Safe In His Care

 As you know, this blog centers around introducing to you, my friend, the music I've written. The music is varied, it touches on many experiences we've all had and/or having. So if what I write, makes you smile or think kindred thoughts, just say, "Aha, she must have been there"! 

The song for today is Safe In His Care. It is about leaving the family.

Let's see, what is family? I'm going to wing it with my own definition, as it fits my purpose here.  Let's say family is a group of people, that belong to each other, by blood, cultural ties, friendships, etc., "for better or worse". Father God meant the family structure to be the most beautiful, family institution known to man.  It was to nurture and protect each person in it's clan. 

Depending upon the circumstances, a person leaving home can invoke a myriad of emotions from each of the family members. So recognizing the definition of family is important to the civilized world. We are approaching this subject cautiously because leaving home is not necessarily a bad thing, as in e.g. going to school, getting married, pursuing a job/career, bettering one's self, or so forth. When these things work out, it's a blessing. The Bible speaks of many such blessings. But when it is not blest, it can be disastrous, as in the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). 

To leave too soon, too young, inexperienced, not enough education, especially in the whims and seductiveness of the world, too much money; soon to be too little, no real friends and no where to go is just to name a few pitfalls awaiting our vulnerable travelers. This is just the opposite of what a real family should be providing. 

So, the question is, as Christians, how are we to react when a family member leaves home for whatever reason. Aside from the constant gulping, to keep the, "Heart in throat" sensation back. We have to remember this:

If I may so further speak, may these words be a comfort to you. No matter what the reason, no matter what the season-Your loved one, old or young, is, Safe In His Care. God is God, from mountain to mountain, from valley to valley.  Knowing this- Pray in faith and sing in praises. God sees All, and knows All, and All, is (Psalm 139:8)  Safe In His Care.

Come Sup With Me

The painting, "The Light of the World", we normally recognize as Jesus standing outside of a door. A closed door, with no handle to open it from the outside. So long has it been unopened it is overgrown with vines and unruly vegetation. Jesus may have been knocking a long time. Man has always had power of his will to accept or not accept God's invitation. Of course, Jesus could easily open the door. No problem. But, robotic love was never the plan. The plan was salvation via the cross. Psalms 103 speaks of the marvelous benefits of God's love. Paul says, in Galatians chapter 5:22 through verse 23 speaks of beauty instead of the dredges of mankind. God is a loving God, praise His name. 

This art was done by William Holman Hunt (1827-1910). It is  an allegorical, that is a figurative depiction of a harden heart, the refusal of mankind to answer the call, the loving call of Jesus. 

The fact that a doorknob is missing from the outside speaks volumes about the patience of Jesus. He awaits the response of the soul inside. It is to the host's sorrow if he does not answer, and to his eternal joy if he does.

The Leap Over Walls Music Library, "paints", a whole new scenario in music, of the host who hears the knocking. He recognizes the Holy Visitation of Our Precious Savior. He rushes to the door, and flings it open wide. In happy expectation, he greets his Holy Visitor with love and adoration. On his knees he praises Him who is so worthy to be praised. You talking about celebration? There are instruments playing, and dancing in the streets. The once stagnant heart leaps alive with new found joy, strength and vitality. 

When Jesus arrives, so do all His benefits, and His blessings, His promises and eternal security. The Blessed Holy Spirit takes a permanent abode. You are never alone. The weeds and the meaningless vines, choking your would-be life-giving fruits, drop off your dying branches. With God's Presence your ground becomes fertile, bearing Fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, forbearance, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. No wonder people living near by the habitat of this used to be hard-hearted soul, barely recognize him anymore. Jesus is the best plastic surgeon around. 

A quick review:

1) Who loves you? John 3:16

2) Who told you so? The BIBLE

3) The door with no knob represents? Psalms 14:1

4) The Good Shepherd had 100 sheep, 1 sheep was lost. What did           the Good Shepherd do? Luke 15:5

5)  Who is "I" that stands at the door and knocks? Revelations 3:20

6)  There is a party going on. Luke 15:7

7)  Who is invited? Luke 15:6

8)  What are the benefits? Psalms 103:1-5

                            Come Sup With Me Video

If you are using a cell phone, please go to web version of blog.

It's Not Me, It's God

 You better recognize! Depending on the attitude of the person speaking, these words can be said as a joy and a joke. Ha! Ha! Or, as a inflammatory provocation. Being a Christian song writer, words tend to stand up on their own holy feet, and challenge the idea I am trying to express. For instance, the song I am introducing to you today was written years ago and is probably much older than some of you are. Has its truth survived to this moment? I think so! The title certainly backs it up. It's Not Me, It's God! with a little humor perhaps but flat out teaching, it says that to praise the creation is just wrong! To do so is to give it labeling fit only for God. 

Your good is not your God. It is the vessel God used to send your good to you. For instance, a wonderful spouse, a great job or career, a lofty position that commands respect and so on. Scripture agrees that it is good to recognize the good things in your life (Proverbs 3:27).  Be thankful for it, by action,  kindness or verbal gratitude, but do we see God behind it all? Where have we placed our faith? Who can we always trust? When all appears lost will we think our God is gone? 

Your most loyal pet may run away, your spouse of so many years may stray, if only for a day. Your favorite idol may have clay feet, and when these feet crumble, stumble or fail, do you take it personally? Do you want to yell?! All because man, who breathes just like us, can not stand up under the press and fuss. Shame on you to heap that load on someone as fragile as man. When a mere handshake, and "thank you so much", maybe flowers and money too, will do. Other than that, don't label it wrong--this person, or what he represents, is not God to you. In all things recognize God, with your single eye, see His loving care and know behind every blessing, He is standing there.

This song, in it's own way, begs your attention to your daily surroundings and relationships. Getting this understanding is so important, your soul is depending on it. God is a Jealous God (Exodus 34:14). Nothing, no---thing comes before Him. 

I press towards the mark of getting the Leap Over Walls collection published and recorded for the chance to tell the vision of God's love for us in music, through my eyes. It is a beautiful picture. "You got to have a dream to make a dream come true", from the musical South Pacific, the song is Happy Talk. 

OK....Now a peak into my world.

Error made in the song...OOPS!

Didn't mean to do it!

Wrote FATE instead or FAITH.

Tried to change it, but was too late.

What a bummer...I sigh, really wanted to cry.

But, Spirit reminded me, that only He

is perfect, see Mark chapter 10, verse 18.

So take heart, fellow followers of Christ,

there is a spiritual place where error is forgotten,

and, 

all mistakes are spiritually

...erased. Praise God, see you later.

Note: For cell phone users, please go to YouTube site to hear music video for song.

For Cell Phone Users

The music on the post will not show up unless you use the web version of the site. Thank you for understanding. 

Lee

The Way Must Be Made Through God

What an awesome gift prayer is. A privilege, a blessing, a devout communion, or, a simple dialogue from man to God... which, God, in all His Majesty accepts. God not only accepts but hears, and encourages this spiritual communication and bonding. Prayer is an open invitation for us to call on Him at anytime, anywhere, for anything. We have the immediate ear of God, and all His can-do, will-do for you  Powers. We have been given a weapon, surpassing all other weapons on this earth, David thought so (Psalm 91).

We have a direct in-road to Jesus on any level, from "Now I lay me down to sleep" (A children's bedtime prayer from the 18th century), to "Our Father which art in Heaven" (The Lord's Prayer).

What am I saying? I'm saying this. When I pray aloud, in an empty room, I am heard. If  I cry into my pillow at night, I am heard. I am seen, I am not alone. My heaviest burden is miraculously changed to easy and light (Matthew 11:30). When I pray, the Holy Spirit in me encourages me to run on, because the race is not given to the swift (Philippians 3:14). He tells me not to be weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9) and always PRAY and not faint (Luke 18:1). That verse has picked me up and brushed me off many a day. 

I'm sharing these thoughts with you today because we have forgotten who we are, and WHOSE we are.

The trickster (demons all) wants us to feel fearful, weak and unloved. Instead of praying we worry. We worry about government, politics, the pandemic, personal relationships, economics, etc. We are Christians! We pray to God who has the whole world in His hands. The government is still on His shoulders. I love this scripture, found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If a people, called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY...", there you have it, read it for yourself. He made the promise to heal the land. Well, we certainly need healing. As a nation, we have the power to turn things around. 

Power? Yes, power to overcome the enemy! To bind him on earth and in Heaven (Matthew 18:18).

The Way Must Be Made Through God, is a song of few words, it says do not lose confidence in prayer. 

The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). 

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant prayer (Romans 12:12). 

Use your power!

Holy Strategy

Here at Leap Over Walls Music, we like to experiment with the presentation of our music. The music itself stands on it's own spiritual feet. With God's direction we present the music to inform, inspire, entertain in an insightful manner. Holy Strategy is in, what I call, "Speaking-sing/song" category. The lead singer tells the message of the song as a storyteller, speaking, then singing. The singer here will engage you. Can't wait for you to hear it.  But first, a little history (Judges, chapter 6-8). 

The moral decay and decline of Israel lasted about 350 years. During this time, God called forth men (and a woman, Deborah) to become judges. Their job was to lead His children back to him. Under the judge's regime, Israel did well. However when the judges died, their leadership and teachings waned, and the Israelites slipped back into their old ways of pagan activities and worship of idols.

Gideon, a farmer, was threshing wheat by the wine press. Doing so, to hide the wheat from the Midianites. An angel of the Lord addressed Gideon, "Thou mighty man of valor". Gideon sure did not feel mighty, neither valorous. In one book I read, the author called Gideon a "cowardly farmer". I have another viewpoint, that is, Gideon was cautious. His questioning the angel sounded bold to me. Gideon wanted proof he was talking to God. The angel responded by doing 3 miracles. Speaking for Gideon, I would personally think that what God is asking me to do is really, really big. So, forgive me, but I would be checking on my back-up. The angel didn't flinch a muscle, He just shot fire out of a rock (Judges 6:11-22) and we all know the other two miracles involving the fleece (Judges 6:36-40). 

Listen to Holy Strategy. What practical advice did you pick up on after listening to the song? 

1) God calls you by what He knows you are. He sees your potential.

     To materialize that potential just obey him. Do it His Way.

2)  Less is more-You don't need all that stuff to succeed!

3)  Too many cooks spoil the broth.

4)  What was God's reason for sending the war volunteers home?

     

Only God In Disguise

True story. There we were, flying down the biggest expressway in the Mid-West, bumper to bumper with cars going way over the speed limit. Yeah, that's the way they roll but not the way I roll, especially with my four children aboard. The brake light came on for the third time that week. Each time I had them fixed by a (reputable?) mechanic. My oldest daughter, about 10 years old at that time, looked at the light, then did a side glance at me, saying nothing. The youngest, about 3 years old, lay with his head in my lap and his feet on his sister. Seat belts weren't required at that time. My other two children who were seated in the back were quiet. Have you ever noticed when God is working, everything gets a little quiet. Just knowing my God answers prayer, I said, "What shall I do Lord?". The only phone I had was inside my quiet room, so you can listen in if you want to. Father said..."Get off next exit". When I got off the exit, the left lane was backed up to the street, the right lane was clear. Until, a semi trailor, impatient with waiting in line, began to pull out in front of me. Since the exit was on an upgrade, I was probably going faster than before. I beeped the horn loudly, and like a cartoon truck in a Walt Disney movie, the truck moved sideways back into line. Praise God! Can trucks move like that? But now me and mine, faced crossing a blind traffic corner, into a large downtown shopping area. 

May I stop here to tell you, God don't lead you where He hasn't prepared the way. We hit the street. I hadn't seen an alley way there but I was guided to go in that direction and there it was. Driving wildly into that alley, we were safe for just a short time. Closing quickly onto more shopping streets, I could see the buildings opening up into a large parking space. "In here", immediately I drove into that blessed space. Note.. in the middle of a working day, all the stores open, no cars were parked, no trucks, no bicycles, no motorcycles. No people walking, just us going round and round, in a circle, on two wheels, until we finally stopped. What happened? We limped home, with lights flashing. Even today, my daughter still looks at me sideways, as if to say, "I remember".  

Here's something to think about...
1) "Yea, though I walk through the valley..."(Psalms 23:4)
2) "If I ascend up into Heaven..."(Psalms 139:8)
3) "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him..." (John 4:24)
4) "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby...(Hebrews          13:2)
5) "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (Psalms 8:4)
6) Jesus never fails (Proof, the kids and I are fine).