The Greatest Love

"So That Christ May Dwell In Your Hearts Through Faith. And I Pray That You, Being Rooted And Established In Love, May Have Power, Together With All The Saints, To Grasp How Wide And Long And High And Deep Is The Love Of Christ, And To Know This Love That Surpasses Knowledge - That You May Be Filled To The Measure Of All The Fullness Of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19



The true depth of His love for you, should bring you to tears, at least it does me...

When I take the time, surrounded in silence and truly contemplate how much He loves me, it takes my breath away and fills my heart with joy.

The love you see in the eyes of your spouse or significant other is nothing compared to the love that is in His eyes, for you.

The love your child sees on your face, pales in comparison to the loves He shows when looking upon your face.

No matter who you fall in love with on this Earth, it will never be any where close to the love He has for you.

He loves you just because you are you, not for how well you sing, how many people follow you, how great your last post was, how big your house is, how cool your car is, how much money you have in the bank etc...

For just being you.

He knows how many hairs are on the top of each of our heads (yes even the ones who are bald). - Luke 7

He knew you before you were even formed. - Jeremiah 1:5

He knows what you are going to do tomorrow and still loves you anyway.

Some of you reading this may be doubting at this point in time, thinking that you possibly can't be worthy of His love.

I am here to tell you differently, as a former drug addict, a life filled with turmoil and pain, a road I traveled of self-destruction for quite some time filled with anger, bitterness and hate.

Self-pity & no self-worth, when I started this walk, I didn't feel worthy of even an ounce of His love, I felt I was doomed to continue to swim in quicksand, until I truly called on Him.

Not because the Church said I should, not because a friend said I should, not because I knew it was the right thing to do, but because I had no where else to turn when I hit complete rock-bottom.

I will never forget that Sunday a little over a year ago when I faced the Altar with suicidal thoughts swimming within my head, letters being written in my mind for my boys, thoughts of finally being free of the emotional pain I was locked in.

God knew that, He in turn had already placed a Pastor in my life who has the uncanny knack of knowing when something just isn't right with me, and by His grace and because of His love, I am here today.

Each day from that Sunday until this very moment, His love has been growing within me.

He shows me each and every day how much He loves me, just by allowing me one more day on this Earth.

I want everyone to feel what I feel, to know a love so pure that it is indescribable.

To have joy when others have sorrow, to have peace when others have turmoil, to have love when others feel hate, to know that no matter what you are facing, you will never face it alone.

To know that the greatest love you will ever know, is right by your side, waiting for you to call on Him.

It doesn't have to be a grand gesture or a huge declaration, it could be just a whisper, it could be just a few simple words.

Believe.

Trust.

Faith.

In return, you will be loved in ways you can't even begin to imagine.

MERCYME
By The Power Of The Cross
You've Taken What Was Lost
And Made It Fully Yours
And I Have Been Redeemed
By You That Spoke To Me
Now I Am Spoken For

Little White Sins

"O God, Thou Knowest My Foolishness; And My Sins Are Not Hid From Thee."

Psalm 69:5

Nothing you do is hidden from Him, not in the light nor under cover of night, He knows what you are going to do before you do it yourself so don't bother trying to hide it, thinking maybe He isn't looking.

I have covered sin before on here however today I want to cover "Little White Sins".

There are 10 Commandments to live by and by now you should all know them, major rules, given by Him, for us to follow...

Breaking them is considered a sin, regardless of whether you commit murder or cheat on your spouse or covet your neighbor etc...

The punishment for breaking the rules is death, plain and simple...

If you break His commandments, don't ask for forgiveness & don't repent, you are risking your soul.

Romans 6:23 - "For The Wages Of Sin Is Death; But The Gift Is Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ Our Lord."

Those are His words not mine...

However, the 10 Commandments aren't the only sins to be broken.

Each day, every one of us sins, don't tell me you don't, because you aren't God therefore you sin just like I do.

Little white sins are things you don't even think about, yet they are still very detrimental to your Salvation and you need to be more aware if you are committing them.

