Admiration

"We are not made happy by what we acquire, but by what we appreciate."

I heard this statement earlier this week while listening to a podcast. That's profound isn't it? It seems like such a backwards statement, especially living here in the US, but I believe it's right on. Now the question is, what object of appreciation should satisfy us the most? Well...

I went to see a man by the name of Ravi Zacharias speak this morning at a local church. He spoke on this idea of worship. He talked about how there is a huge problem of boredom these days, especially among the younger generation. We all try to fill up our schedules with distraction after distraction. The problem isn't with our planners, but with our hearts. If our hearts aren't admiring the one being that we were meant to worship, namely Jesus Christ, then everything else ends up being empty.

But, my heart is an idol factory. If I don't spend time appreciating who Christ is, I find I easily move to anything else in my path.

Worldview

In reviewing a book I read recently, "How should we then live?" by Francis Schaeffer, I was reminded again on how important it is to understand the worldview that each and every one of us have. Living in America, we are shaped constantly by the idea that man is the center and that there is no absolute truth that give a foundation for the way we live. This book starts in Ancient Rome and travels to today's postmodern era. He points out how the philosophy held by the people of the time ended up spilling over into the arts (music, literature, and paintings), but most importantly into their own actions. Most people today don't consider how much their own beliefs really shape their life, so they do very little to try and align these beliefs with Truth. John Mayer makes a great statement that "everyone believes, from emptiness to everything." I want to live in such a way that reflects a deeply rooted in the Truth revealed in the Bible. Schaeffer points out that "as Christians we are not only to know the right worldview, the worldview that tells us the truth of what is, but consciously to act upon that worldview so as to influence society in all its parts and facets across the whole spectrum of life." But what does that look like? Please post your thoughts.

Joyful Tranquility

It's fearfully taking steps forward and knowing He has me in His care. It's enjoying friendship and conversation and being overwhelmed that He would grant me the grace to have such relationships. It's being blown away by mercies undeserved. It's Him causing fruit to grow, when I mostly feel like a useless dried up tree. It's seeing Him use this empty vessel in ways I could never imagine. It's being able to forsake self-centeredness and seeking approval, so to be free to truly love others as I am loved. It's seeing Christ as the great mediator, the loving Savior, the mighty King. It's enjoying and worshipping God in and through everything. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory.

Come Boldly

Come boldly to a throne of grace,
Ye wretched sinners come;
And lay your load at Jesus' feet,
And plead what he has done.

"How can I come?" Some soul may say,
"I'm lame and cannot walk;
My guilt and sin have stopped my mouth;
I sigh, but dare not talk."

Come boldly to the throne of grace,
Though lost, and blind, and lame;
Jehovah is the sinner's Friend,
And ever was the same.

He makes the dead to hear his voice;
He makes the blind to see;
The sinner lost he came to save,
And set the prisoner free.

Come boldly to the throne of grace,
For Jesus fills the throne;
And those he kills he makes alive;
He hears the sigh or groan.

Poor bankrupt souls, who feel and know
The hell of sin within,
Come boldly to the throne of grace;
The Lord will take you in.

What an amazing truth to be able to come boldy into His presence to find mercy and recieve grace in our time of need. Check out Red Mountain Music and be blessed.