In recent days, I have found myself returning again and again to Psalm 23. As one of the better known Psalms, if not the best known, I usually focus my attention elsewhere. Selfishly, I prefer to dig a little more, looking for nuggets of wisdom that are not so common, and therefore less likely to be displayed in needlepoint on the wall of someone's dining room (My apologies if this is the case at your house). But this week, it has caught my eye and my heart in a variety of ways.
I came across it while searching out another specific verse that I couldn't quite remember the location of. Then sitting my car, I saw a quick note I had written in my small car/travel Bible that reminded me of witnessing nearly a thousand Chinese Christians recite this verse (in Chinese) this past summer during my 10-day trip to Beijing and Shanghai. This stirred a great deal of memory and emotion that I had let slip in the 8 months since I returned. Yesterday, sitting in a coffee shop, I heard Jon Foreman's song "House of God, Forever" come on my iTunes. Although I may write more later about the Psalm itself, it is this song where I want to park for now.
This song is a simple acoustic retelling of Psalm 23. Foreman doesn't add to or take anything away from the Scripture itself. He just sings with pure faith, hope, and love that the words are true. My favorite thing about the song itself, however, is that it is sung twice, once each by a man and a woman. There is intense beauty in this arrangement, as each voice professes theses words to their Maker individually. It demonstrates that King David's profession of joyful trust is accessible for all of us whoever and wherever we find ourselves. And as the voices join one another for the final refrain, there is a strong sense of shared trust in the Lord's direction and provision for their lives.
"House of God, Forever" by Jon Foreman
God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quite streams
Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You are with me
Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
words that got me today
From Chris Tomlin's song "Enough"
More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough for me
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough for me
Lately I've been struggling with what I want and what I need. It seems that what I know, or think I know, is being questioned and it's been a challenge to find the words to express my feelings. Still, it is true that God is more than enough for me (and you), even if I have a hard time recognizing it in the moment.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you." -Psalm 55:22
Saturday, March 27, 2010
something i came across today
An Excerpt from Thoughts in Solitude
by Thomas Merton
"MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."
by Thomas Merton
"MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Friday, March 26, 2010
the beauty of suffering
Earlier in the week, I made mention of this past weekend's message at my church, Colossae, and its unquestionable applicability to my life. Despite the other people in the room, it seemed as though I was the only person there and our pastor, Chuck (and more specifically, God), was speaking directly to me. After the service, Chuck actually admitted that he kept thinking of me as he was preparing all week. To which, a friend replied, "Yeah, I was thinking about you the whole time Chuck was talking."
I think it is important to note, that although Chuck thought about me while preparing the message, he didn't select the message because of me. We have been walking through 1 Peter for several months, and the next section (4:7-19) dealt with suffering. I do believe that divine providence was involved here, because only one week earlier I would not have been in a place to receive this message. It was what God wanted to say at a time when I needed to hear. Today, I went back and listened to the message again, and gleaned considerably more from it, enough that I think I am actually starting to grasp it.
Verses 12-13 read: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." As Chuck paraphrased, "This whole tough time you're having, shouldn't be a shocker." Jesus doesn't promise to make everything perfect and comfortable for us, until we meet him after our physical death. It is in and through trials, suffering, and discomfort that God grows us to maturity in Him, and we are to accept such circumstances with joy.
I haven't fully figured out how to accomplish this, but I am claiming the promise that the Lord is using this trial to grow my faith. In this, I have hope.
If you were at Colossae on Sunday, you really should listen to this message again and let it seep in more. If you weren't there (perhaps you should come), you really should listen to the whole thing. To listen online or download the message, click here.
I think it is important to note, that although Chuck thought about me while preparing the message, he didn't select the message because of me. We have been walking through 1 Peter for several months, and the next section (4:7-19) dealt with suffering. I do believe that divine providence was involved here, because only one week earlier I would not have been in a place to receive this message. It was what God wanted to say at a time when I needed to hear. Today, I went back and listened to the message again, and gleaned considerably more from it, enough that I think I am actually starting to grasp it.
Verses 12-13 read: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." As Chuck paraphrased, "This whole tough time you're having, shouldn't be a shocker." Jesus doesn't promise to make everything perfect and comfortable for us, until we meet him after our physical death. It is in and through trials, suffering, and discomfort that God grows us to maturity in Him, and we are to accept such circumstances with joy.
James 1:2-4Chuck posed three questions that I am still being challenged by, and which have drastically changed my perspective on what I am going through. It has taken six days for these questions to really impact my thinking, so I would encourage you to marinate on them for a few days.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Romans 5:3-5
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Hebrews 12:11
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
1) When we find ourselves in trials, do we want to get out as quickly as possible? Or do we ask God to keep us in it as long as he sees necessary, so that he can teach us what he wants us to learn?Finding joy in the midst of trial is certainly difficult; approaching trials with joy is even more so. However, this is how our Lord calls us to live. We must trust his goodness and promises to never leave us nor forsake us. We must be encouraged and hopeful, although not merely in our suffering, but because of it.
2) When someone you love is in a time of suffering, do you encourage them to just trust in Jesus and insinuate that if they do everything will automatically become easier for them? Or do you push them to worship Jesus because of the trial, knowing that their faith will be strengthened and proven in it?
3) When you find yourself in tough times, do you tend to have an attitude of self-pity? Or do you have a humble and teachable heart, trusting that Jesus will show you how to worship him more fully through and in the midst of that trial?
I haven't fully figured out how to accomplish this, but I am claiming the promise that the Lord is using this trial to grow my faith. In this, I have hope.
If you were at Colossae on Sunday, you really should listen to this message again and let it seep in more. If you weren't there (perhaps you should come), you really should listen to the whole thing. To listen online or download the message, click here.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
and the rain came down
Last night, I went to bed earlier than usual hoping to get some much needed rest. I haven't been sleeping all that well, and I've been more tired than usual. As I laid there reading, I began to hear rain falling outside. Not a slight rain, but a strong, forceful, seemingly angry rain. And it was sudden. Having arrived home less than an hour earlier, the rain wasn't imminent, especially at the end of a day when temperatures had pushed into the high 60s. The rain was so strong, that I actually got out of bed and walked to the window, seeing the rain illuminated by the street light pummel the asphalt in front of my house.
The images of rain and water, have been fairly constant in my thoughts the past few weeks. Even two nights ago, I posted Rob Bell's Nooma video entitled "Rain" (If you haven't watched it yet, you should.) Water can take on so many forms and have so many purposes. It can be the source of cleansing, replenishing, or renewal. And it can also be overwhelming and uncontrollable as the current of a raging river or the deafening crash of an thundering tide. It is beautifully wild and frighteningly peaceful.
Hearing the rain last night, the title of this post came to mind: "And the rain came down..." It comes from the first line in the chorus of the Big Tent Revival song "Two Sets of Jones'" released in the mid-90s. Although the song is a bit dated, and perhaps a little (or a lot) kitschy, the message is clear. Its a modern (1990s modern) take on Jesus' story of the wise and foolish builders from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. When the rains come, and they will come, the question is: What have we anchored ourselves to? My prayer is that the answer for me, and for you, is Jesus. The rains were a good reminder for me.
"Two Sets of Jones'", by Big Tent Revival
The images of rain and water, have been fairly constant in my thoughts the past few weeks. Even two nights ago, I posted Rob Bell's Nooma video entitled "Rain" (If you haven't watched it yet, you should.) Water can take on so many forms and have so many purposes. It can be the source of cleansing, replenishing, or renewal. And it can also be overwhelming and uncontrollable as the current of a raging river or the deafening crash of an thundering tide. It is beautifully wild and frighteningly peaceful.
Hearing the rain last night, the title of this post came to mind: "And the rain came down..." It comes from the first line in the chorus of the Big Tent Revival song "Two Sets of Jones'" released in the mid-90s. Although the song is a bit dated, and perhaps a little (or a lot) kitschy, the message is clear. Its a modern (1990s modern) take on Jesus' story of the wise and foolish builders from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. When the rains come, and they will come, the question is: What have we anchored ourselves to? My prayer is that the answer for me, and for you, is Jesus. The rains were a good reminder for me.
