baghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

what kind of a word is that?

I'm so frustrated. Why is my life such a roller coaster? The stuff on the outside isn't what bugs me. It's not when stuff happens to me--it's the stuff on the inside--when I happen to myself. I don't stay steady, moving closer to God. I'm a total zig zag. I want to illustrate this. Time to break out the Paint (meaning that crappy free software)

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near

Such a crazy week, such a great thing to trust in Jesus. My faith
wavers, something I don't take pride in. But today, I'm trusting my
Jesus, and praying for the strength to trust Him even more tomorrow. I
feel a supernatural peace, too calm for the storm around me. It makes
me so happy. Never underestimate my Jesus.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Iris Dement, Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

Some Balance

God doesn't use bumps on logs. He wants people who have the faith to
"let go and let God" but not to the point where they do absolutely
nothing in the name of faith. He doesn't need us, but he wants to use
us--if he didn't, why, then, are people subjects of sentences in the
Bible? We are called to pray, to witness, to study, to serve, not just
receive, receive, receive!

Don't just sit around in the name of faith, waiting for God's promises!
Be busy doing what he has for you today, while praying for his provision
for tomorrow.

I think Everybodyduck has the best lyrics ever. Here's "some balance":

In his seat, in a boat, on an ocean far from here
there's a man out on the water all alone.
But his time is wearing thin
'cause a storm is moving in
that will crush his boat and sink him like a stone.
Staring up at the sky he can see the hurricane
figures he has time enough to get away.
But instead he turns around, drops the paddles and kneels down
and like a pious man of God begins to pray.

Oh, we've got to draw the line
between having faith and being blind.
Use your mind if you've got time, don't drop the oars.
God will save you like He said
but you've got to use your head.
So when the storm comes pray to God but row for shore.

On a couch, in a house, on a street not far from here
you sit and watch the opportunities pass by.
Mindlessly waste your life away
hoping God would save the day
when all along you could have lived if you'd have tried.

Faith is right, God delights
when we trust him with our lives
but we must clear the path so God can lead the way.
He will cause the crop to yield
if we'll wisely work the field
but faith and action hand in hand's the only way.

Oh, we've got to draw the line
between having faith and being blind.
Use your mind if you've got time, don't drop the oars.
God will save you like He said
but you've got to use your head.
So when the storm comes pray to God but row for shore.

A Little More

Mad's new blog title keeps making me think of this song I've been
listening to. I didn't realise Skillet has a song by the same title.
This one is by Shawn McDonald:

       

Just the other day went walking
Down to the corner and I saw a man
Sitting with a cup in his hand
Saying, "Hey won't you give me something
Won't you give me something to eat?"
I took a look into his eyes and
I saw he had a story to tell
But I walked away with my pockets full, full of change
And I said, "I got nothing for you"
It's time to confess that I need a little more
Jesus inside of me, Jesus inside of me
Don't you see, Jesus was homeless
Walking from city to city
Teaching people how to love
Giving them grace and mercy
Giving them grace and mercy
Now, Jesus was a friend to the friendless
Loving on all the outcasts
Teaching them that there was more
More than what they're living for
More than what they're living for
Don't you see, if you do not learn love
Then you will be completely nothing
You could be absolutely amazing
But you would be nothing
 

I can say love is what matters all I want, but when I really open my
eyes, I see my heart is still filled with selfishness. It's easy to be
a friend to the friendly, but God hasn't called me to what's easy. It's
about loving the unlovable. His death on the cross wasn't easy. Heaven
will be comfortable, but there's something wrong if I'm comfortable on
earth. Being a servant isn't easy. Being set apart; pursuing holiness
isn't easy. It's costly. But it's the greatest investment to be made.
Such a big risk, yet at the same time, a sure reward. Love ain't easy.
There are some in every generation who will be different. We need more
Amy Carmichaels, more ten Booms. This generation's morality is waning
quickly, even among those who profess Christ. The sheep are wearing
wolves' clothing. It's high time that we seek hard, that we don't
hesitate to lay everything down at the foot of the cross and follow
Christ through the valleys and up to the high places. Mediocrity is
unacceptable. It's gotta be all or nothing. A little more Jesus, every
day.

Benny Lava!

Hilarious, watch out, a couple of bad things