Made

I came across a quote recently which read: “you are exactly who God intended you to be.” And it’s an idea, I think, worth pondering. First of all, God knows everything about you. Psalm 139: 1-4 “You have searched me, Lord,
 and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;
 you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
 you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue
 you, Lord, know it completely.”

This God, this all-knowing, almighty, attainable God knows us each intimately and personally. And because of the redemption Jesus brought us on the cross, all barriers to the Father fall down. We too can know God, tangibly. He is in every circumstance. He knows our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them. He has laid out a path before us. Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

You were made for a purpose. Every aspect of your life is a preparation for a path only God can fully see. The same goes for ourselves. We are made in the image of God, our loving Father. We are individually perfectly crafted by the Creator of the universe. I don’t know about you, but that amazes me!

While listening to Hawk Nelson’s new album “Made,” I spent a great deal of time reflecting on the title track. It reflects the idea of purpose. Your life is not, was not and never will be a mistake. You were planned to live this life you are leading. You were made to glorify the love of your Father in Heaven. When we take the time to appreciate all the special, unique qualities we possess such as our personality, interests, looks and quirks, we are honoring God.

Sometimes we struggle with this idea of appreciating who we are. I struggle with it too. But God makes no mistakes. We are “exactly who God intended us to be.” Just as we delight in our Father in Heaven, so He delights in us, His magnificent creation. We don’t have to change one thing to be accepted in the eyes of God.

No matter how you may feel today, please know, you are ‘beautiful, wonderful and perfectly made’ to the Lord. He loves you more than you know!

Deuteronomy 33:12 “About Benjamin he said: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”

NOTE: I do not own this video

 

“Made”
Why do you hide from who you are?
Why do you run from the mirror, pretend to be who you’re not?
Why do you fight to accept yourself?
Aren’t you more than the tears you’ve cried and the fear you’ve felt?
Oh, tell me what you see
Tell me what you see
And I’ll tell you something else

You’re beautiful, wonderful
Perfectly made, perfectly made
You’re meant to be what you see
You’re not a mistake, not a mistake

Brighter than stars that shine
You light up the Maker’s eyes
And you’d believe if you could see
The smile on His face
The moment you were made
Made

Lift up your face
Now is your time
‘Cause everything changes when you find yourself in His light

So tell me what you see, what you see
And I’ll tell you what He sees

You’re beautiful, wonderful
You’re perfectly made, perfectly made
You’re meant to be what you see
You’re not a mistake, not a mistake

Brighter than stars that shine
You light up the Maker’s eyes
And you’d believe if you could see
The smile on His face
The moment you were made
Made

Before the sun was given light
Before you opened up your eyes
Inside out, soul and heart
He made you to be who you are

Before the sun was given light
Before you opened up your eyes
Inside out, soul and heart
He made you to be who you are

You’re beautiful, wonderful
You’re perfectly made, perfectly made
You’re meant to be what you see
You’re not a mistake, not a mistake

Brighter than stars that shine
You light up the Maker’s eyes
And you’d believe if you could see
The smile on His face
The moment you were made
Made, made, made

 

HAWK NELSON WEBSITE: http://www.hawknelson.com

More music and lyrics: https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/music-and-lyrics/

All for the glory of God!

 

God is Faithful

Life is complicated. Sometimes you go through periods of struggle, suffering and pain. Other times are periods of healing, redemption and restoration. The only difficulty is that we are not able to determine the length, time and severity of such days. But we are not called to understand. We are called to trust.

From a personal standpoint, I have experienced suffering: emotional, physical and spiritual suffering. Under no circumstances would I say my life has been easy. It is only now in the midst of the peace of Jesus that I can see so clearly our Lord in the midst of it all.

When we cry out to God we want to hear from Him. But we are impatient and expect Him to work according to our timing in the form of immediate healing. We get disappointed and frustrated when the answers we seek are not revealed in the form we are looking for. Let me assure you, friends, God is at work. God is merciful. God is in love with us. God does not wish for us to suffer. And yes, you could complicate all of these statements by trying to look at life through your own weakness, rather than God’s strength. Please, accept these promises at face value, because He made them for you.

It is not up to us to determine the steps of our life, and honestly, the path of my life has taken some turns I was not ready for. But at the end of the tunnel and even in the center of it, God revealed a greater purpose that far surpassed an immediate or temporary suffering: He was molding me into the character of my Savior, Jesus, who suffered a tremendous amount for the sake of love.

We are not able to become the same people and see life with the same perspective if all our circumstances were easy, and better yet, we would not have learned to rely on God the same way. So what are we to do when we find ourselves smack in the middle of a storm? Give thanks. Give thanks to the One who is kind, patient, loving, forgiving and merciful. Do you see that in the process, God is being glorified. Do you see that in the center of the pain, His will is being fulfilled to form us, shape us and grow us in our faith. It has been in the midst of my struggles where I have seen some of God’s most powerful miracles. There is a light at the end of the tunnel I promise you, and that light is Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Shadows

photo: pxleyes.com

“Love.” What a beautiful concept to have deep affection for another. To feel love is to feel alive, to feel blessed and to know that hope is present. But love becomes complicated when one chooses to love the created more than he shows devotion to the Creator. Do you see what I’m saying? Chasing after, say, a person, is really chasing after a mirror of the Lord Himself.

God never said we weren’t to be in union with one another. He wants us to love one another. In fact, He commands it: John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So what’s the problem then, if we love each other, we love God. Let me ask you this: Are you holding on to anything tighter than you hold on to God? This is called misguided love. And this is the idea explored in the song “Shadows” by Tenth Avenue North.

We live in a fallen world. There is no escaping the fact that this place is filled with deception, lies and hurt. But, we have a Savior that can separate us from those things—far from those things. The track reflects a deep desire to build that distance between this world and the next, between the temporary and the eternal. To seek “the source behind all the shadows” and leave fleeting pleasures in the dust.

Let us not seek anything with more heart, passion and longing than the Lord Jesus. Let us cling tightly to the One who will never change and know that beauty, though reflected in creation, is nothing compared to the author of beauty Himself. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Note: I do not own this video

Lyrics: Shadows

We’re born into the longing
With hearts, bent toward possessing
All that our eyes are seeing
Our souls, they never stop wanting
Beauty never intended to be more than a reflection

Oh, Lord, light up my dark eyes
Teach me to let go
I’ve been runnin’
Chasing nothing but shadows

My heart is an ocean raging
And Your grace is all that keeps me from drowning
My mind creates deceptions
So I cling the treasure sinking

Oh, Lord, light up my dark eyes
Teach me to let go
I’ve been runnin’
Chasing nothing but shadows
Oh, Lord, please come and
Raise my dead heart, let me know
You can keep me from
Chasing after the shadows

All that I run to, all that I cling to
Everything seems to only slip through my hands
All that I run to, all that I cling to
Everything seems to only slip through my hands

But I keep running, I keep chasing
Left holding on to only the after glow
Lord, light up my eyes, let me follow You
To the source behind all the shadows

I keep running, I keep chasing
Left holding on to only the after glow
Lord, light up my eyes, let me follow You
To the source behind all the shadows
Oh, Lord, light up my dark eyes
Teach me to let go
I’ve been runnin’
Chasing nothing but shadows

Oh, Lord, please come and
Raise my dead heart, let me know
You can keep me from
Chasing after the shadows
The shadows
Keep runnin’, keep runnin’, keep runnin’

 

WEBSITE: http://tenthavenuenorth.com

Video journal from lead singer Mike Donehey Note I do not own this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD-vAqrrEA8

More music and lyrics from Tenth Avenue North’s album “The Struggle:”

1. “Worn:” https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/the-struggle/

2. “Losing:”https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/losing-tenth-avenue-north/

Find Your Way

Lost and Found. The concept brings us back to grade school and the image of a large, ruffled box filled with mismatched items of all sorts. But how about lost and found in terms of people? Here the subject becomes quite different. Feelings of mismatch and isolation in the emotional sense often lead us to stray from our initial paths… but only if we let them. Let us not forget that what was once lost can ALWAYS be found. God promises never to leave us nor forsake us, to walk beside us in our trials and our triumphs. His infinite love is never too far gone from our missteps. In fact, it is during our most confused, saddened state, where we can feel His presence the most, for His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Personally, I have grown the most and felt God’s overwhelming presence in the midst of my own struggles. He never promised this life would be easy, only that He would walk with us along the path.

The Afters recently released their newest album “Life Is Beautiful,” which features a number of inspiring and praiseful songs about the beauty of simple blessings, and the struggles that make each of our lives magnificently artwork. A song which speaks particularly of the concept of never being alone is titled “Find Your Way.” The lyrics point to God’s amazing grace, and how none of us can fall below its redeeming might. All we must do is allow Him to work in us and through us, repositioning us toward the path of life as we stumble along the way.

Romans 8: 38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Note: I do not own this video

Lyrics: Find Your Way

(Verse)

Don’t believe, the bridge from you to me

Could somehow ever be washed away.

Don’t give in.

Don’t start listening to voices

Whispering things I’d never say.

There is nothing you could do to make me turn my back on you.

(Chorus)

You’re never too lost to know where the road is.

It could be dark, you could be hopeless

But I’ll wait ‘til you find your way.

You’re never too far to be forgotten.

Here in my heart, I hear you calling.

So I’ll wait ‘til you find your way back home.

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

(Verse)

The hardest thing is to just sit waiting.

My heart breaking for you.

There’s an empty space

Where I save your place

Knowing that someday I’ll look at you.

(Chorus)

You’re never too lost to know where the road is.

It could be dark, you could be hopeless

But I’ll wait ‘til you find your way.

You’re never too far to be forgotten.

Here in my heart, I hear you calling.

So I’ll wait ‘til you find your way back home.

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

(Bridge)

With my heart still hoping

And my arms wide open,

I’ll never give up this fight.

I know we’ll talk like we used to,

And we’ll walk like we used to.

It’s just a matter of time.

There is nothing you could do to make me turn my back on you.

(Chorus)

You’re never too lost to know where the road is.

It could be dark, you could be hopeless

But I’ll wait ‘til you find your way.

You’re never too far to be forgotten.

Here in my heart, I hear you calling.

So I’ll wait ‘til you find your way back home.

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

‘Til you find your way

‘Til you find your way home

WEBSITE: http://theafters.com/#!/ss:facebook

PREVIOUS POST ON THE AFTERS: https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/life-is-beautiful-8-2/

Hide your Love Away

It has been said that expectation is the root of let down. To some degree, I have found this to be true in my own life. To another, it has been the thread that’s kept my course woven together. Expect. Expect good things to happen. Expect that God will provide a path for you, better than you could have fashioned in your wildest imagination.

The same can be said for relationships. Oftentimes, we witness people settling for that “right now” person—someone who might not hold our true desires, but will fill the place for the moment. What I am here to say is that true love is worth waiting for, worth passing up other opportunities to have. Patience holds the key.

So pray for that person now. This unknown soul is out there, for you.

When we try to write our own love story, the road is ridden with heartbreak. But when we give the pen back to God, he will put a character in your life who He believes deserves your heart.

Anthem Lights’ new single “Hide Your Love Away” speaks just of this concept. “Hide your love away and wait for me…There will come a day when I will finally say, staring in your eyes, I’ve waited my whole life for this night.”

Don’t despair, don’t let go of hope. Love is real and alive. Even when you can’t feel it or see it, you have it. Open your eyes to the possibility of a greater reality. Break the chains of the typical, and EXPECT the unexpected. God is, after all, the King of creating miracles out of our most disheartened situations. Happy Valentine’s Day all.

