No one's got it all together lyrics: Jill Philips
Working hard to tie up the loose ends
So hard to decide who you let in
Put your best foot forward with a grin
I can see the fear behind your eyes
Wondering if someone will recognize
You’ve grown tired of keeping up the lies
Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together
I have seen the darkness of my heart
And found a love that taught me its too hard
To walk through life and not let down my guard
What good is it to say please savior come
If there is nothing you need rescue from
Life is something no one has a corner on
Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together
When the parts that are self righteous
Start to disappear
Every other life is
Just another mirror
And life is way too short to run and hide
Don’t whitewash the truth about yourself ‘cause
Nobody’s got it all together
If you want to be like everyone else well
Nobody’s got it all together
Photo
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Trying to be a Better You
O.k so here you are...trying to be a better you.
Whether you are fighting a battle, learning to surrender,
fighting lies that say you must be someone different to be
popular, making new resolutions, starting a new outlook or turning a new page in life...Whatever it may be, this is a time of change.
Is it really possible to be a better you? or for me to be
a better me?
You know I've been reading, and this concept keeps popping up
on the pages: and that is this "I've been crucified with Christ".
This statement is a serious statement.
Yes I've been crucified with Christ on the cross, so therefore
that flesh of mine, it's been killed. So since I have been crucified
with Christ to the cross...does that make me dead to life?
Nope, life comes through Christ. Christ was raised from the tomb,
therefore I am a new creature in Christ, and now raised to new life in Him. I'd say this contradicts the idea of "making myself a better me".
Can't be done. It's done by Him. What am I called to do? To obey Him, to Trust Him, to receive His Love and in turn be changed by it.
What about those times that the flesh risies though? Hasn't it been killed by Christ on the cross? Well, to be honest we have a daily choice... the old man is dead to us as long as we remain dead to it, we tend to resurect him...why? well it's a lack of faith that brings it back.. one's faith in "true" love, a person's faith in God.
So what will give us the strength to keep our eyes fixed on Christ and our love sure?
Be not dismayed Christ has made the sacrifice for You. By His Spirit you can walk uprightly, and blameless before Him. Be not weary in your well doing either...for in good time you shall reap your reward. Keep the Faith and Hide in Christ. It's a supernatural thing to change. Only by His power can you prevail. So stop slapping at your face and think you will be any better of a you, by masking who you are inside. Masking doesn't change you, it only hides the true you from others. But Surrender, now that will change you. Christ is Life ~ Let His Light, meet your darkness, and watch the healing begin.
Sometimes we can feel the wight of our mistakes, but still want to be a good example to others; just remember whenever you feel downhearted or doubtful that you can stand in the new Life Christ gives, Remember that healing comes from God, and bitterness is not the same bravery. Surrendering, is a sign of true bravery... and Healing, well, it can be a process.
Trying at being a better You? Don't be doing it alone, all the walls you put up, all the poking at yourself, and the masks you put on, can get in the way of letting God heal you. Trust God, and walk after Him. Walk in the power he gives to live a holy life, while believing in the love he gives, in order to have a more satisfied life.
Remember it's His Love, and His Spirit...that is what changes you.
What can you do?
Let it change you. Obey Him, listen and heed to His Spirit within you.
I also encourage you, if you are letting Him do this in you, and are heeding and learning to listen to His Voice in your life, "Be Strong, you are on the road to being not only a "changed" you...One day, by the beauty in God, and trusting his will, and his ways, you will have been made more like Him. You see we tend to become more like whatever we love.
Let God influence You, He's one influence that you can be sure is good, not only "good", but "The greatest"!
Lyrics to song DISAPPEAR:
On a day like this I want to crawl beneath a rock
A million miles from the world, the noise, the commotion
That never seems to stop
And on a day like this I want to run away from the routine
Run away from the daily grind that can suck the life
Right out of me
I only know of one place I can run to
Chorus:
I want to hide in You
The Way, the Life, the Truth
So I can disappear
And love is all there is to see
Coming out of me
And You become clear
As I disappear
I don't want to care about earthly things
Be caught up in all the lies that trick my eyes
They say it's all about me
I'm so tired of it being about me¦
I would rather be cast away
Separated from the human race
If I don't bring You glory
If I don't bring You glory
If I don't bring You glory
Lyrics to song Disappear by: Bebo Norman
Whether you are fighting a battle, learning to surrender,
fighting lies that say you must be someone different to be
popular, making new resolutions, starting a new outlook or turning a new page in life...Whatever it may be, this is a time of change.
Is it really possible to be a better you? or for me to be
a better me?
You know I've been reading, and this concept keeps popping up
on the pages: and that is this "I've been crucified with Christ".
This statement is a serious statement.
Yes I've been crucified with Christ on the cross, so therefore
that flesh of mine, it's been killed. So since I have been crucified
with Christ to the cross...does that make me dead to life?
Nope, life comes through Christ. Christ was raised from the tomb,
therefore I am a new creature in Christ, and now raised to new life in Him. I'd say this contradicts the idea of "making myself a better me".
Can't be done. It's done by Him. What am I called to do? To obey Him, to Trust Him, to receive His Love and in turn be changed by it.
What about those times that the flesh risies though? Hasn't it been killed by Christ on the cross? Well, to be honest we have a daily choice... the old man is dead to us as long as we remain dead to it, we tend to resurect him...why? well it's a lack of faith that brings it back.. one's faith in "true" love, a person's faith in God.
So what will give us the strength to keep our eyes fixed on Christ and our love sure?
Be not dismayed Christ has made the sacrifice for You. By His Spirit you can walk uprightly, and blameless before Him. Be not weary in your well doing either...for in good time you shall reap your reward. Keep the Faith and Hide in Christ. It's a supernatural thing to change. Only by His power can you prevail. So stop slapping at your face and think you will be any better of a you, by masking who you are inside. Masking doesn't change you, it only hides the true you from others. But Surrender, now that will change you. Christ is Life ~ Let His Light, meet your darkness, and watch the healing begin.
Sometimes we can feel the wight of our mistakes, but still want to be a good example to others; just remember whenever you feel downhearted or doubtful that you can stand in the new Life Christ gives, Remember that healing comes from God, and bitterness is not the same bravery. Surrendering, is a sign of true bravery... and Healing, well, it can be a process.
Trying at being a better You? Don't be doing it alone, all the walls you put up, all the poking at yourself, and the masks you put on, can get in the way of letting God heal you. Trust God, and walk after Him. Walk in the power he gives to live a holy life, while believing in the love he gives, in order to have a more satisfied life.
Remember it's His Love, and His Spirit...that is what changes you.
What can you do?
Let it change you. Obey Him, listen and heed to His Spirit within you.
I also encourage you, if you are letting Him do this in you, and are heeding and learning to listen to His Voice in your life, "Be Strong, you are on the road to being not only a "changed" you...One day, by the beauty in God, and trusting his will, and his ways, you will have been made more like Him. You see we tend to become more like whatever we love.
Let God influence You, He's one influence that you can be sure is good, not only "good", but "The greatest"!
Lyrics to song DISAPPEAR:
On a day like this I want to crawl beneath a rock
A million miles from the world, the noise, the commotion
That never seems to stop
And on a day like this I want to run away from the routine
Run away from the daily grind that can suck the life
Right out of me
I only know of one place I can run to
Chorus:
I want to hide in You
The Way, the Life, the Truth
So I can disappear
And love is all there is to see
Coming out of me
And You become clear
As I disappear
I don't want to care about earthly things
Be caught up in all the lies that trick my eyes
They say it's all about me
I'm so tired of it being about me¦
I would rather be cast away
Separated from the human race
If I don't bring You glory
If I don't bring You glory
If I don't bring You glory
Lyrics to song Disappear by: Bebo Norman
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Fan or Follower of Christ?
www.notafan.com
Check out this site, and watch the promo video
I'd like to blog something about this topic
later on....
Fan = "enthusiastic admirer"
or Luke 29:3?
Check out this site, and watch the promo video
I'd like to blog something about this topic
later on....
Fan = "enthusiastic admirer"
or Luke 29:3?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thanksgiving
Only three more days till the American Holiday of Thanksgiving :) Thoughts come to mind, such as sitting around the table reunited with family and friends, the aroma of just cooked turkey and warm buttered biscuits...Pies set out on festive table cloths and the flicker of candle light...just to name a few. How about you? what comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving day? We all have our memories. But I think for me, the most important feeling of all is that of graditude. Warm food, warm decor, warm lighting, warm home, warm hearts. And all these make me feel grateful inside. But what if this feeling of gratefulness didn't just come when I was sitting at the table on Thanksgiving...instead, what if this feeling of warm carried with me through the intire year. No matter the season. That is what I want, I want to feel God and be grateful for His blessings and evident hand in my life all year around. And to be so close to Him that no only do I feel his Warmth in the Summer time, or the summerly seasons of my life, but in the Fall: seasons of change, in the Winter: seasons that teach patience, and in Spring: the seasons of rebirth. I've been reading about worship lately. Worship has always been a part of my life, a big part. But as I was reading I came across this information It expressed that Praise - is thankfulness for an obvious blessing, or action on God's part... but Worship... Worship is a lifestyle. A lifestyle of Thanksgiving. God has given us Life, Love and Freedom...Through his creation of us, Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross, and Him rising again. Isn't this enough to motivate a life of worship?
