When I was in High School I was both in our school choir and our church's choir.
I just loved singing, and sometimes, like everyone does, I dreamed of stardom and singing in front of thousands of people.
It was such an exciting thing.
But at the same time I loved singing in the choir of our little church, with definitely not even hundreds of people, because I just loved to sing.
And I loved our group, they were all my friends and we had wonderful time.
We goofed around, we had fun, we talked, we joked and we prayed.
Sing your heart out!
We even had a special tradition of the anger circle, where everyone could tell what annoyed them about someone.
You couldn't get angry and hurt, even though it was called the anger circle, but you couldn't tell mean things just to hurt the other person.
The idea was to vent your feelings and then let the other person to express what they thought about what was happening.
It worked really well, surprisingly well actually, thinking that we were a group of teenage girls without an adult to guide us.
Even our choir leader was just seventeen.
But it cleared the air and when it was the time to sing in the church, we could sing our hearts out.
Singing is even better with your friends!
It was in the 90's and the worship songs just started to come into fashion in Finland.
Whenever I hear worship songs, it reminds me of that time and of the friends I had and how I wanted so much to give my heart and life to Jesus, with every song.
Now I have so many disappointments and hurts.
I'm old (almost 40, can you believe) and scarred.
It has been a real struggle but when I'm at a church, or at my house, or in the car, listening to worship songs, I still sing my heart out.
These worship songs are a bit younger than that.
But they are songs that talk to me and make me want to burst out singing.
Matt Redman has many fantastic songs and I'm sure many of you feel that these are not the best five.
But this is my Top 5.
5. Your Grace Finds Me
I can always trust that Your grace finds me.
You are faithfull, I can always trust You.
Always!
4. Never Once
I have never walked alone.
Even when I thought I would die from the pain.
Even when I felt my heart brake and soul wither away.
Never once did I walk alone.
3. Blessed Be Your Name
I want to bless Your name.
I know that every day I can trust your mercy and love.
Every day I'm closer.
Every step brings me nearer to You.
2. Holy
I can never understand You.
I cannot comprehend Your Grace.
My heart does not hold Your Holiness.
What I am, is Yours.
1. 10000 Reasons
There are 10 000 reasons why I love You.
There are 10 000 ways You love me.
There are not days enough to worship Your holy name.
The ones who love their neighbor but not in their neighborhood.
Of course I love the less fortunate but not in my neighborhood.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24
The English Standard Version
Of course we must feed the hungry and clothe the naked but not in my neighborhood.
The ones who offer their sacrifices and tithe at church with great delight.
And tell everyone about how church must help people in far a way countries, where they don't even know Christ yet.
Always, love is a choice. You come up against scores of opportunities every day to love or not to love. You encounter hundreds of small chances to please your friends, delight your Lord, and encourage your family. That's why love and obedience are intimately linked- you can't have one without the other.
Joni Eareckson Tada
Do you know those other people?
The ones that talk about schmootzers.
The people who claim it's churches place to take care of the poor and needy.
But only of the poor haven't caused their situation.
Only if they're not lazy or criminal or abusing the system.
The ones that say that children would learn about going hungry or working for their food.
"...our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner—no mere tolerance, or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.
Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your sense."
