I first heard this song during worship at one of the Frontline services over the summer. I forgot about it and when I had downloaded Fee's CD last night, I didn't know that this song was on it (I didn't even know Fee sang the song). I didn't hear it until earlier today, and it was good timing because I was feeling a little crappy. A huge smile came on my face. As I was walking to school I was mouthing along with the lyrics and I even outstretched my arms in praise. God is faithful. He is with me everywhere I go. His promises will never be broken. He is awesome. I feel better having the reassurance of God's promises. Today I've have never been so excited to do something that I was afraid and shy of doing: sharing. I will continue on that tomorrow. :)
----
You were before time
and You'll be when it ends
for you have no beginning
and no end
Your word shall endure
without change it is sure
on Your promises
we will stand secure
Faithful
You are ever faithful
You are ever faithful
to us, God
Powerful
You are crowned all-powerful
all the world will bow before
You, Oh God
Your might, your display
in the skies everyday
everything You created
for Your praise
from the cross on the earth
to Your throne you returned
where You reign over all creation
never changed, never shaken
You're the song of our soul salvation
life that cannot be taken
solid rock, firm foundation
never changed, never shaken
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Journal (1.5.09) - Change.
Here I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight. I see planes coming and going. I hear flights changing gate numbers.
Times change. Seasons change. Looks change. Clothes (should) change. Wants and desires change. Attitudes change. Many others things change, but that would take more time listing and it would be redundant.
It's only been 5 days into 2010 and I feel like a lot has changed. Things between a former flame and I are done. I'll leave it at that. But God steps in for a reason. He shakes up things in your life to see if your faith is strong and to see if you keep focus on Him in the tough times. Yeah, it sucks, but ultimately God knows best. It's time to really let go now.
I've started reading My Utmost For His Highest and it's funny how ever since I started reading it, it mentions waiting. It's something I must do. God is now in control and I think it's time for Him to be the author of the rest of my life. I'm going to stop wrestling over the pen and hand it over to Him.
Usually, something like this would have me bawling my eyes out and put me in a depressed and catatonic (at times) state. Not this time. I've changed. God has given me strength to get through things emotionally and He has assured me multiple times that He alone is in control and for me to let go and trust Him. I like this feeling. It's gonna take a lot to get me out of this state because I have God on my side. It's virtually impossible actually. I'm good. I just have to let Him keep changing me. Change is very good. I'm content.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [Philippians 4:11]
Times change. Seasons change. Looks change. Clothes (should) change. Wants and desires change. Attitudes change. Many others things change, but that would take more time listing and it would be redundant.
It's only been 5 days into 2010 and I feel like a lot has changed. Things between a former flame and I are done. I'll leave it at that. But God steps in for a reason. He shakes up things in your life to see if your faith is strong and to see if you keep focus on Him in the tough times. Yeah, it sucks, but ultimately God knows best. It's time to really let go now.
I've started reading My Utmost For His Highest and it's funny how ever since I started reading it, it mentions waiting. It's something I must do. God is now in control and I think it's time for Him to be the author of the rest of my life. I'm going to stop wrestling over the pen and hand it over to Him.
Usually, something like this would have me bawling my eyes out and put me in a depressed and catatonic (at times) state. Not this time. I've changed. God has given me strength to get through things emotionally and He has assured me multiple times that He alone is in control and for me to let go and trust Him. I like this feeling. It's gonna take a lot to get me out of this state because I have God on my side. It's virtually impossible actually. I'm good. I just have to let Him keep changing me. Change is very good. I'm content.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [Philippians 4:11]
Monday, January 4, 2010
Waiting. (January 4)
So I found the book My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It belonged to my sister and she let me borrow it.
I've been reading it every day since the January 1 and every time, it has something convicting to say.
Here's the devotional from (today) January 4:
"Why Can't I Follow You Now?"
Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?" [John 13:37]
There are times when you can't understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don't fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification - to be set apart from sin and made holy - or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - wait.
At first you may see clearly what God's will is - the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel distinctly is God's will for you to do. But never act of the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God's timing and He will do it without any heartache to disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter's statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, '…the rooster shall not crow till you have denied me three times'" (13:38). This was as with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because He did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
- Taken from My Utmost For His Highest (January 4 entry) Written By Oswald Chambers, edited by James Reimann
-------
I will be posting excerpts from My Utmost For His Highest sporadically and when they are very convicting to myself.
Waiting has been a call from God to myself and it's very fitting that this entry was for today. It's so hard to do, but it's worth it when it's said and done.
