SET ME FREE- by Bob Wingate

All Rights Reserved / copyright 2006

Touch Me, Send a lightning bolt into my soul,

Oh Lord, Heal my spirit & make me whole.. again.. again

Ohh Lord, I’ve been building a cold stone heart

Not really letting you make a start

I’ve been content just to give you part..

of me.. of me

COME -- SET ME FREE

COME -- SET ME FREE

 

Distractions, on the left and on the right,

Through the day and into the night,

They cast a shadow and they keep your light

From shining.. on Me

CHORUS

Ohh Lord, send fire from heaven & let me see

You working miracles so deep in me,

And let me trust you now to set me free

To love you, totally.

CHORUS



Challenges & Blessings

  Today, as I walked down the street on the way somewhere, it began to occur to me (again!) how we take so many things for granted in our lives, and how we so often color the situations and circumstances of our lives through the lens of our past experiences.  We accept certain things, because we've always accepted them, and have disdain for others, because they are unfamiliar to us, or don't make sense at the time.

  Truth is like that.  Our lives are like a hodge-podge of inconsistencies and amalgamations of wisdom and folly, sense and nonsense.  Sometimes we go headlong into an emotional reaction without considering the context or meaning of it all.  And often we languish in this state for a much longer period of time than is necessary.

  Challenges.  Blessings.  Have you ever thought that perhaps on occasion these two terms, as it relates to our lives, may be synomynous ?   But we make them enemies and antitheses of

each other.  Life was never meant to be without its challenges, for they make us stronger and cause us to grow into the persons that we were meant to become.  Sometimes blessings come as a complete surprise, like a gift out of nowhere.  Then there are the times that blessings actually come out of a challenging time or situation.

  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (James 1:2-4)

  There's something going on here.. a process.. that makes us something different than what we already are.  It happens when a kind and generous Father grants us the privilege of being taught by himself.

  I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Phil. 1:3-6)

  This is the backdrop for our challenges that we face in life, a beautiful tapestry of God's handiwork which will eventually result in a complete, mature person.   It is this perspective which will allow us to have -not happiness but-  joy in knowing that God is continuing to work within us to make us more like himself.

   [ PRAYER:  God, as we go through our daily routines and live our separate lives, let us always keep in our hearts and minds the realization that you are at work in all of your children's lives, and may we resolve to keep you first in our thoughts, and be joyful in the midst of life's challenges.  Amen. ]

  Selah.  Think on these things. =)

Enlightenment

[ this was originally written on Sat Aug. 17 ] 

  I had a bit of an enlightenment tonight. I went to a friend's place, not for enlightenment, but for food and entertainment.  But in the midst of it all, I was enlightened.  I began to see anew what being enlightened means.  It's not something that springs forth or that we muster or conjure up inside of ourselves.  Just the opposite.  It's a gift, something that we receive, as we realize that we actually lack it and need it.  We admit our need, reach out, and receive the truth about ourselves :: our heart is in need of the Light.  We are not the source of this light :: in fact, the darkness in ourselves is what PREVENTS the light from shining in our hearts.  We oftentimes live in the shadows of the darkness, and hide from God's glorious Light.  There is nothing wrong with the Light.  His Light is all-encompassing and complete.  It pierces our humble spirits.  It is only when we create and hide behind our barriers of pride that His Light is inhibited, for he will not go where he is not invited and welcomed by faith.     

[SCRIPTURES: James 4:6-10; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 3:18, 4:4-7]

[PRAYER:  God, help me let go of the chains of darkness, and embrace Your Light.  Come and set me free.  May you be glorified in our spirits and our bodies, which are yours.  Amen.]