It is well with my soul... meditions of overwhelming thankfulness.

Today I had the destinct privilage of bringing home my firstborn baby boy. The memories of bringing this precious life into the world will forever overwhelm my heart with joy, thankfulness, and many many tears of indescribeable joy. How incredible that the Lord would bless my wife and I with such a beautiful baby boy. I will never forget the tearful and well earned shout of exclamation my wife made when I was able to announce the baby was a boy. Emily had prayed for many many years that the Lord would bless her with a baby boy as her firstborn. She had always hoped that her little boy would grow and watch over and protect his younger sisters & brothers as they grew up. On Saturday morning the Lord answered her many years of prayer, and I was there to witness it.

As we treasured the beginning hours of parenthoood we were surrounded by the love and encouragement of all our family. We were cared for by incredibly humble and servant-hearted hospital professionals, deluged by messages, emails, texts, phone calls, etc of sincere congratulations and excitement surrounding the birth, and most of all we were enamored by the thought that God gave this child to be under our instruction and protection. What a majestic, compassionate, and powerful God we serve!

In the final minutes before leaving the hospital, I was able to take a few minutes as the leader of this new family to speak a blessing over and pray for my new baby boy. How greatly I pray for this young boy to grow and learn to love the Lord all the days of his life. Even more I want him to yearn to worship the Lord in both words, song, and action from now until the day the Lord calls him home. May he forever and always be near to the heart of our God singing songs of worship and praise-  “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? " These are the words of blessing as well as others that were spoken over this precious new life as he was commited to the Lord this very day.

While a sea of words would not be enough to describe the magnitude of rejoicing that has occured in my heart these past 4 days.. this much I can say- BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE! For he has answered our prayers, delighted to show his favor upon us, and displayed the glory of his creation in the beautiful face of my baby boy held in my arms tonight. May he alone receive the glory, praise, and thankfulness that this heart, these tears, and this inadaquate father can begin to ascribe. Amen.

NEW LIFE

 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! "  
- Psalm 139:13-17

MIGHTY TO SAVE!!!

When everyone needs compassion,
And love that never fails,
Let mercy fall on me

When everyone needs forgiveness,
Kindness of the Saviour
The Hope of the nation

(Chorus:)
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My god is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything that i believe in
Now i surrender (and i surrender)

(Chorusx2)

(Bridge:)Shine a light in and let the whole world see

Singing, for the glory of the risen king

Jesus, Shine a light and let the whole world see

Singing for the glory of the risen king

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My god is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save

Forever author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

- "Mighty To Save" Laura Story (2008)

Running On Empty

On a dreary and rainy day last week a common occurance in my weekly routine arose once more. I peered down at my fuel gauge while cruizing along I-35 in Kansas City to notice that my fuel was on empty and my gas light was soon to appear to remind me of the need to refuel immediately.

This scenerio has been far too often the case in my driving days in the last few years. As a result of being a poverty stricken college student as well as beginning a new job in a new town I have often found myself hoping and praying that my tank of gas will last me as long as possible before I am obligated to fill up and endure the ever rising expense of gasoline. As I finally begin to climb out of a poor economic state with the blessing of my new job I cannot help but look at this situation in perspective of my Christian faith and evaluate its similarities to my daily triumphs and failures at this Christian life.

How often do we find ourselves as Christians merely trying to get by? How often do we look at our daily struggles and wonder if there is any hope of peace, security, and joy in this difficult life? How often do we allow our resevoir of fellowship, prayer, opportunities for evangelism, and time before the Lord in his Word to dwindle to life threatening levels? How many Christians in this modern day are under the false security of being ok but in reality are one catastrophy from hitting rock bottom? These thoughts draw me to question: Why do we continue to exist in a state of need when the supply is so ever present and available at a cost that is not our own?

I am reminded of the words of Psalm 23 which say - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lordforever." Oh what hope and peace are given in these words! Our shepard has provided our green pastures and taken us to still waters! Let us eat and drink and take in our fill of his good measure!

Furthermore these words must be our call to delight in the presence and faithfulness of the Lord to supply our every need with his closeness to our requests- "There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other."- Augustine of Hippo

Brothers and sisters... if you are like me and have found yourself traveling this Christian road alone, weary, disheartened, and empty... won't you fill yourself from the resevoir of our Glorious Lord's faithful love? Won't you ask another to join you in prayer, commitment to the daily reading and meditation of Gods word, and to travel with you? I am learning the absolute necessity of fellowship in this Christian life... It is time to pause and allow the Lord to fill us with Himself before we continue one more day in a state of emptiness. Restore our souls oh Lord... restore us once more.

Made silent by the love of God

It is a sad thing; a christian who rises and lies down each day without acknowledging the God that gives him life, breath, existance. A condemnation that is all too often a reflection of my life, thoughts, and daily perspectives. How often do we the creation of God stop to acknowledge his existence, his patience with us, his endless mercy that waits patiently for our return to his presence as we eventually become aware and despise the frequency of our earthly pursuits of vanity?

If there is one thing (in my opinion) that plagues the church, American Christianity, and my life it is the lack of silence and solitude before the Lord. Why do we as children of the Living God so seldomly stop to thank him, speak to him, worship him with hearts captivated by his love for us? Why do we go through our daily tasks only stopping to ask for help when it seems hope is lost and we are unable to ascend the mountains in our distance? Oh for a faith that depends on God for every breath, for every moment stopping to speak his name and ever looking toward pleasing him alone. Oh for a faith that wraps itself in the promises of God spoken through scripture memorization, meditation, and daily reflection! I want to be made silent by the love of my God! To be mesmerized by his attributes and speechless before his majesty. To look to HIM for help, protection, and fulfillment.

This world is passing away and all its pleasures are but for a moment....but our GOD will remain for all of eternity! Will we choose to chase after HIM every day of our lives? Help me oh Lord, and help your church to always take time each day to simply be speechless. To stand in silence and awe as we ponder who you are and who you have made us to be. Our God will never leave us, never forsake us, and will always remain the same. His GLORY will be from everlasting to everlasting. May this meditation in our silent hearts be pleasing before you our God and King. Amen

From the Inside Out

As my life goes forth day to day there is an overpowering truth that resonates to the depths of my soul and fills this man with a sense of awe that leaves me speechless and amazed.

The Glory of the Lord lasts FOREVER.

One day my life will be drawn to a close. This heart will cease to beat, and my journey will be complete. I will take a stand among the men and women that have traveled before me. There in that place I will witness the presence and majesty of the God that I have yearned to behold all the days of my life. I will finally stand in the midst of the creator; in the courtyard of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. In that place I will join in the chorus singing "Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty. "

I cannot begin to understand why the Lord chooses to love us; to continually bestow mercy and love upon the most foolish and stubborn of beings. Oh the treacherous thought of the frequency that this heart has wandered from the truth and commandments of the King of Kings. How foolishly wicked our hearts are apart from the consuming holiness of the great Yahweh. Desperately, and with absolute hopelessness in my own consistency and strength, I hold fast to the promises of God's faithfulness. I know my failures, they are EVER and ALWAYS before me. I have failed innumerable times in living according to the calling which I have recieved; to follow hard after Christ all the days of this life...

One prayer gives me hope. That the faithful and everlasting Lord would consume this man with holiness by the delight of being in the midst of the Almighty. That this man would be consumed from the INSIDE - OUT by the powerful hand of the God who is seated in the heavens. For before I was concieved and after I am gone the Lord has and will always recieve the praise and worship that his Holy name DEMANDS! The Everlasting King and the Light of the Earth will shine when ALL else fades; His Glory and fame will continue throughout eternity.

Let the words of this song be the meditation of our hearts Oh Lord. For YOU are our merciful and loving king, work in our hearts to love you from the inside --> out with every breath that we take until you call us home to behold your awesome and everlasting GLORY.

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A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

-"From the Inside Out" - Jeff Johnson

He Rose!

A prophesy foretold,
A king born to men,
A love the world had never known
But he was crucified

On the third day he rose again
That’s when the meaning of my life began
Because he rose
Jesus he rose
My life’s been forgiven this world holds no power
He rose
Jesus he rose
My lifes been redeemed this prisoner set free
Death where’s your sting? Cause he rose

Death made into life
Now I have been made new
I’m no longer bound by sin or shame
Cause it was crucified with you

On the third day he rose again
That’s when the meaning of my life began
Because he rose
Jesus he rose
My life’s been forgiven this world holds no power
He rose
Jesus he rose
My life’s been redeemed this prisoner set free
Death where’s your sting? Cause he rose

Scorn and broken he was nailed to a tree
He was crushed to bring God glory and set the sinner free
Death was beaten, Satan seized of all his power
Hallelujah Jesus won the victory

He rose
Jesus he rose
My life’s been forgiven this world holds no power
He rose

Jesus he rose
My life’s been redeemed, this prisoner set free
Death where’s your sting? HE ROSE!

(-Lyrics by Jeff Johnson "He Rose" 2007)

"Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God." - Luke 24: 45-47, 50-53

Of Godly Fear

Of godly fear delightful unto thee,
That fear that God himself delights to see

Bear sway in them that love him? then he will
Thy godly mind in this request fulfil.

By giving thee a fear that tremble shall,
At every trip thou takest, lest thou fall,

And him offend, or hurt thyself by sin,
Or cause poor souls that always blind have been

To stumble at thy falls, and harder be
Against their own salvation and thee.

That fear that of itself would rather choose
The rod, than to offend or to abuse

In anything that blessed worthy name,
That hath thee saved from that death and shame;

That sin would soon have brought thee to, if he
Had not imputed righteousness to thee.

I will love them, saith God, and not depart
From them, but put my fear within their heart,

That I to them may always lovely be,
And that they never may depart from me.


-John Bunyan (1628-1688) "Of Godly Fear"

Ruin me... until its You Alone I live for

Hello friends, I heard this song on the way home from work and I love the heart of the lyrics and the desire that the Lord would tear down any structure of sin or selfish gain in our lives and ruin our kingdom to establish the Lord's Kingdom ALONE in our lives! ~Destroy the idols and sin in our lives oh Lord until our lives and love are completely and forevermore wrapped in the beauty of your presence~
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ruin Me” by Jeff Johnson (Isaiah 6)http://www.jeffjohnsonband.org/

Woe to me I am unclean
A sinner found in Your presence
I see you seated on Your throne
Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You

pre-chorus

Now the plans that I have made
Fail to compare when I see your glory

chorus
Ruin my life the plans I have made
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain

Destroy the idols that have taken Your place
‘Till its You alone I live for, You alone I live for.
(repeat)

Bridge

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty
Holy is the Lord! Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty
Holy is the Lord!

Walking In The Garden

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." - Genesis 3:8

This morning when I awoke it seemed that my life and so many things around me are in a state of confusion; a state of disarray. So I spent the next 3 hours reading in the bible, with a following time of prayer and quiet private worship with my guitar before the Lord. Questions of the Lord's will for my life and his ways unfolding before me were in the forefront of my mind. How greatly I plead before the Lord that he would unfold a path before me of joy and restoration rather than a renewed pain and uncertainty. The more I read the Word of God the more I longed to be in his presence and away from this crumbling and perishing world and its painful endeavors.

As I was reading this morning, this verse in Genesis came to my mind. In the beginning Adam walked in the garden with the Lord on a daily basis. He walked along side with the Lord! I can barely begin to fathom the deep and beautiful intimacy that Adam shared with the Lord. He walked and talked and dwelt with the LORD! Man was fulfilling his purpose; delighting in the presence of our creator, walking in the love and joy of being with our beloved.

How far this world has fallen from that very beginning. How wretched our hearts have become since that time! Even when sin entered the world Adam and Eve hid from the Lord as they heard him approaching. As I look at this world around me with the death, idolatry, perversion, brokenness, and sin accursed existence I cannot help but long for the presence of my Lord. I yearn for the restored fellowship with my creator. I yearn for an existence that is not tainted by unrighteousness and the foolishness of my own heart and ways. I plead for the continued presence of the Lord through his Holy Spirit to delight in making us holy; to delight in changing our ways and changing our hearts to prepare us to share in the everlasting and future glory of our Lord in heaven.

If there is one thing I could wish for during this life on earth; it is to walk with the Lord in the garden. To walk with my eyes, my heart, and my life captivated on the presence of my Lord. Only then will this heart finally be fulfilled. Only then will this man be drawn into the paths of certainty; the paths of security I seek. How wearied I am from continued heartache and uncertainty and how difficult to love with selfless abandon. Only by dwelling alone in the peaceful garden of prayer and fellowship with the Lord on a daily basis will I become the man God made me to be... a man after God's own heart.