In Your Arms

Where did you go last night
Without even leaving my sight
Your head went to the stars
Your heart went to the sea
And your eyes grew dark enough to not see me

In your arms
I'm finally free
In your arms
I finally see
In your arms
I finally know
I'm free to be me and I'm free to let go

Look at you now running away
From all of the world and all of your shame
Well where will you go and what will you do
When out run tonight but tomorrow still finds you

-music by jerrod steven

The Gift of Receiving

I am discovering an area of weakness in my life.

Receiving.

My initial reaction to this idea is to answer with a common phrase i hear, especially around Christmas time "It's better to give than to receive"...
Now I agree, on some levels, but what I have noticed is that I can be a real good giver whether it be gifts, compliments or hugs but receiving them on the other hand is a whole different story. And I don't think I'm the only one.

As a culture we are raised to believe that it is indeed better to give than receive, and so we spend all of our time learning to be better givers. But what happens when it comes time to receive? your met with something like this:

"That's a great shirt"
"oh thanks..it's the only clean one I had"

or

"You look great, have you lost weight?"
"Ya a little, but not as much as I need to!"

or if your like me maybe you have been in this scenario...

"What a great message tonight Jerrod."
"oh it wasn't me, it was all the Lord"

Wait wait wait that last one is true, right? Is it? (before you pick up the stones hear me out) Yes, the Lord is the producer of all good things, and is the inspiration for the production of those things, but there had to have been a joined effort on my part (or your part) for Him to accomplish those things. So is it humility when you brush off the compliments or is it just inverted vanity? A false sense of humility. Because we really do believe that things the people say, but we surely can't say we agree with them because that would be prideful! (this is inverted vanity) we care more about the appearance of humility then actually being humble.

We invest so much time being givers that our ability to receive suffers. This is where my concern comes in...If we don't learn to receive then how can we really experience what God has given. We wont. What He offers is not based on what we give or do or produce or make up. It is rooted in HIM giving and US receiving what HE gives.

I need to get better at receiving...so if you would like to help we could start by you giving me something?

Twenty Ten

It is a new year.

Why is this such a big deal?

I walked into Panera (this is a common theme in my weekly life) As i held open the door for the couple leaving the house of bagels, I was greeted with a smile and two friendly "Happy New Years"

What is so exciting about the start of a new year?

Gym memberships. Champagne toasts. Resolutions. The idea of a fresh start rises in the minds and hearts of each person who desperately longs for one. Those who are so deep in emotional or spiritual slumber look to the year and feel no sense of change, or hope of change.

Can there truly be a fresh start?

Yes. The wonderful answer we all hold our breath for. Yes, there can be a fresh start. There can be a new thing. A different way. A better way.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." --Isaiah 43:18-19

Drink deep weary soul. Believe once again cynical heart. Trust wholly fearful heart. The Lord has never, can never and will never change. But He will create in you a new thing, a better thing.

The chances of magical laser beams shooting from heaven and creating something new in your heart or even in front of your very eyes is slim ,but coupled with your cooperation this new year there WILL be new things spring forth from your heart, mind & soul. A path in the overwhelmingness of this life & refreshing streams in the driest places of your heart. Work with the Lord this year in submitting to His lead and bowing your humble knee to his holy, unshakable, indispensable will.

You will see changes, good changes. You will see not a better version of you, but a clearer picture of Him in your life.

He is on the move...let Him move in you.

Welcome to Twenty Ten.