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Hosanna

Posted on April 12, 2009 by auburnchick

Easter Sunday…the holiest of holidays for a Believer.

On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior, who died for our sins.

This is a gift, given NOT to make our lives on earth easier but to save us from spending an eternity in Hell…due punishment for our sin, which God abhors.

We sang “Hosanna” today at church.  Before posting this, I looked up the Greek definition for “hosanna.”  Here’s what I found at this site:

The Greek form of the Hebrew phrase hoshana, “hosanna” was the term used by the people to acclaim Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In Psalm 118:25, it is translated “save now” and, as in the gospels, is followed by the phrase “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Psalm 118 was used liturgically at the Feast of Tabernacles, and verse 25 was the cue for the waving of the palm branches. In the NT and later rabbinic Judaism, the phrase no longer denoted a prayer for safety and success but rather a proclamation of religious enthusiasm coupled with the waving of palm branches. By the end of the 1st century A.D. the term had become merely an utterance of praise and exaltation in the Christian liturgy.

God is SO good!  He knew we would choose to disobey His commandments, and He knew the torment of hell, so He provided a substitute to stand in our place.  What a merciful God we have!  We should be shouting Hosanna at the top of our lungs!!

Every time I sing this song, I have a vision of Jesus returning on a magnificent horse to reclaim His kingdom.  It’s a powerful image.

I hope you’ll enjoy the video below.  Feel free to sing along as I’ve posted the words below.

Being around the youth, the third verse strikes an emotional cord.  I am watching the youth grow up…many with a desire to serve Him.  Guy Friend wants to be a youth pastor.  Chicky was involved in the Bible Study in the library at school last week (remember my post from that day?).

God is SO good.

Hosanna

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees

[Chorus]

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 from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Solace is a Matter of Perspective

Posted on April 9, 2009 by auburnchick

This evening, while watching the news, I saw the sad story of Angels’ baseball pitcher, Nick Adenhart, dying tragically in a car crash.  You can read an article about it by clicking this link.

A quick synopsis…

This young man was a mere 22 years old.  Last night, he pitched the game of his life after starting only four times in the majors.  Big stuff, I tell you.  After the game, he was out with friends when the car he was riding in was hit by another vehicle.  He later died during surgery.

Another young life, cut down in its prime.  I felt great sadness.

Adenhart’s manager was interviewed, and he said that the one thing that brought him the most comfort was the fact that this young man died after achieving his life’s goal…to become a major league baseball player.

That statement saddened me for some reason.

That someone would find solace in what a person had accomplished just makes me sad.

Whenever I find out that someone has passed away, one of the first things I think about (aside from sympathy for the family and friends left behind) is if the person had a relationship with God…did that person repent of their sins?

When I hear of a Christian brother or sister’s passing, I find solace in that knowledge…that they are safe within God’s loving arms.

I did not find such comfort at the passing of my dad.  Sure, he was a wonderful man…very generous, funny, and knowledgeable.

BUT (capital letters intended), I had a profound sadness that I did not know the state of his soul.  I’m pretty sure that he rejected God.  He had accused the church of being a cult during some of our last conversations.

I wonder why Im feeling so emotional about this particular young man’s passing?  It’s probably because I’ve been listening to The Way of the Master and, lately, been reading The School of Biblical Evangelism, a book written by the founders of the ministry.  You’ve seen some of the clips I’ve posted here.  The ministry espouses using the Law (i.e. the 10 Commandments) to bring a person to an awareness of his sinful nature, impending judgment, and redeeming work of the Savior.

I can’t help but ask the following questions…

Did anyone present the Law and then God’s grace to this baseball player?  Did anyone witness to my dad?  How many opportunities did I and do I miss every day?

It is a responsibility that Christians must take seriously so that, when we hear of a passing, we can find solace in the eternal heights attained by the person, not the earthly (and temporary).

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4 Guys, 1 Girl, and a Bible

Posted on April 9, 2009 by auburnchick

I think the kids have decided that they like my working at the school.  I mean, how many students can text their moms, on their lunch breaks, and special-order lunch?

For two days straight, Soccer Chick has done just this.  It goes something like this, “Peanut butter sandwich and some pretzels please?”

Sure thing.  No problem.  One of the hats I wear is Short Order Cook.

My plan was to return to my classroom and text Chicky to let her know I was back, with her sandwich.  The classroom I was assigned to today was located in the media center.

As I walked in, I saw Chicky sitting at a table with a group of friends.  We joked a littlet as she grabbed her food from the sack.  I then left to make a quick stop in the teacher’s lounge.

When I walked back through the tables, en-route to my classroom, I was going to give a quick wave to Chicky; however, what I saw made me pause, hand in mid-air.

Chicky (the lone girl) and her friends (four guys) were at the table, eyes closed, Bibles open in front of them.

Yep.

They were having a Bible study…right in the middle of the library…and praying…right in the middle of the library…right in the middle of lunch time.

Pretty impressive, eh?

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Expressing Your Femininity

Posted on April 7, 2009 by auburnchick

Once again, True Woman ’08 put out a very convicting post about the Biblical way to express your femininity.

I’ve gotta tell you that I’ve always had a problem with Point #2 – submitting to my husband.  And boy has this led to many, many problems in my marriage.  I’m really not liking the posts this month.  However, God’s refining fire is not there to tickle and make us laugh.  It’s mean to reveal the impurity in our hearts so that it can be removed, through God’s grace.

When I think of this, I’m reminded of something I learned many years ago, when I attended a Kay Arthur Bible study.  The process of refining silver was described, in detail.  The image is of silver being boiled, and the impurities rising to the top, where a worker took a ladle-like tool and skimmed the impurities from the precious metal below.  This process cannot happen without the fire.  God’s Word is the fire that convicts us of our sin, bringing it to mind so that it can be dealt with.

Whoever said that being a Christian is easy sure didn’t walk the walk, eh?  It’s tough, painful, and requires much introspection and prayer.

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Woman…as God Intended

Posted on April 6, 2009 by auburnchick

Today, as I was getting caught up on the blogs I’m subscribed to in Google Reader, I was struck by the posting on True Woman.  The post is titled “Plastic Womanhood.”

It’s good…certainly worthy of reading.  I hope you’ll take the time to click the link above.

God’s purpose for woman is so contrary to the ideal that the world puts forth.

Two weeks ago, I was struck by the ickiness (for lack of a better word) when I watched Celebrity Apprentice.

During the episode, Donald Trump made a very nasty comment to one of the models on the show.  I don’t know if you saw it, but if you did, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  I won’t repeat it here because it was so disgusting.  I was struck by the fact that he made this comment with both of his adult children sitting beside him…one of whom is a female.  I wonder…would he have appreciated another man making such a comment toward his daughter?

Yuck.

After hearing that, I decided to quit watching the show.  I love the challenges and have often wondered how I would do if I got to participate.  I love the fact that the money made on the celebrity episodes is donated to charity.  What I do not like is the worldliness of the show…the way the females use their sexuality to win challenges.

Anyhow, take a look at the article.  Tell me what you think.

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An Interview With Ray

Posted on March 31, 2009 by auburnchick

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch the video below.  Ray Comfort was interviewed by 60 Minutes – New Zealand.  You’ll get an interesting look into the ministry that he founded.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

39 and Not Holding

Posted on March 29, 2009 by auburnchick

Today is my birthday.  I’m 39, and no, I’m not holding.  I’m proud of each year’s milestone.

This was the view when I walked out of the house:

Not a cloud in the sky…such a difference from the last three days of dark, rainy gloom.

Although it’s a chilly 63 degrees, I couldn’t help but be filled with the joy that is supposed to be a part of “my” day.

Chicky and I went to church.  There were quite a few empty seats because of Spring Break.  There were people missing from the praise team as well.  However, the worship leader was one of my favorites.  He did a fantastic job!  God was surely in that place as we lifted our voices to Him.

The songs were especially meaningful to me given the rough few days I had last week.  Here’s one of the songs we sang:

Aaron Shust – My Savior My God
From the album Anything Worth Saying

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Chorus
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior’s always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Chorus:

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior loves, My Savior lives

The sermon that followed was quite powerful.  It was taken from 1 Corinthians 20-31 and focused on how God uses the weak to serve Him.  My pastor used the example of David and Goliath to illustrate his point.  Most people have heard the story, but if you haven’t, I invite you to open a Bible and read about it in 1 Samuel 17.  The pastor also told a story about a young man at a college who was moved to repentance…not by an Olympic weight lifter who won the gold medal who was serving the Lord, but by a man, crippled during the Vietnam War and wheelchair-bound, whose face reflected a peace in his knowledge of God.

The weak, not the strong, was used to move the young man to repentance.

I often feel like the weaker person when gathered with others.  I lack confidence in social situations and now, with my uncertain employment, am beginning to doubt myself there as well.  Even in my weakness, God will use me to glorify Him.  There is such joy in that.

One of the most inspiring moments during the sermon came when this gentleman…certainly not a spring chicken…declared that each morning when he gets up, he is excited and curious about how God will use him that day.  I wonder…do I wake up with that attitude?  To be an instrument of God, one only needs to be clean (Jesus washes away our sins) and available.  Perhaps my job loss is making me available to hear God’s voice…His will for my life.

Things to ponder…

Rooster called me after I had gotten home from church.  He’s away with the church youth group…on a mission to fix up the facility where they will go for summer camp.  The group is going to Atlanta tomorrow (Monday) to play WhirlyBall.  Just the fact that he remembered to call me meant the world to me.

I don’t know what I’m doing the rest of the day…taking it easy, working on the sock that hasn’t seen any action since early last week (understandable but still sad).