We are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment. –Max Lucado
This saying might scare some of us. Because when we hear or read the workd "sacred" we think "in a place of judgment". Because we see our fault, and we don't want to constantly be in the view of He who is "Perfection" Himself. But really the way I see it is that a life of worship or thanksgiving is truly observed, not only by a God who happens to see everything anyway, but by all who surround us. We are sacredly made beings, made for the sacred, made for the presense of God. Don't let anyone fool you there...We were made for more. And just because we live in a fallen world doesn't mean that we are so seperated from God that we are not seen by Him. We are always in His sight. The Psalmst David said: "where can I hide from you? ....if I go down to the depth of the sea, still you are there....Still you are with me".
You formed me in my mother's whom. So this is encouragment that since God is there, our Thanksgving and Praise, and Worship is very relevant. It does not go unseen, rather it is of purpose. To live a Life of Worship is to live with great purpose. The Purpose being to Glorify Christ. Read what He has done for you, draw close to Him. Yes, drink deeply of the water He is giving freely. He who drinks will not go thirsty. Let Him fill you up overflowing. So that your heart and soul may be filled, also with "Thanksgiving", not only on the 25th of November, but all throughout the year.
We are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment. –Max Lucado
This saying might scare some of us. Because when we hear or read the workd "sacred" we think "in a place of judgment". Because we see our fault, and we don't want to constantly be in the view of He who is "Perfection" Himself. But really the way I see it is that a life of worship or thanksgiving is truly observed, not only by a God who happens to see everything anyway, but by all who surround us. We are sacredly made beings, made for the sacred, made for the presense of God. Don't let anyone fool you there...We were made for more. And just because we live in a fallen world doesn't mean that we are so seperated from God that we are not seen by Him. We are always in His sight. The Psalmst David said: "where can I hide from you? ....if I go down to the depth of the sea, still you are there....Still you are with me".
You formed me in my mother's whom. So this is encouragment that since God is there, our Thanksgving and Praise, and Worship is very relevant. It does not go unseen, rather it is of purpose. To live a Life of Worship is to live with great purpose. The Purpose being to Glorify Christ. Read what He has done for you, draw close to Him. Yes, drink deeply of the water He is giving freely. He who drinks will not go thirsty. Let Him fill you up overflowing. So that your heart and soul may be filled, also with "Thanksgiving", not only on the 25th of November, but all throughout the year.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Disbelieving or Fearing Love
Disbelieving or fearing love? I've been thinking about this
prevading "love battle" that seems to be taking place within
the lives of many people, especially today's youth.
Maybe you can relate to the example bellow...
I think a lot of us can, one way or another, even if only in
certain times in our lives...
1. A Person who needs love,
but can't believe someone would "really" love them
mainly, becuase of all their mistakes and faults
2. But if this person thinks that someone may
actually love them, they are afraid
of either their heart getting broken,
being vulerable, or of "chastening".
Whether because of past experiences
or their view on love it's self...
Answers:
A lot of people don't, or haven't received enough
love from others. When you feel no one loves you - look to Christ.
Sometimes He is all we have in the World.
When it comes to mistakes. He died for You.
When it comes to being afraid or unbelieving in love from others,
remember "true friends" and "lovers" are those who will love you
even though they know you arn't perfect - those are true friends...
Now when it comes to fearing love - Remember "true love' is any
case or form, is based upon these things - Salvation, Sacrifice,
Promise, Security, and Faith. God promises much blessings for those
that love Him - He has showed us what love truly is by how He has
loved us, especially through Jesus and His humble example in loving
and serving others.
Don't forget that we who are now in Christ Jesus, have been brought
near to God through His Sacrifice - He is our Mediator and
through His blood we can be saved from blame.
When realting this to relationships with others we find this:
A Person's "world-view" determins how they see God and how they
see others. You see- whatever your focus is on will be the heart
of your relationship. Whether with God or with others.
What kind of relationship do we have with God or with others when
it is based souly upon "fear of chastening"? How much greater
love is, when it is a "volentary" thing! :) How can we truly be loving
if we fear love it's self? How can it be real love if we are afraid
of it's consequences? afraid of vulerability...but we arn't all to
blame for our fear of being vulnerable.
A lot of it is caused from other people, because "the fall" has used
them to hurt us, through their "hurt" or selfishness. If you think about it, anyone who has ever hurt us, has either been angered or hurt themselves.
A lot of people are unstable these days because of their home lifes, and
the effects of other troubles and ifluences in their lives.
There is a lot of freedom in forgiveness. If you find you have been
hurt by others enough that you find yourself, either disbelieving
or fearing love, quickly: forgive. Let go of bitterness; it only
keeps you hurting...and chained from excepting real love in your life,
and your future - whether from friends, family, or others.
Love also takes bravery and courage. Love is a powerful thing.
There is no garentee though of earthly ease, with love - but there
is the garentee of God's love... and eternity. What you do here counts
greatly, if you live loving even your neighbor, it will not be done in
vain.
So I encourage all of you to embrace freedom.
Firstly by forgiveness,
Secondly by realizing that every chance is a new one, and our future relationships, whether with God or with people can be even better than
in our pasts. Also keep in mind that "love" and human affection can be
two different things. Yet, I do hope that you will be "seized by a
great affection", namely : Christ's...it will change your life as you
grow more and more in His love, and the more you are filled with His
love... His Love can heal you, free you, comfort you, and restore you.
If you truly recognize what He's done for you, you will begin to feel
an overwhelming love for Him in return.
Whether you have already been redeemed by the blood of the lamb through
belief in Him and His sacrifice, or you are just struggling with love
in some way... I encourage you to ask Jesus to continue to invade you with the realization of His love for you - so that you may be freed...
May His love have it's work in You.
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you being rooted
and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you
might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
To Him be glory.... ~ Ephesians 3:16-21
Read also Matthew 5:1-12
prevading "love battle" that seems to be taking place within
the lives of many people, especially today's youth.
Maybe you can relate to the example bellow...
I think a lot of us can, one way or another, even if only in
certain times in our lives...
1. A Person who needs love,
but can't believe someone would "really" love them
mainly, becuase of all their mistakes and faults
2. But if this person thinks that someone may
actually love them, they are afraid
of either their heart getting broken,
being vulerable, or of "chastening".
Whether because of past experiences
or their view on love it's self...
Answers:
A lot of people don't, or haven't received enough
love from others. When you feel no one loves you - look to Christ.
Sometimes He is all we have in the World.
When it comes to mistakes. He died for You.
When it comes to being afraid or unbelieving in love from others,
remember "true friends" and "lovers" are those who will love you
even though they know you arn't perfect - those are true friends...
Now when it comes to fearing love - Remember "true love' is any
case or form, is based upon these things - Salvation, Sacrifice,
Promise, Security, and Faith. God promises much blessings for those
that love Him - He has showed us what love truly is by how He has
loved us, especially through Jesus and His humble example in loving
and serving others.
Don't forget that we who are now in Christ Jesus, have been brought
near to God through His Sacrifice - He is our Mediator and
through His blood we can be saved from blame.
When realting this to relationships with others we find this:
A Person's "world-view" determins how they see God and how they
see others. You see- whatever your focus is on will be the heart
of your relationship. Whether with God or with others.
What kind of relationship do we have with God or with others when
it is based souly upon "fear of chastening"? How much greater
love is, when it is a "volentary" thing! :) How can we truly be loving
if we fear love it's self? How can it be real love if we are afraid
of it's consequences? afraid of vulerability...but we arn't all to
blame for our fear of being vulnerable.
A lot of it is caused from other people, because "the fall" has used
them to hurt us, through their "hurt" or selfishness. If you think about it, anyone who has ever hurt us, has either been angered or hurt themselves.
A lot of people are unstable these days because of their home lifes, and
the effects of other troubles and ifluences in their lives.
There is a lot of freedom in forgiveness. If you find you have been
hurt by others enough that you find yourself, either disbelieving
or fearing love, quickly: forgive. Let go of bitterness; it only
keeps you hurting...and chained from excepting real love in your life,
and your future - whether from friends, family, or others.
Love also takes bravery and courage. Love is a powerful thing.
There is no garentee though of earthly ease, with love - but there
is the garentee of God's love... and eternity. What you do here counts
greatly, if you live loving even your neighbor, it will not be done in
vain.
So I encourage all of you to embrace freedom.
Firstly by forgiveness,
Secondly by realizing that every chance is a new one, and our future relationships, whether with God or with people can be even better than
in our pasts. Also keep in mind that "love" and human affection can be
two different things. Yet, I do hope that you will be "seized by a
great affection", namely : Christ's...it will change your life as you
grow more and more in His love, and the more you are filled with His
love... His Love can heal you, free you, comfort you, and restore you.
If you truly recognize what He's done for you, you will begin to feel
an overwhelming love for Him in return.
