Fear

Do not be afraid...

- Deuteronomy 31.6

There is so much fear everywhere. It surrounds us. There’s fear of disease; fear of money problems; fear of relationships; fear of job loss. I could go on and on. We are such a fearful culture, and really even a fearful world. Our fear actually leads to poor heath and even disease.

We spend so much time and energy on fear. In talking about fear, I once heard someone speak to how unreasonable fear is. He said that we spend so much time fearing things that probably won’t even happen. If you really think about it, that’s true.

So why do we fear?

I believe it comes down to hope and trust. Where do you place your hope? Where do you place your trust? Is it in you and your abilities? When I fear the most, I have typically placed my hope and trust in myself.

What’s wrong with placing your hope and trust in yourself?

You can be the smartest, strongest, most talented person alive, and if you place your hope and trust in yourself, you will fear. Why? Because no matter how talented you are, there are things beyond your control. And if the situation is out of your control, it doesn’t matter how talented or smart you are.

So where do we place our hope and trust that won’t ultimately end in fear? We place it in the Lord. In a do-it-yourself, self-confident, independent society, this is completely counter-cultural. Giving up our hope and trust means surrendering the control we think we have, and that is probably considered crazy by most. But that is what the Lord calls us to do.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

- Proverbs 3.5

Lean not on your own understanding? That sounds crazy. We’re taught by our culture that if you work hard and use your talents and maybe do some good, things will (or should) work out for you. But God says that’s not the case.

God wants to take our fears off of our shoulders. He wants to free us of the burden of control and fear. God knows how hard it is to give up our control, and to give Him our trust, so He promises something in return.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4.6-7

Peace. That’s a rare word in today’s culture, but what a comforting word. I don’t think anyone – regardless of belief, background, or circumstances – doesn’t like the thought of peace.

As follower of Christ, I know the peace that comes in giving Him control and trusting in Him. I also know the pain, anxiety, and turmoil that results in clinging tightly to control that will ultimately elude me. I prefer peace.

True, lasting peace only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It begins with recognition of our sin and our need for forgiveness that can only be met in Him. Beginning a relationship with Christ is easy, but is the most important decision you will ever make. Jesus says He is the only way to the Father, and it is only by relinquishing control that we can know His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

- John 14.27

Some New Lyrics

So, it's been awhile since I've updated this thing, but I'm going to try to do better...To get things started again, here are lyrics to a song I've been listening to a lot lately.

"What Do I Know of Holy" - Addison Road

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Something Beautiful

So it's been quite awhile since I've posted, but I wanted to share this song with you. If you don't know how I feel about songs and lyrics, go here. My current favorite song is on Needtobreathe's new album, The Outsiders. You should buy it. Trust me. But, yeah, these lyrics are awesome, and the music is good, too (which is why you should go ahead and buy the album). When I saw them in concert a few weeks ago, they did an "unplugged" version, and it was ah-mazing. Enjoy. You're welcome.

Something Beautiful

In your ocean I'm ankle deep,
I feel the waves crashing on my feet;
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out,
I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide washes over me,
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown?
Will you let me drown?

Hey now, this is my desire:
Consume me like a fire
Cause I just want something beautiful to touch me -
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
Waiting for something beautiful.
Oh-oh... something beautiful.

And the water is rising quick,
And for years I was scared of it.
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side,
No, I can't leave your side.

Hey now, this is my desire:
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want something beautiful to touch me -
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
Waiting for something beautiful.
Oh-oh... something beautiful,
Oh-oh... something beautiful.

In a daydream
I couldn't live like this
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful.
But when I wake up
And all I want, I have
You know it's still all I need - something beautiful.

Hey now, this is my desire:
Consume me like a fire
'Cause I just want something beautiful to touch me -
I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees
Waiting for something beautiful.
Oh-oh... something beautiful,
Oh-oh... something beautiful.

Single Ladies (and Babies)

Clearly Beyonce really did have "one of the best videos of all time."

Our God, Hear the Prayers

I do not enjoy politics. I don’t like the arguing, bickering, or truth-stretching/bending. I am opinionated, though, and a somewhat anxious person by nature. So currently, I am worried about the state and direction of our country (and the world). I find myself getting frustrated and angry over decisions that are being made, as well as failures (especially moral) of our leaders. I am really trying to pray for our country and our leaders when I get anxious or angry, but sometimes it’s hard to overcome those emotions.

This morning, as I was working on a different Bible study, the book of Daniel caught my eye and the Lord reminded me of Daniel’s amazing faith and sense of ownership of the sins of his people.

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame – the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness, to you. O Lord, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and our people bear your Name. - Daniel 9:4-19

Daniel took ownership over the sins of his people. He knew that there were major corporate sins going on among his people and they were in this together, like it or not. Daniel had known this for a while. It was because of the disobedience of his people that they were given over to Babylon, to live in captivity.

It was because of the sins of his people that Daniel was trained and taught a Babylonian culture with Babylonian values. It was because of the sins of his people that Daniel had the opportunity to stand tall for the Lord in the face of adversity. And he did. Daniel lived one of the most amazing stories ever written because he held fast to the Lord and His teaching, no matter the opposition.

Daniel’s courage and dedication to the Lord is taught and viewed in high regard today. He didn’t bow to any other god. He didn’t defile himself with unclean food and drink. And, yet, Daniel placed himself right there alongside all of those who did bow to another god and did defile themselves. Daniel knew he was guilty of sin just like everyone else.

Daniel also knew that the only mercy and forgiveness of sins came from God. Daniel knew that a humble, broken heart before God was the only road to restoration of relationship with God. Daniel knew that it wasn’t about blame, but about admittance of guilt and complete reliance on the Father.

And so Daniel prayed – not for his people, but with them.

So no matter your political alignment or particular view, I challenge you to walk the road Daniel did, and pray with your people, your country. Don’t seek someone to blame for all of the problems. Don’t sit high and mighty on your spiritual hill. Get on your knees, heart poured out before Him, and seek forgiveness and restoration. Pray with your people.

Batting 7th

When I played softball, I liked hitting 7th. Not just that, but I actually didn't like hitting in the top 5 positions. I didn't like hitting 9th either. (In softball, the 9th hitter is usually really fast, so I didn't have a chance of hitting 9th.) But, yeah, if the coach ever announced the lineup and I was one of the first 5 names listed, I started freaking out inside.

You see, if you bat at the top of the lineup (or 9^th, in softball) people generally assume you will get on base. And it wasn’t that I was incapable of getting on base or a bad hitter. At times, I was actually a decent hitter. Now, I was never even close to the best hitter on the team (I was there for my glove), but I could string a few hits together now and then. The problem was somehow my position in the lineup had a direct effect on the pressure I felt before the game.

It all came down to expectations. I felt that if I hit at the top of the lineup, I was expected to get on base. If I got to hit 7^th, I wasn’t expected to get on base. If I did get on base, it was a pleasant surprise. I had surpassed my expectations.

And that’s what I like to do – surpass expectations. But surpassing expectations is easy when nothing is expected of you. And, honestly, I like it that way. Wow, that’s even worse to read than say. I like when nothing is expected because it’s easy to succeed. There it is.

But the thing is, in reality, we all have expectations placed on us. Even if they are low, someone places some type of expectation on us. We place expectations on ourselves. And God has expectations of us.

Expectation is no reason to have anxiety, though. Most expectations of us are placed there for a reason. Now, some expectations are unrealistic. I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about when people place expectations on you based on the God-given talents and potential they see in you.

Expectation is not a bad thing. Allow it to point you and others back to God. He created us. He created the potential that others see in us. Expectation is for His glory. Give it to Him. Don’t waste the opportunity to give Him glory by letting your anxiety rule. Allow God to take your anxiety and the glory.

‘Everyone to whom much was given, much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.’ Luke 11:48

Come Awake

I love music. I have a soundtrack to life. Maybe one day I'll tell you more about that soundtrack, but for now, just know that I have it. Anyway, I love music. I particularly love lyrics. I mean the music has to be good, but the lyrics are usually what get me. So I thought I would share the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. It came on my iPod when it was on shuffle the other day, and it just reminded me how much I love it. It's on my soundtrack to life from 2008. I also put it on our team soundtrack from 2007. It's that good.

The lyrics are amazing, but the music, especially the rhythm, makes the song. So if you've never heard of it, you should definitely give it a listen. :) Here ya go.

Come Awake - David Crowder Band

Are we left here on our own?
Can you feel when your last breath is gone?
Night is weighing heavy now
Be quiet and wait for a voice that will say

Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life

You are not the only one
Who feels like the only one
Night soon will be lifted friend
Just be quiet and wait for the voice that will say

Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life

Rise, rise, rise, rise, rise

Rise, rise, rise, rise….
Shine, shine, Oh shine
We will shine
We will rise
We will shine, shine, shine