It's easy to get caught up in the mythical and unique names for our Lord & Savior. Yeshua (The actual name of Jesus), Emmanuel, Jehovah, Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord of our righteousness), Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord is my Banner), Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord who provides), Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord of peace) and Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord who heals).
While each of these names brings an adundance of hope, truth and speaks an endless amount of life into your life . . . the one God laid on my heart to write about is El Shaddai.
EL SHADDAI
The All-Sufficient One/The God who is more than enough! My Pastor, Mike Devine, referred to the Lord as 'enough breasts!'
He is more than enough breasts~ the purpose of breasts in the child rearing process is for a Mother to provide, nurture and grow her son or daughter with milk through breast-feeding.
That is who God promises He will be if we will humble ourselves, seek His face and ALLOW Him to be in our lives!!
You may need a job after being unemployed for a long period of time . . . 6 months, 9 months, a year or even 2 years~ guess what? HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
Maybe you're having a tough time with your children. No matter how much you try to get through to them and lead them down the right path because you care about them so much and love them so, they rebel and figuratively-speaking you are at the end of your rope. . HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
You could feel wronged by someone by someone and so much time has passed between the two of y'all, you don't even know where to start to bury the hatchet . . . so much bitterness, so much anger, so much resentment and time hasn't made it any better~ it's actually/unfortunately made it worse. HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
Your bills are biling up and you don't have the money to cover them . . . God will make a way~ eliminate what you can from your bills (what's not an absolutely necessity, cut it out) reach out to the Lord in prayer & maybe a local church. I don't know how He does it . . . You don't have to turn to the devil's 'fast money.' It's just NOT worth it! HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
Or you've been praying about something~ it could be a loved one who is lost or for you to receive a yes when you've only received an 'It's not time, 'no' or 'later.' It could even be you praying for you to be with that one man or woman you want to be with- the one you care about so much you put his/her well-being in front of your own. HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
Does that mean He will answer yes? Sometimes . . . but what it means more so than Him answering 'yes' or 'coming through for you in your situation' is even if the answer is the dreaded no or a sweet, but nonethless firm 'My child, it's just not time yet,' ~ HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
So matter what you may be going through in your life~ no matter how much pain you are in, no matter how hopeless you feel, no matter the lies the devil tells you, the discouragement he tries to bring into your life & no matter how much you feel things are going to stay the same... be bold enough to believe in that which you can not see (faith) & He WILL come through for you! I encourage you to know HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!! To Him who is able to do exceedingly more than what we can even ask, dare to dream or imagine . . . EphesianS 3:20
May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Oh How She Soars!
A modern day saint~ a city on the hill, a vessel of salt and light
Each smile so warm & genuine~ being around her is a delight
She may be confined to a wheelchair, but her worship is so pure
Are you having a good day Ms. Corrie? With that twinkle in her eye, she'll say, 'sure'
Another day I get to walk with Jesus, my Savior, so how could it be bad?
Yet many of us, who can walk, complain about so much less. . . it really is quite sad
I believe on the other side, she'll teach the angels how to enter into prayer
You may see a little old woman, but you will see beauty if you just pull back a layer
Oh how she soars like a little birdie fluttering through the sky
She's too busy being grateful, she makes no time to ask why!
An eagle through the sky she soars, she embodies Isaiah 40:31
Asking our Father, will you do, not my will, but your will be done?
Oh how she soars like a passenger with a one-way ticket to Heaven on a plane
Where there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more suffering or pain (Rev. 21:4)
She may be sitting down all the time, but jsut marvel at how she continues to soar
An example of selflessness~ only greedy when asking the Lord to reveal Himself more
Oh how she soars, enjoying life's journey as she goes through it with a smile on her face
While trials may come, perseverance worketh patience & she's a happy recipient of grace
We must stand firm in our faith, like David did even when the lions roared
When you've journeyed on before me to Heaven, & I'm having trouble flying, I will keep going for I will remember how you soared!
John Mark Brooks
Copyright April 30, 2011
Each smile so warm & genuine~ being around her is a delight
She may be confined to a wheelchair, but her worship is so pure
Are you having a good day Ms. Corrie? With that twinkle in her eye, she'll say, 'sure'
Another day I get to walk with Jesus, my Savior, so how could it be bad?
Yet many of us, who can walk, complain about so much less. . . it really is quite sad
I believe on the other side, she'll teach the angels how to enter into prayer
You may see a little old woman, but you will see beauty if you just pull back a layer
Oh how she soars like a little birdie fluttering through the sky
She's too busy being grateful, she makes no time to ask why!
