Musical Monday - 20110704

Another thing i miss because of my own not posting blogs of late... Music Monday.  This has been a song that recently has really grabbed my attention and brought forth meditations of God.  To think that God would condescend and become flesh.  To leave His glory, to leave heaven, to walk among man.  He then proclaimed the word of God, and when He had accomplished all that He had come to do, He ascended back to his home.  Because of this all those who come to receive Him and believe, will then get to share His home when our time here on earth is complete.  What an incredible thing to think upon.

Glorious Day

Casting Crowns

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin

Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us

His glory revealed

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He’s coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on a tree

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree

And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer

One day the stone rolled away from the door

Then He arose, over death He had conquered

Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him

From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine

Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing

My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Oh, glorious day

© 2009 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) (BMI) / Be Essential Songs (adm. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC) (BMI) / Word Music, LLC (ASCAP)

From the notes and the group and song writers:  The hymn "One Day" was a big hymn for me growing up. All I knew was hymns until probably 21 or 22 years old; that’s what we had in our church. The chorus: "Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away," that has just been a part of me from the start. As a youth pastor, you want your students to hear the theology of the hymns and sometimes you have to play it a little different way.

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Music Monday - 20100222 - God is God, and i am not

The past month has pretty much been a blur.  It's been hard for me to get my mind wrapped around anyone subject, etc. (shocker, i know), but the past two weekends our Pastor has been preaching on (essentially) the Awesomeness of God.  It's good to hear Christ centered sermons again, instead of man (or me) centered ones.  At the end of our worship (singing portion) time the worship team sang "God is God" by Steven Curtis Chapman, what a great song.

God is God
by Steven Curtis Chapman
on Declaration (2001)

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through
Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

Ultimately my relationship with God is not based on what i can achieve, but what He has already achieved.  Like another song i really like, "Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done, Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are". (Casting Crowns, Who am I)

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action [1] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  --- (Job 38:1-7, ESV)

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”  --- (Job 40:3-5, ESV)

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Dress for action [1] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
Will you even put me in the wrong?
Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
Have you an arm like God,
and can you thunder with a voice like his?

“Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
and tread down the wicked where they stand.
Hide them all in the dust together;
bind their faces in the world below. [2]
Then will I also acknowledge to you
that your own right hand can save you.  --- (Job 40:6-14, ESV)

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent [1] in dust and ashes.”  --- (Job 42:1-6, ESV)

Music Monday - 20090615

Wow... has it really been ten days already? How is it that vacation time seems to fly so fast, and work so slow? LOL ~ if memory serves it has something to do with Genesis 3:17-19 though. Being on vacation i forgot to work on picking just one song for my Music Monday selection when i came back, but as i was typing this a song came to mind from this past Christmas. I remember listening to it at least four or five times in a row. Words cannot really adequately express so...

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mark Hall, Dale, Bernie Herms Strings arranged by Bernie Herms Orchestrated by Stephen Lamb I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet their songs repeat Of peace on earth good will to men And the bells are ringing Like a choir they're singing In my heart I hear them Peace on earth, good will to men And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth I said For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men But the bells are ringing Like a choir singing Does anybody hear them? Peace on earth, good will to men Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor doth He sleep The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men Then ringing singing on its way The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men And the bells they're ringing Like a choir they're singing And with our hearts we'll hear them Peace on earth, good will to men Do you hear the bells they're ringing? The life the angels singing Open up your heart and hear them Peace on earth, good will to men Peace on earth, Peace on earth Peace on earth, Good will to men © 2008 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Publishing Designee (Public Domain?), Mark Hall Publishing Designee, Bernie Herms Publishing Designee, Dale??? Publishing Designee, Stephen Lamb Publishing Designee

This song really does just move me. I LOVE Christmas time. I am filled with awe each Christmas season as i ponder the miracle of God coming to Earth in the form of a human baby. I feel that Christmas is the most amazing season of the year... and Casting Crowns has captured the spirit of the season that i feel so deeply each year.

Music Monday - 20090420

I seem to be on a Casting Crowns kick of late. When i pick up a CD i tend to play it until the laser has burned in an impression. Over and over and over. The song i am using this week though was a close second place last week. God's Word is the foundation of what we know about God. It is amazingly consistent across copies of text in both actual text (the words) and the over arching theme.

