When God Touches Your Heart

In the latter part of my life, I'm starting to see how God uses many, many ways to touch our hearts. He takes the very essence of hope, desires, talents, and gifts that he creates within us to touch our lives sometime. For as long as I can remember, I've loved music. I've never learned an instrument, I don't sing particulary well, but I have a very deep appreciation for rich composition, meaningful lyrics, harmony, melody and all those things that blend together to make music everything that it is. The Lord has taken that which I love, and used it to reach me and minister to my heart in ways I never imagined possible; and, I am filled with gratitude to know that my love of music can be used to praise and worship Him daily, and that it can be used to touch me in such a profound and significant way.

 Recently, I found myself in a bible study group that I had never planned to be a part of. You see, I had signed up for one class that I really wanted to be in, but God lead me to another class that I really needed  to be in. I walked into the "wrong" bible study class and I had sat down at a table with 5 others before I realized it. I felt strange and out of place because of that, and because I was going through a really difficult period of my life; a dark valley that seemed as if it would never end. How I hurt inside that night, and I'd just decided to join a class that I thought would help me to live my life as a better servant of God and maybe give me a little encouragement  and relief here and there. Knowing it was the "wrong" class, I became a little apprehensive, panicking internally thinking, 'I've got to get out of here.'  I'm in the wrong place, and this class, "How to be More than a Bible Study Girl," is not anything that can help me now.


Just as quickly though, my mind switched gears and I sat there pondering, "Lord, did you bring me here?"  Well, I decided to stay since I was already there, and every woman that sat at my table seemed so content - and there was such a great peace there. We met once a week, and in the weeks to come, not only did I realize God had indeed "brought" me there, but that he also had wonderful blessings waiting right there for me to receive.  Sometimes God has to position us just so, so that we can receive what He has for us - even if we don't necessarily desire to be there.



I met a woman there who loved music as much as I, and I realized we shared similar interests of some musical talents. Jeremy Camp, Nicole Nordeman, Mercy Me - vocalists/bands who were dedicated to worshipping God through the talent he's given them. Well, as we continued to bond and talk, she introduced me to a new group: Hillsong. The next time we met for class, she came with a dvd, and cds of the group, like an angel bearing gifts, so that I could take them home and listen to them. How generous, I thought, yet I had no idea what I was in store for. I had no idea the value of what had just been given to me. It was still a particularly difficult time for me in my life and she didn't know that, but God did, and he'd sent her to bring those just for me. What a friend we have in Jesus. You may wonder why I would think so, but I'm here to tell you I know so, because those songs changed and redirected my life.
As I opened the cd, and looked at the packaging, I noticed nothing exceptionally extraordinary. I put the cd in and I played a song and listened. It was worship music and it sounded angelic and it focused on the awesomeness of God. I listened to another and sang the lyrics with it, and before I knew it, I was sitting on the couch crying my heart out, worshipping - the music ministered to me and I could feel the presence of God so undeniably. It was exactly what I needed at that very moment in my life. Comfort, a renewing of His Spirit, His love and reassurance that He was still there, even while I was going through what seemed and felt unbearable. I didn't know where I needed to be, what I needed to hear, or feel, but God knew and He led me to a very special place with that music. Even today, when I listen to it, I enter into praise and worship and that especially intimate place with God, and it's a place of immense inner peace and exceeding joy that I never want to be apart from.



In God's sovereignty, He knows just what we need, when we need it, and how we need it. In His love, He's always willing with outstretched arms, to bring us back in and lead us and guide us to a place deep in our spirits, where we connect with His; and His love can be felt; and we can be assured of the mercy and grace He continuously extends.


May the comfort and joy of God's love forever rest in your hearts,





Chana

Surrending to God's Will

A woman said this about surrendering to God: " it's wonderful and it feels so good to surrender to the Lord, but I also have to 'keep it real. Being thirty-years old and unmarried and wanting and needing things, I just have to be real." And I thought, hmmm. Yes, we do want and need so many things. Sure - that's true. But how many of us with those desires clenched in our hands and in our hearts are willing to surrender even those? Is it asking too much for us to open our hands - releasing - almost dropping - every deeply personal need and desire unto Him? Him who cares for us with a love that surpasses our very ability to comprehend or understand? When we look at Abraham what kind of faith do we see? A believer, just like you and I, who was asked to sacrifice his very own son. A man, who wholeheartedly believed God and without hesitation, was ready and willing to surrender the very son that God had promised him He would establish his convenant through (Gen 17:19-21). Even when we have hopes, and dreams, and things we want - we must surrender ALL and, "Trust in Him with ALL {your} our hearts and lean not unto {your} our own understanding.(Proverbs 3:5)" Just as Abraham did. Abraham did not question God's demand of him - even when it seemed beyond all comprehension. And the question I have to ask you, is did God abandon Abraham? Did He let him down? Did he not come - speedily - to save and give back all that was dear to Abraham?

I desire to be where Abraham was - in my heart. In a place where I can let go of all that might seem good, and right, and fair, and what belongs to me or what I might think I deserve. Everything that means anything to me.

Will you trust Him today?

The beauty, love, and faithfulness of God is that He truly, truly loves us. He loves me, He loves you and He knows our human hearts better than we ever could. I believe that once you enter into that special place - that place of complete surrender, God is waiting to take those small dreams and desires you've been clenching onto and magnify them only to bless you with more than you could ever have imagined and in doing so, we give Him the glory.

The only thing He ever wants us to "clench" onto is the salvation of His son Jesus Christ, and His Word. All else is secondary. ALL ELSE IS SECONDARY. He says that we are to, "Seek (ye) FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto us. Not seeking on Sunday, or only at the time we really feel we need Him, but always. Always praying, always expanding His Kingdom, seeking His face, doing things to bring Him honor and glory. When we do this, I believe we become submitted, we surrender and in doing so, allow the light and love of Jesus Christ to shine through our hearts, our actions, and our voices to be a constant and continuous witness for Him and the love He's given us - the only love that will save the souls of mankind. Thus, we cannot say, "I love God but..." or I surrender, but.." There are no buts with God. No middle ground, no shades of gray... He deals in absolutes; we must learn to when it comes to Him.

There's a verse in a song that I found that touched me and really captured the essence of surrender by Chris Sligh, called, "Empty Me."

Empty me of the selfishness inside

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride

And any foolish thing my heart holds to

Lord empty me of me so I can be, filled with you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing,

compared to you, compared to you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing,

compared to you. So I surrender all...

Wow.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Search our hearts, oh Lord. Reveal strongholds and anything that we may unknowingly esteem higher than You. Help us to surrender ALL unto You, and to recognize that every desire, every need, that "everything is a lesser thing, compared to You." Thank You for your love that is as vast as the sky and limitless beyond measure. May the body of Christ find it's peace and strength in You; in Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Making Wise Decisions: Even When They May Cost You Everything

Just a few days ago, I realized it was the final day for me to sign up for health benefits on my new job. So I called [human resources office] to let them know I was going to do so. While I was speaking to the benefits coordinator, she told me that would be fine, but because I had waited so late in the month, a double charge (for my benefits) would be deducted from my next paycheck, and that I needed to drive there - that very day ( almost an hour away from me) to take care of everything.
I’m a teaching assistant; my pay is less than humble – but I enjoy the work. My benefits for my son and I, will cost me almost a third of my paycheck per month. So, you can imagine that when I heard that "double-charge" comment, I became very, very distressed.

I mentally refused, debated, maneuvered, then contemplated - trying to find a way out of what seemed to be a nightmare. With so much money at stake, I began to fret about how - if I paid it - I could take care of all my responsibilities (food, rent, etc) for my small family of two. Thoughts of impossibilities loomed and I couldn't fathom how I could make it work. I seriously considered  just skipping out on the insurance - my rationale being: I simply can't afford it. For me, that would have been fine; but what about my son? What about the asthma attacks, the eczema, the fact that  he was a young boy child and could injure himself at any time?

Somewhere my faith was being slowly drowned out by my anxiety; and my blessing - my son  - lay there ( next to me in the car)  sleeping in silence, and the safety that he trusted I would provide him, and I knew exactly what I had to do. My decision became as clear as the tears trickled down my face; and I knew that for him I would pay any cost, on any given day. Things might be tight, but I decided to trust and believe that God would provide. How I had ever questioned it is now beyond me. We must always do our very best to make decisions based on love and not fear. But even as I made the decision, fear rose up and filled my heart. I still had no idea how anything would work out; this became apure act of faith. Complete faith in God's - and not my own - ability to provide. Jehovah Jireh - God our provider. I sobbed and cried to the Lord in my heart:
I said to Him: "I’m so tired of this. I make nothing already; I don't know what to do." And the Holy Spirit said simply, "Be wise."
"But," I continued, "how? How Lord?” and He responded in my heart with a passage I had recently read:

Gen 15:1 - Fear not, [Abram]: I am thy shield, thy exceeding great reward. I will supply your needs (Philippians 4:19); and then, “I will take care of you.”
He is our exceeding great reward. His voice floated clearly through my ears; settling my spirit immediately. And just as quickly as the fear had risen, and the tears had fallen, the love and peace of God’s word washed them all away. And at once, there was an indescribable calm in my heart.

