blessed be your name

Cyclone Devastates Burma.Please Pray.

2008-05-06T11:48:00.004+10:00

We have two sponsored foster children in Burma.
One we have sponsored since she was eight.Her parents were too poor to look after her and gave her to the Salvation Army to bring up. We grew very fond of her as we had a lot of contact.She is bright and so we were asked to sponsor her through university.She graduated this year with a B.Economics.
The other little girls is 14 years old and was suffering from malnutrtion when she was taken into the Tuition programme last year.
The Salvation Army builings have suffered substantial damage and this will make it very difficult for them as they continue to run the programs, look after ,school and shelter the children . Please pray for them .
Any word about the children is very slow in coming through as this is a closed country under a brutal military regime.

The article below is from the internet.
Burma death toll at 10,000
Published: Monday, 5 May 2008, 8:34AM
The death toll following a cyclone in Burma has risen to 10,000, according to the military regime.

Foreign Minister Nyan Win said the Burmese government also estimates 3,000 people are missing.

The UN says Burma has agreed to accept offers of international aid offers and shipments are being prepared at once.

Hundreds of thousands of people are without shelter and drinking water after Cyclone Nargis ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and the country's commercial capital Rangoon on Saturday.

Neighbouring Thailand announced it would fly in on Tuesday a first planeload of emergency assistance requested by the government in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

A Thai government spokesman said the ruling junta had asked for food, medical supplies and construction equipment.

Military authorities and foreign aid workers are struggling to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the Category 3 storm, which packed winds of 190 km (120 miles) per hour.

"The government is having as much trouble as anyone else in getting a full overview. Roads are not accessible and many small villages were hit and will take time to reach," said Terje Skavdal, regional head of the UN office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

A human rights group based in Thailand said Burmese soldiers and police killed 36 prisoners after a riot at Rangoon's notorious Insein prison in the chaotic aftermath of the cyclone.

The military junta, who renamed the country Myanmar, have promised to hold a referendum on a new constitution on May 10.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
Top News Stories

Mormonism.

2008-05-05T19:36:00.002+10:00

What Do Mormons Believe: The Primary Differences Between Mormonism & Christianity

What Do Mormons Believe: Divine Authority
The Mormon church uses two sources as its primary authorities: the Book of Mormon and the Bible. The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price are also viewed as divinely authoritative. The Christian church uses the Holy Bible alone as its authority from God. Joseph Smith is not recognized as a prophet.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of God
The Mormon church sees God as the Supreme Being of the universe. However, He gradually acquired that position over a long period of time by living a perfect and righteous life. God the Father has a body (flesh and bones). The Christian church proclaims God as eternally and infinitely supreme. He is the same today as always. He is a spirit Being.

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Man
The Mormon church teaches that humans exist as spirit beings before their birth. At physical birth, bodies are given to these spirits. They are also given an opportunity for free-will choice. The physical world represents a period of probation. The status of a person in the afterlife is determined by the way that person lived his/her life on Earth. If the person lived by a satisfactory standard, (including the fulfillment of Mormon temple obligations) that person has the potential to become a god in the after-life. The person can also produce "spirit children" to populate a world of his own (like God did with the earth). The Christian church holds that humans do not exist as spirits prior to being born into the world. Humans cannot attain godhood or populate other worlds with "spirit children."

What Do Mormons Believe: The Nature of Jesus Christ
The Mormon church views Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers and sons of God. God put forth His plan of salvation for the world, and Satan proposed his own plan. Jesus accepted the Father's plan and offered to implement it as the Savior. The Father chose Jesus, and the spirit of Jesus was given a body through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity. The character and life of Jesus is attainable by anyone who performs at such a righteous level. The Christian church teaches that Jesus Christ has existed eternally as the Son of God, the second "person" of the Trinity. Jesus took on human flesh about 2000 years ago and was born into the world through the virgin Mary. He was crucified on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later to establish His deity.

What Do Mormons Believe: How do we Achieve Salvation
The Mormon church holds that Jesus Christ overcame physical death and guaranteed physical resurrection to all mankind. However, spiritual death can only be avoided through personal obedience of God's commandments. Forgiveness of sins requires faith, repentance and baptism by an approved Mormon priest. The practice of baptism for the dead is an extension of this belief, in which Mormons are baptized in proxy for those who have died without proper baptism. The Christian church teaches that we are unable to live a life righteous enough to meet God's perfectly holy standard. Therefore, we establish a relationship with God by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, not by our own works. Baptism and good deeds are acts of obedience to God, but not the means for gaining eternal salvation.

What Do Mormons Believe: Life After Death
The Mormon church maintains that although there is temporary punishment for those that are most wicked, Jesus Christ will establish a new kingdom that will consist of three levels: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The Christian church holds that there are only two possible fates after death, heaven or hell. These locations are final, both physically and spiritually.

Source http://www.allaboutcults.org/what-do-mormons-believe.htm

WHAT DO YOU THINK? - We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

What is your response?
Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus

Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus

I still have questions

The Bible.

2008-04-28T16:16:00.001+10:00

The Bible - 66 Books written by 40 authors over 1500 years inspired by the Spirit of God - Read it, Believe it, Live it !!!

2 Timothy 3:16,17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

The Church of Oprah.

2008-04-26T11:48:00.001+10:00

Question: "What is the "church of Oprah"? Is Eckhart Tolle's "New Earth" compatible with Christianity?"

Answer: Oprah Winfrey is arguably one of the most influential women in the world. With a daily viewership that has peaked at around 10 million, the Oprah Winfrey Show definitely has the potential to impact the lives of many people. The Oprah Winfrey Show definitely promotes much that is good. However, there is another side of Oprah that has only recently become an integral part of her show—and that is her rejection of biblical Christianity. Oprah has made statements on her show in the past that have given a small glimpse into her personal spiritual beliefs, speaking mostly about her belief that there are many ways, millions even, for a person to "get to what some call God."

This more recent exposure of her beliefs revolves around the book "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle, which she helped to make a best-seller by promoting it on Oprah's Book Club and on her website. Beyond simply promoting the book, Oprah has partnered with Tolle in presenting weekly online webcast classes in order to explore the ideas and principles expressed in "A New Earth."

Some have gone as far as labeling Oprah a cult leader—and with good reason. She is a figurehead for the promotion and propagation of anti-biblical beliefs which deny every foundational truth of historical Christianity. Her webcasts have attracted hundreds of thousands of participants with the promise of gaining new perspectives on how to live a life of enrichment, peace, newfound self-worth, and spiritual freedom.

Eckhart Tolle, a well-known New Age author and speaker, promotes nothing short of personal divinity in his teachings. In an attempt to deceive people into thinking that his religion is compatible with Christianity, Tolle occasionally quotes from the Bible and refers to biblical principles. The problem is that Eckhart Tolle's book, "A New Earth," is in complete opposition to biblical Christianity from cover to cover. Nearly every reference to, or quote of, Scripture, is twisted by Tolle's consistent misinterpretation and misunderstanding.

Consider what can be found in just the pages of the first chapter: evolution of life over millions of years is accepted, assumed, and understood to be fact; Jesus is misquoted; flowers, crystals, precious stones, and birds are believed to be temporary manifestations of the Universal Consciousness and are themselves considered enlightened life-forms; the definition of sin is misinterpreted; Jesus Christ is thought of as just one of those rare people who, like the Buddha, achieved divine consciousness; other religions, such as Buddhism, are considered just as valid and true as Christianity; an early Christian cult, Gnosticism, is portrayed as one of the few groups who actually understood the teachings of Jesus; original sin was simply a forgetting of the connectedness and oneness with the Source, along with everything else connected with the Source—a delusion of separateness; heaven is portrayed as merely an "inner realm of consciousness."

These beliefs, these teachings, are found in just the first chapter. Obviously, and without a doubt, Eckhart Tolle is promoting a new religion, one which combines the most mystical aspects of every major religion. The first chapter, of course, sets up the tone and direction for the rest of the book. This direction happens to be as far from biblical truth as is possible. If you are concerned at all with whether or not this book is compatible with the Christian faith, you need not read any further than the first chapter to understand what Tolle believes and what Oprah is encouraging others to believe.

Tolle ends the book writing about the new Heaven and new Earth spoken of in Revelation 21. He states near the end of chapter ten:

"The only existence the future actually has is as a thought form in your mind, so when you look to the future for salvation, you are unconsciously looking to your own mind for salvation. You are trapped in form, and that is ego. 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth,' writes the biblical prophet. [T]he foundation for a new earth is a new heaven - the awakened consciousness. The earth - external reality - is only its outer reflection. The arising of a new heaven and by implication a new earth are not future events that are going to make us free. Nothing is going to make us free because only the present moment can make us free. That realization is the awakening. Awakening as a future event has no meaning because awakening is the realization of Presence. So the new heaven, the awakened consciousness, is not a future state to be achieved. A new heaven and a new earth are arising within you at this moment, and if they are not arising at this moment, they are no more than a thought in your head and therefore not arising at all. What did Jesus tell his disciples? 'Heaven is right here in the midst of you.'"

In line and in continued progression with chapter one, chapter ten places the final stamp of approval on a belief system completely void of biblical truth. Salvation is presented as a state of being achieved through one's own power; heaven is referred to as simply a state of consciousness; and Jesus Christ is relegated to a spiritual master who taught that one only need look within oneself to find spiritual release. Scripture is used only out of context and presented as obscurely as possible.

There is no room for Jesus Christ the Messiah, the God-Man, nor His teachings in Oprah's and Tolle's belief system. In fact, they propose that all people free their minds from such beliefs. Truly, deception is the only true thing that Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Winfrey offer. They, and those that follow their teachings, have fallen for Satan’s original lie, “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

Source ; GotQuestions.org

Recommended Resource: Jesus Among Other gods by Ravi Zacharias.

On Eagle's Wings.

2008-02-07T14:43:00.002+11:00

Written by Michael Joncas

Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

A Little Break.

2007-10-05T21:07:00.000+10:00

I am just not up to blogging at the moment girls. I hope to catch up with all of you when I feel brighter. Mum's death has taken its toll on me.
God bless you all,
Gail

Hosanna .

2007-09-06T20:45:00.000+10:00

I see the King of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Chorus
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the Highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Starting as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what is Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity.

by Brooke Fraser .

It is wonderful to see "this " generation that Brooke is writing about ,the "X" and "Y" gen being sold out for Jesus but I want to see all the generations living lives that glorify Jesus. He is the One who left heaven to show us what the God of all creation, our Father was like. He died on a cross, sheding His blood, to enable us to have a relationship with the Father and He rose again , conquering death and is the Saviour of the whole world. He is ruling in majesty at the right hand of God the Father right now.

Does that cause you to go "Wow !!!"? It does me.
I want my life, however many years I have left, to bring glory to Him.I may not be able to do very much but I can praise and worship Him. Hosanna !!!
"Hosanna in the highest!" means, "Let all the angels in heaven join the song of praise. Salvation! Salvation! Let the highest heaven sing the song!" John Piper. Lets all join with the angels and sing Hosanna in praise and worship to the exalted King of Glory, the Lord Jesus.

Mum

2007-08-31T14:58:00.000+10:00

What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?

When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?

In Loving Memory of Isobel,my mum.

2007-08-26T11:41:00.000+10:00

My loving Mum went to be with Jesus last night.August25th in Melbourne Australia. She died suddenly but peacefully in my arms with Rowan and Keith beside her too all telling her how much we loved her. We are so sad. She was a devoted mother to me, her only child and adored Granny of Rowan her only grandchild. She adored Keith who was so good to her and loved her dearly.
Please pray for us. We have no other family here. Our families are in Scotland, England and the U.S.

My Mum loved this hymn.

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear.
And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waking, His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He’s taking, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be over me, where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loving Forgetfulness. Max Lucado.

2007-08-12T20:35:00.000+10:00

“I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34 NKJV

To love conditionally is against God’s nature. Just as it’s against your nature to eat trees and against mine to grow wings, it’s against God’s nature to remember forgiven sins.

You see, God is either the God of perfect grace…or he is not God. Grace forgets. Period. He who is perfect love cannot hold grudges. If he does, then he isn’t perfect love. And if he isn’t perfect love, you might as well put this book down and go fishing, because both of us are chasing fairy tales.

But I believe in His loving forgetfulness. And I believe He has a graciously terrible memory.

After I read this devotion today and I was struck by the fact that God is so altogether different to us. How often do we sit in judgment of another person and choose to love conditionally. Thank God that He doesn't .That He loves us just as we are and doesn't have conditions to His acceptance or continuing love of us.
We are all fallen humans. Let's choose to see each other as made in God's image and extend His grace to each other . If God can love us unconditionally then let's choose to do the same to each other.

I Was Hungry.

2007-08-04T15:34:00.000+10:00

I WAS HUNGRY,
and you set going a humanistic association and you discussed my hunger.
I WAS IN PRISON,
and you sneaked quietly to your quiet chapel in your quiet neighbourhood and prayed for my liberation.
I WAS NAKED,
and you wondered wasnt that perhaps immoral?
I WAS ILL,
and you went on you knees and praised God for your health.
I WAS HOMELESS,
and you preached to me about God's loving care.
I WAS LONESOME,
and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy.
You seem so close to God.
But I am still hungry and lonesome.
I'm freezing.

"Unknown"

Hillsong Friday

2007-07-22T12:52:00.000+10:00

This Time Last Week,

Well Friday was the last day of a wonderful week which had many highlights. Today’s Worship Breakout was led by Reuben Morgan who just spoke for the 45 mins. You know his song “ Lord I Give You My Heart”? He was so beautiful, quiet and humble. You know, that’s is one thing that struck me all week. These people were world class leaders but were so approachable and “ordinary” It was all about Jesus.
Reuben’s topic was “When Small Doesn’t Stay Small.” He encouraged us to start and build line on line. I mean that goes for anything that we do. He spoke about habits which we do daily and can make or break us. Three that build us are -
1.Honour. “I want to be bound to the fruit of an honourable life”
To honour your future life , mind your habits.
2. Identity. Cultivate a “God” identity and see where you end up.
3.Surrender.Get strength in worship and silence. Surrender and receive from Him.

The opposites that pull us down are
1.Neglect. 1 Sam ch 3 Eli’s sons
1 Sam 8 v6-10 Israelites neglected God and wanted a king.
2.Comparison. Don’t compare yourself and try to be someone else. Be good at being yourself.
3.Control.1 Sam 13 vs. 10-14.Wait for God. Give up control and cultivate surrender.

The evening session was a "Celebration and Anointing” service . There was no speaker.
As in all nights Hillsong United and Darlene started and led the rejoicing. Lots of dancing and celebrating. Then Brooke Fraser sang from Hillsong’s (not United’s )new CD, the title track

“Saviour King”

And now the weak say I have strength
By the Spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead
And now the poor stand and confess
That my portion is You and I'm more blessed

Pre-chorus
Let now our hearts burn with a flame
A fire consuming all for your Son's holy Name
And with the heavens we declare
You are our King

Chorus
We love you Lord, we worship You
You are our God, You alone are good

You asked your Son to carry this
The heavy cross our weight of sin

I love you Lord, I worship You
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to honour this
The love of Christ, the Saviour king

Verse 2
Let now your Church shine as the Bride
That You soar in Your heart as You offered up Your life
Let now the lost be welcomed home
By the saved and redeemed those adopted as Your own

I give my life to honour this
The love of Christ, the Saviour King.

This was an on your knees “facedown” moment. It was holy and awesome.
After this there was an anointing where everyone was anointed with oil representing the Holy Spirit.

Steven CC then led "Here I am to Worship," which again was very reverent and another on your knees moment.Then Israel and SCC sang " How Great is Our God" with Chris Tomlin at the front worshipping. Still an awe of God moment!!!

Israel came on and finished the evening with songs of rejoicing. From the front of the arena glitter started to fall from the ceiling and gradually it moved to the back until the place looked like it was in a snow storm of glitter. The place erupted in dancing and rejoicing. Louie and the “Bishop” spoke a message from the screen about going out from there and that was a great finale to a wonderful week with God’s people celebrating Him in our midst.

.

Hillsong Thurday.

2007-07-21T16:18:00.000+10:00

This Time Last Thursday.

