Merry Christmas

Luke 2:7-16

And she brougth forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in that same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the Angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you, is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.



As we know, that Babe grew up into a wonderful Man. A Man that spent His life on earth in perfect obedience to God. A Man who gave His life as a sacrifice to the Lord that His people might be redeemed, justified, and sanctified, that is, able to conquer sin and death.

By the grace of God, through the cleansing blood of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit, God's people have life. We can know truth, we can love truth, we can walk in truth.

May you celebrate the truth this Christmas season. May God draw you closer to Him and send you out with that truth that He has used to change your life!

Living for who?

Makes me think about who is really worth living for...Not "Victoria", but Jesus!

Some More...

Apparently, I just can't seem to get away from this theme.

Ben Washer - one of the men behind the scenes with Reach Records and Reach Life Ministries recently shared this insight.


"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied." Prov 13:4


"I often crave spiritual growth but don't pursue it with diligence. Random reading, sporadic praying, occasional serving - doesn't satisfy."

Continuing to Build

Up until recently, I only read posts from this blog as other people posted about them. I'm changing that. I have seen too many good posts to go without taking the time to read this blog any longer.

So, I subscribed in google reader. I've already shared one post with you recently. Now, I'm sharing another one.

I just read it tonight and was very excited to see that it basically served as a great conclusion to the posts I made over the last few days.

Click here and enjoy!

From the Word's Perspective

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
(Mark 4:26-29 ESV)



And so it is, we may faithfully scatter the seed and thank the Lord when the harvest comes! The one who makes things grow on the earth is also making things grow in our hearts. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Getting Practical

In the last post, I talked about changing your crop by changing what you plant. I want to unpack that a little bit (just for you, mom)!

Changing your crop can be for the better or for the worse. Unfortunately, if left to ourselves, we tend to change it for the worse.

For example, ignoring your alarm clock once one morning will almost always lead to a habitual pattern of ignoring it the next morning. Eventually you find yourself ignoring it longer and longer. The cycle will continue until you eventually decide you've got to start over. The alarm clock gets set even earlier to allow for time to ignore it. The long term result is the same - you are sleeping as long as you possibly can. You give up your quiet time with the Lord and possibly even good habits such as making your bed, having a decent breakfast, etc.

I can give other examples. We are all very good at slipping down the slope of irresponsibility. That's why self-help books sell so many copies. :)

Now, for a positive example.

Changing what you plant requires that you are proactive.

Let's say you do not like the amount of time you spend in God's Word. Perhaps you are spending very little or no time in the Word and you know this needs to change. So, you set a goal.

You will never reach that goal unless you PLAN the daily steps you will have to take (what you plant) to meet that goal (grow that crop of faithful time in the Word).

What will those seeds be?

*Plan WHEN to read.
*Plan HOW long to read or WHAT to read.
*Gather tools - Bible, pencil, notebook, commentary, dictionary, something to drink- whatever you'll need to make the most of the time.
*Clear the space - clear the clutter, turn off distractions, settle down and be with the Lord.

As you faithfully plant each seed each day you will eventually find that you have a healthy crop growing in your life. You will find that you are consistently spending time in the Word of the Lord and reaping the harvest of its truth in your life.

This is so simple. Yet, in our sin, we make it so complex. We grow complacent and find ourselves unsatisfied.

It all starts with a seed.

What seeds are you planting?

Where have they gotten you?

May we all plant seeds of truth that come from Christ and find joy in the Lord, the One who makes them grow!

On Conversations Near and Far

Today, while waiting to see the chiropractor, I had a very good conversation with the man that has opened his home to me while I have been away from home these last few months. We were talking about family discipleship, the church, and living on mission for God's mission. In short we were talking about how our lives are not our own and using them to build the kingdom of God.

Along the way he said something that stuck with me. It is something I want to remember.

He said, "If you want to change your crop, you've got to change what you're planting"!

This is so simple, so true, and so wise. This change in the planting begins today. No matter what area of your life you are concerned with, changing it is as simple as changing what you are planting.

Making changes today will lead to changed tomorrow. You may be surprised at how far a small change can take you.

What a blessing it was to redeem the waiting room time!

Words of Wisdom

I'm going through my Google Reader and am feeling very encouraged by a post from Mark and Stephen Altrogge's blog, "The Blazing Center".

In this short post, Mark reflects on something that John Newton wrote. The theme is that sin is finite and Jesus, the one who makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven is infinite.


Click here to check it out for yourself!

"There's No Place Like Home"

A long time ago, I learned what took Dorothy so long to learn. From the time I was very little I have always had special places that I consider "home". It's what God teaches that has taken me longer to learn. That is, that this earth is not my home.

We say that all that time. But, really, stop and think about it. As much as you love your family, your house, your town - whatever makes "home" "home", it is not your home. You should not feel totally settled there. It should leave you longing for so much more.

In my time away I have not really missed "home". The 21st Century has aided me - I have been able to FB, e-mail, skype, write letters, and talk on the phone with anyone from home any time I want. My mom even saw to it that I continued to receive my little town's weekly newspaper! More than that though, God has kept me. I knew that if I got "homesick" I would not be making the most of my time away - so I began praying early on that God would keep me. He has kept me abiding in Christ and so focused on His Kindgom that I have not had the time or the desire to miss "mine".

As the time is drawing near for me to go "home", I have a new prayer. It is a prayer that God would continue to keep me. This time, I need Him to continue keeping me abiding in Christ that I would continue trusting Him with mine.

Everywhere I go, I find myself "at home". I find myself enjoying all that makes the place unique. I find myself not wanting to leave.

I didn't really want to leave home to come here. A few days before I came, I had almost talked myself out of coming.

Now that I am here, I don't really want to leave here to come home.

This struggle will continue until I leave this earth. It is good for me to grow content where God has me and go wherever He sends me. But, I must not get so settled that my I make wherever that is my "home".

This earth is not my home.

I have a home waiting for me. It is in heaven, with God. My life on this earth is all about preparing for that HOME I have in heaven. That is why we can leave father, mother, brother, sister, and friends to go wherever God sends us. This is a lesson I must continue to learn.

I must find my security in God, His plans for my life, and the HOME He has made for me in heaven. I must submit to Him in using my time on earth to make me fit for my eternity in heaven.

As I abide in Christ in the presence of God now, I will be practicing for abiding with Christ in the presence of God forever. That is HOME. That is why wherever I am on this earth I can have peace and security and not be homesick. Wherever God sends me is a glimpse of the HOME He has for me in heaven.

So, I do have a HOME. There IS no place like it. But, I can begin to enjoy it now!

3 Minutes and 53 Seconds of Truth

A Long Time

My last post was September 6th. Seeing that it is now October 20th, I think this has been the longest my blog has ever gone between postings. It feels like a long time to me anyways.

Life has been new for me over the last few months. I was not going to write about it. I was going to continue to the blog as if everything was the same.

God is working in my life as usual. But I cannot tell you all that has been happening without clueing you in.

Here goes...

On August 20th, I boarded an airplane with my dad. We headed across the country to meet the people who make up a church whose school I would be interning at. I have come to the place in my studies with Whitefield College that requires me to spend time observing, assisting, and being mentored by an experienced teacher.

So, here I am, two months later. Over the last two months I have met quite a few people. Most everyone has been extremely kind. They have offered me a place to live and lives to be a part of. I have truly seen the grace of God at work as complete strangers treat me as one of their own.

During September, I was mainly in a kindergarten classroom. I got to help a teacher who is in what I believe to be her 31st school year. She is has an amazing ability to help little children transition into a highly disciplined environment. She is always ready with a smile, a kind word, a firm hand, and much wisdom. I'll talk more about what I learned in kindergarten another day!

During September I also saw God in new ways. As you know, I had a rough summer. Looking back on it, that sounds ridiculous. I actually had a wonderful summer. Unfortunately, I allowed times of great prosperity and comfort to come between myself and God. I failed to sit at His feet each day. Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed with my sin. Through the month of August I repented of my neglect. I asked God to bring me back to the place where He truly was my All in All.

Right before I left home, the book of Ruth was laid on my heart. So, when I got here, I began reading it. Each week I read the whole book and listened to one sermon in a preaching series by John Piper. By the end of September I felt refreshed and renewed. Along with all that I learned in Ruth, the church I am now attending was just finishing up a journey through the book of Hebrews. In case you don't know, Hebrews is basically warnings to Christians against backsliding. That means, I desperately needed to hear it!

In October I have been going through First and Second Peter. I used some of the money people sent me for my birthday to order some books that I have been wanting to read for a while. Oddly enough, they all deal with the Gospel.

Before this year even began, I knew that I was mainly going to be touched by who God is and what that means to me.

This year is almost over and I have truly seen that God is:

sovereign

faithful

good

merciful

just

loving

strong

mighty

great

caring

gracious

........I look forward to learning more about God FOREVER!!!

Grace-Driven Effort

As I was looking for an update on Matt Chandler, I came across something I need to share with you all!

It's a very short blog series that you simply must check out!

Click here and scroll all the way down (the posts are in reverse order).

What's Next?

Last August, there was a blog post that really challenged me. I didn't check, but it is very likely that I posted a link to it here. Even if I did, it would do us all well to read it again!

So, jump back in time and see what it's all about.

Click Here!

Lemonade With Ryle: Final Thoughts on Pt. 2

The practical side of all this is quite simple.

Just as you feed and clothe him and keep a schedule for him, so he needs you to teach him wisdom.

As his body and abilities grow, he begins to feed himself, dress himself, and manage his own time.

When those days come, his mind and his understanding should have grown as well. He must now begin to feed himself the Word, dress himself in the armor of God, and steward his own gifts for the kingdom of heaven.

He is inclined to do himself harm, that's sin in a nutshell, he needs you to make war against his sin and teach him to do the same.

Begin pointing your children to heaven when they are first born. Begin training them for heaven immediately.

Pray for your unborn children. Pray that God would guide you, direct you, and give you the strength you need. Pray for their hearts and minds.

As your family grows, so shall your joy in the Lord.

Tuesday Trios: Latte's

Hazelnut Mocha

Iced Caramel Macchiato

Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha

Lemonade With Ryle: Quotes for Pt. 2

Here are some things that really stuck out to me as Ryle dealt with his first point:

"...the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go, for when they grow up to man's estate they do not walk with God.

Now, how shall we account for this state of things? The plain truth is, the Lord's commandment in our text is not regarded; and therefore the Lord's promise in our text is not fulfilled."

If we are to regard this command, Ryle says:

"Reject them [his following points] not because they are blunt and simple; despise them not because they contain nothing new. Be very sure, if you would train your children for heaven, they are hints that ought not be lightly set aside."

And that's it,

the way our children should go, the way our children must go, the way our children were intended to go is with God.

They have been placed in our care that we might point the way to God and train them for heaven.

Lemonade With Ryle: Scriptures for Pt. 2

Proverbs 22:15

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

but the rod of correction will drive it far from him."

The child would go in the way of foolishness.

Training in the way he should go involves a rod of correction, that is, discipline.

Proverbs 29:15

"The rod and reproof give wisdom;

but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame."

Training in the way he should go involves a rod and reproof, that is, discipline and training in righteousness.

The child would go in the way of serving himself.

Lemonade With Ryle Pt. 2

Proverbs 22: 6

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This Scripture is quoted so often and yet when we look at our actual lives, we see that its wisdom has been totally disregarded.

Statements like:

"Oh, you know, kids will be kids"

or

"Boys will be boys"

or

"What can you do?"

or

"Excuse her, she's in her terrible twos. And take it from me, they're terrible!"

Are just a few signs that almost no one is training up their children in the way they should go.

Ryle's first point is quite fitting:

"First, then, if you would train your child rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would."

I'll tell you, Ryle's first point is something I've been thinking of and quoting ever since I read it.

Over the next few days, I'll be posting direct quotes that relate to this point.

Tuesday Trios: Flowers

Zinnias

Lilies

Roses

Simple Everyday

I always like to get to know people better and one of the best ways to do that is to ask questions.

So, I thought once a week or so, I'd post a question.

I'll answer the question and I'm asking you to answer the question too.

If you have a question, ask it and I'll include it in a future "simple everyday".

Question:

What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

Victoria's Answer:

Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet tea. Hands down!

Tuesday Trios: Books

(and two)

Lemonade With Ryle Pt. 1

I sat down and read J.C. Ryle's "The Duty of Parents" today.

I began reading it as I ate breakfast. I barely made it through the first five pages before I was done eating, but I knew that I would need to sit down and take notes before I went any further.

So, later in the day I gathered the pages, picked up a pencil, fixed a glass of lemonade, and sat out in the shade on our back patio to study with Ryle.

I was so challenged and encouraged by this work that I want to take the time to share with you some of the things I brought away from it.

Tuesday Trios: Candle Scents

FALL: Spiced Pumpkin

ANY TIME: Home Sweet Home

SUMMER: Caribbean Market

Looking and Striving

Many people want to know what I am looking for in a husband. Not only do I have a list of what he must be, but I also use that list as a standard by which I strive to live.

I should note that my list is rooted in the Word of God.

On the same trip to the river that I wrote about before, I heard another song with a line that stuck out to me in a new way.

This line is the best way to summarize what I am looking for and what I am striving to be.

I cannot remember what song it was and I have not been able to figure it out yet.

It went like this:

"Love God, hate sin".

It reminds me of this Scripture from Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter; all has been heard.

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

It's My Life: A Song

If you read the post over at the blog I contribute to, this will not be new to you, but for those of you who didn't jump over there I wanted to share this with you.

This is a song that the Lord used to show me that the spiritual darkness I recently went through was indeed conquered.

For Lyrics Click Here

There are two points that especially stuck out to me:

"Jesus help me quickly I hate the wrong I’ve done; I know we all fall but I feel like the only one; Feels like I should be shunned; Should I punish myself; I know it’s dumb cause by Your death all my sin has been dealt; But my sin is been felt; I didn’t want to do it; but what I want to do I don’t; I swear I’m goin through it; I’m trying to open up my Bible need to read Your pages;
need You Lord but my guilt has got me feeling so faithless; Help me see where grace is; take me back to the basics; help me find my joy in You and not people and places; my sin is ever before me I turned my back on You; Oh Father break and restore me to bring me back to You."

"Restore Your Joy in me; for You alone I live and die;
It’s You I Glorify cause You don’t want my sacrifice; You want me broken and contrite trusting in the Christ; I confess to You my sin and You show me mercy; I turn away from it demonstrating that You are worthy; over lust, over pride, over all sin; is my affection for Jesus who died for all them/ I was lost now I’m found I was tossed to the ground; My sin weighed on me heavy but I am no longer bound; As sure as Christ wears the crown; I know that grace will abound; And even when I feel lost I know in You I am found!"

It's My Life: Psalms

As I worked my way through Psalms and Proverbs, I began to notice something about the Psalms that I'd never noticed before.

I've often had a hard time with the Psalms for two reasons: poetry is not my thing and the poets often seemed to be whining or wishing ill on their enemies.

After this week, I doubt I'll ever deal with those problems again.

I realized that many of the Psalms follow a pattern.

The author will usually include all of these elements:

* Stating the distress or circumstances of life.

* Praying to or calling out to God.

* Preaching to himself and remembering his salvation.

Some specific examples of this are Psalms 13, 42, and 43.

I really enjoyed my time in the Psalms and was inspired to let my praying and journaling reflect the faithfulness found in them.

It's My Life

Life has its ups and downs.

Over the last few months I've seen both.

A few months ago, I was just feeling very down. My mom and I started a Bible study with some ladies in our community. My mom asked me to lead and it was going well. Out of what seemed like nowhere I just felt totally inadequate. I was beginning to question the sincerity of my walk with God. I was examining myself and yet beating myself to a pulp. In short, I was brokenhearted and turned my back on hope. I was looking my sin in the face and withered at the sight of it.

Yet, God restored me. He reminded me that as John Newton said, "I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior"! A few days later, I was serving God with fervency again.

Things continued going quite well. I went to NEXT2010 and toured Mt. Vernon and then spent a month galavanting in the southeast with my family and friends. Of course, the time eventually came for us to come home. We had spent most of our time with some very good friends of ours and goodbye was not an easy thing for me. I was only home for two days before I left again for another week away, but those two days were miserable.

I had plenty to do, but I let my emotions get me down. Slowly but surely, they caught up with me. Several times different people who know me well and know me to be always filled with joy and always smiling commented on the fact that I was just not myself.

I had to admit to them that unfortunately, I WAS myself. Normally, they see the Holy Spirit working out the character of Jesus in my life, but I had crowded Him out and the rotten character of Victoria was showing.

During those days I saw how unkind, impatient, cynical, anxious, irritable, and even angry I really tend to be.

In the midst of it all I wrote this at a time when I finally realized what was going on and began pressing into the Lord again. I spent some time studying Nouthetic Counseling last year and learned that in most cases, when people aren't "feeling" "right" it's because they are not "living" "right". So, the best way to "feel" like doing something is just to begin doing it. This belief is rooted in Genesis 4:7.

So, I set out to do right and trusted that God would bring me back to the place of "feeling" right and truly "being" right with Him. This could sound like shaky theology, so I hope you understand where I'm coming from. I am a saved soul not by works of mine but by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus Christ. I am a sinner who has received both justification and regeneration and am now submitted to the Holy Spirit who is bringing about sanctification in my life. My sin was reigning in my life because I was neglecting my responsibility to fight it. The fruit of the Spirit was lacking because I was not communing with God through His Word, praying, or journaling.

A week later, I was able to write this with sincerity.

Since this post is so long, I'll save the rest of my thoughts for another day...

Tuesday Trios: Movies for Christmas In July

Holiday Inn

White Christmas

It's A Wonderful Life

Tuesday Trios: Places

The Beach

The Mountains

Small Towns

Tuesday Trios: Ice Cream Flavors

Butter Pecan

Chocolate Chip Mint

Ben and Jerry's "Phish Food"

Tuesday Trios: Writing Tools

Bic Highlighters

These Mechanical Pencils

RSVP Pens

Tuesday Trios: In the Kitchen

HUGE electric skillet

Wooden Spoon

Pampered Chef's Chopper

Tuesday Trios: Destinations

Mount Vernon

Cape Cod

New York

Tuesday Trios: Bible Passages

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Be a Lion pt. 4

"Joy is a young sister, singer by title
She's on her Paula Abdul, she left American idols."

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Be a Lion pt. 3

Marco is a trainer, he's training Raheem
He is teaching him to be a man in and out the ring.

Titus 2: 2, 6-8, & 10

"Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness...

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us...

showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Publicity

Earlier this year a group of girls invited me to contribute to a BLOG they wanted to start.

We've been posting for nearly 3 months now and I'm still being blessed by what the Lord lays on each of our hearts.

Every now and then I'll probably send you over there for a specific post.

For now, I just wanted to make you aware of this new venture.

If you go over, do me a favor and leave a comment!

Look on the side-bar and you'll see that we've each made a post introducing ourselves.

It's Been a While...

...Since I've posted a list.

• Yesterday was Mother's Day. The wind stopped and the sun was shining, so we enjoyed a game of badminton!

• This morning I'm in the mood for some homemade biscuits....We're out of milk so that will have to wait.

• I'll benefit from all of the gifts my Mom received yesterday.

• Tonight, we're gathering in the family room with a friend for a movie and milkshakes!!! I'm very excited about this.

• The sermon I heard on Sunday not only exhorted mothers and fathers to serve the Lord and train their children to do likewise, it also explained what it really means to HONOR something (especially mothers and fathers).

• God has brought me to a place where He's reminded me of what is really important and given me the insight to strive after those things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...

Matthew 6:33

• I don't really know much about this singer....but I recently discovered that I really like this song.

Be a Lion pt. 2

"Raheem is a boxer, he's beaten the best;
But the hardest fight is when he is daily fighting flesh."

Romans 8:12-17

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh or to live according to the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Be a Lion pt. 1

"Pam is a podiatrist, yeah, she has beautiful feet."

Isaiah 52:7

"How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,who publishes salvation,who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Worth Your While

www.thisisnext.org

Take some time. Go check it out.

NEXT is a conference for 20-somethings put on by Sovereign Grace Ministries over in Maryland.

After the conference is over, they post the messages on the website so that everyone can listen for free.

There is a monthly webzine full of truth.

I've been blessed by their ministry and thought that you would be too!

Lion's Anthem

Even though this is not my favorite song on the album, it does have some of the best lyrics.

Here are the lyrics:

~Verse 1~
This counter culture rapping
False Idol smashing
Tap a friend ask them, is this lion attacking
We're ready for action, break the cage we were trapped in
You might want watch out my dude
Get your L's up
Let me tell you about some lions who's running the streets
Pam is a podiatrist, yeah, she has beautiful feet
Raheem is a boxer, he's beaten the best
But the hardest fight is when he is daily fighting flesh
Marco is a trainer he's training Raheem
He teaching him to be a man in and out the ring
Joy is a young sister, singer by title
She's on her Paula Abdul, she left American idols
Yeah I know a doctor, his name is Jason
He prays the Lord keeps working on his patients (patience)
Yeah Yeah the saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

~CHORUS~

Gentlemen, Royalty, Priesthood, Peace Makers, Leaders, Unashamed Brothers get your Ls up
Ladies, Queens, Princesses, Trendsetters, Righteous, Virtuous Sisters, get your L's up
Lions, Lovers, Servants, hate sin, hate lies, Household of Faith get your L's up
So get your L's in the Air


Verse 2

Look at Sarah she's a beast with a comb and hairbrush
Yeah she does hair but she really knows the Heir
Who makes the flattops, wave, and the shiner
I guess its safe to say she knows her Designer
Carlos sells shoe like nikes, chucks, and timbos
So in many ways he used to save souls
Jimmy a fisherman he's got new purpose
he's fishin for souls yeah he's causing networking
Paul trades stocks and he keeps that money coming
When it's 99 cents he's trying to make it 100
But my man Paul's not defined by the dollar
He's clothed in righteousness whether white or blue collar
Ming works at a law firm out in Las Vegas
But his favorite thing to do is that cross examination
Ok, the saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

CHORUS

Verse 3

Ahmad writes for magazines English was his minor
When he walks in the spirit he has a ghost writer
Kiesha owns a bakery with her husband Ramon
They always tells their kids not to live off that bread alone
Keith plays basketball and everywhere he goes
He a defense for the faith, he stays in the zone
Theo is an officer, this might sound crazy
He's the only cop I know that wakes up to die daily
Dane teaches kids how to multiple and add
She knows that 3 equals 1 that's that biblical math
I know a Lion Steve who wears post office blue
Even on his off days he delivers Good News
My cousin at the IRS his name is Thomas
On many different levels he deals with false prophets (false profits)
Yes, Lord! The saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

CHORUS

*For everyone wondering what "get your Ls up" means:

Sho Baraka is known for getting the crowd to use their index finger and thumb to form an "L" and wave them in the air when he raps. This was especially popular with his song "Higher Love". In this case, he's calling for that as well as getting up and BEING a lion! *

Come back next Friday for a big lion shout!

Just One Book

If you were only going to read one book outside of the Bible this year, what book would that be?

If I could offer you a suggestion, I know exactly what I would say.

It's called "Holiness" by J.C. Ryle.

This book has led me to deeper places in my walk with God. I have looked back on many faithful servants before me. I have also looked back on those people who glorified God by showcasing His justice. In short, I have learned MUCH from Ryle through this book.

I would love to see the lives of many others touched by it as well!