Light To Pierce The Darkness

There’s A Storm Coming In The Darkness

I’ll never forget that spring afternoon when a tornado formed just up the street from our house.

darkness

My husband wasn’t home from work yet, and I was by myself (with our dogs) monitoring the weather.

Things happened fast.

I remember looking out the window and seeing a scud cloud go racing by.

Uh oh.

It took me only a few seconds to grab the dogs plus a flashlight so we could get inside the bathroom to take cover.

My concerned husband was driving home during all this.  The weather was so bad on the interstate that he had to exit and duck into a retail store for safety.

Thankfully, he called to check on us. It was so good just to hear his voice, even though I could hear a crashing sound outside our windows. Unfortunately, right in the middle of our conversation, the electricity went out and the phone went dead. My connection to his voice of encouragement disappeared – just like that.

Of course, I prayed a lot in that dark bathroom.  The comforting light of that one flashlight helped make a difference – even if it was just a little bit of light to pierce the darkness.

Light To Pierce The Darkness

Can Christians be the light that pierces the darkness?

Our world is consumed by darkness and sin. I’ve never seen it so bad.

But that’s a blog post for a different day.

What does this world need?

There’s only one answer.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

light to pierce the darkness

As Christians, we should “shine a light” to help point a dying world towards Him, and Him alone.

Remember this passage from Jesus Himself at the Sermon On The Mount.

We are here for the glory of God.

May everyone see His mercy and power and forgiveness reflected in our own lives and through our spiritual transformation.

16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16. NASB.1

I love this heartfelt poem written by fellow Christian writer Robin Bartholomew called, “The Light of God.”

In my opinion, her poem is a gentle reminder for all of us to “let our light shine.”

The Light of God

by Robin Bartholomew
05/02/15
Free to Share

The Light of God

Does my light shine, so that others might see,
Just what the Good Lord has put into me
Do I stand out in a crowd with God’s light shining above?
Am I bright light, to light up the darkness with Love?

Do others, when they look at me,
see the Holy Spirit within?
Does my life magnify our Lord Jesus,
So that others want more of Him?

Do I cast out a glow,
Of over whelming love from above
Or do I put out a dimming light
That no one see’s as love?

Do I only sometimes glow,
With God’s bright light from overhead?
And only show all the world
The light that’s sometimes dim?

I Pray fervently each day,
for God’s special bright light.
So that others will see what I have,
And ask how to get their own light.

So I Pray Father God
That your light within me will shine,
So that others ask of that glow up above
And they say: “Tell me, how do I get mine?”

 

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Cochren & Company One Day

Cochren & Company One Day

Everybody loving everybody.

Can you imagine?

There will be no more doubts, or fears, or tears.

No more disappointments or rejections.

No more mainstream media or political parties. 

Is that even possible, or is it wishful thinking?

Here’s the answer, and it’s good news for believers.

It will happen one day . . . when we reach Heaven.

Pain, suffering, and death will no longer exist.

That blessed promise is the timely theme of Cochren & Co.’s new single, “One Day” released last week by Gotee Records.

If you watch the video closely, you’ll see a cameo by well-known Christian hip hop recording artist TobyMac, among others making an appearance.

Check it out.

Speaking of Gotee Records, the independent label was co-founded by TobyMac in 1994, and produced many successful artists since.

Who is Cochren & Co.?

Cochren and Company

The talented musicians, headed up by singer/songwriter Michael Cochren, officially began touring as Cochren & Co. in 2014, opening up for headliners such as Newsboys, Crowder, and Jeremy Camp.

Here’s what Michael had to say about the group’s new song, “One Day,” which received more than 14,000 views since it premiered last week on YouTube. Impressive!

I pray this song points you to the hope beyond this world, to the day when all things are finally made right.2 – Michael Cochren of Cochren and Company. 

In 2018, Cochren and Co. signed with Gotee Records. The group’s song, “Church (Take Me Back)”, debuted as a Top Ten Billboard Christian Airplay Hit Single. 

In case you haven’t heard it yet, please listen closely to the lyrics.

It captures a vital truth that the church is not for perfect people, it’s a “shelter for sinners” in need of Jesus.

On Tour With TobyMac

If you’d like to hear Cochren and Co. in person, I have great news.

Next year, the group is on the lineup for TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour 2020! 

TobyMac Tour

TobyMac tour photo from my personal collection

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1Cochren & Company photo, courtesy of cochrenmusic instagram post. 6 October, 2018. Accessed 8 October, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/Bol580pBcYH/

2Cochren, Michael, quotation courtesy of Cochrenmusic instagram post. 27 September, 2019. Accessed 7 October, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/B27f3yjBqns/

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Spiritual Thirst For God

Quenching Our Thirst

life-giving water

How long do you think you could you go without water?

It’s a sobering thought.

Estimates vary from a few hours up to one week, depending on a person’s age, overall health and surroundings at the time.

But, there’s no question about this, we need water to live.

Precious, life-giving, water.

Spiritual Thirst For God

May we never lose our thirst to learn more about the One Who gives us “living water.”

Living Water that leads to eternal life with our Father in Heaven.

spiritual thirst for God

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God. – Psalm 42:1. NASB1

In Psalm 42 an ode of the sons of Korah, we read that the author is downcast and in utter despair. The Psalmist pours out his heart to God.

But through the turmoil, he realizes that there is only One Who can give him peace and rest. He continues to praise Him.

I love this thought-provoking poem by fellow Christian writer, Deborah Ann Belka.

I believe it matches the heart of this psalm eloquently.

We can cry out to God and He will hear us.

To Be That Deer!
by Deborah Ann Belka
5/15/2013

Lord, may I be that deer,
that pants after You
may Your living waters
in my life, run though.

May I thirst after You,
more and more each day
may I find Your mercies
as I go along my way.

May I long to seek You,
to know Your perfect will
may You be the strength
keeping me calm and still.

May I sip from the brook,
flowing with eternal grace
may it be Your undying love
my heart, cries to embrace.

Lord, may my life reflect,
my desire to be near
may my soul pant . . .
after You, like that deer!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 42:1-2
King James Version

“As the heart panteth after the water brooks,
so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
when shall I come and appear before God?”

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka
bdebby@hotmail.com
www.hiswingsshadow.com
http://poetrybydeborahann.wordpress.com/

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Need Encouragement?

Do you need encouragement today?

Me too.

I came across these reassuring words from William Wilberforce recently and wanted to, hopefully, brighten your day too.

Lovely flowers are the smiles of God’s goodness.1

– William Wilberforce (1759-1833).

do you need encouragement

Smiles indeed.

Whatever is going on in your life, remember God is good.

No matter what man-made craziness is happening in this upside-down world, our Heavenly Father is large and in charge.

He created you and me in His image.

God knows exactly what He is doing.

There’s so much He created that we can appreciate.

Beautiful landscapes

God's creation

Beautiful animals

delight in God

Funny-looking animals!

God created all

And so much more.

All created by God.

Thank you Father for Your creation

and most of all, for sending us Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for providing us the way to Eternal life.

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1William Wilberforce, (1759-1833), evangelical Christian and Parliament member instrumental in ending the slave trade. Wilberforce quotation, courtesy of Christian quotes.info. Accessed 14 September, 2019. 

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Finding Peace In The Chaos

Looking For Peace Of Mind

Just gonna’ say it.

I am ready for a vacation.

So ready.

Like right now.

Trust me, these past few months at our house have been very busy and physically exhausting.

finding peace when there's chaos

Who’d have thought I’d end up with two sprained knees and a swollen ankle when it was all over?

Not kidding.

Heavy boxes and I have a complicated relationship.

We don’t like each other.

Now it’s time to slow down, or at least that’s my goal.

Calgon, take me away!

There are so many places we’d love to visit again, including Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC.

The last time we were in Charleston it was a birthday surprise from my husband. He got a few points for that one.

Looking for peace

If you haven’t vacationed in Charleston yet, you might want to put it on your bucket list. But, there’s a “but”, as you will see below.

We stayed at this charming downtown hotel within walking distance to everything you could possibly want – from restaurants, to art galleries, shopping, and more.

It was seventh heaven.

As soon as we checked into our room, it was back downstairs so we could walk around town and sample the delicious waterfront cuisine.

By the end of the day we were exhausted and ready to hit the sack for a peaceful night’s sleep.

All was quiet until 4:30 the next morning.

We heard a very loud bang outside our upstairs window.

Both of us jolted awake.

“What the heck was that?”

And then there was another bang, and another (times about 10).

It’s so loudddd.

I cautiously opened the blinds and saw the city garbage truck down below doing its trash pickup right outside our upstairs window.

Why hadn’t we noticed that when we checked in earlier?

The noise and beeping went on and on and seemed to get louder.

The idea of pleasantly sleeping in while on a vacation floated right out that window.

Excuse me, Concierge, where can we buy some earplugs?

Garbage in Garbage Out

Our experience with the trash truck reminds me of the “noise” circulating on TV and social media on a daily basis.

Lots of “noise” and loud angry voices – full of so much hate and division-promoting rhetoric.

I don’t know about you, but I have to turn it off.

Who can live with that much anger day after day after day?

There’s still so much good left in America that I don’t listen to those who try to tear her down.

Finding Peace in the Chaos

Looking for peace amidst the chaos

No one said it’s going to be easy to blot out all of the angry noise – especially with the popularity of social media and 24-hour news coverage.

But what we can do, is continue to trust in God’s will and cultivate an active prayer life which can help calm our anxious thoughts.

When we walk in peace even though our surroundings are unpleasant, God is glorified.1 – Chuck Swindoll, Christian pastor, author, and educator.

Here’s something else to consider.

Amid the “noise” of the world, why not shower someone else with grace in the name of Jesus Christ?

Good deeds don’t get us to Heaven, but they do take the focus off ourselves as we aim our attention on others.

I recently watched a video and loved the ideas presented.

Here’s the mission: on your next birthday, whatever age you are, that’s the number of random blessings to aim for over the next year.

Let’s see, for me that would be . . . 30 years old . . . 40 . . . We’ll stop right there.

There’s a wonderful feeling you get, sometimes hard to put into words, that comes from the smiles and/or tears you witness when you anonymously bless someone else. Add a note to your anonymous gift about God’s love for them, and you’ve planted a seed. For me, it’s an excellent way for finding peace in the chaos.

God has primarily chosen to reach people through people. So engage them, and most importantly, keep praying for them. Give it a try, and you will discover what a joy it is to tell others about Jesus. I pray that God will give you a burden for people like you have never had before.2 – Greg Laurie, Pastor, Bible teacher, and author.

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1Chuck Swindoll quotation, courtesy of Insight For Today, A Daily Devotional by Chuck Swindoll. “Peace Amidst Unpleasant Circumstances.” November 28, 2017. para. 21. Web. Accessed 15 September, 2019. 

2Pastor Greg Laurie quotation, courtesy of Harvest.org, “5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor.” Ebook. Page 22. Accessed 15 September, 2019.  

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