SOUL SURFING

In the movie Soul Surfer, Bethany Hamilton’s youth group leader—played by Carrie Underwood—plays a key role in the teen’s recovery from a 2003 shark attack. In real life, youth pastor Sarah Hill’s role was even more prominent. Reflecting on the journey that brought her from ministering to kids on the North Shore of Kauai to a New York City movie premiere, youth leader Sarah Hill said she feels a sense of awe—but not surprise. “I really believe that the Lord painstakingly prepares you for things in your life so that you can have a greater testimony to bring Him glory,” she said in an interview after the April 6 premiere of Soul Surfer. For Hill, that preparation involved tragedy and pain. “I was raised in San Diego by a single mom with five kids who has fought a long battle with cancer,” she recalled. “My dad was in and out of the picture, in and out of jail. He was abusive—physically and verbally—and he abused drugs and alcohol.” In addition to enduring emotional pain, Hill experienced physical trials. “I had several surgeries growing up and a lot of illnesses,” she said. “I became very insecure. I didn’t ever question if He was real or not, but I did ask, ‘How can a God of love allow so many bad things to happen?’”
Things seemed to be looking up when Hill received a scholarship to play water polo in college. But two weeks before she was supposed to report to campus, she broke her neck and back in a surfing accident, and lost the scholarship. She was one sixteenth of an inch from being paralyzed. “It’s a total miracle that I survived,” said Hill. “But all of that added to a feeling of despair, and my future and my dreams crumbled right before me.” Three months after breaking her neck, Hill sank into a deep depression and wanted to give up. “I was tired of all the trials and tribulations,” she said. Something made her hang on. “I remember asking the Lord to speak to me,” said Hill. She opened her Bible and found 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10. The red letters jumped off the page: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In the next verse, the apostle Paul writes, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in trials and tribulations because when I am weak, then I am strong.” As soon as she read those words, Hill recommitted her life to the Lord. “That’s when my journey really began,” she explained. Not long afterward, Hill completed her Associate's Degree in theology from Calvary Chapel Bible College, returned to surfing, and became a missionary on the island of Kauai. Describing the call of God, Hill said that at first she laughed. “God doesn’t call people to Hawaii. But I had this radical dream one night of kids perishing on a beach and someone elbowing me and saying, ‘See Sarah, because you weren’t going to go, people are dying without the Lord.’ “It was awful,” said Hill. “I woke up with a sense of urgency: ‘OK, Lord, you really are calling me there.’” The Attack! In Hawaii, Hill met a young surfer named Bethany Hamilton. And on Oct. 31, 2003, she received a disturbing phone call that seemed at first to be a joke. “I got the phone call from her brother Noah on Halloween morning and I thought it was a nasty trick,” said Hill about Hamilton’s shark attack. “But then I could hear the panic in his voice and picked him up.” As Hill sped to the hospital—actually beating the paramedics there—Noah was so upset he thought he might vomit and stuck his head out the window. “And I am driving and praying, ‘Lord, how do I minister to this family? I am not OK with this.’” That is when the Lord reminded Hill of Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” “I felt like the Lord spoke to my heart,” said Hill. “I had a peace that she would survive. I shared that verse with Noah and her mom. When Bethany first came out of surgery that was the first thing her mom told her. And Bethany grabbed on to that. Hill sat with Hamilton every day in the hospital. By day three, they started to talk about Bethany’s return to surfing. “I told her, ‘The Lord hasn’t allowed this to take away your gift of surfing. He is going to use it in some way.’ All along, I felt that God was going to get her through it.” He did. Less than a month after the attack, Hamilton was back in the water. A year later, she was awarded both an ESPY for “Comeback Athlete of the Year” and a “Teen Choice Award” for Courage. By 2010, Hamilton was ranked No. 20 on the Women’s Tour of the Association of Surfing Professionals. AWESOME TRUE story CLICK for clip