"Two Sets of Jones'", by Big Tent Revival
Monday, March 22, 2010
my heart will choose to say
Last week, I wrote about my inability to sing one of the worship songs during church. It was a song called "Everlasting God," and no matter how hard I tried the words would not come (you can read my post here). This week, I had a similar experience at Colossae. At some point in the next few days, I'll write about Sunday's message, because it was one that cut to the very core of me and what I am currently going through. The short version is that the message, and the songs that followed, all dealt with trusting God in the midst of difficulty.
The final song was "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt and Beth Redman. It has long been one of my favorites, but as I heard my buddy Greg begin to strum the intro, I knew that singing it there and then would be different then all the times before. The song is based on the reaction of Job, immediately after he loses everything that he holds dear. Overcome with sorrow, Job tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground in worship saying "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:20-21). In the midst of the greatest anguish imaginable, Job worships the Lord with everything he has.
Enter me.
In the midst of my hurt, I sat there knowing the only proper response was to trust God in worship, regardless of my circumstances. No. Because of my circumstances. As was the case last week, I wasn't sure if I could sing these words. But I must. Especially, the last lines which echo Job's cry: "You give and take away. You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name." There is no doubt that God "gave" to me starting back in January 2008. It cannot be explained by luck or random chance, it was clearly the Lord's hand at work. He gave me a beautiful gift that has nourished my soul for the past year and a half. And now, He has taken away.
So I stood, arms stretched out, tears trickling down my face, singing the words of this song. Singing through pain to worship and trust the Lord that gives and takes away. As difficult as it is, my heart chooses to say "Blessed be your name."
"Blessed Be Your Name"
Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name
The final song was "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt and Beth Redman. It has long been one of my favorites, but as I heard my buddy Greg begin to strum the intro, I knew that singing it there and then would be different then all the times before. The song is based on the reaction of Job, immediately after he loses everything that he holds dear. Overcome with sorrow, Job tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground in worship saying "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:20-21). In the midst of the greatest anguish imaginable, Job worships the Lord with everything he has.
Enter me.
In the midst of my hurt, I sat there knowing the only proper response was to trust God in worship, regardless of my circumstances. No. Because of my circumstances. As was the case last week, I wasn't sure if I could sing these words. But I must. Especially, the last lines which echo Job's cry: "You give and take away. You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name." There is no doubt that God "gave" to me starting back in January 2008. It cannot be explained by luck or random chance, it was clearly the Lord's hand at work. He gave me a beautiful gift that has nourished my soul for the past year and a half. And now, He has taken away.
So I stood, arms stretched out, tears trickling down my face, singing the words of this song. Singing through pain to worship and trust the Lord that gives and takes away. As difficult as it is, my heart chooses to say "Blessed be your name."
"Blessed Be Your Name"
Blessed be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name
Sunday, March 21, 2010
sunday
Today was a rough day.
Today is Sunday. But regardless of what we call it, the sun didn't shine, at least not when and where I could feel it. Instead, the day felt dark. At times, oppressive. Its encouraging start ultimately revealing itself as a deceptive forgery. Moments that would normally elicit happiness were instead racked with frustration and tears.
Was Friday all that long ago? The sun shone bright, and the world felt right. I smiled. I laughed. I loved. And I felt genuine joy for the first time in weeks. Hope sprung to life, easing my fears, and allowing me to trust. I found the freedom that had recently escaped my grasp, and had been all but impossible to track down. Friday made no promises, and I didn't need them. It was enough to be present, to experience joy, and to know that it is still possible. Even uncertainty was impotent to dash my rekindled joy or steal my hope.
But today is Sunday. And uncertainty feels strangely different. It conjures up the sadness, anger and fear that recently have been my ever-present companions. A portion of my hope devoured by its insatiable appetite.
I am saddened by this sudden turn, and merely left to ask: What happened to Friday? Because I can still see the joy-filled remnants of its warmth, even now.
Today is Sunday. But regardless of what we call it, the sun didn't shine, at least not when and where I could feel it. Instead, the day felt dark. At times, oppressive. Its encouraging start ultimately revealing itself as a deceptive forgery. Moments that would normally elicit happiness were instead racked with frustration and tears.
Was Friday all that long ago? The sun shone bright, and the world felt right. I smiled. I laughed. I loved. And I felt genuine joy for the first time in weeks. Hope sprung to life, easing my fears, and allowing me to trust. I found the freedom that had recently escaped my grasp, and had been all but impossible to track down. Friday made no promises, and I didn't need them. It was enough to be present, to experience joy, and to know that it is still possible. Even uncertainty was impotent to dash my rekindled joy or steal my hope.
But today is Sunday. And uncertainty feels strangely different. It conjures up the sadness, anger and fear that recently have been my ever-present companions. A portion of my hope devoured by its insatiable appetite.
I am saddened by this sudden turn, and merely left to ask: What happened to Friday? Because I can still see the joy-filled remnants of its warmth, even now.
Friday, March 19, 2010
something beautiful
This song has been running through my mind for the past few days. The imagery of water rushing over me, threatening to overtake me, is palpable. I particularly like the line: "We can't be sure when it will subside. So I won't leave your side." I think there is something beautiful in that...
Something Beautiful by NeedToBreathe
In your ocean I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashing on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
but I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown?
Will you let me drown?
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side
No I can't leave your side
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
In a day dream, I couldn't live like this
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful
When I wake up, and all I want I have
You know it's still not what I need (something beautiful)
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Something Beautiful by NeedToBreathe
In your ocean I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashing on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
but I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown?
Will you let me drown?
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side
No I can't leave your side
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
In a day dream, I couldn't live like this
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful
When I wake up, and all I want I have
You know it's still not what I need (something beautiful)
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want
Something beautiful to touch me
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
And waiting for
Something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh something beautiful
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
time for a change
It's been over three years since I left California, which was the last time that I got new glasses. Of course, those glasses that I thought were so trendy and stylish in 2006, broke in half sometime in 2009. As a result, for the past six months I've been wearing my previous glasses (same prescription), circa 2004.
So, as the post title says, it's time for a change. I've been thinking about this for some months and really didn't want to make a bad choice. I knew that I needed a second opinion, and preferably not that of the guy working at the glasses store, or even another dude for that matter. I wanted an opinion from a woman that I knew I could trust...enter my friend Valerie who was willing to spend some of her Saturday helping me out. She did make me try on a few pairs that I would never (read never ever ever) buy. In most cases I obliged.
We also took my camera so that I could see what I looked like in each of the options once I got home. I'm considering going a little bold this time. I can't promise that one of these pairs is it, but its a good start. Let me know what you think...which option do you like best?
Option #1 - "Subtle'n'Bold"
Option #2 - "Edgy Gunmetal"
Option #3 - "Silver Bullet"
Option #4 - "Tortoise and the Hair"
So, as the post title says, it's time for a change. I've been thinking about this for some months and really didn't want to make a bad choice. I knew that I needed a second opinion, and preferably not that of the guy working at the glasses store, or even another dude for that matter. I wanted an opinion from a woman that I knew I could trust...enter my friend Valerie who was willing to spend some of her Saturday helping me out. She did make me try on a few pairs that I would never (read never ever ever) buy. In most cases I obliged.
We also took my camera so that I could see what I looked like in each of the options once I got home. I'm considering going a little bold this time. I can't promise that one of these pairs is it, but its a good start. Let me know what you think...which option do you like best?
Option #1 - "Subtle'n'Bold"
Option #2 - "Edgy Gunmetal"
Option #3 - "Silver Bullet"
Option #4 - "Tortoise and the Hair"
Option #5 - "Hingeless Wonder"
Monday, March 15, 2010
the remarkable ability of music
Do you ever notice that some songs have a unique ability to express the depth of your heart better than any words that you could come up with yourself at a given time or moment? Well, I do. Here's one that has been playing a lot in the past few days, speaking my heart and giving me a bit of hope...
