Take up my cross to follow Jesus...
Is it coincidence that "cross" is synonym
for a convergence of paths
- a choice of roads.
There is a way that is the worthy choice:
Apathy of choice is loss, a wasted day, a wasted life.
Take up this choice daily - follow the Lord,
deny all burden except Jesus.
The purpose of a lamp is to bear the flame;
The purpose of a life is to bear The Name.
His teachings are the lamp, doing them the light.
Joy is stirring as purpose is found,
Life gained far greater than everything lain down.
The memory of my past shadows, now eclipsed by light
previously unimagined. Questions stand dumbfounded,
and my heart - it stands amazed.
There is joy in my cross,
no cross of suffering -
although rods and pain may mark this path.
My portion is my savior's
my inheritance His home.
It was a cross that brought Him down,
but by my cross I see His throne.
~JLB
20100826
Troop || 2010.08.25
Lord, let me seek you like King David
and know you like you know yourself.
May my feebleness be made like the might of David
and my strength be the might of your right arm.
Your right arm, Lord, is never too short.
Your voice never leaves us in silence.
Just as the grave does not praise you,
you will not leave us to Death.
Stir those who slumber,
rise up those who let Death fast hold them!
Revive, oh Lord, by the breath of your face.
By your command, flesh strength to their bones.
Stand up your troop,
and with voice breathe upon them.
Raise their voice in your praise
and let their knee bow in worship!
Clasp each hand white-knuckled to your word,
with each breath to raise you as the standard,
with each shout advance the kingdom
in the hearts of this Earth.
~JLB
and know you like you know yourself.
May my feebleness be made like the might of David
and my strength be the might of your right arm.
Your right arm, Lord, is never too short.
Your voice never leaves us in silence.
Just as the grave does not praise you,
you will not leave us to Death.
Stir those who slumber,
rise up those who let Death fast hold them!
Revive, oh Lord, by the breath of your face.
By your command, flesh strength to their bones.
Stand up your troop,
and with voice breathe upon them.
Raise their voice in your praise
and let their knee bow in worship!
Clasp each hand white-knuckled to your word,
with each breath to raise you as the standard,
with each shout advance the kingdom
in the hearts of this Earth.
~JLB
20100822
Wonder of His Love || 2010.08.21
If i understood a drop and threw it in the ocean
still i could not fathom the wonder of God's love
Simplicity of sunshine and rain on a cloudless day
impossibly overwhelming, the wonder of God's love
The voices of a crowd all raised in a single call
the yearning of His heart, can you grasp His love?
Peace in a morning breeze carrying light across the leaves
gentle revealing, a lifetime could be spent learning
the wonder of God's love
Look so close - fog: water hanging in the air
witness the seeming impossible, the wonder of His love
Feel the darkness in the depths of a lightless cave
to hold the hand who knows the way,
limitless wonder of the Savior's love
See other worlds dimly undenied
and know my king stands loving
Knowing death, bringing life again
The wonder of His love
~JLB
still i could not fathom the wonder of God's love
Simplicity of sunshine and rain on a cloudless day
impossibly overwhelming, the wonder of God's love
The voices of a crowd all raised in a single call
the yearning of His heart, can you grasp His love?
Peace in a morning breeze carrying light across the leaves
gentle revealing, a lifetime could be spent learning
the wonder of God's love
Look so close - fog: water hanging in the air
witness the seeming impossible, the wonder of His love
Feel the darkness in the depths of a lightless cave
to hold the hand who knows the way,
limitless wonder of the Savior's love
See other worlds dimly undenied
and know my king stands loving
Knowing death, bringing life again
The wonder of His love
~JLB
Neh.13v31 || 2010.08.20
Oh my God, remember me for good.
Cleanse us in our business,
chasing from our heart what is strange to you.
Teach us to remember you house in all of our tasks,
To care for your servants,
even as you power your compassion to move us
into the dark world for times of exalting you.
Let our hearts covet only your face,
And rest in the times you appoint.
Teach this to us Lord,
To teach in our children, that you would grow
greater in each generation. Rise up oh God, in us
that we would stand as memorials
of your love, your power, and your greatness.
Let all our afflictions draw men to you,
and all our sorrows transform into your joys.
~JLB
Cleanse us in our business,
chasing from our heart what is strange to you.
Teach us to remember you house in all of our tasks,
To care for your servants,
even as you power your compassion to move us
into the dark world for times of exalting you.
Let our hearts covet only your face,
And rest in the times you appoint.
