May My Heart See...

Ash Wednesday was just last week and I just want to say that being a Lutheran, I LOVE LENT!   Now, I know that sounds weird to you non-L’s out there – but I do!   I love Lent.   I love what it stands for, I love the music, I love the devotions, I love the soup suppers, I love it all.   From Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and then top it all off, Easter – this is one of my favorite “church seasons”. In Biblical times, the people showed their repentance by covering themselves with ashes and sackcloth.   Jesus spoke of that in Matthew 11. Hence:   Ash Wednesday. What does Ash Wednesday mean to you?   To me, it’s the beginning of Lent and a time for inner reflection and repentance.   Inner reflection being soul searching – confession – alone time with God to just listen.   Have you ever done that – turn the world off and just listen to God ?   Turn off the world, the computer, the TV.   Turn off your thoughts, your complaints, your needs.   Listen.   OH WAIT, first pray for God

Did I ever tell you my ABSOLUTE favorite Bible verse, my life verse, so to speak?    Its Romans 8: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Convinced, via Websters is to cause to believe with certainty ,    The King James’ version uses the word, “persuaded”.   Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote the Book of Romans telling us that he knew, with certainty, without a doubt, that NOTHING could separate us from God’s love.   NOTHING.   How did he know that?    Paul knew, down deep in his heart, that no matter what happened to him (prison, beatings, persecution, shipwrecks), that God would always love him.    He said in the Book of Philippians: Yes, and I

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;    You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.   Psalm 51:16-17 This Valentines’ Day, I want my heart cut out.   Yes, I said MY HEART.   I know that grade schoolers everywhere are cutting out hearts and making Valentine cards but I’m talking about a “heavenly surgery” here.   Cutting out my heart.   No, I haven’t been watching gory movies lately or CSI J J .   I’m talking about my selfish, deceitful, prideful heart.   Cut out of my heart, Lord Everything You see That is VOID of You And all about me. All the black places, The bitterness and self. Fill with Your Spirit, Your abundance and wealth! Shape it and mold it, Making it new. So that all that is left Is only from You. Cut out my heart, Lord. For only by

Do you ever sing with the radio?   I do all the time (I know, SHOCK SHOCK!).   But do you ever sing with the radio and have NO IDEA what you are singing or let me say it this way, no idea of THE MEANING of what you are singing?   There is a lot of garbage out there as far as music goes.   Even from WAY BACK in the 70’s, there are no-sense lyrics and I guess I always knew this but it really came to “light” when we started listening to Sirius 70’s radio in my husband’s truck and I would notice EXACTLY the words that I was singing. That got me thinking . . . do I do that when I sing in church too?   I mean am I paying attention to the lyrics or just singing along and not realizing EXACTLY what I am singing?   I don’t think I really notice or pay that much attention to the meaning of the songs I know by heart, or the songs I have known for years.   Let’s think about that for a minute . . S-T-U-P-I-D !   I had the privilege of attending church with my sister and her husband

Are you prepared for today?   I’m not talking about if you’re dressed or if you have your lunch ready or the kids up – I’m talking about being prepared – prepared to go out into the world prepared . Did you know that Satan’s agenda for us is to NOT be prepared?     He wants us helpless, hopeless and most especially POWERLESS.   He does this by distracting us and lying to us.   To combat this, we need to be prepared . Prepared for me means I have my spiritual armor on (hence, the pix of the knight).   I end prayer time by putting on my spiritual armor.   Does that sound strange to you?   I’m serious.   Paul talks about it in the Book of Ephesians.    I don’t want to scare anybody here but we’re in a battle.   A battle for our souls.   And unfortunately, if you listen to the world (the media, etc.), they are winning.   “They” is the world – or Satan.   L et me say it this way, he “thinks” he’s winning.   And he wants you to think he’s winning.   But we know The Truth, do