Set the world on fire

I've always struggled to reconcile the dreams I have, with the reality of who I am. After a certain age, you realise you're actually not perfect. Far from it, in fact, so how exactly will I make a positive difference with my life?

But thankfully, I've just realised that life isn't all about me - my strengths, my flaws, my successes and my failures. God's not looking at that.

He's looking for the desire and the willingness to set the world on fire (metaphorically). But most importantly, a heart after His.

So, while this old jar of clay is still sharp around the ages and scratched-up; I'll trust Him to hold it, shape it, and use it however He wants =)

Bring the rain - Mercy Me

Bring the rain

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

Everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Had a rough Monday - may have wrecked my plans for the summer. And I was bitter, I was disappointed, I was cut. For this was something i really wanted (for ages).
But at the end, as the song goes, "what's a little rain?" compared to what my Savior went through for me (Romans 8:18-39)? Dare I pray that God brings me rain, if that's what it takes to praise Him? Rain hurts... and yet I made the mistake of focusing on my failure, my situation. For a night I forgot that I am Yours regardless of what happens. I couldn't see beyond my disappointment. But nothing can separate me from You, except myself.

For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers, or things on high, or things under the earth, or anything which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 8:38-9 BBE

Lord, bring me anything that brings You glory, rain or shine. I pray that I'll be able to give you glory whatever comes.

Hang on to You - Delirious

And I'll hang on to you
Cause you're stronger
And you keep me from falling
And you brighten the world
With your beauty
Keep me closer
I'm calling

Lookin' out like a little child
Holding tight when it all gets wild

And I'll hang on to you
Nothing in this world will see me through, only you
And I'll hang on to you
Everyday I live I give to you

And your love it is true
I feel stronger
And I'm happy to know you
Cause you shine like the sun
And you're brighter
Than the darkness
That's falling

Nothing in this world
Could ever take your place
Happiness is found
In your holy face
In your warm embrace

Switchfoot - Awakening

Stumbled across the video clip for Switchfoot's song Awakening.
C'est superbe - check out the animation =P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTU2i8RhH8

It's one of the better video clips i've seen - nice air guitar skills.

Lovesong

Several years ago, Dave and Nechelle (who coincidentally are getting married end of this year) visited my place in Perth and stayed for a few weeks. Dave was doing an elective at UWA, and Nechelle came for a week to visit. It was a really fun time, and me and Dave jammed alot. Nechelle also cooked the whole family dinner (see, i do remember things =P)

Anyways, this was THE song me and Dave played all the time. I remember those times well... that was when i finally learnt what a harmonic was (thanks Dave!). And we both absolutely loved (well i still do) this song.

So what's so special about this song? I'm not generally a fan of romantic ballads, but this song is special. You can read the words, and each time a different meaning comes up, but the same theme is ever-present. A deep desire to fall more and more in love with God.

This Saviour of mine, who made the "daisies and the roses", who's stature goes beyond "the stars in the heavens", who's "as close as a heartbeat"... who is God (and sometimes it's hard to recognize that when life seems harsh). This is the Saviour I fell in love with.

And this is my prayer to Him...

Lovesong for a Saviour (Jars of Clay)
In open fields of wild flowers
She breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daises and the roses
In no simple language, someday she'll understand the meaning of it all

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray

I want to fall in love with you

Sitting silent wearing their Sunday best
The sermon echoes through the walls
A great salvation through it calls to the people
Who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on our lips
Someday we'll trust him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call us and we will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and we'll pray

I want to fall in love with you

It seems too easy to call you "Savior"
Not close enough to call you "God"
So as i sit and think of words i can mention
To show my devotion

I want to fall in love with you

song of the week

This week's song is: Where the love lasts forever (Hillsong London)
it's been in my head for the whole week. so much that i'm doing it at band practice this week (God help my voice =p). But it's a great song. Lyrics are pretty meaningful.

Your mercy found me,
Upon the broken road,
And lifted me beyond my failing,
Into Your glory,
My sin and shame dissolved,
And now forever Yours I’ll stand.

In love never to end,
To call You more than Lord,
Glorious friend.

So I throw my life upon all You are,
‘Cause I know You gave it all for me,
And when all else fades,
My soul will dance with You,
Where the love lasts forever.

And forever I will sing,
Lord forever I will sing,
Of how You gave Your life away,
Just to save me, Lord You saved me.

as i sit typing this... well 'Beautiful One' by Jeremy Camp is playing in the house, a lovesong written to the Best Friend we have...
what does it mean to adore God? sure, we've all said the words 'i love you'... and i'm sure we meant it at the time. but what did we mean when we said it? what is adoration?
two definitions i really like:
1. To worship as God or a god.
2. To regard with deep, often rapturous love

well yeah... the music just switched to 'Enough', by the aforesaid J. Camp... and truly illustrating the point that music is truly a powerful medium... often i dont realise that God is more than enough for me...
'All of you/ is more than enough for/
more of me/ for any thirst and/
every need/ you satisfy me/
with your love/ and all i have in you/
is more than enough'

more than all i need... something i dont realise... why do i forget this so often? why do i often run so hard in the wrong direction? to satisfy my own needs by my own meager abilities... which were given by Him anywayz...? is it mere forgetfulness or a subconscious belief that i have to be self-sufficient? sometimes we've just got to examine ourselves and see where we stand...
on another note... i believe that true honesty lies in accepting that we often need the help of others... life is not meant to be lived alone... humans were made with an innate desire to interact with each other.

(looks at above sentences)
(thinks to himself: "rite...")

anywayz back to work for me