God-Breathed

A message to Christians - Becoming the Standard

2009-09-24T05:13:00.005-05:00

Halfway through reading this piece, I remembered the less-thought-of definition for the word "standard" that is used a lot in Joshua:
A flag, emblematic figure, or other object raised on a pole to indicate the rallying point of an army, fleet, etc. (from Dictionary.com)
Keep both definitions in mind when reading because in addition to becoming the standard in the sense that we're supposed to be someone that others should measure up to, we're supposed to also rally along our brothers in the right direction as members of God's army.
Words from the author:
This one was a lot more personal as I realised that these were some serious problems in my life and that becoming the standard was what God has called us as Christians to do. He wants more for us as his children and he wants us to get more kids for him so we have to work for what's right in this nation.
2 Corinthians 10:2
I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.

Becoming the Standard

I wake up, Oh no! I’m late, I rush to get ready because school is waiting.
I bathe, freshen up, put on the gear
And take that last look in the mirror;
Before jumping in Daddy’s car, before jumping on the bus,
Listening to the shouts of my parents as they make a big fuss.
As they push me out to that mundane place, I wish it could end.
The lectures, the boring classes,
The Martian teachers in the thick rimmed glasses.

It’s lunch time, man, I caught a break,
It’s time to catch up with my friends, It’s Great!
Did you see the match?
Oh! Her dress is sick!
That one kid he’s real dumb
Yeah the honour roll’s last pick...
EVER

Who me? Christian sure! I’m living the life he wants me to
Yeah being that example, you know the voice in the wilderness.
But am I?
Really let’s look at it. Have I really set the standard he called us for?
Have I really lived that life?
Have I really caused less strife?
Have I brought peace
(Or love or hope)
Have I ministered to my closest friends in the least?

But it’s ok, I do it throughout my life,
They see me and know that Christians can be cool.
Am I doing anything though,
To change the mind of the fool?
What’s a true witness,
Or is it who?
Have I Lord been what you want me to?

I know the truth.
But mostly it’s something I don’t want to hear
The truth about my witness, my stance, my actions
The sad reality is, I am living in fear

I don’t believe that you can change this
I don’t believe that you can provide
I don’t even know when I die
Where or even if I will abide!

Will I just die, or will I live,
Are you true?
These questions run through my head everyday
“Oh God”, I pray, if you are real you can forgive.

In trying to rhyme I lose sight of my path. It’s funny, sorta like trying to fit into a world I know I don’t belong to.
It’s sorta like trying to appease my friends at the expense of Christ.
Or like me saying “I’m going to this party to minister”
When I’m really just thinking about who I can dagger.
It’s funny like me pretending to be in charge instead of humbling myself as a vessel to be used.
It’s funny like me running out of this house without acknowledging you first, second or third.
It becomes hilarious when I realise I have been seeking the wisdom of men instead of diligently seeking your word.

You see becoming the standard is more than just a saying,
It’s more than having a desire to change.
It’s about making the change,
About stepping up in every area.
Your friends should see the truth in you,
Their sin should see rebuke from you.

You are royalty, a prince, a princess
Ever since the day you pledged to be sinless.
Yow, we need to sin less.
That’s how you break it
Take the sin stress
From the sin test
And rebuke the thought before it becomes a hot sin mess!
People yuh nuh see the country des?
The standard of safety can no longer be a bullet-proof vest.
Where are the people to replace it with a breastplate of righteousness?

When the enemy comes up as a flood what do we do?
Do we run and hide,
Cowering and delivering our last “I love yous?”
NO!!!
It’s time we fight
Let’s become the standard, retake our nations
It’s our birthright!
It’s full time we tap into our true might.

Whether it comes as a rushing wind or a calm little dove
We need to adhere to the directives from above
As Christ’s power falls
We need to accept the call
Become true worshipers and warriors
To become the standard
ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!!

~Dhane Brown.

Healing and Salvation

2009-09-24T05:01:00.004-05:00

The penned ponderings of a medicine student and sister in Christ. Jesus really is the great physician =). There's not much for me to say here...just take in this analogy made between earthly and heavenly healers.
Luke 5:31,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

"Doc, I sick. I donno but ma head hurtin’, ma feet painin’ an’ ma heart achin’. Fix mi nuh, Doc?"

The job of a doctor, physician or medical officer is to diagnose and treat every ailment that is presented before them in the most effective, yet least harmful way to the patient suffering said ailment.

It is said in Luke 5:31,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
-Jesus (NIV)

The same can be said of sinners. The saved don’t need salvation because they already have it, just as a healthy person does not need healing, because they already possess ‘health’. It is the unsaved that really need salvation; not the saints that need the word of salvation to be brought to them, but those that are ignorant of it. Make sense, no?

And just as the doctor of medicine is called to facilitate healing (I say facilitate, because it is only through the will of God that any of us receive healing. Doctors are only there to impart knowledge to the patient on how to go about the process of healing.), we as children of God have been commissioned to facilitate the Word of God being carried to every corner of the physical world we live in. As evangelists we are called to share with others how to go about the process of salvation and why they should even bother to go though this. We are doctors of the Word of God, facilitating the healing of the spiritually dead.

As diagnosed sinners, we now require treatment, but God offers something even better than that. He offers a cure: To be completely and utterly free of all sin and consequences thereof. How many illnesses in the world have a cure that has maintained its efficacy for over 2000 years and is guaranteed to stand the test of time, and even beyond time itself? Hmm…

But of course as with all treatments, for it to work, you have to agree to take it as recommended. And guess what, the dose of salvation is easy. Once requested, it’s a one time application, and the result? An eternal immunity when God establishes his Kingdom with us at the end of this age. However, until then, you must be willing to ‘take your booster shots’ and maintain your health. Remember, spiritual health is only possible with a strong immune system. Without your defences: the holy spirit, faith and time spent with God through prayer and reading his word to know his will, there is nothing to protect you. The sickness of sin is very virulent, and when given a chance, will try to wriggle its way right back where it nested. What better way to prevent this tragic occurrence than to avoid making contact with the virus altogether? Sin is all around us, almost everywhere we turn to look, but if we keep our treatment regiment and maintain our I.S. we can do it!

~Phylicia Henry

Because of You

2009-09-24T04:30:00.006-05:00

So God wakes me up at 2am and eventually nudges me to go online and I see this in my inbox and I just praise. It's exactly what I needed to see and God knows it'll minister to you too. The only reason we're even alive is because of God. The only reason we can have a relationship with Him is because of God. The only reason we can make it through the hard times and do His work is because of God. It's all Him. You can look out for the tune to this song at Evening of Expressions later this semester!
Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Because of You

Verse 1
It's been a long road to get here
Alotta struggles 'n tears to get here
Walking down this road on the journey we call life
Would'a been impossible if You weren't by my side
Looking back on these past years and the hardships I've been through
I can say, I'm only here because of You

Chorus
It would'a been impossible, if You hadn't watched over me
I would'a given up long ago, if Your grace wasn't there to keep me
I can't give the credit to anyone else
Especially cause I know I didn't get here by myself
I can say, I'm only here because of You

Verse 2
I never thought I'd see the day that I'd become this man
I never thought of myself as being part of your plan
But now I understand that you had plans for me
Sacrifice on Calvary, Your blood has set me free
Purchased me with the blood of your own Son
And miraculously, my sins are now undone

Lord I know.....
[Chorus]

Bridge
I give the glory to God, His hand has brought me here
I wanna thank you Lord, when I need You, Your always here
That's why I can say...

[Chorus x2]

~Chadwick Nelson.

Searching: What's My Purpose?

2009-09-05T22:16:00.010-05:00

I went into reading this poem thinking it was going to be one of Dhane's crazy rhymes...but I was literally almost breathless by the time I finished reading. This is deep...reflect on the words and ask the same questions as you read and you'll see what I'm saying.
Words from the author:
This one came to me when I was focusing on my church retreat (entitled "Purpose Driven Life"). God really spoke to me and this is what came out one night, well one morining actually (very early in the morning) lol.
Matthew 28: 19 - 20
¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What’s My Purpose?

What’s my purpose?
This intellectually stimulating question has plagued the hearts of man for years,
From time immemorial this conundrum has lain in the forefront of man’s fears.
What’s my purpose? To be a chemist by design,
Or a detective who solves mysterious crimes.
Or perhaps it is to become a famous artist, spitting rhymes that entertain
With a sweet refrain that releases glorious endorphins that thrill my brain.

As enticing as those thoughts may be, I just don’t think so. So what more is there?
Just what is my purpose? I wake up, go to school, study study study, work hard get the good grades (or at least I am supposed to).
But when I’m finished I’m just not satisfied.
So I figure “work harder, there, situation ratified”
But when it’s not and confusion racks my mind
It becomes clear that a greater purpose I have need to find.
There must be a higher calling, above school, work, girls and games
But to me it seems as if I am just free-falling, running full speed in reverse away from my aims.

As I search my thoughts to unveil life’s truths,
Questions of doubt arise highlighting my youth
So I turn away from my search, igniting flames that not just burn in my soul,
But also yearn to burn my soul
FOREVERMORE
And as I spiral down this road, lost with no future, destined to dwell in a land with no purpose
Living a life of bewilderment and shame, I am given a glimmer of hope

You see, by sheer happenstance I cross paths with this wise man who said
“Only the Creator knows the purpose of his creation”
And so does my journey begin.
Failure is not an option, yes I MUST WIN!
On a path to find my creator, my purpose
And I can never give in.

I find out he’s written me a manual. This piece of regal documentation
Filled with timely responses to all my queries.
Slowly as I delve into this wonderful work,
The spiralling thoughts that used to lurk
Are gone.
They are replaced by a yearning for learning in my soul
No more am I lost in the cold,
But brought to His side, a part of His loving fold.

So you ask, What’s my purpose?
Well it’s found in Him,
It’s found in not yielding to that indwelling sin
It’s found in asking my creator in.
It’s found in seeking His face
And in seeking His grace
It’s in looking to the hills for that helpful embrace

The manual said my creator knew me before I was formed
He set plans for my life, that I would not be harmed.
He said I was created to worship, to increase His flock
So he helps me to stay grounded, to run to my saving rock.

So that’s my purpose, to live for Him,
My Creator, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
It’s for me to show the world what he’s done within.

So I beseech you, in view of this truth,
To find your purpose, even in your youth
Seek the Creator and let him guide you my friend
So that one day we will be united again!

~Dhane Brown.

The need to be healed: Inner Healing

2009-08-31T10:21:00.010-05:00

I just think that this is so powerful.

Words from the author:

From my own encounter with Christ I have been able receive emotional healing from bitterness and unforgiveness. I believe that being able to forgive and release persons who have wronged you enables you to receive that peace that passes all understanding and healing that seals up the emotional scars that you may have received along the way.

LISTEN NOW, MY PEOPLE, AND COME TO ME; COME TO ME AND YOU WILL HAVE LIFE! Isaiah 55:3a

Inner Healing

My father?
Extinct,
Such species are rare
Endangered perhaps,
Who cares?

Forgiveness!
Him?
That commodity is too precious to waste on him
So, I carry this burden until…

My heart

Given, hoping to receive love
Reward, fragments and pieces
The source of the destruction did not care!
The walls went up
I withdrew
My wounds stay hidden
This will never happen again
So I carry this burden until…

People?

You can’t trust them as far you can throw them
They expect this impossible perfection from you
Yet they are the worst sort when it comes to failure
You’re never good enough
Don’t please them,
They’ll reject you
Turn their backs

People…(sigh)

Anger, I let it build
It turns me on, makes me feel better
Hate, I love it
To all the ones who hurt me
You’re killed in my thoughts, die!
Resentment, makes coping so much better
Bitterness is bliss

LIES!

I am torn
Tattered
Tormented inside
Inside me is a grave yard
A field of death and sorrows
Covered up by my smiles
Laughs, success and “love” for people
I want to scream and tear my eyes out
And now…

I have been carrying these burdens for so long Jesus
They are just too heavy
I am tired of hiding and covering up my pain
The band aides have failed
My emotional shields and walls make it worst
Jesus, I open up my heart now
I don’t want to run anymore
Jesus, I lay it all down before you!
Jesus, I forgive the ones who hurt me
I release them!
The unwanted baggage
The loads, the burdens
Give me life that I can truly live
Give me hope that I may look forward

Give me love.

Jesus, thank you.

JESUS!

~ Joseph Collington

Are You in the centre?:Centre of Your Will

2009-08-10T08:46:00.010-05:00

This insight is very comforting.

Words from the author:

Tryin to live a romans 8:28 thought-life with a jeremiah 29:11 foundation. =)

I ALONE KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, PLANS TO BRING YOU PROSPERITY AND NOT DISASTER, PLANS TO BRING ABOUT THE FUTURE YOU HOPE FOR. Jeremiah 29:11

Centre of Your Will

Each laboured breath loses its burden when hushed in the centre of Your will
All busy hands trying to make their own way cease in the centre of Your will
As i fight and fight, energy being pulled from my core, in the gut of my heart i rest assured
there's no better place to rest my soul, than in the centre of Your will

When we meet face to Face, i see behind the tears, that scar my fragile eyes,
that You know my inmost being, all the secrets i try to hide
You grab me by my shaking hands, You ease my restless mind
You whisper "Child be still. Come into the centre of My will".

Love does not envy when buried in the centre of Your will.
It rejoices in Your wisdom-induced pain, believing there is much to gain, when caused through the centre of Your will
It walks away and says goodbye, weeping endures a summer of nights; it offers its love to
stay at Your side, trusting the inevitable joy joined with some distant near-morning's light
when invests its faith in the centre of Your will

When we meet face to Face, i see behind the tears, that scrape my fragile eyes,
that You know my inmost being, all the pain i try to hide
You grab me by my shaking hands, You ease my restless mind
You whisper "Child be still. Delight in the centre of My will".

As separated as i feel, i won't quit until Your heart is revealed
The depth and secrecy of the womb could not withold my blueprints from You
You give me the ability to question and fight, to harbour frustration at will
Yet i relinquish that right, I surrender to the woe that springs peace,
i long to be dear Lord, at the centre of Your will

When we meet face to Face, i see behind the tears, that soothe my fragile eyes,
that You know my inmost being, all the doubt i try to hide
You grab me by my shaking hands, You ease my restless mind
You whisper "Child be still. You're in the centre of my will".

~Shannon Haldane

Walking the Talk: More than Words

2009-07-30T19:39:00.003-05:00

Just let the words penetrate.
Jeremiah 32: 38 - 40
38And they shall be My people, and I will be their God:
39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me.

More Than Words

Why is it so easy to sing and then walk away?
What great defect makes us not live out the very things we say?
Vain words scattered on a fleeting wind
Professing love, but sold out to sin

If indeed we love You
Isn't it way past time
For us to be true
To live "Not my will, but Thine..."?

Ok, so the conviction's hit us again
Are we gonna replay the remorse game?
Seek to impress Him with rivers from our eyes
While drowning out His voice with surging floods of compromise?

What good is an offering of tears
When obedience is what You require?
Help me to honour You, not my fears
Reshape this heart, oh Consuming Fire

Not much to offer
But here's everything, Lord
Take it, and make it greater
Than a mouth full of empty words.

God's love: L.O.V.E

2009-07-19T16:17:00.010-05:00

This song is really cool and reminds us of a simple fact: God loves all of us no matter what!

Words from the authors:

Sasha: she had been asked to prepare a song to minister to kids about God's love being awesome, and so she went for a simple and repetitive hook with a catchy tune. She reflected on Romans 8 and also on how she could express the fact that God loves us just the way we are despite our own insecurities.

