How often do you have a truly open and humble heart when you’re reading the Bible? The reason why I’m asking this question is because lately I’ve been thinking about why it’s so hard for Christians to open their Bibles on a regular and consistent basis. A common yet inexcusable excuse is that we simply have “no time”. Oh please, how can we not have at least a few minutes everyday to spare with the Lord God Almighty? Everyone knows we really do have time, but we squander our time on meaningless things, like aimlessly surfing Facebook for a couple hours or sitting like zombies in front of the television.

So let me ask another question, do either of those things, or a lot of the other things we do that waste our time require any humility? Certainly not. I think that’s why we fill so much of our week with such worthless activities. When we are in a trance-like state staring at the screen, we become incapable of listening to God whispering His Truth to us. In today’s chaotic world, who needs the devil to distract us from God? We do it to ourselves; we avoid truth.

And when we finally do spare a few of our “precious” minutes with God, we only read half of the truth. We only let the parts of the Bible we like seep into our souls and nothing more. It’s like we have a “what’s in it for me” attitude. We love reading passages like Psalm 23’s “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” But look what happens when we read Mark 10:21 where Jesus says to rich the man,” Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”. Suddenly, we are conveniently ignorant of the fact Jesus tells the rich man to not just sell a large portion of his earthly fortune but literally all of it!

The truth is, we don’t like truth and we especially don’t like it when it’s convicting. Also, tragically enough the truth we are avoiding to hear is the truth we desperately need to hear. If we only hear the truth we want to hear, then are we really hearing truth at all? We need to stop making a montage of God out of all our favorite verses—we need to read the Bible and all its verses as a whole. If we really want to see Jesus, we have to accept Him for who is He is, like when He says one day He’ll come with a sword to strike down the nations (Revelations 2:16). We can’t make our own version of Him; rather, we should allow Him to make us and mold us, so our lives can be used for His Purpose and His Glory in so many unique ways (1 Corinthians 12:4-24). It all comes down to humility.

Let’s stop with our empty distractions, and let’s lay down our pride. Let’s give Him our hearts, wholly, so we can willingly pick up the book of all Truth, the Bible, and hear nothing but the Whole Truth. Can I get an amen?

I need words like I need air. I’ve got a hole that needs to be whole. eyes that want to see, a heart longing to be free.

I breathe in this perspective with a smile, with a grin I walk into this day of new…

These words are few, but they are for you,

These words are few, but they are for you

These words are few, but they are for you Lord.

May it never cease, may this song always be, forever a song onto thee

These words are few, but they are for you

These words are few, but they are for you

These words are few, but they are for you

and forever we fall, higher up to you…

alex tourtillott
www.alextourtillott.com

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Matthew 9:10-13

There are two points I just want to yank out of these passages and present to you, my friends, in my own imperfect but sincere wording. The first one involves one of my favorite passages from God’s Word. Jesus is sitting down with all these “sinners”. I put sinners in quotes because obviously they were all imperfect, but there were people in this society who were labeled as sinners based on their job, or their health, or something they had done or that they do. The Pharisees, who are the “righteous” (or at least see themselves that way), are appalled at this action, and ask His disciples why He is doing this. Of course, Jesus hears them and responds with, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

I do not think that every Christian today is “righteous”. I think a lot of us are good at bestowing mercy and love upon those people who have messed up or made bad decisions. But I think sometimes we are also selective. We have our own categories of which sins are acceptable for forgiveness and which aren’t, or we make that selection based on who are close friends are and how well we know someone. I know I have been guilty of surrounding myself with only those who I am most comfortable with and whose sins I am most comfortable with and distancing myself from those who I am not. I remember Doug Schmidt saying one Sunday morning, “the church is a hospital for sinners, not a country club for saints.” I want to encourage everyone to be accepting of all people despite their past or present situation. They are sinners in need of The Great Physician just like the rest of us.

The second part I wanted to take out of this passage, is when Christ says “Go and learn what this means,’ I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” A lot of people struggle with the idea that they are saved, despite their daily problems, struggles, and sins. But the truth is that no one has it all together. If we had it all together, and had no problems, struggles or sins, then why would we need Jesus? Christ came to this earth to die so that we may live because we couldn’t save ourselves, and although we live in Him, we are not yet perfect. Christ is not going to return to claim a victorious Church that has conquered sin, that was His job. He is coming back to his imperfect bride whom He will make clean. So if you struggle daily, please remember that you are the reason Christ came, He desires to eat with you.

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY WOSRHIP
LABEL: INTEGRITY MUSIC
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2009
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

Nutshell Version:

While this is certainly going to be this Dallas-area worship leader’s introduction to a larger audience, a few tracks featured here are re-toolings of songs that are available on her first self-titled album. While they certainly sound bigger and better here due to better production on the back end, I feel like older listeners will not get as much out of Jobe’s major label debut. Though, I’ll be fair. If you’re a new listener, then I’d give this album a 4.5 out of 5.

Full Version:

You’ve likely never heard of Kari Jobe. But, I guarantee you’ve heard that song she sings. “Revelation Song” anyone? And, for many listeners, “Kari Jobe” will be considered Jobe’s self-titled debut. However, this isn’t her first self-titled debut. It’s her second. It’s a bit difficult to explain, really. But, suffice it to say, she was on a smaller record label and now she’s on a bigger one with better distribution. So, dear listener, feast on the sound of Kari Jobe, my favorite female worship artist (and the only one I know who can hold a flame to Watermark’s (and Passion’s) Christy Nockels).

“I’m Singing,” the album’s lead single, starts things out on a strong note. Musically, it’s not all that dissimilar from other female-led worship pieces in terms of style—lots of piano, lots of guitars, lighter on the drum side of things—but Jobe’s voice is big and often dreamy. Jobe sings out, “And I’m Singing to the God who brings redemption to the nations/Kings and oceans bow to Him in praise/And I’m Singing to the God who wrote the book on our salvation/To the One who covers me in grace/I’m Singing…” Not exactly ground breaking lyricism, but Jobe delivers vocally.

The Hillsong cover “Healer” follows and Jobe does well putting her spin on the number. Where as Hillsong has thousands of backup singers in the form of stadium-sized crowds, Jobe uses a litany of instruments and her voice to make a huge sound. I was skeptical of her ability to outdo Hillsong, but I think she may have done it.

The ballads “Beautiful” and “My Beloved” follow close behind. Here is where Jobe, indeed most female vocalists, does her best work. Her ethereal voice invites the listener to a worshipful experience before the throne of Jesus. “Beautiful” is definitely one of those songs you will want to rush to your worship leader and say, “You have got to add this to the rotation.” Jobe’s lyrics are simple, but true as she sings, “Beautiful, beautiful, Oh I am lost for more to say/Beautiful, beautiful, oh Lord you’re beautiful to me.”

“No Sweeter Name,” “Sweep Me Away,” and “Revelation Song” are all older tracks for Jobe, but she has retooled them in such a way to make them sound fresh and exciting. Most notable is the more acoustic feel that “No Sweeter Name” now bears.

“You Are For Me” closes the album and it is, by far, the best track on the album. Designed to move the listen to an intense experience with God in the simplicity of the Gospel’s implications, Jobe communicates that in the midst of life, God is for us, not against us.

While this is certainly going to be this Dallas-area worship leader’s introduction to a larger audience, a few tracks featured here are re-toolings of songs that are available on her first self-titled album. While they certainly sound bigger and better here due to better production on the back end, I feel like older listeners will not get as much out of Jobe’s major label debut. Though, I’ll be fair. If you’re a new listener, then I’d give this album a 4.5 out of 5.

Track Listing
1. I’m Singing
2. Healer
3. Everybody Needs A Little
4. Joyfully
5. Beautiful
6. My Beloved
7. Singing Over Me
8. No Sweeter Name
9. Be Still
10. Sweep Me Away
11. Revelation Song
12. You Are For Me

These hands and feet are not worthy to serve You.
These eyes are not worthy to read Your Word.
These ears are not worthy to hear Your truth.
This mouth is not worthy to sing Your praises.
This body is not worthy to be a temple for You.
This name is not worthy to be written in Your book of life.

This mind is not worthy to know You.
This heart is not worthy to love You.
And most of all, this soul is not worthy to be redeemed by You.

Holy God, why would You bless us sinners so?
You didn’t owe us these gifts; gifts that we don’t even comprehend.
You only owed us punishment.

Your mercy astounds me.
Your grace humbles me.

