Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Rhythm of the Southbound Train

I've been listening to Jon Foreman's song "Southbound Train" a lot lately and though it's hard to piece together what it all means I know that it has a lot to do with this deep longing to be home. And not just home, but home. Jon Foreman is realizing through everything he's describing in the song that all these rhythms are really leading him to heaven. They are all teaching him about home and where his true home is. It's funny when I was back in Va. Beach last week I remember having thoughts of not being sure if I wanted to be in heaven quite yet. Often the fellowship in my church feels so sweet that I am reluctant to want to leave it quite yet. Being up here in Rhode Island during the week has given me a more real perspective on my life back home and I'm coming to realize in my heart how much sweeter being in heaven and being with Jesus really is than anything in this world. That was something I think I remember praying for last week was that heaven and the thought of it would become sweeter to me.

As I went down on my knees to pray today I was filled with this longing just to be with Jesus. It was like I was tired of wanting to be anywhere else, even my church, and I just wanted Him. I think the wonderful thing is that it is the church that will spending eternity together with Christ as his bride. Christ is the living cornerstone and we are all living stones being built around him. I think the only thing that could be more wonderful than the homesickness for heaven that I felt while praying today would be to feel that deep homesickness together with my church. That is something new for me to pray for...

Monday, November 26, 2007

In The Palm Of Your Hand

I'm sitting in Starbucks in Newport, Rhode Island and I've been surprised by the music that they play. Much of the Christmas music that they play is religious and just now the song, "In The Palm Of Your Hand' came on by Alison Krauss. I have loved the song for so many years and it was so beautiful to recognize it almost as soon as it started playing. I love the words so much.

If I could have the world and all it owns
A thousand kingdoms, a thousand thrones
If all the earth were mine to hold
With wealth my only goal

I'd spend my gold on selfish things
Without the love that Your life brings
Just a little bit more is all I'd need
'Til life was torn from me

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand
Though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
Sees the forest in spite of the trees
Your grace provides for me

If I should walk the streets no place to sleep
No faith in promises You keep
I'd have no way to buy my bread
With a bottle for my bed

But if I trust the One who died for me
Who shed His blood to set me free
If I live my life to trust in You
Your grace will see me through

So wonderful to hear a song sitting in Starbucks that is so exalting of Christ and that he shed his blood to set us free.