"Galaxy Former"

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. - Romans 1:20

Stop and gaze at the beautiful star filled sky. Let God take your breath away by observing the work of his hands. Observe how he gracefully paints the hues as the sun sets and rises. God makes "ALL THINGS RIGHT." Just as Sarah Macintosh sings it in the following video. Listen to this song "Galaxy Former" from her latest album titled, "Current." And as always, please read the lyrics below along with it.




Beautifully known
Mystery made
Small and delicate
A galaxy former You’re
Brilliantly seen
Silently heard
Gentle and meek but the greatest protector its
You
Jesus my Savior its
You

Powerfully won
Gracefully held
Perfect provision
Of love given out by You
Peacefully kept
Wonderfully made
Sacrificed for me so I could fathered by
You
Jesus my Savior by
You

You make all things right
You make all things right
I am kept in the palm of Your hand
You make all things right

Impossibly close
Tenderly held
I am surrounded yes I am surrounded by
You

You Must Ask Yourself These Questions

For tonight's post, I paste a quote that I always enjoy when it randomly pops in my mind and it helps me appreciate well needed discipline in my life as to who the people are that I am allowing to shape and influence my life. Our friends and acquaintances play important roles in the person we daily develop into. The following words put so much of this into perspective.

Hope you enjoy it as well.

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions:

Who am I hanging around?
What are they doing to me?
What have they got me reading?
What have they got me saying?
Where do they have me going?
What do they have me thinking?
And most important,
what do they have me becoming?

Then ask yourself the big question:

Is that okay???

Your life does not get better by chance,
it gets better by change."

-Jim Rohn
1930-2009

G is for Great and for GUNGOR!

Being that I will God willing see GUNGOR this weekend (I capitalize the band's name out of excitement and because they are awesome or course,) I want to share one of their many good songs with all who have wisely tuned in to this blog today. On their latest album, GUNGOR has decided just to make whatever types of songs they wanted to make, instead of being directed by the style that made their previous album a big hit. Instead of simply aiming to make more hits, they have decided to just be led by the words and inspirations that came while working on the album.
The result is a combination of whimsical and mystical melodies painting pictures of God's creation and the story of his love. It's beautiful when God gives talent and it is used to tell about him in such a creative and well thought out manner. Listen to one or two songs for now and meditate on the glorious moments they sing about. Read lyrics along with song.

This one is called: Let there be.

Darkness hovering

Grasping everything it sees

void empty

Absent life and absent dream

Let there be

Angels toil and crack open scrolls of ancient dreams

Countless worlds of his

Brilliant stars and breath and stream

Let there be (light)

Where there is darkness

Let there be light

Where there is nothing

Let there be light

This one is my favorite on this album called: Every Breath

Every breath

Every moment life beats in my chest

Springs up from your hand

Creation resounds

With every color and every sound

Your love is calling

I will love you with all of my heart

I will love you with all of my mind

I’ll love you with all of my strength

Love you with everything

Every breath every moment life beats in my chest

Let my life praise you

I will love you with all of my heart

I will love you with all of my mind

I’ll love you with all of my strength

Love you with everything

(repeat)

Here I am Lord

All I am Lord

Here I am Lord

I am yours

Before I'm 30...

Being that I'll be 30 this year... (craziness)
one of my "things to-do before i'm 30" is to read the entire bible. Admittedly, I started off slow at the beginning of my 29 year old life, so I'm hoping to be finished by December 2012 now, which is only a month after my birthday. Anyway, I can never forget hearing people throughout my life speaking on the Bible being the manual to our lives and especially when we decide to follow Christ and live a life holy to God. How can we do so without knowing who God is and has been since the beginning of our time? I realized that I personally claimed so much and did so little to really investigate and search out what I was talking about. I remember someone else speaking about how important it also is, not just to read God's word, but to read all of it. Every single letter and story in there has been documented with intention and meaning. It's important to know everything God has brought together in this book. And so... I find myself now, trying to read 3-6 chapters a day to attempt to read it all this year. As mentioned earlier, in the beginning it was a bit difficult to be focused and determined to do several chapters a day. But with a little push, motivation, and inspiration I am off to a great adventure and have already learned so much from God's word.

After reading this, you might not feel called to do the same challenge (or maybe you will :) ) either way I encourage you to have an active bible reading and study. I encourage you to be curious about what is in this book. There are stories that will make you wonder, question, and learn, learn, learn. You might become frustrated, joyous, or sad. Like me, you might feel as though you're looking in a mirror and discover new things about yourself. More importantly, you might discover or get to know more deeply a loving God who desires be known more by you. Who knows what God will show you and teach you? I trust it will be good things, if you seek God out with a sincere hear through his Word. So right now, I'm pushing you and hoping you will open up that Bible sitting somewhere and read it.

Leigh Nash "Out of My Bondage"

Do you ever feel exhausted from sorrow, pride, anger, failure, sickness etc...? This enchanting version of a hymn titled "Out of My Bondage" or "Jesus I come to Thee" speaks about how amidst chaos and weakness we can come to Jesus and trade it all in for his incomparable goodness and riches. I especially love this version by Leigh Nash because of the weakness and eeriness in her voice on the chorus that helps illustrate how even though we come to Jesus as imperfect and weary people, He accepts us and shares his wealth with us. Listen to this song while reading the lyrics below and be encouraged because you have everything you need in Jesus who lovingly welcomes and comforts you.

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come to thee
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Oh Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come to thee
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings of a dove,
Oh Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come to thee
Into the joy and light of Thine own,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Oh Jesus, I come to Thee.

(thoughts after church)

God is more than singing words on a screen in a church one day a week.

I feel a flower's silky petals and begin to explore every detail and discover the work of a designer who carefully thought out and came up with perfect and specific features for it. I see whimsical lines and color gradients on leaves and think about a God who thoughtfully made them this way. It was important for him to make color, seasons, and textures. I see a God full of character and creativity. Then I read his word and learn about his constant attention towards the earth he created and more notably towards mankind. I see the manner in which he establishes the ability for man to be in a communication and relationship with him and I am amazed. The way he wonderfully and gracefully stretches out his loving arm and protection overwhelms my understanding. I am intrigued by his enduring patience and in awe of his perfect justice and correction. His love, mercy, wrath, holiness... captures my admiration, attention, and adoration.

God...
is so much more than what my small narrow mind makes him out to be most of the time. It's when I stop to investigate, reflect and consider who he really is through his Word and through his creation that I realize, who He really, really is. It is then that I realize what a privilege it is to be designed, planned out, and deeply loved by him.

And I become speechless.

Put Your Love Glasses On

For a while now, I've been gradually becoming a big fan of Beckah Shae's music. She's a musical artist extremely passionate for God and getting music out there that encourages our generation as opposed to a lot of other music out there that directs people's attention to discouraging and deceitful thoughts and actions. This song is one example of Beckah's great songs that challenges people to love others. Watch and read the lyrics below as you hear the song. Let it encourage you to be inspired to obey one of God's ultimate command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

"What a Privilege to Carry Everything to God in Prayer."

What do you worry about? Money, career, a relationship, where your life is headed? Maybe it's a small or big worry. Maybe you are aware of your worry or maybe you don't realize you are worrying, right now.

"Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bare.
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

These simple truths hit me hard every time I read and sing these words on a church bench (hymn: What a Friend We have In Jesus). I spend so much time looking for all the answers and spinning on a wheel trying to solve all my problems and situations and I forget that I have a mighty God wanting to help. I forget that throughout his Word he has told me many times that I have no need to worry or fear. He also said to bring everything to him and trust that he can take care of me. I am carrying the solution to it all the whole time. It's prayer. The opportunity is offered so freely and easily to me, yet I tend to complicate it all and sink into everything that God never wanted for me.

I once watched an interview with an actress who was commenting on Obama's plea for the nation to pray for a difficult situation we were encountering. She stated that it was plain foolishness for him to turn towards prayer. It made more sense for her and even to us to hear a strategic or well thought out plan. Most of the time, we don't think prayer is a substantial solution. But it is!!! I can only begin to imagine the amazing things God can do in this actress and many others lives when they come before him in a sincere prayer.

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself and also read God's Word and find the ways God has always listened and communicated with people. He listens and he works 24/7 simply because he loves us and wants us to seek, know, and glorify him. The best part is prayer is simple, free, you don't need 4G, and you don't need to be a fancy talker. It sounds like nonsense but God who is the greatest being listens to simple words in the simplest of manners. Christ said that we can simply go into our rooms and have a conversation with God. So I encourage you today to use this ability God has given everyone and seek him in prayer about whatever has been causing you to worry or simply to connect with Him.
He is listening.