I want to know You for who You are.
I need to see this world through Your eyes.
oh Jesus. Make me more like You.
Cleanse me of this world's dust and dirt.
Wash me clean. Make me shine for You.
My hearts desire is to worship You..but my own self keeps getting in the way.
Clear me out. Fill me up. Oh Jesus. Make me more like You.
This world is so full of evil and darkness.
Let your light shine on me, Oh Lord.
Shine on me.
Make me bright, all for You.
This is my desire.
Break me down, so there's nothing left but weakness.
For when I am weak, all I can do is rely on You.
You are my strength. You are my song.
Without You, I am nothing.
So wash me clean, make me shine for You.
Oh Jesus. This is my desire.
Make me more like YOU.
[xoxo. -Lizzie]
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Music For The Dance
My dear friend, Stan, sent me this email--i thought it was RIGHT ON.
Music for the Dance
by Max Lucado
Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.
You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says. The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.
Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.
You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”
“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”
“What?”
“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”
Music?
We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.
Dancing with no music is tough stuff.
Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).
Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.
The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11). He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27). He has affections (Rom. 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Heb. 10:29). You can grieve him (Eph. 4:30).
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.
Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.
What does the Spirit do?
He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).
He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).
He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).
Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Rom. 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.
So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.
Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.
Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.
What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.
By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.
That’s what makes God, God.
(thanks Stan!)
Music for the Dance
by Max Lucado
Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.
You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says. The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.
Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.
You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”
“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”
“What?”
“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”
Music?
We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.
Dancing with no music is tough stuff.
Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).
Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.
The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11). He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27). He has affections (Rom. 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Heb. 10:29). You can grieve him (Eph. 4:30).
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.
Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.
What does the Spirit do?
He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).
He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).
He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).
Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Rom. 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.
So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.
Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.
Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.
What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.
By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.
That’s what makes God, God.
(thanks Stan!)
Friday, May 14, 2010
insecurity.
What is the definition of insecurity?
I say it's not seeing ourselves as God sees us.
He created us. Made us from "dust". He see's HIS children as beautiful. As perfectly shaped and molded to live for Him. When we see ourselves as ugly, not worth it,or not "good" enough..then we aren't seeing ourselves as God sees us. God loves us just that way we are. There could never be a more beautiful you.
xoxo.
Lizzie.
I say it's not seeing ourselves as God sees us.
He created us. Made us from "dust". He see's HIS children as beautiful. As perfectly shaped and molded to live for Him. When we see ourselves as ugly, not worth it,or not "good" enough..then we aren't seeing ourselves as God sees us. God loves us just that way we are. There could never be a more beautiful you.
xoxo.
Lizzie.
the little things.
"Find joy in the little things in life. The big things just tend to disappoint us."
xoxo
Lizzie.
xoxo
Lizzie.
No Other Way In.
Some days she's just so weary.
She wants someone to hold her
and whisper in her ear, that it's all gonnna be ok.
She's leery, of everyone in sight.
They all tend to fail her
and it stings her hurting heart.
The walls around her heart, tend to be quite high.
The one who wins the key,
will have to learn to climb.
She's slow to learn, but apt to try..
She's willing, but so scared.
Scarred from the past, She seems to trust no one but Him.
So it's plain to see
the one who wins her heart will have to know the One who holds the keys..
for there is no other way in. <3
xoxo
Lizzie.
She wants someone to hold her
and whisper in her ear, that it's all gonnna be ok.
She's leery, of everyone in sight.
They all tend to fail her
and it stings her hurting heart.
The walls around her heart, tend to be quite high.
The one who wins the key,
will have to learn to climb.
She's slow to learn, but apt to try..
She's willing, but so scared.
Scarred from the past, She seems to trust no one but Him.
So it's plain to see
the one who wins her heart will have to know the One who holds the keys..
for there is no other way in. <3
xoxo
Lizzie.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Consume Me.
I love too much
and hurt too easily.
If mistrust is a disease
then I'm dying.
Inadequacy fills up my heart
crushes my hope and flattens my faith.
I feel like its time for a fresh start.
Sometimes I wonder if things will ever change.
Is anyone willing to try?
will there ever be someone who knows me for who I am?
expectations are high, but hope tends to run dry.
I wanna be in love with You.
Consume me like a fire. Oh please, make me new.