Andrew:It arose from his own personal relationship with God, and it just happened to fit with what she was looking for to complete her song.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVR EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16

L.O.V.E
Verse 1
The love of God is unsearchable
Can you fathom why we hurt him so
yet His love never goes away?
He's always willing to hold you again
That's our God of love

Chorus
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
Always will cuz He never changes
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, He says that I'm His kid

Verse 2
It's not about your age, looks or gender
He takes you just as you are
And He'll never forsake ya
Fearfully and wonderfully made you are
He'll never break your heart
He's love

Chorus
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
Always will cuz He never changes
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, He says that I'm His kid

....Jesus, Jesus
I can't even believe this,
You came, lived, walked, died...
just to release us.
Your love's so sweet like Reese's Pieces (lol)
never has a being meant more to me,jus
come into my life,
take away the strife,
hold my hand tight,
help me walk right!

YOW! Savlation's free
for him, them, she, me, thee & we!
Imagine my glee when we finally
meet face to face with God
O M G!!!!!!!!Y'all never shall see
a sinner like me
just happy to be alive in He

So...sing da chorus
and clap ya hands
make a joyful noise all ye lands 'cuz

Chorus
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, that's the way He is
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
Always will cuz He never changes
L.O.V.E. my God He loves me
The way I am, He says that I'm His kid

~ Sasha Allen, Andrew Burton

Giving your all: Sacrifice

2009-07-13T09:30:00.004-05:00

This song, well it's more like a chorus because it's really short. It was written out of a deep desire to give God everything I have. Not just singing a song or whatever, but to make sure that when I was praising God it was truly everything I could possibly give. For it to be true sacrifice of praise.

LET THE GIVING THANKS BE YOUR SACRIFICE TO GOD, AND GIVE THE ALMIGHTY ALL THAT YOU PROMISED. Psalm 50:14

Sacrifice

Lord I bring to You
My sacrifice of Praise
And it comes straight from my heart
Lord I give to you
My all in all
And I give to You all that I am

~ Jordanna Guthrie

Take away the burdens

2009-07-12T20:54:00.010-05:00

This really speaks to us having burdens but allowing God to take them from us. Basically just to let go and let God.

COME TO ME, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE TIRED FROM CARRYING HEAVY LOADS, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Matthew 11:28

~ Jordanna Guthrie

Life out of Death

2009-07-12T20:00:00.009-05:00

When I did this drawing I think what came to mind was life coming out of something seemingly dead. Which is basically a representative of we who believe in Christ. Before Christ we were spiritually dead and our souls were condemned to the place of no return; but Christ gave us life, hope and a reason for living. So we once were dead but Christ gave us life!

TELL THEM THAT I THE SOVEREIGN LORD AM SAYING TO THEM: I AM GOING TO PUT BREATH INTO YOU AND BRING YOU BACK TO LIFE. Ezekiel 37:4

~ Jordanna Guthrie

Feeling Trapped: This Habit

2009-07-12T18:48:00.005-05:00

In reading this piece...I just said over and over in my head..."Me...me...that was me too...". I'm sure this will speak to MANY other Christians struggling with sin as well. I completely love the first two and last two lines...really awesome. When I asked Sean for his inspiration for the piece all he said was this:
Words from the author
Sin :)
Matthew 6: 24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other...

This habit...

It’s like,
being empty when you’re already full
It’s like;
trying to 'push' open a door that says ‘pull’
It’s like,
feeling hurt when you just had the time of your life
but your heart is hit with hurt,
then the hunger bites…
the hunger that you’ve suppressed , all this time
thinking evrything was fine
It's not
It's become maligned

When you're tied up, caught up, and loving the thrill
The feeling that you're feeling in retrospect makes you ill
You’re happy
'Cause you think you’re happy
And everything’ s fine within
But its not
You’re just a pig
Loving the mud of sin

~Sean Bennett.

Love Letter: First Love

2009-07-06T00:25:00.009-05:00

This is just really...wow...i'm speechless. It speaks out a heart felt desire, desperate actually to just love God and to feel Him love us back.

Words from the author:

It talks about First love and returning to it.

SHE WILL RUN AFTER HER LOVERS BUT WILL NOT CATCH THEM. SHE WILL LOOK FOR THEM BUT WILL NOT FIND THEM. THEN SHE WILL SAY, 'I AM GOING BACK TO MY FIRST HUSBAND-I WAS BETTER OF THAN NOW'...THEN ONCE AGAIN SHE WILL CALL ME HER HUSBAND-SHE WILL NO LONGER CALL ME HER BAAL. Hosea 2:7 & 16

First Love

I need to be alone to hear Him

Desperate to be calm

Alone

Still

In order to be close to Him

In order for His sweet voice to steal my soul away

With its power

Alone with Him

To let his words romance within me

My heart will leap in his presence

If i could be gentle enough to not disturb the atmosphere

If i could simmer in his aroma

Still

Alone with Him

To embrace His love

Experience His kiss

To dance with Him and let Him sing love songs to me

I will return to my first love for it was better with me then.

~ Antoinette Campbell

Still looking: What are you looking for?

2009-07-05T23:42:00.010-05:00

When I read this I thought to myself, 'I can so connect with this poem'. It's just all our thoughts just said. It talks about all the things we think and struggle with. The fact to we think so many things almost contradictory to what serving God and understanding Him is really about but yet we still just have a desire just to love Him and give Him all we can. Yet we can all be rest assured that when it all comes down to it, we can find God again and dwell with Him.

Words from the author:

Its about Love, but its about where love really lies and where we go looking. As in how life often is like we look in other directions for the love we can only get from God and what happens in our life that make us need that love, hence house upside down etc. And it jus talks about the general struggle of a christian I guess.

