Matthew 17:20. He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
It's been a crazy 6 months... I moved out of home to take a chance on a job opportunity. Over the last 6 months, I have met some pretty interesting people in and outside of my clinic room. I have had epic adventures in this city both in the wild and within the cityscape. And I have experienced a range of human emotions from pure joy to despair.
I felt like it was more than an existence. There were so many moments where I felt absolutely alive. Not just in the ups, and not just in the downs, but even in those mundane moments. I have been incredibly blessed.
In 12 days time I'll be back home. I'm not sure where I will be in 6 months time, but I guess I can only take it a day at a time.
I've been feeling more broken than complete lately. Is this what my clients feel like? Little things would trigger tears. Even the question of how are you can bring an emotional tide.
To really rejoice in this state of "down-ness" is difficult. But as a psychologist, this is really a precious time for me to truly experience the lows. And let God really make me, me.
F#
Make me broken
So I can be healed
Ebm
‘Cause I’m so calloused
And now I can’t feel
C#
I want to run to You
B
With heart wide open
F#
Make me broken
F#
Make empty
So I can be filled
Ebm
‘Cause I’m still holding
Onto my will
C#
And I’m completed
B
When you are with me
F#
Make me empty
[Chorus:]
F# B F# C#
‘Til You are my one desire
F# B C#
‘Til You are my one true love
F# B Ebm C#
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
B C# F#
Lord, please keep making me
F#
Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
Ebm
‘Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
C#
‘Cause in the darkness
B
I know You will hold me
F#
Make me lonely
This song is really speaking to my heart. Many know that I'm really struggling at the moment. Things are so tight, that I think I'm going to break. But I really never knew that anything could be this hard.
Hawk Nelson- Faithful
"Faithful" by Hawk Nelson chords
Standard tuning Capo 1 Intro: D- - - G-
Verse 1 D You never promised me that this would be easy Fm G I never knew that anything could be this hard G I wanna trust that You know what You're doin' G D But right now, I'm just fallin' apart D It's hard to see it when I'm livin' in the moment Fm G But Your love's still written on my heart G I get lost when I feel the wind blowin' G I gotta cling to who You are
Pre-chorus Bm 'Cause You are good A D Even when You're not understood
Chorus D G D No matter how many skies fall down D A Bm I'm covered under the peace I've found Bm G D A You're my shelter when there's nowhere else to go A G D No matter how many times I break D A Bm You promise always to keep me safe Bm G D A D You're my rescue when I'm spinning outta control D G D You are faithful, faithful D A You are faithful, faithful
Verse 2 D Fm I'm leaving doubt and sorrow in the distance Fm G I'm gonna trust, and cast my fears aside G My life's a work that I know You'll finish D I know I'm gonna be alright
Prechorus Bm It's You I'll chase A D Even when I can't see Your face
Chorus
A G D You are faithful, faithful A D You are
G D And oh, oh, oh, oh A Bm D My God is always faithful G D A Bm Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (My God, my God) x2
D----F----Bm----D---- (fast down-strokes 4 each) No matter how many skies...
Christmas is coming, the bells are ringing
Hope comes alive as music fills the air
Some say Christmas is for children and I believe it’s true
Can you hear the season calling to the child inside of you?
Awaken from your slumber come see with younger eyes
And be taken by the wonder that took the whole world by surprise!
Christmas is coming, the bells are ringing
Hope comes alive as music fills the air
I hear the drumming, it won't be long now
Christmas is coming, will you be there?
Christmas is coming, will you be there?
They're dressing up the city in a brightly lighted gown
There’s singing in the streets whenever Christmas comes to town
So let the spirit find you wherever you have been
And bring you to the child who makes us children again
Christmas is coming, the bells are ringing
Hope comes alive as music fills the air
I hear the drumming, it won't be long now
Christmas is coming, will you be there?
Christmas is coming, will you be there?
Prepare ye the way
For God's own baby boy
Born to mend all broken things
And to heal the world with joy
He will heal the world with joy!
I don't want you to miss it, I know I have before
Like the innkeeper who missed the wonder right outside his door
So open up your heart as Christmas passes through
Just in time to wake the child asleep inside of you
Christmas is coming, the bells are ringing
Hope comes alive as music fills the air
I hear the drumming, it won't be long now
Christmas is coming, will you be there?
Christmas is coming, will you be there? http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jasongray/christmasiscoming.html
If this Grown up Christmas list came true, then I would need to change careers- and I don't think I'd mind.
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
That time would heal all hearts
And every one would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
Do you (Em) remember (D) me ( C )? I sat (Em) upon (D) your ( C ) knee? I wrote ( C ) to you (G) with childhood (Am) fantasies. (A7) (D)
Well, I'm (Em) all grown-up (D) now ( C ) And still (Em) need help (D) somehow. ( C ) I'm not a ( C ) child (G) but my heart still (Am) can dream (A7) (D)
So here's (Em) my lifelong (D) wish ( C ) My grown-up (Em) Christmas (D) list ( C ) Not for myself ( Am ) but for a world (G) in need (D)
(G) No more (A) lives torn ( C) apart That (Am) wars would never (D) start That (G) time would heal all ( C) hearts And (G) every (A) one would have a ( C) friend And (Am) right would always (D) win And love (A7) would never ( C) end
(G) This is my (Am) grown-up Christmas (G) list.
As children (Em) we (D) believed ( C) The grandest (Em) sight (D) to see ( C) Was something ( C) lovely (G) wrapped (Am) beneath the tree (A7) (D)
Well (Em) heaven (D) surely ( C) knows That (Em) packages (D) and bows ( C) Can ( C) never heal (G) A (Am) hurting human (D) soul
(G) No more (A) lives torn ( C) apart That (Am) wars would never (D) start That (G) time would heal all ( C) hearts And (G) every (A) one would have a ( C) friend And (Am) right would always (D) win And love (A7) would never ( C) end
(G) This is my (Am) grown-up Christmas (G) list.
(Gm) What is this illusion called (A) the innocence of youth Maybe (G) only in our blind belief can we (A) ever find the truth
(G) No more (A) lives torn ( C) apart That (Am) wars would never (D) start That (G) time would heal all ( C) hearts And (G) every (A) one would have a ( C) friend And (Am) right would always (D) win And love (A7) would never ( C) end
(G) This is my (Am) grown-up Christmas (G) list. This is my (Am) only life-long wish (G) This is my (C ) grown-up Christmas (G) list.
It's this time of year when high school students are ensuring that their University preferences are in, and university students are contemplating their life after graduation. Spring is also a time for huge changes in the property market with people contemplating new homes before Christmas.
For me, it's also a time of change. Starting a new job, wrapping up my PhD. I seem, once again, lost. I don't know what I am doing and what direction I am going in.
D A
I don't know where to go from here
Bm
It all used to seem so clear
G
I'm finding I can’t do this on my own
D A
I don't know where to go from here
Bm
As long as I know that You are near
G
I'm done fighting, I’m finally letting go
A Bm G
I will trust in You
A
You've never failed before
Bm G
I will trust in You
[Chorus]
G D
If there's a road I should walk
Bm A
Help me find it
G D
If I need to be still
Bm A
Give me peace for the moment
G A
Whatever Your will
Bm A
Whatever Your will
G A
Can you help me find it
Bm A
Can you help me find it
D
D A
I'm giving You fear and You give faith
Bm
I giving you doubt, You give me grace
G
For every step I've never been alone
D A
Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way
Bm
Even in the valley I will say
G
With every breath, You've never let me go
A Bm G
I will wait for You
A
You've never failed before
A Bm G
I will wait for You
[Chorus]
A Bm G
I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
A Bm G
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
A Bm G
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
A Bm G
'Cause You are all I need
My friend's favorite hymn is Come Thou Fount, and every time I heard this hymn, I think of them.
I love how music can trigger memories, experiences, sensations.
But it is the same old song you say, well, I agree with the artists, it just doesn't grow old, because the message is still as relevant today as it was yesterday.
Happy Birthday YY. You can join us in worshiping together, by downloading the hymn from Noisetrade.com. @resonate_church You can grab all the chords here.
I get a bit nostalgic when I see things like stop motion. David Crowder Band's MV was based on lite-bright stop motion. It reminds me of playing with the etch sketch when I was younger. I was so enthusiastic about the toy when I first got it, and after a while, it was abandoned, I don't actually know where the toy is anymore.
When we first get to know Jesus and salvation, we are totally overwhelmed and excited. It's an amazing love and we just want to tell everyone about it. We want to shine so everyone can see it. But then as the years go by, does your light get brighter? Or is it just like my old toys, abandoned for newer things.
I had over 200 hits on my original post featuring Sanctus Real's promises a year ago. And now I'm revisiting the song because, this week's klove free song is promises- by sanctus real.
I've been feeling a little off recently. I know my God is real and he loves me so much, but I'm just overwhelmed by his amazing plans for me. Even though I could see him working all along, it's just so crazy how he pays attention to the little details in my life.
In sickness, in poverty, in stress, in depression, in suffering, in heart break, in mind-blanks. Hold on to the promises ~ because God does work for the good of those called according to his purpose. Don't forget to thank him :)
As stubborn as I am, I'm pretty weak. I've had to make some pretty tough decisions lately. It would be much easier to call it quits and deal with the consequences later. But a wise friend of mine sent me a letter and reminded me that I should carefully consider my decisions.
Sometimes it's hard to differentiate hurdles in front of us. Are they challenges from God we are meant to overcome? Are they signs from God that we should give up and change directions?
Yes. We can walk away. But for the right reasons. "I don't want to be someone who walks away so easily".
Enjoy this version of I won't give up- Christian style :)
I woke up this morning to find out I won an Aurora bangle from Trollbeads Australia. I never appreciated glass beads until I visited the Tacoma Glass Museum in the United States last year and watched the master and his team making a masterpiece together.