Well this is a bit of a cheat as I wasnt at the 11 am session but Keith was :) There were two talks, no music and Louie Giglio did the second talk. He spoke about when he was young and a church service had three hymns and at youth services you sang "Pass It On." Occasionally thing got out of control and you held hands with the person beside you and you all raised your hands ,joined . If you broke free the youth leader grabbed your hand and connected it again as that was too charismatic :)

Worhsip has gone from
"traditional" to "contemporary," to delirious? and "cutting edge," "the modern worship movement" and now the "emerging church." Which he laughed at as we have been emerging for 2000 years really.

He questioned "do we wnat to leave a legacy as a generation that consumed songs and books or those that took the gospel to others?" Heb13:15-16.(Please read viewers ) He explained here that Passion was more than music but is a movement to awaken students to making God known on their campuses and the world.
The next point is "A Sacrifice of Praise." We should be worshipping God before we enter church. Church does not invoke worship.
A church service is not comprised of worship and then a speaker but is ALL worship.God wants more of us than songs. We should be consumed with God not songs. He then mentioned Chris Tomlin's work being so well known and the fact that his heart was very humble despite fame .

We must meet the needs of others and not be self indulgent. He said that the culture in the US is very self indulgent.(Same here sadly ,in Oz, I'd say )
Worship must be about God and for God.The key question about worship is "What did God get"

1.Comprehensive worship. Care for others, tell others about Jesus.
2. Worship leader is the Pastor. The service is all worship.
3.We were created to worship Jesus and be really good at proclaiming Jesus.

Now onto the afternoon breakout that I was at and took few notes. Chris Tomlin sang a new song that he had written. It was beautiful in its simplicity. He had taken Song of Songs 2 v 16 "My beloved is mine and I am his." He went to the Hebrew and translated it literally which is. " My Beloved mine, I His." Which was the refrain. It was moving to sing . Then he sang "Oh Come let us adore Him" and a second verse "We were made to worship,x3 Christ the Lord." so simple and meaningful.
Louie's main points.
Worhsip is the overflow of a stunned heart.
Worhsip goes from local to global.
Chris made a point here for leaders ,which was that you will never lead the worship singing till you lead your band in worship. (A good point I thought)
True worship is a transformed life. Are we becoming like Jesus ?
Pray "Change my life."
Be a living sacrifice.
We should have a bent,broken heart before God.

And lastly the evening.
Steven CC led the singing.He sang a song I didnt know and there were no words up so everyone just stood. Then he sang "Dive" still no words up.He finished with "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever."
The "Bishop" (T.D. Jakes ) spoke. Keith was planning to leave now. He didnt think that he could cope with the Bishop!!! But he enjoyed him so much that he went back to his next two sessions :)

His message was "God gave you creativity, now use it"

God must be revealed . He cannot
be explained.
1.God is strategic. He has a plan and a purpose. Nothing is an accident.
2. God has a system. The more things we do the more systems he has.eg work, family,home.Seeds are planted for our future. The seasons play a large part.You may have sown in the wrong season but when you sow in the right season and wait, things come to be.This is true of our ideas and creativity. THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!! Praise God I say!!!
3. Synergy. God is synergistic. We were created to be eagles so soar like one.Be synergistic with other eagles and see what you can achieve. If you have been rejected by another- they are chickens. Move on and find other eagles :)

Shifting Seasons.
When we move to a new season we do what we could not do before.

Are we just collecting "spiritual moments" or are taking each as strategic and making use of these encounters with God?

God gives us ideas etc in raw form. Our creativity makes it into what God wants.

Reposition where you are. Don't be limited by things.

The place was errupting .He kept getting standing ovations. I am afraid these jottings don't do him justice.
When the bishop finished Israel Haughton and the New Breed then came on and sang a slow song about Eagles.And Brian houston came on and asked him to sing "Friend of God" He sang the first verse with the band and the place exploded with 30,000 dancing (including yours truly) and praising God. Then Chris Tomlin came on and sang the second verse. When Israel took over again Chris was dancing crazily all over the stage. Well girls ,cast your mind back to Tuesday when I felt like standing on the seat as I didnt know what else to do in praise........Well Thursday I lost all inhibitions and did just so. I was most "Undignified" but there you are!!!!

What a night.

Hillsong Wednesday.

2007-07-20T12:40:00.000+10:00

This Time Last Week.
Last Wednesday I missed the midday session as I just wasnt well enough to get out in the mornings. Would you believe that Chris Tomlin who sang at about six sessions chose that session to sing "We Fall Down." It has to be one of my favourite songs and its my favoutie song by him. So I have still never been anywhere to sing it :(
We attended the afternoon breakout where Darlene Zschech interviewed Louie Giglio.It was basically introducing Louie and Passion to Oz.It was really good. He spoke about how his dad was an Italian Catholic and mum a Southern Baptist. Mum won out when it came to going to church !!! He made a commitment to Jesus when he was 11 and when he was 18 at college reached a cross road and he decided to commit his life fully to Jesus He told the story of failing college and having the revelation that if he wanted to go to grad. school he needed a bachelor's degree.
He told how he had met Shelley when he was an intern one summer and she was a junior (?) at college and how at Baylor where they first started to lead the college gathering he and Shelley led worship and then he spoke each week.He was very much into our worship leading to us doing something in the world. When they were in South Africa about two years ago they saw terrible squallor. He said most tourists who go anywhere there is poverty are "moved" but do "nothing". So the sixsteps team who were there became accountable to each other to do something and get together in a year's time and ask each other what they had done that year.
Louie explained about "Do Something Now" at Passion07 (See 268generation.com )

Jentzen Franklin spoke at night but I didnt take notes as we will buy the DVD.(Notes Later !) But here's something he pointed out.
The generation from 1927-1945 were64% born again Christians.1946-1965 were 49% born again. 1965 -1983 were 16% and from 1984 they are 4% Christian. Looking around Hillsong one would have thought it was Passion. It was full of young people. So, if my generation , the boomers were 40% born again Christians and this generation is 4% why are these gatherings full of the 4%?? Where were the 40% who are my age ? Why didnt we outnumber the young people 10 to 1 ???
This is the one of two conferences in Oz that my generation can go to and hillsong is the biggest .Others are for young people. So where were my generation. Any one with any suggestions???

Hillsong Tuesday.

2007-07-18T15:33:00.000+10:00

This Time Last Tuesday.

I was in the afternoon breakout session for worship leaders. Pastor Jentezen Franklin from Atlanta was down to do the talk for 45 mins. BUT surprise, surprise. Mr Chris Tomlin opened the session with "How Great is Our God" ( Don't you just love that song??? Sigh :)I mean how great is our God?? How long do you have?? )

These are basically just points.
Jentzen spoke on Acts ch 15 vs 16-17, his talk being called "Worship Evangelism ".Citing Jesus and the woman at the well.she worshipped Jesus in spirit and truth and then went and told the village about Jesus.
A spirit of worship creates a spirit of evangelism. If we have real worship in the church people will come.
Rev 12v10. Worship oppresses satan
Mark 5. 2000 demons worshipped.
Nothing is authorised to stop your worship.
Be creative in worhsip. Until David's time they just used the rams horn. David created instruments. Be creative to reach the generation.
In the Psalms it says " I was glad whan they said ,let us go to the house of the LORD " David was glad when it was just suggested that he go to God's house. He was a mighty warrior and he danced with all his might. That must have been amazing worship.

When you don't feel like worshipping in your heart, start with your body. Clap, move your feet and your heart will be led to follow.

He finished by talking about the ark of the LORD coming back to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel ch 6. The distance covered was 6 miles and David stopped every sixsteps to offer sacrifices of worship to the LORD by sacrificing bulls and calves. That would have taken approximately 78 days for David to move the ark. What a demonstation of worship to our God from the king.

