a cleansed past: the room

hi guys! i would like to share a dream. not one of my own but one that deeply moved me and has been embedded deep in my brain ever since i got to know of it. remember how i was reading i kissed dating goodbye? i finished up last weekend and got to start when dreams come true by eric and leslie ludy & finished that up yesterday- but that book is for another post to gush over. ;) 

back to the dream- joshua harris shared a poignant dream he had some time ago while visiting a pastor in peurto rico in his book i kissed dating goodbye and i can't help but share it. here goes...

maybe you've blown it. maybe you reflect on past actions and wince with remorse. purity seems like a lost cause. this dream, called "the room," is dedicated to you.

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in that place between wakefulness and dreams, i found myself in the room. there were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. they were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. but these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. as i drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "girls i have liked." i opened it and began flipping through the cards. i quickly shut it, shocked to realize that i recognized the names written on each one.

and then without being told, i knew exactly where i was. this lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

a sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as i began randomly opening files and exploring their contents. some brought joy and sweet memories, others a sense of shame and regret so intense that i would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. a file named "friends" was next to one marked "friends i have betrayed."

the titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "books i have read," "lies i have told," "comfort i have given," "jokes i have laughed at." some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "things i've yelled at my brothers." others i couldn't laugh at: "things i have done in anger," "things i have muttered under my breath at my parents." i never ceased to be surprised by the contents. often there were many more cards than i expected. sometimes there were fewer than i hoped.

i was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life i had lived. could it be possible that i had the time in my twenty years to write each of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards? but each card confirmed this truth.
each was written in my own handwriting. each signed with my signature.

when i pulled out the file marked "songs i have listened to," i realized the files grew to contain their contents. the cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, i hadn't found the end of the file. i shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time i knew that file represented.

when i came to a file marked "lustful thought," i felt a chill run through my body. i pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. i shuddered at its detailed contents. i felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

suddenly i felt an almost animal rage. one thought dominated my mind: "no one must ever see these cards! no one must ever see this room! i have to destroy them!" in an insane frenzy i yanked the file out. its size didn't matter now. i had to empty it and burn the cards. but as i took the file at one end and began pounding it on the floor, i could not dislodge a single card. i became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when i tried to tear it.

defeated and utterly helpless, i returned the file to its slot. leaning my forehead against the wall, i let out a long, self-pitying sigh. and then i saw it. the title bore "people i have shared the Gospel with." the handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. i pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. i could count the cards it contained on one hand.

and then the tears came. i began to weep. sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. i fell on my knees and cried. i cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. the rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. no one must ever, ever know of this room. i must lock it up and hide the key.

but then as i pushed away the tears, i saw Him. no, please not Him. not here. oh, anyone but Jesus.

i watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. i couldn't bear to watch His response. and in the moments i could bring myself to look at His face, i saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. why did He have to read every one?

finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. but this was a pity that didn't anger me. i dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. but He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. starting at one end of the room, He took out the file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"no!" i shouted, rushing to Him. all i could find to say was "no, no," as i pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. but there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. the name of Jesus covered mine. it was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and continued to sign the cards. i don't think i'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed i heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "it is finished,"

i stood up, and He led me out of the room. there was no lock on its door. there were still cards to be written.

"so let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in dissension and jealousy. rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." romans 13:12-14

***

joshua continues...

maybe you have a particular memory that continues to hound you, a memory that makes you feel unworthy of God's love and forgiveness. don't let the past beat you up. forget it. don't replay that moment or any others like it. if you've repented of all those behaviours, God has promised to remember them no more ["for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." hebrews 8:12]. move on. a lifetime of purity awaits you.

***

i believe God gives us dreams to show or reveal certain insights we don't know of or certain spiritual mysteries. i don't know if the room and the files joshua saw in his dream are exactly as the records system in Heaven concerning our activities down here on earth. but what i do know is, God does take notice of every single thing we do. He knows our every move and thought.

"Your eyes saw my unformed body, all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." psalm 139:16

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 Jesus sacrificed His life while mankind was in sin in order to reconcile us back to our Father. and when we truly believe and surrender to God, our past sins are washed white as snow and the purity of Jesus clothes us. 

