Music Monday: "Jesus Is Coming Back" by Jordan Feliz [featuring Mandisa & others]

 Music Monday: "Jesus Is Coming Back" by Jordan Feliz [featuring Mandisa & others]

As many of you know, I have been working on a book manuscript for over ten years now; my mom has joined the cause to help me complete it. It hasn't been an easy task, editing my words in the midst of trying to finish the last two chapters via voice recognition. That's what I've been up to this last week.

I am looking forward to The Greater Things virtual conference at the end of this week. Hopefully, it will motivate me to be "around" creative people who use their talents to serve the Lord.

I have noticed how easy it is for me to write short blogs with biblical content, but it's harder to write longer, more cohesive chapters.

This Monday, I want to encourage you not to give up. God's given us certain talents or abilities to help each other on their faith journey – don't discount yours. You might be the only introduction to the Lord that person has EVER!

Colossians 3: 23-24 reminds us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving,"

For we know we don't belong here; we are just travelers passing through on our way home. As 1 Peter 2:11 tells us, "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain number six from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul."

For that reason, we must stay alert, realizing that we face challenges, not of this world meant to leave us without faith. That's why we must dress for battle utilizing the pieces of armor that God has given us to defeat the evil one. Ephesians 6: 12 tells us, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Interested in learning how to dress more adequately for battle, you can read Ephesians 6:13-18.

You can access Jordan Feliz's "Jesus Is Coming Back" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrOnOLFh7Co

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Friday: "American Idol" Contestant with Austim Brings Judges to Tears

Welcome back,

Since I am preparing to do another interview next week, I thought I'd make this another "fun" Friday- highlighting another American Idol contestant.

American Idol does it again, encouraging young artists to go for their dreams despite whatever fears they may have. 28-year-old Sam Finelli sang his own rendition of Kasey Musgrove's "rainbow"; during the audition, Sam also opened up about his struggles with autism and interacting in social situations. He even wondered if he was "good enough" for the show. The judges' answer was a standing ovation and three yeses to the next round. Please take time to watch this YouTube. It proves that handicaps are not always seen as disadvantages but as "gifts."

Wisdom Wednesday: A Prayer for Wisdom

 A Prayer for Wisdom

Submitted by Debbie’s Dad

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (NASB95)

 

In today’s verse, Paul opens his epistle to the believers at Philippi, dear friends he had not seen for a decade and yearned to see again. Paul was about 800 miles away, in a Roman Jail in chains. Yet he wanted the believers at the churches in Philippi to know how he loved them and how he prayed for them.

In the verses preceding these 3 verses, Paul tells them he thanks God whenever he remembers them and joyfully prays for them constantly (verse 3). Paul has them in his heart and affectionately longs for them (verses 7 and 8). He even considers them co-participants to share the Gospel message (verse 5).

After those introductions, He tells them what he is praying for them in verses 9-11—he prays for three things:

First, He Prays for Abounding Love in Wisdom

Paul prays that their love will abound (overflow) because of their growing personal knowledge (Greek epignosis, a much-used word in the New Testament) of God, and their insight [Greek aisthēsis - this is the only use of this word in the New Testament) into His Ways. This is true wisdom – to know God and his ways! The world will know us by our love – a love founded in wisdom – knowing God personally and knowing His ways.

Next, He prays for Fruitfulness.

This love will enable us to discern the best things to do and live sincerely and blamelessly. We will be tested, and we must determine what to choose, how to respond, what to avoid, what will glorify God, and what will grieve Him. This is a lifelong challenge to remain sincere and pure in all we do. As Paul emphasizes – “until the day of Christ.” And this life will produce righteous fruit (most are listed in the well-known passage in Galatians 5:22–23.

Finally, He prays for the Best Result.

The goal of this kind of wisdom, love, and discernment is the glory and praise of God. Our lives can produce 2 results of eternal value: 1) we can glorify God or reveal His character in our lives, and 2) we can bring praise to God by our life- redeemed from sin and willfully living in His love, discernment, and righteous living.    

The Essence of His Prayer

Looking at these three elements of Paul’s prayer in reverse, we see that he was praying for a result (God’s glory) by means of their pure, blameless, and fruitful life – all based on the wisdom of knowing God and the discernment of His ways.  

Paul’s prayer applies to us too as we grow in wisdom, abound in love, bear spiritual fruit, all to the glory and praise of God. 

 

 

Music Monday: "Christ Will Be My Hideaway" by Sovereign Grace Music

 Music Monday: "Christ Will Be My Hideaway" by Sovereign Grace Music

I'll be honest and tell you last week wasn't the greatest for me; not that anything extremely disheartening happened to my family or me because it didn't. It's just that I can handle my disability most weeks without it getting the best of me, and last week I let it win. True, my family and I have been dealing with some changes since my dad injured his arm helping workers outside and can no longer help lift me as he is going to physical therapy. So that leaves mom and my personal care assistant to pick up the slack until he gets better.

We've dealt with it pretty well, but recently I've let circumstances get the best of me, maybe because I see my parents getting older and how difficult it can be to lift me at their age. Anyway, this week other issues made life twice as difficult, and I let my eyes get fixed on my circumstances instead of on God.

So much so that I couldn't feel His Presence all week. But Matthew 28:20 reminds us that if we are Christians, Jesus will remain with us forever as he promises us, "… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Not only does God promise us that He will walk with us through our life, but He also offers us His Protection. Don't get me wrong; this doesn't automatically mean a life without suffering. We will still have to deal with the temptations of this world because of our sinful nature; however, He will protect us by only allowing what he permits. A side note here; when God lets something difficult occur, it does not mean he is evil- just that he knows the whole plan better than we do, and how we react to this situation will impact future generations better than we do. Remember, Isaiah 55:8-9 reiterates this when it states, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

 

Based on Psalm 91, this week's song "Christ Will Be My Hideaway " is by Sovereign Grace Music as part of their response to the pandemic in 2020.

You can access Sovereign Grace  Music’s video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0HCnU3V3Jw

Faithful Friday: Althea's Story: Lessons from MS

     Fifty-three-year-old Althea Damgaard knows something about writing the twists and turns of a story because she’s lived them herself. But you’d never know that by her dry wit and clever comebacks.

A Creative Soul

Growing up, all children have overreactive imaginations. Damgaard was no exception. She loved participating in whatever arts and craft activity mother had planned during their free time. At the age of seven, Damgaard wrote a crazy story about a family of cats and a bag of frog legs which wound up with live frogs jumping out of it, making illustrations to go along with her story. She continued writing her ideas in notebooks and binders from then on. They remain standing in quite a bit of cupboard space in her den.

Time for a Change

At age 33, feeling herself reeling out of control, she asked her mother for advice. During one of those late nights chats with her, she rediscovered her faith, and everything fell into place. She was dealt hard blows because of a layoff from her job and her husband filing for divorce within the first three months after turning to Jesus. These events led to a move back near family and a complete career change.

“I was at the end of my rope, and I knew I needed a drastic change [both professionally and spiritually]. Everything finally made sense, and God aligned it all like building blocks. He showed up with power that beat out any other spiritual thing that I had felt prior to accepting Jesus,” Damgaard says.

Somehow, she kept her creative soul alive in the process.

“In the mix of it all, I kept writing a variety of fiction with some non-fiction while taking classes to learn how to write better. Funny thing is, I did as much writing at work as I did on my own time since I had tons of protocols and reports to write as a quality engineer. So, I have a well-rounded knowledge of business, non-fiction, and fiction writing.”

Mystery Symptoms

Just after Thanksgiving in 2006, Damgaard began exhibiting strange symptoms of numbness and tingling on her left side. She was out of work for over four months, going to therapy to regain feeling; she even returned to martial arts after approval from her PT. In the end, she regained most of her range of motion but still had difficulty with her hand.

“I never got a proper diagnosis at that time,” she said.

Finally Diagnosed                 

         By the end of 2010, Damgaard could not make it through a work day because her body tired out too fast. Then, after the holiday weekend giving her a long rest, she gave work one last try. She lasted four hours before going on disability permanently.

In April 2011, she received the results of all the tests she went through earlier; she had multiple sclerosis.

“It was a relief to know what was really going on and have an action plan,” she says.

Although Damgaard admits the last 20 years have been more challenging than the first 33, she says she would not trade them for anything. They have made her recognize where the true source of her strength comes from- from the Lord himself.

Lessons from MS

         After living with multiple sclerosis for over 20 years, she has learned many lessons. These lessons not only pertain to having a disability but living life itself. They are as follows:

1. .  You are not an island. It is okay to ask for help. You will figure out who your people are.
2.        Disability can wind up fun if you let it. Instead of being annoyed with some things I can’t do I try to joke around about talking to my hand and it’s not listening. A sense of humor will help a lot even if some days you need to cry or scream.
3.      It’s okay to have a bad day as long as you hand it over to God. Sticking to the negative side of things just makes it worse.
4.        Taking that typing class at 15 and all that typing since has paid off. Even with a numb and tingly left hand that doesn’t feel the keys right, muscle memory for the win.
5.        Multiple Sclerosis is an invisible disability, at least for me. I still walk around fine, look like I do things fine, and a lot of people around me have no idea. It’s okay that they don’t know or those that do know, that they don’t understand. You figured out who your people are and they are the ones that keep you going. (See #1)

Music Monday: "For Such A Time As This (Esther's Song) by Marty Goetz and Misha

 Music Monday: "For Such A Time As This (Esther's Song) by Marty Goetz and Misha

I have to be honest in today's Music Monday; I can't take all the credit. My dad pointed out to me. Not only is it a brilliant duet between father and daughter about what Esther might contemplate before going to the king and asking him to pardon her people-the Jews-from death. But I believe we can also glean a few more gems from this song.

Like the Jews in Esther's time, the Ukrainians are fighting for their lives. I don't watch the news, but I can't help seeing pictures and videos of the destruction occurring overseas. It forced people to flee their homes to save their lives; they have two choices- seek shelter in one of the few bomb shelters around the city, hoping their home will survive, or flee their home country with the dream of a fresh start.

I'll admit it's hard to watch or listen to what is going on over in Ukraine. Still, it should give us an even deeper appreciation for the freedoms that we have. At the same time, we are standing in solidarity with the Ukrainians hoping to maintain their freedom. Yes, their homes may get destroyed, but they can always rebuild. What no one can take away is their spirit, for their country, their freedom, and their faith

This doesn't mean they aren’t afraid, emotions are natural and a part of the human experience. Franklin D Roosevelt once said, “Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the reassessment that something else is more important than fear,”

You can access Marty and Misha's video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSACa4bEPLY

 

 

 

 

Faithful Friday: A Mother's perspective

Dear Reader,

 

Before I introduce today’s Faithful Friday topic and guest, I would like to explain some things. When I first came up with the idea of “Faithful Friday,” I had every intention of highlighting people I knew (personally and/or professionally) that have been true to their faith despite life’s circumstances. I have always wanted this to be an open forum where readers can share their opinions and perspectives; this blog isn’t a place for me to air my personal feelings unless I believe they will help my readers and/or their parents learn from my experiences.

Lately, I have been conducting my interviews by submitting questions to the interviewee and conversing back and forth, and then writing an article based on those questions. Today, I wanted to try something a little different. If you like what I’ve done on this post and would like video/audio interviews to continue, tell me!

So, without further ado, here is my video interview with Christina Custodio. I first “met” Christina while attending She Writes For Him conference virtually over two years ago; with her hilarious sense of humor and authentic openness, she doesn’t hold back when reminding other authors of the importance of telling your story: the one God’s given you. I continued to follow her Facebook page and speaker page and was intrigued further when I heard about a book she was publishing regarding her family’s life- altering journey. I will try and give you the short version (even though she goes into more detail in the interview below- and her words are way more impactful than mine believe me)

Christina’s book, When God changed His Mind chronicles her 44 day- stay in the hospital with her son Isaiah as he recovers from surgery after a brain bleed leaves him unresponsive and near-death.

Take it away, Christina!

Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom and The Law

                                                            Wisdom and the Law                                                    

Submitted by Debbie’s Dad

 

Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ Deuteronomy 4:5–6 (NKJV).

