Commissioned and Revived!

Do you remember these contemporary gospel groups: Men of Standard and Commissioned? I sure do love their ministries. I'm Standing In Your Will is the song that just seems to hang on in my spirit! Visit Youtube and have a personal praise fest! Rock and praise God with the gospel musical explosion of these balladeers. Several of them have ventured out and made solo careers for themselves. It's evident their sure foundation remains in Jesus Christ. Their lyrics still continue to encourage my heart!


Oh my, there were many early morning prayer and worship opportunities when I lived in Buffalo that I’d beat a path to Calvary Church now Elim and partake in a spiritual revival. This was before I reported to work at 8am! The revival was in the form of an early morning corporate devotional opportunity to engage in spirit filled prayer, praise and worship – invariably a song by Commissioned would be sung. And my friends it was all over but the shout!
You had to be there to experience it! Powerful! Yes, theses were powerful celebratory appointments with God!


This morning I am crisscrossing back down memory lane in my midmorning praise and worship thanks to Youtube, my holy scripture, a heartfelt prayer crafted with affirmations of scripture. And wouldn't you know it, some sweet memories of home would result. It's a warm 90 plus degrees outdoors now. No fret about warming up my car because of the frigid weather with icy and snowy roads to navigate. Yep, no beloved friends to squeeze into packed pews with, and no anointed psalmist to usher us into that inner sanctum. But, worship still occurs!


Thanks be to God, I am not alone as I sit in my kitchen reflecting and realizing that God dwells with me. There's revelation that I have the Holy Spirit. You too? This is a new level of praise and worship, quite intimate, it's a phenomenal gift. It's my opportune time to draw closer to Jesus. It’s some years later since Elim, and instead of congregating with others, I now find myself carving out me time daily with Jesus-reading my morning devotionals of The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God’s Promises by none other-me, Linda Mose Meadows (His Power At Work Within Us pg. 220) which celebrates our reliance on God and God’s divine power and love within us. The reference scripture:

Ephesians 3:16-21

New International Version (NIV)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Young’s particular reading is written in the first person as though God were speaking and God encourages in this devotional to “Let me prepare you for the day that stretches before you…” The reference scriptures are:

Exodus 33:14

New International Version (NIV)
14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

John 15:4-7 John 15:4-7

New International Version (NIV)
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Commissioned - King of Glory + Let Me Tell It

I once again realize that in this new leg of my journey, that the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) abides, remains, revives, restores and renews my/our weary beings. Yes, we have a beautiful companion, a loving protector! We are not alone and can hold dear in our hearts those former days of biblical teachings and worship experiences which were designed to prepare us for these complex present days and moments ahead. Today’s readings are love notes that strengthen my soul. My spirit utters, "I'm going to make it! I'll survive this!" The Holy Spirit whispers through prayer and scripture that I am connected to the vine, my branches will not wither, droop and die in the heat of the day because of the divine commission and the blessed pronouncement that God’s presence is with me and you my friends!

You also can grab hold of this intimacy! Come on and be revived, tuck the scriptures in your heart! Dance in your prayer closets, your living rooms, close the doors to your office and breathe in this new numa, this restorative breath of life! Thank you Heavenly Father! Lord, we have a new level of love and appreciation for you! Thank you Jesus we are equipped stand ready for your arrival!

Commissioned - Will You Be Ready

Thanksgiving for a New Season!
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly & Empower Magazine Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/
http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

TRANSFORMATIVE YARDSTICKS!

Photography by Linda Mose Meadows~

First photo, I'm standing underneathe tree! Capturing Beauty of Fall Foliage during my lunch walk. "Hampton Leaves 2 2010

Second photo taken as we strolled through grounds on Chautauqua's grounds.

“Chautauqua 2010”



(yärd'stĭk')
n. A graduated measuring stick one yard in length.
1. A test or standard used in measurement, comparison, or judgment. See synonyms at standard.
http://www.answers.com/topic/yardstick

November 18th was my last post. I thought to myself, “What in the World!” This was the stark reality that I had fallen off my weekly blogging wagon. Sobering life events, heavy workloads, hurried weekends, and fatigue pulled me away from this joyful activity of recounting God’s goodness. But I’m feeling empowered, energetic and so much better!



Thank God! I endeavor to get back in the saddle. Have you been there and done that? Allowed situations, cluttered thoughts, personalities to get in the way of your intended mission? Thank goodness that I hadn’t stopped writing all together, just not consistently blogging at my normal pace. But it's a fact that life can really drain and hinder progress if we aren’t alert! I wonder if our spirits shout, “Warning, warning alien experience ahead; do not yield!”

What are the yardsticks that you use to measure your personal progressions? Your promising health prognosis, surviving the family dynamics, the accomplished work day rituals, the private victories, abounding the public hurdles, relief from the absence of the struggle, the long awaited promotion, the peace wrangled, the renewed confidence, the joy reborn?



So many “yardsticks” to measure our lives! Thank goodness for restoration, today mine came in the form of a nap. Yesterday, it was concluding my season of working at the university. I am approaching a new season and concluding another. This is another transformative moment. It’s been a whirlwind of activities and if I hadn’t paid attention I would have missed out on my own milestones. What am I speaking about you wonder? It seems to me that often we are so busy living, being active that we miss out on the bigger picture, the important things of life.

Not too long ago I marveled at our friend’s an awesome photography of the fall foliage with the beautiful blue sky of Virginia as the backdrop. It was an excellent photo; the leaves were a kaleidoscope, a splendid tapestry of Mother Nature’s handy-work. Well Father Time stepped in and almost commandeered my window of opportunity to do as my friend and appreciate the wonderful of nature through my camera lens. In the nick of time the trees weren’t yet threadbare, a remnant of leaves remained. It taught me a real lesson of the importance in paying attention to the actual moments, people and activities that occupy the space I encompass. Let me encourage you friends not to loose focus by missing out on the presence of NOW- the present gifts of roaring laughter, completed assignments, scrumptious meals, connections with loved ones and answered prayers.

Below are some photos and links of aha moments recently experienced that were surely yardsticks that measure the quality of my life and cause me to realize that I very much am alive and well. To God be the glory for his loving kindness and infinite wisdom. He has once again provided me a life line complete with His reservoir of love, life, hope and promise. Get your rest my friends, then get busy celebrating your life experiences, surely you to hold a divine yardstick. Remember God’s love is immeasurable!

SHARING SEVERAL OF MY RECENT YARDSTICKS OF GOD’S COMPLETE LOVE!

The love of family and friends gets us through the rough patches and gardens of life!

Photography by Linda Mose Meadows~“Hampton Leaves 2010”


Standing under the trees and walking through the fall leaves was truly a treat. Witnessing this beauty was awe inspiring and to think the next day the weather drastically changed. The dramatic drop in temperature changed the landscape. What a difference a day makes.

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Creating a billboard in honor of my friend was the least I could do!
Writing for the International Review of African American Art about Chappelle Letman was such a joy. Finally he stood in our back door! His work was exhibited in Hampton, Va. He honored us with his presence and loving spirit! How wonderful!
A remarkable sculptor with eyes of faith! http://www.values.com/your-billboards/3250

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WE ARE CELEBRATING THE LAUNCHING OF EYES OF FAITH MAGAZINE TODAY!

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/

http://issuu.com/eyesoffaith

Literally Making A Difference and Capturing the Goodness of God!

Eyes of Faith Magazine published and launched

by Richard D. Meadows, Jr. and Linda Mose Meadows

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I had opportunity to see Jonathan Butler! His music ministers to us about God's distict love ! He's been a favorite of mine for a very long time. I kid you not-when I was invited by a dear friend to attend a jazz concert, I didn't hesitate to say I'd attend. Not aware of who the artists would be, I knew it would be a change of pace from my standard workweeks. Oh my friends, what await me that evening was again powerful and transformative. I was pinching myself with other concert goers of The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Concert held at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. What an amazing experience to see and actually chat with JONATHAN BUTLER! TRULY ANOINTED ! Thank God for wonderful friends! This was a super duper Christmas gift!

We Need You Lord by Jonathan Butler





Ephesians 3

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole familya in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Revived & Overjoyed!

Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Weekly Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises and Co-publisher of Eyes of Faith Magazine

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/