I’ll be following a slightly different format today, because yesterday, God used a slightly different format with me!
As I was working, I was listening to my trusty MP3 player, & a song came on (Song #1). It was a melody that had been circling my brain all morning, so I listened to the lyrics a bit more closely. As they sank in, I realized that my heart wasn’t in a place where I could write about them. I make it a policy NOT to write about or use a song’s lyrics unless my heart is in the right place before God.
Not long afterward, the second song came on (Song #2). Still another moving song by Casting Crowns, one of my favorite Christian groups, as you’ve no doubt noticed if you have followed this blog for very long. This song began to move my heart to a different place. And by the time I had typed up the lyrics, I was able to go back to the first song with a full heart and an attitude of worship.
I hope that, if your heart is struggling to be in a worshipful place, these songs will help you too.
SONG #1
Lord, You are
The King of all creation,
And You know my name.
Lord, You are
The hope of every nation,
And You never change.
And so I stand, I stand before You now,
And raise my hands...
And I sing to You,
For You alone are worthy,
And Your Word is truth!
And I sing to You,
You are the Song within me,
And I long for You!
Oh, Lord, You are!
Oh, Lord, You are!
Lord, Your way
Is written deep within me
Spelled out by grace.
Lord, You are
The Rock of all the ages,
My help and strength.
And so I stand, I stand before You now,
And raise my hands...
And I sing to You,
For You alone are worthy,
And Your Word is truth!
And I sing to You,
You are the Song within me,
And I long for You!
Oh, Lord, You are!
Oh, Lord, You are!
The Living One, the Holy Lamb,
The Son of God, the Son of Man!
Always is, always was, always will be!
And I sing to You,
For You alone are worthy,
And Your Word is truth!
And I sing to You,
You are the Song within me,
And I long for You!
And I sing to You,
For You alone are worthy,
And Your Word is truth!
And I sing to You,
You are the Song within me,
And I long for You!
Oh, Lord, You are!
Oh, Lord, You are!
Oh, Lord, You are!
~~”Lord, You Are” by Mark Schultz (Album: Broken & Beautiful, 2007)
SONG #2
Here I am, Lord, and I’m drowning
In Your sea of forgetfulness.
The chains of yesterday surround me,
I yearn for peace and rest.
I don’t wanna end up where You found me,
And it echoes in my mind,
Keeps me awake tonight...
I know You’ve cast my sin as far as
The East is from the West.
And I stand before You now
As though I’ve never sinned.
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leavin’ me this way...
Jesus, can You show me
Just how far the East is from the West?
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again.
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far
The East is from the West --
From one scarred hand to the other.
I start the day, the war begins,
Endless reminding of my sin.
And time and time again,
Your truth is drowned out
By the storm I’m in.
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leavin’ me this way
Jesus, can You show me
Just how far the East is from the West?
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again.
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far
The East is from the West --
From one scarred hand to the other.
I know You’ve washed me white,
Turned my darkness into light,
I need Your peace to get me through,
To get me through this night!
Can’t live by what I feel,
But by the truth Your Word reveals!
I’m not holding on to You,
But You’re holding on to me!
You’re holding on to me!
Jesus, You know
Just how far the East is from the West.
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been
Come rising up in me again!
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest,
Cuz You know just how far
The East is from the West --
From one scarred hand to the other.
~~”East to West” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: “The Altar and the Door”, 2008)
KenaniahSings! is based on the song "Kenaniah" by Christian Rock band Petra. The song is derived from I Chron. 15:22,27, where Kenaniah sang before the Ark of the Covenant as it was brought into the Temple in Jerusalem. Altho Kenaniah served the Lord in a different way from many others, his contribution was vital & alive. KenaniahSings! will consider what it means to be a Christian & how each Christian contributes to the Body in their own unique way. Welcome!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Single Light
I once heard someone refer to faith as walking in total darkness with a flashlight, so that you can only see one step in front of you. You can’t see any more than that, but still you walk forward from one step to the next.
We live in a world filled with darkness sometimes. Our circumstances, our emotions, so many things can make us feel this way. Surrounded by the darkness, we wonder what we can do, or how we can go forward. We question how we can possibly prevail against the darkness around us.
But then we step out, just one step, trusting God to keep us in the center of His will. Trusting Him to know the proper course.
One of my life verses is the passage of Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart, and I will be found by you...” (NAS)
Again, our Father reminds us of this in Isaiah 49:15-16: “Can a mother forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I’ve inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” (NAS)
So walk on, believer. Regardless of your circumstances, even if your steps are timid, there is One greater than us who knows the way and prepares our path.
Sometimes the night was beautiful.
Sometimes the sky was so far away.
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close,
You could touch it but your heart would break.
Sometimes the morning came too soon.
Sometimes the day could be so hot.
There was so much work left to do,
But so much You'd already done...
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You!
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You!
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days!
Sometimes I think of Abraham,
How one star he saw had been lit for me --
He was a stranger in this land,
And I am that, no less than he.
And on this road to righteousness,
Sometimes the climb can be so steep!
I may falter in my steps,
But never beyond Your reach!
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You!
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You!
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days!
And I will follow You all of my days,
And I will follow You all of my days!
And step by step You'll lead me,
And I will follow You all of my days!
~~ “Sometimes By Step” by Rich Mullins and Beaker (Album: Songs, 1996)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Struggles
I've discovered that, when I'm struggling before God, it's very hard to write a blog entry. I think it's because my inner voice is telling me that I need to straighten myself out BEFORE I start writing about spiritual things. You know, getting the log out of my own eye...
But I think it's important to be open enough to admit when we're struggling. If we don't, we all just look like a bunch of superficial super-Christians -- all plastic & no heart. And that's not what God calls us to be. He calls us to be parts of each other -- members of the same Body.
My current struggles are of my own making. I made some decisions over the past few years, & there have been consequences from those decisions. As I've said before, "It seemed like a good idea at the time..." And maybe I'm not too happy that God has placed me in these situations. Maybe I'm finding it hard to rejoice, & grasp contentment with where I am at this point in time. That oh-so-ethereal bliss of knowing you're right in the very center of God's will.
So for those of you who have these times of struggle too, remember that you're NOT alone. Every Christian goes through these times. Sometimes they may seem very dark. But even in that "valley of the shadow of death", we can have confidence that we don't walk alone. It may take some time to work things out with the Lord, but don't give up hope.
My eyes are dry, my faith is old.
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to You, and dead to me.
But what can be done
For a cold heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You, Your Spirit of Love,
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
~~"My Eyes Are Dry" by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)
But I think it's important to be open enough to admit when we're struggling. If we don't, we all just look like a bunch of superficial super-Christians -- all plastic & no heart. And that's not what God calls us to be. He calls us to be parts of each other -- members of the same Body.
My current struggles are of my own making. I made some decisions over the past few years, & there have been consequences from those decisions. As I've said before, "It seemed like a good idea at the time..." And maybe I'm not too happy that God has placed me in these situations. Maybe I'm finding it hard to rejoice, & grasp contentment with where I am at this point in time. That oh-so-ethereal bliss of knowing you're right in the very center of God's will.
