Song of thanksgiving

Isaiah 12:3

Joyful Thanksgiving

…2"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." 
3 Therefore you will joyously draw water
 From the springs of salvation
4 And in that day you will say,
 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. 
Make known His deeds among the peoples; 
Make them remember that His name is exalted.

That's dat Jesus!

That's dat Jesus

 brings Jesus to you!

Here I am to worship!

Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Open my eyes
Let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You
Hope of a life
Spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in Heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I'll never…

On this rock!

Dear friends, I have the pleasure to share with you this beautiful worship song interpreted by Steven A. Have a blessed day in the name of Jesus. Amen

Behold the Lord upon his throne.

Dear sis and brothers, I'd love to share this beautiful song with you. It has been in my head almost all morning.
May the Lord pour his blessings abundantly on you and your beloved ones today. In the name of Jesus-Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

Behold the Lord - Kwasizabantu choir

God pointing...Spirit leading..Kingdom coming..

‘Spirit-led Discipleship’

Leader: George Fisher

One of the ‘in’ words at the moment is discipleship, and rightly so. However, in most teaching and training on discipleship the Holy Spirit is hardly ever mentioned. This workshop will examine the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our discipleship and explore how being more open to the Spirit leads us to become effective disciples of Jesus.

‘Hearing & discerning the voice of God’

Leader: Tim Storey

In a world of noise and 24/7 information coming at us from all directions, it is increasingly hard to hear the still small voice of God. Whilst we may be able to take time out to go where it is quiet for a while, what about the rest of the time? Come along and let’s work out together how we can make sure God doesn’t just get a word in edgeways but that His voice is loud and clear in our lives each day.

‘Healing of past hurts’

Leader: Ali Summers

Discovering the inner journey of wholeness, freedom and intimacy that Jesus invites us into. We will explore some of the available prayer models which help us to find breakthrough in identifying lies and choosing forgiveness and healing.

‘Engaging in Worship’

Leader: Matt Hird

We will be exploring what engaging in worship means outside of the big events and conferences – how can we experience spirit-filled worship without a big band? There will be an opportunity to share insights as well as some practical tips for creating space for worshippers to encounter the Holy Spirit. Come willing to share and to receive.

‘Restoring the Apple’

Leaders: John Alessi and Carl Washington

It is often the case that the ministry of deliverance, particularly in the church in the West, is viewed with suspicion. It can seem archaic and weird, but the reality is quite the opposite, there are very powerful spiritual, emotional, and psychological dynamics that need to be addressed. If we are to see the glory of God in our communities we have to get the deliverance ministry back into the mainstream of the church, where it is seen as a component part of the body of Christ. In the ministry of Jesus, his deliverance ministry is one of the most outstanding features of his time on earth, and so it should be for us. The workshop will challenge our thinking of a ministry that is often overlooked

10 + things to do if you and your children are bored during the holidays

Why don't you...take the time to check who JESUS really was! Check out the truth of the gospels.  Take some steps of faith!

1.  Listen in to Jesus' Parables
2.   Begin a new life with God i.e. read this New Testament that you took back home (last hols in Devon)
3.    Ask a question i.e. find a vicar and ask him/her those questions about life that keep bothering you...
4.   Give to the homeless 
5. Pray for a friend
6. Light a light
7. Throw away a stone
8. Look at the cross
9.  Get with creation
10. Visit a church
11. Follow a prayer recipe What is praying? something complex? not at all
12. Don't worry Jesus himself gives us this advice!
13. Make a "why God ? " list
14. Join a local church course
15. Pray for an enemy
16. Give up something that matters 
17. Repent! I did and I felt so much better
18. Forgive someone and start anew 

Inspired by the rejesus website, click here and your life will be turned uspside down for the better! Don't forget to let us know how you got on! N.

His love is constant

With these words we lift our heads above our individual struggles and come in imagination to the Temple. 'All the earth is invited (v 1) You are probably reading this alone at home but imagine yourself coming in a great joyful crowd. You are probably reading silently, but in imagination shout and sing (vs 1,2) This is exuberant joyful worship.

The other nations worshipped gods who were territorial, vengeful, unpredictable, remote and unconcerned with humankind.
 Our God revealed himself to Moses not only as 'just and right', as we noted in Psalm 99 but also as one whose love and faithfulness endure for ever (v 5). The two words, love and faithfulness are often found in the Old Testament in conjunction with the words 'justice' and 'righteousness'.