Tuesday Night.
Hillsong United and Darlene opened. There was a wonderful new song from the new Hillsong Cd Saviour King. That was the title song. It is beautiful.I'll talk about it later in the week.
Chris Tomlin was on with Louie Giglio Tuesday night doing "Indescribable". Chris sang Let God Arise,Holy is the Lord,Indescribable,Awesome is the Lord Most High.
Louie did his Indescribable talk. I have seen the two different DVDs of it but he was firing on all cylinders for this. But half way through the pics of the stars
some disruptive person shouted " what about Jesus" from the back of 30,000 people disrupting it. Louie was good. He said hold on mate and
you'll see. Then Louie continued and then the guy shouted it again. When we got to the bit where Louie says do you wany to go farther out? Do you want to see something really far out and he turns and it shows Jesus on the cross and
we all are stunned by the image, the guy shouted out "thank you" It really broke the impact. At the end Brian Houston came on and was raving about the talk and he said that he would not have been as gracious as Louie when the guy called out.
Chris came back and sang Wonderful Cross. He finished with Amazing Grace (mcag). The place erupted. I couldnt sing loudly enough nor raise my hands high enough and I was tempted to stand on the seat !!! I thought that I would explode in worship.It was the most amazing night worshipping Jesus who alone is worthy of ALL our praise and worship.

Tue Jul 10th

Hillsong Monday . Night One

2007-07-17T11:30:00.000+10:00

The main sessions for the Hillsong Conference were conducted at the ACER Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.

At 7.30 with 30,000 people in the arena the lights were dimmed. A blue spotlight shone up in the audience on a girl who played a little tune on a flute. Lights went out again and then the blue light shone on another part of the arena and a trumpet player played the same tune. This happened with vocalists, violinists and trombone player. Then blue spotlights went on all and they all played together like a fanfare.Darkness again and then out of the darkness
a symphony orchestra was revealed on the stage.They played while a videos was shown.
Across the front of the arena was a screen as big as a wide movie screen. Phrases about Grace appeared with little videos of "grace moments ", such as a young mother with an untidy house and crying children. A friend came and made her a cuppa and sat and talked and held her hand. There were a few of those interspersed with the quotations on Grace.
Then John 1v14 was up on the screen. "We have seen His glory,the glory of the One and Only,Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Someone came on then and sang the first verse of the traditional Amazing Grace. I said to Keith that , that was it for Chris Tomlin singing it the next night when he was scheduled to sing when..... Spotlight comes onto Chris Tomlin who sang Amazing Grace (my chains are gone ). It was a full West End style production. Truly amazing.

Pastor Ed Young Jnr. from Texas spoke that night. His theme was
"You've Got It Now Use It."
Gen.1v1
Eph.5v11
Matt 13v24
He was emphasing that God is a creative God and we are made in His image,therefore we are creative.. The Holy Spirit empowers our creativity. So, "you've got it now use it."

We have become a Laz-e-boy church.But creativity creates change, which leads to conflict, which leads to growth.
He said something that challenged my thinking. One third of the church should be the solid believers. One third should be the hell raisers who have just come in and one third should be new Christians.
We should apply creativity where we are .
Four Points to Unleash Creativity in the Church.
1. make change through small tweaks.
2. go through "labour and delivery.
a)conception of the idea.
b) gestation of the idea.
c) labour
d) delivery.
3.make way for "theta' waves to gain concensus for ideas.
4. instill "the confusion principle" Confuse things. Change behavoiur to make things uncomfortable.
The night ended with Darlene Zscheck, Brooke Fraser and Hillsong United doing "Inside Out" and "None But Jesus"
What a great beginning to a wonderful week :)
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What a Great Week !

2007-07-12T12:41:00.000+10:00

WOW!!! What a wonderful week !!! What an awesome God!!! What a wonderful Saviour !!!!

I was so looking forward to worshipping with God's people as I have been ill for a long time and havent been to church since February. I was hoping to get to even a few evening sessions at Hillsong.

God is so good. He gave me the energy to make all the afternoon breakouts and all of the night sessions :)

I was so pleased to be able to worship with so many great lead worshippers and hear so many world class speakers. I can't express just how I felt on the Tuesday.Mr Chris Tomlin opened the session with "How Great is Our God" ( Don't you just love that song??? Sigh :) I mean how great is our God?? How long do you have?? )

Then Louie Giglio presented the "Indescribable" talk . I have seen both DVDs but he was firing on all cylinders even though there was one disruptive person there.When Chris Tomlin finished the night singing Amazing Grace (my chains are gone ) I thought that I'd explode in worship. I couldn't sing any louder or raise my hands high enough and at one stage even considered climbing onto the chair:)

We were both so blessed and God fully quenched our dry spirits.

Thank you Jesus for an amazing week.

Hillsong, Here We Come!!!

2007-06-30T20:50:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow Keith and I head to Sydney for the Hillsong conference.
For anyone who doubts that satan is alive and well on earth I can tell you otherwise.
In my last blog, I was telling you all how much I was looking forward to worshipping with God's people, having been ill and unable to get to our church since February.
I woke up this morning with a raging sore throat and no voice. I couldn't believe it !
We managed to get a doctors appointment this morning which is difficult to do on a Saturday and I am armed with antibiotics, throat lozenges and lemon and salt gargle.
How can one be at Hillsong and not be able to worship God in song with Chris Tomlin, Israel, Steven Curtis Chapman, Darlene and Hillsong United ?
Its going to take more than having no voice to stop me worshipping Him who alone is worthy of all our praise !!!
There will be a full report upon our return :)
P.S. Happy Birthday Keith

Hillsong Conference Sydney

2007-06-21T21:22:00.000+10:00

Well after sharing my heart about my health and worrying in case no one would comment on a blog like that I was truly touched by all your good wishes. Thank you everyone who replied and who is praying for me.

Now that's the point of this blog ? More prayer please !!!

Keith and I booked last October to attend the Hillsong conference is Sydney. We booked while I was well. We are flying up to Sydney on Sunday July 1st and staying till the 7th .We managed to get accommodation in the hotel across from the venue. Its difficult to get accommodation there and I believe that God orchestrated us getting ours. I had called the accommodation organiser to book accommodaton and I was told that the closest accommodation available was a 15 minute train ride away. The next day I rang back again and I got the Managing Director who said that he could get us in the hotel across the road. Now that is usually booked a year in advance.

If we were 15 minutes away by train I just couldn't go. As it is, at present I am lucky if I can stay up for about six hours a day. I will have to pace myself and I will miss the morning sessions. I may make it to the workshops but I certainly will try and get to the five evening sessions. Even if I am exhausted we only have to walk across the road to our accommodation. How good is that?

I havent been able to attend our church since February. I do read my Bible and pray but thank God for the internet and sites where I can get good worship and sermons too !!! I am asking for your prayers, that God will sustain me during the Hillsong week, physically and emotionally. We are both somewhat exhausted and need spiritual refreshing. We want to be open to all that God has for us through the worship and speakers. I can't wait to be with God's people again worshipping Him but sometimes I feel that its going to take a miracle to get there .

So would you all please ask our Heavenly Father to give me the strength to make it through the week ?

Thanks, Gail.

None But Jesus.

2007-06-05T10:12:00.001+10:00

In the quiet,

In the stillness

I know that You are God.

In the secret of Your presence

I know there I am restored.

When You call I won’t refuse,

Each new day again I’ll choose.

There is no one else for me,

None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free,

Now I live to bring Him praise.

In the chaos, in confusion

I know You’re Sovereign still.

In the moment of my weakness

You give me grace to do Your will.

When You call I won’t delay,

This my song through all my days.

All my delight is in You Lord,

All of my hope,

All of my strength.

All my delight is in You Lord,

Forevermore .

(Brooke Fraser.)

As most of my faithful blogettes know, I have been in hospital this year and last year I alluded in some posts to the fact that I do have ongoing health issues . Don't worry, its nothing terminal , but it's bad enough to currently limit what I do on a day to day basis. Things were on the up and up at the end of last year and and as you can see from my January post Rowan and I made it to the U. S. A to have Christmas with my cousin and her family and then we headed to Georgia for the Passion Conference for college students. My husband Keith was invited to come with us when we were planning this but he declined the offer, as he works with students all year and then two weeks before we were going he wished that he had decided to go with us ,but it was too late !!! We had a great time and my health was excellent.

Things were looking good but in mid February I found myself suddenly in hospital for almost a month. I have had to face the fact that these health issues and pain will probably be ongoing and that I'll have to live with them unless God chooses to heal me. There will be good spells and also times of relapse. This is not easy, it does affect the family but God is sustaining us .

Why did I post this song ?? It was because the words,

"In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still."

have really touched my heart and say for me what was I not clever enough to pen myself.

I have had prayer for healing, have been anointed with oil, pray basically every night with my husband for healing but I still suffer. However, through this chaos and confusion, I have come to a deeper place in God. I know that He is Sovereign and full of mercy and grace. I know that nothing is happening to me that is outside of His control. I know that He is using this illness to bring glory to Himself. I know Him more intimately because of this journey than I would have known Him, without being ill as I have had to depend on Him on a day to day basis to get through.

I have had much more time to read His word, to spend worshipping Him and focussing on prayer and I have had the opportunity and time to intercede for many other people and ministries that are on my heart. Being able to do this has really blessed me.

In the midst of chaos and confusion our great God is truly Sovereign. My prayer is that all of you who read this may know this reality.

Some Thoughts on Colossians.

2007-05-22T14:47:00.000+10:00

I was listening to a C.D of Louie Giglio speaking while I was on the way to the doctors yesterday. He was talking from Colossians ch 1 and then I watched Francis Chan last night online and he spoke from the same chapter!!! I love Colossians anyway. It's my favourite book in the Bible. It speaks of the supremacy of Christ. It makes me go "Wow".

Now what struck me from Louie's talk was what he said from verse 14. "We have redemption ,the forgiveness of sins ." Now I have purposely italicised have and s in sins as thats what Louie was emphasising. ( He had five points but I've picked out two. )Louie was saying that we don't need to keep asking for forgiveness when we sin . We already have that through Jesus taking all the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross. When the Holy Spirit convicts us that what we have done is sin then we need to confess that to God, agreeing with Him that what we have done is sin and repent, that is turn away form the sin. Also its not just one sin thats been forgiven. Its all our sins. So were are forgiven from all our sins once and for all. What a great message !!!

From Francis Chan's message I was most impacted by verse 9 . " Asking God to fill you with all knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. "He asked "do we really want to know God's will for us today, tomorrow or next year or will that be too scary??" I think that is a very good point to ponder as God's will may be very, very different from my agenda. It may mean that I need to open my hands and surrender to God what I am still clinging to as mine and not giving everything over to Him. ( Thats a bit of a joke really as everything I have comes from Him anyway )

So in finishing I'll keep with Colossians and pray for all my blog readers :-

"That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being stengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in His kingdom of light."

"Abide With Me." Henry F. Lyle.

2007-05-11T12:29:00.000+10:00

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Bunnygirl has posted the first line of this hymn in her new poem on her blog.
I love this hymn. It takes me back to being a ten year old and singing it at the end of an evening at the Girl Guides in the church of my childhood.
Beautiful memories of more carefree days.

I've Been Given an Award !!!

2007-04-14T15:43:00.000+10:00

I have been given a coveted blogger award by Spookie. It comes all the way from South Africa to Australia!!! The amazing Award is " The Thinking Blogger Award." Spookie chose me because of my passion for worshipping Jesus. A passion that she shares.... Spookie is an amazing writer whose very creative blog I love reading.

So Spookie we're going to see Matt Redman together? Now that something to look forward to . The big decision is -my country or yours:)

It is now my priviledge to nominate five bloggers who I think deserve the Award. These bloggers are listed in no particular order......

Lisa - from Zephaniah 3:17 . Lisa has just completed the most amazing 40 Day Lenten prayer journey. It is based on Isaiah 58 :6-7 and was written in obedience to God calling Lisa to fast by praying and humbling herself . God has gifted Lisa with the most amazing ability as a writer and in this journey she uses that gift for Him. I commend Lisa's Prayer journey to you.

Kimmer - from Kimmer0518 . Kimmer 's blog contains many Bible studies which she has written from sermons given at her church. She has also posted meditaions by other Christian writeres. Kimmer has been blessed over the past year because many Christian musicians have been in her neighbourhood and she has attended their concert. She has posted pictures and some youtube videos from the concerts. Go and have a read and a look at Kimmer's posts and pics!!

Carolanne - from C outside the Box .Carolanne is a "near neighbour" of mine although we have never met. She is an amazingly prolific writer and writes daily a great diary. Check out her other blog about things to be grateful for.

BunnyGirl - from Razors Edge of Insanity .When it comes to writing great poems Bunnygirl is up there with the best!!! Not only that, she is also an artist who can illustrate any poem. Now that is talent !! She also lives on a small island called Guernsey near the coast of France. I have great memories of visiting Guernsey with my mum and dad when Iwas young. Maybe that's another reason I chose Bunnygirl :)

Sunny - from FreeFall . Sunny was the blog administrator for a long time of a blog that several girls get onto daily and share Bible studies, pray for each other and talk about our favourite music or whatever is happening in our lives. We are still blogging together but Kimmer is now the administrator. Sunny did a great job posting devotions for us to read and managing the blog . Sunny is a singer /songwriter . If you check her blog under"view my complete profile "you will get a link to some of Sunny's singing. She has blessed me so very much, especially with the song "Prized by Majesty" that she sent me the CD of. Keep singing Sunny.

See Spookies blog from Wednesday, April 11, 2007 titled "AN AWARD - FOR ME!!!"

Now, here's the rules:
ONE: If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that you would consider worthy of this award.
TWO: Link to This post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
THREE: Optional - Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote. Here is an alternative Silver version if Gold doesn't fit your blog.

He Chose the Nails. By Max Lucado.

2007-04-05T11:09:00.000+10:00

Would you like anyone to see the list of your weakneses? Would you like them made public. How would you feel if they were posted high so that everyone, including Christ himself could see ? May I take you to the moment it was? Yes, there is a list of your failures.Christ has chronicled your shortcomings. And,yes,that list has been made public. But you've never seen it and neither have I. Come with me to the hill called Calvary and I'll show you why. God has penned a list of our faults. The list God has made cannot be read. The words can't be deciphered.The mistakes are covered.The sins are hidden. Those at the top are hidden by his hand; those down the list are covered by His blood. Your sins are covered by Jesus. This is why he refused to close his fist. He saw the list!!! What kept him from resisting (the mallet and nails)? This warrant, this tabulation of your failures. He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of these sins was you, and since He couldn't bear the thought of eternity without you, He chose the nails.

" Rescue and Undying Love. "

2007-03-23T14:42:00.000+11:00

Louie Giglio writes on his blog that......

" life on this planet really never is all it's cracked up to be. Though there are just enough tiny stretches of sunshine to make us think it’s pretty cool, in reality it’s planes crashing into buildings and innocent lives lost. It’s hatred and war...violence, brokenness, sin and strife. Yet there is an unfathomable mercy from above... and a grace that repairs shattered dreams. That’s our story tonight in the midst of it all and His name is Rescue and Unfailing Love."

That moved me profoundly as I have embraced my own journey through deep pain of recent days. What I am so grateful for is that He whose name is "Rescue and Undying Love" abides in my life, giving me grace and strength not just to survive but to live with life abundant.

Gail is unwell...

2007-02-24T22:04:00.000+11:00

Gail is unwell and in hospital (not in danger). She will be off-air for a week or two.

Please pray for her,

Keith

PASSION 07... SET 2

2007-02-10T19:14:00.000+11:00

PASSION 07 ATLANTA GA, GALLERY

2007-02-10T19:07:00.000+11:00

PASSION ' 07 AND PURE GRACE.

2007-01-13T10:33:00.000+11:00

I am finding it exceptionally difficult to put into words what I did at Passion and how I experienced it.I can begin by saying that I served on the student prayer journey "Kneel " with about twelve beautiful people who really worked as a team and affirmed each other.There were two parts to "Kneel " One was "Journey " the other "Pure Grace. " " Journey " was eleven stations of guided meditation, where the students were asked to still their heart, confess any sins, and then lead to pray for their campus, church, city, country, leaders , nations etc. That took about an hour to do. There wasn't much interaction with the students there apart from welcoming them in and smiling as they left.We prayed over them silently as they undertook their prayer journey. We made sure that the candles were lit and that there was space for them to enter as well as keeping the place tidy.
The other part was " Pure Grace " which was amazing. In a large hall with darkened lights stood a cross. There were beautiful candles around it and two spotlights on it which shone the shadow of it on the roof. Cushions and rugs were on the floor. Students tended to enter, sit or immediately go "facedown ' and spend a long time generally working through things in their life with Jesus. I was totally humbled while in this room and the presence of the Holy Spirit was almost tangible here. I watched as young people wrestled with God, some physically shaking their fists and agonising. Saw a great many reduced to tears before Jesus and then lie utterly surrendered at the foot of the cross. I'd wait until I saw that things had quietened down inside them and then go and offer to pray for them.
How do you convey to anyone that the highlight of a trip to the other side of the world was being "facedown ' on the floor listening and praying with a young person as they completely surrendered their life to the Lordship of Jesus ? Words just can't convey such deep emotion.I was left speechless at what I saw the Lord Jesus doing there. I was honoured to serve, and humbled completely by His Pure Grace.

