We have been on vacation together for a few days now.  Our family has had some time to spend together, the most we have had in quite a few weeks.  Whenever we have a lot of togetherness, there are always some interesting times with Josh and Hannah.  Hannah’s interesting things I can publish and Josh’s I can’t because he is of the age of consent and information is held to protect the guilty.  Not to mention he would probably hurt me to share some of the details, however, I will talk for cash:)

So here are a few of our “Hannah-isms for the week.

Friday night, Hannah and I were sitting on the couch and she was really affectionate.  She was hugging me and kissing me on the cheek.  She looks at me and says, “I love it when I love you!”  That was her attempt at self-appreciation and you can read between the lines there.  In essence she was saying, “I am actually being nice to you.”

On the way to Kansas City, I was flipping through the radio stations to find a Christian station.  I stopped on a Jazz station (I love Jazz) and listened for a second, when out of the back seat Hannah yells, “No change it!  I don’t like that music,” 

I flip to another station and the next one lands on a classic rock station.  Screaming guitars and something that sounds like Led Zeppelin is playing and I change the station.  Hannah screams again, “No, turn it back.  I like that song!”  Sonya and I looked at each other and agreed we are in trouble.

Last night at World’s of Fun (similar to Six Flags), Hannah was getting off of the worm ride.  It was a small roller coaster.  Sonya was taking her to ride it again, when Hannah exclaimed, “No, I don’t want to go back on that one.  It doesn’t go fast enough.”  That’s My Girl!

The other day Josh and I were driving through town when we came to the intersection of 28th and Oak street.  There were some modifications to the stop sign that a vandal had made.  The words Don’t and Believin’ were added to the sign to make it read, “Don’t Stop Believin”.  I don’t know if they were referencing the old Journey song or if they were making a spiritual statement.  I hope it was the Journey song because it is not good to make spiritual statements while doing illegal actions.

I snapped this picture and went away, not only with the Journey song in my head but also a challenge in my heart.  When things get tough, don’t stop believin. 

Someone suggested to me that we should write scripture verses on the floor of the sanctuary before the new carpet was laid.  I forgot about that until last night about 9:30pm.  I began to think of what I could write on the floor that could Scriptures we could stand on at RFA.  This morning, I came in a little early to write some verses that I pray often for our church body.

 

Did you know your life is valuable to God?

God chose you and created you for a special purpose, for this time and this season. He has chosen you for marvelous things. He has set you apart to be a vessel of honor for His use. Many people really do not believe this. We look at other people that God is using and think God could never use me that way. The distinct difference between you and them is one word, SURRENDER.

This morning I sat listening to the song I Surrender All and thought about all of the many people who do not truly surrender their lives to God. God has a plan for every Christian. In fact, you have a special gifting that He is waiting to use, but you have to surrender. The prophets of old were told that they would be used to go to the children of Israel, however, if they didn’t surrender, they wouldn’t have fulfilled God’s plan.

God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Jeremiah was in God’s mind a long time before Jeremiah was even a thought. Jeremiah thought of all the reasons why he couldn’t do this work for God. He said, "I cannot speak for I am a youth." Jeremiah then says. "…the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth." All Jeremiah had to do was surrender. You are special to God. He is awaiting your step of faith to declare that you will do whatever He has planned for you. You may not know specifically what God wants. Maybe you do, but the key is that you have to surrender, and then you can be used.

Pray with me, "Dear heavenly Father, I surrender my all to you. I lay down my will, my life, and my dreams and ask you to use me for whatever you want. I give you all of me. Show me your ways and your purpose for me. I will do it. Equip me and empower me to do your work. In Jesus name, Amen."

The other night Sonya, Hannah and I were out for a walk when it started to rain.  Normally, in moments like that, we run in and duck for cover, but Monday was different.  Instead of staying in, Sonya suggested that Hannah and I should go out and play in the rain.  What a great idea!  Hannah and I went outside and got soaked. 

It made me wonder, “why is it when we are kids that we love to play in the rain and when we get old we don’t like to get wet?”  I think it is good to sometimes get kid-like again.  Most people need a good dance in the rain!

PLAYING IN THE RAIN

Why must we grow up and lose our zest for life
Why do we lose our joy amidst all the strife?

I watch you with awe and witness your joy
The cares of this life you always seem to avoid

In your imaginary world you spin tales of wonder
Your mind races and your energy is like no other

We dance in the rain and I hear your gleeful laugh
You play in the mud and want to go to bed without a bath

Oh, how I wish my life was so care-free
Resting in Jesus, letting Him carry me

How soon I forget, how to be young again
To live my life, not looking back at where I’ve been

Another day comes and goes with much that is mundane
But you and I will dance together, once again in the rain

For it is those days that I escape into your world of peace
But for these few moments, it is you that rescues me

Saving me from the trap of living business as usual
You let me in to your wonderful care-free world

Thank you little child for reminding me of me
Or at least the me, that I used to be.

-Danny Cheney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of Sundays ago, I referenced a great sermon by S.M. Lockridge, “That’s My King!”  I’ve had a lot of requests for the video of this sermon, but I also thought I would share the transcript.  Here it is:

The Bible says my King is a seven-way King:
He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Israel – that’s a national King.
He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of the Ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of Glory.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.
That’s my King.
Well, I wonder do you know Him.
David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
My King is a sovereign King – no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s Saviour.
He’s the centrepiece of civilisation.
He stands in the solitude of himself.
He’s august and He’s unique.
He’s unparalleled, He’s unprecedented.
He is the loftiest idea in literature.
He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
He is the core and the necessity for spiritual religion.
He’s the miracle of the age, He’s… yes He is.
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He’s the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Saviour.
I wonder if you know him today?
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathises and He saves.
He strengthens and sustains.
He guards and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleansed the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharges debtors.
He delivers the captive.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent.
And He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him? Well, my King—
He is the key, He’s the key to knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?
Well, His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His life is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous and
His yoke is easy and
His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you.
But He’s indes… Wooah, yeaaah! yeaahh,
He’s indescribable – yes He is ! He’s God.
He’s, He’s indescribable, yes, He’s indescribable.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind,
You get Him off of your hand,
You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.
Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him and
the grave couldn’t hold Him. Yeah !
THAT’S MY KING !
THAT’S MY KING ! YEAH !
And Thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever
and ever and ever.
How long is that ?
And ever and ever.
And when you get through all the forevers, then
Amen !
GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY ! AMEN ! AMEN !

Here is yesterday’s message: