Okay, so it has been more time than usual since I last posted. Plus, if you have visited, I am sure you have seen some simple verbal changes.
Basically, the jist is this:
After a year of posting three times a week with Memory Monday’s, Tuneology and Life Lessons I have decided it is time to move to a more informal approach. I will blog as time allows and on various topics and I see the desire, passion and need to do so.
I don’t want to leave the blogging world, but my time has changed with the move and the new ministry position.
I am very excited about what is happening and where I am at this time. This new church family has been amazing and so welcoming. I am now passionately connected to an area of ministry that fills my heart to overflowing…RELATIONSHIPS!
Being an Associate Pastor of Community and Discipleship here is allowing me the chance to really connect in with people, build relationships and be used to draw people closer to the heart of God. In doing so, I too have personally found an even deeper level connection in my walk with Christ and continue to seek out what His will and His plan is for the future of this ministry that He has now called me to lead.
Right now, I am living by verses in Philippians:
Philippians 4:6-8
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.Andthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
As God speaks and as He teaches, I will share on the blog. I may from time to time still post songs and poems as well. I also will let the freedom of my words, the Hope that I have in Jesus and the Truth of his word to continue to guide me on this yellow brick road as I battle any topics that may come to fruition through this writing.
I am so thankful for all those who read and follow and I hope through it all that I can inspire and lead you to a stronger and better place in your creativity and relationship with friends, family, church and Jesus.
The contemplated aspect of part 6 is now unfolded to a new level of understanding with Poem 7. The relationship that is now being brought to light is even more clearly witnessed. What was once a reliance on someone here has now turned to a foundation of what is beyond.
Uncovering this mystery is what the whole process has been about. This week and next week we see the answers come to light from the perspective of the one on earth and then the one in heaven.
What is so forthright and powerful this week is the picture painted of the one thing that followers of Jesus can truly hold fast to – HOPE!
I am a hurting soul right now. I really am in a state of confusion and misunderstanding. I have prayed and prayed and prayed for something to happen – to feel movement, but it just seems like I am standing still and unable to take any step forward the way I believe I should.
Maybe that is exactly the issue that I face – it is ME who wants it…it is ME who seeks it…it is ME who wants to make the decision.
I have consistently battled this roller coaster over the past 6 months and only in this moment, only at this time am I coming back the realization of truth that I want to preach to others and yet have failed to see directly in front of me.
Looking in the mirror I see a face that I hardly recognize. Behind me I have left a graveyard of broken ideas…broken dreams.
But the truth remains – only REAL faith can set it straight. I AM NOT IN CONTROL! My path is not set based on what I may think is right or wrong.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.”
Jeremiah 29:13
“If you seek Me, you will find Me, if you search with all your heart.”
In my time of desperation and fear – I have to let go. I must hold to the truths that are the foundation of what I want my life to be built upon and I must believe with all my heart, soul, mind and strength that loving Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind and strength will produce a fruit that I cannot yet see or understand.
God is weaving the pattern to create the perfect picture that at this time only He can see.
Today, TUNE-OLOGY represents my heart in this moment, in this place and again my heart hears the words of truth from my heavenly Father through the talent and amazing wisdom of his servant, Steven Curtis Chapman…
God is God and I am not and the only thing I can do to accept and live that is to make Him my Magnificent Obsession!
Magnificent Obsession
Music and Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
Lord, You know how much I want to know so much In the way of answers and explanations I have cried and prayed And still I seem to stay In the middle of life’s complications All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I’m chasing down the wind But now it’s brought me back to You And I can see again
This is everything I want This is everything I need I want this to be my one consuming passion Everything my heart desires Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus Be my magnificent obsession
So capture my heart again Take me to depths I’ve never been Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy Return me to the cross And let me be completely lost In the wonder of the love That You’ve shown me Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things Let all my dreams fall to the ground Until this one remains
You are everything I want And You are everything I need Lord, You are all my heart desires You are everything to me
You are everything I want You are everything I need I want You to be my one consuming passion Everything my heart desires Lord, I want it all to be for You I want it all to be for You
You are everything I want You are everything I need I want You to be my one consuming passion Everything my heart desires Lord, I want it all to be for You I want it all to be for You, Jesus Be my magnificent obsession Be my magnificent obsession
The fear that accompanies the commitment of real relationship and the doubt of what is true begins to surface. There is that point in every relationship where questions may arise, where one or the other allows themselves to ask the tough questions.
Much of this I believe is appropriate as it is a protection of the heart. Poem 5 opens up that door that I believe each and every person goes through at some point in a relationship – whether friend, family, spouse, etc. The longing that was there is affirmed when the two are together, but as the short time together ends and they must once again separate, what is important and what the relationship truly means must come to definition.
There is pain in the question – but it is a pain that can be alleviated by a decision just simply being made.
Above all, we begin to see a major theme change – we begin to uncover the theological view that ties to this whole process. We are not just tying an earthly relationship up in struggle, but our relationship with our heavenly Father. We are in this world and among all that it loves – but we are called to be of Christ. There is a “wave” in which this poem is shaped and it truly is a representation of the roller coaster ride we take in our relationships on every level and the mountains and valley’s that we put ourselves through.
There is a struggle that must unfold – a battle that must be fought – but a trust must emerge if we are to accomplish both a victory and a real connection.
Now, after the self-reflection has occurred in part three, “A Wish to You” comes back to the main theme of the love that is felt and a security that is found within another. However, the distance that is between that love causes a longing and the heart cries out. All the while, it chooses to recognize – not the negative of the current separation – but the positive that is seen in the one that is loved from the one who desires the return of the same.
These words capture a simple feeling, but through an expression that moderately conveys a modern theme and twist on the longing and love that is found in the Song of Solomon in scripture.
However, what awaits around the corner – the faith that one puts in this love will soon come to question and doubt. Before getting there – please enjoy part 4…
Today’s tuneology has quickly become a touchy one for my heart.
My new friend and fellow blogger, Chris Martin (link here), sent me his book, “I Was There.” (purchase here)
This powerful set of stories put a new insight into play from the perspective of the people involved. Each one is a story from the Bible that Chris has brought new and fantastic points of view to in ways you never imagined. Above all, my favorite part is how Chris brings to light the humanity of the people involved with each of these powerful stories the way he tells them from their perspective. You start to connect and understand things, learn things, that you never saw before no matter how many times you have heard it.
The first of these stories is of Abraham and his feelings and heart when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
I don’t want to ruin anything, but I want you to understand what I learned that I never saw before.
Abraham loved his son, but He loved God on a level that was even above that because of how he was willing to do as God had commanded him. That kind of trust, faith and love blows my mind. I know how much I love my son – and I am supposed to love God even more than that – just as Abraham did. Never before had I ever seen or understood this truth from this story. I think becoming a father put a new perspective on it. Amazing how life’s changes open God’s word to our hearts in a whole new way.
All of that being said, my mind and my heart went directly to the song by Mark Schultz entitled, “He’s My Son.”
Mark tells a wonderful story about how this song came to be. He was a youth sponsor and got a call from a parent. Their son had been having pain in his hands. They took him to see the Doctor and they ran tests. The Doctor came back and told them the good news was there was nothing wrong with their sons hand, however the bad news was that the blood test revealed that their son had cancer.
I will spend no more time telling about this story as the song itself speaks the truth of what Mark felt, heard and was a part of in conjunction with the parents as they went through the process of the cancer with their son. Listen to the words as he sings, read the lyrics along as well as you go.
But above all – PLEASE LISTEN TO WHAT MARK SAYS ON THE RECORDING AFTER THE SONG IS OVER!
And think about this – what are willing to sacrifice to be able to love and serve your heavenly Father the way you are called to?
Matthew 22:37
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
He’s My Son
Lyrics and Music by Mark Schultz
I’m down on my knees again tonight, I’m hoppin’ this prayer will turn out right. See, there is a boy that needs Your help. I’ve done all that I can do myself His mother is tired, I’m sure You can understand. Each night as he sleeps She goes in to hold his hand, And she tries Not to cry As the tears fill her eyes.
Can You hear me? Am I getting through tonight? Can You see him? Can You make him feel all right? If You can hear me Let me take his place some how. See, he’s not just anyone, he’s my son.
Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep, I dream of the boy he’d like to be. I try to be strong and see him through, But God, who he needs right now is You. Let him grow old, Live life without this fear. What would I be Living without him here? He’s so tired, And he’s scared Let him know that You’re there.
Can You hear me? Am I getting through tonight? Can You see him? Can You make him feel all right? If You can hear me Let me take his place some how. See, he’s not just anyone, he’s my son.
