“Your Words” – Musical Musings in March

 

Our trees in Colorado have begun the budding process. The tips of each tree have little green nubs. The warm days have made the trees believe that spring has arrived.

 

???????????????????????????????The problem? Well, we had a blizzard last week. Another round of snow came through over the weekend and I’ve heard rumors that we are to expect another round of snow this week. Winter is not done in Colorado so the real problem is that these cold snaps could cause some damage to these little buds.

 

I’m reminded of the passage of Scripture from Isaiah about grass and flowers and how they may not be able to withstand the bipolar whims of nature. Blooming trees and flowers may not be able to hold up to the up and down temperatures of this world, but we can hold to this truth. The Word of our God will stand forever.

 

Not only will it stand forever, but within the pages of this precious book are words of encouragement, guidance, freedom, grace, forgiveness, truth and so much more.

 

Don’t believe me? Check out this blog post from Rachel Wojo (click here to get to the blog). She has compiled a listing of where to find Scripture when facing certain situations in our lives. Just click on a word and see where it takes you!

 

You can trust that God’s Word is filled with an abundant supply of wisdom, but you can also believe that His Word will stand forever.

 

The song I’ve chosen today speaks directly to this truth and from the verse of Scripture found in Isaiah 40:8 (NIV). “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” I pray that you will find encouragement from this song by Third Day.

 

“Your Words”[i]

 

Let me hear Your words
Above all other voices
Above all the distractions in this world
 

Let me hear Your words
Above all of the voices
Above all the distractions in this world
 

For Your words bring life
And Your voice speaks promises
Lord, Your love offers more
Than anything else in this world
 

Your words give us life that’s never ending
Your words bring us love that never fails
Everything else will fade away
But what will remain
Are Your words
 

Let us speak Your words
More than ours, more than ever
Let us share Your love with all the world
 

The grass will wither and the flowers will fall
But the word of our God will last forever
The grass will wither and the flowers will fall
But the word of our God will last forever

 

You can listen to this song by clicking here.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Your Words,” words and music by David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee and Tai Anderson, 2014.

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“Build Your Kingdom Here” – Musical Musings in March

 

Wasn’t Easter awesome? Such excitement and joy and celebration of new life. It was a great day!

 

DSCN0597I believe that the Easter experience boosts our spiritual walk with the Lord. We find ourselves with a greater desire to be more like Christ. Perhaps we walk away with more determination to live out our purpose or make a difference in our world…

 

And then Monday morning rolls around and real life happens for some of us. All that joy and excitement and determination and desire flies out the window.

 

But I’m here to encourage you with a piece of music that is pretty cool. The vocalists and band are hip (or whatever word kids these days use to describe awesomeness). The music is engaging. But it’s the lyrics that make this song pretty perfect for the day after Easter.

 

Jesus left us behind to carry out His mission. And in order for His mission to be fulfilled, we must pray the words of this song. If we want His kingdom to exist on this earth, we must be part of that kingdom, we must be the kingdom and we must do kingdom work.

 

Today you may be waking up and feeling a little let down from the beauty of Resurrection Sunday. If that’s the case, this is the song for you. Let it penetrate your heart and soul and light the fire within you to want to be part of this movement.

 

If you are still riding high on the adrenaline from yesterday, get ready to be boosted to another level. The spiritual fire within you will explode with excitement. This song is that good.

 

Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:10 that God’s kingdom would come. It’s here. You’re part of that kingdom. Now, let’s pray that God will use you and me to be kingdom builders.

 

“Build Your Kingdom Here”[i]

 

Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we’re made

 

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now

 

We are Your Church
We need Your power
In us

 

We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You’re our joy and prize

 

To see the captive hearts released
The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for Heaven’s cause

 

We are Your church
We pray revive
This Earth

 

Chorus:

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

 

Unleash Your kingdom’s power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts

 

You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

 

We are Your church
We are the hope
On Earth

(Chorus)

 

Click here! You’ll want to listen to this one!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Build Your Kingdom Here,” words and music by Rend Collective Experiment, Thank You Music, 2012

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Happy Resurrection Sunday!

