God's chosen authority

God has a university. It's a small school. Few enroll, even fewer graduate.
Very, very few indeed.

God has this school because He does not have broken men. Instead He has several other types of men.
He has men who claim to be God's authority... and aren't; men who claim to be broken... and aren't.
And men who are God's authority, but who are mad and unbroken. And He has regretfully, a spectroscopic mixture of everything in between. All of these men He has in abundance; but broken men, hardly at all.

In God's sacred school of submission and brokenness, why are there so few students?
Because all who are in this school must suffer much pain. And as you might guess, it is often the unbroken ruler (whom god sovereignly picks) who metes out the pain.
David was once a student in this school, and Saul was God's chosen way to crush David.

As the king grew in madness, David grew in understanding. He knew that God had placed him in the king's palace, and under true authority.

The authority of King Saul, true? Yes, God's chosen authority. Chosen for David. Unbroken authority, yes. But divine in ordination, nonetheless.

Yes, that is possible.

David drew in his breath, placed himself under his mad king, and moved farther down the path of his earthy hell.

- chapter 5, "A Tale of Three Kings" by Gene Edwards.

Food for thought....

in the Master's Hands

There are a lot of things I don't understand
But I'll leave it in the Master's hand
For to come up with my own plan
Would be the foolish alternative of every man
~Me


Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
and He shall direct your paths
~Proverbs 3:5-6


Heart don't fail me now
Courage don't desert me
Who knows where this road will go
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear...
~"Journey to the Past", Aaliyah


When the reigns of life escapes my hand
And time slips through my fingers like sand
Heart take courage that the Lord will understand
And He will guide your ship safely to land
~Me

[Untitled]

There's something my heart can't bear
A story of my life to share
To believe I do not dare
To know there's none that would compare

There's a story untold
If I'm ever so bold
Soon I can no longer hold
Leaving me ever so cold

Will the sun stop shinning?
Will the rain start pouring?
Will the song stop playing?
Will my heart keep beating?

To survive I must have known
That this seed I have sown
Will not eventually be disowned
Or must I do something to atone?

What is hope and what is reality?
Is there even a possibility?
Will I eventually have to see
That it was never meant to be

Come now, God, don't play with my heart
I will quietly play my part
Has waiting become my art?
Come now, friends, don't start.

whose leaf will not wither

They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers - Psalms 1:3

You will never let me fall apart
You hold my world in the palm of your hands
You uphold me with your righteous right hand
Your banner over me is love
You will never forsake me

I need to Believe

It was St. Anselm who taught true spirituality when he prayed, "Oh Lord my God, teach my heart where and how to seek Thee, where and how to find Thee. For I do not seek to understand in order to believe, but I believe in order to understand."

I need to believe to understand
Aches I cannot comprehend
Questions I cannot answer
Stories I cannot see

I need to believe
That You are Lord God Almighty
Strong enough to rescue me
You answer when I call
Please don't let me go

I need to believe
That You are sovereign
You hold my tomorrows
Every step You've ordained
Please help me see

I need to believe
That You are near
In my silence and anger
You still hear the words I do not say
Please don't turn away

I need to believe
That You are God of love
Full of mercy and full of grace
Nothing will stop You from loving me
Please don't change

I need to believe
That You are good
You will not treat me unkindly
And You make no mistakes
Please help me trust You

I need to believe
And I do believe….
And I do love You...

But by the grace of God

Do you believe that you can shelf everything in your heart
To busy yourself in the requirements of everyday
Responsibility is a science, deception is an art
Perhaps you never have to face what your heart wants to say

Men fear what the future holds and that which is unknown
Men scurry to take control of which he has none
We will reap what we have sown
To deny that it's all in the hands of the Son

You can run but you can't hide
Ignorance is bliss but it isn't safe
Don't even try to beat the rising tide
Your heart explodes and your world begins to cave

Oh God, You are my only
There's nothing certain under the sun but You
I know that I am not my own property
But it's hard to accept it as true

How can I throw caution to the wind
"Step out of the boat and just believe"
Against You I have greatly sinned
But Your grace I freely receive

Fear engulfs me whole
Of the things You've set before my path
Heal my heart and rescue my soul
Take me out of this dark shaft

By Your grace alone I still stand
By Your love alone I still am
Need I still Your guiding hand
Need I still Your providential ram

This is a story that will never end
I can't stand alone, I know thus far
I know what's around the bend
Didn't want to be the one setting the bar

God!

