Happy Halloween Everyone!!! Muah ha ha ha!!! Sorry, getting into the spirit of things ^_^
On this fun holiday and final day of the 31 days of worship series, I thought it would be fun to talk about Bach... J.S. Bach. He lived during the Baroque period and was a prolific composer. His compositions are beautifully crafted with intricate melodies, counter melodies and harmonies... some of my favorite pieces by him are the fugues... counterpoint at its finest.
Bach also composed several cantatas based on scripture... and on each of his compositions, he would notate Soli Deo Gloria... To God alone be the glory.
Whenever I hear a Bach toccata, I can't help but be swept over by a wave of contrapuntal glory... the intricate melodies winding around each other, like our lives... we are the main melody, and as our live interact with others around us, those countermelodies start in... think "Row Row Row your boat", just way more intricate and complex.
Each of these melodies, or counterpoint, compliment one another... their differences create beautiful discord and glorious harmonies... their similarities pull the piece together to create a soaringly beautiful piece of music.
Our lives are like an orchestral piece... there are many instruments playing at once. If you take one part of the orchestra and play it by itself, it's a little out of place and awkward (especially if it's not the melody)... but put the whole things together, all instruments playing at their appointed times, you have a beautiful piece of music.
We all have our specific talents and gifts... they differ from person to person. While one may be really amazing at teaching, another is great with children... a church is not comprised of one person who can do it all... its comprised of many people, each with a different skill set... one may play the melody... like a pastor or worship leader, another may be the second chair violin, or viola or cello...
In any case, as a church, we should want one thing... for God to get all the glory... Soli Deo Gloria.
Enjoy your Halloween and enjoy this great piece by J.S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor which has become a Halloween standard.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Worship Him Forever... Day 29
At the Magic Kingdom today!!! Enjoy this amazing song by Travis Cottrell
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Legacy of Worship... Day 27
Please enjoy this wonderful song while I am on vacation!
What's the legacy you want to leave behind?
What's the legacy you want to leave behind?
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
worship in our daily lives... Day 28
In the classic children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice comes to a crossroads in the forest and asks the Cheshire cat for advice about which way to choose. The cat tells Alice that it depends largely on where she wants to go. Alice says that she does not much care, and the cat replies that in that case it does not matter which path she chooses.
I've always been the type of person that wasn't decisive.... I would let the opinion of others be my guide... I had no rudder in my life and often I would find myself in a situation that wasn't very glorifying to God.
The Bible tells us: 'Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
God is pleased with our worship, and we should be excited to give Him worship... in everything! Enjoying a little Disney myself today, pictures up soon for friends on FB and twitter!!!
I've always been the type of person that wasn't decisive.... I would let the opinion of others be my guide... I had no rudder in my life and often I would find myself in a situation that wasn't very glorifying to God.
The Bible tells us: 'Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
God is pleased with our worship, and we should be excited to give Him worship... in everything! Enjoying a little Disney myself today, pictures up soon for friends on FB and twitter!!!
White Flag... Day 25
The first time I heard this song, the chorus caught my attention. I've always loved the old hymn "I surrender all" and listening to the words, I thought of that great hymn.
Surrender can mean a lot of things, but in our lives, it should mean giving up those things that are bad for our spiritual lives.
I've been trying to get healthy these days, and I am enjoying the salads a lot, however, if someone were to ask me to give up my Mt. Dew... I would probably a. hit you or b. laugh hysterically... I love Mt. Dew, and even though I've gotten to the point where I can drink one of those small cans and be set for the day, I usually still need one a day.
It's just like that in our spiritual lives... we can say that we've surrendered it all to God, but until we get rid of everything that we are holding on to. We need to hang on to that one thing because we need it...
Let it go... I've been working on getting Mt. Dew out of my life all together, and although that might be a few years down the road, I am taking steps to try and better my way of life... taking walks with Spotlight, enjoying a salad for dinner instead of eating fast food stuff... adding in a little extra time for prayer and devotions... as we look to Thanksgiving, Christmas and ultimately New Years... make your resolution to work towards a healthier spiritual life... raise your white flag and surrender whatever you may be holding back... and then leave it at the foot of the cross where it belongs.
Have a blessed day!
What can we learn from Jack Skellington... Day 24
Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies... and the other day as I was listening to the soundtrack as I do every October, I was struck by one scene where Jack has just finished a much anticipated Halloween celebration. He sneaks away from the party and goes out to ponder his true calling... He laments that each year is the same routine, that he can't imagine anything new. This leads him to go wandering through the woods where he finds a clearing filled with trees... but these are no ordinary trees, they are portals to the holiday worlds... he becomes entranced by the Christmas door and falls through to Christmas town. Jack finds a new spin on life and becomes excited about taking over Christmas.
He barges through the door of his new "mission" in life and it fails utterly. When he comes to the realization that he is the Pumpkin King, his passion returns for his true calling...
Each of us is gifted... with talents fitted with our personalities, passions and true callings. God fits us with our uniqueness... but sometimes, we can misread or misunderstand that calling and push through a door that was not meant to be opened by us.
I know that I am not meant for missions work... but I know many people who are. I am not a leader, but I love teaching... I can't force my spiritual gift of teaching into the door of leadership or hospitality without forcing open a door that God has not meant for me.
Sometimes we need to make a mistake and bash into a few doors in order to learn what our true calling or passion is. Like Jack, I've gone through several doors that I truly believe weren't meant for me simply because of my pride, and my own assumptions...
Sometimes we know our calling... sometimes it takes some mistakes to learn what God wants us to do... If you need some guidance, a good place to start would be to take a spiritual gifts inventory... it will help you to realize where God has gifted you... Wisdom is available to us... all we have to do is ask. James 1:5 reads: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Jack can teach us about the passions in our lives... we can use those passions to bring people to Christ! Enjoy the overture by Danny Elfman from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Have a great day!
