Snowflakes

I have always been fascinated by snowflakes and how beautiful each one can be.


When snow crystals are very small, they are mostly in the form of simple hexagonal prisms.  But as they grow, branches sprout from the corners to make more complex shapes - their shapes depend on the temperature and humidity. It is the water (H₂O) molecules in an ice crystal that form the hexagon. 


When you think about God's courts (Ps. 84:2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD...) just imagine that He can take you to the area where He designs the snow and hail.


Job 38:22 "Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail?


Anyway...here are a few beautiful pictures of the intricacies of snowflakes:

What a beautiful God! And what beautiful things He makes!

Eight Characteristics of Wisdom

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first

pure, then peaceable, gentle,

willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,

without partiality and without hypocrisy

As we grow in wisdom, we pardon more freely

- Madame de Stael

Wisdom is knowing what to do next;

Skill is knowing how to do it, and Virtue is doing it

- David Starr Jordan

Be still today, and search for wisdom, which is not so much found in what we know, but how we deal with what we know...that's how I see it.


So...wisdom is:
Pure
Peaceable
Gentle
Willing to yield
Full of mercy
Full of good fruits
Without partiality
Without hypocrisy

Song of the Day

I encourage you to listen to the songs at the side of this blog today. I posted some old Norwegian hymns - the last one is so typical of the hauntingly beautiful melodies found here.

The video is also a song by a young Norwegian girl from Bergen: Radiate (Kisses of tears) - Pinsekirken Ungdom.


For some reason this application makes you put up 4 clips, and they choose the clips for you if there is nothing else that matches - so, I'm sorry about the bottom 2 clips.

Seven Things That God Loves

If God loves all of these things, then we need to love them also - we must love what He loves:

He loves Israel forever (2Chron. 2:11 )

1 Ki. 10:9  “Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

He loves justice

Ps 37:28 For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

           

He loves righteousness

Ps. 11:7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
(Ps. 33:5; 146:8)

He loves the gates of Zion

Ps. 87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
(When David became king, he built his tabernacle of worship in Zion. Zion became the place where His presence was. All nations were invited to come to Mount Zion and be "born" there - in other words, to make God's true presence their home. Now the Church is the place of God's presence as He dwells or "tabernacles" with us. So the Lord lovingly calls us "Zion.")

He loves those He corrects like a father loves His son (Heb. 12:6)

Prov. 3:12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

He loves the Church (Rom. 1:7; 5:5; 1Thess. 1:4; 1Jn. 4:16)

Eph. 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

1Jn. 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

He loves the cheerful giver

2Cor. 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Norway

It is wonderful to be here in Norway - the jet-lag is wearing off and meetings start tomorrow.

We have spent the last few days at some women's meetings - such a lovely time. They began singing some very old Norwegian folk hymns, and God's presence just filled the room.

The Circle of the Earth

God sits on the circle of the earth (Is. 40:22). I wonder if he is looking at this view today:

We came close to this on the way to London, but we were stuck over a wing and didn't get to see much. We are snuggled up in one of the clubs at heathrow airport - munching on English toast and Marmite. Yum

Flying Over The Nations - Seven Prayers

I always enjoy flying over nations. Today we are flying over the USA, England and Norway. Here are the prayers and blessings from the book of Psalms that I am praying over these nations today. Join in and ask for the nations - ask God to put a nation on your heart today and pray these 7 prayers over that nation:

* Ask for the nations to come to God - Psalm 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. (NKJV)


Here it is in the Message:
What do you want? Name it: Nations as a present? continents as a prize? You can command them all to dance for you, Or throw them out with tomorrow's trash." 


* Ask for the nations to remember their foundations and return to the Lord, that families would turn to God and worship Him - Psalm 22:2728 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD’s, and He rules over the nations.


...and in the Message - verses 27-31
From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, are running back to God. 
Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him. 
God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.
All the power-mongers are before him
      —worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
      —worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
      —worshiping!

Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child. Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news—that God does what he says.


* Ask that the Lord would give us authority to bring God's blessings and grace to the nations - Psalm 47:3, 8 He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.


* Ask God to give you a song to sing over all the nations today - Psalm 57:9 (psalm 108:3) I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;I will sing to You among the nations.


The message - verses 9-10
I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. 


* Ask God that His justice and ways will permeate the whole earth, and that all the nations will sing and praise Him - Psalm 67:2 (Psalm 98:2) That Your way may be known on earth,Your salvation among all nations.


The Message version of this whole Psalm:
God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you. Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square, you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you. Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance! You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God. Earth's four corners—honor him!


* Ask God to draw all kings and queens to Him - that the leaders of all nations will worship Him, and their people will follow - Psalm 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
(Also Psalm 86:9)


* Ask God to use you to release His glory into the nations - Psalm 96:3
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
(Read this whole Psalm in the Message version - AWESOME!)

Norway 2011

Tomorrow we are taking off for 2 months in Norway with a little side trip to Sweden. I should have internet in some places in Norway, but is I am a little slower at posting in this blog, please be patient. I promise to update you on all the exciting things that are going on in Norway Churches. I feel that this is a significant trip to Norway so soon after the recent attacks.

In the meantime, check out this clip:

http://youtu.be/WSNgd4PU7ZY

Now THAT is art!!

Seven Things That Endure Forever

Some of you might know that I like lists of seven things - Here are 7 more reasons to praise God:

1Chr. 16:34       Praise Him for His mercy endures forever

Ps. 111:3          Praise Him for His righteousness endures forever

Ps. 111:10        Praise Him for His praise endures forever

Ps. 117:2          Praise Him for His truth endures forever

Ps. 119:160      Praise Him for His righteous judgments endure forever

Ps. 135:13        Praise Him for His name endures forever

1Pet. 1:25         Praise Him for His Word endures forever

So often when there are lists of 7 things, the final one in the New Testament is most awesome!

This little list is found in my book "Praise Him."

Stand By Me

I love this clip - street musicians from all over the world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

This video clip will make you smile! We all need more of that.

Judahfest

OK - we are home from Judahfest in the Oakland area. (Actually Antioch)

Like a dummy, I left my iPod Touch on the plane. I am heartbroken! My video clips I had for you are on there, plus all my music, photos, notes, contacts. Arrrrghh!

Anyway - you can check out these two great artists on YouTube:

Leon Timbo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jaejdz5o8c
Mynista: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VceBwET_IxA

We love both of these guys. We had some wonderful worship at Judahfest and made some great new friends.

Home Today

Hi folks - we are heading home today after the conference in the Bay area. Excellent time. I will post some things this afternoon.

In the meantime:

Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.

It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness,

the nourishment of mind with His truth,

the purifying of imagination by His beauty,

the opening of the heart to His love,

the surrender of will to His purpose,

and all this gathered up in adoration,

the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable

and, therefore, the chief remedy for that self-centeredness,

which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.

William Temple: 1881–1944

late Archbishop of Canterbury

footnote p. 52 "....Missing Jewel"

Worship Conference in the SF Bay Area

We are going to a worship conference in the San Francisco Bay area today. I will let you all know what it is like when we start the meetings tonight.

Meanwhile...

"When people stop believing in God,

they don't believe in nothing...

they believe in anything."

- GK Chesterton 

A Most Inspiring Story

This is Sung-Bong Choi singing "Nella Fantasia" on "Korea's Got Talent." The music was written by Ennio Morricone. This is the fabulous oboe solo from the movie "The Mission." I could hardly imagine that it could become a song, as it is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, and it doesn't seem to need words...but...when you put this man's story, voice and heart with this music - WOW!!

Chiara Ferrau wrote these lyrics in Italian - here is the English translation (I must say, the Italian version is infinitely better than any English version. The words are quite corny in English - in my opinion):


In my imagination I see a right world


where everybody lives in peace and honesty


I dream of souls always free 

like clouds which fly

full of humanity

Deep inside 

in my imagination I see a clear world


the night is less dark over there



I dream of souls always free

like clouds which fly 

full of humanity



In the imagination there is a hot wind


which blows on cities, as a friend


I dream of souls always free


like clouds which fly


full of humanity deep inside

Sung-Bong Choi has reached the final which is live on Aug 20^th. My goodness...I don't know who else is in the final, but this young man has a story for the ages, and I am sure he will bring light, strength and encouragement for your day - I am pulling for him!

God's Jewels

These are droplets of rain captured in photography - dripping down plants and flowers - tiny wonders of God's beauty - sparkling like jewels in the sun. You can even see reflections of the flowers in the raindrops:

Every detail of God's handiwork is magnificent!
He is worthy to be praised!
Masterpieces of God's art and reflections of His glory!

Thank you Richard Oddie for forwarding these photos.

The Father's Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. 
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you. 
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Bocelli

I'm on a Bocelli kick tonight - My favorites:

...and then there is this version of "Because We Believe" which is absolutely spectacular:

Enjoy!

Billy Graham's Suit

Billy Graham is now 90 years old with Parkinson's disease. 



In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, 
invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in 
his honor. 



Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he 
struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte 
leaders said, 'We don't expect a major address. Just 
come and let us honor you.' So he agreed.. 



After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham 
stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, 


'I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who 
this month has been honored by Time magazine as the 
Man of the Century.

Einstein was once traveling from 
Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the 
aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he 
came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He 
couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. 
It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. 
Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. 



The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. 
We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. 
Don't worry about it.' 

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to 
move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great 
physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. 



The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, 
Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are No problem. 
You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.' 

Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. 
What I don't know is where I'm going.'' 

Having said that Billy Graham continued, 'See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be 
a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. 

You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which 
I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want 
you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. 
I want you to remember this: 



I not only know who I am ... I also know where I'm going!

...and now for something completely different...

7 Attitudes That need To Grow In Our Hearts

In order to grow in worship, we need to keep growing in these seven attitudes.

—Wonder (Is. 6:1-5) We must never loose our wonder and fascination with our most spectacular God. Isaiah looked with wonder at the spectacle of heavenly worship.

—Passion (2Sam. 6:21-22) David danced before the Lord with total abandon. He took off everything that got in the way of his passionate offering - including his royal robes and his pride.

—Endurance (Job 1:20-21; Hab. 3:17-18) Both Job and Habakkuk faced a season of extreme suffering, and yet both of them maintained their heart of worship. No matter what obstacles stand in our way, we can look to these examples of enduring love and worship for the Lord

—Brokenness (Ps. 51 – a repentant heart 2Chron. 17:6; 19:3) The Bible is full of examples of men and women who knew the importance of turning their hearts back to the Lord. It is imperative that we know how to find our way back to the Lord - no matter what has turned us away from our first love. In the end, David's sin was not the thing he was most remembered for, it was his broken and contrite heart.

—Appetite to hear—prophetic (Song 2:14) True worshipers  know how to listen to the Lord as well as pour out their hearts to Him. Our love for God is less than half the story, we must be worshipers who have ears that are tuned to the voice of God and be able to tell of the wonders we have heard.

—Righteousness (2Chron. 17:6; 19:3; Ps. 24:4; 29:2; 2Tim. 2:22) Without a holy heart, we can never draw near tot he Lord. We must learn the secret of holiness - through holy living, repentant hearts and putting on the righteousness of Christ.

—Excellence. Whatever God does, He does it excellently (Psalm 150:2 - we praise His excellent greatness!) Don't settle for second best - everything you do must be your best. Excellence is different from perfection. We may not always be perfect, but when we put our heart, soul and strength into our ministry, we will be excellent.

Most Excellent God

Our God is so worthy to be worshiped - He is excellent in every way

He is excellent in power - Job 37:23

He is excellent in greatness - Ps. 150:2

He is excellent in guidance - Is. 28:29

His name is excellent - Ps. 8:1, 9

His name is excellent in all the earth - Ps. 8:9

His name is more excellent than the angels’ names - Heb. 1:4

He has done excellent things - Is. 12:5

He speaks out of excellent glory - 2Pet. 1:17

He has made us His excellent ones - Ps. 16:3

From Generation To Generation

Psalm 145:4

One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts.

I have it on my heart today that the Lord should be praised from one generation to the next. Here are some Scriptures that shout His praises from the young to the old:




Matthew 21:16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, 
‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”

Psalm 148:7, 12 Praise the LORD from the earth...children.

Psalm 148:7, 12 Praise the LORD from the earth...Both young men and maidens

Psalm 71:5, 17 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;You are my trust from my youth.

O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.         

Psalm 148:7, 12 Praise the LORD from the earth...Old men...

Psalm 71:18 Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.