To Shape and Use

We always have visions, before a thing is made real. When we realize that although the vision is real, it is not real in us, then is the time that Satan comes in with his temptations, and we are apt to say it is no use to go on. Instead of the vision becoming real, there has come the valley of humiliation.

"Life is not as idle ore,But iron dug from central gloom,And batter'd by the shocks of doomTo shape and use."

God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience. Think of the enormous leisure of God! He is never in a hurry. We are always in such a frantic hurry. In the light of the glory of the vision we go forth to do things, but the vision is not real in us yet; and God has to take us into the valley, and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the place where He can trust us with the veritable reality. Ever since we had the vision God has been at work, getting us into the shape of the ideal, and over and over again we escape from His hand and try to batter ourselves into our own shape.

The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don't lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you.

                                           Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 07/06

Can this be any more true of my life right now?  Can God really change me?

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

                                                                    Philippians 3: 13b-14.

In the Belly of a Whale...

I follow the night, can't stand the light.
When will I begin to live again?
One day I'll fly away.  Leave all this to yesterday.
What good could your love do for me?

When will love be through with me?

Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day when dreaming ends?


One day I'll fly away. Leave all this to yesterday.
Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day when dreaming ends?
One day I'll fly away.  Fly fly away.


There are so many awful parts of Moulin Rouge, but there are some good parts as well - this one is probably the best part.  From a Christian perspective, it has many layers.  In my mind, I can pray that to God sometimes.  At other times, I think about it as I struggle with singleness.  What good could a man's love do for me?  When will I be through with that kind of love?  When will I run into the arms of the most Holy?
I wish I was as Paul right now.  My focus solely on the Lord.  


And suddenly, my mind goes off on its own and here's what it comes up with:  Jonah.


You see God's a god of mercy,
God's a god of love.
And right now, He's gonna lend a helping hand from up above!
Praise the Lord!
He's the God of second chances!
You'll be floored how His love your life enhances!
You can be restored from your darkest circumstances!
Our God is a God of second chances!


Praise the Lord that he's given me music like this.  I am now jamming to his grace!  Woot!