In other ... WORDS

Was thinking today a lot about WORDS. Yup ... simple ... taken much for granted ... often over used ... WORDS. The amount of reading, researching, writing, office chit-chat, phone-answering inquiries has me at the top end on the 'words-in-a-day' metre. Though as my day carried on today, and God started to poke me with his rod of "don't miss this' stick ... I started to think about these and - "other WORDS".

WORDS: no matter what language we speak - we can't escape them. Understandably ... most of the words we use daily are required and have little consequence to anything life-changing - except perhaps in getting your coffee order correct - life changing with little sleep and first thing in the morning on a busy day! Frankly, I'm intimidated by the Starbucks 'half-cafe, full-shot, no-fat' ramble when my brain has barely been functioning well enough to catch the right bus and make it successfully into my office ... I'm more the Timmies "Double cream, double sweetener" kind of girl! But I ramble (lol) ... where was I? Right ... WORDS!

WORDS. According to Daily Mail in the UK, if you are a woman you daily use 3 times more words than a man. Huh ... who knew? (He did!) Regardless of how many we use, do we grasp that words are not only a communication tool, but when sharpened and preceded by the Holy Spirit ... WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE ... yes, I'll dare to say it, and you may think I'm overstating it ... but hold on ... the power to change - the world.

Ask President Obama or Mitt Romney last night how much their WORDS mean this morning ... was everything they said TRUE? It certainly was recorded, replayed, analyzed and regurgitated today. Every word they said was monitored and responded to electronically by the masses - "liked that", "didn't like that". Words determined the winner of this all important debate... and potentially, the leadership for the 'free' world.

WORDS are powerful ... they can build up, tear down, inspire, or demolish dreams.  They can say "I love you" or "it's not you, it's me"; to read "Good Night Moon" or bellow "because I said so, that's why!" Sometimes the most life-changing words are only two and three letters long. "Yes" and "No".  You've heard them many times ... and those two words have certainly changed your life, of that I'm sure! Pretty powerful stuff - WORDS.

WORDS simply a way to communicate - wake the kids up before school, say goodbye to your hubby before leaving for work, send emails at work and keep things moving, wish your colleagues a goodnight before you leave, check on your kids when you get home "pizza okay for dinner?" ... (usually I hear only a one word reply) "yup". Limited use, but gets the job done - yes? And teens do seem to understand the finer points of 'less is more' when it comes to words.

As mundane as our WORDS can be in our regular routine ... there are moments when our words are stronger than any strong man, sharper than any razor-cutting edge, and more penetrating than the heat of a the sun on a -40 Celsius cold day. Sometimes we walk into and out of these kinds of moments without even realizing we've done so. And the trail we've left behind may have encouraged and motivated someone ... and, though sometimes unaware to us, left devastation for another. 

WORDS ... sometimes have no voice, not a voice others can hear, anyway. We do this so often that it goes undetected really and repetition of the same words - hit play, rewind, repeat - over and over. Often without grace or compassion - in fact for the majority of us NEVER with Grace and Compassion. They're the words we speak to ourselves -   "Failure", "Loser", "Imperfect", "Insufficient". And we, the receiver, always so accommodating and accepting of the message. These kinds of words - so devastating to our spiritual and soul well-being, so crushing to our spirits. Doesn't have to be that way though ... when realigned with God's Word, when we let HIM tell us who we are ... and begin to say those WORDS instead - utterly different result. 

Powerful stuff  ... WORDS. Theirs has the potential to "call on the better angels of our nature", and the equal ability to crush, devalue, kill, steal and destroy.

A less often heard WORD, but oh so needed and longed for by many --- is the Proverbs 25:11 WORD.

     "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." 

Apples of gold ... in settings of silver ... beautiful. Treasured. Valued. Timeless. Eternal. Changes everything.  You know what I'm talking about here ... that moment when you are desperate to know the hand of God, of affirmation, of direction, of wisdom, of assurance, spoken by someone who understood that WORDS could be so much more than their opinion - or flippant advice. When partnered together with the Holy Spirit ... these words are LIFE CHANGING. We so need more people who are willing to give them.

Finally, today I came across one other kind of WORD ... also LIFE CHANGING. In court it's used to 'give witness' to something known or seen. In Christian circles it's boldly declares the tangible presence of Faith in a believer's life - called a 'testimony'. Don't hear it as much in church anymore ... at least not done the way we used to. It used to be spoken by someone so passionate about God's hand in their life that they couldn't contain and and sit in their seat any longer. 

I think the most powerful WORD of TESTIMONY I know, is the declaration of faith in Jesus Christ ... under the very threat of death and loss of life itself. Difficult for us in the West to imagine ... what risk is there to speak these kinds of WORDS here? Perhaps being shunned by friends and family as some kind of religious-fanatic? Pretty benign in comparison ... pretty humbling to witness in the context of the following video.

Watching it I was reminded of just how powerful these kinds of WORDS can be. So powerful, in fact, I am confident God's voice could have been heard in unison as they were spoken. Can you hear the immovable passion these WORDS are spoken with, the confident knowing of the WHO - the WHAT - and WHY of the reason they speak them? Hearing them changes something in me. Though the man who spoke these words would never see what his WORDS produced ... they had such an eternal and lasting impact that I am sure the Father will be eager to show him just how much when he stands before that Great Throne. 

His TESTIMONY crushed the power of hatred that killed his children, his wife, and finally himself. It obliterated his enemy's scorn and ridicule. They had the ultimate POWER to turn DEATH into LIFE.

I wondered today ... do we remember the power these kinds of TESTIMONY words have? Have we forgotten what scripture has promised will occur when we courageously give a word of TESTIMONY? It's a bold and affirmative promise in Rev. 12:11


"And they overcame him (the enemy)
by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus)
and by the WORD of their TESTIMONY;
and they did not love their lives
so much as to shrink from death."

Listen to the impact of one man's WORDS  ...

Ultimately, this man's WORDS began with a DECISION ... a decision to love his God above all else, and to declare true WORDS - even in the face of ultimate fear, and loss. I wonder ... what changes might happen in the deep places of our hearts, in our our marriages, our relationships, our communities, our countries, our world and yes, even in eternity ... if we were to DECIDE to use our WORDS in a way that echos GOD'S WORDS and their powerful consequences. Their far, far reaching and powerful consequences. What impact for eternity might our WORDS have?

Powerful stuff ... THOSE words.

The "footprint" of HopeSideRoad Blog

From Doorpost to Footstool

From Doorpost to Footstool

PSALM 84:10
One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,
beats thousands spent on Greek island (or Spanish) beaches.
I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God
than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.

Each moment I have spent within the gates of his home, within the sound of his melody of Grace ... my heart has been affected, moved and transformed. I have at times stood just outside the doorway, shy and feeling unworthy (and by Law's standard, I was unworthy), I only needed to be close enough to hear his melody.

Closing my eyes I start to sing along softly ... and as I do my voice is joined by a harmony from a heavenly source ... rich and layered in tone, it's the beauty of his voice singing along with the heart of mine. Then as I open my eyes I find that he has moved me from outside the doorpost of this place, to the footstool of Love and Mercy. Is it any wonder ... I would rather be here than anywhere? Each moment in his presence brings 10,000 reasons to bless His name!

Psalm 5 ...
In my reading today I came across a letter written in the fourth century(Athanasius, then Archbishop of Alexandria, to a fellow believer, Marcelliunus) In his letter he details with great inspiration how the Psalms in particular provide such specific comfort for so many of our earthly "cries" ... such a gift from God in the middle of trial, struggle or persecution ...

Reading over them, I came across his notes on Psalm 5 ... and as I read it, a now distant but sweet tune began to play in my head and heart ...it's a song that I THINK many of you might remember .... I wonder?Do you remember this one? You gotta tell me if you do!!!

Bill Sprouse's "Psalm 5" ...The story goes ... maybe you recall this ...

"Big Bill was asleep and woke with a melody to King David's words in Psalm 5. A week or two later Bill went to heaven after a massive heart attack. He never got to hear this final recording. But we're thankful that Big Bill, David and God that we have been gave us this beautiful melody from a dream."

I love modern worship ... I love contemporary Christian music ... but sometimes ... I miss the pure inspiration and simplicity of some of the tunes that graced our ears and hearts "back then" ... don't you? (Oyee ... I really don't feel old enough to say "Back Then") ... lol

Have a listen ... and I hope ... you'll be blessed ...

Who knows, maybe one of you needed to hear this, so that you would wake up tomorrow morning with this song in your heart ... and know -- He hears and is near.

PSALM 5

D G/D D
Give ear to my words, O Lord
G A
Consider my meditation
Em Bm7 Em Bm7 Em
Harken unto the voice of my cry
G D/F# Em7 D G
My king and my God


Em Bm7 Em Bm7 Em D/F#
For unto Thee will I pray
G D/F# Em D A
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning
D G/D D
O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer
G Em7 A7 G/D D
Unto thee, and will look up.
Anita

He’s Always Been Faithful

YouTube Link of Sara Groves Song

I woke up early this morning … REALLY EARLY … 5 am. Changes are coming … big ones … you know the type I mean. I tried to sleep … thoughts kept running through my head. I wasn't expecting these changes and if I'd had it my way I would have somehow avoided them. Changes that will make life – for a time … uncomfortable. Changes that will require extra energy, extra time, extra work, extra appointments … And I'm exhausted just thinking of them.

I've been strong this week in the face of these coming changes. I've done all I knew to do, was responsible to take action where it was needed, but I was weary … Weary? So why was I awake at 5 am??!!

Somewhere in the activity of this past week, in the business of all that needed attending to, the decisions that needed to be made … in the output of so much energy …I DID hear him encouraging me, I waited on him, prayed to him, asked for guidance, was inspired, was lead and directed. And yet here I was awake at 5 am … on a Saturday no less!!

And so I rolled out of bed – reassured my worried husband that I was (mostly) fine - and made my way to the cold dark kitchen, and to my laptop to find a distraction from the thoughts that were hounding my head and my heart.

I'll be honest … I wasn't necessarily searching for a 'divine intervention'. And yet … that is what exactly what God came to bring me. To really appreciate what God did here … you first have to know something about me.

One of the dearest hymns to my heart has been 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'. Over the years I've sung this song in a small church in northern Saskatchewan when I was still young and naive to what life would still hold for me. Over the years, it's deepened in its poignancy, as I have been witness to the faithfulness of God's character … in so many people's lives, but especially in mine. This song has become my anthem, a life song … and it goes to very deep places in me. It can turn my worried and anxious heart to one of peace and calm in a moment. I've sung this song in quiet moments when I felt sure and safe; it was one Mike and I chose to have sung it at our wedding; and I hope someone remembers to have it sung at my funeral. It is probably the truest testimony of God that I know.

So in the middle of my morning, my searching for a distraction - a distraction from the leftovers of a wearying week … I came across an artist, Sara Groves. I've heard her name, but wasn't familiar with anything she'd sung. So there was no reason why I was searching her songs in particular. I randomly surfed and aimlessly searched … I had no idea that God had, the whole time been guiding my clicking to this very song … 'He's Always Been Faithful to Me' … nor did I realize the connection it had to my favourite hymn 'Great is thy faithfulness'. Not until I was able to hear a full version of the song.

