Podcasts about streams in the desert

In this week's sermon we continue our Summer series about the Bible's exploration and relationship to water. We look at Isaiah 43 and how in the worst and "driest" of times, God can provide a stream and aid the situation. We're glad that you made it to this video! We are also available on Spotify and Apple Music. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com

This week, we are revisiting a favorite episode. We hope you enjoy going back with us. Isaiah 35:6b Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Lettie Burd Cowman titled her devotional book, Streams in the Desert, after this verse. It was first published in 1925. Her writings were based on her hardships and her experiences of fellowship with God. I randomly opened my dusty copy to a page and it met me in just the right way. It turns out there was nothing random about it after all. F.B. Meyer wrote: Remember to store up an accurate remembrance of the way in which God comforts thee.  I'm glad Lettie did just that. I will read to you from: 2 Corinthians 12:7-12  1 Peter 1:6-9  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.sherriyoungward.com/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.sherriyoungward.com

Today on Bold Steps, Pastor Mark Jobe shows us how to move out of the desert and into the place God has called us. Psalm 63 was penned by King David while he was in the desert.  He writes: My soul thirsts for You, my flesh years for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  Have you ever felt like this?  We all know that life can take us through some dry, parched places, but as we'll see today in our message, Streams in the Desert, praising God for who He is … is not … and should not be dependent upon our circumstances.Support the show: https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/bold-steps-with-dr-mark-jobe/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Bold Steps, Pastor Mark Jobe shows us how to find streams of refreshment in the midst of spiritual deserts. Often our hearts are fickle.  Growing cold very quickly … even when it comes to the things of God.  Today, we'll be talking about the need to come back to a heart of worship. A heart that is on fire for God is one that will always worship God PASSIONATELY! But when you're at work with all the politics of the environment and dynamics, you can lose the fire for God. Our message today deals with learning to keep your heart fires burning in order to awaken a spiritual renewal in the midst of spiritual deserts.Support the show: https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/bold-steps-with-dr-mark-jobe/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If our church is to flourish, we must remember what He is asking of us. It goes all the way back to the kind of church He wants us to be. The kind of church that will live and be alive! God can turn dry, empty spots into places full of life and hope, just like he strengthens us when we're feeling down. God heals and guides us along a safe path, where no harm can touch us if we stick with Him. This journey is all about moving from sadness to joy, a kind of joy that sticks around because of what Jesus has done for us. We all need to step up and walk this path of holiness. Let's be there for each other, trust in God's promises to refresh the barren parts of our lives, and make a positive impact on our community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lantanachurch/message

Today on Bold Steps Weekend, Pastor Mark Jobe shows you how to move out of the desert and into the place God has called you to be. In Psalm 63, King David writes, "My soul thirsts for you. My flesh yearns for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water." You know that life can take you through some dry, parched places, but you will hear today how praising God for who He is, is not, and should not be dependent upon our circumstances.Support the show: https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/bold-steps-weekend-with-dr-mark-jobe/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Bold Steps Weekend, Pastor Mark Jobe shows us how to find streams of refreshment in the midst of spiritual deserts. Many believers have gone through or are going through dry spells in their lives. This message is drawn from Psalm 63 and it should minister to a lot of people.Support the show: https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/bold-steps-weekend-with-dr-mark-jobe/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04-10-22 Sun PM “Streams In the Desert”Pastor Nathaniel UrshanIsaiah 35:1-10You can contact us at https://fpcdurham.org/contact

Andy closes the Streams in the Desert Series

Streams In The Desert Hunger We lack trust “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?” Genesis 3:1 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11 ESV We settle “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:1-6 ESV “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:8-10 ESV

STREAMS IN THE DESERT Slowing 11.12.23 Genesis 1:31-2:3 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. God establishes a creation rhythm for life. If creation is the INHALE then rest is the EXHALE. Exodus 5:17-18 17 Pharaoh said, “Lazy, that's what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.' 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.” Pharaoh's system: System of restlessness and anxiety System of acquisition and pursuit of more System that abuses others for gain System that is never satisfied or content Yahweh's system: System of work and Sabbath System of trust and faith System that elevates love to the highest quality System that brings true peace Sabbath is countercultural. Sabbath marks our identity as God's people. Sabbath is an act of resistance. Have no other God's before me Do not make any images or idols Don't misuse the name of the Lord Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy Sabbath is intentionally slowing our lives in order to give our attention to Christ and allow the Spirit to transform us and renew us. Mark 2:27-28 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” The Sabbath is a gift that God has given you, not to limit you, but to give you life and freedom. How do implement slowing and Sabbath rhythms into our lives? Sabbath moments every day. Sabbath day/time every week. Sabbath withdrawal every year.

11/12/23 Message from Beau Fagin

Message from Matt Nelson on November 5, 2023

11/5/23 Message from Brian Stewart

It's one of the best-selling devotionals of all time... There's a good chance you've probably not heard of the author, but Lettie B. Cowman's compilations and writings have challenged and shaped millions of people over the years - including me! I remember picking up a special edition of Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley in my early 30s. It had been my grandma's favorite devotional and since it was on clearance, I bought it. Little did I know it would become a much-needed companion that I've returned to often throughout the years. In today's episode of The Living Room, biographer Michelle Ule and I talk about the remarkable woman behind these classic devotionals. And the many lessons we can learn from the extraordinary way she loved and served the Lord Links from Show Lettie B. Cowman Biography: Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert Devotional. Biddy Chambers Biography - Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World's Best-selling Devotional Lettie's Devotionals: Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley Joanna's Newest Book: Embracing Trust: The Art of Letting Go and Holding On to a Forever-Faithful God Joanna's YouTube Channel [Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.] Connect with Michelle Ule Website | Facebook | Instagram

Overflow 10/29/23 What does it mean that God is our Shepherd and how does that lead to overflow? God is our all-sufficient Shepherd "For many of us the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it. We will just skim our lives instead of actually living them." -Jon Ortberg If we are starting with an inaccurate or incomplete picture of God, then we can never fully surrender to Him as our provider, our Shepherd. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. "The gospel that Jesus himself proclaimed, manifested, and taught was about more than his death for the forgiveness of our sins, as important as that is. It was about the kingdom of God - God's immediate availability, his with-us-ness that makes a life without lack possible. There is so much more to our relationship with God than just his dealing with our guilt and sin. Once we have ben forgiven, we are meant to live in the fullness of the life that Jesus came to give us." -Dallas Willard We are His Sheep If dependence is the objective, weakness is an advantage "I am convinced that the Voice that whispered us into being still whispers within us and all creation. I am dead certain of it sometimes, terrified of it at other times, and longing for it at all times. The silence that so ofter seems to overcome me is more likely a matter of my not trusting my own ears than it is a matter of the Voice having gone suddenly inexplicably silent." -Robert Benson "To partner with God as He brings renewal in the world, in the systems and organizations where we live and lead, we must learn to detect His voice before moving forward; this is a countercultural act in an anxious system, which demands action, quick fixes, and fast acting remedies for pain. Waiting on the Lord, seeking His voice is an act of revolutionary stillness." -Mark Sayers His promise is fullness to the point of overflow "There is absolutely nothing that God lacks. We must understand this, because the overflowing sufficiency that we will experience when Yahweh is our Shepherd lies in the all-sufficiency of the Shepherd himself. If we do not understand the all-sufficiency of the Shepherd, we will never experience that sufficiency in relationship to him. What we need, God has - in infinite supply." -Dallas Willard Philippians 4:10-13 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Burnout happens when our doing exceeds our being.

