Mom: A Mother's Day Poem

Mom
So short a name for
So profound a woman

Always giving
Always reaching

Mom

The encourager of the family
The nurturer of the heart

Always praying
Always seeking

Mom

Clothed with strength,
Humility and love
Heaven's gift to children,
An angel of the greatest love,
Mom


By: Amberly Zimmerman
(5.12.13)

What About the Nine

A friend of mine found this poem and shared it on her page. It really struck a note with me so I want to share it with all of you.

What About The Nine

"Ten future missionaries heard God's call divine;

One married wrongly, that left only nine....

Nine future missionaries- they could hardly wait;

Mother needed one,though, that left only eight.

Eight future missionaries bound for God and Heaven;

One got to making money, that left only seven.

Seven future missionaries -if only each one sticks;

One lost out completely, that left only six.

Six future missionaries for the Lord alive;

One preferred the homeland, that left only five.

Five future missionaries wait an open door;

One grew tired of waiting, that left only four.

Four future missionaries bound for eternity;

One no longer willing, that left only three.

Three future missionaries -for the need- how few!

One the board rejected, that left only two.

Two future missionaries, a daughter and a son;

One developed ulcers, that left only one.

One future missionary--Thank the Lord for Him;

He refused to ever let the vision dim.

Body, soul and spirit, he to God did yield;

Now for years he's labored on the foreign field.

God in Heaven rejoices, "Blessed child of mine,

You have done MY will-BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NINE?"

~Everek R. Storms.

Review of The Romance of Grace by Jim McNeely III

Written by pastor Jim McNeely III of Dakota Creek Christian Center in Washington, The Romance of Grace is about the relationship between the Creator and his creation which is based on divine love and grace. The book helps to put God's grace in a perspective we can more easily grasp. McNeely explains how the romantic relationship between Christ and his bride should be by sharing the parable of the kingdom of God found in Matthew 13:44-46.  The reader learns the kingdom of God is like a treasure and those who want to be a part of the kingdom should be totally sold out for it and give their all for it. Such people should be driven by desire. The reader also learns that God values us like mankind values a precious pearl. Jesus gave all He had for us and was driven by divine love and grace. The law condemns, but His grace saves. As people in a relationship with God, we should not be driven by fear to obey the law. We must be driven by love. Coercion to obey the law is not true obedience. As sinners we are drawn to sin, but by God's grace we can overcome sin and choose to obey. Some people become so legalistic and focus so much on the law that they forget the most important part of a relationship with God: Love. "Virtue is the fruit not the root" (p. 18). The root of a relationship with Jesus is love. We are not good all by ourselves. It's God's love for us that saves us and our love for Him that causes us to bear fruit. McNeely's book is eyeopening and very encouraging. You will be reminded you of how much God really loves you and values you.

Book Review of Freeing Tangled Hearts by Dolores Kimball

Freeing Tangled Hearts was written by Dolores Kimball, a Bible study teacher, women's retreat speaker, and a writer and editor for Focus on the Family, David C. Cook, and Compassion International. In her book, she addresses issues all women face, issues of the heart. Kimball's book is not written as a self-help book but as an informative and encouraging piece of literature for women of all walks of life. In thirteen chapters, the reader learns about why women are such emotional beings and that having emotions is not bad. The reader learns emotions are good, because God himself has emotions, but they should not dictate decision making. The feelings of the heart can cloud and distract the ability to reason and think properly. As women, we must learn to keep our emotions in check. Kimball also addresses some of the causes behind our emotions, such as hormones and Satan, to name a few, as well as some of the most common emotions women across the globe face. These include: fear, doubt, guilt, anger, bitterness, and envy. Each emotion is addressed in its own chapter and Dolores Kimball provides personal stories for examples and scriptures to teach and encourage the reader.  In Freeing Tangled Hearts, we learn the only way to keep our emotions in check is by examining ourselves, learning about God and his attributes, and having an intimate relationship with Him.This book is an excellent read for all women. This book not only teaches the female reader about herself but it also teaches her about other women, because women share a common thread; they are emotional beings. Props to Dolores Kimball for writing an encouraging book backed by scripture. I look forward to reading more books by her.

Bragging on Jesus: He's Always On Time!

I just want to take a moment to brag about the goodness of my God. He has always been so faithful and true to me. Whether He gives me front-row parking (which happens often!) or He encourages me through a friend, He always spoils me and reminds me of His undying love for me. Recently, He blessed me with a full-time position at my place of employment!

For the six months I have been at Children's Hospital, I have been a casual employee. One week I would work thirty hours, the next week would be six. One day I would work first shift. The next day I worked second. My schedule was crazy and I was not getting enough hours to make ends meet.

Before the full-time position was posted to the public, it was posted internally. I competed with six other people for the position. The hours were perfect and the wage was right. I so wanted the job. However, the six others I had to compete with had way more seniority than I. I had a good work ethic and good attitude but was still quite new.

Nonetheless, God is bigger than our accomplishments, seniority, ability and ideas. He blessed me with then position I desired and needed. He is so good.  "I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread" (Psalm 37:25) He is true to His word and never lets us down! Thankful for a God who cares!

More to Music Than What Meets the Ears

Walking through the halls of Children's Hospital the other day, I heard the beautiful voice of a young woman singing to a patient as she strummed on her guitar. I was not able to make out the words of her song, but the melody of pure voice and guitar sounded so beautiful.

Often, music therapy students volunteer at Children's Hospital and sing to the patients or play instruments for them. It is amazing how music has the power to heal. I was reminded of how David played for Saul. (1 Samuel 16:23) Saul was tormented by a spirit, but David's harp playing brought him comfort.


Music refreshes the soul and brings peace.

However, music is more powerful than we think...

Music was originally intended to worship God. (Heb 1:6)
It is also meant to be encouraging to the church body and can be used to uplift the spirit. (Is 61:3)

Unfortunately, the enemy perverts music. We know there is more out there than just worship music. There is rock, soul, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, dubstep, you name it. Not all of these varieties give glory to God. In fact, from the ones I mentioned, NONE give glory to God. The original purpose of music was twisted by Lucifer himself. Long before the Earth was formed, Satan was the angel of music. (Ezekiel 28:12-25 Satan is referred to as the Prince/King of Tyrus) As the angel of music, Lucifer's job was to lead the angels in worship. He was heaven's worship leader. Imagine such an honor. Not to mention, he was one of the most decadent angels in heaven, until one day when he decided he wanted to be God. Satan was stripped of his title and cast into hell, along with his minions. (Luke 10:18)

This is the part where music went wrong...

Satan was no longer heaven's worship leader, nor did he care to be since he thought he should be God. In revenge, the devil took music and distorted it. Satan's music talks about sin and does not glorify God. Songs about greed, lust, passion, murder, anger, hate, and revenge do not comply with God's word. Not only do such songs have a bad message, but that message gets imprinted into the forefront of the mind. If the listener thinks he/she can listen to such music and not be affected, he/she is dead wrong.

Listening to crummy music affects your mood more than you think. Try listening to a happy song. It is hard to be angry without a reason if you are listening to happy, bouncy music. Try listening to a sad song. Even if you have no reason to be sad, this music sure can affect your mood and make you feel almost depressed! Music has a powerful influence on our attitude and behavior.

The Bible says what you store in your heart is what is going to come out (Luke 6:45). If you store music that does not glorify God, as well as other icky things, you are not going to bring forth good fruits. If you store God's word in your heart and pure, godly music, and other godly things, you will produce good fruits and abstain from sin (Psalm 119:11).

Let us only allow our ears to hear things that are pure and good (Philippians 4:8). This is pleasing to God. Do not even give ungodly music a chance. I do not think it is ironic that ungodly music can so easily get stuck in your head. Once you give in to that type of music, it is so hard to steer clear from it.

God help us to clean out our iPods and clean out our hearts. Helps us to glorify you in our hearts and in our song.

Power on Our Knees

We are strongest when we are on our knees...

Angels are unleashed for battle
Demons are conquered, giants are slain
Satan flees

Miracles happen, faith is encouraged
Our spirit is uplifted, our soul is connected
Souls are birthed into the kingdom

Tears are collected in a holy vial
Prayers go up as sweet incense
Blessings come down

We have conquered
We have won
The victory is ours
Because we are strongest on our knees
(2.26.13)