Heart of Worship

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

To Retreat is to Advance

"The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands"

-Come To The Well, Casting Crowns

Hello everyone, remember this blog? It's been a while since it's seen much use, but it is my wish that we will continue to post on it and encourage each other in the faith.

So the first Annual Jim Bridger Fall Spiritual Retreat has come and gone and my reaction is: "Wow!"

God did some amazing things for me in that time. The presence of God was so vivid and we were able to basque in His presence as we prayed, worshiped, and delved into His Word. It really was a very amazing time in the Lord and I cannot wait until we get the opportunity to do it again.

One thing that I really learned in this trip is the importance of letting God do what He wants. As you may have seen above, I placed a quote from one of Casting Crowns' songs. This quote really stuck out to me as I listened to this song. It's simple, but it seeks to open our eyes to a very important realization. If we want to live in God and have him work in us, we have to surrender ourselves unto Him.

The retreat that we went on could be just that, a retreat. A step back from the hassle of the world and a place to get your head straight. Or it can be a step forward and an advance into a deeper relationship with God. Through focusing on God we can further immerse ourselves in His glorious love.

So now that the retreat is over, make the decision to not neglect what God has done and live the same. Choose to continue in a focused gaze and do not turn away. Life will still continue and hardships will still arise, but face these things with the perspective of God and lie in His presence. Let the Lord be your strength. Let Him fight the battle for you. Surrender this unto Him so He can strengthen and lead you.

Don't lose sight of God and when you fall, choose to let God raise you up again through His perfect blood. As God raises you up, make the decision to walk in His presence and continue in Him.

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Reminder

We so frequently need a wake up call!

Isn't it so beautiful when you can gather around believers, worship God, and realize once more who God is? Drop everything and submit your life to Him? It's a moment where you cry out to Him, because He is near and you can feel Him. He is tangible. He is visible. So you give everything away.

Two weeks later... you ignore His existence. His prodding, convictions, words, even the blessings He tries to offer. What else can you do? Life has taken control. Life is normal. God is no longer "tangible".

This is when you need a reminder. We shouldn't really need to be reminded that God is love, God is in control, God is there.... Run to God, give Him your all.... I mean, there's always something to distract you, or some realization pushing out God. Maybe you believe you've given enough. Maybe you think there's nothing else to give. Maybe you don't even think about giving. (When I hit this point, I need to sit down and pray God will awaken me. I stop and pray, "Please take from me my life when I don't have the strength to give it away, O God"--which are lyrics from Take My Life, by Third Day.)

Often I can pray this for days before I finally "see" God again--but I follow God in what way I know to, holding onto the truth of who God is. I know He is love, so I thank Him for that, even when I can't properly love back. I know He gives commands, so I follow them--I fail, but I'm crying out to God to put me back on the path that leads to Him.

We shouldn't rely on "feelings" to submit to God. He is there, whether we're on a spiritual high or not--but we often think He is far when we don't see Him. (Like a blind man protesting no one's in the room, because He doesn't see a thing.) Yet we do. I can only push forward, gripping the essentials of God's character.

Here is the reason we drop "things of this world"! We abandon all things of distraction (believe me when I say its hard). You distracted? STOP. For, as CS Lewis says, "If a transtemporal, transfinite good is our real destiny, then any other good on which our desire fixes must be in some degree fallacious, must bear at best only a symbolical relation to what will truly satisfy."

English translation (or at least Brina-ish translation): When we are headed towards God and the crown of righteousness He offers, any distraction or idol which we put ahead of God must be stupid. They are simply truths twisted into monstrous lies that hold no satisfaction, in the end. Why focus on it?

How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the sand on the shore
But every time You've taken me back
And now I pray You do it once more.