I've been reading it every day since the January 1 and every time, it has something convicting to say.
Here's the devotional from (today) January 4:
"Why Can't I Follow You Now?"
Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?" [John 13:37]
There are times when you can't understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don't fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification - to be set apart from sin and made holy - or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt - wait.
At first you may see clearly what God's will is - the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel distinctly is God's will for you to do. But never act of the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God's timing and He will do it without any heartache to disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter's statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, '…the rooster shall not crow till you have denied me three times'" (13:38). This was as with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because He did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
- Taken from My Utmost For His Highest (January 4 entry) Written By Oswald Chambers, edited by James Reimann
-------
I will be posting excerpts from My Utmost For His Highest sporadically and when they are very convicting to myself.
Waiting has been a call from God to myself and it's very fitting that this entry was for today. It's so hard to do, but it's worth it when it's said and done.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A Look Forward.
In the next year, I'm going to start off where I left 2009: constantly seeking the Lord and not letting anything get in the way of that.
I look back at the year and I definitely am not the same person I was on January 1, 2009:
My tastes
my desires
my appearance (I wore earrings in the beginning of the year)
my attitudes
and my relationship with God
all changed within this year.
As the year went on, I grew closer and closer to the Lord. Things in my life changed that caused me to live a life more like Christ.
relationships tailed off
new ones started
my desire to serve God increased as the year went on
not being ashamed of my faith
There was a time when I became complacent in my walk with God and because of that, I ended a relationship. I don't ever want to go through that with someone again. I don't want to bring someone's relationship with God down. I don't want someone to put more focus on me than on our Lord.
I really hurt myself when I did that, but I hurt two others in the process: God and the girl I was dating at the time.
I know for sure that won't happen again.
This year I will strive to become more like Christ. This year I'm going to become a man of God. This year I will serve in God's army. This year I'm going to depend and trust more in God. This year I am going to keep my eyes focused on God and not on my surroundings. I have faith that this year, it will happen because I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Songs of the Year: Up and Up - Relient K
Cannons - Phil Wickham
"I'm just trying to be a better version of me for You." [Up and Up - Relient K]
"I'm so unworthy, but still You love me. Forever my heart, will sing of how great You are." [Cannons - Phil Wickham]
I look back at the year and I definitely am not the same person I was on January 1, 2009:
My tastes
my desires
my appearance (I wore earrings in the beginning of the year)
my attitudes
and my relationship with God
all changed within this year.
As the year went on, I grew closer and closer to the Lord. Things in my life changed that caused me to live a life more like Christ.
relationships tailed off
new ones started
my desire to serve God increased as the year went on
not being ashamed of my faith
There was a time when I became complacent in my walk with God and because of that, I ended a relationship. I don't ever want to go through that with someone again. I don't want to bring someone's relationship with God down. I don't want someone to put more focus on me than on our Lord.
I really hurt myself when I did that, but I hurt two others in the process: God and the girl I was dating at the time.
I know for sure that won't happen again.
This year I will strive to become more like Christ. This year I'm going to become a man of God. This year I will serve in God's army. This year I'm going to depend and trust more in God. This year I am going to keep my eyes focused on God and not on my surroundings. I have faith that this year, it will happen because I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Songs of the Year: Up and Up - Relient K
Cannons - Phil Wickham
"I'm just trying to be a better version of me for You." [Up and Up - Relient K]
"I'm so unworthy, but still You love me. Forever my heart, will sing of how great You are." [Cannons - Phil Wickham]
Sunday, December 13, 2009
My Thoughts On Love.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres. [1 Corinthians 13:4-6]
In a sermon I heard a while ago, the pastor referenced 1 Corinthians 13. He said, "Try substituting your name for the word 'love.' Does it work?" When I first heard that, I was floored. I had just gotten out of a relationship and after hearing this, I felt really convicted. I had a desire to change my ways. Change my views on relationships - not only with a girlfriend, but with friends and family as well. Since the summer, I have gone through a lot that has tested my patience, my attitudes, my self-love. And I personally have to say that every time, it has made my desire to change and to love the way that Christ did even greater than before. God is gracious enough to give me these opportunities to redeem myself, to be more like Himself. Even though at times I fail or slip, He's there to pick me up and put me on my feet and tell me to keep going and not look back.
