Erasing the lines

Vanished are the pay-scales, power struggles and plights In a well seasoned smile Sprinkled with love, acceptance and humility A kind word to strangers Can melt the hardest heart, and turn the well worn frown

Copyright 2013 Christine Emmick

War on Adversity

I was posed with this question on the DAB's Facebook page this morning...

What is your posture of heart when faced with adversity?

My response was nearly poetic, and automatic, which means I had little to do with it...

NO! Refusal to accept it!

Sometimes my fortitude is met with 

Ever increasing adversity,

Or relinquished grace

Sometimes... when my spirit is right, 

My fortitude is met with blessings

On the other side. 

Sometimes my spirit is worn, 

And I bring a weary, war torn heart to the cross

Desperate for comfort.

God is always faithful. 

He holds my head in His arms as the tears roll,

Whispering, "I know... It will be alright... 

My hand is in this..."

What is your posture of heart when you are pressed in from all sides?

The bible says we will be bruised, but not crushed.

Have hope to endure.

Have peace that transcends your surroundings.

Know that the God who made you, loves you too much to let you stay where you are...

and gives you grace, in abundance, for the journey.

Raise Your Hands

While it is not often done in a traditional church setting, many newer non-denominational churches raise their hands during worship and even during the message.


This hand raising is not a new idea however...
Psalms 134

Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD,
Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
And bless the LORD.
May the LORD bless you from Zion, 
He who made heaven and earth.

To those who may not understand why we would raise our hands I'd like to offer an explanation. We do raise our hands in reverence and praise to the one who made us, but it is not only that. We also raise  our hands to him, who is reaching down to lift us up. He longs to bring us to himself like a mother gathering her children, comfort us, whisper in our ear how special we are, and how much we are loved.

Next time you see someone raising their hands during worship, know that they are simply coming to the Father like a little child, enveloped in His loving embrace.