Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)

Ok, so I have to let on a few secrets:- Confession number 1- I have always dreamed of going to Hillsong Conference. Like seriously ever since I first heard as a young teenager that there was such a thing - I wanted to go. This year I had registered, and then after a series of events have unfolded, I had to defer my registration to next year. I have this absolute near devastation that I'm not going, but at the same time I can accept why. There will be other Hillsong Conferences, but I wont have the opportunity to spend time with a particular loved one for all that much longer. I do believe it was a little bit God-orchestrated that my holidays from work were approved, and everything else fell into place so that I would have time off at the moment. I just didn't realise the actual reason it would end up being for! Confession number 2- I have always dreamed of being present at a Hillsong Live album recording! This came true a little bit at Colour Conference this year. You see, Brooke Ligertwood (better known as Brooke Fraser) and her husband Scott wrote one of the most amazing worship songs I have ever heard, and when the Hillsong worship team heard it - they decided that it HAD to be on the new record! Problem - the album had already been recorded in October! and this was in March! Solution - they recorded it at the very end of Colour Conference! Sydney Entertainment Centre PACKED FULL of women, faith abounding, and Annie Garrett leading, I was present for a song being recorded! Pretty cool!! So this week, as I think about all the awesome and amazing things happening in Sydney, and my heart is yearning to be in Sydney and a part of it, I will be singing this song at the top of my lungs!! It's a song of victory, a song of declaration, a salvation song. A reminder of who we are, because of who HE is! It's one of VERY FEW songs that is guaranteed to put a smile on my face every time I hear it. Here are the lyrics:- "Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)" This is my revelation Christ Jesus crucified Salvation through repentance At the cross on which He died Now here my absolution Forgiveness for my sin And I sink beneath the waters That Christ was buried in I will rise (But now I rise) I will rise As Christ was raised to life Now in Him Now in Him I live I stand a new creation Baptised in blood and fire No fear of condemnation By faith I'm justified I rise as You are risen Declare Your rule and reign My life confess Your Lordship And glorify Your Name Your word it stands eternal Your kingdom knows no end Your praise goes on forever And on and on again No power can stand against You No curse assault Your throne No one can steal Your glory For it is Yours alone I stand to sing Your praises I stand to testify For I was dead in my sin

With Everything...

It's one of my favourite worship songs of all time...(ok, I know I have quite a few!! But this is right at the top of the shortlist!) "With Everything"... the name alone catches my attention! But I've heard it again just today, and I was thinking about what it is that makes me love the song so much... It's because it challenges me. With EVERYTHING. Everything. Do I praise God with *EVERYTHING* or am I guilty of holding some back? (The most common answer is yes!) This song doesn't make me feel comfortable! Far from it!! It pushes me to go past my comfortable, safe little boundaries and give God more than I ever have before..... This song reminds me that its all about Jesus. The One who gave EVERYTHING of Himself, for all of us. The One who gave EVERYTHING perfection on earth, for everything imperfect. Basically, this song challenges me. I like songs that challenge me. I'm not happy to be complacent or satisfied with "nice" Christianity. This song stretches my heart - With Everything...