Chonda Pierce - "Dwelling Places"

I've seen Chonda Pierce in concert twice. Both times were incredible. She has a great way of mixing in comedy with the message. Enjoy!

God Uses Ordinary People

You don't have to be a celebrity to be used by God. Even if you aren't beautiful or smart, don't have a good job, didn't go to college, and can hardly read, God can still use you.

Just look at David. He was a shepherd. The prophet came to David's house to ask his dad for a king. No one thought to bring out David because he was just a simple shepherd.

1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David
1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long
will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me."
The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me."
Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel,
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down [a] until he arrives."
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Came to my Rescue - Hillsong United

Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek Your face
Lord all I am is Yours

My whole life I place in Your hands
God of mercy humbled I bow down
In Your presence at Your throne

I called; You answered
And You came to my rescue
And I wanna be where You are

My whole life I place in Your hands
God of mercy humbled I bow down
In Your presence at Your throne

I called; You answered
and You came to my rescue
and I wanna be where You are

In my life,
be lifted high.
In our world,
be lifted high.
In our love,
be lifted high.

I called; You answered
And You came to my rescue
And I wanna be where You are

As We Worship . . .

Sometimes when we worship, we're looking for a feeling. Was the lighting right? Was the volume right? Did the band sing songs that I liked? Let's remember that when we worship, it's not about us. It's about Him. This is an amazing video to remind us of our focus.

Money Trees, Plaques, and Windows

We visited a new church last night. It was a mixture of mostly traditional with a bit of contemporary mixed in. I was thankful that the pastor wasn't wearing a suit and tie and that the people were dressed modestly, yet casual.

There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.

Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Let's be careful not to get caught up in praise and recognition for the things we've done. It is easy to get wrapped up into these things.

Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

This song is awesome! Jesus paid it all for us.

A Little Humor for You

A little girl asked her mother, "How did the human race appear?"

The mother answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so was all mankind made."

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question.
The father answered, "Many ages ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, "Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?"

The mother answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his."

Psalm 23 for the Work Place

Someone sent this to me in an email.

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.

He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.

He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without

murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.

He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me!

His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.

He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.

His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!

When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!

Everything Glorious by David Crowder

The David Crowder Band is one of my favorite bands. Enjoy!

Cultivate Joy

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2

Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13b

Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. I Peter 4:10

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy. Psalm 116:11a

Light dawns for the righteous, gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11