This heart...

I am finding out that maybe I was wrong
That I've fallen down and I can't do this alone

Stay with me, this is what I need, please?

Sing us a song and we'll sing it back to You
We could sing our own but what would it be without You?

I am nothing now and it's been so long
Since I've heard the sound, the sound of my only Hope

This time I will be listening.

Sing us a song and we'll sing it back to You
We could sing our own but what would it be without You?

This heart, it beats, beats for only You
This heart, it beats, beats for only You

This heart, it beats, beats for only You
My heart is Yours

(Paramore - This Heart)

I'm a visual type of guy...

If you know me, you can probably ascertain this. I would classify myself a creative person, though I would seldom use the word 'artsy.' But I see things as I do through my medium. I see a great sunset and say, "Wouldn't this be a beautiful photo to capture?" Or I see something unique and it creates a flood of ideas for a film script. It's how God wired me and I like it!

The reason I like it is because I can hope to capture the emotion of the moment permanently, well as permanent as the medium its created on lasts. If I can capture the moment and share the story or show people 'God' in this moment, that's the most perfect end result. Don't get me wrong, some events and phenomenons are permanently etched into our minds, but if I can help with that or can add to this memory in a tangible way then great!

The reason I bring this up isn't to talk about how I work but to share more about this emotion behind the item. Whether it be a photo, a video, a song, a place or even a fragrance. A lot of 'things' in our lives carry some sort of significance, sometimes drawing a very emotional significance.

So I was sifting through some pictures the other day...faces, flowers, oceans, children, loved ones, lost ones, family...I have a lot of pictures. Of course these pictures bring with it a myriad of emotions, some stronger then others. I came across some photos a while back and was filled with love, hope, faith and joy from them (among other positive emotions). Remembering them made me feels those emotions again... As it should be. But as I thought about the event(s) behind the photos some more, I remembered the times weren't always rosy. Those times weren't always filled with love, hope, faith and joy. There was a hurt, sadness, and frustration to name a few of the 'not-so' good emotions. BUT. That's not what I chose to remember and cherish when I looked at those pictures.

Why is that? It's because at the heart of it, of the event, of the people involved. I knew their hearts...or more specifically Who was in their hearts. God. And because of God's awesomeness, love, goodness, and so on and so on and so on, those attributes overcame in these memories.... THAT is what is flows out and over from these pictures and people though some hurt resides.

So God whispered to me, "Child, then why don't you think that of Me?"

Now when I think of God I think the same great things of when I looked at the pictures and yet so much more. Because regardless who is in the picture, God can not be compared to the broken sinful humans we are. But when I see God and know He has never hurt me (unless it was to make me a better person for Him), or done anything bad. Yet I don't feel true peace, love, hope, joy...all the things that make God God.

And I claimed to know His heart?

I was then reminded of a sermon I heard several months ago where the pastor said that so many people 'believe IN God' but how many truly 'BELIEVE God'? I read His word, but yet do I really believe what it is says? He wants to love us and wants the best for us...for you.

So it is time to believe.

As I know that God dwells in the heart of the person(s) whose picture I have and comment upon above. I can have reassurance that God resides in me and believes in me. And I in Him.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

And I'm praying that we will see
Something there in between
Then and there that exceeds all we can dream
And all these twisted thoughts I see
Jesus there in between...

The best New Years resolution ever...

Brandy shared this with me, so I have to share this with you.

I pray that this finds you wherever you are and 2009 is amazing year...

***********************

New Year's Resolutions: The Two Lists

A Message from DailyOM Co-Founder Scott Blum

I was fortunate to spend time with an enigmatic man named Robert during a very special period of my life. Robert taught me many things during our days together, and this time of year reminds me of one particular interaction we had.

"Now that you are becoming more aware," Robert said, "you need to begin to set goals for yourself so you don't lose the momentum you have built."

"Like New Year's resolutions?" I asked.

"That's an interesting idea," he smirked. "Let's do that."

By then I was used to his cryptic responses, so I knew something was up because of the way his eyes sparkled as he let out an impish laugh.

"Tonight's assignment is to make two lists," Robert continued. "The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep, and the second is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WILL keep. Write the WANT List first, and when you have exhausted all of your ideas, then write the second list on another sheet of paper."

That night I went home and spent several hours working on the two lists. The WANT List felt overwhelming at first, but after a while I got into writing all the things I had always wanted to do if the burdens of life hadn't gotten in the way. After nearly an hour, the list swelled to fill the entire page and contained nearly all of my ideas of an ideal life. The second list was much easier, and I was able to quickly commit ten practical resolutions that I felt would be both realistic and helpful.

The next day, I met Robert in front of the local food Co-op, where we seemed to have most of our enlightening conversations. "Tell me about your two lists," Robert said as the familiar smirk crept onto his face.

"The first list contains all the things I SHOULD do if I completely changed my life to be the person I always wanted to be. And the second list contains all the things I COULD do by accepting my current life, and taking realistic steps towards the life I want to lead."

"Let me see the second list," he said.

I handed him the second list, and without even looking at it, he ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can. His disregard for the effort I had put into the list annoyed me at first, but after I calmed down I began to think about the first list in a different light. In my heart, I knew the second list was a cop out, and the first list was the only one that really mattered.

"And now, the first list." Robert bowed his head and held out both of his hands.

I purposefully handed him the first list and held his gaze for several seconds, waiting for him to begin reading the page. After an unusually long silence, he began to crumple the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without looking at it.

"What did you do that for?!" I couldn't hide my anger any longer.

Robert began to speak in a quiet and assured voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life no longer matters. The only thing that matters, from this day forward, is what you MUST do."

He then drew a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to me.

I opened it carefully, and found a single word floating in the middle of the white page:

"Love."

10 Reasons I Don’t Like Most Christians

1. They consistently seem angry and bitter and worried. I thought Christians were supposed to reflect joy and kindness and peace.
2. They don’t dream big dreams. That seems odd given the fact that we’re supposedly worshiping a God who is “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare ask or hope.”
3. They seem to worship their theology more than Jesus. For whatever reason, this appears to be especially true for folks that come from a reformed theology.
4. They don’t like it when other people or ministries experience success. Think about it. There are Christians who would be overwhelmed with joy if NewSpring experienced fewer salvations, fewer baptisms and our attendance dropped.
5. They use prayer as an excuse for inaction. They’re waiting for God to do his thing, but they aren’t willing to step out in faith and obedience.
6. They’re more concerned with the BMW next door than the lost person who drives it. Christians hate people with money. They’re willing to sacrifice time and money for those without it, but they’re satisfied to let “rich” people go to Hell.
7. They would rather people live life without Jesus than give up their personal preferences. What happens when your preferred teacher doesn’t teach? What happens when your preferred worship leader doesn’t lead? What happens when you don’t like the music?
8. They are fake. They dress up a certain way on Sunday and they live as completely different people the rest of the week.
9. They think they’re better than other people. That’s why they create rules to follow. It helps differentiate why they are holy while others are not.
10. They’re comfortable with mediocrity. Doesn’t matter where. Think Christian music and movies. Think how we invest our time and money. You don’t seriously think God deserves our best do you?

The reality is that I’ve sinned in just about every one of these areas. It pains me to say that, but it’s true. If people hear the Gospel and reject Jesus, that’s one thing. If I’m the barrier to people accepting Christ because of me and my sin, that’s a completely different deal. Fortunately, God’s much bigger than my stupidity.

When does your humanness get in the way of people knowing the hope, forgiveness and love of Jesus? Does your life make people curious about the claims of Jesus or does it make them flee? What would you add to the list?

as taken from tonymorganlive.com