Meditate on Him

So I've done a ton of races this year... we have a local St. Patty's day 5k, The Color Run, The Badass Dash, and the most recent Superhero Scramble. 

 

My next is the Supercon Fun Run with a best buddy (Marie to the left #73282) and her little girl. The best part? We are going to dress up! Cannot wait!
 (I'm a dork I know)



In other news, I'm getting better at accepting my weight gain. My family wants me to keep it, I don't necessarily but am learning to love me how I am, and also adjust to getting older and the higher body fat percentages that go along with it.  I figure getting more tone and back to a regular workout routine, something I've lacked with all the craziness recently, will not only help tone me again, but also with my opinion of myself and my mood (yay endorphins!) On a positive note it's kinda nice to have a decent tushy now. On a negative one, it is never alright to ask a girl if she's expecting!  And why is it only women who ask this?  Really you would think they would know better!

My Work has recently really gotten into meditation which is kinda weird for some people, and I'm sure there are those that think this is only a new-age or middle-eastern practice but it's not. Actually even the bible mentions meditating, actually the New King James does 20 times (taken from BibleGateway.com):

1. Genesis 24:63
   And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
   Genesis 24:62-64 (in Context) Genesis 24 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Joshua 1:8
   This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
   Joshua 1:7-9 (in Context) Joshua 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Psalm 1:2
   But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
   Psalm 1:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Psalm 4:4
   Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
   Psalm 4:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Psalm 63:6
   When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
   Psalm 63:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 63 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Psalm 77:6
   I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.
   Psalm 77:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Psalm 77:12
   I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
   Psalm 77:11-13 (in Context) Psalm 77 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Psalm 119:15
   I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
   Psalm 119:14-16 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Psalm 119:23
   Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
   Psalm 119:22-24 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Psalm 119:27
    Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
    Psalm 119:26-28 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Psalm 119:48
    My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.
    Psalm 119:47-49 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Psalm 119:78
    Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.
    Psalm 119:77-79 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. Psalm 119:148
    My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
    Psalm 119:147-149 (in Context) Psalm 119 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. Psalm 143:5
    I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
    Psalm 143:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 143 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. Psalm 145:5
    I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.
    Psalm 145:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 145 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. Isaiah 33:18
    Your heart will meditate on terror: “Where is the scribe? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”
    Isaiah 33:17-19 (in Context) Isaiah 33 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. Malachi 3:16
    [ A Book of Remembrance ] Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.
    Malachi 3:15-17 (in Context) Malachi 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. Luke 21:14
    Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
    Luke 21:13-15 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. Philippians 4:8
    [ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
    Philippians 4:7-9 (in Context) Philippians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. 1 Timothy 4:15
    Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
    1 Timothy 4:14-16 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

The way the instructor described meditation it seems that you are calming and quieting the mind down, relaxing, and focusing on one thing, breath for example. Not being too awake but not dozing off either.

The first few times I focused on my breathing as he instructed (we have been doing his introduction to meditation) but this time I chose to focus and think on God Almighty.

To me it seems that prayer is us talking to God, and meditation is when we quiet ourselves down, internally and externally, and let God speak to us. We just listen.

It doesn't have to be long, but I want you to just try it sometime...you don't need to sign praise songs to Him, you can be thankful but don't be thanking Him, just listen to Him...respectfully and lovingly quiet yourself before our loving Father and see how your relationship grows!

Defining Passion

I recently discussed with a friend our beliefs, and when I really began to have my passion and form my foundation spiritually. Honestly I was saved when I was nine years old after my mother watched a hell-fire preacher and scared the poop out of me of going to hell, I really didn't care much after that until the age fifteen when I doubted my salvation and wanted physical proof that I was saved (mainly in the form of God coming down and audibly telling me I was honestly). It took a while and many prayers to get past that point and to just trust Him that I rested safely in His almighty hands.  I had a relationship with God, but only in the form of fear of separation. 

I later really formed my beliefs after a Mormon friend on his mission asked me some questions in one of his letters. I remember after reading it, I sat in the bath tub and thought to God how on earth am I supposed to answer all these questions? After getting out I wrapped myself in a towel and before even getting dressed I sat myself at my desk and prayed to the Lord to help me and began to write.

I cut the introduction off and posted the body of the letter here, if there is anyone interested in what I believe.

