"Awesome Love"

I thought I'd add a bonus post that's not scrapbook related. I have been really moved by the lyrics to a song worship song we've sung at our church a few times. I finally tracked down a website and myspace to share with you here {Thanks, Angela & Ryan!} where you can listen to the song, download the words, and get info on purchasing the entire album if you are so inclined to do so.
The songwriter is a guy I'd never heard of, Jason Holdridge...but I am fast becoming a big fan of his. Some of you may remember that I sort of kicked off 2007 and rather than making resolutions, I chose the idea of "living each day as a sacrifice" to be the theme- hopefully not just of my life this year...but for as long as I live. Well, this song, "Awesome Love" has been so fitting for me to meditate on the words, and how much sacrifice really is a part of my life. Not because I am so good at it...but because there was one who was perfect...and yet was willing to sacrifice His life for me- even before I accepted Him. That picture is so vivid in this song.
It just seems more and more as I seek to live my life as a sacrifice, that in turn, I receive gifts (like the words to this song) and blessings that I don't deserve. It doesn't really make sense, and I probably can't adequately express what I am trying to say, but it's been my reality the past few months.
The more I seek to give of myself, my time, my money, my energy, my pride...whatever it is, I end up getting a bigger blessing in the end. Like when I went north to Gaylord to speak at MOPS last month. I thought my preparations for speaking and then the act of going to the event would mean that I was going to have to sacrifice part of me to do so. Instead, I found that I had 'free time' in my schedule to study books and the Bible in order to prepare my heart and mind, I had so much 'good material' to choose from and narrow down to speak on, and I had energy and quiet time, and was so blessed by the people I got to talk to and spend time with...and even got a Starbuck's giftcard out of the deal...
There was more too, but my point is that it's as though my self-sacrificing is back-firing, and I never expected that to happen when I first set out to really ponder what sacrifice in my life should be about. I wonder if I'm doing it "wrong"...or if the saying really IS true..."It is more blessed to give than to receive".
I just wanted to share this link with you- one of my most recent inspiration points in life. I challenge you to think about the words of the song {click on it in the sidebar playlist- it doesn't automatically load when you click the page}, "Awesome Love"...and then seek to live your life in light of the reality of those lyrics. I'm so glad that I have the ability to be a 'new, changed person' each and everyday.
Here are the words to "Awesome Love". I hope you find them as inspiring as I do!
{Andy...I expect you to know the chords to this one and be able to play them on your guitar the next time we're together and a guitar is in our midst. =)}