Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

I watched a documentary on the life of Russ Taff a little while ago and was struck by many things.  In case you are not familiar with Russ, he was a popular Christian artist back in the 80's.   I took a freeze frame from the documentary that I found fascinating.  Here it is above. Russ struggled with many demons, one being alcoholism.  He was what some would call the Prodigal Son. But Russ loved Jesus.  He had a heart for God.  You could feel it and hear it whenever he sang for the Lord.  Russ knew the real Jesus.  That happens when we come to the end of ourselves.  We finally meet the real Jesus.  And when we do, our lives are never the same.  We fall in love with the Lover of our souls, our Rescuer, our Friend. Russ's behavior didn't make him a "bad" person.  It made him human. We all struggle.  We all battle personal demons.  Some are more visible than others, that's all. I posted this pic here because it is t...

There are a plethora of sayings out there telling us what we need to do with and in our lives.  Here is a short list of items that you may have heard. And now that you have heard them, perhaps repeatedly, you feel an unconscious, or even conscious, weight on you like you “have” to do these things.  Word for you:  you don’t. Here we go: 1.  Find your tribe If Jesus is our truest and highest and only example in how to live, then this statement is not one for Christians.  Jesus was about doing His Father’s work every day of His earthly ministry.  Jesus was not concerned about “fitting in,” or finding His tribe.  He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah!  That was enough for Him.  And you being a child of God is enough for you, whether or not you ever find a “tribe.”  Finding your tribe is a useless pursuit because people change.  People are fickle.  People leave.  Putting our hope or identity in a tribe is a recipe for disappoint...

You’d think that if God wanted you to become more loving, He would place you around those who are easy to love. Nope. Just the opposite. Welcome to the Bizarro World of following Jesus Christ! When the Lord wants to work in us to love others in the same way that He loves, He puts the most ogre-like people around us. Why does He do this? Because the kind of love that Jesus wants us to give others is unlike the world’s love. Most anyone can love those who love them.  Jesus commands that we love our enemies, those who mistreat us, those we just don’t like. This is a fine line because we are not to hang around those who do evil.  Yet when the Lord arranges our parameters, which He does, so that we are face to face with horrific sorts day after day, it can pan out one of a few ways. We can become embittered.  Or we can do everything we can to avoid the beasts.  Or we can let God love them through us. “Forgive her as if it never happened; like I forgive you.” Whatever God ...

So I told the Lord yesterday that I surrender my life to Him. I have done this before.  I don't recall the earth shaking, or any lightning bolts or fireworks when I surrendered before.  I don't remember anything changing outwardly much at all.   We are to live in daily surrender to the Lord.  This means giving up our will, plans, agendas for His. If we truly believe, "Your will be done," then how does this play out in daily life for us? Are you strong-willed?  This seems to be an admirable trait according to some.  People are wowed by the most idiotic things, aren't they?   Jesus is not wowed one iota by your strong will   Jesus not once exerted His own will when He walked this earth.  Do you respect Jesus for that?  Do you? Why exactly was Jesus so powerful in His earthly ministry?  Precisely because He was surrendered to His Heavenly Father.   Jesus had no agenda of His own.  Jesus was perfectly obedi...

  Hello, friends!  I am so excited to share my latest book with you.  Download it on Amazon today and be blessed!   Download here ❤ Elizabeth

  Hi friends. I am reposting my song for you in case you missed it before.  This received over 1,000 views when I posted it as a Facebook reel.   Please consider making a donation to my ministry. I have been writing this blog for almost three years now. I also release my songs as videos on YouTube. All for free. I have never asked for donations, but lately the Lord has been nudging me to reach out to you all.  A workman is worth her wages.  I ask that you consider making a monthly donation, if you can. I promise the Lord will bless you as you give to my ministry from a grateful heart. Give here and God bless you!  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=UAZ6EY4AYW5PS Elizabeth 

We know we are struggling with something when we lack inner peace.  This may seem an obvious statement, but yet we struggle. We want control, not contrition. We want our will, not God’s will. We want what will never satisfy, not simplicity. We want to make it about self, not sacrifice. We want outer peace and quiet, not surrender so that we can know inner peace. "Cease striving and know that I am God." When we cease striving, we come to know God better, are found in His peace that passes all understanding. It’s like we can’t know that He is God if we are still striving, struggling after that which does not satisfy. It’s all in Him. Everything we could ever want and need is in Christ. But we tend to complicate things instead. It’s too simple. There must be more to it. There isn’t. When we stop trying so hard, God is there, ready to meet us where we are. He is there ready to comfort and protect us from our greedy selves. Cease striving. There is an order: 1. Cease striving. Jus...