It has been a while since I have posted anything, but I came across this video tonight that I would like to share. I know it is sometimes difficult to watch a video relying on subtitles, but I feel that this video is worth watching the whole way through.
For me, personally, this video reminds me that there is something special inside of each person I meet. Whether it is the classmate that I like or find frustrating to work with, or the rambunctious unkempt child that enters the Sunday school classroom, the stranger on the street, or the homeless man from the shelter that comes to hear the gospel on a Sunday night. While this video is about a person that comes off the street and shines when his hidden talent comes out, it reminds me that there is something inside each one that I meet and there is hope that they can be reached with the gospel and be saved as well! May I reach out to those around, no matter the stench or fear and show God's light and hope of salvation to them.
Enjoy the video :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Another step closer...
While there are still questions that remain unanswered, I am happy to say that I have completed my student teaching interview and the paperwork involved in that and am on my way to student teaching in the fall! This means I am one step closer to graduation (which will take place in either December 2012 or May 2013!) Now I leave it even more in the Lord's hands as to where I will be placed and the plans for the future! :)
I have been enjoying the lyrics to Legacy Five's song:
I have been enjoying the lyrics to Legacy Five's song:
While I'm waiting, God is working,
He is working overtime,
When I'm hiding in the bushes,
He is on the firing line,
When I think the battles over,
When my back's against the wall,
While I'm waiting God is working,
He is working through it all.
While I'm waiting God is working,
He is working through it all.
While I am waiting for my placement and many other answers, God is moving His hand and working through it all! :) What a comfort!
I was also enjoying a verse during my reading in Genesis where God is speaking to Jacob in a dream: And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done which I have spoken to thee of (28:15).
What a sure promise we (I) have from the Lord- that where ever I go, where ever He places me-- He will always be with me and will never leave me!
I will try to post again soon... until then-- Spend some the Lord, enjoy His communion, and keep looking up! :)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Take My Life and Let It Be
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
This hymn was written by Francis Ridley Havergal. She was born in England as the youngest child of a minister. By the age of 3, she could read; at the age of 4 she was reading and memorizing the Bible; at the age of 7 she began writing poetry. When she was 11, her mother died after suffering a long and hard illness.
She was a very educated girl. Her scholastic achievements included several modern languages in addition to Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. She was also trained in linguistics and music. She was a pianist and singer. She was also a devoted Bible student memorizing the New Testament including the Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets.
Even though she was highly cultured and educated, she maintained a simple faith and confidence in her Lord. It is said that she never wrote a line without first praying over it.
After 1873, she literally carried out her now famous couplet "Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only for my King." and she sang nothing but sacred music of the love of God and His way of salvation. It became her life's mission to sing and work for Jesus.
Her hymn of consecration, "Take my Life and Let It Be" was written by Miss Havergal in 1874. She given the following account of the song:
"Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the Consecration hymn 'Take my life.' I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He game me the prayer 'Lord, give me all in this house!' And He just did! Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, & then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passes most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with 'ever only, ALL FOR THEE!'"
Her prayer, "Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold," in the same hymn was not lightly stated. In August 1878, Miss Havergal wrote to a friend,
"The Lord has shown me another little step, and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. 'Take my silver and my gold' now means shipping off all of my ornaments to the church Missionary House, including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess, where all will be accepted and disposed of for me... Nearly fifty articles are being packed up. I don't think I ever packed a box with such pleasure."
Miss Havergal also wrote many small devotional tracts and narratives in prose and numerous little books of poems and hymn texts, all marked by the same earnest and practical piety. Her themes in her writing were of faith, consecration, and service.
Frances Ridley Havergal died at Caswall Bay, Swansea, Wales on June 3, 1879, at the age of 42.
Have I consecrated my life to the Lord? Do I give up of my most valuable treasures to serve the One who died for me? What of my time? my talents? my treasures? What of myself do I give to Him? Have I given Him my all to be used for His service and glory?
This hymn was written by Francis Ridley Havergal. She was born in England as the youngest child of a minister. By the age of 3, she could read; at the age of 4 she was reading and memorizing the Bible; at the age of 7 she began writing poetry. When she was 11, her mother died after suffering a long and hard illness.
She was a very educated girl. Her scholastic achievements included several modern languages in addition to Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. She was also trained in linguistics and music. She was a pianist and singer. She was also a devoted Bible student memorizing the New Testament including the Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets.
Even though she was highly cultured and educated, she maintained a simple faith and confidence in her Lord. It is said that she never wrote a line without first praying over it.
After 1873, she literally carried out her now famous couplet "Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only for my King." and she sang nothing but sacred music of the love of God and His way of salvation. It became her life's mission to sing and work for Jesus.
Her hymn of consecration, "Take my Life and Let It Be" was written by Miss Havergal in 1874. She given the following account of the song:
"Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the Consecration hymn 'Take my life.' I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He game me the prayer 'Lord, give me all in this house!' And He just did! Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, & then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passes most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with 'ever only, ALL FOR THEE!'"
Her prayer, "Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold," in the same hymn was not lightly stated. In August 1878, Miss Havergal wrote to a friend,
"The Lord has shown me another little step, and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. 'Take my silver and my gold' now means shipping off all of my ornaments to the church Missionary House, including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess, where all will be accepted and disposed of for me... Nearly fifty articles are being packed up. I don't think I ever packed a box with such pleasure."
Miss Havergal also wrote many small devotional tracts and narratives in prose and numerous little books of poems and hymn texts, all marked by the same earnest and practical piety. Her themes in her writing were of faith, consecration, and service.
Frances Ridley Havergal died at Caswall Bay, Swansea, Wales on June 3, 1879, at the age of 42.
Have I consecrated my life to the Lord? Do I give up of my most valuable treasures to serve the One who died for me? What of my time? my talents? my treasures? What of myself do I give to Him? Have I given Him my all to be used for His service and glory?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Today- January 9, 2012
Today is Monday, January 9, 2012.
Today is a brand new day.
Today is another day given to me by God.
Today marks the beginning of another semester.
Today marks a fresh start.
Today marks my final semester of classes.
Today.
Today I am starting my final 4 classes at UNOmaha before I student teach in the fall. As I step through campus today and I see those that I interact and study with and those that use the same hallways as I-- Do they know what I believe? Have I shared the gospel and the glorious news of salvation with them? Can they see the light of Christ shining through me? Am I sure that I am living as an honest Christian before others?
I am challenging myself... so I challenge you to share the gospel to at least one other person this semester- through speech, through tract, through conduct, whatever it may be. And once it has been done once... try it again :)
Semester motto: "...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Today is a new day.
Today is a new beginning.
Enjoy your time with the Lord and share your joys with others.
Today is a brand new day.
Today is another day given to me by God.
Today marks the beginning of another semester.
Today marks a fresh start.
Today marks my final semester of classes.
Today.
Today I am starting my final 4 classes at UNOmaha before I student teach in the fall. As I step through campus today and I see those that I interact and study with and those that use the same hallways as I-- Do they know what I believe? Have I shared the gospel and the glorious news of salvation with them? Can they see the light of Christ shining through me? Am I sure that I am living as an honest Christian before others?
I am challenging myself... so I challenge you to share the gospel to at least one other person this semester- through speech, through tract, through conduct, whatever it may be. And once it has been done once... try it again :)
Semester motto: "...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Today is a new day.
Today is a new beginning.
Enjoy your time with the Lord and share your joys with others.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I will sing the wondrous story
Many I know are suffering from what Tim Woodford diagnosed to us as P.S.S.L.D.S (Post SeedSowers Let Down Syndrome). After a week of intense walking, fellowship, friends, conversations, devotions, testimonies, activities, and singing, it is hard to get back into the grind of daily life. Personally, I had a great week at the Phoenix, AZ seed sowers this year, and it truly is hard to come back. However, I pray that I can take what I learned during the week and better my life from the lessons. I also pray that I will not stop the spread of the gospel at the end of the week, but continue to serve God here in Omaha now that I am home. What am I doing for HIM?
The middle of last week brought a song that was enjoyed by all. It is a song that many sing, but we learned a little different tune inspired by those in the Ireland/N.I./England area. The tune is catching and many were found singing it out on the streets, in the vans, when you woke up, and just about everywhere during the week. But truly the story we have to share is wondrous :)
A little background of the song:
1. I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me;
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
2. I was lost, but Jesus found me.
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me.
Drew me back into His way.
3. I was bruised, but Jesus healed me.
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
4. Days of darkness still come o'er me,
Sorrow's path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me,
By His guiding hand I'm led.
5. He will keep me till the river
Rolls its water at my feet;
Then He'll bear me safely over,
When the loved ones I shall meet.
The middle of last week brought a song that was enjoyed by all. It is a song that many sing, but we learned a little different tune inspired by those in the Ireland/N.I./England area. The tune is catching and many were found singing it out on the streets, in the vans, when you woke up, and just about everywhere during the week. But truly the story we have to share is wondrous :)
A little background of the song:
I will sing the Wondrous Story
lyrics: Francis Harold Rowley (1854-1952)
original music: Peter Philip Bilhorn (1865-1936)
Francis Rowley was born on July 25, 1854 and after being educated at the University of Rochester and Rochester Theological Seminary, Rowley became the Baptist minister of the First Baptist Chirch of North Adams, MA. During his time of ministry, the church was having a revival which was causing the whole community to experience a period of unusual interest in religious matters. Rowley was assisted by a young musician, Peter Bilhorn, who served as the song director for the church.
One Sunday, following the service, Bilhorn asked Rowley to write a hymn that Bilhorn could put to music. The following night, Rowley had the following stanzas come to him to which Bilhorn later composed a tune (Wondrous Story). Some years later, Francis Rowley was walking through the streets of London at about 11 o'clock at night when he heard a Salvation Army group holding a service. As he drew near he realized that the words they were singing where the ones he had written so many years prior. Peter Bilhorn had written the song and it became an instant success. The song was first written as "Can't you sing the wondrous story" However, the song was first published by Ira Sankey in 1887 as "I will sing the Wondrous Story" after it was given as a gift to him from Rowley and Bilhorn. Bilhorn wrote over 2,000 gospel songs during his time.
1. I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me;
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary
Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
2. I was lost, but Jesus found me.
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me.
Drew me back into His way.
3. I was bruised, but Jesus healed me.
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
4. Days of darkness still come o'er me,
Sorrow's path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me,
By His guiding hand I'm led.
5. He will keep me till the river
Rolls its water at my feet;
Then He'll bear me safely over,
When the loved ones I shall meet.
*I will sing the Wondrous Story -The Celebration Choir (Monuments of Faith CD)
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever. Psalm 89:1
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