The Sound of Heaven

When John the Revelator had the vision of heaven in chapter 14, he says, “I heard a sound from heaven” (vs.2).

What did it sound like in heaven? “Like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder.” And, John says the sound he heard was “like that of harpists playing their harps.”

What an awesome privilege to join the instruments of heaven every week bringing the sound of heaven to earth. For it is the living Spirit of God in us breathing out the notes of the wind instruments. Our fingers and arms and feet are alive in Christ alone, and He empowers the drummer, pianist, organist, guitars and percussion instruments to play their sounds. The instrument itself is powerless until the living believer in Christ picks it up and takes what’s inside of him or her and pours it out as an offering to the Lord!

It goes on to say…”and they sang a new song before the throne…” (vs.3) Who are they? Who was singing? The “redeemed…who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.” (vs.4) The angels, flying in midair, said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory…worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (vs.7)

Listen…and imagine this sound of heaven.

If this is the sound of heaven, what is the sound of earth?

Romans 8, verse 22 says, “the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” The earth groans, creation groans, waiting, expecting, anticipating liberation from this bondage of decay. If you have ears to hear, listen to the groans of earth, the suffering, the dying, the broken, the abused, the sin sick, the diseased, the captive, the possessed, the hungry, the abandoned, the lost, the hopeless…

What an amazing calling to be part of the great assembly striking up the band, tuning our instruments, and joining in the chorus as we gloriously fill the sanctuary with the Sound of Heaven!!!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God has set eternity in our hearts. We were made to play and sing and hear this song of heaven, this song of faith and possibility, this song of hope and peace. When the world enters the church and hears this sound, it sounds like home. It’s already been implanted within them. Their hearts say, “I’m home” and they don’t even realize it! This sound, this Presence, this atmosphere of praise is what we were created for.

What an honor to be redeemed, restored, re-born! And that revelation produces a song that declares the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (I Peter 2:9)! May this Palm and Easter Sunday bring the sound of heaven to earth like never before! Will you join in the song?

Grace Abounds

Isn't it true that the more we know someone the more their flaws stick out...and the more evident it becomes that they have some issues! :) When we know people from a distance or when people know us from a distance it's much easier to get along. I've been really thinking about the verse in Roman 5 that says, "...where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." I love that verse and I'm so thankful for it when I think how sin affects my life and separates me from the Lord. I'm so grateful for God's grace in my life and I'm constantly reminded how much I need it! It's God's grace that brings us near again.

This week the Lord has been speaking to my heart about extending that grace more and more to the people closest to me. That doesn't mean my sin or their sin is okay. Paul even said in the first few verses of chapter 6, "should we go on sinning? Certainly not!" But, I've been challenged to hear the truth of this Word as the Lord speaks, "where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more."

Mercy always trumps! Love covers a multitude of sin. And grace is amazing! How does this all fit together? How do I live like that? I don't know for sure but I want to. Life is a journey and it's the truth (of God) that sets us free to live life to the fullest! God is gracious and I want to offer grace, so Lord continue to do your work in my heart. I need You more than ever before.

Moving About in Your Camp

I got PICTURES!!! I am so excited! Tyler's been telling us about all these amazing picture he's been taking the past 3 months and now he's finally able to send a few. It's so cool being able to see him in these. A picture is so precious when that's all you have. I wanted to share a few...along with a verse I read this morning that so touched my heart. Listen to this:

"For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you." Deuteronomy 23:14

Oh my goodness, that is such a beautiful verse!!! And I KNOW God is doing that even as we speak. Tyler called last night and told his dad and me about another real scare that happened the night before while he was asleep. No one was hurt, but they all jumped up ready to fight wondering if it would be the end for them. Just about that time, I believe "the Lord our God moved about in Tyler's camp to protect him and those with him..." I believe it with everything in me! And He'll do the same for you and your family and friends. There is NO God like our God!

Yes, that's mud puddles! Glad those boots are waterproof!

Tyler says you see camel everywhere.

Brothers in arms! I love this picture.

This is Tyler's MRAP (aka work truck)

Time to try and rest.

He loves the sunsets and talks about them all the time.
Steven really thought this shot was cool.

This is a picture Tyler took not long after he first landed overseas.
This is Krygyzstan at negative 14 degrees! He says it's already 100 degrees there now.

The Lord is so good to us, and He's so faithful to Who He is and to His Word. We can trust Him with those things that are most precious to us. Thank you again and again for your prayers.