Uhhhmmmmm… who writes this Christian curriculum?

Whether he realizes or not, my brother, Cory (a worship pastor with his kids in a private Christian school), just became my guest blogger. I converted his recent email to me into my newest blog entry:

So, I have a 5 year old who is grown up beyond her years, and I know this, so not much truly shocks me.  But, this week I had the surprise of my life.  She was doing her homework and reading it loud and proud.  It was a study on the letters “d” and “f”.  There would be a picture, and she would have to circle either the d or the f depending on which one the picture started with.  And of course, she would read them all out loud because they were funny to hear.  First there was “deather” “feather”, for the picture of the feather.  Then there was the picture of the dog, and of course loud and proud she reads “dog” “fog” again laughing at the funniness that was ensuing.  Nothing however could have prepared me for what happened next.  Still as loud and proud as before, she looked at the picture of the duck, and being that we had laughed with her at the other funny names, with even more zeal she proudly read “duck” “f***”!
Don’t you know the writer of Abeka’s curriculum is laughing his ass off right now!!!

Part 2: He is here for the hurting and broken

After yesterday’s post, I decided to add part 2 for all those hurting and broken in their world right now. We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt the gritty sands blowing around us in the desert times. But we can also learn the peace of the Spirit of God in the middle of our sorrows. We can learn to emerge triumphant in the strength of Jesus.

Here is the documentary for Desert Song, another worshipful addition to Hillsong’s latest album, This is Our God. The song immediately follows the documentary in the following video.

He is here for the sick and the dying

It is an eternal theme and urging to worship in spirit and in truth. It is stirring in my heart, in the heart of our church and worship ministry, in our leaders, in our lives. Lift God, lift Jesus higher and higher. In all seasons, in all pain and hurt, and all triumph and prosperity, lift our Lord as he deserves the highest place.

Hillsong’s latest live album, This is Our God, was released recently and beats with heaven’s heart. Glorify God. Here is a documentary on the album as a whole as well as one specific song, Healer. Take 9 minutes out of your day to watch this.

 

And here is the song, Healer, sung by Mike & the Hillsong team.

the water pump is working again

I have a very obvious tell when it comes to intimacy with God. I’ve realized over the last couple years that as long as I’m seeking God, searching Him out, desiring more of Him, I’m singing. Not necessarily on stage…just singing here and there without even realizing it. It’s an unstoppable well when I’m spiritually lit, and it’s a sure sign that I’ve neglected my first Love when the songs cease, when the well dries up. It’s as if my spirit is communing with God subconsciously throughout the day. And as I do so, I find my spirit soaring. In these times (whether they are difficult times or not), God gives me new and personal worship songs to sing to Him. They may never be published, copyrighted or recorded. They may never be heard by more than the audience of One. They are solely His and I sing them for Him the moment they come to me.  

However, some of the other songs He gives me I believe He wants me to share. One day. They’ve been accumulating over the last two years and, with the fresh life God has given me, have resurfaced. We’ll see.

 

 

All I know is I am grateful for the life once again coursing through my body.

My spirit is free to sing to You!!!

my favorite author and his song

If ever you feel unfulfilled or unsatisfied with what life appears to be, if ever you are searching for something past the superficial veils, beneath the surface of our skin, read C.S. Lewis. Even as an adult, every book in the Narnia series moves me to long for my Savior more, to have what Lucy had with Aslan or to know him in the many forms he takes, the many ways he reveals himself. Other books of his you must read: The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity. Yes, there are boatloads of books and short stories by this man, a man who seemed to know God in a unique way and who penned that relationship for us to consume years later. But these fit the point of the song below. Take time to read and mull over the lyrics of Brooke Fraser’s song. Like the Narnia series, and the 2 books mentioned above, it’ll have you craving something more than ourselves and our worlds. Our Maker, our Savior, and our Love.

Brooke Fraser’s ‘C.S. Lewis Song’

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I’ll feel nude when to where I’m destined I’m compared

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
‘Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He’s coming

pure

She stepped past the threshold and trembled with boldness,

looked up to the clouds that poured out their rain.

Her sin, like mascara, streamed off towards the mud

Washed in the torrent, the fall down of grace.

- – -

Jesus: “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

Adulteress: “No one, Lord.” 

Jesus: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 

from john chapter 8, verses 1 through 11

corrected & redirected

I received a timely e-newsletter tonight. It was from Hillsong Music letting me know about new releases, pre-orders, and other deals. While I’m always interested in the outputs of a place I call “my first home,” I was drawn more-so tonight to the free teaching download from Robert Fergusson. While at leadership college in Sydney, I undoubtedly loved Robert’s style, character, and demeanor the most. Today I still consider him my favorite Bible teacher (RT Kendall is definitely up there too). Needless to say, I ordered the download and spent the next 40 minutes experiencing (yet again) the grace of God.

I might call the last 9 months of my existence an unfortunate pregnancy. From September till now, I’ve allowed the non-fruits of the Spirit to take root within my heart and soul. I willingly became a host to the sin of not loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength. In the roar of life, school, and work I loved my Self and my Wants and my Life more than loving anyone else. I was becoming the Christian that attends church on Sundays and Wednesdays, helps out volunteering, hangs out with fellow church-goers, but doesn’t spend a drop of time in prayer and in the Word throughout the week. It hasn’t gone unnoticed in my eyes. I am fully aware, fully conscious, fully guilty. But a chasm separates the cliffs of knowledge from those of repentance. Only those who choose to actually walk the rough wooden bridge, each plank dripping with the blood of Jesus, experience a changed heart. For 9 months I’ve toed the edge of the cliff of analytical reason, stubbornly refusing to take a step of faith. No wonder I’m searching desperately for my identity. In my quest to find Me, I’ve wandered away from God, the One all individual fulfillment lies in. 

I longed – at the end of Robert’s message – with a heart craving its maker. I cried with repentant tears when Robert gave an altar call. There were no people to witness my hands up in the air or my knees on the floor. It was just me and my gracious Father.

For the first time in a long time my heart feels tender again, willing to change, desperate to spend time with Him. I’ve wanted to be used by God, but I must first be made usable, pliable, humble, obedient. I want to be back in His presence, serving Him, loving on Him, rejoicing with Him, worshipping Him, and living a life of faith-filled adventure with Him. I just want to be His again as I’ve found I’m a lousy keeper of myself.