Monday, August 31, 2009

Another

Is it another morning
where morning has no end?
How can we imagine such a place?!
Another day of worship
where all worship does ascend?
But it is written "...grace upon grace."
And is it only Heaven
such perfection to attend?
Have we no glimpses to inspire on?
But all the while, whispers
saying "Soon and very soon;
but a little longer, you'll be gone!"

Just because today is Monday, does it have to be a drudge?
Just because you are going to "that same, old job," must it be torture?
Sure, today is Monday, but you get out of it what you put into it! Approach it with joy, and joy will be returned to you. Visibly, emotionally, financially, spiritually... whatever way God decides to return it to you.
Can you handle that?

"Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
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Friday, August 28, 2009

True Being

"O thank You for Your Presence when
no thing be present here.
You are more real than anything,
that is so very clear!
You are so real You send to me
the day that You have made,
and cause mine eyes to see Yourself
in all that is displayed!
In all that is revealed, You are
so visible and seen.
If only everyman could know
the truth these verses mean!
Yea, blessed be the Truth that stays
beyond all explanation:
that sweetest Truth that be more real
when is secured relation!"
Amen

O that everyman realize Truth and invite His Residence within!
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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Needs?

"I have to be with You, Father!
You do not need me, but I need to be with You.
You do not need my prayers, but I need to pray.
You do not need my worship, but I must worship You.
You do not need my words, but I am compelled to write about You!
You need nothing from me, but I need EVERYTHING from You!
Thank You for being everything I need.
Thank You for being everything I want.
Thank You that what I have for You is always good enough.
I love You, Father.
In JESUS' Name,
Amen"

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Jesus Only

All that satisfies in full
is Jesus, only Him.
So bright is His reality
but even in the dim!
In the thickest black of dark
He is already there;
satisfaction is, when
everything else seems so rare.
Satisfaction, yes, in full
in none but Jesus Christ.
To be the Guiding Light, but oh
so much He sacrificed!
The brightness of His countenance,
the glow of perfect love;
illumine unto every step
around, below, above!

All that satisfies is Jesus,
JESUS CHRIST ALONE!
Glory, grace and majesty
in ONE securely known!

It gets so tiring trying to find true satisfaction. Been there, done that, failed! That's why Jesus is the only Way.
Jesus never fails!
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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Where?

Do you look for God? Where? The Creator of all and everything created...where does one look?

The matrix of a single leaf,
once more to supplement belief
in the Creator of the same,
as I call out His holy Name.
And He now generates each word
about the miracle occurred
on bough and branch, on every stem,
reverting every thought to Him.

Looking for God? Stop trying so hard.
Just open your eyes.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Intolerant...

...STILL!
Yes, there is only One Savior for this man: JESUS CHRIST!


Oh, give me Jesus Christ,
the only Savior to suffice...
the only One of mercy,
not another sacrifice!
The lone propitiation for
whatever I have done;
oh, give me Jesus Christ,
the Father's One Begotten Son!


Not any other Savior,
not any other King!
The "world" may seek another,
but such be only "thing:"
a temporary pleasure,
a temporary bent,
but Jesus is eternal!
His reign be permanent!


Oh, give me Jesus Christ,
I turn my back on every other!
He calls me 'friend,' He calls me 'son,'
He even calls me 'brother!'
I dedicate mine all to Him-
Him, my only Lord;
no greater a relationship
can anyone afford!


Intolerant? Fanatic? That be me if so!
What about you?
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Burden

I was up early this morning with one thing on my heart: a burden for pastors and churches.
Is it a prayer request we can handle?
Is it even something we desire?
Out on the back porch this morning, my heart cried out...

