Archives For November 30, 2009
One day last week, I was deciding what music to listen to on the way home from work and realized that it had been a while since I listened to Charlie Hall. A few touches on the old iPhone and voila, On the Road to Beautiful was playing!
Track one – I Will Overcome – always gets me; and that day I hit the repeat button a few times…
The lyrics so reflect my heart lately. No I’m not a basket case – I’m just someone who realizes that there is absolutely no way I can make it on my own. I love and so appreciate the support and encouragement of my wife, family, and friends; but that really pales in comparison to the comfort and true strength I enjoy, cherish, and rely on from my amazing Savior and friend: Jesus. (BTW, that last sentence is not a slight on my wife, family, and friends – they know my heart and the truth of that statement.)
Crutch.
It’s an interesting word. Like many words, when you say it, it sounds kinda funny. Look in the dictionary and it’s even phonetically spelled funny: “kruhch” – I mean, why bother with the”h” in the middle! (OK, it would be “crooch” if you left it out.)
When we see or hear “crutch”, we generally think of someone who is hurt or needs something to assist them or support them as they walk. One definition of crutch is: A staff or support used by the physically injured or disabled as an aid in walking.
Anyway, “CRUTCH” popped in my mind this morning as I was getting ready for work.
You see, there’s some “stuff” going on in my family’s life – the specifics are not germane to this post – and our response to that “stuff” may seem like we are relying on a “crutch.” (BTW, isn’t “germane” another interesting word also?)
Resting on this truth today:
“We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.”
Psalm 33:20-22
Amazing Hope Giver,
You are all knowing, all powerful, all sufficient,…You are perfect.
I know it.
I trust it.
Blessed be Your amazing name!
d
I love the Genius setting on iTunes. I never know what’s coming next…
Yesterday a song I forgot I had came on and really capped some time I’d spent in Isaiah 58 (more on that later).
You see, if we are honest with ourselves, at times we read John 3:16 as, “For God so loved those we deem lovely and likable, that He sent His Son…” instead of “For God so loved the world [read: everyone], that He sent His Son…”.
We love those who:
look like us,
agree with our opinions,
are kind and don’t hurt or hate,
you know…the people who meet the standards that we set for “acceptable behavior” (even though in our hearts, we often don’t meet them).
We forget that God – the One who loved and loves perfectly and with purity – sets the standard for love: ALL ARE LOVED.
Last night, Karen and I went on a dinner/mall date! We had a great time at Valley Fair – Rubio’s for dinner and we hit two of the newer stores in our lives: Lego Store and Gymboree!
One the way home as we were sitting the Starbucks drive-thru (appropriately capping off the evening), we were talking about stuff and Karen made the comment, “Well, at least Jesus is my friend!”
I think most of us would agree that there is a song that applies to most of the situations we go through…OK, maybe it just a musicians thing.
Anyway, being of that mind, I quickly drew my iPhone from its holster and played the song below…twice.
We had a great laugh – just thought I would share!
Lyrics:
Jesus is My Friend
Sonseed
Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
Jesus is a friend of mine
I have a friend in Jesus
Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
Jesus is a friend of mine
He taught me how to live my life as it should be
He taught me how to turn my cheek when people laugh at me
I’ve had friends before and I can tell you that
He’s one who will never leave you flat!
He taught me how to pray and how to save my soul
He taught me how to praise my god and still play rock and roll
The music may sound different but the message is the same
It’s just an instrumental praise his name
Once I tried to run, I tried to run and hide
But Jesus came and found me and he touched me down inside
He is like a mountie, he always gets his man
And he’ll zap you any way he can. Zap!
He loves me when I’m right, He loves me when I’m wrong
He loves me when I waste my time by writing silly songs
He loves me when I’m quiet and I have nothing to say
He’ll love me when I’m perfect if I ever get that way
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