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Showing posts with the label Praise Prayer

Joy in the Desert Place

Glory at the Foot of the Rocks, Ryan Ranch, Joshua Tree, California Throughout the Old Testament the desert thrives as a Biblical motif.  In the desert people groups were taught mighty lessons. From those mighty lessons, there was abundance, multiplication, promise, and growth. In Genesis, Abraham's legacy and his family were established through sojourning for a new land.  Along the journey the Lord promised him a nation that would be greater than the numbers of stars in the sky and the number of grains of sands on the earth. In Exodus, the Israelites sought for the promised land, a place filled with milk and honey.  As they faithfully traveled for hundreds of years, they developed as a sojourning nation.  Some developments were within their culture, simplicity of life, and worship and reverence for the Lord. In Psalms, King David and his writers extolled the liveliness and abundance of the desert.  There King David's faithfulness is grown. The desert...

Super Bloom in California

Have you ever heard the term SUPERBLOOM ?   What is it?   This is the newest frenzy for Californians in the last two weeks.   In all thirty some years of my life, I have never heard this term outside of the 60’s peace era. My social media pages and face-to-face conversations have been filled with eyewitnesses of “super bloom” Super Bloom, Lake Eleanor, CA :  photo by  @mirandajonez National Geographic Magazine defines “ super bloom” as “a colloquial term used to define an explosion of wildflowers that exceeds typical spring blooms. The park, which is typically bare of flowers, has come alive with vibrant greenery, poppies, primroses, and lilies.” photos from National Geographic Other photos of super bloom in California It is praise to the Creator that the California drought has finally ended from the downpour of rain this past winter.   Our reservoirs are filled and the drive on the I-5 is no longer hazy brown.   But rather the inters...

Glowing with Joy

May the glow of the fire in your eyes be like the glow of joy in your hearth, May the warmth of your hearth overflow  like the love that overflows from your hearth.   It's almost Valentine's Day...most of us look at Valentines Day and think about the curse of the western stigmas of "love".  Red ruffled heart shaped pillows with white embroidery, conversation heart candy, chocolate, teddy bears, and flowers. BUT....Honestly, when we are receivers of these gifts and happenings...it feels so good.  The feeling of so much happiness and love, the simplicity of how love does.  A kind of love that brings us great joy from connections with that person that was so willing to give.  That joy and love captivates us.   For much of our population Valentine's Day draws out quite a skeptical and quite jealous, prideful, hurt filled heart, filled with pain, pity, sorrow, sadness, anger, and  a feeling of overwhelmed consumerism and materialism. ...

The LAST Chapter of Psalms

I went to a private elementary school, where every year we had reciting competitions and spelling bees for ACSI.  (Associated Christian School International).  So to practice we had competitions within school to practice and see who would be selected to go to the ACSI event.  I was so shy when I was a kid. I was the kid that stood and clung by the T.A.s and close friends.   I didn't have social skills, nor did I like standing on stage to recite poetry, Bible verses, or spell words.  But since I was a good student, I was always selected to try.  And, I think my teachers wanted to encourage me to break out of my shell of quietness.  Of course my shyness took over, so I never got chosen to go to ACSI.  (whew).  But I remember really  admiring the materiel that was given to memorize   I was asked to participate in the poetry reciting competition at school.  We could choose a long traditional ode fro...

Thankful in our Identity.

Thankful in our Identity in Him! Thankful for Grace,  Thankful for Hope,  Thankful for God's promises,  Thankful for freedom,  Thankful for God's faithfulness,  Thankful for God's unconditional love.,  Thankful for Discipline,  Thankful for God's Compassion,  Thankful for God’s Mercy,  Thankful for Discipleship.,  Thankful for Acceptance,  Thankful for God's GRACE,  Thankful for Jesus Christ,  Thankful for 2nd chances,  Thankful for Passion,  Thankful for God’s sovereignty,  Thankful for God’s beauty.,  Thankful for The Word!,  Thankful for The Holy Spirit. Thankful for the 1st Generation.,  Thankful for friends who give more than they have to We are thankful for the faithful love and service you all give to Abba Father!

Day 4: SEALS 2012 Arise and ShineToday

Family Mosaic, Creative Arts Worship, a mosaic of our communion time together. Today concludes SEALS 2012. The morning began with cultural breakout groups to reflect and debrief the weekends experiences, lessons, and blessings.  Afterwards we moved into powerful morning of worship.  The mosaic cross of the broken pottery from the night before stood up as a symbol of our communion together as a family, and one tribe, under the Kingdom of Christ. Worship Team! James Choung came back speaking on how to fuel our drams.  He gave many helpful points that would equip us on how to re-approach our dreams and ministries with a new perspective.  -We are to be God watchers, similar to birdwatchers who from a far can recognize the voice of a speck in the sky, as well as admire the  bird in its beauty up close.  If we are like birdwatchers, we can recognize what God is doing in front of our eyes.   -Do know, do we live, do we have an expectation ...

Day 3: SEALS 2012 Arise and Shine

Today was such a colorful day of fellowship.  It was a delightful day of celebrating who we are as Southeast Asian Americans through creative arts worship, and intimate worship.  We praise the almighty God for how he created us, and for the gifts that he has bestowed on us. We started the day with morning worship; empowered to be active globally whether in our churches or in the darkest closed places.  The speaker challenged us to think about our position in global missions: Are you a sender? Be a sender, Are you a Goer, than GO!  He ushered us into an intimate time of prayer and release. After lunch we gathered to have some crazy fun creative fellowship.  We split into groups of 3 and made masks with plaster and water. We continued our day with workshops and a group photo showing off our cultural ethnic group attire. During evening sessions, the National Director of Asian American Ministries, InterVarsity empower us to be a people that follow through with...

Spoken For

Who has Spoken For you today?  As we approach the throne of God, we need to remember that we were not just summoned, brought in shackles, or charged by a position to be in the courts of our King.  We were Spoken For by Jesus!! Today and forevermore we approach the throne of God because we were invited, we were called in to celebrate life with our King.   Covered by your love divine, Child of a risen Lord, To hear you say that this ones Mine, My heart is spoken for. - Mercy Me   Amen!

Inside Out

He is working in us on a daily basis, even when we are not in tip top shape.  This was Paul's hope, prayer, and encouragement to the leaders, forerunners, and churches:   Therefore do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, though inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. -2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NIV) He continually works from the inside out. May our mind be set towards kingdom thinking; may this be our prayer this week. Let our prayers humble us as we continue to serve our churches, communities, work place, friends, family, PEOPLE that dwell with us.  He truly gives when we are opened to receiving.