Them Genes

Lay down your weary head When the troubled waters flow Life breaks us all sometimes Where we need to grow Innocence is not a crime In time we understand And find the grace of mercy Sifting through the fingers of God's hand CHORUS: I know the broken places I've grown strong in every one Sown in the empty spaces A seed of work left to be done Each wound my heart embraces Becomes a cry that God has won And He knows the broken places In barren fields my heart was led As I waited there alone Shaken by my brokenness As I faced the great unknown Then I heard the voice of peace In this distant desert land Reached out for the promise That was born for every man CHORUS God knows the broken places He treasures every tear In a jar of alabaster He'll use to wash away the years The years of broken places I can name them one by one And with His love He traces The seed of work soon to be done Each wound my heart embraces Becomes a cry that God has won I know the broken places I've liv...

"Our spirit is the most important part of who we are. And yet we rarely spend time developing our inner life. That’s what Spiritual Formation is all about." I read this in writing that was given to the people that will be facilitating the group process of Spiritual formation in the Fall. I read this handout more than once and every time I did the same line jumped out at me.  Something within me leaped with excitement  (perhaps my neglected spirit) almost causing tears to run down my face. I didn't feel guilt, but I was sad because I realized that I had been trying to become better by doing things, not realizing that in doing them…I was not "being" in the moment enough to nurture my spirit.  I wake up every morning and shower, making sure that I wash behind my ears and between my toes…oh and never forgetting my scalp. That I wash with special invigorating shampoos. I then moisturize and make...

After reading the first book of Timothy, I decided to write out some of the clear instructions Paul gave him:  1. Cling to your faith in Christ , and keep your conscience clear. 2. Pray for all people. Ask God to help them; Intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  3. In every place of worship I want men to pray with Holy hands lifted up to God free from anger and controversy.  4. Women are to be modest in their appearance.  5. If aspiring to be an elder-ones life must be above reproach.  6. Deacons must be well respected and have integrity.  7. We should not reject anything but receive it with thanks.  8. Train yourself to be godly.  9. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. 10. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.  11. Focus on reading the scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers and teaching them.  12. Do no...

This morning in reading my notes from yesterday's sermon (delivered by Pastor Michael Durso), I decided to continue reading the book that he mostly emphasized, James. I found these words that I have never taken notice of before. They brought a new immense amount of comfort and a realization of how much I miss out on when I don't read the word, thinking that I already know all that there is to know. Growth happens is time... "He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 …and after reading these words, I felt more at liberty to ask God (without feeling that he would respond as others would or have in the past) for things that I lack. It was as if James knew that I would rebuttal the first part of this scripture: If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  As if he knew that I would make an excuse and simply not ask…kind of like the guy at the Bethesda pool. But in not asking, comes others things like complaining, jealously, bitterness...

Today I sit at my table with a cup of Pete's coffee thinking about what happened last night. I think about what happened, last night as we celebrated what happened 2000 years ago.  I think, but I won't assume, that many know the story of Jesus. But if you don't (because I didn't until I was 21) here's the short version: Jesus was born of a virgin (named Mary), fast forward He grew up, preached for 3 years, than knowingly and willingly gave up His life, a sacrifice for our sins, died on a cross, and…well the rest of the story is the hope that we Christians have…and the longing of my heart (according t0 2 Corinthians 5)…the Resurrection of Jesus, The Christ.  I have been following Jesus for about 9 years now, and every year the more I hear and know the story the more my heart leaps. When I first heard of what He did, it was more of a heroic shock that wowed me to the point of tears  'Why would anyone die for me' was my thought. That alone was enough...

In April of 2010 I had surgery to have two impacted wisdom teeth removed. It was one of the most excruciating pains (the removal) that I have ever experience. I developed dry socket...making even inhaling difficult. Drinking water was a drag. Anything sweet...forget it. To say the least I took 2 weeks off of work because my entire body felt the pain of my gums. I was on drugs that were not able to deal with the pain directly. All the drugs did were make me drowsy and feel weak. It was terrible. Then someone came along and told me to boil cloves and mix it with black tea. She said not to drink it, but to just let it sit in my mouth. I had tried everything and nothing seemed to bring relief. So, then I decided what can I lose by trying this home remedy. I boiled the cloves, put them in black tea, and followed the instructions...and instantly I felt the most unbelievable alleviation of total pain. It was as if I never had surgery. I no longer needed the pills that were no...