Grace Expectations

This past week I was thinking about expectations. They are a necessary part of life. Anyone who has raised children, had a good marriage, maintained a healthy ministry, or operated a business, will tell you that without expectations it all falls apart. Boundaries must be established. There have to be rules. As I was considering the right role of expectations, the question struck me, "How do we balance expectations with grace?" When someone doesn't meet our expectations, what is the appropriate response? How much latitude do we extend? How should we react to unmet expectations? While there are certainly nuances to every situation (i.e. Is it a simple misunderstanding? Is is habitual? Is it sin?) and consequences for every action we take or do not take, what struck me as I thought through it was the example of Jesus when dealing with the failed expectations of a certain woman. There is no question that she had failed to meet expectations, and as a result was rightly placed in a position of condemnation and punishment. But Jesus response, as always, is so perfect, "'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" Now that's a grace expectation!

New Music Recommendations

This week's recommendation comes from Sovereign Grace Music which is part of Sovereign Grace Ministries. The music of Sovereign Grace has encouraged me on two levels. First, and primarily, the texts and themes are theologically rich. The lyrics are both beautiful and profound. They maintain both depth and accessibility. Second, the music is alive. Pleasing to the ear, moving to the soul. Their songs consistently give me something to sing and say to the Lord. I have heard most of their recordings, and I haven't heard a bad one yet. I'll start by recommending their latest album Sons & Daughters, written around the theme of adoption. YES! I've mentioned this recording in a previous post, but it's worth mentioning again in this context. If you already have that one, you might try Come Weary Saints.

Come, Holy Spirit

"I owe everything to the gift of Pentecost. For fifty days the facts of the gospel were complete, but no conversions were recorded. Pentecost registered three thousand souls. It is by fire that a holy passion is kindled in the soul, whereby we live the life of God. The soul's safety is in its heat. Truth without enthusiasm, morality without emotion, ritual without soul, make for a Church without power. Destitute of the Fire of God, nothing else counts; possessing Fire, nothing else matters."

- Samuel Chadwick

New Music Recommendations

I was recently asked for some music recommendations. So rather than add a bunch at one time, I think I'll add New Music Recommendations as a regular feature on the blog. Some weeks I might review a specific recording. Other weeks I might recommend a particular ministry or group that has meant a lot to me.

The first New Music Recommendation comes from Hillsong. Hillsong's music has been around for a while and has become some of the most recognizable and most loved songs of worship used around the world. One of our church's favorite new songs, Stronger, came from their recording This Is Our God. The latest from Hillsong and Hillsong United (their student ministry) are called Aftermath and A Beautiful Exchange. We'll be learning the song, Forever Reign, from A Beautiful Exchange, this coming week. (see previous post for text and audio of this song)

Forever Reign

We'll be introducing this congregational song to the band on Sunday, February 20, and to the choir on Wednesday, February 23.




Verse 1
You are good You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love You are love
On display for all to see
You are light You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope You are hope
You have covered all my sin

Verse 2
You are peace You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life You are life
In You death has lost its sting

Chorus 1
(Oh) I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

Verse 3
You are more You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Misc 1
(BRIDGE)
My heart will sing no other Name
Jesus Jesus
(REPEAT 4X)


CCLI Song No. 5639997
© 2009 SHOUT! Publishing | Sony/ATV Timber Publishing | Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Jason Ingram | Reuben Morgan
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use.  All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License No. 317747

The Snow Plan B

The choir & band is scheduled to minister the song "I Will Rise" this Sunday morning, February 13. If choir rehearsal gets snowed out for Wednesday, February 9, we will wait to share "I Will Rise" and will instead minister the song "Thou Oh Lord" from the God Is Here collection. Here it is...



Also...
If you are signed up for the New York trip, and activities are canceled tomorrow, please bring your $200 deposit on Sunday, February 13.

Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

We'll be introducing this congregational song to the choir on Wednesday, February 16, and to the band on Sunday, February 20. Listen and be encouraged.




Original words by Samuel Trevor Francis (1834–1925) Music, chorus, and alternate words by Bob Kauflin

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Your glorious rest above

Oh the deep, deep love
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He came to pay our ransom
Through the saving cross He bore
How He watches o’er His loved ones
Those He died to make His own
How for them He’s interceding
Pleading now before the throne

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Far surpassing all the rest
It’s an ocean full of blessing
In the midst of every test
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Mighty Savior, precious Friend
You will bring us home to glory
Where Your love will never end

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

"What we needed instead was a fresh wind and fresh fire. We needed the Holy Spirit to transform the desperate lives all around us. I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily on our behalf. Carol and I didn't want merely to mark time. I longed and cried out for God to change everything - me, the church, our passion for people, our praying. One day I told the Lord that I would rather die than merely tread water throughout my career in the ministry...always preaching about the power of the Word and the Spirit, but never seeing it. I abhorred the thought of just having more church services. I hungered for God to break through in our lives and ministry."


(from the book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by the pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, Jim Cymbala)

Arise