In my last entry we established that we are:

 

1. Fearfully and wonderfully made, even if we don't believe in God or Jesus. We are still a living testimony so intricate in design. 

2. Once we truly accept and receive Jesus into our beings we inherit His spirit into ourselves. This means we are now part of the same family.  We are related to, connected to every other person that has accepted Jesus into themselves. We are all part of one body. The body of Christ.

 

That's a heavy thought. And here is a simple one; now that Jesus and His spirit live in us, we can be like Him. That can be the foundation of who we are. When I looked up the word Indentity, this is what I found in the Webster's dictionary;

*sameness of essential or generic character in different instances 

*sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness


*the condition of being the same with something described or asserted 

 

All the days I wandered around trying to "find myself" "soul- search", be this and be that!

All I had to do was look at Jesus. It's so overdone. Remember when people wore those "WWJD" what would Jesus do bracelet's? That may have hurt this idea more than helped it. It became so obvious I overlooked it! Or I knew it and forgot it somewhere along the way. I don't have to "find me", I just have to KNOW HIM.

 

I'm not saying we have to be clones or that we have to act the same way. I'm sitting here at a coffee shop looking at the old buildings up and down the street, some red brick, some painted yellow stucco, some old and rustic, some trendy and sleek- we can each be as unique and different as these buildings. We can express ourselves differently, have different strong points, different interests and different personalities as long as at our core, at our foundation we have the character of Christ. That makes sense since we are part of His body and each part of the body serves a different purpose.

 

So who is He that lives inside of me? What is He like? I could write volumes and not fully explain or understand how wonderful Jesus' character and identity is, but the place I want to start at is His meekness and humility.

 

Jesus said Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 

In the Bible, meekness means gentleness, caring. Basically not being biting, harsh, cruel, but gentle. All through the Bible we are reminded that we should humble ourselves and He will raise us up. Jesus said "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". It is better to take the worst seat and be asked to take the best seat instead of taking the best seat and being demoted.

The definition of humility is "low" or "from the earth". Jesus put others above himself, cared for them by literally coming down to the earth, to our level to raise us up. Maybe that’s were we get the phrase and say “he/she is so down to earth”. Humility isn't an attitude we wear on our sleeve that tells people we are unworthy or below them or belittling our achievements or talents. That is false humility and it is one of the worst things we can fall into. It is the counterfeit of true humility. True humility is when we can lower ourselves to everyone's level, take the lowest position, not defend ourselves when accused because we are confident of who we are IN Christ and don't need to prove it by rising up. God, will raise us up as suredly as He raised Christ from the dead.

A God that would willingly become a helpless baby in the care of sinful human's is humble beyond understanding. Someone who would endure a shameful and humiliating death by choice is so beautifully meek and long suffering. Jesus is the lamb that was slain, He didn't open His mouth to defend Himself when accused. He didn't puff up with pride even though His understanding of God and the scriptures far surpassed everyone around Him.

Jesus is the bread of life, the UNLEAVENED bread. That means it does not rise, it cannot rise, it has no yeast in it at all. When we take the communion and when we look at the cross- the most recognized sign for Christ- the first thing that comes to mind is humility and meekness. That is the first part of the characteristic of Christ we should ascribe to our own identity.

Meditate on it, think upon it- the beautiful humility and long-suffering of Jesus. And then, let's pray the we will live with that beautiful part of Jesus in us, to raise other people up.

Now when we write the definition after our names it goes like this:

Lindsey: 1. Fearfully and wonderfully made

             2. Part of the actual body of Christ, A living temple for God's spirit, given all the power and authority                      that Christ paid for.

              3. Emulator of Christ, showing:

                      a. His gentleness, and true humility (becoming low to raise others up)

I don't really know who I am. I must not grasp it fully or I'm sure I would not have had the week I've had. If feels good to get that out there right off the bat. To formally introduce myself I'd say my name is Lara Landon, I'm a 23 year old singer/songwriter, I'm a daughter and a sister, the baby of the family, my parents have never divorced, and I grew up with a knowledge or rather a glimpse of God. But informally, as I find formal rather boring, I'd say my name is Lara and I think I'm on the brink of something big. An album release, yes (On September 22^nd to be exact). The prospect of sharing my thoughts with a large amount of people, yes. But something even bigger. 

 

I think I may find out who I really am. Dare I say, who we are as people.

 

Like an archeological dig, I feel like I may soon answer to find my ancient name. I may soon know my true identity.

 

I want to make this worth my writing and your reading and really both of our time. So what are the facts about the importance of names and what does that mean in a practical way to me?

 

Firstly, I believe there are two legs that each name and identity stands on. A person will not be able to walk forward without both (pun intended). One leg is Doing and one leg is Being. And from the evidence I can't see where it matters which one goes first as long as both Being and Doing are equally strong.

 

I want to focus on being first. What all of us as humans can put in our bags and take home to do with what we choose. This is complex, this is mysterious, this involves every vain, muscle, artery, brain cell, heart beat, DNA, blood type, laid before the foundation of the earth kind of thing. I feel intimidated approaching such a vast and mind-bending subject. I'm really unqualified. But then again no one really is qualified to talk about such a holy and precious subject as the creation of a human being except God Himself so I will give His words the floor.

