This song was sent to me today and I thought I would share it. The name of the song is "I'm Not Who I Was" off the Don't Get Comfortable album by an artist named Brandon Heath. He gives a background and comments about the song at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrGfA6y9fNI
I'm Not Who I Was
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was
I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so
I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was
When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you
I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was
I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello
Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about
I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
It has been an interesting day today...there has been plenty to think about and it has been emotionally trying. It is a day that is supposed to be marked as "happy", but it doesn't feel that way, not this year. What do I hope for in the time that follows this day? I hope for healing, acceptance, understanding, redemption, the mending of souls. "The thing I find most amazing in amazing grace is the chance to give it out. Maybe that's what love is all about."
All my love,
B
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Routine History
Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approaches and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?".
Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming."
"They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other."
"In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in - nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes."
"Staying with it - That's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during the time, the good news - the Message of the kingdom - will be preaches all over the world, a wwitness staked out in every country. And then the end will come." (Matthew 24: 3-14 of The Message)
I have been spending most of my time, as of late, in the Bible reading through the Gospels. I have been so challenged by God that I really wanted to take time to read and study Jesus' life and teachings. I have read some great things and heard the stories that Jesus spoke and when I really think about it I find the Gospel writing to be quite amazing.
The above portion of Matthew 24 really stood out to me. The rest of the chapter continues with Jesus challenging us to guard ourselves from people claiming to be him. It is pretty neat actually because Jesus is telling them you will know when I return. There will be no doubt in anyone' s mind. He is also very clear that no one but God the Father, knows when the end of times will be.
But, back to the first part. I had never looked at this teaching this way before. First of all, Jesus does not make a big deal of wars and natural disasters. In fact, the thing he does make a big deal of is later in the chapter, regarding a desecration in the temple. But he says clearly, wars and rumors of wars are nothing to get caught up in. Earthquakes and famines...these are things that will occur in the natural order. I don't know if I've ever understood what he was saying here, because I was under the impression that these things might mean something...maybe not.
But, to the thing that really stood out to me. Lying preachers will deceive and evil will overwhelm people to the point that their love will be no more. Nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.
Jesus speaks of the end and he isn't banging the drum, warning of wars and destruction, but of a world filled with deception and loveless people.
Master, what is the greatest commandment? He replies to love the Lord your God with all your being, and similarly to love your neighbor as yourself.
"For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in - nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes." It's heart breaking isn't it? A people loosing their ability to love. Can you think of anything more destructive to an individual person and their community than to stop loving? It's so powerful and again more than anything we see Jesus concerned with love over all things. It's because of God's love we are offered redemption. We can be filed with God's love. Our love isn't perfect, it won't sustain us, but God's love is and because of his love of us we can love. It's a beautiful picture that gives a glimpse into the heart of God and what Jesus was trying to do with his life and has continued to do through his death and resurrection.
May you find the love of God in you life. The love that knows all, forgives all, and loves unconditionally, and in knowing God in this way may you love those around you with the same fierceness.
Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming."
"They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other."
"In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in - nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes."
"Staying with it - That's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during the time, the good news - the Message of the kingdom - will be preaches all over the world, a wwitness staked out in every country. And then the end will come." (Matthew 24: 3-14 of The Message)
I have been spending most of my time, as of late, in the Bible reading through the Gospels. I have been so challenged by God that I really wanted to take time to read and study Jesus' life and teachings. I have read some great things and heard the stories that Jesus spoke and when I really think about it I find the Gospel writing to be quite amazing.
The above portion of Matthew 24 really stood out to me. The rest of the chapter continues with Jesus challenging us to guard ourselves from people claiming to be him. It is pretty neat actually because Jesus is telling them you will know when I return. There will be no doubt in anyone' s mind. He is also very clear that no one but God the Father, knows when the end of times will be.
But, back to the first part. I had never looked at this teaching this way before. First of all, Jesus does not make a big deal of wars and natural disasters. In fact, the thing he does make a big deal of is later in the chapter, regarding a desecration in the temple. But he says clearly, wars and rumors of wars are nothing to get caught up in. Earthquakes and famines...these are things that will occur in the natural order. I don't know if I've ever understood what he was saying here, because I was under the impression that these things might mean something...maybe not.
But, to the thing that really stood out to me. Lying preachers will deceive and evil will overwhelm people to the point that their love will be no more. Nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.
Jesus speaks of the end and he isn't banging the drum, warning of wars and destruction, but of a world filled with deception and loveless people.
Master, what is the greatest commandment? He replies to love the Lord your God with all your being, and similarly to love your neighbor as yourself.
"For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in - nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes." It's heart breaking isn't it? A people loosing their ability to love. Can you think of anything more destructive to an individual person and their community than to stop loving? It's so powerful and again more than anything we see Jesus concerned with love over all things. It's because of God's love we are offered redemption. We can be filed with God's love. Our love isn't perfect, it won't sustain us, but God's love is and because of his love of us we can love. It's a beautiful picture that gives a glimpse into the heart of God and what Jesus was trying to do with his life and has continued to do through his death and resurrection.
May you find the love of God in you life. The love that knows all, forgives all, and loves unconditionally, and in knowing God in this way may you love those around you with the same fierceness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
