Some AWESOME Thoughts

I've been doing a little reading on a site called Jesus Freak Hideout (www.jesusfreakhideout.com). There's a "lyrics" section which includes a summary of what each song is about and where each song came from. The summary is written by whoever wrote the song. Kind of like a "Cliff's Notes" for each song. Today, in particular, I've been looking at the lyrics of Tenth Avenue North songs. These dudes are solid. I mean, their songs are just good. Real and pure and straight from the heart. Most of them talk about going through hard-times, feeling pain, questioning God, etc. Stuff that everyday folks think and feel on a daily basis, but just don't know how to put into words. That's what these guys sing.

Anyway, here's what I've put together from looking at their lyrics (and also from reading their Cliff's Notes):

1. Love is Here. Right here. Right now. All around us. Everywhere we go. God doesn't have to do a single thing to prove to us that he loves us. It's certainly been proven before, and it continues to prove itself each and every day. We should quit looking for "proof," focus on God, and just love.

2. God loves us, wants to have a relationship with us, and wants to be glorified. Sometimes, he's glorified the most when we've fallen and we're on our knees.

3. You don't have to do a single thing to "earn" God's love. You don't have to struggle or fight for it. God IS grace, mercy and love.

4. "Life is waiting for the ones who lose control." Take up your cross. Die to yourself. THEN you will find yourself.

5. Bad things happen. Sometimes, bad things happen and we simply cannot fathom any imaginable reason why they would EVER happen. Even more, sometimes there's no soothing words for folks in these situations. Sometimes, you simply don't get the answers you want. You've got to cling to God in faith that He - and his plan - are sovereign. He has promised us, "I will never leave nor forsake you. My love will (WILL!!!) carry you through."

Check out Tenth Avenue North. A couple recommendations are "By Your Side," and "Hold My Heart."


Aaaaaaaaaand some pictures: