God, turn up your anointing,
your presence.
Forge in us the justice of your love
and your love's judgment.
Rain from our deepest heart
the decision and recompense of your love.
The Lord Himself be our safety and shield;
let the world see and draw close to your anointed
and be given you alone. Let them see you in truth
let them stand in awe at your outpouring touch
that we none deserve but your love demands.
Stand us monuments to the demands of your love
and the finality and fullness of it.
Let us hear the cry of your love's demand
call out to you, but move us.
Let us hear love and declare each lovely.
Love judge each one lovely.
Fill justice with compassion
for each face you see as lovely.
~JLB
After a later discussion regarding the role of forgiveness and love and other related topics, this seems more a prayer of/for outpouring rather than a theological dogma. It is theologically incomplete but not wrong. Even if every soul from now until the end rejects Truth, let me see them through the eyes of Jesus, who even hanging on the cross was asking forgiveness for those around him. Forgiveness seems that it may be a bridge by which love can cross, and even cross both ways (for what is love that is not reciprocal: only beauty?) and change that which can be changed, reconcile all that was made for mending, and bring an end to sin itself. (Sin [in part or portion] as separation of man from God. Jesus was the sinless man, and lived in fellowship with God; Jesus was the "mark" whose righteous death on our behalf bore forgiveness to our hand and redemption to the hearts of all who will turn, accept the adoption ordained [romans 8v.15] and toward the end of this futility and corruption [romans 8v.19-23] learn, draw nearer the father, and rest in His inheritance for us [heires, even the heires of God, and heires annexed with Christ (sorry the olde-English)]. We are accustomed to inheritance being the riches of the deceased, but that doesn't work so well in the setting of an immortal God. What is to inherit? Not land, not holdings, not anything temporal: we are appointed to the companionship of God. And yet some are not? it hurts me somewhere deep down to realize this, to know that the way is, but somehow a blindness is there and no illumination is followed home. I realize that God must sovereignly ordain however this can work, but the power of darkness is unfathomable when we stand in any light at all, as can be attested to by anyone who has been deprived of light while visiting some deep subterranean fissure or cavern. God move us, let none escape the chance at light, the chance of truth, the chance to touch and be touched by your love. And God, if you ever thought someone was unlovely, thank you for forgiving them, and for giving them sun and rain, and sustaining them ... for each and every face that you created you see as lovely. Each, and every.
20110122
Be Glorified Here || 2011.01.21
Let us see your glory, let the unknowing say,
"The Glory is here, the Glory is apparent."
Be magnified as your servants lift you up.
Be glorified as your people hear your voice.
Be lifted up, mighty before the people.
Show your love above your power -
that our hearts would burn,
harboring boldness driven by unquenchable love.
Show us your spirit and let the vision
be understood and boldly move us.
Let the impossible crumble at your voice:
even the blind to see your face.
Wear your heart upon our heart
and let us beat as one.
Make all our edges salvation and our doors praise,
and glorify your glory
so everyone can see. Rise up your glory,
stir your people. Raise our voices to call out
those who do not know your. Light them with your light
until the darkness falls away. All creation praise your name,
may your house be glorified.
~JLB
"The Glory is here, the Glory is apparent."
Be magnified as your servants lift you up.
Be glorified as your people hear your voice.
Be lifted up, mighty before the people.
Show your love above your power -
that our hearts would burn,
harboring boldness driven by unquenchable love.
Show us your spirit and let the vision
be understood and boldly move us.
Let the impossible crumble at your voice:
even the blind to see your face.
Wear your heart upon our heart
and let us beat as one.
Make all our edges salvation and our doors praise,
and glorify your glory
so everyone can see. Rise up your glory,
stir your people. Raise our voices to call out
those who do not know your. Light them with your light
until the darkness falls away. All creation praise your name,
may your house be glorified.
~JLB
20110119
Gave the Broken Parts Back || 2011.01.19
When I seem empty, Lord, and poured completely out
Break me further if need be to truly empty myself of me
Leave nothing left to my own chance
Nothing left but sovereign dance
Turn fire upon this selected vessel
Pour oil in so I am covered completely
Pour oil in so it runs out the cracks,
the thin spots, and especially the holes
And ignite it, let it burn clear
Clothe me with light
Like the beacons that draw people
let me draw people to you
Humble me. Lord. I don't care what your cost
To raise you higher, everything is worth it
To shine with your name is worth it all the way
I want to see your love, and want to know your love
but more than that, I need to show your love
Let it pour out the holes in my life
that you don't heal, you don't take away
It's like I laid my life at your feet
and you gave the broken parts back
along with the rest
I was hoping you would take them, fix them
but you gave them back
So I'll stand as close as i can, and always again
put it all at your feet
When you pick me up and send me I'll go,
but stand yourself above me
Tower over me in love
Stand tall upon my shoulders
- it's why you've given me strength
Go strong upon my voice
- my breath is for nothing else
Burn bright upon my head
fill this place with your glory, your love
Consume me Lord, again and again
Perfect your inheritance
in the hearts of your sons and your daughters
Come burn in me
~JLB
Break me further if need be to truly empty myself of me
Leave nothing left to my own chance
Nothing left but sovereign dance
Turn fire upon this selected vessel
Pour oil in so I am covered completely
Pour oil in so it runs out the cracks,
the thin spots, and especially the holes
And ignite it, let it burn clear
Clothe me with light
Like the beacons that draw people
let me draw people to you
Humble me. Lord. I don't care what your cost
To raise you higher, everything is worth it
To shine with your name is worth it all the way
I want to see your love, and want to know your love
but more than that, I need to show your love
Let it pour out the holes in my life
that you don't heal, you don't take away
It's like I laid my life at your feet
and you gave the broken parts back
along with the rest
I was hoping you would take them, fix them
but you gave them back
So I'll stand as close as i can, and always again
put it all at your feet
When you pick me up and send me I'll go,
but stand yourself above me
Tower over me in love
Stand tall upon my shoulders
- it's why you've given me strength
Go strong upon my voice
- my breath is for nothing else
Burn bright upon my head
fill this place with your glory, your love
Consume me Lord, again and again
Perfect your inheritance
in the hearts of your sons and your daughters
Come burn in me
~JLB
Prepare the Way || 2011.01.15
I want to know you more, Lord. Hear your whisper and feel every breath. Send me even out before you, to prepare the way. When mountains and valleys are moved, let it be nothing still compared to you. Let the excitement never fade from my heart at any opportunity to meet with you. Let my heart strain always for your whisper, even in crowded noise. Let your hand reach through me at moments of Death to reclaim life, and sustain your living. Let creation cry to you and let me prepare your way.
~JLB
~JLB
20110113
Sermon || 2011.01.08
Sermon, Taught at Lighthouse Mission 2011 Jan 08
--note: I didn't start 1John, but continued from where we went over last week--
Started reviewing from Romans 8 about Boldness, and freedom from fear,and God's real purpose.
Went over Romans 8:15: adoption and joint heirs, and how both adoption and making said adoptee a joint heir are 2 things that must be conscious decisions. Adoption is not accidental, there are many steps and they all are decision points where each one has to be decided and the process either ends there or goes to the next choice. Pregnancy can be an accident, adoption is on purpose, on purpose, on purpose, and then some. And then after adoption, to make someone an heir is also a process and joint heir makes the expression a deliberate one of full acceptance. We are not loved as God's step-children, but we have been selected long before we were His, and at every turn leading up to our lives He decided He wanted us. And then after we reached Him, our inheritance is equal with His own son.
So what do we inherit from an immortal God. How does that work. Most inheritance is payable on death, which would work if we were inheriting only what jesus had to give away. God, immortal and infinite, creating and sustaining, offers Himself: Love.
Our adoption is an expression of the "Father", which was spoken of the previous week. Joint inheritance is an expression of "Abba"/"Daddy". But what is love? Where does that fit? Relationship is the only relevant expression of love. Chocolate, money, gifts, even provision (by itself) is temporal (as is suffering, which Paul mentions). That means it is immortally non-existent. Relationship is what matters.
This relationship - this love - is inseparable from us. [Romans 37-39]
The rest of the chapter talks about how the result of our adoption and the realization of the inheritance of love will free creation itself from the futility/emptiness/uselessness/vanity that it groans to be free of. The purpose of all creation itself is that we would come to the inheritance we jointly are promised with Jesus.
Victory over Chocolate, money, gifts, provision, addiction, suffering, and everything which Paul mentions (which includes everything) is Love. Its what we can't be separated from.
Nave's topical bible does not contain an entry for "Victory". (Dunno how they missed this one, it seems like a kind of central theme to the scripture.) There is a few verses for "Victory [in battle]", but nothing for victory: so i took a while thinking of a cross-reference that would include victory. I came up with "Overcoming". (Sounds reasonable, nu?) Entry says "see Perseverance".
First scripture in the list is from 1 Chronicles 16. Where we find a psalm of David (Which i always thought were exclusive to the book of Psalms, but i learned something).
Verses 8-11 are basically a set of instructions for successful perseverance:
Give thanks > [about Him, to other people]
Call Him > [to Him]
Make Him known > [about Him, to other people]
sing songs to Him > [to Him]
say His wonders > [about Him, to other people, to ourselves]
let your heart rejoice > [from Him, to us]
Seek God and His Strength > [together this indicates relationship: looking, and strength is only visible in demonstration]
Seek Him continually > overcome, He is eternal - why would you stop?
The following verses (12-13) are basically doing those steps a time or 2 through.
So we need to spend time with God, seeking Him, praying, singing songs, lifting Him up.
we need to spend time with God like a friend we like. Get to know Him, and as we do we become like Him. And we begin to make Him more visible in our acquired likeness. Its what we really need.
~JLB
--note: I didn't start 1John, but continued from where we went over last week--
Started reviewing from Romans 8 about Boldness, and freedom from fear,and God's real purpose.
Went over Romans 8:15: adoption and joint heirs, and how both adoption and making said adoptee a joint heir are 2 things that must be conscious decisions. Adoption is not accidental, there are many steps and they all are decision points where each one has to be decided and the process either ends there or goes to the next choice. Pregnancy can be an accident, adoption is on purpose, on purpose, on purpose, and then some. And then after adoption, to make someone an heir is also a process and joint heir makes the expression a deliberate one of full acceptance. We are not loved as God's step-children, but we have been selected long before we were His, and at every turn leading up to our lives He decided He wanted us. And then after we reached Him, our inheritance is equal with His own son.
So what do we inherit from an immortal God. How does that work. Most inheritance is payable on death, which would work if we were inheriting only what jesus had to give away. God, immortal and infinite, creating and sustaining, offers Himself: Love.
Our adoption is an expression of the "Father", which was spoken of the previous week. Joint inheritance is an expression of "Abba"/"Daddy". But what is love? Where does that fit? Relationship is the only relevant expression of love. Chocolate, money, gifts, even provision (by itself) is temporal (as is suffering, which Paul mentions). That means it is immortally non-existent. Relationship is what matters.
This relationship - this love - is inseparable from us. [Romans 37-39]
The rest of the chapter talks about how the result of our adoption and the realization of the inheritance of love will free creation itself from the futility/emptiness/uselessness/vanity that it groans to be free of. The purpose of all creation itself is that we would come to the inheritance we jointly are promised with Jesus.
Victory over Chocolate, money, gifts, provision, addiction, suffering, and everything which Paul mentions (which includes everything) is Love. Its what we can't be separated from.
Nave's topical bible does not contain an entry for "Victory". (Dunno how they missed this one, it seems like a kind of central theme to the scripture.) There is a few verses for "Victory [in battle]", but nothing for victory: so i took a while thinking of a cross-reference that would include victory. I came up with "Overcoming". (Sounds reasonable, nu?) Entry says "see Perseverance".
First scripture in the list is from 1 Chronicles 16. Where we find a psalm of David (Which i always thought were exclusive to the book of Psalms, but i learned something).
Verses 8-11 are basically a set of instructions for successful perseverance:
Give thanks > [about Him, to other people]
Call Him > [to Him]
Make Him known > [about Him, to other people]
sing songs to Him > [to Him]
say His wonders > [about Him, to other people, to ourselves]
let your heart rejoice > [from Him, to us]
Seek God and His Strength > [together this indicates relationship: looking, and strength is only visible in demonstration]
Seek Him continually > overcome, He is eternal - why would you stop?
The following verses (12-13) are basically doing those steps a time or 2 through.
So we need to spend time with God, seeking Him, praying, singing songs, lifting Him up.
we need to spend time with God like a friend we like. Get to know Him, and as we do we become like Him. And we begin to make Him more visible in our acquired likeness. Its what we really need.
~JLB
20110109
My Hands and Feet || 2011.01.08
I bow my hands and my feet
before you in worship
Open now, giving up all they hold
full surrender
Fill them with your face
fill them with your strength
To you always
Let my hands and feet resound
with your worship
to your heart seek -
that you may pour out from them
Descend upon your servants
name your chosen ones
Empty us of complication
show us how to abandon all
which seeks to sink us away from you
Throw it to the storm, calm the motion
so all that is left is real
As You ride the heavens
stand before us and rise up over us
Cover us like a tidal wave
that puts the boats in the trees
with the force of the sea
Raise your right arm in strength amazingly
~JLB
before you in worship
Open now, giving up all they hold
full surrender
Fill them with your face
fill them with your strength
To you always
Let my hands and feet resound
with your worship
to your heart seek -
that you may pour out from them
Descend upon your servants
name your chosen ones
Empty us of complication
show us how to abandon all
which seeks to sink us away from you
Throw it to the storm, calm the motion
so all that is left is real
As You ride the heavens
stand before us and rise up over us
Cover us like a tidal wave
that puts the boats in the trees
with the force of the sea
Raise your right arm in strength amazingly
~JLB
20110107
Time with Him || 2011.01.04
Rejoice in God; Praise Him
Set His sign upon your face
that anyone who looks at you can see
and their way is pointed to Him
Let multitudes be turned to God
and all the hungry taste His salvation
Let His love restore each heart
and this light shine from each face
Glory to the God of gods
Magnify the King of kings
Make my life to be a pouring vessel
to bring honor to His name
He is great above all of this earth
He is great even above the heavens He rides
May my hands show His majesty
My face declare His Glory
May my heart burn with His love
and all my being bow to Him alone
May I stumble through the shadows
to find the latch of His door
where He waits for me, and
sings softly my name
Let me sit up all night long
conversing, holding joy in His presence
spending time with Him.
~JLB
Set His sign upon your face
that anyone who looks at you can see
and their way is pointed to Him
Let multitudes be turned to God
and all the hungry taste His salvation
Let His love restore each heart
and this light shine from each face
Glory to the God of gods
Magnify the King of kings
Make my life to be a pouring vessel
to bring honor to His name
He is great above all of this earth
He is great even above the heavens He rides
May my hands show His majesty
My face declare His Glory
May my heart burn with His love
and all my being bow to Him alone
May I stumble through the shadows
to find the latch of His door
where He waits for me, and
sings softly my name
Let me sit up all night long
conversing, holding joy in His presence
spending time with Him.
~JLB
Futility || 2011.01.01
Futility.
Creation full in empty longing
the rocks cry without effect.
Hope rocks all things
as the creation anxiously awaits revelation,
for in the exchange of our adoption
is the reason of all creation.
Abba - Father!
In destiny was earnest given
adopted sons, set creation free.
Let the spirit cry and let creation rejoice:
Love is the purpose,
to pour out glory.
There is victory
and this is love.
Predestined adoption
though life, death, messages and news, powers or laws
we wade or walk through...
Love is our victory.
~JLB
Creation full in empty longing
the rocks cry without effect.
Hope rocks all things
as the creation anxiously awaits revelation,
for in the exchange of our adoption
is the reason of all creation.
Abba - Father!
In destiny was earnest given
adopted sons, set creation free.
Let the spirit cry and let creation rejoice:
Love is the purpose,
to pour out glory.
There is victory
and this is love.
Predestined adoption
though life, death, messages and news, powers or laws
we wade or walk through...
Love is our victory.
~JLB
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