And If Our God Is For Us ...

I'm really excited that one of my favorite artists is releasing a new CD next Tuesday (11/16). I think what makes me even more excited about a new CD is just the potential of what a collection of songs can do.

Having traveled recently, I have seen that there is a huge need for HOPE. People need something to believe in ... and the reason for a Savior couldn't be stronger. All around us there are people who are struggling, who are discouraged and who feel hopeless. There is only ONE who can rescue and redeem us and ... put our feet on solid ground and give us a HOPE and a future that is worth living for.

Just reading about the heart behind this new album, it gave me chills and honestly, even reminded me ... that no matter what happens ... whether good or bad ... our God is for us! He believes in us. And I've realized even I need to be reminded that God believes in me. 'Cause honestly I forget and sometimes feel like He doesn't.

Check out an excerpt about this new album ... may it inspire you and remind you of His promises for YOU ...

As many will realize, the title comes from Tomlin's #1 song from the PASSION: AWAKENING live CD, "Our God," as Tomlin explains, the title is one that wasn't his first choice, but kept coming back to him.

"For the longest time I had a different title for the album, but at the end of the day, I really came back to 'And if Our God is for Us.' I just love that statement. It's just so strong. Every night in concert when we get to the part of the song where we sing 'if our God is for us,' it's amazing to see what happens, to see so many people rise up in that statement.

If you really believe in God, you know that everything is possible. Anything can happen. Miracles can happen. All things are available to you no matter what you're going through, no matter what you're facing, no matter what is coming against you. Life comes against all of us, but you know God is for you.

That's straight from the Scripture. It's not just my thought. It's not just my idea or opinion. The Scripture tells us 'if God is for you then who can be against you.' I love the hope that is in that statement. I think when people see that in the stores and they pick it up or they see it online, hopefully it just instantly takes them to that idea--'God is for me today!'

Amen. And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand against? Nothing.

Fear

So I was perusing some books at Borders yesterday and I came across this book called, "God's Little Instruction Book for the Class of 2010". I was going through it and a few pages stood out a bit more than others.

One of them that made me just stop said this ...

Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

And then on the bottom of the page it said ...

Perfect love drives out fear. ~ 1 John 4:18

And I loved that moment because it reminded me of how incredibly amazing God's love is. His love for us is unstoppable. And His love is big and deep enough to cover us ... our fears, our insecurities, our worries, our uncertain future, _____________ ... God's perfect love drives out fear and frees us to live fully for Him.

What a Beautiful Savior.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

Save $$$

Found this really sweet infographic off Quicken's website. Such a great way to save some extra dollars. Enjoy!

Personal Finances from Quicken

Trading in small dreams ...

A different promo video this time around, but still pretty sweet!:D It's time to trade in small dreams for a place in the beautiful and epic Story that never ends.

You know you wanna be a part of this.

For Love of You

Music is so inspiring. It's always neat to find different artists or new songs that move you.

I just heard about Audrey and her new song, "For Love of You." Such a beautiful song ... may it inspire you to be captivated by Him again.

Because of You ... I come alive.

My Hope

Really loved the scripture reading I came across today ... what a beautiful way to start the day. This is where my Hope comes from ...

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 62:5-8

Grace is unfair.

The new series I've been helping to facilitate on Grace has been crazy challenging so far. It was really neat to see how the sermon yesterday tied together so well with everything we've been talking about in the class. Grace is the one thing that has the power to change the world.

Grace is truly the last best word (in reference to "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey).

At its core, grace just seems too good to be true or so good that it must be true. Grace is unfair, but that's the beauty of grace ... it is never about fairness.

Yesterday, we talked about forgiveness which is super tough, especially, when you don't feel like you've done anything wrong. But grace challenges us to love ... to act differently than what most people would do. And in many ways, forgiveness puts our message to the test ... do we just believe a great theology or does it actually change the way that we love others?

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." ~ C.S. Lewis

You should watch this ...

Having attended Passion 2010 ... people always come up to me and ask, "How was it?" And of course, that's an incredibly difficult question to answer. There's so much to share!

This video sums it up really well ... you should watch this ...



All I know is I want to be a door holder for a generation to run after the glory of God!

Yum!

I think it's time to start a food blog ... mainly because I love to take pictures of food! :D

Wouldn't you agree that food often looks so good in photos?











I'm getting hungry and thirsty just looking at these photos!

Our God is Greater

Watching this video clip from Passion 2010 gives me chills. It reminded me of the moments when people were waking up to what this life is all about. Exciting stuff.



I love the bridge which says ...

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against

It's so true. I was reminded of it again tonight as we were talking about having great expectations. Our faith is grounded in who Jesus is. And that is what gives us incredible conviction ... faith in God is what causes hope to spring up in us. Hope pulls us into everything that God has planned and dreamed for us.

We are part of an unstoppable Kingdom. One that will never fade and that will never be shaken. When we run after God's purposes, we will not be thwarted. Our God will not be moved. Our God is greater.

Awakening

Photo taken from 268blog

AWAKENING. That was the major theme of Passion 2010 and what an awakening it was. It was incredibly moving and powerful seeing so many students and young people awakening to what this life is all about. It was all of us trading the little things of this life for the huge thing ... the big Story of God.

And when you catch a glimpse of the grandeur and glory of God, you realize you don't need anything else. He is more than enough for all that we need.

You weren’t made to be somebody but to know Somebody. Self-forgetfulness in the presence of greatness is the capstone of joy.
~ John Piper

Even for me, it was a huge awakening ... life isn't about me. It's all for God ... I want to be a part of His Story. I want to spread His Fame over all the earth.

Definitely much more to process ... but I loved the moments of worshiping with 22,000 other people ... WOW. There were moments where it felt like something was going to explode ... the energy, the passion, the zeal ... and in many ways, there were explosions everywhere you turned ...

Hearts being turned back to God. Hearts awakening to Jesus for the very first time. Long-timers believing once again that He is the One who offers rescue, hope and life forever. People coming alive and getting a taste of true life.

Beautiful, just beautiful ... and of course, the challenge now is to live it out ... to work it out. Only thru Him ... may He be everything in us that we cannot be.

And you know what? He is everything! Praise God.