WORSHIP

I must first apologize for not posting. It has not been a conscious thing. Actually, I just visited this blog the other day and I saw that my last post was in January and I was shocked. Having a heart attack is a very different thing than I have ever experienced. It has taken me some time to get back to who I previously was. I’m not even sure how to explain it, just please be patient with me. I am still here and I think I’m at least quite close to being back even with a third Cardiac Catheter next week (prayers are appreciated) and Cardiac Rehabilitation to go through.

(I had an amazing miracle there. God is so good. Most would truly POO-POO a hospital visit for chest pains. I was admitted and what a mess when I went in but I won’t even go there. I was hoping to Cardiac Rehabilitation after the stent placement but my insurance wanted $90. Co-pay per week for 36 weeks…rather ridiculous. My Cardiologist was not the least bit happy about it. Another Cardiologist from the same group visited me in the hospital who said he had looked over my file and was hoping to get me a scholarship to the Cardiac Rehabilitation. I was in disbelief and shock for several days. I shared this with my Cardiologist on Tuesday and he is calling them to get my co-pay waived. HALLELUJAH!

*Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”)

Worship is in my heart. I had to write about this because I don’t think there is much that brings me more joy. Since our move 3/18/16, I have had to use the GPS in our car when I’m driving and to listen to it I’ve had to keep the music turned down. What a truly SAD thing for me!

From the dictionary as a verb:
to render religious reverence and homage to.

2. to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).

I have heard some say that they believe that this will be our most important function in heaven so we should learn to do it now. If that is the case then I am well prepared.

I have several things to share that may help you to understand my heart. For more than a week now, the song that has played in the back of my head daily, all day is Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave. 

Rather an ultimate worship song. Usually when I have a song play over and over in my head I find some reason for it in the lyrics. It’ll play until I find it. With this song I seem to find nothing more than this is the reason for so many of my tears of joy. When I pay attention to this song, His presence is apparent in my home and His joy explodes in my heart! There are many worship songs that express how I feel yet none so “overwhelming”.

So, after this explanation you may be able to see why I’m so elated when I share that I’m finally learning my way around. Just a few days ago I found that I was able to drive some distance without GPS so I cranked up my worship music and it nearly transported me to heaven.

I am a Pentecostal. I looked up the definitions to share but none are as effective as just sharing the why and an example of what this truly means to me. Several years back the minister of music at our church gave us an explanation that I will never forget. He shared about coming home to his house and his three-year-old son excitedly running to him with outstretched arms. It's like I’m taking Him in. I’m wanting to enwrap Him with my arms. Like the words to that song “Overwhelmed”. Yet I have seen one video that has always truly impressed upon me that this was being “Pentecostal”. And that is the video for Forever by Kari Jobe. I am excited about what Jesus did for me. It says in Psalms

*Let All Things Praise the Lord

150 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

And, another that I memorized when I was a little girl and I’ve remembered to this day:

*Psalm 100 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

AND, if I can even write this after having a heart attack, I’m on my way back! God is so good. I have full assurance that if I was to die that I would be instantly transported to heaven where I would spend eternity. While still on this earth, worship is the next best thing.

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

ARE YOU TURNING YOUR NOSE UP TO CHURCH?

Are you sure that you know why?  If you think church is the same as it was even 30 years ago, then you need to find out what you’re missing!

(I finally just got settled down to write.  My husband changed hours and I’m just now getting more used to the much, much different time schedule.  He works nights and with driving he is gone for 14 hours yet just 3-4 days per week!  We are praising God and know that this gift in his new job comes from none other than our Papa God!  It is more than either of us could imagine, which is actually quite normal for our Papa!

*Luke 11:13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

So, I am still at work, one day at a time, to reorganize my hours so that I can do most of my work while he is gone except for some that I need his help with.  I’m learning to go to bed earlier and get up earlier which also seems to suit my own system for some reason.  And, I think in the long run it will become quite conducive of writing, too, since I love to write in the wee hours of the night.  I’m working toward mostly being up by 5am (so I can also exercise) but will get up a bit earlier when writing.  It’s so quiet with the world mostly asleep yet in my home with just me here I can turn on my worship music, softly, to make a good environment for my writing with the Holy Spirit as my inspiration).

Earlier today I went out to run errands.  I do so much writing while out driving in my car, enjoying the sunshine and normally listening to Christian music.  The kind of music I listen to depends on my mood.  When I’m awake and alert I normally listen to people like Jesus Culture, Kari Jobe and similar but when I need empowered or even just woken up, it’s Red, Thousand Food Krutch, Kutless, Skillet and various others.  Today I was feeling like getting out of the house, being young and energetic,  and cranking my music.  I was a teenager in the 70’s so for some reason it’s stuck even into my 55^th year.  As I listened to one of my favorite tunes by Thousand Foot Krutch:

 

I thought how wrong I was and how I am surprised by the response of the world (comments on YouTube).  Before I rededicated my life to the Lord in 1988, I thought being a Christian must be boring, hum drum, blah blah blah…was I ever wrong.  Here I am 26+ years into living for/with Jesus and I believe I’m bolder, more alive, freer, and happier than I ever was in my youth (Youth?).  Yes, there wasn’t the Christian music of today in the 70’s & 80’s when I would consider myself being “youth” & “young adult” aged.  But, that’s not all.  There is a fire deep inside that has a need of being fed. 

 If you still think that being a Christian must be boring, hum drum, lack luster, then you truly need to become educated.  I always, always keep myself educated and open about the world, as much as possible, so that if someone asks me about something I can tell them with total honestly, my opinion.  So, why not become educated about your ideas on faith, if they are antiquated?  You may be surprised by what you find!  And, if you are hurting deep down, you may also be surprised by the peace, the comfort, the love that you find that is made to suit just you!  Yes, He gives us all what we need!

*Philippians 4:19  “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

 

And, I, as I am not perfect need to continually remind myself that that “need” is not merely financial/monetary but “ALL” of our needs!  If you do not feel that your needs are being met, come to Jesus and tell Him so!  Honestly, if you are clueless about where to start just tell Him so!  Prayer is just talking to God! 

*James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

 

and

*Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

If you want to give Him your heart right now, it’s so easy by sincerely repeating this simple prayer.

Dear Jesus,

I want to know more of You.  I want to turn away from this life that is just hurting and confusing me and come into a life with You.  I believe that You died for my sins and want to live in a relationship with me forever!  Show me Who You are and how I may live with You at the helm of my life!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2014

I awoke with this playing in my mind this morning!  I love this video especially!  It makes me think of what being Pentecostal is all about!