"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." psalm 103:10-13

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have you messed up? i've made mistakes too. hush, it's okay. ask for forgiveness from God, your Creator and Redeemer. surrender your whole heart to Him and start the journey of purity with Him right by your side. let's finish the race clothed in purity. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

linking up here and here.

music monday// joy

so, there's this band, it's irish, and i loooove their art. their music is powerful and beautiful! rend collective is their name. a few months back i came across their music and i couldn't not keep listening to them. i watched and listened to their heart behind their new album- the art of celebration. the message runs deep and sparkles with Truth. i'm sharing the message + one of my fav songs by them- joy.

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so, aside the irish accent, what really stuck out to me in their message were these words...

"...life has a way of draining that child-like wonder from us through our failures or disappointments, whether it's suffering or betrayal, or even just familiarity. that's why we put up our defenses, isn't it? that's why we become numb. we pull back from life and become spectators because we're afraid of being hurt again. but the good news is, Jesus is always near than you think. He's not finished with us yet. we may doubt, we may feel like we're broken beyond repair, but He's the peace in our troubled sea. He's the healer of the broken-hearted.

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...seriousness is not a fruit of the Spirit but joy is. you see, there's an irrepressible laughter in the heart of God and the whole universe cannot contain it. He is the One who celebration, feasting and holidays. He is the One who sings and dances over us. when He suffered the cross, He did it for the joy set before Him and that joy was knowing that you and i would be fully free, no longer captive to our sin. yes, the whole human story is described in terms of celebration-the marriage of Christ, whose bride- the Church. now, happiness is not the same thing as joy. happiness is an emotion- a superficial response to pleasant circumstances, but joy is deeper, it's a spiritual discipline. 

we as people are more inclined to negativity and cynicism. we don't find it easy, or even natural to pursue joy, and that's why God in His Word actually commands us to celebrate...we must fight for our joy. how then do we remind ourselves as a wounded church family that we still have a reason to sing? how do we move from the edges and fringes of the party into the center? well, the Bible says, taste and see, that the Lord is good. [psalm 34:8] and to do that, we have to once again, open our hearts to wonder and beauty.

i'm not saying to be fake or put on a false smile, but rather to always find a reason to rejoice even if we're in the darkest circumstances...and after all, Heaven is gonna be the greatest party of all time and we need to start practicing now. so don't get caught up in your guilt and failures. you are forgiven, you are free. you're worth more than you could ever imagine. so, c'mon with a child-like heart, wide-eyed with wonder, let's rediscover the art of celebration."

"husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." ephesians 5:25-27

"let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear. (fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) then the angel said to me [john], 'write this: blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' and he added, 'these are the true words of God.' " revelations 19:7-9

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 joy~ rend collective

we're choosing celebration, breaking into freedom

You're the song, You're the song of our hearts.

we cast aside our shadows, trust You with our sorrows

You're the song, You're the song of our hearts.

we're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

we're rising from the ashes to the stars.

You're the joy, joy, joy, lighting my soul

the joy, joy, joy, making me whole

though i'm broken, i am running into Your arms of love.

the pain will not define us, joy will reignite us

You're the song, You're the song of our hearts

c'mon my soul.

the dark is just a canvas for Your grace and brightness

You're the song, You're the song of our hearts.

we're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

we're rising from the ashes to the stars.

You're the joy, joy, joy, lighting my soul

the joy, joy, joy, making me whole

though i'm broken, i am running into Your arms of love.

You're the joy, the song of my heart, the hope of my soul

in the shadows, in the sorrows, in the desert when the pain hits,

You are constant, ever-present, You're the song of my heart

You're the joy, joy, joy, lighting my soul

the joy, joy, joy, making me whole

though i'm broken, i am running into Your arms of love, into Your arms.

"nehemiah said' 'go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. this day is holy to our Lord. do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." nehemiah 8:10

"but let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy. spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You." psalm 5:11

"the Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. my heart leaps for joy, and with my song i praise Him." psalm 28:7

"You make known to me the path of life, You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." psalm 16:11

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. for the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." hebrews 12:2

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"rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: rejoice!" philippians 4:4

"the Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." zephaniah 3:17

"but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." galatians 5:22,23

when i face situations that try to steal my joy, even if it seems i don't have any reason at all to be joyful, i remember the salvation i have in Jesus and the eternal bliss that awaits me in Heaven, and hope surges, along with joy. i also remind myself of all the Lord has done in my life and begin to be thankful for them, and joy begins to bubble in my heart.

