All Sons & Daughters "Reason To Sing"

All Sons & Daughters "Reason To Sing"

We sang this song in praise and worship on Sunday.  Actually, we even did this version which includes the extended verses.

It hit me pretty hard.

We all have those moments when we wonder where God is.  Those moments we scream to the top of our lungs, "God,Why?!".

Our suffering is our world, and it's all we can see.

The truth is, this thing was never about us.  The life we live and its daily experiences were never ours to begin with.  It's always been all about Him. 

Our purpose, to worship and glorify Him.

The times in our life when we face trials, they offer an opportunity to exercise faith.  Can you believe, without seeing, that all things work for the good of those who love Him?  Even those things we believe might kill us inside?  The faith to believe a gracious and loving God would let them happen? 

One of my favorite lines...
"I need to know that you're still holding the whole world in your hands, and that is a reason to sing."

God, I not only need you to show me that You're still in control, but I need you to show me You're good, because right now I'm having a hard time seeing it.

Now I have no idea if that's the way the author intended it to be interpreted, but I think it's a real interpretation every christian faces.  And I think God's OK with that.  I also think He'll answer.  He answers with a grace and mercy so powerful we hit our knees.  Unmerited favor, at the perfect moment, which can only be from Him.  Right in the middle of our struggle and doubt we're overwhelmed by love.

Matthew 11:12, Difficult Verse Explained Beautifully

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. ~Matthew 11:12


I must say, there aren't many Bible verses that confuse me. Usually I can read the entire chapter, look through a few different translations, read a concordance for the Hebrew/Greek, check with the Holy Spirit, and feel pretty darn comfortable. With that being said, even after aforementioned due diligence, I continued to struggle with this one.

Is this verse saying the kingdom of heaven is under attack? Why "from the days of John"? Who are the "violent men"? Are they evil? Are we being called to defend the Word against those who would manipulate it? Are we the ones who, through our decision to accept Christ, violently take hold of salvation?

As I looked for a more detailed explanation I came across this...  Taking the Kingdom by Force

Though I still have some questions, I thought this was a beautiful and well educated analysis.

Fireflight - Desperate

Be strong beloveds.  He is with you!  Love this song!

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  ~1 Corinthians 10:13(KJV)

Seek and you will find, they say but I've been looking everyday for a way past this wall that's in front of my face. I'm on hands and knees searching for my faith.
I know there's so much at stake but I don't know if I can take one more pat on the back saying I'll be okay. Can't you see me whole life is in disarray?
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me, Would You give me a sign? Reel me in before I've fall out of line. You've put me on a path I don't understand I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You've got me desperate.
I know You're my only hope The only One who truly knows how it feels, what it's like when it all starts to fall You're the One I can trust who hears when I call.
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me, Would You give me a sign? Reel me in before I've fall out of line. You've put me on a path I don't understand I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You've got me desperate.
Some things I'll never figure out Until I let hope erase my doubt.
You've got me desperate.
I know You hear me, Would You give me a sign? Reel me in before I've fall out of line. You've put me on a path I don't understand, I'm standing on a ledge waving my hands.
You've got me desperate (do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You've got me desperate.
You've got me desperate. (Oh do You see me?) Desperate (do You hear me?) Desperate (will You help me?) You've got me desperate!

God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh

God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh

This is probably one of the best books I've ever read! If you, or someone you love is struggling, PLEASE read this book.

Most and Least Bible-Minded Cities... fun and interesting study.

Hi All...

This is a Barna Group study I thought was quite interesting.  It breaks down the most and least Bible-Minded cities in the United States.

Top 6
Knoxville, TN

Shreveport, LA 

Chattanooga, TN

Birmingham, AL

Jackson, MS

Springfield, MD

...all major markets are included.  Here is a full list.

Don’t You Dare Be Caught Rejoicing with Those Who Weep by Justin Taylor

Hi Beloveds...

Here is a great, quick, read from Justin Taylor over at Between Two Worlds.  I think as guys we can be especially bad about this sometimes, wanting so desperately to just fix things.

Don't You Dare ...

Love

The Singing God Post by Sam Storms

Hi Beloveds...

I love music. God speaks to me through music. That's just our thing.

(This is the reason I often attach appropriate songs to my posts or write about a particular song outright.)

I can be in the car, on the way to work, ask Him to play me a specific song on the radio, and He will.  If I just need Him to talk to me, I ask, and the perfect song comes on.  Even though I've come to expect it, it still moves me.  He knows each and every one of us intimately.  This includes our "love languages".

This post/ book excerpt by Sam Storms at TheResurgence.com made me think of this.  While the post is well done and a good start, it only scratches the surface.  There's a generational sin component here which remains unaddressed.  (Huge topic on my heart over the past few years, and I hope to write about it soon.)

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).  This starts by knowing and excepting God's love.




I Love This Song!! (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

Why do the right thing if there's mercy and grace?

Beloveds,

Do you know someone who's casual with God's mercy and grace. They may rationalize it, saying God loves them and wants them to be happy. A "good" and "loving" God would never let them suffer stress and difficulty.

To do the right thing is just too hard. They would rather sin, ask forgiveness, and move on. They're convinced God loves them so much He would never want them to feel the full weight of their sins.

The beautiful and ugly thing is, I don't think they're wrong! Case in point, the man who died next to Jesus on the cross. (Luke 23:32-33, Luke 23:39-43)

If, before it's all over, they've excepted God into their heart, they will be forgiven. There's NO sin, so big or intentional, it can't be covered by the blood of Jesus.

So why do the right thing?

Great Article by Tim Challies... Amazing Grace

Hi Beloveds...

"Pleasing Grief and Mournful Joy"

I thought this was a great article from Tim Challies over at Challies.com.  I really like the way he writes anyway, but this post struck me as being particularly well done.

Beyond the beautiful story, there are two things that stick out to me...

1)  I love the whole, we love Him because He first loved us, that is it's underlying truth.  He never uses those words, but it's there.

2)  I agree with the idea something promising freedom can ultimately enslave.  I believe this goes beyond abortion and into many other areas of life.  Drugs, Sex, Divorce, etc...

Worn - Tenth Avenue North, LIVE at K-LOVE.

Love this song!  Strength from God when we're weak.  Life from death when the "devourer"(1Peter 5:8) has done his worst.  Forgiveness and redemption for the times we've let him.  Hope this blesses someone!

Worn-Tenth Avenue North...

"Worn"

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn