0 muddy hands

Sunday, February 4

throwing in the flag

a white flag.
a thought.
an action.

SURRENDER.
to yield (something) to the possession or power of another; deliver up possession of on demand or under duress-
to give (oneself) up, as to authority-
to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.-
to give up, abandon, or relinquish.
to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another. –
to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield.
the act or an instance of surrendering. (cited source dictionary.com)

Lord, I surrender my home and earthly goods to you.
Father, I give my entire life to you.
Dear Jesus, I surrender my life to hardship or suffering for you if it be Your will.
I will give up the comforts of this world for You, I abandon the idea that anything can satisfy my soul but You, and I relinquish my desires that are not of you.

Here Am I - Send me...

posted by muddy hands at 12:26 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, January 16

loud living


...and with a loud voice ... Luke 8:28
Our heavenly father is truly amazing. Amazing does not really begin to describe Him. He works in such mysterious ways and He continues to pursue us with passionate love. He has been revealing much lately about LIVING! I found over 50 references to a loud voice in the Bible. We are not to be silent -- in words or actions. I'm ready to live loud. What about you my friend? So much of our time on this earth is wasted -- we forget that Jesus came that we might have abundant life. That we might live loud for Him because of Him. Man, that really gets me jacked up! I want to shout it out sometimes. I want to scream it out sometimes. And sometimes I forget to live loud. Why do we waste away our precious hours giving the enemy free reign in our thoughts? In our activities? In our emotions? Jesus came that we might LIVE -- that we might live for Him. We are to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. My dear friends, did you hear His truth? He said every thought! So why do I worry about this, that, the other? Why am I downcast? Why do we starve our souls when we have the bread of life to feed upon and the living water to overflow and refresh our parched hearts. Why don't we LIVE? I want to live. LIVE LOUD. When we love God with all our heart, our soul and our strength, then we obey His commands and we experience real living. And we all know that to live we must die -- not just once, but daily --sometimes minute by minute. The Word says to "present yourselves as a living sacrifice " because we have been "crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me." (Rom 12:1 & Gal 2:20) What needs to die in my life? Pride. Anger. Jealousy. Laziness. Rebellion. Complaining. Greed. Lust. Envy...May we all find ourselves DYING to LIVE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Father, Search me and reveal those things that are not pleasing to you. Help me to die to the things of this world that pull on me everyday. Thank you for the power, love and sound Mind that only you can give. Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me. Thank you for drawing me to you. Give me the desire to obey in the small things, so that I may be trusted in the big things of God. I am your servant. Take my life. All of me. Yes, I know that Jehovah has set apart the godly for Himself. Jehovah hears when I call to Him. I will forever offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in Jehovah. He has put gladness in my heart. My soul rejoices in Him. Praise and glory to the almighty Maker of heaven and earth. I am your servant.

posted by muddy hands at 10:28 PM | 0 comments

Monday, December 4

home sweet home

1958 cozy cottage.
a common phrase heard when someone enters our house might be, " it reminds me of my grandmother's house." No, it does not have the odor of mouth balls! My home is not new, designer decorated or even clean most of the time. But what we have is so much more. Our home is like a gingerbread house -- loaded with lots of sweet treats. Our home is loaded with hugs, kisses, laughter and joy. Our home is full of the sweet spirit of Jesus Christ. If the walls could talk -- they would tell numerous stories of friends and families that have passed through the door and touched our lives. When 'Moe' and I purchased our house he gave me a card that reads:
Today (7-29-96)...
We have purchased only a shelter.
Its sole purpose is to contain our home. We are the decorators. Our love will give beauty to every wall, room and doorway. The view from the street only assumes that happiness burns from the lamp in the window. We must maintain the brilliance even through the most difficult of times. I dedicate my life to making ours a happy home. Always knowing that God is first in our lives, I will give my heart and soul to assure your happiness as long as I shall live. You are the Queen of our castle and I will love you forever!
***************************************
Father, I am grateful to have such a wonderful home. I praise You that You have been the landlord for us and have kept up the maintenance that we so often need. You have blessed us over the years even in the most difficult times. I thank You for all the people that have laughed, cried, encouraged and prayed with us in our home. Thank you for each child that has ran through my house and yard with great smiles on their faces. Bless each person that has been welcomed into our home. Touch their lives eternally and give them the desires of their heart. We know that we are only passing through and look forward to the "gingerbread houses in the sky". We honor You above all things. Amen.

posted by muddy hands at 9:05 PM | 0 comments

Monday, November 13

fahrenheit sweltering

brilliant.
sizzling.
intense.
Your love, Your kindness and Your passion shines so radiant in the backdrop of an empty, dark world. You captivate our being with absolute truth and sovereign wisdom. You can not be controlled or weakened. You ignite in my soul a desire to be consumed by You alone. May Your sparks fall on me and reach the deepest crevices of my soul. Burn away the desires that keep me from being completely Yours in total surrender. You are the light that leads our way when we stumble in darkness, despair and discouragement. Your flame of hope encourages us to follow the way back to shelter and strength. Draw me closer to You so much that my eyes are fixed in a constant gaze on Your word and life. Melt my heart to fit the mold of Your pleasure. Fill me with love that rages beyond control. Engulf me through and through -- body, spirit, and mind with allof You - O' Mighty God. May my footsteps leave a trail of burning blaze that spreads the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the unreached places of Your world. Use the flames of joy, peace and passion to ignite a wildfire of renewal and revival in the dry hearts of discontent and complacent beievers. Fan the flame and make us whole. Overwhelm us with Your power and might. Totally consume my every thought, word and deed. Refine me that I may be a vessel of honor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

posted by muddy hands at 10:01 PM | 0 comments