Always Give 100%

Image from ImgAce.com

You've all heard the saying "It will turn around and bite you in the butt".

Well I've got bites all over!

In fact, I have come to realize that there are certain empirical truths that are in the Word of God that just cannot be disputed. The #1 WORD I have found to be true?:

You will reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7)

You know that shotty work you did for your boss last week? And do you remember that day you got to work an hour late and did not account for it? Or what about the time you left work early to address some personal matter?

How about the time you returned that dress that you had already worn 3 times or returned an item that you had bought on sale without the receipt so that you would have a credit for a higher amount?

The list is endless and I know several quite well.

I am realizing that at the end of the day, it will matter. Down the line, somehow it will catch up with you. And even if you don't get caught, or have a fine or get found out, most of the time it is your character that ends up being tainted.

These things do come back and bite you in the butt and sometimes you just end up feeling a lot of regret for some choice you've made.

I've got some of those regrets too.

I wish I had always been an excellent employee in the past, surpassing expectations, showing passion in my work and being someone who is always highly recommended.

I wish I had always served in the church willingly, with the utmost humility and servant's-heart.

I wish I had always shown my family and friends how much I loved them by being open-handed with gifts and genuine tokens of appreciation.

I wish a lot of things that impact character where different in my life. But thank God for now! Thank God for the opportunity to switch gears and be who "I wished" I was!

So lets put some antiseptics on those bites and allow them to heal while we make better choices that will make an excellent impact on others. Down the line you'll find that more people revere and respect you; you will be the type of person whose reputation has already paved the way for you, like Ruth. So is my prayer for you and I!

Wishing you the best!
-tia

Ruth 2:10-12 NLT

Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. "What have I done to deserve such kindness?" she asked. "I am only a foreigner." "Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done."

INSPIRATIONS!: Divinely Unwind with BONA

Image by Warren Timothy Photography

(Inspired to bow)

Friday night pretty much means the same thing in many circles.

Happy Hour.           The Club.               Drinks at the Bar. 

Everybody is trying to take the edge off of the prior week. 

Well, this past Friday night, some friends and I decided that we would Divinely Unwinded with BONA and her Acoustic Guitar at her Blood and Grace Album Release, Ebeneezer Coffee House.

You see, BONA has been gradually and steadily developing her music and style, and I for one can tell you that she is ultimately about worship. The first time I heard her live was at DARA’s album release. Her opening piece was her simple rendition of Keith Green’s Oh Lord You’re Beautiful (currently playing as I write). As the lyrics rang clearly through the sanctuary, they traveled directly into my spirit, moving me immediately to tears. I had been struggling with some things and at that very moment, I was reminded of the preeminence of God and what my focus should be. An instant groupie with my first taste, it was insane how much I anticipated this event! And I was not disappointed.

So as I sat on yesterday and the program began to start, all I could see were Song Writers with Instruments! As a lyricist I was in awe of the high level of spiritual insight and sensitivity to the Living Word of God! BONA’s opening act, Trenton Cokley, was fantastic; his single Someone Else is available on iTunes.

There I was, placed squarely before my God and Maker in the midst of friends. I was where I wanted to be. Another highly anticipated project, Blood and Grace is beautiful and hearing the title track LIVE was serious, ya’ll! The concert rolled on like a love affair...yeah, like the progression of an eternal romance. Each song soulful; each song sweet—oh , my goodness; it felt like college again!...Back when my musically-inclined friends would chill and relax by creating worship together and enjoying the Presence of God. When them fine Christian men would stop and stare at the ceiling in the cafeteria for several moments to advert their attention from the scantily-clad girl walking by! Yes, those were the days of I Kissed Dating Goodbye; learning from seasoned female student leadership at Women's Cell Group; and midnight/early risers' prayer as young people cried out to God for over an hour at a time! When it was just me and HIM and that was enough...I had forgotten what it used to be like until then as I was surrounded by so many young people passionately in love with Christ. Completely taken, I was moved to tears once again, reminiscing on those times when I once laid in HIS bosom fervently. It was truly a time and place for me to heal, to unwind, to breath, and fall in love with Jesus all over again.

The lyrics of each song described an experience I could identify with, leaving me to wonder how such feelings could be put to words. I was inspired to seek God so that I too can write and speak my soul; to somehow translate my struggles into expressions of worship. I was inspired to fall on my knees, for I who desires to ‘unlock the hidden treasures of the heart’ must first know the only ONE who knows the heart and has that key. I was challenged to return to my First Love. Inspired to come to Christ again, I was made to wonder where I went and where I have been all this while...

Wish you were there? Well, guess what! You can obtain a free download!!!

And, above that, there is an ENCORE Event THIS Friday, July 19th!!!!!

BONA, congratulations on a successful event and thank you for the opportunity to be a part. Continue to share the Power of God through High Worship! Lyrics by tia will definitely continue following!

Lyrics by tia
071313

Letting Go

Image from Here

This piece is dedicated to my big brother for rescuing me years ago. It parallels that great rescue to the restoration I've found in Christ. If you've been restored or are greatly anticipating it, be blessed by this.

Letting Go

I went out into the deep end ‘cause I thought I could
Lacking experience and skill I went, unaware of the imminent danger
One wrong step and I struggled for life
I was drowning. I was afraid
I panicked and flailed about but no one heeded my call
I struggled for dear life but to no avail
Tired of swallowing water and grime, I decided to cease the struggle
My heart told my mind to let go and somehow trusting it obeyed
I calmed down and allowed myself to sink
Sinking to what I thought was my eternal beginning...

Then suddenly arms came about me lifting me from the water surrounding me
I saw the light of day again and caught a breath of air
To safety, he led me from what I thought was the end
He saved me so today I live to tell

Similarly, I find myself in unfamiliar territory
I can’t see Him, feel Him, or even sense Him
In fact my reality is warped and I cannot comprehend how life can exist this way
My faith dims.
My belief that He is real is challenged because suddenly I have no proof
I fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of uncertainty
I struggle for a breath of hope only to find my struggle in vain
Even then my heart says to let go.
My mind cries “Do not deceive me! Trade my struggle for eternal doom?”
I struggle yet the more
But finally I let go
Giving up, on a lingering seed of faith
I let go.
Sinking into dismay and the thought that I’ll never see Him.
Ever.
Longing for Him, for the performance of His Word.
I fall...

Then suddenly He mediated retrospectively
Making current His ancient acts toward me
See, He saved me!
By His Precious Blood.
He gave me!
Life forever more
He loved me!
Deeper than I’ll know
He held me tightest when I let go

-Lyrics by tia 2011

Say Yes to Life- Performance Version

Back in August, we shared a piece called Say Yes to Life, found here.

Because this was an extended version, we've revised it to fit right with the instrumentals that inspired the flow.

Here is the performance version but be sure to read the extended lyrics.

SAY YES TO LIFE

Agitated.

Feels like all hope is gone.

Feels like I’m stuck and there’s

No one there to save me.

Separated.

From both my God and man

I just don’t understand

How I could feel this way

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Frustrated.

When did it come to this?

I really just want to quit

I don't know how I can go on

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Oh O…………h Lord! Oh, O………h Lord!

Oh O…………h Lord! (2X)

Daily I struggle…

My very heart deprived

It must be better than this

Hear my heart, hear my thoughts; take heed to my call!

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

I gather myself, take victory from all

I cannot afford to have destructive thoughts

Determined to rise and live on instead

I say yes to life. I am no longer dead.

Oh O…………h Lord! Oh, O………h Lord!

Oh O…………h Lord!

There’s nothing left to embrace

But for one glimpse of Your face

Lead me Lord, Lord take control. Before You I fall!

-Lyrics by tia 2010-2011

I Choose You- Part I: The demise

Image courtesy of DrAjao @www.DrAjao.com

The challenge of relationship is in letting go of ourselves, our selfishness and our pride in order to give way for mutual understanding and the divine love of God. Today, as I sort through the rubble of my destructive choices, I courageously seek to conquer my inadequacies in this area. Praying for God's special grace to succeed, I share this piece with you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I Choose You: The demise

I choose you

The demise of my pride

Choosing to hold my tongue

Being fully aware

That what I say today

Can scar us tomorrow

I choose you

Instead of bitterness and anger

Deciding to love instead

Placing you before I

My very being divides

I explode painfully into freedom as I capture the truth of such love divine

I decide to let go of self and capture peace and help

From the Lord in whom all things are possible

I choose you instead of the pain I harbor inside

The silence that lies between us

The fear to speak less you get your way victoriously

But I speak letting understanding reign and thus the connection that we need.

When you’ve hurt my feelings, my pride

Whether knowing or through a fault of mine

I struggle within

Forgiveness? Your chances are slim

And sin?

It darkens my soul within

As I fight to withhold the dignity that I believe is mine

I shouldn’t have to apologize

My ego and pride should not be demised

The stubborn plans that I devise

Should stand uncompromised

I choose to restrain though with disdain

I fall to my knees and cry.

I surrender.

And it is in this very act that I rise and our love, understanding and peace in kind

Choosing to believe that when I let my kingdom fall, my dynasty will rise from obscurity and shine

So to have mine? I choose you. I choose thine.

-Lyrics by tia 2011

See Part II here

Take my world apart

From www.jrbell.com

I used to render a powerful lyrical expression in dance ministry to a song called Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay. This piece is in response.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Take my world apart

Darkness settles
Where is the light?
When ever did I lose my sight?
Once in the glory of Your redeeming life
Life...It has left my being
I long to be near Your gleaming
Face-as if You've turned from me
Unable to bear the looks of sin upon me

Sin.
What a tricky thing
I'm out I'm in
I'm spinning in sin
What an awfully terrible mess I’m in!

I plead
I beg on my knees
Father God, deliver me!
I need Your strength to restore
I know I've been here once before
Again I need Your hand to lead
Father God, deliver me!
Unlock the promise You have in store
For I gave my life to Christ before
But I got entangled in that which so easily besets
Begets regrets. In debt. Inept.

Must I pledge my life and count all loss?
Should I bear the burden and carry my cross?
Whatever it takes whatever the cost
Father God, take my world apart!
Father God, Take my world apart!

© Lyrics by tia 2004