A Heart for Eternity

He has planted eternity in the human heart. Eccl. 3:11 NLT

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:26-28 NLT

Humans are different from animals in that we can ponder our purpose. We have the capability to act so as to satisfy ourselves -- our needs and drives. But 3:11 points out that we also can perceive that there is more to life than we can experience. God made us with a vacancy in us that only He can fill. Like moles tunneling upward, we paw our way toward the daylight, but can't see too well just what God has planned, as Acts 17 states. Note how earlier societies built physical gods. Creation reveals god's existence, but Christ and the Bible reveal what is really going on, spiritually speaking.

As Don Richardson states in his book Eternity in Their Hearts, God has prepared societies for the Gospel. They have perceived that someone not "under the sun" exists, and have plugged this perception into their culture, so that when the Gospel arrives, it connects to that plug, like two electrical plugs coming together, with one connected to a power source. Thus, the eternal longing can be satisfied.

We who believe thank God that we have been graced with eternal truth, and need to consider those who have yet to receive that grace.

Beanscot's husband

Steven Curtis Chapman - More To This Life [live]

It's Sunday!

Come to God's Church.

Thank God It's Friday

Psalm 118:24 English Standard Version (ESV)

24 This is the day that the Lord has made;

    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go [Live]

Bruce Springsteen - Satan's Jewel Crown (Live 1993-05-22)

Loved Anyway

Galatians 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Romans 5:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sidewalk Prophets - You Love Me Anyway (feat.Tony Nolan) (Official Video)

Because Tomorrow Is Another Day...

Matthew 5:14-16 New English Translation (NET Bible)

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

...and another opportunity to let your light shine.

This Little Light of Mine - Addison Road

for KING & COUNTRY - "Ceasefire" - Music Video

Grand Camp Meeting

Camp meeting - Enterprise, Florida

Joshua 1:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’

My husband is singing a song from a classic movie he's got on the TV.  It seems to be stuck in his head, and now it's getting stuck in mine.  I'm more than happy to pass it on.  Enjoy.

  

Richmond's Harmonizing Four- Great Camp Meeting In The Promised Land (1943)

Never Alone...

NEEDTOBREATHE - "HAPPINESS" [Official Video]

A Wretch Like Me

Luke 15:24 New English Translation (NET Bible)

24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Ephesians 2:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 But[a] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Jesus Loves Me - Jennifer Knapp

It's Sunday!

Brothers go to church.

This I Know

Titus 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[a] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2 Timothy 1:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 Follow the pattern of the sound[a] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Teach Sound Doctrine

2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound[a] doctrine.

Jesus Loves Me - Page CXVI 

Sara Groves - "Open My Hands" Live Performance

God Will Carry You

Isaiah 46:4 New English Translation (NET Bible)

4 Even when you are old, I will take care of you,

even when you have gray hair, I will carry you.

I made you and I will support you;

I will carry you and rescue you.

We were at the end of a visit with my mother at her new home in a memory care facility, when she asked us to walk her back to the common room where we had found her.  It may have been simply a relief not to have to concentrate on conversing with us, it may have been that she was trying to be, as she said, "where God wants me to be."  She didn't quite know God's reasons for the trial,  she was undergoing but was determined to be a willing servant.  So she said goodbye to us at the door and walked into the common room with the people who shared her common struggles.  I lingered at outside at a window looking in just to see how she was in her new situation.  Then I realized I was looking at her in the same way I looked at my child after leaving him in preschool.  It was time to let her be the person God has been preparing her to be.  She was in His good hands.  I can't help now but think of the Sara Groves song, "You Cannot Lose My Love."

I AM THEY - Here's My Heart: Song Sessions

Pressing On

A Helping Hand" Calendar

Ecclesiastes 7:10 New English Translation (NET Bible)

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?”

for it is not wise to ask that.

Philippians 3:13-14 New English Translation (NET Bible)

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I am often nostalgic for the good old days, even when the good old days weren't actually all good.  Some were pretty awful then just as some are pretty awful today.  We can't go back to Mayberry because Mayberry never was.  God is concerned about today, this hour, this moment in my life, and desires me to press on.  

Air1 - Building 429 - "Press On" - LIVE

In HIs Image

from To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Genesis 1:27 English Standard Version (ESV)

27 So God created man in his own image,

    in the image of God he created him;

    male and female he created them.

Romans 2:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 For God shows no partiality.

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN - Sing For You: Song Session

Feet of A Deer

I would commend the entirety of this chapter to you, as it is a psalm of praise to God for His deliverance of David from his enemies, and from King Saul, another enemy for practical purposes. the imagery David uses, the word pictures, really communicate what God did, and what he could do with God's help.

The image of the deer is just one David employs. Deer can fly. Thinking of sports, speed afoot is a great asset. In football, a fast player is an asset on both offense and defense. God gave David both offensive and defensive ability -- to fight and flee.

Deer are also surefooted. Have you ever seen one stumble? David was able to be stand firm amid attacks, both head-on and covert. He was able to hatch and carry out his own plans, standing solidly in his faith in God.

Deer are also agile and graceful. In our daily circumstances, let's be deer-like.
Beanscot's husband

I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121) - Brian Doerksen 

Unshakable God

Psalm 62:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression.

For the choir director; [a]according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Hebrews 12:28 New English Translation (NET Bible)

28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.

Romans 12:18 New English Translation (NET Bible)

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

It's another day in America and another terrible shooting.  I grow so weary at seeing my country's flag at half mast.  While shouting about what lives matter, we take each other's lives.  Our deeds are evil, but still we demand our rights.  Our house is falling down and we wonder why.  

Yes, weep; and then we, who have been redeemed, give thanks for our home is God's unshakeable kingdom; and, while we walk this earth, serve God, love others and live at peace with all.  

We sang Psalm 62 this morning in church.  The music leader felt God's leading him to chose this song, even though it wasn't his personal preference.  At the end of this Sunday, I find that it was ever so appropriate.  May our souls find rest in God alone.  May we not be shaken.  

My Soul Finds Rest Psalm 62 - Aaron Keyes

Chris Tomlin - Jesus (Lyrics And Chords)

It's Sunday!

Shall we gather at the river?

O' Lord - Lauren Daigle

Come To the Fountain

Testify - NEEDTOBREATHE

Still Fishing

Matthew 4:19 New English Translation (NET Bible)

19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.”

Mark 6:41New English Translation (NET Bible)

41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to his disciples to serve the people, and he divided the two fish among them all.

"Fishers of Men" by Rhonda Vincent was the very first video I uploaded to Youtube.  I did it to thank my husband for his gift of a little macbook.  It's good that God can make much of a little.  I didn't even know I could make a video let alone have a Youtube channel.  The macbook stopped working some time back and it was replaced by a desktop Mac, a gift from my mother.  Today I received a sweet, encouraging note from someone who has followed my videos for five years now.  I am blessed and thankful.

Fishers of Men - Rhonda Vincent

No Thief Like Fear - Official Lyric Video - Jason Gray

Who Is the King of Glory?

Psalm 24  English Standard Version (ESV)

The King of Glory

A Psalm of David.

24 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]

    the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas

    and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

    And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

    who does not lift up his soul to what is false

    and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord

    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.[b] Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

    that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord, strong and mighty,

    the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    And lift them up, O ancient doors,

    that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord of hosts,

    he is the King of glory! Selah

Take Me Back - Meredith Andrews

Matt Redman - Abide With Me (Live)

The Day of Small Things...

...could be today.  So face the day and begin working.

Rest, Weary Lamb

Rest the lamb, France in 1958 Photo by Robert Doisneau

Matthew 11:28 New English Translation (NET Bible)

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jon Foreman - "The House Of God Forever"

Looking For Leaders

Deuteronomy 1:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’

Ryan Stevenson - All Yours (Official Lyric Video)

It's Sunday!

It's called Sunday best.

Praying For Those Who Serve...

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 New English Translation (NET Bible)

26 If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it.

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.

1 John 4:19-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Romans 12:18 New English Translation (NET Bible)

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

...and for those they serve.  

Because All Men Are Brothers - Peter, Paul & Mary 

Looking For America (feat. Lecrae) - Switchfoot

Pray for Dallas

John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 12:19 English Standard Version (ESV)

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:9New English Translation (NET Bible)

Conduct in Love

9 Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

Matthew 5:44 New English Translation (NET Bible)

44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:18 New English Translation (NET Bible)

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

1 Peter 4:19 New English Translation (NET Bible)

19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” 

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My heart is grieved by the Dallas shootings, especially as Dallas was once my home.  My heart is grieved for the lives lost, the innocence stolen, the rights trampled upon, the evil, horror, the suffering.  Injustice should never be an excuse to act upon your own evil impulses.  God, who well knew how black our hearts could be, instructed us that vengeance belongs to Him.  It is not ours to take.  We are not gods, but in our foolishness we try to be.   We are instead God's creation, made in His image, redeemed by His Son.  He can be trusted with our lives and our souls.  Yes, speak against evil and wrongdoing, work for justice, seek peace, show mercy, hate evil, love goodness, live in peace.  

Switchfoot just released a new song, "Looking For America."  The lyrics are appropriate.  

"Looking For America"
(feat. Lecrae)

[Lecrae & Switchfoot:]
Land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows that we need plenty change
‘Cause plenty chains in the past leaving deep scars
But when the sun come down we gonna be stars

The doors are locked where they once stood open
A wound of fear where we once stood hoping
The shattered glass where the bullets broke in
I'm looking for the place that I was born
I'm looking for a way to fix what's torn
I'm looking for America

I'm looking for America

Yeah, you know
Beaten red white and blue for the green we pursue
I’m still looking for you

[Switchfoot:]
America who are you?
Underneath the red blue and white?
America who are you?
I wonder who you are tonight
America who are you?
Is God still on your side?
I want to see a nation rise above the fear and fight that haunts these streets tonight

I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

America who are you?
Am I asking for too much
America who are you?
Has your dream become out of touch
America who are you?
Do you get what you deserve
Between the violence and entitlements
Which nation do you serve?

I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

I’m singing
Farewell my utopia
Farewell my euphoria
Fare thee well my suburban day-dream
Farewell my utopia

[Lecrae:]
America you so pretty
But you not perfect
Confession of guilt is worth it
These people hurting deserve it
Blood on your hands I saw
When there’s blood on this nations floor
But it’s blood on the upper post of your door
If you need to know

I’m looking for your honesty in skeletons
Do away with your ignorance and arrogance
America the land of immigrants
Check the green card and pedigree
Bless the Choctaw and the Cherokee
That we’ll never see

[Switchfoot:]
I'm looking for America
I’m looking for a place to breathe in
A place I could call my home
I’m looking for America
I'm looking for the land of freedom
A place I can call my own

I’m looking for America
Headlines that I can't believe in
But I'm still holding on to hope
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for a miracle
I'm looking for America

[Lecrae & Switchfoot:]
The land of the free, home of the brave
But Lord knows we need plenty change
I’m looking for America
Plenty chains in the past left deep scars
But when the sun come down we gonna be stars
And may the stripes heal when it’s through
Beaten red white blue for the green that we pursue

I’m looking for America

Jehoahaz Prayed

Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s help, and the Lord heard his prayer, for he could see how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. 5 So the Lord provided someone to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days. II Kings 13:4-5 NLT

To me, there are two remarkable actions here.

First, the king of Israel does the right thing. He prays. The kings of Israel all received an F from the chroniclers in the Old Testament. Not one was considered righteous. Perhaps this is why this event is recorded. It may have been rare.

The second event, not as rare, is that God heard him and sent help.

We may think the frequency is reversed in real life. We may think people pray a lot, but God doesn't offer corresponding answers very often. But it may be more likely the reverse is true. In our secular mindset we go to other resources first, then God if all else fails. Thankfully, He doesn't penalize us for our tardiness, and answers in His wise way.
Beanscot's husband

Sidewalk Prophets- Help Me Find It (Official Lyric Video)

I Still Like Cows

When His Heart Breaks

Luke 7:11-15 The Message (MSG)

11-15 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.

A widow's tears and her story of the Savior's comfort were the inspiration for the images chosen for Crowder's "Steeple Outro" song just uploaded to Youtube.    Our Savior does seem to have a way of meeting us where we are and bringing comfort to our souls; and he does so in a way that is tailored for a dear one's needs.  We are loved and I am thankful.

Steeple Outro - Crowder

A Good Word

And I am reminded of the song I've sung from childhood, "Trust and Obey."

Trust And Obey

Jon Foreman -"Inheritance" (Acoustic)

Land of The Free Home of The Brave

A flag planted on the prairie. The people are identified as Ellen and Papa, 1912.

Free to Serve

John 15:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 8:36 English Standard Version (ESV)

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

You'd think it wouldn't be so hard to remember that other people don't exist to make my life easier, but sometimes it is.  Actually I rebel against more than forget the truth that I'm not the center of my universe.  I can be selfish when I should be kind.  My Savior certainly wasn't selfish.   So on this day as I remember the price paid for my country's freedom, may I also remember the price paid for my soul's freedom.  There truly is no greater love.  

Tenderhearted - Sara Watkins

Happy 4th!

1 Peter 2:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[a] of God.

It's Sunday

John 15:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

God Bless America - The Gaither Vocal Band 

For the 3rd of July

Crowder - My Victory (Lyric Video)