CatHouse Chat

Hi, I'm Gomer, the sheep...

Yeah, a weird title, I know. But it came out of listening to two different Christian programs today that really run together quite well. The first program was from Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church:

The second program is from Ravi Zacharias' program, "Just Thinking," from a four-part series called "Worship: A Clue to the Meaning in Life."

Pastor Mark speaks of the parable of the Lost Sheep, wherein the Good Shepherd leaves 99 sheep who are not lost to go search out the one who is lost and carries it home. Dr. Zacharias mentioned the prophet Hosea, who God called to marry a harlot named Gomer as a picture of God's relationship with Israel.

So, hello - I'm Gomer the sheep.

Sheep are dumb. They're weak, they're not very tough, and they often like to wander off and get lost. They're really too stupid to find their way back home, and when they're out away from the flock and the Shepherd, they tend to get into trouble and get beaten up, abused and into some really bad situations. Fortunately, if they belong to the Good Shepherd (in other words, if they really ARE a sheep and not a goat), He always searches them out, puts them on His shoulder and carries them back home. My Shepherd is always on the lookout for me, ready to rescue me from danger, clean me up and get me back with the flock so I can be safe, close to Him.

Gomer was a harlot. Hosea married her and loved her and had two children with her - and she left a happy, secure and loving home and went back to her prostitution. Pretty confusing, isn't it? Why would she leave a good situation to go back to the filth and degradation of whoring herself out? Certainly one could understand if Hosea threw up his hands and had nothing else to do with her - but he doesn't. In obedience to God's command and as a beautiful picture of God's love for His wayward and rebellious people, Hosea searches Gomer out and takes her back as his wife. He never stopped loving her, and he returns her to her home and cherishes her. Just like God keeps searching out His sinful people and keeps pouring out grace into our lives, even when we don't deserve it!

So, hello again: I'm a stupid, weak, wandering, rebellious and sinful sheep named Gomer.

But my Husband, my Savior, my Shepherd keeps searching high and low, chasing after me and carrying me back to Himself, showing me His eternal love and pouring out His infinite grace upon my life. He holds me tight to His heart, and that small reflection in His eye - the one you have to get very, very close to see - that's where I am. He has clothed me in the righteousness of His Son, not for anything that I've done, but just because for some unfathomable reason He has chosen to set His love upon me!

And so, I'm happy to be a stupid sheep named Gomer - and by the grace and guidance of my Beloved Shepherd and Husband, I will get better and walk ever more closely to Him in love and worship.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

God has been BEYOND good to me... and His mercy is over all the earth

Cooking dinner tonight and chatting with my Beloved about "whatever"...Teasing and joking quips bouncing between him, our daughter and me... Seeing our darling daughter make good choices with a wonderful attitude... Getting hugs and love from the BEST hubby and daughter... Being HONORED to teach Sunday School for my group tomorrow... Having good health, a job with a superior boss, a roof over our heads, enough to supply our needs and many wants, an embarrassing amount of truly excellent friends...

God has been so good!

Crystal Lewis proclaims my gratitude PERFECTLY -

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

I don't always say the right things
Boy I try
I don't always live my life the right way
But God is faithful to forgive me
When I fail or fall
I am unworthy of it all
Still He keeps on givin

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

My God has given me
More than I ever dreamed
A precious family
And friends who care for me
Why should he love me so
Oh that Ill never know
I am unworthy of it all
Still He keeps on givin to me

God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good
God's been good to me
Oh God's always been good

It would take hours and days at a time
For me to sit down and write down
All the things Hes done
Let me say this that its nothing I've done
But its the grace He gives freely to everyone

Tell everybody
Tell everybody 'bout it
Tell everybody
Everybody 'ought to know

"God's Been Good to Me" was brought to mind because I heard Crystal's version of "Be Thou My Vision," an old, glorious hymn that I pray - ONE DAY - I may live to the fullest:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

 

 

 

"The Traveler's Blues"

This is a parody cover done by my dear friend, Kender - he's a very talented poet and comic, so you really SHOULD listen *grinz*

Travelers blues 2

One King

And now I am finally catching up with my proper Faith of Christmas posts! Hooray!

For today's offering, I present David Phelps' song "One King," from his One Wintry Night album. I'm going to embed a scrolling box for the lyrics to save space; I hope it works!

David Phelps One King lyrics

Lyrics

Only one King gave up everything to come to His people and save them. Only one King humbled Himself and left His riches to dwell among the poorest and most sinful of His people. Only one King was born in a manger two thousand years ago to begin His earthly walk to the Cross and the salvation of His people.

Only ONE KING - and His name is Jesus!

Celebrate His life and His message of grace and love by bowing to Him in gratitude. Lay yourself bare before the One who already knows everything and has His arms open wide to welcome you to His Kingdom. Submit yourself to Him and give your entire self to His loving commands - He will never betray you, and He will always be with you.

Remember that Child in the manger and all He did on our behalf... and welcome Him, yet again, into your soul!

Brightest and Best

For the third day's offering, I actually have a video I can embed! One of my Cotillion friends recommended this beautiful hymn to me, and I couldn't resist! "Brightest and Best" was published in 1853, and it's definitely a forgotten gem!

 

Brightest and Best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

(The Faith of Christmas ... previous post ... next post)

 

It's True

Today's offering (yeah, I know - I posted this on the 4th, but it's been re-dated to the 2nd of December!) is a lovely song from Sarah Grove's album, O Holy Night, "It's True" - 

In your heart you
know it's true
though you hold no expectation
in the deepest part of you
there's an open hesitation

but it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

heard it told you
think it's odd
the whole thing fraught with complication
the play begins with 
baby God
and all His blessed implications

but it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

alleluia, alleluia

Oh it's true
kingdoms and crowns
a God who came down to find you
it's true
Angels on high
sing through the night alleluia

(The Faith of Christmas ... previous post ... next post)

Hallelujah, glory be to our great God!

I heard this song on my Droid this morning, and I had to repost this entry from February, 2007:

I first heard this beautiful song, "Our Great God," on the City on a Hill album Sing Alleluia. It is a rhythmic, driving, and dramatic duet between Mac Powell of Third Day, and Fernando Ortega. I believe Mr. Ortega actually wrote it, as it also appears as a solo on his album Storm.

Because of my odd ear (the first version of a song that I hear and like is always and ever, to me, the "original"), I prefer the duet. However, I highly recommend Mr. Ortega's albums, because they are superb! His voice, the simplicity of his recordings, and the purity of the lyrics - he loves to record old hymns - are simply out of this world, and excellent to listen to and meditate upon.

Of course, when I want to worship from my gut, Third Day cannot be beat. They have a southern-rock style which grabs you, shakes you up, and gets you dancing before the Lord before you know what you're doing! Mac Powell also has a wonderful duet with Randy Travis, "Love Lifted Me," on Randy's Worship and Faith CD. Mac's powerful, growly voice compliments Ortega's light, classical tenor as well as Randy's country bass, and you should go and listen to the samples on all the linked albums - I think you'll find a lot to enjoy.

But the words of this song never fail to make me lift my eyes to Heaven in praise and gratitude to the Living God, who reached down and rescued me from Satan's clutches. I now serve, however imperfectly, the One True God and live in His kingdom of light and love and righteousness.

Eternal God, unchanging,
Mysterious and unknown -

Father, You are so big! You are infinite, and we will never know You entirely. But You have given us Your Word, and so we know that You are holy and just, merciful and loving, righteous and powerful. We know that You created the world and all that is in it, and we know that You have created each and every one of us in Your image.

Your boundless love, unfailing,
In grace and mercy shown.

You shower Your love upon us each and every day: You offer Your salvation with a patient, consistent hand; You send the rain and guide the Sun; You hold the Universe together by the power of Your Word. You sustain our lives and each breath that we take, and You provide us all that we need. We know of Your great love by Your Word and the awesome sacrifice You made for our salvation on the Cross. The bounty of Your goodness and grace pours over us in an everlasting display of Your loving-kindness!

Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight
Around Your glorious throne,
They raise their voices day and night
In praise to You alone.

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory!" Thus sing the the seraphim endlessly, giving due honor and praise to their Creator. The Lord is high and lifted up, He is exalted above all the Universe, for it is His Word that brought everything into existence, and there is nothing made that He has not made. Father, help us to live in praise to You and follow the example of the seraphim; let us always keep Your perfect holiness in our minds, and live openly and humbly before You.

Lord, we are weak and frail,
Helpless in the storm.

Father, without You, we are lost and dead in our sin. We deserve judgment and Hell, yet You have reached down to us and provided Your salvation. You in Your mercy and grace have given us what we cannot earn and do not deserve: Heaven and eternal life. Father, remind us that in our weakness we may rest in You and Your power. Help us remember and trust that You are our mighty fortress, our strong tower of refuge. You hold us in Your hand, and nothing can wrest us from Your embrace.

Surround us with Your angels,
Hold us in Your arms.

Your love is displayed daily in Your protection and provision. Your holy angels watch over us at Your order, and while we are thankful, we still know that it is You and You alone who truly protects us. You will never leave us nor forsake us, and You will never desert us to our foes. We can do all things in the power of Your strength. You and You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. You and You alone deserve all honor and glory!

Our cold and ruthless enemy,
His pleasure is our harm!
Rise up, o Lord, and he will flee
Before our Sovereign God!

Satan is a defeated foe. He is but a creature, and will one day be undone with a simple word from Your mouth. True, he is powerful - but greater is Your Spirit who dwells in us. You have promised that if we resist the devil he will flee, but we can only do that in Your power and strength.

Let every creature in the sea,
And every flying bird;
Let every mountain, every field,
And valley of the Earth;
Let all the moons and all the stars
In all the Universe

Let all of creation acknowledge its Creator. Let all creation bow down before its Lord!

Sing praises to the Living God
Who rules them by His Word!

Our God - the Living God - is Sovereign and in control. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and there is no place we can hide from Him. He sustains the Universe by His power alone, and He does not sleep or grow weary. Our King is on His throne, guiding and protecting, providing and calling, judging and forgiving. His will is unstoppable, and there is none who can resist it. He is perfect in holiness and glory, and there is nothing which can compare with Him!

Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!

Amen!

(I pray that this reminds you - as it does me - of the wonderful, glorious love and grace that God offers to us!)

A cure for the Monday blues...

Well, it's been a long time since I did a "Songs from my iPod" post - possibly because I haven't HAD an iPod for about 2 years. Now, of course, I have my wonderful MotoDroid and can get Pandora. I've also got an awesome BlueTooth-to-radio device by Motorola that my Beloved Husband got me, so I can truly enjoy music wherever I go.

I've set up a Christian "station" for myself on Pandora, and here's what blessed me this morning:

Rebecca St. James' "Song of Love," from her worship GOD album:

Jesus, King of my heart
Father, my peace and my light
Spirit, the joy of my soul You are

Jesus, to you none compare
Father, I rest in Your care
Spirit, the hope of my heart You are

CHORUS:
The heavens declare You are God
And the mountains rejoice
The oceans cry Alleluia
As we worship You Lord
For this is our Song of Love

Jesus, You save my soul
I'll thank You forevermore
Jesus, the love of my life You are

CHORUS

Jesus, I am in awe
Of the love that You have shown
Jesus, how precious You are to me

CHORUS

[source]

Paul Coleman's "The One Thing," from his Let It Go album:

Here I am
In a river of questions
Can I pour my heart out to a listening ear?
I see this life
Its valley's and mountains
And I think of all the roads that brought me here

I've questioned my reasons
The life I'm living
I've questioned my ability 
To judge wrong from right
I've questioned all the things that I've ever called certain
My race, my religion, my country, my mind

But the one thing I don't question is you
You really love me like you say you do
You really love me like you say you do
Hold me
Hold me

I've questioned significance
Meaning and relevance 
Does the work I'm doing really matter at all?
Well I've questioned my friendships
Alliance, dependence
Who will still be here when I fall?

Only one thing doesn't change
Only one thing stays the same
All I know at the end of the day is your love remains

[source]

And finally, Third Day's song, "Medley" (from their Offerings II: All I Have To Give album), has a snippet from the old classic, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" -

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

So, there you go. If you are wearied by Monday and long for the weekend, remind yourself of the true and everlasting Sabbath Rest we have in Jesus. Lay your burdens down at His feet; trust in His strength and promises. "And the things of earth will grow strangely dim," and He will hold us while we sing Him our Song of Love.

May God richly bless you today as you trust and follow Him!

(crossposted to Virginia Virtucon)

There are more verses to the "Star Spangled Banner"....

Got this via Da Mihi Animas... AWESOME!!!

For those who don't know, here is the full text of the "Star Spangled Banner" -

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Well... Perhaps I'm not as "back" as I thought...

Mom called me and asked me to come down; Daddy is not doing so well. He'd broken his hip just before Easter, and come through the surgery all right, but he's fading now. It's very difficult to watch a beloved and cherished parent go through this, and I only arrived this afternoon.

I am so blessed and honored by all my online friends who have been lifting up my Dad and Mom and me before the Throne of Grace and Mercy. It hasn't hit me fully yet - hey, I was here two and a half years ago, thinking it was the end for Dad, and he pulled out if it - but I'm sure that there's a reality-bus heading my way at a high rate of speed.

If I didn't have God, if I didn't know my father's faith, I don't know what I would do. How can people go through this painful roller coaster without the bedrock knowledge that there is a holy, perfect, all-powerful God who has chosen His children and watches over them in love and tenderness? How can people go through trials without knowing their eternal Father is permitting the test so that His children are strengthened and encouraged in their confidence in His goodness and righteousness?

