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Fourthstream

King, Kingdom & Community

THANKS!

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My degree of experienced thankfulness is one of the key heart-metrics in my spiritual journey. Usually when I am ungrateful it is because circumstances or relationships are letting me down, and I have begun the descent into personal anger or feeling sorry for myself. Fear also feeds my ungratefulness, inasmuch as my discomfort or even dread (a continuum) assault my state of well-being, eroding my hope.

Experiencing a thankful heart is also totally tied into the people I love and the degree of perspective I am gaining from time spent talking and listening to God. When God is not a priority, I am distracted and/or consumed by lesser things – even though these things may be pressing regarding my perceptions, and hard on my ability to hope.

Today Burnadette and I are pausing to “count our blessings” and do a stress test on our level of hopeful gratefulness. We think you will be stimulated to once again gather “cups of gratefulness” from the ever-moving river of time.

Here’s to your satisfied mind, friend. We’re with you!
Dave & Burnadette

My Thankful Life
A Great Hope Psalm
A Great Hope Song

SINGING YOUR OWN NEW SONG

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Did you know that you are a work of art created for God’s stage? To be known by God is the greatest honor for all “new song” singers and players!

The new song originates in the heart. It can be inspired by many things. But it is OUR OWN new song. The Psalms try to help us understand our connection to God’s music – His creation symphony.

The word new means to “renew” or “repair.” The usage in Revelation (Greek) adds the nuance of a song which is “fresh.” What are the ways music renews you? Repairs you? Gives you a fresh outlook? Lifts your spirit?

When we sing our own new songs they emulate the God-relationship people experienced in the God Story.

The concept of a “new song” is presented clearly in the Psalms (33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1) – a great study!
It also occurs in Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9; and 14:3. – great as well!

Sing it out my friend. Sing it from your heart!

Engage Page
Song: Psalm 84
Psalms in the Big Picture

PSALM 84: My Sun & My Shield

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One of the purposes of Psalms is to lift us up to the greater picture. This is so true with Psalm 84 – the sons of Korah are celebrating the Home Israel has found in Yahweh – the great Lord of Hosts! The Message translates this Name as “the God of the Angel Armies.” Wow.

In what ways have your found a “home” in God? How does Hebrews 11:13-16 resonate with your God experience? 

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Pretty cool my traveling friend.

A Deeper Look
A Psalm 84 Song

PSALM 91: Living A Shelter Life

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One of our favorite Psalms is 91 – it amplifies so many relational things regarding our connection and need for God. Many – if not most – people in our American and world culture are content or even obsessed with living in a God-free space.

We go to great lengths to discredit or neutralize the impact of God-centric views of or lives. Perhaps it is because to admit there is a God is to then wrestle with our own accountability for our actions toward ourselves and others. Self is the rule of law in the brave new (and old) world. This Psalm helps us to be free from the futility of going it alone.

It also helps us understand the difference between fearing God and fearing man.

Your Own Observation of Psalm 91
Living A Shelter Life
A Shelter Song

JESUS & FOREVER

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When you are a time-bound soul (something we share with every human who has ever lived/or ever will) it is tough to see yourself in a different state or realm. And yet this is a critical part of the God Story. While this earth is special and our lives have deep, personal meaning – it is not even able to be compared with what Paul calls “the glory that is to be revealed.” (Romans 8:18)

So, when Jesus says we will be with Him forever (Revelation 22:1-5) it is not to be taken of little consequence. If Paul’s quotes of Isaiah are true, then “things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not entered the heart of man, all God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

That’s what we are talking about today. Jesus and forever. You and me and forever. Either at the right hand of favor (sheep) or not (goats). Pretty weighty things, my friend. But then, life is not a game to God – it is truly a matter of life and death – and a never-ending story…

“Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”  – Revelation 22:1-5

Dave & Burnadette

Jesus & Forever
Some thoughts about Heaven
A cool forever song
Another cool song about heaven