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To Live As Christ Reckless Love Featured Image

Reckless Love

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Heard this song from Bethel the other day. Really powerful! I hear it was first written by Cory Asbury; this version is led by Steffany Gretzinger (whose album “The Undoing” is one of my all-time favorites).

Before I spoke a word
You were singing over me
You have been so, so
Good to me
Before I took a breath
You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so
Kind to me

[Chorus]
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it
Still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

[Verse 2]
When I was your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so
Good to me
When I felt no worth
You paid it all for me
You have been so, so
Kind to me

[Chorus]
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it
Still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

[Bridge]
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
No lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me

Divine Invasion

Divine Invasion

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On this Christmas morning, I’m reminded of Christ’s divine invasion on the world. Last night, we sat the kids down (whatever that means with a toddler) and turned our eyes towards the story of Christ’s birth. I read The Jesus Storybook Bible to my children:

“And there, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son.”

The savior of the world — Emmanuel, God with us — invaded our privacy. He stepped into our hopeless mess and provided a way back to Him, when there was no other way.

We attended New Life Church in Colorado Springs this weekend and pastor Glenn Packiam told a story of his son confessing to him that he felt his “heart was dark”. When Glenn realized what his son was saying, he asked if his wanted to let God remove that dark heart. In an instant, that prayer provided a divine invasion in that child’s soul.

My heart needs it too.

It’s so easy to go cerebral and focus on all the incessant demands of the day. But when I acknowledge that not only our world but also my heart was “divinely invaded” by Jesus, a peace is restored and a weight is lifted. His divine invasion occurred some 2,000 years ago in a small manger, but it also occurs each time I turn my thoughts towards Him and re-surrender before the Lord.

When is the last time you had a “divine invasion”? Are you due?

God, you love us so much, despite all our iniquity. We fight you and disobey you all day long, yet you still pursue, and I don’t always understand why. But I’m thankful, because I can’t do it on my own. And once more, I invite you to be my Emmanuel. You are with me now and desire to be with me forever. Forgive my “dark heart” and draw my will and emotions to bless and enjoy you at all times. May you get the glory this Christmas day.

"Kingdom Come" by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Worship Picks for Spring 2014

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Here’s a list of worship albums that have really been blessing me lately. Most are out of Bethel Church in Redding, California — but they’re just so good!. These albums weren’t necessarily released this year, but they’re powerful albums.

Bethel Music

"Here On Earth" by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
“Here On Earth” by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Here on Earth by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Bryan and Katie’s first album took me by storm. It has been a staple during my quiet times and I’m confident it will lead you into quiet and worshipful moments in God’s presence. “I’m a lover of your presence” is powerful and Spirit-stirring.

"Kingdom Come" by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
“Kingdom Come” by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
Kingdom Come by Bryan & Katie Torwalt
The Torwalt’s second album bears more of a neo-synth-pop sound that a lot of bands are using lately. Solid musicianship and incredible lyrics. “He is the light” is an anthem-like opening song that you’ll want on repeat.

"The Loft Sessions" by Bethel Music
“The Loft Sessions” by Bethel Music
The Loft Sessions by Bethel Music
Bethel Music put out this amazing and intimate worship album where one song after another draws you into worshipful rhapsodies. “Come to Me” is one of those tunes that stops time and gives you the sense that heaven and earth indeed are merging right before your eyes — you’ll be on your knees before you know it.

"Without Words" by Bethel Music
“Without Words” by Bethel Music
Without Words by Bethel Music
The reason I love “Without Words” from Bethel is that they adapted their music into instrumental worship that doesn’t constrict the songs to lyrics but really allows the instruments and musicians to do what they do best. Excellent background music during work.

"Come Away" by Jesus Culture
“Come Away” by Jesus Culture
Come Away by Jesus Culture
This album has quickly swept worship circles across the nation. The war-cry opening track, “Come Away”, starts gently but ends with skull-crushing drumming and a stadium of voices that are yearning to encounter God as He says “open up your heart and let me in.”

"Strong God" by New Life Worship
“Strong God” by New Life Worship
Strong God by New Life Worship
I’m a newcomer on the New Life Worship scene, as we recently moved to Colorado Springs and joined their urban congregation at New Life Downtown. “Strong God” is a live worship album proclaiming truth with passion and excellent musicianship. Great sound — totally recommend this!