Hallelujah

God has really been helping me through music lately. He's reminding me that I am not alone in what I'm feeling and He loves no matter what.

At first I am afraid but not because of fearBut the Holy of Holies is drawing me nearYour voice like thunder shakes the ground I'm on
So hide my face in the shadow of Your wings, oh LordHide my sin from the beauty here before Your throne, Your throne

Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slainHallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slainAnd so we enter in to see Your face, yeahEnter in to see Your face, oh God

Well, I'm falling to my knees, I feel the earth beneathWith the weight of my sin and this crushing unbeliefCould You really love me with all that I've done, oh Lord?

So hide my face in the shadow of Your wings, oh LordHide my sin from the beauty here before Your throneHide my face in the shadow of Your wings, oh LordHide my sin from the beauty here before Your throne...You spread Your hands and made a refugeFor the weak and blessed, the weary, bruised and brokenTook our sin inside Your wounds we hide awayInside Your wounds we hideHallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slainHallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slainAnd so we enter in to see Your face, yeahEnter in to see Your face, oh God- Tenth Avenue North

Nobody Loves Me Like You

I was struggling with something. 
I was starting to feel really upset and angry with myself and so I began planning to binge because it fit how I was feeling; worthless. Just then the song "Nobody Loves Me Like You" by Jars of Clay came on the radio. 

It hit me. I was looking for comfort in something I know I shouldn't have and was mad at myself for displeasing God; my thought process went no further. I wasn't thinking about how He loves! I wasn't thinking that He cares about me and isn't mad at me for getting upset. He wants me to stay away from certain things because He loves me. I had been getting into the mind set of only doing things to show I love Him but wasn't thinking of the other half; I wasn't thinking of His love. He wants me to do certain things because He loves me and knows I will only have perfect happiness in Him. He cares. Nobody could ever love me as fiercely or want my happiness like He does. It's often very hard for me to accept being loved or cared about but...He said so. He died. He is ever present in the Eucharist. He is Truth. He is my security and safety.
...it's going to be okay.

One Thing.

One Thing by: Jonny Diaz
I bought my ticket and I paid in cash
I thought that this time the ride would last
And lead me to what I am looking for

I see the world as it rushes by
But nothing new is grabbing my eye
Just everything that I have tried before

Maybe I've been looking in the wrong place
Maybe I've been thinking that the world will
Fill me up full enough but it never works that way

There is just one thing that fills me up
One thing that's true
There is just one thing that satisfies
That one thing is You

Show me everything I did not see
While I was searching the world for what was right in front of me
So much wasted wasting time

I see that I've been headed down the wrong track
Now I don't wanna ever go back
To the way it was all because
You're all I'll ever need

I'm tired of settling for this world and its bitter dreams
There's nothing here that satisfies like You 
- One Thing, Jonny Diaz


I was listening to that song today and even though "There is just one thing that satisfies, that one thing is You" may seem like an obvious statement, I don't think I can be reminded of it enough. I got into a bad mood today and sat on the computer watching YouTube videos and doing some online window shopping; but the whole time I just felt a tugging at my heart to pray my daily rosary. I kept ignoring it thinking "I'll pray it later." but then it hit me. I was struck with the foolishness of trying to find comfort from mind numbing videos "Do I really think this will make me feel any better?" I want more. I need more. Nothing in this world can possibly satisfy me or relieve my pain except God. Sure, God may send  people or situations to cheer me up but my turning to material goods like food or clothes for comfort is pretty ridiculous. How can I satisfy the yearnings of my immortal soul with something as temporary and unsubstantial as a piece of clothing or a bowl of ice cream? "The Lord's my Shepard, I shall not want." He is my only comfort and the only thing that will ever satisfy.

How Great is Our God?

"Who has cupped in His hand the waters of the sea, and marked off the heavens with a span? Who has held in a measure the dust of the earth, weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?...To whom can you liken God? With what equal can you confront Him?...Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow faint nor weary, and His knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the wear He makes vigor abound."
- Isaiah 40:12,18,28-30

Lovely Lady

I saw this painting at the art museum and I've thought back to it often the past few days. Mary is kneeling, praying, with book in hand which is open to Isaiah 7:14 " A young woman is with child and she will bear a son." I love this painting. Mary is prepared; waiting for whatever God wills for her life. She is so humble, submissive and full of love. She is so lovely!!

The Annunciation - Veronese

Here's a link to the art museum's page on this painting.

Confession

I wrote the first stanza before confession and the second one after. I was going to add more but I think I'll leave it short and simple.

 Your mighty hand, so gentle,

Reaching out to me,

Beckons me for healing,

For You to set me free.

It is not for judgment 

Nor punishment, O Lord,

But cleansing, loving dearly,

You are ever giving more.

My Shelter

My best friend turned these old lyrics of mine:


The fire of Your great love
Has warmed my cold and frightened soul,
Scarred from battles
And lost without a home.

I have fallen too ashamed to seek You out.
Yet part of me still hopeful cries,

Father, my shelter, my all.
I know that I'm not worthy
But in Your love answer my call

Capture me in Your embrace,
Surround me with Your arms.
Only then am I at peace,
Completely safe from harm.

(Repeat chorus)

Your burning love has warmed my guarded heart x3

(Repeat Chorus)

into this song :

http://soundcloud.com/matthew-doh/my-shelter-lyrics-by-elizabeth


It just makes me so happy when these things come together for His glory :)