DID YOU KNOW?
The Cross of the Renewal has been adopted as the international symbol of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It is our hope that all who have experienced the Baptism in the Spirit will wear this symbol as a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
For more information, please visit http://www.crossoftherenewal.com/
I came to know and believe in Lord Jesus when I was very young and studied in Canossian School for the Hearing Impaired. After graduation, I enrolled into Montfort Secondary School and was on the Express stream. This was where I experienced my own "fall" due to my ego. Back then, I was arrogant and immature. When everything around me went wrong, I found myself in the state of depression and despair.
Suddenly, I noticed the unknown presence that kept nudging me. I remembered my first dream where I saw a man who looked like Lord Jesus in the painting. In my dream, I found myself in the dark atmosphere and saw an old woman who suddenly fell into the bottomless pit. I looked around and everyone looked as if in panic. Then, one man appeared and seemed to be able to calm the crowd. He entered into the pit and pulled the old woman out. Then, she appeared and looked as if she was praising God in ecstasy. The same man commanded the crowd as if he wanted them to follow him. I could not see his face as it was rather dark and blurry vision but I noticed he kept pointing the dark area which I could not figure. Shortly, I sensed it was Lord Jesus because he looked like Jesus.
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God bless!
Today I picked up one of those free sampler 30-day bible daily devotionals (by Selwyn Hughes) that I had sitting in my drawer. Of this 30-day sampler devotional, I had read 18 days worth of pages and recorded the date on each article that I'd read. Just flipping back on the pages today, I noticed that I had read "Day 1" of this devotional on the 1st of June 2009. That is almost 2 years ago! The last article I read was on 22 December 2010. Wow. If you divide the months over that span of one and a half years, that is a measely ONE article per month!
Well, a 30-day devotional, spread over 18 months, fantastic. Ok, at least, I have read something over 1.5 years... I consoled myself. Maybe some people haven't read anything in years? But that's quite a poor consolation, isnt' it? haha.
Well, today's devotional really spoke to my heart, and I want to share it here with everyone. It really tells us that our perception of God and about spending time "with" God or reading the bible, is sometimes very wrong! We think spending time reading the bible is going to deter us from fulfilling our daily routines. But here, God promises that it is not so! Read on….!
Day 19
GOD WILL TURN IT TO GOLD
For reading and meditation - Psalm 119:33-40
"Turn my heart towards your statutes and not toward selfish gain" (v.36)
(30 day sampler devotional "Not By Bread Alone" by Selwyn Hughes)
In my introduction I said that I had discovered three chief reasons why people do not regularly read the Scriptures. One, they find it unbelievably dull. Two, the lack time. And three, they don't know what to read and where to read. We have looked at some of the reasons why people find the Bible dull; now we consider the issue of time.
There are many who fear regular reading of the Bible will absorb more time than they can afford. Such an idea is mistaken. Time spent in the Bible is worth more than the time it takes. If God has given us a book which contains His will and purpose for our lives, if He promises (as He has) to work is will in us as we expose our minds to His Word, is there not something almost blasphemous in wondering whether we cna give it time?
Tagore, the Indian writer and poet, once told this parable. "I had gone a-begging from door to door in the vilage 'path', when Thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was King of all Kings! Thy chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell upon me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then, of a sudden Thou didst hold out thy right had and say, "What hast thou to give to me?" Ah! What a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg? I was confused and undecided and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to Thee. But how great was my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a list little grain of gold among the poor heap. I wept bitterly and wished that I had the heart to give Thee my all."
If we give God a moment He will turn it to gold, but if we give Him more - what then?
[Prayer]
OGod, help me see more clearly than ever that the more time I spend in the Bible the more treasures will come out of it. I must re-prioritise my time schedules. Help me to put reading Your Word at the top of my list. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Michelle Moran
Over the past year I have spoken at Charismatic events in every continent. There is a rising sense that we are entering a new era of the Spirit. A season of deep grace and power is being unleashed. There also seems to be a sense of urgency, not to simply rush into things, but to strategically and sensitively discern the way forward as we journey towards the Golden Jubilee of Catholic Charismatic Renewal In 2017. In this new time, I have a sense that there are some key things that the Lord is saying to the world-wide CCR. These obviously need careful reflection and discernment at the regional, national and international levels.
