Treasure in Your Own Backyard

I went to an art show at church today...an art show at church? Yep. Doesn't happen every Sunday. In fact, I think this is the one and only art show that I have been to at church on a Sunday morning.

Let me just say I wish we had one every Sunday.

This show highlighted a wonderful, but very hidden talent of Paul Cameron. His drawings of everyday people and everyday things, document and time stamp a moment in life. He gives people a piece of their lives in a detailed sketching...something to remember the ordinary in a very special way. His humility in using his gift to encourage and uplift people of all ages and walks of life is absolutely wonderful...but almost too hidden.

I almost missed it.

His ministry was behind the scenes...until someone close to him decided it was time to salute him for his efforts. I am so glad they did. It allowed me to love a brother more deeply and see Jesus more clearly in him than I ever have before. Thank you, Paul, for loving the way you do!!!

I am so glad to go to a church where we are free to honor each other and let it be a visual reminder that God lives in each of us. It is like finding a treasure in your own backyard.

Razor Thin Road

I’m balancing on a razor thin road
Where despair and grief lie on each side
Waiting to grab me at the sign of a stumble
Or a fall

You said that the road to your palace so fair
Was narrow and pressing but it leads to where
You live in your glory with truth and no doubt
No tears no wrath no despair

As I balance my eyes look only to you
To the horizon where life will begin
Where death is no more and joy is complete
Where angels will sing and darkness retreats
And dancing and laughter and singing
Are all led by you in your glory

So my strength is renewed
My mind set at ease while balancing here on this razor thin road
For I see this is where you have put me to learn
Of your wonderful love your glorious grace
Your arms that uphold me and guide me
To lean only on you for my balance

Oh this wonderful place
Oh this glorious road that cuts to the bone and yet heals every wound
Like no place on earth
I find value and worth
on this razor thin road
To home.

Tammy Bowers
April 21, 2009

"My hair looks like the grass outside!"

Hope he doesn't want it green when the grass starts growing...

Blessed Be Your Name

This photo was taken one year ago on April 20. Those of you who know some of the things going on in our family, I would like to ask that you look at each member in the picture and say a prayer of blessing over them. I thank you for holding us up this past year and ask that you continue to do so. We need you. We need Him. Blessed be the God of our healing and salvation!

Blessed be your name in a land that is plentiful where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name when I'm found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name when the sun's shining down on me, when the world's "all as it should be", blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name on a road marked with suffering, though there's pain in the offering, blessed be your name.

Every blessing You pour out I turn back to praise!
When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name!

You give and take away, You give and take away.
My heart will choose to say, "Lord, blessed be your name"!

Every blessing You pour out I turn back to praise!
When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say,
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name!

Words by Matt and Beth Redman

Yesterday life once again 'happened' around here and we all went to bed feeling overwhelmed. I pulled my Bible over and read verse after verse, chapter after chapter, and still fell asleep holding up Jake, Zach and Daniel before God asking Him to take control. I awoke and took up where I had left off...but decided I really should take time to worship and tell God how He is in control and sovereign, wise, creator, etc, etc, etc. then...

"MEMA WAKE UP!!!" I am awake little one, I thought. Interceding for you... "MEMA WAKE UP!!!"

Then a quiet voice say "I'm awake".

Suddenly I realized that in my 'worship' I was actually trying to wake God to the fact that I (we) needed Him desperately. Guess He felt like me. Being shouted at to wake up when in fact He had been up a lot earlier than me already working, loving, healing. He said "I'm awake" and I really worshipped, trusting Him to take care of it all!

We serve a MIGHTY God!

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121