Sweet Serenity

Sweet Serenity - written by Jonathan Seller

Oh the depths of present calamity
My mind is fixed on future’s uncertainty
Will troubles find the alter of serenity
In the midst of pain, and growing hostility
Unless I rest in the lack of my ability
And turn to Thee in all nobility
For strength and rest in relentless tranquility
Let waste, not I, in self proven depravity

For You alone can provide solemnity
For the weary heart, there is security
To find in Christ, His vast sufficiency
So Bold I come, with all authority
To offer praise with all audacity
For my mind is full in dark complexity
Yet you are Sovereign in all simplicity
Cause my heart to find humility
Before I find my own sanity
For it is here you show your gravity
The glory of God in sweet serenity

That's What Love Is

The following is a video of one of my favorite male singers singing one of my favorite songs, entitled, "That's What Love Is".



It’s the only thing worth life and death. It’s the first moment and the final breath.
It’s a broken heart keeping a solemn vow
And a lost soul being found.
You pray for faith when it’s hard to believe.
You choose to stay when it’s easy to leave
And when hope is gone you’re the one who keeps holding on.

Chorus

That’s what love is When you give until there’s nothing left
And it makes you give the very best. That’s what love is.
It can make you laugh and make you cry.
It can let you down and lift you up so high
When you find the only reason left to live.
That’s what love is.

It’s the dream you give up for someone else.
It’s being strong when you’re weak yourself.
Though it tears you up you trust again.
Hatred loses and forgiveness wins.
You turn your cheek when you want to fight.
Sell all you have and lay down your life
And when hope is gone you’re the one who keeps holding on.

Chorus

It’s reaching out and holding on so someone else will know. Love is in the not letting go.

Chorus

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For more amazing video's of this amazing vocalist visit my brother's blog at www.joshuaseller.com

Letting Go Of Lesser Things

Underneath the stars, the following was birthed. Too many people I know are settling for less. They love their careers, schooling, family, reputation, recreation, sports, cars, etc. at the expense of thier relationship with Jesus. The great lie Satan uses on believers is that freedom is found when we fulfill our desires. I have found the exact opposite in my life. It is only when I die to self, what I want, and how I feel that I find true freedom, peace, joy, and surrender. So, for me in this life, I am letting go of lesser things, and picking up the banner of Christ Jesus and waving it high, sold out for the One who died for me. Join me. Don't settle in this life for what the world tells you is success. His glory truly is our joy complete! I hope the following meditation and song I wrote will be of encouragement to you...

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Vs. 1

Thy Grace has returned my wondering heart, and brought it back home to Thee

Wrong was I in believing that Thou art lesser than these things

Throw me not, nor disregard me, but allow thy favor to be my delight

Persuade my heart that Thou art worthy for my all, my soul, my entire life.

CHORUS:

Your Glory is my Joy Complete

Making much of you and less of me

I'm letting go of lesser things

Until you become my everything

Vs. 2

Soul of mine, recant the past and wonder away no more

Though her voice be sweet, and kind hear nothing but an empty allure

Regard the cross, recall thy Savior and demand his grace be sufficient for Thee

Walk on regardless, 'till His face you finally see

Vs. 3

Lesser things shall have no home in a heart inhabited by Thee

Only peace, joy, happiness when God glorified in me

Disapointed in pleasure, fulfilling myslef, lonely prodigal me

Until my Savior simply said, "My glory, Your Joy Complete!"

Vs. 4

Hungry for more, yet settling for less, was going my way, He beckoned none the less

Seated at my picnic, now seated at His feast

Hand over thy simple pleasures, enjoy heavens feast

From His own hand, the Master serves, until I am satisfied

Nothing else shall ever compare to eating by his side

Perspective

Have you ever gone to a movie theatre and wondered how exactly the movie projects on the screen? Have you ever looked back and wondered what's up there in that tiny little window with the light piercing out of it? Have you ever seen the shadow of a person in that window and wished that you were that guy?

I have been wondering all my life what life is like on the other side of the window. Until last night, when my dreams became a reality.

My friend and I went out to a movie (Bee Movie - very good movie if your 8). After the movie, she told me that she got permission to take me to the holy of holies; the inner sancturary of all moive theatres. I was so stoked. It was everything I dreamed and more. (Okay right now, most of you are thinking I am crazy... but that's just because you've never been before). I took some secret pictures to show all of you, but be quiet because I think these pictures are top secret information the U.S. government doesnt want you to know about. All I can say was that it was glorious. I was amazed at all the film, the machines, the computers, the projectors, the engines that run the film roles. Everything was so much bigger and grander than I had ever imagined. The tiny widow, really isn't all that small. It only appears that way when your on the ground looking up.

