Saturday, May 24, 2008

When I say, what I mean

Jesus
When I say "You're everything..."
I really mean everything, You're in every song I sing.

Jesus
When I say "You're the air I breathe..."
I just don't know what I would be if you ever left me.

Jesus
When I say that "I love you..."
That's what I want to do, but my heart is so untrue.

8 comments:

Colleen said...

I like this....

Bryan said...

Oh, the wonder of Jesus Christ, that He gave everything He is to have everything we are, until He becomes Everything to us--our Lord, our Master, and our Savior!

What church are you a part of around Seattle? I live in the Seattle area as well.

AnnaMarlene said...

Wilhelm, thanks for commenting :) I go to a great little church in Bellevue. It’s not loud or out to impress anyone; they just like to teach the Word verse by verse and equip us all for evangelism.

I’m done with all the fluff so many churches try to pad the Gospel with. We don't need any gimmicks...This is the good news: We all deserve the payment for our sins and yet God in his mercy sent His son Jesus to pay in our stead! This is what the world needs to hear!

Bryan said...

From the time Jesus Christ apprehended me 11-1/2 years ago as a high school senior until now I have been a part of churches and ministries large and small. I have witnessed the true and the false in God's house.

I am persuaded that much of the fluff you speak to is man's tragic attempt to manufacture a certain atmosphere as a substitute for the authentic Glory of God in the midst of His people.

A true expression of Church is such a precious thing to the Lord. Did you grow up in the church?

AnnaMarlene said...

I agree that a true expression of the church is a rare thing. Somehow I also think it is a very simple thing; hearts that love in obedience to the Father serving His kingdom and each other. I think the problem is rather than truly yield our hearts in obedience to our Lord we would rather give the appearances of religion. Losing our lives for the sake of Gods kingdom means giving up so much more than most are willing, we would Rather love God on our terms than His. I'll admit I struggle with this...

Yes, I did grow up in the Church. Sometimes its a hard journey, weeding through what people teach and what is truth. I was fortunate to have a mother that taught me that truth was found in the Word of God and that since men are just men, I should first seek to harmonise what I am taught to scripture. Also growing up in the Church it can be easy to put on religion rather than put on Christ. Always knowing what is the right thing to say and do can be a work of the flesh in contrast to opening my heart up to the Lord to change and transform. But then we are always a work in progress till the we See Him are we not?

What type of church do you attend? How long have you been there?

Bryan said...

I was a part of a larger non-denominational church in Edmonds for a number of years until the Lord withdrew me from that body within the last year. Over the last 5 years I have travelled for ministry on a number of occasions and God has sent me to a handful of churches in different parts of the nation. On the first trip in 2003 the Lord had a work for me and a brother in Christ in a small congregation of approximately 60 people +/-. The next Sunday we were at Times Square Church in New York (probably 8-10,000 people in that body). God's Presence was manifestly evident in both congregations as He accomplished His desired purpose for the meetings. There was something so real about each body, the true leading of the Holy Spirit.

Right now I am inquiring of the Lord as to where He will have me next. I so long to be a part of a genuine New Testament church that is built on the foundation God has established for His saints, a congregation where every member of the body supplies their portion that furthers the growth of that body into the fulness of Christ and the intimate knowledge of God.

It is an immeasurable grace from Jesus Christ to gather with a people who desire God above all else, and seek Him with all their hearts, not merely something from Him. We are all a work in progress indeed. "What manner of love...that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1John 3:1-2).

What drew you to the church that you are with right now? Have you been there long? If you don't want to fill your comment box, :^) you can email me: bhulen@gmail.com.

Michelle said...

That last line stings...in a familiar and somehow comforting way. You're amazing!

AnnaMarlene said...

Michelle, Thanks! I miss you...coffee soon? This week perhaps? Call me!