Music From The Fire

by Rocky Henriques
The Timothy Report
www.timothyreport.com


Someone long ago wrote of sitting by a fire. The writer imagined the noises which came from the wood as it burned were imprisoned songs, finally brought to freedom by the flames.

The birds had sung while sitting on the branches of the tree. The wind had pushed its way through, making its own music. The rain had written a melody which sank deep into its roots. A child had played and sang in its shade. All these notes soaked into the wood, hidden away in the trunk.

They were hidden away until the flames set them free one evening chilly enough to warrant an open fire.

As the years pass, our spirits take in many different melodies of life. They may become trapped, hidden away by busyness, by apathy, by ignorance. The flames of adversity can serve as a wonderful tool in the Hands of God, releasing the music inside of us.

We don't have to just "pass through" life; we can gather songs along the way, storing them up for the day when we will need to hear them most.

"Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you."
Proverbs 20:22b

To the Garage

To quote Oz Hillman, “The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you, an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.”

I have found that to be true and the Bible continues to be my blueprint for living.

“Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13/CEV

Ever have those moments when you feel yourself shouting, Ok, I’m NOT tense….. just terribly, terribly alert.

Many years ago I came across a method of having a hissy fit or dealing with a downward mood swing that avoided the usual freak out or self-imposed exile to the couch with a pint of ice cream, chocolate sauce and a delivered pizza. If any of us are alive today we have negative events occurring that can have disastrous consequences for our physical health. So much of how we feel is determined by how we think and what we believe. God’s Word tells us to “be careful how we think, our lives are shaped by our thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (NCV). With that Scripture in mind we must deal with the daily bombardment of negativity.

It’s good for our physical health to be pro active with our mental and spiritual health.
This is a two-fold method called release/relax.

Phase 1: If one is encountering a pile-up of negative episodes one should go to their bedroom and fetch their favorite sleeping pillow. Walk silently through the house to the garage. If someone asks you a question along the way – don’t say a word just give them The Look. (Oh… you know the look… The one that has everyone within a five mile radius roll their eyes and step back from you) Continue on your route to the garage and get into the back seat of your car. Place the pillow on the seat then lean over - press your face directly into the center of the pillow and scream at the top of your lungs. Make it your personal policy never to be sad, angry, emotionally upset or screaming into your pillow for more than 10 minutes. Instant replay: Never more than 10 minutes! Never!

Pick up your pillow, get out of the car, walk back to your bedroom and place the pillow back on your bed. Take three deep cleansing breaths to re-oxygenate your body and proceed to phase 2. You could go without phase 2 but it would be like baking a cake and not frosting it. Frosting is my favorite part of a cake and phase 2 is my favorite part of getting a handle on my life when it seems to be a slippery slope.

Phase 2 is simply popping in a Praise & Worship CD and letting the praise music surround you. It’s like turning on a light. It engulfs you, comforts you and lifts your spirit to joy.

A pearl to string: There are many times that I didn’t feel like singing along to praise music so I let it sing to me. It’s like allowing the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap and sing praises to God for me. Bless my soul it never fails - Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ. You can close your eyes and feel the Lord singing to you. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

You are in His song,
Lyndi

The Unmistakable Sound of a Rooster

A pearl to string: Friend & Pastor James Ryle is guest author today. I love how he hears God's way and hope it blesses you as much as me.
http://jamesryle.blogspot.com/



But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." (Luke 22:60-61).

For the general populace there are seven birds that are readily recognizable by their song: 1) the goose that honks, 2) the duck that quacks, 3) the chicken that clucks, 4) the dove that coos, 5) the owl that hoots, 6) the crow that caws, and 7) the rooster that crows. Each of these are so distinct that the moment one hears them, right away we know what kind of bird it is.

Other birds are a bit more indiscernible to the untrained ear. The whistle of a robin may not be all that different from a bluejay, or a cardinal. The chirp of a sparrow and of a wren are very much alike indeed. And who knows what kind of bird that is we all hear in the Tarzan movies? You know, the one that squeals somewhere in the jungle during the night, and sends shivers down your spine.

Interesting, don't you think, that Jesus would choose a rooster to bring Simon Peter to his senses during that dark night of betrayal and denial? When we say someone is cocky, we are comparing them to the rooster. A person who "struts their stuff" is kin to the barnyard fowl. It seems that the rooster is forever associated with prideful boasting since the night Peter denied the Lord.

But, beyond this, the rooster also symbolizes two other things for us today.

First, he is the herald of a new dawn. When the rooster crows it means only one thing; a new day is at hand. So, while Peter would be stung by the sound that jolted his mind back to the words of the Lord, the sting also carried promise of a new day -- a fresh chance to walk with Him whose mercies are new every morning.

Second, the rooster was for Simon Peter a messenger with a personal word from God. No doubt many heard the rooster crow that morning, but nobody heard what Peter heard. For in the routine sounds of the ordinary he discovered the God who speaks through donkeys and roosters. And from that day forward, Peter would never be able to hear a rooster again without thinking of this one moment in his life.

A moment of devastating failure......and of great forgiveness. A moment of death and resurrection; certainly for Jesus -- but also for Peter.