are you burdened some some trouble or situation? choose joy, darling. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

currently

listening to- my lighthouse by rend collective, little light by rachel platten, God is good by dustin kensrue. can i say how much i love rend collective?! so, so good!

enjoying: my book thrifting trips. i found really great books by anne lamott, joshua harris, eric & leslie ludy among others on my last trip. i found 2 copies of i kissed dating goodbye! i'm deciding to gift the second copy. *mentally scrolls through friends.* haaa, i know who! ;)

reading- genesis- really refreshing to get back to the basics of this God-given life. i love being plunged into the stories of flawed people who loved God from the beginning of time, i love the unfolding, the redeeming. i dunno but i giggled each time abraham had to lie that sarah was his sister and not his wife in order for his life to be spared. and the interesting part is, each time, he & sarah were sent off with lots of gifts after the lie was brought to light. funny, little couple that God used greatly!

aaand, i'm almost through with i kissed dating goodbye by joshua harris!! guys, the wealth of Godly wisdom dripping from this book is nothing short of amazing! having being single for over 3 yrs, patiently waiting for God's best, the book goes down my throat really well. it affirms my convictions about serving God & being productive in the waiting season. i'm gonna be blogging some excerpts pretty soon. and the fact that he wrote it when he was only 21?? incredibly wise beyond his years if you ask me!

watching- nothing really, although there are sermon videos, meaningful scripture-based movies, and videos from the anima series that are begging for my attention. haha i'm too caught up soaking in words from books. that's what happens when the bookworm in me fully awakens. ;)

understanding: what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God-[my forever Home] and His righteousness and trusting Him to take care of the details of my life.

rocking- finger coils. i had on twist outs for some time and decided to go for a new look. i did the finger coils myself last weekend, all by the help of some useful kinky hair tutorials i found on youtube. i used organic root stimulator lock & twist gel. it took me close to 5 hrs to finish all the coils. it's been a week and it's still looking pretty neat as compared to the twist outs which began to look a lil messy after a few days. but maybe that's bcos i used only water+hair oil without the gel for the twist out? welp, i think i'll go with the finger coils more often. it's convenient and easy to maintain.

memorizing- philippians 4:6-7 "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guide your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

romans 12:2 "do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will."

2 timothy 3:16 "all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

2 corinthians 10:4-5

"for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

thankful for: the hand of the Lord in my life. without Him i'm sooo lost!

praying: bold, BIG, hopeful, strongholds-shattering prayers.

loving: this lovely quote i found on pinterest.

what have you guys been up to lately?!

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// God is good

there're seasons where i need God the most and it seems He checked out on me. i believe we've all faced these kinds of seasons at some point in life. it's like dry spell all around, and the doubts come crashing in, threatening to make you question the goodness and ever-constant presence of our really good Father. 

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i love how accurate this song captures the season or moments when unbelief creeps up on us, and how we need to continue telling our souls that despite the current circumstances, despite the unimaginable, totally unforeseen details of the hurt we face, God is good! He works ALL things for our good, not just the obviously good things, but the bad, messy, ugly, painful things too.

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God is good~ dustin kensrue

even when it seems the answer's no, the promises of God all find their yes

in Christ who worked the Father's will below, that all who run to Him would find their rest.

and even when it seems He hides His face, and darkness seems to be our only friend,

we look to Christ who suffered in our place, that one day all our suffering would end.

God is good all of the time, all of the time God is good.

God is good all of the time, all of the time God is good.

and even when it seems He pays no mind, we have a guarantee of His great love,

in Christ who came and left His crown behind, that one day we would reign with Him above.

Lord, we believe but help our unbelief.

Lord, we believe, but help our hearts to sing 

that You are good all of the time, all of the time You are good

You are good all of time, all of time You are good..

Lord, You are good.

"for we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." romans 8:28

"be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." romans 12:12

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"you intended to harm me[joseph], but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." genesis 50:20

"'...everything is possible for one who believes.' immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'i do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!' " mark 9:23-24

our Father is not going to waste whatever experience or situation you face. He will use ALL for your good + His glory. whatever you are facing, Jesus overcame it on the cross, trust Him to lead you through. i pray you get to look back and laugh in awe at how God's hand was present in your life+story, in the details, working and turning the downright messy + the good into something really beautiful. He IS good. He IS near. He IS here.

much love
xoxo, gen delali.

road to discovery

as i sat in the passenger's seat of the car, with the wind cheerfully touching my face, the song playing from the radio captured my thoughts. so soothing, so gentle and edifying. mh, i like this song, i both thought to myself and said aloud. the rest agreed it was a nice song. do you know who sang it? i asked my friend driving. nope, he didn't. i froze a couple lines of the chorus in my brain, with the thought of looking it up later on good ol' google. it was so good i had to have it and sing it to myself.

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you see, i was used to beyonce, rihanna, shontelle, trey songs, chris brown, jason derulo, t pain and overly sad country songs and a slew of others. and though i knew the songs by these folks don't glorify God and fed my carnal self, i just didn't know what i would listen to if i did do away with them. don moen? urm, i liked his songs but i didn't know how i could possibly listen to him all the time and not want to skip back to my carnal fueling, overly emotional, sensual, self-centered songs. thing was, i didn't have such great options of Christian songs that really resonated with me.

so when those soothing lyrics and music floated from the radio into the breezy, happy atmosphere of the car, i was curious. you are changing the world one little heartbeat at a time, making history with every touch and every smile, oh you, you might not see it now, but time will tell how you, you are changing the world one little heartbeat at a time...the singer crooned. it felt like he was talking to me (though i wasn't and currently not a mom.)

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that was three years and some months ago when i was heading back to campus from a church service i was invited to. i was still in my lukewarm nature. not so into God, not so evil too, you know. i knew most secular songs didn't portray Christian values and the enemy was (still) using them as a way to sear our conscience and manipulate our thoughts to think and do sinful things. the enemy likes to confuse the pure love of Christ with lust by using these songs. so they aint really love sings like we're mistaken to thinking but rather lust songs. bcos, let's be real, they do not depict the selfless, genuine, patient nature of love. just some sensual junk.

 a friend also reminded me to listen to only Christian songs. i went like country songs aint that bad, right? haha but i came back to my reasoning-if i do stop doing beyonce and the like, what am i going to frigging listen to?! it's like i was being told to run away from something dangerous, with little help of what specifically i should be chasing after. christian songs seemed broad to me. like which singers? what specific songs?!

i didn't try to actively look for christian songs, i just kind of let it sit at the back burner. i had few options-don moen, cici and bibi winans... hanging out with just these folks alll the time didn't seem so fun and interesting for me. so, i did enquire from dr. google about the lyrics- i typed them in, and i found the song and the singer that had intrigued me- one little heartbeat at a time~steven curtis chapman. i hadn't heard of him. i finally downloaded the song and a number of other songs by him. this is so good, i thought to myself. i found similar artists through him and discovered a world of amazing Christian songs that i could really relate to. no one had to tell me to delete the secular junk. i quickly did! i was beginning to crave these edifying songs that convicted me and encouraged me. i became more mindful of what i was feeding my mind and soul.

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there was laura story, britt nicole, brandon heath, meredith andrews, casting crowns, tenth north avenue, chris tomlin, chris august, josh wilson, natalie grant, francisca battistelli, mandisa, matthew west, sidewalk prophets, dara maclean, jj heller, john waller, kari jobe, dave barnes, jamie grace...and a whole lot more to choose from. aaahhh, this is soo good! where have these songs been all my life?! i felt like i had been living under a rock all those past years, or better still in the cave set in the distant mountains where lot and his two daughters sought refuge when God destroyed sodom and gomorrah. 
i was so happy! like a kid with lotsss of candy and colorful smooth pebbles. i got hold of their songs and i soaked them in. i liked how the songs were based on solid scriptural verses.

and though i know the songs could never replace the whole relationship i have with Jesus, i believe God speaks to me through them sometimes. they are such great tools for my worship sessions and praise breaks and they make for great company when i take walks, or just want to relax, dream, ponder life and the awesomeness of God.

if you've ever felt like you want to have access to songs with Christain values and edifying messages (that can be either soft or upbeat), you can check out the artists i mentioned above. this is why i blog about music monday, to share great edifying songs that people might not know about. i take it upon myself to find out the background of the singers to make sure they are Christ followers before listening to them.

