Heart-songs

So, I've done this things since I was younger, (or maybe I should say God's been doing this thing) where I'll be listening to a song, and here what He has to say on it, sort of elaborated. Like you can say, to re-hear it from His point of view.

Anyways, I recently thought it'd be cool to begin to share it with everyone. So without further ado, here are a few songs. Each video will be followed by my little God's heart excerpt on it, so click play and listen as you read. Hope it blesses you!

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Finally Found You

(Enrique Iglesias ft. Sammy Adams)

"The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

God looked down on us, and said the main lines of this song. In this crazy world of people, there are only two choices for Me and My sheep, the people I have made. My first choice is that they come with Me, where I am going, and be like me. I gave them rules to follow in the garden--of peace!--they disobeyed. I gave them laws to follow in the desert--of rest!--they disobeyed. I gave them a land of promise, and blessing--my land!--they defiled it. This covenant plan failed because it depended on their behavior.

The second choice for God and His sheep? Either you’re coming with me, or I’m coming with You. He sent His son. He sent his Son, his Son came down, to this mess we’re in with a perfect light. Do you think it some drudgerous march? That is not the hope and glory Jesus kept. John says He walked with truth and grace (John 1:14) There was grace in His eyes, none had ever seen before. He had a light of fiery love burning inside of Him. He knew His Father, He understood love, He WAS love.

He’s come down for His sheep. Those that our His, will follow. If we try and run off, He’s coming with. That’s just the way it is. This is God’s new covenant. And it is wondrous to our eyes. 

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There Goes a Fighter

(Gym Class Heroes)

 

"When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Hebrews 12:3

Marvel ye that the world persecutes you? Oh, how far our thoughts are from His thoughts; how much lower the line of them. We think that success is marked by prosperity. We choose originally to follow God’s plan, but don’t seem to consider thoughtfully the evidence placed before us in the lives of the faithful. A few lines before the verse above, Hebrews 12:1, says: “since we have so great a cloud of witnesses… let us push on in the race.” The witnesses are those that have lived out a life of faith. The previous chapter quotes they never received what they were after, the hope their eyes were set on; they knew that this world wasn’t their home.

So what should we do, choosing to do what’s right? How do we define it, when we cannot mark our efforts by success, or even receive the comfort which comes by that?

Marvel not that the world persecutes you. What’s the cure? Stop looking at resistance, as opposition, as any sort of sign of inaccuracy. In fact: it can generally mark the opposite. That’s what Jesus says. Stop looking at the effect of your efforts on others, or even yourself. Instead, focus your attention on fighting and racing for God. Start performing for His approval. Wait and expect and hope for Him to look down from heaven and say: there goes a fighter. This ones a fighter. And then the world, also, will undoubtedly look on (if not in this lifetime, then in others to come, and certainly in our eternal life): there goes a fighter. This one’s a fighter. Even the Apostle Paul, who was so opposed, did they not look on him, and say: This one’s a fighter. There goes a fighter.

Stick out like that, fighting for God after the pattern of Jesus; instead of trying to measure your every step by the world’s every reaction. 

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If I Lose Myself

(One Republic)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]." Matthew 16:24

We see a good man, a heroic man, and maybe we would sacrifice our lives for them, but who ever put their own life on the line for an evil man? But God shows His love for us, in this: that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And we ought also to put our lives on the line for our brothers and sisters.

This world is wild! It’s cruel; it’ll kill you. Who will you die for? You’ve got to serve someone; you’re not going to live forever. Self? Another person, perhaps one you see as good? A cause?

Think about it: honestly. You’re standing on judgment day. Say, you don’t even believe in a judgment day, but at least, you must admit, there is someone, at least one person on this wide earth that looks on you. Can you make a life? Can you form a person? Than why not be honest and admit that even a single one is a wonder--no matter what type or class they might be. So that one person, miraculous human, is looking upon you. Who would you will for them to see you standing beside, losing yourself to??? You’ve got to lose yourself to someone. You will die eventually in this world. When others look (when God looks) do you want them to see you losing yourself to self, standing alone and proudly? Beside…. yourself? Don’t you know yourself? Are you really that great? Should you really be so proud of that?

Well, look across the world then, look at all men, of all nations, look across the ages, through all time. Find the man or woman you would proudly stand beside, lose yourself to, die for. Think, honestly. Name a name. Pick a person. Be honest (people, if not God, are watching; miraculous, people). Think of the person. Now you take your person, or your self, and I will stand beside Jesus Christ; I will show myself losing my life for Him, I will bank on His words, and design my life after them. When I fail, I will call for forgiveness to Him (who is it that you would prostrate yourself like that before? Who else has the grace mixed with authority, to keep both your person and soul intact?)

Think of any person, as a dare, that YOU would lose your life for.

None compare to Jesus Christ, no, none compare to Jesus Christ.

Only He will allow you to quote these words throughout life and the hereafter:

Take us down, and we keep trying. Forty-thousand feet keep flying.

Take us down, and we keep trying. Forty-thousand feet keep flying.

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Marching On

(One Republic)

*This last one is pretty much just some verses from the Bible that fit well to the song. Click this link below to read them on Bible gateway

Weight, Playlist, and Release

It's been a while since any updates. I thought I'd start off this post with something that's been on my heart.

People are hearing (and seeing) things everywhere about weight/health. The weight of women, and men, and where it should be, etc. In fact, I probably shouldn't even combine the two issues, weight and health, since the second part doesn't seem to be the main focus anyways.

I'm sure everyone has read a lot concerning these issues. I'd just like to share a couple verses, and pictures, to offer a different perspective than what you might be used to.

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."" -1 Samuel 16:7

This is a verse pertaining to God's choice for King. (it ended up being David, the boy who fought Goliath, though this was before that. I guess God was good at seeing into the heart in that case!) Point: outward appearance... not so important. Not even for a King. If it's not important to God for the king who is LEADING His people, then who does need it.

On the other hand, we all long to be beautiful. Men also long to have a heroic appearance. God isn't against that! Consider these words by Jesus:

"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:28-34

This paints a better picture, doesn't it? It is not that we shouldn't long to be attractive. God Himself is gloriously beautiful, and we are made in His image. There is an entire book in the Bible, Song of Solomon, devoted to beauty, love, and desirability--even down to exact descriptions of the human form. 
But God longs that we seek His righteousness (aka: Jesus) then He'll take care of making us beautiful. He did that at the start, didn't He! He made us after all. 

Lastly I would like to show a few pictures of the ideals of beauty that have been set in the past (perhaps when people were less self-controlling, and more humble in the sight of greater powers*).

 Note: these images are pulled from the wikipedia page on Ancient Greek Sculptures, to give a fair and varied selection. 

 Please click on the last image for a larger size. It is especially pointed since these women are the "muses" of the culture. Believed to be daughters of Zeus and inspiration for all the arts, they would also be considered highly desirable. Perhaps you've heard of Nymphs? That is their other name. 

Now, I am not saying that people long ago had it any more right than we do now. And I'm certainly not saying that gods exist! I'm trying to point out that humans are wavering, and as strong the push is for you to look a certain way now, let's just rest and be ourselves, and chase God's righteousness instead. In this way, we can be sure that God will make us as lovely as He makes the flowers; as glorious as He is Himself. 

We all come in different shapes and sizes. For anyone who has read my books, you'll know about Ellia, Adelle, and Evelyn. They are all beautiful and seen that way by their respective loves, but they are certainly not the same size, height, or shape. I have noted in my book, that Evelyn is softer, shorter, and "not able to be held up by vines for climbing". :) Cyric's pretty good at picking Ellia up (er... because he's like a lieutenant wearing metal armor all day...) but she's no light-weight! She is tall, and strong enough to fight with two swords. Luffie, her hyppo-sized chimera couldn't carry two of her, so that should be a clue. Adelle's, never really even spoken of (aka, doesn't matter, Dmitri thinks she's pretty cause he loves her).

For anyone who is wondering about the nature of these sculptures, take a look at some of the dudes. It's clear we're in the "idealistic" realm. 

 I hope this has been uplifting. I really don't think that weight is something we should concern ourselves with (in fact, I know it isn't, since Jesus said it). But there is a lot of stuff out there saying: you're bad if you're fat. I'm saying: they don't even know what fat is. God made us; seek Him and let Him make you perfect. 


There is a beauty in a woman, the devil envies
A smile to her lips, he can't divine
A sway within her walk, he can't distract from 
a softness to her touch, he can't prescribe

Of all things made, girl is the loveliest to stare at 
As God made mountains, oceans, he has pieced her fair as well 
So walk knowing your body is of God's perfection
Revealed for man to see their want for Christ


Second Topic!

Or maybe, I will start with the third... just to be difficult. :P

The release of Fallen Warrior is SET. It will come out July 4th. As many of you know, it has been finished for a while. I am actually recording it for AUDIO BOOK just now, that is how I am editing through it for a final. I'm hoping this will help me spot all the tiniest of spelling errors, and I have also heard it helps with phrasing. Either way, the written form of FALLEN WARRIOR will definitely be out the 4th. And with it at least a sampling of the audio, until we figure out how to sell it. I hope that everyone is excited about this. Fallen Warrior is my favorite book that I have written, and that is not easy for me to say. It is MASSIVE. 250,000 words. Think Harry Potter seven, lol.

Now lastly. 

Here is the promised playlist. Did I already post this here? I am not sure, but please listen to prepare for the July 4th release. It will help you to guess what will happen! 

FALLEN WARRIOR PLAYLIST

 That's all for now. Everyone have a God-blessed week/month/year. Jesus is coming soon!!!

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*This is not to say that greek gods exist; and certainly not to say that God isn't the One and Only True God. It's just the point of logic, that in the past, societies were based more on higher governing powers, outside of their control. 

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