Breathing life

Ezekiel 37:1-14

"Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!’” (11-14)

As we come to the end of this week...and as I reflect on this passage in Ezekiel, I pray that the Holy Spirit will renew our spirits and breathe fresh life into these dry bones. He is the Author, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE.

"You bring hope, You bring life. Awaken hearts, open eyes; with our voices hear them rise. We call these dry bones to come alive. You are faithful, You are true. We can always run to love that never fails, arms that never close, nlood that covers sin , grace that never ends.You have saved us, You have won. Sin is broken, death is gone. Freedom's found us, breakthrough's near. In your presence, no more fear---Our savior's here." Savior's Here, Kari Jobe

Anchor.

"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary."-Hebrews 6:19

Dwelling a lot on this verse this week, trying to quiet my soul. Please pray for me. My family. My community. It's been a trying week, but I will hold on to God's promises. I know He has a plan and His ways are higher than mine.


"I know that I'll never be alone, You will never let me go; You are my anchor. Hold my hand while I'm sinking in the sand, no one else could understand;
You are my anchor

Blessed be Your name.

" The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” -Job 1:21

My husband is the youth pastor for our local church and together we have been teaching our youth about true worship. We have taught them that above all else, we are to first and foremost worship God! When we are sad, angry, happy, etc....we are to worship Him. Worship blesses us. It heals. It empowers. It protects. It delivers peace. With that being said, we can't teach them that without believing it ourselves. The past 24 hours of our community have been devastating. My heart has been burdened for Chardon High School. Lives and innocence were lost yesterday and as our community draws together, as I reflect on why we worship God, the cry of my heart is "Blessed be Your name!"

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name


Every blessing You pour out I'll
Turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
Blessed be You name
And blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name


You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

(Matt Redman)

If my people pray....

Such a sad day in our community and what an awful way to start the week. This morning, 5 students were shot and injured at Chardon High School. As of this time, one student has passed away. My heart can not help but ache. All I seem to be able to is cry out and pray that God will bring peace and healing. This verse has been resonating in my spirit all morning.

"Then if my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Hear us from Heaven, Lord.....