...THE LOVE SHE OFFERS YOU WILL CATCH YOU LIKE A TRAP OR A NET; AND HER ARMS ROUND YOU WILL HOLD YOU LIKE A CHAIN. A MAN WHO PLEASES GOD CAN GET AWAY, BUT SHE WILL CATCH THE SINNER.
Ecclesiastes 7:26

Still Looking

Still looking for someone to fill the hole

Still disappointed wen true love isn't shown

Still upset that there are no physical arms for me to run

Still mad that my house seems upside down

Still crying silently in my room

Still insecure and confused about what to do

Still thinking some superman will appear

Still worried because I think I am all alone

Still saying the same song that seems to be now too old

Still telling people what's wrong but noone understands

Still wanting to please God even though things are rough

Stilll wanting a pure heart even though it feels crushed

Still giving of myself, the lonely road i trod.

Still reading psalms and singing so I can no longer be sad

Still declaring words over my life.

Still not complaining cause everybody has their problems

But I just want for one day to experience Love.

But there is no one here that I can find

So once again,

I crawl like in the dark to find the dwelling place of God.

~ Anonymous

It was God's decision not ours!: He Chose Us

2009-06-20T23:37:00.011-05:00

I took up my bible and was reading John 15. When I read verse 16, it struck me that I wasn't the one who decided ok well i'm going to serve God. It was God when He was making me said guess what you're going to serve me. It was a humbling revelation.

YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR MUCH FRUIT, THE KIND OF FRUIT THAT ENDURE. AND SO THE FATHER WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME.
John 15:16

He Chose Us
I didn't choose Jesus; He chose me.

Though He knew I'd cause Him hurt and pain.
He knew that I'd find it hard to accept,
Because if I were Him,
I wouldn't have chosen myself.
He knew that I had misgivings and fears,
That I would fall and feel too weak to get up.
But He still loved me after all that I did.
That's because I didn't choose Jesus; He chose me.

We didn't choose Jesus; He chose us

Even though He knew how stupid,selfish and ungrateful we could be
He knew we would turn a blind eye
To all the people right in front of us
Who were hurting and pleading for our help
He knew we would neglect to worship Him
And take all the glory for ourselves
But after all,
That's why we didn't choose Jesus; He chose us.

You didn't choose Jesus; He chose you

Though He knew you'd get involved with friends who'd draw you away
He knew that you'd feel your entire world collapse
And that you could no longer fake your joy
Because of the burden you refuse to give away.
He knew that you'd do that thing
You said you'd never ever do
But God is God
He hand-picked you
He pre destined you
He knows all your heartaches and your pain
He knows all your struggles and all your shame

So next time when you'e thinking of an excuse
Remember:
You didn't choose Jesus; He chose you!

~ Jordanna Guthrie

Stalker Meets Girl

2009-06-20T17:35:00.009-05:00

It kinda hurts putting up Jodi's stuff on this blog because they're such untraditionsal peices, it's hard to get the flow of her work unless you've heard it before, or you know her in person. I'm sure many of us can relate to this piece, I won't say much so see what she has to say.
Words from the author:
This reflective piece sums up my encounter with Jesus (after months of running, and running, and well, more running from His call). Boy was He after me. I can't help but think how blessed I am to be called. To be chosen. To be chased! lol. He really loves me and I am grateful.
Thank you Lord that you consider me.
Revelation 3:20
²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Stalker Meets Girl

You know, normally you'd hear
Boy meets girl
Girl likes boy
Boy buys ring
Girl says yes
They get hitched,
and...well...
You know the rest.

Well, I'm currently in a relationship
and well, He takes my breath away.
We talk about everything!
He tells me His inner-most thoughts
- and the ones towards me?
Always seem to fit perfectly.
He always knows what to say
I guess you could call Him my sweet-talker
But to be honest, it wasn't always like this
See, He was my stalker.

Now I know this sounds strange
Ladies I promise it's far from gory.
Guys, don't worry. You're safe.
It's no lifetime story.

It first started when I was on my way to this meeting
I was forced to attend every Sunday.
I remember I felt a stare.
You know when someone's looking at you from behind?
I turned around and looked and saw nothing
So I thought: "Jodi, its your mind."

And days would pass
and I notice I'd get these little love notes.
They never had a signature
Just some words in quotes.
But I'd always ignore them.
I thought He was one out of many.

But the more I ignored,
THE MORE HE PERSISTED
And the more I rejected
THE MORE HE INSISTED.

As if notes weren't enough,
He sent persons instead.
They'd tell me these things
- these things that he said
That He wrote me a book.
Many books in one
And one of them He named Songs of Song.

Now I'm thinking "creepy?"
Yes.
"Restraining order?"
Oh yea!
Except...
I barely knew His name.
Though I heard it time and again
I was not interested in this dude.

But no matter where I turned
He was always there.
And I think He got frustrated
And He just grabbed me.

Held me close.
He caressed my face.
And with every stroke I shuddered.

And the tears came.

Tears of Joy?
Nope
Sadness?
Nah.
Relief?
Yes.
I had finally found
My true Love.

~Jodi-Ann Johnson.