Youth Group Scene from Soul Surfer

ENTERTAIN ME

God is ever looking at the heart. "For the EYES of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chron 16:9 ~ God desires and longs to find a heart that truly fears Him, which means to wholly trust in Him and to depart from the deception of the world. "DO NOT LOOK at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not SEE what the LORD SEES, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD SEES the HEART." 1 Samuel 1:16 ~ The externals that GOD delights in is our obedience which is born out of a true love and reverence for His Name. True faith in GOD is foremost a heart that is full of love and respect for Who God is. OUR FAITH is primarily a matter of internals, not externals. Too often people get it backwards, they concern themselves with form, rituals, and religious activity, but their hearts are not right before God. The Lord God Almighty is not impressed with our show! I do NOT believe that GOD finds pleasure in the NUMBER of worhsippers. He is SEES our HEART and KNOWS if we WORSHIP HIM, or if we seek entertainment. Attendance of mega churches or the flurry of activity the church calls “ministry” today does not increase FAITH IN GOD. Do we dismiss holiness and obedience for the sake of popularity, tolerance and acceptance? Is our activities of FAITH recognized by God as worship? Biblically can we use scripture as our judge and admit that if it was not for His grace, we would be slipping away from worship as we seek pleasure and entertainment? BELIEVERS of each FAITH today are filled with lyrics to Christian songs, but are they filled with God's living Word? They attend “fun” retreats and conferences that are more like comic relief than a 3 day FAST from FOOD and INPUT with the INTENTION of hearing from GOD. The Church has become a religious extension of the world. We are to be IN the world but not of it, and these days believers have a PASSION for more spiritual entertainment than Jesus. WORSHIPING GOD ABOVE a Christian musician or the speaker of the word of God is what needs to be seen as SIN. Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! (Deut 5:29).

GREAT JOY

I did not want to do anything without the Holy Spirit's consent, so that any favor I receive from God would be priased. That opportunities would volunteer my entry as He has gone before me to prepare the path I am to take. The reason He was separated from the world for a little while was that I might appreciate the Holy Spirit's constant companionship, forever! HALLELUIAH! Knowing that my body is God's temple, that God's Spirit lives in me, and therefore my body is considered sacred as it is His temple - this FACT allows my inner LIGHT to SHINE regardless of circumstances. For where my treasure is, there also is my heart - as God MADE HIS LIGHT SHINE in my heart to give me the LIGHT OF THE KNOLWEDGE of His glory. This TREASURE, His Holy Spirit is stored in a cracked clay pot - His LIGHT sparkles to SHOW others that the ALL-SURPASSING POWER at work in me ~ is from GOD and NOT from me. AMEN - Though I am hard pressed on every side - the threat of job loss and an increased work load - because of God's mercy I am not crushed! Perplexing situations erupt all around me, yet I am NOT in despair! Because of my faith I am set apart and persecuted, yet God does NOT abandon me. At times my dream, my wish, my desire is struck down, but alas, I am NOT destroyed! For Jesus the Son of God is the LIGHT, He is the radiance of God's glory and the EXACT representation of God's being, Who sustains ALL things by His powerful Word! Jesus provided purification for my sins and then He sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY in heaven and sent His Holy Spirit to be with me always! At one time I was foolishly disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. I lived in envy and hated those who had possessions that will rot away. But out of the kindness and love of God, my Savior Jesus appeared and through God's pre-destined purpose, He saved me ~ NOT because of righteous acts of service that I had done, but because of His phenomenal mercy! Jesus saved me through the washing of REBIRTH in HIM, and the RENEWAL of my MIND by the Holy Spirit ~ Whom God poured into me and unto me out of His generosity. I have been justified by His grace and I accept as His heir, the HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE!

SHOW ME THYSELF

2 Chronicles 9 "She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on His throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and His desire to uphold them forever, He has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” YES Our LORD loves us LAVISHLY! DANIEL 2:48 "Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men." I JOHN 3:1 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him."

Beth Moore Sample from LifeWay Productions on Vimeo.

God's Spirit speaks to our spirit. If you are wondering what God has called you to do ~ Don't wait for an audible voice to tell you. Begin to do that which you are inspired to do. God cannot drive a parked car ~ the Spirit cannot tell us to turn left if we are not moving. Listen to what the Spirit is saying while you drive, while you work, while you pray, and while you are still ~ and PRAISE God for Who He is, the King of Kings who revealed Himself to Elijah, Moses, Saul, the Samaritan woman and you and me. AMEN ~ Do you want to HEAR and SEE the divine revelation of Christ Himself? Our Lord God Almighty shows Himself to us in His word and He invites us to ASK HIM to reveal His Glory to us. JOHN 14:21 "Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them.” Lord Jesus let Your Glory rain in me, give me reigning ears that are tuned to Your voice, give me eyes that see Your glory filling the earth. 1 Corinthians 2 “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”the things God has prepared for those who love him — these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ."Lord Jesus we come to Your throne boldy and ASK that You reveal, disclose, manifest and uncover Your glory inside our minds as You draw us CLOSE in fellowship and speak to our hearts. PSALM 78 "My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of My mouth. I will open My mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him." Lord Almighty God who is FAITHFUL to reveal Himself to those who love Him - Thank You Father for filling me, for giving me the Living Water so that I will not be thirsty again. MY SONG to JESUS taken from PSALM 18 NIV
"I love You, O Lord, my Strength.
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress
and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock
in Whom I take refuge... The Lord
thundered from heaven; the Voice of
the Most High resounded ~
He reached down from on high
and took HOLD OF ME!
He drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, from my woes ~
My God brought me out into a SPACIOUS place
He rescued me because
He delighted in me.
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning.
My God turns my darkness into light!
With Your help I can advance against a troop
With My God I can scale a wall!
As for God, His way is perfect ~
The Word of the Lord is flawless!
The Lord lives! Praise be my Rock!
Exalted by God my Savior ~
Therefore I will sing praises
To His Holy Name ~ and blog my brag
of all that He has done in me!
Halleluiah and Amen

MOTIVE & METHOD

"He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name." PSALM 147:3 Our Lord God Almighty heals our broken hearts and minds. He calls us by name and binds up our wounds! Halleluiah! "HELP US, GOD our SAVIOR, for the GLORY of YOUR NAME; deliver us and forgive our sins for YOUR NAMES sake." PSALM 79:9 HELP us LORD JESUS, not for our sakes, but for YOUR GLORIOUS and perfect HOLY NAME! We need You Father and we thank You for delivering Your Son Jesus unto us, to walk with us, to talk with us, to die for us, to forgive us our sins ~ for YOUR NAME! AMEN God knows the motive of our hearts as we go to church, work, and in all the ways we seek more. My prayer is that God create in me a new heart, a transparent heart, a pure heart of worship, a heart like Jesus, a heart that glistens as it listens, a heart that prays and obeys. A heart that is open, a heart that pumps the blood of Jesus as His Spirit abides in me. A heart worthy of His residence, a heart that rejoices in His radiance, and a heart that bows down at the throne of His mercy. AMEN In a magazine article I read about the sin of gluttony - not just the gulping down of portions of tasty treats, but my gluttony of spending, and shopping for more. What method of control does the sinister plot of satan have on me? Is it to control my thinking, to convince me that I am not capable through Christ to live a life of victory which glorifies the Name of Jesus? Beth Moore testifies that it took her FULL FOCUS on GOD's living WORD to be healed of her broken mind. It takes FASTING off food, world news, our agenda, our plans, our ways in order that GOD's GOOD NEWS, HIS PLAN, and HIS WAYS shall become our delighted obedience, over time. His call on our LIFE to serve HIM, to PRAY as we GO, to be CHANGED and EQUIPPED by the indwelt Holy Spirit takes seasons of time. It takes time to plant the seed of FAITH, to water it, to let it dry out, to fertilize it, to pull the weeds, and to protect it from the pests who wish to devour it BEFORE it BLOOMS and produces much FRUIT. My motive for moving to Mexico has been purified, it is to bring His Name all the glory and honor and praise. The method of His call is to bring us to face the TRUTH, to admit that on our own we are unable, but with Him that all things are possible! His gift to us is the unseen but powerful indwelt Holy Spirit. God receives great pleasure in our full surrender to the Holy Spirit Who shall lead us to recognize a parched thirsty soul, first our own poverty, then others. The Holy Spirit softens the soil of hearts into which He plants seeds of HOPE through the GOOD NEWS we boldly proclaim that JESUS SAVES. That JESUS restores and equips us to serve Him with the gifts He gives us. Beth shared a verse she wrote that has been incorporated into a worship song that reflects her desperate need for a Savior. Each LIFE in CHRIST is a new song. Each day as we live, breath, walk and talk, we write the LYRICS for a WORSHIP SONG to our Lord and Savior. This is my PSALM, my song to LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. "Lord give me a heart like Yours. One that prays and rejoices pure. A heart that opens and breaks for the poor. Full of compassion and bursting with grace. Lord let me gaze upon Thy glorious face. Create in me a holy place, cleanse me with Your grace. Abide deep inside that I may bring You pleasure. Oh Lord give me a heart like Yours, You are my greatest treasure ~ Fill me with Your full measure. For Barbara Sue longs for a heart like You!" Sang to the same tune as this church song: "Oh Cleanser of the mess I've made Upon the hill our places trade. Stretched out on a cross Your body crushed by human hands You formed from dust. How wonderful Your mercy is How awesome are Your ways I come ~ I come ~ to worship You for ALL You've done. Oh Cleanser of the mess I've made Your boundless love for me portrayed with patience for my learning curve By holding back what I deserve. How wonderful Your mercy is How awesome are Your ways I come ~ I come ~ to worship You. Oh Cleanser of the mess I've made with everything at Your feet laid I watch as ALL my cares erode and from my soul these words explode Oh how wonderful Your mercy is How awesome are Your ways I come ~ I come ~ to worship You for All You've done." AMEN OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART LORD, OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, I WANT TO SEE YOU, I WANT TO SEE YOU! Lord Jesus I ask in Your unblemished NAME, in Your worthy reputation as the King of Kings, I ask You to forgive my sin of gluttony, of gulping down more portions than my body needs, of spending more money than I have, of posturing for more recognition for my silly accomplishments, of my growing cynical views of Your church, of my insatiable appetite for more pleasure and leisure. God I ask in the NAME OF JESUS that You continue to reveal that which disgusts You and shames Your Holy Name. Thank You for drenching me in the rain of the Holy Spirit and for Your mercy and grace. I come ~ I come ~ to worship You for all You've done. AMEN