Another year older.  I’d like to think another year wiser, but I’m not so sure.  Perhaps just another year as thankful.  Thankful for last year’s blessings.  Thankful for each new day and the potential to be used by God.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

A Long Walk

Posted on March 17, 2009 by auburnchick

It was another interesting day at work.  Not bad, except for a couple of incidents.  One made me mad enough that I knew I needed to blow off steam when I got home.

So I took Molly for a walk.

It was a long walk.

I was gone for 40 minutes.

When I got home, Pele had an eager look on his face.  He wanted to go outside.

So I laced up my sneakers and took him for a walk.

A long walk.

I was gone another 40 minutes.

Along the way, I seriously gave thought to allowing my dogs to poop on someone’s lawn.  A certain someone who lied to me about her daughter’s absence after telling me the truth first.  I stuck to my guns and refused to clear her daughter’s absences (really, haircuts should be scheduled for after school, and “not wanting to come in” is not an adequate excuse for staying at home).  She then asked for my co-worker, whom she proceeded to tell, “So I have to lie.  ‘Miss Can’t Own Up To Responsibility’ was sick yesterday.”

This mom is an elementary school teacher.  Her daughter plays on the JV soccer team (not with Soccer Chick, though, who’s on Varsity).

She also lives three houses down from me.  I passed it four times during the course of my 80 minutes of walking.

Oy!

I was sorely tempted.

I think, in the back of my mind, I was hoping to run into her while I was out.

Bad, I know, but I’m being honest, as usual.

God is so gracious in moments of weakness.  The Holy Spirit reminded me of something.

It was not my place to get revenge, nor was it my place to pass judgment.  She will, in the end, have to answer to God.

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The Aftermath

Posted on March 13, 2009 by auburnchick

First of all, I want to apologize if yesterday’s post sounded harsh and judgmental.  I did not mean to come across that way.  I was frustrated and angry about being lied to.

I thought I would share an update from the “must-see” concert.

My local news reported that around 10,000 people attended the concert.  I would venture to bet that nearly 1/10 of the crowd was comprised of the students from my high school.

It’s inevitable that something is going to go awry when you cram this many people together.

And it certainly did.

One concert-goer was stabbed in the back by a broken beer bottle.  The young man very nearly had one of his lungs punctured.

There were at least 20 other incidents that occurred as well.

Some of the students who came to school today recalled horror stories.  They told us that they were frightened by some of the things going on yesterday.

Good for them.  Perhaps it’s a lesson they won’t forget any time soon.

I saw one young lady who attends the youth group at my church in the office today.  She was my assistant when I taught summer preschool a few years ago.  Her dad had taken her and a younger sister to the beach to attend the concert.

I asked her if she had ever read the lyrics from Lil Wayne’s songs.

“I’ve listened to his songs,” she flippantly stated.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

I gently reminded her that we need to guard our ears and eyes from these kinds of influences.  She agreed in the way that teenagers do…just to be polite and get me to stop talking.

I hope I planted seeds that will blossom as she matures.

Time will tell.

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Watching God Answer Prayer

Posted on March 11, 2009 by auburnchick

God is so good.

God is so faithful.

I started feeling puny yesterday but pushed on to work today, determined not to let my body get the best of me.  I seriously considered skipping Bible Study tonight.

I’m glad I didn’t.

I was privileged to watch God work tonight.

One of the ladies in my group will be departing for Guam…joining her husband who is in the military and has been there for several months already.  She’ll be gone through most of the summer before returning home again.

She brought Mochi.

That, in and of itself, was worth getting off the couch and going to church.

But it’s not God’s work that I’m referring to.

Another of our members came in and took a seat.  She’s a young gal and a single mom.  She’s had some life-changing events occur recently but has kept the faith and attended church as regularly as possible.

Someone asked her how she’s been doing, and she shared some of the struggles she’s currently dealing with.  One of her current needs is for housing.

The gal who will be leaving for Guam looked over at her and quietly said, “I’ve got a house.”

Simple and to the point.

The rest of us sat with jaws dropped open as the other young lady fought to control her emotions.

The first lady continued…”The electric bill is paid through the summer.  So is the cable and the water.  The grass will be taken care of as well.”  All preparations had been made.  The young lady will not have the added stress of paying extra bills.  The house is completely furnished…another blessing.

We were witnessing a prayer being answered.

It wasn’t only one prayer but two.  The first lady…the one leaving for Guam…had sought confirmation that making this trip was God’s will for her.  She had worried about leaving her house for several months.

God had answered in a very clear way.

When it was time to begin our study, the first girl was asked to read the Bible passages we would be discussing:

Luke 12:22-34 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

22Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

She almost broke down while reading these verses, and someone picked up where she stopped…unable to continue without crying.

God had provided…in a very timely manner…as He always does.

I think we learned more from this episode than the discussion that followed.

Never, ever doubt that God doesn’t see you where you are.  He will provide…not necessarily that new SUV you might be wanting…but the basics that you need.  The most important thing is that we grow in our relationship with Him.  Trusting Him to provide for our needs is the ultimate application of the above verses.

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