As I listened, with tears streaming down my face … dripping off my nose (LOL) … I realized that God sent me a personal letter for my early morning restlessness. It had my name on it and was marked 'Personal and Confidential'. How did I know it was JUST for me? He used the first line of Sara's song 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' --- It caught my attention, that is sung in a simple way to say 'I know you! I know what you need! Right now … in this moment, and I'm here to provide just what you need'. Beyond the first line, woven in and out of that old familiar song, were these new words that reminded me once again of the absoluteness of his faithfulness. And my heart sang with it ... from a deep place inside me … from a place that knew how God could quiet concerns of the immediate; plans to be made; the to-do lists; and the 'what ifs' and 'what if nots'.

'All I have need of .. His hand will provide. He's always been faithful ….
He's always been faithful …
He's always been faithful … to me'. 

You know in the bible David at times seems like he has two personalities. One that is human and weak and failable. And one that commands his soul, reminding it, chastising it, getting its attention 'In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?' and to praise him in the middle of hardship with 'Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him Ps 42:5'.

And so it was with me as I listened and cried. The tears were not just because he had interrupted my search for a distraction … but because I felt the personal and loving hand of God, my father. Concerned with every detail I am concerned for. His personal knowledge of what that song meant to me, he used to send me a clear message: that he was watching over, not only my circumstances, but my poor weary heart. He was waiting for me at my kitchen table at 5 am … with just what I needed to face the rest of my day, and my week, and the days ahead.

Interestingly, the sun is up now … and I can see across the field behind our house, what I couldn't see at 5 am. And I hear God whispering to me … 'I will make all things clear, in my time, and I continue to be faithful to all of your needs.'

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO ME
Sara Groves, Conversations CD
YouTube Link of Sara Groves Song

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways

All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me
I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand

All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories Ive heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end

All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me
..

Originally written February 2, 2008

Stand

If there was ever a song with my name on it ... this is it. Funny how much more I would come to understand these lyrics in a way that I never thought I could. Walking in cold places of doubt, fear, unknown change, struggle, pain ... can cause you to question the one thing you thought you knew that you knew ... his presence in your life. I can attest to the fact that he was faithful not to leave me there in that cold windy place ... he spoke a simple word to my heart "Stand" ... Stand???? Why stand, Lord ...don't you see how I'm trying to keep warm, I'm trying to get to where I'm going (where ever that is???), I'm trying with everything I HAVE to just make it through each day ... and again it would come back upon my heart "Stand" ... and so in a moment of seeming insanity ... I obeyed his voice ... and simply .... stood ... still ... Amidst my circumstances - without anything changing --- I stood ... and in a moment ... he was there ... right beside me ...

Looking down the hill I just walked up, struggling ... I could see the imprint of his steps right next to mine. And clearly I knew I wasn't climbing alone. It wasn't with everything I HAD that I made it that far ... it was because he was there with me the whole way. I didn't see him when I was struggling ... why? Because of a sense that I was not deserving of such a gift of his grace ... that the God of heaven and earth would chose to walk beside me - knowing me as well as he did (and I believe he knows it ALL) ... BUT HE DID ... day in and day out ... step by every single heartbroken step ...

What do you do in a moment like this? You need to do something to remember this place, so that every time you think you are walking alone you can remember the spot where he simply said to your heart "Stand" ... the place you knew, I mean really knew, you'd never be forsaken or forgotten by him. Realizing how blinded you were by the storm and the cold. Stand ... because he is GRACE ... realize that you don't need to spend time and energy earning his presence ... he's there because he lives within you. What do you to remember such a place? Simply put ... do as those who loved him and knew him did long ago ... build an alter ... a place to sacrifice something of worth to a God that deserves more than we could ever give him ... and what do you place on that alter? The only thing he really wants ... the song from the deepest part of your soul ... why a song - because it's the rhythm of your heart, your soul, your being --- and let it sing the song that sings his praise for who he is. And you'll find you'll sing this song in every storm, on every hillside, in every trial ... and you'll remember ... he was with you!

"STAND" by Susan Ashton

With visible breath, I'm calling your name
With visible tracks, I'm finding my way
With a sorrowful heart, I honor this pain
And offer these tears to the rain
In a moment of truth at the top of the hill
I open my arms and let go of my will

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

There's a new pair of eyes to embrace all I see
A new peace of mind and it comes quietly
There's a joy in my heart that you've given to me
And I offer this soul's melody

So I beat on my chest till my song has been sung
And I cry like a wolf at the top of my lungs

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

When the thundering voices of doubt try to shake my faith, oh
I'll be listening from inside out and I won't be afraid to

Stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand...I won't stand alone
 

Praise you in the Storm / Stained Glass Masquerade / Love Them Like Jesus

This afternoon I stopped by Salem Storehouse, our Christian bookstore here in Ottawa. A friend had given me a CD for my birthday that I already had, and graciously allowed me to return it for another. In searching for a replacement I came across a live CD of a group that I love called Casting Crowns (http://www.castingcrowns.tv/) - something about their overall presentation has drawn me to them since the first sampling. I love their sound - strong, tight, solid, driving ... but more than that ... I love the sense of 'real life' they have - mixed with the true heart of Jesus. They challenge us to BE the heart of Jesus to others ...

What does that mean? It means a heart that isn't afraid to walk into the middle of someone's pain and suffering. Its imperfections, its failures ... its grays ... its disappointments ... its lack of answers and fairness... I've been a Christian now for ... hmmmm ... (2006 - 1977 = 29) 29 years (I don't say that to boast by any means - because in God's terms - years doesn't always mean maturity!).

I've heard so many sermons, I hate to think of all that I'm responsible for hearing, and have probably only applied to my life less than 1/4 of them... if that! I've been in ministry and so know both sides of the "Christian" picture ... the good and the bad ... the disappointing harshness of human nature vs. the wonderful grace of God. I've been just as guilty about sheepishly withdrawing from those painful situations in other's lives that I didn't understand, or have answers to. I've questioned the issue of grace vs. law as much as anyone. But honestly - the older I got, the more pain I saw in the lives of people around me - some self inflicted, some not. But what I always got from the picture that scripture paints of Jesus was that he always rushed in, where others feared to tread.

As time passed more friends I knew were faced with difficult situations, and I was - with every situation - given the test of which side to fall on ... law or Grace. I didn't always know which scripture it was that could back me - but I had the character and nature of who God was --- and that gave me enough reason to err on the side of Grace. And I'm glad today I did ... because Grace allowed me to be witness to their transformation from hurt to healing. But even in that - it was easier to be on the side of giving compassion --- than on the side of one needing compassion. Little did I know that in time, my understanding of that Grace would be put to the test.... and I would be the one needing compassion?

In 2003 my world was turned upside-down when my 22 year marriage faced the truth - it had died long before the 22nd year. Though not without good efforts to bring it back to life ... facing the truth of that was devastating - and one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. The steps I've had to walk since then have been both the most real blessing I've known and a painful eye opening experience.

I've learned that there were and still are people in my life that will stand by me at any cost - even if it wasn't easy for them to do so, and if they themselves were criticized for doing so ... they were with me in the darkest days, and were to me - the heart of Jesus - until my heart could feel him again. I also learned what it was like to be the focus of the critical eye of those who had a difficult time 'coping' with my tragedy - overlooking my massive internal emotional bleeding, as they struggled to 'deal' with my 'situation', finally choosing the 'exit' door as the best way to 'deal'.

By the way ... this brings me to a beef I have ... where are the books on recovery from divorce in the Christian world? There's a ton of them in the regular book stores! Oh, I know there are a few ... but very few. With all the stats we hear today on divorce, let alone Christian divorce ... there must be so many hurting people - living with guilt, condemnation and false judgment ... that need to know God's grace in the middle of this loss ... and still we wonder why our churches merely recycle members from one church to another - or why attendance is lower than it should be? .... hmmmm

The ending of a marriage is a death - to both people involved ... we morn every other death, come from miles to be near them, gather around them as they cry, bring food to those left behind, stand beside those who are barely able to stand at that time. But with divorce ... it's a taboo thing - associated with a public sin.... and so we step away - just as the Pharisees did with the woman caught in adultery ... it's simply too uncomfortable. And maybe the reason for the lack of comfort is a God given conviction that for many of us "There but by the grace of God goes I!"

