I am so thankful for music. I adore music. I worship God through music.
Every relationship has some aspect of it that makes it especially close. Maybe it's going out to dinner, watching a movie, going for a walk, talking, etc. It's no different in our relationship with God. We all have something that brings us especially close to Him, and it differs among us. From reading the Bible, to prayer, to looking at His creation... to music. Mine is music. I worship God in many ways, all of the above being included. But I especially worship Him through music. That is the mode of worship that brings me so very close to Him.
I am so thankful to be in a church that sincerely, deeply, and loudly worships Him through music. It's amazing! I look forward to every worship time at our church. I get excited about what songs we'll sing, and I nearly die on the Sundays that we greet at the door. I can hear the music being sung and played inside as I stand at the door wishing I was in there being a part of it!
Music is a gift from God. I thank Him for this present! When I'm depressed, discouraged, tempted, lonely, or any way struggling, God uses music to break through to me. He uses it to encourage me, love me, convict me, and hold me.
I can't wait to sing in heaven. It is going to be unbelievable.
So that is why I am so quickly again putting up another song on my blog here. My worship leader just introduced me to yet again another wonderful song by Hillsong. Look and listen to these words! WOW. Can we truly pray this?? Do you realize the ramifications of these words??
Take my life,
I lay it down,
At the cross,
Where I am found.
All I have I give to You, oh God.
Take my hands,
And make them clean.
Keep my heart,
In purity,
That I may walk in all You have for me.
Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.
Jesus.
Take my moments,
And my days,
Let each breath,
That I take,
Be ever only for You, oh God
Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.
Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.
My whole life is Yours,
I give it all surrendered to Your name.
And forever I will pray,
Have Your way,
Have Your way.
Oh, here I stand arms open wide.
Oh, I am Yours and You are mine.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Children, Children
A couple days ago I went to the dentist. Not. Fun.
The really interesting part was that as I squirmed and sweat through the scraping, stings, and sounds, I just wanted to hear a "Good job!" or "Wow, you're brave!"
Oh, to be young again. When I was little and went through such agonies as the dentist, my mom would always be at my side to cheer me on. Even the dentist herself would comment on how well I sat still and didn't whine. Now I feel like I fight just as hard to be good, but receive no affirmation.
As I sat and held my hands together as hard as I could to get through the torture, I pondered this feeling within me. This desire to be noticed, appreciated, and encouraged the same as when I was little. The need to be told I'm brave. Silly, right? I don't think so.
You see, I don't think I'm the only adult that longs for this. I am sure there are grown men that sit down to pay bills and hear whispers of their past saying "Whew, you are a brave guy." Grown-ups who get up and ready for work and long to hear "Wow, good job!" again.
The fact is that a woman will always be that little girl twirling in her dress wanting to be told she's pretty; and a man will always be that little boy playing warrior and wanting to be told how big and strong and tough he is.
We are still so much like children. I think that's part of why life gets so hard when you grow up. The desires to hear these phrases and be affirmed are the same on the inside; but it'd just be silly and embarrassing to admit that or to actually say things like that to an adult.
We are still SO much like children. But you know what blows my mind? God asks us to be like children in the most intimate of ways. He asks us to be HIS children. Amazing, huh? And He asks us to behave like children in our faith- to have a childlike faith in Him (Matthew 18:3,4). To simply have faith and trust Him without questions, fears, or taking the controls.
And this is where we stop being so much like children. This is where we go back to being grown-ups and can't seem to step back to our childhood... maybe we even don't want to.
But this is where we need to be children- we desperately need to be His children, act like His children, and trust Him like His children. He's just waiting for us to live with a daily faith in Him- completely resting in Him and adoring Him as our Father.
Can you do this? Step back from being a grown-up and revel in being His daughter or son. Crawl up in His lap and lean your head on His shoulder. Let Him wrap His arms around you. Whisper, "Daddy".
And find the real peace and joy of being a kid again.
The really interesting part was that as I squirmed and sweat through the scraping, stings, and sounds, I just wanted to hear a "Good job!" or "Wow, you're brave!"
Oh, to be young again. When I was little and went through such agonies as the dentist, my mom would always be at my side to cheer me on. Even the dentist herself would comment on how well I sat still and didn't whine. Now I feel like I fight just as hard to be good, but receive no affirmation.
As I sat and held my hands together as hard as I could to get through the torture, I pondered this feeling within me. This desire to be noticed, appreciated, and encouraged the same as when I was little. The need to be told I'm brave. Silly, right? I don't think so.
You see, I don't think I'm the only adult that longs for this. I am sure there are grown men that sit down to pay bills and hear whispers of their past saying "Whew, you are a brave guy." Grown-ups who get up and ready for work and long to hear "Wow, good job!" again.
The fact is that a woman will always be that little girl twirling in her dress wanting to be told she's pretty; and a man will always be that little boy playing warrior and wanting to be told how big and strong and tough he is.
We are still so much like children. I think that's part of why life gets so hard when you grow up. The desires to hear these phrases and be affirmed are the same on the inside; but it'd just be silly and embarrassing to admit that or to actually say things like that to an adult.
We are still SO much like children. But you know what blows my mind? God asks us to be like children in the most intimate of ways. He asks us to be HIS children. Amazing, huh? And He asks us to behave like children in our faith- to have a childlike faith in Him (Matthew 18:3,4). To simply have faith and trust Him without questions, fears, or taking the controls.
And this is where we stop being so much like children. This is where we go back to being grown-ups and can't seem to step back to our childhood... maybe we even don't want to.
But this is where we need to be children- we desperately need to be His children, act like His children, and trust Him like His children. He's just waiting for us to live with a daily faith in Him- completely resting in Him and adoring Him as our Father.
Can you do this? Step back from being a grown-up and revel in being His daughter or son. Crawl up in His lap and lean your head on His shoulder. Let Him wrap His arms around you. Whisper, "Daddy".
And find the real peace and joy of being a kid again.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Whew, it's been a while...
Well, I probably should have put up a warning post back, oh... about a month ago!... to say that I probably wouldn't be posting for a while because of the semester's crazy end.
But I didn't, and indeed it was crazy, and I have just not posted. However, the semester ended about a week ago, and I have a bit of a life again:) So please keep checking here, as I am working on a couple of blogs that should be up this week.
In the meantime, I want to leave you with the words of a song that my church started singing that is so moving and encouraging. The thought that as true believers in Christ we will NO DOUBT stand before Him one day and spend eternity in peace with Him, living as we were meant to be is amazing. It just blows my mind! Life is so hard and for so many people filled with pain. But one day for us, there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, darkness, etc. Not only is that an incredible future to look forward to, but it's so comforting for the here and now as well.
~*~
On that day when I see, all that You have for me,
When I see You face to face, there surrounded by Your grace,
All my fears swept away in the light of Your embrace,
Where Your love is all I need, and forever I am free.
Where the streets are made of gold,
In Your presence healed and whole,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.
No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
In this life I will stand, through my joy and my pain,
Knowing there’s a greater day, there’s a hope that never fails,
Where Your name is lifted high and forever praises rise,
For the glory of Your name, I’m believing for the day.
Where the wars and violence cease, all creation lives in peace,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.
No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.
For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.
But I didn't, and indeed it was crazy, and I have just not posted. However, the semester ended about a week ago, and I have a bit of a life again:) So please keep checking here, as I am working on a couple of blogs that should be up this week.
In the meantime, I want to leave you with the words of a song that my church started singing that is so moving and encouraging. The thought that as true believers in Christ we will NO DOUBT stand before Him one day and spend eternity in peace with Him, living as we were meant to be is amazing. It just blows my mind! Life is so hard and for so many people filled with pain. But one day for us, there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, darkness, etc. Not only is that an incredible future to look forward to, but it's so comforting for the here and now as well.
~*~
On that day when I see, all that You have for me,
When I see You face to face, there surrounded by Your grace,
All my fears swept away in the light of Your embrace,
Where Your love is all I need, and forever I am free.
Where the streets are made of gold,
In Your presence healed and whole,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.
No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
In this life I will stand, through my joy and my pain,
Knowing there’s a greater day, there’s a hope that never fails,
Where Your name is lifted high and forever praises rise,
For the glory of Your name, I’m believing for the day.
Where the wars and violence cease, all creation lives in peace,
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone.
No weeping, no hurt or pain,
No suffering,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
No darkness, no sick or lame,
No hiding,
You hold me now, You hold me now.
For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.
For eternity,
All my heart will give,
All the glory to Your name.
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