November 24, 2009
Oh, pretenders…
“Oh but I’m so afraid” and “I’m set in my ways”
But he’ll make the rabbits and rocks sing his praise.
“But I’m too tired, I won’t last long.”
No, he’ll use the weak to overcome the strong!
Though we hunger, though all that we eat brings us little relief,
We don’t know quite what else to do;
We have all our beliefs, but we don’t want our beliefs…
God of Peace, we want You.
November 19, 2009
Monday.
“Nothing that you have done is so awful that Jesus’ blood doesn’t cover it.
The same God who created this world, and you, loves you the same as He did at the beginning of time, the same as He loves you yesterday, the same as He loves you today, the same as He is going to love you for all eternity.
There is no condemnation for you. His love, his blood, covers your sins, your mistakes, your dirt.
His sacrifice IS enough for you today, just as much as it was enough for you at salvation.
Stop being religious, and trying to act right and moral. Jesus doesn’t want your right actions. He wants your heart. And you need to stop being so prideful, so that your relationship with Christ won’t suffer anymore.
Trust him. Trust him. Trust him. Because I feel like you don’t. And you should. He has never failed you. And He WILL NEVER FAIL YOU.
Just trust him.”
It was so hard to hear that on Monday.
But so worth it.
November 16, 2009
I didn’t even have to tell her…
…that I was struggling.
Somehow… she knew.
And while the congregation was crying out to our Father to be our everything,
she wrapped her arms tightly around me.
And prayed to our Savior on my behalf
For patience, strength, guidance, wisdom, and perserverance.
It was the sweetest prayer I think I’ve ever heard.
I could feel the tears welling up,
and all I could do was hug her tighter.
Jesus, thank you for my sister. I really love her.
November 13, 2009
Truth
“My heart desires itself not truth,
hate not love, me not you.
god, have my voice and rebuke me not in my sin
but, i pray you’d kill me if you receive glory again.
you are beautiful and glorious and good
i’m a brute beast who praises your name less than i should.”
I’ll take a brother pouring his heart out to the Lord through music over a concert anyday.
November 12, 2009
Mirror, mirror, on the wall…
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell…” Mark 9:47
This used to be a mirror in my bedroom. And a large one at that. And every time I would look into that mirror, I would see disappointment, disgust, shame, guilt, and sometimes… hate.
Now when I look at that mirror, I see family, love, hope, encouragement, and most importantly… Jesus.
On this mirror are my brothers, sisters, and parents that encourage me, inspire me, love me, push me, and are fighting for me. There are notes and letters written up there that are so beautiful I tear up when I read them. Instead of looking at the mirror and immediately having Satan attack my thoughts, I look at that mirror and am reminded of how blessed I am to have people in my life who will fight for me and with me. And I can’t even tell you what a relief it is to look at that mirror and not see anything but a visual of encouragement that is given to me on a daily basis.
What once was dirty, is now… beautiful.
November 5, 2009
St. Augustine.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Breathe in me.
Act in me.
Draw my heart.
Strengthen me.
Guard me.