How about you? Heard any Roosters lately?



by James Ryle

Adore

Blue Door photo by Sandrine
Father, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You

Jesus, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You

Spirit, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You

(Repeat as many times as needed)

This photo fascinates me – draws me in – comforts me. At first glance the beautiful blue doors do not appear to have a handle. On closer inspection I do see the latch and key hole. But my first thoughts were this is a door at which I must knock – I cannot just walk in. Do I want to get in? Or do I want whoever is inside to come out? I see no hinges so it must open inward. How inviting. I love the curves above that arch around the door. They are both gracious and sensitive while being bold and strong. The triangle enclosed trefoil symbolizes God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit to me. I don’t think that representation is assigned – it’s just what I think of when I see a trefoil. The stone is old, pitted, crumbling in spots, cracked and weathered representing a long life time of experience. Some good - some not so good. There were times I’d looked for God, knocked on some doors but didn’t understand why He would not answer. Ever happened to you? Your prayers don’t seem to be answered? What I discovered is today’s pearl.

A pearl to string: It’s easier to find God when you quit looking for Him on your terms. In fact start letting go of your terms and He’ll find you. And Jesus says; “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me”. Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Joy in Son shine,
Lyndi

CELEBRATE G U I dance

When I saw ‘G’ I thought of God, followed by 'u’ and ‘i’.

"God, 'u’ and ‘i’ dance."

A Rush to Judgment

Eight-year-old Susie came home from school and informed her mother that today in class they had learned how to make babies. The mother, rather shaken by the development, called the teacher to complain.

After listening to the mother complain for a few minutes, the teacher responded, "Did you ask her to explain how it is done?"

"No," said the mother.

"Then ask her and call me back," replied the teacher.

"So how DO you make babies?" the mother asked her daughter.

Susie responded, "You drop the 'y' and add 'ies.'"

Oh boy! That Mom had to be red faced – I wonder if she called the teacher back? I won’t label all women but I know I personally have a tendency to lean towards the emotional side of life’s happenings. Facts just mess up a good emotional outburst as demonstrated by the little story. Of course getting the wrong facts can do almost as much damage. For example: The obituaries in the newspaper prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that people die in alphabetical order. Pretty silly but the culture can become askew from the truth rapidly with all that is thrown at us daily.

Another rush to judgment is what some folks believe about the Bible without ever reading it. I can testify to that: as a young adult (wish I could say child – sigh) I envisioned the birth of Christ just like the beautiful Christmas cards that are produced yearly. Imagine my surprise while traveling in Israel to find it was a nasty, dirty, dingy – completely ugly place where our beautiful Savior was born. Oh I read the accounts in the Gospels but chose to not see the truth. The world’s way was prettier but it isn’t the real beauty.

A pearl to string: The real beauty is: Christ was born to demonstrate for us the ways of our Father and to pay in full for the wages of sin through His shed blood. Sin is falling short of the glory of God. You don’t want to get good at it. I fall short of the glory of God many times through each day – I need a Savior and I thank God He loves me enough that He sent one. We all have the freedom of choice to believe and receive eternal life.
Romans 6:23, Romans 3:22-25, 1 Peter 2:24

Right click on Scripture verse and click on open to take you directly to the Scripture verse in e-Bible

238 is my lucky number and in Act 2:38 you’ll find the perfect gift,
You are loved,
Lyndi

PS: I usually don’t do a PS but this just came across the news: All reports are in...life is now officially unfair. Now you know but please don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

ARE

Preparing for a family vacation, Kathy and Matt explained to their young children that they would be sitting in the car for a very long time. The kids were told they would not be arriving at their destination until after dark, and were warned not to keep saying, "Are we there yet?"

After a few minutes of peaceful driving, four year old Rachel perked up, "Is it dark yet?"

Ya know ……. we kind of do that to the Lord. We earnestly pray for something very serious but wait with child like impatience.

So with that thought in mind Father God……… I’d just like to thank you right now!
I want to thank you for who You are.
I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking YOU, God...You haven't given up on me.

If you spend your life being thankful and being of service to others you will truly be, “A well watered garden.” (Isaiah 58:10-11)

A pearl to string: It’s not dark yet! You still have time to thank Him.

Thankfully jumping for joy,
Lyndi

Price They Paid

"A page of history is worth a volume of logic."
--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the
Declaration of Independence?

• Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
  

• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

• Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.
  

• Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.
  

What kind of men were they? Here are some examples.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships
swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

At the Battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner urged General George Washington to open fire. His home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later
he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

How Does This Apply to Our Lives?

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. Men and their families who had security and material possessions, but who valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight and unwavering, they pledged:

"For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Do you have the same resolve to stand up for your beliefs? Many Christian men and women do. The March-April 1997 issue of Light, a publication of the Southern Baptist Convention, contains this sentence:"More people have died for their faith in the 20th century than in the previous 19 centuries combined." That sentence is in a review of In the Lion's Den, a book that details international persecution and martyrdom of Christians. Yes, evangelicals laying down their lives in places like China or Sudan for Jesus Christ.

This one page about American history, and that one sentence about the sacrifices of fellow Christians, should help us overcome any fears or hesitation about standing up for righteousness, and for our Lord.

In your own way, do what God expects and follow these examples. Great will be your reward.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13

The Sneeze

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost ... As grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.

This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student, Ryan Brown, walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. Achoo... He sneezed!!! From the group of graduates a handful stood to say: "GOD BLESS YOU... Ryan Brown smiled, nodded and walked of the stage.
The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.

(It happened the 20th of May 2001 during the commencement exercises at Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois)

A pearl to string: In Genesis 22, God made a promised to Abraham, saying, "In thy seed shall all the generations of the earth be blessed." Christ is that seed of Abraham, Paul says in the third chapter of Galatians. You can’t stop God’s blessing – the law can try – but creativity is God’s middle name.

You are dearly loved,
God Bless You,
Lyndi

Happy, Happy Graduation for all those celebrating this joyous milestone.