 

What a glorious day! I am so excited to head off to church soon. Spending time with others who love Jesus and want to celebrate His resurrection is at the top of my list. Worshiping with this same group of people is always enjoyable. And to top it all off, there are lots (I don’t even know the number) of baptisms scheduled during our services today. It will be pretty glorious!

 

I pray that you are excited to worship today. How blessed we are that Jesus defeated death!

 

Today’s repeat blog post is an old favorite. Enjoy!

 

 

 

“Then Came the Morning” – Monday Musical Musings

 

It’s hard to believe that I have not shared this song with you. This has been one of my favorite songs for a very long time…let’s see, it was written in 1982 and recorded in 1983 by the Gaither Trio. Yes, I have probably loved this song from the moment I heard it.

 

Perhaps this was the way the disciples felt after Jesus died. They saw it happen. They were in shock. They wondered why it ended this way. They had devoted their lives to Jesus and now, He was gone.

 

Oh and how Mary must have wondered what God was up to. She knew Jesus was the Son of God. She knew He was the Anointed One. How could the Messiah lead Israel into victory from a tomb?

 

I can’t imagine all the emotions they felt, but I suspect their grief was unbearable. I suspect their hopes and dreams had faded. I suspect they chastised themselves for believing in this man.

 

Just as Jesus brings great hope and joy to our own lives, Sunday morning came with renewed hope, new dreams and greater faith in the Christ. Oh how beautiful that morning must have been. Tears turned to laughter. Mourning to dancing. Weariness to strength.

 

Perhaps your hopes and dreams have been squashed. Maybe you’re under the burden of grief. Or maybe you just can’t seem to find it in yourself to continue on this faith journey. Whatever it is you are going through, Jesus is the One who can lead you to a better place. He will comfort. He will give strength. He will calm your fears. He will be with you. And gloriously, the morning will come.

 

I pray that as you read through these lyrics and listen to this melody that you will be touched by the hand of Jesus. I pray that your eyes would be opened to the miracle of that Sunday morning. I pray that morning has dawned for you.

 

“Then Came the Morning”

 

They all walked away, with nothing to say,
They’d just lost their dearest friend.
All that He said, now He was dead,
So this was the way it would end.
The dreams they had dreamed were not what they’d seemed,
Now that He was dead and gone.
The garden, the jail, the hammer, the nail,
How could a night be so long.

 

Chorus:

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

 

The angel, the star, the kings from afar,
The wedding, the water, the wine.
Now it was done, they’d taken her son,
Wasted before his time.
She knew it was true, she’d watched him die too,
She’d heard them call Him just a man,
But deep in her heart, she knew from the start,
Somehow her Son would live again.

 

Chorus:

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.[i]

 

Click here and you’ll hear Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s version of “Then Came the Morning.” Beautiful!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Then Came the Morning,” Words by Gloria Gaither, Music by William J. Gaither and Chris Christian, Gaither Music Company and Word Music, LLC, 1982.

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“Jesus, My Victory” – Musical Musings in March

 

I have often wondered what the disciples of Jesus must have felt on this day in history. Jesus had died on the cross the day before and here they were left to wonder what had really happened. There were probably feelings of guilt, hopelessness, frustration, grief and loneliness just to name a few. I suspect there may have been some accusations as well.

 

wheel barrelThis was a dark day for these early disciples of Christ.

 

If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we can find ourselves in this position. You might refer to these times as the “valley.” You too might feel some of the emotions listed above, but you might also experience bitterness, confusion, powerlessness, depression, regret or anger. And there are plenty more emotions you can use to fill this space.

 

The disciples only had to live with these emotions for one day. Sunday came and Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His loved ones. But what about you and I? How can we get out of the valleys of our lives to live victoriously with Jesus on the mountain?

