Ever hear a crowd erupt into applause? It sounds like a cascading waterfall or the voice of many waters (Revelation 19:6). That’s what John heard when he peered into heaven. So . . . if that’s what heaven is like–perhaps I should rehearse down here.
O clap your hands all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1
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I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Psalm 143:6 NIV
“When you lift your hands you make a funnel for God’s spirit to come down to you,” said Reverend Lee Stoneking at a recent conference. Hmmm? I’d never thought of it that way. I’d always thought of it as a sign of surrender. Here I am God. I give up. I give it all to you. But make a funnel? OK.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (and make a funnel) Psalm 63:4
Pour it on God.
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In John Bunyan’s classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian the journeying pilgrim traveled with a heavy load on his back until he came to a hill. On it stood a cross and below it, at the bottom, was a tomb. When Christian came up to the cross, his burden loosened from his shoulders and fell onto the ground. It rolled and rolled until it tumbled into the empty tomb. He never saw it again.
Christian stood in awe at the sight of the cross–amazed that his oppressive burden dropped and rolled away so quickly. He felt released from the pressure he had carried. As a result, he wept and sang and leaped for joy. The cross became a bridge that brought him from a life of despondent sighing, to over flowing gladness and singing.
Like Christian, I basked in a feeling of warm joy when I met Him at the cross. He gave me a new song and turned my mourning into dancing.
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing. Psalm 30:11a
Thank you Jesus!
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Many years ago, I started the Christian school of life with a different graduation in mind. Though I have been through the “though he slay me, yet will I trust him” test like Job, “the valley of the shadow” test like David, and my own small Gethsemane test, quitting has never been an option. In the words of Garfield and my pastor: “Big, fat, hairy deal.” For you see, I have had a sneak preview of this graduation. I heard something about streets of gold, walls of jasper, gates of pearl, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more parting. I just have this feeling that it will be worth whatever I have to face to make this one. So let me go dream about it. Better yet, come dream along with me!
*copied from ninetyandnine.com 09/09/02
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In 1983 my nursing class took a field trip to the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. It was fascinating to look down through a special viewing area and watch chest cavities opened as the physician surgically repaired heart defects, one right after the other.
Although we did not see a heart transplant, the bible reminds me that Jesus, the Great Physician, has been doing heart transplants for a long time.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19 NIV
Thank you Lord for a new heart.
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The following was written by my friend Linda. You can learn more about her and her custom embroidery business @ www.mollymine.com
Are You Serving the Name Brand or a Generic?
So you think you Surf the Tide and follow the Unbelievable worldly Trend. Cheer up. Get a Fresh Start before you Cascade down the Niagara. I know someone who can Scrub Free the sin from your Life Buoy. He’ll put Bounce into your step and a Sparkle in your eye. You have everything to Gain. Your troubles won’t completly Vanish, but you will have Joy and a heart that is Spic & Span. You’ll Behold the Sunlight of a new Dawn, and experience the Bounty of the Lord.
It’s not a Chore Boy. Pledge to be Bold in your Zest to serve. Resolve now to change your Future. If you need a Safeguard, take the Shield of faith. Snuggle up with the Good Book.
Tone out the Devil. Give him the Biz.
Dial the mainline!
Send an S.O.S!
Shout unto God with the voice of triumph!
Give Him your All!
If you want to stand Faultless before the Lord–serve Jesus, the only (brand) name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Being Mr. Clean is Fantastic!
Thanks Linda 🙂
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