Myricals: Maison and Cody in 2003 and 2004

Myricals: Maison and Cody in 2003 and 2004

The Marriage of Christian Hearts

http://christianbookshelf.org/winkworth/christian_singers_of_germany/the_marriage_of_christian_hearts.htm

Voller Wunder, voller kunst
Paul Gerhardt
trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

A poem for an Anniversary of Marriage...

The Marriage of Christian Hearts

Full of wonder, full of art,

Full of wisdom, full of power,

Full of grace to charm the heart,

Full of solace hour by hour,

Full of wonders, ye shall prove

Is the bond of wedded love.

Two who ne'er upon this earth

Have each other's faces seen,

Never from their hour of birth

In each other's thoughts have been,

Find their hearts and hands shall meet

In a bond God maketh sweet.

Here a father trains his child,

There another watches his:

Driven by winds uncertain, wild,

Sure their paths through life must miss;

Nay, but when the time is there,

See a well-consorted pair.

Here a prudent son has grown,

There a maid in virtue drest;

Each one is the other's crown,

Each the other's sweetest rest,

Each the other's joy and light,

But they know it not aright;

Till it pleaseth Him who holds

All the world within His hand,

Then the fated hour unfolds

All the joy that He hath planned,

And in act and deed we see

The long-hidden mystery.

Each one finds and each one takes

What the Highest for him chose;

For where Heaven the union makes

Vainly Earth would interpose;

And what Heaven hath bid befall

Wisely is ordained for all.

"This or that were otherwise

Better ordered," oft we say;

But as darkness fondly tries

E'er to match the glorious day,

So must fail our human sense

Scanning God's omnipotence.

Where He joins, Man, place no bar!

Well He knows who best should meet;

All our schemes blind errors mar,

His thought only is complete;

Only His work standeth fast,

When nought else endures the blast.

See the children of His love

Who in holy marriage dwell,

In what tranquil joy they move,

How their Father prospers well

All their work to happy ends,

And His blessing daily sends:

How their love ne'er fades away,

But in freshest beauty blooms,

When all other loves decay,

Other light is lost in glooms,

Other truth no more is true,

Still their constancy is new.

For that love hath hidden springs,

Where its youth is aye renewed;

Through their daily talk it sings,

Sweetens all their daily food,

Gives their hearts a quiet rest,

E'en when toil and care-opprest.

Comes there aught of pain and loss,

Yet this love is calm and still,

Cheerfully accepts the cross,

Thinks it is our Father's will,

Trusts the future time will bring

Brighter days upon its wing.

Thus through all their lifetime rolls

God's rich blessing like a stream,

Feeds their bodies, heals their souls,

Strengthens every prop and beam,

Makes the house once poor and small,

Rich and great and loved by all.

And at last, when all fulfilled

Are His purposes of love

Here on earth, He yet doth build

Fairer homes in heaven above,

Where enwrapt

They shall know His depths of grace.

Full of grace to charm the heart,

Full of solace hour by hour,

Full of wonder, full of art,

Full of wisdom, full of power,

Full of wonders, ye shall prove,

Is the bond of wedded love.

Myricals: If you hear the doorbell...

Myricals: If you hear the doorbell...

To watch direct, go to: http://multiply.com/gi/usaborn13:journal:66

If you hear the doorbell...

Power Line Blog held a prize competition for $100,000 for whoever can most effectively and creatively dramatize the significance of the federal debt crisis.  Any creative product was eligible:
videos, songs, paintings, screenplays, Power Point presentations, essays, performance art, or anything.

Several entries have gotten a lot of attention and a lot of views or listens.  But unquestionably, the one that has most gone  viral so far is Doorbell.  If you haven’t yet seen it, you may watch it here.

In Anticipation of the Marriage Supper

WARNING: I make no apologies for publishing this post, however, because of its extreme descriptions between Jesus Christ and the Bride of Christ, I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VERACITY OF THE BIBLICAL REFERENCES WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR. It is because of the supposedly intimate relationship between the Bride of Christ and the Bridegroom that made it a very intricate narrative depicting how a bride would express her most intimate thoughts and feelings toward her groom.  This is why I posted it.  I related to it very strongly and made me realize how much Jesus Christ means to me personally.  IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN, THIS MIGHT NOT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD CARE TO READ.



My Darling~~ I am always thinking of you. I constantly want to know what you are doing each day throughout the world.  I am excited to be a part of your kingdom.


