TUESDAY May 11, 2010

HOLD US TOGETHER (Matt Maher)

It don't have a job
Don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home
In Beverly Hills
Won't fix your life
And find easy steps
Ain't the low or the limp
Or the government
But it’s all  you need
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm
And I'll, be, my brother’s keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone
It's waiting for you
Knocking at your door
Every moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor
When you're on your knees then
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm
And I'll, be, my brother’s keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's going to be alright,  it’s going to be alright
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's going to be alright, it’s going to be alright
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm
And I'll, be, my brother’s keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

Good morning Lord Jesus.  Feelings are this:??????  Facts are this:  You love me.  Your love towards me does not change based on my behavior.  Your mercies are new every morning.  The only thing good in my life is You and Your righteousness.  You have plans for me, plans to prosper and be in good health, even as my soul prospers.  I make a decision today to walk in the truth and faith and not in my “feelings”.  They are subject to change and Your truth that I have been given through the years never changes.  Love will hold me together, Love, true love that only Christ can give will weather the storm.

Lord, I need time with You today.  I need to dig into Your Word that feeds me.  I need to pour out my heart to You, Wash Your feet and let you tell me what You think about the circumstances and relationships in my life.  Time is what I need.  I can’t give out what I haven’t poured in.  I am pursuing a deeper relationship with someone right now and I know that I have to open my heart in order to make room for this person.  I desire to know this person better.  The only way that will happen is time and commitment.

So today Lord, I desire to spend more time with You.  I will not allow any of the other voices of life to keep me from listening to and hearing Your still small voice.  You deserve more of my attention and I will give it to You.  You feed my soul, You give me water for the dry places.  It can’t come from anywhere else, You are the Living Water and You will never run dry.  There is no substitution for time.  I have heard others say it’s quality time versus actual time (seconds, minutes & etc).  Yes, quality time is important…..but can’t be a substitute for actual time being full of quality.  Needless to say that today I am

Not in a hurry,

Mary Ann

FRIDAY May 7, 2010

SOMETHING’S GOTTA CHANGE (Josh Wilson)

I’m thirsty, God I’m thirsty

From drinking what destroys me

I’m pouring poison in my cup

I’m hungry, God I’m hungry

Consume me, what controls me

Somehow it never fills me up

We all want to find something to pass the time, but that could never be enough

Everybody says we’re all so different

Everybody knows we’re all the same

We all try to find a pill to numb the pain

Something’s gotta change

Do you remember where you have so much hopeless in you

It lingers deep inside you still

Though more of us we swallow

The more we become hollow

Until we don’t know how to feel

We all want to find something to satisfy, but we could never be enough

When everything we say and take just leads to war and hate

We only pass the blame and sedate the pain and move along

But something feels so wrong

So deep inside, so hard to hide

So desperately we try and try and come to find we are not what we are looking for

I can’t believe that I’m hearing people say that all is well

I think it’s time we all admit we have no good inside ourselves

Cause we are not okay, we’re not allright

We need to pray for help

Forgive us for our pride, Oh God, Oh God please save us from ourselves

I hope I have all the words to this song.  It is a very intense song with lots of good words.  You challenge me, Lord Jesus.  I have been saying and praying these words for quite awhile now and I believe you are doing great things in my heart and life.  I am listening to the wisdom that you have given other men and women.  I am learning to depend on You.  We are making plans in our heart….but you are directing our steps.  We realize that we are not what we are looking for.  We are listening for that still small voice, but when we are not hearing it, You are shouting and we hear that.  God help us.  We are Your children and we love and honor You as being the Lord of our lives.

Right now as I “speak”, my little darling is lying in the bed.  We had a wonderful day yesterday and today we are going to “play” all day.  I delight in her and she delights in me.  My heart just jumps when I hear her say “meme.”  Yesterday I followed her around and let her explore many different places and things.  I only intervened when I thought something was going to harm her.  I simply walked beside her and allowed her to go where she wanted to go, do what she wanted to do.  I could see where the dangers were, she couldn’t.  I was amused, intrigued, interested in her “wanderings”.  She heard children’s voices when we were at the park and wanted to get to the kids and play.  She started off in the wrong direction though and I had to make her get in the golf cart and go around instead of going straight through the woods (the shorter way).  She wasn’t happy, she didn’t understand, but I knew best and when she got to the other park, she was happy and content in seeing the other children.

Lord, You are good, You are faithful.  You are so much better than even my small attempts of love and protection towards my precious granddaughter.  You are God, the Creator of the whole Earth.  You have all power.  The problem with me is that many times I am like Londyn and think I know the right way more than You.  Do I hear something and think I know without a doubt the way to get there?  Unfortunately I do.  Forgive me, never leave my side.  To the ends of the whole earth, Your love endures forever.  Jesus, You gave Your life for me.  You have shown Your deep love and commitment to me.  You have proven time and time again that You know how to get “there”.  I trust You, even when I am headstrong and think and act like I know what to do more than You.  Today I am

Delighting in that little girl,

Mary Ann

THURSDAY May 6, 2010

THIS IS OUR GOD (Hillsong)

Your grace is enough, more than I need, at Your word I will believe

I wait for you, draw near again, let your Spirit make me new

And I will fall at Your feet, I will fall at your feet

And I will worship You here

Your presence in me, Jesus like the wind

By the power of Your word,

I am restored, I am redeemed

By your spirit, I am free

And I will fall at Your feet, I will fall at Your feet

And I will worship You here

Freely You gave it all for us, surrendered Your life upon that cross

Great is Your love, poured out for us

This is our God

You lifted on high from death to life

Forever our God is glorified

Servant and King, You rescued the world

This is our God

And I will fall at Your feet, I will fall at Your feet

And I will worship You here

And I will fall at Your feet, I will fall at Your feet

And I will worship You here

Freely you gave it all for us, surrendered Your life upon that cross

Great is Your love poured out for all

This is our God

Lifted on high from death to life, forever our God is glorified

Servant and King, this is our God.

Oh to know You, Lord Jesus.  To wake up in the morning with the warmth of Your love covering me.  I will fall at Your feet, I will fall at Your feet and I will worship You here.  I know that You are with me this day.  I know that Your love for me is higher than the highest mountain, deeper than the deepest valley.  You are an all consuming God that has chosen me to walk with You on this earth and live forever with You in heaven after my retirement from this earth.  I will fall at Your feet and worship You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  This is my God.  Nothing on this earth compares to Your love for me.  The whole earth is filled with Your Glory.  There is no one like You.  My heart is grateful for Your presence in my life.  Where can I go that You are not there?

Hmmmm….what to talk about this morning?  Holy Spirit, I ask You to speak through me, I ask You to give me and my friends an encouragement that will help us be over comers in our surroundings.  Practical.  Many times I have lived in a “twilight zone” type mentality.  I’ve been guilty of putting on my “spiritual” antennas and going here or doing that.  Don’t get me wrong, I believe that God walks with us during the day and as my brother Isaiah says, “it’s in the small whisper that I hear God.”  God does speak with us and we do hear him…but in some of the decisions that we make in this life, we have already had the Word given to us in the Bible.  We can go to what God has already said and make many of our decisions.  We don’t need a lightning bolt of revelation, we already have the whisper of God in the Bible.  We aren’t robots that hear God and go here, go there, do this, say that.  We have a free will given to us at creation.  God allows us to make many of our decisions based on the Truth of His Word already given.

Lord, I ask You today to increase our knowledge of the Truth given in Your Word.  I ask You to give us the wisdom found in Your Word.  To have Your Word hidden in our heart that we might not sin against You.  There are so many opportunities out there to listen to Your Truth.  I desire to live my life based on the Truth of Your Word, not just in a “twilight zone” type mentality.  To know for sure what the Truth says and allow the Truth to set me free.  Allow me to tell others this wonderful gift that I have been given.  To show someone Your compassion and love.  I ask You to deliver me from evil and that I will not be led into temptation.  Today I am

A little girl that loves a Big God,

Mary Ann

WEDNESDAY May 5, 2010

TAKE IT ALL (Third Day)

All the promises I've broken
All the times I've let you down
You've forgot them
But still I hold on to
the pain that makes me drown
Now I'm ready
To let it go
To give it away
Take it all
'Cause I can't take it any longer
All I have, I can't
make it on my own
Take the first, take the last
Take the good and take the rest
Here I am, all I have
Take it all
All the roads that lie before me
All the struggles I go through
Every second I'm reminded
That it all belongs to you
Now I'm ready
To let it go
To give it away
Ever since I died to myself
You gave a better life to me
I give you my finest moment
I give you the last breath I breathe

Good Morning, Lord Jesus.  Hear the song of my heart this morning as I pour it out to You.  You are washing me with grace and carrying me through it all.  I live to praise and worship You, Oh Lord.  I raise the banner of Your goodness and love towards me as I walk on this “journey”.  I want others to see You in me.  I know that only as they see You will their lives be changed.  I have nothing to offer in this flesh.  Only as I submit this flesh to Your Spirit can I see lasting results.

Yesterday was a day of enlightment about pulling down strongholds.  I learned that one of the reasons to overcome strongholds is for our future generations.  I have a wonderful family, I love them soooo much.  I want to be the one that changes the direction of their lives for future generations to come.  I am chosen to be a disciple and lover of Jesus Christ.  I desire to be a modern day David (I even have a friend that calls me Davida).  David was a man after God’s own heart.  He changed the course of his family’s members.  Even after his death, the Bible blessed his lineage because of David’s dedication to His Lord while he was living. 

It’s all by the power of Christ that lives and dwells in this body.  He is an Overcoming, Victorious God that breaks sin in my life.  Christ has risen, Jesus, You are Lord of ALL (and I mean all).  You are my heart and my defense.  I desire to submit everything that I am, everything that I own, everywhere I go to You.  I ask You today to use my voice to speak the truth of Your Word to a lost and hurting world.  I will lift Your Name High and Proclaim to all who will listen that You are Lord and You have Won the Victory.  You are Lord of all.  Thy kingdom be done here like it is in Heaven.  Lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil as I walk my path.  I love You and today I am

Expecting good things,

Mary Ann

TUESDAY May 4, 2010

NEVER LET ME GO (Ben Cantelon)

Your ways are always greater

Though I may not see

Your promise is written on my heart

And I look to You, my Savior

When I am weak

I find rest in the shadow of Your Wing

Father, I know You will never let me go

You’re always there

And when the darkness is surrounding, still you love me so

Yes, You love me so

Your Word is never failing

Strength for today

I have hidden Your Word in my heart

You are strength for today

And bright hope for tomorrow

Good morning, Lord.  I could surely use some of Your strength for today.  I know You will never let me go, Your Word has given me that promise and Hope.  I have hidden Your Words in my heart through the years and I find that the seeds that I have planted are springing up and giving me the strength that I need to be able to go through life.  I look to You when I am weak and I find rest in the shadow of Your wing.  You love me so and You are the victory in the battles and struggles that I face.

Battles and struggles.  As we walk through life, I know there are many kinds of days that we go through.  Some days we have battles, some days we have struggles, some days we have total victory.  Battles come from without, struggles come from within and victory comes from God.  We are either fighting the enemy face to face  or we are dealing with inward struggles of the soul (fighting with ourselves).  Everyone is different and there are no clear cut formulas, no win all book written that can tell us exactly “how to do it”.  Each one of us is unique and only God Himself knows the inner workings of our heart.  Pat answers don’t always work.  When we become so “spiritual” that we know just how you are supposed to do it and what everyone else needs, we might be ready for a fall.

It’s complete dependence and trust in Him.  It’s loving the unlovable and accepting them just as they are.  It’s listening when You want to “fix”.  It’s knowing that outside of God’s wisdom, you have nothing to offer except love.  It’s being willing to open up and share your heart.  It’s being willing to come out of the darkness and allow the light of Christ to shine and reveal openly those “dark” areas.  The Ways of the Lord are greater.  If we think we can “hide” “it”, we are deceived.  “It” will never be healed if the light doesn’t shine on “it”.  Still You love me so.  Moses hid his sin when he retreated to the desert.  Not much was written about him in that period of His life….but later when he was in front of the Israelites (community) was where the “real” Moses was known….the Moses that teaches lesson after lesson about how to live life, where he came close to his “promised land”.  Today I am

Rambling, but learning,

Mary Ann 

MONDAY May 3, 2010

THE WINNER IN ME (Coco)

When I looked at my reflection in the mirror,
I said this can't be happening to me,
I wasn't ready for the challenge for my life was still imbalanced and the pleasing guide of my fans and friends still had demand on me.
To find out who I was did not come easy,
for I felt like I was in this race alone,
until I heard a voice speak clearly saying there's a winner within me,
and I was charged to beat the odds and with victory I'll say- The winner in me pushed me forward when my problems would push me down the winner in me would fall my freedom when my surroundings kept me confound.
So let's make one thing perfectly clear there's a reason why I’m still here
The winner in me pushed me forward when my problems would push me down the winner in me would fall my freedom when my surroundings kept me confound.
So let's make one thing perfectly clearly there's a reason why I’m still here.
The winner in me would bring me peace
The winner in me would be my refuge when my surroundings would drive me insane when my security became my blame..God's taken me to my destination there's a winner in me and His name is Jesus
If it had not been for Jesus I would've lost my mind
The only way that I didn’t faint when nobody else would come to my rescue
Jesus is the winner in me!

