who loves me for me

 

I love this song by jj heller.  especially this last bit.

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

itunes, new tunes

Music must be on my mind this week.  I was in want of some new tunes, I picked out this Kari Jobe from itunes along with Chris Tomlin’s new CD.  Love them, just what I needed to get though this wet week!

and downloaded these free tracks from noise trade:

where you sit matters…

I was talking with a group of friends this week about significant turning points at different stages of life.  This caused me to reflect and share a story from my late teens,  and since I am mostly a verbal processor, I think I gleaned a little more from it…

When I was 18.8 years old I attended an “intense bible” session at Summit ministries in Manitou Springs, Colorado.   This was a tradition that my parents started and sent all five us to when we completed high school as a last-ditch effort to submerge us in Christianity before entering college.  In the small and oddly shaped classroom the seats were assigned by age starting at the front 21.6, 21.5, 21.25, 21.23…. so you can imagine that I being 18.8 thought I would be somewhere nicely in the middle and would coast through the three weeks.  Not that I was a bad kid or was upset to be there, but that’s what I had become accustomed to, sliding by and blending in.

I truly believe the Lord had a different plan.  For some reason unannounced to me, those setting up the room managed to squeeze a few extra rows of chairs on the side facing the rest of the classroom.  In the very first row, in the first seat my fate was sealed when I saw the numbers 18.8.   It’s like he was saying from that very first lecture, “this is where I want you, not where you were planning, but right here, upfront, close to me, so pay attention!”

While it was inevitable that I learned something that week, as I had no choice but to pay attention and take notes… I knew little of the impact this would have on my life. It began a real and deep faith journey for me.  God cares enough to pick our seat for us, according to his plan and purpose.  He desires for us to be close, drawn near nad learn from him.  Are you willing to change seats?  To be upfront, close to the teacher, listening to his words?  This is where I want you, not what you were planning, so pay attention!

That week solidified a change that Jesus had already began in me.  From believing to truly learning to walk in his way.  I recommitted my life to Jesus while singing this song led by some of the students in the course.  Everytime I hear it my heart is so full of joy at that commitment to walk with him.

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all 

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all

When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all 

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

pandora finds… jimmy needham

I’ve heard him called the christian john mayer or jason myrz, but I just call him good!  Check out Jimmy Needham, I definitely have been enjoying his music on pandora and just bought one of his early albums Speak.  I love love love his songs ‘stand on grace’, ‘the gospel’ and ‘dearly loved.’

Jimmy Needham – Dearly Loved Lyrics

(Matthew 11:28)

Please lay down your arrows
For they’re sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you’ve acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name

It’s worth it brothers
It’s worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved

To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it’s a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you’re not hearing
Is that he died for you

No greater joy
No greater peace

No greater love than this

It’s worth it brothers
It’s worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved

practically perfect

We took our girls to see Mary Poppins this week at the Detroit Opera House.  It really is not what you expect and perfectly wonderful at the same time.  Did you know there are eight Mary Poppins books  written by P.L Travers?  The play wove together different scenes and characters of the stories as well as music and scenes adapted from Disney’s movie version.  There was quite a bit of new content for me.

I was caught slightly off guard by the storyline, but the excellent stage and second act sold me.   The set was gorgeous, especially the house which opened like the page of a pop out book or more so like a storybook, fitting for a drama highlighting a children’s book.  The step-in-time scene was magical in its own right, the dancing and set pieces were whirling in and out of sight, additionally the dancers threw in elements that acoustically reminded me of stomp.  My girls were entranced, H leaned over “Mom, this was a really good idea.”

After more research online I really am amazed with the details in the production, and the depth of the story.  I think I need to see if our little local library has the collection.  There were costume changes, kites, a bit of magic, and of course flying.  The best was saved for last when she flew literally over us.  We were in the front balcony on the left side, yup there went Mary right over the audience, right over us.  Amazingly magical!

My girls were all decked out, because if you don’t dress up to go to the theater what do you get dressed up for?  My mom and sister gave them these beautiful dresses for their birthdays, which I am thankful (that takes care of all holiday wear). My grandmother loved the opera and theater being a bit of a performer herself.   When she passed away I inherited a number of her costume jewelry pieces.  I thought this would be a perfect occasion to share them with my girls, one with faux emeralds, and the other faux sapphires.  We were talking about how auntie E would most likely cry when she saw the whole ensemble, “why” they asked.  “Oh, because she is sentimental, which means you cry easily.”  Sure enough, center theater, E enters with tears, “ See” I told them “sentimental.”

make way my heart…

I bought this CD back in July and yes I have been listening to it since this summer.  I am a big fan of pandora radio and alli was often added on to my station.  So after weeks of hitting like on every song of hers that was played I finally looked her up on itunes. I was most impressed with this christmas CD.   I wish I could post a song of hers but I think that it is probably illegal or I just don’t know how to do that.

Anyhow, last year I went to the andrew peterson, behold the lamb of God, christmas tour, which was amazing!  I could go to that every year… it’s a beautiful collection of artists singing adoration and praise to the one who matters the most.  No christmas trees, ribbons or distractions, just offering up their talent as an act of worship.   Unfortunately they are not coming to Michigan this year, but I saw that alli is.  So if I can swing it, I may drive to Zeelend this weekend to hear her play her part in the downhere & mark schultz christmas tour.  Here is a selection of one of her songs, Make way -

make way, my heart, make way for the King of Kings

prepare Him room, prepare Him room

joy to the world all heaven and nature sing

oh heart of mine, put it all aside for Jesus

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel

I am studying the book of Isaiah this year through BSF.  What a rich and beautiful study!  It completely brings new meaning for me and spiritual depth of understanding to some of these classic Christmas Hymns.

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow’r to save;
Bring them in vict’ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!