I am so grateful that He is with me, and has sent many of my brothers and sisters of the faith to lift me up and encourage me.

This song by Salvador, "You Rescue Me," really puts it into words for me:

Something in the motion of my history
Like a desert highway flying under me
All these guilty wounds that cannot be redeemed
By time, by time

Aching in a place that only I can see
Tears have a way of catching up to me
All it ever takes is a glimpse of something free
Like birds in flight

So I'm giving up on clarity
'Cause I want to trust when I cannot see and

Chorus
You rescue me, You hear my cry
You shelter me through the night
And You are my strength when I am in need
You are my God, You rescue me

Caught between the ocean and eternity
Broken by the weight of my attempts to be
Everything that everyone expects of me
This time, and every time

So I'm giving up my righteousness
'Cause grace, alone, will give me rest 'cause

Chorus
You rescue me, You hear my cry
You shelter me through the night
And You are my strength when I am in need
You are my God, You rescue me

Thank You, Father, for rescuing me. Thank You, Jesus, for coming to this sad, sorry earth to redeem Your people. Thank You for saving... me.

You Rescue Me

What Do I Know of Holy?

This song was recommended to me by a darling young lady who is in my daughter's class at school:

Addison Road

And here are the lyrics:

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Beautiful!

It's beginning to look a lot like... Straight No Chaser

I've been working with my music folder, organizing and cleaning things up, and came across this wonderful AWESOME group. I learned about Straight No Chaser last year (I think), and completely fell in love with their talent and sense of humor.

And so - especially since I drove by a house today that already had its Christmas tree up (it shone through the window beautifully!) - I present to you their famous version of the Twelve Days of Christmas:

As I said, they are very talented, so make sure you go over to their Amazon store, and BUY EVERYTHING!!!

"The Warrior Song" - supporting the Armed Forces Relief Trust

I highly recommend this song - it rocks, it rolls, it marches, and it's a militant tribute to the Warriors of our Armed Forces! ALL proceeds from sales on iTunes (after iTunes takes their cut) will go to the Armed Forces Relief Trust:

The mission of the Armed Forces Relief Trust is to assist the military aid societies by providing a single vehicle to accept donations that will benefit the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. Examples of such assistance may include payment for a soldier's airfare to fly home for his father's funeral, a special reading program for a sailor's daughter, special medical attention for a pilot's expectant spouse, or college tuition for a soldier's child.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I offered my time and services to Navy-Marine Corps Relief, and it was very worthwhile. Honoring and serving those who serve and  protect us should be the joyful duty of each and every citizen of these United States!

So, play the song (here are the lyrics), and get ready to cheer for our Armed Forces!

This morning on KLOVE: Newsboys, "Presence"

I have loved the Newsboys ever since I heard "Shine," way back in... 1997, was when I heard it first, although it's from their 1994 album, Going Public. I've been buying their albums regularly since then, because I love their upbeat, rocking style - and the lyrics, of course, honor and glorify God so well.

One of my favorites is Adoration, which is a wonderful worship collection. Unfortunately (for me), Adoration doesn't include "Presence," which I heard on KLOVE this morning on my way home from dropping the Munchkin at school. I mention it with Adoration because it lifted my spirit up into a few moments of real worship of my great God and Savior. When I found out it wasn't in my collection, I went right over to Amazon and bought it (love those $0.99 mp3 downloads!)

Here are the lyrics:

I lift up my voice
to The King, The King of glory
I hold out my hands
to The One who is worthy
I long for Your presence
I long, Lord, I need Your touch

CHORUS:
come, oh Lord, and fill up my life
with the light of Your presence
this is my heart's desire
oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
this is my heart's desire

I long to be washed
in the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
by the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch

CHORUS:
come oh Lord and fill up my life
with the light of Your presence
this is my heart's desire
oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
this is my heart's desire

it's my desire

(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, it's my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, You're my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence - Jesus

CHORUS:
come oh Lord and fill up my life
with the light of Your presence
this is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)
come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence (presence...)
this is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)

come oh Lord and fill up my life (fill up my life)
with the light of Your presence
this is my heart's desire (this is my heart's desire, oh...)
come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence this is my heart's desire

it's my desire

Lord, You're my desire
Lord, You're my desire

It is my desire to feel God's presence, to live in it and to reflect it. Come, O Lord, fill up my empty life with Your glory and love. Let Your Spirit live in me, to help me live my life for You and shine forth Your wonderful, saving love to all I meet.

Phillips, Craig & Dean - Revelation Song

I just heard this again on KLOVE, and was reminded of how much I love this song. PC&D sings it beautifully, and it really does lift up my heart and spirit and remind me of the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You can download the song from Amazon, as well as the full album, titled Fearless. [Well, at the moment,  the album is available for pre-order; the release date is Tuesday, August 4, 2009.]

The words are taken from this beautiful scene of the God's majesty in Revelation 4 (there are other scenes in Revelation which are incorporated, of course):

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
    who was and is and is to come!"

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
       to receive glory and honor and power,
       for you created all things,
       and by your will they existed and were created."

Here's a video showing PC&D talking about the song:

Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King

(Chorus)

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery

(Chorus x2) (Repeat  a cappella)

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

Chorus (Repeats)

This morning's verse... (UPDATE: and song)

Yep. Two days in a row in my quest to get back to regular, consistent Bible reading (hey, one day at a time!)!

This morning the reading selection from the Old Testament included Psalm 59, and these verses really continue the theme I began yesterday:

But I will sing of Your strength;
   I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning.
For You have been to me a fortress
   and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to You,
   for You, O God, are my fortress,
    the God who shows me steadfast love.

And Third Day does it again with their song, "Born Again":

Today I found myself,
After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw,
He wasn't at all who I'd thought He'd be,

I was lost when You found me here,
And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and sang Your song over me

Chorus 1

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time,
In my life

Verse 2

Make a promise to me now,
Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel,
is so much more real than anything
[Born Again Lyrics On http://www.elyricsworld.com/ ]
I've a feeling in my soul,
And I pray that I'm not wrong,
That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning

Chorus 2

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time

Bridge

I wasn't looking for something that was more,
Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me,
Then You gave to me,
Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before

Final Chorus

It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time

It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time,
In my life

For your Fourth of July meditaion, the National Hymn "God of Our Fathers"

"God of Our Fathers" was written by Daniel C. Roberts in 1876 (one would assume for our Centennial) and set to music already composed by George William Warren. The CompleteLee Blog has a little Bible study, and goes a little deeper into the history of the song. More information can be found here, here and here.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand,
Lead forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor thro' the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

And how ungrateful we have become, to turn away from the One True God who brought this country into being. How sad that the songs lifted up in faith and praise to Divine Providence have faded into a background murmur! How foolish we have become, to deny His presence and power, which are proclaimed throughout Creation!