Beyond the fancy machines, the special reels, the 24 frames per second dolby digital projectors, I loved the feeling of being in control. I could see everyone in the theatre (some couples I wish I couldnt have seen.... yeah). I was above everyone. No one could see me, but I could see them. And I had the power to start their movie, stop thier movie, or interupt their movie. But I would never do that.... (yeah right).

I couldnt resist, so in the middle of one of the movies that was being played, I waved my hand accross the projector just enough to make everyone mad. But the cool thing was that no matter how mad they were, they didn't know who to be mad at because they couldn't see who it was that was destroying their Hollywood moment. The adreniline was pumping. Ahhhh... power is such a scary beautiful thing. After being dragged away from the projector and almost getting us kicked out, I realized my moment of Soverignty would be coming to an end quickly.

After we left, and later on that evening I thought about my night at the moive theatre and how beautiful it was to be in control. Since the Garden of Eden, there is something inside of all of us that desires to be in control. We long for the freedom to do whatever we want without consequence. We long for independence more than we do dependence. We like looking down, more than we do lookin up. We love knowing all, and seeing all things. Even in my short time of having some kind of power over people, I abused it.

All of us in a sense are sitting in the theatre of life watching our lives before our very eyes. None of us know the next 24 frames per second, the next scene in our moive, or the director's twist that will only be revealed in the last scene of the movie. But here's the great thing. All of us who know God, and how have been called according to his good purposes have nothing to fear. The Bible teaches us that "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." God is not a guy messing with the projector just so he can have a good laugh at our frustrations. God not only maintains the projector and what frames, and scenes goes through His Sovereign lens, He also is sitting in the seat next to us holding our hands telling us, don't worry though this is a tough scene to watch, trust me, it all works out in the end.

So the next time your watching a movie in the theatre and you look up and wonder what's in that tiny little window. Just be thankful it's not me. And be thankful that the author and director of your storey is Good. You may not be able to see him, but he is there. The movie may be scary at times, but He is sitting beside You. And the greatest thing of all... for the believer we already know what happens in the end.

Ross

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endurethThine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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The above is such a familiar song to the church, but is it familiar to you?
Have you ever thought and pondered the faithfulness of God on and in your life.
Has he been faithful? Has he ever let you down?

A couple weeks ago, I was singing at a church when before the service I noticed a woman and her husband feeding their 27 year old retarded Son. I later found out that his name was Ross, and when he was 9 months old a babysitter shook him so bad that he became totally mentally retarded. He now has the mind of a 9 month old, can't see, and can't communicate in any way and sits in a chair flopping his arms and head back and forth all day. I was amazed at the patience and compassion these two individuals had on their Son. Their Son would never be able to tell them Thank you, or I love You. He would never be able to help his dad work on a project in the garage, or help his mom in the kitchen. Ross would be completely dependent on the love and care of his parents the rest of his life. The service was about to begin, but I didn’t care, I wanted to know more about this couple and how they deal with having a 27 year old retarded Son. I pulled up a chair, and leaned in close. I didn't want to miss a thing. As we were talking I noticed Ross' dad caressing his hand back and forth. I noticed Ross' mom wipe the food off his face with such gentleness and care. These people really loved Ross. Even though Ross would never reciprocate any token of appreciation it didn't matter. Ross was their Son. The service began and I was about to sing... but I hesitated. I planned on singing "Great is thy Faithfulness". How could I sing this song in the presence of such people? Has God really been faithful to Ross? Has God really been faithful to Ross' parents? I wouldn’t go up and sing. I couldn’t. I told Ross' mom I had planned on singing "Great is they Faithfulness" but that I couldn’t sing it without asking her a question. She said, "Sure, what is your question." I hesitantly replied, "Has God... been faithful?"

I wasn't prepared for what I heard.

As she continued to feed her Son, her eyes welled up as if I had just his a soft spot. She replied, "Oh Yes, Jonathan, God has been so faithful to us." God gave us Ross. God gave Ross us. He is our Son, and we are Ross' parents. We love Ross. Yes times have been tough, but we want you to go up there and sing that song. Don't worry about us, God takes care of us. More than you know. Jonathan, God is faithful."

While singing, I couldn't get Ross out of my head. "Great is thy faithfulness, Lord God my Father; their is no shadow of turning with Thee." (Ross' dad reminded me of this line. Ross' dad has had every opportunity in the world to give up on his Son. But he doesn't. He lifts him in and out of bed every day of his life, and will until the die that he or Ross dies. Ross' Father ain't going anywhere, and neither is mine). "Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be." (Ross' parents have never wavered in their commitment to their Son. They have shown unconditional Love. Love without reward. Love without anything in return. Love that faileth not. Love that lasts forever.)

So... I conclude this blog with tears in my eyes, humbled that somtimes it takes a Ross in my life to remind me of the marvelous grace, and unfailing love of my never changing, unconditionally loving constant God. Great is His Faithfulness toward me.