Resist the Urge...

Resist the urge to be negative!  Resist the urge to gossip!  There is little that is more detrimental to our own health and the health of others than negativity and gossip!  Dwell on the good!  Accentuate the positive!  Eliminate the negative!  That old song has it right...  We harm our relationships and ourselves when we continually talk about what is wrong with people.  It doesn't mean we don't see it; it means we don't say it.  I find that the more I speak negatively about others, the nastier I feel inside.  Negativity breeds more negativity.  

In Philippians 4:8 it says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  (NIV) Look for the good in others and focus on the beauty in God's amazing world.  Let's speak words of hope and affirmation, love and forgiveness.  Let's make this a beautiful, positive weekend and a holy and love filled Christmas!

Dear Lord,   Forgive us when we slip into bad habits.  Help us to focus on the good things in people and in Your world and help us to speak words of hope and kindness always...

Have a Wonderful weekend!

Image courtesy of Photobucket.com.

Listen to the Music

I can't tell you how important a role music has played in my life!  I post songs here on my blog that have moved me, touched me, filled me, and motivated me toward a closer walk with my Savior.  The Christian life and walk isn't always easy and the music I spend my life listening to (and I do listen to it all day long!  Ask my family!) helps me stay on the path He wants me on; He speaks to me through it and I find myself in a constant state of worship.  I have often wondered if music could make the difference in a person's life, the difference between mediocrity and being sold out to Jesus.  I think it could.

Please don't miss the music that I post.  These are all songs that go with the written posts (usually) and are integral to the message!  Many times the music inspires the words.  And I would encourage you to make your own play list of Christian/Worship music.  You can start out with some of these songs posted here and then add your own songs which speak to your own heart and encourage you to stay on the path He wants you on, the path of life with Him.

I was quite young when I realized the power that music had over me (and I have always assumed, everyone else).  When I was a teenager, I listened to popular music and I noticed that I loved some songs more than others but that they all had an influence on how and what I was thinking and feeling.  Most of those types of songs had to do with love won and lost.  They could actually be quite depressing and I could feel myself thinking that finding and keeping true love was the most important thing in life.  Well, I agree with that but with a twist that I am sure those secular musicians never intended.  I think that finding and keeping true love is the most important thing but that it can only be found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Every other person on the face of this earth will let you down, but Jesus never will.  He never can!  It is against His very nature.  Our nature, on the other hand, with our utter selfishness, will always fall short, and always disappoint.  The only way we can get away from our utter selfishness is to be wholly devoted to God...

I have always tried to make things easier for myself if possible!  By that I mean that I have found that walking a true life of faith is easier when I fill my heart and mind with the things of God.  So I try to spend most of my days in His word, in prayer, and listening to music that makes it easier to stay focused on Him.  Now this does not mean that I sit around all day reading, praying, and listening to music.   I go about my business praying and listening to music if I can, and as I pray and listen, the word of God pops into my head, too.  So what I have read (and memorized) throughout my life so concertedly, stays with me and helps  walk His path.  So sing a new song to the Lord, or get an old song stuck in your head!  The more time you spend on Him, the more you will feel His presence all day long.

"God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God."  Psalm 27:6 (The Message)

"They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress.  They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves.  Selah.  My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.   Awake, my soul!  Awake, harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn."  Psalm 57:6-8 (NIV)

"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods."  Psalm 95:1-3 (NIV)

"I will sing of steadfast love and justice;  to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me?  I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.  I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me."  Psalm 101:1-3 (ESV)

"Remember what you said to me, your servant— I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation. I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track. But when I see the wicked ignore your directions, I'm beside myself with anger. I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God. Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel."  Psalm 119:49 (The Message)

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Ephesians 5:19-20 (NIV)

Dear Lord,  Thank You for Your precious gift of music.  Thank You that as we walk this pilgrim way, setting Your word to music and singing make it easier for us.  Please give us an incredible, all day attitude of worship and thanksgiving through Your music...Let us move from mediocrity to being sold out to You.

A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 22

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.

3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

6 But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
7 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!”

9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.

11 Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.
12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
13 Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.
14 My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
18 They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice[a] for my clothing.

19 O Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
20 Save me from the sword;
spare my precious life from these dogs.
21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.

22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.[b]
I will praise you among your assembled people.
23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

25 I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
28 For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations.

29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.
30 Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.

Dear Lord, Thank you for suffering on our behalf so that You might show us the way, the truth, and the life.