Grow in ‘Charismatic’ Ecclesial Maturity
In 1998, Pope John Paul II spoke to around 400,000 people from all the Ecclesial Movements who were gathered in St Peter’s Square on the eve of Pentecost. He issued a timely challenge: ‘Now is a new stage also for the movements, the one of ecclesial maturity’. Sometimes in CCR we can become too experience orientated, we chase after popular preachers and are always looking for a new buzz. Pope John Paul II challenged this superficial consumerist approach. He encouraged members of the movements to become mature disciples, committed to on-going conversion and prepared to make a difference in the Church and in the world.
The Season of the Spirit
1 - Are we growing numerically? Why/ why not?
2 - Are we becoming more mature disciples?
3 - Are we influencing the Church and impacting the world?
Unfortunately in some parts of the world, in an effort to gain acceptability or seem ecclesially mature, the CCR has played down its charismatic dimension. The charisms are not being encouraged and are therefore in decline. The result is a weak CCR which is in danger of losing its core identity. It is important to remember that Pope John Paul II frequently encouraged CCR leaders to be who they are i.e., Charismatics in the heart of the Church. So we have a responsibility as individuals and in our groups to ‘keep fanning into a flame the gift that God gave us…’ (2Tim:1:6) We also have to be committed to enabling people to grow and become more mature in the charisms. ICCRS is focussing upon this at the Road to Pentecost International event in Assisi at Pentecost 2011 (see the backpage for more info).
Be Faithful to your Calling
In 2006 there was an international leaders’ consultation where leaders came together to discern what the Lord was saying to CCR. Overwhelmingly, every group emphasised the centrality of Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the importance of the ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars. At the moment, the seminars seem to be increasing in popularity. However, in our context, it is not uncommon for the same people to go through the seminars a number of times. This spectator culture is an indication of a lack of growth and empowerment. In the early days of CCR, the pioneers had to grow up quickly. Nowadays it is perhaps easier for seminar participants to be passive receivers and leave everything else up to the seemingly more expert leaders. Clearly we need to enable seminar participants to grow in confidence so that they can become future seminar group leaders. We also need to increase our circle of influence and reach out with boldness inviting new people to participate in the seminars.
Empowering and Transitioning Leadership
The leadership in the Renewal from its beginnings among university students was ‘youthful’. However, for the Renewal to spread, the first wave of leaders needed to invest in other Timothys and raise up new leaders. Today, I often meet leaders who have held the same leadership roles for many years. Whilst continuity is important because it creates security, things can become stale. New people often bring freshness and innovation. It is important to get the right balance and to carefully transition leadership handovers. In one sense there is no such thing as a ‘retired’ leader. However, leaders need careful discernment in order to recognise and invest in potential Joshuas. They then need to sense when it is the right time to hand over responsibilities.
Intercessors Arise
There is an increasing sense worldwide of the need for deep and profound intercession. In some places this ministry is very well developed. I think of the many all night prayer vigils in India, the prayer mountain in Tanzania, the 40 hours of intercession in Mexico and the numerous chapels of perpetual adoration. Here in our own context things are gradually emerging. There is a need to broaden our understanding of intercession. It is more than simply praying ‘for’ things or ‘covering things in prayer’. It involves being drawn more deeply into God’s heart and developing what the Catechism calls; ‘hearts attuned to God’s mercy’ (CCC 2635).
For several years there has been a prophetic sense that the Renewal needs to respond to an urgent call to ‘return to the Upper Room’ in adoration and intense intercession. Connected with this is the encouragement to pray the Pentecost novena, not just as a private devotion but as a tool for intercession. It is wonderful to think that between Ascension and Pentecost, Charismatic Renewal is united together in a world- wide net of prayer. As the call to intercession gathers momentum, I sense that we will see the further unfolding of the vision. (Some time ago the NSC in England established a ‘network for intercession’ if you would like to know more about this please contact the Goodnews office).
New Evangelisation – Now is the time
Pope John Paul II spoke about the spirituality of Pentecost, characterised by ‘a renewed thrust of prayer, holiness, communion and proclamation’. In the short history of CCR we have given a lot of emphasis to growing in prayer and to the universal call to holiness. However, if we are truly filled with the Holy Spirit the inevitable consequence is that we will naturally move out in evangelisation and mission. However, Pope John Paul II also offered some important advice, when he said; ’contemplation which does not give birth to mission will eventually wither and mission that does not spring from contemplation is doomed to frustration and failure’. I think many of us can resonate with this. We must seek to get the right balance in our lives and in our groups. We are called to ‘put out into the deep of prayer so that we can put out into the deep of mission’.
