Let The Flame Burn Brighter

Let the Flame Burn Brighter

~ Graham Kendrick

We'll walk the land, with hearts on fire

And every step will be a prayer

Hope is rising, new day dawning

Sound of singing fills the air.

Two thousand years and still the flame

Is burning bright across the land

Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,

For awakening once again.

Let the flame burn brighter

In the heart of the darkness

Turning night to glorious day

Let the song grow louder

As our love grows stronger

Let it shine, Let it shine

We'll walk for truth, speak out for love

In Jesus' name we shall be strong

To lift the fallen, to save the children

To fill the nations with your song!

Let the flame burn brighter
In the heart of the darkness
Turning night to glorious day
Let the song grow louder
As our love grows stronger
Let it shine, Let it shine.

Nope, this isn't me. We had some 'fire dancers' performing last summer! It was loads of fun to photograph these, using different shutter speeds & stuff!

Thin Ice

Bubbles & cracks in very thin ice

"These six things the Lord hates..." Proverbs 6:16

I just don't understand people! Really! Why do Christians hurt other Christians? Why do we go out of our way to kick a brother or sister when they are down? How is it that we can be the ones to push eachother down? Doesn't Christian mean "Christ like", 'striving to be like Christ', or at least "Christ Follower"? How is it that we can lead one another to the edge of thin ice & then say 'go walk on it' and turn our backs?

We have been praying for revival in our church, for revival in our individual lives. I think its coming but it has come in a way that is unexpected. Well, God uses whatever ways He sees fit to do His work!

Sometimes a total cleansing needs to take place. Sometimes a total breakdown has to happen. Not everyone will like it. People will talk, people will say things, people will gossip, people will hurt others...because they are people! God can change any person! But He is very clear on things He doesn't like to see happen...

"These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies and one who sows discord among brethren." Proverbs 6:16-19

The last part of the verse sticks out the most to me "one who sows discord among brethren" and its the part that baffles me the most. I know that even in the church world the phrase "why can't we all just get along" is not something that is possible. But the gossip that flies around corners of sanctuaries, beneathe the pews & around the alters of our churches today ... well, I guess sometimes it just surprises me!

Yes, our pastor has been encouraging us to pray for a revival, individually & in the church. I see it coming! I believe he sees it too! God will not be slowed down by gossip, by discord, or by wicked plans. God never treads on thin ice and He will not let a revival fall through the cracks!

Deck the Halls

Fa, la, la, la, laaaa, La, la, la, laaaaaa

Anyone who knows me well knows that Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year. And I also LOVE Christmas decorating. I'm of the "Go big or Go home" school of thought. While I know decorations and lights aren't for everyone, it is definitely for me. I don't just deck the halls, I deck the living room, deck the kitchen, the bathroom, the boot room. A snowman hangs in my car. A mistletoe hangs in my bedroom. I have a USB lit Christmas tree that plugs into my laptop. The bird cage has bows and a bell. The windows have stickies on them, as do half the mirrors!

November 1st, the first few hints of Christmas start appearing. I start with a snowman here & there because they are my favourites. As the month progresses a few more things appear. The boxes start being opened as I dig for the ones I cherish the most. Some things from the past get rejected, and a few new ones are always added to the collection.

This year I've even taken photographs of different ornaments in order to print them and put them in the frames that are already hanging up. And I like the results!

I feel festive! I feel jolly! I feel merry! I feel cheery! This IS my favourite time of year and I can't help but hurl my Christmas joy at everyone else.

So many people say "too early! too early". Others say its a big waste of money! Still others claim that they are too lazy, or just too grinchy to bother. But none of these get me down. I love to Deck the Halls and Deck the Halls I shall!

"But what about Jesus?" you might say. Isn't all this decorating frivolous & worldly? I don't think it is. I know what Christmas is all about, that doesn't mean I need to bring out my nativity scenes only & put all the rest away. It doesn't mean I can't find joy in such a joyful season! Its just the way I choose to decorate my house at this time of year. When it all goes away after Christmas, it doesn't make the fact that Jesus came to earth go away any more than it does to have it all out.

Blessings & joy to you all at the start of this Christmas season!

You Better Watch Out, You Better Not Cry

I was driving around in my car this afternoon running little errands and of course, 'tis the season, I have a Christmas CD playing. Being a lover of all things Christmas, it was an eccletic mix of both children's songs, instrumentals, spirituals & downright funny Christmas tunes.

Just before I got home "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" started playing (sung by Grover from Sesame Street no less) and as I listened to it, I started to chuckle. It seems we spend more time warning ourselves and our children to prepare for Santa's coming than we do for Jesus' coming.

Truly, if you listen to the words, you could easily replace every 'Santa Claus' with the words 'Jesus Christ' and it would make a much better song...

You better watch out, you better not cry

You better not pout I'm telling you why

Jesus Christ is comin' back to town

He's made His list, no need to check it twice

He already knows who's naughty & nice

Jesus Christ is comin' back to town

He sees you when you're sleeping

He knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for HEAVEN's sake

ohhhhhh

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is comin' back to town

Now, I know the words seem somewhat humourous when changed like that but recently, my husband & I and a group of friends, have spent some time talking about the second coming, thinking about what Heaven will be like and wondering how much longer we have till He comes and how we can reach more people before then. After all this talking, thinking & wondering, we know its time we did some DOING. The fields are ripe! The people are ready.

With reality TV to numb the reality of what's going on in our world today, there are less & less people aware of the signs pointing to the second coming. Less concerned about what is going on in the world that is fulfilling prophecies of old. Apathetic to the point that they don't care, they just trust that they are ready. Being personally ready is a great thing, but that's not our calling. We aren't called to be saved and then sit & wait, attend church on Sundays, say grace for our meals and throw a couple bucks in the Salvation Army kettles...we are called to GO! To your neighbours house, your local shelter, your family & friends, another country, another continent, where ever you see someone needing Jesus. We need to make sure they are just as ready as we are!

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" Matthew 28:19

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

"I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." John 14:3

"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." Mark 13:33

...wars and rumours of wars

... nation against nation

...earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights

"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28