Purposeful Living: Made to Worship

2009-06-20T16:10:00.007-05:00

First time I heard this song, I was in such awe. The second time, even more. It's a shame that just reading the words can't capture the experience of hearing a song being performed. We need to realise that we weren't put on this earth to start a business, be an actress, or discover the cure for AIDS. We were literally made to give God glory - we were made to worship. We're supposed to worship with every step and evey breath by committing whatever it is we do to the Most High God.
Romans 12:1
¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Made to Worship

Verse 1
I think about all the things that I’ve been through
And I realise how blessed I am to have found you
You’ve been there to pick me up
Every time that I fall down
You’re always there to walk with me
Through every storm

Prechorus
I want to thank You
For all You’ve been to me
Without You Lord
Life makes no sense
You’re the reason I still stand today
And because Your loving kindness is better than life

Chorus
I will praise You with all of my heart
And I will give myself to you
Whatever you want Lord, I’ll surrender
'Cause I was made to worship You my King

Verse 2
My life is dependent on You
You’re my heart’s one desire
And I wanna be close to You
I can’t imagine where I’d be
If it weren’t for your grace
Enabling me to hold on
When I thought I had no strength

Prechorus
I want to thank You...

Chorus x2

Bridge
I was made, I was made, I was made to worship You Lord
I was made, I was made, I was made to worship
(repeat)

Chorus

With all of my heart
(repeat x4)

~Sasha Allen.

Stop and Listen: Be Still

2009-06-09T09:48:00.003-05:00

This song reminds us that God is all powerful and capable of doing the impossible. It also reminds us that God cares for us and wants to speak to us and speak to our hearts to comfort us and that we should acknowlege Him for who He really is.

Psalm 46:10

Be still. and that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!

Be Still

Be Still and that He is God

Sit quietly and hear that still small voice
He wants to speak right into your heart
And show His love in new ways
Acknowledge Him
Be still and know that He is God

Be still and know that He is God
Sit quietly and hear that still small voice
The mountains shake at His voice
Demons flee
He utters, the earth melts away

Be still and know that I am God says the Lord
Be still, make me your dwelling place
Be still and hear the voice of the Lord

~ Antoinette Campbell

Remember Joy's Source: The Acknowledgement

2009-06-03T12:14:00.004-05:00

This piece sounds like it could be from so many perspectives. The questioning mind of an unbeliever, or maybe even a believer who doesn't know why he/she believes. Possibly a believer trying to convince the unbeliever of God's existence. Or as the author plainly puts it, a believer who is meeting God all over again. Whatever window you decide to view this through, I'm sure you'll agree with me that God is in the details, the little things of life, and there lies the most convincing argument for Him.
Words from the author:
Well I'd have to say that while writing this poem, I was in tears. I literally felt the power of the Holy spirit convicting me as I sat on my bed crying and frustrated one Sunday evening. It was as if I had forgotten that God should constantly be the centre of my joy. So this is a reminder that its all about Him, and so I simply called it "The Acknowledgement". It was like I met Him all over again.
Isaiah 29:23
When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

The Acknowledgement

How is it that we can see
And feel the things we ought to feel
Without knowing it has feelings
But still knowing it's there?

Is it magic that we arrange
the type of things we do each day?
Of course not.
It's tragic.
That we just don't know how to match it.

And by matching I mean deciphering right from wrong
Weak from strong,
How and why we get along

Or why not.

Isn't there something we should know
Something that tells us why we glow
When we smile or make a child laugh?

You can't pass it.
No.
Not the thought.
Can never give up the search for the reason:
To find out why we are so blind to
SOMEONE
SOMETHING
That's been there all along
Who never gets weak
He's always strong,
He plans for us as we go along
Life's journey,
Road,
Path,
or pasture.
HE is the master.

But all day long
We yawn and nod
When we think of Him

He is God.

~Jodi-Ann A. Johnson.

The Story of a Christian Struggle: A Silent Storm

2009-06-01T19:02:00.004-05:00

Wow...was all I had to say after I read this the first time around. I'm sure SO many people could relate to this poem. The sheer momentum, constant questioning, and descriptave imagery pain such a vivid picture of confusion. We're so blessed that the answer to all these questions is Jesus Christ and He'll always deliver us from our struggles! How faithful our Lord is!
James 1: 2-4
²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

A Silent Storm

My belly was churning
My head felt sick
My life was spiraling
I had to think quick
Who could I call?
Who could help me fight?
When I'm about to fall
Into the clutches of the night
Wait what would I say?
Could I ever explain it?
Could I stand the blank stares?
Should I expose my fears?

I'm tossing and turning
My feet feel so heavy
I'm trying to press forward
This all seems so awkward
So I send up a smoke signal internally
Im screaming and shouting "Help Me! Save me!"
i can't explain
My secret shame
My inward pain
My heart's strain
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAA
I want to be all that I can be
Deep inside I know God wants to use me
But my flesh has launched an all out attack
Insecurity and guilt now ride my back

Can I ever
Will I ever
Find my way back home
Out of the place...this zone
Im trying to speak I'm opening my mouth
Where are the words? Nothing's coming out
Sigh
Ok here goes, here's my moment to be free
I want to blurt it out but my heart condemns me
So I say it again
To yet another friend
Pray for me
I'm at my wit's end
I need strength for things I cannot dare say
Cause your eyes of condemnation will do me a way

I really want to move
But there's a mountain in my way
Ive been chipping at it you know day by day
But nothing's getting better, I feel sick
The SOS is out, Lord come quick
hello where is God?
Is this judgment
Why isn't he coming?
Is this...punishment?
How did I get here, to this forbidden place
Where I feel like such a violator of God's abundant grace
Its raining its pouring
When is it going to stop?
My hands are shaking, heart's racing, spirit's failing, i'm sinking
Pop!

