THE LORD OF HOST

Photo Provided by Shelly Haney 

But I am the LORD thy God, 

that divided the sea, 

whose waves roared: 

The LORD of hosts is his name.

And I have put my words in thy mouth, 

and I have covered thee in 

the shadow of mine hand, 

that I may plant the heavens, 

and lay the foundations of the earth, 

and say unto Zion, 

Thou art my people.

Isaiah 51:15-16

SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS INSPIRES A SONG - AWAY FROM HOME

Song Written By - Isabel McArthur Jones
Click Photo for Song Sampler

The Syrian refugees initially inspired the song,
then it grew to include all those persecuted
in the middle east, including both Muslims
and Christians who are robbed of a voice
by ISIS. Films such as Return to the Hiding Place,
Amazing Grace and The Giver played a special
role in reminding her that all of us have a role
in promoting healthy justice, being a voice for the
voiceless, and bringing them our support, whether
or not we have the same values as them."

This is not a political statement, but rather a 

creative way to promote justice. Artists who 

worked on this project hold various political views. 

Our heart: honor humanity. Bring hope. If not us, 

who? If not now, when?

https://isabelmcarthurjones.bandcamp.com/track/away-from-home

THOU HAST SEARCHED ME

Photo by David Dedwylder

 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, 

thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, 

and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, 

O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, 

and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? 

or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: 

if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, 

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, 

and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; 

even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; 

but the night shineth as the day: 

the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: 

thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully 

and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; 

and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, 

when I was made in secret, and curiously 

\wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being 

unperfect; and in thy book all my members 

were written,   which in continuance were fashioned, 

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 

O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in 

number than the sand: when I awake, 

I am still with thee.  Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, 

O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly, 

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? 

and am not I grieved with those that rise up 

against thee?  I hate them with perfect hatred: 

I count them mine enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: 

try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting.

PSALM 139

GLORY IN THE HIGHEST

Photo Provided by Brett Vance - http://www.brettavance.com/blog/

Over the last few months there have been

three instances as I began to work on my

music for the Worship Services that I would

stop and soak in the beauty of the moment. 

I would stand in awe of the presence of the

Holy Spirit and wonder how he could flood

the room so powerfully and then as we

gathered together in worship to sing those

songs I could hardly keep playing the piano

as the Holy Spirit would flood the Temple

with his glory.  Our worship leader Paul Reid

has a powerful way of picking the songs

and the right music that literally takes us

to the throne of God whether at home or

on Sunday.  As we sang "It is Well" and

then weeks later we sang, "I stand

Amazed in the Presence," all true

worshipers there got a glimpse of

the glory and majesty, only a glimpse

because a full view would have been

more than we could handle.  It was a

beautiful moment, truly beautiful.

Well tomorrow we are doing a song called

"Glory in the Highest" and I must say if you

miss the service tomorrow you will miss a

beautiful thing as the praise team lifts not

only their voices but as they lift their hearts

in praise to the one who deserves all the

glory and praise due to his name.  As I

practice this song I can't explain the

power of God that floods the room. 

I stand in awe that he can take a few

words mixed with a musical sound and

voices and the angels of heaven who have

the most glorious voices ever desires to run

near and flood the room with their presence. 

This is something our church has seen 

happen upon several occasions lately

and something I don't ever want to miss.

COME JOIN US AS WE WALK THROUGH THE

STREETS OF JUDAH AND ENTER INTO THE

COURTS OF THE LORD.

BE A SHINNING LIGHT

Photo Provide by Cricket White Green

 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

The same was in the 

beginning with God.

All things were made by him; 

and without him was not any 

thing made that was made.

In him was life; 

and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; 

and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, 

whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, 

to bear witness of the Light, 

that all men through him might believe.

He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, 

which lighteth every man 

that cometh into the world.

 He was in the world, 

and the world was made by him, 

and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, 

and his own received him not.

 But as many as received him, to them gave 

he power to become the sons of God, 

even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, 

nor of the will of the flesh, 

nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, 

and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten 

of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-14

GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE

Photo Provided by Brett Vance
http://www.brettavance.com/blog/

For though I would desire to glory,
I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth:
but now I forbear, lest any man should think
of me above that which he seeth me to be,
or that he heareth of me  And lest I should be exalted
above measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger
of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above
measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me.   And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength
is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of  Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
in persecutions,  in distresses for Christ’s sake: for
when I am weak, then am I strong.

II Corinthians 12:6-10

WARM A BODY, SOUL AND MIND