I’m in love…..with AOL Radio on my iphone.  Their Christian station is amazing, and I’ve been listening to it all night.  Those who know me well know I love to sing and am very moved by it.  Nothing energizes and fills me up like music.  Huge fan here!  So tonight I heard this song and fell in love with the lyrics which I copied and pasted below.  I am so touched by these words –

recklessly abandoned, never holding back, i want to live like that

What a statement.  I’ve been so convicted lately about the legacy I am going to leave some day.  The legacy I’m living each and every day right now.  Am I someone who reflects the love of Christ?  When people talk to me, do they sense compassion, acceptance, respect? When they see me, do they see You? Of course I am so hard on myself that when I look in the mirror I see all the things I don’t like about myself and everything I wish was different.  I guess in some ways that can be a good thing because it keeps me on my toes, constantly aware of the message I am sending to others.  This week I’ve had a couple of conversations with people who have really made me think about who I am, what I believe and how willing I am to stand up for those convictions I strongly believe in.  I want to be someone who lives so that everything I do points to You.

Like Like That – Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If  love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don’t know my name
Is there evidence that I’ve been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If  love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If  love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Here’s a link to the song on YouTube if you want to listen to it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwZsywhXDg8

The other thing that’s captured my heart lately is Ellisbrook.  Travis just said the other day “our hearts have really been changed” and he’s right.  If you had asked either of us four or five years ago if we would ever consider giving up our hopes and dreams to start a residential home for disabled adults, we’d have probably laughed.  But today we both stand with hearts burning for those who the world rejects, those who are vulnerable, those who desperately need love and security and stability.  And that’s exactly what we want to give them.  But it has to be a God thing because we don’t have the resources, finances, ability to do this on our own.  We strongly believe God laid this ministry on our hearts, and He is going to provide.  His resources are limitless, His plans are perfect and His timing is always right on.  So as we wait for things to happen in His timing, we ask you to pray for this dream of ours.  We dream big hoping for a huge acreage with several houses where families live with 3-4 disabled adults in the home.  And while we will probably start small with just our home, we know if God wants to expand Ellisbrook, He will.  We dream of dogs and chickens and gardens and family dinners and chore charts and outings and basketball and fishing and lots and lots of love.  Loving on those the world calls handicapped, special needs, mentally retarded, broken, useless.  Because when I look at my Ryan and the joy he brings to our lives, I know there are so many others just like him who deserve to be loved and accepted just as much as he is. I see Jesus in my Ryan. I  want to be Jesus to the least of those.  And that’s our goal.  To bring Jesus to them with reckless abandon.  Yes, I want to live like that.