Illustrated Story: Laying it all down

This is the story of a man
Who walked his own way
And had his own say

He knew the path he walked
Many has gone before
He believed he could soar



His journey brought him many treasures
Precious gold and silver but at a price
Along came the burdens, hurts and lies

It was the life he wanted
But who knew life would be such
Who knew it would all be too much





One of his wanderings brought him to a halt
As he faced the marvelous rugged cross
His treasures began to look like dross

The cross was calling him to lay it down
"Give everything to have everything
No more hiding, no more fighting




Come and lay it all down at the cross
Forgiveness and grace, purpose and peace
Love and hope that will never cease

There's more to want then what you have
More than your dreams come true
Lay down your all and say I do"




After much struggle and debate
He gave the man on the cross a try
He was afraid, that's no lie

But only wonders filled his life
The man lifts his hands and said
The old man is dead




Now he walks and talks with Him
Holding His hand all through
His love grew and grew

So much in store, there's no turning back
When he gave everything
He gained everything

Dedication - Hillsong

Faithful One

O Lord my God
You're my one and only
When everything is in disarray
You're my peace my sanity

You've always, always seen me through
You've always, always been there for me
Faithful One
Whom have I but you

When I have cried all my tears
I know you caught every drop
When I have no more strength
I know you will refresh my soul
When I have no where to hide
I know I can run to you
When I'm at the end of my rope
I know you've provided the way out

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas
And all was abuzz - wrapping gifts, cooking dishes, wishing friends...
Every year we get caught in the Christmas 'spirit'
And in that moment of stress cry out, 'what is Christmas all about?'
May we never forget the answer
As we celebrate His birth this year



Blessed Christmas to you and your family
May His light shine down on you
Bringing good tidings of joy and peace and love
Let every lonely heart and rejected spirit know
That there is a God who came in love for you and for me.

Blue

Another year has gone by
Another season has come and pass
That's just the way life is
Like watching the scenery go by on a train ride
Nothing stays forever, nothing lasts
Everything has it's time and rhyme

Here I sit again
Watching the clouds pass above
And a wind from the north blows
Blocking out the sun from my face
Plummeting my soul into darkness
The ones that engulfs you whole
And once again I sit and dwell
Dreaming of a day that was never meant to be

How much time was wasted in dreams
How much time was wasted in crying
It doesn't make any sense
No sense at all to any mind
Yet the tears do flow and sobs do come
Yet one still hopes and one still wants

Precious child
Do you not know you are much loved?
That you are more than ordinary
Dear child
Will you allow Sorrow to steal the joys
When you can make it your own day
Silly child
When will you learn
Tomorrow is also another day...

Take A Bow

Inspired by Rihanna's "Take a Bow" although it has nothing to do with her lyrics:

All the world's a stage
And men and women merely players

Says some wise sage
Tis' the line that make us believers

Here I am standing at the edge of reason
Walking pass the turmoils of my heart
The bitter sweet of life's latest season
Learning simply to play my part
Heartaches and laughters
All but memories of a distant past
Life's storms and thunders

In this game we call living
In my perfectly orchestrated scenes
And now all eyes are on me
I need to take a bow

No tears are required
None from me
The show's not mine
I'm a mere part in the play
And the part must be played well
Well enough to make believers
But it's over now
It's time to take a bow

Head held high
Smile plastered on
With all grace and beauty
I'm taking my bow

-Written by @nne-