 

“Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:26-28....

And through the pen of David;

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”   Psalm 139:12-14

 

Out of Jesus’ own mouth:

 

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6.

So the first concrete evidence to put in my bag is this: We are the creations of God. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our hairs are numbered by His watchful eye. He saw us, and called us "good". And we are worth much to Jesus, ultimately His life.

We are wonderfully created before we know about salvation, before we except Jesus as our Father and saviour. To think, to choose, to will, to move is our inheritance as a created being. Whether we are good or evil, we are still amazingly complex and wonderful creations. If you are dull or sharp, fat or thin, beautiful or homely you are still a walking miracle and living monument to the greatness of our creative genius of a God. 

Once we accept Jesus, the evidence suggests that we become something more. Our name grows. We receive something into ourselves that becomes part of us and that is even more wonderful and mysterious- His spirit. Again I am at a loss to describe this mystery so I will defer to the living word of God.

Ephesians 1:15-23 explains that when we accept Jesus, we now have within us the same power that raised Christ from the dead. The power that is "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body.

God gave Jesus all authority and Jesus in now over us and in us. We are the church, "his body".

Wow. Remember that next time you feel like you are powerless or a nobody.

These two definitions can now be confidently placed after our names (Ex. Michael; skillfully created, part of the living body of Christ on earth.) As the definitions of each of us expand they will vary greatly but these two first and foremost definitions will be the same. 

That makes me feel as if I've found a real treasure. We struck gold at our first whack. A knowledge that cannot be denied. I just learned that I share an identity with every human that is created and an additional identity with every one who calls Jesus their father. That makes us family now, and it makes me think twice about how I act because I know more about who I am. I share with every person that has ever lived this commonality. These two truths will be the ground that I can build upon. From here, this place of Being I will find out what to do. But I warn both you and I with much knowledge comes much responsibility and therein can lie my pain if I refuse it or my joy if I embrace it.

The message in my heart, on my mind and in my mouth is God loves you.

"Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? How could this happen to me!? Why, if your God is so good is their so much bad? I would rather not believe in that kind of God"

On Memorial Day we honor the brave men and women who gave their life to for an ideal, for a cause called America, for us the people they didn't know. They only knew we would be left here with what they could or could not secure for us. They only knew it was right to fight and stand and die for their country.

I believe there must be no better way to die, then to die fighting for something, for someone.

This reminds me of Jesus and the way He died. Just like soldiers who go to the front lines, He went to the front line and to a sure death to secure for us Eternal life.

He still fights on our behalf- He is called our "intercessor", the one who stands in the gap between us and hell, who makes a way to God the Father, who protects us from the accusor who is always pointing a finger of accusation at us.

He is a renegade who is not afraid to storm the gates of hell and secure for us a way out of the grave.

It is glorious to die with honor. And because Jesus died in such a way, all the people we are honoring today have the chance to be gloriously raised again from the dead.

I am stirred up by the boldness and the passion of people who believe in something so deeply that they will go down fighting for it, not only is it the best way to die, but the fullest way to live.  

I ask myself "what would I die for"?

I want to align my desires, my time, my thoughts, my relationships closer to this measurement. If I would not die for this, is it worth doing? If I would not die for you, am I not loving to the fullest? What would I stand in the front lines for?

It must be refreshing, fulfilling to know exactly how far you'd go for someone or something.

Hey!

I haven't blogged in a while and recently I've added so many new friends so I want to tell you a little bit about myself. (I've also missed my faithful friends on here too!)

Well I'm 23, turning 24 on September 4. I moved here to nashville about 4 years ago from Southern California, Riverside to be exact. So many things have changed in four years, probably because people seem to change the most in their early twenties. But not only that, I've met and re-met God on many different levels and in new ways, I've met and been influenced by people that have given glimpses and pieces of who I want to be, I've been lonely being away from my family, and I've been surrounded by friends who are closer to me than I would have ever imagined friends could be.

All the while, through all the changes in my mind, my heart, my location, and my relationships, I've been experiencing an ever changing relationship to music and the gifts I believe are mine to stewart. 

In the beginning, I wrote what was on my mind in my journal every night. Journal entries turned into poems and poems into songs. I still do that but now. I poured myself out into my first album called Beloved. Beloved was never distributed and it really broke my spirit- thinking that I tried so hard, I prayed so hard and it was being put on the shelf for no one to hear. Now I find that it may be distributed in the fall, but with labels you never know. So I'm not going to worry about it, I'm not stressed about it. I pray God's will is done, He started something in me and now He must complete it.

All that to say, when my hopes and dreams for music and my gifts were being thwarted and stopped no matter what I tried, I had to think about why I was really doing this.

I stopped worrying so much about what would happen with music and only desired to be free in every area of my life. It was then that I believe the true meaning of what I am doing with my life became clear as I know it has become clear to many people that desire to do something worthy with their lives. It is the mission statement that Jesus himself gave and it's found in Isaiah 61

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

and freedom to the prisoners..."

AMEN! I want to follow in my Father's footsteps. 

And a helpful lesson I learned is that I'm doing this FOR God, I'm doing it WITH God.

He will complete that which He has started in me- and in you and in anyone who offers up their lives and their destiny's with clean hands and a pure heart.

I really do pray that everything that I sing and write flows out of this mission to bring the hope and love of God to you in honest and creative ways. For His glory and for the sake of the precious name of Jesus.

Love and Blessings- Your friend

Lara

Hey,

sorry I've been M.I.A. the past few weeks. I'm back now.
I've been up to my usual. Learning the same lessons for the millionth time.
Learning that God likes me, learning that He has good plans for me, learning to enjoy and find the good in where I'm at with what I have (and have not).

What I haven't learned is how to balance waiting for God to say "go and do" and just waiting because I am scared or weary or just plain lazy. It's a fine line. I haven't learned the difference between stepping out in faith and "doing it afraid" and just stepping out because I'm restless and I want something now.

I know that in the Bible before a battle was to be fought and won the wise men would get specific instructions from God and carry them out exactly that way, like Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. I know that when Saul didn't want to wait and went into battle instead of following God's directions he failed miserably. Well I don't want to go into a battle God didn't tell me to go into or how to win, but I'm not hearing what to do exactly and the hours and days are passing and I can't get still enough to receive instructions.

The Psalms say "Be still and know that I am God". I'm sure, I'm convinced if I would be still enough I would learn the lesson I need to learn- to understand when to step out and when to wait, when to go and how on earth to stay. If I could silence the thoughts of self-pity, self pride, self- hate and self- love that bother me while I wait for God to teach me in His still, small voice. If I could silence the trivial, the grocery list, the gossip, the job search, the bickering- then maybe I would hear "Go" or "Wait" or "change direction all together".

Oh to behold the Beauty of the Lord, to stand before Him with nothing. Ready to humbly receive instruction, ready to receive and accept His love and blessings, ready to admit I am a sinner but ready to receive forgiveness and strength. Ready to stay and ready to move, ready to be still enough to hear and to obey.

That's what I want.

So my dear friends- the news is good this time!
miraculously I have the chance to record new songs this coming month!
and not just with anyone- with a producer I really respect! I will let you know details later, but for now I just want to share how GOOD and FAITHFUL God is. Even when I'm confused and helpless or maybe even more so when I'm confused and helpless! In my weakness He is strong so He can have all the glory.

I had this phrase come to my mind "I am using God for my Glory instead of God using me for His Glory...tisk tisk"

uh oh! that's a serious problem and if I was honest I would say you know I thought my heart was pure, but maybe it needed even more fire and refinement. There is always more purification that can happen, there is always more correction and shaping to be had. So my prayer is that I have no goals, no ambitions, no attention, no acclaim if it will ruin me- which it most certainly could! I just want to make songs that will give God the nod- the recognition "yes God, you are above I am below. You are gracious I am greedy, you choose me and I say thank you- I'm not worthy but thank you."

So I will need your help choosing songs for this next project- I want to pick ones that will please God alone though. Who cares about radio!? who cares about catchy?! I don't. I care about doing the best I can, the most honest I can, and I hope that just happens to speak to you as well. But that's where I'm at now.

Here are some new lyrics- what do you think? this song is based on Bible verses that I've heard many times but never really claimed for myself.

Jeremiah 17:14
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

 Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Psalm 6:2
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

Psalm 30:2
O LORD my God, I cried out to You,And You healed me.

I pray that God uses this song to heal people and give them the words to ask God for healing. It still needs some tweaks but this is what it's about...

Heal Me, Lord

Ask and keep on asking
seek and you will find
knock and the door will be open
well, I've been trying

if you were still among us
you know to you I'd run
I'm in a world of pain
and I need some healing

Heal me Lord and I will be healed
Save me Lord and I will be saved
you said to ask and so I'm asking
Jesus my Lord
I'm asking, I'm asking

my faith is little I know
but you said a little is enough
I believe if you are willing
you could save me from myself

can I lay my head on you?
will you please comfort me?
Jesus I am weary and you said
"weary come to me"

Heal me Lord and I will be healed
Save me Lord and I will be saved
you said to ask and so I'm asking
Jesus my Lord
I'm asking, I'm asking

you said, by your stripes I am healed
and you bought me with your blood
you said fear not I am with you
but I just can't feel that Lord

I'm sick in mind and body
I'm low on faith and love
but I believe you can help me
please don't let me give up

Heal me Lord and I will be healed
Save me Lord and I will be saved
you said to ask and so I'm asking
Jesus my Lord
I'm asking, I'm asking

Well I'm not gonna go- until I know you know I believe
I'm not gonna leave- until you touch me
Jesus have mercy!

Heal me Lord and I will be healed
Save me Lord and I will be saved
you said to ask and so I'm asking
Jesus my Lord
I'm asking, I'm asking