I'm grateful for those in my life that didn't abandon me --- but kept the heart of Jesus beating in their chests as they prayerfully walked with me, even if all I could feel at the time was the reverberation of his heart in them ... it kept him close to me.

My innocent understanding that every Christian had 'minimally' at their core, the grace and absolute unconditional love of Jesus - was ultimately, and necessarily shattered - from those who didn't know better to those who should have. I've been surprised at times where it came from. Though with time - the shock has gotten to be less. It's a simple reality for me now, as even the presence of some family members has evaporated, lost in their need to 'cope' with my loss and failure of my marriage.

Do you know that even with all I've lost - if you were to ask me today if I'd go back to what I lived in before - a marriage of facade, with its unhealthy reality - I would make the same decision today? I'm thankful that God gave me enough courage to do what needed to be done - and face what needed to be exposed. I am left with a sense of loss - loss of family, loss of friends, and loss of trust in people (though is that a bad thing? The jury's out. After all scripture warns about trusting in the arm of flesh - or man - rather "We will trust in the name of the Lord our God!") --- The loss of innocence. Still, as I sat the other night over supper with the faithful friend who gave me that CD for my birthday - for the first time, I said out loud - "I like who I am today ... I like that I am more the authentic me than I've ever been." The cost was large ... but the end result ... a gift - redeemed by a God that promised nothing less for lives in ruin - redemption.

But back to today, as I was driving in my car with tears rolling down my cheeks, and listening to these songs, I knew His voice - and that unmistakable sense that he wants me to 'get SOMETHING here' .... He wanted me to hear ---- that no matter who stands and falls next to me - he won't be one of the ones that exit, evaporates, shrinks away or judges - he will walk in - when others walk out --- in the middle of the chaos and confusion, in the middle of the darkness and lack of answers, in the pain, the shame, the sadness, and the recovery ... I am coming to learn in such a deeper way - something I heard and even said so many times, but KNOW better now ... he alone is truly faithful, able to give perfect unfailing love, ever embracing, ever unfailing, ever merciful, ever abounding in grace ... and because of this ... my heart is healed and healing ... Thank you, Casting Crowns - for hearing the voice of God, and translating it into music - so that more of us can hear the 'Voice of Truth'. The Voice of the One that longs to pick up every one of his children who have been left behind by confused 'christians' who will in all likelihood at some point need the same Grace and compassion they fell short of giving. "God, we humbly ask that you reverberate in our hearts your Grace and compassion at all times - to those deserving, and especially to those who aren't - so that all would come to know true GRACE."

"I guess what God is showing me is that sometimes he calms the storms in our lives, and sometimes he rides the waves with us, but either way - blessed be the name of the Lord ..." Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns.


Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped my tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

More from the same CD ... with the same heart ... and oh how true - as one who has been on both sides now of the pulpit and the pew ... so so true!

"My grace is sufficient for you - my power is made perfect in your weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness because I know that the power of Christ rests in me. That's why for Christ's sake I will delight in my weakness and in my hardship and in my difficulties because when I am weak, then I am strong."~ Paul

"What I think we need to hear from each other is that 'we are broken people made whole'. I don't think it bothers the world that we sin, I think it bothers them that we act like we don't. The best way to walk with Jesus is to show what kind of losers he can change and the people he can use."





"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

And this is just such a simple answer to "What do we do?" for those who we don't know how to BE with in the midst of their pain --- And yet, it's such a simple calling ... to all of us ... 'Love them like Jesus" ... I know, this is all I longed for from those people in my life that "struggled" with my struggle ... I challenge you, as I challenge myself ... don't step away from the people around you in pain because of your discomfort ... just be with them ... and if Jesus is in you, 'being there' is loving them like Jesus would.



Love Them Like Jesus

The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus