Do You Speak The International Language?

pushton duan të gjithë (Albanian)

الحب ينتصر على كل (Arabic)

Սերը բոլորին նվաճում է (Armenian)

爱征服一切 (Chinese)

ljubav sve pobjeđuje (Croatian)

Láska si podrobí všechny (Czech)

kærligheden overvinder alt (Danish)

liefde overwint alles (Dutch)

pag-ibig conquers lahat (Fillipino)

Amour triomphe de tout (French)

Rakkaus valloittaa kaikki (Finish)

 Liebe besiegt alles (German)

Αγάπη κατακτά όλα (Greek)

renmen tout triyonf (Haitian)

אהבה כובש את כולם (Hebrew)

प्यार जय पाए (Hindi)

szerelem mindent legyőz (Hungarian)

ást sigrar allt (Icelandic)

cinta mengalahkan semua (Indonesian)

Amore VInce Tutto (Italian)

愛を征服すべて (Japanese)

사랑의 정복 모든 (Korean)

Omnia Amor Vincit (Latin)

mīlestība uzvar visu (Latvian)

Meilė įveikia viską (Lithuanian)

kjærlighet overvinner alt (Norwegian)

همه آنجا را فتح عشق (Persian)

miłość może wszystko (Polish)

o amor vence tudo (Portuguese)

cucereşte iubire toate (Romanian)

любовь побеждает все (Russian)

љубав све побеђује (Serbian)

Láska si podrobia všetky (Slovak)

ljubezen premaga vse (Slovenien)

el amor lo conquista todo (Spanish)

upendo ashindaye wote (Swahili)

kärleken övervinner allt (Swedish)

அன்பு அனைத்தையும் வெல்லும் (Tamil)

ప్రేమ అందరినీ జయిస్తుంది (Telugu)

เอาชนะความรักทั้งหมด (Thai)

tình yêu chiến thắng tất cả (Vietnamese)

concro caru pob (Welsh)

ליבע קאַנגקערז אַלע (Yiddish)
Love Conquers All (English)

[[God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them...For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.]]
-1 John 4:16, 20, NIV


A little love.
A little kindness.
A little light in this time of darkness.
It'll be what makes us different.
It'll be what makes us human.
-Jordin Sparks, "Human"

"Human", performed by Natalie Grant

"Bliss!"

I follow this guy, Eric William Gilmour's blog and street ministry online. I saw this posted today and it blew me away. Eric really takes the Lord's command to "go into the world" seriously and he does it without fear or pretense. The love of Christ is evident in him and he wants nothing other than for people to know that God is real and to pursue an intimate relationship with Him.

It's amazing to me how this guy, Julian, (although he calls himself agnostic) actually believes that there is a God, but stresses over and over that he doesn't agree with religion. Similar to the sentiments of most of the younger generation today. They are hungry and tired of the status quo. They want a relationship, not religion. They are seeking the One True God, Jehovah Rophe, the Ultimate Healer & Deliverer, my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Without willing vessels like Eric [and you and me, for that matter], how are they going to know the truth, when we live in a world dominated by the author of confusion???



Thank you Eric for your passion and devotion to the Lord and His Great Commission. I will be praying for you and your ministry.


[[Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.]]
-Psalm 115.1, NIV

--> For more from Eric, check out his sites:
Sonship International & Fire Press.

I'm Moving On...

Wow, when I heard this song again today, it really spoke to me.  I never realized it before, but it's basically telling my own story! 

Sigh...

[[For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.]]
-Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:25, NIV

The Same Attitude As Christ???

[[In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And then, being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.]] -Philippians 2:5-11, NIV

Today these verses kept coming to mind over and over. You see, since I have come to know God and His Word, the most amazing thing happens! Just when I need it the most, God (by His Holy Spirit) reminds me of just what I need to hear at the exact moment I need to hear it! -->[Click here for: John 14:26] Yes, my friends, He is that personal. God is an intimately personal God, and He desires to have that kind of intimacy with all of us!

Starting over, these verses have been essential to me – not just in my recovery and my relationship with God, but in my relationships with others. At first I thought the whole “Christian life” was just about overcoming my addictions and avoiding the other “obvious sins” in my life. But once I accepted Christ and began seeking God’s truth, I realized that this “recovery” isn’t just about the physical, the emotional, or even the spiritual - it is about a complete and total transformation of the mind! -->[Click here for: Romans 12:2]

Up to that point, my attitude about everything in life was completely wrong. I had placed myself on a pedestal and unknowingly become my own god. I didn’t even know how, much less have the desire, to be humble like Christ. I was so used to serving myself, I did it automatically without even thinking!  Even when I was in my darkest hour, my destructive behavior and self-pity were signs of my self-centered way of thinking. As soon as God revealed this truth to me, I had a breakthrough! My mind is now being transformed more and more every day. I now am seeking to have the same attitude and mindset that Christ had toward everything and everybody that comes my way. This, I believe, is what will allow me to be more like Christ, and less like me! Hallelujah!

Ok, so here’s how I break the verses down and apply them to my life:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had” (v. 5)

This tells me that God places a lot of value on relationships. It also shows me that Jesus Christ is my model of how to be in relationship with others.

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (v. 6)

Even though He was God, He gave up the title!  He didn’t have to announce His credentials and throw His weight around to get what He wanted! Even though He was God, He didn’t lord His authority over people. This tells me that no matter what a person’s position or social standing is in this life, we are not greater than the One who gave it to us! We must never abuse it by taking advantage of others or by using it for our own selfish gain. We must not think too highly of ourselves either! -->[Click here for: Romans 12:3; James 4:6]

“Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (v. 7)

This tells me that I need to humble myself in service to others, just as Christ left the perfection of heaven, became a man, and gave up all of His rights as God to become a servant. If God could humble Himself to the position of a servant, then I certainly must! -->[Click here for: Mark 10:43-45]

“And then, being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (v. 8)

Wow! He was obedient to the point of dying a humiliating death on a cross like some common criminal! And what’s more, they didn’t put Him on the cross, He did! He allowed them to kill Him, so that He could save them - the very people nailing Him to the cross!!! And that means all of us! 

[[I have to pause for a moment of silence on that one.]] 

So great is God’s love and compassion for us, that while He was dying on the cross, He uttered these words: “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” -->[Click here for: Luke 23:34]. This tells me that I must humble myself before God, and be obedient even when it’s painful or humiliating. I must also forgive others their offenses because He has so graciously forgiven me all of my many, many offenses. --->[Click here for: Colossians 3:13; Luke 17:4]

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (v. 9-11)

Wow! That says it all!

So finally, that tells me:

[[Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.]] -James 4:10

Christmas Rocks!!!

Here are 7 totally rad Christmas songs (yes, I did say Christmas songs) that won't make you want to stick your head in the oven! You may recognize some of the titles. Although they are traditional, trust me, they sound anything but! I wish all Christmas music sounded this good.

Enjoy!

1. Mary Did You Know? by Kutless

2. Angels We Have Heard On High by Family Force 5

3. O Holy Night by Newsboys

4. O Come O Come Emmanuel by August Burns Red

5. Christmas This Year by Toby Mac (Featuring Leigh Nash)

 

6. Christmas Song by Flyleaf

And now for the grand finale!

DRUM ROLL....

7. Carol Of The Bells Ballet music by August Burns Red (This is so sick - please don't miss it!)

SWWEEEEEETT!!!

Merry Christmas! I wish you all the peace, joy and wonder this special time of year brings!

Much Love & Many Blessings In The New Year!

~Jo

[[For a child will be born to us,
a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.]]
-Isaiah 9:6-7, NASB


Live United!

I am very excited!  Monday I am beginning my internship with my local United Way: http://www.unitedwayescambia.org/. I will be a Campaign Assistant in their Finance Department. I am looking forward to “Being The Change” and meeting some of the dedicated individuals in my community working to make it a better place to live.

It never ceases to amaze me that despite all of the corruption and evil in the world, there is still so much love and beauty. If you are looking for it, you will find it my friend!

For those that don’t know, your local United Way brings together agencies, businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, government and individuals to focus on the problems and issues that are most important and relevant in your community. Their aim is to improve lives and to build strong, healthy communities.

--> To learn more about this amazing organization and how you can get involved, go to: http://www.liveunited.org/ and enter your zip code to find your local office.

Peace, Love & Blessings!

~Jo