The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum1:7

The ravages of  multiple tornadoes made known their fury in Texas this week as the roar of  violent winds blew though neigborhoods destroying property and threatening life.

Their path  was deep and wide around Granbury, Texas.

Children huddled in a closet  praying and singing  hymns.

Raul Rodriguez  had never had a home until Habitat for Humanity built one for him and his family. They clung to each other in an inner room and when the storm passed , to his amazement his home was still standing. His neighbors’ homes  were devastated.

Broken homes and lives began the struggle to begin again.

Cities like Joplin and Tuscaloosa know this crushing reality and the aftermath that comes.

People lost their lives.

People were injured.

People faced hopelessness.

Holy Father;

We come to YOU and lift up these who have endured to see the light of day and now review the damage.

Bring resources from the north, south , east and west to aid the victims.

Let the doors of churches open and respond with food, clothing and shelter.

Send doctors, medicines, water, supplies of every kind.

SEND  HOPE, LOVE, STRENGTH, MERCY, COMPASSION AND GOODNESS to these.

YOUR  Word never promised us that we would not have trouble.

YOUR Word says YOU will be a STRONGHOLD in it.

This we claim and we hold on!

We  now lift these to YOU in prayer for  spiritual, emotional and physical HELP.

Bond these families and friends together.

Comfort those who grieve.

Encourage those who follow  YOU to  Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Each day bring some word, some piece of music , some thought , some affirmation  to carry the hearts which despair. Move in wondrous ways to cause the Community of Faith  to rise  and embrace each one that has lived through this week of  destroying whirlwinds.

COME  AND  RESTORE!

SEND  YOUR  AMAZING GRACE !

MAY THE MELODIES  OF FAITH FIND VOICE !

MAY CHURCH BELLS RING!

SUNDAY IS COMING!

ENLARGE THE PLACE OF YOUR TENT. STRETCH YOUR TENT CURTAINS WIDE, DO NOT HOLD BACK; LENGTHEN YOUR CHORDS. STRENGTHEN YOUR STAKES. ISAIAH 54:2

When disaster strikes,  we the people come together.

This is what we are called to do.

WE WILL RESPOND IN FAITH BY GIVING.

THEREFORE WE BOW DOWN BEFORE YOU AND PLEAD FOR RESCUE FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN  TEXAS.

God Bless them.

In  Jesus’ Name,  we pray.

 

 

Though I walk in the mist of trouble, you will  revive me. You will  stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my  enemies and Your right hand will  save me.  Psalm 138:7  NKJV

Holy Father;

Shock and dismay shattered  a sunny, spring  day in Boston.

I  watched the news in disbelief .

Families of  runners and bystanders had prepared  and gathered for the annual marathon.

There seemed to be an aura of expectation, achievement  and enriching  in the air.

I am remembering that Boston a city founded in  American  history is  situated with prominent schools of academia on  most corners  and is populated with ethnicities from around the world.

It is an amazing cultural place.

BUT… into the midst of this cheering , affirming crowd  where thousands run the race and thousands attend, a dramatic  series of explosions were unleashed.

TERROR  ENTERED.

Fear, anxiety and panic suddenly was rampant.

CHAOS CAME.

People began to run away from the areas of  destruction and run towards  any place for safety.

Heroic onlookers began to run to the injured, mutilated and dying.

Screams of anguish and faces in shock were visible.

First responders charged fearlessly  down the streets to rescue.

Oh God  we are broken once again as a  nation  over another heinous atrocity!

We cry out for  doctors, surgeons, nurses  attending the wounded.

We cry out for families who are now in grief.

We cry out for those who must now live without a limb.

We cry out for  the heart and soul of America!

We the people pray for  all people  living in this city , for this horror to be rectified, for the perpetrators to be found, for those who are visiting to be comforted.

JUSTICE WILL  COME.

Open arms of grace and kindness needed for every one that  has sustained  injury, death and  now hopelessness.

Trouble invades.

Tests sculpt endurance.

Trials strengthen resolve.

TERROR WILL NOT TRIUMPH OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!

REVIVE US AGAIN!

We will walk out our pain.

We will persevere with our brothers and sisters who have been crushed.

We  will continue to run our race all the way to the Finish Line.

WE WILL PREVAIL.

Rally every church, house of worship and synagogue to provide  spiritual solace.

WE MUST RETURN TO YOU AND FIND FAITH.

We need YOUR peace to begin again.

” The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

Cause each man and woman, every boy and girl to seek YOU and find YOU.. for YOU are waiting.

” You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Restore Boston.

Restore expectation.

Restore America.

May peace REIGN within her borders once again.

” The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. ”

Isaiah 32:17

Therefore we can pray together as one people unto YOU and believe YOU will answer.

” How precious is Your loving kindness O God! Therefore the  children of men put their trust  under the shadow of Your wings.”Psalm36:7

We bow down  and petition YOU  with love and expectancy for the people of this great city in Jesus’ Name.

 

The unfolding of Your Word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple…

 Righteous are YOU, O Lord…

 Your promises have been thoroughly tested and Your servant loves them… YOU ARE NEAR.

Psalm 119: 130, 137a, 140, 151a

 

Flowers unfold in sunlight.

Birds sing their hearts out  in early  morning light.

Star shine emerges in  moonlight.

Clouds are ribbons framing our days.

Winds roam about rustling  the trees of the earth.

Rains and waters replenish the soil.

The heavens declare God’s  Glory… But that in one.  dark night long ago…. there was an agony so profound that  CREATION must have groaned helplessly until dawn.

It was a night of shadows and shattered dreams and the earth quaked with fear.

The Jesus of scripture was crucified on a CROSS for the sins of the world, all people, all generations, all races … ALL.

A borrowed tomb, a broken people were  hopeless.

The disciples ran.

Three days passed.

Did flowers bloom?

Did birds sing?

Did anyone care?

Beloved women came to the Tomb in early light  to bring spices to anoint Jesus’ Body.

The mammoth stone had been rolled away. Surprised  by a  holy light as they entered the sepulchre, a luminous angel on watch said; He is not here. He is risen… Go quickly and tell His disciples He is risen from the dead and behold He goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him.  Matthew 28:6-8

With great amazement and  joy, they ran to tell the disciples this incredible news.  Along the way they encountered  Jesus. With awe they touched His feet and worshiped Him before they continued the journey to Galilee.( v9-10)

DARKNESS MET UNFOLDING LIGHT!

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD CAME FORTH STREAMING FROM  A BORROWED TOMB .

THE WORLD CHANGED.

CREATION  CLAPPED THEIR HANDS IN RENEWAL.

MAN COULD BE DELIVERED FROM THE DARKNESS OF SIN.

The Resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity.

Even Josephus, a Jewish historian wrote convincingly about the evidence he investigated supporting this miracle.

Those who follow Christ learn to live in His Light.

For with you is the fountain of light; In your light we see light. Psalm 36:9

We have relationship.

We have the Word of God.

We can ask for His guidance.

Blessed are those who acclaim you; who have learned to walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. Psalm 89:15

The Righteous Light of Christ leads the simple to understanding.

We are simple and need understanding.

Conquering death, HE became the UNFOLDING LIGHT OF EASTER.

As we embrace this LIGHT, we discover that HIS PROMISES are thoroughly tested and we grow to love them.

We hold on them.

We proclaim them.

We live them out.

We create through them.

We rest in them.

We die in them.

Light dispels darkness.

Truth uncovers deception.

A cleansed heart knows light.

Sin fears discovery.

THE CROSS BRINGS PARDON, FORGIVENESS…  HEALING LIGHT THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD!

Have you experienced the UNFOLDING LIGHT of EASTER?

It is incredibly life giving, glorious, gracious and grace filled.

It is a a Finished work.

What then should we do?

Open your heart to Christ.

Ask Him to come and be YOUR LORD.

Confess all the ugliness you know.

Take your time.

His Light will make you brand new.

If you do, welcome to the family of God.

A Blessed Easter  will be yours.

HE IS NEAR…

Acts 17:28

Billie

 

 

 

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.

You show that you are a letter from Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God…on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians  3:2-3

H– HEARTS YEARNING TO BE LOVED, SEEKING A LOVE THAT WILL NOT FAIL,

E–ENCOUNTERING  A LOVE SO FULFILLING THAT WE ARE CARRIED DAILY BY A SURE HOPE AND HOLY GRACE.

A– ACCEPTED BY THE CHRIST OF THE CROSS WHOSE BLOOD SACRIFICE  COVERS OUR SIN NOW AND FOREVER,

R- ROYALTY GIVEN TO US AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,

T–TIME TO GROW AND BECOME MORE FOR HIM IN THE WORD WITH JOY AND EXPECTANCY.

HIS HEART OF LOVE BIRTHS OURS.

Remember when.

Reflect back.

Rejoice now.

THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE SENT JESUS FOR YOU AND ME.

GLORY TO HIS NAME!

THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE STILL SEEKS MEN AND WOMEN ONE HEART AT A TIME.

AMEN!

THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE IS CALLING SOMEONE TO EXPERIENCE THE CONTAGIOUS,COMPELLING, COMPASSIONATE LOVE OF CHRIST– A LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET YOU GO!

HALLELUJAH!

WHERE ARE YOU IN THE JOURNEY OF LIFE?

LIFE..CHILDHOOD,  DREAMS, TALENTS, SCHOOLING,   MARRIAGE, FAMILY, CAREER, HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIVING, DESPERATION OR CELEBRATION, MUCH OR LITTLE, LOSS OR GAIN… SENIOR YEARS …FINALLY…DEATH.

HE IS PRESENT IN ALL.

ARE YOU PRESENT TO HIM?

ON  VALENTINE’S DAY– THE SYMBOL OF HEARTS BRING JOY. THEY CAUSE US TO THINK ABOUT EXPRESSING OUR LOVE TO SOMEONE….. BUT THERE IS A LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET YOU GO.

WHEN ONE BECOMES  A CHILD OF GOD, A YEARNING STIRS WITHIN  TO FOLLOW HIM!

THE WORD OF GOD IS YOUR LOVE LETTER FROM HIM .

INTERNALIZE IT.

BREATHE IT.

EXPRESS IT .

GIVE IT AWAY.

SOME BODY NEEDS A VALENTINE  FROM THE LORD.

ASK HIM FOR MORE LOVE FOR ONE WHO IS STRUGGLING.

ASK HIM TO SHOW YOU HOW TO GIVE YOU  A RANDOM ACT OF  KINDNESS.

ASK HIM TO COMPEL FORGIVENESS IN YOU FOR ANOTHER.

HE HAS SOLUTIONS.

WHEN THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE, GOD IS ANSWERING.

                                                                                  ALBERT EINSTEIN

BE READY.

YOU ARE HIS LETTER WRITTEN IN RED.

YOU ARE GOD’S VALENTINE.

BE A BLESSING.

CHRIST IN ME THE HOPE OF GLORY.  COLOSSIANS  1:27

WORDS AND ACTIONS MATTER.

BILLIE

” The Lord will be a SHELTER for HIS people and the STRENGTH of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16b

 

Faith NOT Fear…

COME  FORTH NEW YEAR!

Grace NOT Pride…

IN  HIM ABIDE!

Able NOT Frail…

HIS NAME WE HAIL!

Courage NOT Anxiety…

HE IS GOD ALMIGHTY!

Belief   NOT Fantasy…

HIS LIFE — REALITY!

HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?

Pray fervently each day.

HIS  WORD will chart our way.

Love one another.

Look out for your brother.

COME FORTH NEW YEAR!

WE WILL NOT FEAR.

OUR GOD WHO REIGNS IS VERY NEAR.

Our hearts embrace the SHELTER of Faith.

For Israel STRENGTH…For America GRACE.

Darkness will flee.

His Light will break through.

HIS Love for us all is constant and true.

A NEW YEAR, A NEW GRACE, 2013

” The Lord will be a SHELTER for His people and the STRENGTH of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16b

New Year’s Blessings,

Billie