Chorus:
Please take from me my life
When I don't have the strength
to give it away to You Jesus

How many times have I turned away
The number is the same as the stars in the sky
But every time You've taken me back
And now I pray You do it tonight.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

An Explanation

Hello, it's Brina. Most of you know by now that I have recently began to quit sarcasm. (Or at least try). I've been asked a few times now why I wish to quit and, though its a delayed response, I thought I should give a complete and somewhat articulate answer. For one, the conviction to watch my tongue was strong enough for me to reason, why not give up sarcasm? The convictions concerning sarcasm were so frequent I decided I didn't want to chance grieving the Holy Spirit--I might as well drop it. But here are some more explanatory answers:

1) You never know. Maybe that sarcasm could be misunderstood, offensive, annoying. Or, more importantly, the absence of sarcasm in my speech could lead to evangelism. If it ever gets noticed that I'm not sarcastic, that could lead to some pretty cool discussions about Christ, conviction, and the Holy Spirit. And, as I told Lily, if even one person notices it, I would consider this whole en-devour worthy.

2) Self control. Sarcasm makes some pretty good jokes and is a great way to point out theological flaws. But when I personally get angry, I use it as a weapon to damage others. While I understand the comedy in sarcasm, I've realized that if I want to cut out offensive sarcasm that slips out as an insult, I need to stomp it out altogether. I cannot be in the habit of blurting things out. This leads to Reason # 3: I honestly just need more patience. I've realized this especially in the last week, when my temper was severely challenged. To me, quitting sarcasm is only part of the larger issue. I'm teaching my slippery tongue self-control--and trust me, its hard. Anger has a way of inflaming your mind and badgering reason; pride puffs up the image and justifies cruel words. But I don't want to be ordered by that anger anymore. Today its sarcasm; today I will try to ditch it.

Another point should be made here. At Church, while conversing, I made a flippant sarcastic remark and immediately apologized. Avery then said, "You don't have to apologize." (Thank you, Avery :). Well, understand that when I apologize, I'm really calling myself out, catching the sarcasm in order to refrain the next time. Sorry if it annoys you.

So here are my reasons. I don't want to say that sarcasm is evil or wrong, because it isn't (though it is easily abused.) I'm not judging the sarcastic; I actually love and am amused by sarcasm. If you feel convicted by these thoughts, pray over it with God and ask Him about it, since ultimately, all lasting change comes from Him alone. Also, I wouldn't mind some prayer on this matter; its quite a struggle to remember and act upon all I've said. In the end, our goal as Christians is to glorify God; and I feel this might please Him.
(By the way, Anna also had the same conviction about sarcasm, before me I believe. She spurred me on into action; but I'm not speaking for her in my description of my motivation. Ask her yourself why she's quitting, and pray for her also.) Comment your thoughts in the description.

I love you guys!
-Brina
It is my God who arms me with strength and makes me ways perfect. - 2nd Samuel 22:33

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Doing Good

Galatians 6:9-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

You Reign Forever (a song I wrote for my graduating friends)

O Lord, I pray
that you keep them safe and healthy
O Lord, I pray
that you keep their minds from indecency
O God, we pray
that your Spirit unclouds the mystery
shade them with eternity.

LORD, keep us close to your heart
Draw us near to your love
We pray that you tear us apart
And form us to you like a glove
Teach us to worship your justice, kindness, righteousness reigning forever!

Jehovah-rapha
heal us with your holy power
Jehovah-raah
shepherd us through every hour
Jehovah-shalom
grant them the peace of the flowers
and keep them from turning from your heart

LORD, keep us close to your heart
Draw us near to your love
We pray that you tear us apart
And form us to you like a glove
Teach us to worship your justice, kindness, righteousness reigning forever!

O God! Surround them with a fellowship
O, God! Be the anchor of their ship
El Elyon, be our God Most High
Mercy deeper than our sin
And love bigger than the sky

LORD, keep us close to your heart
Draw us near to your love
We pray that you tear us apart
And form us to you like a glove
Teach us to worship your justice, kindness, righteousness reigning forever!
Keep us together, LORD, I do pray
Teach us to worship you in every way...
Teach us to worship your justice, kindness, righteousness reigning forever.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Song List for Thurs. June 7

Your Love Oh Lord - Third Day
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mP4LhdE4vc

God of Wonders - Third Day
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBNE25rtnE

One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ

Heart of Worship - Matt Redman
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1X_ev2OILA

Grace Flows Down - Some Awesome Musician
Ya'll know it.

Beautiful Things - Gungor
Ya'll better know it.