NOTE THE BLUE ICON AGAIN !!!!

2006-12-18T10:09:00.000+11:00

I wrote about the blue icon months ago saying that it was not just a promo for the Passion Conference but that Rowan and I are actually going to Atlanta from Melbourne. Well I can't believe it but we are actually leaving this week. Thursday midday Australian time. Wednesday evening for all my American blog friends.

Rowan and I fly to New Zealand then up to San Francisco where we will have Christmas and an eight day holiday with my cousin Maggie and her family.Maggie is one of life's treasures!!! We are so looking forward to seeing them. Its been eight years since we were last there. It will be so different having Christmas in the winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

From S.F we fly to Atlanta to the Passion Conference ( read my previous blog " Note the Blue Icon " for all the info about the conference or look at my link here to the 268 Generation. ) We'll have 10 days in Atlanta and I will be meeting with some women that I have been blogging with all year. That should be fun too.

I wish all who have visited my blog during the year a very Merry Christmas and may you know the Christ of Christmas in your heart all year.

Gail

CHRISTMAS IS FOR HEALING.

2006-12-12T20:30:00.000+11:00

"Weep over your city for Christmas and see if your tears will heal it." (luke 19: 41-42)

Loving you, of course I am not interested in how much money you are spending on Christmas gifts this year but rather in how much blood, sweat, and tears you are shedding to make Christ a vital part of your life.
For you and I will never be able to erase the fact that He came –
To touch lives - to break bread-
To heal hurt- to forgive sins- to wash feet-
To calm seas- to walk on water- to give us the Spirit-
And, to care immensely.
Yes, to care enough to be born in our Bethlehem, to live in our land, and to weep over our cities and to die and rise again. So now it’s Christmas and I am not sure what part of you is crippled or where you need to feel God’s saving power but with everything in me I believe that Christmas is for healing. And He came to heal. So, if you can trust Jesus enough to-
Walk out on the waters of getting involved,
Of washing feet and anointing people,
Of breaking bread and working miracles,
I am almost sure His saving presence will touch those blind and crippled parts of your life and Christmas will come to you.
More than anything else I want to give YOU Christmas this year.
It is a gift, an offer. You can take it if you like
But I can’t really give it to you like a wrapped up package. It is deeper than that, it is warmer, brighter, holier. It is more personal. Christmas is more challenging than a wrapped up package.
It is an offer.
It is a mystery.
It is birth.
It is hope.
It is Christmas and
God can never be born enough.

Macrina Weiderkehr

THE PRAYER OF THE EMPTY WATER JAR.

2006-11-25T12:18:00.000+11:00

Jesus, I come to the warmth of your Presence
knowing that You are
the very emptiness of God.
I come before You
holding the water jar of my life.
Your eyes meet mine
and I know what I'd rather not know.

I came to be filled
but I am already full.
I am too full.
This is my sickness
I am full of things
that crowd out
Your healing Presence.

A holy knowing steals inside my heart
and I see the painful truth.
I don't need more
I need less
I am too full.

I am full of things that block out
Your golden grace.
I am smothered by gods of my own creation
I am lost in the forest of my false self
I am full of my own opinions and narrow attitudes
full of fear, resentment, control
full of self pity, and arrogance.
Slowly this terrible truth pierces my heart,
I am so full, there is no room for You.

Contemplatively, and with compassion,
You ask me to reach into my water jar.
One by one, Jesus, you enable me
to lift out the things
that are a hindrance to my wholeness.
I take each on to my heart,
I hear You asking me
" Why is this so important to you ? "

Like the murmur of a gentle stream
I hear You calling,
" Let go, let go, let go! "
I pray with each obstacle
tasting the bitterness and grief
it has caused.

Finally
I sit with my empty water jar
I hear you whisper
You have become a space for God
Now there is hope
Now you are ready to be a channel of Life.
You have given up your own agenda
There is nothing left but God.

Macrina Wiederkehr OSB. ( Prayer inspired by John 4 : 28 )

Macrina Wiederkehr is one of my favourite writers. She has a marvellous web site which is well worth a visit.

Her writings seem to say so much about what goes on in one's heart. How often to we allow our lives to become cluttered with stuff? Even stuff that is important but is not the " best. " I am going to take some time today to "unclutter " my life. Won't you join me??

THESE ARE MY MOUNTAINS.

2006-11-19T12:39:00.000+11:00

In loving memory of my Dad. Born Bellshill, Scotland died Melbourne, Australia November 19th 2000.

Dad was quiet, caring man who was always fun to be around. As his only child he loved me dearly . He was a one of a kind Grandfather to Rowan, his only Grandchild, who idolised him. They had such an amazing relationship.

These Are My Mountains.

For fame and for fortune,
I wandered the earth
And now I've come back to
This land of my birth
I’ve brought back my treasures
But only to find
They're less than the pleasuresI first left behind

For these are my mountains,
And this is my glen
The braes of my childhood,
Will know me again
No land's ever claimed me,
Tho'far I did roam
For these are my mountains,
And I'm going home.

The burn by the road sings,
At my going by
The whaup o’er the head wings
With welcoming cry
The loch where the scart flies
At last I can see
Its here where my heart lies
It’s here I’ll be free

Kind faces will greet me
And welcome me in
And how they will greet me
My ain kith and kin
This night round the ingle
Old songs will be sung
At last I'll be hearing
My ain mother tongue.

Dad is at rest in Scotland where his heart always remained.

HEART OF WORSHIP.

2006-11-05T19:42:00.000+11:00

When the music fades
and all has slipped away
and I simply come.
Longing just to bring
something thats of worth
that will bless Your heart.

I'll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within,
through the way things appear,
Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

King of endless worth,
no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor,
all I have is Yours,
every single breath!

I'll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within,
through the way things appear,
Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

MATT REDMAN .

I feel as though I am baring my soul with this song. I don't know what Matt Redman felt when he wrote it, but it sums up so very, very much of what I feel. Let's get to the core of what we are about as Christians. Is it about our denominations, our styles of church services, our liturgy or keeping up appearances etc.?? Or is our primary aim to worship the only person worthy of all our worship and indeed our whole life. The Lord Jesus Christ ???

Now I do confess to admitting before that I am a passionate person and so to any who have travelled on my blog with me it will come as no surprise that I admit that I have come to a place and a stage of life where I am done with messing about on the perifery of Christianity. I want the " real thing. " I have found that to be the Lord Jesus. So here's my challenge today for you dear readers in blogland. What is the " real thing " for you ? Is it a form of religion or is it Jesus ??? I pray, with my whole heart, that you can say without a second thought, that it is the Lord Jesus .

WORSHIP.

2006-10-21T12:46:00.000+10:00

Contrary to modern culture, worship does not begin with music, but with
God. In fact, everything begins with Him, the living Logos ( Word ), the
Alpha and the Omega-Beginning and End. So we read in the beginning
of John's gospel, " In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God." ( John 1:1 ) Announcing the arrival of Christ
on earth, John writes, " and the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us. "( v14,NASB )

If we believe Jesus is preeminent, and , therefore, must be the centrepiece
of our living and our worship, a little common logic leads us down this path.
Jesus is the centre of all true worship.

Jesus is the Word of God.

Therefore, the Word of God is the centre of all true worship for all time.

LOUIE GIGLIO.

Please pause for a moment after you have read this and think about what
is at the centre of your worship today . Go on, be be honest with yourself.
If you discover that it is not Jesus then I would urge you to ask Him to give
you the desire to place Him , the living , eternal Word of God, at the very
centre of your life and give Him the worship that He alone deserves..

BEING LIKE JESUS.

