READ THIS! so beautiful.

http://nonelikejesus.tumblr.com/post/8830266472

Heartbeat

by Britney Prince


Perhaps the word surreal is fitting. It was definitely a surreal day when we broke through the guarding gates of the ribs, drew back the curtains of the pleural sack, and exposed it: the human heart, incredible even in its stillness. Even after my anatomy classmates and I thoroughly explored the atria and ventricles, teased out the intricate cardiac vessels, and were dumbfounded by the parachute-like valves and the strength of its walls, it is still amazing.
And then I consider the heart of God.
When I think of exploring the heart of God, I shrink myself down and wander inside an image of the human heart I cradled in my hands. But this is God’s heart and so it is an image of tiny, insignificant me, wandering in a cavernous, majestic space filled with a thunderous, crashing, driving heartbeat.
It is the heartbeat that captures my attention and becomes my prayer: Lord, I want to know your heartbeat. May my heart beat for the same.
That prayer slides clearly into focus with the words of Henri Nouwen in his book, In the Name of Jesus: Perspectives on Christian Leadership, emphasis added:
In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, cares, reaches out and wants to heal. In that heart there is no suspicion, no vindictiveness, no resentment, and not a tinge of hatred. It is a heart that wants only to give love and receive love in response. It is a heart that suffers immensely because it sees the magnitude of human pain and the great resistance to trusting the heart of God who wants to offer consolation and hope.
May my heart beat for the same.
The apostle John was called the one who Jesus loved. Perhaps it was because he found his way to Jesus’ side, and there rested his head on Jesus’ chest, and truly heard the heartbeat of Christ. It radically changed his life.
Peter was asked three times by Jesus if he loved Him. Peter said yes, and Jesus told him to feed His sheep. Peter realized that to love Jesus was to love what He loved – to have a heart that beat for the same thing. And his life became devoted to Jesus Christ, the One he loved and the One who loves unconditionally.
Paul was caught on the road by that heart that reached out and forgave without a tinge of hatred. It transformed his life.
My life is still in need of transforming. My heart still skips beats, or runs far away from the rhythm of His. And therein lies a great example of the love and graciousness of Jesus’ heart. He reaches down with his unrelenting and ever merciful love to rescue a life and then gently commands that life to love in the same way it has been loved. And when we fail to do so, He reminds us again and gives us another chance.
Forgiving, caring, reaching, longing to heal, without suspicion, without vindictiveness, lacking resentment, not a tinge of hatred, giving love, receiving love, suffering immensely, offering consolation and hope. What an amazing gift that we possess and must give away. What an opportunity, what a great responsibility!
May my heart beat for the same.

A wise man once told me that your true character is revealed when a storm arises - you can choose to praise Him, or you can choose to wither away into the storm. No matter what the circumstance, we are called to PRAISE God. In Mark 4:37-41, a storm comes upon the disciples, and they fear the storm. Jesus asks them "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?". As individuals alone, what are we without faith? We are nothing. If we have faith, we can do immeasurable things through Christ. Even when a storm arises, it is conquerable. Verse 41 says that "The wind and the waves obey Him!". He is the Master of all...The Omega. I recently experienced a season filled with many storms, but nothing that God could not overcome. Each storm surpassed. I have learned from each hardship and experiencing them has made me stronger.

This season of my life is a season of growth. It is also a season of waiting. Society says that we do not need to wait. There is so much VALUE in waiting. In Psalm 27:14, it says to "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.". I'm currently in a situation of waiting upon God to reveal His specific calling in my life...I'm unsure of my major and what I am supposed to do with the rest of my life, especially as far as my occupation is concerned. I have opened my heart, allowing God to lead me. I am letting His perfect will guide me. I remind myself that His timing is perfect. I am dwelling within HIS authority because God knows and He will not lead me astray. I trust in Him. He is preparing my way for what is next. While I am waiting, I cannot forget to look at what God is teaching me throughout this season. He is preparing me, but He also has something for me here and now. Show me your goodness God, show me your love...reveal to me more of You. I desire to learn from You so that I may be an obedient daughter of Your kindgom. I desire to IMPACT Your Kindgom Father. I am called to action. I allow Your Spirit to work through me so that others may see Your glory and PRAISE YOU.

Lamentations 3:25 ~ "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him."

"When the waves rise against me and the wind tries to draw me away
I will stand on the mountain, safe in Your arms I will sing I will sing

Be still my soul, be still
Be still my soul, be still
Wait patiently upon the Lord
Be still my soul, be still"

Kari Jobe - You Are For Me

So faithful
So constant
So loving and so true
So powerful in all You do

You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You

I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come down
Even if to ride upon my heart
To remind me who You are

So patient
So gracious
So merciful and true
So wonderful in all You do

You fill me
You see me
You know my every move
And You love for me to sing to You

And Lord, I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come down
Even if to ride upon my heart
To remind me

I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come down
Even if to ride upon my heart
To remind me who You are

You remind me

I know that You are for me
I know that You are for me
I know that You will never
Forsake me in my weakness

And I know that You have come down
Even if to ride upon my heart
To remind me who You are

Psalm 51:7-15
The Message (MSG)


Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise.