Christian Virtues + Not Humble Hunter

“The main thing we learn from a serious attempt to practice the Christian virtues is that we fail. If there was any idea that God had set us a sort of exam and that we might get good marks by deserving them, that has to be wiped out. If there was any idea of a sort of bargain—any idea that we could perform our side of the contract and thus put God in our debts so that it was up to Him to perform His side—that has to be wiped out..everyone has the idea of an exam or of a bargain; the first result of real Christianity is to blow that to bits.” -CS Lewis

And because every post is better with a picture... this is the deer I killed this weekend! YEHEY! Go me! And at the moment, I am not practicing humbleness... haha! ;) Had to put that sniper chest wound shot on him with my 444...

I know, I know... I'm redneck, but I just love it! :) no apologies here!

Boasting

If this life has anything to gain at all
I count it lost if I can't hear you, feel you, 'cause I need you
Can't walk this earth alone
I recognize I am not my own, so before I fall
I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone

Verse 1:
With every breath I take, with every heart beat,
Sunrise and the moon lights in the dark street
Every glance, every dance, every note of a song
It's all a gift undeserved that I shouldn't have known
Every day that I lie, every moment I covet
I'm deserving to die, I'm just earning your judgment
I, without the cross there's only condemnation
If Jesus wasn't executed there's no celebration
So in times that are good, in times that are bad
For any times that I've had it all I will be glad
And I will boast in the cross, I boast in my pains
I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign (rain)
What's my life if it's not praising you
Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit, I do
That count my life as any value or precious at all
Let me finish my race, let me answer my call

If this life has anything to gain at all
I count it lost if I can't hear you, feel you, 'cause I need you
Can't walk this earth alone
I recognize I am not my own, so before I fall
I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone

Verse 2:
Tomorrow's never promised, but it is we swear
Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air
God has never been obligated to give us life
If we fought for our rights, we be in hell tonight
Mere sinners own nothing but a fierce hand
We never loved him we pushed away his pierced hands
I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy
Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty
Eternally worthy, how could I live for less?
Patiently you turn my heart away from selfishness
I volunteer for your sanctifying surgery
I know the spirits purging me of everything that's hurting me
Remove the veil from my darkened eyes
So now every morning I open Your Word and see the Son (Sun) rise
I hope in nothin', boast in nothin', only in your sufferin'
I live to show your glory, dyin' to tell your story


If this life has anything to gain at all
I count it lost if I can't hear you, feel you, 'cause I need you
Can't walk this earth alone
I recognize I am not my own, so before I fall
I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone

Glory was solely meant for you
Doing what no one else could do
With all I have to give, (With all I have to give)
I'll use my life, I'll use my lips (My lips, Yaaa)
I'll only glory in your Word
What gift to me I don't deserve
I'll live in such a way that it reflects to you, my Praise


If this life has anything to gain at all
I count it lost if I can't hear you, feel you, 'cause I need you
Can't walk this earth alone
I recognize I am not my own, so before I fall
I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone

-LeCrAe

Graced Again

“If I could see into the depths of my own heart, I would discover a desire for nearness to Christ that’s actually stronger than my desire for either becoming a better person or enjoying a better life. And I am invited to come, just as I am, to walk through the thick door that now remains open into the literal presence of God. My broken heart is now free to do what I most want to do; to rest, to relax in an acceptance I did not earn and cannot lose, to plead a guaranteed mercy, and to collapse into extravagant grace. And as I do so, my heart will stir with a passion to please the One who pulled me out from under the crushing Law of Linearity. I will now be free to live better, not to make my life run more smoothly, not to arrange for additional blessings, but centrally to please the One who set me free from pressure.”



-The Pressure’s Off, Larry Crabb

Gone With the Wind Christmas

The Christmas season seems to start months in advance and feels like it comes around earlier and earlier every year. The tree goes up, lights and ornaments sparkle, decorations add to the wistfulness of the season. Goods are cooked, gifts are bought, presents are wrapped, and trees are loaded with surprises. The anticipation of it all boils up in overflowing excitement for one day... 

 Gifts are opened, wrapping paper scattered, excitement spews, laughter fills the room. The day, has finally come, gifts are finally unveiled, toys are finally 'mine' and play begins. Fun is finally underway. Tummies are finally full of Betty Crocker Scott cooking. There's a brief, momentary satisfaction in it all. 

 The happiness and high of Christmas seems to hover like a mist in the air as the 'fun of Christmas' lingers. Then in an unexpected instant, it's as if the wind blows and the sparkly high of Christmas is gone. Whisked away as the wrapping paper is gathered and trashed, the kids move on from toys to 'I'm hungry', the fun of a bead war is ended in Wyatt's victory, the yummy food is gone, decorations must come down, the sparkle fizzles...

 The sparkly high is brief, the happy laughter dies down, the mist of excitement isn't as thick, the family goes their separate ways, kids get sleepy, the new wears off quick, work days come back around, and what's left? 365 days to wait until the next 'Christmas high' blows through.

 In all of the excitement and holiday high, it's awe-mazing to see how the glittery 'things' of Christmas don't ever last. They come and go. Just like a vapor, a wind, a happiness that once caught...disappears. 

 As I sit and reflect in the fizzleness of the days after, I am reminded once again that the only Gift that never grows old, the only high of joy that remains, the only fullness that stays, the only true satisfaction that isn't swept away... is the gift of a baby in a manger. A baby that was given, lived, suffered, died, and gave everything, for me. A gift of a God baby that gave His life, to give me life, peace and hope for an eternity. He's the gift that gives again, again and again. The gift that doesn't fizzle, is always underserved and last forever and ever. Praise God for His true gift of everlasting Love in His Son on Christmas. Now that gift you don't have to wait 365 days to enjoy again...His grace is new every morning! He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Merry Christmas

Freeing Failure

“The main thing we learn from a serious attempt to practice the Christian virtues is that we fail.  If there was any idea that God had set us a sort of exam and that we might get good marks by deserving them, that has to be wiped out.  If there was any idea of a sort of bargain—any idea that we could perform our side of the contract and thus put God in our debts so that it was up to Him to perform His side—that has to be wiped out….everyone has the idea of an exam or of a bargain; the first result of real Christianity is to blow that to bits.”  
- CS Lewis