Category: Videos

faith, God, Hope, Life, Motivation, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

Shout Out to the Plants Growing Through Concrete or Snow

I live in Wisconsin. Last night we had another snow emergency with another 1 to 4 inches. We are kinda buried in snow. It’s real pretty to look at – as long as you are inside, lol!Then you see it. There is always a sign. God never gives up on us. Here is a little geranium plant that refuses to give up. It won’t quit. Shout out to all the plants growing through concrete – or snow!

“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.” – Philippians 3:20 MSG

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

This is my new favorite song!

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

Verse 1
If I were You I would’ve given up on me by now
I would’ve labeled me a lost cause
‘Cause I feel just like a lost cause
If I were You
I would’ve turned around and walked away
I would’ve labeled me beyond repair
‘Cause I feel like I’m beyond repair

Pre-Chorus
But (‘Cause) somehow You don’t see me like I do
Somehow You’re still hereChorus
You’re (From) the God who stays
You’re the God who stays
You’re the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You’re the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done
Could separate my heart
(From the God who stays)

Verse 2
I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I’m learning You don’t work that way

Bridge
My shame can’t separate my guilt can’t separate
My past can’t separate I’m Yours foreverMy sin can’t separate my scars can’t separate
My failures can’t separate I’m Yours forever
No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I’m Yours forever

AJ Pruis | Jonathan Smith | Matthew West

© Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Cashagamble Jet Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Combustion Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC)
Highly Combustible Music (Admin. by One77 Songs c/o Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP))

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God, Healing, Hope, Religion and Spirituality, Videos

Do you Want to Move to the Big Table?

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”?

behavior, faith, God, Healing, health and wellness, Mental Illness, Music, Videos

Life Lesson Learned – You Can’t Change Someone Who Does Not Want to be Changed

I am sure you have met one, a person who absolutely did not want to change. You can love them all you want, give them all the tools for personal growth, but they are not interested. You may want the best for someone but they don’t want it for themselves. Life lesson learned – you can’t change someone who does not want to be changed. They simply have no vision. Without vision the people perish. Yep, that’s in the Bible, and it’s true.

I always thought if I loved them enough, they would change. Not always true. I have met some very stubborn people in my life that are happy just where they are. They do not have any desire to change anything. No amount of me pushing or prodding will make one bit of difference. Just because I think there may be more, they are happy to stay right where they are. That’s ok. I think I will stop trying to control them and just let it go!

Talk about freedom, wow! I finally don’t have to have everything figured out. That’s a load off this control freak shoulders, lol! For today, my focus has changed. I am going to let others make their own choices and I’m gonna focus on making my own. I can choose to let it go!

So now I have opened myself up to learning new things, to choosing a higher road. I have been on this path for the last year. First with becoming a Certified Peer Specialist and now with training for becoming a Certified Life Coach. Yes, I have been declared disabled by the Social Security System, but I’ll tell you what, I’m not giving up! I have used this time to refocus and build a vision for my future. You can too! Don’t give up, God is not done writing your story!

I signed up on Udemy for a number of classes. This month I am working on the Life Coach Certificate from Kain Ramsey. I admit it, I am only through the 4th video, and I’m hooked. Wow, I sure wish I would have met this guy sooner! I could have avoided so many detrimental things in my life. Oh well, lesson learned.

“We cannot make people change. We cannot want more for the people than they want for themselves. People are either ready to change, or a person will never change until the desire to change becomes greater than their desire to remain the same. People will generally never have a desire to change until they HAVE A VISION OF THEIR FUTURE that is GREATER then where they are today. ” – Kain Ramsay, internationally bestselling instructor, social entrepreneur

faith, God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos, Worship

God’s Love

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

 

 

God, Healing, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

Sovereign Over Us by Aaron Keys

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.

Sovereign Over Us

by Aaron Keyes
There is strength within the sorrow,
There is beauty in our tears
You meet us in our mourning,
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting,
Sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding,
You’re teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper,
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever,
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined,
Who could understand your ways
Reigning high above the heavens,
Reaching down in endless grace
You’re the Lifter of the lowly,
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me,
Your promises are my delight
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good,
You turn it for our good and for your glory
Even in the valley You are faithful
You’re working for our good,
Youre ‘working for our good and for your glory
Songwriters: KEYES AARON / MOORING JACK ANTHONY / BROWN BRYAN EDWARD
Sovereign Over Us lyrics © WORSHIPTOGETHER.COM Songs, Chief End Music
Life, Music, Spirituality, Videos

You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King

There are days we just need a hug from our friends. I love my friends, they help me keep it together on days when I’m not sure I know how. Here is the original songwriter Carole King with You’ve Got a Friend:

YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND

CAROLE KING

Lyrics:

When you’re down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothin’, nothin’ is goin’ right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that ol’ north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you’ll hear me knockin’ at your door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there

Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold
They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don’t you let them

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come runnin’ to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
You’ve got a friend

� 1971 ColGems-EMI Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

Lyrics courtesy of EMI Music Publishing.

faith, God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

May You Enjoy the Wonder of Christmas

My prayer for you is that you enjoy the wonder of Christmas. The birth of a King, wrapped in swadding clothing. I love the wonder of it all. The King of Kings came down into His own creation, God robed in flesh, to make a way for us. He couldn’t bear to be without his kiddos in His Kingdom.

God knows the beginning from the end. He knew Adam and Eve would eat that dang apple and bring sin into the world. So He came into the world to make things right. What a Good, Good Father. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

He became sin who knew no sin, that we may become His righteousness. Now that’s love. Doing for your kids what you knew they could not do for themselves. Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins, past, present, and future – just so we could contine to be part of the family of God. That’s what family does – love without measure. God loves you. May you enjoy the wonder of Christmas this season! The wonder of His love!

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?   If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:7-12

Music, Quotes, Soldiers, Spirituality, Videos

Honor the Soldier Quotes

What is Honor?  What does it look like?

  • Regard with high respect or esteem
  • Fulfill and obligation or honor an agreement
  • A person or thing that brings credit
  • Adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct
  • Something regarded as a rare opportunity and bringing pride and pleasure; a privilege
  • A thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement.

Honor the Soldier Quotes

  • “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” — General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
  • “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” –Billy Graham
  • “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
  • “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” — G.K. Chesterton
  • “The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” –Patrick Henry
  • Never give in –never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” –Winston Churchill
  • “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, who gave us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.” –Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC
  • “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” – Mark Twain
  • “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.” – Thucydides
  • “I am a Soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.” -George S. Patton

 

 

American Soldier
Toby Keith
I’m just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at ’em bright and early
I’m all business in my suit
Yeah, I’m dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots
I don’t do it for the money
There’s bills that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s my responsibility
Yeah, I’m real good under pressure
Being all that I can be
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays
When the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready
When the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady
Hey I’m true down to the core
And I will always do my duty
No matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost
I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you
But if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor
‘Cause freedom don’t come free
I’m an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy
I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines
sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I’m an American soldier
yeah, an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy
I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines
so sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I’m an American
an American
an American soldier
Songwriters: Chuck Cannon / Toby Keith
American Soldier lyrics © Tokeco Tunes
God, Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Uncategorized, Videos

Famous Quotes by C.S. Lewis in Pictures

Famous Quotes by C.S. Lewis in Pictures

I had to look up who this famous guy was. C.S. Lewis- I love his quotes. He was a friend of  J. R. R. Tolkien and taught at Oxford University.

According to Wikipedia:

Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge University (Magdalene College, 1954–1963). He is best known for his works of fiction, especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Space Trilogy, and for his non-fiction Christian apologetics, such as Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain.

Lewis and fellow novelist J. R. R. Tolkien were close friends. They both served on the English faculty at Oxford University, and were active in the informal Oxford literary group known as the Inklings. According to Lewis’s memoir Surprised by Joy, he was baptised in the Church of Ireland, but fell away from his faith during adolescence. Lewis returned to Anglicanism at the age of 32, owing to the influence of Tolkien and other friends, and he became an “ordinary layman of the Church of England”. Lewis’s faith profoundly affected his work, and his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him wide acclaim.

Lewis wrote more than 30 books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions of copies. The books that make up The Chronicles of Narnia have sold the most and have been popularised on stage, TV, radio, and cinema. His philosophical writings are widely cited by Christian apologetics from many denominations.

So I made a video of some of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis:

 

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Quotes, Religion and Spirituality, Soldiers, Spirituality, Videos

7 Inspiring Quotes for the 4th of July

7 Inspiring Quotes for the 4th of July

  1. “One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
  2. “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
  3. “Liberty is the breath of life to nations. ” – George Bernard Shaw
  4. “The Declaration of Independence! The interest which in that paper has survived the occasion upon which it was issued; the interest which is of every age and every clime; the interest which quickens with the lapse of years, spreads as it grows old, and brightens as it recedes, is in the principles which it proclaims. ” – John Quincy Adams (1767–1848), “The Declaration of Independence”
  5. “The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor, and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.” – John F. Kennedy
  6. “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” – Peter Marshall
  7. “This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. ” – Lyndon B. Johnson

 

 

56 Men signed the Declaration of Independence.

Do you know what it cost them? These 56 sacrificed much to declare our independence – freedom is never free:

  • 5 were tortured
  • 12 had their homes set on fire
  • 9 died fighting the Revolutionary War
  • Some had their families killed

 

 

 

Learn more…

God, Hope, Music, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Videos

Greater Days Are Coming for You

Greater days are coming for you. God promised. Yes, really. I don’t know about you, but sometimes this world just weighs me down. Work, clean, eat, sleep, rinse, and repeat. I love my family and my Church – I just need a revival!

No wonder God says to set your mind on things above. If you think about this world and all the terrorism, wars, hate, etc. it is down right depressing. It won’t always be this way. Better days are coming. God promised to come right into the middle of our mess and lighten up our world. God is with us – Emmanuel. I remember Him saying, “I will be their God and they will be my people.”  All things are possible with God.  He will not leave us as orphans. We can call out to Him, “Abba Father” – to me that means “Daddy, help me!”

Some days I just praise Him in the middle of my mess. I don’t know all the answers, I don’t have to.   There is such freedom in not having to know all the answers.  God loves us – despite all the imperfections we see in ourselves and others. God’s vision is much greater than ours.

It’s not our love for Him – it’s HIS LOVE FOR US that holds us close. We can never pray enough, be good enough, or do everything right. He already knows that. He never expected perfection. He’s our Daddy – our Papa God. And only God is perfect. He created us to LOVE Him! God wanted someone to love – and that is YOU!

So today, Lord, let us open our hearts and revive our spirits to know that You love us no matter what. Let the rivers of living waters well up within us and revive our souls. Lord, better days are coming, You promised and we trust You!

God’s Word for You:

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” – 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 NIV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

 

My Prayer for You:

Dear Lord,

Please renew our vision. Help us to see beyond this world and into your Kingdom. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit and let us bring light and love to this broken world. Let us be the salt of the Earth and the light of the world, in Jesus Name.

 

Good, Good Father