Whether you have already been redeemed by the blood of the lamb through
belief in Him and His sacrifice, or you are just struggling with love
in some way... I encourage you to ask Jesus to continue to invade you with the realization of His love for you - so that you may be freed...
May His love have it's work in You.
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you being rooted
and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you
might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
To Him be glory.... ~ Ephesians 3:16-21
Read also Matthew 5:1-12
Monday, November 8, 2010
Setting your Sights High
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
____________________________________
I lot of times we "set" our affection on "things" here on earth, and do not set our sights on things above. What truly are you and I seeking? there are many things we may seek for: for example: Whether we are seeking - "things of the world" pleasure, fame, power - or things that in them selves are not bad - such as, acceptance, encouragment, justification, friends, even love...there is still something to consider.
- And that is this; whatever you "seek" from life, is what will consume you. If you seek Christ, and make your life a continued journey of 'seeking to follow' - if you put your heart into it, that is what will consume you. You see, acceptance in it's self is not bad, we all need to know that we are accepted by the blood of Christ, but if "acceptance" is our main goal in life then whether we gain "earthly acceptance" from others etc - or whether we do not - the search for it, will consume a person's life. Even encouragment, encouragment is good, we need encouragment, but we are not promised encourament from other people, and if you dedicate your life to always expecting or looking for encourament,that can consume you as well. "Friends" are important to us, the impact us, and they can either uplift us or drag us down... although it should be noted that "true friends" are not those who would drag us backward...But you cannot make your goal in life, searching for friends, because that can also consume you...and what is the matter with something "consuming us"? Well, to be honest, there is only one thing, and One "person" who should consume us...Once our eyes are on Him, then we need not worry about how much of anything else we have...Man and woman was made to glorify God, not to glorify their own selves. So it could be stated that "Man was made for God", man finds his purpose in relationship with God. He is fulfilled in Christ alone.
So no matter what you may be obviously lacking of in your earthly life, whether it be encouragment, friends, a spouse, the search or desire for these things should never "lead" or "consume" you or your life. I think wahat happens to a lot of us is we have too much time on our minds lol. We continue to think souly about us, what we will do, what we should do, what we don't have, what we want to have, where we are going...and it's just too much for us to handle. And in reality, it should be ;). All we must do if lose ourselves in Christ, He wants to encourage us, He wants to love us, He wants to first be our all and all...and then whatever else we may think we need, will be given to us, because God will not hold back any "good" from those who love Him...those who find their purpose for living in Him, alone...for those who are consumed by Him. Think of David from the bible, Elijah, Moses, Daniel, Samuel, - they were devoted to God. Then, think of the example given to us by Christ Himself...We must first find our life line in Christ, and set our sights on things above, in order to find our way...Nothing else matters in the moment but your relationship with Christ. So even if there are good things that you desire, set them aside to "first" set your sights on what Christ tells us to...Do not sell your love firstly to people, things, success, whatever if may be - that is here on earth. Firstly, set your sights on Jesus. Don't try to hold your life in your own hands...I know it may be hard, because we people seem to think we have unlimited control over our futures think 'we deside' what will or won't be good for us..but really, if you are His, you will find that God has His say. Just trust In Him, and leave it up to Him. And I know you've heard it before, but First get close to God, and be intune with His Spirt, then consider your feelings...Don't let secondary things consume your life, or your "seeking" in life. First seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you...As in First seek the Will of God, and He will take care of You. It is good to love people, we are called to love people. But in the above scripture it says to not "set" our affection on things on earth...becase God is our life, always remember that, God is your life, not friends, not encouragment, not fellowship, not love from others, Christ is your reason for living. Set your sights on the future with Him, on eternity, and not on earthly goals or desires, because there is no garantee of all else, and seek the things above, rather then live with your eyes glued on things on earth. Seek His return, it shows how much You love Him, when you look for Him, when you dream of the day you are with Him. It's about Him folks. Not about living and then just going to heaven to get away from our troubles, it's about living for Him, and then going to be with Him...Where is your heart and sights set?
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
____________________________________
I lot of times we "set" our affection on "things" here on earth, and do not set our sights on things above. What truly are you and I seeking? there are many things we may seek for: for example: Whether we are seeking - "things of the world" pleasure, fame, power - or things that in them selves are not bad - such as, acceptance, encouragment, justification, friends, even love...there is still something to consider.
- And that is this; whatever you "seek" from life, is what will consume you. If you seek Christ, and make your life a continued journey of 'seeking to follow' - if you put your heart into it, that is what will consume you. You see, acceptance in it's self is not bad, we all need to know that we are accepted by the blood of Christ, but if "acceptance" is our main goal in life then whether we gain "earthly acceptance" from others etc - or whether we do not - the search for it, will consume a person's life. Even encouragment, encouragment is good, we need encouragment, but we are not promised encourament from other people, and if you dedicate your life to always expecting or looking for encourament,that can consume you as well. "Friends" are important to us, the impact us, and they can either uplift us or drag us down... although it should be noted that "true friends" are not those who would drag us backward...But you cannot make your goal in life, searching for friends, because that can also consume you...and what is the matter with something "consuming us"? Well, to be honest, there is only one thing, and One "person" who should consume us...Once our eyes are on Him, then we need not worry about how much of anything else we have...Man and woman was made to glorify God, not to glorify their own selves. So it could be stated that "Man was made for God", man finds his purpose in relationship with God. He is fulfilled in Christ alone.
So no matter what you may be obviously lacking of in your earthly life, whether it be encouragment, friends, a spouse, the search or desire for these things should never "lead" or "consume" you or your life. I think wahat happens to a lot of us is we have too much time on our minds lol. We continue to think souly about us, what we will do, what we should do, what we don't have, what we want to have, where we are going...and it's just too much for us to handle. And in reality, it should be ;). All we must do if lose ourselves in Christ, He wants to encourage us, He wants to love us, He wants to first be our all and all...and then whatever else we may think we need, will be given to us, because God will not hold back any "good" from those who love Him...those who find their purpose for living in Him, alone...for those who are consumed by Him. Think of David from the bible, Elijah, Moses, Daniel, Samuel, - they were devoted to God. Then, think of the example given to us by Christ Himself...We must first find our life line in Christ, and set our sights on things above, in order to find our way...Nothing else matters in the moment but your relationship with Christ. So even if there are good things that you desire, set them aside to "first" set your sights on what Christ tells us to...Do not sell your love firstly to people, things, success, whatever if may be - that is here on earth. Firstly, set your sights on Jesus. Don't try to hold your life in your own hands...I know it may be hard, because we people seem to think we have unlimited control over our futures think 'we deside' what will or won't be good for us..but really, if you are His, you will find that God has His say. Just trust In Him, and leave it up to Him. And I know you've heard it before, but First get close to God, and be intune with His Spirt, then consider your feelings...Don't let secondary things consume your life, or your "seeking" in life. First seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you...As in First seek the Will of God, and He will take care of You. It is good to love people, we are called to love people. But in the above scripture it says to not "set" our affection on things on earth...becase God is our life, always remember that, God is your life, not friends, not encouragment, not fellowship, not love from others, Christ is your reason for living. Set your sights on the future with Him, on eternity, and not on earthly goals or desires, because there is no garantee of all else, and seek the things above, rather then live with your eyes glued on things on earth. Seek His return, it shows how much You love Him, when you look for Him, when you dream of the day you are with Him. It's about Him folks. Not about living and then just going to heaven to get away from our troubles, it's about living for Him, and then going to be with Him...Where is your heart and sights set?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
God of My Everything
Dance was originaly to a different song...I added song "God of my Everything" by Bebo Norman
and I think it turned out rather pretty ;)
and I think it turned out rather pretty ;)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Surrender to God (=) Engagement to Purpose
Surrender to God means to Engage to/into "Purpose"
What is Purpose?
Everyone has their own definition it seems...
And the fact is I would leave the whole debate out there on the street, and let them have their
"purpose"... But since I've come in contact with purpose I'm not going to act like I'm athiest.
"purpose" is all a matter or point of view and opinion right? Nah, Truth is not
subject to opinion and theory, No - if you believe that the Bible is true, than you must believe Christ is true, and that the Gospel is true, and so therefore Truth lines up with the word of God...
What does Christ say?
"Follow Me",
Which means : Love
Which means : Relationship
Which means :Trust
Which means :Servitude
Which means :Sacrifice
Which means : Endurance
Which means : Battle
Which means : Training
Which means : Message
Which means : Gifts
Which means : Sharing
Which comes back to
Love -and perhaps a
re-run of the above
So I'm hit with this "Purpose "alll at once...
Christ says "Follow Me"
...have we forgotten that?
Or do we believe that
Christianity is this:
Believe Christ is who He said He was, and than say
"Lord; follow me"...
Follow us?
what?!
This is what most of us seem to do...instead of living
like we are already responsible to someone for our lives and our freedom,
and instead of living out the gospel message of "Devotion to Christ", we live
as if He 'owed 'us what He gave us, and we receive His death on the cross, and now we
will live "perfect sinnless' little lives all so we can all go live "unashamed of the gospel" and then
live the rest or our lives for ourselves, and give the
"rest" of our hearts to our desires, and donate the rest of our strength to our own glory..
