Out of Hiding.

I just have to share this song regardless of the fact that it's not a Tuesday. For anyone that's discouraged, in a rough spot, whatever it is.... please listen to this song. I love songs that are written/sung from the perspective of Jesus. And this is just one of those beautiful love songs. I heard it today on the treadmill at the gym and luckily I was pretty much done because I just had to slow down so I could close my eyes to keep from bawling right on the spot.

Breathe in, breathe out. And listen.

Come out of hiding
You're safe here with Me
There's no need to cover
What I've already seen

You've got your reasons
But I hold your peace
You've been on lockdown
But I hold the key

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

I'll be your lighthouse
When you're lost at sea
And I will illuminate
Everything

No need to be frightened
By intimacy
Just throw off your fear
And come running to Me

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

Oh as you run
What hindered love
Will only become
Part of the story

Baby, you're almost home now
Please don't quit now
You're almost home to Me

Carried to the Table.

"Carried To The Table"

Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master's courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don't belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don't see my brokenness anymore
When I'm seated at the table of the Lord
I'm carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I'm healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God
You carried me

Tunesday Tuesday.

You guys!! Needtobreathe's new album came out TODAY and it is so so SO good!! It is their 4 or 5th studio album I think? Each one just gets better and better. I am sharing with you my favorite song from "Rivers in the Wasteland" so far. It is called Multiplied and the chorus is really simple. The whole song is actually, it just repeats itself:

Your love is like radiant diamonds
Bursting inside us we cannot contain
Your love will surely come find us
Like blazing wild fires singing Your name

God of mercy sweet love of mine
I have surrendered to Your design
May this offering stretch across the skies
And these Halleluiahs be multiplied

What's in a Name?

Lost are saved, find their way

 at the sound of Your great name
All condemned, feel no shame

at the sound of Your great name
Every fear, has no place

 at the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave

 at the sound of Your great name

I have been here at the learning center for 6 weeks now and I don't think y'all would want to read through all that I have learned. Whoever compared our time here to drinking from a fire hydrant was not kidding. A LOT of important, valuable information coming at you in a short time. I like what my supervisor told me before coming here. Not to be stressed out;  I will learn some stuff here that I'll never use on the field, and there will be things on the field never covered in my time here in Richmond.

I tell you all of this in short to let you know I'm not going to summarize the 7 dimensions of IMB personnel or review the 4 spiritual laws with you. I want to share with you the renewed confidence I have in who I am sent out by. I have heard so many stories since being here, studied a few different worldviews and I am broken for them. For their lost-ness. BUT. I am continually humbled by the name of Jesus who strengthens me to do His work. It is only by His power that we get to see great things happening in the darkest places of the world.  I would not trust to go out with any other name than Jesus. 6 weeks after training and that's all I can tell you, as simple as it is. Everything we do must point back to the gospel, else we're just talking about ourselves.  And as imperfect as I am, that would be a huge mistake. 

Revelation 7:9 says, "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands." I'm so thankful that we serve a God who knows eternity and who will get all the glory. Every nation, tribe, people and language will be present and I hold on to that promise when times look so dark in Ukraine, Venezuela and other parts of the world.  His kingdom is big and I can't wait to be used for it.

Tunesday Tuesday.

I absolutely love this song! It's so catchy, upbeat and reminds me of 'Brave' by Sara Bareilles.

I also find it very fitting for the new year, a fresh start. The chorus is, "I'm an empty page, I'm an open book // write Your story on my heart, come on and make Your mark."

Her new CD comes out April 22 and I'm sure it will be as great as her others. Oh! And this song is called "Write Your Story" :)

Brand new.

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine 

If you've never heard this song, click here to listen. And for the record, I'll be referring to lyrics often. :)