A Spring of Joy

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Wednesday Worship: Just As I Am

It’s that time. Here is the next edition of Wednesday Worship. Just a refresher of what I’m doing. Last week I started a new weekly post called Wednesday Worship. It’s me sharing a song that God has been using to speak to me. I’ll write about the song, why it’s blessing me, and where you can find it. And I’d love to hear from y’all and see what God is using to speak to your hearts. Last week I was so blessed by your comments and reminded of His faithfulness in our healing, freedom, security and joy. Thank you!

I’ve spent mornings singing with my children as we learn new songs together, clapping hands, twirling through the kitchen together, little hands lifted to God. I must worship. I cannot be silent. As I’ve reflected on the cross over the last week, I continue to be overwhelmed at the unconditional love of Christ. How He loves me for who I am not for what I bring Him.

Andrew Peterson is one of my favorite songwriters. He weaves beauty into his lyrical tapestries in a way that is reminiscent of Rich Mullins (one of the world’s best lyricists if you ask me). Andrew makes me stop and think and then weep. His music is full of stories. Stories of Biblical characters, stories of family, stories of brokenness, stories of power, and mostly stories of grace. His acoustic folk sound creates a warmth that makes me want to come back again and again and again. Which I do.

“Just As I Am” is a song which I can never listen to dry-eyed. You can find it on his Love & Thunder CD and you can download the song through iTunes or Amazon.com mp3’s. AP sings what is in my heart. The brokenness. The fear. The disbelief. In the second verse, he sings of the fear that what we bring is not enough. He gets to the bottom of my struggles. “It’s the fear that His love is no better than mine.” Yet God asks me to come as just me. Open handed. Nothing to offer but brokenness. And He loves me with an overwhelming, amazing, all-encompassing, faithful, beautiful love.

Just As I Am

What’s that on the ground?
It’s what’s left of my heart
Somebody named Jesus
Broke it to pieces
And planted the shards

And they’re coming up green
They’re coming in bloom
I can hardly believe
This is all coming true

Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does

All of my life
I’ve held on to this fear
Its thistles and vines
Ensnare and entwine
What flowers appeared

It’s the fear that I’ll fall
One too many times
It’s the fear that His love
Is no better than mine
(but He says that)

Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does

It’s time now to harvest
What little that grew
This man they call Jesus
Who planted the seeds
Has come for the fruit

And the best that I’ve got
Isn’t nearly enough
He’s glad for the crop
But it’s me that He loves

Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
The same as the day that He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
The same as the day that He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me,
He loves me, He does
He loves me, He does

(© 2003 Andrew Peterson)

Amen and Amen.

Just sit for a minute. Think about who you are. Who you really are. He loves you, He does! I am worshipping that amazing love today!

angie

April 9, 2008

The Music Conservatory

6 responses to “Wednesday Worship: Just As I Am”

Natalie

April 9, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Today was a really emotional rollercoaster day. For most of the day, my self-esteem was just not doing well AT ALL. I was very self-concious, nothing seemed to be going my way and I just wanted everyone to leave me alone so that I could feel sorry for myself. Thankfully, I was able to go for a run after classes were over and this allowed me to blow off most of my steam.

I have two votes for most relevant worship song right now.
1. Beautiful by Bethany dillon (you can actually listen to it –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vu_nmZ1pXc&feature=related)

2. Anything by David Crowder Band, especially their old stuff. Some of the first Christan music I listened to was by them and therefore, anytime I hear their sound, I am reminded about how God opened my eyes and invited me into his love.

God loves me. There are no loops de loops aboard His Love Train 🙂

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Monica

April 10, 2008 at 1:58 pm

I’ve never heard this song before. It’s gorgeous. I have been worshiping with “When God Ran” by Phillips, Craig and Dean. It speaks to the same theme–no matter where you are or how far you have wandered His arms are open!

Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run

CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run

And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me

BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran

PS. Nat, I’ve been listening to Bethany Dillon too–love the “Beautiful” song! There’s something about her voice and guitar that gives me goosebumps.

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Melissa (Bruining) Teeter

April 10, 2008 at 7:36 pm

Angie,

I’ve been listening to Rita Springer since she led worship at a women’s conference I attended earlier this year. She’s one who sings her heart and struggles and points us back to Christ. . . back to worship. . . back to the reason we were created!

Her song “I Have to Believe” ministers to my heart!!

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Melissa (Bruining) Teeter

April 10, 2008 at 7:46 pm

Here are the lyrics (computer decided to submit that before I was ready!!)

I have to believe that He sees my darkness
I have to believe that He sees my pain
I have to lift up my hands to worship
Worship His name.

I have to declare that He is my refuge
I have to deny that I am alone
I have to lift up my eyes to the mountains
It’s where my help comes from.

He said that He’s forever faithful
He said that He’s forever true.
He said that He can move mountains
And if He can move mountains
He can move my mountain
He can move your mountain too

I have to stand tall when the wind blows me over
I have to stand strong when I’m weak and afraid
I have to grab hold, hold of the garments
Garments of praise.

I have to sing praise when the hour is midnight
He unlocks the chains that bind up my soul
My sin and my shame, He has forgiven, and made me whole

It reminds me that worship is obedience. . . we MUST worship!!

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Jacquie

April 11, 2008 at 11:24 am

You know what? I love his voice … I’ve heard him on my City on a Hill CD … I’m so excited!!! Thanks for the recommendation! I think I’ll be buying some new worship music today!

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Natalie

April 12, 2008 at 11:18 am

“yearn” by shane and shane. awesome song.

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