2006-10-05T13:22:00.000+10:00

"Very often we distance ourselves from Jesus. We say, " What Jesus knew we cannot know, and what Jesus did we cannot do. " But Jesus never puts any distance between Himself and us. He says, " I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father." ( John 15:15 ) and " In all truth I tell you, whoever believes in Me will perform the same works as I do myself , and will perform greater works" ( John 14:12 ).

Indeed we are called to know what Jesus knew and do what Jesus did. Do we really want that, or do we prefer to keep Jesus at arm's length? "

Henri Nouwen.

I pray that each of you who read this will have had a life changing encounter with Jesus, the risen Son of God. Please do not keep Jesus at arms length. He spread out His arms on a tree and died so that you can have a relationship with your Heavenly Father because of His sacrificial death.

If you have never had a relationship with Jesus why not ask Him to come into you life by the power of His Spirit ? If you have lost your first love please don't keep Him at arms length. Come back into His loving arms today. Then He will enable you to do these works that He speaks about, in His name.

TAKE MY LIFE.

2006-09-19T13:44:00.000+10:00

I was listening to this song sung by Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockles while driving home from the city today. It really moved me.

I'd like you to sit and read these words with your hands closed on your lap!!!Read them slowly.

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold not a might would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use every power as you choose.

::Chorus::
Here am I, all of me.
Take my life, it's all for thee.

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee,
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee.

Here am I, All of me.
Take my life, It's all for thee.

Francis Havergal. Chorus Chris Tomlin.

Now re-read the words and as you do I want you to ask the Lord Jesus what area of your life He wants you to surrender to Him. When you get to the part that He is promting you to surrender, open your hands as an act of surrender and prayerfully read the words of the song to Him.

Lord Jesus, you have given us so much. Our life and our very breath comes from You. We don't want to hold any area of this precious life back from you. So here I sit with open hands surrendering what you desire of me today. Take me and use me to bring You glory. Amen.

NOTE THE BLUE ICON!!!!

2006-09-09T15:59:00.000+10:00

To those who have been wondering where I was and how I was, I am alright and I haven't disappeared anywhere. Thank you for your concern. I must admit that I have just been lazy!!! I haven't been extremley busy as I had thought I might tell you. No, it has been merely pure laziness on my part!!!

Now today we are not going to be reading some wonderful words of a worship song or some writing that inspired me. We are going for something completely different. Showing another side of me!!!

Note the little blue icon on the right. Take time to read it. It says " I'm headed to Atlanta for Passion ' 07 " This is not merely an advert for the Passion Movement.(check 268 generation link .) I really am heading to Atlanta for Passion ' 07!!! This is no small venture as you will probably know that I live in Melbourne, Australia and Atlanta is on the other side of the world.

What prompted this? I bought Matt Redman's D.V.D. "Facedown" about two years ago and I absolutley loved his worship style. There were some talks on it by Louie Giglio and I was impressed with him. He heads up Passion. I looked up their web site and saw the work that they were doing with univerity students and since my son is one I became interested in the movement. They were approaching the Passion ' 06 conference in Nashville and were doing a prayer journey daily heading towards it on their blog. I followed that and prayed with them for the young people. 18,000 college students gathered to worship Jesus and be taught by Louie, John Piper and Beth Moore in Nashville this past January. At the end of the conference they announced that there would be a Passion ' 07 ( there has not been a Passion each year ) and that was advertised on their blog. In some crazy moment I asked Rowan "do you want to go to Atlanta for Passion ' 07?" What 21 year old is going to knock back an all expenses paid trip to the other side of the world????

There you are. I am headed to Altanta for Passion ' 07. I am going as a volunteer to work on the Student Prayer Journey which is a reflective journey of about ten stages that takes a student around an hour to complete. I will be there as part of the prayer team to talk and pray with those who want to. Rowan and I are really looking forward to going and being part of this. On my links you will see Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band and Charlie Hall. These guys are the lead worshippers. So with the speakers they have and the lead worshippers it should be an excellent time spiritually for the expected 25,000 college students hitting Atlanta next January.
( Not to mention heaps of fun with new friends!!! )

NOT BREAKING THE BRUISED REED.

2006-08-24T12:33:00.000+10:00

"Some of us tend to do away with things that are slightly damaged.Instead of repairing them we say: " Well,I don't have time to fix it, I might as well throw it in the rubbish bin and buy a new one." Often we also treat people this way. We say: " Well he has a problem with drinking; well,she is quite depressed; well, they have mismanaged their business...we'd better not take the risk of getting involved with them." When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often buried in their wounds.

We are all bruised reeds, whether our bruises are visible or not. The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that stength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the weak.

HENRI NOUWEN.

Most of my working life has been spent working with "bruised reeds". I worked with children who were mentally handicapped and then with children who were emotionally disturbed.I had a great love for the children I worked with.

Feeling God calling me to move into counselling as a career and being encouraged to do so by some freinds and my Pastor I went and did Post Graduate studies and chose to work with men who were drug and alcohol dependent and who had just been released from prison.Again I loved my work and I felt very strongly that if I did nothing else but treat these men with dignity and respect then I had done much.

My last position was working with people who struggled with the same sex attraction and who were trying to be surrendered followers of Jesus. This was a truly satisfyinng area of counselling.

As I look at my own areas of woundedness today , I ask you "What is yours?' Can you bring it to the Light and let Jesus help in the restoration of the wounded parts in your life?

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 42:3 and Matthew 12:20 that " a bruised reed He will not break." Take Him at His word and let Him bring healing.

THE UNQUENCHABLE WORSHIPPER.

2006-08-13T20:15:00.000+10:00

" Enter, the unquenchable worshipper. This world is full of fragile loves - love that abandons, love that fades, love that is self seeking. But the unquenchable worshipper is different. From a heart so amazed by God and His wonders, burns a love that will not be extinguished. It survives any situation and lives through any circumstance. It will not allow itself to be quenched, for that would heap insult on the love it lives in response to.

These worshippers gather beneath the shadow of the cross, where an undying devotion took the Son of God to His death. Alive now in the power of His ressurection, they respond to such an out puoring with an unquenshable offering of their own."

MATT REDMAN.

I long to be an " unquenchable worshipper". A number of years ago while living in England for a spell, I had the opportunity to attend a five day conference. On one of the nights the speaker spoke from Isaiah 6 vs 1-8 and the talk was called "Do You Know the Holy One". That night changed my life. I caught a glimpse of the glory of God and was transfixed in "facedown " worship. Most people could not sit or stand but were on their knees or faces before our holy God.

Since then I have been through a long battle with ill health. What has kept me going is my relationship with Jesus. He has so captured my heart with His love for me that I cannot live without Him. My love for Him burns deeper as I am drawn closer to Him in worship. He has sustained me.

I have found over the years that as I worship Him, He draws me close. My relationship with Him grows deeper and I want to worship Him all the more. I want for the rest of my life to be an "unquenchable worshipper".

PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM.>

2006-08-06T16:49:00.001+10:00

By Mark Hall and Bernie Herms.

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Jesus Calms the Storm. Luke 8:22.

One day Jesus said to his disciples "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm.

THE SPIRIT OF JESUS LISTENING IN US.

2006-07-29T14:30:00.000+10:00

"Listening in the spiritual life is much more than a psychological strategy to help others discover themselves. In the spiritual life the listener is not the ego, which would like to speak but is trained to restrain itself, but the Spirit of God within us. When we are baptised in the Spirit - that is, when we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us - that Spirit creates in us a sacred space where the other can be received and listened to. The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains.

When we dare to trust fully in the the power of God's Spirit listening in us, we will see true healing occur."

HENRI NOUWEN

I think that this passage shows us the importance of being open to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us and the importance of being an active listener. We need the abilty to see beyond the here and now, and need to discern with the heart what is going on for the person who has entrusted us with their inner most thoughts and feelings.

I would pray that we all find that "sacred space" where we can receive others non-judgmentally and extend the healing power of Jesus to them.

IN CHRIST ALONE.

2006-07-21T15:02:00.000+10:00

Artist : Brian Littrell
Song : In Christ Alone

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won.
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome.
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand.

Chorus:
In Christ alone
I place my trust,
And find my glory in the power of the cross.
In every victory
Let it be said of me,
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone.

In Christ alone do I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed.
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need.
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord.

