Don't give up

Give me everything You are
Give me one more chance to be near You
Cause everything inside me looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I'll take........
.......And I'm on fire
When You're near me
I'm on fire
When You speak
I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries... these mysteries... these mysteries
Ah you're the mystery
You're the mystery

(From On Fire by Switchfoot)

I love that. Give me one more chance.......You are the only hope I have for change. And it's true. Alone, I'd be lost. 
That He will give us a chance, again, and again.
Because we fall.
And we mess up.
And we do what we hate.

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.(Romans 7:19)

It can be such a struggle. We want the change, are reaching for it; but nothing happens.
The change, it comes in Him.

It's so hard when we mess up, even as we're so on fire. Sin has such a hold on us,
and we know it.

I'll say something, and know the instant the words leave my mouth it was the wrong thing.
Why do I do that?

I'll look at someone and think something really judgemental.
Why do I do that?

So many things.
But change comes,
slowly,
barely perceptibly sometimes,
but still.
It comes.

And grace works,
and He prunes and trims,
slowly,
 it comes.

My friends-
Don't give up on yourselves.
It's easy to do.
I know.


God doesn't give up on you.

Don't self-sabotage Grace offered freely-

To you.
Sinner.
Washed clean.
Because of love.

Love:)

R

A thought by Saint Augustine

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

from The Confessions of Saint Augustine

Love:)

R

A Prayer

The love.
It captures me, surrounds me, fills me.
And it is so good, Lord.
That you would look upon me in my brokenness, my dirtiness,
and bless me like you have.
And love me.
And know me.
Oh, My God, you truly make beautiful things,
And I love you.
Even if you didn't love me,
Still would I love you.
Because you are too good, too beautiful, too worthy,
to have anything but my love, heart, and everything else that is me.
Why me?
I have to ask myself why you could love me, love us, in our sin.
But it doesn't really matter,
All that does is you.

Love Always and  Forever:)

R

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped. (Psalm 63:1-11 ESV)

How He Loves

What I mess I am. I'm broken, shattered, dirty. But for the grace of Christ. What patience and Love my Father God has. There is no one who can condemn me. Because  I am His. There is no one who can do anything against you, because you are His. His perfect, beautiful, honored child. His grace is so wide and his love so deep, that even that which you feel is utterly, totally, unforgivable, is forgotten the moment you ask. Wow. Keep that in mind today, please. May His peace be yours, and may you feel His love in a way you never have before. I'm praying for you all.:)

Love:)
R

Your Love is a Song by Switchfoot

Yeah

I hear you breathing in
Another day begins
The stars are falling out
My dreams are fading now, fading out

I've been keeping my eyes wide open
I've been keeping my eyes wide open

Your love is a symphony
All around me
Running through me
Your love is a melody
Underneath me
Running to me

Oh, your love is a song

The dawn is fire bright
Against the city lights
The clouds are glowing now
The moon is blacking out, is blacking out

So I've been keeping my mind wide open
I've been keeping my mind wide open, yeah

Your love is a symphony
All around me
Running through me
Your love is a melody
Underneath me
Running to me

Oh, your love is a song
Your love is a song
Oh, your love is a song
Your love is strong

With my eyes wide open
I've got my eyes wide open
I've been keeping my hopes unbroken, yeah

Your love is a symphony
All around me
Running through me
Your love is a melody
Underneath me
Running to me

Your love is a song
Yeah, yeah
Your love is my remedy
Oh your love is a song





Your love is the most beautiful song I've ever heard, O Lord.

Love:)
R