God said to love Him with what? "All" our hearts, souls, minds, strength. How can a
person really be loving someone with all their heart, soul, mind, strength -when they're living
for "themselves", and their top priority is to be "great in the eyes of others"?
...and the little bit of Christianity we have left, is it just really our "self-righteous pride" after all?
Well, back to that statment "Lord, follow me".
Hum, yeah sounds familiar: many of us go to college just to bank upon future
"self recognition" from the "world", "success" ah, we must have it...why?
well it puffs us up good enough, I mean after all, most of us know we don't
have perfect personalities, we fail at times, some of us may just feel hopeless
we fail God at times, we fail others: so why not bank upon some sort of
worth, right? Anyhow, so we put God on the backburnner for 5 years and
then stand up on the stage qoute "God will help me reach my dream"
and "He has great plans for me"...well please do read the whole scripture
when you qoute, cause when it's talking about plans, it usually ends with
God: for He will do this or that - for who? "For those who Love Him, and are called
according to "His" Purpose...hum? If we Love Him won't we live like we
do? We are called according to "who's" purpose? God's ...
Who are called? Those who love Him.
How do you love Him?
First you must truly recognize His love for You...it's hard not to love someone
who would put their life on the line for you, it's hard not to love someone
who died for you, it's hard not to love someone who sacrificed His royalty
to come serve you, it's hard not to love someone who heals you, who
comforts you, who washes the dirt from your feet..
Are we heartless?
Or are we deaf?
Christ says "Follow",
it is the narrow path my friends,
few are they that trod it...
wide is the way to distruction.
So He came down from heaven, not just
any royalty "The flesh of God"
Jesus... Seperated himself from His royal place
beside the Father, and died so that you would
not have to perrish for your mistakes.
Rose again, in all proof of His Holliness,
and Sits on High, as your intersessor...
Jesus says "Come Follow"...
"Inherit Eternal Life"...
And I'm stirred with no greater Purpose,
Than to serve Him
who made me.
What is Purpose?
Everyone has their own definition it seems...
And the fact is I would leave the whole debate out there on the street, and let them have their
"purpose"... But since I've come in contact with purpose I'm not going to act like I'm athiest.
"purpose" is all a matter or point of view and opinion right? Nah, Truth is not
subject to opinion and theory, No - if you believe that the Bible is true, than you must believe Christ is true, and that the Gospel is true, and so therefore Truth lines up with the word of God...
What does Christ say?
"Follow Me",
Which means : Love
Which means : Relationship
Which means :Trust
Which means :Servitude
Which means :Sacrifice
Which means : Endurance
Which means : Battle
Which means : Training
Which means : Message
Which means : Gifts
Which means : Sharing
Which comes back to
Love -and perhaps a
re-run of the above
So I'm hit with this "Purpose "alll at once...
Christ says "Follow Me"
...have we forgotten that?
Or do we believe that
Christianity is this:
Believe Christ is who He said He was, and than say
"Lord; follow me"...
Follow us?
what?!
This is what most of us seem to do...instead of living
like we are already responsible to someone for our lives and our freedom,
and instead of living out the gospel message of "Devotion to Christ", we live
as if He 'owed 'us what He gave us, and we receive His death on the cross, and now we
will live "perfect sinnless' little lives all so we can all go live "unashamed of the gospel" and then
live the rest or our lives for ourselves, and give the
"rest" of our hearts to our desires, and donate the rest of our strength to our own glory..
God said to love Him with what? "All" our hearts, souls, minds, strength. How can a
person really be loving someone with all their heart, soul, mind, strength -when they're living
for "themselves", and their top priority is to be "great in the eyes of others"?
...and the little bit of Christianity we have left, is it just really our "self-righteous pride" after all?
Well, back to that statment "Lord, follow me".
Hum, yeah sounds familiar: many of us go to college just to bank upon future
"self recognition" from the "world", "success" ah, we must have it...why?
well it puffs us up good enough, I mean after all, most of us know we don't
have perfect personalities, we fail at times, some of us may just feel hopeless
we fail God at times, we fail others: so why not bank upon some sort of
worth, right? Anyhow, so we put God on the backburnner for 5 years and
then stand up on the stage qoute "God will help me reach my dream"
and "He has great plans for me"...well please do read the whole scripture
when you qoute, cause when it's talking about plans, it usually ends with
God: for He will do this or that - for who? "For those who Love Him, and are called
according to "His" Purpose...hum? If we Love Him won't we live like we
do? We are called according to "who's" purpose? God's ...
Who are called? Those who love Him.
How do you love Him?
First you must truly recognize His love for You...it's hard not to love someone
who would put their life on the line for you, it's hard not to love someone
who died for you, it's hard not to love someone who sacrificed His royalty
to come serve you, it's hard not to love someone who heals you, who
comforts you, who washes the dirt from your feet..
Are we heartless?
Or are we deaf?
Christ says "Follow",
it is the narrow path my friends,
few are they that trod it...
wide is the way to distruction.
So He came down from heaven, not just
any royalty "The flesh of God"
Jesus... Seperated himself from His royal place
beside the Father, and died so that you would
not have to perrish for your mistakes.
Rose again, in all proof of His Holliness,
and Sits on High, as your intersessor...
Jesus says "Come Follow"...
"Inherit Eternal Life"...
And I'm stirred with no greater Purpose,
Than to serve Him
who made me.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Christ Proposing to You
This is Purpose Proposing...Drink the wine, eat the bread...
Christ is Purpose...He proposes out of Love, and you accept through believing in His "Act of Proposal" - namely "the sacrifice on the cross"...after this, through living a life of Purpose...how? By living in the Love of Christ...By Recognizing the Love of God, Sharing the Love of God, and Living for Christ in return...How do we live purposefully? Through Love...Have you accepted the proposal of God? Have you married the Bridge Groom through His blood, and yet still find yourself searching for other lovers? Your Original Salvation scene may just be your initial "marriage" to Christ, but after that you have to "live out" your love...our flesh may not desire so much to serve the Christ; but how is there "love" without "servitude" or "sacrifice"? It is a continual journey being "married to the lamb of God" aka "being a Christian", just like marriage between a man and a woman. You can get "married", but everyday from then forth you have the choice to either choose love or selfishness...Every day is a new day of choice... every day...and since marriage is supposed to be "forever", God will always do His part in loving you..the question is whether you will do your part or not...But truly, if our hearts are "Christ's" then we will love with all our beings! but if our hearts are only "half" or "a part" Christ's, then how can we expect to be acting selflessly with our lives toward Him? For if a our hearts, minds, strength, -is not really "Christ's" ...then how will our hearts remain pure? how will our minds think on Him only? and how will our muscle, actions, hobbies, goals, produce anything truly "for" or "glorifying" to God?
We are all told to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, strength, - but only through "truly' being in "love" with Him, can we even attempt to "go harder" for Him...
Christ is Purpose...He proposes out of Love, and you accept through believing in His "Act of Proposal" - namely "the sacrifice on the cross"...after this, through living a life of Purpose...how? By living in the Love of Christ...By Recognizing the Love of God, Sharing the Love of God, and Living for Christ in return...How do we live purposefully? Through Love...Have you accepted the proposal of God? Have you married the Bridge Groom through His blood, and yet still find yourself searching for other lovers? Your Original Salvation scene may just be your initial "marriage" to Christ, but after that you have to "live out" your love...our flesh may not desire so much to serve the Christ; but how is there "love" without "servitude" or "sacrifice"? It is a continual journey being "married to the lamb of God" aka "being a Christian", just like marriage between a man and a woman. You can get "married", but everyday from then forth you have the choice to either choose love or selfishness...Every day is a new day of choice... every day...and since marriage is supposed to be "forever", God will always do His part in loving you..the question is whether you will do your part or not...But truly, if our hearts are "Christ's" then we will love with all our beings! but if our hearts are only "half" or "a part" Christ's, then how can we expect to be acting selflessly with our lives toward Him? For if a our hearts, minds, strength, -is not really "Christ's" ...then how will our hearts remain pure? how will our minds think on Him only? and how will our muscle, actions, hobbies, goals, produce anything truly "for" or "glorifying" to God?
We are all told to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, strength, - but only through "truly' being in "love" with Him, can we even attempt to "go harder" for Him...
Beloved - by: Mike Donehey
This Blog Entry is from the site tenthavenuenorth.com
It was written by Mike Donehey the lead singer
of the band Tenth Avenue North...It is Titled after
Their song: Beloved
...The disciples must have thought Jesus was crazy. Seriously. I can only imagine their faces. So confused, so perplexed, uncomfortably glancing back and forth between each other, wondering if they had misheard, wondering if someone could help them understand. Meanwhile, you got Jesus, unnerved, unfazed, just sitting there cooly, looking them dead in the eyes, asking them to marry Him. Yes, you heard me right…marry Him. With nothing more than a cup of wine, no less, the Lamb of God was proposing. So you can imagine their confusion right? “Wait. What? Come again? Jesus, you feeling alright brotha? I mean, I don’t think that I’m exactly what you’re looking for! You want to think about what you’re saying for a minute?”
Of course, we don’t see it that way, because we’re not Jewish. But they were, and they did. See it that way, I mean. “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” We hear these words and we think Communion, Eucharist, Last Supper. The disciples heard this and they’re thinking wedding bells.
Apparently, “In those days,” when a Hebrew man decided to take for Himself a Hebrew woman, he’d go to his father and say, “Her, Dad. I want to make little rabbis with her.” So then the dad would go to her dad and they’d talk camels, or sheep, or whatever the payment was going to be, and after they’d settled on a figure, the groom would call in all his friends and family, set a table in the middle of a room, set the aforementioned girl down in front of said table, break out a cup, fill it with wine, and set it in front of her saying, “This is my covenant with you, take and drink it.” And if she did, that was her answer. With a simple gulp and swig, she was saying, “I do,” and that was it. No rings, no fancy songs or dinners, just a cup and an invitation. And oh yeah, all their relatives sitting in the room watching. I mean, talk about pressure. But yeah, that was it. Her lips to the glass was the same as saying, “I accept your life, and I give you mine in return.”
Now, If the girl said yes, “in those days,” she would then go immediately back to her home, where she would be known as, “one who was bought with a price.” It’s true. That was her name. Kind of long and tedious, and extremely hard to shout out in a game of soccer, but that was it. And with her new identity, she would go back to her town, and start preparing for the wedding. And really, she’d just start waiting for future husband to finish what he had to do and come and get her. What was he doing? Well, during the engagement, the groom’s primary responsibility was to build a mansion for him and his bride to be.
Now girls, before you get too excited, let me explain. “Mansion” in Hebrew means, “apartment.” And what’s even better is that this apartment was actually more like an addition, because the groom would build it onto his parents pre-existing house. Yes. You heard me correctly. Their first home would be with the in-laws. And right now, I can just imagine how many girls are thinking, “oh please don’t let me marry a Jewish boy.” It’s true though. He would build his “mansion” onto the family “insula,” which is what they would call the family dwelling. You see, the entire family would just keep building on and building on until you had what was basically a city block, all comprised of one big bustling Jewish family. (And you thought My Big Fat Greek Wedding was bad) Crazy, but also true.
Well, as you can imagine, this process could take quite a while. I mean, it’s a house for crying out loud. Some scholars say it was six months, or even a year before the poor guy was finished. And get this, the only one who could decide if it was finished was the father. So he’d be working and working and working, and every day looking to his dad, saying, “Are we done yet?” And I can just imagine the father messing with him. Taking his time, looking it over, and then just saying, “Almost.” Could you imagine? Oh, the agony! And to top it all off, the groom and the bride weren’t even allowed to talk to each other. Nothing. Nada. Zip. They couldn’t see or speak to one another during the entire engagement, except for one outlet. The best man. He’d be the instant messenger if you will. Taking notes back and forth between the doting couple. And those moments were probably pretty funny. “Here’s your note, ‘one who was bought with a price.’ Check yes, no, or maybe.” Unbelievable.
But you know, how much more beautiful would that day be when the father finally approved? That day when the groom was finally finished, and he could gather up his homeboys, or ‘groomsmen’ as we westerners would say, and imperiously march into his fiance’s town? Oh it was sweet. And that’s just what he’d do. He’d get his bridal party together and they’d come to her house, and without any prior announcement or advanced warning, they would blow a shofar, which was a ram’s horn that served as a trumpet, and upon hearing it, the pining bride would come bustling out her front door and practically straight down the aisle, and into her beloved’s arms. The period of waiting and wanting would be over, and the two would be united at last to consummate their long-awaited union. Joy. Happiness. Little Rabbis… You know, all the good stuff.
So then, back to the dinner table with the 12. Can you sense where this is going? Jesus breaks into this marriage proposal, cup out, wine-filled, offering his covenant with them. They accept. “I do” to Jesus. Gulp, gulp. “I accept your life, and I give you mine in return.” So then, what does Jesus do? He explains how they have to spend some time apart. Naturally. Only this is going to be longer than a year. However, the best man was coming. His name? The Holy Spirit. So when Jesus leaves, off to get busy preparing a “mansion” for them, (“in my Father’s house there are many rooms”) He doesn’t leave them alone, but instead sends His own mediator, the Holy Spirit, to keep the messages going between Himself and his Beloved. Meanwhile, the bride is left behind in her town, keeping watch, day and night, not knowing the day, time or hour that the bridegroom will appear. Until finally, after a long-awaited return, and we’re talking seriously, long awaited; centuries and milleniums waited people, after this much awaited consummation, the Father alone will announce that the time has come, and Jesus will be coming back for all His faithful, all who are His bride. With a posse of angels and loud trumpet call of their own, He will take us home, to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And we will share in ever-increasing joy and intimacy with Him forever and ever. As C.S. Lewis so brilliantly articulated, “Further up and further in!”
And people still want to insist that Christianity is no more than a religion.
I don’t know about you but in light of this information, it puts Jesus in an entirely different light. He’s no longer an ideal, or a belief system. He’s a person. And to put it more precisely, He is a groom in love with his bride. And not just any bride, but a wayward, adulterous bride. A bride who is half-hearted at best, chasing other lovers and other interests more than Him. And still, He keeps on loving. He keeps on being faithful, He keeps his promises.
In the Old Testament, He tells his prophet Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, to show everyone the way He loves his people. (see Hosea 3) In the New, He tells us that divorce will never be an option for Him. (Phil 1:6) Over and over and over again, From Isaiah, to Ezekiel, to Ephesians, He tells us that we are not just his children, but we are his bride. Faithless though we might be, we are His, and He is ours.
And like I said before, this changes everything. It changes the way I view prayer. It changes the way I view marriage. It even changes the reasons that I obey. As Donald Miller once said, “it’s a far different thing to break a rule, than it is to cheat on a lover.” I only pray that it changes things for you.
- Mike Donehey (from band: Tenth Avenue North)
It was written by Mike Donehey the lead singer
of the band Tenth Avenue North...It is Titled after
Their song: Beloved
...The disciples must have thought Jesus was crazy. Seriously. I can only imagine their faces. So confused, so perplexed, uncomfortably glancing back and forth between each other, wondering if they had misheard, wondering if someone could help them understand. Meanwhile, you got Jesus, unnerved, unfazed, just sitting there cooly, looking them dead in the eyes, asking them to marry Him. Yes, you heard me right…marry Him. With nothing more than a cup of wine, no less, the Lamb of God was proposing. So you can imagine their confusion right? “Wait. What? Come again? Jesus, you feeling alright brotha? I mean, I don’t think that I’m exactly what you’re looking for! You want to think about what you’re saying for a minute?”
Of course, we don’t see it that way, because we’re not Jewish. But they were, and they did. See it that way, I mean. “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” We hear these words and we think Communion, Eucharist, Last Supper. The disciples heard this and they’re thinking wedding bells.
Apparently, “In those days,” when a Hebrew man decided to take for Himself a Hebrew woman, he’d go to his father and say, “Her, Dad. I want to make little rabbis with her.” So then the dad would go to her dad and they’d talk camels, or sheep, or whatever the payment was going to be, and after they’d settled on a figure, the groom would call in all his friends and family, set a table in the middle of a room, set the aforementioned girl down in front of said table, break out a cup, fill it with wine, and set it in front of her saying, “This is my covenant with you, take and drink it.” And if she did, that was her answer. With a simple gulp and swig, she was saying, “I do,” and that was it. No rings, no fancy songs or dinners, just a cup and an invitation. And oh yeah, all their relatives sitting in the room watching. I mean, talk about pressure. But yeah, that was it. Her lips to the glass was the same as saying, “I accept your life, and I give you mine in return.”
Now, If the girl said yes, “in those days,” she would then go immediately back to her home, where she would be known as, “one who was bought with a price.” It’s true. That was her name. Kind of long and tedious, and extremely hard to shout out in a game of soccer, but that was it. And with her new identity, she would go back to her town, and start preparing for the wedding. And really, she’d just start waiting for future husband to finish what he had to do and come and get her. What was he doing? Well, during the engagement, the groom’s primary responsibility was to build a mansion for him and his bride to be.
Now girls, before you get too excited, let me explain. “Mansion” in Hebrew means, “apartment.” And what’s even better is that this apartment was actually more like an addition, because the groom would build it onto his parents pre-existing house. Yes. You heard me correctly. Their first home would be with the in-laws. And right now, I can just imagine how many girls are thinking, “oh please don’t let me marry a Jewish boy.” It’s true though. He would build his “mansion” onto the family “insula,” which is what they would call the family dwelling. You see, the entire family would just keep building on and building on until you had what was basically a city block, all comprised of one big bustling Jewish family. (And you thought My Big Fat Greek Wedding was bad) Crazy, but also true.
Well, as you can imagine, this process could take quite a while. I mean, it’s a house for crying out loud. Some scholars say it was six months, or even a year before the poor guy was finished. And get this, the only one who could decide if it was finished was the father. So he’d be working and working and working, and every day looking to his dad, saying, “Are we done yet?” And I can just imagine the father messing with him. Taking his time, looking it over, and then just saying, “Almost.” Could you imagine? Oh, the agony! And to top it all off, the groom and the bride weren’t even allowed to talk to each other. Nothing. Nada. Zip. They couldn’t see or speak to one another during the entire engagement, except for one outlet. The best man. He’d be the instant messenger if you will. Taking notes back and forth between the doting couple. And those moments were probably pretty funny. “Here’s your note, ‘one who was bought with a price.’ Check yes, no, or maybe.” Unbelievable.
But you know, how much more beautiful would that day be when the father finally approved? That day when the groom was finally finished, and he could gather up his homeboys, or ‘groomsmen’ as we westerners would say, and imperiously march into his fiance’s town? Oh it was sweet. And that’s just what he’d do. He’d get his bridal party together and they’d come to her house, and without any prior announcement or advanced warning, they would blow a shofar, which was a ram’s horn that served as a trumpet, and upon hearing it, the pining bride would come bustling out her front door and practically straight down the aisle, and into her beloved’s arms. The period of waiting and wanting would be over, and the two would be united at last to consummate their long-awaited union. Joy. Happiness. Little Rabbis… You know, all the good stuff.
So then, back to the dinner table with the 12. Can you sense where this is going? Jesus breaks into this marriage proposal, cup out, wine-filled, offering his covenant with them. They accept. “I do” to Jesus. Gulp, gulp. “I accept your life, and I give you mine in return.” So then, what does Jesus do? He explains how they have to spend some time apart. Naturally. Only this is going to be longer than a year. However, the best man was coming. His name? The Holy Spirit. So when Jesus leaves, off to get busy preparing a “mansion” for them, (“in my Father’s house there are many rooms”) He doesn’t leave them alone, but instead sends His own mediator, the Holy Spirit, to keep the messages going between Himself and his Beloved. Meanwhile, the bride is left behind in her town, keeping watch, day and night, not knowing the day, time or hour that the bridegroom will appear. Until finally, after a long-awaited return, and we’re talking seriously, long awaited; centuries and milleniums waited people, after this much awaited consummation, the Father alone will announce that the time has come, and Jesus will be coming back for all His faithful, all who are His bride. With a posse of angels and loud trumpet call of their own, He will take us home, to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And we will share in ever-increasing joy and intimacy with Him forever and ever. As C.S. Lewis so brilliantly articulated, “Further up and further in!”
And people still want to insist that Christianity is no more than a religion.
I don’t know about you but in light of this information, it puts Jesus in an entirely different light. He’s no longer an ideal, or a belief system. He’s a person. And to put it more precisely, He is a groom in love with his bride. And not just any bride, but a wayward, adulterous bride. A bride who is half-hearted at best, chasing other lovers and other interests more than Him. And still, He keeps on loving. He keeps on being faithful, He keeps his promises.
In the Old Testament, He tells his prophet Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, to show everyone the way He loves his people. (see Hosea 3) In the New, He tells us that divorce will never be an option for Him. (Phil 1:6) Over and over and over again, From Isaiah, to Ezekiel, to Ephesians, He tells us that we are not just his children, but we are his bride. Faithless though we might be, we are His, and He is ours.
And like I said before, this changes everything. It changes the way I view prayer. It changes the way I view marriage. It even changes the reasons that I obey. As Donald Miller once said, “it’s a far different thing to break a rule, than it is to cheat on a lover.” I only pray that it changes things for you.
- Mike Donehey (from band: Tenth Avenue North)
The Truth is Who You Are Lyrics
The Truth is Who You Are - Tenth Avenue North
“it would be easier if you were just a thought in my head
simply something that I once read
a belief needing my defense
and it would be easier if you were something I once knew
a hope just to hold on to
but you’re holding out your hands
chorus:
cause you came to take us back to the start
you came to touch the hardness of our hearts
you gave us truth that truth is who you are
it’s who you are
and it’s not enough to just say, ‘I believe.’
Cause truth is that talk is cheap
so grace give me eyes to see
flesh and blood you offer us
oh to eat the bread and drink the cup
oh to taste to see to feel to touch
Emmanuel God with us
Emmanuel God with us”
“it would be easier if you were just a thought in my head
simply something that I once read
a belief needing my defense
and it would be easier if you were something I once knew
a hope just to hold on to
but you’re holding out your hands
chorus:
cause you came to take us back to the start
you came to touch the hardness of our hearts
you gave us truth that truth is who you are
it’s who you are
and it’s not enough to just say, ‘I believe.’
Cause truth is that talk is cheap
so grace give me eyes to see
flesh and blood you offer us
oh to eat the bread and drink the cup
oh to taste to see to feel to touch
Emmanuel God with us
Emmanuel God with us”
....it doesn’t matter how much Scripture and philosophy I know, what matters is what I do with it. Ironically, having a lot of information about Jesus can often be the very thing that keeps us from Him. We delude ourselves into thinking that Jesus is nothing more than a fact on a page. An idea to comprehend, a moral to ascribe to. And believe me, He’s much more than that. He is our life, our breath, and the pulse within our veins. He is before, behind, and all around. Over. Underneath. Inside. In between. - Mike Donehey
Go Hard Lyrics - Lecrae
Go Hard - Lecrae
(feat. Tedashii)
[Hook:]
Go Hard or Go Home [x2]
Lord Use Me Up [x2]
[Verse 1: Lecrae]
Lord kill me If I don't preach the gospel
I'm still in my 20's- but I'll die if I got to
Already dead- so forget my flesh
I done been crossed over see the full court press
I'm a full court mess if the Lord don't use me
Running from my trials thinkin everythangs groovy
If the Cross don't move me then I don't wanna breath no mo
If I ain't seeing Christ then I don't wanna see no mo
Rep every day withouth worrying about bruising
I been to china mayne I seen some real persecution
If U didn't know em would ya life look the same
Can they tell you value Jesus by the way you rep his name?
Man what's the point of living if I'm living for myself
Lord empty out my life before I put you on the shelf So for God I got Hard I don't' wanna die tonight
It's too many people living who ain't heard about my Christ
Go Hard or Go Home [x2]
Lord Use Me Up [x2]
[Verse 2: Lecrae]
Went to Asia had to duck and hide-for Sharin my faith
They tell me water it downwhen I get back to states
They say tone the music down you might sell a lot a records
But it's people out here dying and none of em heard the message
Took my wifey on mission trip - central america
Shared her testimony 40 people stood and stared at her
When she said Jesus shoulda seen it was insane cause 40 out of 40 never heard of Jesus name
Aw mayne we ain't focused on the war we just kickin it
Worried bout our image and our space up on the internet
Take me out the game coach
I don't wanna play no mo
If can't give it all I got and leave it out there on the court
Thank you for the Grace for the will and the desire
Got me
Living for your glory stead of living to retire
But I pray I'll never tire of Going hard for Messiah
I don't need no motivation You the reason I'm inspired.
[Verse 3: Tedashii]
Go Hard
Go Home, Go Hard
Go Home
That's what that is baby
That what that mean
That what that mean
That what That is baby
That what that mean
That what that mean
Wha-What that mean?
That mean that we, should be out up in ok streets
Not just in houses with our bible's summrizing what we read
Man this ain't deep (man this ain't deep)
Why we ain't doing what we read
It's like we sleep (it's like we sleep)
But sinners sleepwalk when they sleep
So why can't we (so why can't we)
The redeemed of the LORD
Act out, what He said
And make a scene for the LORD
Action-cut, say what, like we was the director
But you better get a Grip like movie sets, and get to stepping
(Martin)
I know you done it
Da-done it, da-done-and heard it all
You was going hard for the Lord before you heard this song
But don't play yourself to save ya self
And walk in fear
Scripture's like a mirror
The truth is closer than it appears
[ Go Hard Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
(feat. Tedashii)
[Hook:]
Go Hard or Go Home [x2]
Lord Use Me Up [x2]
[Verse 1: Lecrae]
Lord kill me If I don't preach the gospel
I'm still in my 20's- but I'll die if I got to
Already dead- so forget my flesh
I done been crossed over see the full court press
I'm a full court mess if the Lord don't use me
Running from my trials thinkin everythangs groovy
If the Cross don't move me then I don't wanna breath no mo
If I ain't seeing Christ then I don't wanna see no mo
Rep every day withouth worrying about bruising
I been to china mayne I seen some real persecution
If U didn't know em would ya life look the same
Can they tell you value Jesus by the way you rep his name?
Man what's the point of living if I'm living for myself
Lord empty out my life before I put you on the shelf So for God I got Hard I don't' wanna die tonight
It's too many people living who ain't heard about my Christ
Go Hard or Go Home [x2]
Lord Use Me Up [x2]
[Verse 2: Lecrae]
Went to Asia had to duck and hide-for Sharin my faith
They tell me water it downwhen I get back to states
They say tone the music down you might sell a lot a records
But it's people out here dying and none of em heard the message
Took my wifey on mission trip - central america
Shared her testimony 40 people stood and stared at her
When she said Jesus shoulda seen it was insane cause 40 out of 40 never heard of Jesus name
Aw mayne we ain't focused on the war we just kickin it
Worried bout our image and our space up on the internet
Take me out the game coach
I don't wanna play no mo
If can't give it all I got and leave it out there on the court
Thank you for the Grace for the will and the desire
Got me
Living for your glory stead of living to retire
But I pray I'll never tire of Going hard for Messiah
I don't need no motivation You the reason I'm inspired.
[Verse 3: Tedashii]
Go Hard
Go Home, Go Hard
Go Home
That's what that is baby
That what that mean
That what that mean
That what That is baby
That what that mean
That what that mean
Wha-What that mean?
That mean that we, should be out up in ok streets
Not just in houses with our bible's summrizing what we read
Man this ain't deep (man this ain't deep)
Why we ain't doing what we read
It's like we sleep (it's like we sleep)
But sinners sleepwalk when they sleep
So why can't we (so why can't we)
The redeemed of the LORD
Act out, what He said
And make a scene for the LORD
Action-cut, say what, like we was the director
But you better get a Grip like movie sets, and get to stepping
(Martin)
I know you done it
Da-done it, da-done-and heard it all
You was going hard for the Lord before you heard this song
But don't play yourself to save ya self
And walk in fear
Scripture's like a mirror
The truth is closer than it appears
[ Go Hard Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
SURRENDER
We live each day either consumed in what we have planned or consumed in our lack of plan.
Surrender...Hum the road to Purpose. Surrender to God is the only way we can become all that He has planned for us. Only by surrender can we see the future in the right light, only though surrender can we let go of our fears, our own opinions, our hurts. But what about our dreams? What about all that we hold to with white fists, afraid to let go less we fall...Isn't it our dreams that we are entitled to? I mean, isn't it our "dreams" that we should sacrifice it all for? Well, here's the cinch...Without Surrender how do you know you are dreaming the right thing? It all comes down to love, whatever you truly love is what your treasure is, and that is what you are going to be willing to sacrifice for, and ultimately "serve". If you love yourself 1st than you will serve your self first, that's just how it works. You see all these broken up marriages today...no wonder, people are taught now a days to Love themselves above all others, so therefore since they believe this, they live it...They love themselves first, so obviously they answer to themselves first; not to others, not to God. Dreams have to be surrendered too; or else they will only become nightmares to the soul. "Dreams" are in the greatest senses desires, hopes, aspirations, goals:
So what if your desires lead your life? Do you think you will find satisfaction in reaching for things that will only serve to savor your flesh and degrade your soul? And what about your goals? Is it your aim to make yourself great or is it your aim to serve others and God Himself? Are you aspiring to be a better person in order to make an impact on others in the world? Or are you aspiring for only selfish reasons? I previously stated that there are a certain 3 things people desire, among others...Being "free" to feel, being felt "for", and finding Purpose...
Your thoughts may be telling you at this moment, "Well sure I need to put others "before myself" and Sure, I need to put my Beliefs and my "religion" before my own way...but, that doesn't mean I can't have my dreams...You may thing: "What is life worth anyway if I can't prove to the world that I'm worthy of being admired? I mean come on, every "go getter" knows that in order to be recognized as his tittle, he must prove himself worthy of it...No one ever got to the top of the hill without a climb."..Yeah, yeah true, one must climb...But what are we climbing for? Hey, it's alright to have some earthly likes, and desires... We are mankind after all.
But if your dreams motivating your life at this moment..are they worthy of it? You can only believe one way or the other: here is the Choice and here is the crisis...and remember you can always turn back to the starting line, yet once you are on your way how much harder is it on your will to turn back!?
: "Are you Motivated to Live for Your own Glory and Desires before your responsibility to Christ?"
Or: "Are you Motivated to Live a life Surrendered?"
Surrender is the only path to Freedom. Without it you will be a slave. Either a slave to your hurts, fears, worries, desires (emotions) : or a slave to your own goals, dreams, aspirations...
Are your dreams or desires conflicting with what you know to be right?
Surrender may require humbling, it may require Humility. Surrender may also require a person to recognize that they cannot find true satisfaction in a life of "self serve"...Once our lives our surrendered to God, we will find Purpose overflowing, and to our amazement God will use the things we thought we had to give up in a way we couldn't have imagined... to bring out our true "earthly" purpose and "eternal"l purpose. We were not meant to be "Dreamless" but our dreams should not lead our lives if they are solely centered around " self glorification". No one ever got far wanting to build his own kingdom, only though love for others...Christ came two thousand years ago, and yet His Kingdom still grows : How has He built it? And how is it continuing to grow? On Love and Servitude my friends. Sacrifice of Self. You will be surprised to find that through Surrender you will not be disappointed, because after all to surrender means you have fallen in Love with something, or someone who you must now consider greater than yourself...
Remember this life is not about self recognition, it is about sharing the gospel. Christians should be proclaiming Christ and the Gospel with their lives, our desire should be to share the message in order for our King to be recognized. It's all about "Him" being recognized...If we really love Him then that is what we will desire to do, "Be mascots for Him, not "ourselves". It all comes back down to love. Where is your treasure? Who is your love? What you love is what your will bank upon...Who you love is who you are going to serve. Is it yourself? Is it others? Is it Christ?
Surrender is the Engagement Ring for Purpose
Surrender...Hum the road to Purpose. Surrender to God is the only way we can become all that He has planned for us. Only by surrender can we see the future in the right light, only though surrender can we let go of our fears, our own opinions, our hurts. But what about our dreams? What about all that we hold to with white fists, afraid to let go less we fall...Isn't it our dreams that we are entitled to? I mean, isn't it our "dreams" that we should sacrifice it all for? Well, here's the cinch...Without Surrender how do you know you are dreaming the right thing? It all comes down to love, whatever you truly love is what your treasure is, and that is what you are going to be willing to sacrifice for, and ultimately "serve". If you love yourself 1st than you will serve your self first, that's just how it works. You see all these broken up marriages today...no wonder, people are taught now a days to Love themselves above all others, so therefore since they believe this, they live it...They love themselves first, so obviously they answer to themselves first; not to others, not to God. Dreams have to be surrendered too; or else they will only become nightmares to the soul. "Dreams" are in the greatest senses desires, hopes, aspirations, goals:
So what if your desires lead your life? Do you think you will find satisfaction in reaching for things that will only serve to savor your flesh and degrade your soul? And what about your goals? Is it your aim to make yourself great or is it your aim to serve others and God Himself? Are you aspiring to be a better person in order to make an impact on others in the world? Or are you aspiring for only selfish reasons? I previously stated that there are a certain 3 things people desire, among others...Being "free" to feel, being felt "for", and finding Purpose...
Your thoughts may be telling you at this moment, "Well sure I need to put others "before myself" and Sure, I need to put my Beliefs and my "religion" before my own way...but, that doesn't mean I can't have my dreams...You may thing: "What is life worth anyway if I can't prove to the world that I'm worthy of being admired? I mean come on, every "go getter" knows that in order to be recognized as his tittle, he must prove himself worthy of it...No one ever got to the top of the hill without a climb."..Yeah, yeah true, one must climb...But what are we climbing for? Hey, it's alright to have some earthly likes, and desires... We are mankind after all.
But if your dreams motivating your life at this moment..are they worthy of it? You can only believe one way or the other: here is the Choice and here is the crisis...and remember you can always turn back to the starting line, yet once you are on your way how much harder is it on your will to turn back!?
: "Are you Motivated to Live for Your own Glory and Desires before your responsibility to Christ?"
Or: "Are you Motivated to Live a life Surrendered?"
Surrender is the only path to Freedom. Without it you will be a slave. Either a slave to your hurts, fears, worries, desires (emotions) : or a slave to your own goals, dreams, aspirations...
Are your dreams or desires conflicting with what you know to be right?
Surrender may require humbling, it may require Humility. Surrender may also require a person to recognize that they cannot find true satisfaction in a life of "self serve"...Once our lives our surrendered to God, we will find Purpose overflowing, and to our amazement God will use the things we thought we had to give up in a way we couldn't have imagined... to bring out our true "earthly" purpose and "eternal"l purpose. We were not meant to be "Dreamless" but our dreams should not lead our lives if they are solely centered around " self glorification". No one ever got far wanting to build his own kingdom, only though love for others...Christ came two thousand years ago, and yet His Kingdom still grows : How has He built it? And how is it continuing to grow? On Love and Servitude my friends. Sacrifice of Self. You will be surprised to find that through Surrender you will not be disappointed, because after all to surrender means you have fallen in Love with something, or someone who you must now consider greater than yourself...
Remember this life is not about self recognition, it is about sharing the gospel. Christians should be proclaiming Christ and the Gospel with their lives, our desire should be to share the message in order for our King to be recognized. It's all about "Him" being recognized...If we really love Him then that is what we will desire to do, "Be mascots for Him, not "ourselves". It all comes back down to love. Where is your treasure? Who is your love? What you love is what your will bank upon...Who you love is who you are going to serve. Is it yourself? Is it others? Is it Christ?
Surrender is the Engagement Ring for Purpose
Regina Spektor - "Laughing With" Official Video
...We can laugh at God, but what about when we need Him?
The question is answered in Lecrae's song "Truth"...Truth is not subject to change or oppinion....No matter how we choose, it does not change the fact that we are here for a Reason and a Purpose. Even Art and the Artist aims to release his or hers emotions and meaning in what he or she produces. Everyone desires these three things : 1. To be free to feel 2. To be felt for 3. To have purpose
Monday, September 20, 2010
We are all looking for some sort of Meaning in Life, or else we
are trying to live out our meanings...So the #1 Question is
what does Purpose mean to you? What does success, purpose,
acceptance, all mean to you? How would you define them
to yourself or to others? And what or who are you "willing" to be led by?
What will " live out "as fact in your life is what you "choose" to believe,
for if you do not really "believe" something how can it work
as truth in your life?
are trying to live out our meanings...So the #1 Question is
what does Purpose mean to you? What does success, purpose,
acceptance, all mean to you? How would you define them
to yourself or to others? And what or who are you "willing" to be led by?
What will " live out "as fact in your life is what you "choose" to believe,
for if you do not really "believe" something how can it work
as truth in your life?
Truth Song Lyrics: by Lecrae
This song right here is for everybody out there looking for truth
And who says, ya know, we all in the same boat
Christians, Muslims, everybody like that¦(yo)
You're looking for truth
(Oh) I got some answers man
(So good to me) o.k, let's get into it.
Let's go!
Night and day I ain't scared to sayin we different
They play the prostitute, but they like to say they just intimate
Idols in their heart, they can't seem to lose the grip on it
Seem em walking in the direction they can get crippled with?
Our world is different like Whitley and Wayne, mayne
They say we look the same, but we ain't chasin the same thing
It all boils down to they think everything is relative
Jesus might as well be a South American president
Very evident¦they say that Jesus was heaven sent
They lifestyle reflects that they worship theyself instead of him
They don't acknowledge the Christ
If they did, they wouldn't worship themselves by the way that they live
All these rappers say they got guns that spray of 16
I got a Luke 9 that can take all 16
That's the Bible, the one they call
But they don't care about the author, They think he's a joke
Man, see some folks say, "All truth is relative, it just depends on what you believe." You know, "hey man, ain't no way to know for sure who God is or what's really true." But that means you believe your own statement; that there's no way to know what's really true. You're saying that that statement is true. You're killing yourself. If what's true for you is true for you and what's true for me is true for me, what if my truth says your's is a lie? Is it still true? Come on man!
I promise everybody is askin the same questions, "Who am I? What is my purpose and my direction?"
Probably believe that you exist for no other reason
Than self satisfaction, hedonism, and pleasing things
Life's about you gettin yours and being happy
Even if it means a divorce and switchin families?
Your job, your house, your car, your spouse
It's all for the glory of you¦else you out
You go to school, get ya degrees, and get a job
So you can make a whole lot of cheese, cuz life's hard
You never thought of livin to please a real God
And that's the reason He made you
(See) He gave you breath to breathe, the chest to breathe it
So you can taste and see He's the best, believe it
He made us for His glory, and not for your own, homie
Our God is holy¦you should repent and die slowly!
See, there's this thing called "Secular Humanism", it says man is the source of all meaning and all purposing. You know what i'm saying? We're just the result of a big cosmic explosion. We don't really have a purpose or meaning, so we just come up with our own purpose. We're the source of our meaning and our purpose. How can a man, which is the product of chance, a finite being be the source of purpose and meaning? You can't! You're created with purpose man! Get with The Creator yo!
Man, everybody got a problem with God
And when you mention the Christ, then they really get to turning the knob
But some say they roll with Christ
Cuz some rappers made him seem like He was cool with all the sin in they life
No!
But then some say, "How could God exist when all this evil stuff in the world keep persistin?"
Wrong question, ask again
How come God ain't let you feel the wrath from sin?
What you thought last night deserves a first class flight to Hell
Where God doesn't dwell, you got that right
But he brought back life on that cross that night
Christ died
You ain't know that it cost that price?
All of God's anger poured on His Son
Been together through all eternity
Now He was shun
Praise God for the life that was won for us
Ain't got a beef with God because the Son was Christ
Look, man, some people say that God ain't real 'cause they don't see how a good God can exsist with all this evil in the world. If God is real then He should stop all this evil, 'cause He's all-powerful right? What is evil though man? It's anything that's against God. It's anything morally bad or wrong. It's murder, rape, stealing, lying, cheating. But if we want God to stop evil, do we want Him to stop it all or just a little bit of it? If He stops us from doing evil things, what about lying, or what about our evil thoughts? I mean, where do you stop, the murder level, the lying level, or the thinking level? If we want Him to stop evil, we gotta be consistent, we can't just pick and choose. That means you and I would be eliminated right? Because we think evil stuff. If that's true, we should be eliminated! But thanks be to God that Jesus stepped in to save us from our sin! Christ died for all evilness! Repent, turn to Jesus man!"
And who says, ya know, we all in the same boat
Christians, Muslims, everybody like that¦(yo)
You're looking for truth
(Oh) I got some answers man
(So good to me) o.k, let's get into it.
Let's go!
Night and day I ain't scared to sayin we different
They play the prostitute, but they like to say they just intimate
Idols in their heart, they can't seem to lose the grip on it
Seem em walking in the direction they can get crippled with?
Our world is different like Whitley and Wayne, mayne
They say we look the same, but we ain't chasin the same thing
It all boils down to they think everything is relative
Jesus might as well be a South American president
Very evident¦they say that Jesus was heaven sent
They lifestyle reflects that they worship theyself instead of him
They don't acknowledge the Christ
If they did, they wouldn't worship themselves by the way that they live
All these rappers say they got guns that spray of 16
I got a Luke 9 that can take all 16
That's the Bible, the one they call
But they don't care about the author, They think he's a joke
Man, see some folks say, "All truth is relative, it just depends on what you believe." You know, "hey man, ain't no way to know for sure who God is or what's really true." But that means you believe your own statement; that there's no way to know what's really true. You're saying that that statement is true. You're killing yourself. If what's true for you is true for you and what's true for me is true for me, what if my truth says your's is a lie? Is it still true? Come on man!
I promise everybody is askin the same questions, "Who am I? What is my purpose and my direction?"
Probably believe that you exist for no other reason
Than self satisfaction, hedonism, and pleasing things
Life's about you gettin yours and being happy
Even if it means a divorce and switchin families?
Your job, your house, your car, your spouse
It's all for the glory of you¦else you out
You go to school, get ya degrees, and get a job
So you can make a whole lot of cheese, cuz life's hard
You never thought of livin to please a real God
And that's the reason He made you
(See) He gave you breath to breathe, the chest to breathe it
So you can taste and see He's the best, believe it
He made us for His glory, and not for your own, homie
Our God is holy¦you should repent and die slowly!
See, there's this thing called "Secular Humanism", it says man is the source of all meaning and all purposing. You know what i'm saying? We're just the result of a big cosmic explosion. We don't really have a purpose or meaning, so we just come up with our own purpose. We're the source of our meaning and our purpose. How can a man, which is the product of chance, a finite being be the source of purpose and meaning? You can't! You're created with purpose man! Get with The Creator yo!
Man, everybody got a problem with God
And when you mention the Christ, then they really get to turning the knob
But some say they roll with Christ
Cuz some rappers made him seem like He was cool with all the sin in they life
No!
But then some say, "How could God exist when all this evil stuff in the world keep persistin?"
Wrong question, ask again
How come God ain't let you feel the wrath from sin?
What you thought last night deserves a first class flight to Hell
Where God doesn't dwell, you got that right
But he brought back life on that cross that night
Christ died
You ain't know that it cost that price?
All of God's anger poured on His Son
Been together through all eternity
Now He was shun
Praise God for the life that was won for us
Ain't got a beef with God because the Son was Christ
Look, man, some people say that God ain't real 'cause they don't see how a good God can exsist with all this evil in the world. If God is real then He should stop all this evil, 'cause He's all-powerful right? What is evil though man? It's anything that's against God. It's anything morally bad or wrong. It's murder, rape, stealing, lying, cheating. But if we want God to stop evil, do we want Him to stop it all or just a little bit of it? If He stops us from doing evil things, what about lying, or what about our evil thoughts? I mean, where do you stop, the murder level, the lying level, or the thinking level? If we want Him to stop evil, we gotta be consistent, we can't just pick and choose. That means you and I would be eliminated right? Because we think evil stuff. If that's true, we should be eliminated! But thanks be to God that Jesus stepped in to save us from our sin! Christ died for all evilness! Repent, turn to Jesus man!"
Purpose Proposing
Suppose we never searched between the lines, or opened up our eyes to find the answer to our every day, the source of our beating hearts, our guiding light, our all and all...
What if Purpose Proposed? Like love to turn a soul around, or new hope for the broken down, the key to life and life for death, like the meaning behind every new breath?
What if Purpose Proposed? Like love to turn a soul around, or new hope for the broken down, the key to life and life for death, like the meaning behind every new breath?
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