The thing that really hits me hard is the patience factor. Yeah, I want to go jump back into the dating world, but I'm personally not able to substitute my name in for the word 'love.' Yeah I don't like it, but I have to try harder and work at it. It's not going to be easy, but it can be done through the help of God. When and only when He says that I'm ready, then I can jump in, but for now, I have to be patient. I have to be kind. I can't envy, boast, or be proud. I can't be easily angered or selfish. I can't stay mad at someone for hurting me. I have to be rooted in God's Word so much more than I have been. I have to use my time wisely. I have to fully commit to my relationship with God before I can commit to an earthly relationship with someone else. But I do still hope. I still trust. I still persevere.
"It's not so much about finding the right person, it's about being the right person." - Mike Kelsey (8/30/09, 'A Get Together to Tear It Apart' - Frontline Sermon)
In a sermon I heard a while ago, the pastor referenced 1 Corinthians 13. He said, "Try substituting your name for the word 'love.' Does it work?" When I first heard that, I was floored. I had just gotten out of a relationship and after hearing this, I felt really convicted. I had a desire to change my ways. Change my views on relationships - not only with a girlfriend, but with friends and family as well. Since the summer, I have gone through a lot that has tested my patience, my attitudes, my self-love. And I personally have to say that every time, it has made my desire to change and to love the way that Christ did even greater than before. God is gracious enough to give me these opportunities to redeem myself, to be more like Himself. Even though at times I fail or slip, He's there to pick me up and put me on my feet and tell me to keep going and not look back.
The thing that really hits me hard is the patience factor. Yeah, I want to go jump back into the dating world, but I'm personally not able to substitute my name in for the word 'love.' Yeah I don't like it, but I have to try harder and work at it. It's not going to be easy, but it can be done through the help of God. When and only when He says that I'm ready, then I can jump in, but for now, I have to be patient. I have to be kind. I can't envy, boast, or be proud. I can't be easily angered or selfish. I can't stay mad at someone for hurting me. I have to be rooted in God's Word so much more than I have been. I have to use my time wisely. I have to fully commit to my relationship with God before I can commit to an earthly relationship with someone else. But I do still hope. I still trust. I still persevere.
"It's not so much about finding the right person, it's about being the right person." - Mike Kelsey (8/30/09, 'A Get Together to Tear It Apart' - Frontline Sermon)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
BLARGH.
The holiday season is upon us. Tis the start of December. Christmas music all over the airwaves. Decorations coming up. But even with all the fun of the Christmas holidays, there is a catch. EXAMS. I've been in the library every single day this past week and I'm going to try hard to keep it up and stay focused on what needs to be done ATM. Not what will be done.
Lord, keep my mind focused on my studies. With all the free time I have now, I pray that you lead me to use it wisely. Free my mind of any worries, anxieties, and doubts. Father give me the strength to power through these next 3 weeks because I won't be able to go at it alone. Thank you Lord for being beside me all the time. Thank you for loving me even when I fall. Thank you for being there to pick me up again. Thank you. Amen.
I'm ready...
Lord, keep my mind focused on my studies. With all the free time I have now, I pray that you lead me to use it wisely. Free my mind of any worries, anxieties, and doubts. Father give me the strength to power through these next 3 weeks because I won't be able to go at it alone. Thank you Lord for being beside me all the time. Thank you for loving me even when I fall. Thank you for being there to pick me up again. Thank you. Amen.
I'm ready...
I Turn Everything Over - Switchfoot.
I turn everything over.
-------
Monday found me on my knees again
Breathing You in
To blur the lines that mark where I begin
And where You end
No use in trying to pretend
Come take me again
Cause rumor has it I'm not who I've been
Come define me
What can we do
If the rumors are true?
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
There's nothing left of me to defend
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
The evidence convicts the hollow man
After looking inside
To my dismay I find I'm just one of them
Cause I'm an already but not yet resurrected fallen man
Come break this limbo
And I know You know just who I've been
Come define me
Rumor has it You love me
Rumor has it the world spins upside down
Rumor has it my only hope is You
And the rumors are true
I turn everything over
-------
Monday found me on my knees again
Breathing You in
To blur the lines that mark where I begin
And where You end
No use in trying to pretend
Come take me again
Cause rumor has it I'm not who I've been
Come define me
What can we do
If the rumors are true?
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
There's nothing left of me to defend
I turn everything over
I turn myself in
The evidence convicts the hollow man
After looking inside
To my dismay I find I'm just one of them
Cause I'm an already but not yet resurrected fallen man
Come break this limbo
And I know You know just who I've been
Come define me
Rumor has it You love me
Rumor has it the world spins upside down
Rumor has it my only hope is You
And the rumors are true
I turn everything over
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