The Tongue

The tongue is quite a small vessel, but it affects the whole body. The tongue has been compared to the rutter on a mighty ship; the part the decides whether the ship should go straight or turn. If the ship didn't have the rutter would it just go straight? The tongue holds the power of life and death. With the tongue, we praise our Lord.

How is it that something so small can accomplish so much? I have never really had a problem with my tongue, but I've noticed lately that I have an issue of the tongue. I thought I had the thing under control, but lately I have been speaking bad things over people. Sometimes I even speak negatively over the people I care about. Where did this thing come from? Was I not properly guarded? It came from the enemy and no, I wasn't properly guarded. Here's the thing though...Last night at our prayer meeting, I decided that I am not going to let unwholesome talk come out of my mouth. The other day I listened to Pastor David's message on PBR's podcast. He was saying that he gets himself into trouble when he talks before taking a break. I am going to take Dave's advice and take a break before speaking. I hope that those around me will see the change and glorify the Lord.

Now is the time for repentance. The glory of the Lord wants to fall. Please take today to examine your heart and cry out to the Lord for His mercy and grace. He wants to help us all to become who He wants us to be.

Lord, change me from glory to glory. Be magnified in my heart. Purify my heart and let it be as gold and precious silver. Restore the lamp of my first love and may it burn with holy fear. Thank you for giving me another day. I pray that today I would honor you and glorify you. I pray that today would be a good day and one that I don't allow you to slip from my mind for even an instant. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that you continue to change my heart.

On a Side Note

Does anyone remember these songs or have any good memories of them?

I have been really happy since I heard the song "Jump Up". It reminds me of how much fun it is to praise the Lord! Maybe tomorrow's song of the day can be the "batman, superman, spiderman, Uncle Sam" song. I may need a little help with some of the lyrics though.

I'm Runnin'

I'm Running or The Mercy Seat

I'm running, I'm running
I'm running to the mercy seat
Where Jesus is calling
He said His grace will cover me
I'm running to the mercy seat

I'm running, I'm running
I'm running to the mercy seat
Where Jesus is calling
He will provide the healing
I'm running to the mercy seat

I'm not sure who wrote this song. I couldn't find the lyrics on CCLI or on any of the lyrics web sites. I hope I got them right. Have a good day!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Anyone remember this song? It was a pain in the behind to try to find the lyrics. This is the first time that being a pastor's wife has really paid off. I was able to get into the church's CCLI account and find the lyrics there. You're gonna love this one!

Jump Up

Jump up and shout
And rejoice in the Lord
Jump up and shout
And rejoice in the Lord
Sing out His praise
And rejoice in the Lord
For He is greatly
To be celebrated
To be praised
Jump up and shout
And rejoice in the Lord

Verse 1
In Your presence there is joy
Joy in the morning
In Your presence
There is joy forevermore
We have strength to run our race
In faith and power from the Lord
From the Lord

Verse 2
We are pressing
On in Jesus
For that high high calling
We are pressing
On in Jesus for it all
We are walking out Your truth
On a firm foundation
You did it all
You finished it all

Never Gonna Say Goodbye

The song of the day today is "Never Gonna Say Goodbye" from Guardian.

You and I we've been through some hard times
Think of all the times I've seen you fall
Through the all the rain and all the gray skies
I haven't lost any love for you at all
But if your eyes could see how much you mean to me
Take my hand, my love would set you free
Its another heartache, its another day
You sit and watch your life pass you by like a cold winter's day
You take a look around you, you see the fragments of your broken dreams
But we pick up the pieces and we carry on
But if your eyes could see how much you mean to me
You take my hand, my love could set you free
And I'm never gonna say goodbye
I'm always standing right by your side
And no matter what you do
You know my love belongs to you
And I'm never gonna say goodbye
And every day of life seems a little bit colder
Waiting for love in the pouring rain
You can cast all your cares upon my shoulders
I gave my song for you and I'll never turn away from you
And if your eyes could see how much you mean to me
Take my hand, my love could set you free
And I'm never gonna say good bye
I'm always standing right by your side
And no matter what you do, you know my love belongs to you
And I'm never gonna say goodbye
No I'm never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna say good bye

Most of the time at our Wednesday night prayer, we pray while a CD plays then we pray together. One night, Jason felt like we just needed to spend some time worshipping the Lord and God had him play this song. God was singing this song to us and I was humbled. As I was laying face down at the front of the church, I heard a noise as a dog panting over me. It didn't startle me because I could feel the Lord there. It was like my spirit rolled over, still laying on the ground and this dog stood over me and started licking my face and showing me that it loved me. God showed me that that's how much he loves me. God was the dog just longing for me to allow him to show me His love. Kind-of weird I know, but it was amazing!

Nicky

Homework Haters

Ok...so Miss Amy is the only one who actually wrote something on the day I gave home work. Congrats Amy, you win my continued prayer support on getting of debt quickly.

I write these posts so early in the morning that sometimes I feel my brain isn't cooperating with my fingers. To make this a little easier on myself, I am going to start passing along songs and things that God brings to my mind. Here's the first one...

The Lord Liveth

The Lord liveth and blessed be my rock
and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Bob Preston

Bob Preston came down to CFC Rushville and ministered to us back in January. I am able to listen to music while I work, and I have found that I am more productive in my work when I listen to talk radio, preaching, etc. than if I listen to music. So, for the past month, I have beeen listening to Bob Preston's message to the CFC-R church daily. The first few days that I listened to it, I came home and told Jason, "I don't know how I keep from crying all day long at work while I listen to it." I know that Bob is preparing to do go where the Lord has called him. Please join me in praying for Bob and Mary Jane Preston. Bob will be leaving soon for a short-term trip to Londrina. Mary Jane may have to stay home to reorganize and do some things that were put off during the passing of her mother.

Lord, You are a gracious and might Lord. I thank you that we can come to you knowing that you hear our prayers. I pray that you will protect Bob and Mary Jane. Give them both a peace that passes understanding. I pray that you will lead and guide them. Give them discernment for the future. I pray that you will continue to give Bob dreams and strategies for the work in Londrina. Prepare the hearts of the people so that they may receive the outpouring of your spirit. Lord, I know that the work on Brazil is going to have a direct impact on Christ Fellowship Church. I thank you for allowing us to be a part of the work you are doing in Brazil. In Jesus Name...Amen

Favorite Quotes

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. Picasso

What man is a man who does not make the world a better place? From Kingdom of Heaven

I am determined to learn new things and make the world a better place. And while I try to do all of this, I am repeating in my head: "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Phil 4:8

Anyone who reads this post has homework for today:

1. Share a favorite quote/verse in the comments.

2. "If you really want to change someone, you have to change the way they think." In honor of the wise person who said this (I have no clue who it was), your second piece of homework for today is to memorize Phil 4:8 and put it to practice. If you can't remember all of the whatever's, then focus on the end: "If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."

Comments Section Updated

I had an e-mail that someone was having trouble commenting on my blog, because it would not accept anonymous comments. This has been fixed and anyone may comment now. Have a great weekend!

Another Random Thought

People drive around the parking lot for sometimes 10-15 minutes looking for a great spot by the door. What's the point? You park the car wherever, then you go inside to walk around the store. The only time it really matters where you park is if it's raining, snowing, etc and you don't want to get wet or push a cart through slush. Those ten minutes spent driving the parking lot are a waste of time...you could have had the first few items on your list by the time you finally park.

One exception to the rule: At the Wal-Mart in Greenfield, do not ever park in the "overflow" section. This is the section where the gas station is. Strange people sit out there from time to time and it's a crazy world.

Random Thoughts

Okay...so here is how I think...the world according to me :)

Why is it that people think it's okay to speed, but it's not okay to pass in a no-pass zone? Prime example: 600 E in Hancock County is pretty much no-pass from Morristown all the way to 40 with the exception of a few miles. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. On the weekends, it happens quite often that there is someone out for their Saturday drive. They're meandering along...not paying attention to the speed (they are driving 30 mph) and you are stuck behind them for what seems like an eternity because it's a no passing zone. You pray at every intersection, "Lord, please make this person turn!" After miles of them not turning, you decide the prayer is pointless and while you are a patient person, you finally give in and pass them. What's worse: that you passed the slow-poke in a no passing zone or that you sped up to drive 55 mph once around them?

Case closed...more random thoughts to come.

Disclaimer: The story above is hypothetical...of course, I would never do something like that... ;)