Lip Service to God

Sometimes I wish I would record my thoughts on my drives home from work. So often I go into a meditative state, talking to God or wondering about spiritual matters and wish I was at the keyboard to type them up. But, alas, I am not, I am driving down the highway watching the sunset on the river. Today’s thoughts went to a small discussion I was having with myself over why I don’t often enjoy going to church. For me, all too often, church services seem boring, dull and lacking the connection to God that I feel should be there if I have gone to set aside time to worship God.

It seems a shame that everyone is gathered and yet God hasn’t put in the appearance yet! While that really isn’t the case, it sometimes feels that way. Perhaps my heart isn’t quite in the worship or my mind is too occupied with being judgmental and thinking that while we pay awesome lip service to worship and praise, the repeating of these words over and over again in song and hymns don’t really mean the same as the act of worship or praise. Worship, praise and love are action verbs – it is more than just saying the words – it is involving the heart, mind, body and soul in the process that bring about connection and transformation with God and your spirit.

When I feel God’s presence in the service, it fills me up with a sense of excitement, awe and love. When there is an especially strong outpouring of love, it can be to the point of ecstasy and bliss. Many times though I can feel this strong connection with God in moments alone, walking in nature or healing another person. It is allowing the true connection we all share with God in a state of oneness and allowing my consciousness to fully expand and welcome God in.

We are all in oneness with God. Never is our spirit separate from God, even if our minds and bodies give the illusion of otherwise. My heart sings when I allow the moments of oneness to expand and fill every aspect of my being. When I turn away from the corner that is filled with darkness, stress and fear and return to the center where there is love, hope and peace. The center where we are one with God, one with love, one with peace, one with the flow of life free from fear, free from the limits we place on our time and lives.

Music Monday ~ 09.28.09 ~ Brandon Heath ~ Wait and See

Perhaps life isn’t going the way you thought it should go. There is a lot going on beneath the surface that you just can’t see. Have faith in yourself and the world around you that something good and amazing is in store for you. Wait and See!

Brandon Heath ~ Wait & See

Worship Wednesday Recap ~07.02.09

Yesterday was a wonderful Worship Wednesday!  I thought I would try it out on Twitter (#WorshipWednesday), since I used to do a Worship Wednesday once in a while when I blogged on Yahoo 360.  I had no idea that anyone else would be doing the same.  Just goes to show that God works in mysterious ways and that the collective consciousness is brimming with inspiration for everyone to tap into!  Below are some of the songs that I was inspired to share.  Worship isn’t just about going to church, listening to a pastor speak or a choir sing.  Worship is an ACTION VERB!  Worship is something you do! Whether it is on your own, in a small group or at a large church.  What you get out of worship is what you, personally, put into it.  Worship is an act of speaking your heart to God (however you invision God to be).  Worship is sharing your praise, devotion, gratitude and sorrows with God.  Worship can be joyful song and dance, mournful memories of loved ones, painful tears cried for hurts and surrendering to God’s will for your life.  There is no right or wrong way to worship, follow your heart and reach out to God.  Worship helps you to reconnect with God and develop a deeper intimate relationship with God.  Allow yourself the lifelong pleasure of walking with your infinite creator on a path that is uniquely your own.

Perhaps some of the below songs will apply to your life right now:

 Afraid to shine?  Others laugh at your dreams?  Listen to the Voice of Truth to remember who you are and how powerful you can be!

 >>Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

 Need to feel Forgiven and Loved?  Feeling like you are racing fast to no where?  Child, you are forgiven and loved.

>>Forgiven and Loved by  Jimmy Needham 

Think you aren’t being heard by God?  Perhaps changes in your life are happening too slowly?  God is working on your life and changes happen in divine timing so it will happen when it is best for you and all involved.  If you are waiting for answers to prayers, why no worship while you’re waiting?

