Posts by Dorci

The Saturday Song – Reckless Love

Posted on by Dorci

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

‘When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.’
(Psalm 68:18)

(Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)”
Ephesians 4:7-10

The word {lower} parts of the earth is katōteros, meaning of Hades (different word than that for hell). 

There’s much more to learn in the scriptures about this than I’ll take to explain here, but Christ was not idly waiting inside the tomb. After He shed His blood and died, sin’s power was broken.

It was time for Him to descend to those who’d already died in faith, whose belief in the Lord was counted to them as righteousness, and were waiting for this pivotal moment to be rescued and taken to their eternal home in heaven.  

If He was willing to die on a cross while we were yet sinners, and He was willing to descend into a part of Hades to rescue those who were His, what is He not willing to do, and where is not willing to go to rescue any one of us?  

 

 
Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me
 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
 
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me
 
And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
 
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

Crucify Him!

Posted on by Dorci

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ultimately, it was our sins that shouted “Crucify him!” that morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when Pilate told the crowd “I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!” they answered “His blood is on us and on our children!”

All praise and glory to God, it is.

His blood covers us, forgives us, purifies us, so that the penalty of sin – death – passes over us. 

Sunday Praise and a Prayer for Salvation

Posted on by Dorci

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you.  We praise you for your sovereignty and your holiness.  We praise you for your gift of salvation, for your forgiveness, your grace, and your mercy through your Son, in whom you have made all things possible.  

Lord Jesus on this day we remember your triumphal entry into Jerusalem, that you fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy, and we praise you and thank you that you revealed to us who you are, in those moments and in our hearts, and for your eternal salvation.

We remember, too, that there were shouts of “Hosanna!”- “Oh save!”, and that many people looked to You to save them from the suffering in this life, but didn’t see that Your kingdom was so much more that that. They didn’t see that Your kingdom was an everlasting kingdom, that You were, and are, and always will be the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and that You’d come to die in their place to save them from the penalty of their own sins, to give them an eternal victory, a life after this life.

Lord, we pray for salvation. Many will be listening to pastors all over the world today and in the days to come, looking for a savior in the midst of the suffering we’re facing. Many will be looking for someone to fix the world. Oh Lord, help them to not settle for redemption in this world only and miss the eternal redemptive work you desire to do in each of their hearts.

We pray you would pour out your Spirit, that you would soften hearts and open spiritual eyes to see their need for an eternal Savior. We pray, in your grace and mercy, you would grant repentance, that people will turn to you and pray for forgiveness for their sins, and receive You, Lord Jesus, as their own Lord and Savior.  

We praise you for the great work you are doing and will do. Help us continue to be a light, revealing your love, grace, and mercy. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.  

The Saturday Song – Peace Be Still

Posted on by Dorci

Today’s Saturday Song is Lauren Daigle’s Peace Be Still.  I thought it appropriate considering this month’s header picture and last week’s blog Path of Faith. 

Praying that even though the wind and waves may rage around us, He brings a stillness to our hearts and minds and a peace to our souls. 

Lord, strengthen our faith in you, and help us follow you wherever you lead us.  In Jesus name, amen.

 

 

I don’t want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Oh, peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

I’m not gonna be afraid
‘Cause these waves are only waves
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna be afraid
I’m not gonna fear the storm
You are greater than it’s roar
I’m not gonna fear the storm
Oh, I’m not gonna fear at all, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, oh
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Oh Jesus, let Your peace call them
Ooh ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Lift your voice up higher
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, oh oh
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks

Peace, peace, yes, over me
Yes Jesus
Oh, peace, peace Lord over me
Yeah, yeah

Lord Jesus, You’re the God of peace, Jesus
Ooh ooh
You’re a piece of a stone
You are in everyone, Jesus
Oh yeah, we receive it, we receive it
Oh, let the peace come
And wash all over me, yes
Oh oh
We rest in peace
Oh Jesus, You make our heart stay up
‘Cause You’re the creator, the strength of us all, ooh

Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
It’s our pray in the night
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
One more time again
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe
Let faith rise up in me
Let faith rise up
Oh heart believe it
Let faith rise up in me, yeah

Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep, Lord
Peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks
Peace, peace over me, yeah
Peace, peace, yes, over me, yeah

Hallelujah
You bring peace, Jesus
Yeah, let it wash all away
Let it wash all away above us

Friday Funnies – Patsy Clairmont

Posted on by Dorci

I have been waiting for this all week.  Patsy Clairmont is one of my most favorite people.

If you aren’t familiar with her, she has an amazing testimony of, as a young Christian, having had agoraphobia. Very basically, that’s when extreme anxiety leads a person to fear going out of the house or being around people. But not only was she confined to her house, her anxiety led her to being confined to her bed.

Through learning to be obedient to the Lord in small things, He delivered her from fear and anxiety.  And for years now she’s been an author and speaker who can take you from laughter to tears in 2.5 seconds, all while glorifying Jesus.  She is hilarious and I’m happy to share her with you, knowing she will put a smile on your face and remind you of God’s goodness, too.  (The first video leads into the next.)

Dear Father, thank you for giving us much needed laughter. We pray you would calm our frazzled emotions with your special kind of peace that exceeds all understanding.  In Jesus’ name…

 

 

Keep Growing and Growing and Growing…

Posted on by Dorci

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:7-10  AKJV


It is a long and tedious process to produce the perfect grape. It is three years from seed to harvest and involves soil cultivating – different soils for different grapes, perfect planting, temperature and wind control, proper sunlight, protection from pests and disease, watering, and pruning.  Oh, the pruning.  Pruning is so important that pruning contests are held to reward the best pruners. It takes a lot work to produce a fully mature, sweet crop of grapes.

Jesus said “I am the vine; you are the branches.” John 15:5a

The branches on grapevines can’t get tired, but we can. And as we endure years of tending and watering and pruning and waiting and not yet seeing the fully mature faith we desire, we might be tempted to give up. And right about the time when it looks like nothing is happening, it’s time to prune. Pruning is painful and sometimes all we see is that something is gone.

What we don’t see is what’s happening underground. Beneath the surface the roots are growing deep and strong, feeding on the nutrients in that perfectly fertilized and watered soil. And the stronger the roots, the stronger the grapevine will be.

So, let us not be weary in well doing…”

That word “doing” is a prolonged form of the word to do. To keep doing for an extended period of time.  It also means to abide.

Keep going, keep growing, keep doing well, keep holding onto Jesus, the Vine, until harvest time.  Yes, it’s hard, yes, it can be exhausting, yes it might look like nothing is happening except that so much has been taken away, but good things are coming if we don’t give up. We’ll see some fruit in this life, but the full harvest comes in the next. One day we’ll stand before our Heavenly Gardener and reap what we’ve sown.

So whatever season we’re in, let’s keep doing good to others – sowing to the Spirit – as God gives us opportunity, producing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and eventually the harvest of a sweet, fully mature faith.

Spiritual Olympics

Posted on by Dorci

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

 

Next year will be the Summer Olympics. A time when athletes will put to the test everything they’ve been training night and day for, sacrificing their lives for, restricting their diets for, enduring injuries for as they’ve fallen down and gotten up over and over so they will be perfect. 

In the same way, we who have been following Christ have a proving ground right now to put into practice what we’ve been learning.

The world is stressed out and we’re all going to cross paths with that stress one way or another, whether it’s from within or without.

And there is no better opportunity than right now to put to the test the faith we’ve been learning, the trust in Christ we’ve been practicing, the filling of the Holy Spirit we’ve been training our ears and hearts and minds to hear.  

So let’s run the race with the right garments:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3 12-14

From Gray to Living Color

Posted on by Dorci

 

Do not be anxious about anything, 
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. 
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

 

There are times when we are inundated, either with our own personal experiences or through the outside world, with so much that’s going wrong.  

