Author: mbard

myTunes Monday

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After a week of absence, I present to you this week’s myTunes Monday. Drumroll please…

“Heaven Song” by Phil Wickham is this week’s pick! I was blessed to be led in worship by Phil last week at The Porch and was impacted greatly by his lyrics.

And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

I’m constantly praying for The Lord to stamp my eyes with eternity. I am easily distracted by things of this world, and I constantly have to check my heart and pray that my focus is solely heavenward. If you’re anything like me, I hope this song redirects you towards eternity in the presence of God. Enjoy!

You wrote a letter and You signed your name
I read every word of it page by page
You said that You’d be coming, coming for me soon
Oh my God I’ll be ready for You

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

I hear Your voice and I catch my breath
‘Well done my child, enter in and rest’
Tears of joy roll down my cheek
It’s beautiful beyond my wildest dreams

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing…

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing
No, I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

[Heart Fuel] Paths

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Web

Here’s what I’m learning lately:

  • Closed doors aren’t rejections, they’re redirections.
  • The path to a greener pasture requires crossing a shaky bridge.
  • Obstacles, in retrospect, are actually paths. (Thanks, Bob Goff!)
  • Maybe we create our own obstacles because our desires don’t align with God’s desires. (Proverbs 16:9)
  • With Jesus, obstacles are joy-filled.

[Reflection] Abounding Grace

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I’m constantly blown away by God’s grace towards rebellious people. We repeatedly miss the mark, yet He continues offering us grace after grace. When I was new to the Faith, the Old Testament terrified me. Why? Because it tells stories that reveal God’s power to destroy disobedience. As I’ve matured, I now see these stories in a new light – laced with grace and hope in the coming Savior, rather than wrath. Traces of grace can be seen throughout the entire Old Testament, beginning with the moment we first tasted death.

At the fall (Genesis 3), God had every right to kick Adam and Eve out of Eden without caring about their livelihood. He didn’t even owe them a “Sayonara!” God clearly stated they were not to touch or eat the fruit from the forbidden tree, and all it took was a serpent spitting promises of false wisdom for them to break God’s only ground rule. I’m not a parent, but I’ve spent several summers coaching. I’ve felt disappointment towards athletes I’ve invested in when they’ve disregarded clearly stated instructions, and can only imagine how much more disappointment and anger God felt towards the very people He breathed into existence. He had no reason to show an ounce of compassion towards Adam and Eve, but…

…the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. -Genesis. 3:21

The very same God who was betrayed, showed grace. My heart can only praise Him for that undeserved gift and what it foreshadowed…Jesus.

At the fall, we became incapable of communion with God because of our sinful nature. We needed someone or something to bridge the gap. We needed to be clothed by robes of righteousness, not rags of corruption. A little over 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, preached the Word of God, was beaten to the point of being unrecognizable, spat on by the very people He came to save, and hung on a cross to die with criminals. Three days later He conquered the death we ate in Eden and bridged the gap.

At the cross, God clothed us – again. The leather garbs from Eden foreshadowed the coming of a greater garment – the righteous robes of Jesus Christ. Those who’ve confessed with their mouths and believed in their hearts that Jesus is Lord are no longer draped in rancid rags, but instead are covered in the righteousness of Christ. We’re given grace upon grace upon grace. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels. -Isaiah 61:10

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -2 Corinthians 5:21

myTunes Monday

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This weekend I saw Grace Unplugged with a friend and it was AWESOME! I think it does a great job of portraying temptation and how difficult it can be to resist the futile things this world offers. The movie also has an incredible soundtrack and I fell in love with a song titled “All I’ve Ever Needed.” I’ve listened to it non-stop since Friday, so it’s only natural that I choose it for this week’s myTunes Monday. Enjoy!

Honestly it’s time for honesty
My heart is on my sleeve
Oh will you hear me out?
I’ve got nothing left to give of me
I gave up everything
So there is nothing less to loose from me now
But you forgive me somehow.

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love.

Truth be told I made this world my home
I let it steal my soul, but now I want it back
Cause all I need is waiting
In your arms a place to hang my heart
Where I am known at last
You’re the one true thing I have.

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love.

And I know that I was meant to be
More than just a melody
I know that You had hopes for me
I hope you still believe in me…

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love
Lord all I’ve needed was Your love.

[Heart Fuel] Sundays at Sandies

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Most of my Winter weekends as a child were spent at my family’s deer camp with my Dad and Grandpa. My role during hunting season was decorating the deer stands with breathtaking doodles (sense the sarcasm?) and using my keen sense of sight to spot deer as they emerged from the timber. Over the years, I’ve spent less time at this little slice of heaven, but when I get the chance to spend an afternoon in the wilderness, I’m overwhelmed by the presence of God in His creation.

Last Sunday, I ventured into the wild. My Honda Civic navigated through the pothole-filled roads and I spent the afternoon six miles from electricity with my Dad, cousin and beloved pup.

Between exploring on four-wheelers, reading in my hammock and napping a portion of the afternoon away in the great outdoors, I had a perfect Sunday basking in The Lord’s creation. It was as if each breath of wind, blooming flower and ripple of water pointed heavenward. I’m constantly in awe of God’s glory that’s revealed through creation, and my mind can’t help but wonder at how awestruck I’ll be when I meet Him face-to-face.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. -Psalm 19:1

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LADIES: You need to hear this.

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FaithIt is a place of encouragement where Truth and examples of Christ-like love are shared. Based on that one sentence, you can understand why I’m attracted to the site. We all need encouragement as we walk the road less traveled. If you’re a Woman of God and have fallen victim to lies from the enemy, enjoy the video below and revel at your identity in The King.

myTunes Monday

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This week I’m featuring Josh Garrels‘ “Pilot Me” on myTunes Monday! I chose this song because my daily prayer is that the Lord leads me where He wants to use me to glorify Himself. It also helps that the instrumentals make me daydream about island life. Enjoy!

I will arise and follow you over
Savior please, pilot me
Over the waves and through every sorrow
Savior please, pilot me
When I have no more strength left to follow
Fall on my knees, pilot me
May your sun rise and lead me on
Over the seas, Savior pilot me
O’ Lord

myTunes Monday

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I introduced you to Ben Rector and his bow ties a few weeks back. Since releasing The Walking In Between on August 20, 2013, I’ve listened to the album over and over again. “Sailboat” hits home with the season of life I’m walking through. Sailboats can’t generate their own power, and rely on wind to carry them home. Their final destination ultimately depends on something they can’t control. I relate to that. For the first time ever, I don’t have a plan. I feel constantly tossed by the wind, and have no idea where I’m headed. Despite many uncertainties, I know a few things to be true. I’m broken, redeemed and being restored. I’m a child of God, and this life is not my own. The steps I take are completely dependent on where The Lord leads. Although I’m tossed by the wind, my ultimate destination is sealed by the One who controls every gust. With that knowledge, I confidently raise my sail, and wait for the wind to carry me home.

When you find yourself in the depths of the unknown, trust in God’s greater plan, and let Him guide you through the waves. Happy myTunes Monday, y’all!

But I’m not giving up,
I’m gonna move on forward
I’m gonna raise my sail
God knows what I’m headed towards