I sing on the worship team at Bethany Church in Greenland. I am scheduled to sing this Sunday, and we have been asked to learn a special song for the service. It is one I have heard many times before, but never really gave much thought to till the last week or so. It's called "What if Jesus Comes Back Like That".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7At75kN_YsI
As I have been learning the words to this song, it has me thinking. Do I really treat the people around me, even the people I don't know who come across my path, like I would treat Jesus? If we were to all examine our lives honestly, we don't even come close a majority of the time.
What if Jesus came back like the guy who is down on his luck and cries out in frustration and nobody takes him seriously. He's made his bed, he should lay in it. He should man up and help himself. Well, what if Jesus came back like that? We would be stunned and horrified to find we had treated Him that way.
What if Jesus came back like the girl who has seemingly thrown her life away for whatever physical pleasure or high she could find? Do we turn up our nose and turn our back on her? Or do we see her need for love, for real relationship? What if Jesus came back like her? We would be mortified to see Him revealed in her, ashamed of the way we have treated Him.
What if Jesus came back like that politician we can't stand, the one who is a crook and wicked and doesn't deserve grace or forgiveness in our minds? God says we all have a chance as a long as we are breathing. Yet we act like there is no hope for them. And maybe it seems that is true. But what if Jesus came back like that? Would we pray for Him and plead with God to change His heart, or would we get angry and pretend like the forgiveness that is extended to all does not apply to Him?
This Christmas I think is a very good time to examine where our hearts are at. Cause if Jesus came back like that, would He cry when He sees where our hearts are at? Or would He be pleased to find us treating others as we would treat Him? What if Jesus came back today like that?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
You Matter
As I write this post I am in total awe of what God has done. I can't get into details quite yet, but I just want to say that if you ever think that prayer doesn't matter, that what you have to offer doesn't matter, you are wrong.
I have wondered lately if what I do matters. I have felt like I have not been making an impact, and while I love writing and singing, I was wondering if what I had to say mattered to anyone other than me. I have been proven so unbelievably wrong.
For those of you who wonder if you matter, you do. If you wonder if God sees you, He does. If you wonder if He hears and answers your prayers, He does and He will. Hold on.
You may think that nobody would care if you were here...they do. You may think you have nothing to offer that would matter to anyone...you do. The same God who took five loaves and two fishes to feed the multitudes is the same God who will take our gifts, no matter how meager or small they look or feel, and will use them in mighty ways. Just watch. I promise, you will be amazed. I KNOW I am.
I have wondered lately if what I do matters. I have felt like I have not been making an impact, and while I love writing and singing, I was wondering if what I had to say mattered to anyone other than me. I have been proven so unbelievably wrong.
For those of you who wonder if you matter, you do. If you wonder if God sees you, He does. If you wonder if He hears and answers your prayers, He does and He will. Hold on.
You may think that nobody would care if you were here...they do. You may think you have nothing to offer that would matter to anyone...you do. The same God who took five loaves and two fishes to feed the multitudes is the same God who will take our gifts, no matter how meager or small they look or feel, and will use them in mighty ways. Just watch. I promise, you will be amazed. I KNOW I am.
Friday, December 10, 2010
God Is With Us
God Is With Us.
Those four words have opened my eyes in a whole new way. I have been struggling with some things in life lately. Some of those things are personal to me, but I have also been struggling with the hurt and need around me. I have a couple friends in particular who are not doing well financially and who are hurting. Being Christmas and all, it has really bothered me, feeling like there is not much I can do beyond praying for them and listening when they just need to talk. I have no money to give, and I would gladly give it if I did. And sometimes I wonder why is it the people who would give have no money to give and there are people with money who are entirely selfish (not all people with money...I know there are very generous wealthy people out there). And I have found myself over and over saying, "Gosh, I wish I could just understand it. I just don't understand".
Last week I attended a Christmas gathering where Kim Bolton was the speaker. She said something that really caught my attention. She said we are not called to understand, we are called to obey. And I think that applies especially when we don't understand. But I'll get into that another time.
Last night I was at the Candlelight Christmas Concert at Bethany Church. Two of my girls were singing in the children's choir, and I couldn't wait to go. And let me tell you, I was blown away!!!! The talent was unbelievable, and the night is one I will not forget. But it was more than just the music, although believe you me that would have been enough. Four words caught my attention.
God is with us.
He is with us always. He did not leave us when He left the stable. When He died on a cross. When He went back to heaven. He is with us. The God who knew total abandonment on a cross will never abandon us. The gift of Christmas is not just that God came to earth. It's that He is with us still.
God is with us.
When life is hard and seems unfair. When no matter what you do you can't seem to get ahead and it feels like nobody understands or cares. Yet He understands even better than we do and cares more deeply than we can ever fathom.
God is with us.
When the money is gone and we don't know where our next meal or rent check will come from. When we miss those loved ones that we cannot see because they have passed on or because of the selfishness of others. When we feel so lonely we could just curl up and die.
God is with us.
And because He is always with us, we always have hope. We always have love. We always have life. Life does not depend on little green pieces of paper or people. Life is a gift from the ultimate source of love and life.
God is with us. Hope is not lost, love will live on. God is with us.
Those four words have opened my eyes in a whole new way. I have been struggling with some things in life lately. Some of those things are personal to me, but I have also been struggling with the hurt and need around me. I have a couple friends in particular who are not doing well financially and who are hurting. Being Christmas and all, it has really bothered me, feeling like there is not much I can do beyond praying for them and listening when they just need to talk. I have no money to give, and I would gladly give it if I did. And sometimes I wonder why is it the people who would give have no money to give and there are people with money who are entirely selfish (not all people with money...I know there are very generous wealthy people out there). And I have found myself over and over saying, "Gosh, I wish I could just understand it. I just don't understand".
Last week I attended a Christmas gathering where Kim Bolton was the speaker. She said something that really caught my attention. She said we are not called to understand, we are called to obey. And I think that applies especially when we don't understand. But I'll get into that another time.
Last night I was at the Candlelight Christmas Concert at Bethany Church. Two of my girls were singing in the children's choir, and I couldn't wait to go. And let me tell you, I was blown away!!!! The talent was unbelievable, and the night is one I will not forget. But it was more than just the music, although believe you me that would have been enough. Four words caught my attention.
God is with us.
He is with us always. He did not leave us when He left the stable. When He died on a cross. When He went back to heaven. He is with us. The God who knew total abandonment on a cross will never abandon us. The gift of Christmas is not just that God came to earth. It's that He is with us still.
God is with us.
When life is hard and seems unfair. When no matter what you do you can't seem to get ahead and it feels like nobody understands or cares. Yet He understands even better than we do and cares more deeply than we can ever fathom.
God is with us.
When the money is gone and we don't know where our next meal or rent check will come from. When we miss those loved ones that we cannot see because they have passed on or because of the selfishness of others. When we feel so lonely we could just curl up and die.
God is with us.
And because He is always with us, we always have hope. We always have love. We always have life. Life does not depend on little green pieces of paper or people. Life is a gift from the ultimate source of love and life.
God is with us. Hope is not lost, love will live on. God is with us.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The layringitis
Oh me, oh my, I have not been very good with this blog thing. Must improve that!
The vocal music has been a temporary hiatus due to the laryngitis. I caught a cold that's been going around and man getting the voice back has been sloooooow. Man, it is hard to be patient when you have so many melodies and lyrics in your head and you cannot give them a voice. Talk about a lesson in patience!
All this laryngitis has meant extra time at the keyboard. OOOOOH, that has been fun! And much needed...the keys are sounding much better, especially on "When We Don't Believe". Hooray!!
Anyway, I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving....mine was spent with my mom, two of my sisters, one brother in law, a niece, a nephew, and my four children. Yep, we are a rowdy crowd, and we wouldn't have it any other way!
I have been increasingly aware of just how much we have to be grateful for. Life is hard, and sometimes it doesn't make sense; yet there are little blessings that we tend to so often miss because we are focused on the bigger issues of life. I think God sends them our way to remind us that He is a gracious God even in the worst of circumstances. So today I am reminded to count my blessings...yes, in this world there have been troubles, but the blessings far outweigh the sorrows that this life can bring. Hmmm...sounds like a song....maybe I'll have to work on that :)
The vocal music has been a temporary hiatus due to the laryngitis. I caught a cold that's been going around and man getting the voice back has been sloooooow. Man, it is hard to be patient when you have so many melodies and lyrics in your head and you cannot give them a voice. Talk about a lesson in patience!
All this laryngitis has meant extra time at the keyboard. OOOOOH, that has been fun! And much needed...the keys are sounding much better, especially on "When We Don't Believe". Hooray!!
Anyway, I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving....mine was spent with my mom, two of my sisters, one brother in law, a niece, a nephew, and my four children. Yep, we are a rowdy crowd, and we wouldn't have it any other way!
I have been increasingly aware of just how much we have to be grateful for. Life is hard, and sometimes it doesn't make sense; yet there are little blessings that we tend to so often miss because we are focused on the bigger issues of life. I think God sends them our way to remind us that He is a gracious God even in the worst of circumstances. So today I am reminded to count my blessings...yes, in this world there have been troubles, but the blessings far outweigh the sorrows that this life can bring. Hmmm...sounds like a song....maybe I'll have to work on that :)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Happy Birthday Little Bean!
Today is not about music. Okay, a tiny bit, but not in the way you might think. Today is about my "little bean", my Sarah Grace, who turns four today (because according to her it is finally "member" aka November).
I simply cannot believe my littlest bug is four!! Where does the time go? This morning she came bounding down the stairs and commanded her brother to tell her Happy Birthday! He was a good sport...and then sang her the monkey version of the Happy Birthday song. Sarah promptly told him he was singing it wrong and proceeded to sing it for him, complete with "Happy Birthday dear Sarah". Not bossy at all is she lol? (We've taken to calling her the tiny tyrant lately).
