Category Archives: praise

Exponential Forgiveness

Around the time eight track tapes and Lite Brite toys hit the shelves, my third grade Sunday School teacher taught a lesson about Peter asking Jesus how many times a person should forgive someone.

“Seven times?” Peter asked.

“Seventy times seven,” replied Jesus.

Wow, I thought–that’s four hundred ninety times! My young mind took Jesus’ words literally and I spent many nights kneeling by my bed saying, “Lord forgive me. Lord forgive me. Lord forgive me.” I counted as I prayed and cried and didn’t stop until I reached the required number. Yup, four hundred ninety times. I felt better after paying (and praying) my penance. That is, until I messed up again and had to recite my repentant prayer.

Many years have passed since I knelt and counted my “Lord forgive me” sentences. I’m still learning to forgive to the limitless extent Jesus talked about. I ask Him daily to forgive me. Consequently, I’ve discovered there’s more to conviction than saying, “I’m sorry.” The evidence of genuine repentance is true change. Change is what Jesus and others see. I hope my actions speak.

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God Rays

 

beach clouds dawn dusk

Photo by Josh Sorenson on Pexels.com

“Those are the glories of God.””The what?”

“The glories of God, ” Sue said, pointing to the sunbeams shining through the clouds.

Wow! I didn’t know I could see the glories of God. Sue should know. After all she’s nine.

“Mom! Mom!” I gasped, hurrying to the front steps of our house. “I just saw the glories of God!”

“What?”

“The glories of God! Come look.”

We walked to our backyard overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

“See. There they are. The glories of God,” I said showing her the streams of light shining downward from the sky. A warm wind brushed against our faces as we stood looking upward. Did God really open the heavens to let those beams of light shine down to earth?

*****

The other day while driving home from work, I saw them again. Shafts of light shining earthward, scientifically called God Rays.

Some day I will see the real God Rays–His glory. In heaven, the Lamb, Jesus Christ is the light. No need for the sun or the moon. His brightness will illuminate eternity (Revelation 21:23).

Come Lord Jesus. My light and my salvation.

 

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Jairus’ Joy

I see the Master and fall at his feet.

“My daughter is ill. Touch her,”I plead.

I motion for Jesus to follow me home.

The disciples join in—we walk then hear moans

of mourners who gather, their wails and their shouts

turn to sneers and mocking as Jesus cries out.

“She’s not dead, only sleeping. Get out. Leave,” He says.

We walk to the room where my little girl lay.

He holds her limp hand, “Daughter arise.”

She awakes and I see—she is alive!

Oh the Master’s word. The Master’s touch.

Revives. Brings life. Savior thank you so much.

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Blinders On, Blinders Off


horse_with_blinders_small.jpgClip-clop, clip-clop. That sound meant one thing–the horse-drawn ice cream cart.

Years ago Mom and I flew across the Atlantic to her homeland of Lancashire, England. While visiting, I discovered the Accrington ice cream vendor, an old man atop a yellow stagecoach-style wagon pulled by a horse.

Every afternoon I waited on the street and listened for the clip-clop. I hadn’t been around horses much. So when the wagon stopped in front of Auntie Ray’s house, I gave the man my tuppence then he turned to scoop my frozen treat. That’s when I studied his horse. Chestnut brown, black mane, black tail. There was just one thing I couldn’t see, no matter what angle I looked–his eyes. Blinders, leather squares attached to his bridle covered them. I figured they must be there to keep him looking straight ahead.

Last Sunday, as the congregation sang, O Magnify the Lord, I saw that horse again–blinders and all.

Mary, when you magnify something you make it big, so big it’s the only thing you see. Forget who’s around you . . . what’s going on at home, at work, and yes . . . even at church, and worship me.

Yes Lord. Blinders on.

I sang and worshipped. When my pastor preached, I absorbed the message. Then came the closing song and altar call. I bowed my head. Sometimes I’m the one in need of prayer. Other times, I’m compelled to pray for someone else.

Yes Lord. Blinders off.

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An Orchestrated Wilderness

PIt’s in the wilderness I broke.

I emptied out and You poured in.

In weakness I gained strength and my vision became clearer as I viewed the battle of good and evil, flesh and spirit and the strategy of the enemy.

There I felt Your grace–genuine grace.

My unplanned wilderness was all in Your plan.

Such a productive time.

Thank you Lord.

Thank you.

 

 

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Don’t Ask the Blessing, Offer One

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Why do we pray before meals? Habit? Tradition? For the answer, click here:

http://www.joyfulheart.com/thanksgiving/offer-blessing.htm

When I read this eight years ago it changed my pre-meal perspective and consequently my prayer. Now instead of asking God to bless my food, I bless God, the provider of my food.

dinner.jpg

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The Best Carpenter

carpenter.jpg

Volunteers in Phoenix, Maryland renovated the home of a terminally ill child where this note was found written on a scrap piece of drywall. It reminded me of a poem.

The Best Carpenter

Tools in the days gone by.

Building dreams of gold

A carpenter nailing my life.

His words are so bold.

They are built on wisdom.

The best carpenter can build you.

Let Him use His nails.

He’ll turn you into something new.

Bill Pearce

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

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How Long?

crown1.jpg

During a weary time in my life I asked the Lord,

How Long? How long do I stay faithful?

Later that day I found the answer.

. . . be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.  

Revelation 2:10

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Blinders On, Blinders Off


horse_with_blinders_small.jpgClip-clop, clip-clop. That sound meant one thing–the horse-drawn ice cream cart.

Years ago Mom and I flew across the Atlantic to her homeland of Lancashire, England. While visiting, I discovered the Accrington ice cream vendor, an old man atop a yellow stagecoach-style wagon pulled by a horse.

Every afternoon I waited on the street and listened for the clip-clop. I hadn’t been around horses much. So when the wagon stopped in front of Auntie Ray’s house, I gave the man my tuppence then he turned to scoop my frozen treat. That’s when I studied his horse. Chestnut brown, black mane, black tail. There was just one thing I couldn’t see, no matter what angle I looked–his eyes. Blinders, leather squares attached to his bridle covered them. I figured they must be there to keep him looking straight ahead.

Last Sunday, as the congregation sang, O Magnify the Lord, I saw that horse again–blinders and all.

Mary, when you magnify something you make it big, so big it’s the only thing you see. Forget who’s around you . . . what’s going on at home, at work, and yes . . . even at church, and worship me.

Yes Lord. Blinders on.

I sang and worshipped. When my pastor preached, I absorbed the message. Then came the closing song and altar call. I bowed my head. Sometimes I’m the one in need of prayer. Other times, I’m compelled to pray for someone else.

Yes Lord. Blinders off.

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Music from the Ashes

laugh.jpg

Digging through the charred rubble of the Su Valley Junior-Senior High School near Talkeetna, Alaska, volunteers recovered several musical instruments. Clarinets, brass horns and a tuba passed from person to person. Elementary School music teacher Sandy Shoulders called it “music from the ashes.”1

A few years ago I experienced a low time in my life. Weeks turned into months and eventually my mental cloud dissipated. Then one day something funny happened at work and I erupted with a loud belly laugh.

“Mary, I’ve never heard you laugh like that,” my co-worker said.

It was true. I hadn’t laughed in a long time. The sound of joy returned, and like the salvaged band instruments, it was music from the ashes.

A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 NIV

1 Associated Press. “Searchers salvage musical instruments from Su Valley rubble.” KTVH-TV June 18, 2007  http://www.webcenter11.com

11/1/08

“Mary, you’re so funny.”

I heard this twice last week. I’m not a comedian by any means, but the sound of laughter confirms the inward joy that God has restored in me. I’m free from things that oppressed and weighed me down. I’m free to be myself. Free to laugh, dance, run, sing and shout. Yes I’m free.

Thank you Jesus.

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