My 90's Music

Ok, so I'm been in a 90's music funk for most of 2008. Maybe its rediscovering all my CDs or something...but I love"Rocks Won't Cry" by Shane and Shane, I was listening to Sonic Flood one day, Delerious' "Cutting Edge", stuff like that.

This morning was no exception. Out of Eden came on the "player" in my head...so I put it in this morning as I got ready. Here's my hope/prayer for today/week/month/year...its their song "Praise You"

Lord I really don't know how to write a song
I'm not always eloquent, sometimes I get it wrong
But the thing You've doing in me I can't describe
What a fool I'd be if I chose to hidethis transformation, new motivation

Thought that we were close, I've known You all this time
But I was just living life my way, just getting by
Thought that if I'd do a good deed or two
That'd be enough to please You I kept the parts I wanted to, and missed out on the real You

Now with every step and every breath I give it all, hold nothing back
With all I am, this is my choice, to live to worship You
So with all my heart, my soul, my mind I'll love You, leave it all behind
To live my life in awe of You is the least that I can do

I've held on so long to all my hopes and dreams
While You were asking me to place them all at Your feet
Let my praise be more than a song I'll sing for You
Let me change all my ways in response to You
I've lived for myself, Lord I need Your help
Not I who lives, but You

For You are worthy of all honor
(And You) deserve the sacrifice I'll give
You've touched my heart and now I see what it is You want from me
So I'll lose the things that hold meback so You can set me free

Puh-lease

What is he going to do if he is elected president and no one likes him? Is he going to whine every time someone says something mean about him? I cannot foresee the entire world all liking him at the same time, so if you're going to be president, get used to being mocked. Its happened to all of them.

Cowboy up Obama!

Waiting Inspiration...

Waiting seasons are still painful. But deep within me, God is at work, assuring me he won't waste my heartaches. That even if he doesn't make my situations better, he'll somehow make me better through them...

I'd still like a white dress to hang in my closet someday—preferably someday soon. But now as I wait, I'm careful not merely to mark time, so preoccupied with what's next that I miss out on what's now. I'm striving to wait well. And part of waiting well, I've learned, is being open to God's lessons about redemption, trust, compassion, and his higher purposes along the way.
Until I see God face-to-face, I'll always wait for something. Or rather, Someone. And as I long for earthly things, I'll allow them to point me to the deepest longing in my soul. He's the One I await."

~~Stephanie Voiland, an editor and TCW regular contributor

Got me thinking...

So as I was cleaning last night I was watching CSI:NY. (please don't hold this against me, I do not have cable and it was the only thing on and really I just wanted noise in the background) There were two story lines and the 2nd one caught my attention. At the end of the show the one guy (with the glasses) is really upset with the other guy (tag, from Friends) and tells him that this particular problem was "none of your business!" to which Tag replies "You're my friend, that makes it my business".

You're my friend...that makes it my business. What would happen if I adopted this line of thinking, if the church adopted this line of thinking? Yes, we need to set boundaries. And yes, there are some areas of life that need to be "our" business. However...if you are my friend, the things you are doing that are not healthy or good for you or in the end are destroying who you are it is my business to come along side and help you. This is what friendship, what love, looks like. It's not always pretty, its really quite ugly at times and yes...you're probably not going to like me much for getting involved and confronting the non-good habits, but "you're my friend, it is my business."

It is so easy to stand by and not say anything. Its so easy to not let others in to the details of our lives. It may be even easier to push them away when they get too close; whoever "them" and "they" are.

The challenge to myself is why do I not get involved in my friends lives? And if they do push me away, why do I give up so easily?

As churches continue to grow and become "mega" we continue to grow more alone in the midst of people. Why? Because there is no one to really "miss me" if I don't show up for months on end. When I don't show up, I forget what God has intended for me, I let my marriage or my friendships slip and my sinful habits increase. What I really need is for my friends to come and ask the hard questions. I need the accountability--I may not like it--but I need it. You may not like it...but you need it.

We need to let go of our hearts and love more fully. Yeah...they'll get stepped on. Yeah...it'll hurt more. But unless we want to become a shell of a people...its our only choice.

Anyway, that's my ramblings and learnings from CSI:NY.