NOTE: I do not own these videos

Story Behind the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhAHIuZbM-A

Something to Think About # 1: Words

How we respond to controversy defines how we see ourselves. Just think about it. How many times in life do we really reflect on the choices we’ve made, the people we’ve encountered and the possibility that we handled everything just as it should be? Every word we utter not only holds a consequence in our own conscience, but for the way in which we mirror a given circumstance.

We are really only given one chance to say what needs to be said, stay silent for what need not be uttered and smile through life’s ups and downs. So take the time today to make the choice of using your words to heal, not to break. To build each other up in song, and leave anger at the foot of the door; realizing that the gift of this day is a one-time deal… no take-backs, do-overs or white out for the mistakes we need not make when we take the time to care for others, the same way we want others to care for us.

Proverbs 12:18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

NOTE: I do not own this video

“Words” By Hawk Nelson (feat. Bart Millard of MercyMe)

“Words” Lyrics

They’ve made me feel like a prisoner
They’ve made me feel set free
They’ve made me feel like a criminal
Made me feel like a king
They’ve lifted my heart
To places I’d never been
And they’ve dragged me down
Back to where I began

Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out

Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don’t wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You

You can heal the heartache
Speak over the fear
(Speak over the fear)
God, Your voice is the only thing
We need to hear
(We need to hear)

Words can build us up
Words can break us down
Start a fire in our hearts or
Put it out

Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don’t wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
(Back to You)

Jesus In Disguise: Brandon Heath

Why is it always so instinctual for people to run away from problems when life gets tough? Why do many feel as though remaining in the midst of turmoil will lead to further destruction?

Look at it this way, when difficulties faced Christ did He run away? Of course not! He stood, remaining faithful to the word, faithful to His purpose. And we are called to do the same.

Oftentimes, we are given the privilege, yes, I’ll say that again, the privilege of suffering for the sake of Christ. Though we may feel like He is far and not present in our trials, He is closer than you could ever imagine. He’s always beside us, giving us the words to speak and showing us which path to take.

Philippians 1:29

^“29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”

If you ever question the closeness of Christ, take note of songs like Brandon Heath’s single “Jesus in Disguise” off his upcoming album Blue Mountain. Have heart, Christ is right in the midst of our suffering, we just may not recognize Him because He is perhaps in ‘disguise’ from our most apparent consciousness, but very much real with each new day.

Jesus In Disguise

Interview NOTE I do not own these videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHSoTJs8yL0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLTjWTBKFrnO7314xZiGGtw0DVdrMC31hV

Ever get something in your head
It’s nothing you’ve heard, or something you’ve read
Ever had a cut, but you never saw a blade
Brought to your knees, but you never prayed

(Chorus)
Jesus in disguise
Jehovah passing by
The burden of a tear
Hanging in your eye
Jesus in disguise
A scar across the sky
You were looking for a king
You would never recognize
Jesus in disguise

Ever feel like you’ve been somewhere before
You hold the key, you know which door
Speak the word your lips have never known
Because your heart told you so

Chorus

So open my eyes, wide as I can
Blind as I am, blind as I am
So open my eyes as wide as I can
Blind as I am, blind as I am

Jesus in disguise
Jesus in disguise

WEBSITE: http://brandonheath.net

For more Music and Lyrics: https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/music-and-lyrics/

I Wonder: Leeland

I remember the first time I really grasped the magnitude of what Christ had done for me, done for humanity. It was so brave and such an act of pure love. I felt so unworthy. It is not the norm for people to love with such an unselfish nature. I was, you could say ‘afraid’ that I could fall short of such an amazing gift. But even if we don’t feel worthy of this sort of love, believe that it exists and is ever-present and flowing from our Savior.

This song, “I Wonder” by Leeland displays in such a simple way how we as people cannot really comprehend the Heavenly being that is the Lord, so we lay in wonder, seeking Him, grateful for all He has done and all He is.

Psalm 145:3-4

^“3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
⁴ One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.”

