ONE MESSAGE. ONE FAITH.

"She cried a deluge of tears- enough to wash the feet of Jesus- and then she wiped them clean and dry with her hair." Those who have been forgiven much, love much* As the preacher relayed this timeless story I was struck in the heart. I marveled at the effect of this woman's intense desire to express her adoration to her savior. It was so much that she was willing to be unkempt and become, what we would call dirty. Can you imagine the combination of tears and dirt she was left with when she arose from his feet. Yet the possibly now matted hair was in direct contrast to the fragrant aroma that surrounded her as she got up. She poured out what she had and gave it to God, and her contact with the Savior caused his anointing to be imparted on her as well. How about the absurdity of a king dancing in the streets? His desire to express his thankfulness and adoration of the most high was unmatched in the kingdom. He danced every so many steps, while his kingly robes beg...

I sang this Psalm in a dream last night, and it was still with me when I awoke. As I dressed I flipped through the bible to locate it, knowing its general place in the psalms. I found and read Psalm 136 and danced to the tune that rang in my heart. It was joyful. Look how many times the phrase "His mercy endures forever" was repeated, and yet it was still not enough to express the extent of God's mercy. He is slow to anger, and full, FULL of mercy. Everything he does toward us is an act of mercy and love. Take time to go through your day and see every situation you  are involved in, as an act of mercy. So though the world spirals into complete entropy around us, God delays his return because he is in love with the sinner that he is gifting with one more day to know Him. His mercy endures forever. The cold of winter may be unbearable to some, yet it affords us the opportunity to know the difference between comfort and discomfort. This heightens our ability to know Go...

Yesterday I was flipping through the pages of my 4 year old's bible- a Gideon published New Testament- and was pleasantly surprised by what I found in the prefacing pages. A few songs were shared there, anthems, such as "Jesus, Lover of my soul", "The Star -Spangled Banner", "Onward, Christian soldiers" and "America ( My country 'tis of thee)". The songs themselves were not the surprise. It was the verses that are not generally sung or mainstream. We may all belt out, skillfully or unskillfully, O say ! can you see, by the dawn's early light.... Yet the song has this  4th verse: O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation... Or how about this one: My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing... Yet take a l...