Meu Pais

The parents came to visit this past weekend. We took a trip down the the Lake front and were frozen out by the wind and overcast sky. We played games and just got caught up on each others' lives. Real encouraging time.
I regret that I perhaps didn't give them as much attention as I should have. I'm always getting distracted with my other tasks while they are around. In any case, it was nice to hear how God is working in their part of the world. Just reminds me that the God I serve is still present in the lives of others and He is working His mighty plan through all of us for one goal: His "desire that all men come to the knowledge of salvation" and His glory.

Miles in the Rearview

Blast from the past. I was reading through some homework early this morning... or was it late last night?
Either way, this phrase stuck to me like flypaper for many verses later.

"To whom shall I compare thee?"

I was going crazy; knowing that there was some memory related to those words. Then it hit me...

"Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely, more temperate."

A rush of memories from High School choir flooded me in the middle of class. Good times to rest that I hadn't glanced at for a good many years. On that note, I proceeded after class to YouTube the long forgotten song. I did indeed find it (there are two versions apparently).
I then continued my search of choir activities from my High School choir program... seeing many faces and hearing good songs from the past. I never thought I would miss those High School days, but apparently there are some things in the soul that never die. Music being one of them.

Let music never die in me.
Forever let my spirit sing.
Let all our voices join as one to praise the Maker of the Song.
Rejoice, Rejoice, Let music ring!!

Along the way I found this original song by a good friend.

The Power of Heaven... in a Winter Snow

Been going through Isaiah in my Prophets class. I had to read the whole book of Isaiah for it actually. There is so much happening with destruction and judgment. So much power that God holds. Many references to "The Day of the Lord," both to that time and for the time to come, have displays of fire and shouts and thunder and death and might hands!!! What a powerful King we serve! What fear for God we should have like Isaiah did in chapter six when he found himself at the feet of the LORD's throne...surrounded by the holiness of Him Who reigns. Isaiah said "WOE IS ME FOR I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS!!!!" I wonder how I can approach this God of holiness...but then I remember...
True, He is just and mighty and worthy of all fear and praise. However.. He also set an example for us in His love and servitude. What a compassionate God we serve.
He will come with all that power and might in a day yet to come, but let us not forget that indeed He has already come to be a part of our lives as a child so sweet to die a death so gruesome so we can reign with Him in the age to come.
Have you thanked Him for it today?

Hail! Hail!

One of the great thing about having dual citizenship is having two days dedicated to the Independence of your homes. Sure, the US has an impressive display of patriotism on that day... but it does not compare to the passion that Brasilians have for thier country. (Ever watch the World Cup?)



The funny thing is, Brasil has I believe only one war on record!! IF that!!! AND... it wasn't for their independence!! Portugal had other problems at the time, so when the colony wanted to be free, Portugal just let them go!
In any case.. Happy Independence Day all my fellow Brasilians (and Brasilians at heart.)

I Loved Her... But GOD..

My last post was very reflexive. In an equation of logic it might look like this:

Green=Me, Green=broken heart, ergo, Me=broken heart.

However, though for a time I had a deeply wounded heart, yes, even broken, I cannot deny the fact that The LORD has done mighty things in that outlook. Sure I’m hurt and I spend time playing “what if” and “when”… but I realize that this avails nothing. Things are the way they are. God has been healing me and bringing me to a place where I rely on Him for love and satisfaction. After all, what greater place to find it then in the All knowing, all Powerful, and Self-sufficient One.
I want to be at that place where the only one I need or even want is Him. My heart’s desire is to be close to Him and His alone.

So if I’m Green…. Then, the opposite of Green, the opposite of Me, is RED… the Lord. Just as His red love poured out on the cross washing away my crimson stains to make me white as snow.
Two things that keep running through my head and heart;
“I’m still here”…and… “It’ll be okay, trust Me.”

Shawn Mcdonald - Gravity