Thanksgiving is a special time to be with family and friends and give thanks for all God had provided for us. But in order to move from the kiddie table to the grown up table we have to learn how to praise God EVEN THOUGH.
This video blessed me do much today that I had to share it with you. We all have stuff. It’s part of bring human. But will you praise God “even though”?
My Beloved (Based on the Song of Solomon) -2019 Copyright Diana Rasmussen-
I worship You in between every tear
I worship You in spite of my fear
I worship You in the midst of the pain
I worship You, I am called by Your Name
You are my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine
Your love is better than wine
Your name is like the meadow brook
Come to me, take me away with you
Your love is like a fragrant bouquet of wildflowers
A sachet of pure myrrh
Come to me, take me away with you
You woke me up to love
You are my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine
Let me see your face
Let me hear your voice
My lover is mine and I am His
We dance and we feast on His grace
Our victory dance is love and peace
You awoke me to a love that lives outside of time
I am my Beloveds, and my Beloved is
mine
The fire of Your love stops at nothing
Sweeping everything put before it
Floodwaters cant drown it
Torrential rains don’t put it out
Your love can’t be bought or sold
Run to me dear lover like a gazelle
Leap like a wild stag on our spice mountain
I am my Beloveds, and my Beloved is mine
Yes, we are in a new season. Welcome Autumn! The trees are turning, the air is getting crisp, and it’s pumpkin and apple season! Yeah! Do you like fall? I love the coolness of the air, and the chilly nights where you curl up in a blanket or two. I love fuzzy socks too!
But what about Spiritually? Are you in a changing season too? I know I am. The details don’t matter. The past doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t even matter where we end up going – as long as I am with My Jesus. He promised to go before us and lead us.
” And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
I know when God called Abraham out, He didn’t give him all the details either. But Abraham just trusted God and followed His lead.
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. – Genesis 12:1-4
That’s a great promise for all of us this new season. God will make us a blessing, He will bless those who bless us and He will curse those who curse us. What more could a girl ask for? You go God! I’m with You! Show us the way!
Besides, my plans didn’t work out so good anyway. I’m sure God has a better plan for each of us that is way bigger than we could have thought or imagined!
As summer turns to fall I can’t help but think about the changing seasons. Fall is pretty with beautiful colors and the crisp fall air. Yet it is also the time the trees lose their leaves and go into waiting. They are hibernating so to speak, and waiting to re-bloom in Spring. What about you? Are you waiting for a New Season? Me too.
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I don’t know about you, but my heart hurts for the people in the midst of Hurricane Dorian. I live in the Midwest. I have never been in a hurricane. I can’t even imagine. But I can pray for all of the people impacted by Hurricane Dorian.
1. PRAYERS FOR PROTECTION
2. PRAYERS FOR PEACE
3. PRAYERS FOR RESTORATION
-Copyright 2019 Diana Rasmussen
Like a butterfly you came and went,
Here one moment gone the next
How I wish that I had wings
I remember our adventures
All the times we laughed and cried
How I wish we had more time
I’d follow you to Heavens gate
Listen to Jesus call your name
Watch your sorrows slip away
You’re finally free,
Fly home, butterfly, fly home
Every time I see a butterfly I think of you
Not here to stay, just passing through
I know this world is not our home
But idk if I can walk it alone
“God can you please tell me why?”
I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye
I’d follow you to Heavens gate
Listen to Jesus call your name
Watch your sorrows slip away
You’re finally free,
Fly home, butterfly, fly home
You broke the mold that you were in
Came out transformed in everything
I cant wait until our rendezvous
When I can meet you in the air
I’m listening for that trumpet blast
When we can be together at last
I’d follow you to Heavens gate
Listen to Jesus call your name
Watch your sorrows slip away
You’re finally free,
Fly home, butterfly, fly home
You soar above this world and its troubles
Flying free without any struggles
Papa God collected all your tears
Turns out they were our prayers
I’d follow you to Heavens gate
Listen to Jesus call your name
Watch your sorrows slip away
You’re finally free,
Fly home, butterfly, fly home
I have to remind myself that God’s love is greater than any challenge I face. Sometimes I forget. Here is a poem/song I wrote way back in 2010. Recently our JAM Praise Band has started sharing our original songs. This is the first one I shared. Here is our band playing – no editing or Melodyne – just a group of us who love Jesus!
You can always watch Janesville Apostolic Ministries live Fridays at 6 PM for SOAK or Sundays at 10:30 am for Worship Service at Christian World Media .
God’s Love by Diana Rasmussen 4/28/10
V1
God’s love is faithful, He’s forever true
He loves me with mercy and grace to be new.
His love has no ending, His covenant stands.
A promise between us, and I’m in His hands.
CHORUS
Gods love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things,
God’s love never fails for me.
God’s love never fails for me
V2
How great is the love that Father lavishes on me
now I am called a child of God.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God has for me!
REPEAT CHORUS
V3
God’s love is patient, His love is kind,
His love doesn’t envy, nor boast full of pride.
Not rude or self seeking, or easily angered
Keeps no record of wrongs, but rejoices in truth.
REPEAT CHORUS
I admit it. I am a naive patient. I have gone to the same Dr in the same clininc for years. When a problem arose I trusted the Dr to refer me to the specialist and assumed they were talking to each other for my best healthcare. I have learned this is not always the case. Sometimes, you have to be your own advocate for your Healthcare.
I have learned this last year that once a Dr sends you off to the specialist, they do not always follow through. They assume the specialist will do what they are supposed to do and they don’t have to deal with it. Then, when more specialists get involved, I thought they would all talk to each other. Not true.
This past year I have seen my Primary Dr, a Neurologist, an Orthopaedic Dr, a Neuropsychiatirst, a Physical Therapist, and an Occupational Therapist. Yeah, it’s been a year.
My eyes were opened when my Physical Therapist, whom I had been seeing for 3 months, twice a week, made it a point to write a special letter to the Neurologist #1 explaining my issues and the difficulties I was having. She shared how my progress was deteriorating and she needed direction on what exercieses I should do next and what Diagnosis the Neurologist would give me regarding these tremors/seizures.
When I went to the Neurologist #1, I asked him about the note from my Physical Therapist. He did not ever read it. I fired him. That is just wrong. So then I went to Neurologist #2. I asked my Physical Therapist to send him the same letter explaining my struggles. She did. Guess what? When I got to Neurologist #2 he had not ever read it either!
Ugggh. Really? So they send me here, there, and everywhere and they are so important that they will not even read what their supposed partners have found? It is so frustrating!
That is when I decided I have to own my treatment and my own healthcare. Yes, they are the Doctors, but many times they are only interested in their own findings and don’t look at me as a whole person.
After 4 MRI’s Neurologist #2 says that I don’t have any lesions on my brain or spinal cord, so there is nothing else he can do for me. He sends me to the Neuropsychiatrst. Pass the buck here. No, that is me, I am the patient.
I have been going to this Neuoropshychaitrist for 3 months now. The seizures are getting worse with FND ( Functional Neurological Disorder) and I am getting more frustrated.
My friend Laura suggested I get referred to another clinic that was associated with a large hospital in our area, UW-Madison. Thank you Laura! I sent a note to my Primary Doctor and she finally referred me to this other place, out of their network, and I will see Neurologist #3 here shortly.
I guess I share this with you because I learned that I can’t believe everything that a Doctor tells me. I have to OWN my health and my healthcare. I was told I would have this FND forever and there is no cure, just live with it. Ummmm – NO! I do not accept that.
Jesus died so I did not have to carry this illness, by HIS stripes I AM healed. And if one clinic is not going to help me get there, then I’ll go to the next one. God has given Doctors the gift of medicine just like Luke. Healing is from God, and sometimes He uses Doctors to administer it. I refuse to belive that there is no cure for this. I refuse to believe that I will be this way forever!
What about you? Have you ever had to change Doctors or Clinics?
Just an ordinary day right? What if it wasn’t? What if today when you praise and worship God He shows up? Suddenly, everything would change! His presence brings peace, joy, and abundance. He can break every chain and resore every situation.
Here are 3 examples from the Bible where Jesus shows up and changes everything suddenly.
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
2. Suddenly God shows up and heals Sauls heart. He gives him a new name, Paul, and gives him a new commision.
“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’” – Acts 22:6-8 NKJV
3. Suddenly God shows up and breaks his kiddos out of jail! He breaks every chain!
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. ” Acts 16:25-26 NKJV
Get ready for your SUDDENLY moment with God! He is the God of Suddenlies!
Here is a prayer and praise to release your SUDDENLY moment!
My Pastor shared this song with me yesterday. The tears just started flowing. It really ministered to me. God bless you if you are walking through the valley. Remember, God promises that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we would dwell in the Presence of the Lord forever. Don’t give up, just rest in Jesus.
What if you got up – just one more time? I understand being stuck. The last 9 months I have been stuck in my recliner due to a multitude of illnesses. I had pretty much given up hope of ever having a normal life again. But then God came to visit.
The presence of God surrounded her with peace and love and mercy. God covered her and loved the illness out.
Romans 12:2
– And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things