So for those of you who have these times of struggle too, remember that you're NOT alone. Every Christian goes through these times. Sometimes they may seem very dark. But even in that "valley of the shadow of death", we can have confidence that we don't walk alone. It may take some time to work things out with the Lord, but don't give up hope.
My eyes are dry, my faith is old.
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to You, and dead to me.
But what can be done
For a cold heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You, Your Spirit of Love,
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
~~"My Eyes Are Dry" by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thresholds
Sometimes God brings us to turning points in our lives -- critical junctures where we make the choice to either cross a threshold in faith & obedience, or to cringe away in fear. Points in time when God is challenging us to move out of our comfort zones & make some BIG changes in our lives. I am currently facing such a threshold in my own life.
I can usually feel these coming. Lately, I’ve had that telltale {twinge} inside that some sort of “sea change” is heading my way (sort of like a freight train!). It’s almost like a Siren of myth, calling me forward into the unknown. These aren’t easy times for me, & I must admit that, at times, I cringe a bit & think “What does He want of me THIS time?”
In fact, because I tend to have really STRONG emotions about just about everything, these times of change & submission & obedience are also times of major spiritual warfare for me. These times of transformation entail a GI-NORMOUS laying down of self, which immediately kicks my old “sin nature” into overdrive! Oh yeah -- Romans 7 to the max!! That old “sin nature” part of me doesn’t want to make any changes, & certainly doesn’t want to obey! My flesh is SOOOO wanting to go along with the “sin nature”, so it’s a tumultuous time for me.
There have been times when I have refused to cross a threshold He has placed before me. I don’t recommend it! Not a pleasant thing, to walk away from obeying our Lord! When I’ve walked away, the Holy Spirit in me has done a really EXCELLENT job at nudging my conscience, reminding me of this call to change, keeping me in constant emotional & mental conflict until I either smother it with something (food works sometimes!), or kneel in submission to Him. The latter is DEFINITELY the better choice!
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him...If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:21,23, NAS)
There is real freedom in crossing a threshold God has placed before us. Knowing that we’re walking in obedience to Him gives birth to a peace inside that is truly exquisite! In time, as we cross more thresholds for Him & experience His peace, we come to understand more about seeing as He sees, & loving as He loves.
It’s with that knowledge that I confront this new threshold and “gird my loins” to move forward. It’s been scary & difficult for me this time around! My stomach has been in knots, to the point of physical discomfort. Crossing won’t be easy, but NOT crossing is unthinkable!
So, I guess I’ll see you on the other side...
The gate is wide, the road is paved in moderation.
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in.
Welcome to the middle ground -- it's safe and sound and
Until now, it's where I've been.
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything!
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the string!
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
I am small and I speak when I'm spoken to,
But I am willing to risk it all!
Say Your name, just Your name,
And I'm ready to jump, even ready to fall!
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame,
And every storm will start with just a drop of rain,
But if You believe in me, that changes everything!
So long! I'm gone!
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave! I wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
Brave! Brave!
~~"Brave" by Nichole Nordeman (Album: Brave, 2006)
I can usually feel these coming. Lately, I’ve had that telltale {twinge} inside that some sort of “sea change” is heading my way (sort of like a freight train!). It’s almost like a Siren of myth, calling me forward into the unknown. These aren’t easy times for me, & I must admit that, at times, I cringe a bit & think “What does He want of me THIS time?”
In fact, because I tend to have really STRONG emotions about just about everything, these times of change & submission & obedience are also times of major spiritual warfare for me. These times of transformation entail a GI-NORMOUS laying down of self, which immediately kicks my old “sin nature” into overdrive! Oh yeah -- Romans 7 to the max!! That old “sin nature” part of me doesn’t want to make any changes, & certainly doesn’t want to obey! My flesh is SOOOO wanting to go along with the “sin nature”, so it’s a tumultuous time for me.
There have been times when I have refused to cross a threshold He has placed before me. I don’t recommend it! Not a pleasant thing, to walk away from obeying our Lord! When I’ve walked away, the Holy Spirit in me has done a really EXCELLENT job at nudging my conscience, reminding me of this call to change, keeping me in constant emotional & mental conflict until I either smother it with something (food works sometimes!), or kneel in submission to Him. The latter is DEFINITELY the better choice!
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him...If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:21,23, NAS)
There is real freedom in crossing a threshold God has placed before us. Knowing that we’re walking in obedience to Him gives birth to a peace inside that is truly exquisite! In time, as we cross more thresholds for Him & experience His peace, we come to understand more about seeing as He sees, & loving as He loves.
It’s with that knowledge that I confront this new threshold and “gird my loins” to move forward. It’s been scary & difficult for me this time around! My stomach has been in knots, to the point of physical discomfort. Crossing won’t be easy, but NOT crossing is unthinkable!
So, I guess I’ll see you on the other side...
The gate is wide, the road is paved in moderation.
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in.
Welcome to the middle ground -- it's safe and sound and
Until now, it's where I've been.
'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything!
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the string!
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
I am small and I speak when I'm spoken to,
But I am willing to risk it all!
Say Your name, just Your name,
And I'm ready to jump, even ready to fall!
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame,
And every storm will start with just a drop of rain,
But if You believe in me, that changes everything!
So long! I'm gone!
So long, status quo! I think I just let go --
You make me wanna be brave! I wanna be brave!
"The way it always was" is no longer good enough!
You make me wanna be brave! Brave! Brave!
Brave! Brave!
~~"Brave" by Nichole Nordeman (Album: Brave, 2006)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Stayin' Alive!
(I know, I know! The title’s a disco tune, but I couldn’t resist!)
Last summer, I had the good fortune to attend the 2-day Big Ticket concert in Gaylord, MI. At this concert, I experienced the indescribable: singing & praising with thousands of others as the Newsboys led us in praise songs such as “It is You”, “He Reigns”, & “You Are My King”. Believe me, I’m going back this year just to have that experience one more time!!!!
It was just the smallest taste of what heaven will be, when we all stand before the Throne & sing our praises. What an amazing thing! Mere words can’t describe it, so I won’t even make the attempt. At the time, I wished that it could last FOREVER!
It will, someday, but for now, I still have to “come down from the Mountain Top” (as Amy Grant used to sing) & face the “real world”. Eventually, the incredible RUSH of that experience began to be diluted by the everyday hassles of daily life.
Which leads me to ask: How DO we stay alive with that fervor that we feel in those very special times? I remember being at concerts or conferences where I committed myself with my whole heart, & I really MEANT the commitments that I made. But outside, in the “real world”, it was so much harder to hang onto the zeal I had experienced & move forward.
As Foghorn Leghorn used to say to the chicken hawk: “It’s all in the execution, son!” [with a southern drawl, of course!]
I’ve been considering that maybe part of the way that we hold onto that fire & zeal is by re-assessing what we consider to be our “real world”. In the early 1980’s, Petra released a song with the lyrics: “We are strangers, we are aliens, we are not of this world.” Our perception of where we stand, Who we stand FOR, & what our timeline is, can alter our perspective dramatically.
Philippians 2 says: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life." (Philippians 2:14-16a, NAS)
Perhaps if we saw ourselves as being a little bit LESS of this world, we would be more successful in holding off the invasion of the temporal minutiae. Seeing with His eyes, evaluating with His standards, and loving with His love...