Im so tired, so disappointed in myself
For allowing my flesh to win
When Jesus won the victory
For my struggles, guilt and sin
I've made a decision, I will not back down
The devil is a liar, my Jesus wears the crown
I am not a bastard child
I hear the Spirit wooing me
Wait! does that mean he still wants me?
Do I still have use?
I'm looking up through blinding tears
There's a dim light ahead
The Lord now arrests my fears
There's a place to rest my head
He's looking past my faults again
Now he's stopped the rain
He's cleansing my mind,
He's healing my heart
The confusion suddenly stops
He's speaking once again

I saw you in your pain
The breaking of your heart
I Know the battles of this world
Try to pull us apart
TRUST ME
I need to purify you
Purge you through and through
So you could bring glory to Me
As a real life testimony
Of a struggling Christian set free!

~Korene Crawford.

Audience of one

2009-05-20T09:17:00.006-05:00

When i wrote this song i was thinking of me performing, and was just thinking how much I don't want it to be a performance but just to glorify God and just to give Him my all.

Chorus
To my audience of one
I give You my heart
To my audience of one
I give You my soul
Wherever I go
And whatever I do
May I give my all to you
To my audience of one
I give You my life
To my audience of one
I give you my soul
Wherever I go
And whatever I do
May i give my all to you
My audience of one

Verse
I know i've been searching
I know i've yearning for someone
I know you were watching
Now I know You were protecting me all along
So now I give my life to You
And all that I do

~ Jordanna Guthrie

Throwback from facebook: Burdens

2009-05-19T20:23:00.007-05:00

I wrote this piece because I saw someone that was hurting, and then realised that a lot of us are really hurting but that we just need to let God deal with it.

"COME TO ME, ALL OF YOU WHO ARE TIRED FROM CARRYING HEAVY LOADS AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE AND PUT IT ON YOU, AND LEARN FROM ME, BECAUSE I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN SPIRIT; AND YOU WILL FIND REST. FOR THE YOKE I WILL GIVE YOU IS EASY, AND THE LOAD I WILL PUT ON YOU IS LIGHT" Matthew 11:27-30

Burdens...
Whose burdens?
Ours...
The hurt and the shame?
Remebering sin and the pain?
Those times when we shouldn't
but did?
And things we could but didn't?

Our burdens
That we carry around each day
The ones that hold us back
From seeing Him
From knowing Him
From accepting Him
From understaniding Him...
Those burdens that are weighing us down
So much
We can't even fake a smile or a laugh
We can no longer fake the joy we don't feel

These burdens
Which we refuse to give up
We are so broken yet
We hold on
To the hurt, the shame, the sickness, the pain
When He's there
Just begging - for our burdens
Just wanting us to exchange them
For His much lighter burdens
His burdens are as light as feathers
As flowing as air

Yet we refuse to even hear Him out...

He's just pleading with us
Just to give them all to Him
He's done so much for us
And continues to...
He went to the cross for us
See, His nail scarred hands
He did this all for us
Because He knew we were hurting
He gave His life...
So we could have life
He cries when he sees us suffer
Without reason
He loves us so...
So why don't we let Him take them?
He wants to see us free
So lets just give up-
Give up trying to keep these burdens
Give up trying to hold back
Give up trying to act like we're ok
When we're not

We just need to let go
And be free
Just as He made us to be

~Jordanna Guthrie

Girl on a Mission: Made to Tell the World

2009-05-19T15:59:00.017-05:00

This funky limerick is characteristic of the funky author. In her imploring the unsaved to come to Jesus, she emphasises with urgency the fact that the reader shouldn't put it off.
Words from the author:
Ahhh...I was in the middle my free verse writing...and then I realised i started writing the limerick. Inspiration...Id'd say is my need to always spread the gospel. It's like God signed that on my heart...made to tell the world.
Acts 1: 8
⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Made to Tell the World

The time of year for knowing Christ,
Is early before June.
For Christ He loves you,
Did great things,
Will you accept Him soon?

~Jodi-Ann Johnson.

How Merciful God is: Danger Lurks

2009-05-18T02:21:00.011-05:00

So many times, we can run ourselves into the ground, carry ourselves to terrible places, and become so faithless and not even realise it. It's such a relief that we have such a merciful God who hears us even before we speak.

Words from the author:
I wrote this poem at a low point in my life. God showed me that many things were out of place and as I tried to find out where it all started HE laid this on my heart. I hope it helps someone...

James 4: 9 - 10
⁹Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Danger Lurks

As time marches on a little cloud is formed above me.
It is so small no attention is given to it.
It is a welcome change from the monotonous sunlight,
Plus it is a shade from the blistering sun.
As I go through the day I forget to pray.
I forget to ask God’s direction.
But so what? I won’t die. God will understand. I’m just so busy.
I continue without regard for God;
Smoking,
Drinking,
Having lewd conversations,
Gossiping,
Cursing,
And all that jazz.
All this time I’m unaware of the danger looming.
One day I’m prompted to look above me.
The little cloud has become a raging storm.
In my ignorance I allowed my cloud to get larger and stronger.
I didn’t see the pouring rain;
The thunderous cracks of lightening striking all around me.
I didn’t see the destruction.
Despair sets in.
As I am about to give up hope I remember my maker and
Before I can apologize and ask for His help
I am surprised by a beam of sunlight descending from the heavens to dispel my darkness.
A ray of hope indicating that all is not lost and that
God still hears me, even before I call.
How could I have stayed in that muck for so long?
How could I have ignored the fact that God wants to take me out of my darkness and
Put me into His marvelous light?
Now, since I have knowledge of His love and His mercy
I can rest in the eye of the storm.

