Here I Am...

I was listening to the CD "Ending is Beginning" by Downhere, and this song came on and it really spoke to me, so I thought I would share the lyrics :)

Sometimes your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes in comes in the Spirit's breeze,
You reach for the deepest part of me,
And call out for the things of eternity.

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say,

Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story, Is part of your plan,
Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that you will finish what you began.

These broken parts you redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing

Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story, Is part of your plan,
Here I am

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail you in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but you can.
[lyrics by Downhere]

Colors of Fall...

Today I was sitting here thinking about how much I'm not enjoying this colder weather we've been having lately due the changing of the seasons. I absolutely love the colors of fall, and I love science. So here's a little science lesson to maybe make one apprecite the changing temperatures and their effect on the leaves:

Leaves are nature's food factories. Plants take water from the ground through their roots. They take a gas called carbon dioxide from the air. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar. Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing. The way plants turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar is called photosynthesis. That means "putting together with light." A chemical called chlorophyll helps make photosynthesis happen. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color.

As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter.

During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll.

The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the fall. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.

It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful colors we enjoy in the fall.

Quiet My Heart...

My mind wanders away
Dreaming of where I could be on another day
I’m always so far ahead
I seem to miss the one that I’m in
And I regret the time I lost
Slow me down before it’s gone

Right here in the moment I’m given
I’ll treasure the breath that I breathe in
And I’ll rest in You
You quiet my heart
Somehow every second that’s passing
Is filled with so much meaning
As I wait here with You
Quiet my heart

I get stuck in between
Yesterday and all that tomorrow brings
When all that You want from me
Is that I come and sit at Your feet
And know that You are God
And with You no time is lost

Don’t let me run away
Show me why I should stay
Open my eyes to take in Your beauty
Keep me here in this place
Take me in Your embrace
There’s no place I’d rather be than right now
[lyrics by Brooke Barrettsmith]

A Blessing...

I’ve always had a passion for the children in Africa and my heart aches for them. It was laid on my heart this afternoon to sponsor a child. I’m now sponsoring a five-year-old girl from Rwanda through Compassion (www.compassion.com) named Uwimana Lithe.

My sponsored child lives in the hillside community of EPR Mbazi, home to approximately 15,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and tin roofs. The primary ethnic group is Banyarwanda and the spoken language is Kinyarwanda. The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, cassava, beef, rice and potatoes. Common health problems in this area include malaria and worms. Most adults in EPR Mbazi are unemployed but some work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $5 per month. This community needs scholastic materials, extra tutoring classes and affordable secondary education. Because I am sponsoring this child, she will be provided with Bible teaching, choir, hygiene and nutrition education, health screening, exercises, field trips, opportunities to serve the needy, games, tutoring classes, school and home visits and scholastic materials. The center staff will also provide meetings and Bible teaching for the parents or guardians of my sponsored child.

I am incredibly excited about this opportunity that I’ve been given to sponsor and support this little girl across the world—to support her educationally, materialistically, medically, and spiritually :)

This Man...

When She Cries...

Little girl terrified
She'd leave her room if only bruises would heal
A home is no place to hide
Her heart is breaking from the pain that she feels

Every day's the same
She fights to find her way
She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray
She wonders why,
Does anyone ever hear her when she cries?

Today she's turning sixteen
Everyone's singing, but she can't seem to smile
They never get past arms length
How could they act like everything is alright?

Pulling down her long sleeves
To cover all the memories the scars leave
She says" maybe making me bleed
Will be the answer that could wash the slate clean"

Every day's the same
She fights to find her way
She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray
She wonders why,
Does anyone ever hear her when she cries?

This is the dark before the dawn
The storm before the peace
Don't be afraid because seasons change and
God is watching over you
He hears you

Every day's the same
She fights to find her way
She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray
She'll be just fine,
Cause I know He hears her when she cries
She hurts, she breaks, she hides, and tries to pray
She'll be just fine
Cause I know he hears her when she cries.
[lyrics by Britt Nicole]

Wrapped In Your Arms...

Is this the whole picture
Or is it just the start?
Is this the way you love me?
You're capturing my heart
I used to try and walk alone
But I've begun to grow
And when you tell me just to rest
I'm finally letting go
I let go

And I'm here to stay
Nothing can separate us
And I know, I'm ok
You cradle me gently
Wrapped in your arms.... I'm home

I'm seeing so much clearer
Looking through your eyes
I could never find a safer place
Even if I tried
All the times I've needed you
You've never left my side
I'm clinging to your every word
Don't ever let me go
Don't let go
[lyrics by Fireflight]

Psalm Seventeen...

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Alaska...

Higher than the mountains,
Deeper than the seas,
Wider than the Oceans,
is Your love for me.

You're with me on the mountains,
In the valleys below,
You are right here beside me,
Everywhere that I go!

I've always been drawn to the state of Alaska because of it's pure beauty. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains by day, and taken back by the shear beauty of the Northern Lights in the evening. The elegance and beauty of God is displayed everywhere you turn. I mean, in places like this, how could one not believe that God truly does exist?! It's just one of those things that I like to call 'simply amazing.' :)

Matchless...

Son of a Man, Great I am, King of heaven,
son of God, you hold the measure of my days.
Holy Lamb, spotless Lamb, You are worthy, I am not,
Before Your throne I stand amazed

Every tongue confess and every knee will bow
To Jesus Christ the Lord forever, hear our praises now

Your name is matchless, Your name is priceless,
Your name means more than I could know.
You're so far above me, the way that you love me,
goes further than any love could go.

Wonderful Counselor, Root of David, Morning Star,
you are the Way, the Truth, the Life.
Lion of the tribe of Judah, Mighty God is who you are,
The only perfect sacrifice.

In your name you took the blind man,
and you gave him back his sight.
In your name you took the dead man,
and you brought him back to life.
In your name you took this prisoner,
and you opened up the doors,
And I will sing before your throne forever more.
[lyrics by Aaron Shust]

Psalm Sixteen...

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

word: “Forevermore”
phrase: “I shall not be shaken”
call: “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” This part of the verse pretty much speaks for itself. We have no good apart from God. And as a following verse states: “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” There is nothing apart from God that is good and can satisfy our ultimate and eternal needs.

Psalm Fifteen...

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

word: “who”
phrase: “He who does these things shall never be moved.”
call: [verses 2-5] When reading these verses the first thing that came to mind for me was that the words of this psalm describe what a Christian should daily strive to be…someone who does what is right, someone who speaks truth, someone who does no evil to his neighbor, someone who honors others who believe, someone who does not take interest in things of this world…

Psalm Fourteen...

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,
there is none who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?

There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is his refuge.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

word: “none”
phrase: “there is none who does good, not even one”
call: We live in a world of sin. We are faced with temptation. We fall into that temptation and sin on a daily basis. We are lost in this world. ‘The Lord looks down from Heaven on the children of man.’ No one of us does what is ‘good’ in the eyes of the Lord. Without Him, we are nothing. But the Lord has given us His salvation. We are His children, and He will restore us. We are broken, but He will heal us and put the pieces back together the exact way they were meant to be. How could such knowledge not fill someone with an overflowing joy for what the Lord has in store for our lives? :)

Psalm Thirteen...

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

word: “steadfast”
phrase: “How long?”
call: So often I question ‘how long?’ So easily I fall into the ways of this world and selfishly want life to flow by at the rate of which I choose. And yet, when time doesn’t seem to follow the plan that I have made I’m struck with this sad realization that I have so easily fallen away from the truth. My life is planned according to God—according to His timetable. I am reminded that I need to put my full trust in Him and His plan for my life. He knows what He is doing. I just have to trust and have faith.

Psalm Twelve...

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,
those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this generation forever.
On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

word: “safety”
phrase: “The words of the Lord are pure words”
call: “You, O Lord, will keep them” We live in a world where we are surrounded by the temptation to fall into the patters of the world and not take a stand for what we believe. It’s the easier thing to do, isn’t it? But we have nothing to be ashamed of, because what we hold is ultimate. The Lord will keep us, and He will hold us through.

Psalm Eleven...

In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord's throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

word: “righteous”
phrase: “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.”
call: “The Lord tests the righteous.” Living the Christian life won’t always be easy. You can’t and won’t feel close to God at all times. The Lord tests us and our faith. As it says in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” To be steadfast is to be firmly established and unwavering. We need our faith to be tested by the Lord. Granted, those times aren’t always exactly enjoyable and fun, but through them our faith gains strength in the only true source of power and more firmly establishes what/who we stand for—God.