And when we enter into prayer it’s easy to jump right into those prayer requests, like we’re giving God our grocery list.  

But prayer is so much more.  

It’s sitting with and communing with our Heavenly Father.

Paul reminds us to pray with thanksgiving. In the Greek that word for thanksgiving means gratitude, or a grateful language, to God, as an act of worship.

Yes, we thank God for the things He’s done, but even more than that, we need to come to Him with an attitude of Thanksgiving. Of worship.

And that takes me back to the beginning. How do we pray with thanksgiving when everything around us feels like it’s crumbling? When all the world seems gray with empty shelves and unpaid bills and isolation and sickness and death?  

How can we see the good?  

We ask Jesus for His eyes. He sees the good, and when we see through His eyes we will see the good all around us – the things He’s done for us, the blessings we still have in the middle of it all, the beauty and kindness around us, like the kindness of a boy taking the time to stoop down for a minute to rid a yard of an ugly weed.  

And when He fills our hearts with His goodness, we can sit in communion, with hearts of thanksgiving, in worship.

With Jesus’ eyes, the world will go from gray to living color and we will be overcome with thanksgiving, just like this man who is suddenly able to see the beauty all around him that was there all along. 

 

 

Oh Lord, help us to see with your eyes…

Path of Faith

Posted on by Dorci

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary (against them).

Now in the fourth watch of the night (3am-6am), Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

So He said, “Come.” 

And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:22-31

The changing picture at the top of this page always has some sort of path or road which represents the paths we take in the changing seasons of our spiritual lives. 

In this scene in the book of Matthew, we see Jesus telling Peter to come to Him on some undefined, invisible path on the water while the winds raged against them.

And Peter, precious Peter, has enough faith to step out of the boat and to actually start walking toward Jesus on this invisible path.

But halfway through, his faith moves from Jesus to the wind and the waves, and he begins to sink.

I can’t blame Peter too much.  Being willing to walk on water is amazing enough, but he got out of the boat when the wind and waves were so strong they were tossing them around. And this was no gentle rocking. The word “tossed” means pain, toil, torment.

Just as Jesus called Peter to walk a path of faith, He calls us to come to Him, to focus on Him and not the pain, not the toil, and not the torment.

When storms come and the winds of circumstance come against us, we might not see a clear path, and that is when, more than ever, we need to look to Jesus, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk toward Him a path of faith.

  

Sunday Praise and a Prayer for Victory

Posted on by Dorci

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise your holy and your precious name. We praise you for your grace and mercy, for your goodness and your faithfulness.  You are glorified above all. 

Father we confess our sins to you and ask you to forgive us, not because of anything within ourselves, not because we can earn it, but solely by of the blood of Jesus the Messiah that was shed for the forgiveness of our sin.

We humbly come to you today for victory.  Just as Jehoshaphat prayed when he was facing a force greater than he could humanly handle, we also pray – we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 

Father, we are helpless, and we need you. We ask that you would act on our behalf, Sovereign Lord.

We pray for wisdom for our leaders and wisdom and protection for all our healthcare workers. We pray for needed equipment, beds, testing, all they need in order to take care of the sick.

We pray for healing for the sick; we pray for peace for their loved ones;

we pray for protection for the remaining businesses, that those that have slowed you will keep afloat and bring them back again; we pray for businesses that have had to shut down, that you would lead those employers and employees to jobs and new businesses;

we pray for churches, for provision for the pastors and leaders, and that church families would continue to pray and trust you, and you would bring them back together again;

we pray for every believer, that you would keep us strong in the faith; we pray your Spirit would be poured out in and through your children to continually and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus as the only name by which we can be saved;

and we pray for every unbeliever, that you would soften hearts, open spiritual eyes, and grant repentance and belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

And we pray for your mercy, that you would remove the virus that has taken over this country and so much of the world. May you be glorified in the storm and in the victory. In Jesus’ holy and precious name we pray, amen.