tenth avenue north + andy mineo + lecrae.

"Jesus was a nice guy, but wasn't no friend to me.  My lips said I loved Him, my actions despised His reign.  I had my own agenda, I was my own king..." -Andy Mineo, "Formerly Known"

So.  Another reason my blog's name/address is changing.  I'm taking a step in my walk, and I wanted my blog to take a step with me.

It's kind of hard to tell ya'll this, but I think you've all been there in some point in time.  When you talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk.  Where everything you said was Jesus, but nothing you did was. Where your schedule was empty and there was still no room on the calendar for spending time with God.  That's where I was.  And it's not 'was' as in a year ago.  Five months ago.  Try four days ago.

I don't know what clicked, but when I listened to Tenth Avenue North's CD, Over and Underneath, something did.  The lyrics were just so worship-filled.  Every song was telling me how great God is, just in different words.  "Love Is Here" told me God isn't later.  He is right now -- in this moment.  Which lead to the thought, "Why am I waiting?  Why do I keep pushing Him to the side?"  Which eventually led to this post.

The answers to my questions weren't exactly reassuring.

Why am I waiting?
Apathy, complacency, laziness...

Why do I keep pushing Him to the side?
Because I think I have better things to do.

What can be better than God?  I don't know about you guys, but when I've experienced His presence, it's like a high that lasts for a week or two.  Events like church camp.  Winter retreat.  Concerts.  But that "high" wears off.  And I'm right back to where I started.  I make time for anything and everything, rather than My Everything being my schedule.  It's pathetic, really.  But I think a lot of us get caught in these ruts, where Jesus was a a nice guy, but wasn't no friend to me.  Where we determine our own fate and end up even more miserable than we were before.

"I had a dream that I was captain of my soul, I was master of fate.  I lost control and then I sank.  So I don't wanna take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes..." -Lecrae, "Background"

I was blending in, not standing out.  I had become part of the crowd all over again, worrying what people thought of me, just wanting to be accepted.  I'd become complacent and apathetic, just like everyone else. Complaining about homework, rolling my eyes at people's faults instead confessing my own.  That's not how it's supposed to be.  We were made to be light in a dark world.

"I was made to light it up, city on a hill top.  And I know the Only Way so hit me when you feel lost.  So put your shades on, you know lower your frames.  'Cause when His glory shines, you gon' lower your frame..." -Lecrae in "Let There Be Light" by Andy Mineo

"i just wanna be like You"

"He will use the concert/trip to teach you something important, so be prepared to learn."

This was advice from my dear friend Kathryn, letter-form (the most sincere form of communication, jussayin').  Little did I know, she was right.  But not about the topic she's thinking of.  No, my lesson was on focus.

See, I went on this trip with a few wishes, daydreams -- whatever you want to call them -- tucked in my pocket.  My crush was on this trip, and I was hoping to catch his eye.  I'm not the flashy kind of girl, and I'm not overly flirty.  I'm content watching from a distance, pondering all these things in my heart.

But just because I don't show my 'like' for someone doesn't mean I don't think about them.  Doesn't mean I don't enjoy a smile meant just for me, or a "Hey Anna!".  Doesn't mean that person wasn't my focus. Because he was.  Until now.

For those of you who are big time Lecrae fans (memememe! :)), you know how awesome a role model he is for us teenagers that are learning to pursue Christ.  Well, he's not just an awesome role model -- he's an awesome preacher.  I know God gave him the words because it was like they were gripping my heart; they weren't flat like usual.  He talked about how the world's like a sandbox and how you can drink sand all day long, but it's just going to make you more thirsty.  And how if you're not drinking in Jesus, you're still going to be thirsty.  He said Jesus can't be a part of your life.  He has to be your life.  And in that moment, I knew I needed to make Jesus my life, not just a piece of the puzzle.  Because He's the glue that holds the pieces together.  Not a boy.  Not my social ranking.  Not the amount of money in my pocket.  JESUS.

And yet, I can't seem to find ten minutes in my day to spend with Him.  He's lucky to get a prayer at the end of the day, memorized and droning.  I think more about a guy than I do The Guy.  More about questions on my homework than The Answer.  More about this world than it's Creator.   It's pathetic and "I'm afraid that this complacency is something I can't shake."

I want Him to be my focus, but how can He be when I won't put forth the effort?  I seriously need to reevaluate myself and see where God is.  'Cause right now, I'm like me.  And me is tired of apathy.  Tired of being ineffective.  I don't want to be like me.

"I just wanna be like You -- walk like, talk like, even think like You.  The only one I could look to.  You're teachin' me to be just like You.  I just gotta be like, like I just gotta be like You..." -Lecrae

guess what today is... :)

Okay, okay. I'll tell ya...

LECRAE'S NEW ALBUM COMES OUT TODAY!!!

Anyone else excited?

Well I sure am :D

And this song is actually off of his old album, but...

*goes in to super-fast talking mode*

ButIwouldreallyloveifyoulistenedtothissong'causeit'sawesomeandIloveitandIthinkyouwilltoo.

*takes breath*

4 minutes and 47 seconds.

That's it.

So please. Press play :)

BTW this is Bleah not Anna.
To tell you the truth... well... she's grounded. But let's just say she's been unrightfully detained. *wink*
Anyway, we love Anna so lets tell her!!!
xx,
Bleah