WYC 2005

.We Shall Behold Him.


The most loving thing God will ever do is offer us the opportunity to worship Him. It's because He loves us, that the Creator would invite us into His presence to revel in Him, to adore Him, to glory in Him. This God is the only one unique and famous God ... what does He mean to me?

When Christ shall come with shouts of aclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I will bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim: my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! My Savior God, to Thee.
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul! My Savior God, to Thee.
How great Thou art, how great Thou art...

I am learning that this life is worship. I have been overwhelmed by the mercy of God, and I'll never be the same.


Because You are infinitely holy, you reach down to touch even me- the chief of sinners. God of my salvation, You have made a way for me to adore You. You have embraced me, and You will not let go. By Your Son, You have proven to me that You love me, and I have no other thought but to draw every breath in worship of You. How easily You could have pulled Yourself down off the cross, but because of a fathomless love, you joyfully held on...

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
And oh, precious is the flow! That makes me white as snow,
No other fount I know ... nothing but the blood of Jesus.

I have been given the aroma of life- that is, the gospel pours through me if I live according to His will and law. And it is of an ancient faith, deep rooted in the profound understanding of everything eternal. Don't I want them to see that in me?

"He is causing you to breathe, causing the ocean to swell, causing the sun to rise ... No one else: Jesus Christ."
-Jake Hendrix

And I get to be with Him. I get to know Him as mine. And I want everyone else to know that because it gives me such great hope I can't begin to be selfish for. I want to be the very aroma of Christ to an aching world.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above...

If anything, when we think about Jesus dying on the cross, we remember that God is holy, and Jesus had to die because sin had to be dealt with, that we might have a perfect way to Him...
It doesn't matter what my life entails, because though I have before been "tested in the furnace of affliction," I am always being humbled in the furnace of worship. There, I am filled with Him.

"The most intimate worshiper of Jesus, is the most joyful person on the planet."
-Freddy T. Wyatt

Why am I spending my energy and time trying to find satisfaction in things that can't provide what God can?


Delight yourself in Me, because I am your happiness...

:Happy Sigh:

Finally... I've found my dress for Winter Ball. :)

Pocket Full of Glass

There's nothing really wrong with me.
I've overcome the undergoing, ever seeking,
not always knowing
but there are whispers that say
I'm what I was meant to be.

So take me out to sea,
try me in the winds of my belief
and let me set sail on the horizon of my everything
I'm becoming.

If you've thought that recognizing a heart
meant knowing where it's ended before
and knowing where it starts-
shatter, then, all the mirrors you've seen me in,
reflections of the broken orgins
taken away by healing time and forgetting,

and save the glassy shards
in your pocket so you can feel them
and see this isn't so hard
now
under this new leaf.

I praise you, Jesus...

...for Your perfect faithfulness.

Written for his best friend...

And sometimes some man
Would ask everything and take it away
Before he realizes
Just how good he’s got it made
And please be thankful
Of what you got, because if you're not, it just might pass you on by
And you will find yourself standing there
Asking the question, why?


And what would I do
If I did not have you
And what would I say
If I had no one to say it to
Yes, I would be
Oh, lonely, without you


And I don’t know how long I’ll be around
I’m traveling from town to town
And let me take a moment and release
Just how I feel inside
And, oh my friend, it’s been rough
And I love you so
And no matter where I go
It’s in my heart, I’ll hold you close


And what would I do
If I did not have you
And what would I say
Oh, if I had no one to say…
To say it too
I would be
I would be so lonely
Without...
Without you.

(.Shawn McDonald.)

Still

Make me still, Jesus...


Though my trembling controls me, make me still, Jesus.


While I'm enveloped in world speed, make me still, Jesus.


Though my heart runs wildly into nowhere, make me still, Jesus.


While angry, invisible winds sweep over this frail body, make me still, Jesus.


Even when I'm racing for escape, make me still, Jesus.


Though writhing in the crevass of my sin, make me still, Jesus.


Amid this my created storm, make me still, Jesus.


While I shake in fear of unseen pain, make me still Jesus.


In loss of all hope and expectancy, make me still, Jesus.


And even when my heart feels motionless...


Jesus, make me still.

Praise You In This Storm

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

(.Casting Crowns.)

An encouraging letter from a friend and missionary in training...

Dear Mandi,

I'm super sorry that it has taken so long to get back to you, but such is life. Since I've been back, I've actually managed to settle in quite well--Eugene must not have changed too much. As soon as I returned, I enrolled for one more year at Lane Community College, got a job workin' in the warehouse at Harvest House Publishers, moved in with a couple buddies of mine, and have been busily involved with music and other ministries both in my church and with the Navigators. The business as actually been quite pleasant. Money is tough sometimes, and I generally don't have enough time, but I've been able to (mostly :)) stay on top of things. This just a season of life, but I'm thankful for everything and thankful that I can learn still more about God's faithfulness in tough times.

I haven't been keeping in quite as much contact with my Italian friends as I would prefer, but being so busy makes it pretty tough to budget time for people that are nine time-zones away. I actually had a very refreshing call from Maria-Grazia Infuso about a week ago. We had just an excellent time speaking with each other, and I also was able to talk with Matteo too. I was really surprised that I've been able to retain so much Italian since I've been away. Sometimes I speak a little here and there, and every once in a while I think in Italian, but for the most part that isn't too sharp. After a prolonged conversation, it comes right back though! I'm looking forward to budgeting more time and phone cards after the break so that I can keep up with those dear people.

So you're gonna be there in the summertime? That's excellent! I'm very excited for you and for the ministry, that one more laborer may be sent to gather the harvest. Will you be staying with Dan and Alice or how is that all working out? Let me know if you need help with support. I'm dirt poor, but I'd like to give you something. In fact, send me newsletters and your fundraising letter at 2277 Friendly St. Eugene, OR 97405. I'm not sure if this will work, but I may be leading a team for a short term trip in the summertime, so perhaps our paths might cross once more in Italia.

It was great to hear from you and I trust your doing well. Give my greetings to all the others, and maybe I'll get the chance to check out your church sometime soon.

Catch you later!

Mark

I prayed for you in the car outside your house last night, against the soft words on the radio, and the rain sliced the clouds open for just a while. And I could feel Him, in the empty seat beside me, hearing every word...

Dear Jesus...

I remembered You when
the skies broke lose today, and
amid my labor gently rained
a sweet and lovely downpour of peace
I know only comes at Your consent.
And when I long
for everything I cannot have, I find rest
in this reminding rain that pleads,
"dear child, think only of Me, and you
will have everything."
How beautiful the song then!
Once words of a confronted, grateful heart
dance from my lips to the very gates of heaven!
That is everything.
Jesus,
show me all of You,
and nothing more could possibly be desired...