De La Rey

Legacy

Legacy-by Nicole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

A tribute to friends

After contemplating the joys of friendship tonight, this song came to my mind. I haven't listened to it in about a year, but the content of the song is heavy in my heart. I may elaborate more on this at a later time, but for now think about those friends and family that you love deeply and thank God for them, for both the joys and the sorrows of friendship are a gift from Him.

Circle of Friends-Point of Grace
Words & music by douglas mckelvey & steve siler

We were made to love and be loved
But the price this world demands will cost you far too much
I spent so many lonely years just trying to fit in
Now I've found a place in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends we have one Father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That every orphaned soul will know
And all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

If you weep, I will weep with you
And if you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too
But no matter what you feel inside there's no need to pretend
That's the way it is in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends we have one Father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That we'll gather together no matter how the highway bends
I will not lose this circle of friends

Among the nations, tribes and tongues we have sisters and brothers
And when we meet in heaven we will recognize each other
With joy so deep and love so sweet
Oh we'll celebrate these friends
And a life that never ends

In a circle of friends we have one Father
In a circle of friends we share one prayer
That it will not be long before
All will enter in to the shelter of this circle of friends
That it will not be long before all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

Chris Tomlin concert

"How Can I Keep From Singing" by Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives
And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And I fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

Last night something happened. Something happened to my mind, to my soul, to my entire being. On a smaller scale, I have personally known and experienced this certain phenomenon before. I think it can be said that these happenings are in many ways the same and at the same time, different.

What happened? Heaven happened!

The crowded amphitheater, filled with worshippers from every tribe, tongue, and nation became an extension of the Throne Room. Became the altar at the Mercy Seat. For a lingering moment in time every burden, every care, every hurt didn't exist. There was a conjoining of the Church triumphant and the Church militant, the Bride of Christ reaching out to Him, dancing for Him, lavishing Him with praise.

Words cannot adequately express the full scale of what happened. It was very real and very supernatural. It was so much more than a praise and worship concert. It was a receiving of the love of Jesus being poured out over His loved ones. It was a place where the enemy dared not enter. It was a biology lesson, astronomy lesson, and sermon all rolled up together. It was grace and mercy blanketing sinners who's likeness to Him is becoming more clear as He grows our faith. It was humbling, making me smaller and Him bigger. It was God revealing His plan to make all things new. It was all this and more. Above all, it was a momentary glimpse of Eternity, when all the angels and the saints will forevermore praise the Lamb in one accord.

I left the amphitheater praising Him; I went to bed praising Him; I woke up praising Him. I'm even sure that during my slumber I was praising Him. Twenty four hours later, I am still praising Him!