Kaleidoscope

"When we pray the heart of God and man align."

Because of our humanity we are not shielded nor able to escape the issues of pain, hardship, and suffering that awaits every mortal being. The beauty of our relationship with God, and I would even say the purpose, is how His grace and power works through the frailties of our life; displaying His manifold power in the deepest and darkest valley's of our human experience.

People who live outside of this alignment constitutes the majority of mankind. It is among the masses in which we derive a vocabulary of words with seemingly universal application. For example; the word bad, in the sense of badness, is the opposite of good. Bad is bad. If I say to you that I am good you would not think bad. Good is good; bad is bad. However, the carnal words; used by man; cosmopolitan in use; are irrelevant and pale to a spiritual lexicon and perspective. Only in alignment with God; through the lens of faith; do we regard our life and circumstances differently. In Christ we trust in a broader picture; not judged by what is happening but rather in what He is making; thus receiving all things in sanctity and accordance; conforming to His will and purpose.

In other words...If my neighbor, a non-believer, reached out to God only after suffering a near fatal accident, then what was bad...was actually good. Better to enter heaven with one eye than into hell with two.

Kaleidoscope by definition is a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes.
God is never changing...but we are ever-changing...through the inescapable impact of life. In this journey of our faith we discover that our God is greater than all of our sin and shame, fears and failures. When aligned with Him, the kaleidoscope of our life is constantly changing; refined; conformed; renewed.

As Andre Crouch would sing,
"if I never had a problem... I would never know that God could solve them"

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I have known crises in my life...as have many of you. Most by my own doing and at other times blindsided. In frailty and fear you want to give up and quit. When life and its mysteries comes crashing in it leaves you feeling hopeless and helpless...then...deep calls unto deep. Your faith says...

"A festering thorn can break you...
but with God...IT CAN MAKE YOU ."

You may be encircled this very moment with the adversities of life; pitiful; bewildered; loathing you're very self. Others; with their carnal eyes; fleshy thoughts; simple minds; will tell you how to feel, what to do, how to act.
In that moment you must remember, at your worst He found you and now; in your state; your rightful place at His table; you must align to His ever-changing design for your life.

When God has surrounded you, even in the presence of your enemies, your cup will overflow. You learn that indeed...He works all things together for good; conforming you to His image. What some meant for evil or the enemy as defeat, God meant for good; to be transformed; renewed; changed.

As vessels of clay we can't hide our cracks, blemishes, and scars...rather we are to reveal His grace within; the treasure of His children; showing that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
JMT
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/MN-uFHB05DQ

The Way Of The Royal Cross "Sara Bareilles - Brave"

Some of you are wondering about all the blogs I have written on Matthew 16:24 " if anyone would come after me they must first deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

It all started with a few chapters from Thomas A Kempis 13th century book titled "The Imitation of Christ". The first time through it, I thought to myself, "this guys nuts." A week or two later I read it again, in particular the chapter: "the Royal Road of the Holy Cross". This time it intrigued me. A few weeks later, during Passover week, I watched The Passion of the Christ. Needless to say I wept during the entire movie. The portrayal of the suffering and punishment our Lord endured for our sake overwhelmed my spirit. That night, I read the Royal Road of the Holy Cross again. As I read, with the eyes of my heart opened, the tears began to flow. I was humbled and broken. The message pierced my heart with crystal clarity. It was a moment of divine inspiration that I will never...ever... forget.

With the assistance of Dr. William Stone MD, what has been produced is a spiritual journey of seven chapters leading up to Easter, titled: Take Up Your Cross.

Suffering is part of the Christian experience. God uses our cross to deepen our trust in Him and mature our faith.

As believers we forget that in this world we will suffer. Mistakenly we dream of the day when we will have no more problems or sorrow. That day is Heaven...and we aren't there yet.

We are called to take up our cross and follow Him. The cross is His way to the kingdom; His way to thy will be done on earth...as it is in heaven.

Sin is defeated by the cross. In heaven and on earth.
Through His cross the heavens are opened;
Through our cross the earth is laid bare.

Too many give up and quit. Some allow the sorrows of life to destroy them physically and spiritually.

These seven chapters will strengthen your resolve to accept suffering as your cross; to increase your faith; to transform beauty from ashes; restore joy to those who mourn.

I firmly believe that God will use this timely message for today. Pray and share this message with others.

All seven chapters will be posted each week prior to Easter
God be with you.

John M. Thomas
William J. Stone M.D.

John Mark Thomas has shared a video with you on YouTube Sara Bareilles - Brave by SaraBareillesVEVO Music video by Sara Bareilles performing Brave. (C) 2013 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Buy the single here: http://smarturl.it/sarabrave Help center • Email options • Report spam ©2014 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

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Coldplay - Don't Let It Break Your Heart

• •  Ephesians 6:10
    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
    
    
    if I lost the map
    If I lost it all
    I fell into the trap
    Then she goes
    
    
    When you're tired of waiting you just
    Find you never had to stop
    Come on baby, don't let it break your heart
    
    
    Those heavenly regrets
    Still on me though
    Trying to catch a cannonball
    And so burning tired
    
    
    Oh-oh-oh-oh through my veins is flowing
    From a shipwreck I heard a call
    Well she said
    
    
    When you're tired of aiming your arrows
    Still you'll never hit the mark
    Oh-oh-oh even if your aims are shadows
    Still we never gonna part
    
    
    Come on baby don't let it 
    Break your heart
  
  
  The crushing blows of life are challenging to us all. Trying to manage or minimize these events is about like trying to catch cannonballs with your hands. 
  
  
  When things are broken...it's time to replace or repair. Your heart has to repair from brokenness; leaving us withered and tired...but wiser. 
  
  
  Guard your heart. Keep it sensitive to the hurts and the wounded. To be strong in the LORD is to trust Him with your heart; He will never forsake what has been entrusted to Him. 
  
  
  Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/FjwUkUiFRkM

"Emmanuel" - CHRIS BOTTI IN BOSTON w/ Lucia Micarelli

Matthew 1:23 (NIV1984)

²³ “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[a]—which means, “God with us.”

Chris Botti is the greatest trumpet player of all time. Lisa Marcuretti is arguably the best violinist you've ever heard. Their duet beautifully captures the symphony behind the meaning of the name "Emmanuel"

Emmanuel or Imanu'el, Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל meaning "God is with us"
The most beautiful, symbolic, and factual name of our Lord Jesus
God became flesh and lived among us.
The Lord Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. Why? He was the spotless lamb of God, without defect or sin. He was the atoning sacrifice for all our sin.

He came to us...to make a way for us...a way to God; to eternal life.

He is the way, the truth, and the life.

He came as a light to those lost in darkness.
He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

If anyone will confess, "Jesus is Lord."

and...believe in their heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead...

YOU WILL BE SAVED. (Rom.10:9)

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/m8NN4fpdm40

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face - Coldplay

Romans 12:2-4

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Its always the best practice to look at others through the prism of Gods grace;  i.e. where would you be today had it not been for the grace of God? Very little separates you from the homeless man in a soup line, the inmate in the county jail, or the young pregnant girl in a dead end relationship. 

Before you make a judgmental comment or make a harsh assumption about someones status...or station in life...you need to think long and hard about where you would be had it not been for Gods blessing and mercy.

The reversal or change of (1) one dynamic in your life could result in a total realignment of where and what you are today. You may be blessed with Christian parents; but what if it were not so? Your in good health; but what if you were not? Gods blessing has provided a place you call "home"; but what if you did not? 

Now, when you work it out I'm worse than you
Yeah, when you work it out I wanted to
Now, when you work out where to draw the line
Your guess is as good as mine
Its as good as mine [x7]

Where do we go nobody knows?
Don't even say you're on your way down, (when)
God gave you style and gave you grace
And put a smile upon your face <!-Lyrics End->

Treat everyone with dignity and respect...with gratitude in your heart for all that God has done.
God give you style and give you grace. God put a smile upon your face.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Step down off your high horse and be willing to give the shirt off your back...to anyone in need.

  
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/e9Kcg_8gK30

OneRepublic - Goodbye Apathy

Ephesians 5:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

I love this song from OneRepublic. Listening to it over and again reminds me of one of my constant thorns of the flesh...apathy. I don't know how the rotten thinking creeps into my mind but I have to be vigilant in keeping the "forget  it...who cares" out of my head. This kind of attitude is counter to Christ. I mean...where would we be if He had said, "forget it...this ain't worth it"? 

The song talks about apathy in a relationship. Without his soulmate beside him it seemed like everything was breaking ice. He can't even walk right..."whats your vice?...mine is illusion." 

In today's world APATHY is not an option for anyone especially the child of God. Why? Because we know how this all ends!!!

Without Christ, you don't stand a chance. He is our hope and the hope of all the world. 

So get up off your couch and do something about it. Share His love with someone or at lest share what Christ has done for you.

"Everybody is watching you...Everybody is watching me too." 

Check out this video

Goodbye Apathy