HISTORICAL MOTHERS

"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking He was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what He was saying to them." LUKE 2:41-49 "There was also a prophetess Anna at the temple court, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." LUKE 2:36-38 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem." RUTH 1:15-19 ~ Ruth's loyalty to her mother-in-law after losing her husband is a testimony of faithful self-lessness. "And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” RUTH 2:2 ~ Ruth's obedience to her mother-in-law Naomi resulted in the FAVOR of our LORD. RUTH 3:10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character." God sent His Kinsman Redeemer Boaz LESSON GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN John 12:1-11: Mary Magdelene humbled herself before the Lord Jesus and poured out her love and devotion for Jesus by giving Him the finest she had, before men. QUESTION: "Do I humble myself before the Lord and give Him my love in the presence of men without shame? Do I tend to want to go with the crowd, with popular belief? Am I willing to be set apart as an Ambassador for Christ and mocked? Like Mary Magdelene, as I have been forgiven MUCH, therefore it is my desire to love Jesus as much as I am able. “Go, look over the land,” He said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there." The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent." JOSHUA 2:1 ~ JOSHUA 6:17 --- Our Lord redeems the lost and His ways are NOT our ways. "Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth." MATTHEW 1:5 "In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" JAMES 2:25 - GOD our Father covered our sins with the blood of Jesus and gave these Historical Mothers, the Samaritan Woman and all of us His righteousness.

Lucky in His Presence

When was the last time you felt the presence of God? Was it while you were alone in nature? As you prayed? Extended grace to another? While you were reading scripture? When you were shining your smile to cheer someone? When alone listening for His voice? Was it when you were broken, absolutely dependent on God? What was happening the last time God interrupted the moment and made Himself, His presence known to you? What emotion came over you? Lucky to know you are so loved? Lucky to be chosen? Tears of joy, gladness, peace, mighty assurance, needed confidence, a sense of safety, a shudder of goose bumps, or sweet comfort? When we ASK the Holy Spirit to flush us, to fill us, to give us comfort, and the wisdom to employ our application of scripture in a situation ~ He does. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide us, in that invitation is our willing surrender to His lead ~ we then must trust Him and obey, otherwise the communication was as if we defiantly "HUNG UP" on Him. Next time you sit intentionally stilled to be with God, ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation of God's word. Then seek to feel the pleasure of God as you surrender to His will that we listen and obey the nudge of the indwelt Holy Spirit. Yes the Word of God is living and active and it is sharper than a double edged sword. He does not allow us to be double minded. The Person of the Holy Spirit delights in letting us know He is able to "enable us" to speak a word that will do His bidding ~ BUT do we maintain the required position of surrender to allow Him the pleasure of extending God's will through us?
God makes Himself known to us in unique and powerful ways...to encourage us, to energize us, to equip us to do that which we are unable to do without God, our Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Holy ALL in ONE. "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted ( Judas the fool doubted. Do ye ever feel like the black sheep amidst the mockers? Remember Peter denied Jesus when he was not in the presence of Jesus, but IN HIS PRESENCE, Peter's faith "ENABLED" him to walk on water) "Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see" Hebrews 11:1 --- Therefore, let us be CERTAIN of our FAITH in Jesus and that the ENTIRE Bible is the inspired Word of God. "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16---Now without airplanes, the internet, cell phones, trains, or cars ~ some might think HOW did the eleven disciples teach all nations to obey what Jesus commanded? Each disciple had witnessed miracles, and had FELT the powerful presence of Jesus --- "some doubted" Jesus knew their hearts, their doubts about HOW TO REACH all of mankind about His birth, brutal death and miraculous return from the tomb. Jesus returned from the grave and spent 40 days with a group of about 120 disciples which included His mother Mary. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 Jesus made His Presence known to His disciples then, and today our Father, our Jesus, sent "another" just as He promised. The Person of the Holy Spirit makes His presence known to us TODAY when we invite Him to do so. God sent His Son to walk among us, to shed His blood, to make us holy, and to fill us with His beloved Holy Spirit ~ to change us, to polish us, to guide us, to use us to bring the lost back to Himself. His greatest command was that we love ourselves as we are loved, and to love one another. How do you describe God's presence? Is it in the kindness shown to you in that secret place within? Is it in that moment when you are able to forgive and let go? Is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in your life obvious by your changed character? The truth of God's redemption plan seems foolish to those without the Holy Spirit's wisdom, understanding and comfort. Jesus taught by His Word and His example ~ at the last supper when the disciples were too proud to wash feet, Jesus, the Son of God humbled Himself and washed their feet. John the Baptist said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Foolish people have too much pride to admit that they are not holy ~ even their unbelief is a sin. Jesus knew the hearts of his disciples were concerned about how they would be equipped to carry His mission of reconciliation to the world and He assured them "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—" John 14:16. So the TRUTH is that where ever we are, God is! By His word He gave us "another" Advocate, the Holy Spirit to help us and be "in" us forever. We are in His Presence, and He is "in" us waiting for us to invite Him to give us understanding, revelation, confidence and courage to stand up and speak that which He gives us to speak. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16. Some folks say "I believe God is everywhere, and in everything. In the trees, in the ocean, stars, mountains, in the animals etc". God's word does not claim to be in everything. God the almighty Creator of heaven and earth is omni-present, which means everywhere is in the sight of God, or in His presence. God is in the body, heart, mind, in a very personal way, of those who believe in Jesus. He waits for us to turn to Him, to invite Him, to call on Him, to trust Him, to get to know Him. The magnificient mountains, the depth of the seas, the height of the stars are all exhibitions of God's power, His creation of beauty for His beloved to live in. God never intended to be unknown, NOT be found, NOT heard, NOT felt in the great out yonder somewhere. God desires to be in a personal, intimate relationship with us. God makes it most definetly clear in His word where He is NOT present. God does not abide in those who do not claim Jesus as the Lord. "The Lord is FAR from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" Proverbs 15:29-31 --- In the life, in the midst, in the heart of a believer of Christ, God is present, as He promised "I will be with you always, even till the end of the age." The wicked, the wayward, those who do not believe in God, those have no concept or desire to know God, those who deny He exists, those who deny the Truth, that Jesus is Lord --- The Lord is FAR from those that choose to NOT believe. "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends --- even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart." Proverbs 16:2-6 --- Those who know God, are delighted to obey God, enjoy tremendous contentment in God, show great boldness for God, have supernatural energy to do His will, and have Spirit filled conversations about God. Consider Paul's escape from Damascus, his time being shipwrecked, alone at Sea, in prison --- all the while He was filled with peace not fear as he praised God. Paul carried the word of God to far off places perhaps singing. "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth...But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
Psalm 73:25-28 --- Blessed are we who meditate day and night on His law! King Solomon wrote a majority of the Psalms and Proverbs. Halleluiah and AMEN ~ on this St Patricks Day we are indeed LUCKY to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit of the King of Kings, Jehovah God!

Samaritan's Purse

Sunday March 13, 2011 a volcanoe erupted in Japan. The BBC reports that this was the largest volcanic blast in 52 years. It has caused widespread destruction and agitated panic through out the nation of Japan. Hundreds of people fled the area as the volcano spewed debris, including hot ash and rocks, more than 6,000 feet in the air, according to BBC reports. The Nuclear blast at Dai-ichi Unit 2 followed two hydrogen explosions at the plant — on Monday March 14, 2011 authorities struggle to prevent the catastrophic release of radiation in the area devastated by a tsunami.Friday March 11, 2011 JAPAN shakes! At least a million households without water and four million households remain without power since the quake struck. 9,500 people in one town were unreachable and nuclear workers suffered radiation exposure as the concrete plant exploded and collapsed. Japan has asked Russia for power. Nuclear mist above the plant first were thought to only emit minimum amounts of radiation, now Japan struggles with the reality of a Chernobyl disastor. The apocalyptic images on TV of debris-filled waves, uncontrolled fires and a ship caught in a massive whirlpool resembled scenes from a Hollywood disaster movie. Hundreds of souls were carried away on land, at sea, with ships, cars and homes. Widespread fires remain burning out of control. The quake sized at a magnitude of 8.9 triggered a 23-foot tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks. Saturday March 12, 2011 in Japan a magnitude-6.7 earthquake struck the central mountain part of the country. A reported 300 souls lost in the city of Sendai. Japan lies on the "Ring of Fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching around the Pacific where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur, including the one that triggered the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami that killed an estimated 230,000 people in 12 nations. A magnitude-8.8 temblor that shook central Chile in February 2010 also generated a tsunami and killed 524 people. Oceanside cities in California and Hawaii were evacuated as a safety measure. Cities and villages along a 1,300-mile stretch of coast, including Tokyo, all hundreds of miles from the epicenter shook in fear and shock! The government of Japan ordered about 3,000 residents near a nuclear plant — in the city of Onahama — to move back at least two miles from the plant. The reactor was not leaking radiation but its core remained hot even after a shutdown. The plant is 170 miles northeast of Tokyo. Large fishing boats and other vessels rode high waves ashore, slamming against overpasses or scraping under them and snapping power lines along the way. Upturned and partially submerged cars bobbed in the water. Ships anchored in ports crashed against each other. Even for a country used to earthquakes, this one was of horrific proportions because of the tsunami that crashed ashore, swallowing everything in its path as it surged several miles inland before retreating. Japanese automakers Toyota, Nissan and Honda halted production at some assembly plants in areas hit by the quake. One worker was killed and more than 30 injured after being crushed by a collapsing wall at a Honda Motor Co. Japan's nuclear safety agency said pressure inside one of six boiling water reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant had risen to 1.5 times the level considered normal. Hours after the evacuation order, the government announced that the plant in northeastern Japan will release slightly radioactive vapor from the unit to lower the pressure in an effort to protect it from a possible meltdown. FUKUSHIMA, Japan – Radiation leaked from Japan's earthquake-crippled nuclear plant on Saturday after a blast blew the roof off, and authorities prepared to distribute iodine to people in the vicinity to protect them from exposure. This earthquake was the fifth most powerful to hit the world in the past century. It surpassed the Great Kant quake of September 1, 1923, which had a magnitude of 7.9 and killed more than 140,000 people in the Tokyo area. The disaster struck as the world's third-largest economy had been showing signs of reviving from an economic contraction in the final quarter of last year. It raised the prospect of major disruptions for many key businesses and a massive repair bill running into tens of billions of dollars. Lord Jesus ~ may this world news cause a pause in the daily plan of each soul ~ to seek You, to ask for the Holy Spirit to compel us, to propel us with emboldened courage, strength and resources to assist those in need of more of Jesus in the midst of this Apolcalyptic history of man.