salvation

the overwhelming preciousness

/ upsidedownbethlehem / Leave a comment

While worshiping Jesus at church today tears appeared on my face like dew on tulips in early morning. The sunlight’s tension yearning beyond the night’s cool, causing the droplets. My life’s hopes slamming into the embodiment of hope: Jesus Himself.

I am simply undone by the stirring brightness of Jesus. I can not fathom a better King, a truer lover, nor a deeper friend. I am infinitely thankful I know Him. For Him, I would do anything, go anywhere, and love anyone. My heart longs for the whole world to know Him, to really KNOW Him. He’s it. He really is. He’s the fulfillment, the treasure, the resurrection, and the life. And once you choose to follow Him, you are inseparable. A match made in heaven which will stay in heaven forever.

If you haven’t met Him, if you haven’t chosen to follow Him, you can decide to do so any time. Simply tell Jesus you want to follow Him and tell Him you are giving Him your life. You can talk out loud, if you want. Ask Him to tangibly demonstrate His love to you. Then listen for His direction. He’ll speak. Keep talking to Him- daily, hourly, constantly – chat with Him as you would a friend. He loves you. And the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. I recommend finding a Bible and reading it: starting with the book of John in the New Testament. It’s really scrumptious. The main thing is keep talking to God AND listen for His response.

(And if you choose to follow Him, let me know. I’ll throw some imaginary confetti and laugh with joy.)

“Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss


compared to the possession


of the priceless privilege

(the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage)


of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord


and of progressively becoming more deeply and

intimately acquainted with Him


[of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him

more fully and clearly].


For His sake I have lost everything


and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs),


in order that I may win (gain) Christ

(the Anointed One)”

Philippians 3:8 (AMP)

the gift of the “impossible”

/ upsidedownbethlehem / 2 Comments

“It may be that we have lost our ability to hold a blazing coal, to move unfettered through time, to walk on water, because we have been taught that such things have to be earned; we should deserve them; we must be qualified. We are suspicious of grace. We are afraid of the lavishness of the gift.
But a child rejoices in presents!”

(page 77)

“Am I suggesting that we really ought to be able to walk upon water? That there are (and not just in fantasies) easier and faster ways to travel than by jet or car? Yes, I am. There are too many stories of mystics being able to move hundreds of miles through the power of contemplation for us to be able to toss them aside. Over and over again throughout the centuries we have made choices which were meant to free us, but which ultimately have limited and restricted us. But the artist has retained some of the freedom we have lost in the industrial dailiness of our living.”

(page 94)

Walking on Water: Reflections of Faith and Art

by Madeleine L’ Engle

in love, we’ll be in love (song)

/ upsidedownbethlehem / Leave a comment

Ever since returning to America last September 5, God has been expanding my love for HIS bride – the Church. I’ve always loved her, but my focus was so much on the unreached, I didn’t give as much attention to the Church. Anyhow, over the last 12 months I have found myself absolutely CRAZILY passionate about empowering the Bride – to be ready, to know her worth, and to see herself with the beauty that Jesus sees in her. From that place of love, I wrote this song.

Actually, I’ve been singing parts of this song in my own worship time with God for months, but it’s been growing and growing like a snowball rolling down a hill and I think it’s time to share it.

It makes me pretty drunk on Jesus to sing it. I expect it will make you drunk on Jesus to hear it. He is smitten with you. hahaha. And He wants you to passionately adore Him. And when this happens, when the Church is head over heels in love with Jesus, the world will notice and it will want that same lovesickness and power.

And then we’ll all just be in love.

Won’t that be wonderfully blissful?

aaaaaaaaaahhh…. I’m so love-smacked. The Holy Spirit is soooooooooo romantic and unbelievably amazing.

* Recorded in StudioCasselberry*

*a good place for a love song*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LYRICS:

Oh how my heart, it races
When you look me in the eyes
Oh how my life, it races
When you take me through the skies

Chief among ten thousand
You’re the fairest in the land
My love is for your love God
And my hand is for your hand

Higher, we’ll go higher

Unveil to me your secrets
And I will steward them
Show me all your treasures
And I will treasure them

Swing me through the treetops
Crash me through the sky
Some say they want to
But most have never tried

Higher, we’ll go higher

Show me your new colors
And lead me by the heart
I’ll shout it from the rooftops
My God how great thou are

From this love, we’ll show them
How amazing it can be
When my heart is fully yours
And I am fully me

Higher, we’ll go higher

As we fly and float and swirl
The bride will take note
As we swoon and laugh and dance
She’ll know she’s meant to float

In love, she’ll fall in love
In love, she’ll fall in love

And the nations will be yours
A bride who knows her worth
She’ll praise and she’ll adore you
Along with all the earth

In love, she’ll fall in love
In love, we’ll be in love

In love, she’ll be in love
In love, we’ll be in love

Vodpod videos no longer available.