I have found that sharing your faith with another person, believer or non-believer feels really good. I had a talk with a good friend just a couple minutes ago and we both were expressing our faith through music played on the guitar, through scripture verses that came up in our heads, and even the things that the Lord has been showing us this summer. I love to talk about something that I love and I think my friend might actually get in trouble because he stayed out past what he told his parents he would :/. Anyways...God is awesome and (as David Crowder*Band says) "We'll shout it out loud from the rooftops. We won't be quiet. We've fallen for You hard and we can't stop. We won't deny it."
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Ephesians 5:19-20]
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Desire to Sin or Sinful Desires?
a quote I saw at church a while ago...
"People sin because they want something, and they're afraid that being good won't get it for them." - Barbara Brown Taylor
...reminded me of a bible verse:
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
[James 4:1-3]
"People sin because they want something, and they're afraid that being good won't get it for them." - Barbara Brown Taylor
...reminded me of a bible verse:
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
[James 4:1-3]
You Are Everything - Phil Wickham.
I was up til 4AM listening to worship music again. I stumbled across such a beautiful song by Phil Wickham entitled "You Are Everything." Basically the title speaks for itself. Phil Wickham is an awesome singer and his love for Christ speaks through this song.
Jesus, You're my everything
My heart beats for You
Filled with power and mystery
Lord, I thirst for You
You are everything
You are everything
Lord, You are beautiful
Awesome and wonderful
I give You all of my life
Lord, You're the song I sing
Perfect in everything
I give You all of my life
For You are everything
You're the stone I rest upon
I find peace in You
I love You Lord with all my heart
I place my hope in You
For You are everything
You are everything
Jesus, You're my everything
My heart beats for You
Filled with power and mystery
Lord, I thirst for You
You are everything
You are everything
Lord, You are beautiful
Awesome and wonderful
I give You all of my life
Lord, You're the song I sing
Perfect in everything
I give You all of my life
For You are everything
You're the stone I rest upon
I find peace in You
I love You Lord with all my heart
I place my hope in You
For You are everything
You are everything
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Closer Summer.
We're here in Fayetteville, NC packing for our 4-5 hour road trip back home. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Sure, it had ups and downs. Nothing out there is perfect, but I can say that I can't ask for a better family.
This trip was the first family trip we've had since 2006. It felt really good living under the same roof once again as a whole. Great way to end the summer as we go back to the daily grind of work and school.
I could feel this family getting closer and closer to the Lord as our trip went on. We did bible studies, went to a Bible-themed theme park, and we even prayed together! Two things I love the most in the world, the Lord and family, came together under one roof.
Even with all of the things that happened in the beginning of the summer, it is safe to say that this is the best summer I've ever had.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
[Psalm 133:1]
This trip was the first family trip we've had since 2006. It felt really good living under the same roof once again as a whole. Great way to end the summer as we go back to the daily grind of work and school.
I could feel this family getting closer and closer to the Lord as our trip went on. We did bible studies, went to a Bible-themed theme park, and we even prayed together! Two things I love the most in the world, the Lord and family, came together under one roof.
Even with all of the things that happened in the beginning of the summer, it is safe to say that this is the best summer I've ever had.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
[Psalm 133:1]
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Your Love Is Strong - Jon Foreman.
So here I am in the beautiful city of Orlando, FL. Everyone's asleep and I'm up listening to some praise and worship music. I came across a song and the lyrics just spoke out to me. Like really, this song speaks out to me on so many levels. Here it is. Jon Foreman - Your Love Is Strong:
Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?
Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [1 Peter 5:7]
....I want to cover this song ASAP
Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?
Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [1 Peter 5:7]
....I want to cover this song ASAP
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Faithfulness brings true riches.
Taken from my daily scripture book:
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteousness wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?" - Luke 16:10-11
Your character is tested in the small choices you make. Cheating in a little thing is cut out of the same piece of cloth as cheating in a big way. Just as a small drop of dye will color even a large glass of clear water, a small act of deception colors your whole character. God promises that when you are honest and faithful in small ways, he will give you more and greater opportunities to do good.
------
In my McArthur Study Bible, it referenced Matthew 25:21 for verse 10: His master replied, 'Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share you master's happiness!'
In verse 11, it talks about the "true" riches. This doesn't mean money or power. Think heavenly treasures. Here' what the Gospel of Matthew says in chapter 6, verses 19-21, 24: "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." In these verses, the bible clearly states that money is an earthly treasure, and you can't love both. God will provide [2 Corinthians 9:6-15]
How do I store up heavenly treasures you ask? Devote time to the Lord and submit all areas of your life to God.
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteousness wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?" - Luke 16:10-11
Your character is tested in the small choices you make. Cheating in a little thing is cut out of the same piece of cloth as cheating in a big way. Just as a small drop of dye will color even a large glass of clear water, a small act of deception colors your whole character. God promises that when you are honest and faithful in small ways, he will give you more and greater opportunities to do good.
------
In my McArthur Study Bible, it referenced Matthew 25:21 for verse 10: His master replied, 'Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share you master's happiness!'
In verse 11, it talks about the "true" riches. This doesn't mean money or power. Think heavenly treasures. Here' what the Gospel of Matthew says in chapter 6, verses 19-21, 24: "Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." In these verses, the bible clearly states that money is an earthly treasure, and you can't love both. God will provide [2 Corinthians 9:6-15]
How do I store up heavenly treasures you ask? Devote time to the Lord and submit all areas of your life to God.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot.
So I was on Jesusfreakhideout.com and I was looking up Switchfoot lyrics. A cool thing about that website is that it shows the background to the song lyrics quoted by the artist. I found one that caught my eye and is pretty relevant to me. The song is by Switchfoot and the song is The Beautful Letdown. Here is what the lead singer/songwriter (Jon Foreman) had to say about the song:
"Physics tells us that everything on this planet will fail us eventually. Trust someone, fall in love: your scars will tell the same story. Entropy, pain, beauty, love, hope... mix them together and call it living. The choice that remains is where we go to find meaning and truth. The biggest failures and disappointments in my life have led me to look beyond what money or power or friends can buy. When you’re face down at the very bottom of who you are, and there is no formality or pretense to cling to, all your masks fall off. In this broken place, our lives can be seen for what they are, no more no less; we are ourselves. The question is this: What happens after the twin towers in our lives fall? Do we become bitter and hateful or does redemption come into focus? I’ve been on both sides...only one is beautiful."
And the lyrics:
It was a beautiful letdown
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone, unknown and hurt.
It was a beautiful letdown
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do.
In a world full of bitter pain
And bitter doubt
I was trying so hard to fit in,
Until I found out
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong.
It was a beautiful letdown
When You found me here
And for once in a rare blue moon
I see everything clear
I'll be a beautiful letdown
That's what I'll forever be
And though it may cost my soul
I'll sing for free.
We're still chasing our tails
And the rising sun
And our dark water planet
Still spins in a race
Where no one wins
And no one's one.
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I'm gonna set sight
and set sail for the kingdom come.
Your kingdom come.
Won't you let me down!
Let my foolish pride forever let me down.
Easy living, you're not much like your name
Easy dying, you look just about the same.
Would you please take me off your list?
Easy living, please come on and let me down.
What a beautiful letdown
painfully uncool
the church of the drop outs, the losers,
the sinners, the failures, and the fools.
What a beautiful letdown
are we salt in the wound?
Let us sing one true tune.
...Think about it
P.S. This CD is one of my absolute favorites!!!
"Physics tells us that everything on this planet will fail us eventually. Trust someone, fall in love: your scars will tell the same story. Entropy, pain, beauty, love, hope... mix them together and call it living. The choice that remains is where we go to find meaning and truth. The biggest failures and disappointments in my life have led me to look beyond what money or power or friends can buy. When you’re face down at the very bottom of who you are, and there is no formality or pretense to cling to, all your masks fall off. In this broken place, our lives can be seen for what they are, no more no less; we are ourselves. The question is this: What happens after the twin towers in our lives fall? Do we become bitter and hateful or does redemption come into focus? I’ve been on both sides...only one is beautiful."
And the lyrics:
It was a beautiful letdown
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone, unknown and hurt.
It was a beautiful letdown
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do.
In a world full of bitter pain
And bitter doubt
I was trying so hard to fit in,
Until I found out
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong.
It was a beautiful letdown
When You found me here
And for once in a rare blue moon
I see everything clear
I'll be a beautiful letdown
That's what I'll forever be
And though it may cost my soul
I'll sing for free.
We're still chasing our tails
And the rising sun
And our dark water planet
Still spins in a race
Where no one wins
And no one's one.
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I'm gonna set sight
and set sail for the kingdom come.
Your kingdom come.
Won't you let me down!
Let my foolish pride forever let me down.
Easy living, you're not much like your name
Easy dying, you look just about the same.
Would you please take me off your list?
Easy living, please come on and let me down.
What a beautiful letdown
painfully uncool
the church of the drop outs, the losers,
the sinners, the failures, and the fools.
What a beautiful letdown
are we salt in the wound?
Let us sing one true tune.
...Think about it
P.S. This CD is one of my absolute favorites!!!
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