inspired by a true story……..
Religion
Fill In The Blank
Jan 27th
Anyone else tired of the ordinary? Anyone else feel like you are stuck in the mundane? Have you ever sat down and just pondered what your purpose is on this big spinning piece of real estate called earth? I know so many people that are praying for “Gods will for their life”. You can count me in that group too. Maybe it’s Rick Warren’s fault for teaching us all to live the Purpose Driven Life….
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then this might help. I know it gave me perspective and, even if for a moment, purpose. While this song by Rachael Lampa was written about Mary, I wonder if we can’t fill our own name in that blank too. You see, each one that has accepted Christ as their Savior, has also been filled with the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit which calls us to a purpose. A purpose of introducing this world to a Savior and a King. No matter your title, your occupation, your neighborhood or place of worship, each of us has this purpose.
Imagine for a moment you received a letter from your Heavenly Father. Listen to the song and fill in the blanks below with your name. I wonder if it wouldn’t read something like this….
“I Choose You” by Racheal Lampa
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/rlchoose.mp3]
When everyone around you sees
an ordinary life
Fit for nothing more than common dreams
I can see the stars of heaven
shining in your eyes
Soon the world will hear the angels sing
(Insert Name Here) I know it’s hard to understand
You hold the light of the world in your hands
(Chorus)
I choose you
To bring the world a savior
I choose you
To bring the world a king
I choose you
To be the arms of love that hold the answer
For the world to see my promises come true
I choose you
I know there are many questions
Weighing on your mind
What is becomming of your life
Just remember why I’ve called you
To leave your fears behind
To walk by faith and not by sight
(Insert Name Here) I know
It’s all a mystery
My hand is leading if you’ll only believe
(Chorus)
And he shall be called
Emanuel
Wonderfull prince of peace
I choose you
to bring the world a savior
I choose you
to bring the world a king
(Chorus)
For the world to see my promises come true
For the world to see my love come shinning through
I choose you
Louder Than Before!
Dec 1st
I received an email from my friends at Overture Media about a month ago with an offer to take part in Jeremy Camp Blogger Week. Those that have been here awhile probably know that it took me about 2 seconds to reply to that message. By accepting their offer, I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of Jeremy’s new CD, Speaking Louder Than Before to review for my blog. Before I go into my review, I would again like to thank Lori at Overture Media for the opportunity to be a part of this exciting week. The Bebo Norman and Jeremy Camp CDs have been in regular rotation the past few weeks! I’m honored to be asked and can’t thank you enough!
I’ve been a big fan of Jeremy Camp since his debut CD hit the streets. If you are not familiar with Jeremy, take a few minutes and read his bio (here). Jeremy has walked through the valleys that so many of us fear and shares his story, his healing and his hope through his music. He has inspired many with his honest and heartfelt lyrics.
No song captures the recent thoughts of this blogger more than the song “There Will Be a Day“. The first release from this incredible CD has put into words what so many that I know are feeling right now. The challenges of this world and the struggles that we each face force each one of us to seek a hope and for something more. I have talked to at least 2 people in the past few weeks that literally drove around in their car until the song ended to hear the artist and song title because it had impacted them so much. Praise the Lord that there will be a day!
The rest of the CD is signature Jeremy Camp. He mixes rocking songs like the title track “Speaking Louder Than Before” and “I’m Alive” with worship anthems like “The Healing Hand of God“, “Surrender” and “So In Love“. With the Christmas season right around the corner, this CD would make the perfect gift for anyone you know that is a Jeremy Camp fan. I would also recommend “Speaking Louder Than Before” for anyone that is going through the trials and struggles of our journey here. The reminder that “There Will Be A Day” will encourage and bring hope to those that believe.
Thanks again Lori and Overture for the opportunity! You’ve made this Jeremy Camp fan very appreciative and blessed!
I Am
Nov 30th
This is a re-post of sorts. Lots of “stuff” going on all around us isn’t there? Sometimes it makes you wonder if God is still in control. The requests are real. The requests are important. The requests are for friends, loved ones and people we don’t even know. We need assurance don’t we? We need something to hold onto. We need peace and a place to stand when the waters ahead appear rough. Anyone that holds a Bible has it. It’s found throughout scripture, but I think my favorite one is in Genesis 3:14:
God said to Moses, “I am who I am . [a] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “
These two words are more valuable than anything. They are bigger than every request. To those that believe, they are everything.
“Lord, I have a medical test coming up and I am scared. I know you know what’s best for me but”….I AM.
“Lord, I pray for my freind as he continues to battle his medical journey. I pray that”…I AM.
“Lord I have a friend that needs your direction and guidance as he”..I AM.
“Lord, I really messed up. No matter how hard I try”…I AM.
“Lord. I don’t know how we’re going to “….I AM.
“Lord, We need your”….I AM.
“Lord, I”….I AM.
“Lord,”….I AM.
I AM.
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/nniam.mp3]
“I Am” by Nichole Nordeman
*Originally posted August 2008
An Anchor
Nov 23rd
For several days now I have tried to wrap my head and words around those times and questions that we have for a God that created this universe. I have wrestled with anger, frustration, sadness, pain and as odd as it sounds, hope. I end each thought process at a place where I find myself searching for an anchor and something we can grab hold of. I get so tangled up in trying to understand how a loving God allows the unthinkable to happen. Yet the very next breathe is thanking a loving God for conquering the grave and the hope of eternal life.
For days I have tried to put this all into some words of encouragement for anyone and everyone that is a part of the journey with our dear friend. While trying to do this for this blog and anyone that reads it, I guess I am looking for the answers myself too. Friends, I don’t have them. The only wisdom and encouragement that I can offer comes in two very simple things that I have learned in my 38 years.
1. God is God.
2. It’s never how we draw it up
Steven Curtis Chapman so perfectly captured the simplistic thought that says that “God is God and I am not”. Our finite minds wrestle with trying to understand an infinite God. Our understanding of today prevents us from seeing the entire picture. We are only getting a glimpse of a masterpiece that God is creating. How many of us can connect the dots of our past to see that a much larger story was taking place? God is God.
So often I think I’ve got a perfect plan as to how my life should go. In my mind, it seems to make perfect sense. Yet when I stop long enough to reflect on the past I see how my plan would have gone radically different. In almost each case, it would have been a mess. Gods grace, mercy and perfect plan have saved me from myself more times then I can count. His wisdom and knowledge are to be trusted. I say, with a thankful heart, that it is never how we draw it up.
So what is our anchor? What is our hope? What are the words that make situations and circumstances beyond our understanding seem to make sense? Friends, this side of heaven, I am not sure we have those answers. I know I don’t. I know that God is God and I am not. I know that God is still on his throne. I know that the creator of this universe is in complete control. I know that his ways are perfect. I know that he has a plan far greater than my understanding. I know that he makes all things beautiful in his time. I know that he can restore what was once broken. I know that he can provide comfort to the hurting and peace in the storm.
Max Lucado once wrote that “God doesn’t always still the storm, but he will calm the sailor“. That’s my anchor and what I am grabbing hold of.
“God is God” by Steven Curtis Chapman
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/scgod.mp3]
No Words
Nov 20th
I sit here this evening with no words. All day I have pondered, prayed and tried to wrap my finite mind around the ways and wonders of an infinite God. My friends, I don’t have the words. I wish I could be a source of encouragement to you today, particularly those of us that are working through the emotions, thoughts and feelings for our dear friend and his family. What I have come to is this…God is still on his throne.
One of my favorite moments of the day and this life is when my children climb up in my lap. To rest my chin upon the top of their head and just feel them near is to know peace. In those moments of silence, the last thing we need are words. The closeness of the moment covers them all. Our Heavenly Father longs for these moments too. He longs to have us climb up in his lap and seek his grace, his wisdom, his peace and his strength. A time where we can be still. Even when there are no words…
“Be Still” by Story Side B
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/ssbbe.mp3]
What are YOU waiting for?
Nov 14th
I swear this song is haunting me. Then again, it might not be the song, it might be the waiting that is actually haunting me. The song is just incredibly appropriate. I first heard it well over a year and a half ago and have somewhat forgotten about it until recently. The song is “While I’m Waiting” by one of my personal favorites, John Waller. It was also featured in the film “Fireproof” at a very appropriate part of the movie.
All of that to say that I almost titled this post “Charlotte Update”. As to not set the world and grapevine into motion, I decided to go with a different title. Our home is not for sale and as of this moment, we have no plans to even visit North Carolina anytime soon. God really shook up our basket a few months ago and yet Heather and I continue to wait. We both know that God was and is up to something in our lives. It was so crystal clear at the time of the call. It was almost audible. In the same breathe I would say that we are confident that not moving was the right thing to do. So we wait.
I know so many people that are also “waiting”. Jobs, homes for sale, ministries, relationships, futures, health, wealth, debt, fears and expectations. My prayer list is full of people that are “waiting”. If you know me at all, you know that my weakness is…well…waiting. I am blessed with no attention span and no patience. So the Lord making me wait is a prime example of refining in my life. He went right to the place that I am the weakest and we are pretty well camped out there. So we wait.
I think the point of this entire post is that while we are all “waiting” there is work to do. For so long I sat on the sidelines and “waited” for God to make that move. I waited for the sign, the time, the crystal clear moment. That may or may not come but we can, as John Waller says, worship, serve and run the race while we’re waiting. If you’re like me and “waiting” on God to bring clairty to something in your life, take a few minutes and listen to this song by John Waller. If nothing else, know that we are waiting together.