Do I pray "Father, please make that church believe the way I do?"
Why do I say "I go to Pastor _______'s church?"
Why do I say 'I go to the ________ Church?'
And this morning, the cry of my heart is
"Father, I don't want to go to Pastor ______'s church, I want to go to YOUR Church!
I don't want to go to the Baptist church, I want to go to YOUR Church!
I don't want to go to the Methodist church, I want to go to YOUR Church!
I don't want to go to the independent church, I want to go to YOUR Church!
I don't want to go to the _________ church, I want to go to YOUR Church!!
I don't want to go where they are, I want to go where YOU are!
Wherever that church is, Father, if YOU are there, I want to be there, too!
What's wrong with me? Am I alone in this? Too many people I know would use this as an excuse to stay away from church, any church! That's not the answer either! I know that I know that You direct the hearts of the receptive to attend where You want them. Too, I know a lot of people who attend socially. They have no clue what they are in church for. If there were no name on the door, would they be there?
If You sent an unknown pastor, would they be there?
What if Jesus showed up to preach, would there be enough of the Holy Spirit within them to discern Who it is? Is there enough of the Holy Spirit within me to know Him?
Let there be Life, not "denomination."
Let there be Life, not "personality."
Let there be Life, not "celebrity."
Let there be Life, not "religion."
Let there be Life, not "tradition."
Let there be Life, not "_______."

Yes, I have been up since quite early with a burden for pastors and churches. And by saying that, have I defeated my own burden? Should it not be a burden for THE Church, and THE Pastor?







Sunday, August 16, 2009

Anew

Is anything new to Father God?
Is there anything at all that surprises Him?
How wonderful it is for us, however, that He is "never the same!"
That said, His Word declares that "He is the same yesterday, today and forever..."
Hmmm...

Once again, the morn anew.
Never seen before, the view...
never known, the living life,
so wonderful, so very rife!
Sight and sound and feeling, too,
is contained in morn anew;
amazing music, majesty,
beneath a single canopy!

Once again, the morn anew.
One single Source has all in view!
No handicap, no limit He,
thus, newness is a constancy!

Is such anew for you each day? Do you awake to the "same old same old?"
BREAK OUT OF IT!! God makes all things new! And He can do the same in your life everyday!
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Saturday, August 15, 2009

ENTHRONED!!

Each and every one of us has a "lord," something that we place above everything else in our lives. I could go down the list, but everyone knows what I am talking about.
What is 'lord' of your life. Greater, Who is Lord of your life. Who or what is it that you give your most to?

"O be enthroned in majesty,
in voices and in verse!
Build Your everlasting throne
within as we rehearse!
No other song of reconstruction
You alone to build!
Your holy ways, Your attributes
within us be instilled!

Come—o holy One, You are
requested into reign!
Come—o see Your holiness
become my greatest gain!
Come—be so alive within
that it be seen without!
Come—that in my silence, Your
great Presence even shout!

Yea, be enthroned in majesty
in this life and the next!
Make sure the glory of Your grace,
but always intersects!
YOU ARE enthroned, o be enthroned
in each and every heart
that we inspire others cry out
'GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ART!!'"

Is that the cry of your heart? Please make sure!

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Friday, August 14, 2009

Gift

"You are so good, my Father,
one must only 'taste and see.'
There is no way to comprehend
Your care for such as we!
You create the day and give
it to us as a gift-
may that which we make of it be
a praise to You we lift!"

If you are reading this, God has blessed you with a wonderful gift, it is called 'today.' What will you do with that gift?
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Morning Glory

Look at the morning...what do you see...

The glory of the morning,
can anything compare?
But the glory of That Place,
so beautiful, so rare!
The promise of the Father,
the promise of The Word;
not anything known to this place
could ever be occurred!

O glorious occurrence
but constantly--no end,
bidding heart, bidding soul
to finally ascend!
Our deepest aspiration
to join His residence!
"O sound, ye Trump awaiting,
transport His people thence!"

What does your heart cry out? Will you ascend at the Trumpet Sound?
BE READY!
Give your heart and life to Jesus! HE is ready!!
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Monday, August 10, 2009

Walking

Walking...
walking further...
further still...
BUT NEVER ALONE,
and never in my own strength!
How about you? Who are you walking with?
Where are you going? Have you any idea?
There is a certain path, charted by One. Each of us can be assured of route by submitting to Him Who sets that path: Jesus Christ.
Are you on THAT path?