So today will be spent with Miss Sarah Sunshine. Happy Birthday my little bean, mommy loves you!!!
I simply cannot believe my littlest bug is four!! Where does the time go? This morning she came bounding down the stairs and commanded her brother to tell her Happy Birthday! He was a good sport...and then sang her the monkey version of the Happy Birthday song. Sarah promptly told him he was singing it wrong and proceeded to sing it for him, complete with "Happy Birthday dear Sarah". Not bossy at all is she lol? (We've taken to calling her the tiny tyrant lately).
So today will be spent with Miss Sarah Sunshine. Happy Birthday my little bean, mommy loves you!!!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
100!!
Just had to take a minute to celebrate....just saw that I now have over 100 listens on my music page (and this occurred within 48 hours of putting the page together). God is so good!!!!!!
When We Don't Believe
When We Don't Believe is actually a song I wrote two days ago that just came together very quickly. It kind of came out of a "hello" moment I had after a conversation with my mom.
My car broke down two days ago (the alternator died). No big deal, except we don't really have the finances for any extras right now. And of course, having a vehicle to get people where they need to be is pretty necessary. I want to say right here though that my husband works his tail off to provide for us and he always has. And I was feeling particularly upset about it not just because the car broke down but because I was actually feeling bad for Tim. He works so darn hard, and it just seemed to me like every time we get to a place where "ooh, maybe we can finally swim instead of tread water", something happens to one or both of our cars. No joke. And I'm sure we are not alone in this, but I was having myself quite the pity party.
So, I was talking to my mom about all this and she was reminding me that we are not the only people who go through these things, that that is life and I should be more grateful for all the things I did have. And she's right. I may not have a lot in terms of those little green pieces of paper that sometimes make me crazy, but I have a whole lot of riches in blessings and love from my heavenly Father.
Taking stock of my current situation, I had a lot more to be grateful for than I did to be upset about. Yes, my alternator died, and no I have no idea how or when it will be replaced and I will get my car back. However:
1. I was able to pull into the parking lot of Mr. Mike's and park there instead of being stuck in the middle of the road or an intersection.
2. The manager at Mr. Mike's allowed me to leave my car there until Tim got out of work and called AAA.
3. My brother in law was working that day at Mr. Mike's, and he asked his boss if he could give me and Sarah a ride home.
4. His boss said yes.
5. He gave Sarah and I a ride home, and texted later to make sure we were okay (I was a blubbering idiot over the car at first).
Life isn't always what you make it. Things will happen to upset your plans or rock your world. But it's what we choose to focus on that makes all the difference. Perspective can color any situation any color we choose. And those little molehills that we've gotten right up close to and stared at can become small again if we are willing to back it up and look from a different angle.
"And I wonder what we're learning when we choose to gaze on what we see, and we don't believe."
6. Mr. Mike's has a Dunkin Donuts, so I was even able to get an ice coffee in the middle of the mess.
My car broke down two days ago (the alternator died). No big deal, except we don't really have the finances for any extras right now. And of course, having a vehicle to get people where they need to be is pretty necessary. I want to say right here though that my husband works his tail off to provide for us and he always has. And I was feeling particularly upset about it not just because the car broke down but because I was actually feeling bad for Tim. He works so darn hard, and it just seemed to me like every time we get to a place where "ooh, maybe we can finally swim instead of tread water", something happens to one or both of our cars. No joke. And I'm sure we are not alone in this, but I was having myself quite the pity party.
So, I was talking to my mom about all this and she was reminding me that we are not the only people who go through these things, that that is life and I should be more grateful for all the things I did have. And she's right. I may not have a lot in terms of those little green pieces of paper that sometimes make me crazy, but I have a whole lot of riches in blessings and love from my heavenly Father.
Taking stock of my current situation, I had a lot more to be grateful for than I did to be upset about. Yes, my alternator died, and no I have no idea how or when it will be replaced and I will get my car back. However:
1. I was able to pull into the parking lot of Mr. Mike's and park there instead of being stuck in the middle of the road or an intersection.
2. The manager at Mr. Mike's allowed me to leave my car there until Tim got out of work and called AAA.
3. My brother in law was working that day at Mr. Mike's, and he asked his boss if he could give me and Sarah a ride home.
4. His boss said yes.
5. He gave Sarah and I a ride home, and texted later to make sure we were okay (I was a blubbering idiot over the car at first).
Life isn't always what you make it. Things will happen to upset your plans or rock your world. But it's what we choose to focus on that makes all the difference. Perspective can color any situation any color we choose. And those little molehills that we've gotten right up close to and stared at can become small again if we are willing to back it up and look from a different angle.
"And I wonder what we're learning when we choose to gaze on what we see, and we don't believe."
6. Mr. Mike's has a Dunkin Donuts, so I was even able to get an ice coffee in the middle of the mess.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
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