Barefoot Branch

Adoration

2008-12-26T06:40:00.000-08:00

There is a light that shines within me.
There is a hope that burns inside me.
Deep within my soul, my very existence, there is a being waiting to be freed.

A child who knows no fear, pain or rejection.
There is an emotion all encompassing of excitement, joyfulness, gladness and love.

The creative potential of laughter and the undeniable power of an infants joy live inside me.
Unmeasurable are my limits for I call you Father.
Unimaginable my potential for you have called me son.

There is someone inside of me waiting to be unleashed.
Whom you embrace and whom I long to be.

There is an all consuming fire - a light that permeates from my very being.
You have unlocked me God. The doors you have opened no man can shut.

I will praise you for all my days for you are good.
You have released me God with your love.
You are everything!

words from pray "Adoration" by ian mcintosh

Two Prayers:

2008-12-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

John Wesley's Covenant Prayer

“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen”

I really like the language of the Old English in this prayer and what it has to say. I prayed it today - very powerful experience!

Come, Creator Spirit!

2008-12-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

A song for the day...

"Come, Creator Spirit,
visit the minds of those who are yours;
fill with heavenly grace
the hearts that you have made.

You who are named the Paraclete,
gift of God most high,
living fountain, fire, love
and anointing for the soul.

You are sevenfold in your gifts,
you are finger of God's right hand,
you, the Father's solemn promise
putting words upon our lips.

Kindle a light in our senses,
pour love into our hearts,
infirmities of this body of ours
overcoming with strength secure.

The enemy drive from us away,
peace then give without delay;
with you as guide to lead the way
we avoid all cause of harm.

Grant we may know the Father through you,
and come to know the Son as well,
and may we always cling in faith
to you, the Spirit of them both."

English Translation of Veni Creator.

Evermore His Praises Ring!

2008-10-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

Praise, my sou, the King of heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the ever lasting King!

Father - like He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Angels in the height adore Him!
Ye behold Him face to face;
Saints triumphant bow before him,
Gathered in from every race.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of Grace.

Intentional Leading

2008-06-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Quotation I came across from an old leadership conference:

The group only runs as fast as the leader.

My take: The group only goes as deep as the leader/teacher.

Interesting thought.

Lord, I ask that you take me as deep as possible where I live night and day by eating Your Word only. Continue to teach me so I may teach others. Reveal as You see fit Lord.

I want to run Fast.
I want to drink Deep.
Only by Your grace Lord.

Glance

2008-05-27T21:13:00.001-07:00

I remember the first glance
I remember the first romance
I remember the first dance
When I fell in love with you.
-Misty Edwards

Oh how I do remember Lord the first glance of when I was first romanced by Your love.
I love you Jesus for you are my all.

Random Prayer from AHOP

2008-03-22T15:30:00.001-07:00

"Be broken, o dam, that would withstand the flood of the Spirit of God to his dry and thirsty land and this dry and thirsty people. Be broken, o strongholds of religion, of pride and of control. Be broken by the rising tide of repentance and faith through prayer."

-Anonymous

Teach Me Lord!

2008-03-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

In a conservation with a great friend about prayer, this prayer was shared:

"Holy Spirit teach us to pray that we might trust You to the level that You love us."

Teach Me Lord, I pray!

A Prayer...

2008-03-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

Come Abba Father.
Come LORD Jesus.
Come Holy Spirit.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
My song longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD!
My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me! Deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
You cover Yourself with light as a garment!
A garment that is stretching out from the heavens like a tent!
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!

Abba Father, humbly I ask that you would allow me to dwell in Your Presence.
LORD Jesus, humbly I ask that you would continually intercede on my behalf.
Holy Spirit, guide me and lead me in the way of the everlasting Life!

(Psalm 8:1,9; 9:1a; 18:1; 59:1-2; 61:1, 2b; 84:2; 104:1-2; 111:1; 112:1)

How You Move...

2008-02-27T20:14:00.001-08:00

Oh Lord, I walk in to find You.
Oh Lord, I hear Your praises ring.
Oh Lord, I see You move so eloquently.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, How I long to be with You.
Oh Lord, How I desire to dance with You.
Oh Lord, How I long to be in Your presence.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, You guide each step.
Oh Lord, You protect me in each move.
Oh Lord, You focus on me.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, I got out of step.
Oh Lord, I began to try to lead.
Oh Lord, I am sorry.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, take the lead again.
Oh Lord, take me into Your shadow.
Oh Lord, take the hurt and fill it with the light of Your love.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, Your rhythm is so hard to master.
Oh Lord, Your movements are so graceful.
Oh Lord, Your steps are so ordered.
Oh Lord, how You move.

Oh Lord, You are my Great Teacher!
Oh Lord, You are my Leader!
Oh Lord, You are my Lover!
Oh Lord, how You move.

America

2008-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

Poem sent to me through email! Interesting and true!

The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama . Judge Moore
was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom
foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip
his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns a way
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God 's not angry,
that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

Gardener!

2008-02-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

As this semester begins, it is exciting to learn that our spring reader is about the branches and the vine. What such great imagery! I love it. Even better, our Abba Father is the Gardener! Just a neat thought for the night!

Our God Reigns!

2007-11-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

Today has been a wonderful and peaceful day as I have been able to sit in the presence of God. Tonight I find myself worshiping and reading prayers in AHOP (Asbury House of Prayer). I keep finding myself coming back to this one prayer that is really incredible. So here it is from an anonymous child of God.

"This world is dirty, fallen, sick. This world is beautiful, a taste of of what is to come. We are sinners. We are made in his image. We live in a constant battle. He brings us peace. He is God Most High, the Holy of Holies, the Alpha and Omega, King of Kings. He comes to us poor, born in a feeding trough. The Kingdom of God is Near. The Kingdom of God is Here. We are always seeking, always searching, yet He is always waiting to be found. More, He seeks us. God is the lion. God is the Lamb. God is the Father. God is the Son. God did not create robots to fulfill some predestined plan we have no say in, yet God is not the boy watching the ants play either. Ever present yet not oppressive He loves us enough to die for us, but also so much that He never forces Himself on us. Dark. Light. Day. Night. Through it all our God Reigns!"

On top of this prayer is the phrase "Our God Reigns!" while the prayer is in the background. It reminds me so much of how our God does reign. How he has spread his extravagant love upon so many that I know. How I was so broken and wretched yet in searching I found Him. Our God Reigns! Our God Reigns!

O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing!

2007-11-01T13:34:00.001-07:00

Today in Chapel President Kalas brought the Word as we worshiped and sang O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing! Here are a few of the 17/18 verses:

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's Praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
'Tis music in the sinner's ear
'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of the canceled sin.
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace!
-Charles Wesley

As I read a little about this hymn the other day, I learned that Wesley wrote this for his one year anniversary of becoming a transformed heart of accepting Christ Jesus. It brings me great joy to sing this song speculating upon the mysteries of a thousand tongues of mine singing together a majestic poetic psalm.

After experiencing such a great week of hardship as I prepared for my Greek midterm it brings me such humility to sing this psalm knowing that only reason I was able to accomplish that exam was because of my great Redeemer's help. Not only that assignment but also the assignments for other classes.

I find myself often getting lost in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ as he continues to break me completely. Yet I know that He alone is remolding a piece of clay into such a new whole creation that delves ever so delicately into the folds of His heart.

I must admit that on this afternoon as I sit in AHOP extolling my Lord, I find renewed joy that brings strength to continue walking on this planet waiting for my day to go home!

God Is Good

2007-10-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

God is Good
God is Good
God is Good
He's so good to me

I must admit that God is so good.

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse."
-Psalm 25.1-3 NIV Translation

Jesus Is Alive!

2007-09-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

This week has been incredible as I have been able to worship with my brothers and sisters. Prayer has increased so much in my life since I have been able to come to Asbury. Tonight we had our dorm prayer meeting and it was such a wonderful blessing to see a brother holding another brother as he wept for compassion of Jesus to reign for his family members. This is what our world is supposed to be like. I want to be open - having eyes and discernment of when I need to be held and to also hold others.

Continue to...
Come Lord Jesus.
Come Abba Father.
Come Holy Spirit.

Morning Prayer

2007-09-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

My morning prayer from Psalm 25:

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long!

Amen!

Eucharist

2007-09-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Luke 24:30-32