Sing!

This morning I was reading the Proverbs 31 Devotional and my friend Micca's message which then led me to her blog. Her discussion was about the "ugly one" (my name for satan) who tries to steal your joy. She shares details about how to keep your joy.
As I read her blog I kept thinking about how I have handled being robbed of joy and other things. Well, I sing!
Thinking of this inspired me to write about a couple of songs that have given me encouragement in the midst of difficulty, despair and decision making.

There are many songs that have given me hope to carry on.
If you know my testimony you have heard about times in my life that fear, loneliness and sadness surrounded my life. You also know that I always share about the great Jesus music I was introduced to in my teen years. The message through the music broke through and rescued me! During some of the lowest times in my life those words spoke life and healing to my soul...it saved my life! Even to this day I still listen to those artists and their music and it continues to have a huge part in transforming and guiding my life.
While it does not replace the Word of God...it is the word and melody of God being sung over us.
And in case you have not heard...Praise is a weapon! With Praise and Song we can Win battles!

Are you needing encouragement for a situation you are in today?
Is there sadness looming around you?
Do you have a prayer need that aches your heart?
Is there a decision you need guidance on?

May I recommend that you read the Psalms, grab a good worship CD and sing!
Sing for Joy!
Sing for Healing!
Sing for Hope!
Sing for Wisdom!
Sing to Win and Overcome!

Leave a comment or email me and let me know how I can pray for you.
Take the time to encourage one another and share a song that has given you hope in the midst of a difficult time.

Here is a long time favorite artist of mine.
Janny Grein was one of the pioneers of Christian Music in the 70's.
She continues to minister and sing and has become a precious friend and mentor of mine.
If you would like more information please go to her website - www.janny.com. Tell her Vern sent you!

Be Inspired to Sing!


MORE THAN CONQUERORS ~ By Janny Grein

We've been made More Than Conquerors
Overcomers in this world.
We've been made Victorious
Through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

If trouble comes knocking at your door.
Dont be afraid - it's not like before.
Don't you give in - don't let it bring you down.
You do not have to worry anymore.

Jesus said - there would be tribulation.
But He said " I have overcome".
Brothers and Sisters well now's the time to stand.
Don't you know the battles all are won!

We've been made more than Conquerors ~ Overcomers in this life!
We've been made Victorious ~ Through the Blood of Jesus Christ!

Hold on - we are getting stronger everday.
There is no reason for you to go astray
Don't be leaning to your understanding
Lean on Him and we will all say...

We've been made more than Conquerors ~ Overcomers in this life!
We've been made Victorious ~ Through the Power of God's Word!


PRAISE HIM ~ Janny Grein

If any man be in Christ - then he has become a new creation.
Old things are passed away.
Behold everything has become new in him.
God know longer knows the things that brought you to this place before you came here.
He only see's you holy now - faultless and blameless as your standing there.

Praise Him!
Lift your hands and Praise Him.
Praise Him!
Praise the name of Jesus!

Through the blood of Jesus.
His righteousness is like the robe upon Him.
Flowing and covering His Garment of Praise will now adorn you.
You will live and reign forever as Kings and Priests and Sons(Daughters) that He will call His own.
His blood is flowing in you now - Royalty has finally found a home in you.

Praise Him!



Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
Psalm 28:6-7

I AM BACK!

The past several weeks I have taken a break from blogging...but I am back!

Here is what I have been up to...

* Staying in my pj's till afternoon! I am not kidding!

* Seeking God for wisdom and guidance regarding the remainder of this year and the upcoming year.

* Praying for upcoming events and speaking engagements.

* I performed with Ali Bug during a halftime show featuring the dancers and their moms. That was hillarious and sweet!!

* Rick and I went to the Neil Diamond concert. It was part of our Anniversary celebration. The girls had given us a gift certificate to a nice Italian Restaurant on our anniversary so we thought it would be good to use it before we headed to the concert. The evening was so wonderful!
We loved the place we ate at and the concert was really good. One song that we loved was - Man of God, Man of Faith. His older classics were great but this song was our overall favorite.
Have you ever heard it? Tell me what you think and if you know anything about his beliefs.

* On the 15th I spoke at Community Bible Church - Wed Ladies Bible Study. I have prepared for this speaking engagement the past couple of months and looked forward to this message. They have been doing a study on the Psalms and Worship. My topic specifically was about Giving Thanks. I love the Psalms and talking about Worship - plus I have a lot to give thanks about so this was something I really loved preparing for and participating in.
When I arrived at the church and set up for the message I could not find my folder and immediately remembered I had it out to write something I thought of that morning and did not put it back in my bag. I did not panic - which is not typically my nature! It was cool because God had His way for sure! I had no notes and just let the Lord flow with what was planted in me and what He spoke to me as I stood on that stage. My dear friend Allison covered me in prayer and even though it did not go the way I had thought, the results of the Ladies sharing their testimonies at the end was evidence the Lord was taking care of what He purposed that day.
I thank the Lord for His creative idea He led me to do for the open and close of the message. The card board testimonies were really powerful and freeing!
I thought my original message was just for me but I am thinking now that it was purposed for another time. Maybe it will appear on this very blog...or at a church near you!