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay,
Thy word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

Father, we have turned astray from the faith and love that built this nation under Your guidance. We reject Your good law and immerse ourselves in sin and unrighteousness, we kill our own children for convenience's sake and praise vain and selfish people rather than simple, honest and good citizens. Father, lay Your hand upon this nation once again to turn us back to You in faith, trust and obedience!

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever strong defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Only God can bring peace, and where the Spirit of God is, there is true liberty. It is the freedom to act with dignity and self-control, simply and humbly living for others according to God's will. It is the peace which passes all understanding, with which we can face the greatest bounty and the sorrows of war with hope and confidence, keeping our eye on the God who holds all history in His hand.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

Return, O Lord! Return to us and turn our hearts to You! Renew within us a right spirit, renew our minds with the washing of Your grace and Your word! Take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh that love Your commands and long to obey them! Make us into a people of praise, living Your precepts, worshiping You in spirit and in truth. Let Your work in this nation and in our hearts and lives be proclaimed to the glory of Your name throughout the world!

And though I despise the heresy of their church, you can't deny the beauty of the voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:

Good morning! Time to worship...

With "Revelation Song."

Phillips, Craig & Dean have a version of this song that is beautifully done, and I love waking up to it!

Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)
(Chorus) (Repeat at a cappella)

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

01 - Revelation Song

Songs from the iPod: "In Christ Alone"

I was just listening to the Newsboys singing "In Christ Alone," from their Adoration album, and it's incredibly uplifting! I had searched it out this morning, because I quoted it in yesterday's Gospel post.

Here are the full lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Waking up to songs from KLOVE

You paint the night
You count the stars and call them by name
The skies proclaim
God You reign
Your glory shines
You teach the sun when to bring a new day
Creation sings
God You reign

God You reign
God You reign
Forever and ever
God You reign

You part the seas
You move the mountains with the words that You say
My song remains
God You reign
You hold my life
You know my heart and You call me by name
I live to say God You reign

Hallelujah, hallelu

God You reign
God You reign
Forever and ever
God You reign!

-- Lincoln Brewster

God reigns over the nations;
   God sits on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:8)

The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
   He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! (Psalm 99:1)

The LORD will reign forever,
   your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD! (Psalm 146:10)

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

   "Hallelujah!For the Lord our God
   the Almighty reigns. (Revelation 19:6)

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

... by Stuart Townend, is a "modern" hymn which well deserves a place in the canon of true anthems of the Church. I label it "modern" only because Mr. Townend is alive and has penned it within the past 50 (actually, I think it's less than 5 years old...) years. It is a sad thing that the present day Church, at least in America, appears to have turned to "praise choruses," and set aside the classic hymns which are so rich in good theology and true adoration of our glorious God and Savior.

Mr. Townend tells a little bit of the story behind the hymn:

I'd been meditating on the cross, and in particular what it cost the Father to give up his beloved Son to a torturous death on a cross. And what was my part in it? Not only was it my sin that put him there, but if I'd lived at that time, it would probably have been me in that crowd, shouting with everyone else 'crucify him'. It just makes his sacrifice all the more personal, all the more amazing, and all the more humbling.

Amen!

At any rate, on Good Friday, my iPod gave me Fernando Ortega's recording of this song, and it brought me to my knees in repentance and gratitude for all that my Savior has done for me. As the quote from John Newton (who penned "Amazing Grace," one of the great anthems of Christianity) says, "... I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

And I, too, am a great sinner. It is only by the grace of God Most High that I am able to make any small gesture of faith and love to His glory. I thank Him and praise Him for the mercy and kindness He has poured into my life, because I know I do not deserve them!

So, in hopes that the lyrics will encourage and edify you as well, here they are:

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Indeed and AMEN! Thank You, Jesus, my beloved Savior. Thank You for choosing the Cross, and thank You for claiming me!

When someone asks you what kind of music you like...

... do you start listing groups whose songs you enjoy, or do you start listing genres of music?

I was just watching an episode of Bones ("The Headless Witch in the Woods"), where the "what music do you like" question came up. The characters immediately talked about particular groups, which startled me because I start with genres and then list groups as examples...

So, I'm just wondering.

Aw, he found my tiara!

Oh, I'd forgotten this video!

An oldie (in 'net age, anyway) but a REAL goodie!

The Mom Song:

Songs from the radio, redux

... Gee, I wonder how many of my posts have that title... LOL!

Anyway, in the past couple of weeks, I've heard two songs that pair up beautifully. The first is Chris Rice's "Clumsy," off of Deep Enough to Dream :

You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty [well, 45 in my case - ed.] years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy [girl, here, LOL] supposed to do?

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

I’m gonna get it right this time
I’ll be strong and I’ll make You proud
I’ve prayed that prayer a thousand times
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down (again)
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I can never, no never, be good enough
And that You’re not gonna let that come between us

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

From where I stand
Your holiness is up so high I can never reach it
My only hope is to fall on Jesus

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

And the second is by Josh Wilson, "Savior, Please," found on Trying To Fit The Ocean In A Cup:

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have

Hallelujah
Everything You are to me
Is everything I'll ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause You're the one who's saving me

I am so glad that He keeps coming after me! I am so glad that He picks me up every time I fall, and that He loves me in spite of all my failings...

Songs from the radio

Coming home from class tonight, this beautiful song by Shaun Groves, "Welcome Home," came on -

Take me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me
Come decorate, Lord
Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded

Chorus:
Come inside this heart of mine
It's not my own
Make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own
Welcome home

Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can

repeat chorus

I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked

repeat chorus

Take me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

You can hear a clip from this song, recorded on his Invitation to Eavesdrop album, here.

Oh, how descriptive of our hearts and souls! How we resist and fight the Hand of God when He calls us! How foolish we are to go our own way and redecorate in greed and selfishness, when God wants to adorn us with His grace, love, kindness, joy, and peace.

Thank You, Father, for pursuing and chasing after us. You are indeed the Hound of Heaven, and without Your love that hunts us down and captures us in Your tender grasp, we would be eternally lost. Thank You for holding us fast in Your hand; thank You for promising that no one cane take us out of Your holy grasp!

The song of the day: "By Your Side," by Tenth Avenue North

Not from the iPod or KLOVE this time, but rather from Sirius XM's The Message (channel 32). Tenth Avenue North, and "By Your Side"

Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child?
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run?

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

God's hands are outstretched still, always ready to catch you up and hold you to Himself. And whosoever is held in God's hands can never be taken out of them.

Thanks, guys... I needed to hear this song today!

Just a reminder - the Agnus Dei

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Hallelujah
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Holy, holy! You are holy
Worthy is the Lamb
Hallelujah
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Amen

Busy, busy week so far!

On Monday, the Beloved Husband and I accompanied the Darling Munchkin to the very nice, awesome, and excellent school we hope she'll be admitted to for her high school years. I had very high expectations of this school going in to the orientation - and they blew them all to smithereens! If our Munchkin is accepted there, she will get a stellar education, and will be perfectly well prepared fr college.

Of course, the price tag is a shocker (what a surprise!), so it will take a lot of prayer and hard work - but the Beloved and I know it will be worth it.

Then that evening, I went to my tax prep class, since I'd missed my normal morning session. It was a very good thing I did, because I got some excellent gouge (that's mil-speak for "good information") about the mid-term exam on Wednesday.

Tuesday, I studied, and then went to the after-school robotics workshop and "enjoyed" the enthusiasm of the kids (IOW, they have the attention span of gnats [sorry to insult gnats], and drove me nuts). Regional competition is barely a month away, and they've got to pull things together!!!

Wednesday, I aced my mid-term!!! One Hundred Percent Correct!!! I knew I'd pass, but I really wanted to get everything correct. It was a good thing (well, for me, anyway) the other two students weren't there, because I muttered and reasoned and commented my way through the whole exam; for some reason, talking through the problems aloud tends to help me concentrate and double check my work.

And then, that afternoon, I had an excellent ride on my dear buddy Jimmy, who is a wonderful Saddlebred gelding. He generally doesn't care to take the left lead when cantering (he'd rather try to rack, which is rather an odd feel if you're expecting the three-beat pace of a canter), but Wednesday, he picked it up right away. Apparently, I was also looking good, because the stable owner (a wonderful lady; I love her to bits) advised that I really ought to just buy Jimmy - and was only half joking! LOL Nooooooo, cant buy a horse when we have tuition for the Excellent School coming up in a few years! (Darn... 'Cause Jim-Jimmy-Jimmers is a great horse, and I adore him).

Yesterday... What did I do yesterday?! Oh, yeah, I went with a friend to WalMart, where we purchased a lot of supplies for the three Robotics teams. Her husband came along, too, and we all had lunch together... And then talked politics on the way back home (arg - not fun!).

The main thing we spoke of was the whole "Joe the Plumber" issue. My friend's husband claimed that "Joe" was mistaken, and that his taxes would not be affected - and missed the entire point of Obama's socialistic/communistic response:

This is a more complete video than the one I saw originally (which I prefer: I like things as much in context as possible), but at around the 1:20 and 3:00 minute marks, Sen. Obama talks about "spreading the wealth around," which is socialistic and communistic. That is government forcing people to give up an excessive amount of their hard-earned money, and penalizing them for their work and effort.

Now, I understand that taxes are a necessary evil - to some extent. The Federal government has to maintain the military to defend us, interstates need to be kept up, and so on - but our tax code has become so large and unwieldy that even the IRS can't keep up with it all! Joe bought up a flat tax, and Obama's response, though it sounds good and thoughtful, is merely an avoidance of a serious problem. Frankly, our tax code needs to be scrapped in its entirety and replaced (*wince* Ow - that hurt just typing it!) with something that gets out of the way of productivity, entrepreneurship, investing and saving; is simple, clear and easy to understand; and which is locked in so that lobbyists and special interest groups cannot screw around with it.

Yes, even if I get a job in tax preparation, I would love for that job to become obsolete because something like the FairTax was passed and adopted. Until then, I will do my best to serve my clients by making sure that the government doesn't get one red cent that my client doesn't owe them!

*sigh*

So, at the moment, I've got a stew bubbling away in the crock pot, I've completed my homework for my tax class, and I'm going through the news... And I'm feeling a little troubled and worried, because I cannot see anything good coming, no matter who gets elected in November! So, I need to remember Jesus' words to His disciples:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Thank You, Lord, for Your watchcare over Your children. You know our fears, our worries and our troubles, You know our frailties and failures. Please let us turn to You when we are burdened with the cares of the world; remind us that You are still in control, You are still sovereign, and there is nothing that comes to pass that You have not foreseen and permitted and brought to pass. You alone are God, and Your mighty hand works to order history according to Your good and perfect will.

In Your Providence, nations rise and fall, rulers reign and die, and countries wax and wane in influence. You alone are God, You alone are ruler over all the universe, and You alone will receive the glory at the end of the age. All knees will bow before you, and every tongue will confess that You reign in righteousness. Your judgment is just and holy and true, and You will mold all things for Your glory and for the good of Your children.

Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and grace, for Your patient lovingkindness, and for the abundant blessings You shower upon us. I pray that Your love and forbearance will do their work and turn all our hearts to You in repentance and willing obedience to Your will. I pray that You will receive glory from a nation that returns to her Eternal Father, and again lifts up the name of Christ Jesus in honor, thanksgiving and praise for all He has done. In His blessed and exalted name, amen.

Even in the little things that never seem to big to me
In the things I thought didn’t matter much at all
As simple as my daily bread
To the strength I need to get out of bed
When I fly or when I am about to fall
Oh it's you in me that I fail to see

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

When my life is hanging from a thread
And I think about the things you said
that in this moment seem so far away
Help me see the guarantees
That first brought me to believe
So I can make through another day
Oh it's you in me that helps me breathe

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware

I have been missing so much
Not recognizing your touch
Or Acknowledging that you’re the reason
I'm even here
I have been missing so much not recognizing your touch

Make me aware, make me aware
Help me see that everything I am is not all about me
Take my world turn it around so that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware

                                                     Salvador, "Aware," from their album Aware (2008)

Before the "New Hallelujah," we must be "Sweetly Broken"

The past couple of weeks, God's been really urging me to get back with Him on a regular basis and clean up a few things in my life. I've been prodded by the Spirit for quite a while, but somehow He's finally gotten me to a place where I can bow my head and say, "Not my will, Father, but Thine."

Trust me, it's not an easy journey. For me, it hasn't been fraught with major angst and turmoil in my outer life, but my spirit has been very restless, and that annoying little gerbil in my brain just wouldn't stop spinning in its wheel! That's not a good thing, you know; it's very tiring. It's also very handy for tying yourself in knots with guilt and indecision. How often will I need to go through this sort of thing until I finally, REALLY learn that it's always best to let God have His way in me?

One of the things I decided to do was to follow along in Kay Arthur's current Precepts for Life study in the book of Isaiah. I'm a bit behind (today was day 14, and I've only gotten through day 4), but that's OK; I can catch up, and am going to squeeze in two lessons a day until I do. Anyway, today and yesterday I was reading and studying Isaiah, chapter 1, where the prophet records God's charge against Israel and the consequences of sin and rebellion.

I AM FREE!

Heard on KLOVE this morning: the Newsboys "I Am Free" -

I am free to run,
I am free to dance,
I am free to live for You,
I am free!

"For whom the Son sets free is free indeed!" (John 8:36)

(UPDATED with links and proper quotes, since I can't do that from my cell phone... Yet. LOL)

Rich Mullins: Eleven years later

(Yeah, another "as heard on KLOVE" post...)

This morning I was listening to John and Sherry of KLOVE, and John said that today is the 11th year since Rich Mullins was killed in a car accident.

It made me stop and think, because 12 years ago, when God called me back to Him, one of the songs He used was Rich Mullins' "Sometimes by Step," which is a beautiful, simple song of faith and joy and discipleship. I remember listening to it all those many years ago, and this one verse caught my attention:

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

This is a reference to Genesis 15, verses 1-6:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

One of those stars that Abraham gazed upon was lit for ME!

"But wait, Kat," you say, "you're not Jewish!"

No, genetically and culturally, I'm not Jewish - but I have been grafted in to God's family. Because God has blessed me with a saving faith in His Son, I am now a member of His covenant family. Look here, at Paul's letter to the Romans, Chapter 4:

Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.[...]

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. [emphasis mine]

Look also in Paul's letter to the Galatians:

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. [emph. mine again]

Because I have Abraham's faith, God regards me as Abraham's spiritual descendant - and thus, I am one of the stars Abraham saw on that bright, clear night and a child of that great promise God made to Abraham.

Because God has chosen me, because He - for some unfathomable reason - has set His love upon me, He now holds me in the palm of His hand. I am never beyond His reach of grace and mercy, and He lives within me, walks beside me, and leads me through each moment of every day of my life.

I may falter, I may stumble, I may stray - but the hand of my Father is always upon me, guiding me back to Him.

My grateful response can only be to quote another passage from Romans:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

      “For who has known the mind of the LORD?
      Or who has become His counselor?”
      “Or who has first given to Him
      And it shall be repaid to him?”

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Lose My Soul - TobyMac and Kirk Franklin

This song has been playing on KLOVE a bit, and it always seems to come on just when I'm chewing a few things over in my mind... Here's a sample of the lyrics:

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away,
Don't wanna walk away

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

(Lord what we gon' do,
We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don't let me lose my soul, my soul.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won't you cover me.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose my soul.)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

(Hallelujah, Don't wanna lose our soul,
No, Don't wanna lose my soul.)

Indeed, Lord. Forgive us - forgive ME - our trespasses and sins.  Do not take Your Spirit from us, keep drawing us to You in love and repentance.

Kay Arthur recently reminded Christians that we need to get serious - especially here in America. We have fallen so far, and are in grave danger of being vomited out like the church at Laodecia. We need to return to our First Love, the One who embodies Love and Truth, who gave Himself for us. We must stop reflecting the culture, and truly begin to reflect our Lord and Savior.

Jesus Himself gave a very serious warning to His disciples in Luke 13, verses 1-5:

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

In the letter to the Romans, Paul reminds us that

As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
“Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;

“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
Destruction and misery are in their ways;
And the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

There is no one righteous in God's eyes on this whole earth. No one can come to Him and demand an audience before Him based on their "goodness." We are all sinners, and worthy of eternal punishment. None of us can earn Heaven.

But God, in His grace, has offered a way - ONE way - to come before Him and be received by Him, and that is through the Blood of His Son.

So unless we repent, unless we come to Him in the way He commands, we will all likewise perish.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I don't want to gain the whole world - and lose my soul.

What about you?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

But - fair warning! - it's not politically correct, and the language isn't pristine... But this is hilarious! (Thanks to my friend, Tony, who e-mailed the link to me)

Thanks to XM Pops channel -

I was listening to Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov this morning (also Debussy, Verdi, Bach, Ravel... Mmmmm!), and went to Wikipedia to research some of their works and their biographies. On Rimsky-Korsakov's page, there was a music file of "Flight of the Bumblebee," a short piece of about one minute which takes incredible talent and dexterity to perform.

Check out the search results from YouTube! This one in particular was unique and extremely well-done:

Pretty awesome, don't you think?

Also, take a look at this one; I'd seen it sometime last year, I think. It's a little more traditional... Well, at least it's played on piano!

One word, people:

WOW!!!!!!

Talent truly on loan from God

I understand this video was taken pretty recently, from what I see on the YouTube page:

Beautiful, inspiring... STUNNING!

I pray this young lady goes far, and I pray that she keeps her sweet and lovely attitude, as well...

Kittipurrs to one of my Cotillion sisters, and to Julie, who posted it at Degrees of Madness.

A song that's been on my mind...

Jimmy Wayne, "I Love You This Much"...

Great song for my day!

Just heard this on one of my local Christian stations, and it just fits this day so well. It's by 33 Miles, and it's called (d'uh!) "Thank You"...

What if in morning when I wake up
Even before I fill my coffee cup
I said thank You
Thank You

What if I look at the day and the hours ahead
And before I move forward I bowed my head
And said thank You
Oh I said thank You

What if I looked at my life in a different way
Took a little more time to stop and pray
I know it would change all the moments in between
So here I go

Thank You for everything
Thank You for loving me
It don't even matter what tomorrow brings
Well I will sing my

Thank You for sun and rain
For what You give and take away
For all Your goodness I will always say
Thank You

Oh I'll say thank You
What if I lost everything that I had
I could smile and somehow still be glad
And say thank You
Thank you

Cause life is joy, life is pain
But the prayer on my heart will never change
I say thank You
Oh I'll say thank You

Thank You, Father, for all You have done! Thank You for all You will do. Thank You for Your kindness, Your love, Your mercy. Thank You, Jesus, for Your life, and thank You for loving me. I don't know why You do, but I am thankful!

This... is just SO wrong...!

... I don't know that I'll ever be able to listen to Deep Purple again...

(**hiss**MEOW!**spit, spit** to K-man, who I will never forgive! LOL)

This Sunday's hymn...

More and more, I am loving the church I've been attending recently. It's small, but warm and welcoming - and we sing out of the hymnal! It's been so long since I've been in a church that uses and appreciates its hymnal. So, I'm learning new hymns and really enjoying the God-focus in them. Yes, my voice may waver off tune, but the music and the meaning help me lift my eyes to God in praise and true worship.

Each week, one hymn seems to leap out and grab me, so I'm going to try and post it so my readers can enjoy it, too. Thanks to a query by my friend David of Third World County, I've found a wonderful site called Timeless Truths, an online library which has a whole HOST of old hymns as well as mp3-type files so you can hear the melodies - and often sung by real people! Love it, love it, love it....

So this week's hymn is "Higher Ground," written by Johnson Oatman in 1898, and set to some music written by Charles Gabriel in 1892. Make sure you click to listen at the site!