I say on Sunday how much I want revival,
And then on Monday, I can’t even find my Bible!
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m sick of playin’ this game of ‘religion”!
I’m tired of losin’ my reason for living!
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m not content just to walk through my life,
Givin’ in to the lies, walking in compromises now!
We cry out as a generation that was lost,
But now is found in the power of the Cross!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
I’m not satisfied doin’ it my own way!
I’m not satisfied to do church & walk away!
I’m not satisfied -- There’s no love in my life but You!
I’m not satisfied livin’ in yesterday’s hour!
I’m not satisfied to have the form, but not the power!
I’m not satisfied -- Lord, I am crucified in You!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
I’m not satisfied doin’ it my own way!
I’m not satisfied to do church & walk away!
I’m not satisfied -- There’s no love in my life but You!
I’m not satisfied livin’ in yesterday’s hour!
I’m not satisfied to have the form but not the power!
I’m not satisfied -- Lord, I am crucified in You!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
~~ ”Believe” by Hillsong-Australia (Album: For this Cause, 2000)
Last summer, I had the good fortune to attend the 2-day Big Ticket concert in Gaylord, MI. At this concert, I experienced the indescribable: singing & praising with thousands of others as the Newsboys led us in praise songs such as “It is You”, “He Reigns”, & “You Are My King”. Believe me, I’m going back this year just to have that experience one more time!!!!
It was just the smallest taste of what heaven will be, when we all stand before the Throne & sing our praises. What an amazing thing! Mere words can’t describe it, so I won’t even make the attempt. At the time, I wished that it could last FOREVER!
It will, someday, but for now, I still have to “come down from the Mountain Top” (as Amy Grant used to sing) & face the “real world”. Eventually, the incredible RUSH of that experience began to be diluted by the everyday hassles of daily life.
Which leads me to ask: How DO we stay alive with that fervor that we feel in those very special times? I remember being at concerts or conferences where I committed myself with my whole heart, & I really MEANT the commitments that I made. But outside, in the “real world”, it was so much harder to hang onto the zeal I had experienced & move forward.
As Foghorn Leghorn used to say to the chicken hawk: “It’s all in the execution, son!” [with a southern drawl, of course!]
I’ve been considering that maybe part of the way that we hold onto that fire & zeal is by re-assessing what we consider to be our “real world”. In the early 1980’s, Petra released a song with the lyrics: “We are strangers, we are aliens, we are not of this world.” Our perception of where we stand, Who we stand FOR, & what our timeline is, can alter our perspective dramatically.
Philippians 2 says: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life." (Philippians 2:14-16a, NAS)
Perhaps if we saw ourselves as being a little bit LESS of this world, we would be more successful in holding off the invasion of the temporal minutiae. Seeing with His eyes, evaluating with His standards, and loving with His love...
I say on Sunday how much I want revival,
And then on Monday, I can’t even find my Bible!
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m sick of playin’ this game of ‘religion”!
I’m tired of losin’ my reason for living!
Where’s the power, the power of the Cross in my life?
I’m not content just to walk through my life,
Givin’ in to the lies, walking in compromises now!
We cry out as a generation that was lost,
But now is found in the power of the Cross!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
I’m not satisfied doin’ it my own way!
I’m not satisfied to do church & walk away!
I’m not satisfied -- There’s no love in my life but You!
I’m not satisfied livin’ in yesterday’s hour!
I’m not satisfied to have the form, but not the power!
I’m not satisfied -- Lord, I am crucified in You!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
I’m not satisfied doin’ it my own way!
I’m not satisfied to do church & walk away!
I’m not satisfied -- There’s no love in my life but You!
I’m not satisfied livin’ in yesterday’s hour!
I’m not satisfied to have the form but not the power!
I’m not satisfied -- Lord, I am crucified in You!
We believe in You!
We believe in the power
Of Your Word and its Truth!
We believe in You!
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
So we lay down our course
That our cross might be found in You.
~~ ”Believe” by Hillsong-Australia (Album: For this Cause, 2000)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Weakness
Do you strive to "be all that you can be"? Are you pushing yourself to be the best of the best? Do you "buffet your body and make it your slave" (I Corinthians 9:27)? Are you a soldier of the Lord, a high-achieving, spiritually-scintillating leader? Do you stand out for your abilities, your intelligence, your wisdom, your strength? If so, I commend you for your accomplishments and abilities.
On the other hand, have you ever said to yourself, "When I am weak, He is strong"? Paul did.
In I Corinthians, Paul spends a considerable amount of time describing how WEAK he was when he first came to Corinth. "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:3-5, NAS)
Just preceding that passage, Paul wrote something that cut a bit of slack for the rest of us, who might be considered by some to be "spiritual under-achievers". As one of those folks, I DON'T mean that we slack off & fail to try to do our best for God. But there are many like me, followers of Christ who might not have risen to be the "best of the best" for one reason or another. So I must admit that Paul's words in I Corinthians have a lot of meaning for those of us "below the 95th percentile", so to speak.
"Consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, nor many mighty, or many noble, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God." (I Corinthians 1:26-29, NAS)
Again in II Corinthians 12, Paul emphasized this issue, as if to remind all believers: “He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well-content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10, NAS)
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with someone striving to be the best, or to "be all that they can be", or "buffeting their body". I'm also not saying that there’s anything wrong with being “on top”. I’m simply saying that God also uses us in our weaknesses, which is a REALLY GOOD THING for me, because I'm weak in LOTS of ways! And I can’t be the only one!
I truly believe that it's a good thing for Christians to understand the POWER that God can display in spite of, or even through, their personal weaknesses. Because then we don't have to be afraid or wear "masks" with each other anymore. We don’t have to pretend that we’re some sort of “perfecto-Christian”. Then we can all be members of the same Body, with our individual weaknesses and strengths supplementing each other, building up the Body of Christ.
If You asked me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves,
And if You asked me to go
Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves...
Well, I'll go, but I cannot go alone,
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own,
But the power of Christ in me
Makes me strong, makes me strong!
Because when I'm weak, You make me strong!
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory
By the power of Christ in me!
If You asked me to run
And carry a light into foreign lands,
If You asked me to fight
Deliver Your people from Satan's hand...
I'll go but I cannot go alone,
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own,
The power of Christ in me
Makes me strong, makes me strong!
Because when I'm weak, You make me strong!
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory,
By the power of Christ in me!
To reach out with Your hands,
To learn through Your eyes,
To love with the love of the Savior.
To heal with Your heart
And to think with Your mind,
I'd give my last breath for Your glory!
Child's voice:
When I'm weak, You make me strong,
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability...
All:
When I'm weak, You make me strong,
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory,
By the power of Christ in me,
The power of Christ in me,
The power of Christ in me!
~~"In Me" by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Lifesong, 2005)
On the other hand, have you ever said to yourself, "When I am weak, He is strong"? Paul did.
In I Corinthians, Paul spends a considerable amount of time describing how WEAK he was when he first came to Corinth. "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:3-5, NAS)
Just preceding that passage, Paul wrote something that cut a bit of slack for the rest of us, who might be considered by some to be "spiritual under-achievers". As one of those folks, I DON'T mean that we slack off & fail to try to do our best for God. But there are many like me, followers of Christ who might not have risen to be the "best of the best" for one reason or another. So I must admit that Paul's words in I Corinthians have a lot of meaning for those of us "below the 95th percentile", so to speak.
"Consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, nor many mighty, or many noble, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God." (I Corinthians 1:26-29, NAS)
Again in II Corinthians 12, Paul emphasized this issue, as if to remind all believers: “He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well-content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10, NAS)
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with someone striving to be the best, or to "be all that they can be", or "buffeting their body". I'm also not saying that there’s anything wrong with being “on top”. I’m simply saying that God also uses us in our weaknesses, which is a REALLY GOOD THING for me, because I'm weak in LOTS of ways! And I can’t be the only one!
I truly believe that it's a good thing for Christians to understand the POWER that God can display in spite of, or even through, their personal weaknesses. Because then we don't have to be afraid or wear "masks" with each other anymore. We don’t have to pretend that we’re some sort of “perfecto-Christian”. Then we can all be members of the same Body, with our individual weaknesses and strengths supplementing each other, building up the Body of Christ.
If You asked me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves,
And if You asked me to go
Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves...
Well, I'll go, but I cannot go alone,
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own,
But the power of Christ in me
Makes me strong, makes me strong!
Because when I'm weak, You make me strong!
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory
By the power of Christ in me!
If You asked me to run
And carry a light into foreign lands,
If You asked me to fight
Deliver Your people from Satan's hand...
I'll go but I cannot go alone,
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own,
The power of Christ in me
Makes me strong, makes me strong!
Because when I'm weak, You make me strong!
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory,
By the power of Christ in me!
To reach out with Your hands,
To learn through Your eyes,
To love with the love of the Savior.
To heal with Your heart
And to think with Your mind,
I'd give my last breath for Your glory!
Child's voice:
When I'm weak, You make me strong,
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability...
All:
When I'm weak, You make me strong,
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me,
‘Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know You don't need me!
How amazing to find that You want me!
So I'll stand on Your truth,
And I'll fight with Your strength,
Until You bring the victory,
By the power of Christ in me,
The power of Christ in me,
The power of Christ in me!
~~"In Me" by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Lifesong, 2005)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Some Words Bounce Off
Today I had that most dreaded of all experiences, the famous employer “performance evaluation”. Honestly, it’s more of a caricature of a “real" evaluation, since I’ve worked for the same major employer for many years, & moved to different positions within it along the way. So, basically, I’d have to shoot someone (or at least, threaten to) in order to get fired at this point. Still, my boss is pretty new at this “boss” game, so he is taking it all very seriously.
Today’s meeting was a bit anxiety-provoking for me, because he sorta blind-sided me last year. During last year’s face-to-face meeting, he was all smiles & sunshine; but then, in his written evaluation (the OFFICIAL one), he torpedoed me big time! I was shaken by this, because nothing like it had ever happened during my entire career! At the time, I felt I had to respond to the issues he had immortalized in writing, since they became part of my permanent employment record. So I wrote a rebuttal to each issue & presented proof of my statements. After that, never heard another word about it...
Not the best experience, I acknowledge, so I was somewhat apprehensive about whether today would be a repeat performance. Lost some sleep about it, in fact. Didn’t put me in the best humor this morning when trying to 1) feed the dogs, 2) dress professionally, 3) feed the rabbit, 4) feed the sheep) & 5) make it to work on time without breaking any speed laws (didn’t QUITE manage that one!).
Prior to the meeting, I took a moment to stop & address my jangly nerves. The truth is, I DON’T find my identity in what I do, but in Whom I serve. I may work for my employer, & I try very hard to earn my wages & maintain high work standards, but I SERVE the Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. There’s a BIG difference there! Suddenly, those little butterflies in my stomach flew right away (bye, bye, flutter-bys!). I even ate pizza for lunch (not something I would do if I was stressed!)!
Well, I got a good face-to-face again. But, who knows? I may get submarined again, ya never know! The big diff is, now I’m PAST my little “identity crisis”, I’m reminded of Whom I serve, & I derive my worth from Him, not from some human being and their opinion of me.
I’ll sleep pretty good tonight. How about you?
I’ve been hearing voices telling me that
I can never be what I wanna be.
Reviling me with lies,
Haunting me at night,
And say “There’s nothing to believe”.
Somewhere in the quietness,
When I’m overcome with loneliness,
I hear You call my name.
And like a Father, You are near,
And as I listen, I can hear You say,
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!”
So I listen as You tell me who I am
And who it is I’m gonna be.
And I hang on every word,
Knowing I have heard
I am Yours, and I am free!
But when I am alone at night,
That is when I hear the lie,
“You’ll never be enough”.
I know I’m givin’ into fear,
If I listen I can hear You say,
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!
“I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!
“I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
“No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!”
~~ “You Are A Child of Mine” by Mark Schultz (Album: “Stories & Songs”, 2003)
Today’s meeting was a bit anxiety-provoking for me, because he sorta blind-sided me last year. During last year’s face-to-face meeting, he was all smiles & sunshine; but then, in his written evaluation (the OFFICIAL one), he torpedoed me big time! I was shaken by this, because nothing like it had ever happened during my entire career! At the time, I felt I had to respond to the issues he had immortalized in writing, since they became part of my permanent employment record. So I wrote a rebuttal to each issue & presented proof of my statements. After that, never heard another word about it...
Not the best experience, I acknowledge, so I was somewhat apprehensive about whether today would be a repeat performance. Lost some sleep about it, in fact. Didn’t put me in the best humor this morning when trying to 1) feed the dogs, 2) dress professionally, 3) feed the rabbit, 4) feed the sheep) & 5) make it to work on time without breaking any speed laws (didn’t QUITE manage that one!).
Prior to the meeting, I took a moment to stop & address my jangly nerves. The truth is, I DON’T find my identity in what I do, but in Whom I serve. I may work for my employer, & I try very hard to earn my wages & maintain high work standards, but I SERVE the Lord God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. There’s a BIG difference there! Suddenly, those little butterflies in my stomach flew right away (bye, bye, flutter-bys!). I even ate pizza for lunch (not something I would do if I was stressed!)!
Well, I got a good face-to-face again. But, who knows? I may get submarined again, ya never know! The big diff is, now I’m PAST my little “identity crisis”, I’m reminded of Whom I serve, & I derive my worth from Him, not from some human being and their opinion of me.
I’ll sleep pretty good tonight. How about you?
I’ve been hearing voices telling me that
I can never be what I wanna be.
Reviling me with lies,
Haunting me at night,
And say “There’s nothing to believe”.
Somewhere in the quietness,
When I’m overcome with loneliness,
I hear You call my name.
And like a Father, You are near,
And as I listen, I can hear You say,
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!”
So I listen as You tell me who I am
And who it is I’m gonna be.
And I hang on every word,
Knowing I have heard
I am Yours, and I am free!
But when I am alone at night,
That is when I hear the lie,
“You’ll never be enough”.
I know I’m givin’ into fear,
If I listen I can hear You say,
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!
“I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
“You are a child of Mine,
Born of My own design,
And you bear the heart of life!
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!
“I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
I am calling! I am calling! I am calling!
“No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You’ve been made free in Christ!
