Some Things Never Change
August 25th, 2010 by The_Other_Alice
0 Comment » Hosanna!
August 2nd, 2010 by The_Other_Alice
Jay requested this song from Hillsong United’s own Brooke Fraser; it is a beautiful song; so deep and strong– it’s just HUGE! 
So here it is, Jay, for your listening enjoyment!
“Hosanna” is a cry of adoration, which literally means “Oh, save!” It is what the people cried when Jesus the Messiah came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He, whose name is exalted in heaven and earth, came lowly to mankind. What a wonder! How He loves us, how He’s blessed us, not based on anything good or noble we have done.
People sometimes talk about this thing called luck. I think it’s like when something good happens to you or for you. I’ve got this joke now that I have “Charlie Brown luck.” For real; why is it that for a few select people, whenever they set their hands to something, everything goes wrong (or so it seems?) They are the ones who ask, “Who really wins contests?” They are most often the ones with big responsibilities. When they work very, very hard, they do well, but nothing tremendous falls into their laps. They are the ones always running like a chicken with it’s head cut off, because with every little thing they set their hands to do, fifty other things show up that stand in the way. They don’t show up all at once; they build up over the next couple of hours. They come across to other people as the type who “lose it” frequently. They talk quickly, bluntly, in jumbled words and sentences. They can look up solutions to their everyday problems all they want to, but of course, it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. They come across as goofy, because they cheer themselves with a unique outlook on life and situations. Nobody looks at them and says, “My, what a talented individual.” They aren’t usually popular, except for being known as the “odd-ball.” Yet strangely, people look to them for answers to the most puzzling enigmas. Probably because they’ve been through it already. They laugh more than others and cry more, too. To them, it’s just a matter of making the best out of being very different than other people. But every once in while, they fray at the edges and look up and say, “Why? Why special and unique? Why every day? Why am I always bearing so many burdens alone?”
You’ve probably guessed; I am one of those people. I know I have it better than Charlie Brown because I know the One who saves; I know my soul is saved, and I will live forever even though nothing good I ever did in the past earned it for me. But I still look up and ask why. Why do the craziest things always happen to me, and I also happen to be one with big responsibilities, and thus get blamed for a lot? (Some of you know that I say more than anything “I’m sorry.” Now you know why.) And every so often, when you bear many burdens alone, you become totally drained, usually in such a way so that EVERYBODY knows because everything stops running when you stop running it. And they think, “What’s his problem?” If only they knew. People talk about “stress.” If only they knew what “luck” was. Now I know that to a degree, this happens to everybody. But some of us are special, you see. See, I have seen other people do the same things I do, but somehow, for me things go totally haywire, and even others look at it and say, “Whoa.” (You’re most likely wondering why I’m going on about this. Keep reading; it’s a building effect.)
So yes, this is one of those “down points.” Because the human body can only do so much for so long. But that doesn’t mean the fun stops! No, you may not slow down a little bit, because there is just so much more MORE MORE! Today I asked again, “Oh, God, why? Why does all this happen? Can it please just slow down a little bit for just a little while? Every time I set my hands to do something, a hundred other things start calling while a hundred other things go wrong! I only see one other person in this whole world who this happens to (she’s my mother; I wonder if it’s genetic?) but it doesn’t help the situation stop!” I told Him why I was in such a desperate state, so worn-down and frazzled. So I told him about my Charlie Brown luck. His response:
“You are blessed.”
“Whoa,” I said. I guess I could have asked Him to explain, but I know that things are as He says they whether or not they appear to be so to me. And I could immediately think of several ways in which I am more fortunate (haha) than a lot of people. I personally don’t feel like I’m persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Not by people, anyway. I feel like I’m looked at as crazy; I feel like people don’t understand my situation and why I “break down” so often. But God says I am blessed!
Here is who the Scripture says over and over are blessed:
Blessed is the one who trusts in Him.
Blessed in the one whose sins are forgiven. (Amen!)
Blessed is the one whom the Lord chastens.
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord.
Blessed is the one who keeps His commandments.
Blessed is the one who gives.
Blessed is the one who watches for His Lord.
Blessed is the one who believes.
Blessed is the one who endures.
Here’s who our Savior says is blessed:
“ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)
That’s not who the world says is better off; that’s not who the world exalts; that’s not the ones who feel blessed. But it is who the Lord says is blessed. And for us who have been the Charlie Browns all our lives, it is a great step of faith to say, “Yes, Lord; I believe I am blessed.”
But I choose to believe in the One who saves; I believe that He is mighty to save; I believe that He stretches forth His hand to heal. And I believe I am blessed, just because He said I am.
That is a confession that comes out not with a feeling of happiness, but of pain– yet with conviction. It is not easy to choose when you are hanging by a thread. But God is the one who is faithful. That’s all that matters.
“Hosanna” is a pretty song; but it is a true song, one we can confess even when we have our downs. Here’s another live edition to close with!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3)
When Did I Become an Alchemist?
July 20th, 2010 by The_Other_Alice
I have a funny story to tell. A lot of you know, I’m sure, that it’s been VERY hot and humid lately and that we’ve been renovating our kitchen and dining room. And I am the crazy member of the family who likes summer and likes 80 to 90 degree weather. But even I am succumbing to the humidity lately. For example:
The washing machine is currently in the basement, and to get into the basement we go out the back door, down the porch, then down the basement stairs and through the basement door. And to go up, it’s vice versa. So I’m getting the laundry out of the washer and I see a nickel. “Oooo! A nickel!” I pick it up and hold onto it, fearing I would forget about it if I put it in my pocket. So I’m holding it oddly as in both hands I also carry the full laundry basket up the basement stairs. I set the basket on my knee so I can open the back door, and even though I’m using my right hand, my left hand mysteriously drops the nickel just after I open the door. I hear a loud “bang” as I drop it, but in my stupor I cannot tell if it was the sound of a nickel hitting the metal threshold or echoing on the floor of the kitchen inside. I set the basket down and in a hurry look around for the nickel, keeping in mind not to let the cat escape. I look over the back porch. Nope. No see. I look into the kitchen. Wait a minute… Something shiny. I pick up the round, flat, silver object. Perfectly shaped like a nickel, it’s a piece of aluminum foil. Now this is where it gets weird, see, I was very, VERY hot. I thought to myself, “But I didn’t drop it that hard.” 
Needless to say, my search for the nickel was to no avail. I gave up and went to tell Mom the story and get a good laugh over it. We did. (Post title credit goes to my Mom!) BTW, my Dad found the nickel later. 0:)
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Querky
The Sounds of Summer
July 20th, 2010 by The_Other_Alice
Birds chirping, the wind blowing through the trees, the soft sound of a trickling creek, the sweet hum of bees and the occasional buzz of the cicada, and maybe the distant sound of a truck on the highway.
Unfortunately, not here. Not in town! The sounds of summer are usually as follows: The deafening roar of motorcycles, the alarm from the fire department down the block. Shouting neighbors. The never-ending noise of machinery. Slamming car doors. Dogs barking. More shouting. The roar of an over-enthusiastic driver. A few honks. Machinery continues its symphony. Now somebody’s blaring their radio. More shouting. More honking. More barking. Oh! Somebody’s screaming, now… Wait a second; was that thunder! Get the laundry off the line! But one day I was doing the laundry and all of the sudden I realized that the music coming from the radio across the street sounds vaguely familiar. It’s Chasen’s “On and On” which I heard on Jay’s Music Blog! That’s kinda cool!
Speaking of Jay, I thought I’d post this for him. Hillsong United’s “Look to You!”
Love it!
Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22)
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)
Didn’t you always want to hear your favorite Hillsong United songs in Spanish? I know I have! Guess what? They released a Spanish version of their United We Stand album! I have heard the previews, and it sounds awesome! And I found a VIDEO of the Spanish version of one of my favorites, From God Above, or in this case, Su Hijo Dio! Muy excelente!
I am Sun-shiney!
July 13th, 2010 by The_Other_Alice
My sweet friend Renee passed on to me the Sunshine Award (My second ever award)! And the Brick Buster gave it to me again! I feel so flutterated knowing that for all my quirks, I brightened somebody’s day! So now it’s my turn finding 12 bloggers who brighten my day! (Who haven’t already received this award)
I hereby award:
Mrs. Mecomber at I Love New York Travel (I know she already got one on another blog, but… this photoblog deserves it!
Dave at The Forney Flyer. (Stories and pictures really brighten my day. It is just so awesome to see how God is using MAF on the other side of the world!)
Joy at The Stay-at-Home Missionary. (Such a sweet lady! So neat to see how God is using a mom to do His work on the other side of the world! God bless all missionary-moms!)
Ray Comfort at Atheist Central. (Thank God for somebody who is patient and yet straightforward with the atheists! And kudos to the guy who makes those comics!!!)
Kerry Hasenbalg. (Still praising God for the new, healthy baby! I don’t have any idea just how joyful her family is after years of waiting on God for this moment!)
David Peach at Missionary Talks. (It is just SO cool and enlightening to hear one-on-one talks with modern-day missionaries!)
Courageous Blog. (On many occasions, I have “gotten my joy back” here!)
Umm….. Oh no! I can only think of seven bloggers who haven’t already received the award! (I think I awarded most of these guys last time, too…)
I guess I’m still an amateur in the blogosphere! Nonetheless, we are in need of pure and undefiled sunshine these days, so I cannot complain upon the receiving and the giving of this sun-shiney award! Hope y’all have a brighter day!
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