God's unfailing love is such a beautiful gift. I'm so grateful that we have such a graceful Lord.
http://youtu.be/k_MyC6kJzPg
Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin
You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power
[Chorus]
And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love
You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You
[Chorus] (repeat)
I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love
And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
So, I heard this song on CSI NY, and it definitely affected me. It's a powerful song and message. I keep listening to it... it's just one of those songs that touches your soul in ways you never expected.
It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't It's one door swinging open and one door swinging closed Some prayers find the answer, some prayers never know We're holding on, and letting go.
http://youtu.be/ebNDJF-LhUI
Holding On And Letting Go by Ross Copperman
Is anybody out there?
Is anybody listening?
Does anybody really know,
If it's the end or the beginning?
The quiet rush from one breath,
Is all we're waiting for
Sometimes the one we're taking
Changes everyone before
[Chorus]
It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't It's one door swinging open and one door swinging closed Some prayers find the answer, some prayers never know We're holding on, and letting go.
Sometimes we're holding angels,
And we never even know
Don't know if we'll make it,
Or we know, we just can't let it show
I heard this song the other day, and it really moved me. It's a very powerful song and video. I've heard/read that this is a very personal song about her own struggles, but I think the message is great for everyone that is in a dark place in their life. There is still hope, and you can battle through and rise higher than ever... "like a skyscraper."
In the video, she's barefoot, making her way through a barren desert. I think the imagery is right on. In the midst of dark times, it can often feel like we're alone... trying to make our way through a barren land. But, we can make our way through it, and rise to new heights. I think skyscrapers are truly marvelous...
It is through the resurrecting fire of the Holy Spirit that God takes the ashes of our lives and creates beauty. As I walk through difficult times, I pray:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:10-12).
http://youtu.be/r_8ydghbGSg
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?
[Chorus]
You can take everything I have You can break everything I am Like I'm made of glass Like I'm made of paper Go on and try to tear me down I will be rising from the ground Like a skyscraper Like a skyscraper
As the smoke clears, I awaken
and untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better
to watch me while I bleed?
All my windows still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet
[Chorus]
Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here, watch you disappear
Yea--ohh
Go run, run, run
Yeah, it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here
[Chorus]
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
We may shine, we may shatter...We are fragile, we are human...We are shaped by the light we let through us
I think that the "light we let through us" truly does shape us. As Christians, we are called to share Jesus' love with others. Jesus tells us that “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Allowing His light to shine through in everything we do is how we can spread His love.
It can be difficult to let others in, letting them see who you really are. But we all are fragile and imperfect. We should try not to judge one another, as we all bear our own burdens.
I'll let you look inside me... Through the stains and through the cracks... But try not to judge me... 'Cause we've walked down different paths
http://youtu.be/IFu8AYgRsog
Glass by Ross Copperman
Tryin' to live and love
With a heart that can't be broken
Is like tryin' to see the light
With eyes that can't be opened
Yea, we both carry baggage
We picked up on our way So if you love me, do it gently And I will do the same.
[Chorus] We may shine, we may shatter We may be pickin' up the pieces here on after We are fragile, we are human We are shaped by the light we let through us But we break fast 'cause we are glass
'Cause we are glass
I'll let you look inside me Through the stains and through the cracks
And in the darkness of this moment
You see the good and bad
But try not to judge me 'Cause we've walked down different paths
But it brought us here together
So I won't take that back
[Chorus]
We might be oil in water
This could be a big mistake
We might burn like gasoline and fire
It's a chance we'll have to take
My heart is aching. A dear friend of mine lost his son, only moments after he was born. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and emptiness of losing a child. And, yet, I mourn for the loss of a soul I never knew.
"Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4)
I know that there are no words that can fill the void, but I hope they know that they are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot know the pain they're experiencing, but I will be there for them any way that I can.
Lord, please comfort and keep this family, in this time of great sorrow. Wrap your loving arms around them, and let them know that you are with them... you, too, lost your son... you know what they need, and I ask that you provide for them. I pray all of this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thought That Counts
Often in times of trouble
we don't know what to say,
So we choose to say nothing,
and sometimes run away.
When friends are really hurting,
we don't know what to do,
So we offer weak excuses
or say we're hurting too.
It really doesn't matter
what kind of gift we bring;
We only need to be there
if we don't bring a thing.
It truly is amazing
what a hug can do,
When heartache numbs the senses,
and friends depend on you.
There's comfort just in knowing
that you are not alone,
When tears are overflowing,
and hearts are cold as stone.
It's the loving prayers of others
that balance our accounts,
For when we measure love,
it's still the thought that counts.
~ Clay Harrison
I Remember You
The world may never notice
If a rosebud doesn't bloom
Or even pause to wonder
if the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be
Touches the World in some small way
For all eternity.
The little ones we longed for
Were swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.
And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do
Every beating of my heart says
"I Remember You"
~ Author unknown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSFH6_IiOlw
He Will Carry Me by Mark Schultz
I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more than I can bear
I feel so empty
You're strong, I'm weary
I'm holding on
But I feel like giving in
But still You're with me
[Chorus] And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me
And when all hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
You're always with me
[Chorus]
He will carry me
And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You'd see me through the storm
I heard about Luke Cyrus from another person's blog, and I feel that his music is worth sharing. His song, "Teach Me To Breathe," is so beautiful. Sometimes, it's difficult for me to remember that I'm not meant to know what tomorrow will bring. I'm to trust in God, and have faith that He will guide my steps. I pray that God will teach me to breathe.
This song speaks what my heart is sometimes unable to say:
"All to You, I surrender,
Everything, every part of me.
All to You, I surrender,
All of my dreams, all of me.
...I surrender... cause I trust you God ...all my hope is in You ...I place all my trust ...to you God ...cause your ways are far better than mine.
No turning back, I've made up my mind, I'm giving all of my life this time."
I pray that the Lord help me to remember and trust that I am to surrender EVERYTHING to Him, my Lord and Savior.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2)
"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39)
"...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24)
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes" (Psalm 37:4-7)
"For many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28)
"The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him" (Psalm 37:23)
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.For I have come to turna man against his father,a daughter against her mother,a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:34-39)
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
"A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?" (Proverbs 20:24)
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" (Proverbs 16:9)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you" (Psalm 32:8)
"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths" (Psalm 25:4)
"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11)
There is a long article that really fleshes out The Full Surrender. I haven't quite finished reading the entire thing, but it's been interesting and though-provoking.
