"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:25 ESV)
To all those struggling out there. To all those who are trying with all their strength to live a righteous, godly life. To all those who know God's word, but can't seem to keep it or firmly believe it. To all those weary of life...
You can't do it.
Which is the reason we die in Christ. We die, so that we can be raised to life in his power. Because his power alone is able to walk through fire, and live a perfect life. He WAS the Word, and he gives faith to believe. He alone gives rest to all who are weary, and knows our every need.
In a world saying "you can do anything," learn to say "I can't." Not in an attitude of frustration or despair, but with humility.
Am I saying you shouldn't try your hardest to live a godly life or obey the Word. Not at all! Rather that you should try earnestly, but with the realization that it is impossible to succeed without Christ. We often (foolishly, ignorantly) try to fix our sins or problems ourselves. It is in these difficult times we must surrender.
Yes I say difficult, because in those moments of frustration or despair, we often don't see past our prayers. Hopelessness and fear seem more familiar than peace and faith. We think we have done all we can, yet we feel as though we have gotten nowhere. Drained, depressed, just wanting to sleep - can you relate?
We have to realize that we can't fix our brokenness - only God can. We have to earnestly pray that God will bring us to surrender whatever is burdening us. Because try as we might, we can't, on our own strength, cast our burdens on the Lord. He must take them from us.
Thankfully, our God is not puny. He is MIGHTY to save! He is able to lift out burdens and break our chains! He brings us to the point of surrender; we do not find it on our own.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Through the Fire
Whenever I am feeling downhearted, I run to Isaiah 43. There I am reminded that I am cherished by God. I am refreshed and satisfied by his holy word. Tonight, he used that beloved chapter yet again.
On the verge of throwing myself a little pity party (for no justifiable reason), I turned to Isaiah 43 and started copying it down into my journal. After just verse two, I stopped.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2
As I read, "When you walk through fire," I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace. Let's revisit that story, shall we?
Read: Daniel 3:1-4:3
These young men (probably teenagers) did not know that God would save them. They could not see the outcome of their situation. Just like we can't today. Regardless, they chose to trust God even though things looked like they were about to get fried. They did not just simply know that God was with them; they believed he was. They were living out the contentment in Christ Paul discusses in Philippians 4:11-13.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." So many people take this verse out of context and twist it to mean all sorts of things it doesn't. The testimony of these three young men so perfectly depicts the true meaning of Philippians 4:13.
They spoke up to the king saying, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Guys. Seriously. They just told the king that they didn't even need to answer him.... the king. And then they don't even put up a fight when they are bound and led to their death.
This story is so easy to read as just that - a story. But imagine with me for a moment. You're speaking up to and defying not only your boss, but the king... the man who just gave you a second chance so you wouldn't have to die. But you choose death over disobeying God. So the king, who is now furious, multiplies the harshness of your death penalty. You are roughly and tightly bound with ropes and hauled into the fire - but you don't resist.
I believe this is what Paul means when he says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It means that I can face life or death with obedience to Christ, with courage, and with strength because I know my life is in God's hands. Not only that, but I can walk through rising waters and blazing fires and know that God is walking with me.
I thank God that he is with me, not only in the river and fire, but also in the quiet nights. The nights I just need to be reminded I'm cherished. The nights I need to be satisfied by his Word.
I praise him because he is faithful.
On the verge of throwing myself a little pity party (for no justifiable reason), I turned to Isaiah 43 and started copying it down into my journal. After just verse two, I stopped.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2
As I read, "When you walk through fire," I was reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace. Let's revisit that story, shall we?
Read: Daniel 3:1-4:3
These young men (probably teenagers) did not know that God would save them. They could not see the outcome of their situation. Just like we can't today. Regardless, they chose to trust God even though things looked like they were about to get fried. They did not just simply know that God was with them; they believed he was. They were living out the contentment in Christ Paul discusses in Philippians 4:11-13.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." So many people take this verse out of context and twist it to mean all sorts of things it doesn't. The testimony of these three young men so perfectly depicts the true meaning of Philippians 4:13.
They spoke up to the king saying, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Guys. Seriously. They just told the king that they didn't even need to answer him.... the king. And then they don't even put up a fight when they are bound and led to their death.
This story is so easy to read as just that - a story. But imagine with me for a moment. You're speaking up to and defying not only your boss, but the king... the man who just gave you a second chance so you wouldn't have to die. But you choose death over disobeying God. So the king, who is now furious, multiplies the harshness of your death penalty. You are roughly and tightly bound with ropes and hauled into the fire - but you don't resist.
I believe this is what Paul means when he says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It means that I can face life or death with obedience to Christ, with courage, and with strength because I know my life is in God's hands. Not only that, but I can walk through rising waters and blazing fires and know that God is walking with me.
I thank God that he is with me, not only in the river and fire, but also in the quiet nights. The nights I just need to be reminded I'm cherished. The nights I need to be satisfied by his Word.
I praise him because he is faithful.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
You
Love unfailing
Peace prevailing
My calm midst my storm
You hold me while I mourn.
In You I am complete;
No friend or foe could ever defeat
Your love as it wraps around my beating heart--
want
hurt
Your arms wrap around me tight--
love
satisfaction
As my heart beats and beats and beats,
May it beat in time with Your step
That my desires may not be
Those of the flesh.
My eyes are on Your kingdom--
Your glory alone.
You are my all--
I am not my own.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul." Psalm 31:7
"I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul." Psalm 31:7
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Show Me Your Faith
"But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
James 2:18-26
I started college this semester (only one class, but, hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?). Take me, a Christian teenage girl who grew up home schooled in a Christian household, and put me in the middle of a 16 college students and a professor in a pottery studio (yes, I'm taking a pottery class as my first college class). Besides learning to make bowls, I think the biggest lesson this class has taught me thus far is how dependent I am upon Jesus, and how different he has made me from the world.
I went into this class knowing it would be a whole new experience for me. Not only because it's college, but because it is a place totally outside of my comfortable circle of Christian friends. Every time I have been in the workshop for the past few weeks, there has been extensive cussing, as well as discussions about sex, homosexuality, drugs, and etc.. Had God not prepared me for this, I'm pretty certain I would have gone into complete culture shock.
Prayerfully, I have begged God to give me courage, wisdom, patience, and love for my classmates. I have failed multiple times to be intentional to glorify God with opportunities in class. Despite my failures, he has answered my prayers! He has shone through me in class, and my classmates are taking notice!
It did not just happen, though -- them seeing Christ in me. It took effort. I have spent hours in prayer. I prayed that God would empty me of myself, and fill me with him. I prayed he would give me a selfless servant's heart. I prayed for patience... courage... wisdom... you get the idea. However, I didn't stop there. Prayer is not a place were you stop. It's where you start. I intentionally made the effort in class to serve. If someone needed something, I tried to be quick to offer help. If someone was getting discouraged, I did my best to give a word of encouragement or praise. I wanted those around me to see that when I said I was a Christian, I meant it.
Today, while alone with one of the girls from my class that I have been forming a fairly good relationship with, she said something that really encouraged my heart. She said, "You know what I love about you? You say you're a Christian, and you act like it. I know people who say they are Christian, but really, they only act it on Sunday.... I feel like you try to be that way all the time. and I love that! I can believe you when you say that you are a Christian."
My heart gushed with happiness! I have only known this girl for a month. The fact that all the effort I was putting forth for my faith was actually showing... and people were taking note of it... I am just so in awe of God!! I have been learning to show my faith by works like never before in my life!! It has been a struggle, not to mention exhausting, but oh how sweet the work of the Lord is!! Each week I come home with new stories of God's faithfulness and goodness. He continues to amaze me, and leave me craving for more of him.
I share all this with you for two reasons -- The first is to show you that, when you show your faith by your works, people take notice. People are watching you, especially when you claim to be a child of God. When you say you're a Christian, but your life doesn't back up what your mouth says, no one is going to believe a word you say. So be conscious of your actions.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen onesholy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:1-17
James 2:18-26
I started college this semester (only one class, but, hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?). Take me, a Christian teenage girl who grew up home schooled in a Christian household, and put me in the middle of a 16 college students and a professor in a pottery studio (yes, I'm taking a pottery class as my first college class). Besides learning to make bowls, I think the biggest lesson this class has taught me thus far is how dependent I am upon Jesus, and how different he has made me from the world.
I went into this class knowing it would be a whole new experience for me. Not only because it's college, but because it is a place totally outside of my comfortable circle of Christian friends. Every time I have been in the workshop for the past few weeks, there has been extensive cussing, as well as discussions about sex, homosexuality, drugs, and etc.. Had God not prepared me for this, I'm pretty certain I would have gone into complete culture shock.
Prayerfully, I have begged God to give me courage, wisdom, patience, and love for my classmates. I have failed multiple times to be intentional to glorify God with opportunities in class. Despite my failures, he has answered my prayers! He has shone through me in class, and my classmates are taking notice!
It did not just happen, though -- them seeing Christ in me. It took effort. I have spent hours in prayer. I prayed that God would empty me of myself, and fill me with him. I prayed he would give me a selfless servant's heart. I prayed for patience... courage... wisdom... you get the idea. However, I didn't stop there. Prayer is not a place were you stop. It's where you start. I intentionally made the effort in class to serve. If someone needed something, I tried to be quick to offer help. If someone was getting discouraged, I did my best to give a word of encouragement or praise. I wanted those around me to see that when I said I was a Christian, I meant it.
Today, while alone with one of the girls from my class that I have been forming a fairly good relationship with, she said something that really encouraged my heart. She said, "You know what I love about you? You say you're a Christian, and you act like it. I know people who say they are Christian, but really, they only act it on Sunday.... I feel like you try to be that way all the time. and I love that! I can believe you when you say that you are a Christian."
My heart gushed with happiness! I have only known this girl for a month. The fact that all the effort I was putting forth for my faith was actually showing... and people were taking note of it... I am just so in awe of God!! I have been learning to show my faith by works like never before in my life!! It has been a struggle, not to mention exhausting, but oh how sweet the work of the Lord is!! Each week I come home with new stories of God's faithfulness and goodness. He continues to amaze me, and leave me craving for more of him.
I share all this with you for two reasons -- The first is to show you that, when you show your faith by your works, people take notice. People are watching you, especially when you claim to be a child of God. When you say you're a Christian, but your life doesn't back up what your mouth says, no one is going to believe a word you say. So be conscious of your actions.
Secondly, I want to encourage you to serve others for the
purpose of the gospel. Tonight my youth
pastor discussed how when we serve, but the spread of the gospel is not the
desire of our heart, our good works are pointless. We serve to build relationships; in those
relationships, we gain the trust of others, that they might listen to us when
we share with them the hope and truth of the gospel. We serve because we genuinely care about
everyone God created in his image. We
serve not for ourselves, but for the glory of God in every way. We serve because we genuinely care about everyone God created in his image. We serve not for ourselves, but for the glory of God in every way.
I hope by reading this you were encouraged and/or challenged in some way. If you need some guidence on how to live selflessly, here are some Bible verses to get you started. Please comment if you would like more verses, or have any questions!"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen onesholy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:1-17
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
ReFocus
"Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10-12
Sometimes, your heart just has a hard day. There is no particular reason why, it just is. Although, not spending enough time with God is usually the root of the problem.
Today was that kind of day. I don't know why, but something was just not right most of the day. Actually, I do know. The beginning of my problem was that my prayer was not focused this morning. My Bible study was not a desire to be in the scriptures. It was more of a "okidoki. check that one off the long to-do list I have today. Next?"
I was attempting to spend time with God. I prayed as I drove to class. I sang worship along with the radio, and I was trying to be sincere. But, my actions were not stemmed from a desperate desire to be with him. My heart was crying out, but with no direction or focus. It did not know what to cry out, or what it needed.
I was too focused on me, and not on him.
God really is too marvelous for words, to faithful to be fathomed. Finally, tonight, feeling defeated and overwhelmed, the focus was taken off of me. My strength was not enough. My time was not enough. My words were not enough. The Holy Spirit took hold and humbled my heart.
After prayer, after my focus was straightened out, the Lord refilled and reminded me of his love for me. My daddy passed me two items of mail. The first was a check with donation money for a mission trip God has called me on this summer. A sweet thank you postcard was the second.
Sometimes, it's just in the little things that God reminds you that he's still there and he cares. But if he is not our focus, how will we see him in those little things? I wonder how many precious moments of his presence I miss because my focus is on something else...
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:1-2
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
Psalm 51:10-12
Sometimes, your heart just has a hard day. There is no particular reason why, it just is. Although, not spending enough time with God is usually the root of the problem.
Today was that kind of day. I don't know why, but something was just not right most of the day. Actually, I do know. The beginning of my problem was that my prayer was not focused this morning. My Bible study was not a desire to be in the scriptures. It was more of a "okidoki. check that one off the long to-do list I have today. Next?"
I was attempting to spend time with God. I prayed as I drove to class. I sang worship along with the radio, and I was trying to be sincere. But, my actions were not stemmed from a desperate desire to be with him. My heart was crying out, but with no direction or focus. It did not know what to cry out, or what it needed.
I was too focused on me, and not on him.
God really is too marvelous for words, to faithful to be fathomed. Finally, tonight, feeling defeated and overwhelmed, the focus was taken off of me. My strength was not enough. My time was not enough. My words were not enough. The Holy Spirit took hold and humbled my heart.
After prayer, after my focus was straightened out, the Lord refilled and reminded me of his love for me. My daddy passed me two items of mail. The first was a check with donation money for a mission trip God has called me on this summer. A sweet thank you postcard was the second.
Sometimes, it's just in the little things that God reminds you that he's still there and he cares. But if he is not our focus, how will we see him in those little things? I wonder how many precious moments of his presence I miss because my focus is on something else...
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:1-2
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
He Humbled Himself
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-11
You will often hear it told that Christmas is not about the presents, the decorations, the parties, etc. And indeed it's not. This year, however, God taught me this in a new way.
Christmas has probably always been my favorite time of year. I fall in love with the atmosphere of love and joy it brings. The friends and family... The hot cocoa... The christmas lights and gift giving. It usually gets me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. You know?
This year was different though. I didn't have that warm, fuzzy feeling I usually got as December rolled around. I was baffled for much of the month not understanding why I was not in a more joyful mood! I was incredibly frustrated some days, even!
But today, rather than search for a feeling that would be as steadfast as the sand under a wave, I kneeled in awe of my Savior: Jesus Christ. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. He, who deserved to remain on his thorn at the right side of his Father in heaven, entered a sin-stricken world. "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the like was of men."
My Creator grew from a babe into a man. He was tempted as I am. He suffered - even to the point of brutal death. And all of this was by his choice. Because he loves me and you: sinners not deserving of any grace, any forgiveness, any love... But chosen, desired, even cherished by the Father!
I am simply in awe of this beautiful truth!! I don't understand how you cannot be!! I am humbled by the love shown. This love that left perfection, and entered into corruption. This love that lived and died that I might have a relationship with him. This love that gives me faith and light to walk in this dark world.
This love humbled himself. For you. For me.
And I kneel in awe of the precious name of Jesus Christ...
"Therefore God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
To Him be all glory and honor forever!!! Amen.
This is what Christmas is all about.
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-11
You will often hear it told that Christmas is not about the presents, the decorations, the parties, etc. And indeed it's not. This year, however, God taught me this in a new way.
Christmas has probably always been my favorite time of year. I fall in love with the atmosphere of love and joy it brings. The friends and family... The hot cocoa... The christmas lights and gift giving. It usually gets me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. You know?
This year was different though. I didn't have that warm, fuzzy feeling I usually got as December rolled around. I was baffled for much of the month not understanding why I was not in a more joyful mood! I was incredibly frustrated some days, even!
But today, rather than search for a feeling that would be as steadfast as the sand under a wave, I kneeled in awe of my Savior: Jesus Christ. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. He, who deserved to remain on his thorn at the right side of his Father in heaven, entered a sin-stricken world. "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the like was of men."
My Creator grew from a babe into a man. He was tempted as I am. He suffered - even to the point of brutal death. And all of this was by his choice. Because he loves me and you: sinners not deserving of any grace, any forgiveness, any love... But chosen, desired, even cherished by the Father!
I am simply in awe of this beautiful truth!! I don't understand how you cannot be!! I am humbled by the love shown. This love that left perfection, and entered into corruption. This love that lived and died that I might have a relationship with him. This love that gives me faith and light to walk in this dark world.
This love humbled himself. For you. For me.
And I kneel in awe of the precious name of Jesus Christ...
"Therefore God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
To Him be all glory and honor forever!!! Amen.
This is what Christmas is all about.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Between My Heart and Soul
Between My Heart and Soul
The stillness of my soul,
My heart cannot handle
Stirring up tumultuous waters
As it begins the battle
Between my heart and soul
It begins as a ripple
A question without answer -
A single bullet shot
Bringing about tension
Between my heart and soul
With a cautious stroke I
Tread the growing current
Entertaining idea
Contradicting thoughts swimming
Between my heart and soul
Current... Thoughts... each gaining speed
Threatening to wash over -
To replace the air with lies
To drown me in my thoughts
Between my heart and soul
My voice cries out for help!
To the calmer of the seas,
The one who walks on water
Only he can calm battles
Between my heart and soul
With feeble attempts I kick
Trying to stay above the
Doubting waves of my mind
That are flowing quicker
Between my heart and soul
"Stop!! be still." All is calm.
Not a ripple flows through
My Lord commands the waters,
my waters once rough now rest
Within my heart and soul
God know my anxious heart,
You hold my trembling hand,
And lead me through crashing waves
Whispering peace to my soul.
..........................................................................................................................................................
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;"
Isaiah 43:2a
The stillness of my soul,
My heart cannot handle
Stirring up tumultuous waters
As it begins the battle
Between my heart and soul
It begins as a ripple
A question without answer -
A single bullet shot
Bringing about tension
Between my heart and soul
With a cautious stroke I
Tread the growing current
Entertaining idea
Contradicting thoughts swimming
Between my heart and soul
Current... Thoughts... each gaining speed
Threatening to wash over -
To replace the air with lies
To drown me in my thoughts
Between my heart and soul
My voice cries out for help!
To the calmer of the seas,
The one who walks on water
Only he can calm battles
Between my heart and soul
With feeble attempts I kick
Trying to stay above the
Doubting waves of my mind
That are flowing quicker
Between my heart and soul
"Stop!! be still." All is calm.
Not a ripple flows through
My Lord commands the waters,
my waters once rough now rest
Within my heart and soul
God know my anxious heart,
You hold my trembling hand,
And lead me through crashing waves
Whispering peace to my soul.
..........................................................................................................................................................
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;"
Isaiah 43:2a
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