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Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.– Psalm 149:3-4 (NASB)
I was working in the house one quiet afternoon on the last day of March when I heard a loud grinding, rumbling sound.
I thought maybe a heavy truck or a train was passing by below our house. Then my son and my husband simultaneously asked, “Did you feel that? Is that an earthquake?”
It was then I looked up and saw the ceiling light sway back and forth. We discovered that, indeed, a 6.5 earthquake had struck in the Challis National Forest near Boise, Idaho, the largest seismic event since 1983. We felt it on the other side of the state.
Excitedly, we called our eldest son, who lives nearby. He had neither heard nor felt the quake. The reason? He and his wife had turned on some music and were dancing around the house with their young children.
He was disappointed to have missed the event. But later, it occurred to me that dancing through an earth-shaking event was not a bad way to spend an afternoon. In fact, it’s very Scriptural. The Apostle Paul, from the depths of a Roman prison, encouraged God’s people to do that very thing. We may not be able to literally dance around our situation, but our hearts can.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
– Philippians 4:4
God has not promised that our world would never shake. He never promised us a smooth life without heartache and difficulties. In fact, He warned us to expect hardship in this world. He did, however, promise that He has already overcome anything this world can throw at us.
Has your home been shaken? Sing that your spiritual house still stands upon the Rock.
Have you suffered for your faith? Rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ.
Does the immediate future look frightening? Remember who holds your future and smile.
The world will get darker. We can spend our time wringing our hands over the deception and disarray of the nations.
Or we can dance the night away.
Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas.
– Psalm 46:2 (CSB)
Slightly Obsessed #243: Dance the Night Away
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“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
-Hebrews 12:11
The children are squabbling.
They haven’t done a single thing you asked them to do all day. You talk to them, bribe them, cajole them, nag them, and finally yell at them. They ignore your warnings and act as if your instructions are suggestions rather than commands. Then you resort to the one thing besides violence that will give you some blessed peace. You can’t hope that they will actually reflect on their behavior. But at least the noise will be muffled.
You send them to their rooms.
It may work on some level. More likely, they will simply play in their rooms until you release them, file this away as an affront to their personhood, and hold it against you for the rest of your lives. They are, after all, children. Self-reflection isn’t one of their strong points. They operate largely on the principle of risks versus benefits.
None of us are perfect parents. But even we can see how much easier life would be for all of us if our children would just listen and obey. How difficult can that be? As children of a heavenly Father, we are no less averse to correction, no more inspired by pure motives to obey than our own progeny.
Like children, we have often lived self-absorbed, distracted, lives, deaf to the Word of the One who made us. We followed our own ideas of right and wrong. We set up idols to which we sacrificed the offerings of time, money, and worship. We believed that God didn’t mean what He said. We ran from one distraction to another, dragging the Holy Spirit along with us. Prayer was more of a thing we promised to others than breathed out to heaven. We became selfish, shallow, and petulant. For years, He has been calling out to us, warning us, yearning for us to listen, reluctant to subject us to the stern discipline we needed.
Finally, God sent us to our rooms.
He removed us from many of the things we idolize: sports, jobs, money, convenience, church. He closed church buildings and programs and forced us to be the church. He sent us home to work on our relationships. He shut down the noise so we could hear His voice. The isolation made us lean on Him for the things we have taken for granted. It made us yearn for fellowship, for freedom, for relationship. It has moved us to weep for the suffering and reach out to our neighbors.
Most of us are heartily tired of the pandemic by now. Those of us who have been inconvenienced more than anything else just want the doors to open again. But if we move on without hearing the lessons God has been trying to share with us, we will have disappointed our Lord.
This weekend, thank your Father for His lessons. Thank your mom, just because she needs to hear it.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did
not escape when they refused him who warned them on
earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him
who warns from heaven.”
– Hebrews 12:25
Slightly Obsessed #242: The Year God Sent Us to Our Rooms
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Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.-2 Peter 3:11-13
The Lord Jesus might return today to take us home.
His imminent return should have us thinking about what kind of Church He will find upon the earth. Will He find us serving Him with joy? Will He come to a Church living in holiness and purity? Or will He surprise us while we are engaged in overt sin?
God knows a believer’s every thought and act because He lives inside us. His grace covers a multitude of sins while His Spirit convicts us of wrongdoing and leads us into righteousness. But at His coming, we will be ashamed of our behavior should He come at a time we don’t expect Him.
We might think that the moment of our resurrection ushers us into a trance-like existence in which the consciousness of what we were is gone. But although we will indeed be suddenly changed, we will still be us.
1 John 2:28 indicates that we will be cognizant of what we are doing the moment He appears to take us to heaven, as if we are moving from one room to the next. Imagine our embarrassment if a visitor suddenly shows up on our doorstep when we are in the middle of an argument with a family member. Even more, we will be ashamed if He comes back and finds us in sin.
Yes, our sins are forgiven. But who wants to miss the joy of being found doing what’s right when He appears?
Martin Luther is supposed to have famously said that even if he knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, he would still plant an apple tree. Knowing, as we do, that this world will soon be destroyed by fire in judgment, how should we spend the gift of this day? Should we invest in a dying world or prepare our hearts for the new one?
Spend the gift of time preparing for eternity. Remember that we are only passing through this land on our way to our real home. Live as if He could arrive at any moment. Bring someone new into the kingdom. Even if He doesn’t come in our lifetimes, we have purified our hearts and lived as the righteous servants Our Lord deserves.
Now, little children, abide in Him,
so that when He appears,
we may have confidence and not shrink
away from Him in shame at His coming.”
-1 John 2:28
Slightly Obsessed #241: How Then Shall We Live?
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VolcanoDiscovery.com is reporting many active volcanoes around the world in April 2020.
Currently erupting volcanoes are in Japan; Halmahera; Paramushir Island; Antarctica; Ethiopia; Italy; Guatemala; Indonesia; Kamchatka; Ryukyu Islands; Nicaragua; DRCongo; Central Mexico; Ecuador; Peru; and Tanna Island. Volcanic activity ranges from steam plume and sulfur emissions to explosive ash plumes and lava flows.
Volcanic activity appears to be on the rise along with earthquakes, although experts argue about the interpretation of the reports. About seventy-five percent of the earth’s volcanoes occur in the area of seismic restlessness that rims the Pacific plate and is known as the Ring of Fire.
Mount Etna in Italy is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, ranking only behind Kilauea in Hawaii. In Indonesia, Krakatoa is currently erupting along with three other volcanoes. There are more than 300 volcanoes on the Russian peninsula of Kamchatka; twenty-nine of them are considered active.
Eruption warnings and minor activity have also been reported in Barren Island in the Indian Ocean, Sumatra, Colombia, Chile, and Costa Rica, as well as in several countries now also experiencing actively erupting volcanoes.
Worldwide Volcanic Activity
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RICHLIN – You’re the Wine (Visualizer)
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NEWSBOYS – We Believe (Live from Home)
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Colton Dixon – Miracles (Piano Version)
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Matthew West – Hope Returns (Live from YouTube Space NY)
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Newsboys – Love One Another (Official Music Video)
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All free downloads offered with permission from the artist, content creator, and/or label.
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Free Christian Music Download of Lightswitch song Holy
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Matthew West – Unplanned (Official Music Video)
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Newsboys – Only the Son (Yeshua) (Audio)
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Save the Storks: Our Impact Reaching Abortion-Minded Women
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LEDGER: My Arms (Lyric Video)
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TobyMac – 21 Years
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KLOVE/Air1, Awakening Events and Altrua HealthShare Join with Salvation Army to Meet Needs in Local Communities
Nashville, TN… (February 19, 2020) – TobyMac’s HITS DEEP TOUR is giving back to cities across the U.S.. In partnership with tour sponsors KLOVE/Air1, Awakening Events and Altrua HealthShare, they have been working with the Salvation Army to meet needs in each local community. With 34 shows on Hits Deep 2020, hundreds of individuals and families will reap the benefits of this special partnership for years to come.
“Since the beginning of The Hits Deep tour in 2016, we have had a desire to give back to each community we visit,” commented TobyMac. “Thanks to our Partnership with KLOVE/Air1, Awakening Events, and Altrua HealthShare this dream is a reality. We have joined with the Salvation Army to identify the underserved in each community with specific needs. Each night a check is given for needs such as mattresses and beds for individuals in recovery programs, scholarships for music lessons for children, gifts to help children with an incarcerated parent celebrate special occasions as well as transportation for veterans.”
TobyMac kicked off the HITS DEEP TOUR, which also features features Tauren Wells, Jordan Feliz, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole, and Cochren & Co. on January 30 in Beaumont, TX. TOBYMAC THE THEATRE TOUR, as well as four Canadian tour dates will follow througout the spring. For all dates see below, and additional tour info, click here.
The HITS DEEP TOUR 2020
Fri, Feb 21-
Denver Coliseum – Denver, COSat, Feb 22-
Denver Coliseum – Denver, COSun, Feb 23-
Vivint Smart Home Arena – Salt Lake City, UTTue, Feb 25-
ExtraMile Arena – Boise, IDThu, Feb 27-
Abbotsford Centre – Abbotsford, BCFri, Feb 28-
accesso ShoWare Center – Kent, WASat, Feb 29-
Toyota Center – Kennewick, WASun, Mar 1-
Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Portland, ORThu, Mar 5-
Baxter Arena – Omaha, NEFri, Mar 6-
UWM Panther Arena – Milwaukee, WISun, Mar 8-
Sprint Center – Kansas City, MOThu, Mar 12-
Mississippi Coliseum – Jackson, MSFri, Mar 13-
Simmons Bank Arena – North Little Rock, ARFri, Mar 20-
TaxSlayer Center – Moline, ILSat, Mar 21-
BOK Center – Tulsa, OKSun, Mar 22-
INTRUST Bank Arena – Wichita, KSTue, Mar 24-
Bell County Expo Center – Belton, TXThu, Mar 26-
United Supermarkets Arena – Lubbock, TXFri, Mar 27-
The UTEP Don Haskins Center – El Paso, TXSat, Mar 28-
AT&T Center – San Antonio, TXSun, Mar 29-
UNO Lakefront Arena – New Orleans, LATOBYMAC THE THEATRE TOUR DATES:
Sat Apr 25-
Montgomery Performing Arts Center – Montgomery, ALSun Apr 26-
Tivoli Theatre – Chattanooga, TNTue Apr 28-
Johnny Mercer Theater – Savannah, GAThu Apr 30-
Peoria Civic Theater – Peoria, ILSun May 03-
Tennessee Theatre – Knoxville, TNMon May 04-
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium – Asheville, NCWed May 06-
Coronado Performing Arts Center – Rockford, ILThu May 07-
Embassy Theatre – Ft Wayne, INFri May 08-
Aiken Theatre – Evansville, INMon May 11-
Koger Center For The Arts – Columbia, SCMon May 13-
Cincinnati, OH – Taft TheatreThu May 14-
Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, MOTOBYMAC CANADIAN TOUR DATES:
Tue Jun 04-
First Alliance Church – Calgary, ABWed Jun 05-
Christ City Church – Edmonton, ABThu Jun 06-
Christ City Church – Edmonton, ABFri Jun 07-
Elim Church – Saskatoon, SK###
About TobyMac:
With more than 12 million units in career sales and a whopping seven GRAMMY® Awards, TobyMac’s career continues on the fast track. His 2015 RIAA Certified Gold studio album, THIS IS NOT A TEST garnered a GRAMMY® Award and Billboard Music Award nomination on top of debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200. Each of his six studio solo projects have achieved Gold certification, a first for any artist in the history of his label, Capitol Christian Music Group. Among those is 2012’s EYE ON IT, which debuted atop the Billboard 200, only the third Christian album ever to do so. The Elements, his awaited newest collection of music, is available now boasting “Everything,” “Scars,” “Edge of My Seat,” and more alongside the chart-topper, RIAA Gold Certified “I just need U.”About Awakening Events: Awakening Events produces over 300 Contemorary Christian concerts and events nationwide in America and is consistently ranked in Pollstar’s “Worldwide – Top 50 Promoter” lists each year, reaching as high as 9th in North America, and top 20 in the world. For more information please visit https://www.awakeningevents.com.
Get Connected With TobyMac:
Website // www.tobymac.com
Facebook // www.facebook.com/tobymac
Twitter // www.twitter.com/tobymac
Instagram // www.instagram.com/tobymac
YouTube // www.youtube.com/TobyMacVEVO
TOBYMAC’S HITS DEEP TOUR GIVES BACK IN CITIES ACROSS U.S.
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RICHLIN – Royal Blood (Official Music Video)
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MercyMe – Almost Home (Official Music Video)
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Colton Dixon – “Miracles” [Official Video]
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He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
– Revelation 22:20
Have you ever wondered why Jesus used the concept of a bride and groom to describe His relationship with the Church?
It was not an accident that Jesus is referred to in Scripture as the Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride. The Bible did not merely paint poetic word pictures for the reader. In His Word, God has told us that Christ and the relationship to His people would be symbolized by the Jewish wedding. The similarities to the Galilean marriage traditions of Jesus’ day to His plan for the Church are breathtakingly similar:
- The groom’s father sent his son to the bride’s house to pay her dowry and arrange the betrothal.
*Father God sent His son Jesus to earth to pay the redemption cost to make her His Bride. In doing so, He entered a new covenant with His people.
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.’ -Luke 22:20
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. -Acts 20:28
- After the betrothal, the son returned to his father’s house to prepare a home for the couple.
*Jesus returned to heaven after His resurrection.
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. -John 14:2-3
- While the bride awaited the groom’s return at an unknown hour, she cleansed herself in a ritual bath to be presented as a pure bride. She lived and slept in her wedding clothes so she would be ready to leave at his call.
*God’s people remain in our earthly home, purified by the blood of the Son of God, and await His return for us. We don’t know the day or hour of His return, only that He has promised to come for us.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. – Matthew 24:36
- The groom’s return was preceded by a shout to alert the bride.
*Jesus will come for us with a shout of victory.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. -1 Thess. 4:16-17
This sudden appearance of the Christ for His Church is known in the Bible as harpazo, which means to snatch, seize, or pluck up. In the Latin, this word is rapturo, from where we get the term Rapture.
The Rapture of the Church is not an outdated myth or outrageous escape plan. It is the consummation of a love story written by God Himself. Be on the lookout, for the Bridegroom is coming.
He who testifies to these things says,
‘Yes, I am coming quickly,’
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus
– Revelation 22:20
Sources:
https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G726/harpazo.htm
Slightly Obsessed #240: The Bridegroom Is Coming
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