Lord, I Pantoum You

Lord, the only Lord, I pantoum You.

Jesus, my God and God alone.

I’m filled with awe and wonder anew

as I bow before Your throne.

 

Jesus, my God and God alone.

The Lord of heaven had a great plan.

He truly desired to make Himself known

and took on the form of a man.

 

The Lord of heaven had a great plan.

He gave to earth His very best.

In God’s mind, before time began

He made a way that all could be blessed.

 

He gave to earth His very best,

bled, suffered, died to take away my shame,

with supreme, faithful love that stood the test.

I weep with joy as I praise His name.

 

Bled, suffered, died to take away my shame.

I’m filled with awe and wonder anew.

I weep with joy as I praise His name.

Lord, the ony Lord, I pantoum You!

5/14/18

The pantoum consists of a series of quatrains rhyming ABAB in which the second and fourth lines of a quatrain recur as the first and third lines in the succeeding quatrain; each quatrain introduces a new second rhyme as BCBC, CDCD. The first line of the series recurs as the last line of the closing quatrain, and third line of the poem recurs as the second line of the closing quatrain, rhyming ZAZA.

Ephesians 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

 

John_20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Revelation_13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

1Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

 

Hebrews 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 

 

 

 

 

 

Piano Player In The Making

Yesterday was Trinity’s first time ever to play the piano during worship service! In case you don’t know, Trin is the young lady to the left. Her good friend and schoolmate Sasha is on the right. I wasn’t able to get a picture of Trin playing, because I was on the platform at the same time praise singing.

I wanted to let everyone know that she did a great job! I know it can be intimidating and make one nervous doing something for the first time in front of a group of people, but I’m glad she took the plunge, and I am proud of her. It’s encouraging to see young people that will let God use them, whether it be playing an instrument, singing, witnessing to a friend, praying with someone in the altar, etc.,etc. I love the young people of our church. They are not perfect(but then again, who is?), but they are striving to live for God, and I’m very thankful and blessed to see growth in their lives. What a precious thing it is to be able to serve God in your youth!

What An Amazing Trip!

On January 21, my husband and I were privileged to be able to take our third trip to the country of Peru. This excursion was going to be a little different for us, because our primary purpose in going was to get some much needed dental work done for a lot less money.

This is hubby with our Peruvian dentist, Dr. Nelson Junes. I’m probably going to be dead meat for posting this picture, but this is the only one we had of the dentist. I had a dental exam, deep cleaning, 3 root canals and 3 crowns inserted. My husband had a lot more work done on his teeth than I did. I’m so thankful for the help from the Nix family in helping us communicate with the dentist. I know some Spanish, but I just haven’t reached that level……………….yet. Our dentist was very kind, and God opened a door of witness to him. He allowed his 12 year old son to come to the youth camp that was going on while we were there. His wife and sister-in-law(she also works in the dentist’s office)came and visited one of the evening services at the camp as well. If you think of it, please mention this dentist and family in your prayers. We would love to see God add them to His church!

We were privileged to be in Peru during the time of their National Conference. Rev. Rick Treece and Revered Kelly Patrick were the speakers this year, and they did an outstanding job. There was a wonderful move of the Holy Ghost in every service. The two men in the photos above are pastors from a Trinitarian organization that received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Gloria a Dios!

The evening before the conference started they had their Bible college graduation. I know I’m kind of biased, but the speaker that they had for the graduation was really tremendous. It was my husband! 🙂

The week after the National Conference was the youth camp for ages 12-35. Brother Carl Brown and his son Preston were the preachers/teachers, and they were greatly used of God. The young people’s response to the Word of God was beautiful. There were altar services that went on for an hour or longer. What a blessing it was to see new dedications and consecrations made to the Lord!

 

I have to take a break for now, but I hope to post more about our trip soon. There is some updated info on La Aventura de la Gringa page also.

 

A Not So Silent Night

Silent Night, the songwriter wrote,
but that’s not what I think.
I believe those barnyard animals
in more ways than one, raised a stink.

Though they may not be as advanced as man,
and some say that they are dumb,
I can’t help but surmise that those creatures knew
to their stable, the Creator had come.

To that Babe lying in a manger
what homage could they pay?
The cows could moo, the horses whinny,
and the donkeys could loudly bray.

It’s so irreverent of you, some do say
to sing so loudly and shout,
but I can’t help but lift my voice in praise
since from sin I have been brought out.

You might think it’s just grand to sit in the pew
with your silent pomp and your poise
but pardon me while I rear back my head
and let out a joyful noise.

You say you are not the emotional kind,
but at football games you scream and yell.
I can’t help but let out a mighy roar
for my soul has been saved from hell.

I can’t stop you from quiet meditation
if that is in what you delight,
but I guarantee when you come to my church
it won’t be a silent night.

12/7/17

Wondrous Joy!

O wondrous joy, Holy Ghost joy

descends upon my soul

discouragement,  it does destroy

again, I am made whole

of Your glory no tongue can tell

while drinking from salvation’s well

Of Your glory

Of Your glory

as in Your presence, I do dwell.

 

O wondrous joy, Holy Ghost joy

saturates  my being

God’s praises, my tongue does employ

despair  swiftly fleeing

from  deep within the well does flow

the  wonder on my face does show

from  deep within

from  deep within

His help, he does bestow.

 

O wondrous joy, Holy Ghost joy

joy beyond compare

blessed above measure to enjoy

Your beauty, O so rare

down in my heart, a change takes place

as I receive a touch of grace

down in my heart

down in my heart

new strength to run this race!

 

3/27/17

This type of poem is called a Trijan Refrain. Click the link to see how to write one.

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/trijanrefrain.html

Isaiah 12:2,3  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

 

John 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 

Psalm 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

 

 

 

What A Name!

I received this from a friend this past week and thought it was worth sharing. I’m so glad I know that WONDERFUL NAME!!

 

JESUS, WHAT A NAME!

I have….

sung it….in

worship

yelled it…….in revival

screamed it……in

danger

shouted it……in

victory

whispered it……to

the sinner, the sick

and the dying

crooned it…….to my

children

gasped it……in pain

groaned it……in

travail

murmured it…..in

despair

breathed it……in

panic

sobbed it….in terror

moaned it…..in

sorrow

muttered it…..in

failure

whimpered it…..in

self-loathing

whined it…..in

failure

wailed it….in real

and imaginary affronts

wept it…….in

repentance

laughed it…….in

forgiveness

stammered it….in

astonishment

thought it…..when

speech was

prohibited and

scoffing was the

order of the day.

 

And in every tone

of voice known to man

IT WORKS!!!

 

Molly Thompson(deceased former missionary)

 

 

 

 

 

No, Don’t Let Him Out!!

Wait a minute, what are you doing? You can’t go out there. Stay inside the church, right where you are supposed to worship God. If you go out there, people are going to see you, and worse yet, they’re going to hear you. Aren’t you embarrassed? What are the folks driving by going to think of you? You know, you might get in trouble with the city. If you’re too loud out here, somebody could file a complaint against you.  People are going to think you are really weird when they see you lifting your hands and clapping your hands. This just isn’t normal Sunday behavior, you know.

 

I’m sure the devil would have liked to interject these thoughts or similar ones into our minds, but he did not prevail. I can’t explain everything that happened in church today, but God definitely wanted us to break outside of our building and worship Him out in the open.  It was exhilirating and liberating.  Thinking about it later, I wish the Oakley Press had driven by and taken some pictures.  However, being on the main drag of town, there were plenty of cars that drove by, and I can’t help but think that there was someone out there that needed to see people who were not ashamed to worship God.  Perhaps there will be some whose curiosity was so piqued by what they saw that they will feel compelled to come and  find out more.

The early church didn’t limit God to a churchhouse. They met in homes, by the river, on the streets and just about anywhere.  This is what the Bible has to say about Jesus’ disciples after He had resurrected and appeared to them.

MarK 16:19,20

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

I do believe in having a place of worship where we can meet on a consistent and regular basis, but I don’t want to be guilty of confining God to 4 walls. Neither do I want to keep Jesus locked in my heart, where nobody else can see Him, but I want to open my mouth more and tell others just how good He has been to me. Lord, we heard you loud and clear today, and we are letting you out!

You Might Be In A Lively Apostolic Church If

 

 

 

 

 

 

there are scuff marks on the baseboards in the sanctuary. Apostolic worship is exuberant. Sometimes it’s so exuberant that people run around the aisles in worship to the Lord. If you really get going and the momentum is building, you may take a corner a little too fast, and thus, leave a scuff mark.

Having been raised Catholic, when I first visited a Pentecostal church, I was scared to death. I was taught that worship was a quiet silent thing, but when I began studying the Bible, I found that that was not the case. Meditation is a quiet, silent time, but praise and worship is active.

Psalm 47:1

 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.> O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalm 134:2

 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

   Psa 149:3Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

 1Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

 

I’ve known people before who thought it was silly and ridiculous to get all excited about God. Sometimes you see people at sporting events go absolutely ballistic when their team scores a touchdown or homerun or goal. Folks can jump out of their seats and send popcorn or soda flying everywhere, and people think nothing of it. Why should I get excited about God? He only shed His blood on the cross for my sins, forgave me, gave me a hope of going to Heaven, has given me righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, etc. etc. etc.  Jesus is worthy to be praised!

