The Most Important Person In The Room

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.Hebrews 4:12

Happy Monday Friends.
It's been in the back of my mind to share a message I heard back in September. It really did pierce my spirit.

It is a church service, and the video starts with their worship team, church news, and then the message. If you are limited by time, skip to 33 minutes.

I'm ready to sit and listen again. Enjoy:

Check out this message from Calary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

love without clinging

Hi lovelies. One of my favorite writers is Ruth Bell Graham. I treasure her words and thoughts as if my own Grandmother would be speaking them to me. I came across this poem that a young Ruth wrote to herself as Billy Graham's wife. More than a poem, or even words to herself, I believe this to be an encouragement to those women who are wives... wives to husbands that are given to studies, career, ministry or what not. I dedicate this post to all the wives in my life who love deeply, cry often, and pray fervently for their husbands.

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Love
without clinging;
cry
if you must—
but privately cry;
the heart will adjust
to the newness of loving
in practical ways:
cleaning
and cooking
and sorting out clothes,
all say, “I love you,”
when lovingly done.

So—
love
without clinging;
cry—
if you must—
but privately cry;
the heart will adjust
to the length of his stride,
the song he is singing,
the trail he must ride,
the tensions that make him
the man that he is,
the world he must face,
the life that is his.

So
love
without clinging;
cry—
if you must—
but privately cry;
the heart will adjust
to being the heart,
not the forefront of life;
a part of himself,
not the object—
his wife.

So—
love!

Lyrical Friday - Oceans

Happy Friday!

I am squeezing a little bit of time to post Oceans, a song that has captivated my heart from Hillsong United's most recent album. The lyrics are simple, yet from beginning to end its a spiritual awakening. May your strength be renewed, your faith fortified, and your feet swift to follow Jesus. May the Spirit lead you to where your trust is without borders.

Oceans, Hillsong United

a few words on Guilt

Last night the topic of guilt came up in our bible study. Immediately my mind took me back to the days when guilt and shame were my shackles of choice. Guilt was a familiar feeling that I believed I had to live with.

You see, I carried the guilt of my friend's hopelessness with me that led her to suicide. I held myself responsible for my grandfather's death. I accused my lack of faith, wrong decisions and attitude for the straying away of a loved one. The shame of my past bound me. I understood that God had forgiven me, but I could not forget myself.

That is till a friend spoke words of truth into my life. In short she said, "Raquel, your grandfather died because that's the hour the Lord chose to take Him. Do you really think that you are greater than God? Or that you determine life and death? Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! These words shook me and took me for a ride. Not only was my grandfather's death flashed before me, but every guilt and every shame that had crippled me.

I had a questions to deal with in light of the truth my friend had spoken:
Was I assuming to be greater than God by not forgiving myself? Would I continue believing the lie that I was responsible and accountable for what God had willed and permitted? That night began a process of God replacing truth for lies, a deep healing, and setting me free. His grace was so gentle and sweet.

For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 1 John 3:20

Dear Friend, has guilt made your heart its home? Is your mind clouded with shameful memories? Is your faith crippled? Have you made yourself responsible for choices God has made or the choices others have taken? Are you holding yourself accountable for actions or events that the Lord has forgiven you for? Do you find it difficult to forgive your self and move forward?
God is greater than your sin.
God is greater than your shortcomings.
God is greater than your mistakes.
God is greater than your failures.
God is greater than you.
God is greater than your heart.
God is greater than your memories.
God is greater than your ability to forgive and forget.
God is Great.

Allow today for the grace of God to shatter the shackles of guilt and deliver you from the shame that condemns you. God is love, and it is His perfect love that will perfect you. It's a process, be patient with Him as He replaces lies with truth, heals you, and sets you free.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. 1 John 4:17-18

But love covers all sins. Proverbs 10:12

Waiting. Delighting.

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Earlier this week I was chatting with a friend. She asked me about my upcoming trip to Haiti. As I shared with her the minor and major details, I found myself saying, “This is different. It’s not something I was anxious about, or waited for. I truly believe that the Lord has seen my delight in Him and is now granting me my heart’s desire.”

Two years ago the desire to go to Haiti was planted in my heart. And though I prayed, I was not consumed by it. In my years of waiting, I could have hustled God, nagged Him, thrown fits, and questioned His purposes, or made attempts to make it happen. But for whatever reason, beyond myself, I did not. Looking back, I delighted in the Lord and now, well now I am about to experience God granting me the desire of my heart.

It seems that we are always waiting for something: a job, a raise, a deal to go through, a spouse, a child, deliverance, a response from Heaven, or, you fill in the blank according to your situation. Basically, we are waiting for life to get better. I do believe that most of the things we are waiting for are not selfish, but God planted desires that will satisfy the “abundant life” that is promised to us in John 10:10. I ask for us to stop and consider this question: How are you waiting?

In considering my waiting for Haiti and my waiting for other desires, I see a difference. I normally wait and wait and wait and continue waiting. Somewhere in between waiting and waiting, a series of happenings begin to unfold:

I over think

I doubt and nagg God

I become anxious

I am led by emotions

I contemplate methods of manipulation

I try to help God and accelerate His purpose

I grow weary, burdened and discouraged

Bitterness kicks in

Hold up! You too?! When we wait and our expectations aren't met within our time frame or in a less favorable manner we can spiral into a series of ugly and rebellious attitudes. Therefore, learning what delighting in the Lord is and it's benefits is instrumental for our waiting season. Delighting cannot happen if we are not in God's word, committed to prayer and active in His service. Delighting removes our constant fixation on the desire and causes us to focus on the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Delighting on the Giver will enable us to wait joyfully and patiently. Delighting through the waiting process will also guard our hearts from losing hope or lacking faith. Lastly, Delighting will change us, for it may be that the very outcome we are waiting for could differ from the outcome God has already chosen for us (which is always the better of the two). 

Whether you have begun to wait or have been waiting for x amount of time, know that God is fully aware of your desires. He has not forgotten you. He loves you and is working all things out for your good, and ultimately for His glory. My encouragement to you as you wait for ____________, is to not delight nor glorify a desire or its outcome, but delight fully and wholly in the Lord (not for what He can do or give, but for who He is). In His perfect timing He will grant you your heart’s desire and give you the abundant life He intended for you to live. 

May we be delightful people with delighting hearts. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:3-5 

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 37:13-14 

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

Birthday Surprise. It's Stephanie!

My favorite holiday is here and with it a very special post by one of my favorite people. For those who don't know Stephanie, she is vibrant, enthusiastic and encouraging. And to those who know her, we can all say we are better people because she is in our lives. May this special Thanksgiving post speak comfort and joy to your heart. 
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To be completely honest, I wanted to decline Raquel’s offer when she first asked me to be a guest blogger. Why? I let fear paralyze me at that moment and I had no idea what to write about, BUT I heard a firm response from God, “Yes, you WILL write and you WILL share what you have learned!” I immediately knew exactly what He was talking about. So here it goes…

Back in February, I attended an amazing conference. Prior to this conference, I was ecstatic to volunteer and serve at the conference, but God gave me a clear “No!” I was crushed and confused because my heart’s desire is to serve others, but I knew that God wanted me to be still, sit back, and hear from Him. It would be me and Him, nothing else!

Throughout the conference God was moving in my heart. The night Hillsong United led worship, God revealed something to me. You see, God exposed  the ugliness of my heart to me and unfolded a deeper layer that I had no idea was lying inside of my heart. I knew then this was one of the reasons God wanted me to sit out, and not volunteer at the conference. I suddenly broke out in tears and felt my knees suddenly collapse.  I felt ashamed and embarrassed. God revealed to me that I was angry. Angry with Him! “What?!? How could this be? I’m so head over heels in love with Him! How could I have been angry and in love with Him all at the same time?

Rewind …

Way before attending this conference, I had been trying to pass one of the tests to become a teacher. It had taken me a little well over a year to pass it. While many eagerly waited to start the New Year, I was taking into the New Year a heavy burden of frustration. Throughout that time of test after test, I felt like I done everything humanly possible to pass. I bought books, hired tutors, listened to cds, attended workshops, and more. My next train of thought was, “My failing MUST be because I’m not spiritual enough?” (At this point, I had no idea where my head was at.) I then proceeded into trying to do all the “Christian stuff” so that I can hopefully gain God’s favor and mercy to pass the test. (Side note: This is so far from God’s truth…We do NOT have to gain His love, it’s unconditional nor do we have to work to receive His favor/mercy/grace) I fasted. I prayed. I went to church. I sought Biblical counsel. I read my Bible. I had done anything and everything. I knew for sure God was going to hook it up and open the door for me to pass. Yeah, NO! The next time I went to take it, I read in big fat letters, “Not pass!” “What? God, how could this be? You MUST be mad at me!”

Fast-forward to the conference …

“Angry? Why would I be angry with God?” It then dawned on me that I was angry because the thought of God forsaking me, and not giving me the desires of my own selfish heart, had been lingering inside of me. I had been feeling let down by God. I felt like my prayers were hitting the roof and not heaven. Why wouldn’t God turn to me and allow for me to pass the test? “C’mon God, You created everything in 6 days... Can’t you just make it happen and allow this miracle to take place?!” I would have never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I would reach the point of being angry with my God.

After I left the conference, I confessed to my boyfriend all that I had been hidden in my heart. We prayed, and I instantly felt God’s love and healing hand over my heart and life. God’s faithfulness revealed to me yet once again. “CONFESS your sins to each other and pray for one another so that you may be HEALED.” James 5:16.

Thanksgiving is here! What am I thankful for? Well, I’m thankful for God’s strength. He gave me strength to push forward even when I thought I could not take one more step or one more test. I took that test 7 times! If it was not for Him, I would have easily given up probably after the 3^rd time of not passing it. I was stubborn (hence me having to take it 7 times) and God wanted me to gain radical faith in trusting Him with my life even when things don’t “fall in place.” I’m thankful that though this sin had been residing in my heart, God’s love did not change.

I learned many things during that season of my life. I can honestly say that though storms may come, and they will come, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. I encourage you to dig deep and pray even when it seems as if you can not mutter out a single word to God. Prayer not only changes things, but it changes YOU!

“BE THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, 

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need and THANK HIM for all he has done.” –Philippians 4:6

“When everything seems like it’s falling apart, 

that’s when God is putting things back together just the way He wants it.” 

One last thing, though God did not answer my prayer on my timeline to pass the test, He did do something far more imaginable. He gave me the gift of faith! Faith to truly trust God with my life, with my future, even when all else fails.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Birthday Surprise. It's Kim!

Hey! Today's post comes from the very lively and enthusiastic Kim. If you need someone to get things done, she is your go to girl. Charisma, charm, and ambition best describe her. Praying you may be blessed, encouraged and equipped through this lovely birthday surprise! Go on, read!
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I will love you for you have loved  /  I will forgive as You forgive  /  Your love prevails  /  You fill my life with hope again. -Love Knows No End, Hillsong Live

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How great that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us despite of who we are. His son died for us and paid a debt which was not His own. I call this: Priceless Cause. Priceless, in that a debt was paid in a way that repayment could never be sufficient. His cause is humanity, His creation. 

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"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

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God's love for us is never failing. His love is limitless. And though His is more than we could ever as for, our hearts are never fully satisfied in Him. 

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"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

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One way of guarding our hearts is by loving others as Christ has loved us. At times it will be easy to love other. But Christ calls us to be doers of His Word; this includes loving all, even the unlovable (regardless of their condition). 

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We should live to seek the broken and the lost. Through love we can help mend them to be the individuals God has created them to be. We too have been called to a priceless cause. 

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"I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice." Ezekiel 34:16

the heart

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

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Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

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We hear the phrase “follow your heart” almost daily from people in society. The Bible actually says that we are to guard our heart, not follow it. Why? Because when we follow our hearts we are basically just following our feelings. And friend, we are often misguided by our feelings.

Our feelings, aka the “heart”, can lead us into situations simply because it feels right especially when an old boyfriend enters the picture. Our heart can cause us to make decisions that are not thought through completely when that budget-busting pair of boots is just screamin' our ever-lovin' names.

The Hebrew word for "wellspring" in the verse above is towtsa'ah. And in its simplest term means "goings out, going forth." Meaning that basically what is in our heart is where our life will lead. With that being said, we must guard our hearts. We must allow God to overwhelm our hearts with his love and guidance.

I have really taken this to heart and am making sure that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am guarding my heart. I am the one in charge of my heart not the other way around. I don't let my heart dictate my choices on a consistent basis. Sometimes it leads me to reach out to a hurting friend. And I follow it in some instances, but making this a daily practice will only yield pain and disappointment.

Let's guard our hearts from this day forward.

Action Steps
Do you find yourself following your heart on a regular basis? If so, what is the usual outcome? When it comes to making decisions in our lives and honoring God and the people around us, consider getting all of the facts and weighing your choices based upon more information than just “following your heart.”

written by: Cindy Beall

Lyrical Friday - Love Has Found Us

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalm 63:2-5

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Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:14

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You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16

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Hungry anyone? Thirsty? Weary? Burdened? Lost? Angry? Hurt? Abandoned? Lonely? Broken?
Can I get a witness? We have all experienced one of the above, if not all, at some point in our lives. It may very well be that these are not scars, but recent wounds. To all these sad states, God says, "I AM." To everything you are not, He is I AM.
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I AM says to you today:
I AM your God. I AM your savior. I AM your friend. I AM your defender. I AM your deliverer. I AM your healer. I AM your provider. I AM your lover. I AM your father. I AM your creator. I AM your restorer. I AM your comfort. I AM the One who sees you. I AM the lifter of your head. I AM the anchor of your life. I AM the light in your darkness. I AM seeking you. I AM who satisfies your every need. Remember, to everything you are not, He is I AM.
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I encourage you to listen closely to the lyrics of this song. Heck, bust out dancing and rejoicing, for the great I AM has found us! His love is better than life itself. So breathe in deep His love! Because only I AM's love can fully satisfy our souls. May He quiet you with His love and calm all your fears. May our wonderful I AM fill you afresh and a new with His Spirit and satisfy your every need. God bless you folks!
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Love Has Found Us, Bellarive

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Broken down
I've run aground
in perfect need
of You
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The life You bring
You breathe on me
for out of You comes everything
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so we breathe in deep this love
so we breathe in deep this love
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Ocean sings
Your melodies
the Composer's heart 
Indeed
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Painted skies
rest at Your feet
the earth surrenders
a masterpiece
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so we breathe in deep this love
so we breathe in deep this love
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It's so beatiful 
how only You can satisfy this heart
it's so beautiful
how only You can satisfy this heart
for You will always be the life i need
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The life You bring 
breathe on me
for out of You comes everything
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that's why 
we breathe in deep this love
we breathe in deep this love
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it's so beautiful how only You can satisfy this heart
it's so beautiful how only You can satisfy this heart
it's so beautiful how only You can satisfy this heart
it's so beautiful how only You can satisfy this heart
for You will always be
the life i need
the life i need
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we sing sing it out we sing it loud 
for love has found us

Lyrical Friday & His healing, my healing

Teacups of Treasures

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Happy Friday to You. 

This week has been one massive roller coaster of emotions. As I mentioned last Friday, my paternal grandmother passed away. This happened in the Dominican Republic, therefore, my parents traveled for the funeral and burial. While there my Mother began to experience great pain on the upper right side of her face. She thought it was her sinus kicking in but the pain did not go away with medication. She was admitted to a local hospital where all sorts of tests and scans were performed on her. Stroke, Bells Palsy and any brain related illness was discarded and all pointed to her right eye. This all happened this past Monday. 

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Come Tuesday morning she was seen by an Opthamologist who diagnosed a Glaucoma attack on her right eye. Glaucoma was also detected on her left eye. She was flown back and given a 12 hour span before she could possibly lose her sight. Since then she has undergone three laser procedures, 2 on her right eye and 1 on her left. Holes were drilled into her eyes to drain out the fluid being retained. As of now, her vision has not been restored and only time will tell if she will recover it in her right eye. The left eye was treated and is safe. We are clinging to Jesus, our Jehovah-Rohpe. And though the pit is dark, deep and unforgiving our hope is in God. My precious Mother is found on her knees but she is not alone, I am found there too and many praying saints. 

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Then Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea and they went into the Wilderness of Shur; they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its waters for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah [bitterness]. The people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree which he cast into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There [the Lord] made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them, saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you. Exodus 15:22-26
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O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health. 
You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. 
You kept me from falling into the pit of death. 
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! 
Praise his holy name. 
For his anger lasts only a moment, 
but his favor lasts a lifetime! 
Weeping may last through the night, 
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:2-5
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The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. Psalm 41:3 
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My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, 
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 
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Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me. 
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 
He redeems me from death 
and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 
He fills my life with good things. 
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 
Psalm 103:2-5
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Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. 
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 
Then you will have healing for your body 
and strength for your bones. Proverbs 7:7-8
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When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
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May He heal your broken heart and bind your wounds.
May He heal your bones and restore your health.
May He heal your mind from the past.
May He heal the scars from cutting yourself.
May He heal your hunger and the eating dirsorder(s).
Praying for your healing.

