SEVEN HEBREW WORDS FOR PRAISE

1. YADAH To worship with the extended hand, absolute surrender... as a young child does to a parent
2. TEHILLAH To sing, to laud, spontaneously
3. BARAK To kneel or to bow 
4. HALAL Shine; hence, to make a show, and thus to be (clamorously) foolish
5. TOWDAH Extension of the hand in adoration or agreement
6. ZAMAR - To sing with instruments 
7. SHABACH - Proclaim with a loud voice, unashamed, a loud adoration, a shout!

I will not forsake you

Yesterday was a day of great battle, and so many have lifted me .....Thank you. This is His message: "I will not forsake you" from all corners of the nation and beyond, from ages long ago and new, from young and old. He is faithful.

At the risk of self promotion, I do want to glorify GOD and His people. In a sense, the courage I have received was not meant for me alone, but also for you in your own battle. Freely we have received, freely we give. This just might be God talking to you:

"Brad- I'm with you."

"...God does not promise that our lives will be free of storms, but He does promise us a place of shelter during the storms." The FULL Serenity Prayer

"...the Scripture that comes to mind is "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed (because He was crushed for us--Isa. 53); we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken (because He was forsaken for us--Matt. 27:46); struck down but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body" (2 Cor. 4:8-10)..."

"... Persevere and He will make a way, and He will comfort you. You will reap what you are sowing. God Bless. "

"...praying for you Brad."

"Brad, praying for you right now man. "

"I know you are not looking for a return email from anyone that you sent this to because God is your rock and He will sustain you. My heart knows that you are aware of the prayer for you"

"Hello from South Carolina, Brad. Yes, I will join in prayer this morning."

"Be strong in the Grace of God Brad---As you have been."

"Bless your walk"

" **husband** and I lifted special and specific prayers ...."

"I'll be praying for you that God will vindicate himself for your trust in him.
Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. shalom"

"...trust in God to set things right. I love you. **relative** "

"Praying that you have all the spiritual armor God has granted each of us to use for His will."

" **wife** and I are praying for you tomorrow. "

"With God ALL things are possible. I know right now it must be hard to see clearly in all of this. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you battle for what you know is right ..... I don't know what the outcome will be now or down the road but I know HE is faithful. Please know we are praying with love- **Husband and wife**"

"...Thank you for allowing us ***husband and wife** to continue to pray specifically for you and the battle you are in. - In Him alone- "

"I am praying for you brother. Remember what the Bible says. Ask and it will be given to you. Matthew 7-7. Read from Matthew. I believe it will help you. Brad I wish you the best. Good luck and the grace of God is with you, even though you may not see it. The great I AM is on your side."

"...What's mine is yours brother and I really mean that. Please keep me updated and don't hesitate to ask for anything. We are at war and we are soldiers together in this army. Co laborers for Christ. Love you brother."

The same day people in the world asked me "Do you believe that God speaks to you?" How would you answer? 

What do you recommend?

DJ has a heart for the people of the Phillipines, he landed recently to start his journey that will take him over a year, and maybe a life...and you see his heart in his question.My answer is laid out below.  What would be yours?  What books have encouraged you?

Totally depends on God and the audience He would have you reach. Here are 7, I am sure there are 70 more. 

1) Bible: 1 John,  Ephesians...Simple, powerful. 

2) "God is closer than you think."  Lighthearted, point directly to the immediate possibility of a relationship with God....great for me when I thought I couldn't connect with God.  http://bit.ly/9fOUWZ

3) "Epic" by John Eldridge..short, simple, evanglististic
"Wild at heart" and "Waking the Dead": for healing and battle: John Eldridge
http://www.ransomedheart.com/c-3-books.aspx

4) "Spiritual Leadership" by J Oswald Saunders:  How to become the leader God wants all of us to be.  Perhaps for the more mature Christian.

5) FREE: "When I don't desire God, how to fight for joy" John Piper   Rich with sound teaching through the ages.
http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_bwdd/bwdd_all.pdf

6) The most life-changing for me personally was the "One Month to Live" series by Kerry Shook
http://www.onemonthtolive.com/  If we believe life is almost over...everything changes.

7) "The Purple book" Hank Mercier from LifeChurch thought  this was the best, I have not been through it, but might fit. Hank is one of my heros of faith.
http://haveyoudonethepurplebook.com/new/about.php

If you want to read a little more about DJ, you can find out here...
http://djsmission.blogspot.com/

Are you ready? Spiritual Warfare

After "A mighty fortress",  I got caught.  I was so excited to fight the battle with my new confidence,  I hadn't even thought to answer the critical questions.... was I ready?

Its been a tough week, I feel like I am loosing ground.  As often happens when my need is greatest, the message spoke directly to the need to get to a right relationship, right perspective.  In fact this preparation of the heart and mind is exactly what I am reminded weekly, I just get so busy....

Fragrant Burning: Nothing Compares

This encouragement from a young man, fighting a serious battle, ... a spiritual battle.  He writes to an older man fighting a serious battle...a spiritual battle.....

"One of my memory verses for the week is Romans 8:18. I thought that it might be an encouragement to you as it was to me,

"...for i consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us."

"Paul tells us that the worst things that can happen to us in this life arent worthy to even be compared to the glory of being with our savior. That is one of my favorite passages in the Bible" 

It means more coming from someone walking in the fire....doesn't it?



If you are on Facebook click link for the song audio
http://www.divshare.com/download/12792500-93d


Fragrant Burning
Derek Loux

All my triumphs i count but loss
all my failure i leave behind
I have one vision, your rugged cross
I have one mission, to come and die

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears
My love will be a poured out offering to you

I have one banner...Your endless love
I'll have one passion....To see your face

And I've one manner
Your Kingdom come
I've one obsession
to sit and gaze

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears

My love will be a poured our offering for you
Fragrant burning for you
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to you.....
Nothing comares
NOTHING COMPARES ...compares to you

And I will be a fragrant burning
I'll wash your feet with my tears
Our love will be a oured offering to you
Fragrant burning for you,
for you, fragrant burning. for you,
for only you