Six the same but different

Found this online the other day. Amazing the technology and with that the possibilities. Also, this guy has quite a range. Enjoy it and remember this is the same guy, singing all six different parts.

Chronic.....Joy?

I just recently sat at the side of a hospital bed with an individual who has all of their life experienced one physical complication after another. Serious surgeries where organs have been removed, and procedures that left this person with drastic limitations. One thing after another has hit this one and they are "sick and tired of being sick and tired."

I have never experienced that. The chronic pain, the chronic suffering, the chronic bouts of physical limitations that lead to the battle of depression, discouragement, and a longing for release!

Chronic....On going, never finding a full release, no end in sight, or just when you think it is finally over....Chronic!

Where is there any joy in that? How can I, in reasonably good health, never much for hospitals, not aware of any physical abnormalities and find getting a head cold a point of absolute misery...How can I extend a hope of joy?

How can I offer to this dear soul the words of comfort and hope that they need in order to "feel good" when life is filled with the chronic "bad" that has plagued them for all these years?

The reality is that JOY is not mine to give. Joy is not mine to create. Joy is not within me to begin with. Joy is outside of me and comes from a source beyond me.

"If you want Joy, real joy, wonderful joy, Let Jesus come into your heart," as the old chorus goes. "Your sins He'll wash away, your night He'll turn to day, your life He'll make it over a new."

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. Psalms 5:11

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalms 16:11

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5

The angelic herald at Christ's birth shouted this statement: But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; Luke 2:10 Joy came with the coming of Christ. The ability to find contentment, rest, peace.

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:9-13

Love and joy, being loved, finding joy. This is our God we are speaking of. The One that knows that this dear one is in a hospital bed for the "umpteenth" time and is discouraged with life and the body they find themselves encased in.

This is the same God however, that endured our death so that even though our "sin-afflicted" existence should leave us trapped in a physical body that just won't respond as we would hope, we have this joy! HE is coming to redeem us, to deliver us, to free us and that existence will bring about freedom from pain, suffering, trials, and depression of mind and spirit.

But what about while we wait? What do I do now? How do I endure until that day? By finding Christ to be that daily source of joy. He is my contentment, He is my daily bread, He is my peace, my lover, my provider of grace. As I live with Him in mind my pain has a purpose. My suffering has a reason. My life is not about me, but about using the daily reminder that God has given me that I need Him! He is my joy and He is my grace. He is my confidence and He is my heart's physician.

I am nothing without Him and through Him I can do all that He asks of me. He is my cause, my reason, my hope and all my tomorrows!

"My Joy...in you," Jesus says just hours, minutes, before the cross. Real joy, wonderful joy. A life changing joy that is not based upon circumstances, but a joy that brings contentment in the midst of "real life."

Joy when life is...well, "Chronic."

No Greater Love

It is very rare that I comment on movies or such things like that, but here in the past few posts the movie industry has come up. However, this time I highly recommend a visual production entitled, No Greater Love.

This is a Lionsgate production and comes with a 4 out of 5 for family friendliness from the Dove Foundation.

My wife and I viewed this just recently and both of us were just overwhelmed with the acting and the portrayal of Christianity through the eyes of an unbeliever. We loved it! It was honest, fresh, very well done, and tastefully, yet vividly emotional.

The opening scenes are abrupt and certainly get your attention. They deal with a wife caught in the grips of deep depression and turns to alcohol as a way out before she abandons her husband and 10 month old son. The movie then comes to the present day where this abandoned husband, Dave, and his 10 year old son are very attached and lovingly strong in their relationship. The husband now, an unbeliever, is now actually thinking of marrying another woman, yet has such emotional ties to his long-lost wife.

The movie brings us along the journey of discovering his lost wife, now dealing with the anger, bitterness, yet overwhelming love he still has for her. The problem now is that the wife, Heather, has become a Christian. She is a totally different person. What now? Believers and Unbelievers being married? Divorced? Different paths, plans, and what about the burden of a believer's heart to follow God when now comes this man she lost contact with and a son she has not known for his entire life practically?

This is a great movie that tugs at your heart and portrays the power of Christ's change in those who are truly saved and walking in obedience.

I encourage you to watch it. I think the content is a bit much for a younger audience and would agree with Dove's assessment of keeping it to an audience of 12 years old and up. This is a much milder version of a Fire Proof kind of movie. The emotions are calmer yet very intense at the same time.

We found our copy in the local video store, so make it a date movie if you like that and enjoy, No Greater Love.

Service Times and The Big Game!

Recently a man I respect and admire wrote an article about how we determine our approach to scheduling church services during big sporting events like the one coming up on February 7. What will the churches do especially if they are rooting for teams that could be headed in that direction? John Pratt, a pastor and teacher at Central Seminary in Plymouth, Minnesota addresses this topic.

He brings out several things that we all should wrestle with even if you are not a sports fan, but have any activities in which you are an enthusiast. Let it challenge you as much as it did me.

(If unable to use the link - http://centralmn.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/service-times-and-sporting-events/ )

God given abilities

Was shown this recently. Thought I would pass it on. Great story and a great family from all indications.



( If having trouble seeing the clip - www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg )