Painted Red

You have bought me with your blood

And I am painted red by your love
-Painted Red by JJ Heller

         Sometimes friendship hurts so much. I forget so quickly how hard genuine community is. It takes work. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13

         Work out your own salvation! With fear and trembling. He promises to work in me, to give me the desire and the ability to complete the tasks he`s given me, but it is still my work. It is still my choice. I can obey, or I can try to do things on my own. Disobedience is the nature of this sinful heart! It is the natural way my flesh desires. In and through Christ alone I can do all things to the glory of His name. I am a sinner. Lord I repent of these worthless desires and the passions of my flesh. Teach me how to do this. Teach me how to look beyond the hurt and the heartache. Teach me to share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus! 2 Timothy 2:3 God may nothing be counted in my heart as judgment or lead to bitterness but free me from myself so I can work out this salvation with you, and share in your suffering. You are my Jesus and I want to be like you...even in your suffering.

"He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

-Isaiah 53:3

           You did this for me. You were despised and rejected. You lived a life full of sorrow and grief. Men hid their face from you and ignored you completely. You did it so I could have life. Jesus teach me how to suffer like you, give me grace. Give me more grace, (James 4:6)  that I can make it through and leave this test refined as gold for your glory. You healed the broken, lost, and shamed. You will make all things right. You hate to see these tears I cry. Lord you hear my unanswered prayers. Jesus I will suffer with you. I will COUNT THE COST, to be with you.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world 
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...

I never leave your hands

-Your Hands JJ Heller