And today I laugh! Hahahahah!!!

I have heard this before, but today it made me laugh again. My husband shared with me how one of his co-workers complimented me on my unique fashion style. First of all, we must ask the question, what does unique mean? If by unique we mean "she doesn't match and must be color blind" I concur and totally agree and I take that as a full compliment. Although there have been times where my children have warned me not to go out looking the way I do and looking at one picture from a few years ago, I would have to agree, but never-mind that.

What I found even more sweet was my husband's response....."It's called Savers" and by this one should translate it as "We are too broke for my wife to go out and buy clothes from the 1st hand store that actually match, hence the eclectic look is created out of pure necessity."

But seriously doesn't everybody wear cut offs jeans under their Sunday dress:)

I'm thinking of becoming a Thrift store model ......any one got any hookups out there..... or maybe I should stick with Music Ministry:)

God is Good

There is something I have realized in the past week. I'm just gonna say it and you might think, "Well, Duh", but what has hit home to me this week is this...It Is Not About Me.

Sometimes I feel like I learn the same lessons over and over, but in new ways. Recently I have dealt with selfishness in not wanting to sing certain songs because emotionally they are too difficult and they stir up some tough memories. I just want to keep them for myself. Ironic thing here is that this was the first hurdle I had to get over when I used to play my songs at the piano for my personal devotion time. My husband kept telling me to share them and I said no, these are for my quiet time. Then I heard the call from God. So I find it funny that I would go through this again.

So this week I am talking about "Julies Song" aka "God is Good". What I realized is that it is not about me, it's not about how I sing the song, it's really not even about the song. It's not about my ability to write or lack of ability to compose. It is about the Power of God, the Power of His truth and the Power in His name. That's it. It's not about me.

God humbles me...constantly. I have so much to learn, yet I have so much to give. I just pray that He continues to allow me opportunities to do what He has called me to do. This I have no doubt He will do for His names sake.

May each of us go out knowing that God's truth is bigger than our realities, our pain and our hurts, even bigger than our temporary joy. May we make His name famous and declare to the world that He is good.

Now if I'm correct, to the right of this post is a music player and you can hit the forward button and hear the Song "God is Good" and listen to the wonderful names of our Lord. There is Power in His name. Be blessed to be a blessing.

God Is Good

by,

Mia Koehne ©2009

Chorus:

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “God is Good”

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “He is Faithful”

Verse:

Or say His name Jehovah Jireh (my provider)

Or say his name Jehova Nissi (My victorious banner)

Or say his name Jehovah Rophe (my healer)

Just say His name Jehovah Prince of Peace (my Shalom)

Verse:

Say His name Jehovah Kanna (my jealous Lord)

Say His name Jehovah Sel’i (my Rock)

Say His Name Jehovah Tsori (my strength)

Just say His name Jehovah Hoshe'ah (my lord saves)

Bridge:

God Is Good

God Is Faithful

New Songs

Last night was a fantastic night for me for several reasons. It was my first concert in Phoenix, it was my first concert with my new band and it was the first time I got to give my testimony here in my new home state. It was an amazing night. It was kind of like the worship leader said during the concert, "We're churchin it." It was a great night of worship of an Amazing God.

After I gave my testimony I sang a new song that I wrote the other day. It has a very personal meaning to me, not only because I once was that person, but because I also now pray for that person that I am singing about. I didn't really sing it perfectly, but I'm glad that I did. The great part about it is that even from the first time, Michael, the bass player heard it, he already has suggestions to make it better. I love that about my band! So, I'm excited to see where the song goes and what it becomes.

Just want to post the words as a prayer for all of us. Not sure of the title yet, but I had some great suggestions from the crowd last night, as of now it's simply called........

"A New Song Rather Than The Old"

You’re alone in the crowd on the corner

Chasing rainbows that go with no end

There’s no grand pot of gold in your story

You keep running with eyes to the wind

CHORUS: And your sad, sad story

Sings a song of desire and tears

You keep singing that sad tale of glory

You keep running behind all your fears

You've been running this race now for so long

Here’s a hand let me help you to stand

You are worth so much more than you know now

Sing a new song, the song of I AM

Sing

Sing

Sing, sing a song of redemption

Sing for the whole world to hear

Trust in the Lord

I needed to meditate on the words..."Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I need to trust Him today for things that don't seem possible and things that don't even make sense to me. My own understanding just isn't cutting it. Yet, when I read Proverbs 3:5-6, I can hardly stop because what follows is just as great to chew on. Enjoy some chewing action.

