When we see the album artwork there is a sense of excitement anticipating the good feelings we will encounter when listening to the music. Jesus Christ our Lord opened the curtain of holiness that separated us from God- giving us front row seats, back stages passes and a chance to fly on the family jet- a relationship with our heavenly Father!  Sprinkled on the mercy seat, the blood of a lamb without blemish was applied by the high priest to make himself and the people acceptable before God. Jesus provides all holiness requirements for us to gain access to a new and living way.- Teresa

 Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers,[a] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

When a baby learns about his or her world, parents recognize they are tender. Providing life lessons in measured doses, the parents ensure their child is able to grow and develop without feeling overwhelmed. Similarly, God chooses us when our hearts are tender and places us in learning situations that will try our character. Those who are malleable like gold  will become noble to the glory of God.- Teresa 

 Ezekiel 17: 22-24 (ESV)

22 Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

The healing we need is so much more than medical. The Lord not only pays our debt but applies healing compassion to the root of our problem. When we understand His healing is available 24/7, granting us access to these benefits through a relationship with Him, our youth will be renewed!!- Teresa

Psalm 103: 1-5 (ESV)

1Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

    who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 When the walls came down on Jerusalem, Nebuzaradan left vinedressers and plowmen as a remnant to care for the city. If we stay within God’s protection (not relying on city walls), He provides in mysterious ways that we may not recognize until later. His banner for the cause He loves is righteousness.-Teresa #familyofGod

Jeremiah 52: 14-16 (ESV)

14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem. 15 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive some of the poorest of the people and the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the artisans. 16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.

There are times when natural beauty reassures us of the reality of God’s presence…aka freedom from the curse of sin. Although the Law was given to show us what sin entailed, it also provided opportunities for sin to abound. If we die to sin and are given new life through the resurrection power of Christ, then we are free to live a life of love. Living in love really means fulfilling all law…we live love because the old system of law no longer has the power to bind us in an awkward way to sin! – Teresa #deadtosinbutalivetoChrist

Romans 7: 1-3 (NLT)

Now, dear brothers and sisters[a]—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.

  

I was vacillating between cranky and woe is me for two days. Then, we had an impromptu “listening” party for Hans’s first professional record. All the energy he poured into an expert album converted into a celebration for us! Likewise, knowing God’s name or character is like listening for the first time to some beautiful music. Understanding His loving character helps us also to respond in love, meeting needs from a cup that’s overflowing. – Teresa

Psalm 91: 14-16 (ESV)

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

While studying last week in Psalm 76:1, I was delighted to discover this truth: the known God is great! I was thinking of ways we get to know God and show Him our honor (because when we truly see Him- not just our idea of Him- His greatness roars). The Bible, prayer and fellowship with other believers all contribute to our knowledge of God. The clearest revelation, however, comes from His Son and our Savior. When we know forgiveness, we too can forgive! When we know protection, we too will protect. When we know Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah, we will be astonished and worship at God’s footstool.- Teresa

Jeremiah 31:34 (ESV)

34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

When we make God our strength, we can name our bitter tears (the Valley of Baka). The tears spring up and collect into pools of refreshment. We are blessed when we pass through this Valley because here we discover that His strength is enough! Listen to the song, “Blessings” by Laura Story and know that “this is not our home”! – Teresa #recognizingHome

Psalm 84: 5-7 (NIV)

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

  whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

  they make it a place of springs;

  the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,

  till each appears before God in Zion.

Paul had a parental love for the believers at Thessalonica. God called them to share in His glory and kingdom but Paul tenderly nurtured them as a father would his children. He charged them through exhortation and encouragement, to walk in a manner worthy of their great God. When we understand who it is we worship, our lives become worthwhile.- Teresa

 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13(ESV)9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Our son, Hans, is now a professional musician. In his college days, he had the trailer as his dorm room as he studied sustainable agriculture between classes. When he needed a break, the djembe  provided a centering beat that evolved into a drum circle with his friends at the park. Knowing God is the centering beat of the Christian walk. This knowledge helps us to keep in step with the Holy Spirit (an internal rhythmic beat) as we fellowship with the trinity.-Teresa

Colosians 1: 9-14 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.