The Bible says to praise Him according to His excellent greatness. (Psalm 150:2) I don’t think I can really do that while I’m here on this earth. That’s something that is going to take all of eternity to do, but while I’m here on this terra firma, I certainly want to try to do that, and as long as I’m physically able, I’m going to enjoy the practice! 🙂

Fear Not Little Flock

Last Thursday as my daughter and I were in the front of the church leading in praise and worship, I opened my eyes and looked out on the small group of people in attendance. Generally, I keep my eyes closed quite a bit when leading in songs for a couple of reasons. First of all, it helps me to focus my thoughts more on the Lord, who is the One I am supposed to have my mind on in the first place. Second of all, there is less of a chance for distraction or discouragement with my eyes closed. When we first started the church here a little over 6 years ago, I often felt very conspicuous leading in worship. Starting a church from scratch, we had people coming that had not received teaching on praise and worship, so it was kind of unsettling when I did open my eyes to see folks looking at me with blank stares. Thankfully, that kind of response is not the norm anymore. This past Thursday as I opened my eyes and looked out on the congregation, I saw almost everybody participating in worship. I was blessed to see that their eyes were closed and their hands were uplifted as they focused their full attention on giving God praise and glory. As I watched my brothers and sisters in Christ, I thought about the various trials that they are presently facing. Some are going through difficult financial situations, others are facing serious marriage problems and some are dealing with discouraging health issues. I felt blessed though to see that in the midst of their struggles, these good folks are still lavishing praise upon the Lord. As I mused upon these things, a Scripture came to my mind.

 

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

I wasn’t sure at the time why this Scripture came to mind, but later I started looking up more Scriptures that have to do with the kingdom.

 

The book of Romans states in chapter 14 and verse 17,

 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

Here at our church, we still believe and teach as the apostles did in the book of Acts in receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. If you have ever received this wondrous gift, you know that it is a gift that keeps on giving. As we worship God, He is gracious to impart more of that righteousness, peace and joy that come with being filled with His Spirit and having a relationship with Him.

 

Will God save us from all of our financial difficulties, health problems and trials that come our way? He certainly is able to, but sparing us from all adversity may not accomplish His purpose in our lives. Sometimes God would have us to walk through a valley for a season in order to teach us something we could not learn otherwise.

 

No, God will not save us from all of our troubles, but as a wise elder preacher I know once said, “ He will save us in our troubles.” I believe He does this by allowing us to partake of that spiritual kingdom that is mentioned in Romans. There’s just something about the Holy Ghost that gives us power to go on, even when circumstances in our lives are not the greatest. No matter how dark things may get, we don’t have to be afraid if we’ll just keeping giving God the praise and allow the Holy Ghost to produce that joy, peace and rest that we need so much. Thank you, Jesus!

Faith Brethren and Invisible Choirs

Acts 16:25 

 

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

 

 

It was pretty unconventional for Paul and Silas to be praying and singing praises to God in prison. After all, they had just received a beating prior to be thrown in the slammer, and physically, they were probably in a lot of pain. Perhaps they wondered why God would allow them to be thrown into prison for doing something good; casting a demon out of a young lady. Nevertheless, although they weren’t in a nice church building with comfortable pews and talented musicians, they began through their discomfort to praise God. God responded to their worship in a marvelous way. An earthquake came, and all the prison doors flew open. The jailer, seeing that all the prisoners could get away, and knowing that he would lose his job and be dead meat himself, took out his sword and was ready to take his life. Paul, seeing what was about to happen shouted out to the man not to harm himself, assuring him that none of the prisoners had fled. The jailer, in fear and trembling, then falls down and asks what he must do to be saved. Paul and Silas share the Word of God with this man, and we see him and his whole family getting baptized! You just never know what God will do when you begin to praise Him. Marvelous things can happen to you, and others will be affected also.

This past weekend, we were able to go up to Oregon to be with Pastor Joe Savala and his family. Brother Savala is straight as an arrow when it comes to preaching and teaching Biblical doctrine, yet I have seen him on occasion approach some things in a way that most would consider “unconventional.”  How many people do you know that will go up to empty chairs in their churches, stick out their hand and say, “Well praise the Lord, brother/sister! It’s so good to see you today.” Silly you might say, but perhaps someone will be inspired to pray and invite others to the house of God so that those seats will be filled. 

Sunday evening we had an awesome move of God. The pastor announced that the choir was going to sing. This church is smaller and does not have enough people for a choir.(at least, not yet) The “choir” was actually a CD of a very good, lively, worshipful choir. People began to worship, and the spirit of God began to minister in that service. Here are a few pictures from Sunday night.

Cassie and Alex with his mom, praying at the altar.

Two good men of this church praying with young Alex.

Pastor Savala with his daughter – praying, weeping and worshipping together. This is priceless to me!

The best part of all – Alex received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues!

 

I’m thankful for the wonderful things God did this weekend. While we were away, there was also a young girl named Jocelyn that received the Holy Ghost in our Thursday night service. Praise God!