All the Poor and Powerless

Worship songs these days sometimes lack a bit of truth, are a bit self-centered focusing on a proclamation of how much we can give to God. Not that proclaiming our love for God is wrong or how we should give up our lives to Him is selfish. It just seems like something's missing. I remember reading an article that a worship song shouldn't sound like a love song to a girlfriend. God isn't just our first love, He is our God. A Holy, Holy, Holy God.

Although this song is simple and could say a little bit more, it reminds me that we can acknowledge who we are before the God who loves despite us. It is easy to judge others based on their actions and maybe think we are better than them. But in reality,we are weak, "poor and powerless", "lost and lonely". However people are, God loves them. And for an incomprehensible reason - despite our sinfulness, foolish pride, brokenness - we can come before a holy God. This crying out, this "telling to the masses" is one of joy and gratitude and disbelief. We sung this at a church I was visiting this Sunday. It was a church full of people I did not know, probably lived different cultures, different lives, our struggles differ, maybe we'd judge each other's shortcomings... but there is no need to compare or contrast when God is the standard and is enough.

All the Poor and Powerless
All the poor and powerless
And all the lost and lonely
All the thieves will come confess
And know that You are holy
Will know that You are holy

And all will sing out
Hallelujah
And we will cry out
Hallelujah

And all the hearts that are content
And all who feel unworthy
And all who hurt with nothing left
Will know that You are holy

And all will sing out
Hallelujah
And we will cry out
Hallelujah

Shout it
Go on and scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is God

All Sons & Daughters

do not forget

Why does the world seem more enticing to us after years of faithfulness and seeing God's grace and love? He does not get boring. He does not change. He is big. He is powerful. He is above all. He is truth. He is God forever, and not just in your youth. 

I beg you to not forget your first love.

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5

rain

It was raining and the skies were gloomy after work on Tuesday. Gloomy days aren't fun, but as I was driving I was just grateful for the rain since we are in a drought. We usually pray for no rain on certain days so we can enjoy the outdoors, but being in California I pray for rain. How odd. It made me think of how we need the rain for things to grow, for the grass to grow, for the plants to grow, for the boats to sail, for us to shower, for us to drink, etc. Although this is not the perfect metaphor, in some ways the rain despite the gloominess in the dry seasons are needed. The things we need might not come in the most glamorous ways, but it is what we need before growth. We need discipline, and that may come through trials and hardships, to bring our eyes back on what matters.

Picture from a month ago after the rain