ECHOES FROM THE DEEP

Today, For what I am that I ought not to be, Forgive me. For what I am not that I ought to be, Forgive me. Be with my mouth in what it speaks Be with my hands in what they do Be with my mind in what it thinks Be with my heart in what it feels Work in me     ...through me     ...for me     ...in spite of me In the precious name of Jesus, Amen

IF... If you never felt pain, Then how would you know that I'm a Healer? If you never went through difficulty, How would you know that I'm a Deliverer? If you never had a trial, How could you call yourself an overcomer? If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I'm a Comforter? If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I'm forgiving? If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue? If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole? If you never had a problem, How would you know that I can solve them? If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through? If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure? If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them? If I never corrected you, How would you know that I ...

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried, Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate, And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait." "Wait? You say, wait! " my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By Faith, I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. My future and all to which I can relate Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign, Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!" Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate As my Master replied once again, "You must wait." So, I slumped in my chair, def...

START OVER When you've trusted God and walked his way When you've felt his hand lead you day by day But your steps now take you another way ...      Start over. When you've made your plans and they've gone awry When you've tried your best and there's no more try When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...      Start over. When you've told your friends what you plan to do When you've trusted them and they didn't come through And you're all alone and it's up to you ...      Start over. When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong And now your grandchildren come along ...      Start over. When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ... When you want to stop cause you've...

Hearing God's Voice "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him."  (1 Samuel 3:7) Samuel was born to Hannah, a woman who had a deep commitment to God. She was barren, but she cried out to God for a son. The Lord gave her Samuel, whom she completely gave to the Lord for His service. After weaning him, she took him to the house of the Lord to be reared by the priests. Eli was the priest of Israel, but he was not a godly leader. He had allowed much corruption, including the sins of his sons, in God's house. God was not pleased with Eli and later judged him and his household. Samuel grew up in the temple serving God. He also grew up seeing the hypocrisy of Eli's household, yet this did not change the young man. God was with him. We learn that even though young Samuel had a belief in God, he had not yet experienced a personal relationship with Him. God called to Samuel three times, ...