A Call To Anguish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGMG_PVaJoI

a fool? a generous soul? same same, no difference?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIUegFgy15w

by faith

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

Clear the Stage, Jimmy Needham

I know I've mentioned this song a gazillion times but somehow I still need to be reminded of my priorities.

"Clear The Stage"

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too
Until the congregations few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social
Then seek the lord & wait for what he has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

'cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for god to whisper
Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

We must not worship something that's not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it

'cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to
I can sing all I want to
And still get it wrong
And you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols

confessions of a complain queen

all too often i get too caught up with painting a rosy picture of the past. the have beens, the good times, the memories, the crowd.. and i cringe as i compare that rosy picture with my present. we can't recreate memories and the feeling of being in those moments, but maybe, just maybe.. it would be helpful to open our eyes to the blessings right at this very moment. who/what are you taking for granted right now?

when being imperfect stabs your heart

turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face and the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace

Acts 20

3 verses to ponder upon. v24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. v28b Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. v35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

what comes first

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you —Matthew 6:33 Even household chores and time spent with friends can come in the way of my devotion to God. What are the idols in your life that are hindering you from living a life of surrender to God?

gee thanks

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. If only. Your words though at times out of jest, cut and scar me, they tear me down. One that I respect and hold in high honour, one whom I seek comfort from. One whom I've wanted to please for years. These make your words sting more. Either that, or I'm just being a sensitive emo can't take criticisms good for nothing lazy bum.

a broken and contrite heart, you God, will not despise

Psalm 51:16-18 New International Version (NIV) 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. * con·trite [kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt] Show IPA adjective 1. caused by or showing sincere remorse. 2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner. Year 2013 lesson #1: It's ok to be broken. Out of our devotion to Him in the midst of our brokenness, God uses us, He works in us and through us. In our weaknesses, He is made strong.