 

The Israelite nation was uniquely given the law of statutes and judgments by God, and in this passage in Deuteronomy. Moses reminded them as they were about to enter the Land God gave to them. He told them:

• To keep the commandments the Lord gave to them in order to live and possess the Land He gave to them (verses 1-4 preceding our passage)
•  To obey (act according; observe) or live within the guidance provided by the law (verse 5)
•  To observe them because this is the basis of the wisdom and understanding they would possess to live
•    And this wisdom and understanding would be observed by the surrounding nations and recognize them as great nation because of their observance.

 

Israel was unique among the nations that it served the One Creator God and lived according to the guidance of the Law that He gave to them. In the following verses, Moses further reminds them their God is close them, and accessible that they may call on Him for their needs. (verse7).

 This was their wisdom and understanding – to live by principles given by God that were both spiritual (their relationship to God) and moral (their relationship to others).  The fundamental commandments where organized this way; the first 5 of the ten commands address the sole commitment to God, His name, His day of rest, and the parents he gives to each of us; the second five address our relationship to others.  Jesus acknowledged these two aspects of the commandments when he was asked which was the great commandments in the Law:

 

 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:374-40 (NKJV)

 Perhaps the greatest proclamation of this truth is in 119^th Psalm which begins with. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! (Verse 1; NKJV). The chapter further exclaims, that, learning and committing the law to our heart helps protect us from sin (vv. 9-11), knowledge of the law is a comfort and hope in times of affliction (vv. 49-56), the law gives wisdom (wiser that our adversaries) and understanding (more than our teachers) (vv. 97-100), and that the understanding of the law keeps us from walking onto evil ways (vv. 101-104).

 

This concept of obedience to God’s Word certainly applies today – it gives us the wisdom to live rightly before God and the understanding to live apply God’s wisdom to walk in this world protected from sin and diverting to evil ways, and in comfort and hope in the face of diversity.   From

Music Monday: " She Used To Be Mine" by Sara Bareilles

Music Monday: " She Used To Be Mine" by Sara Bareilles

As most of you know, American Idol is celebrating its 20^th year on  television. I know you probably looked at my last post, which highlighted another contestant on the show, Cole Hallman and his sister. Today, I would like to highlight Nicolina Buzzo's song version. It touched me because I wonder if I'm going into the person God intends me to be

I know that theme from Waitress isn't an obvious choice, but it shows how imperfect we are as in this world. But, wait…. Didn't God change all of that because of the work he did for us on the cross? The simple is yes.

God changed us from the inside out. Our experiences in this world continue to shape us, and we are different people because of God's transforming work on the cross. That doesn't mean this life will be an easy one; after all, John 16:33 says, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Yesterday, our pastor continued his series on spiritual warfare, reminding us that though we are in this world, we are not of this world. Yes, we are still human and prone to give in to temptations daily; that's why God says it's important to stay alert and put on the suit of armor he gave us to protect ourselves. Every component of God's armor plays a vital role, and they don't do well independently. For more information on the armor of God, see Ephesians 6:11.

But there's good news; we aren't alone in the battle. I God is fighting for us and alongside us. He knows we will continue to struggle with this on this side of heaven. We won't be perfect until we are taken up to be with Him in heaven and given our new bodies.

To listen to Sara Bareilles' song, it can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM

 

Another "Fun" Friday Post: Cole Hallman Shares "Screen Time" with His Sister

Another "Fun" Friday Post: Cole Hallman Shares "Screen Time" with His Sister

Since I have exciting plans for the coming weeks, I'm going to highlight something special today. As many of you know, American idol is celebrating their 20th year on television. The cast has the unique ability to spot talent within a matter of minutes of meeting someone; Cole Hallman is just one example. When we first are introduced to Hallman, he is playing guitar sitting by his sister, Katy. She has a chromosome deletion disorder which affects her IQ, behavioral issues etc.. But you wouldn't know it by the way her brother interacts with her.

"... She [Katy] keeps me calm," he says

At one point, he even shares the spotlight with his sister singing parts of the song "You Can't Always Get What You Want" as a duet