* Celebrated Caty's 14th Birthday!! A Big Thank You to Dr L., who rescheduled Caty's 5th round of chemo so she could have a party. We also celebrated that she is Kickin The Cancer in the butt! The kids all had a great time laughing, dancing and playing goofy games! It was a great time that we all will never forget! Watching her have this great time made us all forget she even had that stuff!

That is all I got for you today...but I AM BACK!!
You all take care and hope to hear from you soon!

Be Inspired!
Vern

WOW - Part II

Here are some pictures from my WOW! Saturday and a review of what the day was like.

The day started with our Mug N Muffin ladies fellowship event.
Our guests that day all shared inspiring testimonies. I am grateful for their willingness to participate in this day. Those in attendance were greatly encouraged with their messages of hope! THANKS LADIES!!

Be Inspired by their stories...

SHARLET L. ~
Is a friend that has impacted my life with her, courage, wisdom and reflection of Jesus. At Mug N Muffin she gave us a glimpse into the worst day of her life. On that day Sharlet and her girls said goodbye to Chip (husband/father) as he left for Afghanistan. IF that was not difficult enough she then drove herself to an appointment only her and Chip knew about. The appointment was for a biopsy to be done on a mass that was recently discovered in her breast. When the nurses heard that Chip was leaving on that same day they told Sharlet her biopsy could be re-scheduled for another day...Sharlet's response was "No, this day was already going to be a bad, hard day as it was ...Why ruin 2 days?!" It is with that type of attitude and strong will that she went through her breast cancer battle, took care of her 2 daughters, got a job, and prayed & supported her husband while he was serving in Afghanistan this past year.
As we prepared for Sharlet to share her testimony I was captured by her prayer to get out of God's way. God was beautifully glorified through her that day!

Trust Me in your times of trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give Me the glory.
Psalm 50:15

SUZIE B. ~
I met Suzie through June, a good friend & warrior of both of ours.
Suzie's background has been difficult and her former lifestyle of abusing drugs and making wrong choices has taken a toll on her physical body. Last November her doctors gave her grim news about her heart and lung condition and scheduled her for surgery the following week.
At Mug N Muffin Suzie was joined by her friends June and Lori. They shared the miracle story of Suzie's healing that took place at our ladies retreat last year. The retreat was held the weekend before Suzie's scheduled surgery.
When Suzie arrived at the retreat she was not in good condition. She had difficulty walking any distance and was only able to breath through the assistance of an oxygen tank.
By Saturday afternoon she was healed and walking briskly without the oxygen and enjoying the remaining retreat experience!! Praise the Lord for his healing touch that was delivered through unexpected circumstances and for the obedience of the messenger (Lori) to go hold Suzie and tell her that she was loved and that the Lord had a new heart for her. Lori had never seen or met Suzie. It was a miracle that Suzie even let her hug and hold her because she was not the mushy hugger type and her heart was angry and hurting! The Lord's embrace warmed her from her feet to her chest and gave her a new heart full of joy, peace and hope! To this day she is breathing without an oxygen tank and continues to be strengthened and filled with the powerful knowledge & love of Christ!! Hallelujah!!

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6


CATY M ~
A 13 year old freshmen who is encouraging others through the most difficult journey of her life.
On July 14th family and friends got a text alerting them to start praying. Caty's doctor had discovered a mass on her back and was admitting her to the hospital for further testing. When I received that text I was away working at kids camp and was blown away at the message. Two days later I was shaken we got the news that she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer. It is a rare teen cancer that usually is not detected as early as Caty's was.
Ever since that day Caty has used every opportunity to tell others about Jesus Christ and encourages everyone to pray!
While she was at Youth Camp just weeks before her diagnosis, she felt the Lord was speaking to her to share the gospel message with 300 people. She thought that it might be that she would invite 300 youth to her home for the youth elevate bible study group. The Lord had other plans and today her message of courage and hope has expanded beyond 300 people.
Her testimony has been shared with thousands of people that visit her caring bridge site, watch her utube video or hear her live in person. Her persistent spirit and prayers have paved a way for her to accomplish things during this difficult season. Things that doctors and others said were not possible have been made possible through prayer and provision of the Lord!
Her advice to someone who gets a negative report...open the Bible, read it and pray!!
She has just completed her 4th round of chemo. Praise the Lord the tumor is responding and shrinking!
You can read more about her story on my blog posts titled Prayer Journal for Caty M.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Me (on the right) interviewing Caty and her mom.

Me with our special guests. From left to right - Suzie B., Vern (that's me with my hair straightened!), Caty M., Sharlet L.

All Glory to God for what He did that morning!

Now for the Concert Update from Saturday night.

It was phenomenal!! Here are few pictures I was able to snap while back stage!

This is Robert Randolph and his band...He was amazing on that steel guitar!

This is Jon from Switchfoot. He went way out into the audience and sang. Now that was worth the ticket price for that audience! They loved it!! Sorry my picture is not that great...I was rushing to get my camera so I could capture this moment!

Third Day's bus...and rug. I wiped my feet on it...just kidding!

Between the ladies event and the concert stuff...We had a full exciting day. Here are more pictures...

Ali Bug and Caty after a full day of activities they are still smiling and having fun!

Caty, Colin (her bro) and Mac Powell- of Third Day after the concert. This was an opportunity they will never forget! Colin looks like he is about to faint!

The Girls Rockin Out!

Ali Bug with Colin at the concert. He is the little brother she never had.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be Inspired,

Vern