Teach this to us Lord,
To teach in our children, that you would grow
greater in each generation. Rise up oh God, in us
that we would stand as memorials
of your love, your power, and your greatness.
Let all our afflictions draw men to you,
and all our sorrows transform into your joys.
~JLB
20100815
To Encounter His Face || 2010.08.15
Do you see the face of God?
Do you live for each encounter?
Or do we run when His voice echoes through us?
Do I try to hide as He calls out my name?
Even though my heart within me burns,
My eyes, to witness the fire of His eyes.
Lord! Undo me!
Ruin the fortresses that stand between us!
The fortresses designed by my own mind,
and constructed with my own hands,
and the investment that is my blood.
Change my heart within me
Change my blood for yours, Messiah.
Raise the hue of my face to a picture of You,
Raise up my hands to raise Your name.
Be lifted up on all that I am,
Be exalted on the throne above greatness,
and be exalted to me on the throne of my heart.
Teach me to choose Love,
to walk in all Your ways.
Give to me the beat of Your heart
that it alone will keep my time.
Eternity is too short
Yet always still Your Love.
All my life cannot contain it.
So as You pour Love in, it breaks me down.
The foundations of myself are crumbled.
In all my weakness, to You I hold on
Immersed in Love I cannot drown.
See the world through Love,
As it flows in, its reach goes out.
So my heartfire burns in those fire eyes.
Fortresses ruined, but not my heart.
My whole world changed.
~JLB
Do you live for each encounter?
Or do we run when His voice echoes through us?
Do I try to hide as He calls out my name?
Even though my heart within me burns,
My eyes, to witness the fire of His eyes.
Lord! Undo me!
Ruin the fortresses that stand between us!
The fortresses designed by my own mind,
and constructed with my own hands,
and the investment that is my blood.
Change my heart within me
Change my blood for yours, Messiah.
Raise the hue of my face to a picture of You,
Raise up my hands to raise Your name.
Be lifted up on all that I am,
Be exalted on the throne above greatness,
and be exalted to me on the throne of my heart.
Teach me to choose Love,
to walk in all Your ways.
Give to me the beat of Your heart
that it alone will keep my time.
Eternity is too short
Yet always still Your Love.
All my life cannot contain it.
So as You pour Love in, it breaks me down.
The foundations of myself are crumbled.
In all my weakness, to You I hold on
Immersed in Love I cannot drown.
See the world through Love,
As it flows in, its reach goes out.
So my heartfire burns in those fire eyes.
Fortresses ruined, but not my heart.
My whole world changed.
~JLB
20100810
Throne || 2010.08.09
Sing out, cry out,
fill the earth with praise.
In awesome greatness unveil His face.
The great king of heaven
and king over all the earth
stands sovereign, righteous,
true, and so worthy.
My voice cannot praise too much,
my heart trembles overwhelmed.
No speech can fully acclaim you, God.
The universe us not enough to contain your glory.
Mountains bow down before you,
the heavens tremble at your voice,
and the heart of man you have chosen -
you have created for your throne.
~JLB
fill the earth with praise.
In awesome greatness unveil His face.
The great king of heaven
and king over all the earth
stands sovereign, righteous,
true, and so worthy.
My voice cannot praise too much,
my heart trembles overwhelmed.
No speech can fully acclaim you, God.
The universe us not enough to contain your glory.
Mountains bow down before you,
the heavens tremble at your voice,
and the heart of man you have chosen -
you have created for your throne.
~JLB
God of Moving || 2010.08.09
God is a God of moving. The dead praise Him not, and the grave does not exalt Him. Love compels His actions and compassion is drawn of His mercy. Praise Him for His salvation, and for the greatness of His strength. He takes us from the dust, He sees and He notices. He is moved and stirs light to shine upon us.
Thank you Lord for your love and for your magnified greatness. Thank you that you created each moment as an opportunity to make you great. Thank you that you have not left us the way we were, but train our hearts and hands for your glory.
Exalt yourself through us, Lord. Awaken the sleeping to your praise. Burn our lives to you as incense, our hearts as the signature of your face. Write your pattern upon our faces, ever changing as we run closer to you. Litter the earth with your handiwork - let us touch your world in waves.To make your name great, Lord, let the living praise you. Let each household exalt your name, let each heart know true worship.
~JLB
Thank you Lord for your love and for your magnified greatness. Thank you that you created each moment as an opportunity to make you great. Thank you that you have not left us the way we were, but train our hearts and hands for your glory.
Exalt yourself through us, Lord. Awaken the sleeping to your praise. Burn our lives to you as incense, our hearts as the signature of your face. Write your pattern upon our faces, ever changing as we run closer to you. Litter the earth with your handiwork - let us touch your world in waves.To make your name great, Lord, let the living praise you. Let each household exalt your name, let each heart know true worship.
~JLB
Psalm 21 || 2010.08.07
God you have appointed Jesus, for all to bow under authority to. You have created salvation, for it is your strength and power, and our joy - our delight. From the first moment of creation, love moved you to save. In you love you demanded it. Each action - with each word, you step toward this one thing and this happiness above any other: salvation. You embodied this to us as Jesus; for us to touch, see, and know a moment of your heart, of your greatness, of your rising up. You exalt yourself to save your people. You bring close your face, and we will sing and praise.
~JLB
--
And the sequence of notes leading from the exact text of the first and last verses of Psalm 21 to the verse above:
God of all,
Earthly kings, sovereigns and rulers, find joy in your strength, and reason to be happy in salvation.
Be raised up, Lord, in your strength
We will sing and praise your power
Jesus-> word
creator of earth (by His [God's] word created)
strength-> right arm
-> not too short, weak, incapable
Jesus = salvation
happy
Happy in salvation:: sing and praise your power
~JLB
--
And the sequence of notes leading from the exact text of the first and last verses of Psalm 21 to the verse above:
God of all,
Earthly kings, sovereigns and rulers, find joy in your strength, and reason to be happy in salvation.
Be raised up, Lord, in your strength
We will sing and praise your power
Jesus-> word
creator of earth (by His [God's] word created)
strength-> right arm
-> not too short, weak, incapable
Jesus = salvation
happy
Happy in salvation:: sing and praise your power
20100804
|| 2010.08.03
Each miracle a battle; each battle a miracle
Your love Lord, our sword
Our strength, your word of power
Your host of heaven set to our guard
Your goodness and faithfulness our clothing
Your righteousness our armor
Unity to stand as one
Quickly move as your will and your breath
To rise up and nothing hold back
Grow, build, by your hand Lord, create
Witness your power, Lord, as on the days of creation
~JLB
Your love Lord, our sword
Our strength, your word of power
Your host of heaven set to our guard
Your goodness and faithfulness our clothing
Your righteousness our armor
Unity to stand as one
Quickly move as your will and your breath
To rise up and nothing hold back
Grow, build, by your hand Lord, create
Witness your power, Lord, as on the days of creation
~JLB
20100803
The Coming || 2010.08.01
There's a joy set before you which has nothing to do with the next revival phenomenon - Its got everything to do with Jesus returning. If all you are waiting for is the next revival, you've already made the assumption you are about to die. You don't need reviving unless you're dead. ~Mal Fletcher
What deadness lurks to be turned away?
What blessing that stones be traded for iron,
or better- flesh for stone?
Iron by fire can be refined,
but flesh, to God's fire a throne is kindling.
What day is this, to mark the Son of God rising?
Moment of dawn this face turn to mine!
He is the king of glory!
His eyes make shadow the brightest midday sun,
His names:
still in the end yet unknown;
Word of God;
Metre of all measures and master of sovereignty.
Each attribute, a name-
each name eternal!
To this king our expectation stands:
Our sovereign hope; the glorious promise!
Rise up, the King comes!
Stand in eager earnest!
Shake the earth to hear His footsteps approach,
Call out in testimony, and glad boisterous witness!
The King is coming! The King, He comes!!!
~JLB
2cor 3:3
eze 36:26
These 2 scriptures are directly referenced. The rest you would have had to follow the inside of my mind for the last 5 days or so to have all of the references/pieces. Part is also a loose adaptation of Rev 19.
What deadness lurks to be turned away?
What blessing that stones be traded for iron,
or better- flesh for stone?
Iron by fire can be refined,
but flesh, to God's fire a throne is kindling.
What day is this, to mark the Son of God rising?
Moment of dawn this face turn to mine!
He is the king of glory!
His eyes make shadow the brightest midday sun,
His names:
still in the end yet unknown;
Word of God;
Metre of all measures and master of sovereignty.
Each attribute, a name-
each name eternal!
To this king our expectation stands:
Our sovereign hope; the glorious promise!
Rise up, the King comes!
Stand in eager earnest!
Shake the earth to hear His footsteps approach,
Call out in testimony, and glad boisterous witness!
The King is coming! The King, He comes!!!
~JLB
2cor 3:3
eze 36:26
These 2 scriptures are directly referenced. The rest you would have had to follow the inside of my mind for the last 5 days or so to have all of the references/pieces. Part is also a loose adaptation of Rev 19.
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