Simply Joy Piano CD Is Now Available

In our noisy, fast-paced world Be still and know that I am God can be a difficult verse to live out. We seem to squeeze more into our schedule as the peace and rest we long for are squeezed out. Strength is not in bluster and noise—it’s in quietness. Jesus tried to withdraw from the crowds whenever He could. To wait in silence before the Lord isn't inactivity, it's calm faith, resting in His greatness. It is my prayer that the music on this piano CD will lead you to be still before God— worship Him, focus on Christ, give thanks, trust His leading, gain a new perspective. Quieting ourselves in God’s presence helps us to hear His voice and allows Him to mend our hearts. Whether you are driving home after a long workday, sitting down for dinner or just enjoying some kickback time, I hope this music leads you into worship!

As The Deer /I Love You Lord

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus

God is So Good/Give Thanks

How Great Thou Art/How Great Is Our God

Change My Heart O God

Lord,I Give You My Heart/I Surrender All

It Is Well

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Here I Am To Worship

This music is available on amazon.com, itunes or contact me to order a copy of the CD

GOD IS IMPARTIAL--A Message To Those Looking For Status

It hurts to be left out of a game or not chosen at recess. And even after the school years are over, adults ignore, reject, give the cold shoulder, vote you off the island. Why are people excluded or kept out of “the little group”? It could be pride, fear, ignorance or the desire to feel superior.

In Matthew 15 Jesus shows incredible impartiality to a Canaanite woman who appeals to Him for her daughter’s healing. The disciples thought they knew who Jesus did and didn’t have time for and they wanted to send her away. Jesus struck at their prejudices and sense of their own superiority and healed her daughter.

The disciples didn’t quite get it, just like some people today. It’s one thing to have contempt for someone behind their back, but it’s another thing to hear our ugly thoughts and feelings expressed out loud to a real person. None of the disciples spoke up for this woman. In John Ortberg’s book Everybody’s Normal Till you Get To Know Them he says,

“Thinking of sin as exclusion helps us get to the core of Jesus’ teaching…Jesus names as sin what often passes for virtue, especially in religious circles. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day believed that their refusal to associate with people who did not live up to their religious standards was the highest proof of their devotion to God…When people truly begin to follow Jesus, they find themselves becoming Embracers.”

Impartial acceptance is a wonderful gift we all can give to others. Ortberg adds,

“This is the irony of the spirit of exclusion. It causes us to think that merely to associate with those we consider outsiders is doing them a favor. We forget that wherever the spirit of exclusion reigns, it marks those farthest from the Fellowship of the Trinity. When we exclude, we don’t just hurt those we keep outside; we damage our own souls far more. And when we embrace, we ourselves are the ones who receive the greatest gift.”

What could you do to show acceptance to someone in your life today?

GOD IS GENEROUS-- What does that tell us about Him?

On a recent vacation my husband and I were eating dinner at a restaurant. I ordered the all-you-can-eat ribs. They were delicious, but I was stuffed after one plate of them. The waiter came by and asked if I wanted more. I told him I couldn’t, but he insisted that I take a box with me. Business was slow that night and they had plenty or something like that. He brought a take-out box jammed with twice as many ribs as I’d started with. Yes, he earned a nice tip.

You probably know some generous people too. What are characteristics of a generous person? Someone with money to spare? Hardly. I think a generous person is not only unselfish, but compassionate, secure in himself, someone who walks in forgiveness, is positive. I like to think of big people and little people. Big people have the traits of a generous person. Little people are the bickering complainers with a critical bitter outlook on life. Always waiting to jump on every little mistake. Generally they are insecure and negative. You won’t find generosity there.

God is generous. Yes He’s just, He’s holy—but He loves to be generous with His kids too. In Isaiah 54:10 He says: My covenant of blessing will never be broken.

What about you—big person or little? Your heart, not your bank account, shows how generous you are.