Everywhere to go to follow,
One alone to lead.
Every step ordained, appointed,
if the path you heed.
Ever the Director is
availed unto Your call.
He is there to lead you and
to catch you if you fall.

Don't take any chances! Jesus Christ is right there beside you, inside you, behind you and at every hand...if you want.
Let Him!

In HIS Service,
Jim

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Duty

What is yours?
Better, what is your CHRISTIAN duty?
"The laborer is worthy of his wages." Yes, that's in the Bible.
Why are so many pastors getting burned out then?
Three times this week, (so far,) I have been contacted by pastors.
I met with one at a recent prayer meeting. Following the meeting, he asked if I could stay at the church for awhile.
The pastor and I walked around the church and he shared a bit of his heart. Later, he came by the house.
For a rather 'young' pastor, (age-wise,) he looks terrible! When we got to my desk, he laughed and said "aaahhh, I can relax!"
From his heart, he explained that he is tired of the political ploys his church board is wresting about over affairs of GOD'S church. He is aware that SOME is normal for every church, but it is way too prevalent in that one. Too, two 'powerful' families in that church are 'feuding.'
I wish you could have seen his face. It was painful. It was tired. However, knowing this man, it was also honest, and I guess that is why it is so painful to me yet this morning.
PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTORS!
Am I ignorant? One of these pastors told me that similar 'families' in their church dictate content of sermons. I don't understand that. Again, am I ignorant? When I speak somewhere, it is what the Holy Spirit puts on my heart. This pastor writes that he is needing prayer because 'powerful' members are 'suggesting' what he preach, but he is choosing to listen to God upon his heart instead.
How long have I been ignorant? A few of these pastors have been confiding in me for a few years, but in the past few months that confidential list has been growing.

How is your pastor doing? Do you even know? Do you even care?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

THEM!

Last night, we had a combined service with another church across town. They invited our Pastor to speak the message. It was wonderful! Even JESUS attended!!
It is so cool what God can do when we take the name off of the sign and open the door! Wouldn't it be nice if it was more than just an 'occasion?'

Psalm 133 exclaims the blessings of such:
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for believers to dwell together in unity!" It then lists some of the benefits of such, chief amongst them: LIFE FOREVERMORE!
That not only pertains to eternity, but it promises life right now! Can you use more life right now? I know I could!
"Good and pleasant..." Hmmm...Isn't that what the whole world could use more of?

Monday, August 3, 2009

From the east to the west...

"You whisper and the clouds billow
as You ordered them to long ago;
at Your breath they move along
so rapidly or so very low...
See them fall and climb.
A pointless waste of time?
Has it any rhyme?

You move and lightning bolts across the sky!
You alone know the path of each.
You give each one a voice that cannot hush!
And only You know each voice's reach!

Rumble and the roar...
all fascination soar!
What is it all for?

You ride upon the fullness of the storm.
Not another may accomplish such.
You see it in completion of its living.
In every facet, You reveal touch.
Soon will come the dawn...
spectacle goes on...
You will not be gone!"

Do you know the Creator in such a mighty way?
Do you want to know Him like this?
Too many are afraid to know this!
What about you?


Sunday, August 2, 2009

Turn Back (Lamentations 5:19-22)

"Turn us back to You, dear Lord,
let us be as one.
With our hearts in one accord
we call upon Your Son.
Renew our days, Lord, as of old,
when You were our first love,
when all that we would talk about
is that of You above!
For in You, Lord, is restoration
to the very soul!
Your Spirit calls us to repentance,
Your touch makes us whole.
We know Your anger carries not
forever, patient Lord;
before You we are on our face,
oh bring Your peace toward!

Forget us not, dear Holy Lord,
forsake us not, Your Bride.
We repent now unto You
from the depths inside!
Your touch of blessing on our lives,
unto us now restore;
for in You do we now reside:
we need not ask for more!
Amen."
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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Ironic Prayer

Force me to volunteer

Pay me to give

I see that I’m blind

I’m dying to live!

I cry out for silence

So that I can hear

I never have seen You,

Meet me again here.”

Amen
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