On Pentecost Monday in 1975, Ralph Martin gave a strong prophetic word in the presence of Pope Paul VI. We can return to this after 35 years because the word is gradually unfolding. It spoke about trials which would come upon the Church, a time of being stripped and being led into a deeper dependency upon the Lord for everything. It spoke of a time of darkness in the secular world. I am sure all of us would agree that we have seen these things come to pass. However, the final part of the prophesy said; ‘a time of darkness is coming on the world, but a time of glory is coming for my Church, a time of glory is coming for my people…I will prepare for you a time of evangelism that the world has not yet seen’. I sense that the preparation time is coming to an end and we need to be ready to move equipped with the charisms into this new phase of evangelisation. This seems to fit in with the mind of the Church as Pope Benedict XVI recently announced that the topic of the next major synod in Rome in 2012 will be ‘new evangelisation’.
Promoting the Culture of Pentecost
Pope Benedict XVI has set before us an even greater missionary challenge by calling us to live and spread the ‘culture of Pentecost’. This goes beyond prayer meetings, conferences and other religious gatherings. As Pentecost becomes more of a living reality in the Church the grace will flow out into the whole of society impacting economics, politics, the arts, international relations etc. On a recent trip to Brazil I was impressed to see that the CCR were holding special seminars for politicians and those involved in public life. It has also been encouraging to see social welfare and education programmes aimed at embracing the ‘culture of life’ being established through the Charismatic Renewal in many places worldwide. I believe that the Lord is at work creating new openings and opportunities for us. He is doing new things in our time. We need the eyes to see and the courage to keep following his promptings. We need the courage to firmly take our place as ambassadors of the Holy Spirit.
Michelle Moran is a member of the Sion Community, chairwoman of the English NSC and President of ICCRS.
This was featured in Xt3.com (http://www.xt3.com/library/view.php?id=4195)
A man from Vietnam is on an incredible solo mission to cut the country's abortion rate, one of the highest in the world. Tong Phuoc Phuc has opened his home as a refuge for abandoned babies and looks after more than 50. He has pledged to care for unwanted children rather than see women terminate their pregnancies.
Youth Arise Ministry celebrates our 10th Year Anniversary! The ministry was started in 1999 by Paul, but it was in Dec 2000 that we held our first Revival Seminar Camp which became the first camp leading on to regular ministry sessions for YAM. Since that camp, it's been 10 years and some of those participants are still current members of the ministry today!
So we invite you to rejoice with us over this journey since, and for the years ahead to come. Let us "Let GOD" and be surprised by what He can still do for us, in the future. Don't you know our God is a Big God? Dream big!
I am always grateful to YAM for the seeds of faith planted in me that have grown and inspired me and still inspire me to greater love and service. i wish for all the members young and old (like me) to come to know daily and always the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God, in order to live truly and love authentically! Blessed 10th anniversary YAM!
KRISH
Dear Youth Arise Ministy,
Happy 10th Anniversary! It has been a great journey indeed and I stand amazed at how awesome our God is! Kudos to Gavin, Jane, Jacqueline, Samantha, Eugene, Marlene, Sury, Krish, Natalie and myself, who has seen the ministry grow all these years.
Youth Arise Ministry started off as a small group of people hungry to make a difference to do something greater and to discover God in a real and tangible way and to share that encounter with the people around us. Not having much experiences nor clear direction, we decided to gather to pray, the intercessory phase took place for one year, at the end of the year we had our very first Revival Seminar in Dec 1999.
Since then, the ministry has always been growing and know for its personal mentoring and service to the church of OLPS as well as the Archdiocease. I feel very blessed to be part of this wonderful community, of which I carry many memories and sentiments in my heart.
The greatest things in life is measured by the level of peace and happiness from within, doesn't need to be anything fanciful but something deeper than that, a relationship with God. I've been involved in ministry since the age of 13 and knowing Jesus has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. It has given be a purpose and direction in my life.
For each and every one of you in YAM, my prayer for you is to have a strong relationship with Jesus and be well connected to the community. I cannot emphasize more that daily prayer brings us in a position of confidence with Jesus and community living, brings the spiritual in line with the physical. Yes, we are not perfect, that is where we have to grow in love and support for each other.
Finally, though I'm here in Australia, my heart is always with the ministry and I do think and pray for you all often. Continue to run the race for Jesus, making a difference bringing healing and revival to our land! May the vision remain very personal to each of you: To raise up a generation of people to praise and worship the Lord wholeheartedly!
God bless,
Paul Wan
Hi all,
As I was pondering over the homily of Novena service at Novena church (St Alphonsus' church) last Saturday, it was about how we can become the saints. As Mother Teresa said, we really don't need the high IQ, higher studies like degree, master, phD, fame and money to become the saints. Just simply pick the pin on the floor so that the children will not hurt their feet when they run across the corridor. It meant that we have to do lesser things but with great love. That's how we can be the saints. Really. Just act your normal life but do anything with great love. Ask God to give you the great love. That was what the priest (I don't know his name) preached. He also said he always did simple things like preaching in the church with great love. He could not say, "Aiyah, it's so tiring and boring. Just do it fast and quick." but did it with much zeal and eagerness. If he did it without love, he's like the machine. It reminds me of some verses: "1.I may be able to speak languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. 2.I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. 3. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good." (1 Cor 13:1-3 Good News Bible)
As I was discussing with my friend about it today, he showed me the story. Thought it might be good and inspiring story for you.
http://pedicularis.blogspot.com/2008/04/donut-story.html
Cheers!
With love in Christ,
~Michael
Fwhahaha! This notebook was found in Taiwan. Cool? What does it tell you about YAM? share your thouhgts! ;) hehe..
Introducing a new song... "Live What I Believe" by Russ Lee.
Not the "It's My Life" style... but in the "One Way, Jesus" style...
Lyrics: Live What I Believe
These are the days
For the children of faith
To stand up and be counted
Now is the time
For the light in us to shine
On whoever's around it
One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You
I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right
So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need
I'm gonna live what I believe
The world will see God's grace
When we work and we pray
And then love like we mean it
if there's ever been a day
To give ourselves away
Well, I think we're in it
There's a passion deep inside
For my life to testify
Lord, let me be used
As a witness for You
With faith and conviction
You've called me by Your name
And I will not be ashamed
Gonna walk that line
I'm gonna stand for what is right
Hey, it's Jesus that they need
At the prep session with Brian Butler. He is so inspirational!
Who is Brian Butler?
Brian Butler is the co-author of Theology of the Body for Teens, the first published curriculum which applies the Theology of the Body to the lives of teenagers, specifically addressing questions relating to chastity and sexuality. He served as the associate director for youth catechesis in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has taught and coordinated campus ministry at the high school level for five years, and has more than twelve years of experience in youth ministry. He is the co-founder and president of Dumb Ox Productions Inc, a nonprofit organization that offers retreats, speakers, programs and resources focusing on chastity and vocation formation for teenagers.
Below are some of the facils/youth min volunteers & cats who will be involved in the upcoming AYD 2010! Some people missing from photo cos they left earlier!...
Read something inspirational from the Padre Pio book again:"We often see the situations we are in, and we pray for God's help. If we dun think it gets answered, we get disillusioned. BUT, we do not see what God has really spared us from by not answering the prayer our way."
Gav
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD!!
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD!!
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD!!
Painful moments, TRUST GOD!!
Every moment, THANK GOD!!!
1. God is truly in control. If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission.
While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain us during the worst of times.
We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.
(2 Corinthians1:8-9)
2. There is an eternal life to come.
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later.
(Romans 8:18)
He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
(1 Corinthians 1:8)
3. The story isn’t finished yet.
Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness, Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery and the many who were healed in mind, body and spirit.
But Joseph told them, don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:19-20)
4. God has not given up on you!
Don't give up on Him.
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
5. There is likely purpose in your pain.
Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
(James 1:2-4)
6. You are loved!
Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you!
He sees your pain and weeps with you.
He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed... To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.
(Isaiah 61:1-3)
You parents, if your children ask you for loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him?
(Matthew 7:9-11)
8. You are not facing this alone.
For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
(Hebrews 13:5-6)
9. Others have made it through you can too.
Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength and encouragement.
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:12)
10. Reach out to someone else who is struggling.
Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in them. You may discover that your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
God bless you!
"Believe in The Lord Jesus, you will be saved, you and your family." (Acts 16:31)
Philippians 2:1-3 If there be therefore any consolation [encouragement] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil you my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife [hostility] or vainglory [the king of pride]: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
I read 2 interesting articles today:
Check it out:
http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/507/Spiritual-Mark-of-Beast.htm
http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Audio.details/ID/191/Self-Government-Responsibility-Part-2.htm
~ Sam
:)
When interceding for others, we need to have faith, and believe GOD is with us. HE is trustworthy, he is our best friend. Surely he will hear us... But like a friend, he is not happy with evil. If we have sinned, we sin against God, we need to ask for forgiveness FIRST before we can ask for other favours isn't it? ;)
Anyway, our reading for the night comes from 1 John 4:7 - 1 John 5:5
God's Love and Ours 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.1 John 5 - Faith in the Son of God
1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
AND this is a song we sang tonight and I don't think my guitar did it justice so am posting it here:
Anyway, here's my personal sharing from our intercessory night ---- I felt God telling me to "Be of Good Cheer, rejoice". I had an inkling that I heard it many times in the bible but didn't know where. Then a quick check online got me really interested. IT appears SO Many times in the bible. READ this PDF for an idea. God is so interesting! he's always ...been saying "the joy of the lord is your strength" but I seem to never listen, so he says something new for me this time - "Be of Good Cheer!"
Read the link here & REJOICE too in the midst of adversity:
http://adventuresingod.com/teachings/be_of_good_cheer.pdf
Luv
Sam
Haha this is a blank post... because we want to just ask anyone passing by this blogpost - what is holiness? what is your take on holiness?
Cheers!
Ministry life is not easy. We have ups and downs, closeness & also sometimes a kind of sinful distance from God... And this phenomena also exists between people and people. Our families, friends, work/school mates, we have conflicts and struggles to really love people. The question boils down to the basic fact - Do you love God? If we love God, we will love our neighbour. Do we have passion for Ministry? for the mission of spreading the Good news to those around us? If we do, we would pray hard, for God to empower us because we are such weak people.
This song speaks it all. We need the Spirit of God to fall upon us, that we may walk along God's ways not man's ways. We need God to stir it up in our hearts, "a passion for His Name". Not my name, not your name. We need God even more than ever. We do not realise but in reality we are blind, lame and deaf. We need God's spirit to open our eyes, minds, ears, and to let us walk - to become HIS Instruments of Love, rather than instruments of destruction (death, sin, negative things opposed to LOVE).
Isn't that only right? feel free to disagree in the comments... ;) hehe.
God Bless,
Sam
Tim Hughes - Consuming Fire LYRICS:
There must be more than this,
O breath of God come breathe within,
There must be more than this,
Spirit of God we wait for You.
Fill us anew we pray,
Fill us anew we pray.
(Chorus)
Consuming fire fan into flame,
A passion for Your Name,
Spirit of God fall in this place,
Lord have Your way,
Lord have Your way with us,
Come like a rushing wind,
Clothe us with power from on high,
Now set the captives free,
Leave us abandoned to Your praise.
Lord let Your glory fall,
Lord let Your glory fall.
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
Stir it up in our hearts Lord,
A passion for Your Name.
Donald Miller says who you hang out with matters more than you think.
Last month I visited a prison in Texas. I had the chance to guest-teach a class in a progressive rehabilitation program. I taught, but mostly I listened. As the guys told me their stories, their reasons for being in prison, I noticed a common thread. The real reason they were in prison was not because they had committed crimes, though they had, but rather it was because of the people they hung out with. Almost all problems and success in life boil down to relationships. These guys had gotten themselves into relationships that led to trouble. Either they had joined gangs or hung out with drug addicts or met girls who took them down a bad path.
READ full article HERE at Relevant.com
WELL, what to say..... if Jesus is YOUR Friend, and if you hang out with Him sufficiently each day, then you "should" become more like Him! Once again we would like to highlight this article: http://www.fathershands.com/jim/
A simple prayer for your friend, Jesus:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."
“Today’s sunshine was pretty. Thanks, God. Bye!”That was the ending of a prayer I once heard made by a 5-year-old girl. I’ve come to believe it to be the most selfless, beautiful, profound prayer I’ve ever heard.
