Untitled.

There are epic things that have occurred in the the past few weeks.

Epic wins. Epic fails.

And while I haven’t found a way to voice those things, I find my voice in a song. I shared this same song in blog recently, but now it makes even more sense. This past week I went to Nashville to compete in my first half marathon and attend the Dove Awards (Christian music awards.) Francesca Battistelli won “Female Artist of the Year.” She performed her newest single “Beautiful, Beautiful.” It does sum up the past few weeks for me. So I’ll share it (again) below. I’ve added two scripture passages that connected with me as well. I hope to unpack the epic wins (and epic fails) in future blogs. But for now I will say that the epic wins were abundant, amazing, and encouraging.

Many runners at the marathon had this verse on their back. It keep me focused:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” --Phil.4:13

On living in the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli

Don’t know how it is You looked at me

And saw the person that I could be

Awakening my heart

Breaking through the dark

Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight

Making my life something so

Beautiful, beautiful

Mercy reaching to save me

All that I need

You are so

Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain

But even perfect days can end in rain

And though it’s pouring down

I see You through the clouds

Shining on my face

I have come undone

But I have just begun

Changing by Your grace

Bonus

Here’s my current soundtrack:

1. Everything Falls by Fee
2. Moving Backwards by Ben Rector
3. Tonight by TobyMac/John Cooper
4. For Those Who Wait by Fireflight
5. Like a Lion by David Crowder
6. Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North
7. The Beat by Ben Rector
8. Anchor by Satellites and Sirens
9. Dear Heart by Sanctus Real
10. Let the Waters Rise by Mikeschair

Holy Saturday

My friend Dan posted a blog today about Holy Saturday. I have been thinking about this day as well, and what it means.

Read his first. His is better. http://betanarrative.blogspot.com/

But here are my random thoughts too.

I love the idea that “hope” is introduced to the disciples on this day. That perhaps they’ve never really known the word because Jesus was with them at all times. They only had to hope that Jesus was the right messiah to follow...and they got to see his miracles first hand. So hope was easy. And cheap.

Until Saturday.

For the disciples hope became a whole new emotion. It wasn’t cheap anymore. Faith depended on hope that day.

Hope is something much more than just a cheap imitation of reality. It’s more than wishing, or dreaming... there is emotion. life is on the line. Our very existence can ride on hope. Our livilihood can ride on hope.

When there isn’t anything we can do, we can hope. That seems like such a cop-out to say that. Really. It seems cheap.

Until you’ve had to hope. Like we do, as Christians, on Holy Saturday.

We have to hope that the dawn is coming and that Jesus isn’t in the tomb.

We have to hope that when we walk down the path, that Jesus meets us and we recognize him.

We have to hope in the unseen...and not be doubting like Thomas.

Beautiful, Beautiful.

The Rock and Worship Tour has been making it's way across the country the past few weeks. Each night has been streaming live online. And of course, I've been tuning in. The tour features Mercy Me, Family Force 5, David Crowder, Francesca Battistelli, Fee, Remedy Drive, and Sidewalk Prophets. (Favorites in bold).

Anyway, I've been listening to the lyrics and this one stood out. It's a great song.

Francesca Battistelli "Beautiful Beautiful"

Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace

Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful