A little Beyonce and a mystery revealed

How's that for a title?! Just a warning before you get started: today's post is l-o-n-g and full of videos...I hope you'll watch them all! If you only have time for one right now, please make it the last one. But promise you'll come back and watch the rest - you won't want to miss them! Seriously!

If you've been reading here this past week, you know that last Saturday evening my friend JJ and I went to a praise and worship event led by Jeremy Camp. Well...he brought some friends along!

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing videos*

One was the man featured in this video - you may have seen it as it "went viral" on YouTube awhile ago. I love the looks on his daughters' faces! Dad, you are soooo busted!

And no...he didn't sing any Beyonce songs!! But he did sing this one and it was great!

So...are you ready to learn about this man?

Well, his name is John Mark McMillan and I really, really loved his music that night! It was different from the praise and worship music I normally listen to...but in a good way! Here's a song I particularly liked:

We want your blood to flow inside our body and
We want your wind inside our lungs...
We just want to love you
We just want to love you..yeah
lyrics excerpted from Skeleton Bones by John Mark McMillan 2010

I don't know...something about those lyrics just moves me to tears. Isn't that crazy? But I really like that song!

And this next one. He prefaced this next song by telling us how it came about.

It seems he was in a hotel in Los Angeles...unable to sleep and decided to get up and see if he could be productive. He said he got to thinking about King David and his friendship with Jonathan...and how the King one day inquired if Jonathan had left any children behind. Which, as we know, is how he found out about Mephibosheth. Now, remember - Mephibosheth had been dropped by his nurse when he was little and as a result, was left crippled in both legs. So, this crippled man is summoned to the King's table. He said that this Bible story reminds him of how we today - as Christians, through a fall we were not responsible for - have been left crippled. And that one day, we too, shall be summoned to the King's table. AMEN!!!!!

While John Mark was performing, I looked over at JJ and said, "He reminds me so much of David Crowder..." They do share something in common! I'm sure many of you are familiar with the following song. And now you know the sad story and "the mystery man" behind it (if you watch the video, that is). If you watch no other video on this blog post, I do hope you'll watch this one...

I remember hearing David Crowder talk about the first time he heard this song. He said he was on a flight and listening to a CD someone had sent him. Maybe of possible songs to record? Who knows...Anyway, he said that this song had him in tears...crying on the airplane. He made the rest of his band listen to it because he knew if it had that kind of effect on him he knew it would be meaningful to others as well. Yeah, I think he "got it." And as we know, he and his band did, in fact, record that song. So maybe that's why I said John Mark reminded me of David Crowder!

Mystery solved!

You have shown me the
way of life,
and you will fill me with the
joy of your presence.
Acts 2:28 NLT

Two it is...

The giveaway is now closed - and no need to use this! Dawn and Nancy...thanks for sharing some of your favorite praise and worship music!

Please email me via my profile and let me know how I can get your Jeremy Camp We Cry Out CD to you.

Still to come...

His perfect timing

The LORD says, "I will guide
you along the best pathway
for your life.
I will advise you and watch
over you."
Psalm 32:6 NLT

Exactly what I needed. Exactly.

Pick one, any one (or two)!

Just a reminder that there's still time to enter the giveaway going on here at In the Throne Room...all you have to do is leave a comment here sharing the name of your favorite worship song. It can be a contemporary song, traditional hymn, gospel song...whatever (note: it does NOT have to be a song by Jeremy Camp)! And if you can't pick just one - no problem - there's no limit on entries...so leave as many comments as you like! I'll be using this to pick the winners sometime later this week. What's up for grabs? One of these:


So come on...please share!!

In the meantime, here's one of my favorites! And (in my opinion!) no one sings it better than this man...it puts me away every. single. time.

*Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video*

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 NLT

My Lulu

I love this girl...and I just want to say thank you, Jesus, for letting her remain with me just a bit longer! Every day is a blessing...yep - even when she stares holes in my head!


Just a few short (long) months ago, we spent a week here, at the Veterinary Emergency Center, where Lulu was ultimately diagnosed with Lyme Disease as well as not one, but two rare complications of the disease: an autoimmune disorder which attacks the joints known as Polyarthritis and Lyme Nephritis which attacks the kidneys. Lyme Nephritis. Those two words have caused me a lot of anguish over the last 3 months. I'll tell you what you won't find if you google it: hope. You won't find hope. And I certainly didn't hear "hope" from the vets at the hospital* during her week-long stay...but I looked in those eyes and I saw hope! And here we are, 3 months later! *But let me codify that statement by saying that I truly believe Lulu is here today because she spent that week at VEC where she had 24/7 around the clock specialist care! They were fabulous in their treatment...it's just that Lyme Nephritis is a very bad diagnosis with a very poor prognosis. sigh...


About a month and a half ago...she was at her lowest weight - 38 pounds, down from about 54 when she first got sick. You could count every rib, every vertebrae, every cranial bone and she has a bald spot on her bony bottom because she favors her left side when she sits and the pressure from her tailbone rubbed the hair away. I worry about her skin integrity there - but so far, so good! These next two photos show the effects of the Polyarthritis (see her front right "elbow" or hock as it's properly called)? Pretty misshapen and at times, very painful for her...


The bandage on her right rear leg in this next photo is where she actually did develop a pressure ulcer from where her bony legs rested atop one another when she slept...wound care healed it up and since she's put a little meat back on her bones (up to 42 lbs at the last vet visit!) it's no longer as big an issue. For now.


My sweet hubby and I have used the same amazing veterinary practice here for more years than I care to count - they are a fantastic group that have provided our pets with wonderful, quality care throughout the years. But I knew when I brought Lulu home from the hospital in Richmond (yep, we were out of town when she got sick!) that she was going to need critical care. And so while she was still in the hospital, I did my homework and found the Internal Medicine veterinary specialist that has been seeing her weekly (we've just *graduated* to every two weeks!!) since I brought her home. This vet only sees sick animals...no routine visits here and that's good, because there's been nothing "routine" about her care! There is attention to detail at every visit. Many is the time that Lulu and I have been there for hours (literally)...and she is being attended to for every minute of that time. I am so thankful this man has been a faithful advocate for my girl! She surprises him (and delights him!) and perplexes him all at the same time! When he calls to give me lab results, he always prefaces it by saying, "Well, this is Lulu we're talking about...!" That's because it's always a mixture of good/bad news. Usually more bad than good. Ugh. The long and short of it is that Lulu is in kidney failure. Unfortunately, dogs don't have the availability of dialysis. Trust me - I've asked. It's only provided at some veterinary schools on a limited basis...


And meds? Don't even get me started on meds! But I will say two things: Lulu is on dramatically fewer medications now than she was. Thank you, Jesus! And a big shout out to the makers of these: They have made med time a real pleasure for both Lulu and I. Seriously. You have no idea.


In fact, they will have to pry Greenies Pill Pockets (or "Chicken Pills" as we call them around here - long story!) away from me if for some crazy reason they ever decide to recall them!! If you have a pet on medication - dog or cat - I can't recommend them enough! Lulu's vet approved of them and I buy them (in bulk!) from this site. Thanks to my friend, Christa, for passing on that tip! I was paying over $8 a bag in the local pet megamart...now I pay $5.19 a bag! Amazing!! When you go through them at the rate we do - well, at the rate Lulu does - that $3.00 a bag savings really adds up fast!

So, in a nutshell, that's how things have been going with my girlie. I'm grateful to all of you who have remembered her in your prayers - please don't stop! As I tell people when they ask about her: on paper (lab wise) she looks a mess! But to see her "in person" - well, that my friends, is a dog of a different color altogether! She's back to sunbathing in the backyard, running up and down the stairs, not coming in when she's called (this does not earn cookies, by the way you naughty girl), and the aforementioned staring holes in my head. Usually when I'm trying to blog. Like now.


And I'm thankful and grateful and oh-so-blessed to have her. Each and every day. But I'd really like it if you'd stop staring at me...umm, now would be good.

God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us -- an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
Romans: 8:14-21 The Message

Worship

Saturday evening, my friend JJ and I worshipped together.
And we had a very special worship leader...

Why yes...that IS Jeremy Camp! Sharing from the Book of Colossians...

It was a night of praise and worship!
You know how I love praise and worship music!

It was wonderful and it was exactly what I needed.