Good Morning Lord Jesus.  My hours are a little confused as I woke up later than usual but I also went to bed much later than normal.  Thank you for a great weekend.  I spent time with my family, natural and church family.  I was able to listen to some really good teaching about living a life of freedom and hope.  The winner in me is Jesus and He is continually pushing me forward.  He is the winner in me, He is taking me to my destiny.  He is teaching me how to live a more victorious life.  I am grateful that He has chosen me to pour His heart into.  I am amazed that I am His child and that I will never die.  My soul will live forever in a peace that I can’t even express adequately.

Paul said this, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”   “I made up my mind to pay attention to only one thing while I was with you. That one thing was Jesus Christ and his death on the cross”.  “For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross”.  “I came to you in weakness and fear and with much trembling,  My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power”.  1 Corinthians 2:2-5  David Wilkerson (a modern day prophet) says this, “I have no good in me at all. The kind of repentance that God is looking for is confessing the weakness of our futile efforts and denying that we have any power at all in ourselves.” 

Mary Ann Seman, a modern day wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and on and on says Yes and Amen.  There is no good in me except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I’m captured by the Holy Spirit of God that lives in my heart and my mind is submitted to Him.  Mold me, Use me, Fill me, I give my life to the Potter’s Hand.  I am trusting His ability to make a beautiful piece of pottery that can demonstrate His ability in His creation.  Set me apart, Lord, I know that You are for me.  You have planted dreams and desires within me that only can be accomplished by Your working on me and in me.  I am not on this earth by mistake.  Nothing You do is by mistake.  I give my life to You.  You are able to continue the “work” that You have started on me.  You don’t just stop the wheel and let the clay melt down and become a mass of “nothing”.  I believe that You already see in Your mind the finished product.  I trust You.  Today I am

Messy, still wet, but becoming a beautiful piece of pottery,

Mary Ann

FRIDAY April 30, 2010

HIDING PLACE (New Life Worship)

I found myself a hiding place
I found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Almighty’s love
In the safety of the Savior’s arms
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place
I have found myself a hiding place
I have found myself a secret space
In the refuge of the Father's care
In the cleansing blood of Jesus there
I will run to the hiding place
I will run to the hiding place
Draw me ever closer to look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place
Though my fears may overwhelm me
And troubles, they surround
Though the wind rise up to take me
My hiding place is already found
I have found myself a hiding place
I have found myself a secret space
In the shelter of Almighty's love
In the safety of the Savior's arms
Oh, I want look upon Your face
I will run to the hiding place
Good morning Lord Jesus.  I slept in a little later than usual this morning, it felt good.  The blood sugars are close to normal this morning and I am thrilled.  I will truly run to you today.  You are my Hiding Place.  Draw me even closer to look upon Your face.  Yesterday was a great day of spiritual growth.  I heard Andy Stanley preach several sermons, my brother gave me a great illustration on being grateful.  Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to be an overcoming, successful person.  I am fully aware that it is all You.  Anything good in my life is You.  My flesh is ugly, it stinketh, but my Spirit is You. 

Something I learned yesterday was about temptation.  A phrase that I picked up that I think is powerful and I want to share with you all.  This is something that I am saying that speaks right to the problem and I thought you might benefit from it as well.  I say “Temptation, you will not steal my future, temptation you will not steal my family, temptation you will not steal my faith”.  There were many opportunities to allow the temptation to lead me down a path of defeat.  But….as I spoke those words, I was able to recognize that I couldn’t allow anything to steal my future, family or faith away from me.  I could say no and I did.

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your power at work in the temptations that I face.  We all have different temptations.  Grace, your Power at work in our lives.  Your power will say no to temptations and yes to life.  One day at a time, one hour at a time, one moment at a time.  I will forget about tomorrow (except to remind myself that I can say no), I won’t fret about tomorrow….but I will rejoice that I am an overcomer this moment.  I will continue to do what I know is right.  I will believe that God hears and answers my prayers.  I know that He is working all things for my good.  He is my strength when I am weak.  His words are power to my soul.  Today I am

Saying no to temptation and yes to life,

Mary Ann