HOPE IS LIKE WATER

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The other night, we were invited to a birthday dinner for my sister-in-law.  I was fetched by my husband and we went over to their house, a short drive from my office.

I was still feeling low with the allergic rhinitis striking back again with the temperatures rising at midday and lowering sharply at dawn.

When we got to my sister-in-laws', I begged to retire to a bedroom to rest for a while as the dinner time is still due in an hour.

I spotted a magazine published in Dubai and I decided to leaf through it to pass the time.  Then I came to this ad that says,



"Because hope, like water, flows naturally.
Hope is a beautiful thing-it can impart courage, determination and strength of mind.
It is hope that drives us forward when worry holds us back and it is hope that lifts us up when troubles weigh us down.

Let if flow."

(Ad from Masafi Co. Dubai)


Beautiful words which whisked me to some scriptures like,

"Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 
                                                                                                      

                                                                                                        John 4:13-15

This was the water Jesus gave to the Samaritan woman.  It healed her of her sins and led others to the one who gives the water of life.

Water washes filth and fill our cells with the needed ions to keep us alive.  Water therapy is said to cure diseases and drives away stroke.

If  I double up my in-take of water, I will surely be on the quick road to recover from my allergies.  I promised to myself I will do that.

Here is the verse that says the Lord is the hope of Israel, just like the ads:

" O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water."

                                                                                                      Jeremiah 17:13

He who has Jesus will never grow thirsty for:

"He leads me beside still waters.     He restores my soul."

                                                                                                                             Psalm 23:2b-3


And I will be healed (from physical and spiritual diseases). Jesus is my hope, my fountain of Living Water.  Amen.  

 And where is it which says...... it is for free?  Which should I let flow?  Or rather "let God flow?"  Water or Hope? Ah, it should be HOPE because my hope is in the Lord.  And when my hope is put upon Him.... everything should flow...... from within me... then my thirst will be filled too.

My hope is in You

by:Aaron Shust

 I meet with You and my soul sings out
As your word throws doubt far away
I sing to You and my heart cries
“Holy!
Hallelujah
Father, You’re near!”

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord

I wait for You and my soul finds rest
In my selfishness, You show me grace
I worship You and my heart cries “Glory
Hallelujah
Father You’re here!”

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord

I will wait on You
You are my refuge
I will wait on You
You are my refuge

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
Yeah
My hope is in You, Lord

ALLELUIA

Last night I looked for this book because it suddenly came to mind.  It was gathering dust in the shelf.  I practically forgot about it.  It was given by our church during one of our Intersect Programs which solicited books from the US to fill an adopted school's Library.  The team from the US has previously pimped the said Library with new paintwork and new book shelves.  Now it was ready to be filled up with the multitude of books that came in boxes from the US.  They came in all areas of studies including an array of Children's books and Bibles.

Before the books were to fill up the pretty shelves, we needed to cover them in plastic to make them last.  This was where all of the volunteers' hands and time came to good use.  Can you imagine the big boxes needed to be done all in an afternoon after Sunday service?  But happy hands were willing hands and the time just passed by and we covered every single book.  The excitement of seeing all those gems in the School Library have overridden the task.

Before sundown we had the surprise when we were made to line-up and pick our own two books to bring home.  There was a lone box left to give out to the volunteers.  Of course, I made do with what was left after every one else had picked their own.

Nobody picked this hard-bound thin book which did not look attractive at all.  There was no fancy cover.  It was only in plain red card paper with a cream spine.  There wasn't even a title on the outside.  If you wouldn't care to browse inside it, you will never know what lies within.  So the tired overused cliche, "Don't judge a book by its cover" so aptly came alive in this particular book.

"Didn't someone come in such a packaging?  Rejected by the very tribe He came from and for."

Being a fan of underdogs and having a heart that lets all the others pick first, and be happy to find treasures from the left overs, this became my own adopted one.  A treasure indeed.  The other book was a Psychology Workbook.  It has long since been given to a friend's daughter who was about to graduate in the College of Psychology.

So, what you are looking at in the picture is the inside Title Page.  The book is by Michael Podesta.  If you know him you would know that he is a gifted calligraphy artist.  Please note the description below in his newer book ad.

"Michael Podesta is a local calligraphy artist who shares his love of God's word and his love of design through his artwork!"

                                                                                                      -LINK to this-

I am going to let you see one of the art page in this humble and unpretentious book with his own reflections in it.  Such a treasure!

Behind The Art - Alleluia: 

SCANNED IMAGE &CROPPED

The Hebrew word hallel means “praise”, and Yah or Jah is shorthand for “Jehovah,” the Lord. So, “Alleluia” is derived from “Praise the Lord”. In the book of Revelation, a heavenly multitude shouts, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory.” We use the word as an exclamation of praise, joy, thanks. Hearing its overwhelming repetition in the choruses of Handel’s Messiah is probably one of the reasons I see it that way, too.

Original Signature of Michael Podesta

There it is, 84 pages of Words of Praise which Michael Podesta has collected in one beautiful book.  You will actually hear and see those familiar words of praise in the Scripture, as if for the first time.

If you will allow me, as the bidding comes, I will share more pages in the days to come.

