love song for the church

I'm coming face to face with the very Bride of Christ
and though I'm one of them, I am saddened at the sight
When I think of all the pain, my anger starts to rise
They don't know how they've hurt me but the story's in my eyes

They stabbed me in the heart so now I'm fighting back
and Christ is in the middle, and He's bearing our attack
He's so patient and He's gentle while every blow falls on His back
He never leaves His children; He keeps bearing our attack


He says come lay down your swords.
Children, this is not your war

I hear Him but I'm frightened by this offer of peace
If I give up my weapon they could come devour me
In my fear I'm crying out "Jesus can't you see?
I can't give up the battle cause My hurt goes down to deep."

Now I'm waiting for the anger to start rising on His face
But the longer that I see Him, His smile is still unchanged
I've heard so many stories of His mercy and His grace
But how could I imagine that His love always remains
yet his love will never change.

He gave me His attention while I listed all my fears
now I'm the one who's listening while His voice is in my ear
He says, Daughter, cease your worry. Come dry up all your tears.
I will never leave you. I am always here.

I will never leave you. I am always here.

until the day breaks.

if i don't have time to listen
will You still feed me with Your wisdom
i'm dying for your truth
and i'm starving without you

every day in an assault
they're all screaming out my name
i try to get away
but all my obligations stay

if i call You, will You come
what if all i have is love
because this world demands so much
and leaves me aching for your touch

when i don't have time to listen
will you still feed me with your wisdom
i'm dying for your truth
and i'm starving without You

expressionism.

You fill me with your love
so I can give myself away
I'm walking down the aisle towards You
and You won't move

You set your face like flint
your eyes, a burning gaze
i'm standing as You ravish me
i'm dressed in your purity


i want to come in low
i want to come in low
You are the only One i know
and i need a greater vision of your throne
i want to come in low


You were naked when i killed you
now i wear your robes of white
i covered You in blood
yet You surround me with your love


i want to come in low
i want to come in low
You are the only One i know
and i need a greater vision of your throne
i want to come in low


i know who i am
i don't take it lightly
i know what You paid for me
You bought my authority
so let me come in low

i want to come in low
You are the only One i know
i want to come in low

"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy"

Tonight I went downtown with my friend austin. Our sole purpose for being there was to deliver prophetic words to people because thats the Lord's desire.

example a:
"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."

we're claiming that the Lord speaks to us and we know His voice

example b:
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Prophecy is such an oddly avoided word in the church and it seems to sketch so many people out. The truth is, however, prophecy should be desired and pursued. That's my biblical understanding at least. If Paul's saying he wants all his crew to prophesy I don't see any reason we shouldn't all go after it.
Is it a gift for some people more than others? yes.
Are some people called to be prophets and some not? yes.
Do we all have the ability to hear the Lord's voice and speak it into the lives of others (aka prophecy)? yes.

Back to the beginning, I went downtown tonight with my friend austin and we sat on a bench and waited for the Lord to give us specific words for people so that we could go tell them.

And He did.

i don't have any whack stories. There weren't any people freaking out. It was simple, sweet, and full of peace. The model is --get a word for someone, walk up to them and just tell them, hey. i feel like this is true about you. Or ask, hey do you know anything about this, or is this going on in your life. or whatever.
it's just all about speaking the heart of the Lord over people and testifying to them that He is aware of everything going on in their lives and that He cares.

I do have one favorite moment:
so austin goes and delivers a word to this random girl, just something that the Lord told him. While he's sharing with her she's all like "that totally makes sense. well-said." he walks away and she turns to her friends and says "I think Jesus just spoke to me through that guy over there."

and there you have it.
for that moment, I will take all the crazy labels anyone wants to give me. The love of God poured out today is worth any loss of dignity, embarrasment, or rejection. It's just so true that I have nothing to lose. The affections of God are permanent in my life and i want for nothing else. I have said it before but i just want to believe it and grow stronger in belief exponentially every moment of the day. Boldness is so much better than fear, confidence is so much better than unrest, and identity will always trump insecurity.

identity:
i am a son of the living, loving most high God.
i have every good and perfect gift given to me from the Father of lights.
He gave me prophecy because it is the testimony of His Son.
I am His. prophecy (just one of His gifts) is mine.

bam-shaw.

my song

I have power in me
deeper than the eye can see
all authority
I hide in the shadow of His wing
you can't touch me

He sent me out with the honor of His name
so everything around me is forced to change
the dead, the sick, the demon possesed
they gain their freedom at the love in my hands

It's a spiritual battle this war that's waged
and I have authority to trample on the snakes
they try to accuse me with vicious lies
but I cut them off and I fix my eyes

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
He is returning and He's looking for His wife
I will rise up and be standing by His side
He's coming for His warrior bride