~Stephen-Rhae Johnson.

Throwbacks from Facebook: The Birds and the...Yeah Just the Birds

2009-05-18T02:08:00.010-05:00

Sin is such an annoyance isn't it? Too many times I can relate to Paul when he speaks about doing what he doesn't want to do and not doing what he wants to do in Romans 7: 14 - 20. I've heard this analogy more than once and I've deliberated on it so here are some of my thoughts.
Genesis 4: 6 - 7
⁶ Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

The Birds and the...Yeah Just the Birds

Analogy
It's natural for the bird to fly over your head but don't let it make a nest there.

Thoughts
Bird - sinful thought
I've heard this from several different people regarding sinful thoughts. The idea is that it's natural to have sinful thoughts because we're human and imperfect. Having a sinful thought isn't sinning. The thing is, sinning is purposely allowing the thought to rest in our minds. Matthew 5:28 says that if we so much as look at a woman (or man) lustfully we have already committed adultery in our hearts. From this, we can see that sinning starts in your mind. Now this all is common knowledge to the average Christian so I'm not even going to spend anymore time talking about this. What I am going to talk about, however, is the analogy itself and how its meaning goes beyond its normal usage.

Expansion
Let us look first at how the bird chooses where to nest. First of all, the bird is going to choose somewhere that it can get food easily. Point to note here is that we should not allow our minds to become somewhere these birds will think is comfortable. Their plan is to feed off your mind and if it can give them food then they'll try to nest.

I'll digress for a bit to delve into my thoughts on thoughts.
1 Corinthians 2:11-12
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

So as children of God, the devil can not know our thoughts "just so" because we don't answer to the spirit of the world, we have the Spirit of God so only God can know our thoughts directly. The devil, however, is rather cunning and can get a good idea of what our thoughts are like by the way we act. That way, he can attack who he thinks are suitable hosts with his birds.

Next, we should look at the process of nest-building by these birds. Realise that nest building doesn't happen all at once. Once the bird identifies a suitable environment in which to nest, it's going to begin the building process. You can tell that a nest is being built when you notice that the bird is flying around a bit more often. It's going to rest for a few seconds at first...then a bit longer next time. Before you even realise, the nest has been built and you're in trouble. The question here is, "can I destroy an incomplete nest so I don't get to the stage of nesting?" Personally, I don't think there's anyway we, ourselves, can get rid of the nest completely. I figure that we can destroy what's on top of our head, but often times we can't reach what's at the base all tangled up in our hair (baldies please bear with me here...hah pun...here...hair...ok). We'd need a real good Hairdresser/Barber to get out what we can't reach. More on that later though.

So now the bird has its nest on your head and we're being plagued with this chronic sin. Two dangerous things can happen here and they're by no means dependent on each other.

1. The bird can lay eggs
If this happens, then we find that the family of birds are going to need even more food than what you were giving before. Unless we take steps, the birds are going to keep growing and feeding off your thoughts which, by now, have become a breeding ground. What follows this is that the parent bird decides that the nest is getting too small for them all, so it's time for the babies to learn to fly. You see what's happening here? At this point, we've actually become sources for birds that are going to go try to nest on other people's heads. Your friends, family members, even random passerbys who happen to witness you feeding the bird. What a bad state we've found ourselves in.

2. Other birds come to stay in the nest
Now that there's a nest in our heads, what's stopping other birds from coming to join the first one? The nest might be a bit small, but all that's required is a bit of an expansion by the newcomer. The bigger the nest gets, the more accommodating it is to new birds to come and rest. Your head then becomes a den of iniquity, housing all these sinful thoughts which will inevitable be manifested in your lifestyle. We need to get rid of these birds though.

Now, it's easy to shoo the birds for a bit, especially right after you feed them since they won't need food too much right then, unless of course they've developed a really big appetite that's being fed way too much. So we shoo the birds and they go away for a time, but the nest is still there. Before we know it, they're hungry again and they come flying back. Constant shooing just isn't practical. We need to get rid of the nest too. As I said before, we can try to destroy the nest. This might even incite violence from said birds...especially when they've gotten comfortable, started a family, had over friends. We can formulate "strategies" to combat the thoughts ourselves. These will eventually fail, however, since the foundation of the nest is still in place. All the bird has to do again is spend a little time to build back the nest and we're back at square one.

We need an effective plan to get rid of these birds. We start by starving the birds of food.
Philippians 4:8
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Next we need to stop trying to destroy the nest ourselves and take it to Someone who knows how to get into the nooks and crannies of our dirty hair. So we take our minds to Jesus who gets rid of EVERYTHING. Note though, that He doesn't just take it away like that. It takes time just like it took time to build the nest. We normally find that we've grown to like the birds and have a soft spot for them and can't stand to see them die so we'll often miss our appointments with the Barber so we can feed them..."just a bit" right? We need to be diligent in getting rid of these birds even though we feel like we can't...even the babies! Once our head is back in order, we're ready to go again and keep doing that Jesus thing.

Maybe the bird we need nesting in our heads is the same one that rested on Jesus when He was baptised.

~Xavier Lloyd.