A Sweet Summarization

I hesitate to write this, on one hand, because I know that mere words will not be able to capture the depth of emotion that accompanied this morning's worship with my friends of Mosaic.

I must admit, it started long before I arrived at church. Before dawn, a storm moved through, waking me with it's intensity. Awakened, I checked my "daily verse" app on my phone:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" ~Psalm 119:105

I thought of how true that had been for me - ESPECIALLY this past week. The scripture that had been sent to me - in texts, in emails, and on my daily verse app - and those that I had dug for myself, had truly lit my path this week.

I rolled over until my alarm started sounding to a local christian music station. Occasionally, I'd listen a little before I hit the "snooze". One moment I remembered - "... the Sunday praise word for today is "hope" ." I laughed. Of course it is!

I headed to church, and as Mosaic set up and sound-checked, I flipped through my bible, recalling the adventures we'd been on together this week: Struggles and thoughts on surrender, and moments sitting on a footbridge, resetting my internal compass. Daring to dream of opportunities to sit at His feet and take it all in - and experiencing a few moments that felt as I imagine it would to truly live a John 12:3 moment as Mary did with Jesus, himself.

It was in that frame of mind that we started the service. As they sang, and spoke, and told stories of the verses of scripture that inspired their music, I was amazed. In my bible, I flipped from verse to verse, aware of the parallels between what I had been shown throughout the week, to what I was hearing now. Some were identical, some were expository.

Most of the service, I felt as if He and I were sitting side by side, recapping our most recent journey - laughing together and crying together. There were moments of conviction, but mostly sweet, sweet peace.

"Return to Me..." He spoke - and they sang. For "my people are bent on turning away from me"... "Return o faithless children....." I will contend until you are free...

~~~~~~~~~
My people are bent on turning away from me ~ Hosea 11:7

Jeremiah 3:12-14; 22

“‘Return, faithless Israel,
declares the Lord.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,
declares the Lord;
I will not be angry forever.
13 Only acknowledge your guilt,
that you rebelled against the Lord your God
and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree,
and that you have not obeyed my voice,
declares the Lord.
14 Return, O faithless children,
declares the Lord;
for I am your master;
I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
and I will bring you to Zion.

22 “Return, O faithless sons;
I will heal your faithlessness.”

Out of Eden...

I got to interpret for the group Mosaic today. It was the most fabulous thing... And they are the most fabulous people.

I got to interpret this song...

"Out of Eden" Rachel Harlow from Rachel Harlow on Vimeo.

It was interesting to be interpreting a song being narrated by God. It was good training for me if nothing else. I don't do particularly well taking on the persona of God or Christ. (Now, the person, on her knees, having messed something up, humbly asking for forgiveness (again) - that I can relate to!)

But, by the time I had listened to it several times - and sorted through the English-y poetry of the lyrics to get to the meaning of it.... wow.... I was blown away.

Since then, the chorus has been haunting my brain, playing over and over, sometimes spilling out through my mouth in song.

"I don't want [to be] out of Eden, forever....." either.

".... Glad Songs of Salvation...."

I find myself today having switched the songs that have been imprinted in my head. I'm still in a Mosaic motif, but I've switched from Repentance to Glad Songs of Salvation.

Which, quite honestly, is very upbeat! I love it. I love the bits of Hebrew that are thrown in as well... "Barukh atah El Roi, Hallelujah!" is the verse that wants to sing out the most. "Blessed are You, the God who sees" (Hallelujah!)

Ah yes.... "... You are the God who sees and knows...."

You are, and I am ever grateful!! You see more than I will ever see, and You know more than I will ever know.

Hallelujah!

Song Stalking Continues

I continue to be Stalked by God through the song, Repentance by Mosaic. I heard it first less than a week ago, and bits and pieces play through my head throughout the day. It plays on repeat in my car, and on my computer.

Today I found myself having the courage to actually sing through it entirely. No big deal, perhaps, except.... When you start a song/prayer with the words "Humble me", when talking to God, expect to be humbled. When you invite Him to "expose the depths of my heart", prepare to find things deep within that perhaps you didn't know was there - or didn't want to remember.

From my perspective, He and I have done a pretty good job of cleaning out the cobwebs and shining lights in dark corners of my life. But, then again, He and I have had differing perspectives before. I can only imagine what is coming with a song about "repentance". I will have to wait and see. But til then, I sing and walk forward.

God is good, and bringing many good things my way. Of this I am certain. The packaging of such gifts remains a mystery.


You can hear a preview here,if you'd like.

Repentance.... Mosaic Style

Friday night I was able to attend a "Dress Rehearsal" for Mosaic. This diverse group of friends have joined to form a musical group that supports each others individual musical styles, but WOW! Together, they are awesome!

As I sat in this very casual environment, with a child on my lap and a child beside me, I just listened.

Anyone who knows me, knows that music is a very powerful way that God speaks to me. Melodies, rhythms, lyrics... And, as I sat there, there was a song that hit me.

It's title, Repentence.

As they sang each line, it touched me deeper and deeper. It's one of those songs that will find itself on "repeat" for a long while. We'll see how long it takes me to really sing along.

For me, song and prayer are very similar... especially such songs as this that get sung from the depths of my heart.

This song is an open invitation for God to humble me, and shine His light "where sin lies in the dark". It is also a song of gratitude.

I feel like a toddler, wanting to run out and experience all that is before him, yet clinging tightly with one arm to his mother's leg. I'm not sure I'm ready to sing this prayer in its entirety. I can join them for a line or two, but then I run back as my voice cracks.

I know that God hears prayers, and when He answers directly life is never the same. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is a change, and I've got to muster some courage before I run out and lay myself out on His altar.

They are heading out of our neck of the woods for a summer of touring. If you have opportunity to see them, I highly recommend it! You will be blessed!


Repentence
Music and Lyrics by Molly Lockwood

Humble me, expose the depths of my heart
Shine Your Light where sin hides in the dark.
Set me free, I long to boast in the power of the Cross
But if You choose to leave this thorn, I'll need Your grace to carry on
And the world will see that in my weakness, You are strong.

You have not dealt according to my sin
You have not dealt according to my sin
You have dealt according to Your Mercy
You have dealt according to Your Mercy
God of grace

Thank You, Lord
It's an honor to be worked on by Your hands
To know You love me and choose to use me as I am
All I can bring are these confessions, Made in pure humility
And it's here in Your forgiveness that I'm set free
Free to fall on grace and not my ability
Free to fall on grace and not my ability

Let Your cross have its perfect work in me