PROVERBS 3

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

² for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

"...already in progress" The Trailer

The Missionary

Sukhui with my daughter, Miriam

Today I had a date with my daughter. OK, actually she had a dental appointment, but we decided to go out for breakfast before and celebrate her birthday (again) as I will be out of town on her actual birthday. This would be month two of celebrating her birthday which isn't until mid May. Any excuse to celebrate!!

As we sat down we were greeted by a very kind and extremely happy waitress who introduced herself and said "I am going to serve you." I felt a stirring in my heart and felt that I should share Jesus with her. I didn't know if she was a believer, but with that kind of joy, I wanted her to know true joy and where it comes from.

I heard her talking to the couple in the booth next to us about the usual Phoenix conversation regarding the weather. She was telling the couple, who were originally from Indiana, how she missed snow at Christmas time when she loves to celebrate Jesus! My heart leaped, she was a sister in the Lord!

Right after that she must have witnessed my daughter and I praying together as we sat at the table, because she then came up to me and said "I am a Christian too." From there (actually before there) she continued to pour out a testimony of love for her Saviour. She testified to the source of all true joy and how there is no one else for her except Jesus.

Her name is Sukhui and she moved to the United States in 1985 when she was 26 years old. At that time she was a new believer and on fire for the Lord (she still is and even more). She came into this country not knowing a thing about American food and even though people doubted her, she testified to all the doors that the Lord opened. And let me tell you, she knows her American food. She knows more about eggs and bacon than anyone I know. She knows how to serve. She knows how to love.

She could not stop talking about Jesus. She began to sing a song about the wonderful name of Jesus, then she sang it to me in Korean. I told my daughter that she was an example of what it means to be UNASHAMED for Jesus. It is simply a matter of opening your mouth and allowing to come out all that you put in your heart. Jesus is what she fed on and Jesus being poured out on her lips is the only natural thing for her.

When she clears her plates she says a "Hallelujah!" When she hand the plates to the cooking staff she says a "Hallelujah!" and they in turn now reply with an "Amen!" That's contagious. Sukhui has been working as a waitress in this particular restaurant for 8 years and 6 years in this particular section. She told me that she is a Korean missionary in America and prays over the room and all that come to dine there. She has even lead a few to the Lord along the way. She has seen people come and go. She lost eight regulars (hopefully dancing now in heaven) in 2008, but she presses on with a missionary heart.

So my joy this day, besides being able to meet her, is the joy and honor of praying for her over a pain that she has in her side. She may have to go in for surgery, but is asking God for a miracle first. So won't you join me in praying to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ for a healing miracle for my new friend, Sukhui. Won't you join me in praying for each person that steps in that restaurant and has a chance to encounter Jesus!

May we all view the place where God has planted us as holy ground. May we see our places of work, our homes and our neighborhoods as a mission field. May we walk boldly, humbly, and unashamedly for our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Father, I thank you this day for your miracles. I thank you for being God of all. I thank you for being Jehovah-Rapha, who heals! I asked you to be that God for Sukhui, this day. I ask you to be our Rapha-healer for each of us everyday. Amen!

Power and Authority

So I'm reading through the book of John and I am once again in a new and fresh way being blown away by the boldness and the power of Jesus Christ. Yes, I love all the miracles that testify to who He is, but more than that the the power and authority of His words.

Today I read John 8:12-30 and Jesus boldly says "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will NEVER walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Then He says to the people "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." I don't know if your feeling it, but I can only imagine how this infuriated the people, yet there were those who heard His words and put their faith in Him.

People wanted Him dead. He was claiming to be One with the Father, the Messiah. They wanted to kill him. YET, as it says in the scripture, no one seized him because His time had not yet come. To follow it all up, Jesus then speaks these words "...I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone, for I ALWAYS do what pleases Him." Oh, how I wish I could say that of myself. "That I always do what pleases Him." But Christ did..He died and became sin for me, so that the punishment would be upon His shoulders and the resurrection would be His glory.

Because of THAT, I am a new creation, always forgiven and through faith in Him I have been given the gift of salvation and eternal life and the daily opportunity to live in light for Him. Jesus was bold and passed on His spirit to us so that we too might be bold in His truth.

Jesus drew a line and said "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." On the other side of the line are those who reject Him and to them He said "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin." There is no two way street.

Jesus was bold and right to say you are either with me or your not. Thanks to Jesus, we can stand boldly on the side of Light and Life! Put your trust in Him!

Thank you Jesus for the Light of Life. I ask today that you would press me, push me, prod me and never leave me alone. Amen!