You are a child of Mine!”
~~ “You Are A Child of Mine” by Mark Schultz (Album: “Stories & Songs”, 2003)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
On a Lighter Note...
Have you ever thought about God’s sense of humor? I began making a list of some of the creatures He’s created that He must have laughed out loud about. For example, look at camels! Squishy feet, & 2 humps on their back? Not to mention elephants! Ears they could fly with & a nose that is 6 feet long & squirts water?! Are we kidding here? NO!
On the other end of the spectrum we have an anteater. Again, a long, flexible nose, but this times it holds a long, sticky tongue that goes deep into holes to eat insects! In my opinion, one of the creatures that He must have really enjoyed creating was the giraffe. Long spindly legs & a neck to die for!! A couple of nights ago, there was a show on TV showing two male giraffes fighting. Who fights by slamming their enormous necks against each other, knocking each other off their feet?? YEOWTCH!! And what are those knobs on their heads all about anyway?
All around us, we see examples of how God has created unusual, unique, & really amusing creatures! Birds that can run really fast but can’t fly (ostriches), or birds that can swim but can’t fly (penguins)! There is one creature in particular that I think God put on the earth just to stymie all of the evolutionists -- the duck-billed platypus! It’s like He decided, “Let’s take little bits of all different animals & throw them into ONE creature! See what they think of THAT!” So we get a bill like a duck, feet like a mole, hair like a river otter, a poisoned stinger on their hind foot like a scorpion, and the ability to lay eggs! In fact, the platypus is SO unique that the folks who create species, phylum, & families had to create a unique family just for the platypus -- Ornithorhynchidae.
So why did God create all of these unique and amusing creatures? He didn’t HAVE TO give us this wonderful, scintillating, glorious world, but He did it anyway. I think that He did it partly to shower His love on us, & to make us stop & say “Hmmmmm...” Maybe He wants us to slow down, put the car in ‘Neutral’ & see the lighter side of life every once in a while.
So find something that brings a smile to your face. Cuddle with your puppy or kitty, or even your significant other! Watch a movie that makes you laugh -- one of my favorite movie scenes is the bicycle scene in “Enchanted”! Play a computer game -- my favorites are computer pinball (yes, I still play this when I write!) & Plasma Pong (a free game to download, just do a search for “Plasma Pong”)! I know that life can be a serious thing, but the Word says that there is a time for EVERY purpose under heaven, and that includes a time to laugh!
Sending a smile your way...
Wherever we go, the bluebirds sing,
And the flowers bloom,
And the grass gets green.
It's a curious thing,
But it's just our thing.
Wherever we go,
the bees behave.
In the treetops, squirrels smile and wave.
It's a curious thing,
And it's humbling.
Where we go, little glow-worms glow,
Little roadrunners run ahead.
Gonna tell their friends
Little mice, little men,
Get 'em all excited,
All invited...
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Wherever we go, the dumb get wise,
And the crime rates drop,
And the markets rise.
It's a curious thing,
But it's just our thing.
Bullies make nice, crooks repent,
And the ozone layer shows improvement.
It's a curious thing.
And it's humbling...
Where we're led,
All the Living Dead
Wanna leave their Zombie Mob.
It's a touching scene
when they all come clean,
God help us, we just love our job!
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
High! Throw your hands up!
Throw your hands up high!
High! Throw your hands up!
Throw your hands up high!
This is the message we spread,
Bringing life to the dead.
This is the Gospel exposed,
Follows wherever we go.
This is the message we spread,
Bringing life to the dead.
This is the Good News exposed,
Follows wherever we go.
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
~~ “Wherever We Go” by the Newsboys (Album: The Greatest Hits, 2007)
On the other end of the spectrum we have an anteater. Again, a long, flexible nose, but this times it holds a long, sticky tongue that goes deep into holes to eat insects! In my opinion, one of the creatures that He must have really enjoyed creating was the giraffe. Long spindly legs & a neck to die for!! A couple of nights ago, there was a show on TV showing two male giraffes fighting. Who fights by slamming their enormous necks against each other, knocking each other off their feet?? YEOWTCH!! And what are those knobs on their heads all about anyway?
All around us, we see examples of how God has created unusual, unique, & really amusing creatures! Birds that can run really fast but can’t fly (ostriches), or birds that can swim but can’t fly (penguins)! There is one creature in particular that I think God put on the earth just to stymie all of the evolutionists -- the duck-billed platypus! It’s like He decided, “Let’s take little bits of all different animals & throw them into ONE creature! See what they think of THAT!” So we get a bill like a duck, feet like a mole, hair like a river otter, a poisoned stinger on their hind foot like a scorpion, and the ability to lay eggs! In fact, the platypus is SO unique that the folks who create species, phylum, & families had to create a unique family just for the platypus -- Ornithorhynchidae.
So why did God create all of these unique and amusing creatures? He didn’t HAVE TO give us this wonderful, scintillating, glorious world, but He did it anyway. I think that He did it partly to shower His love on us, & to make us stop & say “Hmmmmm...” Maybe He wants us to slow down, put the car in ‘Neutral’ & see the lighter side of life every once in a while.
So find something that brings a smile to your face. Cuddle with your puppy or kitty, or even your significant other! Watch a movie that makes you laugh -- one of my favorite movie scenes is the bicycle scene in “Enchanted”! Play a computer game -- my favorites are computer pinball (yes, I still play this when I write!) & Plasma Pong (a free game to download, just do a search for “Plasma Pong”)! I know that life can be a serious thing, but the Word says that there is a time for EVERY purpose under heaven, and that includes a time to laugh!
Sending a smile your way...
Wherever we go, the bluebirds sing,
And the flowers bloom,
And the grass gets green.
It's a curious thing,
But it's just our thing.
Wherever we go,
the bees behave.
In the treetops, squirrels smile and wave.
It's a curious thing,
And it's humbling.
Where we go, little glow-worms glow,
Little roadrunners run ahead.
Gonna tell their friends
Little mice, little men,
Get 'em all excited,
All invited...
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Wherever we go, the dumb get wise,
And the crime rates drop,
And the markets rise.
It's a curious thing,
But it's just our thing.
Bullies make nice, crooks repent,
And the ozone layer shows improvement.
It's a curious thing.
And it's humbling...
Where we're led,
All the Living Dead
Wanna leave their Zombie Mob.
It's a touching scene
when they all come clean,
God help us, we just love our job!
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
High! Throw your hands up!
Throw your hands up high!
High! Throw your hands up!
Throw your hands up high!
This is the message we spread,
Bringing life to the dead.
This is the Gospel exposed,
Follows wherever we go.
This is the message we spread,
Bringing life to the dead.
This is the Good News exposed,
Follows wherever we go.
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back here!
Let's throw this party in gear!
We brought the welcome mat,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
Hands up!
Holler back now!
We don't claim any know-how!
We givin’ God all that,
Wherever we go, that's where the party's at!
~~ “Wherever We Go” by the Newsboys (Album: The Greatest Hits, 2007)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Endurance
We hear about it with marathon runners, or competitive bikers, or swimmers. All the sports, all the athletes, are supposedly the epitomy of endurance.
But I see something different in that word -- I see the quiet people in the quiet corners who are silently, valiantly enduring trials in their lives, fighting hidden battles that we may never know.
For those who are fighting these battles, quiet and sincere in their endurance and perseverance, no cheers are heard. No “attaboy’s” or applause. Their endurance is usually a lonely battle. But they know that they always have One by their side. They know that He sees their struggles, and stands with them to support them, even when no one else does.
How many of us are passing right by these people who still valiantly fight their battles and endure their challenges? Do you see their struggles and offer aid? Do you offer an encouraging word, or a criticism? Do you show the heart of a servant?
This is for those who continue to fight the good fight, even in the most difficult of circumstances:
“Those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31, NAS)
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But, once again,
I say “Amen” and it’s still raining.
But as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you.”
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise
The God Who gives and takes away.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind,
You heard my cry to You
And raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?
But as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you,” and as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
Though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
~~”Praise You in This Storm” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Lifesong, 2005)
But I see something different in that word -- I see the quiet people in the quiet corners who are silently, valiantly enduring trials in their lives, fighting hidden battles that we may never know.
For those who are fighting these battles, quiet and sincere in their endurance and perseverance, no cheers are heard. No “attaboy’s” or applause. Their endurance is usually a lonely battle. But they know that they always have One by their side. They know that He sees their struggles, and stands with them to support them, even when no one else does.
How many of us are passing right by these people who still valiantly fight their battles and endure their challenges? Do you see their struggles and offer aid? Do you offer an encouraging word, or a criticism? Do you show the heart of a servant?
This is for those who continue to fight the good fight, even in the most difficult of circumstances:
“Those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:31, NAS)
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But, once again,
I say “Amen” and it’s still raining.
But as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you.”
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise
The God Who gives and takes away.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind,
You heard my cry to You
And raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone.
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?
But as the thunder rolls,
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you,” and as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
And I’ll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands,
That You are Who You are,
No matter where I am.
And every tear I cry,
You hold in Your hand -
You never left my side,
And though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
Though my heart is torn,
I will praise You in this storm.
~~”Praise You in This Storm” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Lifesong, 2005)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Desolation
Good Friday is usually a day I spend in prayer and contemplation. I try to spend some time remembering the price that was paid for my life. I try to get a grasp of what He suffered for me. I think of the desolation that His disciples must have felt when He died and was laid in the tomb. Unlike the disciples, I KNOW what happened. But I can’t imagine how they must have felt, with all of their hopes and dreams destroyed.
This year, I keep remembering something that Jesus said to His disciples right before they went to the Garden. He knew what was coming. He knew the choice He had to make, and the stakes of His decision. Worst of all, He knew that He would be forsaken.
In those final hours, He said, “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone...” (John 16:32a, NAS). He knew that He would be totally alone, abandoned by His closest earthly friends. His words proved devastatingly true, as all of His devoted disciples turned tail and ran when He was arrested.
But Jesus also said, “and yet, I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32b, NAS). Many Biblical scholars believe that, in Jesus’ final moments on the cross, even the Father forsook Him for a period of time, as Jesus paid the ultimate price. He who said "I and the Father are One" was deserted, alone and suffering, for me.
Although there are many songs that speak of His sacrifice, there are two particular pieces of music that I would like to recommend, to bring your heart into a place of worship:
(1) Handel’s “Messiah”. Handel originally intended this incredible symphony for Easter, and it movingly communicates the depths of man’s sinfulness as well as the triumph of the third day, when the stone was rolled away.
(2) “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”. I specifically suggest the version sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts on their “Hymns II” album. This song brought me to tears just a few moments ago, as I tried to write this message.
Whatever song or passage of His Word that will quiet your heart and bring you into a place of understanding and worship, I strongly urge you to take time to remember His sacrifice as well as the ultimate victory.
O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down.
Now scornfully surrounded,
With thorns Thine only crown.
How art Thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn.
How does Thy visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn.
What Thou my Lord hast suffered
Was all for sinners’ gain.
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall my Saviour,
Tis I deserve Thy place.
Look on me with Thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, ever,
Outlive my love for Thee.
~~”O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” as sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts (Album: Hymns II)
This year, I keep remembering something that Jesus said to His disciples right before they went to the Garden. He knew what was coming. He knew the choice He had to make, and the stakes of His decision. Worst of all, He knew that He would be forsaken.
In those final hours, He said, “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone...” (John 16:32a, NAS). He knew that He would be totally alone, abandoned by His closest earthly friends. His words proved devastatingly true, as all of His devoted disciples turned tail and ran when He was arrested.
But Jesus also said, “and yet, I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32b, NAS). Many Biblical scholars believe that, in Jesus’ final moments on the cross, even the Father forsook Him for a period of time, as Jesus paid the ultimate price. He who said "I and the Father are One" was deserted, alone and suffering, for me.
Although there are many songs that speak of His sacrifice, there are two particular pieces of music that I would like to recommend, to bring your heart into a place of worship:
(1) Handel’s “Messiah”. Handel originally intended this incredible symphony for Easter, and it movingly communicates the depths of man’s sinfulness as well as the triumph of the third day, when the stone was rolled away.
(2) “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”. I specifically suggest the version sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts on their “Hymns II” album. This song brought me to tears just a few moments ago, as I tried to write this message.
Whatever song or passage of His Word that will quiet your heart and bring you into a place of understanding and worship, I strongly urge you to take time to remember His sacrifice as well as the ultimate victory.
O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down.
Now scornfully surrounded,
With thorns Thine only crown.
How art Thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn.
How does Thy visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn.
What Thou my Lord hast suffered
Was all for sinners’ gain.
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall my Saviour,
Tis I deserve Thy place.
Look on me with Thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, ever,
Outlive my love for Thee.
~~”O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” as sung by the 2nd Chapter of Acts (Album: Hymns II)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Plank
Have you ever said, “I’ve done everything I can. Now I have no choice but to trust in God”? As if He’s our LAST resort? Or have you ever noticed how, sometimes, taking a step out in faith feels just like you’re walking the plank, dreading to step off & plunge into the depths? I’ve been there, and maybe you have too.
Jesus said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6, NAS) Well, I don't know about you, but I haven’t exactly been moving any trees lately, so that must mean that my faith is absolutely INFINITESIMAL! Many times, it feels as if I’m failing more than succeeding! I can’t number the times I have asked God to teach me how to find that type of faith. At some point in the struggle, I’m usually forced to ask myself, “Am I making this ‘faith thing’ much more complicated than it needs to be?” The answer is usually a resounding “YES!!”
Remember that story in the Bible where Peter stepped out of the boat onto the sea? For just a moment, Peter got it! He kept his eyes on Jesus, & knew the joy of walking on water! What an incredible RUSH!! But then Peter noticed the winds, & down he went (Matthew 14:25-33). Sounds like me! I see the circumstances all around me, & it’s as if someone has “sunk my battleship”! Down I go, my fledgling faith forgotten as I plummet to the depths.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?...Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:26-34, NAS)
When I’m struggling, I have to keep reminding myself that His voice is the voice of truth! After I read His Word & quiet my heart in prayer, I discover that walking that “plank of faith” isn’t quite so hard...
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing waves!
To step out of my comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, and He's holding out His hand...
But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The waves, they keep on telling me, time and time again:
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone.
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor,
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me, time and time again,
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground.
And the waves, they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to
The sound of Jesus singing over me.
The Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe,
I will choose to listen and believe
The Voice of Truth.
I will listen and believe,
I will listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
I will listen and believe, because
Jesus, You are the Voice of Truth,
And I will listen to You.
~~”The Voice of Truth” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Casting Crowns, 2003)
Jesus said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6, NAS) Well, I don't know about you, but I haven’t exactly been moving any trees lately, so that must mean that my faith is absolutely INFINITESIMAL! Many times, it feels as if I’m failing more than succeeding! I can’t number the times I have asked God to teach me how to find that type of faith. At some point in the struggle, I’m usually forced to ask myself, “Am I making this ‘faith thing’ much more complicated than it needs to be?” The answer is usually a resounding “YES!!”
Remember that story in the Bible where Peter stepped out of the boat onto the sea? For just a moment, Peter got it! He kept his eyes on Jesus, & knew the joy of walking on water! What an incredible RUSH!! But then Peter noticed the winds, & down he went (Matthew 14:25-33). Sounds like me! I see the circumstances all around me, & it’s as if someone has “sunk my battleship”! Down I go, my fledgling faith forgotten as I plummet to the depths.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?...Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:26-34, NAS)
When I’m struggling, I have to keep reminding myself that His voice is the voice of truth! After I read His Word & quiet my heart in prayer, I discover that walking that “plank of faith” isn’t quite so hard...
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing waves!
To step out of my comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, and He's holding out His hand...
But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The waves, they keep on telling me, time and time again:
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone.
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor,
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me, time and time again,
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground.
And the waves, they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to
The sound of Jesus singing over me.
The Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe,
I will choose to listen and believe
The Voice of Truth.
I will listen and believe,
I will listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
I will listen and believe, because
Jesus, You are the Voice of Truth,
And I will listen to You.
~~”The Voice of Truth” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Casting Crowns, 2003)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Water, Water Everywhere...
My home is located in the middle of a forest, where we have lots of mature, beautiful trees. It is a lovely place. This past winter, one of our trees split apart. One half of its “Y” shape took a trip right into the swamp.
Then, a month ago, the main portion of this enormous tree fell down during high winds. It was a pretty spectacular fall, coming right toward the house (within 20 feet of hitting the house)! It took out quite a few other trees as it fell. At the time, we were baffled as to why this seemingly healthy tree just split apart & fell down. As far as we knew, on the outside, it was a huge, healthy tree!
A friend of ours came over last weekend & used a large chain saw to cut the tree into smaller pieces. That’s when we got a big surprise! As he cut up the tree, the bottom third seemed to be perfectly fine. The rings looked healthy. But as he started cutting further up the tree, a hole began to appear. Suddenly, about 2 GALLONS of water POURED out of the center of the tree!!
It was clear that the core of the tree had died, right in the middle, so that water was collecting in the interior of the tree, but not nourishing the tree. So a seemingly healthy, beautiful tree came crashing down, because it was sick inside.
As I thought about this, I realized how much this applies to me, & maybe some other Christians too. Writing a Christian blog is no easy thing. Sometimes, my heart just isn’t right before God, & I know it would be hypocrisy for me to sit & write things for others to read. It’s so important to me that I am in the Spirit when I write, so it’s very common for me to do a “5-second motives check” to ensure that my heart is right. Some days, I don't write at all, because I'm struggling.
How many of us are like that hollow tree sometimes? Oh, we look great on the outside & do all of the seemingly Christian things! But how many of us are sick inside? If you are, you KNOW you are. If so, you need to listen to the Voice speaking deep in your heart, & do whatever it takes to be right with our Lord.
As we near Resurrection Day & our celebration of the greatest Gift we could ever receive, take a moment to take a look at YOUR insides.
Don’t be a hollow tree.
After all the things that You have shown me,
I’d be a fool to let them slip away.
Been doing things I know I shouldn’t do,
But I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.
After all, I’ve only grieved Your Spirit,
And then I don’t know why You stay with me.
But every time I fall Your love comes through
And I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.
When the light is gone
And good times are getting old,
There’s no one left to count on
And all my friends are cold.
When I thirst for love, Oh Lord,
You’re a fountain to my soul,
My soul, my soul. Ooooh, my soul.
In a way, my life is full of burdens,
But in a way, You carry them for me, Jesus.
‘Cause no one understands the way You do,
And You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
Well every day I pray to start anew,
‘Cause You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You, from You.
~~”I Don’t Wanna Fall Away From You” by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)
Then, a month ago, the main portion of this enormous tree fell down during high winds. It was a pretty spectacular fall, coming right toward the house (within 20 feet of hitting the house)! It took out quite a few other trees as it fell. At the time, we were baffled as to why this seemingly healthy tree just split apart & fell down. As far as we knew, on the outside, it was a huge, healthy tree!
A friend of ours came over last weekend & used a large chain saw to cut the tree into smaller pieces. That’s when we got a big surprise! As he cut up the tree, the bottom third seemed to be perfectly fine. The rings looked healthy. But as he started cutting further up the tree, a hole began to appear. Suddenly, about 2 GALLONS of water POURED out of the center of the tree!!
It was clear that the core of the tree had died, right in the middle, so that water was collecting in the interior of the tree, but not nourishing the tree. So a seemingly healthy, beautiful tree came crashing down, because it was sick inside.
As I thought about this, I realized how much this applies to me, & maybe some other Christians too. Writing a Christian blog is no easy thing. Sometimes, my heart just isn’t right before God, & I know it would be hypocrisy for me to sit & write things for others to read. It’s so important to me that I am in the Spirit when I write, so it’s very common for me to do a “5-second motives check” to ensure that my heart is right. Some days, I don't write at all, because I'm struggling.
How many of us are like that hollow tree sometimes? Oh, we look great on the outside & do all of the seemingly Christian things! But how many of us are sick inside? If you are, you KNOW you are. If so, you need to listen to the Voice speaking deep in your heart, & do whatever it takes to be right with our Lord.
As we near Resurrection Day & our celebration of the greatest Gift we could ever receive, take a moment to take a look at YOUR insides.
Don’t be a hollow tree.
After all the things that You have shown me,
I’d be a fool to let them slip away.
Been doing things I know I shouldn’t do,
But I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.
After all, I’ve only grieved Your Spirit,
And then I don’t know why You stay with me.
But every time I fall Your love comes through
And I don’t wanna fall away from You. From You.
When the light is gone
And good times are getting old,
There’s no one left to count on
And all my friends are cold.
When I thirst for love, Oh Lord,
You’re a fountain to my soul,
My soul, my soul. Ooooh, my soul.
In a way, my life is full of burdens,
But in a way, You carry them for me, Jesus.
‘Cause no one understands the way You do,
And You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
Well every day I pray to start anew,
‘Cause You know, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You.
No, Lord, I don’t wanna fall away from You, from You.
~~”I Don’t Wanna Fall Away From You” by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Very Stones
Last week, as we approached Palm Sunday, I was thinking a lot about how Jesus entered Jerusalem. Here they were, giving Him acclaim and laying branches of trees on the path before Him. His disciples must have felt really confident about the way that things were going.
Jesus knew better. He knew that, a few days later, He would face rejection, desertion, and agony for our sakes.
But, for this moment in time, He was given honor.
In Luke 19, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem is described: “As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all of the miracles which they had seen, shouting: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’”
Then Jesus said something that I have never forgotten: “I tell you, if these become silent, the very stones will cry out!” [Luke 19:37-40 (NAS)]
Think of it -- the very fabric of our world would have cried out in praise to Him! The created giving honor to the Creator.
In your reflections as we approach Resurrection Day, take a moment to consider that it was our very Creator, the Light of the world, the Word made flesh, who laid down His life for us all.
It’s the song of the redeemed rising from the African plain,
It’s the song of the forgiven drowning out the Amazon rain,
The song of Asian believers filled with God’s holy fire,
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation,
A love song born of a grateful choir.
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
Let it rise above the four winds caught up in the heavenly sound.
Let praise echo from the tower of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground.
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of Creation
Some were meant to persist,
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this.
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they've just heard,
Because all the powers of darkness
Can't drown out a single word!
When all God's children sing out,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
When all God's children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
All God's people sing out,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!
It's all God's children singing,
"Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
It's all God's children singing,
"Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
~~ “He Reigns” by the Newsboys (Album: The Greatest Hits, 2007)
Jesus knew better. He knew that, a few days later, He would face rejection, desertion, and agony for our sakes.
But, for this moment in time, He was given honor.
In Luke 19, Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem is described: “As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all of the miracles which they had seen, shouting: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’”
Then Jesus said something that I have never forgotten: “I tell you, if these become silent, the very stones will cry out!” [Luke 19:37-40 (NAS)]
Think of it -- the very fabric of our world would have cried out in praise to Him! The created giving honor to the Creator.
In your reflections as we approach Resurrection Day, take a moment to consider that it was our very Creator, the Light of the world, the Word made flesh, who laid down His life for us all.
It’s the song of the redeemed rising from the African plain,
It’s the song of the forgiven drowning out the Amazon rain,
The song of Asian believers filled with God’s holy fire,
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation,
A love song born of a grateful choir.
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
Let it rise above the four winds caught up in the heavenly sound.
Let praise echo from the tower of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground.
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of Creation
Some were meant to persist,
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this.
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
It’s all God’s children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they've just heard,
Because all the powers of darkness
Can't drown out a single word!
When all God's children sing out,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
When all God's children singing,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!”
All God's people sing out,
“Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!
It's all God's children singing,
"Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
It's all God's children singing,
"Glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns!
He reigns!"
~~ “He Reigns” by the Newsboys (Album: The Greatest Hits, 2007)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Significance....
As we approach Resurrection Day, there is this song that keeps haunting me. It’s not my typical song, because the band is a bit more “raucous” than I usually care for. But my niece introduced me to some of the band’s more “mellow” music, & some of it is DEEP STUFF! I guess it’s because the writer of this song GETS IT, and somehow gets ME...
I can’t count the number of times that I felt like an insignificant nothing before I knew Jesus. Some of my teen years were the darkest in my life, during a time when I had declared myself an atheist, and the entire world felt completely dark, pointless, and bereft of hope. If there was no God, there could be no future, no chance for a heaven or a loving Father above. No hope. Just an endless sky...
Gradually, He brought people into my life who shared His love with me. And slowly the hope was born in me that maybe there really could be a God. Maybe there really was more to life than just an empty, endless sky. I will never forget the day that I let myself fully believe in His existence again. Although I had not yet accepted Him as MY Lord, there was such joy in being able to hope again! I knew that He was “up there somewhere” and my world became a bit brighter.
The day I knelt before Him and gave Him my life completely is long past me now, but is the day that I treasure above all others. That joy fills me as I write this, but I will also always remember the darkness before knowing Him. I know what it’s like to feel lost in a sea of people with no hope, because I was.
Now, as a Christian, no matter how insignificant I sometimes feel, or how “lost in the sea” I feel, there is always HIM. There is always HOPE. I will never be alone again.
“Just one in a million faces”... Maybe, but MY face is one that HE loves and cherishes. He died for ME. He gave His life for ME.That’s where my meaning and self-worth come from. I hope yours does as well.
I see the city lights all around me
Everyone’s obscured
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care?
In Your eyes I can see:
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
Sometimes my life, it feels so trivial,
Immersed in the greatness of space.
Yet somehow You still find the time for me;
It’s then You show me Your love.
In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be, yeah
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
If only my one heart was all You gained from, all it cost,
Well, I know, You would have still been a Man
With a reason to willingly offer Your life.
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
Just one in a million faces.
~Kutless (Album: Sea of Faces, 2004)
I can’t count the number of times that I felt like an insignificant nothing before I knew Jesus. Some of my teen years were the darkest in my life, during a time when I had declared myself an atheist, and the entire world felt completely dark, pointless, and bereft of hope. If there was no God, there could be no future, no chance for a heaven or a loving Father above. No hope. Just an endless sky...
Gradually, He brought people into my life who shared His love with me. And slowly the hope was born in me that maybe there really could be a God. Maybe there really was more to life than just an empty, endless sky. I will never forget the day that I let myself fully believe in His existence again. Although I had not yet accepted Him as MY Lord, there was such joy in being able to hope again! I knew that He was “up there somewhere” and my world became a bit brighter.
The day I knelt before Him and gave Him my life completely is long past me now, but is the day that I treasure above all others. That joy fills me as I write this, but I will also always remember the darkness before knowing Him. I know what it’s like to feel lost in a sea of people with no hope, because I was.
Now, as a Christian, no matter how insignificant I sometimes feel, or how “lost in the sea” I feel, there is always HIM. There is always HOPE. I will never be alone again.
“Just one in a million faces”... Maybe, but MY face is one that HE loves and cherishes. He died for ME. He gave His life for ME.That’s where my meaning and self-worth come from. I hope yours does as well.
I see the city lights all around me
Everyone’s obscured
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care?
In Your eyes I can see:
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
Sometimes my life, it feels so trivial,
Immersed in the greatness of space.
Yet somehow You still find the time for me;
It’s then You show me Your love.
In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be, yeah
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
If only my one heart was all You gained from, all it cost,
Well, I know, You would have still been a Man
With a reason to willingly offer Your life.
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
I am not just a man
That’s been lost in this world,
Lost in a sea of faces.
Your body’s the bread,
Your blood is the wine,
Because You traded Your life for mine.
Just one in a million faces.
~Kutless (Album: Sea of Faces, 2004)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Getting Out of the Way
I think that sometimes words get in the way. So today I’m stopping with all the wordiness, & cutting to the chase. Because sometimes we just need to hear something like this:
Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me
Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
And I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
Shine for Me
Shine for Me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for Me
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Than the sun
and the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you, yesterday and today
Through the joy and the pain
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for Me
~~”I Love You More” by Matthew West (Album: Happy, 2003)
Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me
Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
And I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
Shine for Me
Shine for Me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for Me
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you yesterday and today and tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Than the sun
and the stars that I taught how to shine
You are Mine, and you shine for Me too
I love you, yesterday and today
Through the joy and the pain
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more
And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for Me
~~”I Love You More” by Matthew West (Album: Happy, 2003)
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