“I Wonder”

Note: this song belongs to Leeland

At the stars in the night, I wonder
At Your lightning in the sky, I shudder
Your glory is a blanket that covers
Every living thing
I’m in awe at the majesty of who You are
Your love is a seal burnt inside my heart
All of the day I want to be where You are
Holy Father
And it feels like there’s not enough praise inside of me
With all these words, all my heart can sing is holy
You are holy

Jesus Christ
You bled Your love, laid down Yourself
And gave me life
In naked shame You hung and You were lifted high
Here I lay in awe and wonder
I am afraid
For no one’s ever sacrificed and loved me this way

So on my face I fall under Your heavy grace
Here I lay in awe and wonder
And I wonder

I’m in awe at the majesty of who You are
Your love is a seal burnt inside my heart
All of the day I want to be where You are
Holy Father

And it feels like there’s not enough praise inside of me
With all these words, all my heart can sing is holy
You are holy

WEBSITE: http://leelandonline.com

For more Music and Lyrics: https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/music-and-lyrics/

The Struggle

“Hallelujah we are free to struggle.” But, “We’re not struggling to be free.” Tenth Avenue North’s anthems speak loudly in their third studio album titled The Struggle, about how life will send us difficulties, trials, obstacles, though, Amen, we are not struggling for our salvation. Our acts of tribulation are human, beaten down by the weight of this world, our temporary home.

The album illustrates that God wants nothing from us. Come as you are, a broken heart seeking redemption, and He will love you just the same. An inspiring song titled “Worn” off the album is unbelievably relatable. Here’s a sample of the lyrics:

“Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn”

I am grateful for Tenth Avenue North’s words of hope. The whole album demonstrates that struggling brings us to our knees, where we are able to be made whole again. Thank God in your struggles and know He gives you grace and allows you to grow in this time the most.

NOTE I do not own these videos or audios:

Interview with lead singer Mike Donehey about life’s struggles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqu2j0IM3lg

PERSONAL TESTIMONY FROM MIKE DONEHEY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGJS5MLgMZc

The entire track and lyrics “Worn”

“Worn”

Music Video from Tenth Avenue North: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulKcYItKIA

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
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I’m too weak
Life just won’t let up
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
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
And I’m worn
Even before the day begins
I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So Heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Yes, all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
I’m worn

WEBSITE: http://tenthavenuenorth.com

Anthem Lights: Can’t Get Over You

NOTE: I do not own these videos

Interview about the band  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rG71TiZFu04#!

Interview about the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JVs34CyUYo&feature=relmfu

Struggle is necessary. As crazy as that statement may seem, some of the most powerful anthems and miracles have come out of people who’ve suffered. So don’t stray from your beliefs, thank God for this opportunity to strengthen you and build you into something stronger than you ever thought possible. God is refining you for a higher purpose.

Anthem Lights sing in glory to the Lord in “Can’t Get Over You” (2011), grateful for all He is and all He can do, through us, here on earth. You feel this song to your core, and it brings me to the brink of tears every time I play the track. Enjoy, and keep the faith, even in times of trouble.

“Can’t Get Over You”

I love the way You love like no other
It’s got nothing to do with anything that I do
Time and time again You forgive me
So this time I choose to stay here with You

Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don’t wanna lose this moment
Your love has covered me
And now I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I just can’t get over You

Here in the arms of my Father
Only grace can be found
So I lay my fears down
Nothing is the same anymore
You’ve changed me from the inside out
Now my heart is beating and it’s singing won’t You…

Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don’t wanna lose this moment
Your love has covered me
And now I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I just can’t get over You

I can’t get over You

I can’t get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord
I can’t get over the way
Your love stays the same, oh Lord

Even through the good and the bad times
You stay the same
So my song will remain
Lord…

Hold me
Pull me just a little bit closer
I don’t wanna lose this moment
Your love has covered me
And now I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
I just can’t get over You

I can’t get over You
I can’t get over You
There’s nothing I can’t do
I just can’t get over You

I can’t get over You

WEBSITE: http://anthemlights.com/

For more Music and Lyrics: https://themusiccentre.wordpress.com/music-and-lyrics/