Chorus:
In Christ alone
I place my trust,
And find my glory in the power of the cross.
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope,
Is Christ alone.

This song reminds me of the verses in Phillipians ch 3 vs 7-11, my favourite Bible passage. My favourite verse is actually verse 10. However the verse that the song reminds me of is verse 7 "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."
I hope that this blesses you as you read it.

THIRSTING FOR GOD.

2006-07-13T13:57:00.000+10:00

Our friend and Pastor, Dave went to the Hillsong conference last week. He had an amazing time there. Through some speakers God gave him some things for our church and through other speakers God spoke to Dave personally.

Hearing about his trip made me yearn for another "touch "from God. Not that I am feeling far from God. I just wanted some intimate moment of hearing from Him that touched my spirit and refreshed me. I rang a friend and asked her to pray with me for that.

On Monday, waiting for a doctor's appointment I read from my bible Psalm 27. It is a great Psalm but what caught my attention was verse 4-

"One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple."

"That's what I want it " I thought. I want to gaze upon the LORD . I want to catch a new glimpse of Him.

Now that can't be manufactured but God does say in 1 Chor.ch 28 v9 "If you seek Him He will be found by you." So I have been seeking Him and He came to me last night with a wonderful time of refreshing my spirit. I am just rejoicing in Him and thanking Him for that time of refreshing.

"LET MY WORDS BE FEW" BY MATT REDMAN

2006-07-06T14:05:00.000+10:00

This song is inspired by Ecclesiastes Ch5 vs 2 and 7.

You are God in heaven
And here am I on earth,
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus I am so in love with You.

And I'll stand in awe of You,
Yes I'll stand in awe of You,
And I'll let my words be few
Jesus I am so in love with You.

The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to You,
So I'll let my words be few
Jesus I am so in love with You.

Matt Redman is my absolute favourite worship songwriter and lead worshipper. I love the depth of his words and his passion for Jesus. I guess that I am a fairly deep person and very passionate myself so what he writes really resonates with me.

When you love someone you only need to say those three little words " I love you" to convey your heart's deepest feelings. It is the same with Jesus. We don't need to have lots of words to impress Him. He wants our love and our hearts, like any lover.

So when you get in your room and close the door just enjoy being in His presence because He knows what you are going to say before you even ask.

Take some time today to be with Him and simply tell Him that you love Him.

CRY OUT TO JESUS

2006-06-29T13:26:00.000+10:00

M. Scott Peck, in his book "The Road Less Travelled ", begins with the words "Life is difficult".
I have had more than my share of difficulties in life and I know that some of my blog sisters are going through some tough times at the moment. I offer these words from Third Day as an encouragment to you. They have comforted me . May they be of comfort to you.

Cry Out To Jesus. Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one Who can make it right.

Chorus
There is hope for the helpless Rest for the weary Love for the broken heart.
There is grace and forgiveness Mercy and healing,
He'll meet you wherever you are Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus.

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on They lost all of their faith in love,
They've done all they can to make it right again Still it's not enough.

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chainsYou try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame And your suffering.

When your lonely And it feels like the whole world is falling on you,
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus, Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone, Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home Say a prayer tonight.

(c) 2005 Consuming Fire Music / ASCAP. All rights administered by EMICMG Publishing. All rights reserved. Used by permissionvvv

EMPOWERED TO BE.

2006-06-25T15:21:00.000+10:00

Who are we ? Are we what we do? Are we what others say about us? Are we the power we have? It often seems that way in our society. But the Spirit of Jesus given to us reveals our true spiritual identities. The Spirit reveals that we belong not to a world of success, fame or power but to God.The world enslaves us with fear;the Spirit frees us from that slavery and restores us to the true relationship. That is what Paul means when he says "All who are guided by the Spirit are sons ( and daughters ) of God, for what you received was not the spirit of slavery to bring you back to fear;you received the spirit of adoption, allowing you to cry out, " Abba, Father." ( Romans 8:15 )

Who are we? We are God's beloved sons and daughters!!!!

HENRI NOUWEN.

Enjoy living today with the knowledge that you are God's child and enjoy that intimacy with Him because the Spirit of Jesus indwells you.

WE ARE NOT AS STRONG AS WE THINK WE ARE.

2006-06-19T15:30:00.000+10:00

Rich Mullins is one of my favourite songwriters. This is one of my favoutrite songs written by him. We often think that we are invincible but then something happens in our life to bring us back to the place of acknowledging our frailty and the fact that we are not really in control of life or circumstances.
Rich lived a simple life of loving God and other people.In 1995 he moved to a reservation near Window Rock, Arizona U.S. to teach Navajo children. He was tragically killed in a car accident in 1997. He is probably most well knonw for his song "Awesome God " and "Step by Step".

.
WE ARE NOT AS STRONG AS WE THINK WE ARE.

Well, it took the hand of God Almighty To part the waters of the sea But it only took one little lie To separate you and me Oh, we are not as strong as we think we are
And they say that one day Joshua Made the sun stand still in the sky But I can't even keep these thoughts Of you from passing by Oh, we are not as strong as we think we are

CHORUS We are frail We are fearfully and wonderfully made Forged in the fires of human passion Choking on the fumes of selfish rage And with these our hells and our heavens So few inches apart We must be awfully small And not as strong as we think we are

And the Master said their faith was Gonna make them mountains move But me, I tremble like a hill on a fault line Just at the thought of how I lost you Oh, we are not as strong as we think we are.

CHORUS

And if you make me laugh well I know I could make you like me Cause when I laugh I can be a lot of fun But we can't do that I know that it is frightening What I don't know is why we can't hold on We can't hold on.

CHORUS

When you love you walk on the water Just don't stumble on the waves We all want to go there somethin' awful But to stand there it takes some grace 'Cause oh, we are not as strong As we think we are.

EMPOWERED TO PRAY

2006-06-15T16:34:00.000+10:00

Prayer is the gift of the Spirit. Often we wonder how to pray, when to pray and what to pray. We can become very concerned about methods and techniques of prayer. But finally it is not we who pray but the Spirit who prays in us.

Paul says:"The Spirit.... comes to help us in our weakness, for, when we do not know how to pray properly, then the Spirit personally makes our petitions for us in groans that cannot be put into words; and He who can see into all hearts knows what the Spirit means because the prayers that the Spirit makes for God's holy people are always in accordance with the mind of God" ( Romans 8:26-27 ).

These words explain why the Spirit is called the Consoller.

HENRI NOUWEN

Henri Nouwen

2006-05-29T16:30:00.000+10:00

Henri Nouwen is my favourite spiritual writer. He was a Catholic priest who taught at several theological colleges in his home country of the Netherlands and at Harvard and Notre Dame in the United States. He shared the final years of his life with people with mental and physical disabilities at L'Arche Daybreak Community in Toronto, Canada. He was the author of more than thirty books. Sadly he died in 1996.
This is an excerpt from his book "The Inner Voice of Love."

Trust the Inner Voice.

Do you really want to be converted? Or do you want to keep clutching your old ways of life with one hand while with the other you beg people to help you change?
Conversion is certainly not something you can bring about yourself. It is not a question of will power. You have to trust the Inner Voice that shows you the way. You know that Inner Voice.
Only by attending constantly to the Inner Voice can you be converted to a new life of freedom and joy.

"LIGHT"

2006-05-17T14:31:00.000+10:00

"Let him who walks in the dark ,who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God" Isaaiah ch 50 v 10

When Jesus spoke again to the people He said, " I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. "

Isn't it wonderful, that when we put our trust in Jesus, He guides our path. We don't have to stumble along , alone in the dark but we have the "Light of the World" in us and with us.

Thank you Psalmsgirl.

2006-05-02T15:02:00.000+10:00

This blog site has been created thanks to my friend Psalmsgirl in Orlando Florida.
I have taken the title from Matt and Beth Redman's song " Blessed Be Your Name " as I intend this blog to lift up the Name of Jesus.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful,
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name.

Every blessing you pour out,
I'll turn back to praise,
When the darkness closes in,
LordStill I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name.

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me,
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name .
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering,
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name.

Every blessing you pour out,
I'll turn back to praise,
When the darkness closes in,
LordStill I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name,
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name.

You give and take away,
You give and take away,
My heart will choose to say Lord,
Blessed be your name.