A sin is a sin, major or minor, to Him, it just doesn't matter.

Have you ever been in a grocery store, say about 5:15pm, trying to get some things for dinner, knowing the kids are hungry "Right Now!!!", spouse will be home soon and you still have a million and one things to do before you are able to get some sleep?

You head over to the "express checkout" with your 10 items, only to end up behind someone with 56 items, and a cashier who is slower than molasses, what is it you are thinking? If you are anything like me, you have a running conversation in your head with yourself about how that person should have gone to another line, the store should hire someone who can ring people out faster and dang it why won't they open another "express" lane???

Lack of patience (I am very guilty) my friends isn't a good thing, by being impatient, you are causing yourself to lose out on some blessings. (1 Samuel)

Next time you are standing in line, remind yourself that there is a reason for it...

Did you ever think that those few extras minutes just prevented you from getting in a really bad car accident?

Perhaps those few extra minutes gave an animal a chance to get across the road instead of being hit by you in your rush to get home.

Do you avert your eyes when you see someone standing on the corner holding a cardboard sign?

Why?

Is it because they are dirty? Shoeless? Standing by a rusty shopping cart with their meager worldly possessions stuffed inside? Do they frighten you and the way you see the world? Do you pre-judge and say "They should get a job instead of begging" or maybe you think they are doing it because they have nothing better to do with their time?

Think you are better because you have a house to go to while they sleep under the bridge? You have plenty of food in your cabinets and they have none? You wear designer clothes and have enough outfits that you don't have to wear the same thing twice in three weeks while they wear the same 2 outfits?

Sorry to break it to you, however you aren't any better.

You have ZERO clue as to why they are standing there, so really, who are you to judge them?

Ever think maybe they have mental issues?

Perhaps a woman escaping a horrific home life filled with abuse and this is all she has right now?

A teenager who has run away from a lifetime of sexual abuse and has landed on the streets because no one would help them?

In John 15:12 it states; "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

In John 15:17 it states; "These things I command you, that ye love one another"

Same book, same passage, only 5 verses separates the two.

His law clearly states we should love each other as He loves us...

Not just the "good ones" or the "clean ones" or the ones that you see sitting in Church on Sunday -

It doesn't say love some of them, it says, "Love each other as He loves you".

Each thought you have, each deed you do, each word you say has the capability to be sinful or Godly.

As Christians we are supposed to be a blessing to others...

How in the world are we going to bring others to Him when all we do is fill the square on Sunday and come Monday-Saturday we are morally bankrupt?

Cursing, drinking, partying, cheating, lying, stealing, judging others, etc...

And then come Sunday we want to raise our hands in Praise, ask for Forgiveness and once again start another week doing the same things we just asked Forgiveness for.

It can't work this way my friends...

If you are going to live for Him, follow His rules and bring others to Him, you need to do it 24/7/365, not just when it suits you.

Others will judge you, make fun of you, persecute you, hate you...

Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

I ask you this...

Would you rather be hated for loving Him now or would you rather be hated in death by Him for disobeying?

Watch yourselves my friends, we need to make a conscious effort to keep from committing the little white sins, because they are just as big as the major sins.

BRANDON HEATH
Give Me Your Eyes For Just One Second
Give Me Your Eyes So I Can See
Everything That I Keep Missing
Give Me Your Love For Humanity
Give Me Your Arms For The Broken Hearted
Ones That Are Far Beyond My Reach
Give Me Your Heart For The Ones Forgotten
Give Me Your Eyes So I Can See

Music Soothes & Heals

"For His Anger Lasts Only A Moment, But His Favor Lasts A Lifetime; Weeping May Remain For A Night, But Rejoicing Comes In The Morning."

Psalm 30:5



Just like my lack of patience is well known, so is my love of music.

Next to reading, I would rank listening to music up there in my top 5.

I have a broad range of musical likes, I have never just stuck with one genre, never leaning to just rock or just metal or just Christian, if I like it, I listen to it.

Sometimes it is Opera, sometimes it is Classical, sometimes it is 80's and sometimes it is Hard Rock...

Depends on the mood I am in mostly.

Country, not a fan, however there are a couple of artists I will listen to....

I don't really listen to Top 40 either.

These days I lean more towards music that has the ability to encourage and uplift, songs of worship and praise and love and hope.

I am discovering new faves, so many new ones I couldn't possibly list them all here, though I try to use them in my song snippet at the end of every post and if your speakers are on when you come here, you can hear some of them as well.

Y'all know the story of how I came to find KLOVE and I still listen to them any chance I get, usually at work because I still can't get them to come in at home.

Michael W. Smith is still my all time favorite Christian musician, I have been listening to him for over 20 years and he can still bring me to tears.

Out of all the songs he sings, "Kentucky Rose" is still my favorite.

Most people know him by "Friends" and while that is a great song, I am here to tell you he has so many other great ones you should check out.

"I Will Carry You" breaks me down each and every time, "I Know Your Name" is very special to me because back when I first started this walk, someone sent it to me anonymously, when I felt so lost and alone and scared and really doubted He cared, and then there is "Straight To The Heart", a song that has special meaning to me due to a very close friend who has stood by my side as I started this journey, one who is there, no matter what.

Within the past 6 months I have been introduced to a few other Christian artists that have moved me and I want to share a few with you.

Some of them you all may know, some of them you may not, some of you listen to them on a daily basis and maybe, for some of you, this will be your first time.

Some of these songs may bring you to tears, some might just bring you to Him for the first time, some may bring you closer.

Some will open your eyes and humble you, some will make you question what in the world you are doing with your life, some will make you want to raise your hands and just say "Thank You".

So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, some tissues, pick a link and enjoy what He has given us.

Jeremy Camp - "Overcome"

Tenth Avenue North - "By Your Side" (I need tissues for this one)

Chris Tomlin - "I Will Rise" (Tears fall for this one as well)

MercyMe - "Bring The Rain"

David Crowder Band - "How He Loves" (Yes, this one as well)

Phillips, Craig and Dean - "Revelation Song"

Mark Schultz - "He Will Carry Me" (Yep)

Pocket Full Of Rocks - "Come As You Are" (This one also)

Third Day - "Cry Out To Jesus" (Tear fest right here)

Toby Mac - "Gone"

Stryper - "Alive"

Phil Wickham (Feat. Bart Millard) - "Safe" (Here as well)

Mikeschair - "Let The Waters Rise"

Kutless - "What Faith Can Do" (The song that He used to bring me to KLOVE)

Casting Crowns - "East To West" (Gracie, always reminds me of the verse you gave me so long ago)

Bebo Norman - "A Million Raindrops"

These are just a few I listen to on a daily basis...

Music to me is a wonderful gift from Him.

It has a way of working into the very depths of my soul and moving me in ways that I can't express.

I used to listen to music to keep the flame of anger burning brightly inside of me, it fueled the hate I carried within, hate for myself, for my past, for my choices, for my mistakes, for my sins.

Music filled with foul language, thoughts of suicide, murder, bitterness, pure hate music and I loved it I will admit.

However, it has no place now in my life, as I try to complete the 180 that has become my life, I need the encouragement these artists sing about....

Another blessing that I wasn't seeking, however it still found its way to me.

That brings me to Matthew West.

I heard him first on KLOVE, liked him on FB, downloaded a few songs and truly loved all I heard from him.

One morning, I saw a FB message about the new album he was going to be doing, however unlike a "normal" CD, he asked his fans for their story...

I contemplated it, I thought long and hard about it and I entered my story.

He spent 2 months in a cabin reading story after story about things most people don't want to even admit go on in our society.

The album was released under the title "The Story Of Your Life".

I have had the chance to hear most of the CD and it is beautiful, however yesterday as I was driving, a new song came on KLOVE...

"Broken Girl" was the song...

I knew then he got it, he understood what I felt, at that time, as well as at this time.

I ended up having to pull over because I burst into tears, at this time I can't listen to the song without crying, without that tightness pulling in my chest, without that little girl inside of me running to the corner, hiding.

The good thing?

Healing has begun.

MATTHEW WEST
Those Pictures In Your Mind, Keep You
Locked Up Inside Your Past.
This Is A Song For The Broken Girl.
The One Pushed Aside By The Cold, Cold World
You Are, Hear Me When I Say,
You're Not The Worthless They Made You Feel
There Is A Love They Can Never Steal Away
And You Don't Have To Stay A Broken Girl

Go On, Confuse Him

"From The Rising Of The Sun Unto The Going Down Of The Same The Lord's Name Is To Be Praised."

Psalm 113:3

One of the songs that our choir sung on Sunday has gotten me to do some serious thinking.

The song is "Praise Him In Advance" by Marvin Sapp, go watch the video, truly listen to the words and I will wait for you.

Welcome back.

The best line in that song, in my opinion is - "Praise will confuse the enemy."

5 little words with a very powerful meaning behind them.

What is praise to you?

Praise is defined as: "Offering words of homage as an act of worship", there is, of course, numerous other meanings, however they don't apply here.

Praise is the voice of your Faith.

So what do you think the songwriter was thinking when he wrote these words?

Do you think he meant wait until the dust has settled and then Praise God for your victory?

No, he meant you praise Him now, in the midst of your trials and tribulations, before the victory.

When you pray, and you truly believe that not only is He listening, He is also hearing your prayers, that is when you praise Him.

Before you see the victory.

That will confuse the mess out of the enemy.

To see you down on your knees, weeping perhaps, angry possibly, broken most likely, yet there you are thanking Him, worshiping Him and praising Him.

Trusting Him that you will win the victory by His mercy and grace.

I was reminded by a dear friend last night that the journey we are taking is a lesson in trust.

Not trust in one another per se, but ultimately being able to just trust in Him.

To know that whatever we are facing in our lives, is for a reason, a chance to glorify His name.

A chance to learn how to confuse the enemy.
 

MARVIN SAPP
I've Had My Share Of Ups And Downs
Times When There Was No One Around
God Came And Spoke These Words To Me
Praise Will Confuse The Enemy

Child's Play

"Consider It Pure Joy, My Brothers, Whenever You Face Trials Of Many Kinds, Because You Know The Testing Of Your Faith Develops Perserverance."

James 1:2-3

Remember this song from your early years?

"The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain.
So the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again."

Now you are probably sitting there wondering what in the world this has to do with my journey with Him.

Or possibly thinking I have finally lost all my marbles. :)

Let me assure you, it does have to do with my walk and my marbles are still in tact.

The itsy bitsy spider is you (and I), the water spout is whatever you are facing/trying to overcome, the rain is Satan and the sun is, of course, the Lord.

See, while you are busy trying to overcome whatever obstacles that are in your way, Satan is going to come in and throw up many more obstacles.

He doesn't care that you are emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually tired, the enemy of your soul wants you broken down like that,  it makes his job much easier.

The seeds that he plants can take root faster when you are spiritually broken down, worry, fear, confusion, doubt etc...

All things he plants within your mind.

If you are "right" spiritually, it takes longer (if at all) for these seeds to grow

When the rain comes (and it will come, no matter who you are or where you are on your walk) and washes you out, you need to call on Him, the Son, to dry the rain out.

It doesn't matter where you are, it doesn't matter what your spout is, He is standing right there waiting for you to call.

The thought brings tears to my eyes each time, no matter how many times I fall, no matter how many times I fail, He is still standing right beside me, waiting for me to ask Him to help me.

It doesn't matter where I am standing, sitting or laying, He stays right by my side.

No matter how many times I am washed out by Satan, the Son is always going to wash away the rain, He will always bring the sun out, so I can continue my climb back up the water spout.

MATTHEW WEST

Did You Hear What I Said?

Did You Read The Words I Wrote Down In Red?

I Was Broken Once For You

And No One Loves You Like I Do