joel Houston)

Well??

God places His saints where they will bring the most glory to Him, and we are totally incapable of judging where that may be. – Oswald Chambers

So then, I’m exactly where I need to be, assuming I’m listening to God’s leadings.

That raises the question– am I doing all I can today to bring God the most glory? Am I taking responsibility and making the most of my opprotunities?

Am I doing the work of Jesus here today?

Hope so– I’m going to go get to work!

God Bless~ Amanda

Isaiah 26:3

I always seem to draw a blank when it comes time (or is overdue) for me to blog.  Here’s a bit of irony for you– when we started this blogging thing I remember walking into Glenn’s office and announcing– “I like this blog, I always have so much to say!”

That should have been a warning.  It never seems to fail that when I make a statement about the ease/ enjoyment/ of something that is really worthwhile, it very quickly goes down the tubes.

Examples:  exercising.  practicing the piano.  spending time reading a good book.  finishing the same book.  spending time with the Lord daily.

Every one of those things I’ve just named is something that I really enjoy doing.  I’m kind of odd– I really like to exercise!  And playing the piano is one of the best stress relievers for me.  Spending time with the Lord is pretty much the fuel for the day too.

So why is it that those are the things that are the first to go?  I don’t know, but I’m guessing it’s a combination of priorities and boundaries that I set for myself.  I find myself feeling guilty at times for wanting to make time to take care of myself.  I have a hard time saying no to good things when in reality I should be saying no to good things, to make time for the best things!  To make time to do the things that make me me, and most importantly spend time with the Lord, who made me, who is working in me, and wants me to find out how much He loves me!

That said, I pose you the question– What are you settling for in your life that keeps you from the prime things?  What is God calling you to do, or in my case, not do, in order to spend more time with Him? Isaiah 26:3 says “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.”  So are your activities keeping you in peace?  Or are they bringing your focus elsewhere, so peace is miles away?

Hosanna!

Last night at the summer Acts 2:42 service I was reminded again just how much I love the song Hosanna by Paul Baloche.  In it we sing phrases like “When we see you we find strength to face the day, in your presence all our fears are washed away… and Hosanna, you are the God who saves us, you’re worthy of all our praises… come have Your way among us, we welcome you here Lord Jesus”

What great scriptural truth.  When we are confronted with the Lord, our fears fade—as I sit here and write this, I’m amazed by the fact that truly, I cannot comprehend God’s greatness, glory and goodness—He is magnificient!  Someday, when I’m in the presence of God, EVERYTHING else will fade.  Wow!

Lastly, “Lord, come have your way among us.”    The other morning in my devotional the point was that we are to submit our wills to the Lord.  It is a choice, and it is our responsibility to actively do God’s will.  It’s not something that just happens.  We must daily choose to invite the Lord in, and allow Him to have His way in our lives.

Amen, come Lord Jesus!

Summer Update

Hola.

I love summer, the warm weather is awesome.  One thing about summer that always makes me scratch my head is how, in my brain, it is a time for slowing down, but in reality, it is just as packed as the other 9 months of the year, just differently packed.

For instance, I’m teaching fewer lessons, but the extra time that I would have is filled by physical therapy for my knee (which is  going well, thanks).  Or how, I don’t have any large groups practicing currently, other than GUMP, but I’m swimming up to my elbows in Christmas music in preparation for the fall.

That said, life is good.  It’s nice to have something to work on, and it’s always a great feeling to walk into the school year planned ahead.

Nothing’s final yet, but here’s what I’m planning for the coming school year.  For the Adults, have Chancel choir from September thru Easter, singing once a month, and doing a Christmas cantata.  Also, I’m going to offer a small group bell choir to meet at 7:00 for those interested.

For the kids I really liked having Joyful Noise choir from November to March.  And (minus knee surgery this year) the bells on either side worked well.

Again, this schedule  is  tentative, I’ll continue praying and thinking about it, this is just where I’m leaning right now.

Hope the day finds you enjoying the sunshine and warmth!

God Bless!