Handle with care.

Life seems to be such a common aspect of everyday...well, life. When it is threatened, I am always surprised by it. Tonight there was a car accident at Judson, and two of the guys are in the hospital. The Judson community came to the chapel to pray for everyone involved in the accident. I was surprised at how many were there. Despite a lot of students being gone for the Harry Potter midnight premiere and it being so late, the chapel was filled with students. I was amazed at the response. I really shouldn't be though. Judson is an amazing community.

taken with a friend's phone at chapel.

After prayer from the President, we prayed in groups. Now, I rarely cry. I have gotten better at it, but just don't cry. I don't even know these boys who were in the accident, but tears were streaming down my face while we prayed and sang songs. One of the songs was Heart of Worship. Some students talked about how trials can help bring people closer to God. Lately I haven't been focusing my priorities on God. Tonight made me realize how fragile life really is. I could be gone tomorrow, or in 80 years.

When the music fades 

And all is stripped away 

And I simply come 

Longing just to bring 

Something that's of worth 

That will bless your heart 

I'll bring You more than a song 

For a song in itself 

Is not what You have required 

You search much deeper within 

Through the ways things appear 

You're looking into my heart 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship 

And it's all about You 

All about You, Jesus 

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it 

When it's all about You 

It's all about You Jesus 

King of endless worth 

No one could express 

How much You deserve 

Though I'm weak and poor 

All I have is Yours 

Every single breath 

I'll bring You more than just a song 

For a song in itself 

Is not what You have required 

You search much deeper within 

Through the way things appear 

You're looking into my heart 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship 

And it's all about You 

All about You, Jesus 

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it 

When it's all about You 

It's all about You Jesus 

Its all about you 

Jesus 

Please pray for everyone involved, but especially for Nick Schlegel, Derek Radesky, their families. Pray for peace. Pray for understanding. Pray for love.

Fake Voices

In a future generation
Monophonic crowds emerge
With their metal throats
On organic flesh
Trading Originals for epigones
Real singers have become extinct

Fake voices
Fill the avenues
With Decepticon diction
Its a failed quest for perfection
Once the talent pool evaporates
Real singers have become extinct

This is a song by one of my friends, Curtis Bell. I especially love the line "It's a failed quest for perfection." Because really, isn't every quest for perfection doomed to fail? We can't be perfect. I wish more people would be broken and beautiful. Let the cracks show. God can use the worst moments of our lives for His glory. When we are weak, He is strong. Let's be honest, people. Let's be transparent--so transparent that people only see God's love through us instead of judgement and hypocrisy. Let people see your mistakes. Guess what? We've all made them.

Broken Chains

Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

I have decided
I have resolved
To wait upon You Lord
My rock and Redeemer
Shield and reward
I'll wait upon You Lord

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
Certain as the dawn appears

You'll come
Let Your glory fall as You respond to us
Spirit rain
Flood into our thirsty hearts again
You'll come
You'll come

We are not shaken
We are not moved
We wait upon You Lord
Mighty deliverer
Triumph and truth
We wait upon You Lord

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
Certain as Your word endures

You'll come
Let Your glory fall as You respond to us
Spirit rain
Flood into our thirsty hearts again
You'll come
You'll come

Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

Heard this song at Upper Room tonight. Beautiful words.

Empty Me

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
compared to you. So, I surrender all!
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

Easter

My favorite (Easter) Hymn-- Christ Arose

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Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever,

with His saints to reign.

He arose!

He arose!

Hallelujah!

Christ arose!

Blue Skies

For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
~
Psalm 108:4-5

On days of gray
When doubt clouds my view
It's so hard to see past my fears
My strength seems to fade
And it's all I can do
To hold on, 'til the light reappears
Still, I believe though some rain's bound to fall
That you're here next to me
And you're over it all

Lord, the sky's still blue
For my hope is in you
You're my joy
You're the dream that's still alive
Like the wind at my back
And the sun on my face
You are life
You're grace
You are blue skies
You're my blue skies

Part of Point of Grace's song, "Blue Skies."

AMAZING Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
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T'was Grace that taught
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed.
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Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home.
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The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
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When we've been here ten thousand years

bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun.
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Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

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These wonderful and amazing lyrics were written by John Newton. John Newton went from slave to slavetrader to a gifted songwriter. My mom and I went to a different church today. The wonderful sermon was on grace. The pastor pointed out the line "Saved a wretch like me." He made the comment that many Christians (and non-Christians) don't see ourselves as wretches. Well, if we don't give our lives to Christ, we will be wretches forever!

Grace is amazing! We don't deserve it, God wasn't required to give it. The sermon was so good! Okay, a couple notes from the sermon:

No one is exempt from grace. But, God has provided righteousness by grace apart from human works. (Romans 3:21-27) Everyone needs grace and although some people abuse it it is always available.
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Distinctive marks of grace:

• Grace can be received.
• Grace is a means of salvation.
• Grace is the opposite of works.
• Grace is absolutely free.
• Grace sets Christianity apart.
• Grace is unaffected by sin's degree.

A "righteous" person needs just as much grace as a condemned criminal.

• Grace is always under attack.
• Grace is amazing and awesome.
• Grace is unconditional.

Let grace into your life:

Admit humanity
Attitude of humility
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Unfortunately, we had to leave early because my mom was singing with the group Alive! at the Jamestown prison today. By the way, pray for that today-- that the prisoners' hearts would be opened and that everyone singing, especially the soloists, would remember all the words. When we were leaving they were showing a video clip, my mom thought it was for the movie, Amazing Grace. Is anybody going to that? (You or someone that you know)

I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be.
I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be.

And by the grace of God, I am what I am.

~

John Newton

I'm Not Cool

Scott Krippayne - I'm Not Cool
From the album All Of Me

Some people tell me that I look kind of funny

My nose is red and the braces don't work at all

They say that the clothes I wear are all out of fashion

I don't fit in and should be shopping at a different mall

I studied classical piano

When I could've been playing guitar

I used to drive an el camino

And I'm not even sure it's a car
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Chorus:

I'm not cool but that's okay

My GOD loves me anyway

I'm not cool but that's alright

I'm still precious in His sight

I'm not cool but I don't care

How I'm supposed to do my hair

I'm not cool but that's okay

My GOD loves me anyway

It doesn't matter if I know all the lingo

He doesn't mind if I'm not hanging with a certain crowd

Some people still believe in building an image

But I am finding that's a worry I can do without

I used to wish I was athletic

But football was never my game

I made some friends in mathematics

But no one can spell my last name

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Chorus

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He says that I am one of a kind

And I don't have to try to be someone else

He believes in me and says that I'm free to be myself

I can be myself

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Go to this link to hear (most of) the song: http://www.scottkrippayne.com/music.htm.

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I just love this song!! It's such a fun(ny) song. Isn't it great that we don't have to be "cool" to be precious in His sight!? People usually can spell my name right. Notice I said people and not businesses that send out stuff! :D Anyways, I just like this song alot, what do you think?