Music Love

For those of you who may not know me well. I absolutely love music. It is a true gift. I will often post music or song lyrics on this blog. These songs typically grab my attention with truly thoughtful and soul stirring words. Here is a gift for you. Charlie Hall's "New Year".

My heart beats like a drum, flying up with the sun
I grab Your hand again
Renovated with life, my eyes again bright
And You are radiant

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

I'm held in a place, a beautiful space
Where heaven meets the earth
My heart opens wide and the Father pours life
Deep inside my soul

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

Where hope can hold my hand of sorrow
We can walk into tomorrow
This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine, lift up your eyes

This is a new year, this is a new day to rise
Shine and point the way to God's great life

This a new year, this is a new day
Rise, rise, rise and shine
This is a new year, this is a new year

The Hope of the World

As we continue the message series "Uncertainty" this weekend I wanted to send out a message to all of God's faithful volunteers and servants. As a nation we continue have uncertainty about the economy, presidential elections, and the current state of national security. As individuals we have uncertainty about how we will best raise our kids, support and encourage our spouses, or for singles adults choosing the right person to date and potentially marry. Our world is stockpile high with uncertainty. I am extremely hopeful in these times, because our God is anything but uncertain. Do not look to people for certaintly, because we fail. Do not look to the government to be the end all be all solution to every problem. Place your faith in God who richly provides us with all we need.

Alex Alexander, Pastor of Family Life at Lake Hills Church told a group of people at our LHC Downtown leadership retreat this summer that we as a church must have people with a "Will do" attitude rather than a "Can do" attitude. When the heat rises all around us, it is God's church that ALWAYS rises to the occasion and now is no different.

Here are 3 ways in which to rise to the occasion right now:

1. Trust God financially
2. Love People enough to share what God has done and is doing in your life. Invite them to be a part of the Local church, for us, that is Lake Hills Church. Commit to being at church every weekend and commit to bringing a friend, co-worker, or family member.

A thought from scripture about this: Luke 11:42 (Jesus speaking to the Pharisees) “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things."

Are you tithing and are you loving and leading people to Christ?

3. Serve with compassion and commitment
Jesus committed himself all the way to the cross with compassion for you and for me.

I believe with everything I've got that in these times of uncertainty that God's people will rise to the occasion. We will block and tackle (Give to the work of God through the local church, be the local church by inviting and sharing God's grace and love to people who need it, and serving the family of God because we have been blessed and loved!) Let's bring hope to this world that desperately needs it! If you and I will do these things our world will change!