the hope of the afflicted

The goodness of The Lord reflected in this single verse. May this fill you with hope as you endure your affliction. May the truth that God has not forgotten you, restore and renew a right spirit within you. 

I challenge you to do a word search on Hope. You will uncover much light in the midst of your darkness. 

Lyrical Friday - Let It Shine

He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom. Job 12:22

You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16

Let It Shine, All Sons and Daughters
Let It Shine - All Sons and Daughters (Unofficial) from The Grove on Vimeo.

There are a million truths for every lie

So speak it out loud and let it lift high
There are a million reasons to cover your eyes
But the light is shining through the darkness we hide
But the light is shining through the darkness we hide
So come let it
Come let it
Come let it
Come let it shine x2

There's only one way to wash yourself clean
So let the dirt fall and get on your knees
There are a million scars for every mistake
Oh but we are not chained to the secrets that we've made
Oh but we are not chained to the secrets that we've made

So come let it
Come let it
Come let it
Come let it shine x2

This is the battle of our time of our time now
We can't afford not to cry not to cry out
Shake the earth from the ground from the ground
Rescue souls from the darkness around x2

Dayspring

Because of the tender mercy of our God, 

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven (Dayspring)

to shine on those living in darkness 

and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Luke 1:78-79

[photo credit]

Monday morning I read  Zachariah's song found in Luke 1. His song ends with these two verses. There is one phrase, one word that can not escape me: Dayspring (the first appearance of daylight in the morning; the beginning or rise of anything; advent). God has given Jesus to us as our Dayspring, this is an accurate and appropriate name for Him. For He is the first and only appearance of light in our darkness that can deliver hope, mercy, grace and truth. Through Him there is a rising from the shadow of death, and with it a new beginning. He is our only guide into the path of peace. 

I have to say, if there is a Christmas name for Jesus that I favor, it would have to be Dayspring. I pray that these two verses may never escape you, and be a reminder that in your darkest hour Jesus is your Dayspring! May you celebrate Jesus every day. Merry Christmas. 

Lyrical Friday - Not For A Moment

[photo credit]

Today's post and song is on that is sure to encourage just about anyone. Below are a few of the verses that have sustained me through rough waters, wanderings and through seasons of stillness and silence. When I have felt alone and abandoned, God has proved me wrong. I have never been alone, not for a moment. He has never forgotten me, not for a moment. He will never forsake me, not for a moment. He is constant. He is good. He is sovereign. And, He is for you! You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You have not been forsaken. May the promises of God and the lyrics of this song encourage you in a great and mighty way. 

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And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
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You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28
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Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:13-14
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Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalm 112:4
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Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? 
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; 
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 
If I take the wings of the morning, 
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10
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Not For a Moment, Meredith Andrews

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You were reaching through the storm 
walking on the water 
even when I could not see 
in the middle of it all 
when I thought You were a thousand miles away 
not for a moment did You forsake me 
not for a moment did You forsake me 

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after all You are constant 
after all You are only good 
after all You are sovereign 
not for a moment will You forsake me 
not for a moment will You forsake me 

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You were singing in the dark 
whispering Your promise 
even when I could not hear 
I was held in Your arms 
carried for a thousand miles to show 
Not for a moment did You forsake me 
-and every step every breath you are there 
every tear every cry every prayer 
in my heart at my worst 
when my world falls down 
not for a moment will You forsake me 
even in the dark 
even when it's hard 
you will never leave me 
after all 

Lyrical Friday - Burn

Hello Lovelies!
I am so excited to introduce you to Torches. I downloaded the EP off of iTunes this morning and have not stopped playing it. It is my personal believe that every one should download it too. After all, it only cost $2.97. Yea, that was a shameless plug for my friend who is the male vocalist. Spread the word, Torches EP is out!
Be a Facebook Fan!
Follow them on Twitter.
Follow them on Tumblr.
Youtube views.
And most important of all, iTunes... shop for Torches. Now you can tell your friends that you bought Torches. What'a convo starter.
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Moving on to lyrical business. The lyrics to 'Burn' are powerful. This is my prayer and now my anthem. May your heart burn as you turn to Lord, through this wonderfully made song.
--
Burn, Torches