An eagle through the sky she soars, she embodies Isaiah 40:31
Asking our Father, will you do, not my will, but your will be done?
Oh how she soars like a passenger with a one-way ticket to Heaven on a plane
Where there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more suffering or pain (Rev. 21:4)
She may be sitting down all the time, but jsut marvel at how she continues to soar
An example of selflessness~ only greedy when asking the Lord to reveal Himself more
Oh how she soars, enjoying life's journey as she goes through it with a smile on her face
While trials may come, perseverance worketh patience & she's a happy recipient of grace
We must stand firm in our faith, like David did even when the lions roared
When you've journeyed on before me to Heaven, & I'm having trouble flying, I will keep going for I will remember how you soared!
John Mark Brooks
Copyright April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
SOMETIMES
Sometimes you have to laugh just to keep from crying
Sometimes you have to live just to keep from dying
Sometimes you have to remind yourself just how blessed you are
Sometines you have to make a wish at 11:11 or on that one bright star
Sometimes you have to have faith everything will work out in your favor
Sometimes you have to stop & smell the roses~ take the time to savor
Sometimes I smile when inside I'm barely makin it
I have so much to be grateful for~ it doesn't mean I'm fakin it
Sometimes you have to stop & listen to the birds sing a little song
Little moments like that can make a day all right when it seemed so wrong
Sometimes you sit & listen to God as He speaks to you through the wind
Let your problems just blow away as you search for ways you can transcend
Sometimes you have to taste some blood instead of saying words you don't mean
Sometimes it's better to choose silence instead of uttering words that are obscene
Sometimes you have to stop by the cemetary to talk to your loved one & feel close
A lot of times the ones most overlooked are the times that mean the most!
You're not meant to remember that's what makes 'in the moment' so special & true
Sometimes I feel like I have this life all figured out~ I have to admit those times are few!
Sometimes you have to question people's motives and their reason
Sometimes you have to learn how to let go & realize it was just a season
Sometimes even though your circle is full, you have to let someone new in
If real recognize real, like I believe, then there is no need to pretend
Sometimes the only way to approach change is to learn how to embrace it
Like the only way to come at fear is to stand firm & just face it!
Apr. 21, 2011
Sometimes you have to live just to keep from dying
Sometimes you have to remind yourself just how blessed you are
Sometines you have to make a wish at 11:11 or on that one bright star
Sometimes you have to have faith everything will work out in your favor
Sometimes you have to stop & smell the roses~ take the time to savor
Sometimes I smile when inside I'm barely makin it
I have so much to be grateful for~ it doesn't mean I'm fakin it
Sometimes you have to stop & listen to the birds sing a little song
Little moments like that can make a day all right when it seemed so wrong
Sometimes you sit & listen to God as He speaks to you through the wind
Let your problems just blow away as you search for ways you can transcend
Sometimes you have to taste some blood instead of saying words you don't mean
Sometimes it's better to choose silence instead of uttering words that are obscene
Sometimes you have to stop by the cemetary to talk to your loved one & feel close
A lot of times the ones most overlooked are the times that mean the most!
You're not meant to remember that's what makes 'in the moment' so special & true
Sometimes I feel like I have this life all figured out~ I have to admit those times are few!
Sometimes you have to question people's motives and their reason
Sometimes you have to learn how to let go & realize it was just a season
Sometimes even though your circle is full, you have to let someone new in
If real recognize real, like I believe, then there is no need to pretend
Sometimes the only way to approach change is to learn how to embrace it
Like the only way to come at fear is to stand firm & just face it!
Apr. 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I am 32 ~ One Year short of my big brother Jesus
God has seen me do vile, heinous & despicable things . . . ran from Him, cursed Him and spat in His face. He has seen me at my worst & my ugliest & still He loves me and allows me to call Him my best friend, my Father, my very own!!
He not only comes to my defense, but He stands upon the mountain & PROUDLY proclaims, 'This is my precious & beloved son,' with whom I am well-pleased! THAT IS LOVE!!!
He not only saw all the times I fell short, missed the mark or out-right denied Him, but He also saw ALL the times I will fall short, miss the mark & will say to whomever is asking, 'I do not know this man you speak of Jesus~ this Jesus' ...
Knowing ALL this, He still took on the human form~ the King of Kings & Lord of Lords put on a human-shell through my big brother Jesus & died for me, reconciling me to Him... you to Him!
You can call me FAKE, a hypocrite & tell me how unworthy I am and you would be dead-on accurate & correct AT TIMES~ I am a man . . . I do forget who I am in the Lord as a joint-heir of the Kingdom!! I so quickly don't remember how much He loves me and the AMAZING callinG on my life!
Did you know we are ALL invited to the King's (God's) banquet & did you know, even though we are an esteemed guest seated right beside Him, when it comes time to partake of the feast~ we are out behind behind the Mansion/Castle digging & rummaging through the garbage. . . content on scraps?
And STILL He loves me. . . still He loves you! He exchanges the filthy rags your clothes have become for vibrant/radiant, glowing in all the fullness & completeness of the glory of God, ones!!
He not only invites you into the feast, once more, but He gives you a heroic introduction for your entrance!!!
He stands up for you, He defends you more vigorously than ANY defense attorney, He goes to bat just for you, He rescues you more times than a life-preserver, He believes in you with more faith than 10 billion men!
Yes, the opposite sex can bring pleasure, so can alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, respect & fame~ all of it WILL bring you pleasure, but as sure as I am sitting here writing this... it will be as fleetinG as the wind... the ONLY thinG that NEVER fails & will fail you not no matter what struggle, adversity, hard time, depression or season of despondancy is JESUS and He & the Father's AWESOME love for you!!!
It is my sincere prayer for my actions, words & my very life to make Him proud more times than they break His <3 and make Him sad~ after all, why do you think it rains SO much? Those are our Father's tears!
It doesn't matter if your earthly Father has failed you, if he is missing in action or just up & left your Mom, if he gives you a guilt-trip about why you don't talk to him more or come see him or worse yet if he is still around & tells you you will never amount to anything & he's sorry he had you in the first place... you have a TRUE Father, who will NEVER fail you, never leave you or forsake you~ will ALWAYS be there for you though great times & through terrible times :o)
I am 32 today~ one short of how long my big brother Jesus lived. So, right now, I ask my big bro to help me become more of a willing vessel~ more disciplined~ more obedient~ more selfless, walking in humility, authenticity & sincerity, ever-ready & happy to extend the same mercy, grace, forgiveness & love He has given me to everyone I come into contact with~ my family, friends and perfect strangers.
YES we are UNWORTHY & YES that is what qualifies you to become part of the body of Christ~ welcome to the family!!
& thank you again for all the birthday wishes,
Sincerely, John Mark (The fornicator, the fake, the hypocrite)
To see my sin & not see my <3 is like looking at the ocean & not seeing the water!
He not only comes to my defense, but He stands upon the mountain & PROUDLY proclaims, 'This is my precious & beloved son,' with whom I am well-pleased! THAT IS LOVE!!!
He not only saw all the times I fell short, missed the mark or out-right denied Him, but He also saw ALL the times I will fall short, miss the mark & will say to whomever is asking, 'I do not know this man you speak of Jesus~ this Jesus' ...
Knowing ALL this, He still took on the human form~ the King of Kings & Lord of Lords put on a human-shell through my big brother Jesus & died for me, reconciling me to Him... you to Him!
You can call me FAKE, a hypocrite & tell me how unworthy I am and you would be dead-on accurate & correct AT TIMES~ I am a man . . . I do forget who I am in the Lord as a joint-heir of the Kingdom!! I so quickly don't remember how much He loves me and the AMAZING callinG on my life!
Did you know we are ALL invited to the King's (God's) banquet & did you know, even though we are an esteemed guest seated right beside Him, when it comes time to partake of the feast~ we are out behind behind the Mansion/Castle digging & rummaging through the garbage. . . content on scraps?
And STILL He loves me. . . still He loves you! He exchanges the filthy rags your clothes have become for vibrant/radiant, glowing in all the fullness & completeness of the glory of God, ones!!
He not only invites you into the feast, once more, but He gives you a heroic introduction for your entrance!!!
He stands up for you, He defends you more vigorously than ANY defense attorney, He goes to bat just for you, He rescues you more times than a life-preserver, He believes in you with more faith than 10 billion men!
Yes, the opposite sex can bring pleasure, so can alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, respect & fame~ all of it WILL bring you pleasure, but as sure as I am sitting here writing this... it will be as fleetinG as the wind... the ONLY thinG that NEVER fails & will fail you not no matter what struggle, adversity, hard time, depression or season of despondancy is JESUS and He & the Father's AWESOME love for you!!!
It is my sincere prayer for my actions, words & my very life to make Him proud more times than they break His <3 and make Him sad~ after all, why do you think it rains SO much? Those are our Father's tears!
It doesn't matter if your earthly Father has failed you, if he is missing in action or just up & left your Mom, if he gives you a guilt-trip about why you don't talk to him more or come see him or worse yet if he is still around & tells you you will never amount to anything & he's sorry he had you in the first place... you have a TRUE Father, who will NEVER fail you, never leave you or forsake you~ will ALWAYS be there for you though great times & through terrible times :o)
I am 32 today~ one short of how long my big brother Jesus lived. So, right now, I ask my big bro to help me become more of a willing vessel~ more disciplined~ more obedient~ more selfless, walking in humility, authenticity & sincerity, ever-ready & happy to extend the same mercy, grace, forgiveness & love He has given me to everyone I come into contact with~ my family, friends and perfect strangers.
YES we are UNWORTHY & YES that is what qualifies you to become part of the body of Christ~ welcome to the family!!
& thank you again for all the birthday wishes,
Sincerely, John Mark (The fornicator, the fake, the hypocrite)
To see my sin & not see my <3 is like looking at the ocean & not seeing the water!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Time to March & Fight!!
In past wars, like at Normandy, it was the objective to establish a beachhead~ a beachhead was the first piece of ground taken on enemy soil.
Once the beachhead was established, the commander would order the ships they came in on to be burned... meaning there was no retreat!
With the ships burning, they had one choice, that was to fight... move forward!! No matter how fierce the enemy was/is, which satan/devil is plenty fierce and definitely relentless, we must fight and we must move forward!
I don't care what the devil (no, he doesn't deserve his name to be capitalized) is doing in your life to attempt to bring about chaos, destruction, sadness and confusion, you must fight!
You have established your beachhead... if you try to return to the past (the ship), to your old self and ways of thinking, you WILL be killed!! You will be like Lot's wife... God told her and is telling us, 'Do not look back! Trust in me and move forward.'
We are new creations (2nd Corinthians 5:17)~ the old you NO longer has ANY place in your life/in my life!
Smash your rear-view mirror~ not in five minutes, five months or five years from now, but YESTERDAY!! Since you didn't, if you didn't, yesterday, smash it NOW!!
While you are busy looking back at past-hurts, disappointments, fears, doubts and insecurities, you will never be able to move into the life more abundantly (John 10:10)~ the Promise Land!
Listen, we have spent far TOO MANY years, maybe not 40 (yet), but nonetheless we have spent far too long wandering around the desert in a circle (Just like the Israelites). . . it's time for us to take what God has promised us!!
Consider this, IF you had the winning Powerball-lottery ticket, you wouldn't wait to redeem it. Well, my friends, what we ALL have in JESUS and his promises is exceedingly better, lasting and will bring more joy then any amount of money!! Cash in on His promise for your life!
As the body of Christ, the time is NOW! We must FIGHT if we want the Gospel, truth and love of JESUS to advance and win back 'enemy-ground!' satan/devil, his henchmen, lies and deceptions are running rampant in our homes, in our schools, in our churches, in our workplaces, in our country and in our world and the ONLY way we can take back the truths, prosperity, optimism and things he has stolen from us is to fight as if our life depended/depends on it because guess what?
IT DOES!!!
Once the beachhead was established, the commander would order the ships they came in on to be burned... meaning there was no retreat!
With the ships burning, they had one choice, that was to fight... move forward!! No matter how fierce the enemy was/is, which satan/devil is plenty fierce and definitely relentless, we must fight and we must move forward!
I don't care what the devil (no, he doesn't deserve his name to be capitalized) is doing in your life to attempt to bring about chaos, destruction, sadness and confusion, you must fight!
You have established your beachhead... if you try to return to the past (the ship), to your old self and ways of thinking, you WILL be killed!! You will be like Lot's wife... God told her and is telling us, 'Do not look back! Trust in me and move forward.'
We are new creations (2nd Corinthians 5:17)~ the old you NO longer has ANY place in your life/in my life!
Smash your rear-view mirror~ not in five minutes, five months or five years from now, but YESTERDAY!! Since you didn't, if you didn't, yesterday, smash it NOW!!
While you are busy looking back at past-hurts, disappointments, fears, doubts and insecurities, you will never be able to move into the life more abundantly (John 10:10)~ the Promise Land!
Listen, we have spent far TOO MANY years, maybe not 40 (yet), but nonetheless we have spent far too long wandering around the desert in a circle (Just like the Israelites). . . it's time for us to take what God has promised us!!
Consider this, IF you had the winning Powerball-lottery ticket, you wouldn't wait to redeem it. Well, my friends, what we ALL have in JESUS and his promises is exceedingly better, lasting and will bring more joy then any amount of money!! Cash in on His promise for your life!
As the body of Christ, the time is NOW! We must FIGHT if we want the Gospel, truth and love of JESUS to advance and win back 'enemy-ground!' satan/devil, his henchmen, lies and deceptions are running rampant in our homes, in our schools, in our churches, in our workplaces, in our country and in our world and the ONLY way we can take back the truths, prosperity, optimism and things he has stolen from us is to fight as if our life depended/depends on it because guess what?
IT DOES!!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Cuddling with a Ghost
I've liked a lot of girls, but it's you I've loved the most
I'm watching this movie, as these tears fall, while I cuddle with a ghost
I can hear you, touch you and smell your perfume, yet you are not here
Reality says you're so far away, yet it feels you are so very near
Did I stop showing you how I felt? Did you push me away or did I just get lazy?
All I know is~ now, I'm cuddling with a ghost like Patrick Swayze
On my pillows, in the sink, I still find strands of your hair everywhere
But a piece of you remaining is like fine painting with a tear
During the night, you're cuddling with Casper, you can relate to what I'm saying
You miss me so much, so you find yourself hitting your knees and praying
So, as you lie there, you can physically feel my arm wrapped around you
My love engulfs you, you can literally feel it drown you
Can't you see your love is dead you're holding on to an apparition
Each hug & kiss are pages, each month is a chapter of a book that's fiction
If you want it to be your auto-biography, then you certainly have that right
But don't cry to me about lying in the darkness when it's you that smashed the light!
John Mark Brooks
Sept. 15, 2010
I'm watching this movie, as these tears fall, while I cuddle with a ghost
I can hear you, touch you and smell your perfume, yet you are not here
Reality says you're so far away, yet it feels you are so very near
Did I stop showing you how I felt? Did you push me away or did I just get lazy?
All I know is~ now, I'm cuddling with a ghost like Patrick Swayze
On my pillows, in the sink, I still find strands of your hair everywhere
But a piece of you remaining is like fine painting with a tear
During the night, you're cuddling with Casper, you can relate to what I'm saying
You miss me so much, so you find yourself hitting your knees and praying
So, as you lie there, you can physically feel my arm wrapped around you
My love engulfs you, you can literally feel it drown you
Can't you see your love is dead you're holding on to an apparition
Each hug & kiss are pages, each month is a chapter of a book that's fiction
If you want it to be your auto-biography, then you certainly have that right
But don't cry to me about lying in the darkness when it's you that smashed the light!
John Mark Brooks
Sept. 15, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Dried-Rose
Our love once was a fully-bloomed rose, but now it's dried
We had to part ways (for now); at least I know I tried
I'm angry, hurt, sad and many other emotions I am feeling
Trying to figure out why I'm on the floor when what we had was the ceiling!
I've never fought so hard for something only to find myself let down
If love was an ocean's current I definitely would've drowned
Time & time again when the going got tough you bailed
When if you would've just let it, we certainly would've sailed
You gave up on us girl, you surrendered, you threw up the white flag
When God wanted us to soar, our dreams to take flight & for our lives to have no jet-lag
Yes, our love is a freshly-dried rose, but that doesn't mean that it is dead
I wanted our forever to start now, but maybe it happens later instead
All I know is a dried-rose is beautiful & timeless like a beach has grains of sand
Each grain a reason why I love you so much and why I was blessed to be your man!
I choose to look at this broken road and what's in store as only our Father truly knows
I pray we have another chance, in the future, for our love to last forever, but for now it's a dried-rose.
John Mark Brooks
Copyright August 21, 2010
We had to part ways (for now); at least I know I tried
I'm angry, hurt, sad and many other emotions I am feeling
Trying to figure out why I'm on the floor when what we had was the ceiling!
I've never fought so hard for something only to find myself let down
If love was an ocean's current I definitely would've drowned
Time & time again when the going got tough you bailed
When if you would've just let it, we certainly would've sailed
You gave up on us girl, you surrendered, you threw up the white flag
When God wanted us to soar, our dreams to take flight & for our lives to have no jet-lag
Yes, our love is a freshly-dried rose, but that doesn't mean that it is dead
I wanted our forever to start now, but maybe it happens later instead
All I know is a dried-rose is beautiful & timeless like a beach has grains of sand
Each grain a reason why I love you so much and why I was blessed to be your man!
I choose to look at this broken road and what's in store as only our Father truly knows
I pray we have another chance, in the future, for our love to last forever, but for now it's a dried-rose.
John Mark Brooks
Copyright August 21, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
It's too much like work. I'm going through a divorce. I don't feel like it. She probably won't get to play much anywa...
-
Let's see ourselves, even in our current struggles, and wrestling of sin, as LOVED, BEAUTIFUL, PURE, ADORED and WORTHY instead of ... -
God speaks to me through the wind in the trees But speaks to me most when I'm down on my knees His mercy surrounds me; I'm bathed in...