The Shack

"...sequestering his emotions securely in the padlocked basement of his own heart." - Young

Psalm 34

"Fear the Lord, you his saints,

for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." - v.9,10

It's funny how much I think I don't have at times, and then, at others I forget about what I lack at all. What do I lack?

In a material sense, I want a dog, I want a manlier car, I could always do with more clothes, maybe a huge plasma TV for my soccer matches.

In a spiritual sense, I need to be able to hear from God more clearly. I need direction to where God wants me to be. I need intimacy with him and with my friends. I need wisdom in my actions. I need a heart of humility. I need to be filled with his love so that I can love. I need his strength to overcome my sin. I need him to renew my purpose for living.

I like how David draws a contrast between mighty lions and those who seek the Lord. No doubt the sheer power and tenacity of lions could ensure them a stack of Angus steaks. But whilst their strength is merely of a finite measure, the Lord’s strength is infinite.

So how do I fear you, God?

“Come, my children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Whoever of you loves life

and desires to see many good days,

Keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.” (vv. 11-14)

Keeping my tongue under a leash is something I really struggle with. Please help me with that. The words of my mouth are but expressions of my heart. Lord, consecrate my mouth. Make it meek and pure so that no evil may stem from it. Help me to flee from words of malice, envy, aggression, and indignation. Let my mouth speak only words of love and encouragement.

I just want you, Jesus

More than a nice melody,
More than the sweetest of word's,
This is love i have found,
and with this love i am found.

I just want you Jesus, I just want you my lord,
I just want you Jesus, I just want you.

Never could I comprehend,
The love you so freely give,
Never could I be with you,
But your love covers all of my sin.

I just want you Jesus,
I just want you my lord,
I just want you Jesus I just want you.

There is no greater love than yours,
Nothing else could ever compare,
And even if I search all the world
I will never find a love like yours, God.

I just want you Jesus,
I just want you my Lord,
I just want you Jesus,
I just want you,
Jesus!

I attended the PS Mighty Men Conference over the weekend. Amidst all the hyped up praise songs, this one really stood out. I love it.

I love you, Lord. Thanks for loving me so much and for being so good to me.

Help me not to chase after anything else but you.

Dizwanger

I found a Dizwanger one day,
Looking intently into the vast blue sky.
Her search was for the One,
The only Apple of her eye.

I found a Dizwanger one day,
Staring across the deep blue sea.
I saw her smile and laugh,
And I wondered if it could be.

Predictability is a Dizwanger's unnature,
And Mystery is her crown of gold.
I long to understand it,
But I doubt my heart's bold.

The journey's long,
I've picked up a knock or two.
But what's victory without hurt?
And what's love in the absence of sacrifice?

I found a Dizwanger one day,
Resting on my side.
I wish it was forever,
Fall asleep in her eyes.

Isaac
5.10.09

Life's been hard, but God's been great over the last few months.

Praise the Lord! :)

Jesus, I'm tired of walking alone
I can't hold this world up on my own
I'm a man in need of the cross.
Each time I see a running stream
So satisfying it may seem
But my soul; it's thirsting for more!

More of you, Lord Jesus
More, more of you, My Lord

I want to sing to you intimately
I want to hear you say, that you love me
I want to know you more than a friend
I want to feel the scars in your hands

Isaac
4.10.09

Wild At Heart

“The wisdom’s in the trees

Not the glass windows.”

Train rides are pretty darn boring. So here’s another blog post to make my time a little more productive. I wonder what everyone else is thinking/doing in this metal box with wheels. I see some people reading the MX (I believe people only read that paper just to amuse themselves with ridiculously stupid facts), some people are just looking around, staring out the window at the chilly darkness outside. Some people are reading books.

Talking about reading books. I’ve just started to re-read “Wild At Heart” by John Eldredge. Despite reading it before, I’m able to more fully appreciate and understand his concepts. The book’s basically about the innate nature that God created in man – a Wild Heart – and how that’s been corrupted/tamed by social pressures and expectations.

When God created man and woman “in his image”, he didn’t create us to look physically like him; that’s just absurd. He created within us a innate nature; a heart that reflects the very nature of God! There are striking differences in the natures of both man and woman; so isn’t that contradictory? That’s the beauty of it! God’s mighty and aggressive, yet loving and gentle.

What’re the innate yearnings in your heart?

Eldredge’s convinced God’s placed a “wild heart” in every man that craves for 3 things:

1. A battle to fight
2. An adventure to live
3. A beauty to rescue
   
   

How true.. Somewhere in scripture it says:

“The Lord is a Warrior. The Lord is his name.”

I remember pretending to fight imaginary ninjas along the corridors of my old house. Punch, Dodge, Kick, Smackdown!

Just some random thoughts on a train..