"Your Hands" by JJ Heller
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
"Your Hands" by JJ Heller
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
Sunday, March 14, 2010
the waiting is the hardest part
This morning at Colossae, we opened worship with the song Everlasting God, written by Brenton Brown (and recorded by a whole host of other folks, including my favorite version by Chris Tomlin). It is a simple song based on Isaiah 40:28-31. Since I first heard the song several years ago, it has been one of my favorites. The song opens with the powerfully repetitious stanza: "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord." These words are a beautiful reminder or our need to wait patiently on the One who sustains us.
And yet today, I found it nearly impossible to sing. Not because I doubt the truth that these words express, but because of the sheer difficulty of doing what they say. I often lack the patience needed to wait, for anything. Still, some things are worth waiting for, even if it is difficult. As Tom Petty once sang, "the waiting is the hardest part."
"Everlasting God" (just so you can hear the song)
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
And yet today, I found it nearly impossible to sing. Not because I doubt the truth that these words express, but because of the sheer difficulty of doing what they say. I often lack the patience needed to wait, for anything. Still, some things are worth waiting for, even if it is difficult. As Tom Petty once sang, "the waiting is the hardest part."
"Everlasting God" (just so you can hear the song)
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
Saturday, March 13, 2010
pruning has its place
Gardening is one of my favorite things. When the sun shines bright and life is good, gardening allows me to get outside, work with my hands, and tend to a little slice of God's remarkable creation that I have been entrusted with. And when life is tough, amidst those moments when storm clouds gather without warning and unleash their fury, gardening still allows me these same opportunities while also giving me a productive escape and time to process. (Note to self: Blog more about gardening...)
Last Saturday, my parents drove out to Newberg to help me with some yard work. I needed time to think and also a heady dose of the love and support that come from ones family. When they arrived we jumped right into the primary task at hand, pruning my plum tree. This is a task that we had tackled once before, in the spring of 2008. It was a necessity then, just as it was this year. With sucker branches exploding high into the air and the sheer density of the branches in the interior, the tree needed some attention. And with our unseasonably warm weather, tiny tight buds were forming, accentuating the need to complete the task soon.
Since moving in two and half years ago, my plum tree has steadily produced an incredible amount of delicious fruit each year. I've made plum butter (family Christmas presents in 2008) and plum crisps, while also giving away, freezing and eating a ridiculous number of fresh plums. In spite of this impressive annual yield, I know that by pruning it back, the tree will actually become more fruitful. For sure, this year's crop will be smaller in quantity, but the fruit itself should be noticeably better - larger, juicier, and more flavorful. In time, the branches that we pruned, or cut out all together, will grow back stronger and more fruitful.
For three hours my dad and I pruned sucker branches and thinned the tree's core, thoughtfully considering the tree's ideal shape and ability to produce fruit before each cut. And for three hours, my mom stood with hand clippers cutting the branches into smaller pieces for the yard debris container. For all her efforts, she even got a blister on her hand. (Is there any question where I learned to demonstrate my love for others by serving them?) In the end, the tree looked better than when we started, but it was also rather evident that a significant portion of it, even that which was fruitful, had been cut out.
The next morning, I sat alone at church distracted by life and completely oblivious to Chuck's message. I knew that I was supposed to be there, despite my own objections to going. For lack of attention, and perhaps to appear somewhat engaged, I picked up my Bible and, without thinking, opened it to John 15. The chapter begins like this:
When I opened the blinds on my bedroom window Monday morning, the sharp rays of the sun had just crested the house behind me and was illuminating the plum tree. What I saw was remarkable. In just over a day, a handful of those tiny tight buds adorning the pruned branches had fully blossomed into clean white flowers. The new growth had already begun, and the promise of a more fruitful tree was already being realized.
I can't help but think that this is the reason that I spent three hours pruning on Saturday (despite having other more pressing projects), or that I was at church on Sunday (despite my fervent objections). God spoke to me in terms that I could understand, even if I don't yet know how this truth will play out in my life. As we walk through our lives, God will sever things from us, some of which bears incredibly delightful fruit. It is not an easy process, and it can certainly involve significant sadness, anger, and fear, but he is merely pruning us so that we may "be even more fruitful." This may come in the strengthening of other fruit in our lives, or it may come as that which was pruned from us grows back even stronger to produce an even more abundant fruit than before. And perhaps both of these options can happen concurrently. I see a glimmer of hope in this truth.
Last Saturday, my parents drove out to Newberg to help me with some yard work. I needed time to think and also a heady dose of the love and support that come from ones family. When they arrived we jumped right into the primary task at hand, pruning my plum tree. This is a task that we had tackled once before, in the spring of 2008. It was a necessity then, just as it was this year. With sucker branches exploding high into the air and the sheer density of the branches in the interior, the tree needed some attention. And with our unseasonably warm weather, tiny tight buds were forming, accentuating the need to complete the task soon.
Since moving in two and half years ago, my plum tree has steadily produced an incredible amount of delicious fruit each year. I've made plum butter (family Christmas presents in 2008) and plum crisps, while also giving away, freezing and eating a ridiculous number of fresh plums. In spite of this impressive annual yield, I know that by pruning it back, the tree will actually become more fruitful. For sure, this year's crop will be smaller in quantity, but the fruit itself should be noticeably better - larger, juicier, and more flavorful. In time, the branches that we pruned, or cut out all together, will grow back stronger and more fruitful.
The next morning, I sat alone at church distracted by life and completely oblivious to Chuck's message. I knew that I was supposed to be there, despite my own objections to going. For lack of attention, and perhaps to appear somewhat engaged, I picked up my Bible and, without thinking, opened it to John 15. The chapter begins like this:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
I can't help but think that this is the reason that I spent three hours pruning on Saturday (despite having other more pressing projects), or that I was at church on Sunday (despite my fervent objections). God spoke to me in terms that I could understand, even if I don't yet know how this truth will play out in my life. As we walk through our lives, God will sever things from us, some of which bears incredibly delightful fruit. It is not an easy process, and it can certainly involve significant sadness, anger, and fear, but he is merely pruning us so that we may "be even more fruitful." This may come in the strengthening of other fruit in our lives, or it may come as that which was pruned from us grows back even stronger to produce an even more abundant fruit than before. And perhaps both of these options can happen concurrently. I see a glimmer of hope in this truth.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
more lessons from Oswald
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering, and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. 'We are more than conquerors through Him' 'in all these things'; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it." -Oswald Chambers
Today's devotion from My Utmost For His Highest
is titled "The Source of Abundant Joy" and is based on Paul's words in Romans 8. This familiar passage contains amazing truth of God's love. Two particular verses stood out this morning:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
These two verses vibrantly express the source of our abundant joy as believers in Christ. I know this to be true, in my mind. I wish my heart and my soul could understand and accept it as well. Because, I could use some joy right now; even if it doesn't come in abundance.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
lessons from Oswald
Lately, I've been trying to read Oswald Chambers' classic devotional My Utmost For His Highest
on a more frequent basis. While his thoughts are pretty much right on from day to day, every so often it seems that his words, originally published in 1935, were written with me in mind for that specific day. Today's short devotion was one of them. I hope that it encourages you as it did me...
Taking the Next Step
"...in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses" (2 Corinthians 6:4)
"When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the Gospel.
"Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lost interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with it trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17."
This also reminded me of a great quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. - "If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well."
on a more frequent basis. While his thoughts are pretty much right on from day to day, every so often it seems that his words, originally published in 1935, were written with me in mind for that specific day. Today's short devotion was one of them. I hope that it encourages you as it did me...Taking the Next Step
"...in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses" (2 Corinthians 6:4)
"When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the Gospel.
"Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lost interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with it trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17."
This also reminded me of a great quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. - "If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well."
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