I am recalling over and over again with deep affection those times in the past when you courted me. How you were forever showing your love in little ways -- opening doors for me, making sure I was comfortable, telling me how beautiful you found me, how perfect I was in your eyes -- I am always giddy with anticipation of what you have for me next to show your love.


When we sit and talk together under the Lebanons, these times are always so special.  Sharing my heart, intimately describing my love for you, expressing your beauty in ways that I see emanating from your eyes and how your facial expressions all reflect how much our love is common between us.  Your thoughts with my thoughts are repeatedly  taking my breath away. 


But when we are so intimate, so close together, looking at each other in the eyes--those are the times that I remember the most.  I saw beyond the present into a future that transformed all your present desires and needs into celestial territories of love and beauty.  The beauty I saw in your eyes was beyond words.  My heart was racing so fast as I realized what you and I had planned together forever.


You told me that I was not only yours, but my constant companion at all times.  You told me how you yearned for the time when we would be together forever.  How we could sit down anytime and just talk and talk about everything and anything.  You made my heart so full that it was bursting at the seams.  Not only because of your words, but how you spoke so tenderly with emotion that came from all that you held inside from the beginning.


As I sit here tonight, under the light of the stars, I recall all that we have done together.  You have protected me and kept me safe, oh, so many times since we met.  You have taken me on journeys that were almost unbelievable.  You taught me to believe in myself.  You encouraged me by telling me that you would always be there for me and would never leave me or do anything wrong against me.


Oh my lord, you are with me always.  Even though the wedding supper is still in the future,  let it be soon!  I am preparing for your arrival.  I have myself decked out, I am constantly exercising and keeping my lamp trimmed with a full reservoir of oil so I won't be caught short upon your return.  My countenance and faithfulness bring my life a fullness that will please you when you see me.  When you come for the wedding, I want to present myself to you worthy of what you have done for me.  I want my beauty to overwhelm you.


I want my delicate perfume of fellowship with others overtake your senses.  The Purity of your Words will flow out of my heart and mouth to speak with Truth how worthy and powerful and lovely you are. I want my robe of righteousness to reflect all that you have given me.   I want my sandals be beautiful for all the paths I have taken to share your love to others.  In all ways do I yearn to please you when you come for me.


I want to touch your senses in a subtle way.  Close your eyes and smile with extreme joy as you realize the truth of my love towards you.  I can only  imagine what your thoughts will be and how close they will be to my thoughts.  I desire that your thoughts and my thoughts will be as one.  


I want to thank you, my Lord, for providing me with a part of yourself whether you are here with me, physically, or not.  By the Spirit, you are constantly with me, to comfort me, lead me to right decisions and even speak your will through my mouth and heart.  What a special way you take care of me. I am truly loved.


When I recall just a small part of what you did for me, I realize not only how special to me you are, but how special I am to you.  You have given your all for me so much more than any earthly person is willing or able to do.  All I know, Lord, you are worthy of my love.  You have blessed me over and over again and I am constantly wanting to bless you back by blessing others.





One of the best things I have is your letters.  They teach me and tell me of you and also those who have loved you throughout the ages.  I take pleasure in sharing your writings with others.  What other bride can boast that you gave a complete book of instructions and commands that you desire of me.  I like to call it The Brides Book of Instructions written by My Savior.


In your book, you speak of the church who are my constant companions.  We fellowship together, we pray together, constantly encouraging and sharing our love for each other. Even meeting each other's needs.  Laying on of hands and using your name to heal each other is our supreme desire to fulfill your commandments.  Our love for each other is Your love, our desires for each other are your desires.  And in all things, we desire to love and share and pray with those who are not yet a part of this glorious relationship with you.


What a mystery, but what a reality that surpasses all that I could ever imagine.  Hurry, Lord.  I want to be with you. I want to live with you forever.  I pray that your spirit will comfort me so my conduct and love to others while I am waiting will bring you glory and honor and power for truly your name is above all others. Thank you for giving me your name, 

Kenneth Copeland Ministries | From Faith to Faith Daily Devotional

Link to a Good devotional to help us maintain and grow our Faith each day

Kenneth Copeland Ministries | From Faith to Faith Daily Devotional

Here is a text message for not only those it was originally sent to, but a message so full of wisdom and understanding of the reality of life that we can all benefit from. A text message that can spiritually touch us at the very core of our being.

I am sending a text message after we all hung up from our conference call around noon on Saturday. I want to see if you receive it. If you do, please let me know by reply or, if a reply would cost you money that you don't want to spend, then just tell me in an email to my usaborn13@gmail.com address. I love you all and I am soooo glad that we have the technology to stay in touch and therefore be a big part of each other's lives. I especially liked our conversation, little sister, that we had before our other sisters joined the conference call.

Anyway, I love you... I love you... I love you... I pray that God's love that He showed by the supreme sacrifice of His only Son-- that deep and abiding and divine love through His death and ressurection... the shedding of His blood to cover all our sins and made it possible for us to be new creations and overcome in ALL things in your new life.)

YES! I pray that His love will be poured over you (signified by oil, but actually His own physical man-generated blood) daily, so you be anointed and called out (sanctified) each moment so that the depth and width and heighth of it will permeate your each and every moment with the result of a deep feeling of His love and His desire to have you share it by loving others. The pool of blood is so large like an ocean. I am only at the point that I am sticking my toes in it and discovering His unique way to, not only change me, but to reach others through me. Unique in that you and I can be such an intregal part of his Kingdom and His purposes. It overwhems me each time I meditate on this. This is the love I pray will transform all of us so we can get deeper and deeper so that, maybe, if we can handle it spiritually, we are wasit deep in His blood. Oh, I look forward so to being with Him in Heaven. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. To think, sitting down at His feet and talking and loving on Him for eternity.

Easter No; Passover Yes

As many of you know, Easter originally was a Spring Fertility Celebration in the pagan religion which Rome celebrated.  The Christians, who were more or less, under severe persecution from the government, would commemorate the great events from the scriptures at the same time the celebrations and festivals that the general populace were observed.  So, they remembered the Passover as part of a week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread.   It was conveniently tucked in with the Easter Celebration of the Roman Empire so it wouldn't be so noticeable to those who persecuted Christians.

I say all that to say this:  Passover was a celebration for the Jews who were protected from being killed in Egypt by applying "the blood of the lamb" across their door posts.  When the angels went around killing the newborn children, They would bypass those homes that had the blood applied.  Hence, the name Passover.

Here is an article that thoroughly explains Passover as a Christian Celebration.  I hope that whether you are Jew, Christian or part of a myriad of religious beliefs of the world that you will see the TRUTH... As the Messiah said while He was on earth as the Son of Man, " in the following article.  I was unable to find the author, but when I find it I will be sure and give credit to the person or people who wrote it.

The whole celebration and memorial of the Passover revolved around the EATING of the lamb, and being Passed Over and delivered from Egypt, a type of SIN.  The Jews were never commanded, and never observed, any "memorial" of the DEATH or slaughtering of the lamb itself.  They never celebrated the "death" of the lamb -- which was a type of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).


Rather, they celebrated the VICTORY God gave them over their enemies, the Egyptians, a type of SIN, from whom they were SET FREE by the blood of the Lamb, and the EATING of the Lamb! The shed blood of the Passover lambs actually symbolized the shed blood of Jesus the Messiah who gave His life for our sins; the eating of the lambs symbolized the EATING of the Messiah, or His body given for our sins, and accepting of His sacrifice -- as well as the "eating" of His "flesh," which meant the devouring of His Words and acceptance of His message!  As Jesus said, "I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. . . . I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is MY FLESH, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:35, 51). Jesus said, "So the one who feeds on me will live because of me (v.57).  He did not mean His literal flesh of course; He was speaking spiritually.  He explained, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The WORDS I have spoken to you are SPIRIT and they are LIFE" (v.63).


In other words, the PASSOVER CELEBRATION, which is to be observed and always has been observed, on Nisan 15, the very NIGHT God freed His people from Egyptian bondage and slavery, and DELIVERED them from the power of Egypt ("sin"), is the very same celebration CHRISTIANS are to observe , in the very same manner, in celebration of CHRIST delivering US from bondage to SIN, and bringing us SPIRITUAL DELIVERANCE!  It is a time of reviewing the whole plan of God, from start to finish, and ends up with our LOOKING FORWARD to the return of Christ our Deliverer to bring the Kingdom of God, and to finish His task of complete DELIVERANCE from this evil world of Satan's dominion (Rev.12:9; II Cor.4:4; Eph.2:2).