10/29/23 Message from Andy Smith

Streams in the Desert Mundane 10-22-23 One of the greatest lies of the enemy is trying to get you to believe that your ordinary, everyday faithfulness and obedience are not enough to bring about significant Kingdom impact. Matthew Blake Nelson Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, No, that's not the road we want. We tend to want a Christian life with the dull bits cut out. Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” This is the great challenge: to maintain passion for the everyday routine and the endlessly repeated act, to derive deep gratification from the mundane. ~ Thomas Keller Quietness Repetitiveness Monotony Mundane is the way Annie Dillard How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What is the mundane so hard to embrace? What does God want to teach me through the mundane? How do I embrace the daily grind of the mundane? Psalm 73:28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Rod Dreher Everdayness is my problem. It's easy to think about what you would do in wartime, or if a hurricane blows through, or if you spent a month in Paris, or if your guy wins the election, or if you won the lottery or bought that thing you really wanted. It's a lot more difficult to figure out how you're going to get through today without despair. Psalm 17:13-15 Arise, O Lord! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue me from the wicked with your sword! By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants. Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied. The Path Acceptance – this is my life (It's O.K.) Commitment to celebrate the ordinary (Everyday struggle) Invite others into the mundane

10/22/23 Message from Deli Stinnett

STREAMS IN THE DESERT Wonder 10.15.23 Wonder: To live in wonder is to live with a sense of awe in the face of the divine and to appreciate the beauty and goodness of God's design all around us. Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Wonder is not an escape from the real world but a way to be radically present to it. Turn around and believe that the good news that we are loved is better than we ever dared hope, and that to believe in that good news, to live out of it and toward it, to be in love with that good news, is of all glad things in this world the gladdest thing of all. – Frederich Buechner How do we rediscover wonder, mystery, and the beauty of the world we live in? Fight against busyness We slow down and learn to be present in a busy and distracting world Fight against control We remind ourselves of the goodness and sovereignty of our heavenly Father Fight against cynicism We teach our souls to recognize the beauty all around us Fight against agendas We create space for joy and play and the freedom to be like a child “Maybe the burning bush was burning all the time and Moses didn't notice. Maybe the miracle is when you stop and pay attention.” - Francine Prose A Liturgy of Wonder By Dalmo Mendonca Creator God, Giver of Joy, In a world that rushes and roars, we pause in your presence. We silence our hearts, our minds, and our mouths, just to behold You. Amid the clamor and clutter, we choose to marvel in Your majesty. We remember You, the sculptor of stars, the painter of sunsets. We remember You, the composer of dawn, the architect of the seasons. Amid the hustle and hurry, we choose to witness Your wonder. Jesus, the Image of the Invisible God, Rekindle in us the flame of fascination, Foster in us a heart of holiness, a spirit of sanctity, As we observe Your creativity in creation.

Arnick preaches about posture and climate of worship

STREAMS IN THE DESERT Thirst 10.1.23 Good Father, We confess we are burdened, weary, and dry. We have searched for life in the systems of death. We carry weights we were not created to carry. We run further into the desert. We are thirsty. Today, we step into your invitation to rest. We join the flowers and birds who do not worry or toil. We choose to live from your overflowing well of grace. We seek first your kingdom. As we draw near to you, would you draw near to us? As we step out of what is comfortable, will you meet us? Would you meet us in our community? Would you meet us in the spaces created for you? Jesus, wellspring of life, Overflow into our dry and weary souls. Saturate us with your peace and presence, As we plant ourselves by the streams of living water. The woman had buckets of water in front of her and yet her soul was a desolate wasteland. Jesus was thirsty from his long journey and yet he was an endless well of living water. John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Could it be that we don't hunger and thirst for Jesus because we're drinking from the wrong wells? What are the wells I'm drinking from when I'm lonely, angry, bored, tired, or stressed? How to access living water: Come to Jesus Believe in Jesus Abide in Jesus

Hello and welcome to the Unedited podcast! The goal of this podcast is to help you develop and enjoy the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer. It is through the Word of God and the presence of God that we GET TO KNOW God. In this episode, Meg shares a little of what she has been listening to and reading, and shares a devotional read in her own devotional time: “Streams In the Desert: September 8.” Apple Summer Classical Playlist “Mercy” by Maverick City “Worthy of My Song” by Phil Wickham and Maverick City “Yes and Amen” by First Church Worship “Wounded, but Still Wanted” by Pastor Joseph Hanthorn “Releasing Joy” by Rev. Jeff Ralston “At Your Best” by Carey Neuhoff “Win the Day” by Mark Batterson “Ordering Your Private World” by Gordon MacDonald “Dare to Bloom” by Zim Flores “When Ye Fast” by Joy Haney “Streams in the Desert” by L. B. Cowman/Jim Reimann The book, “Unedited: Hope and Healing Through the Simple Habit of Bible Reading and Prayer” is available at Pentecostalpublishinghouse.com and on Amazon! Thank you for joining me for this journey. I look forward to meeting up with you again next Friday! If you have questions or to download a typed or handwritten transcript of today's entry, please visit megunedited.com. Go grab your Bible and your journal! Looking forward to the power of this habit in YOUR life. This is Unedited. This is for U.

The Streams in the Desert Live 2023 State of the Union Message (re-broadcast of Ep. 441)

Greetings Charels Spurgeon and others a compilation of Holy Spirit guidance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fernando-montes-de-oca/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fernando-montes-de-oca/support

The Prophet Isaiah - the promise and preview of the restoration to come.

The Streams in the Desert Live 2023 State of the Union Message

Pastor Josh teaches in fasting with Jesus.

Episode 225 of PLANTED - "Streams in the Desert" (Isaiah 35) by Friendship Baptist Church

Today we explore Isaiah 35:1-10, a beautiful prophecy of restoration and wholeness. What in our lives feels dry, pained, in need of healing? To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here. Next Sunday's readings are here.

SERMON from Jerod Gilcher on November 13, 2022

When the framework of your world disintegrates, remaining joyful feels nearly impossible. Musician and songwriter Andrew Osenga had a “streams in the desert” moment when he lost his job and struggled to provide for his wife and three kids. But through that season, Andrew discovered God provides “headwaters” in unlikely places, and can restore joy to even the parched parts of our lives.   Quotes “The gospel is about keeping us in relationship with God, in a life that is full of flourishing and that is adventurous and that is just freely giving to one another in a way that the world looks at and goes, ‘What are they doing?'” —Andrew Osenga  “I think that's one of the greatest challenges of being a Christian, is this desire to control the things that we're afraid of. Because we are afraid of being alone, we're afraid of being sad. We carry a lot of fear, and we attach fear to our faith in ways that we don't always understand.” —Andrew Osenga  “I had a lot of people just kind of carry me, and it helped me sort of rediscover who God had made me to be. And it just ended up being a really beautiful season.” —Andrew Osenga  Andrew Osenga's LinksAndrew Osenga's website Andrew Osenga's Facebook Andrew Osenga's Twitter Andrew Osenga's Instagram   Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Painted Desert record Integrity Podcast  Psalm 23 NIV   Connect with Sally Lloyd-JonesJesus Storybook Bible Facebook Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram  Sally's website Sally's Facebook Sally's Instagram   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Isaiah 34 & 25

Summertime is here and we are ready to kick off our summer series! As we move into the hottest time of the year, we can count on the fact that we will be looking for refreshment. What are the ways that God brings refreshment? What are some practices we can engage in to be refreshed, regardless of what is going on around us?

I'm still pondering the in-between, transition times of life and today's Lectio Divina with Isaiah 43:16-21 opens a song of hope and promise in the wilderness. The prophet sings of a God who is moving and living, hovering … Continue reading "Lectio Divina: Streams in the Desert" The post Lectio Divina: Streams in the Desert appeared first on contemplative at home.

Today, 2 unpublished and 2 published from Living In God's Rhyme.  Today my hope, my prayer is that it is God's words, not my words, and God's voice, not my voice that are heard.  May the power of God lift us up as we read and discuss today's poems. 8/11/19 A daily devotional I was given by a neighbor and I have been reading has led me to new understanding of what God has for us (me).  It has led me to a more thorough understanding of prayer, waiting and hope.  The book is Streams In The Desert, complied by L. B. Cowman.  My neighbor thought I would like it because of the poetry that is in some the devotions.  I'm sure there was another involved in this decision as every day since I started reading the devotions are exactly what I need. VICTORIOUS You are my King and my God, who decrees  victories for Jacob.  Through you we push  back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.  (Psalm 84:4-5, NIV) A thousand and more years Overcoming our fears, Defeating our foe So onward we go. Love for His chosen ones, His daughters and sons, Through God's grace They find faith. Today, our foes still in sight, We have victory, through God's grace Over the foes we fight, The enemies we face. The battle against temptation Has been won through our redemption. The battle against sin Our savior did win. Through death And by the grave, Through His resurrection, Jesus has defeated our foe. As heirs to the Lord, When we face the horde, And as we live with the discord Of this world, Jesus is our sword. Call out to the cross And proclaim the loss Of our enemy. Claim His victory.  Jesus was victorious, Victory is our chorus, The song we claim In Jesus' name. 8/9/19, tcarter Discussion: I am still amazed how God works.  From what I heard one the news today to reading His word tonight came the following.  I also realized how His love works through the encouragement of others.  God does work in His ways, not ours. THE LOVE OF HIS COMMAND I heard the news today. Yes, I changed a word, The lyrics from the sixties Last century that is. Yes, I did hear and I did read the news. Sometimes when one speaks one's views The truth comes out, then others shout, Wondering how views like that come about. I once wrote about a long ago idol Whose thoughts one day became idle. He sang the words all you need is love, To which I replied, all you need is God's love. I believed, he did not, what Jesus said, “A new command I give you.   As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, If you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35) The love of man, yes it can Give us relief from the grief Of the lives we live And what we did give. It is there today and maybe gone tomorrow. There will be so many days with sorrow. What is this love we need? This love, what does it feed? Is it freely given to everyone Living with us under the sun? Maybe, Maybe not. Jesus said, as I have loved you. Commanded, this we must do. Not a love of this world, No, with the love of God. Sending his Son to live among us, This man, the Son of God, Jesus, Loved us all, the good and the bad No matter the lives that we had. He loved those in need, That is you and me, all of us. Whether living in the weeds Or in the fields, he loves us. Oh, there are those who will fall When it is time for the final call. But by loving without standing behind a wall There will be more in God's love standing tall. The rich man, the poor man, The tattered and torn And those dressed well worn, One and the same in God's hand. To deny our love to others We do judge our brothers, Judge them to be less, Judge them to be useless.

Deacon Nathan Bryant talks about Isaiah and the prophets.  We can see the faithfulness of God in the past, but he plans even more for the future.

'The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord , The excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.' Isaiah 35:1-10

Isaiah 35:6 Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Lettie Burd Cowman titled her devotional book, Streams in the Desert, after this verse. It was first published in 1925. Her writings were based on her hardships and her experiences of fellowship with God. I randomly opened my dusty copy to a page and it met me in just the right way. It turns out there was nothing random about it after all. F.B. Meyer wrote: Remember to store up an accurate remembrance of the way in which God comforts thee. I'm glad Lettie did just that. I will read to you from: 2 Corinthians 12:7-12 1 Peter 1:6-9 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you! I am dreaming up extra goodies for those of you who are able to help out. Take a look. http://www.sherriyoungward.com/donate To find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at www.sherriyoungward.com

On this episode of Salt & Light, Janice and Bonnie talk about how God makes a way when there is NO way. Sometimes we find ourselves in bad situations that we can't possibly even imagine of it EVER getting better. Situations where we don't know where to turn to or even have hope that something will change.. but God ALWAYS provides a way out! References: 2 Corinthians 12:9 1 Peter 5:10 Isaiah 35 Psalm 27:13-14

Bro. Doug Foster presents "Streams In The Desert" from Isaiah 35, during a worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church, Florence, Ky. Please visit us at 7183 Pleasant Valley Road Florence KY 41042, or call us at (859) 586-6829. Find out more information about our free app at http://www.ibcflorence.com/ibc-app or visit our website at https://www.ibcflorence.com. For a list of recent sermons, please visit https://www.ibcflorence.com/recent-sermons We would love to know how to pray for you! Romans 10:9

Melyssa Colon Cordero - is a Florida based Pastor, preacher, wife, mother, worship leader and racial justice fighter. She works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the Latino Fellowship Ministry.We experienced heavy internet traffic due to COVID trying to record, causing delays in getting started.Melyssa talks about “COVID life” which started for her four weeks ago when her kids went on Spring Break and did not return. “Everythign has been destabilized.” It is adjusting to a new normal. She and her husband are both working from home, her kids are doing online learning. Melyssa jokes that she is teacher, guidance counselor, cafeteria lady, custodial services, tech support, maintenance…Doing it all! And not getting paid for it. “It has been really challenging, but I've found really restful moments of God's grace and favor.” It's been pretty overwhelming with all the emotions at once.Maggie asks what self-care looks like for her: Melyssa wakes up 2 hours before her kids in order to center herself over a cup of cafe con leche with Jesus. It is a space for quiet before the chaos of three boys. She has lived in her house for the past ten years but is just now finding her porch to be a gift from God in this season. Plus the weather has been amazing! She barely remembers life before Corona. The porch is restorative. "There's something about being out doors that breathes life into you.”She gets her kids outside by going on walks around the neighborhood, taking in her neighbors with new eyes, appreciating things with new eyes things always existed but that she didn't see because she was so busy and distracted with life. There are thing she is doing now that she wants to continue when COVID is over.Danielle feels her tears are close, that there is such grief held in not being able to leave your home but also having a renewed appreciate for things you have. It's a huge privilege what we have.Melyssa's kids have been playing outside more, even though they are like every kid in America that wants to stay inside and play video games and watch you tube… She said they are choosing to go outside now. This is something new and she loves it! There is something new being birthed amidst the death that is around us. Not just deaths as in loss of lives, but also loss of the ability to hug someone, loss of jobs, loss of the ability to celebrate birthdays the way we would…Melyssa was recently hired with InterVarsity to work with the Latino Fellowship, an ethnic specific ministry. Right before the shelter in place order she was in Puerto Rico [Mar 4-7] leading a time of worship and fellowship. Her primary focus is to raise support and she doesn't even know how to do that during a recession. She finds herself readjusting her expectations of what raising support looks like in this season. It looks more like CARE right now, it's not just about asking for money.As a Latina is she is highly relational and finds that any support or fundraising starts with building relationships —- she already naturally wants to connect and care about people.This past week she is gone back and had to ask her boss to decrease her hours because she really feels called to be present with her family in this season. He recognize that she doesn't have the capacity to do it all. She believes that God is doing something in her family and she needs to be pay attention; Something that is going to have long term implications. Her boss' priority is what's best for her and her family, not just what's best for the company. And Melyssa recognizes this isn't forever, it's just a season.