Music. It is one of my most favorite ways to worship Jesus. Playing, singing, listening... it constantly reminds me of who He is. Sometimes a song comes out that seems to be written to specifically encourage and challenge me.
Chris Tomlin's new song "Whom Shall I Fear" has been one of those songs. The words are life-giving reminders. Every time I listen to it I am moved to tears by the immensity of God's love and faithfulness. His promises are wonderful. He is right there for me... right there for me! Wow! I am a victorious and loved saint... I have been blessed with weapons to fight, I have the greatest Leader with me. This life is temporal. But God and who He is... the vast, immeasurable, glory of His nature.... are eternal. Thank you Jesus.
"You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear?
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though trouble linger still
Whom shall I fear?
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful"
Chris Tomlin's "Whom Shall I Fear"
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Soldiers... they fight
Desolate, bleak, lonely... these were the words that came to mind as the soldier looked at the scenery around her.
Dried blood matted with dirt streaked across her face, the results of a scuffle with the enemy a few days earlier.
The soldier was well-equipped with weapons: a sword, knife, bow and arrows; had a muscular build for her small stature, and a determined look about her. Despite the dirt and blood, youth and energy radiated from her face.
Although she had been a soldier of the King for many years, it was only recently that she had begun to fight. After many years of training, preparing, learning she had decided it was time. Time to step out and fight the enemy. She knew that there were certain things she could only learn on the battlefield, and avoiding the enemy would not be fulfilling the mission the King had called His soldiers to.
She had been assigned on a rural mission with just a couple other soldiers. None of them had ever been on the battlefield, but despite this she was the most experienced. They had been commanded to split up a few days ago and to just keep traveling and fight whatever enemy they encounted along the way.
As she pondered the last fight, she shuddered at the thought of what was to come. Two days ago she had been walking along a path in the woods, when she encountered one of the enemy sitting down eating. Their scuffle had been quick, but painful. The knife wounds still stung... the enemy was good. But she was better, her training had been thorough. The King personally trained each soldier, teaching them His tactics and secret tricks, growing their confidence, admiration and loyalty every day.
She looked down at her arm, the deep gash was healing quickly. The gash on her face not so much. With a slight sigh, she began walking again, careful to not rustle the branches too much for fear the enemy would hear. After a few hours of creeping along the mountain, she realized something.
Not allowing the enemy to see her was disobeying the King. He had told her to go out and fight, hiding was giving the enemy victory.
Slowly she stood up, a new light in her eyes, a slight flush creeping across her cheeks... she knew what she had to do.
Calmly she walked forward and began to sing a song, a song about her King, about His love, mercy, wrath, beauty. Her eyes were alert as she sang, watching for signs of the enemy that she knew were everywhere.
Suddenly, the bushes began to rustle everywhere around here, on either side, in front and behind. Terrified she stopped singing, her hand resting tensely on her sword.
Then she saw them... they surrounded her. More enemy that she had ever seen.
Fear began to creep into her mind, numbing her senses, her feet felt heavy.
She looked around for an escape route, but there was none. Only one option, fight. She would not die. That was impossible. The King had told her that whatever mission He sent her on, there was one sure thing: she would not die. But He could not gaurantee that she wouldn't be hurt, in fact He said that it was very likely she would get hurt a lot and often her wounds would be serious.
His words flashed across her memory "My soldier... I have trained you. I have made you into the soldier you are today. Without Me you would be able to do nothing. Do not fear My dear soldier, I have trained you for a great purpose. You will go out into enemy territory and fight for my honor. Do not forget to call out for Me, because I will be there in spirit. Let the enemy know my greatness and love. My soldier, I am proud of you, fight well. Fight hard. Fight honorably. But FIGHT."
She remembered the fire in His eyes when He said these words, she remembered the day many years ago when the King found her along the side of the road, a starved, broken child of the enemy. She remembered His gentle touch, loving care, and life-giving words.
She would fight. Not for herself. But for her King.
With a flash of shining metal she whipped out her sword and dove for the closest enemy, a song on her lips, a compassionate fire in her eyes. The next two hours were like hell... she fought long and hard. The enemy kept coming, cunning in their tactics, ruthless in their attacks, and deadly. There were moments she thought she would not make it, but the image of her King was constantly in the forefront of her mind. And so she fought on, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that her King was watching, giving her strength, and protecting her.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Dried blood matted with dirt streaked across her face, the results of a scuffle with the enemy a few days earlier.
The soldier was well-equipped with weapons: a sword, knife, bow and arrows; had a muscular build for her small stature, and a determined look about her. Despite the dirt and blood, youth and energy radiated from her face.
Although she had been a soldier of the King for many years, it was only recently that she had begun to fight. After many years of training, preparing, learning she had decided it was time. Time to step out and fight the enemy. She knew that there were certain things she could only learn on the battlefield, and avoiding the enemy would not be fulfilling the mission the King had called His soldiers to.
She had been assigned on a rural mission with just a couple other soldiers. None of them had ever been on the battlefield, but despite this she was the most experienced. They had been commanded to split up a few days ago and to just keep traveling and fight whatever enemy they encounted along the way.
As she pondered the last fight, she shuddered at the thought of what was to come. Two days ago she had been walking along a path in the woods, when she encountered one of the enemy sitting down eating. Their scuffle had been quick, but painful. The knife wounds still stung... the enemy was good. But she was better, her training had been thorough. The King personally trained each soldier, teaching them His tactics and secret tricks, growing their confidence, admiration and loyalty every day.
She looked down at her arm, the deep gash was healing quickly. The gash on her face not so much. With a slight sigh, she began walking again, careful to not rustle the branches too much for fear the enemy would hear. After a few hours of creeping along the mountain, she realized something.
Not allowing the enemy to see her was disobeying the King. He had told her to go out and fight, hiding was giving the enemy victory.
Slowly she stood up, a new light in her eyes, a slight flush creeping across her cheeks... she knew what she had to do.
Calmly she walked forward and began to sing a song, a song about her King, about His love, mercy, wrath, beauty. Her eyes were alert as she sang, watching for signs of the enemy that she knew were everywhere.
Suddenly, the bushes began to rustle everywhere around here, on either side, in front and behind. Terrified she stopped singing, her hand resting tensely on her sword.
Then she saw them... they surrounded her. More enemy that she had ever seen.
Fear began to creep into her mind, numbing her senses, her feet felt heavy.
She looked around for an escape route, but there was none. Only one option, fight. She would not die. That was impossible. The King had told her that whatever mission He sent her on, there was one sure thing: she would not die. But He could not gaurantee that she wouldn't be hurt, in fact He said that it was very likely she would get hurt a lot and often her wounds would be serious.
His words flashed across her memory "My soldier... I have trained you. I have made you into the soldier you are today. Without Me you would be able to do nothing. Do not fear My dear soldier, I have trained you for a great purpose. You will go out into enemy territory and fight for my honor. Do not forget to call out for Me, because I will be there in spirit. Let the enemy know my greatness and love. My soldier, I am proud of you, fight well. Fight hard. Fight honorably. But FIGHT."
She remembered the fire in His eyes when He said these words, she remembered the day many years ago when the King found her along the side of the road, a starved, broken child of the enemy. She remembered His gentle touch, loving care, and life-giving words.
She would fight. Not for herself. But for her King.
With a flash of shining metal she whipped out her sword and dove for the closest enemy, a song on her lips, a compassionate fire in her eyes. The next two hours were like hell... she fought long and hard. The enemy kept coming, cunning in their tactics, ruthless in their attacks, and deadly. There were moments she thought she would not make it, but the image of her King was constantly in the forefront of her mind. And so she fought on, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that her King was watching, giving her strength, and protecting her.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sometimes you just gotta have lunch
Wednesday. It's always my full, crazy, busy day. In general I am always stressed. Yesterday was no different. That morning I had gone through three classes feeling sick to my stomach because of how much I was thinking I needed to do. Finally after choir I felt better... enough to get food.
As I walked to get food I grabbed my Bible and a Piper book... intent on still being "productive" while eating. But planned out ideas hardly ever go your way.
I saw Jeremiah eating outside... put my stuff down, got food. Sat down and started talking about God. Five minutes later there three more people from choir and we were talking music. For those first few minutes of talking I was stressed... I had to get away, I needed to practice, study. I was wasting time.
But slowly I forgot about what I "needed" to do and became more engaged in making friends and just being alive.
An hour later the four of us parted ways... knowing each other better after having laughed, talked, and eaten for sixty minutes. I walked away with a smile on my face and energy in my step. I was reminded that... sometimes you just gotta have lunch. Thanks Jeremiah, Collin, and Jordan. Needed that lunch and people time... thanks for reminding me to live life and make new friends. :)
As I walked to get food I grabbed my Bible and a Piper book... intent on still being "productive" while eating. But planned out ideas hardly ever go your way.
I saw Jeremiah eating outside... put my stuff down, got food. Sat down and started talking about God. Five minutes later there three more people from choir and we were talking music. For those first few minutes of talking I was stressed... I had to get away, I needed to practice, study. I was wasting time.
But slowly I forgot about what I "needed" to do and became more engaged in making friends and just being alive.
An hour later the four of us parted ways... knowing each other better after having laughed, talked, and eaten for sixty minutes. I walked away with a smile on my face and energy in my step. I was reminded that... sometimes you just gotta have lunch. Thanks Jeremiah, Collin, and Jordan. Needed that lunch and people time... thanks for reminding me to live life and make new friends. :)
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Happiest
"When you're able to confess Him as the Supreme Ruler overall things and to confess that He is your Lord and you are His possession, then at that point, you are the happiest of people. You could not get any happier. Nothing could happen that could be so wonderful, that it could possibly be better than the happiness you have in the Lordship and the Supremacy of Jesus Christ." ~Graham Cooke
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