23 Apr 2012

Behold Our God – Sovereign Grace Risen

by | posted in: Worship | 0

On our drive to Louisville a few weeks ago, this song was played in our car from the Sovereign Grace CD Risen (perfect for right around Easter time).  We also sang it during the one session I attended at the T4G conference.  What a powerful song!  E and I were talking about how it demands attention (not the song, but how it tells us to give attention to God)!

As far as musically – so powerful and singable.  I wonder also if you could also team it with Come, Let Us Adore Him at Christmas time. 

He is risen now to REIGN!

Who has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Kings and nations tremble at His voice
All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come, let us adore Him
Behold our King—nothing can compare
Come, let us adore Him

Verse 2
Who has given counsel to the Lord?
Who can question any of His words?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?

Verse 3
Who has felt the nails upon His hands?
Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal, humbled to the grave
Jesus, Savior, risen now to reign

Tag
You will reign forever
Let Your glory fill the earth

17 Apr 2012

When Trials Come: Getty Lyrics and Thoughts

by | posted in: Worship | 0

The one session of T4G I did get to attend (thank you oh gracious husband), Bob Kauflin led out with this modern hymn by Keith and Kristyn Getty.  It was oh too close to home:

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till You complete the work begun
Till You complete the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old

 

My God is faithful.  I cherish new mercies and peace.  Philippians 1:6.  Even when all of this is over – You will be praised because I know you are faithful!

 

This applies for any struggles that you are going through right now as well!

9 Nov 2011

Glory is Certain

by | posted in: Worship | 3

My husband put in a CD this morning as we were finishing our time in the Word.  It was one we have both listened to many times and we love it because friends of ours sing on it.  One of the songs especially stuck with me this morning (as it had done in the past) and I thought I would pass it along to yall here and reflect some on it:

 

Glory is Certain is an “old” hymn by Henry Lyte and David Ward, a friend of EC’s put new music and additional lyrics to it.  I’ve been singing it all morning.

“My rest is in heaven, my rest is not here, then why do I worry when trials are near?  Be hushed my dark spirit, the worst that can come but shortens your journey, and hastens you home! 

I dare not be seeking my comfort and bliss, or building my hopes in a place such as this; I look for the city God promised and built, where Jesus has banished my sin and its guilt.

I have died to this world, and am hidden with Christ so my mind will be set on this: glory is certain for Christ is in me, glory is certain, for Christ is in me.

Afflictions may press me but cannot destroy, one glimpse of His love turns them all into joy.  The tears of a lifetime will vanish away when he stoops to dry them on that coming day.  so let Satan’s army assail me full force, their plans cannot help but to steady my course.  Come joys or come sorrows, whatever may befall an hour with my Savior will sweeten them all.

I have died to this world, and am hidden with Christ so my mind will be set on this: glory is certain for Christ is in me, glory is certain for Christ is in me.”

Many verses come to my mind:

Philippians 3

Hebrews 12:1-3

Matthew 6

John 14

Romans 8 – let me camp out there: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.  for those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.  What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (28-32)

God is so gracious.  I can let cares and clutter of this world choke the life out of me, the ministry that God has given me, and my marriage.  Or, I can rest.  I can rest in the grace of God and my certainty.  Not much is certain in this world.  Glory is certain.  This song sings of Justification by faith alone – not self-justification.

Rest, friends.  Declutter and rest in the fact that Christ has already worked for you.  It is done.

27 Jul 2011

New Music Spotlight – Arise My Soul

by | posted in: Worship | 1

I wanted to take this time to “plug” for a new(ish) CD that I’ve been blessed by.  And I hope you will be, too.

My fiance’ has had a really big year – God has truly blessed him immensely!  Back in March he handed me one of his CDs hot of the presses – and I have really enjoyed it.  For those of you who like Fernando Ortega or Michael Card, you will love this.  God allowed him to bring together skilled musicians to collaborate on this CD that will bring joy and rest to your personal walk with God.  This is from the CD site: “Arise, My Soul” in concept is an album meant to stir up holy affections for God. It is meant to be a recording that enables the listener to be drawn out of stress, distraction, sadness, discouragement, or fear into a state of blessedness, contentment, and adoration.”  The songs on this CD have been used to bring me peace – literally in the midst of a hail storm.

He arranged the songs, sang of course, and played on the CD as well – you will quickly find out that I’m marrying up when it comes to the talent department (and every other department as well)!

One of my favorite lines on the entire CD is found in verse 4 of song 2:

Then one day I’ll see Him as He sees me,
Face to face, the Lover and the loved;
No more words, the longing will be over:
There with my precious Jesus.

I love this because it speaks of a greater marriage that will take place when Jesus returns for me.  And makes me think of how our earthly marriages are a dim reflection of that great day.

And all the photos for the CD were taken by very talented photographer Rob McDorman

So – do you need rest for your soul in the music you listen to or just need some new music?  May I recommend this one!  Buy on iTunes or through the website or just contact me.  (I know where I can get some CDs)!

 

 

9 Feb 2011

Wednesday Words: Thy Mercy My God

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There are some hymns, new or old, that just stick with you.  I can read a word and a song will start playing in my head.  This is when I’m glad I have my own office because I can sing as loud as I want and no one will ever know the difference. 

This is the one I started singing today.  Thankful for the Sojourn Church where we sang this often during my time there.  I first was introduced to this song back in the day by Caedmon’s Call.  Sandra McCracken (wife of then CC singer, Derek Webb sings it mostly now).  You can watch a video of her singing it here (remind me I need to get this CD)

1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made mestill keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And thecovenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).

30 Dec 2010

Book Review: Radical / David Platt

by | posted in: Books, ethics, Worship | 0

There have been two similar books published in the recent past that were pretty much about the same thing: this one is better.  In my opinion, which really doesn’t matter, I know.  I loved Platt’s book: all except the familiarity of the stories he told through out the book.  I’ve heard him preach on several occasions – and I’ve heard them.  So, I could skip over them.

He is very practical and honest in his book: which I love.  He just doesn’t give lofty ideas of how to let go of American Christianity – but he actually gives you ways to do it.

If you are ready for a gut-check (as my cousin calls it) – read it.  If not, keep it on its shelf and pick it up when you are ready.

“Wake up and realize that there are infinitely more important things in your life than football and a 401(k).  Wake up and realize there are real battles to be fought, so different from the superficial, meaningless “battles” you focus on.  Wake up to the countless multitudes who are currently destined for a Christless eternity.” – p 15.  This hits home because what do we normally talk about in our chuches: this superficial stuff.

“As long as we achieve our desires in our own power, we will always attribute it to our own glory.” – p 46.  Do we dream big dreams?  I want to start dreaming big and praying big, so when things happen – God gets all the glory.  How big do you dream?  Do you dream for attainable things in your own power or do you pray for God sized dreams?  Ephesians 3:19-21.

We’ve been hearing a lot about this in our ed staff meetings at our church:

“The church I lead could have the least gifted people, the least talented people, the fewest leaders, and the least money, and this church under the power of the Holy Spirit could still shake the nations for His glory.  The reality is that the church I lead can accomplish more during the next month in the power of God’s Spirit than we can in the next hundred years apart from His provision.  His power is so superior to ours.  Why do we not desperately seek it?” – p 54

I need this especially for the work I am doing right now, because it is so often overwhelming to me: “Our great need is to fall before an Almighty Father day and night and to plead for Him to show His radical power in and through us, enabling us to accomplish for His glory what we could never imagine in our own strength.  And when we do this, we will discover that we were created for a purpose much greater than ourselves the kind of purpose that can only be accomplished in the power of His Spirit.” p 60

Do you really believe this for yourself? “God has created us to accomplish a radically global, supremely God-exalting purpose with our lives.” – p 83.  I don’t think I do.  I again ask petty things that I want.  But, I know one prayer I always pray that hasn’t come true yet.  But, I still pray it.

We are starting Backyard Bible Clubs this summer at our church.  I thought this quote went very well with the reason we are doing it: “Disciple making is not a call for others to come to us to hear the gospel but a comman for us to go to others to share the gospel.  A command for us to be gospel-living, gospel-speaking people at every moment and in every contest where we find ourselves.” -p 94

Who do I go to first when I need advice? “Jesus never intended us to be one voice among, many counseling us on how to lead our lives and use our money.  He always intends to be the voice that guides whatever decisions we make in our lives and with our money.” – p 121

Here is his one year experiment and ways that I intened to take him up on it:

1.  Pray for the entire world.  I haven’t decided yet how I am going to do this, but Operation World is a good start (that he mentions).

2.  Read the entire Bible.  Again, the plan isn’t in place, but it will be done.

3.  Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose: I’m partnering this year with PSSWF because its close, the gospel, and tangible.

4.  Spend your time in another context.  Every month my church works with two low-income/homeless ministries here in Raleigh: feeing the homeless in Moore Square and With Love From Jesus.  Once a month I will partner with these.  This definitely takes me out of my upper-white neighborhood.

5.  Commit your life to a multiplying community.  Pray dot org.  Done.

How will you live the experiment?  For one year.  This is a new year beginning, start now.

13 Dec 2010

O Holy Night

by | posted in: sin, Worship | 4

Have to admit: this is definitely in my top 3 favorite Christian Christmas songs. Each year I hear it there are different truths I hear and remember. Here is my favorite rendition of it. And here is my second fave. With that last one, the cool thing, so many of those on the video are worshiping Jesus around His throne this Christmas).
So, here we go…

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; (I love how God made even the stars to glorify Him)
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! (How dear is Christ to me really? Do I really know Him to be my only Savior?)
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, (What does pining mean? to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief), to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable. And oh, how I do that. I persist in sin when I know Christ is better).
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, (Sin is very tiring and exhausting)
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! (This is the immediate necessary response to seeing Jesus.)
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. (Do we readily admit/recognize that Jesus came in human form. Dr. Moore just wrote a great post on this: So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, (Really, Jesus, the Name Above all Names, King of Kings…born in a dirty manger? Andrew Peterson’s Labor of Love tells this beautifully)In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger. (The Bible tells us He knows all of our struggles, He is our great High Priest, our Perfect Sacrifice.)Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another; (If we name Christ…this should be evident in our lives)
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother (I am in such bondage, without Christ. Why do I continue to live in the bondage with Christ?)And in His Name all oppression shall cease. (Help me, Jesus, to know the power of your name over all my temptations)Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name! (Worship should be 100% of us: dancing, singing, joyfully rejoicing)
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! (one day, everyone will bow. This side of eternity effects the other side of eternity.)His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

So…how do you celebrate Christmas? Everyone has a thought on this. I’ve read some that are depressing and some that are grand. After working retail for many years at the holidays, it is very hard for me to celebrate Christmas at home. But…I love focusing on the gospel. The gospel that Christ came to earth in the man, Jesus. This holiday is His. This holiday isn’t mine. This holiday isn’t mine to get and give gifts. This holiday is His. How will I celebrate when (if ever) I get married and have kids? I don’t know. But, it is something to think about.
May you celebrate well, this O Holy Night.

24 May 2010

Memorizing Scripture?

by | posted in: Uncategorized, Worship | 2

I’ve been thinking much about this the past few weeks, more in terms of how it is done/why it is done more than if it should be done.

I grew up attending a Christian school where I had to memorize a verse each week and write it out on the lined paper we buy in bulk at the beginning of the school year.  When I got to seminary, Dr. Nelson made me memorize longer passages of Scripture, including Ps 19 and Col 1.  These were very beneficial, even if I did cram them in at the dinner table at Lolley right before class over a bowl of cereal or kim chi.

Now I am pondering the mode of Scripture memory or why we want (especially children) to memorize Scripture and how we get them to do it.

Piper wrote a helpful article, one with which I definitely agree.  How can we get children and teenagers to understand this.  How do we put this forth as an example to others?  This is from a friend, Tim Challies: (which one is most compelling to you and what Scriptures are you memorizing right now?)

A friend recently sent me an old article from John Piper entitled “Why Memorize Scripture?” Memorizing passages of the Bible is something I’ve developed more of an interest in over the past couple of years and, to my surprise, I’ve found that I’m actually able to do it–even to memorize extended sections if I am willing to put in the effort (not always a sure bet).

Piper offers a list of reasons why we should memorize Scripture. They are:

  1. Conformity to Christ – Bible memorization has the effect of making our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.
  2. Daily Triumph over Sin – As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of Scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ over what sin offers.
  3. Daily Triumph over Satan – When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness he recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight.
  4. Comfort and Counsel for People You Love – When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.
  5. Communicating the Gospel to Unbelievers – Actual verses of the Bible have their own penetrating power. And when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book, the witness is given that they are precious enough to learn.
  6. Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways – The way we commune with (that is, fellowship with) God is by meditating on his attributes and expressing to him our thanks and admiration and love, and seeking his help to live a life that reflects the value of these attributes.

These are six really good reasons. On the flip side, I suspect that the primary reason most of us do not commit more Scripture to memory is simply the difficulty involved. It is a difficult and time-consuming process to take those words and force them into our minds.

So how about you? Is Scripture memorization a part of your routine? Is it something you do as a regular part of your devotion to the Lord?

My answer to my posed questions from above:

1.  Definitely 1 and 2.

2.  Romans 8 and Col 1