Christ in the Passover

Tonight my wife and I took the kids to a presentation of "Christ in the Passover" It was AWESOME!! Below is a video of the presentation. This is not the same man we saw (Our presenter was named Oded Cohen and he is from Israel) But it is almost verbatim what we heard.

Pray like Tevye

I recently saw the movie Fiddler on the Roof. ( <--- Link leads to clip of Tevye) I have not seen this movie since I was in middle school. Back then I saw the movie I just thought the way Reb Tevye danced was hilarious.

When I just watched it again I was stuck to see the way Tevye talked to God. It was so natural. Just like one would talk with a friend (and it wasn't even devoid of humor) I think sometimes it is so easy to talk so formal to God (being mindful that you are talking to the Creator of all things) that we forget that Jesus came that we might have relationship with God. A relationship that we can be as comfortable to say what is on our hearts as to our closest friend. But God wants to be closer than that. Will we share our whole heart with Him?

Lord, Please help me to grow in my prayer life. Lord I want you to be closer than any friend and I know I need to be more open and share my whole life with you. Please help me to be open. I want our relationship to be as close at even the most faithful men of God. Even more if you permit me. I love you Lord. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus, so we could have this relationship. I am forever grateful.

This verse caught my attention today. I think the Lord was giving me this verse.

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops." Matt. 10:27

I dont want to push my agenda. I just want to be faithful that if God gives me something to speak, I will speak it and if its something to preach, I will preach it.

He will carry me - Mark Schultz// Psalm 18:2

Lord Jesus, Your sovereignty rules over all,

You are my Mighty fortress, My Rock and High tower,

In You alone I trust and find refuge,

Let me never be ashamed.

How awesome are Your works that my soul knows right well,

Your ways are past finding out.

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer.

My God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge.

Psalm 18:2 NASB

TY my Jesus

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Psalm 40 (NKJV)

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
³ He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

⁴ Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
⁵ Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
⁷ Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
⁸ I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
⁹ I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You Yourself know.
¹⁰ I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly.
¹¹ Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.
¹² For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;
They are more than the hairs of my head;
Therefore my heart fails me.

¹³ Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;
O LORD, make haste to help me!¹⁴ Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
¹⁵ Let them be confounded because of their shame,
Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

¹⁶ Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!”¹⁷ But I am poor and needy;
Yet the LORD thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.

Encouraged Morning

This morning as I checked my email and Facebook, I received a couple of messages that really encouraged me. One from my sister Tanya the other was from a friend from church named Ellie. The message from Tanya reads...

I was thinking about you and just something you may want to pray into but... I feel like God is saying you need to get a notebook because he is going to begin to give you new songs.. these songs are going to have serious depth, they are going to be different than anything he has given you in the past even the sound and tone is going to be different. It is different because he is going to start doing some new and exciting things in you and your music is going totally reflect that. he says be on the look out because he is going to bring people to you for you to collaborate with in your music. they are going to come to you so be prepared. he says get ready cuz hes calling you back in a new way to music........ not sure when all this is going to take place but i do get a sense that its not going to be too long from now. anyway that is what he gave me for you i will call u tomorrow to make sure you got it. ok i love you mr. miah and i have and will continue to pray for you.

The funny thing about that is yesterday night I picked up a guitar again for the first time in I cant remember when.

Then Ellie writes...

Miah have you ever practice meditation? ... It helps the mind and the body feel much better. I like to meditate in the word of God, I read the bible and pick a chapter that really means something in my life and meditate on that. Pick up a quite time, close your eyes, relax and concentrate in your breath then you concentrate in the word. I pray this way too, God knows my heart and if I need to pray for someone I close my eyes and I picture their face in my mind and ask God for healing or whatever they need.

Next she writes...

Meditation is really powerful, I use my meditation always with God in mind, remember we are what we think!! Ask God to help you put in your mind only positive things and show the way that He wants you to take. You are in my mind and as I said in my message before I picture your face lastnight in my meditation and prayer and hope you feel much better with no pain. God love you and have something really wonderful waiting for you but you need to be ready and say God I'll do whatever you want me to do. Remember your church family love you and have a wondeful day!!!!

This was in my inbox this morning. It is the devotional for kids that I get...

God Is Honest with Us about Our Need for Him

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

God tells us in His Word exactly what we need to know about our sin. He tells us what we ought to hear about the hardness of living the Christian life. And God tells us what we should know about our need for Him.

God is there to help us. We should try to please and obey Him, but we do not have to rely on our own strength and wisdom to do it. In fact, He wants us to depend on Him for grace and help, rather than trying to do things on our own!

Have you ever seen a toddler try to carry around a gallon of milk? A two-year-old can hardly even lift a gallon of milk, let alone walk around with it! What would probably happen if that toddler was allowed to keep staggering and slogging around with that gallon of milk? Well, the milk would probably get dropped sooner or later, all over the floor. If that little child would like some milk, then an adult will probably have to come and help carry it to the table and pour it into a cup, or else there will probably be a huge mess.

Have you ever tried to please God in your own strength? If so, you have probably learned that you cannot do it! Our strength is too weak! We need God in our everyday lives, and we need God to help us please Him. Here are just a few examples of the thousands of ways we need God.

WE NEED HIS PRESENCE
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5b)

WE NEED HIS STRENGTH
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

WE NEED HIS WISDOM
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)

WE NEED HIS INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." (Psalm 32:8)

WE NEED TO TRUST AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
i>"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

WE NEED HIM IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." (2 Corinthians 3:5)
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)

As you can tell, we need God! We can be glad that God tells us how it is. He does not smooth over the facts to make them easier or more pleasant for us to hear. He tells us the truth we need to know about our sin (and gives us the solution). He tells us the truth about what to expect in the Christian life (and what He expects from us). And He tells us the truth about how weak we are and how much we need Him (and promises to help). What a wonderful God we have!

God makes it very clear that we must depend upon Him for help, and that He is willing to help us when we do.

My Response:
» Am I trying to please God in my own way and in my own strength?
» What are some things I can rely on God to help me with?

Content provided by Kids 4 Truth International

All this is such an answer to prayer since last night I was really struggling. Wanting to hear from God and feeling a bit forgotten. God is So Good. He is always faithful. He always hears :)

Experiencing God

Its been a while since I blogged last. A lot has gone on. Just got out of the hospital last Friday (was in there for 11 days for cellulitis) While I was in the hospital I found it easy to be nice and friendly but not as easy to keep my focus on God. I don't want to blame it on pain or being in a place where I didn't feel very comfortable. I just don't feel like I experienced God the way I wanted to and have struggled wit that since I have been home. I know that it has been my fault allowing other thing things to take my time and attention instead of keeping my focus where it belongs. I feel it so true that nothing can satisfy me except God. But its not a single experience with him can tide me over. I need more of him.

Lord I pray you would help to experience more of you on a consistent basis. Help me to not let "things"dominate my attention. Help me please to spend time with you everyday. Lord I want you more than anything. Reign in me again. I need you my God. Even in my lowly state I want to know I am on mission with you. That the things I do you find important. I want to honor you with my life Lord. I love you my God. I love You, I love You.

Thinking inside the Box & The Power of the Bunt

With what the Lord has showed me Yesterday this video blessed me again. I've seen this before but I think I appreciate it more now.

Lord help me to "Bunt" for God :) Your power is perfected in weakness. You have always used the ones who never had it all to do the most amazing things. Help me to keep my eyes open. Help me to serve my family and realize what an amazing ministry that you have already given me.

Oh and on a side I was looking at Matthew 20:26 when it says "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." The word servant in the Greek is the word "diakonos" where we get the word deacon from. {{1249 diákonos (from 1223 /diá, "thoroughly" and konis, "dust") – properly, "thoroughly raise up dust by moving in a hurry, and so to minister"}}

I end todays blog I leave with that i had on my mind right before I started writing. Thank you Lord what you can do with my nothing.

Acts 3

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

God, Please Teach Me To Serve

Its interesting what happened tonight. I had fallen asleep while holding Amadeus. My wife entered the room and I woke up. Talked to her for a minute and began watching TBN ( a channel I rarely watch.) And heard a few people talking about depression which has been some thing I have been Struggling with lately. Also trying to provide for my Family and I Felt the Lord say he wants me to serve. He wants my family to serve. Let nothing be too small for us to be willing to do. I felt him say that nothing we do in him (or for him is small) He reminded me of how God has used so many "small" people to have a great impact on His Kingdom. He reminded how when my father accepted Christ How it changed the Direction of my family. I Felt the Lord day that He is going impact people through the service he has called me and my family to serve. Jesus came to serve the least of these.

Lord I pray you keep me faithful in this. Help me to keep my focus off myself and on you. Help me to realize you will always take care of me. Help me to seek First your you kingdom. Help me to lead my family. Please help me to my eyes open for opportunities that you are providing me and for my family. Help us to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit. Lord I wanna see you glorified. Lord I dont want to be all I can for you, I want you to be all you can be in me. Thank you for the trials that have brought me down low enough to hear you voice.

Mark 6:30-44 (New International Version, ©2010)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had

done and taught. ³¹Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³ But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁵ By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶ Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Matthew 20:25-28 (New International Version, ©2010)

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of

the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Philippians 2 (New International Version, ©2010)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united withChrist, if any comfort from his love, if

any common sharing in the Spirit, if any

tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

God also put a few songs on my heart== by Tim Chimento

-The Place I Call Home

-Lord to Teach Us How to Love

How Great Is Our God

I serve such an AWESOME God!!!!

HOW GREAT, HOW GREAT, HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!!!!!

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 115:3 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land. Jer. 29.11-14 (NLT)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Goodbye 2010

This year has been a struggle. Marked with its fair amount of disappointments even some long periods of depression. However as this year comes to a close I would like to say that I know my God better this year than I did last year. (which is not just cliche') I want to send this year off and begin the new year Praising the Lord. Hear is Russ Taff to end this Year w/ 'Praise the Lord'

And to bring in the new year. 'Mighty to Save' and 'Hosanna' by Hillsong United

I'm Waiting

Life right now is a struggle. Not sure if the car will pass inspection. Or how we are gonna pay electric or rent. But Lord I trust you and I know you will make a way.

I will serve You while I'm waiting. I will worship while I'm waiting

Reminder for Me

re·mind

tr.v. re·mind·ed, re·mind·ing, re·minds

To cause to remember; put in mind: must remind him to call; reminded her of college days.

Psalm 103

Of David.

¹ Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Devotions 12/17/2010

I'm Looking to be more consistent in my devotional time. I always fall short But God is so awesome. He longs for us to spend time w/ him . He is so forgiving.

Worship Song

Verse

Matthew 8:23-26 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. ²⁴ Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

I remember hearing this story throughout my childhood in various Sunday

school classes. I can remember thinking "come on guys Jesus is with you. He's got everything under control."

As I've grown and as my family and I have many, almost continual hardships I can relate a lot more to the disciples. We've been in a "Lord Save Us" mentality. And while I've trusted the Lord to a certain extent, I'm realizing that the Lord wants to deepen this trust and do further structuring and building up of his character into me.

So my prayer is that I would stop being afraid of what you are doing. "Jesus you are with me. You've got everything under control." Lord help me to be obedient. Help me to not choose the permissible things, but chose those things that will be profitable for Your Kingdom and for the family that you have entrusted to me. Thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. I love you.

Psalm 20 1-8

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the LORD grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed.He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,but we rise up and stand firm.

HOW I'VE BEEN FEELIN' LATELY

This video really says it.

I dont often talk about my weaknesses or my struggles.

been goin through a rough patch lately. God has continued to be faithful.

I've listened to this song few times and I've cried each time

To everyone who has been prayin' for me THANK YOU. God Has used you.

Songs that are blessing me now

I have been unemployed for over a month now. I have been getting a little nervous I must admit. But my hope is in my GOD and HIS promises. ---On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

I hope they blessed you too. God Bless

looking forward to this movie

Psalm 119:64

The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.”

Lord I am at a time in my life where you are teaching me so many things. So many hard lessons. How to be a man. How to be a father. How to be a leader in my home. Lord I know your disciplining me and guiding me as a son. Lord I am yours. Take me by the hand, I will follow you. Help me to hear your voice more clearly. You are my shepherd. You are my portion, my inheritance, my deliverer. Teach me to delight evermore in you and in your presence. Thank you for every blessing in my life. If dying on the cross was all you ever did for me, it would have been enough. Help me to be a steward with ALL the things you have placed in my care. Teach me Lord. Your way is perfect. You make beautiful things out of ashes. You are infinitely creative. A master. Mold me into the image of your Son. You are the Amen of my Heart. Because of you it is Well with My Soul.

Psalm 34 (The Message)

I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.

I live and breathe God;
if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:

Join me in spreading the news;
together let's get the word out.

God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

God's angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

Come, children, listen closely;
I'll give you a lesson in God worship.

Who out there has a lust for life?
Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?

Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don't let it get away!

God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

God won't put up with rebels;
he'll cull them from the pack.

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

God pays for each slave's freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.