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well, so this is like my road to discovering songs that glorify Jesus, edify my soul, feed my Spirit and really resonate with me. Christ centered songs do not have to be 'boring'. i used to think like that based on the limited knowledge i had on them. but here i am, so in love with these songs that declare the love and beauty of my Best Friend!

who/what are some of your favorite Christian singers/songs? do share! :)

xoxo, delali.

music monday// forgiven and loved

the love God has for me is so great, i sometimes can't seem to fathom how wide and deep it really is. this song reminds me of how i cannot earn my way into the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ! like, He loves me not because of my own good deeds, but because He simply loves me! i need to be careful not to work for God's grace[undeserved favor], but to work from it. the outflow of His love into my life eventually fills up to the brim and spills over through me to others!

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"therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 corinthians 5:17

forgiven and loved~ jimmy needham

tell me i'm forgiven and loved, cause i hear it from the street corner priests

on how God is love and how man can be clean

but my joy has been on holiday and my peace has almost passed away

tell me i'm forgiven and free

oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.

now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation in You.

oh, whisper to me now that it's for real

oh, cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal,

dirty deeds have done me in

oh, but that can't stop the faithful Friend

giving mercy once again as You heal

here it is, i'm feeling it

oh, oh, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.

now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation

oh, He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation

and His blood commands my guilt to leave

now on Calvary i stand, empty pockets, open hands,

oh, there is no condemnation for me.

oh, i tried, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do

now i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation in You

child you're forgiven and loved, child you're forgiven and loved.

child you're forgiven, and child you are loved,

child you're forgiven and loved.

no matter how farrr you think you've gone in the wrong direction, bad choices, sinful nature, Christ beckons you to come to Him! He has forgiveness that's rooted in a deep, deep, ocean of pure, unconditional love.

 and if You've confessed your sins and asked for forgiveness, He has forgiven you! really! don't allow the enemy weigh you down with the shame and guilt of the mistakes you've made. you. have. been. forgiven. believe it and move on in Christ! constantly let His truth fill you up to shut out the lies of the enemy.

you are truly forgiven. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

our deepest fear

the first time i ever heard these words was when i was happily watching akeelah and the bee. anyone remember that movie? it's a great one! the words were meant to pump courage into my fragile teenage heart, and they still ring so true in my life, especially now! they are from marianne williamson's book: a return to love, which i'd be swoon to lay hands on!

our deepest fear~ marianne williamson

our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

we ask ourselves, who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

actually, who are you not to be?

you are a child of God. your playing small does not serve the world.

there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

we are all meant to shine, as children do.

we were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

it's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

"you are the salt of the earth. but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? its is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and tramples underfoot. you are the light of the world. a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. in the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." matthew 5:13-16

let your light shine, darling. someone needs to see it to be encouraged.

i hope you guys have a lovely weekend! i'm so excited about the singles summit we'll be holding at church tomorrow! good stuff! :)

xoxo, delali

music monday// little light

sometimes we just need others to tell us they understand what we're going through you know. that it's hard, yes, but that there is hope. this is a song from me to you reading that i know how life can be-frustrating, painful, agonizing, seemingly hopeless. but there is always light at the end of the struggles, beyond the pain and darkness.

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little light~ rachel platten

looking for a little light to illuminate the truth and the stillness after everything is blown away.

life fades in the cuts and the struggles, i just need a light at the end of the tunnel.

look up, do the lines on your face cut a little bit deeper? i know you're not feeling very young.

so tired, stuck in this place like you don't wanna be here. 

i know voices call you in the night- come away, come away.

just looking for a little light to illuminate the truth and the stillness after everything is blown away.

life fades in the cuts and the struggles, i just need a light at the end of the tunnel.

hey now, from the wells of your eyes comes a deep frustration. sometimes it can seem so hard to try.

everyday is a need for money, you bleed. you're lonely when there's someone beside you.

i know that in these arms you'll find all of this will pass.

cause everybody needs a harbor in the tempest,

a reason to believe you're more than what you have,

even more than what you had, cause all of this will pass.

"many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' but You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." psalm 3:2-3 

"in  all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. these have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."1 peter 1:6-7 

"...and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." romans 5:2-5

we'll always find redemption if we hold on to Jesus especially in the tough times. this too shall pass. hold on to the glimpses of hope God has placed around and within your heart.

xoxo, delali