If There's Anything Good in Me

I've been listening to this song a LOT lately:
It Must Be You (Moses), sung by Bart Millard

I'd like to look in the mirror without hiding my eyes
I'd like to see what You see, why You think I'm qualified
To speak for You, O God, Most High

Who hides a baby in the reeds of a river, until he's grown?
Gives him a stage and the strength to deliver his people home?
'Cause I'm tongue-tied, weak in the knees
Must be something you only see

If there's anything good
Anything that's good in me
Well, it must be You
Must be You
And if there's any part of my shaking heart
To see this journey through it must be You
Must be You
It must be You

Not gonna argue with fiery branches that speak my name
Not gonna start taking backward glances from where we came
'Cause tomorrow's holding our dreams
But today I'm here on my knees

O God of parting water, God of falling bread
If my words should falter, will You speak instead?
You must see something good
You must see something true
It must be You
It must be You

Jadon Lavik

Came across this song, "Surrender" tonight, sung by Jadon Lavik. I love his hymn renditions, but I had never seen any of his other stuff. I particularly like the last 2 lines of verse 3.

Another step on the path of confusion;
Troubled heart can't find it's melody
Held under by my nature's fall
Held up by this love for me 

Another day spent fighting motives
Trapped in all the pointless games
Tired of holding on to my guilt
I'm tired of feeling all this shame 

So here's all I have
Here's all I can give
I surrender it all to you
I give you everything I do
Let it be my joy tonight
My burden lifted high
I surrender it all to you 

Broken from the weight of choices
No more strength to hold my head
But helpless is right where you want me
And helpless is where I am free

The Fellowship of the Ring

After several months I finally finished this work of Tolkien's. I have no desire to read the other 2. But a couple quotes I noted from the book:

"Just a plain hobbit you look," said Bilbo [after dressing Frodo in his concealed armor]. "But there is more about you now than appears on the surface." (pg. 312) 

"...So Bill was going as the beast of burden, yet he was the only member of the Company that did not seem depressed." (314)

Once Upon a Time

I've been watching a show called "Once Upon a Time," a creative mix between fairy tales and the modern world. Last week I perked up at these lines:

"...her child is our only hope! ...the only one who can save us.... All we can do is have faith that one day the Savior will restore all that we have lost."

Well put. : )

Walking on Water––reflections

This story takes place after Jesus' disciples have been out on their own teaching and casting out demons, and after he finds out his cousin John has been beheaded. He tried to get away with his disciples to a quiet place for rest, but got interrupted by a huge crowd in the process, and allowed for it––he was moved by compassion when he saw them. After teaching them AND feeding all 5000 men (plus their families) off 5 loaves and 2 fish:

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida while he dismissed the crowd.

He assertively sends away all distractions! He had tried to get away before, but now he gets rid of EVERYONE.

After leaving them, Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray.

Extra assurance of not getting interrupted? Sending everyone away wasn't enough? True solitude.

When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake and Jesus was alone on the land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

The disciples didn't have a clue that Jesus could see them struggling, but that made him no less aware of what was happening.

About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake.

He didn't go immediately to them, but he DID go to them, after letting them struggle most of the night.

He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.

Then he went out to them in a way no human would have thought of, let alone could have done! So they freaked out when they saw him do something completely outside of their natural, expected world. What is my response when Jesus works outside of my world of experience? When he doesn't behave in the way I think he should? How great that he is not limited to my imagination!

Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

He makes himself known.

Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.

He entered into their struggle with them!!! What a great line! AND the struggle vanished. Wow.

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Lord, help me to intentionally make time to be alone with you. Give me the grace to respond with compassion when my efforts are interrupted, and the wisdom to know how to assertively put away all distractions. May I trust, because of your character displayed in this story, that you see my struggles. Whether or not I see or feel you, may I believe that you DO see me and you ARE with me. Thank you for having tricks up your sleeve that are way beyond my wildest imagination. Show yourself to me in mighty ways. May my heart not be hardened when you do, but understand that it is you, and not be afraid.