What He Promised, He Delivered....

I don't know if it's because of the way I was raised (yeah, right, of course it was) or if it's God's guidance (yeah, right, of course it is) but as much as I love contemporary Christian music, God still speaks to me in the most awesome ways through old gospel music.

If you've heard me talk much, you've heard me talk about one of my favorite memories of my Dad. He would lay on the couch in our living room and listen to a three-inch thick stack of 33 albums. These albums included the Imperials, the Blackwood Brothers, the Gaithers, Jake Hess, etc. It never failed, when I would go in to talk to him, his eyes would be closed and I would have to check to see if he was even breathing. I didn't know it then, but those moments were a huge witness to me. To see my father in silent worship is a picture I will never get out of my head.

This morning, I put on one of those 33 alums (now called an Ipod). These words speak to me now like they did him then.

I love my Dad so much, but more than that, I love the Savior that we share. I am blessed to be going into this Christmas season with the promise of that unconditional love and hope.

In this war, I've been a captive
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty
But, these hands that hold me tightly
are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.

Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly
You have come into my life and made it new
Out of bondage into ever lasting light
I owe everything to you.

There's an end to all the waiting
There's an answer to the who and where and why
All the years anticipating
are surrendered to a tiny baby's cry.

There's a dawn to follow darkness
There's a face to fill the title - Prince of Peace
What he promised he delivered
I am saved, by the hands of sweet release.

Thank you, Jesus!

Decision Day

Sunday was a decision day. I thought my life was going to change forever and the funny thing is, that is did.....just not in the way I thought.

Since the BIGGEST emotional breakdown of my life happened that day, I jumped to ALL KINDS of conclusions about what that would mean (along with freaking out some really important people in my life - but thank you)!

When I finally settled down enough, hmmmm, some 36 hours later and was open to hearing God's voice, I realized that Sunday WAS a decision day, but the decision was going to look REALLY different than I had anticipated.

And I heard God clearly this morning.

ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE FOR ME OR FOR YOU?

Then all of these lovely hymns and scriptures came flooding into my mind. I could list them for hours, but the most important one is

ALL TO JESUS I SURRENDER.....

For the first time EVER, I saw that statement in a new way, and the ALL was pretty significant. He doesn't want some of me, he wants ALL of me. And the truth is that if I don't surrender ALL, then I'm not surrendering at all.

Dear Jesus, I surrender all. Amen.