God loves us! His love is not like the human love that evaporates when the lover finds a more attractive object for his or her affections, or turns its back in anger when the person loved offends.

We do not constantly need to worry about losing God's affection. His love is constant and faithful. It is covenant love. When we sin and repent God forgives. Maybe human relationships have scarred us. Come to your heavenly Father and learn what love can be.

No wonder there is joy. This joy, like the Father's love is not like its human counterpart. It is not dependent on transient blessings. It is based on our covenant relationship with the God who loves us. Nothing can take away this joy from the believer.

Have a blessed Sunday. Yours in Christ. N.

Source: Encounter with God. Scripture union

A bible-shaped church

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

It's quite a regular thing for people to say, and not least to clergy, 'You don't have to go to church to be a Christian'. My only comment, and I could pass quite a few, is that they are missing the point. As I have said on many occasions and no doubt others have too, 'the church is people not a building - take away the people and what are you left with?!' The church is a meeting of people – Christian people and when they meet they do various things - and there I pause for it bring us to the reading I want to look at today: Acts 2:42-47.

Before that I want to put that reading in its setting and then bring it to ours. Acts chapter 2 the real and visible start of the life of the Christian Church - almost its birthday. It was the festival of Pentecost and was the day God poured out the Holy Spirit on believers and Peter preached the first sermon to the crowds in Jerusalem who were there for this festival and v 41 records that 3000 people became Christians that day. The verses we have had read, vv 42-47, are a kind of footnote from Luke, the author of Acts, which tells us of the sort of activities that marked the life of the emerging church as it came into being. What we see is a people (church) full of life, activity, excitement and I guess anticipation. If you want to know more of how this church grew then you have to read the book of Acts.

They were devoted - verse 42 - It mentions specifically: the apostles teaching - learning about Jesus; fellowship - we hear more about that later; communion - but not as we know it; prayer - the powerhouse of the church. People wanted to know about Christianity and how to live it. Understanding faith, exercising faith through prayer and learning from each other.
Filled with awe - verse 43 - People were being healed and set free from all sorts - no details given but the 'action' was making a real impact on the people.
They were together and shared and cared - verses 44-45 - There was a great deal of closeness and commitment to each other. People weren't being selfish but looking to the needs of all those who were believers. Strength comes when people stand together in and for a cause and there is no better cause than that of Jesus and the gospel.
They were worshipping regularly - verses 46-47 - This is in addition to what is mentioned earlier, and altogether, these activities became the driving force and life giving force to this church. The outcome:
They were growing - verse 47b - It says new people were becoming believers each day because 'the Lord was adding to their number those who were being saved. It was them at work but the Lord through them.
In his ministry Jesus called people to follow him and belong. After the Ascension and the giving of the Spirit his first followers took on that role with direct down to earth preaching and things were happening. Christianity was alive and well and growing. In many ways the church in the western world has become formalised and staid. We need to get back to our roots with a bit more life and commitment because otherwise, at the rate things are going, there will be little or no church before long. We as a Team are committing ourselves to that and I hope we continue to do so and thus give the Lord the opportunity to do his work in changing lives, transforming outlooks and developing a people in this area that are continually reaching out for him, seeing growth and more lives changed.

Thanks to Steven Abram of the Mid Trent Churches Team. See their website at www.midtrentchurches.org.uk, or Steven's site at www.abram.org.uk for information and more articles. This was published also on this site Squeaky Jesus

TobyMac - Me Without You

Me Without You

Raindrops rollin' off my brim

Streetlights got the pavement glistenin'

Touchdown, I fall into Your arms

Right where I belong

Your everlasting arms

And where would I be

Without You...

I'd be packin' my bags when I need to stay

I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way

I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away

It's true

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

Don't know where I'd be without You

(Wooooah, without you)

Flashback, step into the scene

There's You and there's a very different me

Touchdown, You had me at believe

You had me at believe, You did

And where would I be

Without You, without You...

I'd be packin' my bags when I need to stay

I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way

I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away

It's true

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

Don't know where I'd be without You

(Where would I be...)

[WHISPERING]

(I was so deep,

So incomplete

Til' You rescued me

Yeah, You rescued me)

You rescued me

You are mine, I am Yours

You rescued me

And I am Yours forever

You saved me, remade me

And where would I be

I'd be packin' my bags when I need to stay

I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way

I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away

It's true

That I'd be packin' my bags when I need to stay

I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way

I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away

So true

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou

Don't know where I'd be without You

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou

That's me without You-ou-ou-ou

Don't know where I'd be without You

Jesus is for losers...