After this past week, I found the theme "We Cry Out" very comforting.
Okay...and a little ironic.

Would you take the place of this Man?
Would you take the nails from His Hands?


And like I said on my blog a few weeks back:


Just give me Jesus.

Oh, it was wonderful. But I've already said that, right?! I wish you ALL could have been there with us. Really! But since I'm always thinking about you (it's true...ask JJ!), I just may have a few of these to give away:



If you'd be interested in one, leave me a comment and tell me what YOUR favorite praise song is. Contemporary, traditional hymn, gospel...whatever! How do you like to praise our Lord in song? I'm going to be relaxed about this one...comments will close (without notice) sometime this week and as always, I'll be using this to select the winners. Be sure to provide me with some way to contact you in your comment, okay?

Can't choose just one song? No problem...there's no limit on entries! After all - it's Music Monday here on In the Throne Room!

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.
Colossians 1:13-20 NLT

Oh...and coming up this week I'm going to tell you about this mystery man:

Holding on

Ever find yourself weary and just needing to be held up? Ever feel like maybe it's just too much effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other? I have. It's been that kind of week...sadness and overwhelming grief have been my constant companions. I know it will pass - but it's sure hard to live through.

I learned through my bereavement group (just yesterday, in fact) that there is a name for what I've been experiencing. It's called a "grief burst." And just like mine, it comes at you from left field and may or may not have a trigger. Call it a grief "sucker punch" if you will...

I hope (I love that word!) I'm coming up for air now...I had the nicest visit from my Sweet Hubby last night in my dreams. I was leaving a store in the pouring rain and I saw him coming to meet me with an umbrella. So like him - even though he knows I hate umbrellas! I think that was his message that it's time to come out of the rain of this grief (cloud)burst. I'm trying, honey...

But you know, there is always comfort, hope, promise and solace in God's Word. Always. And today, for me, it was here:

The Lord says, "I will rescue those
who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."
Psalm 91:14-16 NLT

I have a great day planned tomorrow...I'll tell you about it next week sometime! JJ, are you ready?

Don't bother me

Someone shared this song with me recently and I wanted to share it with you here. I hope we never stop caring enough about our lost brothers and sisters that we stop "bothering them."

*Please scroll down and pause my player before viewing video*

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT

Wisdom Wednesday

My Wisdom Wednesday selection is not from Proverbs today, but from the book of Colossians. We don't need The Secret, or The Laws of Attraction or The Power of Now...we just need Jesus. In Him, we are complete.

Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers* of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Colossians 2:8-10 NLT

* or the spiritual principles

I'm thinking about this today...

In my quiet time early the other morning, I came across this passage in the book of Colossians:

Christ is the visible image of the
invisible God.
He existed before anything
was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created
everything
in the heavenly realms and
on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see--
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers,
and authorities in the
unseen world.
Everything was created through
him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Colossians 1:15-17 NLT

It's a beautiful passage of Scripture, isn't it?

But I just haven't been able to get that first line out of my mind since reading it the other day.

Christ is the visible image of the
invisible God.

It keeps whirling and whirling around as I think of more and more instances of Jesus as He walked the earth, the living embodiment of GOD. Visible, touchable, breathing, feeling, speaking, eating, drinking, sleeping, weeping...

And then inevitably I get to the part where He died an unspeakable human death. For me. Because His Word says this:

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-29 NLT

His glory. His son. Jesus.

Yep, it's a lot to think about. Wondrous, glorious things. And I feel so...loved.

I just can't stop thinking about it!

I get down...

*Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video*

When you're crying
He's your comfort
When you're all alone,
He's carrying you...

This valley is so deep
I can barely see the sun.
I cry out for mercy Lord,
and You lift me up again...

Every time I'm down
the Lord lifts me up...
Yeah!!!!!

Lyrics excerpted from Get Down by Audio Adrenaline

But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain. I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again -- rested, tall and steady,
Psalm 3:3-5 The Message

Mine forever!

From my reading this morning...

Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything
on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit
may grow weak,
but God remains the strength
of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 NLT

May we all desire Him more than anything on this earth! Wishing you a wonderful Friday and fun-filled weekend...Remember - He is ours forever!! How blessed are we?!