The glass elements were heated and poked at, heated and rolled around, heated and blown, heated and rubbed. After hours and hours of this continued shaping, changing and evolving, the final product was born. It was spectacular, all the onlookers gave a roar.
It gave me a brand new appreciation of glass artwork. Without the fire, the heat, the rubbing, the rolling, the poking, the artwork would have never been so beautiful. At the same time, we have to realize that Life is Beautiful because there are births, there is laughter, there is peace and dancing. Life is also beautiful because of hardships, tears. Because on the other side of hardships, we are evolving into something more beautiful.
We have been so blessed lately. There have been quite a few happy new mothers just in time for mothers day. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
But childbirth isn't easy. According to the WHO, at least one woman dies of childbirth related complications a minute. According to my mother, my delivery was extremely difficult. 30 hours of contractions and serious pain. My cord was wrapped around my neck and I was born around 2am. For the pain of delivery, I am thankful. For the next 20 odd years, I am even more thankful.
But as many as 50% of all pregnancies aren't carried to full term, nearly 20% will end in miscarriage. Ed Sheeran's song, Small Bump touches on some of the issues of miscarriage.
Who is my God? He is the great I AM. To me, God is existence itself.
I am so humbled and grateful for all the blessings in my life. Over the last 12 months alone, I have so much to be thankful for. Every step of the way, my God has shown me that he is there with me. I am blessed with friends that are there besides me even when I am moody, stressed and busy. I am blessed with a family who puts up with the needy me. I am blessed with the many opportunities including in teaching, in travelling, in sharing the gospel. I am blessed with a functioning body. I am blessed with every breathe that I take.
Thank you.
I had a fantastic birthday yesterday. Even though I didn't have any parties, but in my busy day, God gave me surprise after surprise after surprise. I'm currently working hard towards PhD completion, and I'm unsure what is on the other side of that, but I know, my God will be there, just as he has been, always.
This week's Klove free song is Jesus a Firm Foundation. It's part of a album with revamped traditional hymns by leading Christian artists. In most churches today, hymnals stay on the seats and the congregation focuses their attention to big projection screens. While there are great modern christian songs, there is such richness in traditional hymns. Yet, the four part harmonies in which these are based are seen as out dated.
It was so exciting to find out about this new album which marries the traditional hymns with modern interpretations. Hopefully, this will prolong the relevance of the stories and meanings behind these hymns. Hymns include: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, I surrender all, Blessed assurance, it is well (oh my soul).
In my church, we have been praying for the health of various people. Every week, we are praying for recovery from cancer, heart attacks, etc. Our God is so powerful that he can heal the sick, bring the dead back to life. But how strong is our faith? Will we stay faithful even if the healing doesn't come?
This week's klove free song is: Even if by Kutless. Claim by 29/4/2013.
Sarcasm doesn't work with kids. Calling your kids names maybe funny, but they are internalizing the things you are saying. "You aren't as stupid as I thought" or "Fatty" is simply inappropriate. I have kids come into the clinic, their parents have no idea where they get their low self esteem from, they don't know why they don't feel loved enough though the parents buy them nice toys, take them on holidays.
When was the last time you told someone that you love them just the way they are. That they are enough.
God didn't wait till we lost 5kg to save us. He didn't wait till we have quit our bad habits. He didn't wait until became more patient to accept us. When we finally realize that God loves us just the way we are, we are able to comfortably grow in his likeness.
This week's klove free song is Jason Castro's Enough. It was written for his daughters birthday.
When I woke today, I was greeted with the news of a death. Rick Warren's son lost his battle to depression. When a suicide happens, people are left asking why, they maybe shocked, they may be reminded of someone else close to them, or a number of other reactions. Depression doesn't just happen to the few. Depression is real and it maybe more common than you think.
1 in 4 Australian women will suffer from depression. 1 in 3 will experience anxiety. Men also suffer at similar rates (1 in 8 for depression, 1 in 5 for anxiety). http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Signs and symptoms include: low motivation, prevailing sadness, self-defeating thoughts, constant fatigue, etc.
GPs and trained mental health professionals can help you get better (Who can assist). There are also things you can do including (1) reaching out to friends and family (2) exercise (3) prayer.
When we cry out to God in our despair, he answers us. If we cry out to him and cry out to him and cry out to him, we might not get an answer straight away. But indeed, he hears us. I've found that when I am down and out, God reaches out to me and holds me through the storm. Though I may not like to be sick, not like to fail or not like to feel sad, but it's at these times of my life where I truly hand it all over to God. I guess that is a positive of being down...
This is certainly food for thought. Do you love me enough to let me go?
In an interview about the song, the lead artist from Switchfoot talks about how love songs are typically about loving forever, or about a love that is possessive. The bible talks about the ultimate love, the ultimate act of love. God didn't demonstrate his love for us by suffocating us with love. God didn't demonstrate his love for us by transporting us straight to heaven. He loved his son.
Romans 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.