Take the Stage

Taking the Stage!

Hey!!!! It has been forever since I have posted- I apologize! This summer, I have had the privilege to work at a show choir with 3rd and 4th graders. THEY ARE AWESOME.

They show up and learn everything cold turkey for a show that they then perform in on Friday! 

(THEY HAVE 5 DAYS PEOPLE. 5 DAYS!!!)

So helping kids "take the stage" has pretty much morphed into a summer job for me! It's incredible. But I say all that as an intro, just because I need you to know that I'm going to be "real" with you from the get-go/and that my thoughts are centering around this camp that I have consequently come to love.

As I padded across the cold and wet stone 

this morning at 1:40(am)and turned on Jimmy Needham's, "Clear the Stage." 

- a camp song favorite from my previous week in Birmingham-

God was tugging on me, and I knew it was time to post... :)

Theres a single chair that always remains unscathed 

by the clutches of the rain that storm our front porch in the summers.

and there I sat.The rain drops pranced around the puddles,

the ferns slowly spun on their chains to the chorus, the thunder sang louder than all the rest, 

and the chimes and frogs managed to slip into the background of one spectacular show.

Galatians 4:6-9 - "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?"

(Paul directs this message to the churches of Galatia.) 1:1-2

My front yard was a beautiful stage tonight.

But as I looked into the pasture of grass, I knew that the actors were missing.

The vast green and black held nothing but empty weeds and puddles.

We are God's actors, and we are suppose to act on his behalf, 

yet we continue to sleep through our cues and forget to listen for them!?

We check our phones, but sometimes we don't take time to check the Word.

God gives us the opportunity of a lifetime. He offers each person direction and love,

yet we ignore his cues and go our own way. He loves us so much, 

and if only we work on His behalf and for His glory, will we THEN be living to our fullest potential.

Ephesians 2:8-10 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

(Paul directs this message to the saints who are in Ephesus, AND faithful in Christ Jesus.) 1:1

I had no idea Tori was in this until I uploaded it into the blog.
How fabulous. Tori makes a debut into "Take the Stage."

Proverbs 1:33 - "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil." <<<Go read all of this passage in Proverbs 1 when you have time! #convicting

Post Challenge:

Ask God what His will for your life is--- and listen!!!

Seriously, How EXCITING IS THAT!!!!??

Jimmy Needham talks about clearing the stage to make way for God's will in our lives- and more than that: to make way for God himself.

So after you clear the stage, and clear your mind, 

TAKE THE STAGE and Perform for the Man Upstairs!!!

He's waiting to see how lovely you'll look when you come out from behind the curtain of selfishness and worthless idols! He's SO EXCITED!! He choreographed your dance especially for you! So get out there are dance like you've never danced, and sing like you've never sung before! 

Because God is so good, and all the glory goes to Him, 

we now have a WORTHY reason to live, breath, and to 

Take the Stage!!

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Lots of Love,

Anna Claire

Select Lyrics from: "Clear the Stage"

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews and all the decorations, too
Until the congregation's few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social
Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

'Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for god to whisper
Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken


We must not worship something that's not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it


credits:

"Clear the Stage" - Jimmy Needham

Pictures - most off the good ole search engine. Go technology. :)