I wanna have You on my mind all the time
sick the of the games that I've been playing.
face down, hands raised, I am praying
for the day when I can be with you forever.
My father. My friend. My savior. My lord.
you are everything to me.
To you, I am beautiful.
You're the only one that will never leave..
I believe, oh I Believe.
and hurt too easily.
If mistrust is a disease
then I'm dying.
Inadequacy fills up my heart
crushes my hope and flattens my faith.
I feel like its time for a fresh start.
Sometimes I wonder if things will ever change.
Is anyone willing to try?
will there ever be someone who knows me for who I am?
expectations are high, but hope tends to run dry.
I wanna be in love with You.
Consume me like a fire. Oh please, make me new.
I wanna have You on my mind all the time
sick the of the games that I've been playing.
face down, hands raised, I am praying
for the day when I can be with you forever.
My father. My friend. My savior. My lord.
you are everything to me.
To you, I am beautiful.
You're the only one that will never leave..
I believe, oh I Believe.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
No Limit.
sometimes I think it'd be easier to be alone
than to carry the weight of hurt that I call my own.
cause when the person you thought cared just up and leaves
all that's left are the scars and hurts that no one sees
honesty hurts, but lies are most painful.
ashamed,confused, and scared.
the words, they cut.
the looks, they kill.
lost and alone, with no place to call home.
Here I stand, not knowing who you are anymore
I want the old you back,
but I fear you've walked out the door.
trust, what a concept.
if only it were easy.
if only the promises had been kept
then maybe my heart would be free for the taking
well there's only One who holds me and never lets go
He holds the keys to my heart and wipes the tears that I cry
He whispers comfort and tells me He loves me so
unconditional love, only He can offer
He promises He will never let me go.
So come to my Savior, my Father, my Friend,
Your heart He will mend and Grace, He promises to send.
With Him, there is so end.
For with His love there is NO limit.
xoxo
Lizzie.
than to carry the weight of hurt that I call my own.
cause when the person you thought cared just up and leaves
all that's left are the scars and hurts that no one sees
honesty hurts, but lies are most painful.
ashamed,confused, and scared.
the words, they cut.
the looks, they kill.
lost and alone, with no place to call home.
Here I stand, not knowing who you are anymore
I want the old you back,
but I fear you've walked out the door.
trust, what a concept.
if only it were easy.
if only the promises had been kept
then maybe my heart would be free for the taking
well there's only One who holds me and never lets go
He holds the keys to my heart and wipes the tears that I cry
He whispers comfort and tells me He loves me so
unconditional love, only He can offer
He promises He will never let me go.
So come to my Savior, my Father, my Friend,
Your heart He will mend and Grace, He promises to send.
With Him, there is so end.
For with His love there is NO limit.
xoxo
Lizzie.
Monday, May 10, 2010
blinded.
she watches the skies.
anxious, waiting,
ready to go be with the one who made her.
some days the pain pierces her heart
each day a little more dies
she's just waiting for the day when there will be no more tearful goodbyes.
all through the night she cries
does anyone hear her?
if they could just see through all the lies..
they'd see the beauty in her bright eyes.
no more tears..
healed scars.
lets break through these man-made chains and bars.
[Lord, open our eyes.]
xoxo
lizzie.
anxious, waiting,
ready to go be with the one who made her.
some days the pain pierces her heart
each day a little more dies
she's just waiting for the day when there will be no more tearful goodbyes.
all through the night she cries
does anyone hear her?
if they could just see through all the lies..
they'd see the beauty in her bright eyes.
no more tears..
healed scars.
lets break through these man-made chains and bars.
[Lord, open our eyes.]
xoxo
lizzie.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
words.
alive. eternal. unconditional. unfailing. courageous. passionate. faithful. joyful. strong. godly. zealous. beautiful. hungry. willing. ready. obedient. loving. victorious. hopeful. unashamed. righteous. pure. humble. never backing down.
xoxo
lizzie.
xoxo
lizzie.
Friday, May 7, 2010
blind.
What this world needs is to care more about the inside than the outside. Have we become SO blind that we can't see? God's gotta change her heart before he changes her shirt.
Humans can be so lame. Really. Why do we judge the outside appearance so harshly. Sometimes that's all we look at. Sometimes that all we look for.
I wonder how many opportunities we'd have to talk to an angel in disguise if we'd just learn to get over our judgemental thoughts and our own personal feelings about the way we think someone should look like.
Sometimes I wonder what we'd say or do if we lived back in Jesus's time. Maybe we'd see his long hair and flip flops and write him off as well. Maybe we'd see a man hanging out with prostitutes and we'd automatically assume that he has nothing good to offer or that there's so possible way he has the spirit of God.
Who cares what people think? Someones hair is too messy for certain standards, someone has 8 million piercings and a few tattoos. A man reeks of cigarette smoke.
Guess what?
Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you. The Bible says several times that God is no respecter of persons. God looks at your heart. That girl with those tattoos may have the kindest heart ever.
Lets love them. Not leave them.
Lizzie.
Humans can be so lame. Really. Why do we judge the outside appearance so harshly. Sometimes that's all we look at. Sometimes that all we look for.
I wonder how many opportunities we'd have to talk to an angel in disguise if we'd just learn to get over our judgemental thoughts and our own personal feelings about the way we think someone should look like.
Sometimes I wonder what we'd say or do if we lived back in Jesus's time. Maybe we'd see his long hair and flip flops and write him off as well. Maybe we'd see a man hanging out with prostitutes and we'd automatically assume that he has nothing good to offer or that there's so possible way he has the spirit of God.
Who cares what people think? Someones hair is too messy for certain standards, someone has 8 million piercings and a few tattoos. A man reeks of cigarette smoke.
Guess what?
Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you. The Bible says several times that God is no respecter of persons. God looks at your heart. That girl with those tattoos may have the kindest heart ever.
Lets love them. Not leave them.
Lizzie.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Unconditional.
I just started a Bible study with my aunt. We're doing "The Practice of Godliness" by Jerry Bridges. Man, I'm not even through the second chapter and I've already learned so much!
One thing that really hit me was this quote by the author. "Devotion to God is the mainspring of Godly character." Godliness isn't something that people are just "born with" or "born without". True Godliness relies on devotion to God. Devotion requires a real, personal relationship with God. You may be devoted to a certain ministry or your reputation as a Christian, but this doesn't mean that you've got Godliness down. "Only a strong personal relationship with the living God can keep such a commitment from becoming oppressive or legalistic."
True devotion to God always results in Godliness. Another valid point made while I was reading was that it is impossible to be truly devoted to God if one's heart is not filled with the fear of God. Not fear meaning "scared"..but fear being "in awe".
The section I was reading this morning really hit me hard. The section was about God's unconditional love. unconditional. Jerry Bridges says it like this.."It is not enough to believe that God loved the world. It must be gripped by the realization that God loves ME, a specific person. It is this awareness of His individual love that draws our hearts in devotion to Him."
Here's the thing ladies and gents. We ALL want to be loved. We, as humans, need to feel supported, loved, and encouraged. We all want to be understood. We secretly (or not so secretly) want to be loved unconditionally.
So, guess what?
God can do this. God does this. So stop searching for that someone to love you unconditionally. Because He's right here. Waiting. for YOU.
xoxo
Lizzie.
One thing that really hit me was this quote by the author. "Devotion to God is the mainspring of Godly character." Godliness isn't something that people are just "born with" or "born without". True Godliness relies on devotion to God. Devotion requires a real, personal relationship with God. You may be devoted to a certain ministry or your reputation as a Christian, but this doesn't mean that you've got Godliness down. "Only a strong personal relationship with the living God can keep such a commitment from becoming oppressive or legalistic."
True devotion to God always results in Godliness. Another valid point made while I was reading was that it is impossible to be truly devoted to God if one's heart is not filled with the fear of God. Not fear meaning "scared"..but fear being "in awe".
The section I was reading this morning really hit me hard. The section was about God's unconditional love. unconditional. Jerry Bridges says it like this.."It is not enough to believe that God loved the world. It must be gripped by the realization that God loves ME, a specific person. It is this awareness of His individual love that draws our hearts in devotion to Him."
Here's the thing ladies and gents. We ALL want to be loved. We, as humans, need to feel supported, loved, and encouraged. We all want to be understood. We secretly (or not so secretly) want to be loved unconditionally.
So, guess what?
God can do this. God does this. So stop searching for that someone to love you unconditionally. Because He's right here. Waiting. for YOU.
xoxo
Lizzie.
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