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

Fireflies - God Knows Me!

Hi Lovlies!
A week ago a good friend of mine took a step of faith and began a ministry called Fireflies. Here is a brief description:

"A group of wonderfully made 3rd-5th graders looking to shine our light. The Firefly girl knows that beauty radiates from the inside out, and that real beauty comes from serving others."

How could I not accept the invitation to be a part of this group!?
The Fireflies gather together the first Saturday of every month to do a craft, play a game, work on an outreach project, and (my favorite part) learn about God. My lovely friend hosted the meeting and deligated each portion of the meeting to another lady invited. I had the awesome privilege of teaching God's word to the beautiful fireflies. I was asked to teach from Psalm 139 (YES!!!). These are my notes:

God Knows ME!

Psalm 139:1-4
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

Here we read that God sees you. Our GREAT and BIG God sees the whole world, including you. He is with you sleeping.

He is with you awake.
He is with you when you sit down.
He is with you when you stand up.
He is with you when you walk.
He is with you when you run.
He is with you when you play.
He is with you when you sing.
He is with you when you read.
He is with you when you are alone.
He is with you when you are with your family.
He is with you at school.
He is with you everywhere you go.
He knows your thoughts.
He knows when you are afraid.
He knows when you are sad.
He knows when you are happy.
He knows what makes you happy.
He knows your heart.
He knows you, everything about you.

Psalm 139:5
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. He is all around you on every side protecting you.

Not only does God know everything about you, He also promises to bless you and protect you. Nothing about your day catches God by surprise.

For example, He knows if you have to go to the doctor’s office, He knows if you have to take a test in school; he knows if you have a sports activity to go to. He knew along time ago that you would be in this room today. He knew about Fireflies.

Day and night God is aware of everything that happens to you. Day and night He protects us from harm. He protected all of us on our way here. He protects you and your family and your friends because He knows them too.

Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too amazing for me,
Too great for me to understand!

It is difficult for me to understand God’s mind. When doubt fills my mind I have to remember that I won’t always understand all of God or why He does so many amazing things for me, a sinner. The little knowledge that I know about God is enough to quiet my doubts. Here are four great truths that are amazing:

God knows you.
God loves you.
God blesses you.
God protects you.

Psalm 139:9-12
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you

Two things we see here that are so good for us.
One) No matter where you are, or how far you are, God will be with you to guide you. God is strong and will help you with every problem. He will help you and support you.
Two) Darkness and Light are the same to God. Have you ever been in the dark? It’s scary!!! When you are in the dark, you can’t see anything, but God can see everything in the dark. He can see you and be with you. God isn’t afraid of the dark. Remember, you are never alone.

Have you ever been lost in the day time or in a store? That too can be scary, even though it isn’t darkness. God still sees you and is with you. He isn’t afraid of anything. No matter where we are at, near, far, or lost, God can see us and is with us.

Next time we meet I will share with you more about God’s love for you and how much He knows about you. There is so much God wants us to know about Him. He has given to us His own words to know Him by. It’s called the Bible. It tells us EVERYTHING we need to know about our awesome God. All the pages speak of His greatness. They give us knowledge and make us more like God. I would like for all of you to read your Bible and learn more about the God who knows everything about you!

After the Bible study we split into small groups. These were my sweet, spunky, and gusty gals:

Lyrical Friday - We Should Run

[photo credit]

Happy Friday to YOU!
I am pretty sure that you have days, or maybe just moments, when you wish Jesus would come and take you away. No? OK, I guess its just me. Ha! We all have a longing for something bigger, somewhere farther, something more. We cannot find fullness of joy or satisfaction in this life. And though our bodies were created for this world, the real us (our soul) was created for Heaven. It is only natural to for us to not feel at home here on earth. I am not saying that we are to be miserable and downcast. There is a difference.

Today's lyrical post comes from Sarah Macintosh. Heaven is the sweet word that comes to mind when I listen to these words. Moments where I find myself remembering and missing a loved one that has passed away, I think of these words. When I am fed up with the affairs of this life, I think of these words. In every low and dark moment, it is these words in 'We Should Run' that lifts my spirit to a place of joy, peace, and hopeful expectancy. This song is a reminder of what we live for: Christ and to see Him lifted up. Because of Heaven we live to draw people to Him.

Oh the joy of knowing that we will one day 

run with Jesus, 

laugh with Jesus, 

dance with Jesus 

and be alive!

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke 6:25 

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5

We Should Run, Sarah Macintosh


I waited till the morning
Looking for every sure sign
Listening for footsteps
For when You will take me outta here
People keep on asking
When will we regain life
With the One who’s for us 
Rescue won’t You come

Cause we should run we should be laughing
We should look and see that He is lifted high
We should shout we should be dancing
We should call and find a Savior who’s alive

Someone says Your building
You pull and stretch this old life
Re-shaping what I’ve broken
Till I can see that You’ve been here
People started smiling
Lives are being made right
With the One who’s for us
Rescue You have come!

Now we will run we will be laughing
We will look and see that You are lifted high
Yes we will shout we will be dancing
We will call and find our Savior, You’re alive

Now our feet will run
Yes our eyes they see
And our hearts rejoice
How Your people sing
Hear Your people sing

Lyrical Friday - Morning Star



[photo credit]

 Yes today is Saturday but I began this post yesterday so Lyrical Friday (Saturday) it is!

This week I experienced one of the coolest flashbacks of the Jesus Movement: Malcolm Wild and Alwyn Wall reunited for a concert at Calvary Chapel Merrit Isalnd and then rocked it at my home church Wednesday night. Morning Star was one of the songs that I could not stop singing and playing in my head. I found them on iTunes (HERE) and have been listening to them since.

Though this song is relevant to us today considering it was written back in the 70s. Both you and I were born into a world of sin and darkness, and naturally we will experience dark seasons in our earthly life. So to have a song that reminds us that Jesus is light and will get us through our darkest hour is completely relevant.

If you are caught in a dark season, feel lost or abandon, I pray you find shelter in the truth of these lyrics. Stop searching avenues for help and start seeking Jesus who is your bright and Morning star who will guide you step by step. He will give you a song that will last you through the day, through the weeks and years and into eternity.

You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28
He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; He snapped their chains Psalm 107:14
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. Psalm 139:12


Morning Star, Maclolm and Alwyn 

-
Morning Star
Now I know who You are
Why did I look so far
When You are who You say You are
And I'm loving You

Morning Star-shine
I'm so glad that You're mine
You're so easy to find
Even for the very blind
Oh, I'm loving You, loving You
Morning Star

When things go wrong
And I'm not strong enough to carry on
You give me a song in my morning
A song to last me through the day
A song to light my way
Up to the Morning Start
You're lovely, You're the Morning Star

And sometimes I'm lonely, I'm really down and out
But I didn't have to call Your name out loud
I just whispered and to my side You came
And that's love - woo - that's love
I know that it's love
And I'm loving You, loving You lovely

Loving You, loving You lovely
Loving You, loving You lovely
Ooo -- I'm loving You Morning Star

Lyrical Friday - Sun and Moon

Happy Friday! 
Today's post is short and a glorious one. Glorious because it's a song that speaks of the life that we are to live as Christians. When Matthew 5 exhorts us that we are to be the light of the world, it speaks of a reflector light. Such a light is mirrored in the way the moon reflects light from the sun. We are to live our lives in such a way that we reflect the light of Christ to a dark world. So where is the glorious part to all of this? God can use anyone to reflect His majesty and light, all we need to do is surrender to Him. Be encouraged today to let it all go, for the sake of knowing Him and being more like Him. He is as the sun and we as the moon. 
-
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

Sun and Moon, Phil Wickham

hope for the persecuted Christian

This post is for those who are being ridiculed, mocked, put down, insulted, persecuted, and attacked for your faith in Jesus Christ. Keep on walking on with Jesus, proclaiming the Gospel of truth to a dying world.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12


You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to allwho are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16


You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-44,48


Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:7-9


But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 
I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah 
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around. 
Psalm 3:3-6

Lyrical Friday - Joyful

Yay for Friday!
This Lyrical Friday post is Joyful by Brenton Brown. If you are a bit down and out this song is sure to pick you right up. God is so faithful and amazing. If you are weak, run to God who can fill you with strength. Are you feeling empty, run to God who can fill you with life. Are you in found in darkness and despair, run to God who is light. Whatever it may be that you are lacking, run to God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift- He completes you. May the lyrics of this song wet your appetite for worship. May you run to Jesus and bask in His joy, love and peace.

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day He carries us in his arms. 

Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death. Psalm 68:19-20

Joyful, Brenton Brown 

Lyrical Friday - Come To Save Us

Happy Friday my beloved Readers.
I want you all to know that I have prayed for you this week. My prayer is that God would reveal Himself to you in a real, powerful and special way. At this moment, this season in my life, God is my provider (Jehovah Jireh). I would love to know who is God in your life at this very season. do share!

This week a friend introduced me to Sons and Daughters, Integrity Music's latest worship band. Let me tell you, they have rocked my world this week with today's song: Came to save Us. The simplicity of these lyrics have humbled me. Oh wretched woman that I am, unworthy and undeserving. But the King of kings and Lord of lords has come to save me. He has come to save you. Giving us both value and worth, sharing His glory with us.

Dear Friend, I encourage you to set apart the next few minutes and spend it with Jesus as Sons and Daughters leads you into an amazing time of worship. Don't shy away from the One who saves you.

Our help is in the name of the LORD. Psalm 124:8

Come To Save Us, Sons and Daughters


You have come to save us
You have come to save us
You have come to save us, Lord

You have a way here
You have made the clear
You have come to save us, Lord

Jesus, You're the one who saves us
You're the one who saves us
King of all the other kings on earth

You are the light and fire
You are our desire
You have come to save us, Lord

You're the hope among us
You're the peace that binds us
You have come to save us, Lord

King of all Kings
Lord of all Lords
Light of the World You shine


PS. Please keep my friend Lou in prayer. This past Wednesday He had two surgical procedures done, one being his knee and the other his ankle. Pray for a speedy and effective recovery. Thanks.

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.
-

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.