The Belonging Co: Nothing Else (feat. Cody Carnes)

We must clearly discern and embrace the various seasons of life we find ourselves. This is important because the practical outworking of the cry and longing for "nothing else but Jesus" will look differently according to your current season of life. When I was single, after I married and after I had children, the heart cry for only Jesus has always been the same, but the practical pursuit and outworking of embracing "nothing else but Jesus" has looked different from season to season. Having realistic expectations for both the pursuit and the outworking of a "nothing else but Jesus" lifestyle is absolutely crucial, if we are to live this thing out with great peace, love and joy. Misguided and unrealistic expectations will always end in disappointment, heartbreak and discouragement.

I don't have too many words for this one because the lyrics are so perfect. I hope and pray they resonate within you as deeply as they do in me. Bless you friend.

Chorus

I'm caught up in Your presence

I just want to sit here at Your feet
I'm caught up in this holy moment
I never want to leave
I'm not here for blessings
Jesus, You don't owe me anything
More than anything that You can do
I just want You

Verse
I'm sorry when I've just gone through the motions
I'm sorry when I just sang another song
Take me back to where we started
I open up my heart to You
I'm sorry when I've come with my agenda
I'm sorry when I forgot that You're enough
Take me back to where we started
I open up my heart to You

Bridge
I Just want You
Nothing else, Nothing else
Nothing else will do

Nicole Nordeman: the Unmaking (acoustic)

Jesus came to to save, redeem and recreate us into His image. Not as carbon copies of Himself but as unique expression of what His life (the life of Jesus) would look like lived out through us. This means everyone's expression of Jesus will be unique. Yes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), but the way Jesus manifests Himself will be through your personality, gifts, talents, culture and heritage. So the way a person from Taiwan manifests Jesus will be different than the way a person from Australia does. Yes, there will be commonalities between them but if the expression of Jesus is genuine than there should be very unique distinctions. 

Anyone can just copy a person's behavior, mannerisms and words. But when the life of Jesus has truly taken deep root within a person where His very nature has begun the process of infusing and consuming every aspect of a person, this will cause a radical restructuring and transforming of a person's entire being. Now, in order for this to fully transpire, a person must allow Jesus complete access, so He can 1) unmake all the sin, dysfunctions and distortions from us and then 2) recreate us into His image. 

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. (Romans 8:29-30 NLT)

This can be a very hard process, trust me I know. My own journey of unmaking in order to be recreated hasn't been the smoothest and easiest to say the least. On more than one occasion, I've felt like quitting. But, on the other side of any trial or testing, I can honestly say I have always been transformed into a greater likeness to Jesus. Oftentimes, it has been so that I can in greater depth and measure embody more of His love, compassion and humility towards others. As the saying goes, there can be no testimony without a test. So, I am praying that you would say "yes" to the Jesus process and for great endurance for you in your own unmaking and recreating. 

Nichole Nordeman: Name (Lyric Video)

I have been in a long winter season, but maybe it's time to resurrect this blog once again...