worship begins with desperation

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Dear friends,

I’ve been on an exciting journey the past few months. It’s a journey into the depths and heights of the God of Universe…that infinite cavern filled with light so bright, so pure, so holy. I must make the decision every day, every hour, every moment to pursue the depths of the knowledge of my Saviour Jesus Christ. I’ll admit it’s not always easy, and often – annoyingly often – I have to stir up my heart to remember my first love, and to warm up to this beautiful pursuit. But let me back up…

As Christians, painful times will come our way. No one is exempt from pain. In fact, Jesus promised His followers that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Pain comes in many different forms, and from many different causes. I went through a serious time of grieving from around Christmastime until recently. In fact, it’s hard to say when it “ended”, because it didn’t end suddenly. So in my time of grieving, I felt like I would die from the emotional pain. I wasn’t alone, but I wasn’t able to truly receive comfort from any person. Many times I collapsed on the floor in my bedroom, and could only weep, crying out for God as my “Daddy”.  A few times I remember telling Him I couldn’t take any more pain. But somehow I kept going. And my Father God never left me. 

Through this time of grieving, I experienced such a desperation for God and God alone. It went deeper than I’ve ever experienced before. For this reason, I’m thankful for the pain I went through, and would not trade it for months of peace and happiness.

God brought me to a new place of worship. My mind is overwhelmed when I try to think about how to describe what worship is. But one thing I know for certain is that all human beings were created to worship. And I also know for certain that nothing…nothing…NOTHING can ever satisfy a person except for worship of the only God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It amazes, excites and even baffles me a bit that when we are truly emptied of ourselves…including our desires and dreams (no matter how righteous they are), and when we with child-like faith lift our eyes up in simple adoration of the Person Jesus Christ, we are complete. We are home. Peace. Joy. Fulfillment.

I pray that you who read this would be encouraged in your pain. I pray that you would not run from pain or hardship or trouble. Run to Jesus! Don’t ever give up. Become desperate for His word, and don’t stop reading, praying, pursuing Him until you receive an answer from heaven.

Blessings galore,

Lindsey

Still Remain

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No matter how many new songs I’ve written in the past couple of years, I always come back to this one I wrote on December 25, 2009. Not because it’s musically amazing or anything special, but because it serves as a great reminder to me every time I sing it, that when all else fades away, God will still remain.

Before I go ahead and share the lyrics, I want to tell you a bit about the story behind writing this song.

It was Christmastime and I was 25 years old. I was feeling lonely, confused, and disappointed in a relationship that I did not understand. One night before bed, I cried out to God. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with unfulfilled dreams and disappointment and I cried into my pillow. And then God showed me something really cool. As I lay in bed, I had this picture in my mind of God’s everlasting HUGE arms underneath me, encircling me completely. He showed me in an instant that everything in this world is going to pass away, but He will always remain. He existed before time, and He will never cease to exist (Revelation 4:8). And me? Well, I was created in time, and someday my body will pass away. All these things around me today – these temporary things – will fade away and become nothing. But God will remain! And so I wrote this song…

I’m letting go / my hands are open wide
All these things I’ve been holding onto come crashing down
The tighter I hold on / the tighter hold they have on me
And I have been so disillusioned by the peace they don’t bring

So I’m giving up all these things I’ve depended on
I’ve only been disappointed …

When all else fades away;  You will still remain
When all else fades away;  You will still remain

I’m letting go /   my arms are open wide
I am falling back into your strong, safe arms
I may not feel you there / but I’ll enjoy this falling free
Because I know you’ll catch me every time!

And I’m giving up all these things I’ve depended on
I’ll only be disappointed …
And here you are; you remain, everlasting
I’m letting myself fall into your arms

When all else fades away;  You will still remain;
When all else fades away;  You will still remain;
You will still remain / You will still remain
You will still remain

I’m looking forward to presenting this song to you in recorded form when my album is finished!

