Learning to Let Go!

I stole a precious moment with my camera, I hope my dad can forgive me  someday for invading his privacy and putting in on my blog. But it was a very special and powerful moment for me.  He was reading his Bible and listening to this song while sitting in his wheelchair.  Let this encourage you to not let your circumstances keep you from the love of God.
 

If there is only one God, why do we serve so many?

If there is only one law, why do we live like there aren't any?

I'm not trying to get you down, I just want you to know

That if you're gonna live for God, you've got to let go

                                  Gotta let go of the little things, before they get you down

Gotta let go or they'll drag you to the bottom and hold you down

It's a war we all fight and compromise is the battleground

But if you're ever gonna grow, you've got to let go

                                               If there is only one truth, one original way

Why do we search like blind men?

Can't see the sunshine in the light of day

We've got to turn around and run the other way'

Cause if we're gonna live for God, we've got to turn away

                                   Gotta let go of the little things, before they get you down

Gotta let go or they'll drag you to the bottom and hold you down

It's a war we all fight and compromise is the battleground

But if you're ever gonna grow, you've got to let go

                                                       Turn away from the little things

Before they get you down

Turn away or they'll drag us to the bottom

And hold us down

                                                                It's a war we all fight

And compromise is the battleground

But is we're ever gonna change?

We've got to turn away

                                    Gotta let go of the little things, before they get you down

Gotta let go or they'll drag you to the bottom and hold you down

It's a war we all fight and compromise is the battleground

But if you're ever gonna grow,

you've got to let go

music and lyrics by PFR "Let Go"

GET JOY!

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Perseverance

Perseverance

Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!


Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I love this verse! One of my favorite artist, Ron DiCianni, captured this verse beautifully in his work of art "Legacy". I bought this print as a gift for my husband, John, when he was ordained as a minister of the gospel. I love the image of the minister surrounded by the giants of faith encouraging him to run the race marked before him. I love looking at it when I go into his office...it is very inspiring.

But this verse is for everyone. God has a plan for us all. He has a life for us to live. It comes with two requirements however:


1. Throw Off
There are two things we need to get rid of they are first the things that hinder us and second sin. There are things that may hinder us that are not sin, they are distractions. The not so obvious distractions, things like watching too much T.V., computer, sports, hobbies and things like that. They keep us from the calling of God. Then, of course, the sin that so easily entangles us. Sin can keep us away from God; it separates us and holds us back. We need to get rid of it by daily allowing Christ to examine us and purify us.

2. Run
My physical body hates the very idea of running. I never have liked it, even as a child. God is calling us to run to Him. It is not a short distance run it is more like a marathon. We are not trying to beat everyone else; but to simply finish the race God has marked out for us. The great cloud of witnesses are cheering us on. He has given us His word as water to help us. And God is our coach speaking to us through prayer to encourage us and direct us. So run, even when we don't feel like it. So run, when we feel strong. So run, because we will receive a prize if we do not give up! The prize, eternal life with the One who loves you and me!

*Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them."

Run and...

*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

I Corinthians 9:24-25

"Get Joy" Book Verses

Hey, this was one of the verses the kids in our kid's church had to memorize recently....well...it is a great verse for us all to memorize.

I hate running. I always have. In school, they made us run around the field several times...I hated those days. I think I actually tried to make it look like I was running really hard but when the teacher wasn't looking I would walk, pathetic I know. I am sure there are some of you who did the same thing. I never had any desire to run in a physical race. I was content to come in last.

However, if you put me in a competition that I enjoyed like art contest, singing, pine wood derbies ...I get the idea of trying to get the first prize! I work so hard to win. I pull out all the stops. I stay up all night the night before getting it just right! All of my efforts go into winning all to receive a blue ribbon that will sit in the bottom of a box in my closet.

How much more should we put into the race to heaven? Now the neat thing about this race is that you are not trying to beat anyone. Actually, it is quite the opposite we are trying to get as many as we can to cross the finish line with us. It's not about winning this race it about finishing it. When we finish, we all receive the crown of eternal life. How cool is that? We will be given a crown that will last forever, not sit in the bottom of a shoe box in the corner of your closet and waste away. We will wear our crowns proudly and humbly lay them at the feet of Jesus. Ooooo it just gives me goose bumps thinking about it!

Run the race today and get as many as you can to run along side you

...Run hard, Run well, Run to Finish!