The Word is Alive Written by Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman Special guest – Tony Nolan Looking out from His throne, the Father of light and of men Chose to make Himself known and show us the way back to Him Speaking wisdom and truth into the hearts of peasants and kings He began to unveil the Word that would change the course of all things With eyes wide open, all would see The Word is alive And it cuts like a sword through the darkness With a message of life to the hopeless and afraid Breathing life into all who believe The Word is alive And the world and its glories will fade But His truth, it will not pass away It remains yesterday and forever the same The Word is alive Simple strokes on a page Eternity’s secrets revealed, carried on from age to age It speaks Truth to us even still And as the rain falls from Heaven, feeds the earth before it returns Lord, let Your Word fall on us and bring forth the fruit You deserve With eyes wide open, let us see The Word is alive His Word is alive © 2007 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI) / Sparrow Song/Peach Hill Songs (BMI). All rights administered by EMI CMG Publishing. God’s word is infallible, inerrant, inspired and alive. This song was inspired by a personal study on how the Bible came together. I would encourage you to study through John Piper’s “Why We Believe The Bible” and Voddie Baucham’s “Nothing But The Truth.” ~2 Timothy 3:16-17 / Psalm 1 / Isaiah 55:10-11 / Isaiah 40:8 / Hebrews 4:12-13 / James 1:22-25 / John 1:1-5 / 1 John 1:1-4; 14-18 / Romans 1:16 / Psalm 119:9-11; 33-40; 105-106

Music Monday - 20090413

While i was out to pick up the ham for our Easter Dinner i popped in my Casting Crowns "The Alter and the Door" CD. It's the first album i purchased for myself from them, and i must say that i'd have the whole collection by now if i had more "extra" cash laying around. This is a contemporary Christian music group that lives and breaths the gospel. Because of where i live, and the location of the store where i was to pick up a scrumptious spiral cut honey glazed ham, i had the opportunity to listen to the entire Cd start to finish. There were actually two tracks that stuck out and i weighed which one to pick for my Music Monday selection this week. In the end i picked this video because it seemed more relevant for me, where i am today.

What This World Needs Written by Mark Hall and Hector Cervantes Special guests – Gunnar Miller, Madison Miller, Logan Miller, Tripp Weir What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind Another two bit politician peddling lies Another three ring circus society What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that’s better than you Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth Another prophet in an Armani suit What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue A Spirit who will lead A Father who will love them in their time of need A Savior who will rescue A Spirit who will lead A Father who will love That’s what this world needs What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside Have we become so blind that we can’t see God’s gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance Blending in so well that people can’t see the difference And it’s the difference that sets the world free Jesus is our Savior, that’s what this world needs Father’s arms around you, that’s what this world needs That’s what this world needs © 2007 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing)

In my opinion the (American) church suffers from thinking too highly of itself. Thinking that all it needs to do is preach messages of "How to live a prosperous life", or "How to feel good about yourself", but rarely (if ever) preach about the gospel. Heaven forbid that a message about the sinfulness of man, or the Holiness of God be preached less we offend someone. A time of Christianity's prominence of influence in American culture has past. I am not sure if i will ruffle any feathers when i say this, but the church needs to speak the truth in love, be willing to point out that man is not inherently good, to identify sin as sin, and not just say "well that's how God made me". First off, God did not make man with sin, or to sin. Man has chosen sin, and the whole reason we needed the Scriptures and a Savior in the first place was because we do not follow Him on our own. I have never been a follow of the "Jerry Falwell" types. Rush Limbaugh irritates me to no end. We as Christians need to get our noses in the book, and our knees bent in prayer. Then, as the Spirit leads we can present our views on things - but in the understanding that God does not reveal all things to all people. Even me! I by no means claim to know all things... but, if we present something to others... and that message is rejected... we (and i am most definitely including myself in this statement) need to learn not to take it personally. It is not up to us to open up someone's heart or mind and convince them. We are only to spreed the seeds that God has given to us. God will "...have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (Romans 9:15, ESV) I've recently began to reread the book of Romans. What a powerful book. It will humble the proud and give encouragement to the weary. It is my favorite book in the New Testament, and my second favorite in the entire Bible (right behind Job). Right behind the four Gospels, this book is the most important book for newer believers (IMO).

Music Monday - 20090330

My choice for this weeks song was actually one a friend recommended to me several weeks, maybe even a couple of months, ago. It inspired me immediately, but it was not Monday - and i "can't" do another Music Monday entry on a day other than Monday! However, over time the song continued to keep its hooks in me. The "slow fade" is something we all need to guard against. People do conform to their environment. How many times have celebrities who identified themselves as 'Christian', only to have their testimony tainted by national headlines of infidelity or greed? No one is exempt from the world and its temptations.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You [1] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, [2] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:1-6, ESV)

Adam and Eve spoke face to face to God, and yet when the tempter comes and says, "Did God actually say... ?" they succumbed. How much more susceptible are we today? The wiles of the enemy are vast. Our enemy will come to us clothed in light to deceive. We must immerse ourselves in God's Word daily if at all possible. We must become so familiar with God's Word that when the deceiver comes we can test what is said and if it does not line up with what God has revealed to us then we already have our answer. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness he did not consult His own feelings on the matter, he did not take a poll, He answered, "it is written..." (Matthew 4).

Slow Fade Written by Mark Hall Special guest – Reagan Hall (Thank you, Princess, for your beautiful singing debut!) Be careful little eyes what you see It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings Be careful little feet where you go For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade Be careful little ears what you hear When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near Be careful little lips what you say For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day The journey from your mind to your hands Is shorter than you’re thinking Be careful if you think you stand You just might be sinking It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day Daddies never crumble in a day Families never crumble in a day Oh be careful little eyes what see Oh be careful little eyes what you see For the Father up above is looking down in love Oh be careful little eyes what you see © 2007 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) From Casting Crowns: This song was inspired by the spreading cancer of moral failure in the fathers of this generation. As believers, we must guard our hearts and understand the no one crashes and burns. They just slowly fade away one little compromise at a time. ~Psalm 1 / 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 / James 4:7-10 / Proverbs 4:23-27 / 1 John 2:15-17 / James 1:12-15 / Isaiah 59:2 / Matthew 13:16-23 / 1 John 2:3-6, 15-17 / Romans 12:1-3 / 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Recently a friend of mine posted a video basically asking Christians to stop believing in Creationism and just accept Evolution. *Sigh* Why is it that i have to just shut up and accept an unproven theory? I will state here that i agree that i cannot prove creationism, or that the Earth is only six to ten thousand years old. Will evolutionists be willing to say such a thing? My friend is entitled to believe in evolution. It is not a basis for salvation. I also understand the intention was to try and smooth things out between both sides of this issue. In the end, i do not agree with the video. The part that does offend me however, is that it is presented in such a way that any who believe in creationism, or intelligent design, are the ones who are causing the problems. In the end i hope it gets people to think about the issue, but it would be better if it was presented in a less biased point of view. I would encourage people to read this article written by a mathematics professor, or Darwin's Blackbox by Michael J. Behe. The Video "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" is also interesting in its depiction of just how open the scientific community is to intelligent design. Know what you believe, and why you believe it. Don't just look at the surface of things. Be willing to be wrong. In the end just know that you cannot convince someone of something they are not willing to consider. Immerse yourself in the Word of God so that when things come up that will tempt you to sin, you will be found grounded in the Word of God. The slow fade comes when you are willing to compromise what you know what God says, and choose to not follow it.

Music Monday 20090309

Today has been a hectic day, but i've had a theme sort of going through my mind. I wanted a song to reflect my desire to be sold out to Christ. Well, entering the day today there was not any one song that stuck out to me, but then this song came to me as i was listening to Pandora.

Lifesong by Casting Crowns written by Mark Hall Empty hands held high Such small sacrifice If not joined with my life I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say And the things I do Make my lifesong sing Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You Let my lifesong sing to You I want to sign Your name to the end of this day Knowing that my heart was true Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life A living sacrifice To reach a world in need To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say And the things I do Make my lifesong sing Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah Hallelujah Let my lifesong sing to You

2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing)

As a 'samurai' in service to my Lord Jesus Christ... this is the only way to be. I have been waking up in the middle of the night... sort of like a friend of mine (Gunny), but different. Anyway... i think God is working on my heart in this area... being sold out mind, body, and soul, to Him... perhaps more to follow.

Music Monday, and other random thoughts

Before i get to far into this blog entry... i can't believe i've not had this song on "Music Monday" before. This has been a good song for me... and this weekend has been long for many reasons. I am glad to be back to work.

Who Am i By Casting Crowns Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth Would care to know my name Would care to feel my hurt Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star Would choose to light the way For my ever wandering heart Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours, I am Yours Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin Would look on me with love and watch me rise again Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea Would call out through the rain And calm the storm in me Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours Not because of who I am But because of what You've done Not because of what I've done But because of who You are I am a flower quickly fading Here today and gone tomorrow A wave tossed in the ocean Vapor in the wind Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord, You catch me when I'm falling And You've told me who I am I am Yours I am Yours Whom shall I fear Whom shall I fear 'Cause I am Yours I am Yours

Is there anything we can do to contribute? What good did He see in me that he would do such a thing as come to Earth and die such a death on a cross? Why?!?!? And yet His word tells me He did this... because He wanted to. And that is all i really need to know... and yet... i continue to struggle with sin. Why is it so hard to put to death my old man? Why does my flesh revolt so? I am struggling of late to get my self back on track, but i cannot seem to do it.