I've just discovered this song written by Steven Taylor who explains the reason why behind such a title! Steve Taylor: Yeah, it could, and you know, it did make a few people mad. I go back to the subversive communication in the Bible, you know. So many times Jesus would say something to get people's attention. He knew that he had to engage their minds as well as their hearts, and so a song title like "Jesus is for Losers" hopefully makes you want to read what the song is saying, and of course, the song says in summary of what Jesus said--I didn't come for those who were well. I came for those who need a doctor. All of us are losers--that's why we need the Saviour. His website.

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mathew 9:12, Mark 2:17

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

Do you remember that song? 

Lyrics

If I was driven
Driven ahead by some noble ideal
Who took the wheel?

If I was given
Given a glimpse of some glorious road
When was it sold?

So caught up in the chase
I keep forgetting my place

Just as I am
I am stiff-necked and proud
Jesus is for losers
Why do I still play to the crowd?

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

If I was groping
Groping around for some ladder to fame
I am ashamed

If I was hoping
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool
I am a fool

Bone-weary every climb
Blindsided every time

Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

And if you're certain
Certain your life is some cosmic mistake
Why do you shake?

And if you're certain
Certain that faith is some know-nothing mask
Why do you still ask?

They don't grade here on the curve
We both know what we deserve

Just as you are
Just a wretch like me
Jesus is for losers
Grace from the blood of a tree

Just as we are
At a total loss
Jesus is for losers
Broken at the foot of the cross

Just as I am
Pass the compass, please
Jesus is for losers
I'm off about a hundred degrees

Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall

All of you is more than enough

Tonight  I 've discovered one singer called Misty Edwards (my previous post)  and a band Barlow Girl I did not know while I was browsing my friends' blogs and  I am so grateful they mentioned them. I had to search for Barlow girl and here they are: an  American Christian rock–CCM all-female band from Chicago, Illinois. The band was composed of sisters Alyssa (lead vocals, bass, keyboard), Rebecca (backing vocals, guitar), and Lauren Barlow (co-lead vocals, drums). The band has won several awards in their genre; their song "Never Alone" was the longest-running No. 1 song in 2004 on Radio and Records Christian Hit Radio (CHR) and Christian Rock charts, and was the "Song of the Year" on both charts. BarlowGirl became the best selling new Christian artist of 2004.

I chose Enough as the lyrics mean a lot to me.

All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

Cuz All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough

You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You're everything
Still more awesome than I know

All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you

All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough

Your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me

Have a blessed evening and may the Lord bless you in abundance and wrap his love round you. N.

Save Syria, the persecuted church

I have been looking forward to this week-end with impatience. Last Tuesday we left the hotel where we stayed after our roof burnt to move in our temporary accommodation back in Hixon and this was wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about the hotel but living in a house again is a bonus.
Yesterday, as I was unpacking boxes I found the Open Doors world watch list 2013. I stopped what I was doing to read it and I found out more about North Korea, the most difficult place on earth to be a Christian. It is opposed to religious of any kind. The following information can be found on Open Doors website. Click on the word Open doors to find out more.
North Korea

Leader: Kim Jong-Un
Population: 20 million (400,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Atheism/traditional beliefs
Government: Communist dictatorship
World Watch List Rank: 1
Source of Persecution : Communist oppression/Dictatorial paranoia

For the eleventh year running, this is the most difficult place on earth to be a Christian. One of the few remaining Communist states, it is vehemently opposed to religion of any kind. Christians are classified as hostile and face arrest, detention, torture, even public execution. There is a system of labour camps including the renowned prison No. 15, which reportedly houses 6,000 Christians alone. But despite severe oppression, there is a growing underground church movement of an estimated 400,000 Christians.

Please Pray:

• For real political and economic change under the leadership of Kim Jong-Un
• Spies have reportedly been sent to China to expose networks. Ask God to protect refugees and those helping them
• Give thanks that Open Doors is able to deliver emergency aid into the country.

Persecution dynamics

North Korea promotes two ideologies vehemently opposed to religion of any kind: the self-reliance of man or 'Juche' and the God like worship of the leaders or 'Kimilsungism'. Fuelled by a rampant ideology, North Korea believes Christianity to be linked to the West and sees it as a threat which could inflict harm on North Korea's  social disciplines. This threat must therefore be eradicated.Exact information is difficult to obtain due to the country's inaccessibility and the inability to gain timely information. Apart from some church buildings in Pjongjang, which serve to showcase religious freedom in the country, there is an underground church movement of an estimate 400,000 believers.Christians are classified as hostile and face arrest, detention, torture or even public execution. There is a vigorous elimination programme in existence to convert, imprison, banish or execute individuals who have converted to Christianity: Koreans who have converted after defecting to China and are later repatriated are in particular danger. Spies have reportedly been sent to China to expose networks; Christians helping defectors there have been killed. Christians are likely to remain targets of this regime.

Have a blessed week-end. N

Why are You so good to me?

Here is a beautiful song that was sent to me on by a friend on You Tube. Just click here or follow the link as for some reason I could not embed it!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iECMJ1Jr5U&feature=relmfu

Through the bustling crowd, to the faraway places,
I can't find such love like Jesus'.
He soothes my heart, He embraces my soul
With His love unrequited* and unfathomable.
(*not asking for returns)

For me He's born, for me He dies,
For all my weakness He feels sympathy -
with His tender calling, with His patient waiting,
with His unceasing love, no complaints or regrets.

Chorus:
Why is He (are you) so good to me?
Bad as I am, He listens (you listen) to my every prayer
In a quiet morning, or in a sad night.
Why is He (are you) so good to me?
Unworthy as I am, He still loves (you still love) me like treasures.
How high and deep is Christ's love! Lord, why are you so good to me?

I will add the original lyrics in Chinese:

Original lyrics in Chinese: 為何對我這麼好？

走過熙攘人群，踏遍海角天涯
找不到一份愛像耶穌
祂撫慰我心，祂懷抱我靈
測不透的、不求回報的愛情

愛到為我降生，愛到為我受死
愛到體恤我一切軟弱
祂柔聲呼喚，祂耐心守候
永不停息、無怨無悔的愛情

副歌：
祂(你)為何對我這麼好？
我雖然不好，祂(你)卻聽我每個祈禱
或在寧靜清晨，或在傷心夜裡
祂(你)為何對我這麼好？
我雖然不配，祂(你)還愛我如同珍寶
此情山高海深，主你為何對我這麼的好？
May the Lord bless you. Your sister in Christ. N.A.

In His death is my birth

Hallelujah, my Father

For giving us Your Son

Sending Him into the world

To be given up for men

Knowing we would bruise Him

And smite Him from the earth

Hallelujah, my Father

In His death is my birth

Hallelujah, my Father

In His life is my life

When I heard this worship song for the first time, I thought that it was so powerful as it contained the whole message of the Good News about Jesus. We praise our Father who is in heaven, we are part of His family, adopted sons and daughters. Why? We praise Him because He sent His only Son, Jesus through whom he revealed Himself. The apostle John talks about this. John 1: 1. And also. John 1:14. Jesus knows that He is going to die and tells his disciples who are not very impressed. Nobody wants to hear that your best friend, the one who has transformed their life personally, in their community and beyond, the one who healed so many, the one who talked with authority in front of various rabbi, the one who agreed that he was the Messiah:  Mark 14: 61-63 'But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”, the one whom they had waiting for as the prophets had announced for thousands years was going to die. Peter dared to contradict Jesus, in Mark 8  31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said....” Jesus who is sinless dies for us, sinners so that whoever believes in Him, can be reconciled with our Father and be blessed abundantly 2 Corinthians 9:7-9  and ultimately, when we die, we are saved from the wrath of our Father by his grace and live with him in a new creation, new Heaven and Earth...where there won't be any tears.

Have a blessed evening. N.

Purify my heart

This is one of my favorite worship songs. Be blessed. Your sister in Christ. N

The heart of worship

by Michael W Smith

Lately I've had to sort out a progamme called Shockwave Flash and I did not have a clue what it was. Basically, that programme allows your computer to connect with bits of media...this is what I understand..so I realised that it was part to the Adobe company (they do the pdf files!) therefore I had to download the stuff from Adobe website, (twice) then test it ( mean press on their link that said 'test' and it still didn't work. Somehow when I came back from work yesterday it worked..phew! and during those few days, I had this beautiful song in my head and my heart and longing to hear it so 'voilà'! I hope you like it too. If you do, let me know. Yours in Christ.