Can You hear me? Am I getting through tonight? Can You see him? Can You make him feel all right? If You can hear me Let me take his place somehow. See, he’s not just anyone.
Can You hear me? Can You see him? Please don’t leave him, He’s my son.
We know that the name of God, in every form is powerful beyond belief when spoken by the heart of a believer and done in righteousness and truth. The knowledge of this power and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is something that our finite minds can tend to struggle to truly grasp. Heck – scripture tells us that even the demons believe and tremble at the name of the great I AM! (James 2:19)
What can be accomplished through and in the name of God (when done in truth and Biblical righteousness) is truly able to be described as AWESOME! I could tell many stories where I have seen or been a part of an amazing display at the power of the name of Jesus.
However, on this Tuesday, I choose to express this idea through a song that speaks not only the capable power, but what we should be doing with that power that God has so freely given us in His name.
Phil Wickham and Tim Hughes capture this amazing power and truth in their song “At Your Name.”
The song itself not only paints the picture of the power of the name of Jesus, but tells it in a storied format that projects Biblical truth and a narrative of what can be ours when we choose to use this power from the Holy Spirit in ways that God has deemed us to do so.
Beginning with what the power is capable of, they write:
At Your name, the mountains shake and crumble
At Your name, the oceans roar and tumble
At Your name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice, your people cry out
Imagine a faith that knows that you can speak in the name of Jesus and tell mountains to move and they will move? (Mark 11:23)
The chorus of the song takes us to that narrative – that we as the people of God should speak in ways that encompass the power of His name and deliver glory and honor back to Him:
Lord of all the earth we shout Your name, shout Your name
Filling up the skies with endless praise, endless praise
Yahweh, Yahweh, we love to shout Your name oh Lord
Then the climatic build to a bridge that brings the emotion of the whole word painting to a finish and then leads us back to that beautiful chorus of praise:
There is no one like our God, we will praise You, praise You
There is no one like our God, we will sing, we will sing
There is no one like our God, we will praise You, praise You
Jesus, You are God, we will say…
There truly is no one like our God, no one like Jesus! And we are called to shout from the mountain tops the message that saves lives – the message of Christ – the message of salvation in Jesus! For us to truly grasp hold of the truth, to speak with authority in the name of Jesus that HE IS GOD…to say this with a conviction that leaves no doubt, no fear, no worry, no possible argument is a cry our heart should never be without.
Peter and John are such a great example of this in Acts 3:1-10…
“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
In the name of Jesus Christ were the words Peter chose to say…
I just get chills thinking about it!
Wickham and Hughes put this idea to paper, music, and song with “At Your Name.” All things are possible is a truth of scripture and to add the power of the name of Jesus to that should make our hearts and our minds never doubt what can be accomplished when we ask and do in the name of Jesus for righteousness sake and the glory of the Father in heaven!
Enjoy this amazing song of power in the name of Jesus!
At Your Name
Words and Music by Phil Wickham & Tim Hughes
At Your Name, the mountains shake and crumble At Your Name, the oceans roar and tumble At Your Name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice Your people cry out
Chorus: Lord of all the earth We shout Your Name, shout Your Name Filling up the skies With endless praise, endless praise Yahweh, Yahweh We love to shout Your Name, Oh Lord
At Your Name, the morning breaks in glory At Your Name, creation sings Your story At Your Name, angels will bow, the earth will rejoice Your people cry out
There is no one like our God We will praise You, praise You There’s no one like our God We will sing, we will sing (X2) There is no one like our God We will praise You, praise You Jesus, You are God, we will say
Chorus: Lord of all the earth We shout Your Name, shout Your Name Filling up the skies With endless praise, endless praise Yahweh, Yahweh We love to shout Your Name, Oh Lord Oh Lord Yahweh Yahweh We love to shout Your name oh Lord
I find this particular poem to be fitting for the beginning to a new year.
I spent about 6 years composing a set of eight poems. The first just simply being “Poem” and each of the following 7 being 2-8 with a subtitle. Today, I share the first of this set of 8. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing the whole lot of them.
Each of them exhibit specific emotion and paint a specific word picture that captures a continuing theme.
I hope you enjoy the first installment of the “Poetic Octet” by Luke David.
The Luke David Blog 