>>While I’m Waiting by John Waller  

Worship Wednesday 04.29.09

Today, I am featuring a song by John Waller called Worship While I’m Waiting.  It became a favorite of mine when I saw a prescreening of Fireproof the Movie.  Right now, it seems to fit in with my life on a great level with the move to Florida and starting up our new life.  While I may want things to move faster and not have a lot of patience, I can step back and worship God while I am waiting and continue to serve Him until the divine timing is right.  Everything happens in the exact time and moment it is meant to and there is no pushing time forward or holding time back.  This song helps me to remember that and regain a center of peace, faith and patience that all will be well. 

With the move to Florida, it seems like each step is given one at a time.  In the past I lacked the faith to move forward without knowing the end result and each step in the journey.  Right now it is being stressed to me that it is important to have faith and fulfill each step as it comes without worrying what the next step is or what the end result will be.  This current journey has been amazing in the various ways that God is teaching and raising me up higher and higher, in ways I had never knew possible.  Releasing the control to God to create the perfect outcome and trusting that I will hear and follow the divine guidance provided is difficult.  Sometimes it feels like it would be so much easier to try to force things to happen on my timeline but then I remember that when I do that it is never has the result that I wanted to is of my highest good. 

Let go of the fear of releasing control of your journey to God.  You co-create your life with God, let the infinite creator remove the stumbling blocks from your journey and reveal the deeper meaning of where you are going so you can achieve a higher purpose for your life.  Your life has meaning, let yourself embrace it with both hands, heart and soul.  May God bless your journey and lead you to grow in love, joy and wisdom.

Worship While I’m Waiting by John Waller

Healing for a Personal Relationship with God -Church Service

Below is a transcript of the special service that Donald and I will be sharing tonight at the Spiritual Lighthouse Church in Jacksonville, Florida.  We hope to get it recorded so we can share it in a podcast or on blogradio. 

March 22, 2009

Spiritual Lighthouse Church in Jacksonville, Florida

Reverend Alicia Erchul and Reverend Donald Chelf

 

Sing – Doxology

 

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

Said by Donald –  Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together.  Please bow your heads and join hands if you feel called to do so.

 

Prayer – Lord’s Prayer

 

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory

Now and Forever. Amen. 

 

 

Said by Alicia – Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly in song.  From Psalm 95 verses 1 and 2.

 

Psalm 95:1-2 (New International Version)

 

Psalm 95

1-Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

       let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

 

2-Let us come before him with thanksgiving

       and extol him with music and song.

 

 

Let Us Sing – Come, Now is the Time to Worship by Brian Doerksen

 

Lyrics

Come, now is the time to worship

Come, now is the time to give your heart

Come, just as you are to worship

Come, just as you are before your God

Come

 

One day every tongue will confess you are God

One day every knee will bow

Still the greatest treasure remains for those

Who gladly choose you now

 

(Repeat all of the above)

 

Willingly we choose to surrender our lives

Willingly our knees will bow

With all our hearts, hope, minds and strength

 we gladly choose you now

 

Come, now is the time to worship

Come, now is the time to give your heart

Come, just as you are to worship

Come, just as you are before your God

Come, oh come

 

Said by Donald – The Early Worker today is a poem written by Alicia titled “Where Does God Go?”

 

Said by Alicia – I wrote the following poem after praying for a friend of mine, Emily and her grown daughter, Laura.  Their families were going through a rough and emotional time when Laura was having troubles with her husband and she had a brain injury.  She felt so downtrodden and far away from God, and wondered if God was even around during this challenging time of trial and pain.  During my prayer, the below poem came directly to me and I wrote it down so quickly I didn’t realize the power of the words that were given to me until I shared the poem with Emily who then shared it with Laura.  Laura’s spirit was healed by the words and she has since had it inscribed around her bathroom mirror so she can read it every day. 

 

Where Does God Go?

By Rev. Alicia M. Erchul

 

Pain rises wave upon wave.

Filling the mind and breaking the heart.

Pain increases making every moment torture.

Breaking the body and depressing the spirit.

 

How can the world be filled with so much pain?

How can one body be filled with so much fear that it has forgotten its soul?

How can one go on day after day when they are all the same?

How can one live when they are all alone?

 

Where does God go when the body is in pain?

Where does God go when the mind is filled with disease?

Where does God go when the heart weeps in despair?