For now, let us say in unison..... as in the heavenly multitude shouts in the book of Revelation...... Unending  ALLELUIA to our Omnipotent Lord God, who reigns forevermore!

How I praise Him, for making it known to me today, that I am the owner of a priceless possession-a treasurer of a book.

And on top of this, I have an inheritance which the thieves could not steal and the moths could not destroy.    Alleluia!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ADOPTED LIBRARY ACTIVITIES:

COVERING BOOKS

THE OLD BOOKS

FILLING SHELVES

KIDDIE CORNER

CHILDREN'S BIBLE CORNER

MORE BOOKS

THE NEW SHELVES AND WALL

ANOTHER VIEW

THE TURNOVER CEREMONY

THE US TEAM AND THE LOCAL LEADERS

WITH MY THANKS TO QUEST CEBU COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP FOR THE PICTURES.

....And I want to link this post to one of Diane's at An Encouraging Word, which features the same Praise Word...... Hallelujah!.  This time by another calligraphy artist, expressing his own Praises with his calligraphy.
 

PRAYER

Come pray with me....

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Father thank you for a new day in you. Thank you for your power and your might. Thank you for going before us and making every crooked place straight today. Father we ask that you be all that you are in us and through us. Help us Daddy. Help us to help those around us. Help us to show them your love, your peace, and your protection. Let them see us walking in your word. Let them see us trusting your word. Let them see us believing your word Daddy. Father you are so good. We love you. We believe you. We need you.

Father today we ask that you heal our bodies. Where the enemy is trying to rule and reign. We command divine healing to take place. Father we ask that you meet every need. Where our increase has been held up Father .... we ask for release now in Jesus name. Father we pray for your peace and your power to rule and reign in our lives. Father we pray for open doors to manifest in our lives. Do what only you can Daddy. Protect us Father. Where the enemy is trying to come in as a flood .... raise up your standard of protection. Father we love you and we ask all these things in Jesus name. Amen.

Today is a share-a-post-Monday.  This was originally published by an FB friend.  I am sharing this here because we need this Healing Power Prayer all the time.  I am laying this upon my friends and for myself.

Let us pray together..........

 

 

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiE0sZ0rzcs

This video IS in a post  by Rosel of RCUBEs entitled:   HOME IS WHERE HE IS. 

The lyrics of the song is so inspiring, thus I shared it here.  I want this to be in handy, when trudging this earthly journey, there may come time that I will have to come back for it.

If you wish to read the post which carried this video, please go ahead to Rosel's blog.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

BE GENTLE

Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Where I most need it, I am tested most also.


Way back in 1997, I had the privilege of knowing a special lady.  We worked together in one of our church's church planting.  They were a missionary couple who volunteered to join us in this new ground.  They came from Nebraska.

With them we learned so many things.  I have been into trainings and seminars on evangelism but it is by their example in the fields, that I learned the most.

We went together for outreach, used every openings there were available, including the Samaritan's Purse's Christmas Child gift boxes.  Included in these boxes are tracts for child evangelism and materials for sharing.  We knocked on doors and came in armed with these bundles.  We saw the smiles and the joys in the children's eyes as they opened their gifts.  Along with this we came into their homes bringing Jesus and God's love.  And more parents knew Jesus in these encounters.

They also taught us how to handle Small groups using their own simple method.  I kept in my heart our Motto, "People over Program,"  which mattered the most.  This has given me courage and confidence to lead under their tutelage.  

This lady exuded so much gentleness, which was so achingly lacking in me.  There are times I spark and flare at a provocation.  Although oftentimes, I am able to contain it inside.... still I flare inside.  Being held back never excuses me of submitting to anger.

I began to wish I am more gentle, like my mentor.  And Oh, she also had the grace to enroll me for free in a class for Counseling.  She so wanted me to join the class offered in our Bible School under one of their Missionary colleagues.  So I did too.

And so my journey for gentleness began.  I slipped so many times.  Countless times.

Inside I still am not that which I so desire.  The enemy has, always, a new ploy to set up in my road.  He puts roadblocks and even a mountain too high to climb up...... there, up there, lies my GENTLENESS pedestal, set so high, I don't think I can tackle it halfway.

Just last night, I struck a raw surface with my precious son, who is graduating from the Alternative Learning System today.  Of course, I am rejoicing and have danced in thanksgiving to the Lord, for it is an answered prayer.  He is an academically challenged guy which could have been better home-schooled.  

And now he is going to parade among the 700 or so proud ALS graduate.  They come in all walks and ages, but under the same challenge.  Some had to work for the family and dropped out while some never really had a formal schooling due to varied reasons.

He came home late last night while I was in bed already.  He needed to find his black shoes to wear with the Toga and black pants.  So there, the spark kindled and I went off..... inside,  mind you, I did not have the power to flare on the outside, knowing he is in the JOY of his life state.... knowing that he has given me my most HOPED-for-a long time event. ..... silently but surely, flared I went up.  He did not look for the missing shoes during the day but had chosen to do on the last minute.

Thanks God, I found it this morning..... what with my memory needing an upgrade.  Hah..... sigh!

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And Oh for gentleness..... I seek and I slip and I seek again, with Your help, Oh God! 

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