Blue Like Jazz - Chapter 1: Beginnings

Blue Like Jazz is a great book, and I recommend it for anyone, Christian or not a Christian, because it's a book not about Christianity as a religion, it's a book about being human.

Every chapter stimulates a lot of thought and reflections which I really wanna put on record, so I am beginning today to blog about this book.

First chapter - beginnings

This chapter is about a common emotion: guilt, everybody has dealt with it one way or another... but there are different levels of guilt. Sometimes, we feel guilt for little things that doesn't really affect other people... when we are alone, maybe we watch stuff we're not supposed to watch; maybe we've eaten that chocolate we've resisted so hard; or maybe we fail to fall through in our new year's resolutions. We feel a moment of guilt, but soon it passes, because it only affects me only, nobody gets hurt, right?

But guilt is an entirely different story when it affects other people, and especially painful if these are our loved ones... The feeling of being unfaithful to your wife, the feeling of 出賣 your best friend... what does it feel like?

This is what I love to see...

Tonight, I saw a friend of mine, who's been quite stressful lately about revision and homework, change the MSN nickname for the first time to: "Trust in the Lord - He will put my paths straight"... and You know what, God, seeing people come closer to You is just the greatest, most satisfying thing I've ever known...

So OVERWHELMED.......... I don't know if I can make it... So much to take care of.... I need Your grace, God, seriously... I can't make it on my own... I need to overcome the desires of the flesh... right now...

Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth!!!!!!!!!!!



Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns

1. I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

(Chorus):
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

2. I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away


(Bridge)
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I don't understand how some people can be so Nasty... I really don't want to have anything to do with this person anymore...

What If His People Prayed

Anything can be an idol, if we put it higher than God... our work, our church, our ministries can be an idol; craving for comfort, craving for someone to care, craving for someone to love... Please understand, I don't want anything to become an idol, especially something or someone important to me... because it's easy, and it's subtle.
--------

Please understand this heart of mine... "not let satan have one more"... it's time to wake up... it's time to humble ourselves... it's time to take action... for the needs of people around us...

My life... I don't just want to settle for comfort, that's not the point... Hunger for the truth, that's what I want to pursue... So please walk with me...



1. What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let satan have one more
What if the church for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus
What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way

2. And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray

Bridge:
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray