1. This is the Stuff- Francesca Battistelli
2. All I Can Do (Thank You)- MIKESCHAIR
3. I Refuse- Josh Wilson
4. Turn Around- Matt Maher
5. Home- Foo Fighters
6. Soft Kitty- Big Bang Theory peeps
Hope everyone had a fantastic week!! God bless. :)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Matthew Seven\Three
"I am the worst of sinners." I hate this statement. Something about it screams the desire to win the "my mistakes are bigger and I have more guilt therefore I need more grace than you" race. Sin is sin. I struggle with defining which ones are worse, like, murder is a bigger deal than making a snide comment, or cheating on a test is more acceptable than cheating on your spouse. But what if sin is not defined by comparing it to other people but to one's self? My greatest sin might not even be on the list of someone else's sins and vice versa. So why do we often present them as proof as to why God should (and does) extend grace? And why do we judge others so harshly when it is ourselves we should be taking a good look at? I don't believe there can ever be a worst sinner. It's all relative. You yourself can have a worst sin; one that consistently pulls you away from God, but to say that it makes you the absolute worst isn't possible. There is no way to measure that.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in you own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." -Matthew 7:1-5. To say that I judge would be akin to saying I am the worst of sinners. It's moot. Every person who has ever walked the earth judges. We judge big things, little things, things that have nothing to do with us, and things we know nothing about. And for what? To feel better about our own failures? Or maybe to help us cope with the fact that we aren't alone in those failures. For me, it's so much easier to pass judgment on others when I'm feeling pretty good about myself. "Oh, look at so-and-so. Don't they know that doing such-and-such is a sin!? I'm so glad I'm not like that." I wish someone would smack me across the face whenever that runs through my mind. What right do I have to condemn? On the flip side, it makes me so angry when others pass judgement on me. Again, what gives them the right? When this happens, I have to remind myself that it's just like Jesus said. Judge and you will be judged. But we live in a fallen world. Judgment was an unfortunate consequence and it is unavoidable. Just like sin. Even though I and other followers of Christ have been remade, reborn, justified, whatever term you want to use, we still have a sin nature. It's hard-wired into us, and no amount of obedience to God will ever change that. However, we can choose whether to submit to it or fight it.
One of my favorite people to listen to at school is a guy named Richard or as I fondly call him: Babycakes. He talks about sin a lot. Our struggle to stay away from it, Satan's persistence at keeping us in it, and God's mighty hand to pull us out of it. He hits me every single time, and while it's usually hard to hear, I appreciate that he's able to stand before his peers and speak in such a way and on such a topic that most people would rather stay away from. It's like he's reading my thoughts. It's kind a of creepy, actually, but in a good way. I'm more likely to be convicted and willing to hear when the speaker understands temptations. A huge difference between those who know Jesus and those who don't is the response to sin. Babycakes said there are two paths in life, and sometimes they overlap. 1)Slave to sin. Satan is walking around you with a whip to keep your eyes on sin and away from God. And 2)Life in the Spirit. Having that feeling of peace when you shouldn't. Like something bad happens, but you feel great. Oh, how wonderful it would be to always be on the second path, but once again, sin is inevitable. Satan knows that and he uses it against us. When we do slip up, he plants a lie in our heads. "I am worthless. I am unredeemable. I have exhausted God's grace toward me." But guess what. "God doesn't see our sins anymore. WE ARE FREE."
*On a side note, it's a total God moment right now. East To West by Casting Crowns is playing on the radio as I write this. Ahh. Love my God.*
Where was I? Oh. We don't have to be slaves to sin! We have the ability to choose who will be our master. We also have the ability to choose how we will react to sin, be it our own or someone else's. (This is where the whole plank/sawdust thing comes in.) Think of something you judge others for. Maybe you get really bent out of shape when someone is rude to you. Now think of all the times you have been rude and the reasons for said rudeness. "Well I was having a bad day." So? Did you stop to think that maybe they were having a bad day too? This is a simple example, but hopefully you get the idea. Even so, whether it is a big sin or a little one, the feeling of guilt and shame shouldn't keep us from God. When we feel like that, "God still holds out his hands." How amazing is that?! Even when I feel like a complete waste of God's grace and love, He still adores me. He draws me near and comforts me. Best of all, He convicts me. I know, I know. How can that be a good thing? Well, if He didn't convict me, who would? How would I feel bad about my sin and turn away from it if He didn't lead me to? He also uses conviction to keep me from judging others. That little twinge of "ooh. I shouldn't have looked down on her for that." comes from Him. That's His gentle or sometimes, not-so-gentle way of saying, "you have no authority to judge them. That's my job." I love that. I need that.... We all do.
So. To recap: Don't judge. We all sin, but we can choose to live in the Spirit. When we do sin, God still loves us. Conviction is a good thing.
This turned out a whole lot longer than I planned, but oh well. Hope I didn't lose any of you. God bless. =)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in you own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." -Matthew 7:1-5. To say that I judge would be akin to saying I am the worst of sinners. It's moot. Every person who has ever walked the earth judges. We judge big things, little things, things that have nothing to do with us, and things we know nothing about. And for what? To feel better about our own failures? Or maybe to help us cope with the fact that we aren't alone in those failures. For me, it's so much easier to pass judgment on others when I'm feeling pretty good about myself. "Oh, look at so-and-so. Don't they know that doing such-and-such is a sin!? I'm so glad I'm not like that." I wish someone would smack me across the face whenever that runs through my mind. What right do I have to condemn? On the flip side, it makes me so angry when others pass judgement on me. Again, what gives them the right? When this happens, I have to remind myself that it's just like Jesus said. Judge and you will be judged. But we live in a fallen world. Judgment was an unfortunate consequence and it is unavoidable. Just like sin. Even though I and other followers of Christ have been remade, reborn, justified, whatever term you want to use, we still have a sin nature. It's hard-wired into us, and no amount of obedience to God will ever change that. However, we can choose whether to submit to it or fight it.
One of my favorite people to listen to at school is a guy named Richard or as I fondly call him: Babycakes. He talks about sin a lot. Our struggle to stay away from it, Satan's persistence at keeping us in it, and God's mighty hand to pull us out of it. He hits me every single time, and while it's usually hard to hear, I appreciate that he's able to stand before his peers and speak in such a way and on such a topic that most people would rather stay away from. It's like he's reading my thoughts. It's kind a of creepy, actually, but in a good way. I'm more likely to be convicted and willing to hear when the speaker understands temptations. A huge difference between those who know Jesus and those who don't is the response to sin. Babycakes said there are two paths in life, and sometimes they overlap. 1)Slave to sin. Satan is walking around you with a whip to keep your eyes on sin and away from God. And 2)Life in the Spirit. Having that feeling of peace when you shouldn't. Like something bad happens, but you feel great. Oh, how wonderful it would be to always be on the second path, but once again, sin is inevitable. Satan knows that and he uses it against us. When we do slip up, he plants a lie in our heads. "I am worthless. I am unredeemable. I have exhausted God's grace toward me." But guess what. "God doesn't see our sins anymore. WE ARE FREE."
*On a side note, it's a total God moment right now. East To West by Casting Crowns is playing on the radio as I write this. Ahh. Love my God.*
Where was I? Oh. We don't have to be slaves to sin! We have the ability to choose who will be our master. We also have the ability to choose how we will react to sin, be it our own or someone else's. (This is where the whole plank/sawdust thing comes in.) Think of something you judge others for. Maybe you get really bent out of shape when someone is rude to you. Now think of all the times you have been rude and the reasons for said rudeness. "Well I was having a bad day." So? Did you stop to think that maybe they were having a bad day too? This is a simple example, but hopefully you get the idea. Even so, whether it is a big sin or a little one, the feeling of guilt and shame shouldn't keep us from God. When we feel like that, "God still holds out his hands." How amazing is that?! Even when I feel like a complete waste of God's grace and love, He still adores me. He draws me near and comforts me. Best of all, He convicts me. I know, I know. How can that be a good thing? Well, if He didn't convict me, who would? How would I feel bad about my sin and turn away from it if He didn't lead me to? He also uses conviction to keep me from judging others. That little twinge of "ooh. I shouldn't have looked down on her for that." comes from Him. That's His gentle or sometimes, not-so-gentle way of saying, "you have no authority to judge them. That's my job." I love that. I need that.... We all do.
So. To recap: Don't judge. We all sin, but we can choose to live in the Spirit. When we do sin, God still loves us. Conviction is a good thing.
This turned out a whole lot longer than I planned, but oh well. Hope I didn't lose any of you. God bless. =)
Tune Tuesday 19
Hello all! I'm still on a KLove kick, so here we go:
1.Healing Hand of God- Jeremy Camp
2.Never Alone- Barlow Girl
3.Give Me Words to Speak- Aaron Shust
4.By Your Side- Tenth Avenue North
5.New Man- All Things New
6.Until The Whole World Hears- Casting Crowns
7.Cornerstone- Hillsong
8.Come To The River- Rhett Walker Band
and
9.Larger Than Life- Backstreet Boys (Hehehe. I didn't hear this one on KLove. Clearly.)
God Bless!
1.Healing Hand of God- Jeremy Camp
2.Never Alone- Barlow Girl
3.Give Me Words to Speak- Aaron Shust
4.By Your Side- Tenth Avenue North
5.New Man- All Things New
6.Until The Whole World Hears- Casting Crowns
7.Cornerstone- Hillsong
8.Come To The River- Rhett Walker Band
and
9.Larger Than Life- Backstreet Boys (Hehehe. I didn't hear this one on KLove. Clearly.)
God Bless!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Back To You
Hello my friend.
It's been quite a journey.
Been away for so long,
Lost my footing from time to time.
You are the sky above my glass ceiling.
Remember when you were my world?
I'm ready to be covered in your love once again.
Time to leave the trash; embrace the good.
Time to destroy the barrier.
Time to come home.
I'm finally coming home.
It's been quite a journey.
Been away for so long,
Lost my footing from time to time.
You are the sky above my glass ceiling.
Remember when you were my world?
I'm ready to be covered in your love once again.
Time to leave the trash; embrace the good.
Time to destroy the barrier.
Time to come home.
I'm finally coming home.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Tune Tuesday 18
Since I've been home, I haven't really listened to K Love. I go through periods of being in love with Christian music and needing a break from it. I've noticed that when I don't have it on, I'm usually dealing with something difficult, which often means I'm not very close to God. He is so amazing, no words could even begin to explain the ways. Music and writing are two of my biggest sources of stress relief; I would be so lost without them. I am so thankful to God for how He pulls me back to Him through the lyrics and melodies arranged by His song makers. They lift, encourage, convict, strengthen, and always praise God. I'm sure this week's list could go on forever considering how I put this together just in the last 24 hours, but I'll keep it short. If you find whatever you're in need of in only one of these songs, I'll be happy.
1.Middle of Your Heart- for KING & COUNTRY
"This is what I believe: that if I give You my everything, I will become who I was really born to be...Your love is something I can put my faith in."
2.Love Does- Brandon Heath
"Nobody knows why your heart is broken. Nobody cries while your prayers are going up. But love does...Somebody knows. Somebody cries. Somebody feels. Love does."
3.Hello, My Name Is- Matthew West
"Hello, my name is child of the one true King. I've been saved, I've been changed, I have been set free...I am no longer defined by all the wreckage behind. The one who makes all things new has proven it's true."
4.Love Come to Life- Big Daddy Weave
"I've been restless on the inside, wondering about this heart of mine. I've been desperately trying to find a way to prove that I'm still alive...Bring Your love to life inside of me. Why don't you break my heart til it moves my hands and feet."
5.Your Love is Like a River- Third Day
"When this cruel world tears us apart...When I am tired and so afraid...When all my strength and hope is gone...Your love is like a river flowing from my heart...Your love is like a rock that I am standing on."
6.Your Love Never Fails- Newsboys
"Nothing can separate, even if I run away. Your love never fails...You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes. There may be pain the night, but joy comes in the morning."
7.East to West- Casting Crowns
"Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way. Jesus, can you show me just how far the east is from the west? In the arms of Your mercy, I find rest.
8.My God- Jeremy Camp
"All of who You are reaches the darkest parts; lifting the weight and erasing the scars that had a hold on me. My God, You are the unchanging love. My God, Your heart sends hope from above."
9.More Beautiful You- Jonny Diaz
"Beauty is within your heart. You were made with such care- your skin, your body, your hair are perfect just the way you are. There could never be a more beautiful you. Don't buy the lies, disguises, and hoops they make you jump through. You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do."