He barges through the door of his new "mission" in life and it fails utterly. When he comes to the realization that he is the Pumpkin King, his passion returns for his true calling...
Each of us is gifted... with talents fitted with our personalities, passions and true callings. God fits us with our uniqueness... but sometimes, we can misread or misunderstand that calling and push through a door that was not meant to be opened by us.
I know that I am not meant for missions work... but I know many people who are. I am not a leader, but I love teaching... I can't force my spiritual gift of teaching into the door of leadership or hospitality without forcing open a door that God has not meant for me.
Sometimes we need to make a mistake and bash into a few doors in order to learn what our true calling or passion is. Like Jack, I've gone through several doors that I truly believe weren't meant for me simply because of my pride, and my own assumptions...
Sometimes we know our calling... sometimes it takes some mistakes to learn what God wants us to do... If you need some guidance, a good place to start would be to take a spiritual gifts inventory... it will help you to realize where God has gifted you... Wisdom is available to us... all we have to do is ask. James 1:5 reads: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Jack can teach us about the passions in our lives... we can use those passions to bring people to Christ! Enjoy the overture by Danny Elfman from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Have a great day!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Be careful what you wish for... Day 23
Neil Gaiman's novel Coraline is one of my favorite books... its about a girl whose family has moved to a new home... she set off on an exploration and finds a small door that when opened, is bricked up. That night she discovers that the door now opens to a secret passage... she goes through to find her "other mother" in the kitchen cooking her favorite food. As she continuesto go through, she starts to think that this other world is better than her own.
When I first read the book, I was struck by the storyline... how many times have we wished our lives were different, or been jealous of someone else's life? Coraline was tricked by the "other mother" into thinking that the world Coraline wished for was better... until she discovered the other mothers secret... she wanted to keep her.
Coraline is faced with a choice and when she runs to her world, she finds that her parents have been taken by the other mother... After she defeats the other mother, she goes back home and finds that her parents have returned home. Coraline learns to love the life and the parents that she has been given, instead of wishing for someone else's life.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 that he has learned to be content no matter the circumstances... we can also learn to be like Paul... knowing that if we are in Christ, we have everything that we need.Enjoy today's selection... "The Mechanical Lullaby."
Have a blessed day!
When I first read the book, I was struck by the storyline... how many times have we wished our lives were different, or been jealous of someone else's life? Coraline was tricked by the "other mother" into thinking that the world Coraline wished for was better... until she discovered the other mothers secret... she wanted to keep her.
Coraline is faced with a choice and when she runs to her world, she finds that her parents have been taken by the other mother... After she defeats the other mother, she goes back home and finds that her parents have returned home. Coraline learns to love the life and the parents that she has been given, instead of wishing for someone else's life.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 that he has learned to be content no matter the circumstances... we can also learn to be like Paul... knowing that if we are in Christ, we have everything that we need.Enjoy today's selection... "The Mechanical Lullaby."
Have a blessed day!
Worship in the storms.... Day 22
When I was in high school and the first few years of college, I had some "storms"... they were minor thunderstorms when I look back on them now, but they were formational, question everything that you believe in sort of storms... Looking back on my first two years in college, I didn't attend church, I went to chapel because it was manditory and I didn't read my Bible, do devotions or really pray. I lived ly life the way that I wanted to... and when the storms hit, they were more like tsumnami's than thunderstorms... they shook my life and faith to the core. It wasn't until I moved to Tyndale that I learned the lesson of praising in the storms of life... I started attending church, I enjoyed chapels and was studying and doing devotions each day... the storms, when they hit... were now just thunderstorms and I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now that I am older, I find that it is easier to not panic when things go a way that was unforeseen... about 10 months before we got married, Stephen was pushed back to freelance... instead of panicking, we simply took a deep breath and kept going... when I lost my job in February of this year, I was hit with a disappointment... but was able to see it as a growth opportunity... I was able to finish my Bible study and offer it online... shortly after that happened, I was offered a job.
The Bible asks us how much time we can add to our lives by worrying... and when you think about it... what does worrying do, really? except give you gray hair and ulcers... we shouldn't be anxious about the next day, or about the troubles that we are experiencing... what do we have to gain through all that worry? God is right there with us, taking each step right next to us...
Without the storms, whether they are thunderstorms or a tsunami, we wouldn't be who we are today... we wouldn't learn the lessons to make us a better person, a better Christian and even a better friend, parent, sibing or spouse. When you face the storms... you are never alone... so when we find ourselves in the storms of life, remember that God has not abandoned you... he is right there with you.
Have a wonderful Monday!!!
Now that I am older, I find that it is easier to not panic when things go a way that was unforeseen... about 10 months before we got married, Stephen was pushed back to freelance... instead of panicking, we simply took a deep breath and kept going... when I lost my job in February of this year, I was hit with a disappointment... but was able to see it as a growth opportunity... I was able to finish my Bible study and offer it online... shortly after that happened, I was offered a job.
The Bible asks us how much time we can add to our lives by worrying... and when you think about it... what does worrying do, really? except give you gray hair and ulcers... we shouldn't be anxious about the next day, or about the troubles that we are experiencing... what do we have to gain through all that worry? God is right there with us, taking each step right next to us...
Without the storms, whether they are thunderstorms or a tsunami, we wouldn't be who we are today... we wouldn't learn the lessons to make us a better person, a better Christian and even a better friend, parent, sibing or spouse. When you face the storms... you are never alone... so when we find ourselves in the storms of life, remember that God has not abandoned you... he is right there with you.
Have a wonderful Monday!!!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Manifesto.... Day 20
A manifesto is defined as: A public declaration of policy and aims, esp. one issued before an election by a political party or candidate. It's a proclamation or declaration... what we believe in... and that is critical to worship... if we don't believe, we have no reason to respond to that... because we believe, we have an overwhelming desire to respond and worship God. I heard this song about a long time ago, and a few weeks ago on my way to work, I heard it again... the core of the song is the Necean Creed and The Lord's Prayer.... my prayer for you today is to really ground yourself in what you believe in... know what you believe and why... then respond!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Day 18... Not Ashamed
Romans 1:16 reads: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek
In this verse, Paul is boldly declaring his pride in God's word. Yes, pride. Pride, for the wrong reasons, is a bad thing. But it is never wrong to be proud of what God has done in our lives and bringing Himself glory. Pride in what God has done, with the proper attitude, ought to make us praise Him and give thanks to Him.
In this verse, Paul is boldly declaring his pride in God's word. Yes, pride. Pride, for the wrong reasons, is a bad thing. But it is never wrong to be proud of what God has done in our lives and bringing Himself glory. Pride in what God has done, with the proper attitude, ought to make us praise Him and give thanks to Him.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Free to be me... Day 17
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each and every one of us... that we have a purpose! We can come to God just as we are... dents, warts, rips and all:) Happy Wednesday!!!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Rest- Skillet Day 16 of 31 days of worship
Psalm 46:10 tells us: Be still and know that I am God...
Lately I've been very busy with a new job, writing and trying to make jewelry to sell at consignment shops... I then joined the church volleyball team and working at the consignment shops a couple Saturdays a month. With all these activities and hobbies, I was losing focus.
I would wake up, read my Bible with bleary eyes, then rush off to get ready for work. I was only after taking on this challenge did I learn the importance and value of rest... taking time to actually read the Bible passages, instead of skim quickly and barely comprehend them. In taking time to rest and meditate, we allow ourselves to really listen for God's voice... instead of rushing around and expecting him to email us ro text us. Take time to rest in God and meditate on His word. He wants you to rest in Him. Have a blessed and restful day!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Day 15... We are Free- Aaron Shust
What better way to start off the new work week with a great reminder. When we become Christians, we are set free from our sin. The Bible says that God takes our sin and seperates it from us as far as the East is from the West... think about that for a second... the East and West never truly connect... If you were to start travelling in a straight line in one direction, you would continue going that direction until you came back to where you started.
Satan tries to convince us that we are still slaves, that we are still under the rule of our past sins... He's like Loki in the Avengers... In Germany, he stands before a crowd of people and tells them to kneel... he goes on to say that kneeling for humans should be a natural state... that they were made to be ruled... Satan tries to rule over us by holding our sin over our heads like leverage... Like the song Amazing Grace (my chains are gone)... where once we were sinners in chains, we are set free when we accepted the truth and grace of God... when we accept the free gift that is offered us, even though we don't deserve it... we are free. Romans 8:1-2 tell us: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
When we accept that freedom, it should bring forth a response... worship... for what Christ has done for us, what he has given us.
Last night at our church we had a worship night that was called Response worship... it was a time of worship... but also response... We meditated on what Christ had done for us, how he is working in our lives and being thankful for all of it.
We should respond to God how we feel led, not by what others are doing or saying, but what God has for your life... Stephen and I feel a calling to ministry... now what that ministry is, we are still trying to figure that out, but it is our response to that free gift that God gave us. This blog, my response is to worship God and to give my life over to Him so that He can use me to touch others lives... In the words that I write, or say... I pray that He uses me to pass on the amazing truth of His word.
The first verse of the song reads: We are more than conquerors... We don't have to be afraid. Nothing is as powerful As His love... Oh, the way He gave His Son to give life to everyone Not a thing can separate us From His love.
Romans 8: 35, 37-39 echoes these words: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Nothing can seperate us from the love of God! What will your response be?
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Mutant and Proud... Day 14
The Bible tells us that we are aliens in this world... that we are to be in and not of the world... well, sitting at work today, I was struck with the simplicity of this thought... or rather... the idea. The hard part is actually living it out.
In the movie, X-men first class, we meet Xavier, Raven (mystique) and Eric (Magneto) as children... we see their life story and how they become involved in with the CIA. There are several scenes that focus on Mystique and how she hides... she complains to Xavier that he looks normal and she has to hide... this is after Xavier hits on a girl with heterochromia (a genetic "mutation"). The girl then states mutant and proud and they toast to it.
The point that I am trying to make, is that, like Xavier and the other "X-men" as they are soon named... we should be proud to stand up for what we believe in. We shouldn't want to be like Mystique, blending into the background. We are called to be bold, winning people for Christ.
When we choose to be bold, we can be bold in our lives, in our walk with Christ and in our worship... throwing off our insecurities and proclaiming "Mutant and Proud"... or "I'm a Christian and I am proud of that fact".
I Corinthians 16:13-14 reads: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
I think Xavier had it right... he wasn't afraid to be who he was, he knew that he was different and he didn't hide that fact... he knew that there were people who were afraid of them, and yet he chose to fight for them... fight with them against Magneto. As you listen to this piece from X-men first class score by Henry Jackman, remember... Mutant and Proud!
Worship with boldness this morning!
In the movie, X-men first class, we meet Xavier, Raven (mystique) and Eric (Magneto) as children... we see their life story and how they become involved in with the CIA. There are several scenes that focus on Mystique and how she hides... she complains to Xavier that he looks normal and she has to hide... this is after Xavier hits on a girl with heterochromia (a genetic "mutation"). The girl then states mutant and proud and they toast to it.
The point that I am trying to make, is that, like Xavier and the other "X-men" as they are soon named... we should be proud to stand up for what we believe in. We shouldn't want to be like Mystique, blending into the background. We are called to be bold, winning people for Christ.
When we choose to be bold, we can be bold in our lives, in our walk with Christ and in our worship... throwing off our insecurities and proclaiming "Mutant and Proud"... or "I'm a Christian and I am proud of that fact".
I Corinthians 16:13-14 reads: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
I think Xavier had it right... he wasn't afraid to be who he was, he knew that he was different and he didn't hide that fact... he knew that there were people who were afraid of them, and yet he chose to fight for them... fight with them against Magneto. As you listen to this piece from X-men first class score by Henry Jackman, remember... Mutant and Proud!
Worship with boldness this morning!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Sanctuary from Snow White and the Huntsman- Day 13
I decided to finally rent the movie, Snow White and the Huntsman last night and while watching it, I heard one of the pieces that I had first bought the album for. The scene that went with it was one of the most beautiful and breathtaking scenes... The dwarves have just met Snow White and are helping her, by taking her to the land of the fairies... or sanctuary. It is here that we begin to see a twinkling of Snow's true self... Although we've seen her inner beauty through the length of the movie, it is in this moment that you truly see her.
The idea of a sanctuary is not foreign, but still unheard of. We go to church in a sanctuary... usually. It is where we worship each Sunday morning.
Another way to think of it is this, the worship chorus Sanctuary... we are a sanctuary... Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and Holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I'll be a living Sanctuary for you.
In order to maintain our sanctuaries, we need time with God, prayer and worship... daily... I feel a little like I am preaching to the choir here, in that sometimes I forget, don't have time, or really feel like being in God's word. I'm certainly not perfect, but the piece of music has given me a lightbulb moment.... find time to spend with God, listen to positive music (I enjoy film scores, like this one from Snow White...) and dig deep into the word. Take time to worship, even if it's in your car. I hope that you enjoy this beautiful piece from Snow White and the Huntsman.
The idea of a sanctuary is not foreign, but still unheard of. We go to church in a sanctuary... usually. It is where we worship each Sunday morning.
Another way to think of it is this, the worship chorus Sanctuary... we are a sanctuary... Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and Holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I'll be a living Sanctuary for you.
In order to maintain our sanctuaries, we need time with God, prayer and worship... daily... I feel a little like I am preaching to the choir here, in that sometimes I forget, don't have time, or really feel like being in God's word. I'm certainly not perfect, but the piece of music has given me a lightbulb moment.... find time to spend with God, listen to positive music (I enjoy film scores, like this one from Snow White...) and dig deep into the word. Take time to worship, even if it's in your car. I hope that you enjoy this beautiful piece from Snow White and the Huntsman.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Amazing Grace (My chains are gone)- Chris Tomlin... Day 12
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wrech like me... I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see...
The movie Amazing grace tells you the story of William Wilberforce... during the movie he has several conversations with the author of the song, John Newton. He wrote the song after years of being a part of the slave trade. When he found Christ again (he'd been raised in a Christian family), he remained in the slave trade for a while... but they were treated humanely. In 1780, he became rector of a church in London. He was a friend and parishoner to Wilberforce. Newton was a great encouragement to Wilberforce during his fight against the slave trade in England.
Not only was Newton prolific in his writing, his hymns are powerful... an echo of the mercy he recieved and the worship he willingly gave to God. Both men have amazing legacies that shine with the mercy and grace of God... Newton left behind many beautiful hymns that are still sung in the church today and Wilberforce finally saw his dream become a reality... the slave trade was abolished, after years of fighting.
Do we truly know what it means to be free? To be able to worship when we want, to have the rights that we have... Do we truly know what that means? Sure we see people being martyred for their faith and say we'd have the guts to stand up for our beliefs the way that they did... most of us have never had to face that situation...
Chris Tomlin added the chorus: My chains are gone, I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace... Our chains are gone... we are no longer slaves to sin... God sent his Son to pay the price for us...so that we could truly be free.... Let His Amazing grace be the reason that you sing this morning! Have a wonderful and blessed Friday!
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow. The sun forbear to shine... but God who called me here below, will be forever mine... You are forever mine.
The movie Amazing grace tells you the story of William Wilberforce... during the movie he has several conversations with the author of the song, John Newton. He wrote the song after years of being a part of the slave trade. When he found Christ again (he'd been raised in a Christian family), he remained in the slave trade for a while... but they were treated humanely. In 1780, he became rector of a church in London. He was a friend and parishoner to Wilberforce. Newton was a great encouragement to Wilberforce during his fight against the slave trade in England.
Not only was Newton prolific in his writing, his hymns are powerful... an echo of the mercy he recieved and the worship he willingly gave to God. Both men have amazing legacies that shine with the mercy and grace of God... Newton left behind many beautiful hymns that are still sung in the church today and Wilberforce finally saw his dream become a reality... the slave trade was abolished, after years of fighting.
Do we truly know what it means to be free? To be able to worship when we want, to have the rights that we have... Do we truly know what that means? Sure we see people being martyred for their faith and say we'd have the guts to stand up for our beliefs the way that they did... most of us have never had to face that situation...
Chris Tomlin added the chorus: My chains are gone, I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing grace... Our chains are gone... we are no longer slaves to sin... God sent his Son to pay the price for us...so that we could truly be free.... Let His Amazing grace be the reason that you sing this morning! Have a wonderful and blessed Friday!
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow. The sun forbear to shine... but God who called me here below, will be forever mine... You are forever mine.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Refine Me- Travis Cottrell Day 11
When gold is refined, it's melted down and purified... and when the process is complete, the gold is pure and beautiful. The same is true for us as Christians... As we live our lives according to the word of God, our lives are refined. We go through a fire, if you will. Our hearts, lives and attitudes are changed day by day.
I was fortunate enough to catch a video by the skit guys called: God's Chisel. The skit covers the premise of being shaped into the person that God wants you to be. As the characters are talking, they discuss the changes... how some of them will hurt, but that he will be better for it. As we are refined, there will be pain... as we give over to God the things that we have been holding onto.
In my life, it was high school and college. I was tall and felt awkward in my own skin... I overcompensated by being sarcastic. Over ten years later, and I still face these hurts as I let God work in my life.
Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that we are not a mistake... we are God's workmanship. So now, in context of the song... God created you to be just who you are right now... but... as God refines our lives, he rids our hearts, attitudes and self of the negative influences and reinforces the positives ones.
It's like this... have you ever been around a very positive person? They're attitude and joy is infectious isn't it? It's the exact same way when yoy are influenced by a very negative person... you begin to fall in line with their negativity and bad attitude. Which person would you rather be?
As God refines us, we begin to have a joy in our lives that is present even in the hard times... We won't always be happy... but His joy will always be in our hearts.
Let God refine your lives... allow him into the "hidden" parts of your life... let him enhance your already amazing self!!! Have a blessed Thursday!!!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Your presence is heaven to me- Isreal Houghton... Day 10
Today is a day just to revel in the presence of God... we should want to be in His presence. I heard this song on the radio when I was on my way to work... and the words hit me. I often go to church bogged down with the worries of the week that I forget to worship... I get so caught up in being selfish, and I lose a special moment with God. He should be our treasure, our light and our redeemer.
Enjoy the beautiful fall day!
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Call- Celtic Woman Day 9
Sometimes in this life we hear, Calling from somewhere... Sometimes it is loud and clear... Sometimes it's so softly there...
Each of us is different... our callings are different as well... there are those of us who are called to be the Beth Moore's and the Billy Graham's. There are people who will be the Travis Cottrell's and Chris Tomlin's... our jobs are usually not our calling, they are a way to pay the bills... our calling will be our mission that will stay with us as we go through life until we reach heaven.
Romans 12:6-8 reads: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Our calling is not something that we find overnight... instead, it is gradual through the years. I laugh as I write this... you could ask any of my friends in college and they would tell you that I swore I would NEVER (and I stressed never), ever marry or be a a part of any ministry... and now, here I am over ten years later, co-founder of a non-profit ministry. God can do anything, including calling a girl who would NEVER be a part of an active ministry into a writer of a Bible study... It's scary, but God will use you if you are willing... Open your heart I am calling you... Right from the very start, Your wounded heart was calling, too. Open your arms, You will find the answer When you answer to the Call.
As we live our lives, we have a choice, to answer the call, or to ignore it... which will you choose?
Each of us is different... our callings are different as well... there are those of us who are called to be the Beth Moore's and the Billy Graham's. There are people who will be the Travis Cottrell's and Chris Tomlin's... our jobs are usually not our calling, they are a way to pay the bills... our calling will be our mission that will stay with us as we go through life until we reach heaven.
Romans 12:6-8 reads: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Our calling is not something that we find overnight... instead, it is gradual through the years. I laugh as I write this... you could ask any of my friends in college and they would tell you that I swore I would NEVER (and I stressed never), ever marry or be a a part of any ministry... and now, here I am over ten years later, co-founder of a non-profit ministry. God can do anything, including calling a girl who would NEVER be a part of an active ministry into a writer of a Bible study... It's scary, but God will use you if you are willing... Open your heart I am calling you... Right from the very start, Your wounded heart was calling, too. Open your arms, You will find the answer When you answer to the Call.
As we live our lives, we have a choice, to answer the call, or to ignore it... which will you choose?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Monster- Skillet... hindering your worship
I want to take a day to pause and pull out a song that is very close to my heart. I know what your thinking... how is this related to worship... the name of the song is monster... but if you're honest with yourself, there have been times that we have tried to hide who we are from others or from God...
When this song first came out, I wasn't a big fan... now don't get me wrong, I love Skillet and I've always been a fan of their music, but this song didn't sit so well with me... and as I listened to the song, I began to really take in the words, and I began to understood why I didn't like... I had an inner monster... or she hulk as I call her... and we are in constant battle with that monster of the old self...
In Colossians 3 we are told to shed the old self and become the new creation in Christ. Yesterday at church, our pastor gave a really good illustration... he called it cheesy, but it clicked with me... he said that he was going to come in wearing a huge coat with the word Old written on it, and then pull it off to reveal the new person underneath... as much as we want to be super Christian, we aren't... we're more like Bruce Banner with a monster hidden away....that comes out when we let ourselves fall back into our old lifestyles...
I have never been a huge fan of the hulk until Mark Ruffalo portrayed him in The Avengers... Bruce Banner was in hiding to keep from becoming the Hulk... but when he was angered he transformed into the massive Hulk. I think that sometimes, we all come face to face with our own "Hulk" or monster.... and when the old self comes creeping back in, we lose focus of God and worshipping him.
When I get frustrated, I immediately begin journaling and listening to music that only increases my bad mood. I begin to focus on how angry I am, or how silly people can be, or why driving in Nashville is just so darn frustrating... but I digress... instead of turning on some positive music and burying myself in the Word... I let out my inner monster. My brain becomes a bottle neck and I am useless...
In Romans 12:2 we are told that we are not to conform to this world... that we are to to be transformed by the renewing of our mind... in other words, the monster needs to be turned out on its ear...
Don't let the beast rule you, remember that we are being changed day by day... that's not to say that the monster will not make appearances from time to time... but God is working in your life to change you from the inside out... trust in Him to take control of the monster in your life and rise up to defeat it.
I've always loved the Lord of the Rings and the scene in Moria where Gandalf defeats the Balrok... we can equate that to the monster in our own lives... will we allow God to help us defeat them?
When Gandalf stands up to the monster and gives his life for the fellowship, I always cry... I know Tolkien never meant for this novel to be allegorical, however... Gandalf gives his life for the fellowship, defeats the Balrok and returns to the fellowship as Gandalf the white. It's a very powerful scene...
So, will you let the monster in your life control you, or will you let God come in and help you to defeat it? The choice is yours... have a blessed Monday!
When this song first came out, I wasn't a big fan... now don't get me wrong, I love Skillet and I've always been a fan of their music, but this song didn't sit so well with me... and as I listened to the song, I began to really take in the words, and I began to understood why I didn't like... I had an inner monster... or she hulk as I call her... and we are in constant battle with that monster of the old self...
In Colossians 3 we are told to shed the old self and become the new creation in Christ. Yesterday at church, our pastor gave a really good illustration... he called it cheesy, but it clicked with me... he said that he was going to come in wearing a huge coat with the word Old written on it, and then pull it off to reveal the new person underneath... as much as we want to be super Christian, we aren't... we're more like Bruce Banner with a monster hidden away....that comes out when we let ourselves fall back into our old lifestyles...
I have never been a huge fan of the hulk until Mark Ruffalo portrayed him in The Avengers... Bruce Banner was in hiding to keep from becoming the Hulk... but when he was angered he transformed into the massive Hulk. I think that sometimes, we all come face to face with our own "Hulk" or monster.... and when the old self comes creeping back in, we lose focus of God and worshipping him.
When I get frustrated, I immediately begin journaling and listening to music that only increases my bad mood. I begin to focus on how angry I am, or how silly people can be, or why driving in Nashville is just so darn frustrating... but I digress... instead of turning on some positive music and burying myself in the Word... I let out my inner monster. My brain becomes a bottle neck and I am useless...
In Romans 12:2 we are told that we are not to conform to this world... that we are to to be transformed by the renewing of our mind... in other words, the monster needs to be turned out on its ear...
Don't let the beast rule you, remember that we are being changed day by day... that's not to say that the monster will not make appearances from time to time... but God is working in your life to change you from the inside out... trust in Him to take control of the monster in your life and rise up to defeat it.
I've always loved the Lord of the Rings and the scene in Moria where Gandalf defeats the Balrok... we can equate that to the monster in our own lives... will we allow God to help us defeat them?
When Gandalf stands up to the monster and gives his life for the fellowship, I always cry... I know Tolkien never meant for this novel to be allegorical, however... Gandalf gives his life for the fellowship, defeats the Balrok and returns to the fellowship as Gandalf the white. It's a very powerful scene...
So, will you let the monster in your life control you, or will you let God come in and help you to defeat it? The choice is yours... have a blessed Monday!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Your Great Name- Natalie Grant Day 7 of 31 Days of Worship
At one time or another... perhaps more than once... we've had a surprising worship experience. As my husband and I were on our way to church a couple of Sundays ago, I heard this song... we don't listen to the radio very loudly, but it caught my attention... the words became very clear.
Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty My savior, Defender, You are My King
One this Sunday morning... I am going to let the song speak for itself... and pray that you are blessed as you listen to it.
Have a blessed and glorious Sunday!
Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of your great name All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of your great name Every fear; has no place; at the sound of your great name The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of your great name
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man You are high and lifted up; that all the world will praise your great name
All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of your great name Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of your great name The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of your great name Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Almighty My savior, Defender, You are My King
One this Sunday morning... I am going to let the song speak for itself... and pray that you are blessed as you listen to it.
Have a blessed and glorious Sunday!
Forever Reign- Hillsong Live Day 6 of 31 days of worship
As I was listening to the next two songs, I found a theme, Jesus... specifically, the name of Jesus. The Bible says that At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord
If you think about it, when we end our prayers... most of time we say In Jesus name, I pray... @crittyjoy (her twitter name) is doing a 31 days of prayer this month, I encourage you to go check out her blog as well:)
When we pray, we worship as well... we don't just pray to ask for things... It is a time to meditate on God and what he has done for us... to praise him for the blessings in our life.
Jesus is everything that we cannot be... he is good, he is what love is... he is the light, the truth... the first and the last... As you listen to today's song, keep in mind that one day... at just the name of Jesus... everyone and everything will bow before the creator... it gives me chills...
You are good You are good When there’s nothing good in me You are love You are love On display for all to see You are light You are light When the darkness closes in You are hope You are hope You have covered all my sin
You are peace You are peace When my fear is crippling You are true You are true Even in my wandering You are joy You are joy You’re the reason that I sing You are life You are life In You death has lost it’s sting
[Chorus] Oh I’m running to Your arms I’m running to Your arms The riches of Your love Will always be enough Nothing compares to Your embrace Light of the world forever reign
You are more You are more Than my words will ever say You are Lord You are Lord All creation will proclaim You are here You are here In Your presence I’m made whole You are God You are God Of all else I’m letting go
My heart will sing No other Name Jesus Jesus
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, as we prepare our hearts for worship tomorrow:)
If you think about it, when we end our prayers... most of time we say In Jesus name, I pray... @crittyjoy (her twitter name) is doing a 31 days of prayer this month, I encourage you to go check out her blog as well:)
When we pray, we worship as well... we don't just pray to ask for things... It is a time to meditate on God and what he has done for us... to praise him for the blessings in our life.
Jesus is everything that we cannot be... he is good, he is what love is... he is the light, the truth... the first and the last... As you listen to today's song, keep in mind that one day... at just the name of Jesus... everyone and everything will bow before the creator... it gives me chills...
You are good You are good When there’s nothing good in me You are love You are love On display for all to see You are light You are light When the darkness closes in You are hope You are hope You have covered all my sin
You are peace You are peace When my fear is crippling You are true You are true Even in my wandering You are joy You are joy You’re the reason that I sing You are life You are life In You death has lost it’s sting
[Chorus] Oh I’m running to Your arms I’m running to Your arms The riches of Your love Will always be enough Nothing compares to Your embrace Light of the world forever reign
You are more You are more Than my words will ever say You are Lord You are Lord All creation will proclaim You are here You are here In Your presence I’m made whole You are God You are God Of all else I’m letting go
My heart will sing No other Name Jesus Jesus
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, as we prepare our hearts for worship tomorrow:)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
I am Persuaded- Travis Cottrell
About 6 weeks ago, I finished up my first Bible study that focused on the topic of Persuasion and Peer pressure. One of the songs that I used during the study was Travis Cottrell's I am Persuaded... and as you've just heard, it's a very powerful song. The song somce straight out of Romans 8, which is quoted between Beth Moore and Travis in the middle of the Song.