Praise to the King of Glory...

Later that evening after I had finished, I took my son to a fall festival at our church. As we were parking – a friend of mine that I’d confided in about this responded to the situation with, “Oh, I’ll pay that for you – no problem!” Huh? She spoke it as if I had been talking about 25 cents - and it was several hundred dollars! I was stunned beyond belief.  Needless to say, I was greatly humbled by God's swift movement on the hearts of men and how he had once again shown me the very depth of His love.

The immeasurable love of Jesus Christ is exceedingly able to, ‘make all grace abound toward you’ (2 Corinthians 2:8). I believe this means that He will make ALL ‘things come together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose’ (Romans 8:28) - that He will make all things work in our favor.

Our God is an awesome God and his love is unfailing!!!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to make wise decisions, even when it seems that they may cost us everything. Help us to trust Your Word and Lord, plant it deep within our hearts. Shed Your loving grace upon us, and continuously prepare our hearts and minds to follow the lead of Your precious Holy Spirit. Anoint our ears that we may hear, listen and know Your voice. How we love you and long for Your Holy presence, Lord God and it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.

Peace and love to you and yours,
Chana

Here our a few beautifully written songs (all on youtube) about God's ever-encompassing love and power to lift your spirits:

"Mighty To Save"- Laura Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYqogpLpC5Q

"I AM" - Nicole Nordeman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieVIW_NQoH0

"Light of the World" - Watermark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-3Sh7QNdk

"Empty Me" - Jeremy Camp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg2kCAiB1Kw

Intercession

     Do you know people in your life that you care for deeply that may not be on the right track with God? Someone who may not know God? Maybe you know someone who was once fervent and passionate for Jesus Christ, but somewhere down the road lost or waned in faith?


     I love people and I often pray for those I love; and there are some that I know, which have lost their way. If you know anyone like this, let's pray for them; let's intercede on their behalf because I believe in the deep love and in the deep mercies and grace of the Almighty God.
Below is a commentary (from God's Daily Promises website) about praying for others; interceding on someone else's behalf.


Chana

Does God hear our prayers for mercy on behalf of others?
Abraham approached him and said, "Will you destroy both innocent and guilty alike? Suppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city—will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty. Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty exactly the same! Surely you wouldn't do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" [The Lord responds that he will not destroy the city. Abraham persists, reducing the number to 45, then 40, 30, 20 and finally ten]. And the Lord said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it."
Genesis 18:23-31 NLT

Abraham's Prayer for Mercy

In the days before their fiery judgment, the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah probably had no idea that their neighbor Abraham was agonizing with God over their fate. Abraham saw the need for justice, but he also begged God to show them his mercy. He asked God to spare the city for just a handful of righteous people, and God agreed. In addition, God sent his angels to protect Lo t's innocent family and get them out of harm's way. But as Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction illustrates, there's a limit to his mercy, for the God of justice will not let sin go unpunished forever. Just as he listened to righteous Abraham long ago, God will listen to your cries for justice and your pleas for mercy. In the end, God will do what is right.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Valentines Day: What is Love?

Today many Americans celebrate Valentine's Day, commemorating love. Love means a variety of things to so many of us. It awakens me each day, it's my fuel. It's because of it that I exist. God is love eternal.
I read a short summation of love and I thought it beautiful and profound. I wanted to share it with you today.

"A healthy definition of love is crucial to understanding the central message of the Bible. According to the Bible, love is not confined to sexuality, nor is it primarily a feeling at all. The Bible teaches that love is a commitment. As a commitment, love is not dependent on good feelings, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well-being of another. That commitment then produces good feelings, not the other way around. Jesus became the perfect demonstration of God's unconditional love for us by laying down his life for our benefit."
(Adapted from Touchpoint Bible)

Give love , be love and receive love today and everyday. It begins within.

God's love and peace to you all,
Chana - Xpressionoflife

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With the Heart of a Lion...

A five year old boy taught me the true meaning of courage this weekend. He demonstrated the essence of courage and the sense of triumph that comes along with it.

I went to the zoo Saturday. I had a pretty good time. After walking around peering at the forlorn animals for a couple of hours, my friends and I noticed there were other activities. There was a merry-go-round, a zoo train, and a rock climbing area. There was a tiny little, 5 year old boy who badly wanted to rock climb. his parent was skeptical and the onlookers chuckled. The "mountain" was at least 8 feet if not more, but in spite of that, he was allowed.
He went into the gate and we all watched him waiting his turn with the other children - talking, playing, excited to be out on a beautifully sunny day. Not a trace of fear or apprehension could be found on his face. I was impressed by his tenaciousness. The other children were older and taller than he, but that didn't seem to deter him.

