Tag Archives: Love

Love Is A Choice!

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Always, love is a choice. You come up against scores of opportunities every day to love or not to love. You encounter hundreds of small chances to please your friends, delight your Lord, and encourage your family. That’s why love and obedience are intimately linked- you can’t have one without the other. ~Β Joni Eareckson Tada

Marriage

My Thoughts πŸ’­Β 

One of my fave ministries is “Telling The Truth” and this is an article on marriage by Pete Briscoe

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πŸ’¬ Quote 4 2dayΒ 

β€œGetting married for sex is like buying a 747 for the free peanuts.” β€”Jeff Foxworthy

The Pew Poll reports that 44% of Americans under 30 believe that marriage is heading for extinction, but 95% of Americans want to get married someday.

That’s interesting, isn’t it?

There’s skepticism, but also intrigue. They know there’s something dynamic and special about this relationship, but our culture keeps saying, β€œMarriage was great for your grandparents, but it’s unnecessary bondage for this age of freedom.”

Time magazine recently ran a cover that simply asked in big letters, β€œWho needs marriage?” Good question. How would you answer?

Lie number 1:Β Marriage is an archaic institution irrelevant for enlightened modern people. Many believe this lie, the rest of us need to ask ourselves if marriage is even worth it. Why do we even need this anymore?”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. β€”Genesis 2:24

This is the way God always intended it: one man, one woman coming together, becoming one, enjoying oneness in Christ. It’s God’s original plan, and it’s meant to last. He’s never rescinded it. Marriage is simply one of God’s great ideas.

I’ve done dozens of weddings over the years, and I start them all the same way:

β€œMarriage is:

  • A holy estate.
  • Instituted by God.
  • Commanded in Scripture for all who enter it lawfully and in true affection.
  • Confirmed by Christ’s solemn words and consecrated by His gracious presence at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee.
  • Set forth by the apostle as signifying the mystical union between Christ and the Church.
  • Ordained for the consecration of union between man and woman so that the natural instincts being directed aright they might live in purity and honor.
  • Ordained for the increase of mankind and that children might be brought up in the fear and the nurture of the Lord.
  • Ordained for companionship, health, and comfort, which husband and wife ought to have of each other.
  • Ordained for the welfare of human society which can be strong and happy only where the marriage bond is held highly in honor.”
  • Satan lies. The truth is that marriage is divine, timeless, and significant. You might be in it or out of itβ€”either way, marriage is partof God’s eternal purpose for the Body of Christ… and it will be until death we do part.
πŸ™ Prayer 4 2day!Β 

God, make me a vessel of Your truth. When I begin to doubt the validity and need of marriage, make me willing to take that thought captive. By Your Spirit and Your Word, convict me of Your divine purpose in the marriage covenant for my good and for Your glory. Amen.

Love

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β€œTo love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” ~ C.S Lewis
Related posts:
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My own little world

This video really challenged me to look at the mission field between my own two feet. I hope it will challenge you too to realise that there is such a huge need right on our own door steps or in our own town/city. It helps show that if we really loved these people around us instead of judging the way they look, act or the situations they find themselves in, then we can understand and show the compassion, grace and love of Jesus and help transform lives!

Related posts:

 

✞ Music 4 2day by Christy Nockels

After i enjoyed playing “Hosanna” on the drums at our church meeting yesterday, it inspired me to share a few songs by one of my favourite worship leaders.

This next song Β brings me such comfort. So many people believe there isn’t a God or that God wants to punish them in some way so spend their whole lives running, but he just wants to Love you, so just ‘Be Loved’

Related Posts:

Yet I Will Praise You

My Own Little World

The Glad Sound Of The Gospel

A speech bubble with a drop shadow effet withQuote 4 2day written inside.

“He who has not felt what sin is in the Old Testament knows little what grace is in the New. He who has not trembled in Moses, and wept in David, and wondered in Isaiah will rejoice little in Matthew or rest little in John. He who has not suffered under the Law will scarcely hear the glad sound of the gospel.” ~ R. W. Barbour

Β Related Posts:

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Rest In Piece

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I have had this written down for many years, but I have only just found it again when searching through some old folders.

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A few of the songs/poems I have on here were written as I was coming out of a very dark time in my life, but I still would like to share them with you as they are still part of my journey.


Rest in Piece

by Steve Rebus

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Verse 1 C, Am7, Em, G

As they Wade through the blood of your family,

Bullets pass through you for all to see,Β 

Tears of blood, life long scars remain,

The evil one, is prowling once again,

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Chorus Am, Em

Rest in Piece,

Children of war,

Rest in peace,

You don’t have to fear no more,

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Verse 2

Lying face down in the mud,

A war never turns out like they say it would,

Trying to send a prayer with your final breath,

While spitting and choking on the stench of death,

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ChorusΒ 

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Middle 8 F, C, G/B Am

Who’s to say who’s wrong,

Who’s to say who’s right?

How much innocence will die tonight?

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Verse 3

Is the war over now, are we done?

Or has all the darkness only begun,

What’s the value of a human life?

I guess that changes from side to side.


© Steve Rebus



Β πŸ“– Verse 4 2day!Β 

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Matthew 5:44Β (NIV)

But I tell you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

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Safety

I ran away from safety because it was tasteless
My life was craving some more exotic flavour
Because of my attractions I drove a million miles to meet my desire
But when I got there it destroyed me, it tore me to pieces

Now I am broken, shattered. The things I loved hated me
Who can understand, who can make sense of this mess
How could the world be such a liar
How could I have been so stupid

I opened my eyes and looked around me, I found I was not alone
There were so many people littering the streets of this broken place
Then some quiet noise turned my head and I scanned the horizon
I saw a kind of light far in the distance, it seemed vaguely familiar but unknown

Now I have walked these streets, how I longed for the old way, whatever it was
Still I could sense that light, it seemed to be moving
If only I could go back, If someone could take me
I then I thought about that light, could that light be safety?

Perfection

What is perfection?
This thing that we mention
This mode that we talk of
This ancient convention

It sits in our minds and assesses our actions
It looks at what’s out there and causes reactions
We want it, we crave it
Yet our senses are marred, can we trust our perceptions?

What is it……..?
Something exquisite
Or something of myth
That we never will visit

Or Maybe a path you can follow – a worthy direction
Or choices you make through some careful selection
Or is it chance
The hope of some future election

Or are they all aspects of this purest condition
This mindset beyond a pure human rendition
But something above us
The state that explains the creator’s decision

Something outside us but in us in seed
Something in flowers as well as in weeds
Something in process
The nature of the only one worthy to bleed

Love Story

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Is love the story that underlines our life?
A story of husband and wife
But also of surgeon and knife

A story of cursed ground
Of people lost and found
Of little silence and too much sound

A story of shared and broken creation
Of relation against relation
And nation v nation

A story of confusion
Of many lies and evils intrusion
A story of pain – what’s your conclusion?

Does this story have a turn?
A Saviour who came to burn?
A Saviour who lives, dies, lives – and returns…?

So what about you?
Is this a story that’s true?
A story about your eternal life – your view….?

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Our Greatest Need

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If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent a financier; if pleasure, an entertainer. As it is forgiveness, He sent a Saviour. – Nicky Gumbel

Prayer 4 2day wireless logo

Father in heaven, I know that I have broken your laws and that my sins have separated me from you. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life.

Please forgive me, andΒ help me avoid sinning again.
I believe that you sent your sonΒ Jesus Christ, who died for my sins,Β was resurrected from the dead, andΒ is now alive.Β I invite Jesus toΒ become the Lord of my lifeβ€”to ruleΒ and reign in my heart from this dayforward.

Please send me your HolyΒ Spirit to help me to obey you, and
to do your will for the rest of my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Jesus, how much do you love me?

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Quote 4 2day πŸ’¬Β 
“I asked Jesus,
‘How much do you love me?’
And Jesus said,
‘This much’
Then He stretched out his arms and died.”
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The Diocese of Exeter

This was written on an easter card Sarah received from her Mother yesterday. It hit me hard and I felt I just had to share it!



Depression

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Whilst writing “My Testimony” I found this song hiding in my hard drive.

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Depression

Written by Steve Rebus

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As I wake up I slowly realise,

That I face another day with darkened eyes,

As it hits me I have to refrain,

From the thoughts wishing me dead again!

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Pure isolation, I dream of escape,

My hopes and ambitions I’ve had to forsake,

Panic, despair, my hand grips the knife,

I pray for the strength to end this sad life!!

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(chorus)

Depression,

Comes like the darkest night,

Depression,

No glimmer of hope, no sign of light.

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I feel the torment build deep inside,

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,

It has to happen now, I need a release,

I hope suicide will finally bring me peace!

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(chorus)

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As I look back with love in my heart,

My Chains are gone, i have a new start,

The Lord is my refuge, my strength, my home,

The darkness has gone, I’m no longer alone!

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Β Β© Steve Rebus

πŸ“– Verse of Hope

John 14:1-4

β€œLet not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

More songs:

The Prodigal Son

Captivity of Negativity

I’m not afraid to die

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Not afraid to die

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This song came to me as I was with Sarah at another Eric Bibb concert, we were sat very high up in the eaves of Cadogan Hall and I felt a sudden sense of danger. I pictured the whole place collapsing and I was trapped under all of the seats etc.

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When we got home I picked up my acoustic guitar and this song (lyrics & chords) just came straight out. I havn’t edited it since and this happened around 2005.Β 


Not afraid to die

Music & Lyrics by Steve Rebus

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Verse 1 G, D/F#, A Asus

On that fateful night

In Cadohan Hall

Eric Bibb’s Blues filling wall to wall.

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Verse 2

A big explosion

And you were scared

But I was the one trapped beneath the stairs

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(Chorus) Dsus, G, D/F#, G, A

Please save yourself, before it’s too late

Please save yourself, but don’t you cry

Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die

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Verse 3

You let go of my hand

With tears on your face

The look in your eyes, as you left this place

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Verse 4

I can feel the heat

Of the flames on my skin

The creak from the roof as it finally caved in

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(Chorus)

Please save yourself, before it’s too late

Please save yourself, but don’t you cry

Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die

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Solo

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Verse 5

Remember me

And the life we had

Share your smile and never be sad

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(Chorus)

Please save yourself, before it’s too late

Please save yourself, but don’t you cry

Because I got the Lord in my heart…..I’m not afraid to die

When you’ve got the Lord in your heart…..don’t be afraid to die

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Β© Steve Rebus

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I am not sure if this is an outpouring of my love for Sarah and how I would die for her, or if its trying to show how much inner peace I feel now I follow Jesus, maybe its both?!

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Please comment and let me know your thoughts! πŸ˜€

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More songs:

The Prodigal Son

Captivity of Negativity

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Spur one another

✞ Verse 4 2day! –Β Hebrews 10:24,25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Barriers

✞ Prayer 4 2day! 

“God, I pray that this will be the day barriers are broken down and boundaries crossed, and that I’ll awaken to how Your love reaches the darkest recesses of my soul. I want to accept Your love! I pray these things in the name of Jesus, my Savior and my Lord. Amen.”