A Fresh Word From God.

I was recently forwarded an excerpt from a book by A.W. Tozer. Some things stuck out to me.

One, that current Christianity is kind of in the same boat as Judaism was when Christ came. It is comfortable and preachers know how to talk about it. But what we really need is a fresh word from God. We need leaders with eyes to see what the Spirit is doing NOW.

"Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the one and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath."

Two, that now, in order to cooperate with what Heaven is doing and what God desires so wholly to do with us, we need to have voices for him.

"What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present. Learning will enable a man to pass judgment on our yesterdays, but it requires a gift of clear seeing to pass sentence on our own day. One hundred years from now historians will know what was taking place religiously in this year of our Lord; but that will be too late for us. We should know right now."

Read the full article here.

What do you think?

- Jessica

Music, Sound, Technology

I am absolutely beside myself with hope for the future. LOL.

I am realizing that I am creatively bent to the extreme. I'm getting excited about really finding what it is I want to do with my life.

I'm beginning to embrace who I am. For the longest time, I assumed that I was very linear in nature. But when it really comes down to it, I am a musician and artist and math/science is just a means to an end. Yes, math is beautiful, but what I'm really passionate about is music and people. =)

I LOVE learning about math, physics, sound and technology and how it's all inter-connected with music. It just makes me absolutely GIDDY! I found the MUSIC section in my school library that has many fascinating titles, but one caught my eye particularly - "Music, Sound, Technology" by John M. Eargle.

I do still want to teach math because I want to give people a good foundation to build upon when they pursue the things God has created them for. Math is critically important in helping to understand the world around us and is needed for almost everything someone pursues.

So I'm studying on my own... what a concept! Learning about music, sound, technology... and alongside that, exploring worship and writing songs. Jesus, you are just AMAZING. I don't understand how people can do life without you. I know I couldn't. I love you.

Thank you Jesus for the creative EXPLOSION that's happening in the world. Lord I pray that you would guide those that follow you to magnify you in the most effective and crazy way possible.

Lord, I praise you for all you're doing, I love being part of this time.

Yours forever,
Love,
- Jessica

Never Put God in a Small-Box

Wow. The last few days, I've been putting God in a "small box."

Now, what do I mean when I say "small box?"


I have not credited to Him the power to take me

ANYWHERE

to do with me

ANYTHING

to bring me alongside

ANYONE


God is SO huge. And can do anything, bring me anywhere, align me with anyone. I will not stick to small dreams. I will not be a small person. And I will not put God in a small box!

To YOU be the glory God. Forever and ever, Amen.

C is for Commitment

For a long time, I think I've been operating selfishly when it comes to commitment and service.



When someone invites me to do something or serve in some way, I tell them that I will think about it, pray about it, and get back to them. Then the follow-through is my weak point.

I DO think/pray about it. Often! Yet, I have trouble committing myself to say yes or no.

This applies also to projects. I often begin a really sweet project and have every intention of finishing it, but then I don't. I move on to the next thing.

I don't think God wants me to walk like that!

=)

I'm trying to figure out why I operate like this... maybe those of you who know me will have an idea... I think it's funny that when you find something like this in yourself, often you can't see exactly why, but FOR SOME REASON, everyone else knows... :)



I think my lack of commitment is rooted in fear. Afraid to put myself in a position that I can't get out of... hmm. Or afraid that I end up doing the "wrong" thing. Or afraid that I'm not following God's will. Maybe I’m afraid of being confined to a box – unable to move about in freedom.

For example. If my friend invites me to do something on Thursday night, I don't want to for SURE say yes because, what if when it comes to that time, I don't feel like doing it? mm... it's all about moment-by-moment with me... i think that's unhealthy. It doesn't provide any consistency for my friends and other relationships. I need to be able to let my Yes be Yes and my No be No.

Otherwise, I'm just dragging people along for the ride. They are utterly and completely at my whim. If I show up, that's awesome, but they can't always DEPEND on that. Wow. It's hard to see that about myself.

I'm sure it is a lot deeper than just these thoughts. I will delve deep personally with God to ask him where the root is... He is the one who can truly transform me.

I do believe that God wants me to finish what I've started and not be afraid to walk through doors that He has obviously opened for me.




NO FEAR JESSICA!


God is not a primarily logical God, but it helps our human minds to wrap around something, so logically, I've boiled it down to this when it comes to decisions:

1. Discern what is the Holy Spirit and what is my flesh then listen to the Spirit
2. Trust the Lord that what He tells me is true
3. Walk in obedience and godly commitment

With His grace - only by His grace - I will learn this lesson. =)

Lord, I submit myself to your process.

Walking with the Lord for a little while has told me that now, HERE comes the testing time... :D
- Jess <><

A Song of Joy

Slowly, Slowly,

I am becoming free.

I am listening to a song that I wrote yesterday. And I can't stop smiling. I am giddy!

I love inspired creative works. They are so... INSPIRED. =)

It makes me want to dance, pull someone in with me. This is a lovely life we live.

I'm beginning to have infectious joy. I am no longer affected by my outside world because my Father has injected me with his peace. His Insurmountable joy.

=D

I hope this little snippet of a song pulls you in too.





Is she really
As wonderful as the stars?
In the beating of His heart?
Is it true?

Can she really
Open up her soul
In the middle of this golden dream?

Oh she cries,
Oh she cries,
Is it true?

Oh she cries,
Oh she cries,
Is it You?

-------

I'm so happy. :)

I hope one day I'll be sharing this snippet to music. :)

- Love, Jessica

image credit: Grace - I remember you today, the beauty you radiate...

Ollallie Berries!!!

This:


Turned into

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.
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This:

This should put you on the edge of your seat.

Wow. As my sister so lovingly reminded me in a comment, it's been FOREVER since I posted!

So,

I'll do it tomorrow. =D