"Lord Jesus i come before you, not because what i have done, but because of who You are. I fall before you... Lord i ask... please redeem my self discipline. Lord i am not seeking to rise up and glory in my flesh, but to turn it into taking a step at a time to 'work out my salvation... my sanctification'. I need to keep my eyes turned towards You... to walk towards You... please help me Lord. Help me to have eyes only for You... i ask this in Your name lord Jesus... for Your glory... amen"

Music Monday - 20080721

Wow, I think it's been almost a month since my last "Music Monday" post. :-( Well, here is my entry for today:

Praise You In This Storm Written by Mark Hall / Music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms I was sure by now God, You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with You" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away CHORUS I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry You raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with You" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away CHORUS I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth (repeat) CHORUS Though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm 2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Word Music, LLC (ASCAP) / Banahama Tunes (ASCAP) (adm. by Word Music, LLC)

I have lost count how many times I have failed to do this. Although I have been getting better at this... I think. I am not really in the middle of a storm - per se - but yesterday I was beginning to question just how much I have filled my life with "noise". So much so that I wonder if I am hearing His voice any more. At least lately. Verse for today: Revelation 21 : 3-8, ESV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place [1] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, [2] and God himself will be with them as their God. [3] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Music Monday - 20080602

Since I was a little behind last week I wanted to make sure I got my choice in for this week...

Voice of Truth
by Casting Crowns
Lyrics by Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman
Music by Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman
Song based on 2 Cor. 12:7-10 and 1 Cor. 1:20-2:4
© 2003 Club Zoo Music / SWEC Music (Admin. by Club Zoo Music) / BMI / Sparrow Song / Peach Hill Songs (admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing) / BMI. All rights reserved.


Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth



From their "Casting Crowns" album

I know there are a ton of times I feel like this. "Did I hear you correctly Lord?" I will say to myself. Too often I am looking at the mountain, or the people grumbling, or the waves and wind crashing. I'd like to say that songs like this help me steel myself for action, but in truth I am the same man as before.

I've taken those "Spiritual Gifts" and "What color is my parachute", and "What is my Love Language", but these are not really good measures of where I am going - only of where I am now.
Verse for today:
James 1 : 22-25, ESV
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Musical Monday

Welcome to an earlier-than-usual-edition of Musical Monday. This weekend was my drill weekend and getting up at, or before, the crack of dawn makes it hard for me to readjust back to normal routine. So, I let my beloved turn off her alarm clock and got up and help DS1 out the door for school. Thus the reason I am up and posting this earlier than usual.

God has been using the song I am choosing for today, in my life lately. I go through cycles where it really feels like I am not doing anything right. And truth be told, if you look at the world as a series of absolutes, black and white if you will, like I tend to do you will see that those 'feelings' have merit. In my personal life I really like to do things right. I want people to like me, I want the things I do to have the maximum affect and always be spot on. When I am put in charge of things/soldiers I want things to run smoothly and by the book. For the most part God has really helped me to allow grace, to allow for the fact that things will no always go right, things will not go by the book. But when it comes to sin, God is black and white. "If you lust in your heart you are committing adultery." "If you call your brother a fool (even in your own mind), you are guilty of murder." (Both quotes are paraphrased, the exact wordings can be found in Matthew 5:28 and 5:22 respectively.) And I have many sins, and one that pains me every time, and yet I enter into it with eyes wide open, I repeat my 'mistake' over and over again. I question if this will be the time God's grace will be pulled from me. I pray for His forgiveness, His strength to change, His grace and mercy to continue, I pray that God would just reach down and touch my heart and mind and that I would be dramatically changed. But so far all I hear is (and this is powerful), "My grace is sufficient for you," 2 Corinthians 12:9. Anyway, both on the way to srill, and then again on the way home the song "East to West" by Casting Crowns was playing on the radio.

East to West
by Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way

I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me

Jesus You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been
rising up in me again
In your arms of Your mercy I find rest
cause You know how far the east is from the west
from one scarred hand to the other

I so long for the day when I no longer struggle with sin. I want to be face to face with my Savior and no longer pain Him with my sin.

I hope and pray you all have a wonderful day in the Lord. May His rich and abundant mercies and blessings pour out overflowing in each of your lives.
Verse for today:
2 Corinthians 12 : 8-10, ESV
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

* I am no Paul, and I am not comparing myself to him. But God is using these passages in my life of late