Living Above the Sun Ministries

"Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus did." -1 John 2:6 This is a verse that has impacted my life since memorizing it 2 years ago. It brings back the little children's song: "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see, Be careful little ears what you hear, For the Father up above is looking down in love." That's the main jist of the song. If you're going to claim Jesus, and put on your facebook or car that you are a Jesus follower you had better live like it. I know sometimes that is hard when you are driving, trust me I have my moments as well. Do you post something about Jesus one minute then the next status up date you are telling people to F*** off, and go to Hell? What is that saying to a lost world? Do you realize that you are the closest thing lost people will ever know of Jesus? And not only does your facebook, and driving honor Jesus, but do your thoughts? How did Jesus walk? Read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. J

The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Back in February I did a post on here (check the Archives) on Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." I love Robert Frost's poetry, and have been writing a paper on this particular poem and analyzing it this semester. I

I don't know if anyone is reading with me, or if I'm just talking to myself when I'm encouraging you. Either way, reading through the Bible so far has brought a lot of different emotions. Adam and Eve blew it. The entire struggle of humankind derives from the fact that the first couple couldn't keep away from a piece of fruit! But we all have blown it at one point or another. What was the value of that experience? One difference between God and us is the He does know who His children will be. Yet, He creates us and gives us free will, despite that knowledge. A question to ponder as you read is, "Knowing what He knows, why would God create each one of us? Why did god create me?" These questions will be answered in the scripture as we read on. Trust me, I have found them. This is a question I have struggled with for 10 years, and I found the answer. While reading this past week did you get mad at God, or at any of the people? Is the God you read abo

 Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me .mp3 Found at bee mp3 search engine My life has never been what you call steady. I don't know where "home" is other than Heaven. My family has moved around A LOT. Sometimes life can get so confusing, and I don't know where I am. I have lived a life that only few could understand. People have come and gone from my life, and it's hard to say goodbye. But I guess if you were to ask me where I'm from, I will tell you Kingsport Tennessee. My Grandmothers house has been a steady place for me. A place where I find happiness, and relief from the world. Memories come back, and many more are made every time I visit. The first thing I do when I get home is head for the picture albums. I love to look at pictures! Stories are told and remembered; everything in her house-from dishes to toys and even furniture-holds a memory of something I never want to forget. My family and I get together quite often throughout the

I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare; I would be friend to all-the foe, the friendless; I would be giving and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift. A few years ago my Aunt presented all the cousins with what she called "The Cousin Code" in a picture frame. They are lyrics from the song "I Would Be True" written by Howard Walker. These words spoke to my heart, since Aunt Linda gave us "The Cousin Code" it has been sitting on my desk and a few times a day I will read it. I have pondered these words, and hidden them in my heart. I think we all should live by these words. We are a family...some are more like mothers and fathers, some are like grandmothers, and grandfathers, some are sisters and brothers, then there are those who are hard

When I pray for people, especially the ones I love and hold very dear in my heart, I like to see their faces. So, recently our church did a directory and every morning I will pull it out and look up the people I pray for. I also made a little photo album of all my family, and I'll flip through it and pray for my family. I love the people God has placed in my life. They make my life better. I love praying for them, because I know they are praying for me, and even if they didn't pray for me, I would still love to pray for them. There is so much power when we pray in our Saviors name, we all face so many struggles and issues. We don't understand at times what God is doing. But when we call on His name all things become possible, and we feel His peace in our lives. I am where I am today because of the consistent prayers my family and friends prayed on my behalf. I'm praying for you.

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Just about everyone believes something about God. If you ask any number of people a question about God, or something in relation to God, people are going to share their opinion. Our beliefs, if you are a Christian come from the Bible, which is inspired by God. However, isn't it funny that even though we share the same resources regarding our faith (The Bible), we seem to have enough disagreements among ourselves to divide up into thousands of different denominations. Sometimes the disagreements aren't always bad, maybe there is a culture difference there, or a language barrier. Did you know that our cultural values affect the way we read the Bible? That is why Jesus taught parables. Before I use an example let me define "parable" for you so we are on the same page. A parable is a brief moral tale, often including two

Is anyone up to the challenge? I'm looking forward to this adventure, and I hope you will maybe join me in reading through the Bible in 90 days. I have always desired to read through the entire Bible in a year, so I pray that as I start this challenge that I'll be able to do it. Find someone who will hold you accountable, or if your just that good and don't need someone like that...well you must be very blessed because I need someone always to help me, and encourage me. Are you ready? Alright! Here we go!! I will make a new page called, "Bible in 90 Days" so you can visit there daily and see what to read. And if you don't want to do the study you can still look over there and see whats up anyway. I believe this challenge will encourage the discouraged, and give us a new hunger for the word. If you're like me, it's hard to read the Bible everyday. So I think if we can plow through and see what the Bible contains it will renew a desire in us to

God is convicting me today, who is praying for me!! Oh my word. Wheew! I realize that sometimes I am very critical of people, and look at the devotion for My Utmost For His Highest, "Beware of Criticizing Others." Uh-oh...so guilty. I have these expectations from people. Especially at school. I see going to school as a privilege and I get so aggravated when people don't take it as seriously as I do. I become critical of church at times. I never saw it as being judgmental though, but that is exactly what it is. I have been in such a critical mood lately, Oswald Chambers says when we get that way, "It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood." That really bites...yikes! I was reading in Nehemiah 9:3 "The Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read to them for 3 hours. Then for three more hours they took turns confessing their sins and worshiping the Lord their God." I was very moved by this verse.

"When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. Suddenly, there was a sound from Heaven like a roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they {the disciples} were meeting. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 1:8, 2:2,4 In the book of Acts, the word "Holy Spirit", and "Power" are the most used. Where the Holy Spirit is, there is power. We have the Power! When we accept Jesus as our Savior and seek His forgiveness we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38). Much of the Christian life is giving of yourself and time to others. Acts 2- 41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43-45Everyone aro

Leading worship, that is my passion, it is what fuels me. When I'm not singing or, sharing my testimony, or encouraging people my fire dies. QUICK. John and I were living our dream in our band Work in Progress. To preach, teach, lead worship, sing, cut up, and have a good time on stage during a concert. To do funny skits and make people laugh, but to also in that skit have a message, that’s what I'm made to do. That’s me! That’s what drives me, what makes me come alive, and be in Christ all He created me to be! Work In Progress was from the very hand of God. From the time Work in Progress started, our every need was provided; everything we needed He gave. What is even greater is, He put two unique, but very alike people (John and I) with a dream together, he blessed it, and us, and we took off. Work in Progress shared the gospel with hundreds, if not thousands of people through our church Mt. Holly Baptist, at churches we visited, and through our outreach program “G.R.O.W.” We

This skit makes me cry every time! I've only seen it 1,000 times. And I guess it's because I see so much of myself in that skit. Our Student Worship ministry at church does this skit, it ministers to so many people...it brings hope. What a perfect picture of His love for us! There is nothing more to say really, the skit said it all. He loves us. "Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds. HE HAS WON THE MIGHTY VICTORY by His POWER and HOLINESS." -Psalm 98:1

"May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen." Hebrews 13:21 The following prayer I received through an e-mail 5 years ago. Since the day I printed it I have prayed it over and over, carrying it in my Bible, in my pocket, or tacked up on my wall. We need to simply thank Jesus when we pray. We might not like what we are experiencing in life, but thank Him anyway. Dear God, I want to thank you for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I'm thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now. I am n

"You should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. The Lord will stand with me, and give me strength, that I might preach the Good News in all it's fullness for all Gentiles to hear. And he saved me from certain death. Yes, the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me home safely to his heavenly Kingdom. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen!" 2 Timothy 4:5, 17-18 We are all witnesses for Jesus. We have no excuse to not be a witness. It's what we are called to do. You don't need a degree or seminary, all you need is you, Jesus, and a Bible. Many are afraid to witness to people. Like Moses some of us have speech impediments, and don't do well talking...however, if you are a baptist woman I find that very hard to believe. HAHAA!!! I'm allowed to say stuff like that because I am a baptist woman...th

So, I've been thinking, our Christian life is like Batman and Robin. Jesus represents Batman, and we are His sidekick, Robin. It's really awesome!! Batman ultimately beats up all the bad guys and saves the day, Robin helps out along the way, punching a few people. Then you know the batman signal in the sky when someone needs help...thats totally us too. Robin was always trying to do good, but always manged to screw up...sounds like us sometimes...but Robin would have to call Batman to come save Him too. Jesus' ministry here continues through us. We are his sidekick, kinda like the disciples. We go help save the day with Him. How awesome to be Jesus' sidekick!? Be more like Robin! Be a sidekick for Jesus.

"The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done." 1 Corinthians 1:31 Tonight I have experienced a healing that I have been praying about, and struggling with accepting for years. A huge weight has been lifted and a purity about me has been restored. God is so good, and I'm so thankful for his grace and cleansing. I don't want to go to far into details, I feel like I've been unleashing my bad side on here, but I have felt like God has led me to share what I've been through because there may be someone reading this post that has been through some of the same things. As long as I have little piece of the internet I'm going to do all I can to encourage people, to speak words of hope, and quote scripture and post songs and speak of songs that have changed my life. God doesn't give me a trial to do by myself, he doesn't give you a trial to go through by yourself. So if he brings healing, you better believe I'm gonna b

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:8, 10-12 I briefly shared my testimony on my page "My Testimony" on here. I didn't go into a lot of detail. I wanted to share some of my story with you, some of you may know it, I'm pretty open about my life and what I have been through, there are somethings I don't like to talk about and God is working in my life to help me overcome those fears. I hear a lot of preachers tell you to forget your past, that we shouldn't think about it because God has saved us from it and we are to move forward. I've really struggled to accept that point of view. I've prayed about it, and I have come to the conclusion that our past plays a major role in how we reach peo

"But He replied, 'It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4 When Jesus is tempted by Satan, He says to Satan 3 different times, "It is written" or "The Scriptures say." But you'll also notice that Satan says, "For it is also written." Implying that Satan knows scripture. Many times in my life Satan sneaks into my thoughts and shouts lies about me, and I'm stupid enough to believe Him. We need to be like Jesus and know the word, and be able to throw scripture right back at Satan. When Satan tells me, "No one loves you" I need to be able to shoot back at him, no one loves you either! HAHA! Seriously though, John 3:16, God loved me and the world to send his only son to die for me. When Satan tells me, "You messed yesterday up so bad there is no need to get out of bed!" I need to be able to sho

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 I had just gone to bed then God spoke. God speaks to me most at night, or I listen better at night. In the stillness of the night He has my attention more so than during the day. I'm always aware of His presence in my life and around me, and I am always listening for His voice; however, it seems like He speaks to me at night. Most of the things He tells me might just be for me, but other things I think He would want me to share. I love when He speaks to me at night, because I fall asleep with His voice in my ear, and resting in His perfect, loving arms. Lately, God has been reminding me of His healing power. That, it is more than just a physical healing power, but He can heal lots of other things too, such as, relationships, emotions, hurts, brokenness, etc. whatever is broken He can fix. People forget t

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." -Philippians 4:6-7 THE MESSAGE I have a bad case of anxiety. I have anxiety attacks frequently over various things. I've prayed that God would release me from my anxiety, and that I would submit to the releasing as well. Anxiety is a sin you know. It's not preached on or taught a lot, which I think it should be because a lot of people struggle with it. Do you realize what we say to God when we worry? We tell God...well lets stop here first, a thought just came to me. #1 we don't need to be telling God anything, we don't need to remind Him of our struggles or short comings. He knows our struggles, and He'

I am thankful for the people God places in my life, from a person I spend a brief moment with to someone I come to know and love for a long period of time, perhaps a lifetime. Each person I come in contact with is my chance through Jesus to show them His love, as well as my love; not to judge them but love them for who they are because that is what Jesus would have done. I will try to be the Christian example God has called me to be and not mess up, however, from time to time I will loose my footing and fall. But even in those downfalls my life still ministers to people because God shows me grace and forgiveness showing those around me that He is still at work today. I don't deserve anything I have today. All that I have has come from Gods very hands, and as surely as He has given, He can also take away. The tests and trials I have gone through are refining my character and my strength for the real battle: Satans attack. I am always thankful for the chance to share Gods love with o