It was finally his turn. The little boy approached the mountain with assuredness and took his 1st step. He took another and then another. One time he got stuck, but he never looked back. He kept looking up - towards the top - the goal. He never stopped. A silent determination seemed to carry him. Silently, and I'm ashamed to admit, doubting - I watched him believing he would soon come sailing back down any minute. The mountain seemed so large - as if it might close in on him. My chest tightened. But he was persistent. Focused. Determined... Suddenly, I stood back in awe. I watched him intently; perhaps trying to figure out his secret. I thought of my own endless insecurities... I wondered where had he picked up this fierce motivation? Was he afraid... at all?

The crowd began to cheer him on, he was the smallest one participating. I heard the attendant say he would have liked to have had the little boy on his football team - because 'obviously, he wasn't scared of anything!' Everyone could see that this boy had the heart of a lion and his determination was electrifying; it inspired us all - I felt it at the very core of my being.

After reaching the very top he looked down and I could see victory dancing and glistening in his beautiful eyes. He had definitely given it his all. My heart sank - his spirit's unwavering capacity was more than I could bear. A tear slipped past my eye. My hands clapped wildly for him and my voice cheered him on.
When he was on the ground again, everyone was still cheering and rooting him on. He smiled and I moved towards him and hugged him fiercely, expressing my pride in his accomplishment. My eyes filled a bit. I realized quickly that it was more than seeing him accomplish the goal, it was knowing that HE knew he fiercely believed he could do it. You see - this little boy is my son.

After we left, I asked him if he had been afraid; if the climb had been scary. Speaking truthfully, he told me, "a little." I said, "but you kept going anyway - didn't you?" He responded, "yeah."
I hadn't expected him to admit he had been afraid.

We often look at others and see their success, their victories - but how many times do we stop to think about the trials/fears or the mountainous obstacle(s) they encountered and had to overcome to get where they are? How many times do we think about the risks they took - that promised them nothing in return?
Every one of us has a fear of something, but the idea is to "walk by faith." Never allow the fear to stop you. Accept it, BUT keep going. Keep pushing, keep striving, kicking and fighting for what you want; for your precious, precious dreams. Don't allow fear to stop your progress. As difficult as it may seem, we must push through life with courage and faith; we must champion through life - like the little boy - with the heart of a lion.

After he told me that he was a "little afraid," but that he kept going anyway - I told him that's what courage was. Courage is not about fearlessness, courage is about continuing the "fight" in spite of the fear.


Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

God's peace and love to you all

Democracy: Reawakening the American Dream

I listened to the words of a modern day philosopher recently and my mind was interrupted, my attention arrested and my spirit felt as though it come in contact with an angel of truth. It was a brief encounter, but an essential one and I am better because of it.

His speech was quickening; eye opening; thought provoking. It upheld recurring themes and personal ideologies of democracy, humanity and love.

He began with a "socratic" notion of how, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Of how we as Americans have to look at our lives, our decisions, our morals and our character. He spoke of, "the quality of one's soul." How integrity, compassion, "surrendering assumptions," and "dying daily," were critical to the fundamental development of character. He talked about not being afraid of death; that to lose the fear of dying, was to emancipate one's own soul.

He referenced Ralph Waldo Emerson (personal favorite), advising and supporting the notion that, "imitation is suicide." He said that every person should search, find and use his/her own voice. He talked about jazz and the complexity of its composition, naming John Coltrane and reaffirmed the ideal that "love is supreme" above all else.

He talked about America and how its society is becoming, "well adjusted to injustice."
About the historical tradition of "terrorism and American terrorism against peoples of African descent." How terrorism's roots began with the onslaught of lynchings and brutal killings of those upon whom the foundation of America, was built.

He expressed perspective of democracy. He said democracy was the advent of, "ordinary people fighting for power from elite corruption and subjugation." He spoke of economic incongruencies asserting that, '1% of American society lives with 49% of the wealth.' Highlighting the fact that 99% lives with only 51%. He emphasized the validity of 'critical interrogations' of the dogma of white supremacy. He said that we must have the courage to "think critically; always cutting against the grain."

The values expressed in his speech were timeless. They are essential truths to understanding life and humanity, culture and the plight of the human existence. We must continuously strive to not only produce fact, but realize truth. As we all toil to understand who we are and fight to reach our fullest potentials, we must also arduously endeavor to uphold the integrity of democracy and the righteous virtue of charity and humanity, always allowing love to reign supreme.

The quotations refereenced were from a speech given by Dr. Cornel West (scholar, philosopher, and theologian), professor of African-American Studies and philosophy of Religion at Harvard University.

c.m.