Graceman’s Musings

My High Priest
Poem by Graceman, July 4th 2009 – Goes with Exodous 28

I have a High Priest that loves me
The Bible tells me so
His garments show that he cares for me
From His heart true love does flow
On his head a band says ” HOLY”
He thinks good thoughts toward me
On his shoulders, he bears two stones
My name is there engraved
He bears my sorrows and my griefs
So thankful I am saved
On his heart he bears a plate
that bears my name
It hides the wound beneath
that took away my shame
He gave his life upon a cross
to set me free
And lives forever
Interceding
Just for you and me

Lately, I have been slipping and listening too much to the nightly news/talking heads and politicians on CNN/Fox etc.

When I do this I begin to think Worldly rather than “WORD-ly” . I repented and determined ( despite the conditions of the culture and the crumbling of civilization ) to be a man who BLESSES the Lord….

My Prayer ( hopefully yours )

Lord, I will BLESS YOU with my Life today, with my Lips today, with my Love today and with my Labor…..When I changed my focus from the World to the Worship and the Word my JOY began to return to my heart….Try this simple prayer and devotional activity…..Love,  Graceman

Rehearse these thoughts daily for a Joyous Life

1. Realize God loves you unconditionally – I Jn.3:1
2. You are Accepted in the Beloved – Eph.1 ( Loved and Accepted – How sweet it is to be loved by you ( Jesus )
3. Jesus is my High Priest – Heb. 4: 15 He is touched by the feelings of my infirmities ( weaknesses ) My name is inscribed on his shoulder plate ( He carries my burdens and is my strength ) and my name is written on his heart ( Like the breastplate of the High Priest had the names of the 12 tribes on them ) I am always on His heart and mind.
4. His mind is Holy – therefore he only has good thoughts toward me. ( Accusing, condemning thoughts are self induced or Satanically inspired )
5. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus – Rom.8:1
6. I John says ” When our heart ( thots and feelings ) condemn us God is greater than our hearts “
7. Reject Toxic thoughts whether from within, others, spirits or outside sources.
8. Isa. 55 Our thoughts are not his thoughts – therefore stop believing your thoughts unless they agree with God’s thoughts.
9. I need to have the mind of Christ and not be self absorbed – Phil.2 ( Also I need to focus on the needs of others first and God will take care of all of mine ( Phil.4:19 and Matt.5-7 )
10. I need to agressively cast down all false reasonings….II Cor. 10:3-5 (  Ill. God doesn’t love me, I have failed God and can never recover or be forgiven )
11. I Need to saturate my mind with the Word of God ( Ps. 119) till my spiritual blood (accd. to Spurgeon is Bibline)
12. Satan will continuously attack my mind ( He is the accuser of the brethren )  Rev. 12 says I can over come him by the Blood of the Lamb, Word of my testimony and living a selfless life of service )  Satan lies always – Believe not every spirit – I Jn. 4:1
13. I must walk by faith ( not fears, feelings etc )
14. I must operate spirit, soul, and body and not the reverse…Ill. Listening to my body, emotions etc. first.
15. He has great plans for me. Jer. 29:11
16. I am free in Christ
17. The JOY of the Lord is my strength…
18. I am a child of His Grace
19. My Position is I am Blessed…..

I will have some fresh material up later this week

Here is a poem/song called, One Blessed Sheep

Now I lay me down to sleep
I sleep real good
I’m one blessed sheep
My Shepherd watches over me
With loving eyes concerned for me
Even if I’m goin through some bad weather
My Shepherd helps me, come whatever
And though I walk through the valley of death
I know he guards my every breath
Some will think you just won’t make it
Your Shepherd makes you strong
So you can take it
You just watch what God can do
He will make your dreams
come true

Love, Graceman

Here is a quick update on our summer
Last week we ministered in Baltimore. We enjoyed time with family and dear believing friends. We were able to speak at a graduation, men’s breakfast and in dad’s church. Word seem well received.

Got to see our daughter Charity….How we love her.

Parents doing well and we were able to see family we cherish. Also got to see Annita’s sister and brother-in-law. Sweet fellowship. Also got to see some friends we ministered with 23 years ago…..and their son now 28.

Went to a viewing of a faithful Pastor and dear friend of my dad. He will be missed sorely. He was always kind to me as a kid.

( I will post several poems etc. later this week )

We had fellowship with believers we grew up with and have grown to love deeply. How sweet heaven will be to be when we are free of the struggle and fight of and for LIFE….Life….there is bios ( biological life ) and zoe ( Life of Joy ). Hurts to see this present economic fiasco hurting so many. So wonderful that the JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH…..

On the Florida front our dear friend Henrietta ( age 93 ) went to be with Jesus. I had her grandson hold the phone to her ear as I told her of our love for her, quoted the 23rd Psalm and told her really soon she would be in the arms of Jesus.

On the return from Baltimore we stopped to see some dear friends of faith near Camp LeJeune. To feel the pain of war in the air is literal as so many are affected. Families really struggle when mom,dad,husband,wife etc. go to war. don’t get me started….Our beautiful people willing to sacrifice for our freedom and are often caught in some political mess over oil and money and power. We were “promised” a reduction in war and now it is all ramping up again…

We saw the Kohs and they treated us with royal hospitality. We got to spend time with my old rottweiler’s ( sister puppy, now 9 ) My Rott. was named of all things Grace. Had to leave her with neighbor in S. Fla.

Word for Today

Do not focus on your fears , feelings or failures Do focus on your FAITH ( Father Abba ) and Future ( Brighter Day with HIM )

Do not focus on your Pain, Past or Present Pressure…Do focus on your Ever Present God who Positions us to Prosper and Bless and even sets a table of Blessing and Bounty ” IN the Presence of our enemies…….Fill us with Praise so that our JOY cup runs over…..

Love and Prayers,

Graceman

Some of you asked for graceman’s e-mail…..contactgraceman “at” yahoo “dot” com

Annita and I celebrated 30 years of marriage. She changed our date to celebrate from Dec. 17 to June 7th….Trying to confuse the Graceman… ( Note: Whenever our wives talk to us we appear dazed and confused. It is a defense tactic that has worked for me for 30 years. I love the little woman….what can I say. ) I am working on my new Runaway Best Selling Book soon to beat Joel Osteens ” How To Smile All the Time “….cause you are makin me happy buying my books )

My book is entitled ” How To Understand Women ” I have been working on the transcript for 30 years and so far I have not completed the first line. Pray for success in my endeavor…..( Just kiddin ya )

To Bless Those Going Through a Tough Time
Several years ago my two sisters were involved in a terrible accident and were struck and injured on the side of a freeway by a drug induced driver. Both were severely injured. My older sister Sherry’s hand was severely crushed and injured. She is an accomplished pianist. I believed God would heal her and would play again. God gave me the following poem to write for her. May it help you if you are facing incredible odds.

A Letter From Jesus
To Sherry, My Sweet Pianist
For all those years you played for me.
Your gift, my child, it came from Me.
Your hand was crushed. It hurt Me so.
I’ve seen your tears. You’ve felt so low.
But on the cross I played for thee.
A song of pain to set you free.
My hands were crushed-My gift to thee.
The Devil said with awful glee,
“That’s His last song. It’s plain to see.”
But oh, foul Devil, you were so wrong.
That was not My final song.
My death that day, it made you cringe.
I played for you, “I’ll Rise Again”
It won’t be long, my child, you’ll see
That you will play again for Me.
And when you play those songs for Me
With hands with scars that look like Mine
This truth will mean the world to THEE:
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Love, Jesus