10.Come To The River- Rhett Walker Band
"My restless heart led me astray to my selfish pride. I became my own slave. You say, 'Come to the river and lay yourself down. Let your heart be found."
11.Help Me Find It- Sidewalk Prophets
"I don't know where to go from here. It all used to seem so clear. I'm finding I can't make it on my own... I will trust in you. You've never failed before...I will wait for you."
12.Friend of God- Phillips, Craig & Dean
"Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call. Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me, it's amazing. I am a friend of God."
13.Praise You In This Storm- Casting Crowns
"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. I will praise you in this storm."
14.Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)- Citizen Way
"When I can't see You, still I know You're here. When I can't feel You, Your promise is clear. Nothing I face can keep me from Your love... Even in death, we won't be torn apart."
15.Sweetly Broken- Jeremy Riddle
"To the cross I look, to the cross I cling...At the cross, You beckon me. You draw me gently to my knees, and I am lost for words. So lost in love. I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered."
16.He is With Us- Love & The Outcome
"We can trust our God. He knows what He's doing. Though it might hurt now, we won't be ruined...He is with us, always."
Heh heh. So it came out pretty long anyway. Oh well. These are great songs. Enjoy and God bless!
1.Middle of Your Heart- for KING & COUNTRY
"This is what I believe: that if I give You my everything, I will become who I was really born to be...Your love is something I can put my faith in."
2.Love Does- Brandon Heath
"Nobody knows why your heart is broken. Nobody cries while your prayers are going up. But love does...Somebody knows. Somebody cries. Somebody feels. Love does."
3.Hello, My Name Is- Matthew West
"Hello, my name is child of the one true King. I've been saved, I've been changed, I have been set free...I am no longer defined by all the wreckage behind. The one who makes all things new has proven it's true."
4.Love Come to Life- Big Daddy Weave
"I've been restless on the inside, wondering about this heart of mine. I've been desperately trying to find a way to prove that I'm still alive...Bring Your love to life inside of me. Why don't you break my heart til it moves my hands and feet."
5.Your Love is Like a River- Third Day
"When this cruel world tears us apart...When I am tired and so afraid...When all my strength and hope is gone...Your love is like a river flowing from my heart...Your love is like a rock that I am standing on."
6.Your Love Never Fails- Newsboys
"Nothing can separate, even if I run away. Your love never fails...You stay the same through the ages. Your love never changes. There may be pain the night, but joy comes in the morning."
7.East to West- Casting Crowns
"Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way. Jesus, can you show me just how far the east is from the west? In the arms of Your mercy, I find rest.
8.My God- Jeremy Camp
"All of who You are reaches the darkest parts; lifting the weight and erasing the scars that had a hold on me. My God, You are the unchanging love. My God, Your heart sends hope from above."
9.More Beautiful You- Jonny Diaz
"Beauty is within your heart. You were made with such care- your skin, your body, your hair are perfect just the way you are. There could never be a more beautiful you. Don't buy the lies, disguises, and hoops they make you jump through. You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do."
10.Come To The River- Rhett Walker Band
"My restless heart led me astray to my selfish pride. I became my own slave. You say, 'Come to the river and lay yourself down. Let your heart be found."
11.Help Me Find It- Sidewalk Prophets
"I don't know where to go from here. It all used to seem so clear. I'm finding I can't make it on my own... I will trust in you. You've never failed before...I will wait for you."
12.Friend of God- Phillips, Craig & Dean
"Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call. Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me, it's amazing. I am a friend of God."
13.Praise You In This Storm- Casting Crowns
"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. I will praise you in this storm."
14.Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)- Citizen Way
"When I can't see You, still I know You're here. When I can't feel You, Your promise is clear. Nothing I face can keep me from Your love... Even in death, we won't be torn apart."
15.Sweetly Broken- Jeremy Riddle
"To the cross I look, to the cross I cling...At the cross, You beckon me. You draw me gently to my knees, and I am lost for words. So lost in love. I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered."
16.He is With Us- Love & The Outcome
"We can trust our God. He knows what He's doing. Though it might hurt now, we won't be ruined...He is with us, always."
Heh heh. So it came out pretty long anyway. Oh well. These are great songs. Enjoy and God bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)