Living Above the Sun Ministries

Late last night I was reading through Deuteronomy in the Bible. I would say if there is one book to really zero in on to learn how to live a successful, disciplined, and structured life, it’s Deuteronomy. A common theme and phrase repeated over and over throughout the book is “…teach this to your children and grandchildren…” We tend to take grace today, and toss the rest of it out the window! Jesus’ death fulfilled Levitical law of sacrifice, but His death didn’t nullify the Old Testament or the outline for living right and the things that God directly said, "pass this down generation after generation." God has always just wanted obedience more than sacrifice. Moreover, all the New Testament points back and references the Old Testament. Paul’s words are nothing new on the block. His messages in the Pauline letters can be traced back to ideas Moses said….it all came from GOD, the inspiration to scripture. Jesus Himself confesses He was the Word from the beginning. A section of...

  Photo by Allison Baker in Great Smoky Mountains 06/2021 It was Monday morning coming off a great fun uplifting weekend.  I had seen the new Space Jam movie, went to a Knights ball game, went to church Sunday morning and made a quick trip to the beach for a boat ride out on the Intercoastal and Atlantic Ocean looking for dolphins.  Best weekend!   Mondays I make a conscious effort to have a good attitude, I don't go with the flow of "Ugh!  Monday!"  I remember my Jesus Mama saying years and years ago, "Rainy days and Mondays don't get me down when I get to praise Him all day!"  And that still rolls in my head, she's a good voice in my head.   I start out to work uptown on the 74 commute, sometimes I will take the Charlottetown exit, sometimes I will take the John Belk, or the Brookshire, there's lots of ways to get to work.       Traffic has returned to normal since the pandemic.  So there was usual rush hour tr...

  Those who know me personally know that I have been writing music since the age of twelve.  Music has been a HUGE part of my life.  To date I have written close to 100 songs, maybe not a lot to boast in for a 20 year span, but nonetheless these are lyrics that tell a story.  It is even okay with me if no one else likes my music and lyrics their purpose served to bring me close to God and know His heart for me, and me express myself.   My songwriting skills have gotten better overtime, and recently I have joined in with The Getty's Hymn Writers Collective in learning to be a better songwriter.  Through their Sing! Global ministry I have been able to take part in being mentored and have access to content that I couldn't have even dreamed of even a few years ago.  I've been so grateful for the fresh drink this has been in my song writing "career" to be challenged, and given ideas to think on and develop.   Maybe we can all agree that there...

 Maybe you're like me tonight, laying in bed feeling like your life is in up in flames in all areas of your life.  Your personal life, your spiritual life, your work life, everywhere you turn is burning.  Can I pull you in close tonight, hold your face and whisper it's okay?  As horrifying the thoughts and feelings of life being on fire, it truly is okay.  It can melt, and it can harden, or blacken the soul.  There is hope still in what seems a lost cause.  Can I encourage you with tears in my own eyes, submit to the burning God has allowed in your life.  The burning away of things that don't belong, the burning that will make you shine bright as gold that is in all of us, the burning down to fertile ground where new life can begin to grow.  Where God can come into our lives and pick up all the ashes and give us something even more beautiful.  Give it to Him as an offering, and receive the new.  Don't waller around in your ashes for...

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,      and he will stand upon the earth at last! And after my body has decayed,      yet in my body I will see God!   I will see him for myself.      Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.      I am overwhelmed at the thought!" Job 19:25-27     It's been a while since I have written on here.  I've been tucked away thinking about life, and learning how to live.  Usually, I won't post a video/song first but in this particular instance beginning with this sets the tone for what I want to bring forth in this post.  I realize the title of this blog is undertaking a huge chunk...a set up almost because so many ask this question of life and want answers.  I can't say that I have all the answers, and I will disappoint you.  However, don't shy away from my sharing what God has revealed and taught me. None of us will truly know or mayb...

Recently, I was recognized by my firm for being a  Volunteer of the Quarter  in service to the community.  They asked to interview me, and of course in this COVID world the interview looks a little different, I had to record myself answering questions, just quick clips, and wanted to share with you.  I am excited to encourage others to serve.  I am reminded of what Paul said of Jesus to the church of Philippi.   " Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;   do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.   Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,   but emptied Himself by taking the form o...

  But when all is said and done, God ’s Temple on the mountain, Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains,      towering above surrounding hills. People will stream to it      and many nations set out for it, Saying, “Come, let’s climb  God ’s mountain.      Let’s go to the Temple of Jacob’s God. He will teach us how to live.      We’ll know how to live God’s way.” True teaching will issue from Zion,      God ’s revelation from Jerusalem. He’ll establish justice in the rabble of nations      and settle disputes in faraway places. God -of-the-Angel-Armies says so,      and he means what he says. -Micah 4:1-4 The Message There is a sweet old hymn called, "I'm Pressing on The Upward Way" my favorite verse says,  "I want to live above the world, though Satan's darts at me are hurled, for faith has caught a joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground. Lord, lift me up...