Everyone Gets to Play - sermon/message link

Our family has been part of the Vineyard Association of Churches for 26 years now.  I love and appreciate many distinctives of the the Vineyard (the main and the plain, doing the stuff), and 'Everyone Gets to Play' is something I feel passionately about.

Many Vineyard church will celebrate 'Back to Church' Sunday this week, Sept 9, 2018, with the theme of 'Everyone Gets to Play.' I had the opportunity to cast some vision and share my passion with my church family this past week.  Link is below :-)

Everyone Gets to Play, Sept 2, 2018

New Horizon Vineyard, Rowlett, TX

Still. Still. Still.

Still

 #oneword2018

(Verses inspired by the Austrian carol/lullaby, ‘Still, Still, Still’, as played by The Piano Guys.)

Still. Still. Still.

Come away and rest in My love.

No longer scramble; grasp hold of my hand.

Climb up next to Me in My light.

All that you bear is not yours to carry.

Trade yours for Mine for My yoke is light.

Still. Still. Still.

Come away and rest in My love.

Still. Still. Still.

All I ask you to give is your time.

Turn aside from demands and allow Me to love you.

You're tired and you're weary, I see.

Sit in the stillness; listen for My voice.

Quiet your soul and just breathe so deep.

Still. Still. Still.

Come away and be quiet with Me.

Lent 2017 - Day 13 - Isaiah 24:14 - Sing

"They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the Lord they shout from the west.  Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; in the coastland of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.  From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One."

In the midst of chaos there is praise.  In the midst of darkness there is singing.  Literally in the middle of this chapter describing utter destruction --- this:
-lifting up voices
-singing for joy
-shouting
-giving glory
-singing praises

Today I'm down and discouraged, grieving losses of friendships, relationships, a few hopes and dreams.  In the midst I hear ...

Praise. Lift up your voice. Sing. Shout.

Not because anything is different or because change is guaranteed.  Not as a magic spell conjuring a change in circumstances.  Not in order to regain what I've lost. So why then? What is there to praise?

The majesty of the Lord.  The constant. The reliable. The unchangable.

The focus transfers off of me and on to The One who does not change or waver.  The focus transfers off the temporal and on to the eternal.

And so I sing.

Lent 2017 - Day 12 - Isaiah 22:22 Shall

"He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open." Isaiah 22:22

There is comfort in this for me.  It reminds me of why I can trust.  When the Lord says He's doing something, it's done; no one can prevent it.

When the Lord decrees that a person will do something, it's done.  No one, no circumstances, can prevent someone from carrying out something God decreed.  This comforts me because it reminds me that someone is in control in this out of control world.

Lord, I'm grateful I can KNOW your purposes will be carried out.  Help me to remember when I can't see any signs of anyone being in control.  Help me to trust when fear or grief tries to step in between me and my Savior.  I pray I can also take part, can do what the Father is doing, and be one of those that opens and shuts at the Lord's direction.

Lent 2017 - Day 11 - Isaiah 18:3 - When

Day 11 - Isaiah 18:3 - When

"When a banner is raised on the mountains, look! When a trumpet sounds, listen!" ESV
"As soon as a standard is raised ... you will see it, as soon as a turret is blown, you will hear it" NASB

Two translations of the same verse say very different things to me.  (Imagine if I could read Hebrew!)

When --- look! When --- listen! That says to me, 'Pay attention!' Look for what is going on.  It echoes a verse my husband is dwelling on, "The son does only what he sees the Father doing." (John 5:19)  I want to see what You're doing! I don't want to miss it because I'm distracted elsewhere.  I want to be tuned in.

As soon as --- you will. This is different and reassuring.  It is less challenge issued and more confidence inspired.  I hear in this, "My child, don't worry.  Walk with me, and you won't miss a thing." Why does that touch me? The Lord is saying, "You're with me; you're part of this project.  You won't miss it because you're in the midst of it."

When we're loading in at the theater (for my son's drama group), I see when the set walls are constructed.  I'm there, game on, part of the show.  No one has to tell me to pay attention. This is the picture of life with God.

I fear at times that I require the 'Look! Listen! Pay attention!" I'm in awe at the thought that I can walk with God . "My child, as soon as ... you'll see it. Don't fear you'll miss Me.  You won't."

Lent 2017 - Day 10 - Isaiah 12:3 - Draw

"Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

I respond to this image with yearning, emotion and confusion.  I find it beautiful in a magnetic way.  But what does it mean?

'Joyously' is the only part I understand on the surface.  I picture smiles, enthusiasm and energy.

'Draw water.' When I think of water I think life, refreshing, sustaining. Jesus offers living water so we would never thirst again. If I'm never thirsting, does that means longing is fulfilled? In Matthew, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall see God." I equate thirsting and drawing water with seeing and knowing God.

'Springs of salvation.' Springs to me means a never ending supply that does not run dry. There must be a source for the springs of salvation. Jesus = salvation = living water. Salvation provides for us what we need.  I can't save myself anymore that I can create water.  I go to the source and draw.  I take something to put the water in or I drink right there.  (If I have something to put it in I can share it!)

Joyous! This is life!! There is joy in this walk with Jesus.  Joy in the presence of living water.  Joy in refreshing.