I REACH FOR YOU

Beautiful Love, You have changed my world
It’s so much better now
I don’t know what You see in me
But I’m glad that You found

Something
Worth loving oh

I reach for You
I reach for You
I reach for You
You reach for me, too
You reach for me, too
You reach me

You are more than I can take
So all of You I receive
I cannot go to where You are
So You take me

Beyond these
Dreams I dream

I can’t live without You
I don’t wanna be without You
No I can’t live without You
I am never without You

REACH by WARREN BARFIELD

The song lyrics from above are from one of my favorite songs. I could listen to Warren Barfield all day. He has a soul and a voice that draws me near to God. When I listen to his songs I feel His presence. *Hint* Notice the his vs His.

Lately I have been reaching for God like a toddler reaches up for mommy or daddy to hold them. I used to say "uppie" to my parents when I wanted them to hold me as a toddler. I now say "uppie" to my Father. I have yearned and desired and craved His closeness lately.

At Bible study this week we talked about discipleship and what it means to be a disciple. Am I a disciple? Kind of. In the Biblical sense? Not even close. I dont follow Him all the time. I don't always seek to be like Him. I don't act like Him at all times. My path has not been that path that He would always chose for me. But I am getting there. I have added things in my life as well as removed things in my life to make sure my path can be directed by Him instead of these false idols.

I have made tough decisions about friendships. I have cut out some people in my life. They were toxic. Not uplifting. Not encouraging. Not helping in my faith walk. Not close to Him. They weren't reaching for Him.

I have found a church home. I truly feel at home at this church. I haven't felt this way since I first came to Him and first started to go to church regularly. It is a true blessing and relief to feel "home" among the Body on Sundays.

At this church, I have joined a small group on Tuesday nights. It is the "open" group, as people are free to come and go and they constantly welcome new-comers, like myself. I have been welcomed since Day 1, when I first started going two weeks ago. What a blessing that has been. It's for 20-somethings and to discuss Jesus and our walks. Right now we are doing a video series. The video we are watching is split into segments and the most recent one talked about discipleship (see above).

I have joined an online Bible study. It's called Engage The Journey. I did this 2 years ago. It's led by Kate McDonald. We are reading thru the Bible chronologically. Right now we are in Numbers. Between Leviticus and Numbers, they are not the most thrilling and engaging of books. But I am learning. I look forward to reading Joshua and eventually Psalms and Proverbs. God is using this group in enormous ways. The insight of each person is such a blessing and light because they may have read something in a different way or have found other information or learned about something or something different may have stuck out. And I have learned much more than I ever would by reading the Bible on my own. Thank you Lord for community, online or otherwise! We ARE the Body!

I also have only listened to "Christian" music. Yes it is Christian. But I hate that it has that label. These are people dedicated to the Lord and sing praise to Him and pour out their hearts to Him. And these songs have blessed others and some people have even been led to the Lord thru these songs. Some noteworthy artists: Shawn McDonald (yes, Kate, ETJ leader, is his wife!), he has a new album coming out March 7 and I'm so stoked for it; Warren Barfield, he has a new album coming out May 20 (I cannot believe I have to wait til then! If you have Myspace, find his home video for "The Singer Not the Song" its A-mazing); the Daniel Doss Band: their cd Greater Than Us All is amazing, there is not one bad song; Robbie Seay Band: their album Give Yourself Away is amazing; and of course Shane&Shane: anything by them, listen to it.

I have been reaching for God and I know He is going to give me an "uppie" soon! I have faith in Him and I trust Him. Trust...that is what the next blog will be about.

Grace and Peace