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Let our hearts always praise our king
With every breathe and song we sing
Let our love pour out for truth
Let it speak and let it move
Till our hearts are consumed by you
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we will burn
We will burn for you
Through the darkness
As we yearn 
As we yearn for you
With our hearts and
Let every breath we breathe 
And every song we sing 
Let them burn
Let them burn for you
-
In the dark the lost and hurt
We will stand with hearts that burn
Every tribe and nation sing
Every tongue will confess your king
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In our love (with every song we get to sing)
In our hope (with every breath we get to breathe)
In our hearts (with every chance we get to be)
We will burn (let us burn)

to: All // from: Paul

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.


This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
-Ephesians 5:8-14

adversity, darkness, weakness, uncertainty- CHECK!

Hi!
I went to church tonight and it was exactly what the doctor prescribed... or would have prescribed had I consulted a doctor. We are wrapping up a series on the life of King David titled, "How 2: __________." Tonight's teaching is the first of a three part teaching brilliantly titled, "How 2: Finish Well." We read ALL 51 verses of 2 Samuel 22 (read it, awesome stuff). Here are the four key points:

1. In adversity, God is our anchor

2. In darkness, God is our light

3. In weakness, God is our strength

4. In uncertainty, God is our hope

As I shared in my previous post, my Aunt is in the hospital, in other words: I am going through adversity in the darkness where I feel terribly weak and uncertain about every minute that is to come... yes, this sermon was for me! God is awesome, increadibly faithful and timely. Thank You Jesus for reminding me that You will see me and my family through this!

Sometimes God will give us only enough light to see our next few steps, not a search light like we often hope for. - Pedro Garcia

The most predictable thing about live is that it is unpredictable. -Pedro Garcia

Never be afraid to trust an unkown future to a known God. -Corrie Ten Boom

And he said:
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence."
2 Samuel 22:2-3... really read the whole chapter by clicking here!



* If you would like to hear the teaching go to CalvaryKendall.com

la luce

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

This passage reminds me of that song, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine". But the truth is, that the there is nothing little about the light given to us by Jesus. Yesterday, during worship at church we sang Mighty to Save by Hillsong United. I worshipped Jesus in Spirit and in truth for He is mighty to save. Then Nate, our worship leader, began to sing the bridge:

Shine Your light 

And let the whole World see

We’re singing

For the glory of the risen King

Jesus

There I stood with hands lifted up, not in worship, but in prayer asking Jesus to shine His light. The bridge was repeated and suddenly Matthew 5:14-16 came to mind. It was as if it was being unwrapped right before my eyes, from a tightly closed giftbox (with a pretty little bow on top) to that signature piece that I could wear for years to come. To be light, is a command that I have always understood. I have to confess though, that at times I have been apathetic to it. But yesterday I was reminded, we are the light that He shines for the whole World to see!
 
In my last blog, I challenged you to speak and to encourage. Today I am challenged to shine and not hide the light of Jesus. I challenge you as well. Are your actions bright lights or are they dimmed? Are your conversations and words a beacon of light or do they fade away with the mundane talk of this world? How can you shine for the glory of the risen King? Where can you shine Jesus? Are you aware of who around you is in desperate need of His marvelous light? Let us not lose the opportunity to SHINE Jesus everywhere.
 
Be the light to a dark and dying World.
You are a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden.
Allow Jesus to take you from underneath the basket and to set you on His lampstand, so that you can give light to everyone around you.
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Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1Peter 2:9

A New Thing

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not now it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

Welcome dear readers to this new blog.

To be very honest with you I really don't know what I am doing, but that is not strange coming from me. For some time now God has been prompting me to do a new thing. That "new thing" has come in the form of a blog... Ta Da! I am not a writer, but I am a messenger of the Most High. Through this blog, I hope and pray that both you and I may become true lilies among thorns. In this world of darkness, wastefulness, of valleys, thorns and hopelessness I invite you, encourage you to:

Be the light of the world.

Be the salt of the earth.

Lead many through the valley to Jesus.

Be a lily among thorns.

Live a life that speaks the Gospel.