Within the last 24 hours my lower back has been in killer pain. I’ve been sitting around all day because moving, walking, and stairs hurt a lot. Showering and a good phone conversation were the most productive things I did today. I think I’m one of those people that is always looking for new and good music. And since I’ve been sitting here, I thought I’d take advantage of the fact that I have nothing better to do with my time. I don’t know where you (whoever you are that are reading this) stand on listening to secular music, but I’m all for it. And I believe God even shows me things while listening to secular music. I love music with a good message and good music, and I don’t find that in Christian music as often as I’d like. Don’t misunderstand me, I listen to worship music and Christian music a lot too. I love driving with worship music turned on and just having a good time with Jesus. But I also listen to secular songs too. I don’t listen to the junk I used to back in high school, but I do listen to secular music quite a bit.
With that said, I’ve been thoroughly disappointed in my music searches tonight. This is probably going to sound very opinionated. I’m told I become opinionated when I’m passionate about things. And yet, I don’t want to sugar-coat what I’m seeing either. Feel free to leave me comments. I have found, and probably have known this for years, that a lot of secular music is more encouraging than Christian music. I don’t consider myself an extraordinary musician, but nonetheless, I consider myself a musician, and Christian music just lacks so much musically. It’s the same chords, the same styles, over and over again-not much that moves the soul. Every now and then there is a new set of lyrics that changes up the typical, but I expect more out of Christian bands.
But the music itself isn’t what was so disappointing to me tonight. The most discouraging thing about searching for good music tonight was that I found that secular music is offering more encouragement and hope in their lyrics than most of the “Christian” music that is out there. I find it so sad. Really. There are so many Christians that write about the people that bring them down and how hard life is and how bad things are. And I don’t want anyone to pretend to be ok when they’re not, but seriously, we have HOPE in Jesus. Why is it that more secular artists are writing encouraging lyrics, talking about real love, forgiveness, truth, honesty, hope, living life to the fullest, and having a reason to live? For those artists who claim to be Christians and have nothing more to offer than bitterness and discouragement, why don’t you take off the Christian label? I give so much credit to those Christian artists that keep returning to Jesus in their lyrics and offering the truth, the hope, the love, and the reason to live.
Monday, November 23
Friday, November 20
If hurt people hurt people, do whole people make whole people?
So, I’ve been taught for quite some time that hurt people hurt people (meaning that when is a person is hurting, they are very likely to hurt those around them because of it). I’ve seen it to be true time and time again, and have probably been guilty of it myself at various times. So my question then becomes, if hurt people hurt people, do whole people make other whole people? In thinking about it for a while, I believe I’ve come to two answers to the question, and the answer depends on the response of the person. Let me explain.
When a person is whole, complete in Jesus, and confident of who they are in Him, they tend to build others up around them. While everyone has their faults, I see a “whole” or “complete” person as one who is satisfied in the Lord, healed from any past wounds, and can see themselves as God sees them. When a person is complete in Jesus, they don’t need to put others down to build themselves up because they know who they are. So, the people that are whole tend to be encouraging, and try to draw the best out of those that they are around. They help others walk through their weaknesses, and encourage their strong points. I believe that once a person has become complete in Jesus, they then point others to Jesus, knowing He is the only way to be whole. So, my first thought was that yes, whole people do help create whole people by building them up and pointing them to Jesus. If the person chooses to lay their life out before the Lord, He can heal them and make them whole. No matter what has happened in a person’s life, God can restore lives. But in sharing my thoughts with a close friend, she also pointed out that if a person does not want to change or does not want help, it doesn’t matter how much they are built up, they will still remain where they are and not find healing and wholeness in the Lord. There are definitely keys that the Bible teaches on that are part of the healing process in a person’s life, like forgiveness, for example. But giving Jesus your life (everything-holding nothing back and listening to what God’s telling you to do) can take a broken and hurt person and make them whole in Jesus.
Even the title of this blog is a question. I’d love your input if you’re reading this. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately. And it makes me wonder: if I am complete in Jesus, am I building up and encouraging? And it makes me ask, also, if you’re not whole in Jesus, are you willing to lay everything out there and place your life in His hands to have the pain healed and your life restored?
When a person is whole, complete in Jesus, and confident of who they are in Him, they tend to build others up around them. While everyone has their faults, I see a “whole” or “complete” person as one who is satisfied in the Lord, healed from any past wounds, and can see themselves as God sees them. When a person is complete in Jesus, they don’t need to put others down to build themselves up because they know who they are. So, the people that are whole tend to be encouraging, and try to draw the best out of those that they are around. They help others walk through their weaknesses, and encourage their strong points. I believe that once a person has become complete in Jesus, they then point others to Jesus, knowing He is the only way to be whole. So, my first thought was that yes, whole people do help create whole people by building them up and pointing them to Jesus. If the person chooses to lay their life out before the Lord, He can heal them and make them whole. No matter what has happened in a person’s life, God can restore lives. But in sharing my thoughts with a close friend, she also pointed out that if a person does not want to change or does not want help, it doesn’t matter how much they are built up, they will still remain where they are and not find healing and wholeness in the Lord. There are definitely keys that the Bible teaches on that are part of the healing process in a person’s life, like forgiveness, for example. But giving Jesus your life (everything-holding nothing back and listening to what God’s telling you to do) can take a broken and hurt person and make them whole in Jesus.
Even the title of this blog is a question. I’d love your input if you’re reading this. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately. And it makes me wonder: if I am complete in Jesus, am I building up and encouraging? And it makes me ask, also, if you’re not whole in Jesus, are you willing to lay everything out there and place your life in His hands to have the pain healed and your life restored?
Monday, November 16
Just for the sake of Blogging
Just for the sake of Blogging
November 16, 2009
So, I normally blog with a purpose. I have a topic in my head before I start and try to stay short and to the point, so you, whoever you are, can read it without feeling overwhelmed by the content length. And so, tonight, I blog just for the sake of blogging. I came with a blank slate, and nothing to start with, and will go from there. Maybe I’ll ramble, but I’ll still try to keep it short and not to a point. ;-)
So, I love watching what God’s been doing at IHOP lately. I’ve been putting it on when I’m home.http://www.ihop.org/Groups/1000051963/International_House_of/Events/Weekends_IHOP_KC/Weekend_Services/FSM_Stream/FSM_Stream.aspx?redirected=1
It's good. And while my heart yearns to be with my church family and see first-hand what God is doing there, work limits that a little more than I'd like. But nonetheless, God is REALLY, REALLY GOOD! And I do have off next Sunday. :-) Yay.
On another note, I love Kutless' new CD! After listening to songs on youtube, I broke down and bought the CD tonight. Listening to their interviews about the CD, their heart for the Lord is so evident. So many Christian bands have come to barely even mention the name of Jesus and it's so encouraging to see a band still whole-heartedly after Jesus. If you haven't checked it out, I highly urge you to do so. http://www.myspace.com/kutless
So, this is me writing for a completely random....nope not even a real reason. Life is Good. GOD IS AMAZING and FAITHFUL! And I hope you are all doing well. Take time to just sit with Jesus and be with Him. :-)
November 16, 2009
So, I normally blog with a purpose. I have a topic in my head before I start and try to stay short and to the point, so you, whoever you are, can read it without feeling overwhelmed by the content length. And so, tonight, I blog just for the sake of blogging. I came with a blank slate, and nothing to start with, and will go from there. Maybe I’ll ramble, but I’ll still try to keep it short and not to a point. ;-)
So, I love watching what God’s been doing at IHOP lately. I’ve been putting it on when I’m home.http://www.ihop.org/Groups/1000051963/International_House_of/Events/Weekends_IHOP_KC/Weekend_Services/FSM_Stream/FSM_Stream.aspx?redirected=1
It's good. And while my heart yearns to be with my church family and see first-hand what God is doing there, work limits that a little more than I'd like. But nonetheless, God is REALLY, REALLY GOOD! And I do have off next Sunday. :-) Yay.
On another note, I love Kutless' new CD! After listening to songs on youtube, I broke down and bought the CD tonight. Listening to their interviews about the CD, their heart for the Lord is so evident. So many Christian bands have come to barely even mention the name of Jesus and it's so encouraging to see a band still whole-heartedly after Jesus. If you haven't checked it out, I highly urge you to do so. http://www.myspace.com/kutless
So, this is me writing for a completely random....nope not even a real reason. Life is Good. GOD IS AMAZING and FAITHFUL! And I hope you are all doing well. Take time to just sit with Jesus and be with Him. :-)
Wednesday, November 11
The value of an individual
So, lately God has been showing me a lot about the value of a person. Whether you are in the worst position of your life and feeling completely worthless or are in the best place ever, this could be a good reminder.
Think about this:
The person who is caught in a world of sin right now, not walking with God, with no money, and no family, living out on the street has JUST AS MUCH VALUE as the person walking in great relationship with the Lord, doing everything right in their life, with all the wisdom, knowledge, and finances imaginable. That blows my mind.
God hand-crafted you. It wasn't an accident that you are on earth. He fearfully and wonderfully made you (Psalm 139:13). He has a purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). He sent his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you because He loves you and you are worth something to Him. And so if you are in the best place ever with Jesus, let me just remind you that you have so much value and worth. Keep seeking the Lord for the things He has for you. And if you are in the worst place ever with the Lord and having a really hard time or are caught in sin, let me especially remind you: you have so much worth and value in God's eyes. You are wanted, not rejected. You are loved unconditionally, not despised. God has plans for your life. You mean so much to Him! And He wants to do amazing things in your life and through your life. And even if you have messed up everything and found yourself flat on your face on the floor, God still values you!
I hope this speaks to some of your lives in great ways because God's love is sooooo incredible! Keep seeking Jesus. If any of you want me to pray for you, I'd be more than willing. My email is lhanson09@gmail.com if you want to get in touch or share anything God is showing you.
Much love~
Lisa
Think about this:
The person who is caught in a world of sin right now, not walking with God, with no money, and no family, living out on the street has JUST AS MUCH VALUE as the person walking in great relationship with the Lord, doing everything right in their life, with all the wisdom, knowledge, and finances imaginable. That blows my mind.
God hand-crafted you. It wasn't an accident that you are on earth. He fearfully and wonderfully made you (Psalm 139:13). He has a purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). He sent his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you because He loves you and you are worth something to Him. And so if you are in the best place ever with Jesus, let me just remind you that you have so much value and worth. Keep seeking the Lord for the things He has for you. And if you are in the worst place ever with the Lord and having a really hard time or are caught in sin, let me especially remind you: you have so much worth and value in God's eyes. You are wanted, not rejected. You are loved unconditionally, not despised. God has plans for your life. You mean so much to Him! And He wants to do amazing things in your life and through your life. And even if you have messed up everything and found yourself flat on your face on the floor, God still values you!
I hope this speaks to some of your lives in great ways because God's love is sooooo incredible! Keep seeking Jesus. If any of you want me to pray for you, I'd be more than willing. My email is lhanson09@gmail.com if you want to get in touch or share anything God is showing you.
Much love~
Lisa
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