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

UPDATE: Wow, I didn't realize, but Charles Gabriel also wrote the music for "His Eye is on the Sparrow," which is another hymn I love, and Johnson Oatman wrote the lyrics to "Count Your Blessings," which I mentioned the other day and which is another favorite hymn! There are so many fantastic old hymns, it's a shame they appear to be fading away...  And however much I love contemporary Christian music, there are very few people out there who really write good music that is doctrinally sound and God-centered...

How far, Lord?

Casting Crowns, one of my favorite Christian bands, has always been wonderfully biblical in their lyrics, and their new album, the Altar and the Door, continues this tradition.

How far does God remove our sin from us when we place our trust and faith in Him? Casting Crowns song, "East to West," uses Psalm 103 to answer that question.

The LORD is merciful and gracious,
         Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
         Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
         Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
         So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
         So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
         He remembers that we are dust.

 

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 bare 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
But by 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

Songs from the iPod, part... Oh, I forget what part...

Yup, listening to the ol' iPod while I was driving around today (lots of errands; got a lot done - life is good! LOL). I'd decided to listen to Casting Crowns, one of my favorite Christian bands - but one I also rarely get to listen to... So, out and about on the town presented a lovely opportunity!

And, what comes on but "Somewhere in the Middle" from their newest album, The Altar and the Door (GORGEOUS album, by the way, both musically and lyrically - you ought to get it!).

It's interesting. The New Year, which so often is a time of new beginnings and resolutions, frequently leaves me very unsettled. Should I make resolutions? I never seem to follow all the way through, so why should I? But everyone needs goals, because if you aim at nothing, you will certainly hit your target!

So, when this song came on, it just really grabbed my attention and did a good job of describing my life at the moment!

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

(Oh, and isn't THAT so true! How much I'd love to just let go and cast myself fully on the infinite grace of God... And yet, I'm always wanting to keep my puny illusion of control...)

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

*Sigh*

So, how many of you feel "caught in the middle" too?

"Bethlehem Dawn"

Todd Agnew has a Christmas album, Do You See What I See?, which is full of beautiful songs. This morning the iPod served up "Bethlehem Dawn" -- which got me to thinking...

What did the shepherds think of all this? There they were, out in the dark fields watching over their sheep, and then suddenly!, a burst of heavenly radiance knocked them off their feet... Angels appeared, a mighty chorus, shining with glory, triumphantly announcing the Advent of the King:

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

In a manger?! What?

Can you imagine what the shepherds thought? They had this glorious announcement of the birth of the King, shouted from the heavens by the Heavenly Host... and then, they went to the stable.

They went to a little stable which did not have the radiance of heaven infusing it, but which did have a tired young girl, exhausted and sweaty after delivering her first child. The stable had a father, worn out after anxiously helping his wife deliver a child who ought to have been born when they were at home, surrounded by family and older women who knew what to do! The stable had animals quietly sleeping, or curiously looking over at all the fuss in confusion and bemusement while they munched on some hay.

The stable had a little child, wrapped up tightly in swaddling cloths, fragile as all newborns are... The King of Kings, God Himself, in this tiny, frail, human body!

How confused the shepherds must have been with this very contrary set of events! The glory of Heaven pointing to the rude humility of the stable - what would you have thought?

The sunrise was beautiful this morning, but somehow it seemed that everything was darker then the sky we had seen just a few hours ago, as the angels sang a song of joy.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

The cry of a baby shatters the silence,
Can you believe that same voice makes my heart beat?
And the tears in his eyes, and in his mother’s and father’s, are tears for all mankind.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

This little baby is crying my tears for me,
This little baby is bathing in my shame,
This little baby is giving up his glory to take my place, to light the way.

Not even the Bethlehem dawn could compare to the light it revealed,
Not even the Bethlehem sun that unveiled the son of God sleeping in a cattle stall, the almighty God humbled to save us all,
Can you believe what he sacrificed for me?

Not even the Bethlehem dawn.

The Child born two thousand years ago grew up and obeyed His Father perfectly all His life. And then, at the appointed time, He took our punishment, He suffered our death - and gave Himself for us. God Incarnate gave the first, and best, Christmas gift - and then gave the ultimate Gift of Sacrifice and Forgiveness.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men!"

Will you take His offer?

We have nothing of worth to give Him, yet He asks us to give it. What does He ask of us? He wants us - our hearts, our minds, our pride, our pain, our sin, our failures... All of our being.

And in return, He gives yet more: His Spirit, His forgiveness, His blessings, His Home... His love.

I pray that the Babe of Bethlehem will be born anew in the hearts and souls of many this Christmas... Perhaps your heart is empty and longing for the Child; if so, let Him come in.

Let Christmas be proclaimed in your heart today!

Don't forget that the Carnival of Christmas' deadline is this Sunday, so get your posts ready, and submit them here. Also, go on by the Christmas Alliance home page and contribute your entries!

Wonderful One

This should almost be a "Thoughts from the iPod" post, but I'm going to make it a Christmas theme.

I was listening to Newsong's beautiful tune, "Wonderful One," and it made me think of how wonderful God really is:

some say you're a lunatic, some
say you're not the one
can't help but disagree with it,
i believe you're god's own son
i'm sure as a man can be, knowing
all you've saved me from
i know first hand the miracles
that you've done inside my heart
i'll gladly stand and testify just who you are 

chorus:
(you're the wonderful one)
every breath i take i want my
life to bring you praise
(you're the wonderful one)
i am so amazed by your never-ending grace
(you're the wonderful one)
and nothing in this world could
separate me from your love
(you're the wonderful one) 

well i've seen all the evidence,
nothing else i need to know
i'm convinced that a world like this
needs to know that there is hope 

i know first hand the miracles that
you've done inside my heart
i'll gladly stand and testify just who you are 

chorus 

bridge:
you help me in my helplessness,
you heal me in my brokenness
tell me how could i forget
the wonders of your love 

chorus

Liar, lunatic, or Lord - the classic choice described by C.S. Lewis.

But only the true and living God, only the God who loves us and created us, only the holy and righteous God, only the merciful and gracious God, would ever think to humble Himself and come live among us. Only this God would sacrifice Himself for us, ransoming us from the grip of sin. Only this God would raise Himself from the dead to prove who He is and that His promises are sure.

Only Jesus.

Born in a rude stable two thousand years ago, and still willing to be born into our sad and sinful hearts today - will this be the year that your heart becomes His throne?

Remember, the Carnival of Christmas deadline is less than two weeks away - so get those submissions in! As always, swing by the Random Yak's Christmas Alliance webpage for loads of Christmas cheer.

The River has come...

The River of Life, the Source of all existence, has come into this world...

The words of this bluegrass Gospel song are simple:

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the starry crown?
Good Lord show me the way

O sinners, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sinners, let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe and crown?
Good Lord show me the way

The River has come to us, born as a Baby in a stable with only His parents and the animals to witness how softly, how quietly, this Gift was given...

Will you not come down to Him? Will you not humble yourself and cast yourself on His kind mercy and powerful salvation?

Will you send in an entry to the Carnival of Christmas? Entry guidelines and updates/news are here... Make sure you also stop by the Christmas Alliance webpage, too! If you put up posts about Christmas, make sure you link and trackback so that others monitoring the Alliance can enjoy your contributions!

Rich Mullins: Ten years gone

I remember that Rich Mullins was one of the first Christian musicians I discovered when God called me back to get serious with Him. Rich's lyrics and simple, pure music appealed to me, and the thoughts and issues he sang about resonated deeply in my soul.

And now it's been ten years since that car accident in Illinois. It's been ten years since God called him Home. It's been ten years of missing his earnest and honest pursuit of his Lord and Savior and the way he shared that with us.

I am very much looking forward to meeting him in heaven one day, to say thank you for helping me love my God and Savior a little better.

"Sometimes By Step" is one of my favorites:

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

CHORUS:
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

CHORUS

And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days

We still miss you, Rich. See you on the other side of Glory!

Technorati Tags: Rich Mullins, christian music, Sometimes by Step, memorial

"Would You love me more? Would You love me less?"

How often I go back and forth between these questions! The Christian walk - mine, at least - is so often full of bumps and bobbles, twists and turns, soaring heights and dismal depths, that I occasionally don't know if I'm coming or going.

So, of course, we come to another "car meditation." Why is it that God so often visits me and speaks to me while I'm listening to KLOVE or WRVL in my car? This morning KLOVE played "What If?" a song by Jadon Lavik:

What if I climbed that mountain,
What if I swam to that shore,
What if every battle was victorious,
Then would You love me more?
Would You love me more?
What if I were everyone's first choice, what if I went farther than before,
What if I stood high above the rest,
Then would You love me more?
Would You love me more?

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
Why you do, why You do, I'm in awe of You, ooh

What if I ignored the hand that fed me,
What if I forgot to confess,
What if I stumbled down that mountain,
Then would You love me less?
Lord, would You love me less?
What if I were everyone's last choice, what if I mixed in with the rest,
What if I failed what I passed before,
Then would You love me less?
Lord would You would You love me less?

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
You do You do You do
What have I done to deserve Your Son sent to die for me?
What can I give? I want to live, give me eyes to see
In a world that keeps changing, there's one thing that I know is true:
Your love is staying; there's nothing else I'll hold on to

You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
Why You do
You say I belong to You apart from the things I do
You say I belong to You I'm in awe of why You do
I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You
The way You love me, the way You do

I think all Christians want to go out and BE something for God - to DO something to earn His approval. I doubt there's a single true Christian out there who wouldn't jump happily at the chance to hit the "Press for instant Sanctification" button!

We love our Lord and all that He has done for us so much that we're like puppies: all bumbling and clumsy in our eagerness to please. Yet, like puppies, we have a very short attention span and are easily distracted. We take our eyes off of Jesus, and fall into sinful behavior. We realize our guilt and then hide in the corner, not wanting to confess and disappoint our beloved Master.

But I think that what we forget is that God knows all our faults already! We won't be confessing anything that will surprise Him. After all, God is omniscient - He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows His children from before they were even born. When Christ hung on the Cross, all of OUR sins were still future. Yet God still placed them upon His Son and Jesus bore the full brunt of God's wrath for those sins. The debt I owe has been paid - it has been paid for 2,000 years!

When God called me to Him, to come to Him for His forgiveness and grace, all the eternal punishment for my sins had been paid for. Not only that, but God then placed all the righteousness of the life Jesus lived upon me. I - and all believers - are clothed with Christ's perfection, and may stand upright before the holy God. This presents an odd and uncomfortable dichotomy: although we have been declared righteous, and although we have received the righteousness of Christ credited to our account, we still sin and stumble and forget and stray.

I think that's where this song comes from. I think that's where our feelings of uncertainty come from. Our head, our new spirit, KNOWS our position before God - but our bodies and hearts are still living here on earth. We want so much to obey and to live lives which glorify God, and yet we constantly fail. And so we get caught up in "proving" our faith and love to a God who already knows our heart! Knowing us so well, God has made provision already for our failures: payment for our sin and complete restoration to His family.

So, God can't love me less when I sin and fail: He already proved His infinite love for me when His Son loved me so much that He died for my sins. And how could God love me more, when, as I said, His Son sacrificed Himself on my behalf, even knowing all my sins?

God has proven His love to be perfect, and the vacillations of my feelings are of no account. When I feel like I'm failing God and He loves me less, I need to turn to Him in confession and trust, for His love will never leave me nor forsake me. When I get into super-Christian mode and try to earn my way into His favor, again, I must come before Him in confession and faith, knowing that it is not by my righteousness but that of my Savior that I have been granted access to Heaven.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:1-9, bold emph. mine)

It is God who has done this wonderful work and given me the freedom to live and worship Him in my imperfections. Any work that God does is perfect and complete - and so I know that I can

[be] confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in [me] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

Every time I stumble, therefore, every time I fail, I need to come back to His Word and remind myself of His objective truth. I am what He says I am - and He says that I am HIS. I am His servant and His child. He knew me before I was formed in the womb, and He chose me from eternity past. It is by His perfect and holy will that He called me, and not because of anything I had done or earned. For some reason known only to Him, He chose me in my unworthiness, and I will forever be grateful!

As I have said before, it is a tightrope at times, but I know the hands of God are holding and guiding me, and I know He will work out His will for my life. But since I am still this side of Glory, I am still walking by faith, and not by sight. And that's OK, because "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

Technorati Tags: faith, Christian walk, Bible

Last.fm has hooked me...

I really like the way it will see what I already have on my iTunes and add it to my preferences (saves a lot of work!). I've been a wee bit confused with "scrobbling" and playlists, but I did figure them out once I applied my brain to it (gee, surprise!).

I'm not usually one for "social networking" sites - facebook and del.icio.us (or however it's punctuated) are baffling to me - but this one just might work for me! There are also widgets I can use here on CatHouse Chat - or there will once Last.fm gets enough info to generate lists and recommendations.

So go check out Last.fm and see if you can join the musical parade! If you'd like to friend me there, I'm using my romeokat -at- gmail -dot- com e-mail addy, or you can go to my user page.

Technorati Tags: Last.fm, social networking, music, online music

Sad that it's Monday? Here's something fun...

I went over to Neatorama because of a link from the Evangelical Outpost's weekly 33 Things list, and the post for this little video was just begging me to click on it!

Technorati Tags: Neatorama, mean kitty song

Are you AWAKE yet?!

No? Well, grab your coffee and then click this video. You'll be rockin' in NO time!

Thanks, Wild Thing!

Technorati Tags: tanks, explosives, pump it up