He CHOSE to...

“What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.”

{Hebrews 2:9-10}

Jesus humbly chose to become one of us, an everyday human. He left every ounce of royalty and honor just so that He could become one of us. He wanted to walk and talk among us, us filthy and unrighteous sinners. He wanted to live with us, eat with us, and spend time with us. He willingly chose to.

He chose to become one of us because He wanted to die for us. He very easily could have come to earth just strictly for the moment of His death. Instead He chose to actually become one of us. He chose to die a very realistic and gruesome death and be beaten by us, the ones He chose to live among.

He didn’t choose to die only for those who are considered good in the eyes of the world. He chose to die for everyone, even those who physically beat Him and drove the nails through His hands and feet. He chose to die for you and me, for us filthy sinners who daily beat Him and drive nails through His hands and feet as we enter into temptation and linger in sin. He knew that we were going to beat Him and persecute Him daily as we linger in sin, yet He still chose to die for you and me.

Through the grace of God, Jesus tasted death for every single one of us, regardless of how filthy and nasty we are as total and complete sinners. The same God who created the universe chose to send His only Son (who chose to live among us) to this world to die for us.

You and I are completely filthy and totally undeserving of the sacrifice of Christ, yet He chose to give us this sacrifice and gift of eternal life.

I pray that you would let this penetrate into your very soul. I pray that you would let the words of Christ sink deep into your heart. I pray that you would see this in a new and refreshing way. I pray that you would become soaked in the very glory and love of our beautiful King. I dare you to share this truth with someone else. I promise, God will move in a way you NEVER thought imaginable.

AllBecauseHeChose.

{psalm 62:5-8}

The past couple of days have consisted of unwrapping this particular chunk of scripture and as I’ve been digging into it God’s just spoken and my heart’s flowed through writing. There was no way I could keep all of this inside…I just had to share it with you guys. It’s just my heart poured out in words…

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God,

for my hope is in Him. He alone is my

rock and my salvation, my fortress

where I will not be shaken. My victory

and honor come from God alone. He is

my refuge, a rock where no enemy

can reach me. O my people, trust in

Him at all times. Pour out your heart

to Him, for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:5-8

vs. 5 – “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.”

If the totality of my hope is in Christ then my spirit can rest quietly in His peace. When my hope is in Christ and in Him alone everything else fades and no longer matters. When the totality of my hope is in Christ worry and doubt no longer exist; all fear is gone. By placing my hope solely in Christ my spirit gains strength and comfort. When I place the totality of my hope in Christ I no longer see the attacks of the enemy, but rather the triumphs of my King!

vs. 6- “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken."

Through Christ and Christ alone my salvation is found. Because of the sacrifice of Christ my salvation can exist in Him and Him alone. When I find my salvation solely in Christ and not through works and the things of this world He becomes my fortress, my foundation upon which I stand. In Him I cannot be shaken; He is my rock and my protector.

vs. 7- “My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.”

Honor and victory that is found within the world is false and transparent, lacking solidity. When honor and victory are found in Christ and in Him alone it’s opaque, containing a solid and firm foundation that overflows with the truth of His Word. True honor and victory that’s found in Christ and in Him alone resounds louder than anything found in the world and it proclaims His name and power louder than anything imaginable! When my honor and victory are found in Christ He becomes my sole refuge and not one of my enemies can reach me. *NOTE: He’s always been my refuge, but when I finally choose to find my honor and victory solely in Him I finally see Him as my one and only source of true refuge and forget the world exists! It’s in that moment that I see the true solidity of Christ!

vs. 8- “O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”

People of today, of this world, will let us down. Period. It happens whether we want it to or not. We will lose trust in people regardless of how ‘good’ or ‘moral’ they may be, simply because we’re all human. People fail—our God doesn’t! When our trust is placed solely in Christ we’re never let down; promises are never broken. When the totality of our trust is placed in our King we no longer have reason to fear or worry. Christ longs for the totality of our trust. He longs for us to empty the contents of our heart out before Him. He longs for us to be real with Him just as He is with us. He IS our refuge and in that is the safest of all places for us to release our heart—in Him and Him alone!

InHimAlone.

a heart...

A heart stretched.

Stretched from here to there.

A heart that longs.

Longs to be there not here.

A heart that yearns.

Yearns for direction.

A heart that seeks.

Seeks after His heart.

A heart that craves.

Craves to walk in His will.

A heart that desires.

Desires to go.

A heart that loves.

Loves to love.

This heart is the heart of a girl.

A girl who longs and yearns.

Longs and yearns to run to the nations.

A girl who loves.

Loves the untouchable and unlovable.

A girl seeking direction.

Seeking clarity.

A girl standing.

Standing on the Word of her King.

A girl dancing.

Dancing to the heartbeat.

The heartbeat of her King.

A heart stretched.

Stretched from here to there.

A heart that longs.

Longs to be there not here.

A heart that yearns.

Yearns for direction.

A heart that seeks.

Seeks after His heart.

A heart that craves.

Craves to walk in His will.

A heart that desires.

Desires to go.

A heart that loves.

Loves to love.

This heart is the heart of a girl.

This heart is the heart of ME!

TheHeartOfMe.

i run.

I run.

I run barbarically.

I run.

I run headfirst.

I run.

For a battle waits.

I run.

For my soul shouts.

I run.

For my King’s heart I hold.

I run.

For my King’s heart I war.

I run.

For I am called.

I run.

Not in my strength.

But in His.

I run.

As I am lifted above the puddle.

I run.

As my heart screams, “I LOVE YOU, JESUS!”

I run.

As my soul dances.

Dances before my King.

I run.

I run rejoicing.

I run.

I run declaring.

Declaring His name.

I run.

For the battle is won.

I run.

For the enemy is defeated.

I run.

For He is King.

I RUN.

When God Weeps

A precious friend of mine shared this with me, and I just had to share it with all of you as well... It is the crucifixion defined like never before... (taken out of When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada)-

The torches arrived. The sheep fled. The shepherd stood. The hurricane struck.

Who can describe the whirlwind of the succeeding hours? Could so many lies really be told at a single trial? Could so much sin be poured into one court room? The drowning ones he had come to rescue screamed that he be thrown from the lifeboat. God had claimed to be God—what could be worse! God had kept his sworn promise to send a Messiah—how ridiculous! In the wee hours of that morning, Sodom and Gomorrah came to look virginal next to Jerusalem. Later, in the brighter light of day and to the background of a pressing crowd screaming insanities, Pilate washed away centuries of Roman justice in his finger bowl.

The Savior was now thrown to men quite different from the eleven. The face that Moses had begged to see—was forbidden to see—was slapped bloody. The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth’s rebellion now twisted around his own brow. His back, buttocks, and the rear of his legs felt the whip—soon they looked like the plowed Judean fields outside the city. “On with the blindfold!” someone shouts. “That’s it—now spin him. Who hit you? Heh, heh.” By the time the spitting is through, more saliva is on him then in him. No longer can he be recognized. “Cut him down from the post! Send him toting his crossbar to the playground.” Up Skull Hill to the welcome of other poorly paid legionnaires enjoying themselves. “On you back with you!” One raises a mallet to sink the spike. But the soldier’s heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner’s wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier’s life minute by minute, for no man had this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only by the Son do “all things hold together”. The victim wills that the soldier live on—he grants the warrior’s continued existence. The man swings. As the man swings, the Son recalls how he and the Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm—the sensations it would be capable of. The design proves flawless—the nerve performs exquisitely. “Up you go!” They lift the cross. God is on display in his underwear, and can scarcely breathe.

But these pains are a mere warm-up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during this day an unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty. Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being—the living excrement from our souls. The apple of his Father’s eye turns brown with rot.

His Father! He must face his Father like this!

From heaven the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breath. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The Son does not recognize these eyes.

“Son of Man! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped—murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten—fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk—you, who molest young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock you parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp—buying politicians, practicing extortion, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded slaves—relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, I loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?”

Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this. But the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.

The Father watches as his heart’s treasure, the mirror-image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah’s stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction.

“Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?!”

But heaven stops its ears. The Son endures it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished.

Do you long to see His GLORY?!

“One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Moses responded, "Then show me your glorious presence." The Lord replied, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may look at me and live." The Lord continued, "Look, stand near me on this rock as my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. Bur my face will not be seen." -Exodus 33:12-23

Moses was highly favored and looked upon with great esteem. Moses was so close to God that he was seen face to face by Him, and his name was personally known. When Moses asked God whom He would send with Him, He said that He would personally go with him. Not an administrative assistant, but God Himself would personally go with Moses. It doesn’t stop there though. Moses is audacious enough to just flat out ask God to show him His glory. God looked so favorably upon Moses that he didn’t just show Moses his glory, but He allowed Moses to see His back once He passed by. I’m not sure about you, but I would L0VE to be able to see the back of our King. Can you imagine?! Notice though, Moses was only able to see the back of God after He had passed by, and as God passed by He had to cover Moses’ face with His hand. If that doesn’t shout HOLY I don’t know what does!?

"When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.” -Exodus 34:29-35

When Moses returned from the mountain His face radiated like crazy. It was so radiant that it was blinding to others. Can you imagine your face being so radiant that you blind others because you had just seen the back of God? Moses was a man that knew God and God knew him. Moses wasn’t just an every now and then acquaintance to God. Moses had an intensely close relationship with his King.

Are you so close to God that He sees you face to face and knows you by name? Are you looked upon so favorably that whatever you ask He’ll do? Are you audacious enough to ask God to show you His glory? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to see/experience it? Do you long to be intensely close to your King just as Moses was?

I pray that you would begin digging deep within and that your King would totally take over and totally rock you. I pray that you would soak yourself in His Word, and would daily seek after Him. I pray that you would begin to long after the heart of your Jesus and that you would press onward regardless of the situation. I pray that you would run barbarically after the heart of your King. I pray that you would no longer be just an every now and then acquaintance, but that you would have an intensely close relationship with your King. I pray that your God would look upon you with favor and would allow you the opportunity to see the back of your King.

RunningBarbaricallyAfterMyKing.

beautifully AMAZING...

Sorry it’s taken me so long to update all of you. The internet has been down since Tuesday. It’s been crazy busy here, but totally amazing! Monday we spent the morning half of the day in the mountains… we visited several different families and were able to pray with each one. I really wish there was some way that I could fully describe to you how beautifully amazing the people here are. They bring a whole new meaning to the word, beautiful. When you look past their feet coated in dirt and their rags of clothing, you see the most beautiful people in the entire world. Especially those who do know Jesus… they have a glow that’s like no other!

I was also able to go Monday afternoon and see all of my beautiful babies at the orphanage. The whole time I was there I ended up pushing Marta in the swing. Something as simple as pushing a child in a swing was absolutely amazing! The entire time I pushed her she laughed her little heart out… she was so stinkin’ adorable! Getting to see those precious babies was absolutely incredible. They were all so happy, running around like the precious kids they deserve to be. Being able to finally love on my sweet babies again made my heart smile like crazy!

Tuesday was full of delivering food account receipts, running errands, and getting everything situated before the rest of the team arrived Tuesday afternoon. Before we headed out to Peña Blanca to run errands, we stopped by to visit and pray for Kenya. She is a beautiful lady who has had to endure several tumors in her throat for several months. The tumors have caused her to be in continual pain and have caused her throat to swell and begin to close up. It’s become so bad that she can barely speak. Before we began praying, we asked her if there was anything else that she wanted us to pray for other than her throat and the tumors. She told us a few things, and off to praying we went. I truly do wish that I could describe to you how incredible the time of prayer was. As great as it was, the best had yet to show up…as we were leaving her house, Kenya told us that the last time she went to the doctor EVERY tumor was GONE COMPLETELY and all she’s having to deal with now is getting her muscles in her throat back to normal again. There’s not a word to describe the amazingness of that moment.