You are the ultimate Gift-Giver.
You transcend my understanding of what perfection is.

We are merely Your vessels that You have chosen to reveal Yourself to.
Because You have done this, we will one day see that You alone are worthy.

So I was faced the decision; do I buy the #12…the sandwich I know I’ll enjoy, or do I try something new? I’m so accustomed to the turkey, cucumbers, bean sprouts and mayonnaise. I even know that if I add bacon to it, I’ll enjoy it that much more. But if I test the waters a little bit, maybe I’ll find another tasty lunch treat to enjoy all the more and I can shake it up a bit. Such a tough predicament.

You know the feeling. You’ve been at the restaurant and your favorite item screams at you to order it but you feel like this time, perhaps you should take a chance. It’s hard, I know, to steer away from what your accustomed to but sometimes it can be rewarding. It can also be a total disaster. 10 minutes later you could be kicking yourself for trying something new and regretting your mind’s trick telling you the grass is greener (or even a slightly different shade of green) on the other side.

Is it? Was the chance you took worth it? If you never try, you’ll never know, right? I hate that my mind works this way, but life has far too many choices for me to be a person who lacks variety. Sure, I know what I like, but steak everyday isn’t good for anybody. It gets old. It becomes stale, with every next filet seeming to be not as exciting as the last until you finally just get sick of it. We want something different. The human body is insatiable. We have infinite desires with finite capacities, and this is true in all aspects of who we are.

So how do we cope? We take the long way home. We get the macchiato instead of the latte. We turn the TV off and eat a meal in silence. We take the blue pill instead of the red pill. Or we don’t and always sit there wondering what might have been had we stepped out of our comfort zone and taken a risk. I wish there was an easy solution to this query but there’s just not. So I got the #12…with bacon. It’s true that the grass may be greener in Arizona than it is in Michigan, but I hear there are far more snakes hiding in their grass.

About a week and half ago was, I think, the most trying week of my life. My sister, who was five months pregnant, was rushed to have an emergency c-section. The doctor told my mom it was absolutely necessary “to save both your daughter, and your grand-daughter’s life”. By the time the surgery was over, Lucy Grace had already died. My sister didn’t know, and when she woke up from the anesthesia, my brother-in-law had to tell her. Nothing like that has ever happened in my family. No one close to me has ever died; I have never witnessed or experienced such utter brokenness. Here I was, finally starting to feel like God had a tender heart towards me. I was actually beginning to see His pure loveliness rather than the vengeful, irritated God I always pictured. All I could think was that this was some sort of punishment. Did I not pray hard enough for protection of the baby? Was it because I haven’t been faithfully reading my Bible? What the heck? She didn’t do anything but she’s blaming herself. Her husband is trying to be the rock in the family, yet he’s broken-hearted too. I was truly on dangerous territory. I found myself praying (you could call it that, but it was more like screaming) to God with the most angry heart and the most spiteful words.

Thank God for our family in Christ because my friend Liz completely rebuked me and reminded me that these things happen because sin is in the world. Thank God for that too, because honestly if I were punished equally for every sin I’ve committed, I’d be…there really are no words to describe where I’d be. Liz also reminded me that He uses these trials to make us so much stronger and to draw that much nearer to Him. After that I was filled with such an inexplicable joy. I was in the Word, worshiping, praying, and just fully loving God, not to mention begging for forgiveness for how I acted at first. It’s been 13 days, and slowly the wounds are healing. Now I can say I’ve never witnessed or experienced such an outpouring of love from the people surrounding me. I’ve never seen my family draw so near to each other and God. This story has turned into a witness of His glory.

John 9:3-5 “Neither the man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life, as long as it is day we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world I am the light of the world.”

That was so comforting, knowing that through something so painful, God can be victorious in revealing His everlasting glory. In reality it kind of doesn’t matter what happens to us, because with our lives committed to Christ we know that everything is worked out for our good, yes, but ultimately, the point is to glorify Christ.

My sister was rushed back to the hospital three days ago. She had a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in her lungs, and its very dangerous. But through the pure power of God, it dissipated. Now she’s home, but weak, broken and depressed. It’s so unreal to me that all of this happened to her in such a short amount of time, and I am so afraid that the spirit of depression will find a way into her heart. I am definitely the kind of person that needs to be moving around and doing something constantly. Sitting or kneeling and praying for her feels so unproductive, but I know its what I need to do. I know I need to relinquish that control to God, for He says, “Indeed even the very hairs on your head are numbered, don’t be afraid” (Luke 12:7).

Through prayer and worship we’ll all get through every horrible thing that happens, because it’s the knowledge we have that God IS in control. He knows the outcome and He is working it all out for “the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.” Have you ever felt that chill when you’re worshiping? It’s like the Holy Spirit just filled the room and no one can deny it. It brings a sudden excitement to my heart, and the biggest, uncontrollable smile appears on my face. Worshiping the Lord with this song does it every time.

Desert Song- Hillsong
This is my prayer in the desert,
and all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me,
my God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror an co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve received I will sow

This whole experience softened my heart to the core and made me see life as such a precious blessing. I think I’ve always taken my niece and nephews, my sisters, my friends, my own life, and definitely Jesus for granted. I don’t want to ever do that again. I want to love how He loves. I want to feel tender towards people and feel like Jesus feels tender towards me. This picture was the best way I could describe such a love.

Job Title: Christian

Employer: The Kingdom of Jesus Christ

Hours: A lifetime of praise

Prior Experience: None

Prior Education: None

Background Check: None. Your past history has been washed by his blood

Function: Seek first the Kingdom of God before any other. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. Ask Him for forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to take complete control of your life. Believe with all that you are that God sent His son for you, to die, so that you can have everlasting life in the most beautiful Kingdom ever created.

This job position does promise a promotion.

Jesus Christ promotes directly from your hire date. No other job promotes you from your first date of hire. On your first day your name will be written in the book of life. When your afterlife plan kicks into effect, you will be allowed to enter Heaven’s doors and live in paradise.**

** Before being able to enter Heaven’s doors, Jesus Christ will do His final review of you. You will account for everything you have done. See, before you were born Christ paid for you were going to do. He knew you would mess up. But that is ok, because He is a God of love and forgiveness. On this day, you will be accountable for all that you did and He will judge you. Remember though, He judges you because of one reason: He loves you with all his heart!

About the Company: Jesus Christ was here, is here and will always be here. He started everything with His voice. When He spoke, all was created. For thousands of years Jesus Christ has provided, loved and taken care of his company. He does not ask much in you. His request is simple: love Him with all your heart and believe that He is the One and Almighty God.

You will be joined with a wide network of people of will be working with you. These people come from all different backgrounds. There are murderers, criminals, abusers, liars, deceivers, cheaters, simple people, good people, honest people, hard working people. You ask, “How can He take all these people and have them working together?” Its simple; He loves each and every one of you. On the day you are hired, you will be set free from all that you have done and will be given a new life. One day you will account for everything. But Jesus Christ wants you for your heart, your dedication and your promise to live a life for him. He asks nothing else from you. A small sacrifice for a greater treasure.

There is no interview for this job. Ask and it shall be given to you. Below there is a line with an “X”. If you sign this you will acknowledge that Christ is and was and always will be your savior, redeemer and healer. From this day forth you will working for the most powerful, most loving and most forgiving God.

Your job title will now be “Christian”. Proclaim it, sing it and tell everyone how amazing it is to be alive and free. Today you have been set free from everything. The chains are broken and you are alive!

X._________________________________ Date: _____ASAP________

This is one of the first years I honestly can’t wait for winter to be over. Usually, I love the season of winter. I enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, sledding, watching the snow fall, and watching my breath freeze in the crisp air.

But this year, it feels like every fiber of me is more than ready for spring to come. Last week when the temperatures were so high, there was one day I almost left the house in capris and a t-shirt, just because I wanted to feel like it was spring. I wanted it to be spring. I’m ready for change. I’m ready for the cold air to change to warm air. For the frosty snow to change to a gentle spring rain. For the ice to melt and water the first shoots of green grass. For orchids and tulips to push out of the soil, and for sunshine. I think it is the sunshine I miss most. I’m ready for winter to change into spring.

I think part of this longing for spring is reflective of the change I desire in my own life. I can see where I am now and who I am now, and I am often reminded that ultimately, this is neither where I want to be nor who I want to be. I see areas in my life that need change and growth. I see the difference between where I am and where I want to be, and I want transformation. I want to see visible progress, and I’d like it to be “express progress.”

But I’m learning that a lot of times, change doesn’t work that way. Transformation comes slowly, and no amount of wishing or impatience will make it move faster. Sometimes, day-by-day, the change isn’t visible, just as the days of winter roll together in an endless stretch of cold weeks and spring feels just as far away as it was when the winter began. But, whether we literally feel it or not, each day of winter brings us a day closer to spring. A day closer to change. One week the temperature rises to 40 or 50 degrees, and it feels like we’re taking giant steps forward. The next week it drops back down to 20 degrees, and it feels like we’ve just been jerked backward even further than we started. But, despite the fluctuations in temperature, despite the fact that it feels as if it will never get here, spring is still on its way.

I’m learning that life-change often works in a similar way to season-change. It takes time, and regardless of how slow I feel it’s going or the fact that sometimes I wonder if it’s happening at all, it is happening. Some weeks it feels like I’ve taken incredible steps forward, and then some weeks it feels like I’ve lost even more ground than I had to start with. However, when I take the time to slow down and take a good look at where I’ve been, and where I am now, I can see the change in progress. No, I’m not anywhere close to where I want to be. But, I know there is more God is doing (and will do) in my life, and just as each day of winter brings us closer to spring, each day of my life brings me a tiny step closer to who it is God is making me to be for Him.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” - Philippians 1:6

Our belief in God is ultimately based on faith. But there are many things in the world and beyond that make the existence of God seem very plausible. This area of Christianity, apologetics, is of great interest in strengthening our faith and silencing skeptics. But what is the greatest evidence for their being a Creator? What is the one thing in Creation that stands head and shoulders above everything else in pointing to God?

What was the only thing that God made in His image? It was man. The human being. We are the closest representation of God in creation and are the greatest evidence of His existence.

Man is primarily divided into four elements: mind, emotion, body, and spirit. Each of these elements is a system with unique properties. Let’s take a look at each system.

The mind. It is the agent by which we function and make decisions. Through it we learn how to do mathematical problems, shoot a basketball, or dance. When we want to walk from one room to the next, we do it automatically. It effortlessly sends signals to the body, or commands, of what we want to do. It gets neurological feedback from our body when we are in pain, have numbness, etc. We use it to formulate thoughts about things that we perceive through our senses. Using one of it’s features, the imagination, we have come up with creations like skyscrapers and automobiles. By the mind we possess the ability to create, something that nothing else in creation can claim.

Emotions. Emotions are a vital part of life. They motivate us to do things. But they also have a way of touching us that is almost otherworldly. For example, a two year old child may tell his father for the first time, “I love you.” The father may not even be able to communicate what he feels in that moment. It’s just magical. And we can sometimes just see the love that our relatives have for us just by the look in their eyes. This cannot be explained. It can only be experienced.

The body. There is so much that goes into it. There are bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, and microscopic cells which make it possible for us to physically live. Our bodies allow us to make athletic movements that no well-oiled machine ever could. These bodies sometimes puzzle the most intelligent of doctors and can keep us guessing. The eye allows us to see beautiful things like sunsets and exotic animals. The ear makes it possible to hear birds chirping and the latest song by Chris Tomlin.

And then there is the spirit. We are all spiritual. Again, this is something that nothing else on earth can claim. This realm makes us have needs that go beyond this life. Our spirits yearn for a level of love and communion that nothing in the world can offer. That is why we turn to religions and spiritual experiences. It’s a longing. We want to ultimately know what brought us here to earth, what our purpose is, and where we are going when we die. We also engage in the spiritual realm on a daily basis. It’s through our spirits that we make moral choices- choices of the heart. We can be selfish, unselfish, prideful, compassionate or dishonest.

Each of the four elements of the human (mind, emotion, body, and spirit) are astounding in their own right. But what’s even more startling than the fact that each of these elements exist on their own is the fact that they work in perfect harmony to comprise one thing: the human being. This can be seen in people who sing praises to God. They use all four elements at the same time. They mentally construct the words to sing. They emotionally engage by singing of their love for God. Their physical voices power the activity. And their spirits strive to be in contact with God through the song.

There are many things in creation which point to our Maker. But no phenomenon speaks more to God’s existence than the human being. We don’t have to look that hard to find evidence of God in the world. We just have to look at one another. We are the images of God.