Offerings – “Believe” – Jenny/Dora/Mel

Hey TD!

Offerings 3 is almost here! It’s still not too late to sign up!  Just let your small group leader know what you’ll be offering.

Here’s another offering from Offerings 2 – Jenny’s original song, “Believe,” as shared by Jenny, Dora, and Mel!

Believe (lyrics)

By Jenny Liu

Verse 1:

Do I truly believe that Your love has no bounds?

Do I truly believe I was lost but now am found?

Do I truly believe that You’ve given me more than I need?

I believe, help my unbelief!

Verse 2:

Do I truly believe that Your Word is alive and real?

Do I truly believe Your promises, despite how I feel?

Do I truly believe that You are worthy of all I can give?

I believe, help me believe

Chorus:

That You’re my shelter in the storm

You’re the lover of my soul

You’re my true and faithful friend

You are God and You’re my Lord

You’re the reason that I sing

You’re the worthy King of kings

You are more than enough for me

This I believe

Verse 3:

I choose to truly believe that this world is not my home

Yes, I truly believe that this life is not my own

I choose to truly believe that I’m loved because of the Cross

I believe, yes I believe

Bridge:

I believe that what I believe is really real (x3)

Lord I believe you

Chorus 2:

That You’re my shelter in the storm

You’re the lover of my soul

You’re my true and faithful friend

You are God and You’re my Lord

You’re the pearl of greatest price 

Only You can satisfy 

You are more than enough for me

I believe

Offerings – The River of Life – Arthur

Hey TD!

Here’s an offering I gave to the Lord from Revelations 22, set to the music of “The Chronicles of Narnia,” during Offerings 2.  What offering will you give?  Take a risk and go for it!  You’re among family, you’ll be blessed, we’ll be blessed, and most importantly … God will be blessed! – Arthur

Offerings – Body Worship – Amazing Grace

Hey TD!

In anticipation of Offerings 3 this Friday, here’s some meaningful body worship by our TD sisters from Offerings 2!

Please let your small group leader know by Wednesday what you will offer to the Lord. Remember, it can be anything – just as long as it’s from the heart!

Enjoy!

– Arthur

TD Friday – Offerings 3!

Hey TD!

August 28th is approaching … meaning Offerings 3 is right around the corner. That’s right, round 3 is here! The past two nights of Offerings have been such a blessing, how could we not take another opportunity to give heartfelt praise to our Creator, who has given us our unique abilities, talents, and skills?

Now, if you have never heard of Total Devotion’s night of Offerings, then you’re in for a treat. It is a night where God is the main audience, and we, as children of God, present our offerings and sacrifices of praise in honor of Him. It can come in any form: a song that you wrote, a song you just want to sing, a piece of artwork, a memorization of a Bible passage/verse, a skit with your friends, etc. ANYTHING! So long as it has come from the heart and has the intention of honoring and loving God, the possibilities are endless 🙂

During our summer series, “Potent Once More”, Arthur reminded us of the importance of our “being” and how it comes before everything we do. Spend some quiet time before the Lord and prayerfully ask Him how He can be honored that night in light of the new beings He has made us to be … in Christ!

If you are interested in being a part of this very special night, please contact your small group leaders with a description of your offering (and approximate length) by this Wednesday!!!! Your small group leaders will also be emailing you reminding you to sign up as well! 😀

Thank you guys so much! – Dora & Clara

TD Friday – “Rooted in Being”

Hey TD!

Last week, I led us to begin examining our past, to see who we’ve been trying to become, who we want people to think we are, who our parents wanted us to become, what we’re trying to portray ourselves to be, etc.  We then began a journey of deeper discovery into who we really are.  I’d encourage you to review the message in preparation for our summer’s concluding message in the series, Potent Once More.  You’ll have some “Aha!” moments, I’m pretty sure.

“Who Are We? A Look Into Our Being” (mp3 – Arthur)

To prepare for Friday, in addition to reviewing last week’s message, I’d like you to answer this question:

“Is it possible for me to become a better me?”  If so, how?  If not, why not?  Think this one through, ok?  Then bring your thoughts to TD on Friday.  See you then!

– Arthur

Introducing the Newest Member of the TD Family …

Introducing …

Hannah Elizabeth!  (Soooo cuuuuute!!!)

Congratulations to Robert and Kathy on the birth of their brand new daughter!  As you can imagine, they are very excited and very humbled to receive God’s blessing in this way. They understand well that Hannah is the Lord’s child and vow to raise her in a way that highlights how awesome He is.

But they cannot do it alone.  We all need to come alongside them and do our part as well! It is our responsibility and privilege as a TD family.  You can begin by taking a moment to stop and pray for their family, as they continue to work through the heavenly home going of  Robert’s mom, Liz, as well as the earthly arrival of Hannah.

 

“Behold, children are a gift of the LORD …” Psalm 127:3

TD Friday – “Who Are We? A Look Into Our Being”

Hey TD,

Since I only got through the intro of my last message, we never got to look in depth at our being.  So, that’s where we’ll  head to this Friday, as we continue our series, Potent Once More.

We will take an important look into who we are, and why our being comes before our doing.  That has everything to do with approaching many of the issues we face as a culture today, including the LGBT issue.

In continual development of our minds, souls, and the effectiveness of our witness, please review the last few posts and messages before our meeting on Friday.  It will take a bit of time, but it will be worth it, as we try to help you become potent once more. – Arthur

TD Friday: Ohana Means Family and Family Means …

Hey TD’ers!

My family returned recently from the most externally beautiful and the most internally and familially beautiful trip we’ve ever had together.  In a word, it was … Narnia … for us.  My heart was so full of richness, it hurt (and still does).  There was a  mutual loyalty and friendship felt that’s hard to describe. “Heaven” was an oft used word. One phrase my boys uttered a few times was, “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.”

It made me think of what heaven’s designed to be like.  The external beauty will surely be there … and so will the internal beauty and richness of loyal friendships, with God and His ohana.  And if our friends (Christian and non-Christian alike) are going to get an idea of heaven, it ought to be via seeing or experiencing authentic Christian “ohana” relationships, where life is laid down one for another (like Christ did) and no one in the “ohana” gets left behind or forgotten.

The Christian church isn’t lacking in verbal arguments or defenses, or even in niceness and nice gestures; but it IS lacking in sacrificial Christ-like others-centered commitment in its Christian “ohana” relationships. And that is a damaging apologetic.  Who wants to join a “family” that isn’t even loyal to each other? Even gangs know better than this (see my message).

Jesus said, “By THIS all people will know that you are My disciples …”  What’s “THIS”? He answers, “… if you have love for one another.”  The word used for love there is agape, the most committed, determined, loyal kind of love in the Greek language; the word used for God’s love.

It’s this kind of demonstrative apologetic that we need to develop … and it is HARD.  But it is what we’ll be working on this Friday at TD in our discussion groups.

“Improving Our Impotence” (mp3 – Arthur)

So, in preparation for this vital discussion, please review my last message, “Improving Our Impotence,” as well as the recent blog posts on loyalty and friendship.

Until TD! – Arthur