Once we left there we went into Peña Blanca and ran a ton of errands. I have to say there is nothing more fun than riding in the back of a truck, hanging on for dear life while riding through the streets of Honduras! The driving here is total insanity…yet TONS of fun! After running to the bank, grocery store, and several other places it was time for lunch. We decided to stop in town and eat instead of coming back to the hotel. Y’all… I have never had a more precious lunch experience than I did Tuesday. It was so full of love. We ordered and received our food (which was extremely yummy!), and about midways into us eating, José, an absolutely precious little boy, came in and sat at the counter. The look on his face was one of complete hunger; his little tummy was slightly swollen. It was something that we all knew we had to fix, especially since we had the means to sitting right in front of us. Granted most of us were just about done eating and had only a little left. However God already knew the details. Don’t you just love how He works! We ended up giving him almost two full plates of food, and I have never seen a more grateful child. He was beyond beautiful. Needless to say, he walked out of there with a full tummy and the sweetest smile on his beautiful face!

The past four days have been full of nothing less than total love and amazingness! Tuesday we began the construction work for two houses, one in Zapoté and the other in Buena Vista. We also began the medical clinic Tuesday, where I spent all day praying over people and sharing the love and message of Jesus. Jesus absolutely rocked that place and the angels were partying in heaven like crazy! There were 10+ added to the kingdom Tuesday! We moved the medical clinic into Zapoté yesterday, and 17 more were added to the kingdom and 7 rededicated. Throughout this week we will continue with the construction and medical clinic, but we will also be doing 3 different women’s bible studies and children’s bible studies towards the end of the week. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to press in and share the love of our King!

**As far as the rain goes… last night was the first time it has rained since we’ve been here, and it was only for about 30 minutes. Praise Jesus! The roads up the mountain are still not too great, but are getting better! Please continue to be praying!**

Thank you all so much for the prayers! Please keep them coming!

InHisGrip.

Forgiveness...a beautiful thing.

How many times do you sit, thinking there is absolutely no way that God could ever forgive you? That there is no way that He could ever actually want to take the time to forgive your every sin. Do you ever have those days when you feel so lost and confused by the enemy and his temptations? Have you ever fallen face first into sin and felt as thought God would never forgive you? Do you ever feel as though your sin is just simply way too big for Him to forgive? Are you ever overwhelmed by just the thought of sin?

Tonight during bible study we dug into Psalm 65. As we were reading, verse 3 really hit me hard; it was as if God was sitting beside me yelling it at me.

"Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all."

Psalm 65:3

I've read this verse a gazillion times and each time God's spoken, but tonight He decided to yell. In just a handful of words you see grace, mercy, redemption, forgiveness, and love.

Dig deep into your imagination and imagine with me for just a minute...Imagine that you are in God's place. Imagine that you created every living thing. Imagine that you came to earth and walked and lived among your people. Imagine that you became a living sacrifice for your people; that you endured extreme pain and suffering on their behalf. Imagine that you allowed yourself to be mocked, stripped naked, your skin ripped to shreds, placed upon a cross, nails to be driven into your hands and feet, and a crown of thorns placed upon your head so that your people may experience eternal life. Imagine that though you suffered greatly, died, and rose again all so that they may live; your people continue to daily fail you. Imagine that even though your people believe completely in you, they continue to fall into sin.

Let's come back to reality...If you and I were in God's place forgiveness probably wouldn't even exist, and love would come and go. Praise Jesus that's not the case, that you and I aren't in His place. The beauty of this verse is that it's real. God truly does love us unconditionally, and even though He absolutely cannot stand any ounce of sin, He still offers us complete and total forgiveness.

On those days when you seem to be overwhelmed and tangled up in sin, know that He is only a heart cry away. When you can't seem to find your way out, know that He is sitting there waiting for you to grab hold of His hand. Know that His forgiveness is real; that it's complete. There is absolutely NO sin too horrible or too big for His forgiveness. We ALL fall EVERY single day, and He offers us TOTAL forgiveness EVERY single time we fall.

However, His forgiveness isn't something that we should take for granted and think, 'oh, well I can indulge in this sin, He'll forgive me. All I have to do is just ask.' His forgiveness isn't meant to be a bandaid to put over sin to try and make it better, just so we can go indulge in it all over again in 30 minutes, and return only to get another bandaid of forgiveness. No, it's when we come to Him with a completely broken and repentant heart that He forgives us.

I pray that you would see forgiveness in a whole new way, that you would see it's realness. I pray that you would daily dig deep in Jesus and run from temptation. I pray that when you do fall, you wouldn't become overwhelmed, but that you would seek deep into Jesus and truly long for His forgiveness. I pray that you would daily be renewed as His mercies are new every morning. I pray that you would begin to fall more in love with your Maker like never before. I pray that He would use you in a mighty way each and every day. I pray that you would grab hold of this verse, and that you would experience His complete forgiveness in a new and beautiful way.

NoLongerOverwhelmed.

my heart...pouring out.

I ask myself, where did he go?

Did he climb back in the tree?

Did he become restless and leave early?

Did he stop running?

I sit in wonder.

Questioning my King.

It makes no sense.

But I know I must let go.

I am being stretched further than ever.

I am being prepared for a journey unseen.

My heart is being gardened.

I am learning to trust again.

He is my joy.

My peace.

My strength and security.

He is love.

Love so beautiful.

I let go.

I no longer sit in wonder.

I stand with a heart at peace.

I run free.

I run fast.

I run after He, my one and only King.

I cling to my Jesus.

I fall into His love. I fall deeper than ever.

I surrender. Totally.

I begin to dance a new dance.

While in the arms of my King.

As He sings over me.

I will press on.

I will dig deep.

I will embark on this journey.

I will climb this mountain.

I will cling tight.

I will trust hard.

I will carry Him across the nations.

I will SHOUT His name.

Love.

So beautiful. So pure.

Unfailing. Unending. Unconditional.

Love.

What my heart grabs hold of.

What my heart pours out.

What I long to give.

The love of my King.

The tree will become empty again.

Understanding will be regained.

His heart will surely run again.

He will be changed.

For his warrior I will still be.

“O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land, where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself, how I praise You! I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You during the night. Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. I cling to You, Your strong right hand holds me securely.” Psalm 63:1-8

DiggingDeep&PressingOn.

Sitting in wonder, clinging to my Creator.

I'm holding tight to my King, yet it all seems

to be falling fast.

the enemy sees it as a battle won, but oh there's

so much more to come.

it all may be blurred, but I refuse to sit still.

though the music may seem faded, my heart

still hears every word.

into the arms of my Maker I fall, and in His

steps I follow.

dancing to the sound of His song over me.

my thoughts are lost and unsure of where to go.

but those of my Jesus are firm and forever.

my heart aches at the single thought of a door

slowly closed.

yet my heart rejoices in His will fulfilled.

lost and confused I sit before my Creator.

my heart spilt before Him.

with nothing but myself, I offer it all to Him.

with my heart before Him and myself in

His hands, I step down.

I step down from the tree.

I refuse to leave until I fully understand.

no, it won't all make sense.

but at least there will be peace.

peace that surpasses all understanding.

I continue to wonder how much longer.

how much longer until it's done.

until it's complete.

until it makes perfect sense.

that is the day I long for.

but even without answers.

without complete understanding.

without clear direction.

without total peace.

I run.

I run to you.

my David.

my Zacchaeus.

my Nicodemus.

my warrior.

I run with my whole heart.

though it makes no sense, my heart still

longs to pray.

to pray for you.

time.

date.

neither matter.

I flood the feet of my King with overflowing tears.

the cries of my heart are made known.

questions consume my mind.

yet my soul is still.

I float upon clouds of peace.

I see you near.

with a mind filled with wonder and a soul

that is still.

I refuse to let go.

cling tight.

that is what I will do.

in the blurriest moments I will run.

I will run in faith.

I will continue to expect only amazing things.

my heart will still pray and my soul will still love.

your warrior I will still be.

my soul can't help but sing.

my heart can't help but dance.

sitting in wonder, clinging to my Creator.

ILoveYou.

Do you hear the music?

I'm re-reading Just Like Jesus, by Max Lucado... I read this particular section last night, and I just had to share it...

*I am going to conclude by telling you a story you've heard before, though you've not heard it as I'm going to tell it. But you have heard it. Surely you have, for you are in it. You are one of the characters. It is the story of the dancers who had no music. Can you imagine how hard that would be? Dancing with no music? Day after day they came to the great hall just off the corner of Main and Broadway. They brought their wives. They brought their husbands. They brought their children and their hopes. They came to dance.

The hall was prepared for a dance. Streamers hung, punch bowls filled. Chairs were placed against the walls. People arrived and sat, knowing they had come to a dance but not knowing how to dance because they had no music. They had balloons; they had cake. They even had a stage on which musicians could play, but they had no musicians. One time a lanky fellow claimed to be a musician. He sure looked the part, with his belly-length full beard and fancy violin. All stood the day he stood before them and pulled the violin out of the case and placed it beneath his chin. Now we will dance, they thought, but they were wrong. For though he had a violin, his violin had no strings. The pushing and pulling of his bow sounded like the creaking of an unoiled door. Who can dance to a sound like that? So the dancers took their seats again. Some tried to dance without the music. One wife convinced her husband to give it a try, so out on the floor they stepped, she dancing her way and he dancing his. Both efforts were commendable-but far from compatible. He danced some form of partnerless tango, while she was spinning like a ballerina. A few tried to follow their cue, but since there was no cue, they didn't know how to follow. The result was a dozen or so dancers with no music, going this way and that, bumping into each other and causing more than one observer to seek safety behind a chair. Over time, however, those dancers grew weary, and everyone resumed the task of sitting and staring and wondering if anything was ever going to happen. And then one day it did. Not everyone saw him enter. Only a few. Nothing about his appearance would compel your attention. His looks were common, but his music was not. He began to sing a song, soft and sweet, king and compelling. His song took the chill out of the air and brought a summer-sunset glow to the heart. As he sang, people stood-a few at first, then many-and they began to dance. Together. Flowing to a music they had never heard before, they danced. Some, however, remained seated. What kind of musician is this who never mounts the stage? Who brings no band? Who has no costume? Why, musicians don't just walk in off the street. They have an entourage, a reputation, a persona to project and protect. Why, this fellow scarcely mentioned his name! 'How can we know what you sing is actually music?' they challenged. His reply was to the point, 'Let the man who has ears to hear use them.' But the non-dancers refused to hear. So they refused to dance. Many still refuse. The musician comes and sings. Some dance. Some don't. Some find music for life, others live in silence. To those who miss the music, the musician gives the same appeal: 'Let the man who has ears to hear use them.'*

This entire chapter was on having a listening heart, and this particular part really jumped out at me. Think about it, how many times do we refuse to listen to the music of our Maker? If we never listen, how will we ever learn the dance steps? Would you rather clomp around on the dance floor, or dance gracefully in the arms of the King? He's continually singing over us, and there's a continual invitation for us to dance with Him.

Let God have you, and let God love you-and don't be surprised if your heart begins to hear music you've never heard and your feet learn to dance as never before!

DancingWithMyKing.

God of the impossible...

Have you ever felt like you're drowning in an ocean of complete yuckiness? Do you ever wonder if those nagging burdens will ever leave? Does it ever cross your mind about whether or not our God really can make what seems impossible actually possible? Are you ever in need of a healer? What about a deliverer? Have you ever needed a Savior? Have you ever been so broken that you felt completely un-beautiful? Have you ever been weak and needed strength? What about love, have you ever just needed a hint of it?

Well guess what... all of that yuckiness that we see as an ocean, it's all like a puddle at the feet of our Jesus! Those burdens that you just can't seem to get rid of, our Jesus is standing there with open arms ready to take it all from you! All of that stuff that seems completely impossible, our Jesus can most definitely make it possible, every single bit of it! On those days when you are lost in anything and everything but Jesus and need someone to deliver you, He's right beside you waiting for you to grab hold. Those days when you are broken and need a healer, He's there restoring your heart. On that day when you were lost as a goose, caught in the traps of the enemy, longing for something more, longing for someone to accept you despite your yuckiness, He reached out and saved you! On those days when you are beyond weak, He is your strength that is unlike any other. On those days when you are broken and feel completely un-beautiful, He reaches down deep into your brokenness and makes you beautiful all over again! Those times when all you long for is just a hint of love, He showers you with His unconditional love that is absolutely like no other! Although we may never be able to fully grasp how mighty our God is, it doesn't stop Him from being the incredibly amazing God that He is!

"I have seen what they do,

but I will HEAL them anyway!

I will lead them.

I will COMFORT those who mourn,

bringing words of praise to their lips.

May they have abundant peace, both near and far,

says the Lord, who heals them!"

Isaiah 57:18-19

"The Lord will GUIDE you continually,

giving you water when you are dry

and RESTORING your strength

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like an ever flowing spring."

Isaiah 58:11

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Ephesians 6:10-18

"He gives POWER to the weak

and STRENGTH to the powerless."

Isaiah 40:29

"O Israel, hope in the Lord;

for with Him there is UNFAILING LOVE.

His redemption OVERFLOWS."

Psalm 130:7

"O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

now and always!"

Psalm 131:3

"Then Jesus said, Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"For the Lord, your God is living among you.

He is a MIGHTY Savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

Zephaniah 3:17

"For NOTHING is impossible with God!"

Luke 1:37

I pray that you would become lost like crazy in the love of our Jesus! I pray that you would continually grab hold of Him and never ever let go! I pray that He would move in and through you in an incredibly amazing way! I pray that you would seek after Him and only Him! I pray that He would make you strong in times of weakness, and that you would be clothed in the armor of God daily! I pray that you would daily long for more and more of Him! I pray that you would not be silent, but that you would SHOUT forth His praise! I pray that you would be a willing vessel for the Kingdom of Christ! I pray that you would no longer fight against this world, but that your chains would be broken in Jesus' name! I pray that you would daily see yourself as the beautiful person that you are! I pray that you would no longer see things as impossible, but rather possible through the eyes of our God! I pray that you would be used to shake this nation! I pray that you would daily become lost all over again in the eyes of our Maker! I pray that your heart would dance harder than ever before our Daddy today!

LostInTheKing.

POWER... enough said!

I kinda got lost in the book of Psalms this morning... hopefully this will all make sense.....

"The Lord merely spoke,

and the heavens were created.

He breathed the word,

and all the stars were born.

He assigned the sea its boundaries,

and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Let the whole world fear the Lord,

and let everyone stand in awe of Him.

For when He spoke, the world began!

It appeared at his command."

Psalm 33:6-9

As soon as I read this particular section all I could think about was power, and just how powerful our King is. When we think of power we think of money, control, and every other thing that society wants us to think. We as individuals want to be the ones with all of the power and control. Although we may not be able to completely comprehend and understand it, our God is more powerful than any human being will ever be. In these verses it says that He just simply spoke and BAM, it was created. He didn't have to go to the nearest factory to create the heavens, or go to the nearest shop for stars. No, He just spoke and BAM they appeared, and not just that... they appeared exactly where He wanted them. If that doesn't scream POWER then I don't know what does. Let's delve into this a little more...

You know those days when you fall face first flat into sin? Those days when Satan just has a complete 'field-day' with you? Those days when you feel like you just might be squished into the ground, simply due to the weight of the junk you daily carry? Those days when you feel like God doesn't want anything to do with you because you fell into sin again? Those days when you, yet again fall into sin, and you know that for sure this time God won't forgive you? Those days that the enemy has you so distracted and so confused that you absolutely cannot seem to find Jesus anywhere? Those days when your prayers seem to be hitting the ceiling, and going no where else but there? Those days when you are scared like crazy, and feel all alone with no one to protect you? Those days when your sin seems way bigger than God and His forgiveness? Those days that are just plain ughh? Well guess what..... our God is so much more BIGGER than all of that!! There is absolutely NO obstacle whatsoever that is bigger than our Jesus... yep, it's the absolute truth!! For that sin that seems too big, He offers COMPLETE forgiveness! For those prayers that seem to hit the ceiling, He hears them! For those days when you are scared, He's there surrounding you! For those days when Satan is having a 'field-day', He's right there for you to cling too! For those days when Satan has you confused and distracted like crazy, He offers clarity and understanding! In thinking about all of this my heart travels to a few different verses...

"He forgives ALL of my sins..."

Psalm 103:3

"He has removed ALL of our sins as far from us

as the east is from the west."

Psalm 103:12

"The Lord has HEARD my plea;

the Lord WILL answer my prayer."

Psalm 6:9

"The Lord is my light and my salvation,

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, PROTECTING me from danger, so why should I tremble?"

Psalm 27:1

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God,

for my HOPE is in Him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress where I will NOT be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.

He is my refuge, a rock where NO enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust Him at all times.

Pour out your heart to Him,

for God is our refuge."

Psalm 62:5-8

"I lie awake thinking of You,

meditating on You through the night.

Because You are my HELPER,

I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

I cling to You,

Your strong right hand HOLDS me SECURELY."

Psalm 63:6-8

"For You are my hiding place;

You PROTECT me from trouble;

You SURROUND me with songs of victory."

Psalm 32:7

Each of these verses focus on a different aspect of our King, but they all shout about His power, whether we realize it or not! Regardless of whether Satan's chasing us around like crazy, or we fall face first into sin, our God is still so much more POWERFUL than whatever it is! Our God is anything and everything we will ever need, and in each of those His mighty power shines through in an amazing way! Just to sit back and think about the power of our King is breathtaking. It's something that you and I will never be able to fully grab hold of. His power is something that we should never cease to talk about... not only should praise continually come forth from our lips, but we should also proclaim His power and might!

"Sing a new song of praise to Him;

play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.

For the word of the Lord holds true,

and we can trust everything that He does."

Psalm 33:3-4

"Then I will rejoice in the Lord.

I will be glad because He rescues me.

With every bone in my body I will praise Him..."

Psalm 35:9-10

"My heart is confident in you, O God;

my heart is confident.

No wonder I can sing Your praises!"

Psalm 57:7

"But as for me, I will sing about Your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge,

a place of safety in distress."

Psalm 59:16

"I will praise you as long as I live,

lifting up my hands to You in prayer.

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

I will praise You with songs of joy!"

Psalm 62:4-5

I pray that His power and might would become like a tumultuous ocean within your soul and like a blazing fire within your bones. I pray that you would no longer be able to keep His love to yourself, but that you would crave to share it with those all around! I pray that you would have a longing in your heart to daily proclaim His saving power and might! I pray that praise would continually come forth from your lips! I pray that you would daily begin to see our God and His power in a whole new and amazing way! I pray that you would no longer be bound by the junk of this world, but that you would become deeply lost in the gaze and love of King Jesus! I pray that your heart would daily dance before King Jesus as He continually sings over you!

PrayingLikeCrazy.