Where does God go when the world keeps spinning without any peace?

 

Does God run and hide away,

Waiting for another day to come out and play?

Does God turn away,

Hiding behind the clouds like the sun?

 

There is never a day when God hides from you.

There is never a moment so dark that God would leave your side.

God stands ever faithful, by your side, in your heart and all around you.

With a helping hand and a loving embrace, God is there to help you go on.

 

God is there, when you are crying.

God is there, when you are in pain.

God is there, when you are weary.

God is there, when you are in despair.

 

Let God release the pain.

Let God come and fill your heart with gladness.

Let God step in and lift your pain away.

Let God’s radiant light surround you till the darkness is but a memory.

 

God’s light is there to lift your spirits.

God’s hand is there to heal your pain.

God’s love is there to bring you back to health.

God’s faith is there when your own faith thinks life is impossible.

 

Find hope in God’s promise that you are never alone and always loved.

Find joy in God’s creation that each day is truly brand new.

Find peace in God’s grace that you are forgiven and healed of all pain.

Find strength in God’s faith that there are infinite possibilities for your life.

 

Said by Donald – So many of us forget that we have a personal relationship with God and that he is always with us.  God is our friend, there to hear our prayers, listen to our hearts and walk with us through our lives’ journeys.  As said in John 15:11-18 in the Message translation.

 

John 15:11-18 (The Message)

^11-15“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

¹⁶“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

¹⁷“But remember the root command: Love one another.

 Let us sing together the song “Friend of God”.

 

Sing – Friend of God by Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton

 

Who am I that You are mindful of me?

That You hear me when I call?

Is it true that You are thinking of me?

How You love me, it’s amazing!

 

I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God, He calls me friend

(Repeat verse and chorus)

 

God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend

(Repeat 3 times)

 

I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God, He calls me friend.

(Repeat above)

 

Said by Alicia – Meditation – Journey to Soul’s Home and Let God Into Heart

 

Today I am going to lead you on a journey to your soul’s home. 

Let yourself relax.

Listen to the sound of my voice and let each word that you hear bring you deeper and deeper into a state of total relaxation.

Let the music carry away any stress or worry in your mind.

Let your body sink into the chair and become one with the chair.

Take a deep breath in, breathing in peace and breathing out stress.

Breathe in light, breath out fear.

Breathe in love, breath out pain.

Continue to breathe deeply, letting your breath reach all the way into your stomach and hips. 

Let yourself expand.

I would like you to now picture a golden ball of light, can you see it off in the distance?

It is slowly coming towards you and growing bigger

Breath in the light with each breath.

As the ball approaches you can feel your feet relax.

Breath in peace and feel your calves and thighs relax.

The ball is now just a few feet away and larger than you.

Breath in hope and feel your hips relax.

Unclench the muscles in your belly and let your body relax.

Lift your shoulders up and let them drop, and relax your arms.

Breath out any burdens you are carrying with you and release them from your mind and body.

Now the ball is right in front of you.  Let the golden ball of light envelope your body.

See yourself wrapped in the golden light.

Feel the warmth and peace within the ball. 

This ball of light will protect you while you journey tonight.

It will remain around you until we are completely finished with our journeys. 

We now call upon Mother Father God and all of the angels, spirit guides and any others who you feel will be able to provide you with help and guidance on your journeys. 

Now let your spirit begin to gather together.

Feel it begin to gather in your feet and flow up through your legs. 

Let your soul continue to flow up until it reaches your heart.

See the light shining brightly in your heart, continuing to shine brighter and brighter.

Feel your spirit get lighter and lighter, almost as if ready to take flight.

Let your soul flow up and out of your body.

Flowing out of your heart and up through your crown chakra.

Know that your body will be safe and protected while you are gone on your journey.

Let your soul travel off into the far reaches of the Universe to your soul’s eternal home where you will feel at peace and content. 

How does your spirit travel? Do you have wings?  Are you following a beam of light?  Spiraling through the stars?

Keep travelling until you find your home.

Don’t worry about what form it takes, it could be a planet, it could be a star,

 it could be a home or any other place. 