The True Passover


The true Passover -- celebrated always on Nisan 15 -- points directly and completely to JESUS CHRIST, coming as our Savior and Redeemer and KING of kings and LORD of lords, bringing us COMPLETE DELIVERANCE and ETERNAL SALVATION!  It is a time of awesome joy and fulfillment. It points NOT to just a "dead Christ," hanging on a cross, suffering obloquy and shame -- it points to the LIVING CHRIST, WHO SAVES US from sin and the power and clutches of sin and the corruption of the flesh!  The entire focus of this Holy Day of God is POSITIVE -- not negative!


However, Satan the devil is the great perverter of all truth.  And Satan has also perverted and polluted this awesome truth of the Passover, and turned it into a time of negativism, somberness, sorrow, grief, shame, reproach, self-loathing, contempt, and mourning. 


Notice how subtly he has done this.   The whole emphasis of the Passover is, according to the Scriptures, the EATING of a Feast, especially the lamb, and the commemoration of DELIVERANCE and FREEDOM.  Nowhere in the Scriptures will you ever find any commemoration or memorializing of DEAD people, things or artifacts.  This is a PAGAN custom!  Pagans memorialize birthdays (ie, "Christmas" which is the "mass of Christ," and dates back to the PAGAN custom of observing the winter solstice and the "birth" of the new "sun god" -- observed by the Romans as the "Saturnalia"), death days (ie., "Good Friday," the day they claim Jesus died -- why they would call that "good" is a subtle indication of the devil's trickery, confusing people into celebrating a day God NEVER commanded to be celebrated!).





The Meaning of the Kiddush


Notice!  This event, called a Kiddush or "Blessing" in Hebrew, refers to the bread and wine Jesus told His disciples to take "in remembrance" of His broken body and shed blood.  This final ceremony Jesus held with His disciples before He died on the stake as our Passover Lamb the very next day was not itself the Passover.  It was a special "bread and wine" ceremony to be partaken of throughout the year, when brethren get together


However, this ceremony should not be confused with the Passover itself!


Of course, as we eat the Passover bread, during the Passover meal on Nisan 15, the broken bread REMINDS us of the body of Christ, our Passover Lamb, beaten, pierced and slain for us; and the wine REMINDS us of his shed blood, given for our sins.  This should be literally true, every Passover, every year -- for the EATING of the bread and DRINKING of the wine occurs on Nisan 15, just AFTER the afternoon of Nisan 14, when the Passover was actually SLAIN!  The time sequence is perfect; just as we should expect.


We do not celebrate, however, the DEATH of Christ -- that was indeed the most horrible thing that ever had to happen, an appalling and totally unjust thing.  He literally became SIN FOR US -- a SIN OFFERING.  And as such, God the Father actually had to turn His back on His beloved Son, and let Him die an agonizing death on the stake or tree.  We don't rejoice in the DEATH of Christ, but rather in what that death ACCOMPLISHES FOR US -- the DELIVERANCE FROM SIN that He made possible, and makes possible since He now sits at God's right hand, to evermore intercede for us (Heb.7:24-27).


The Passover therefore is a MEMORIAL OF DELIVERANCE from sin -- not of the horrible death that Christ suffered.  We celebrate DELIVERANCE, just as the ancient Israelites did, and every Jew does today, when they partake of the Passover.  


However, the Passover, like the Kiddush, also is an occasion where we "PROCLAIM the Lord's death TILL HE COMES" (I Cor.11:26).  This is the part of the Passover that those who attempt to observe it on Nisan 14, prior to the true Passover, fail to perceive and observe at all.  The word "proclaim" in the Greek is kataggello  and means, literally, "declare, promulgate, preach, speak of, teach."  This is not a word that connotes "memorialize" at all, but rather "PROCLAIM, PREACH, TEACH" the truth about the significance of Christ's death and how it delivers us from SIN and the power of Satan -- which is the WHOLE SPIRITUAL MEANING of the Passover celebration on Nisan 15!


That very evening we are to TEACH our family, and children the real meaning of our DELIVERANCE from Satan's control, and sin, through Christ, as we rehearse and teach the whole lesson of the Passover  in ancient Egypt, at its foundation, and the plagues upon Egypt, following up with the lesson of Christ our Passover, and continuing the saga through the SECOND COMING of Christ, when He will complete the DELIVERANCE He has made possible and brought to mankind! 


Therefore, Paul said, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (II Cor.11:26) -- that is, the story of Christ's death, resurrection, what it means to us, His ascension into heaven, and the final judgment He will bring on the world in the Great Tribulation, the "Day of the Lord," and the prophecies leading up to HIS SECOND COMING! 

Maison and Cody in 2003 and 2004

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