A Quote

Sorry, no CS Lewis today. This is just a quote from "National Treasure" to sum up how I feel about life sometimes.

After going through a journey of complicated riddles, expeditions, and history, and finding out that the answer lay with the first step:

Ben Gates: "Could it really be that simple?"

Another Encouraging Song

Wow, I love this song. It's so encouraging. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Before the Morning~ Josh Wilson

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Chorus:
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
and you know where you're going,
you just don't know how you get there
so just say a prayer.
and hold on, cause there's good for those who love God,
life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
but you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning
yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

come on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing
the pain you've been feeling,
just the dark before the morning
before the morning, yeah, yeah
before the morning

Announcement!

Hey all!

I'm starting a new series on quotes, words, and definitions over at my other blog, the Jesus Adventure. Be sure to check it out and leave a comment!

~Rachel

"What are You doing??"

Yes. I have asked God that. Recently, actually.
"God, what are You doing? Why are You doing it to me?"
It seemed like there were so many options that would have turned out with a happy ending, and He didn't take any of them. I couldn't understand. After all He'd taken me through to get me to this point, why was He leaving me with this?

Can you relate to what I felt? It just didn't make sense. It felt like I had been led along just to run into a dead end, running into it, falling backwards, and being hurt again for what seemed like no reason.

Right in the middle of this inward battle, the song I posted a couple days ago started playing. It didn't answer all my questions, it was simply a call to surrender.

You know, I don't think it will ever quite make sense why God does all the things He does. Sometimes we can look back and say, "Oh, I get it now..." and sometimes we don't get to. But either way, He's doing something. We are simply asked to trust Him.

"Whatever You're doing..."
It suggests not knowing. Chaos, oh sometimes our lives feel so broken and cruelly insane. But somehow, because we know He is God, there is a peace... that truly does go beyond any understanding. The peace itself doesn't make any sense. We are asked to surrender to an outcome that we can't see. I don't know how it will end up. By earthly standards, we have every reason to panic.

But there is peace. Because our God is doing something heavenly with our broken lives.

As I cried out to God that night, I heard an almost audible voice.

"I know what I'm doing."

My anxious heart stilled for those few moments as I whispered, "I know."

I know God is doing something beautiful with us. He's not leading us in circles, but to a heavenly ending. Even in the midst of these tears, God is working something inside of us that will be worth every time our hearts have been broken. He hears our cries, and I believe He feels our pain, even as He says, "I am doing something good, just wait."

Please, when you're hurting don't let it turn you away. I'm asking you to stand with me as I say that I believe Him when He says He knows the plans He has for us, that they are good, to give us a hope. Some days, faith is just a matter of holding on to what we know is true, even though we can't feel or see it. After all, who hopes for what he already sees? I know there is something heavenly, even though I can't see it. All I can see right now are my fears and those storms that threaten to knock me over again, but what we see doesn't matter as much as what we know. All these fears are temporary, and God knows what He has for us at the end.

He's doing something bigger than us, larger than our little lives, something heavenly.


"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed, day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal..."
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Desiderio Domini,
~Rachel Lynn

Preview for next post...

Here's a song that God has used significantly in my life recently. For now, I'm just going to post a video and the lyrics for you to think about, then I hope to post my thoughts on it.
After you listen to it, be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts.


Whatever You're Doing~ Sanctus Real

Lyrics
It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

CS Lewis quote

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

John Newton Hymn

I love John Newton Hymns. Amazing Grace is my favorite, but he has lost of lesser-known songs that are really amazing. Here's one of my favorites.

--

Why should I fear the darkest hour,
or tremble at the tempter’s power?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my tower.

Though hot the fight, why quit the field?
Why must I either flee or yield,
since Jesus is my mighty shield?

When creature comforts fade and die
wordlings may weep, but why should I?
Jesus still lives and still is nigh.

Though all the flocks and herds were dead,
my soul a famine need not dread,
for Jesus is my living bread.

I know not what may soon betide,
or how my wants shall be supplied;
but Jesus knows, and will provide.

Though sin would fill me with distress,
the throne of grace I dare address,
for Jesus is my righteousness.

Though faint my prayers and cold my love,
my steadfast hope shall not remove
while Jesus intercedes above.

Against me earth and hell combine;
but on my side is power divine;
Jesus is all, and he is mine.

Urgent Prayer and Support needed: Pregnancy Care Center

Received this email today... please pray and consider ways to support them! Their ministry is vital!

----

ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT

Please pray now for the life saving work of the Pregnancy Care Centers of the North Willamette Valley!

August was an unexpectedly record low financial month for us and now in September our funds are completely exhausted. Even though we are the primary obstacle in this region standing in the Planned Parenthood and NARAL abortion machine onslaught, we may now have to close our doors. This appeal couldn’t be more urgent. Your help is needed to pray, give, and spread the word to other like-minded churches, businesses, and friends who will financially stand with us. Don't let lack of funds cause over 1800 men, women, and families per year as clients lose support.

Are you a committed partner? Please contact us now. Are you new, but this moves your heart? Please contact us now.

ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT****URGENT APPEAL****ALERT


Pregnancy Care Centers of NWV
Administration Office, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific
120 Engle Avenue, PO Box 129, Molalla, OR 97038
Voice: 503-829-3163
Fax 800-824-2119
info@pccnwv.org
www.possiblypregnant.org
www.pccnwv.org

Battle Cry of the Weak

A Poem

This little one, so frail and weak,
Oft afraid by life’s storms and fears,
So useless when viewed through the word’s eyes,
Yet You have claimed me as Yours through the years.

You build Your Kingdom through frail hands,
So it’s Your strength displayed and not mine,
This earthen vessel that holds Your life,
Lord, my will to Yours align.

So I am not afraid,
Insignificant though I am,
For it’s not my name I live for,
But that of Your pure, spotless Lamb.

So take this people divided,
Put Your spirit inside of our souls,
Send us out to declare Your salvation,
Touch our lips with Your holy coals.

To a dark world, send forth Your pure light,
To a lost world we carry Your fame,
Here we are, Lord, we ask You to send us,
For the glory of Your perfect name.

If we are afraid of failure, we will never try. If we are defeated by failure, we will never try again.
If we never try again, we will always be afraid. If we are always afraid of failure, then we will never succeed.

Desiderio Domini

Aaron Watson, a TeenPact person, was the first person to introduce me to this phrase. It means, "I long to be with my Savior."

I will try to welcome trials with joy. Only let the outcome be that I can say wholeheartedly,
"Desiderio Domini!"
--

Stillness

Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10a

Still; adjective; "free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm"

Being still, and just knowing He is God, seems to suggest a level of peace I don't possess. Maybe it means that knowing He is God is enough for you. Maybe being still is not speaking of what your body is doing, but what your heart and soul are doing. Maybe by truly knowing He is God, my anxious heart can finally be still.
--

"Be Still and Know- Steven Curtis Chapman"

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still, and know that He is God
Be still, and know that He is God
Be still, and know that He is God

Be still; Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still, Be still

"Jesus, I want You more"

(V1)
Wrapped up in the world around me,
Confusing, complicated, I just want out,
I’m limited by what I see,
And the world is staring back at me,
But Jesus, I just want to be free.

One taste is all it takes to know,
That none of this compares to You,
Earth and heaven fade away,
And my own heart will one day fail,
But You are my resting place.

(Chorus)
Jesus, I want You more,
More than anything I can see
Or can think to imagine,
I throw it away, meaningless now,
I’ve seen my Savior, You’re all that I need,
God, it’s Your love I’m drowning in,
Jesus, I want You more.

(V2)
Here I am, back in this place,
Through doubts and fears I struggle on,
But even in this darkest hour,
I can feel Your great power,
Jesus You are my strong tower.

Through every storm and trying day,
You sustain me with Your grace,
You died to make me new,
Now help me pursue what is true,
Please give me strength to follow you.

(Bridge)
The world calls out to me each day,
Jesus, I want You more,
Life tries to draw me away,
Jesus, I want you more,
My own heart rebels in me,
Jesus I want You more
Do what it takes to help me see,
Jesus, I want You more.
--

So... I'm going through a weird song-writing phase, so if you read a random song here, and I don't say who wrote it or sings it, it's probably mine. And... I don't write music, so yeah... it's just music-less lyrics.
I also seem to be going through a phase where I post on my personal blog way more often than I used to... but that isn't a bad thing, I don't think. I guess there's just lots going on in my head, and it all comes out somewhere...

"Until the Whole World Hears"

I love this song, it always resounds somewhere deep inside me... to sing until the whole world hears. This music video gave me goose bumps.
You know, one of the first things I thought when I saw the Casting Crowns band in the video is, "They're... kind of old." Not really old, of course, just older than a lot of popular contemporary Christian musicians. When I was talking to mom about this song later, I mentioned that the reason I like Casting Crowns so much is they "preach it". There's so much solid truth packed into all their songs. Mom's response?
"That's probably because they're old."
Maybe it takes the wisdom of someone who's experienced more life to write such heart-grabbing, truth-speaking lyrics.
Here it is. Casting Crown's Until the Whole World Hears official music video. Amazing.

"God, that made my day."

You know, sometimes God decides to take care of a little thing for you, and somehow, it makes all the difference in your effort to trust Him with the big ones.

This is a little story about a little thing that really isn't that important, but reminded me how well God is acquainted with... well... everything about me!

So, I wear a lot of professional wear because of activities I participate in. Speech, debate, TeenPact, work, etc. The problem is that I'm... tiny. I wear a size 1-2. Petite. Yeah... you know, not very many stores carry that. The only places in stores that regularly carry things of that size is the Junior section. The problem is that "Juniors" apparently don't wear professional stuff. So it's REALLY hard to find collegiate wear that fits me, even for a lot of money, much less that I can afford.

Well, mom and I went out on Saturday for the regular "professional-clothing-search". After trying on a stack of clothes, I ended up with one pair of slacks. These excursions are usually discouraging, ending with me complaining about my ridiculously small self. This was worse than usual however, because I had seen a lot of things that I liked a lot, but weren't in my size. One outfit in particular, a certain burgundy suit (that's dark red, guys), really caught my eye, but even in the petite section, there wasn't one that would fit me.

I started complaining to God. (Genius, I know.)
"Seriously, Your the One who wants me to do these things... well... I need clothes to do them in! And something cute would be really nice! But no... nothing fits. As usual."

Over the weekend, God was working on me in a lot of areas, mostly in trusting Him and being joyful. The lessons weren't necessarily connected to my stinky attitude on Saturday, so much as some other situations that were going on, but either way, I entered Monday (today) feeling a lot better.

Well, on the suggestion of a friend, Mom and I went to a consignment store we had never gone to today. And, there were a lot of things about that store that made me happy, but here's the really neat part. I found a burgundy suit, that fit me well, and was actually better suited for what I needed than the other one, and was lots less expensive. God even threw matching shoes in.

Now, clothes really aren't that important. It wasn't a huge thing that I really needed right now. But it reminded me that God actually does know what I need and want. It reminded me of a passage in Matthew that I've always found really challenging.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
~Matthew 6:25-33

My favorite part of that verse is where it says, "For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." It's not like God thinks we can go without food or clothing. Jesus isn't telling us we don't need those little necessities. He's just telling us not to worry about them!

God knows all the little details of my life. I've been dealing with some big decisions, and trying to trust God through difficult circumstances. Watching Him step into my insignificant life and take care of one of those little things that aren't that important, but worry little me so much, made me realize that He knows it all, and He will take care of it. If He cares enough to provide me with something like a burgundy suit, how much more can I trust Him to provide me with those big things that I really need?

"Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

It's so hard to stop worrying, but it helps to remember that He cares about those little things that take up so much of our time. So today, I smiled at God and said, "God, that made my day. Thanks."