This is your place, this is your soul’s home. 

Let your soul show you where it lives.

Look around, what do you see?

Look at the colors that surround you.  What colors bring you peace, what colors make you feel alive.  Let those colors seep into your heart and soul.

There is a walkway before you guiding you to the door of your home.  Walk up to your home and open the door.

Take a few moments to explore your home, remember what it felt like to live here.  All of the love, joy and laughter this home has for you. 

What is that off in the distance?  You hear a voice calling your name. 

Soon there is a knock on the door, it is a soft gentle rapping. 

You run to the door – who could be your first visitor at your home?

God is standing on the other side of the door.  God says to you – May I please enter your home and visit you here?

The choice is now yours, do you want to open the door to let God into your home or do you want to ask him to come back later?

Do you feel your life is too messy to let God in?  Is the home of your soul filled with clutter?

Let God in to help you clear away the clutter, help you cleanse your soul’s home.

Step forward and say “Yes, Lord! Please come into my soul’s home, please join me for a talk today in my home. Please stay with me always!”

If you have let God into your home, take a few moments to chat with Him, ask any questions you like.  Feel God’s embrace of love and peace surround you, as He hugs you in your home.

If you did not let God in today, take time to reflect on why you did not feel ready to accept God into your home.  What is blocking you from having a true relationship with Him?

You don’t have to tell God goodbye, for He is always with you.

Remember this place, remember the feelings of love and peace. 

This is your place.  This is your soul’s home. 

You can always come back to refresh yourself here. 

You can always come here to surround yourself in love. 

This is your home, where you are always safe and secure. 

A place for you to relax and meditate. 

Stay with your home, let your soul explore its home. 

Now it is time to say goodbye to your home for a while.

Remember it is always there, waiting for you, always welcomes you back.

Journey back to your body.

Feel your soul come back in through your crown,

floating down into your head,

feel it fill your chest, down through your heart chakra,

filling your belly, down through your arms, down through your legs. 

Relax and be back in your body.  Open your eyes whenever you are ready.

Allow yourself to feel and remember all that you learned on your journey.

 

Said by Donald – Healing Prayer

 

Let us pray together for healing of ourselves and those we love.  Please say any names that you would like to be lifted up to God in prayer today for healing.  We call upon Arch Angel Raphael to assist in carrying these names to God for healing and for sending Angels of Healing to those who are in need of God’s love, light and peace.  We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Said by Alicia – Song for Healing

As we prepare to receive healing, let us sing a song together to raise our spirits and release our burdens to God.  As it was written in Isaiah 61 verses 1-3.

 

Isaiah 61:1-3 (Contemporary English Version)

 

1- The Spirit of the LORD God

   has taken control of me!

   The LORD has chosen and sent me

   to tell the oppressed

   the good news,

   to heal the brokenhearted,

   and to announce freedom

   for prisoners and captives.

 

2- This is the year

   when the LORD God

   will show kindness to us

   and punish our enemies.

   The LORD has sent me

   to comfort those who mourn, especially in Jerusalem.

 

3-   He sent me to give them flowers

   in place of their sorrow,

   olive oil in place of tears,

   and joyous praise

   in place of broken hearts.

   They will be called

   “Trees of Justice,”

   planted by the LORD

   to honor his name.

 

Let us sing together the healing song Trading My Sorrows.

 

 

Trading My Sorrows by Darrell Evans

I’m trading my sorrows

I’m trading my shame

I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I’m trading my sickness

I’m trading my pain

I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

 

We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord. Amen.

 

I’m pressed but not crushed,

Persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I’m blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy’s gonna be my strength

 

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning

(Repeat all above 2 times)

 

Said by Donald – Call to the Altar for healing

 

We call up the healers to conduct the healing today. Anyone who wishes to receive healing, please come to the altar.  Those who do not come up for healing, please pray silently for yourself and others who may need healing in your life. 

 

We call upon God to reign His Love down upon us, bless each of us with healing, love and peace today. Please remove all barriers that keep us from feeling you with us and help us to have a close, personal relationship with You.  Amen.

 

We will now sit in quiet reflection while the healing takes place.

 

Said by Alicia – Offering for the Church

 

I call upon Gail and Lorraine to collect the offering for the church today. 

 

Dear God, we offer you our days. We offer you our prayers, words and deeds.  We offer you a small token of the blessings you have graced our lives with so that this church may in turn be blessed to do the work you need it to do.  May each of us offer what we can to glorify your holy name and spread the message of love and hope that you have given each of your children.  May the Holy Spirit, who guided Jesus, be our guide and strength today, so that we may witness your love.  Amen.

 

Soon Donald will be talking about the importance of healing and how it leads each of us to a greater relationship with God.  Let God open the eyes of your heart so you may see the glorious works that he has done in your life.  Open the eyes of your heart so you can see what Jesus has done so that there is hope in the world for everyone.  As written in Ephesians 1 verses 18-20.

 

Ephesians 1:18-20 (Contemporary English Version)

 

18-My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.

 

19-I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20-when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven.  

 

Let us sing together the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart”.

 

Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche

 

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

(repeat 3 times)

 

To see You high and lifted up

Shining in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy

 

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

(repeat 1 time)

 

To see You high and lifted up

Shining in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy

(repeat)

 

Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

I want to see you  (repeat 4 times)

 

 

Said by Donald – Healing for a Personal Relationship with God

 

Many of you may know me and some of you may not. I am Reverend Donald Chelf and I was born a natural healer and awakened to my spiritual gifts at a very young age.  Over the years I have worked hard to develop my spiritual gifts so I can be a blessing to humanity and provide healing and peace to people in need.  My wife, Reverend Alicia and I have founded a healing ministry to heal others, help them uncover who they truly are and help them to unite fully with God in unconditional love so they can profoundly change their lives for their highest good.

 

Can anyone tell me what healing means to them?

 

(Ask a couple of people) (After a couple of different answers are given)

 

As we have just heard healing can be defined many different ways.

 

Healing is so much more than many people ever realize.  Simply put, healing is the return to a state of health and wellness.  Healing provides a tool so that each person can be his or her best in the mind, body, heart and soul.  Over the years, we have come to understand that all aspects of a person are connected.  When the mind or spirit is out of balance, the body, too, is out of balance.  This imbalance is represented by aches, pains, illness, disease and cancer. 

 

Healing is not just for the physical body, but also for the mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.  The imbalance in these areas could be seen as depression, lack of energy, increased stress, rage or fear about life in general.  Healing helps one to begin a spiritual journey of renewal and self-discovery.  This journey leads you back to a oneness with God so you can experience a greater love and joy for life.  When you allow God to walk with you through life, He is your own personal motivator, offering love, encouragement, hope and faith that you will triumph over any challenge placed in your life.  Sometimes, we lose sight of God being next to us on our journeys, and feel like we are all alone.  This is where healing comes in to help you return to a state of oneness with God, clear the darkness that confounds and confuses you into thinking God’s love is not with you.

 

We as healers assist you in healing yourself, by being open channels for God’s love and light to shine through to you on Earth.  Healing is a journey, while there have been many miracles in the world, healing typically occurs over the course of several sessions.  As problems do not occur overnight, healing does not happen in a moment.  Many times there are deep routed issues from childhood or past lives that need to be uncovered and released.

 

I would like to share with you a shining example of a healing journey.  A friend of mine named Kathy who lives in Germany was having extreme difficulties with her pregnancy around the 4 month mark.  The child she was carrying was very sick and so was she. Kathy was told by several doctors she would be lucky to carry this child to term and even then the child might not be born healthy. The doctors said the child would be underweight and may have several complications due to the low birth weight. Kathy’s life journey so far had been filled with child abuse that carried into her current relationship that was filled with emotional and physical abuse.  Through the course of her relationship the stress and trauma from the abuse caused her to have several miscarriages.

 

As I sent Kathy healing; we would talk on the phone and I would have her tell me the history of her abuse so she could release the memories of this trauma from her completely.  As we continued to talk, she released the anger, negativity, and hurt from the abuse. I would heal the anger and transform it into compassion and understanding.  I would release the negativity and hurt and fill her with love and peace.  The healing and counseling, continued for the remaining 5 months of her pregnancy.  I removed the physical and emotional trauma that was done to her and Kathy found the courage within herself to leave the abusive man in her life and seek safety for herself and her unborn child.

 

As Kathy continued to release the abuse and allow herself to be healed; she found that her health and the health of her baby improved daily.  Kathy successfully carried the baby to full term and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl that was completely healthy, weighing in around 13 pounds. That baby girl is now 3 and half years old without any medical issues related to the difficulties that occurred during Kathy’s pregnancy. Kathy has also happily reported to me that she has been married for 2 years and she met her husband when the child was around 6 months old.

 

I hope that by relating the above story that you will be encouraged to seek out deeper healing for yourself to assist you in living a life filled with hope and transformed by love and peace.  May you feel God’s loving presence by your side every day of your life and develop a deep and intimate relationship with him.

 

Healing is not just physical in nature; it is about having a closer relationship with God.  Healing is a way to explore your relationship with God during challenging times and during times of joy. 

What does a personal relationship with God mean?  How can anyone claim to have a personal relationship with God?  Many people question whether or not they could ever have a relationship with anyone they cannot see, hear or feel. Even people who see and talk with spirits and angels will not always have a relationship with god or feel worthy of having a true relationship with God.

 

You build a personal relationship with God by sharing every day moments with him.  There are many ways to share your day with God.  From the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you fall asleep at night, God is walking by your side and sharing each moment with you. 

 

Many times people spend months, years or decades feeling guilty about how they’re approaching their spiritual lives.  But this is not God’s will for any of His children.  He has another plan.  His great desire is to walk together with each of his children through their ordinary days.  He yearns for a personal and intimate relationship with you.

 

Just like you have to spend time with family and friends, it is important to spend time with God.  You can build a relationship with God through healing, prayer, meditation, worship, praise, bible study and development of your spiritual gifts to name a few. 

 

How would your day be different if God was with you every moment of the day? How would your drive to work go differently if you asked Jesus to ride shotgun with you?  Would you show more patience for others on the road? Maybe arrive at your work in a better mood?

 

How would your day at work go differently if you knew God was sharing in each moment at work and wanted your day to be filled with joy?  Maybe God would help you to learn from the difficult people you encounter.  Learn from God’s example and take breaks in your work day and during the week.  It is not more spiritual to work nonstop to exhaustion.  Two to three times a day take five to ten minutes to stop your work and be quiet, focus on God and enjoy being in the presence of God. 

 

We don’t really just want to work for God, we want to work WITH him.  

 

Another way to build relationship with God is to offer your worship and praise to Him.  This means more than just sitting in service or singing at church.  Make worship and praise an active part of your life, shows God that you are stretching out to meet him halfway.  Praising God and giving thanks for the blessings he provides helps you to see the amazing wonders he is creating in your life and helping you to feel more positive about your life and having faith when times are tough. 

 

Perhaps you are thinking that is all well and good, I can offer praise and worship to God but he really isn’t talking back to me.  It seems awfully one-sided.  Taking time to be quiet and alone with God will help you to hear His voice in your heart and soul.  We all have become so busy in our lives and surrounded with so much noise and distraction it is hard to sit quietly and hear the voice of truth. 

 

When you want to be alone with God, follow these simple ideas and they may help you to hear God speak to you more clearly.  Find a location that is quiet and free of distraction.  Quiet yourself in God’s presence.  Breathe deeply and slow down.  Maybe begin talking to God with a simple prayer like “God, I just want to be with you today” or “God, I want to feel your love”.  Be clear about what you would like to receive from God.  If you aren’t familiar with God’s presence, focus on scripture to help you listen to God.  Notice the words or phrases that stand out and speak to your heart.  What thoughts or emotions do you experience?  Finally, be fully present, give God your undivided attention.  Speak to him like you would a dear friend whom you share every secret with.  Then when you are done, respond to what you hear God saying to you.  Respond verbally or by writing down the experience in a journal to keep track of your prayers, God’s response and what has happened in your life.  Express your gratitude and commitment to following God’s response to your question.

 

Look for what God is trying to say in your life.  He may use any method possible to get your attention.  God uses signs, symbols, and songs on the radio and places people in your life to help guide you.  God also places thoughts in your mind to help guide you to your purpose.  Once you begin having a deep relationship with God, you will recognize His presence in your life and understand how He guides you. 

 

Many times people find they have barriers to having a relationship with God, either through past hurts or mistakes they have made.  Healing will help you to remove the barriers that keep you from feeling the beautiful unconditional love and grace that God showers over you.  Or perhaps you have never experienced that kind of love in your life.  How would unconditional love and grace feel like for you? Do you know what unconditional love feels like?  Healing will help you to experience that love on a deep personal and physical level that you may never have felt before.  Remember, God loves you unconditionally and accepts you just as you are. 

 

Thank you for listening to me and I hope that you will experience the beauty of God’s presence in your life and oneness with His Holy Spirit in your heart.  If you want to learn more about healing, please talk to me after the service and I will be glad to discuss the gifts of healing further.

 

 

Said by Alicia – Announcements

 

Donald and I would like to thank each one of you for sharing in this special time of worship today.  May God walk with you every day and hold your hand throughout the week.  Let God spend the ordinary moments of your life with you and you will be amazed at the changes you will see. 

 

Said by Alicia –Closing Prayer and Song before messages

 

Please bow your heads and pray with me.

 

Dear God, we thank you for your presence in our lives, your unending blessings of mercy and grace fill every day of our lives.  Please let your love rain down on us, casting a rainbow of hope in our hearts and peace in our minds.  We are grateful for the blessings you have given to us and ask that you continue to bless this church and all who are here with abundance and prosperity.  Fill our lives with joy and laughter! Amen.

 

 

 

 

Let us sing one final joyful song before we give messages tonight. 

 

Every Move I Make by David Ruis

 

Job 12:7-10

 

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.

 

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

 

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind

 

Every move I make I make in You

You make me move, Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

Every step I take I take in You

You are my way, Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

(Repeat above)

 

la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala

 

Chorus

Waves of mercy, waves of grace

Everywhere I look I see Your face

Your love has captured me

O my God this love how can it be-eeeee!

How can it be Lord!

 

Every move I make I make in You

You make me move, Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

 

Every step I take I take in You

You are my way, Jesus

Every breath I take I breathe in You

 

la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala

 

 

Waves of mercy, waves of grace

Everywhere I look I see Your face

Your love has captured me

O my God this love how can it be-eeeee!

How can it be Lord!

(Repeat chorus 2 times)

 

la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala – la la lalala

 

 

Messages given by Alicia and Donald

Dismissal to fellowship and refreshments.

UPCOMING EVENT: Guest Speakers at Spiritual Lighthouse Church

In a few weeks, Donald and I will be sharing a special service at the Spiritual Lighthouse Church in Jacksonville, FL.  We will be sharing an inspiring message about healing for a personal relationship with God and at the end giving messages to all who attend.  This is a special chance for anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with God to experience a new way to feel God’s presence and worship in a whole new way.  We hope you can join us on Sunday, March 22 at 5pm for this wonderful event!

 

Below is the address and website for Spiritual Lighthouse Church:

 

Spiritual Lighthouse Church

Telephone: (904) 764-7639

Address: 1049 Crestwood St. , Jacksonville, FL

Website: http://www.spirituallighthouse.org/

 

Below is a short biography about Donald and myself and a summary about the service. 

 

Reverend Donald Chelf grew up in a small town in northern Indiana.  He was raised by Buddhist and Christian parents.  This special spiritual upbringing helped him to develop his own spirituality and Donald began meditating when he was around 9 years old.  Donald came to realize that spirituality opened him up to many worlds beyond this physical reality.  As the years progressed, he learned how to astral travel, learn shamanic practices and commune with the ascended masters where he learned how to heal beyond the body and mind, so that the healing included the spirit of himself and others.  This healing of spirit leads to the healing of each person’s own spirituality and allows for greater control and oneness with All That Is.  It is this deep spiritual healing that Donald wishes to teach and share with others. Donald was ordained by the Universal Life Church and became a Reiki Master in 2003. 

 

Reverend Alicia Erchul grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She started feeling God’s presence around her when she was a small child, almost as though He was watching her while she studied.  When Alicia was around 7 she began to see spirits and angels.  Throughout her school years she had dreams that would come true at school the following day and had visions of many of the places she has lived over the years.  After attending college in Iowa, she moved to San Francisco and met a healer who taught Alicia many methods of healing, including Reiki, channeling and shamanic practices.  Her own healing journey has helped Alicia develop a heartfelt compassion for others and an inner knowing of how to share words of healing and forgiveness from the angels.  Alicia’s special connection to Angels and the spirit realm have helped her bring peace and comfort to many people over the years through both healing touch and written words of inspiration and encouragement.  She hopes that all will one day experience the infinite and unconditional love that God has for all of us and what it truly feels like to be one with All That Is.  Alicia was ordained by the Universal Life Church and became a Reiki Master in 2001.

 

Alicia and Donald met over 5 years ago on a spiritual chat where they would discuss healing methods and encouraged each other to further develop their healing abilities.  Often they would meditate and journey through the spirit world together till the wee hours of the morning.  As they grew to know one another, they learned how their spirits were twin flames, and that when they joined together for healing they shined brighter and helped bring about greater healing to those who asked for their help.  Many times long distance clients have commented that when they saw Alicia and Donald coming to them in spirit, they would see them join as one and shine so bright and bring so much peace that they were amazed and awed by how they felt afterwards. 

 

Alicia and Donald felt a call by Spirit to move to Florida almost a year ago.  They always respond to God’s call on their life, no matter if it seems strange or not particularly a place they may have considered going.  The call talked about how they would help bring healing, peace and hope to this area by raising its vibration and sharing the special healing that they have learned together.  God has placed a strong call on their hearts to start up a healing ministry so they can teach others their healing methods and inspire them to do the same. 

 

On Sunday, March 22 at 5pm they will be sharing a special service with us at the Spiritual Lighthouse Church.  The topic they are sharing is titled “Healing for a Personal Relationship with God”.  Alicia is going to share an inspired poem called “Where Does God Go?”and Donald will be speaking about his experiences with healing others and how that has lead others to a personal relationship with God.  The songs they have picked out have been chosen for their uplifting and heartwarming qualities that will open your heart to a fuller relationship with God and move you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.   The music they have chosen comes from contemporary worship leaders who have made a name for themselves in churches across the country and around the world that leads people to higher forms of worship and praise for God.  Following the service Donald and Alicia will be sharing messages with all.  This should be an extraordinary experience for all to enjoy!

Words of Wisdom ~12.27.08

Today’s Words of Wisdom –

 

John 11:21-26 (New International Version)

 21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

 

 

The part of these verses that jumps out to me is where Martha said “If you had been here…” How many times do we say that to God?  “If you had only been with me…”, “If you had answered this prayer…”, “If you would only…” then we would have the outcome that we choose rather than the outcome God chooses.

 

At moments in our lives, it may seem that God arrives too late to help, too late to change the outcome or too late to simply be with us.  It may seem that God just forgot and didn’t bother to call and say He wasn’t going to be with you that day. 

 

But, as we go onto read the rest of the verse, it reminds us that we need to have faith and believe that God will be with us and that He has already provided us with an eternal answer to our prayers.  We live in God, God lives in us.  We need to have faith that God is always there.  One needs to ask God for help to be able to receive it.  There is nothing that God will not help you with if you ask and it is of your highest good. 

 

God is always walking by our side, though we may not always feel or hear God’s presence.  We need to strengthen our faith so we can accept the love and promise that God will always be with us and uphold His promise as long as we keep our promise to always walk with Him.  Walking with God is walking with an open heart and a willingness to follow where God leads.

 

If you have trouble seeing and hearing God around you, listen and sing along with the following song.  Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche is a wonderful song to help you open your heart and allow the connection between you and God to grow.