"January 18, 2007 (printed and sent January 22, 2007)

Dear Elder Jake,

...I’m mainly writing you this to answer your question.  I do get this kind of thing from missionaries (or Richard! Ha-ha JK) although I’ve not seen them recently due to Richard and Nicole moving out to the boonies.  The exact question was “…what you [I] believe.  Like what is the nature of God? What is the meaning of life?  What is the role of families in God’s plan?”  Then you asked “What gives you the strength to get up every morning?  What do you want for your life? What are you going to do to get it?”  Well I’ll try to answer this as well as I can.  I believe the Apostles Creed which is:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; HE descended into hell.

On the third day he rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

My mother once paid me to memorize that and I did it just to get the money and then forgot it, but a few years later I memorized it again, and this time for the right reason, because I really love it, and it really says what I believe and feel.

God’s nature is Love, he is Love.  How else can you describe him better than that?  A friend of mine in high school used to say he couldn’t see how God loved us, and I would tell him I couldn’t see how he couldn’t.  I find it a bit hard to explain past that because love isn’t a physical thing you can see, but like a DC Talk song says “he’s like the wind, you can’t see the wind but you can see the effects of the wind”  I find that a good description.  The meaning of life for me is to serve the Father with all our mind, soul, heart, and strength, and to show his everlasting love to others and serve as a witness to all of His eternal love.  The role of families is the same for me as the meaning of life, to serve him with all our being.  The parents are to guide and teach their children about him and guide them along his glorious path.  Whether in families or as individuals, we are to serve him as children of God.

What gives me strength to get up every morning? The Lord of course and my desire to do his will, and get closer to him than I was the last day.  It is impossible to get to know every aspect of God, so I want to learn and build as close of a relationship with him as I possibly can.  And this life is too short to waste even a day.  He is the first one I talk to in the morning and the last one before I go to bed, He is who I see in all of nature; in trees, wind, the sea, waves, the sky, the grass, the flowers, in all his creations, including me.  I see him when I look at the ceiling, when I look in the mirror and talk to him, and when I look inside myself.  He is my father, my teacher, my professor, my almighty counselor, and my best closest friend.  He is someone I want to be like, and I can never get enough of.  In his own words he is I am that I am.  What I want for my life is whatever God’s will is, I want his plans for my life, because my life is devoted to him.  I want to worship Him and be a witness to as many as I can while I’m here.  I also want a family of course, I want to be a mother that embodies the Proverbs Wife but the rest I’m currently working on figuring out. What do I want out of life? I want the fullness of God. What am I going to do to get it?  I will pray and meditate on him, read his word (for the word was with God, and the word was God, in the beginning), continue to talk with him and follow the path that the lord sets before me. 

I hope that I answered your questions, I’ve never written my responses before to someone and as I’m sure you’ve noticed on occasions I tend to ramble, even when I write, so I tried to stay on topic and not ramble too much. J

I think I will leave it on that note and say adieu.  Have a glorious day and I’ll talk to you later!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Wright (ReeBee)"

Be Joyous

So my best friend Chelsi started this 100 things that bring her joy-picture list thing, & my sister Elena started one also.  Seeing both of theirs I wondered what I would put on my own.  So here part of it is!


1. God the Father


2. Jesus Christ my Savior

3. Holy Spirit who guides me


4. God's Word, the Holy Bible


5. Psalm 139


6. running in nature with God


7. Childhood forever friends-Marie Jernigan


8. hanging out with best friends, people who accept you for who you are


 9. Hikes or Nature walks (esp with my Chelsibabe)


10. Being with my sisters

11. accidentally falling asleep on the couch with my mom


12. veggies/ fresh produce

13. Salads














13. Salads



14. growing things


15. going to the theater/orchestra


16. musieums, especially art


17. Ballets


18. the night sky/star-gazing


19. Sunrises & Sunsets, whether outside running or in my car.


20. Cat head rubs

The Embrace

*Originally written on March17th, 2011*

I almost didn't post this. It is going to be a personal, more intimate, blog-harder for me even than the last...which trust me was a stepping out. The only reason I have the strength to type this, besides God who inspired me in the first place, was a friend who helped me realize, although painful, open rejection is worth it if you can help just one soul. For isn't that exactly what Christ came and did, for each and every individual.  This subject came at random Tuesday morning on my way to work after a nice hour and a half oversleeping.

It all started with a song, but not one on the radio, not on my car CD player, not on my iPod or iPhone, but it played in my mind.