“God is doing something and I want to have the ability to see what He is doing!”Danielle breaks it down:She is still listening. She's paying attention in this seasonShe's heard something; She has noticed something in her family.She's in it for the long haul: investment in her family. It is lovely, beautiful work, inspiring, encouraging and challenging. Not only are we all pivoting to working at home, there are other things we need to pay attention to at home.Presence and capacity. Recognizing what you can and can't do. It takes the ability to be aware of your own capacity.Melyssa talks about not having a very good track record with motherhood in ministry. She's been in full time ministry for almost 20 years and her children always felt like a barrier to her leadership, to her call. She admits that she has made some decision that have been harmful to her family and the God is in the process of now healing those places of hurt. She feels a transition from just healing to actually flourishing and strengthening their bond as a family unit. Prioritizing her family has not been her history so this is a big shift for her—her family is a part of her call not a stumbling block. She is paying attention, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and responding to it. God has done a work in her!Danielle asks how she envisions her ministries impact on her family in the face of COVID… Melyssa was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Florida when she was five. Her mom remarried and her step-dad is African American. She grew up with African American community, and it feels very close to her, she feels very protective of her family.She says COVID has exposed racial injustice that is not anything new. People who don't have access to health care, food deserts, low income…the data shows the disproportionate impact on people of color. Every single institution in America has got to change. This is not just now happening, it's been in the making for a long timeWhat more can she do in her current situation? She can pray and she can be a true teller with her kids. For now, honesty about this situation is important to God and to her family and friends. She lives in a predominantly black and brown neighborhood. She wants to be aware of her neighbors and what their needs are.It's not just old people, this thing is coming for everybody.It's important to remember that this [COVID] is not just a medical problem. It's a racial problem and an economic problem.Danielle reapplied for insurance and they were no longer accepting her husband's US Passport and instead wanted his original naturalized citizenship certificate… Danielle said no way! She called her state representative and this has been a problem for other immigrant families. So her husband is still uninsured and when COVID hit she looked at him and said, “Dude, you better stay healthy!” They really need the insurance but she is protesting that all of a sudden his passport is no longer good enough for the insurance and she is unwilling to give their original documents over.Everything is compounded when you have a crisis like this.It feels like you can't really trust the news. There's a hopeful mindset, you want to believe that the money Trump is sending is actually coming. Danielle heard a report that China maybe started in November, a warning was sent out in January. Then you ask yourself, what is the real story? The numbers don't add up for the virus starting late.Melyssa asks, Who can you trust? Are we just all on our own nowAs she reflected on Palm Sunday, where people cheered “Hosanna please save us!” as Jesus rode into the Jerusalem, Melyssa feels that now; “Please save us!” It feels like there is no one we can look to that has our best interest in mind.Melyssa has been asked by her church to share the Easter Homily [online of course], how do we make sense of resurrection power in the midst of all of this? She felt the Lord give her Isaiah 43:18-19 where God says we need to forget the former things. That God is bringing up something new, can we perceive it? God is making a way in the wilderness, streams in the wasteland. All around us feels like the valley of the shadow of death, but this idea that God is making a way in the wilderness, of making streams in the wasteland, that feels like resurrection power. Jesus making dead things coming to live, birthing new things.What is happening with her kids and her family feels like a stream in the wasteland — God is choosing to bring a peace and unity and strengthening their bonds in this particular season! As Melyssa hears other people creatively hustling when they've lost their jobs, or even finding a new job so they thriving in this season, to hear that feels like streams in the wasteland. It feels like “death where is your sting?” That is the power of the resurrection. Right now our world has been turned upside down.“We are never going to be what we were. Returning back to the normal, I just don't even know that that's even possible.” Things have changed and there has been a lot of loss leaving long term emotional impacts. And yet, there are things that God is doing! He is bringing life and liberation, healing and deliverance. . . We have to hold those two things in tension. Death and resurrection. Lament and mourning along with joy and celebration. Connect with and support Melyssa and her work:Twitter @melyc03Instagram @melcordero03InterVarsity Latino Fellowship: http://lafe.intervarsity.org/aboutEmail: MelCordero03@gmail.comYouTube: Underground Network preaching Melyssa Cordero Melyssa is reading: The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James ConeMelyssa is listening to: 90s R&BMelyssa is inspired by: her kids!