Psalm 95:6-11 & Hebrews 4 & Isaiah 55:9-11

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, [a]
as you did that day at Massah [b] in the desert,

9 where your fathers tested and tried me,
though they had seen what I did.

10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways."

11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
"They shall never enter my rest."

Hebrews 4
A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.[a] 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
"So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "[b] And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."[c] 5And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."
6It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. 7Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."[d] 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Isaiah 55:9-11 (New International Version)

9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

LOVE video collage by Jaeson Ma

Beautiful moments. New Single Released September 1st. "LOVE."
Truly beautiful! Anointed. Check it!

From Job (8)

5 But if you will look to God
and plead with the Almighty,

6 if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
and restore you to your rightful place.

7 Your beginnings will seem humble,
so prosperous will your future be.

8 "Ask the former generations
and find out what their fathers learned,

9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,
and our days on earth are but a shadow.

10 Will they not instruct you and tell you?
Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?

Jewish song/prayer from Annie.

Don't walk in front of me
I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me
I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend
And together we will walk in the ways of God.

--written for me in my journal by 8 year old Annie on my plane ride from LA to MI.

This chimed with my heart. And so did Annie.

Blessing!

And she is a smart girl! God, I pray blessing and favor over Annie and her sisters and her mom. Jesus bless them and make them great in your Kingdom, great in your heart. Let them find the Love that will take their breath away and breathe your love and life and breath in them. May they seek Your Kingdom first, your joy and your righteousness. And may they find freedom and life in their hearts' desires. In Jesus' name! Amen!

prayer song

God is faithful,
never changing,
always constant,
always stable.
He is loving.
He is kind.
He knows what is on my mind.
Carry me through this trying time
&faithfully hold me by His side.
He will show His grace to me.
Joyfully providing4every need.
He is everything to me.
Faithful Lover, Father, King.
With all my heart He makes me sing.
Alleluia.Alleluia.

Small Town by My Ephiphany

Keep hearing these first two lines ringing in my head! The only two lines I knew... :-)
Keep hearing it ring as I drive about Stevensville--beautiful little small town in which I was raised! Glad for my roots and wings!...


i was raised in a small town
i couldn't wait to leave that small town
'cause i couldn't sit around and think that ignorance is surely killing me
and i'll be left flipping the sign at a closing burger king
with kids who gave up just like me

it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose

i just hit the hard ground, but i was running when i hit the hard ground
i watched the dirt beneath my feet,
and all the bridges that were burning behind me
i'll be so free, someday baby
but you're like me, you'll have to wait and see

it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose

lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you
lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you

some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home
some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home

Love With Find A Way- Amy Grant

Love will find a way, Love will find a way, I know its hard to see the past and still believe Love is gonna find a way. I know that Love will find a way, Love can make a way, Leave behind the doubt; Loves the only out; Love will surely find a way.

Children of the World (Amy Grant)

I dedicate this song to my sister Becky. I can see the heartbeat of all the little children!


Every life, every beating heart
Has a searching soul inside
Ever needing, ever seeking out
The meaning of life

I refuse to believe that we're only here to live and die
In the futile days of a faithless haze
Never asking why, why would I
When I've felt the hand of eternity
It's a legacy I will leave,
I want to leave

For the children of the world
Every single little boy and girl
Heaven plants a special seed
And we must have faith for these

I will stand for the truth I've seen
So the truth is seen in me
I will give from the source of love
So all that I believe is handed down

For the road that's yet to be travelled on
By the ones who will carry one,
I'll carry on

For the children of the world
Every single little boy and girl
Heaven plants a special seed
And we must have faith for these
Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in the Father's eyes
Like the Father may we see
That they have a destiny

And give them the light of love to lead
Though the darkness around us now
To a place where hope is found

Celebrating Important People in My Life: Sarah Freeman

This is Sarah Freeman! A very important Sarah in my life! Oh yes! We met through a mutual friend who connected us on the possibility of going on a trip to India altogether back in 2006/2007. And we never met in person at that point, but we had SO MUCH in common--we continued to talk on the phone ALL YEAR! Ha! This was becoming one of the strangest phenonomons of the times--some people have cyber friendships--we were having a phone friendship! We ended up working together quite a bit by telephone bonding over our mutual passions, similar lifepaths, and friends in common and we ended up working together as Sarah was founding the very beginnings of Faceless International and I was coming as a strong partner through prayer and support! Sarah is a brave woman--quitting her job in Florida and moving to Nashville to start a non-profit that helps educate young people on issues of injustice, poverty, and in particular the human trafficking issue--which wasn't getting as much press back in that day! Faceless also organizes trips for young people and people in the music industry to take trips overseas to see the needs firsthand so that they can help "Be the Change" they want to see in the world! :-)

I was there for the discussion at the very beginning and offering my strong support and encouragent to Sarah along the way! She has been a faithful and courageous woman to risk everything and continue living day to day contending for the future of this organization believing that God placed the call in her heart for a reason. Through all the blood, sweat, and tears...she does not give up...but continues to encourage others in their call and to encourage us all--especially through the Word of God everyday!

I love this woman! The first time we met it was in partnership over sharing a vending booth for Faceless International and Zenia Clothing--all in support of the same issues. My friend Molly and I camped with the masses in Bushnell, IL as the parties went all day and all night and the next year I opted for the comfort of Sarah's hotel!

We have never lived in the same city (except once we overlapped in Los Angeles for several weeks and thought we'd died and gone to heaven!) :-) We have only seen each other in cities that were not our own! We have never seen each other in our hometowns or environments!

But we are quite great friends! This woman I know I can call for encouragent, wisdom, prayer, a slap in the face! :-) Anything...she understands both my heart and my decision making process which is quite a feat. She understands how to partner with friends from all places and somehow let the Body be the Body in terms of different parts working together, etc...

We have some mutual friends in common--and though our friend Stephen introduced us--our friendship has surpassed what anyone in that circumferance ever expected!!!

God is good! Sarah and I have had the same timeline and journey for starting our businesses, raising awareness on certain issues, impacting people in the industries, loving the children of the world, and providing opportunities for people to go overseas!! I am so proud of her for moving ahead--brave and sometimes feeling alone--fighting for the destiny that I know the Lord has called her to!

We have both been on the journey of being single woman called to a very strange lifestyle of faith--both longing for a place to settle in relationship--

I love this woman!! She is so faithful!!! She is one who is faithful and true!!! :-)

And she sharpens me!!

I stand in support of this woman in her heart, her faith, her decision making, and her desire to see the world changed through Christ in us! She is a beautiful example of a human being and I am honored and favored in my life to KNOW her!

God has blessed me and I am always smiling when I hear her voice on my telephone line!

Next stop Nashville! ;-)

Love you lady!!

God is FOR you!!! Romans 8.

Joshua 1:9

Lamentations 3:19-26

LUV!

Getting to Know You

GETTING TO KNOW YOU (Oscar Hammerstein)
Anna: It's a very ancient saying, But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher, By your pupils you'll be taught.
As a teacher I've been learning (You'll forgive me if I boast)
And I've now become an expert, On the subject I like most. [

Spoken] Getting to know you.

[Children Giggle]

Getting to know you,
getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you,
getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

[Children Giggle]

All [Except children]:

Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,

Anna: My cup of tea.

All (including children):

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

This reminds me of my children in Myanmar--plus just the normal getting to know you's of life! :-) Aww! These children are so cute!!! These are my children! :-) Yes! And I will get to them eventually. They are so beautiful!!!

And on a side note!! I love my friend Sarah Freeman who shares this passion for the children of the world and orphanages and schools and is positively making a difference through Faceless International! I will never forget how she went to India and seeing all the brokenness--always chose to emphasize all the joy in the children's faces! God is with them! He is raising them up!!
I love this song and all the laughter of the children!!

And I love my friend Sarah Freeman!! Thank you Jesus for such a good and sharpening friend!