Natalie Imbruglia "Torn"

I thought I saw a man brought to life
He was warm
He came around
And he was dignified
He showed me what it was to cry

Well you couldn't be that man I adored
You don't seem to know
Or seem to care
What your heart is for
I don't know him anymore

There's nothin' where he used to lie
My conversation has run dry
That's what's going on
Nothings right
I'm torn

I'm all out of faith
This is how I feel
I'm cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor
Illusion never changed
Into something real
I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn
You're a little late
I'm already torn

So I guess the fortune tellers right
I should have seen just what was there and not some holy light
But you crawled beneath my veins
And now, I don't care
I have no luck
I don't miss it all that much
There's just so many things
That I can't touch
I'm torn

There's nothin' he used to lie
My inspiration has run dry
That's what's going on
Nothing's right
I'm torn
Chorus

The chorus is what played continuously in my head.  Why on earth was I thinking of this song?  I've not heard its overplayed lyrics in years...and it came to me.

It's how the world leaves us and how we first embrace God. 

We start by seeking this spouse, beautiful looking, seeming to care...so we stray from God and instead pour out ourselves-our souls, revealing ourselves and all to be fooled and left alone bound and broken on the floor.  The 'perfect' sky, perfect idealistic life is torn slowly before our eyes. Like that famous emperor we are all promised by the world such a beautiful set of clothing, when really we are too prideful to realize how naked and foolish we really are.

"Bound, naked, ashamed".  We just want to hide, but it is this state that God wants to embrace us, comfort us...and its in this state we finally surrender all of ourselves to him, revealing our more sacred, tender side.

Our intimate parts.

I think this is a major part of why our relationship with Christ is compared to a marriage, there is just something about a newlywed couple...the wedding night, and the first time she undresses before Him-before anyone.  The first time she makes herself vulnerable to someone, to touch and to be touched.  For me, its something I fear-and yet-excitedly await.  As a girl who's waiting till she's married in a society where sex is something you do with anyone when your bored.

I have a horrible fear of being vulnerable.  I try to hide my true inner feelings, oh so many to hide it hurts so badly as they bleed forth from my heart, my eyes, and my knees as my legs collapse because I'd rather run then reveal who I really am to the world.  The pain of being ashamed that you feel makes the idea of any kind of intimacy difficult to grasp, especially that kind.  I can't even stare at some people in the eyes when I can tell they see through who I am (which is why cute shoes are always important) much less having that same person stare at me, undressed inside and out.

But there must be something to this, for Solomon wrote an entire book of the bible about the relationship between a man and a women. A relationship that, at least as a girl, is what I've been awaiting my heavenly Father to bring me. My soul mate, the one who I complete, that I can unite with and create one being with. A Song of Solomon is book too often skipped and overlooked, under-read, its become the scarlet letter of the bible. Ashamed, people often try to make excuses about how it 'accidently' got inserted...But I find it to be one of the most intriguing and beautiful books within the bible. 

Now I'm not saying I believe that it represents our relationship with God, but to me it reveals why God creates sex as such an important event.  It was the first command God gave Adam and Eve. To multiply-well there is only one way to really do that. And I'm not trying to glamorize sex.  It is a very physical event between two people and not the fairytale they make little girls believe to keep them a virgin as long as possible. I realize this, but I guess as someone on the outside of things, and very inexperienced in this area (OBVIOUSLY), its what I see and feel.

Since we are the bride of Christ, we begin our marriage when we come to Him naked and broken...awaiting His touch to heal our hearts as we then lovingly embrace each other.  There is something about being in the arms of Christ that I think cannot be compared to anything earthly and yet...every true believer that has a deep relationship with the Lord understands, in their own personal way; a way no other being does. 

Not to get on this again, but we would never understand the deep meaningful intimate embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ if it wasn't for the painful rejection of the world. 

*Comment from original post:

Love it love! Thanks for being so raw and open. I LOVE reading your writings! It inspires me to want to write in my blog… if I could only bring myself to do it haha

Chelsi

My Joshua Tree

*Originally written on March 12th, 2011*

I'm currently reading a new book, The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, A Memoir...and although the beginning was kinda slow, I've really started to enjoy it.  Before I even hit 50 pages, I've already had a few lines speak to me.

It wasn't just any tree. It was an ancient Joshua tree. It stood in a crease of land where the desert ended and the mountain began, forming a wind tunnel. From the time the Joshua tree was a tiny sapling, it had been so beaten down by the whipping wind that, rather than trying to grow skyward, it had grown in the direction that the wind pushed it. It existed now in a permanent state of windblownness, leaning over so far that it seemed ready to topple, although, in fact, its roots held it firmly in place...One time I saw a tiny Joshua tree sapling growing not too far from the old tree, I wanted to dig it up and replant it near our house. I told Mom that I would protect it from the wind and water it every day so that it could grow nice and tall and straight.

Mom frowned at me. "You'd be destroying what makes it special," she said. "It's the Joshua tree's struggle that gives it its beauty."

 Now I know we've all heard variations of this type of story, I remember Joyce Meyer's using a version with a baby eagle, but there are so many elements to this one that make it reach me even deeper.  First off I love the name of the tree, it reminds me of Joshua in the bible, like the tree standing strong he was one of the only two Israelites who left Egypt to get to see the promise land after 40 years in the dessert.  Because he had faith in his God and knew that God kept His word.

 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5-9

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

All those who have accepted Christ are children of God, we are sons and daughters! Heirs of the King!  But we, just as the Joshua tree was made to withstand the wind and dessert weather, are made to withstand.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13

Its our struggle against all the opposing forces that shape us into who we are. If we never had any battles, we would never learn how strong our heavenly Father is, how much He loves us, adores us...like any relationship its the hard times that help the relationship blossom and the two people together even more.  We learn more of God's character, and more of the character He created us with. 

A friend of mine on facebook put up two statuses that God spoke to me though at around the same time:

"When you believe in Jesus you are saved, when you realize that Jesus believes in you, it will radically mess you up!!!!"

and "Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable"

The more you learn and trust in Jesus and His unmerited favor (grace) that He blesses us with if we choose to accept it, the more battles we will have to endure to truly grasp even a fraction of the love Christ really has for us.  Until you have a hard battle, you never know you could endure that battle through His strength.  Until Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on the water, He never knew that through Christ, he could.  Before Job lost everything he had built around himself, he never knew-or would have probably believed-that he even could endure so much hardship though our Father. He never understood or grasped a fraction of the full power and love of the amazing YAH. I never knew I would be able to endure a Father with a tumor for 15 years, an eating disorder, running 13.1 miles, or even my biggest battle I'm currently undergoing~myself, until He brought me though all of them (and still is) with His peace and love. Holding me the whole way, cradling me, embracing me and capturing all my tears, crying some of His own while watching me go though these battles.  We have to be afflicted to find the true comfort that comes from Jesus. 

On a date, hiking Sweet Water Creek, Ga., after our picnic walking back we passed a tree covered in knotts and while my date thought it was hidious, I found it strangly intreguing, beautiful.  I think this is how the world sees us, our battles look ugly and they don't understand. They are outside of His peace, they are looking down at the problem and down at themselves. But through the eyes of God, when we keep our focus on things above, on Christ, on our Father above who guides us through His love, we are beautiful! 
We, like the little girl, try to protect ourselves, hide from the hardships, from the wind of the world that tries to tear out our roots, but that will just kill us, destroy our beauty. We cannot grow strong without something (or someone) to fight against. 

When we are planted in Christ...having done all, we WILL STAND no matter how the wind pulls at us. No matter how the battle is perceived from the outside world.  

And while we feel ugly, forgotten and alone in the cold dessert night, all the time God stands beside us, painting our lives into a personal and unique masterpiece, beautiful and unlike any other on earth.

my next painting, I think I too want to paint a Joshua tree...my Joshua tree...

Proverbs Lady

*Originally written on January 7th, 2011*

A friend recently posted her goals for the new year on her blog, and while I have some, I never thought about typing them out anywhere, but since I have some free time at work I decided why the heck not.  Writing (or typing currently) is supposed to help anyhoo.

• Work on being a 'Proverbs Woman' and all that it entitles. Study this chapter more intensely and let the Lord guide me.
• Take my workout routine and make it livable, I want to live for the Lord and take care of myself for Him, not before Him.  Keep my life centered around Him, His love and plans for me...to live and have my being centered around 'being about HIS business' and I think that health and fitness are a huge component of that, and He wouldn't have given me such a passion for it if it wasn't. We are His temple, His dwelling place-we shine His light & bear His image!  He hand crafted each and every one of us and how we take care of His temple, how we show it respect (or a lack there of) shows our love and respect toward Him and His gift and sacrifice.  He has become the primary reason for and a major component of my workout routine, and I want to keep that up also, I always feel such an amazing bond with Him during my workout times, it's a time I use to reflect upon Him and absorb as much of  Him in as possible! I don't want ANYTHING to hinder that, I don't want ANYTHING before Him so I want to just recheck myself this year and make sure everything remains in the proper order!
• Also, I want to help my Mother get back into fitness. We eat crazy healthy enough, but after some injuries she's had a hard time getting back into the routine, so I am giving myself a goal to help!  She's done and does so much for me it's the least I can do! I love her so much and want her to be around a long time! She already wants to herself so I just want to help!
• I've recently gotten into sewing and I would like to continue to grow my skills at it, I hope God continues to provide people to make quilts for so my talent can blossom!  I have gotten bitten by the quilt-giving bug lol, its all my Mom's fault, thank you so much Mom!
• Start a granny square afghan, complete my 'joy' collage, & would like to get back into drawing & painting (including pottery)...and maybe if I'm lucky, scrapbook sometime this year :p
• Make a mosaic & a batik, learn to knit.
• Continue with my goal to get out of debt and complete it within the 3 years I originally planned!
• Increase my distance run by 2 miles. A friend has bugged me about not making any major fitness goals so besides the one previously mentioned...this will be it.
• Work on my handwriting, I love writing letters, but I feel for the poor soul that is reading them!  My handwriting gets pretty bad at the end, especially when I am writing about some strange thought or idea the Lord gave me, or a bible verse He showed Me I excitedly wanted to share, and my thoughts are going faster than I can comprehend, and that's way faster than I can write!  While they've never said anything, I still would like to have a handwriting that wasn't described as what a serial killers would look like.
• Don't take life too seriously, or myself!  Work on keeping joy of the Lord in every and all situations, keeping an optimistic attitude always, continuously loving and laughing, and learning to continue to see myself though His eyes!

God has really been dealing with me regarding the 'law' I set for myself and my perfectionism...how I need to let go and let God.  Embrace His sacrifice and unmerited favor, His amazing grace that saved a retch like me. Joseph Prince, in his book Unmerited Favor, has been discussing Christ's success, and that even before the 10 commandments were created, Joseph obeyed them (think on the Potiphar's wife situation).  He had the guidance, grace, and righteousness of Christ, before Moses ever created the law, Before Christ came upon the earth.  This confuses me a bit and is something I want to think on and study more intensively so I find it ironic that without trying I managed to create 10 goals...this speaks of something but what I'm not sure lol.



According to Christian Resources Today

Ten : 10 - Biblical Meaning of Number: deals with completeness that happens in a divine order or completed during a course of time. There's nothing that is left wanting within the complete cycle the number "ten" has just completed.
(In today's society this number is looked at mostly when referring to some kind of ranking or describing something that's close to perfection)

What was it like Daddy?

*Originally written on November 19th, 2010*

This morning on my way to work a gentleman requested the radio station to play Mercy Me "I can only imagine" and mentioned that it was played at his nephew's funeral. As the song began to play, my mind began to reflect back upon my own father and what his meeting with the Lord that first time was like. I've not really gotten too emotional about my father's passing much, I guess growing up my whole life aware that he could pass on at any moment, taking care of him for a year while watching his tumor begin to take over more and more prepares  someone for something like that.  But I can recall how much he struggled down here and eagerly anticipated the moment God would call him home again.  I can honestly say this did actually make me get a tink emotional, something I've only done regarding his passing one other time after his death & funeral in 2004 (of course I was emotional then).

I never considered this song for a funeral, but it makes sense.  Funeral's can become so dreary and sad...so melancholy, but for someone saved, its just a welcome home celebration, till I see you again, and a way for everyone still left visiting this earth to let that person know the impact they had upon their lives and how much they will me missed.  For we all await the day that we will meet Christ face to face, our Savior and Redeemer, our Husband.

^"14 “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death.
Where, O death, are your plagues?
Where, O grave, is your destruction?
“I will have no compassion," Hosea 13:14 NIV

⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV

^"17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)" Romans 5:17 NKJV

^"18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." Revelation 1:18 NKJV

^"10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 NKJV

I can only Imagine

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine

Verses on my mind, November 2010

*Originally written on November 14th, 2010*

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (New King James Version)
9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”

1 Peter 3:13-17 (New King James Version)
 Suffering for Right and Wrong
    13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[a] 15 But sanctify the Lord God[b] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

 1 Peter 4
 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us[a] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Footnotes:

1. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
2. 1 Peter 3:15 NU-Text reads Christ as Lord.