Romans 8:35, 37-39 reads: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word convinced, is sometimes written as persuaded... that means that our minds have been made up and we are so sure that God won't ever leave our side... we know that whatever we face, God will be right there with us... he is a steadfast and loyal friend.
I heard the new song thatTobyMac released called, Me without you, and it basically says that we would be nothing without Christ, we would be wandering through life, trying everything to build our own happiness, but let's face it, it would be empty... as my pastor has been saying during his current series on Colossians... Jesus+Nothing=EVERYTHING... God rescues us from the nothingness of our own devices... we are no longer listlessly wandering the world... we are filled with His purpose and He becomes our everything. And with our salvation, we recieve a promise that nothing can seperate us from the love of God. There shouldn't be anything in this world that is more important that God in our lives.
we need to be conviced that God never leaves our sides. Knowing that when we are too weak, He will help carry us through. If you get a chance (and you may know it by heart), look up the poem footprints in the sand...
Laughter is the best medicine and to end this particular day I want to share the cartoon I saw a few weeks ago on Facebook that made me laugh so hard... Have a blessed and unforgettable Friday!
Awake My Soul- Mumford and Sons
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know This weakness I feel I must finally show
The way this song starts out, it what first caught my attention. I had just bought the album and was listening through. When it reached this track, I kept repeating the song... in fact this has the highest play rate in my itunes library. As I listened to it... thoughts started twirling and spinning in my head about how we are, with our human nature... fickle and spiritually ADD... We long to follow after God, its hardwired into us. After all, he is our creator... In the movie 9, the character 9 awakes to a devistating world. He goes in search of his creator... when he finds him, he realizes that he created 9 beings to carry parts of himself. The creator poured himself into his creation... Just as God breathed into each of us the breath of life. But we have doubts and encounter harships and weakness is a word that we are ashamed of...
Think about it, we're stubborn, we fight to have our own way, even if it leads to destruction and then when we find ourselves at a point where we have to admit we're wrong, we do so grudgingly... God's not going to laugh in our face and say I told you so... although sometimes I think he gets a kick out of just how stubborn and silly we can be. God did not create us to watch us fall into destruction... but if we try to do things on our own, that is where Satan enters the picture... I imagine him to be much like Loki... saying one thing to convince you to do another... if you've seen Thor, you know the scene Iam talking about. Thor has just been reprimanded for urging his father to fight the frost giants. His father tells him that these are the thoughts of a boy, not a king. Thor is angered by the words and while he is sulking, Loki comes to talk to him... tells him that he agrees with Thor, but that he shouldn't go because it against their fathers wishes. So what does Thor do? He goes to Jotunheim... only after convincing his friends to go with him.
The lyrics to Awake my soul sum up Satans desires for us this way:Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall Lend me your eyes I can change what you see But your soul you must keep, totally free... He offers us money, a fame and populity in exchange for our souls... he wants so badly to pull us from God. If we are not careful, we will let the things of this world become idols to which we are seduced to worship at their altars...
But we must remember that: In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life.
In Matthew 6:19-22 we read: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
C.S. Lewis wrote: You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
Let your soul awake this morning to all the amazing things that God has for you! Keep the words of Jeremiah 29:11 close to your heart... God has a purpose and plan for your life! Have a great Day!
The way this song starts out, it what first caught my attention. I had just bought the album and was listening through. When it reached this track, I kept repeating the song... in fact this has the highest play rate in my itunes library. As I listened to it... thoughts started twirling and spinning in my head about how we are, with our human nature... fickle and spiritually ADD... We long to follow after God, its hardwired into us. After all, he is our creator... In the movie 9, the character 9 awakes to a devistating world. He goes in search of his creator... when he finds him, he realizes that he created 9 beings to carry parts of himself. The creator poured himself into his creation... Just as God breathed into each of us the breath of life. But we have doubts and encounter harships and weakness is a word that we are ashamed of...
Think about it, we're stubborn, we fight to have our own way, even if it leads to destruction and then when we find ourselves at a point where we have to admit we're wrong, we do so grudgingly... God's not going to laugh in our face and say I told you so... although sometimes I think he gets a kick out of just how stubborn and silly we can be. God did not create us to watch us fall into destruction... but if we try to do things on our own, that is where Satan enters the picture... I imagine him to be much like Loki... saying one thing to convince you to do another... if you've seen Thor, you know the scene Iam talking about. Thor has just been reprimanded for urging his father to fight the frost giants. His father tells him that these are the thoughts of a boy, not a king. Thor is angered by the words and while he is sulking, Loki comes to talk to him... tells him that he agrees with Thor, but that he shouldn't go because it against their fathers wishes. So what does Thor do? He goes to Jotunheim... only after convincing his friends to go with him.
The lyrics to Awake my soul sum up Satans desires for us this way:Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall Lend me your eyes I can change what you see But your soul you must keep, totally free... He offers us money, a fame and populity in exchange for our souls... he wants so badly to pull us from God. If we are not careful, we will let the things of this world become idols to which we are seduced to worship at their altars...
But we must remember that: In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life.
In Matthew 6:19-22 we read: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
C.S. Lewis wrote: You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
Let your soul awake this morning to all the amazing things that God has for you! Keep the words of Jeremiah 29:11 close to your heart... God has a purpose and plan for your life! Have a great Day!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Still- Hillsong... Day 3 of 31 days of worship
When I first heard this song in college, I fell in love with it. I was going through a rough patch... I was struggling with identity, school, rivalries and boys... Praise team practice came around that week and I grudginly went. We started with this song... a new one that our pianist had heard and wanted to present to us. As I listened to the words, it was all I could do to keep from crying. In the pain and struggles, hardships and frustrations I was being surrounded by God.It was the first time that I even got chills while worshipping.
Psalm 46:10 says that we should be still and know that he is God... It goes on to read that the Lord Almighty is with us....
I love the line that says When the oceans rise and thunders roar... I will soar with you above the storm... Father you are king over the flood... I always liked the verse in Isaiah that said those who renew their hope in the Lord will mount up on wings like eagles... eagles are so majestic and graceful... I've always loved that verse, but had an eye opening thought the other day while sitting in church. I love the x-men movies and in the third movie, there is a character named Warren Worthington (Archangel) who is a mutant... his mutation is that he has these beautiful white wings... he can literally fly... in one scene, he is running away from his father and the mutant antidote and he crashes through a window and soars away...
I know we don't have wings and can't fly... but it was a really great visual.
When we are weary and can't move another step... God's right there to pick us up... like that visual of Archangel... we are lifted up and carried through... Now let's back track a little... we aren't the ones that are strong... it's all God... starting in verse 28 we read: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
It is by God's strength that we are made strong... when we cry out to him for help and strength, he is right there beside us, helping us through... sometimes, we have to limp through the pain of the storms... but we are never alone in those storms...
Plumb released a song entitled: Need you now... and the chorus reads: How many times have you heard me cry out "God please take this"? How many times have you given me strength to Just keep breathing? Oh, I need you... God, I need you now.
Going into verse 30: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Hide me now... under your wings... cover me, within your mighty hand.
These verse and the song Still are very close to my heart.... they are a reminder to be still in the midst of the chaos and noise... to remember that God is in control... he is the commander of the waves and seas... he is the Lord over all... Be still and know he is God.
Psalm 46:10 says that we should be still and know that he is God... It goes on to read that the Lord Almighty is with us....
I love the line that says When the oceans rise and thunders roar... I will soar with you above the storm... Father you are king over the flood... I always liked the verse in Isaiah that said those who renew their hope in the Lord will mount up on wings like eagles... eagles are so majestic and graceful... I've always loved that verse, but had an eye opening thought the other day while sitting in church. I love the x-men movies and in the third movie, there is a character named Warren Worthington (Archangel) who is a mutant... his mutation is that he has these beautiful white wings... he can literally fly... in one scene, he is running away from his father and the mutant antidote and he crashes through a window and soars away...
I know we don't have wings and can't fly... but it was a really great visual.
When we are weary and can't move another step... God's right there to pick us up... like that visual of Archangel... we are lifted up and carried through... Now let's back track a little... we aren't the ones that are strong... it's all God... starting in verse 28 we read: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
It is by God's strength that we are made strong... when we cry out to him for help and strength, he is right there beside us, helping us through... sometimes, we have to limp through the pain of the storms... but we are never alone in those storms...
Plumb released a song entitled: Need you now... and the chorus reads: How many times have you heard me cry out "God please take this"? How many times have you given me strength to Just keep breathing? Oh, I need you... God, I need you now.
Going into verse 30: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Hide me now... under your wings... cover me, within your mighty hand.
These verse and the song Still are very close to my heart.... they are a reminder to be still in the midst of the chaos and noise... to remember that God is in control... he is the commander of the waves and seas... he is the Lord over all... Be still and know he is God.
Monday, October 1, 2012
10,000 Reasons- Matt Redman
Psalm 103 reads: Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Yesterday morning as I was driving home from the airport, I heard this song… and the first verse is what hit me and became the “theme” of my 31 days blog… the first verse reads: The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, It's time to sing Your song again…Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me…Let me be singing when the evening comes.
There are days that I can tell you that I am not singing praises when I leave work to head home… in fact a few years ago, I could have never even written something like this without lying…. Do we live our lives singing “Bless the Lord, O my soul” or is it, “Well, it’s another day….” I used to wake up thinking, it’s another day, another 8 hours at work, another paycheck… now, after completely opening up my life to God’s will… I wake with an excitement on some mornings… that song is there and I can’t stop singing. Each of our days should be like that… we should be overwhelmed with worship in the good times, the bad times, and all those in between times. Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul… Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul… I’ll worship your holy name.
Cornerstone- Hillsong
We all know the story of the wise man and the foolish man… one built his house on the sand, the other on the solid rock. When the floods came, the foolish man’s house was washed away. The wise man’s house stood firm.
When we place our trust on Christ Jesus, He becomes the cornerstone and solid rock in our lives.
Psalm 69: 6-8 reads: He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
“On Christ the solid rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 says: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
On John Piper’s website, desiringgod.org, he says this: God's great purposes for the building of his church, including Bethlehem, often come through seasons of rejection, but in the end he remains triumphant and none of us can bring his purpose to ruin. If we reject his way, we cannot destroy his plan. C.S. Lewis said once: "We all serve God inevitably, but it makes a great difference whether you serve like Judas or serve like John."1 In the end God is triumphant in our belief and our unbelief. He is triumphant in our obedience and our disobedience. Human beings, whether good or evil, rejecting or accepting, believing or unbelieving, cannot thwart the ultimate purposes of God. "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner."
“Christ alone; cornerstone. Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love, Through the storm, He is Lord… Lord of all.”
When it comes to our lives, as Christians, we should be focused on Christ... the cornerstone of our faith... the solid rock that carries us in our times of weakness. Put your trust in the cornerstone that will never fail!
It's funny, but after I posted this blog very early this morning... on the drive back from the airport I heard a song that is going to be featured during the next 31 days... and I realized that this challenge for me has become about worship... I hope these songs will bless you as they have blessed my life and made me realize that you can worship anytime and anywhere... there is never a bad time to give our worship to God!
Have a great Monday!
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