May God bless you as you rely on His everlasting person today,

Lindsey

Awake!

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Oh stubborn soul, so cold and hard!
Your God He calls your name
He’s called with tenderness for years,
But you’ve just turned away

You wallow in your self-pity
“Victim” is your name
Bound in chains of bitterness
and always passing blame

Wake, O wake! You sleep in death!
He calls, now hear His voice!
The more you close your ears to Him
You cling to death by choice

Your patient Father has waited long
But soon a time will come
When in His Righteous Holiness,
He’ll address your rebellion

Dear sister, brother, friend of mine
Wake up and hear today!
God will redeem the humble hearts
Of those who will obey

The Father’s love extends so high,
So deeply He forgives
You hear His voice, the time is NOW
To choose His life and LIVE!

Ephesians 5:8-20

Get on with it!

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There is a pretty obscure passage from Colossians that has spoken to me time and time again. I’ve never heard a sermon on it before. In fact, I’ve never even heard anyone quote it before!

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”  ~Colossians 4:17

I remember reading this a few years ago, and it felt like the passage was directed at me:

And say to Lindsey Minaker, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

So what about you? Is there something that God has given you a vision for that you haven’t stepped forward in? Or is there something that you started a while back that you haven’t yet finished? Have you gotten discouraged along the way? Have people tried to talk you out of it? Have you become afraid?

Each child of God has a ministry, I believe. It doesn’t necessarily fit under the North American church’s definition of what “ministry” is! And it doesn’t have to! You might feel like you are unimportant, common, uninteresting. Those feelings will quickly lead you into apathy, laziness, unhappiness, and even depression! You are an important part of the body of Christ! Here’s how I know:

[God] has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…

~Ephesians 1: 3-4, 16-19

I encourage you to read the entire chapter of Ephesians (or better yet, the entire letter), but wanted to point out snippets of this passage. Nobody who is chosen by God is ordinary, unimportant, or uninteresting! If you are in Christ, you have that HOPE, you have that GLORIOUS INHERITANCE, you have the IMMEASURABLE GREATNESS OF HIS POWER! We get to live exciting, important, purposeful lives because of Christ in us! This is exciting.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul writes about “One Body with Many Members”. God has given each one of his children different gifts. We need to not think of our gifts as less important or less spiritual than others. We need to not compare ourselves to our brothers and sisters! We are ONE BODY, and each body part is equally important.

On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honourable we bestow the greater honour [...] God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.

~1 Corinthians 12: 22-26

There are so many wonderful promises in God’s word to us. I could go on and on about how important you are…but instead of trying to convince you, I pray that YOU who are reading this understands this message in a personal way today.

When I think about the ministry that God has called me to fulfill, I am confident that He has called me to write songs, share my music and speak His word to many people. Now, I don’t know exactly what this looks like. I have had dreams and visions of speaking and singing in front of thousands of people, being used as an empty vessel of the Almighty God! …sharing His word with the world. I have even had opportunities to share my music with many people! But I am not yet where I want to be. And I have wrestled with a lot of fear over the years.

But I am throwing off everything that holds me back, the sins that so easily entangle me, and I am fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). I don’t want to sit at the sidelines of life, and watch all the other players, wishing that I had the courage to step out onto the field. God has given us a spirit NOT of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). And He has spoken time and time again to us – yes, even to you! – DO NOT BE AFRAID. Fear is a killer. It stifles us; prevents us from moving forward; sucks away our joy and hope. I have experienced terrible fears in my life! But the wonderful truth is that God will never ask us to do something that we can’t do! If He has told us, “Do not be afraid,” we have the power to not be afraid.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’

~Romans 8:15

I want to encourage you today to step forward! Run this race in obedience, trusting that God has called you to great things. And if He has called you to great things, He will indeed give you everything you need to get there!

I’m praying for you. May you know God’s hope today.

~Lindsey

God doesn’t need your help

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Sometimes we feel like we need to help God.

The Almighty God of the Universe…the God who created the universe by the word of his mouth, who breathed out galaxies (Psalm 33), who formed each person, animal, plant, living thing so intricately and uniquely. Words cannot express how HUGE and Almighty He is! “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33)

Picture this: I walk up to this same God, and say, “God, please step aside. I can handle this.” Ha! It’s actually quite funny if you think of it. Funny in a ridiculous way. Who am I to think that I could be in control of circumstances, situations, relationships? Are my hands as big as God’s? Is my understanding as deep as God’s?

It continually amazes me that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. Take a deep breath. Okay, let it out. Here’s what God says about good works: “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) Whaaaat? But I try so hard to be a good person! Doesn’t that matter to God? He also says, “Cease striving, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). I can see myself squirming in my seat…”but, but, but!” I totally feel like I need to be doing SOMETHING!

Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” ~John 15:4-7

It is through this absolute surrender to Jesus Christ that we are able to bear fruit. And we know from Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These are not naturally from us! They are a deep inner working of the Holy Spirit IN us! We get all these good things from remaining in the vine.

Jesus also said,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ~Matthew 11:28-30

This “yoke” that he’s talking about is a plowing tool; a long wooden beam used to join two oxen together in order to pull the plow behind them. Jesus invites us to join him under his burden (kind of sounds like a paradox, eh?), so that we will have rest. But it’s so true! We so often try to go about our days carrying our own burdens, which are much too heavy for us to bear alone. Jesus’ yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Why? Because He is right there beside us, helping us along the way!

I want to end this post with another Scripture. Wow! Thank God for His Scripture, and the access we have to it! It is alive! The Bible is not just a book – it is the POWER of God! It is His word to us, and nothing – NOTHING – can replace it! Hallelujah! May the Holy Spirit grant you who are reading this understanding of His word.

Through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! ~Galatians 2:19-21

God has done it all for us through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the Saviour of the world. You and I need to rest in knowing that He is in complete control. You and I need to surrender everything to Him, so that we can truly LIVE!

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” ~2 Thessalonians 3:16

God’s richest blessings to you,

Lindsey

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

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My heart has been so touched today by Jesus! I feel like I’ve been wandering in a dry desert for a long time, but He has come to relieve me of my burdens and has given me refreshing water to soothe my spirit today! I opened up a hymn book and read the words of this hymn. In a world of doubts and fears, I am finally able to be at rest. Thank You, Jesus.

My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed;
I trust the ever living One, His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other evidence, I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died and rose again for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out.

I need no other evidence, I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died and rose again for me.

My soul is resting on the Word, the living Word of God:
Salvation in my Saviour’s name, Salvation through His blood.

I need no other evidence, I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died and rose again for me.

The great Physician heals the sick, the lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed, for me His life He gave.

I need no other evidence, I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died and rose again for me.

Words: Eliza E. Hewitt, Songs of Joy and Gladness, 1891.
Music: Landås, André E. M. Grétry (1741-1813); arranged by William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

Edmund’s Song #2

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Hello, my faithful blog-readers. :) I appreciate you!

I started writing this song last November, and finally have finished the first draft. I’m trying something here that I’ve never done before. I’m posting the lyrics to my song online so that people can comment and critique it. Hopefully it will take this song through the refining fire of the song-writing process, and you get to feel special that you’re a part of this process!

For those who have not read my previous blog about this song…I’m writing a song about the character Edmund from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis. I’m putting myself in his shoes, singing about his experience before and after meeting Aslan. I hope this will bring you up to speed. :)

Edmund’s Song:

How could I be so foolish to think that you cannot see
Everything I’ve been doing while hiding among the trees
I have been taken captive by promises of Delight
But these insatiable cravings will never be satisfied

I am running from this fear that you will find me
But this winter is killing me, and so I cry…

Will you save me from certain death
I know I don’t deserve it
But Your mercy is calling me back
And I have been saved forever
By a king who would die for a traitor

I have been walking forever; these chains are dragging me down
So deceived by beauty that’s faded and filthy now
But now I see glimpses of Springtime… a distant memory
and now more than ever I’m longing for freedom from misery

And You, You stood in my place, though I was a traitor
Destroyed the power of death when you died for me

You saved me from certain death
I know I didn’t deserve it
But Your mercy has bought me back
And I have been saved forever
By a king who died for a traitor

Looking forward to reading your comments!
Lindsey

How to figure out where you’re going

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You’re either reading this blog thinking, “Wow, Lindsey must have all the answers!” or “Wow, Lindsey must think she has all the answers!” or maybe you just stumbled upon this blog, seeking direction in your own life. I’m entitling this blog “How to figure out where you’re going” because if you’re like me, you’re often wondering where to go next…you hate the status quo and you want to make sure you’re walking where you’re supposed to. Well my friend, read on!

I definitely don’t have all the answers, and I definitely don’t think I do either! But I do have a bit of wisdom from my own life experiences, and from the incredible word of God!

Here are some things to think about when seeking wisdom:

1) Prayer – What does God think of where you are right now, and where you hope to go? Often it’s God Himself who puts a restlessness in our hearts about where we are now, in order to move us from places of comfort and slothfulness into places where we can be used more fully by Him. At the same time, restlessness is not always from Him. Ask Him on a daily basis how you can be walking with Him more closely. Surrender yourself to His will, knowing that His plan for you is the very best, and it’s based on His wisdom and His love for you. Prayer is a vital part of direction.

2) Promises – Do God’s promises match up with your plans? The Bible is filled with God’s promises! There are so many verses that talk about direction, wisdom, peace. Although it’s not usually very specific, it is the best guideline to figure out where God is leading you. God speaks to us through His word, which is “a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

3) Peace – This is one of the best ways to know where God is leading! I have learned in my life that if I choose to walk outside of God’s will, He will withhold His peace. And I’m so thankful for that direction which is so clear (when we’re willing to wait for it)!  Often God allows us to go through times of waiting and wondering what His will is. I think He does it so that we will develop true patience and humility in waiting upon Him. Proverbs 3:17 talks about wisdom…”Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.” This single verse has helped me to recognize God’s leading in my life through His peace (or lack thereof). If you’re in a state of waiting and wondering, I encourage you to ask Him for His peace.

4) Patience – Sometimes God makes us wait. It’s frustrating to have to wait, but I have found that each time God has made me wait, I have come through the time of waiting as a stronger person who is walking closer with the Lord. It’s definitely worth it. God might have planted an idea or a vision in your heart, and you just can’t wait to fulfill it! Trust me…I’ve been there. And then you wait. And you wait some more. And you try to step out to start it, and then you realize God’s peace is not in it….yet. The timing is just not quite right. Perhaps God is waiting to do something in your heart before that vision becomes reality. Perhaps He’s teaching you patience as you wait for other things to fall into place. My advice to you (and myself) is to humble yourself. Surrender yourself to whatever God is doing, and seek His face and His glory as your first goal always. The Psalms are full of heart-wrenching pleas for God to show Himself NOW. And yet I love how Psalm 27 ends: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

5) Put it on paper - Along your process of trying to figure out where you’re going, it might be a good idea to put down your thoughts on paper or in a journal. Sometimes when you write it out, you are able to see more clearly which decision makes more sense, or which decision your heart is drawn to. I think journaling is a great idea, because it’s neat to look back sometimes to see how God has led you in the past, and how His faithfulness has guided you all along.

6) Personal Advice – I left this one until the end because sometimes people – even friends – can give really bad advice. Often close friends or family are really biased, and their opinions are not based on wisdom, but on their own feelings or desires. So you have to tread very carefully with this one. When seeking advice, make sure you talk with someone who you know walks closely with the Lord. Ask them to pray about it before they offer any advice. Even when they do offer their advice, don’t take it as God’s word…first go back and pray about it and read God’s word. Then you will know clearly if this advice is from God or not. It is a huge blessing from God when we are able to support one another in godly decision-making.

If you are seeking direction in your life, I pray for God’s peace to direct your paths. Don’t hesitate to send me a message if you’d like me to pray for something specific!

Blessings,

Lindsey

A Song of Grief

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I’m working on a new song right now, which I’m calling “A Song of Grief”.

I don’t generally enjoy being super vulnerable online, but I know that as a song-writer, my songs are not my own. There have been so many songs that I have listened to (written by other song-writers) that have been open and vulnerable, and have allowed me to relate to what the writer was going through. Some songs have really changed my life. In fact, if I don’t have a regular flow of new music in my life, I feel like I start withering away. New songs are like water that brings life to what otherwise would be a very dry branch. And for me, in order for new songs to bring me life, they must have depth and spiritual insight.

So I wanted to share a snippet of what I’ve written so far. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and usually don’t share songs until I feel they are ready to be heard. This one is not ready, but I wanted to share it anyway. Perhaps someone can relate to the words that I have written. These words are from my heart.

“A Song of Grief”

You have seen the tears fall down my face
You have felt the anguish of my heart
You have heard my groaning for your embrace
But all I can hear is silence

My throat is parched; I can’t make a sound
My arms hang limply at my side

Answer me, Lord, in my weakness
The cords of death have wrapped around me
Pick me up from this sinking sand
Lead me to the rock, O lead me to the Rock
that is higher
higher
higher than me

You Have Gifts

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You have been given some wonderful gifts. Some people might call them “talents” or “abilities,” but they are gifts from God. Why would God give us gifts?

God gave us gifts so that we can use them.

Sounds so simple. But I’d like to expand on this by looking at a short story that Jesus told.

Jesus told many short stories, called parables, which were allegorical in nature, designed to illustrate or teach some principle or moral lesson. His parable of the talents can be found in Matthew 25:14-30 (also found in Luke 19:12-27). This parable continually serves as a reminder to me to use the gifts God has given me. The servant who did not use the gift (which in this parable was a form of currency called a “talent”…very fitting name, I think), buried it in the ground. His master, who had entrusted him with the talent while he was away, came back to find that the talent had been buried, while all of his other servants had multiplied their talents. And when you read the parable, you realize that the servant who buried his talent was condemned as “wicked and lazy”. That always struck me as a little harsh. Why was he condemned for not using the talent? Well, the servant’s lack of action was a result of the way he saw his master. In Matthew 25:24-25 the servant replies to his master, saying, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.” He saw his master as a “hard man”, and responded in fear. In the same way, our actions are guided by the way we see God.

I used to think that I was being humble by being quiet about my gifts. I knew God had given me a gift of singing, song-writing, and a heart to share that music with people. But I was afraid that if I stepped out and started singing or sharing these songs in public that I would become proud, and I knew how much God hated pride! So for a while, I just hid my “talents” in the ground. One summer when I was at a leadership development camp, my leaders challenged me about this very thing. I remember sharing my music with the people at the camp, and two of my leaders took me aside and said very seriously that I needed to use these, and if I didn’t, I was not honouring God! I was shocked! I thought that the quieter I was, the more humble I was being. In actual fact, it was my pride that was preventing me from using my talents. I was so worried about myself; what people thought of me, what God thought of me, and I was so scared of getting caught up in pride that I hid my talents. This event, plus another encouragement from a conversation in June 2009 with Brad Dugas of Revelation Sound opened up my eyes to a whole new world of what it means to honour God with the gifts He’s given you! My focus has shifted from chains of self into a free spirit that desires to worship God in extravagant ways! God loves when you and I use our gifts to bring Him glory! Whatever your gifts are, no matter how big or small, seen or unseen, God LOVES it when you use them!

God, who created you so special and unique, is ready to see what beautiful things come out of your worship to Him by using the gifts He has given you!

Are you ready?