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Find You On My Knees, Kari Jobe 

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Troubles chasing me again,

Breaking down my best defence,

I'm looking, God, I'm looking for you

Weary just won't let me rest and fear is filling up my head.

I'm longing, God I'm longing for you

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But I will find you in the place I'm in, find you when I'm at my end,

Find you when there's nothing left of me to offer you except for brokenness.

You lift me up, you'll never leave me thirsty,

When I am weak, when I am lost and searching

I'll find you on my knees.

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So what if sorrow shakes my faith,

What if heartache still remains,

I'll trust you, my god I'll trust you.

'Cause You are faithful and

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When my hope is gone, when the fear is strong

When the pain is real, when it's hard to heal

When my faith is shaken and my heart is broken and my joy is stolen, 

God I know that You lift me up, you'll never leave me thirsty,

like a tree

Matheson Hammocks Park 

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The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Psalm 92:12-15

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

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Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear^[a] when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:5-10 

Lyrical Friday - Set A Fire

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Happy Friday!

There is no better place to be than in the place where you are secure in God's love. His love is altogether lovely and free. If you feel that you are far from God, return to Him. He is only a breathe away. If you feel that you have failed Him, return to Him. He will forgive. In your worst, He loves you. There is nothing that you can do that can separate you from His love. 

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As you here this cover of Set a Fire, make it a prayer, for your life and for the lives of those around you. God bless You!

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Set a Fire, Will Reagan & United Pursuit



No place I would rather be 
No place I would rather be 
No place I would rather be 
Than here in Your love here in Your love 
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Chorus: 
Set a fire down in my soul 
That I cant contain 
That I cant control 
Cause I want more of You God I want more of You

Lyrical Friday - Beg

Happy Friday! As of lately, the Lord has been reminding me of the good ol' days. The days when my salvation was fresh and passion filled. The days when I welcomed the Lord's consuming fire to burn in my life. He took me back to the days when all I had was my first love and not religion. 
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We can so easily become accustomed to the Christian "agenda": read the word for x amount of time, pray the right prayer, sing a song and do a good deed. I can't remember how to do life without this agenda. And so I question myself, and I question you: If this agenda was taken from us, what would we have left?
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Beg by Shane and Shane has caused me to beg God to move and break through in my life. I pray that it would be our love for God, for more of Him that would draw us to His Word. I pray that it would be our love for God that would bring us to our knees in prayer. I pray that it would be our love for God that would cause us to live a life of worship. I pray that it would be our love for God that would lead us in obedience as we serve Him and His people. I beg God to move and break through in your life like never before.

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27
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Beg, Shane and Shane 

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Here I am
One more day of not
Loving Him the way He asks
In fact my heart is singing praises to the things
that make me feel alright

So I’m sinking fast like a stone heart should
And on the way down
I’ve done what I could
To try and try to turn this stone to flesh

I’m haunted by my God
Who has the right to ask me
What by the nature of my rebellion
I cannot give.

So I beg for you to move
I beg for you to move
I beg for you to break through

So here I am
Got my deeds for the day
All my cute little words about
How I am saved
Am I saved?

Could I love you with my mouth like a church kid should
At the end of the day
My words get burned as wood
Oh, but I was good.

These songs are noise
In your ears
A clanging drum
You want my love

God's Little Girl

Hi Lovelies!
For more than a year now, I have been carrying a letter in my wallet. I'm not sure if I carry it with me to share with someone who may need the encouragement or if its more to remind me that I am loved. What makes this letter so valuable is not who wrote it but the truth behind the words written.

At the time it was written, I was preparing for a teaching on guarding our (valuable) feminine hearts. I asked a good friend of mine (whom we shall call Mr. Man), "If you could talk with my girls, what would you say to them about their value and worth?" He shared with me amazing things but in the matter of five minutes I had forgotten every point He made. So I prayed, "God, if it is your will for Mr. Man's words to be shared with my girls, place it in His heart to write it on paper." Lo and Behold, God had began that work in his heart and a few days later he asked if e he could write them a letter. I know that this letter comes not from my friend but from God's very heart. It's not only for my youth girls, or just for me, but for all of us! Be blessed dear sister by knowing and accepting your value and worth in Christ!
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Thank You Myleen for this pic of Emma! 

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To God's little girls, 
You are God's little girl. Never forget. See yourself the way God sees you, for His thoughts are what matter. No man, no boy, no one can ever take that away from you. You are worth more that your weight in gold, but even gold has no value in the mouth of a pig. Don't ever lose respect for yourself. No man can conquer you, except for He who has conquered death. He alone should reign in your heart's throne room. 
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"For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name. And your Redeemer is the Holy one of Israel; He is called God of the whole earth." (Isaiah 54:5) Guard your hearts. Men are pigs, foolish and putrid. May you be so lost in God, that in order for a man to find you, he must first be close to God. 
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You are His little girl. It is not your fault you are hurting. Rise Up! Though now you may be bleeding, never forget His Words: 

"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (Mark 5:34)  "I have blotted our your transgressions, like a thick cloud, return to Me, for I HAVE REDEEMED YOU." (Isaiah 44:22) 

Never forget your first love. Never look down on yourself. You are and will forever be beautiful jewels, the apple of your heavenly Father's eyes. 
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I love you ALL, 
Mr. Man 
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Lyrical Friday - You Won't Relent

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13
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There is not much that needs to be said after reading these verses in Joel. The Lord is calling us into His presence and today's lyrical post is just the song to do so. Jesus Culture reminds us that that Lord will not relent till He has all of us. And so, I encourage you today to meditate on the lyrics and give yourself wholly unto Him. Return to your first love.
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Set me as a seal upon your heart,  

As a seal upon your arm; 

For love is as strong as death,       

Jealousy as cruel as the grave;     

Its flames are flames of fire,  

A most vehement flame.        

Many waters cannot quench love,   

Nor can the floods drown it.  

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

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You Won't Relent, Jesus Culture

restoration

If only you would prepare your heart
      and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
Get rid of your sins,
      and leave all iniquity behind you.
Then your face will brighten with innocence.
      You will be strong and free of fear.
You will forget your misery;
      it will be like water flowing away.
Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
      Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
Having hope will give you courage.
      You will be protected and will rest in safety.
You will lie down unafraid,
      and many will look to you for help.
Job 11:13-19



Restoration happens when you devote your heart to God; surrender to Him; and leave all iniquity behind, not by remorse, but by quitting the sin. It is then that you begin to experience the joy, peace and rest found in Him everyday! 
Keep short accounts with God.

Lyrical Friday - More Than Hands

Happy Friday to YOU!
For those of you who have never heard of Sarah Macintosh... shame on you! LOL Unfortunately, you won't find much of Sarah on youtube or such websites.Check out her site HERE and do get her songs off of itunes, you will be blessed. Anywho, on to lyrical business.

I absolutely love this song, I have for the past couple of years. I pray that these lyrics may do a marvelous work in your heart. May you find value and worth in these words. And may your heart break forth in worship.

 *I've cut the video out because it was hideous, lol. Yea, I just said that. The lyrics is what matters, hehe. 


These are more than hands
My feet have been called out
The message in my heart
I’ll live and breathe, and shout
These are more than words
Our praise is not our own
The melody we know
We love to sing Your song

We are the people
We are His nationWe are the voice Of this generation

Holy! Holy!
Lord God almighty is He
We know who you are!

This is more than life
We’re bought and we’re restored
You died our souls to save
Your Spirit found it’s home

You’re the name above all names
You’re the high and lifted up
You’re the king above all kings
You’re the reason we cry out!
Adoni! Emmanuel!
Jehovah-Rapha! Elohim!
El-Shaddai! El-Olam!
Standing shouting we will sing!

Worthy! Worthy!
You reign in Majesty
We know who you are!
Precious Savior
We know who you are

single ladies

Hi Ladies.
Singleness is a season, like all others. Nothing to be ashamed of or to be frowned upon. Every season in our lives is a gift from God. If you're single, praise God for this season, celebrate it and embrace it. Even the loneliness can be beautiful thing if we seek the Lord in it. The way I see it is, if I am single today it's because God has called me to be single for this moment of my life- so I will be the best single I can possibly be for the glory of God. Beloved sister (and brother) don't be consumed nor defined by this one area of your life when there is so much more that God wants to do both in you and through you. Be still in God's word and active in His service. May you enjoy your singleness and this video. Be encouraged!

To all my single ladies, this one is for you.


A woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 1 Corinthians 7:34-35

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Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right. Song of Solomon 3:5

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Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. Psalm 16:5

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You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain. Song of Solomon 4:12

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So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9