 

Like the disciples, we need to hole up with Jesus. We need to spend time with Him and allow His Spirit to do His work in our lives. This is a process and it does take time, but it is possible.

 

One of my favorite books is “Follow Me” by Randy Sprinkle. Here are some words from this wise man. “Victory begins at the start of the day with a closed door, an open Bible, and a disciplined, responsive heart ready to turn loose anything that hinders our walk and work with God for the sake of His kingdom that day.”[i]

 

Victory is possible and it will come as we turn our hearts and minds over to the One who is able to defeat death. There is victory in Jesus. What do you need to turn loose to Him today?

 

I could have reused the “Victory in Jesus” hymn, but I found “Jesus, My Victory” to share instead. I pray you will enjoy it…and remember victory begins and ends with Jesus.

 

“Jesus, My Victory”[ii]

 

Jesus we come to Your table

We take Your body and blood

This is Your invitation

A reminder of love

Jesus we come to remember

The life You gave for us

Every sin is defeated

By Your death on the cross

 

Chorus:

Jesus Christ, You satisfy

Our Living Stream

The Bread of Life

Jesus Christ, more than I need

 

The Lamb of God

My Victory

 

King of Kings You laid Your body down

Oh what love that lets the lost be found

Oh what sacrifice given for my gain

All who die in You will rise again

King of Kings forsaken for my sin

Lamb of God and yet the Lion wins

Lifted high for all the world to see
My Victory

 

Click here to listen to this song.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Follow Me” Randy Sprinkle, pg. 38-39

[ii] “Jesus, My Victory,” words and music by Brenton Brown, Travis Ryan and Brandon Collins, Thank You Music, Integrity Worship Music, Travis Ryan Music, Celiacrobat Music, 2012

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“By His Wounds” – Musical Musings in March

 

As you know, we arrived home on Monday morning and I could not wait to shower and wash my hair. I pulled out my hairdryer that went with me on our trip and turned it on. What a clatter it made! Something had gotten into the motor of my hairdryer and was causing some real trouble.

 

?

I turned it off and tipped it over. Something very precious to me fell out of my hairdryer. My diamond earrings!

 

Now I cannot even begin to suggest how these earrings wound up in the hairdryer. They were in a box with all my other jewelry (not another piece of jewelry was in the hairdryer I might add). Now the hairdryer and the box of jewelry were in the same suitcase, but come on. Really? Someone these two earrings found their way out of the box and into the hairdryer.

 

The earrings were a bit mangled (the picture tells the tale) and I will need to have them professionally repaired, but at least I have both earrings (the backs didn’t make it…I’m trying to stay positive here).

 

Today is day that all of Christianity is thinking of Jesus’ sacrifice. And as I remember what Jesus went through so that I might have salvation, my diamond earrings are worthless. Jesus’ precious body was bruised, battered and beaten for my transgressions. He sacrificed His own life for mine. And unlike my earrings that mysteriously landed in my hairdryer, God’s plan from the beginning of our time was to redeem mankind. Jesus chose to follow that plan. And I don’t know about you, but I am blessed and thankful for His choice.

 

The song I share today is about Jesus’ wounds. His sacrifice. As you go about you day today, I pray that you will not allow this to be just like any other day. I pray that you will offer your life to Jesus because of the great love He has for you.

 

“By His Wounds”[i]

 

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace
Was upon Him
And by His wounds
By His wounds, we are healed

 

Chorus:
We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace, we are saved
We are saved

 

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace
Was upon Him
And by His wounds
By His wounds, we are healed

 
Chorus:
He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace
Was upon Him
And by His wounds
By His wounds, we are healed

 

What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

 

You’ll want to listen to this one. Click here!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “By His Wounds,” words and music by Mac Powell and David Nasser, Consuming Fire Music, Meaux Mercy, 2007

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