Lyrical Friday - Control

Today's Lyrical Friday post comes from JJ Heller, one of my favorites! Control has ministered to me in a way that I didn't even see coming. I don't struggle with cutting myself, never have but I know girls and guys who do. If that is you dear friend, know that God loves you and He cares for you. Hold on to the hope that is found in Christ! 
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No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 
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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
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Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, 
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-5
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If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 
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I would be typing in vain, if I didn't lead you to the one who can free you, that's Jesus. He WILL forgive you, heal you, redeem you, crown you, satisfy you and renew you! He is a mighty comforter and yes, He will bind up your wounds. No need to be ashamed, for we all have scars (even Jesus has scars), different scars but scars none the less. You can have control in Christ, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you.  
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You may never know the depth of anyone's pain, till you listen to them. At times, it will be a silent cry for help or the drip of agony that is poured from a vein... People are hurting and God has placed us in their lives for such a time as this: to be pillars of light, salt to the earth, a holy priesthood, messengers of hope and valiant shepherds. Let's shepherd the flock to Jesus! May we never be to caught up in the affairs of this life or be too distracted doing ministry that we end up overlooking the needs of others.
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Control, JJ Heller 

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The cut is deep, but never deep enough for me
It doesn’t hurt enough to make me forget
One moment of relief is never long enough
To keep the voices in my head from stealing my peace
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Oh, control
It’s time, time to let you go
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Perfection has a price, but I cannot afford to live that life
It always ends the same; a fight I never win
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Chorus
I’m letting go of the illusion
I’m letting go of the confusion
I can’t carry it another step
I close my eyes and take a breath
I’m letting go …
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There were scars before my scars
Love written on the hands that hung the stars
Hope living in the blood that was spilled for me

HEAL Journey- lesson one

Time sure flies. Yesterday I met with the Youth Discipleship for our HEAL Journey study. We finished Lesson One: You Are Wonderfully Made. Personally, the study was challenging, convicting and liberating. Here is a glimpse:

“Being wonderfully made means that you have a Maker- a Maker who made you and made you beautifully; a Maker who loves you and knows you, has amazing doe you, and longs to reveal to you your value and worth as His daughter.”
“We are God’s little miracles… his children… wholly and dearly loved.”

“As daughters of God we are made to live in the light, but too often we opt for the darkness either because it’s familiar and safe or because we’re ashamed of our secrets. When it comes to interactions with food, many of us are experts at hiding things. But the reality is, while we might be able to hide our secrets from the people in our lives, we can’t hide from God.”

Last quote… “We live in a world that threatens our relationship with God. We are surrounded by counterfeits that claim to be the answer to what our hearts are seeking. But He is the only One who can truly satisfy our hungry hearts.”

Good stuff, huh?!

Going back to the group, we had an awesome time. We were extremely blessed with an incredibly delicious breakfast provided by one of the Moms. Our guest speaker was none other than my best friend Andrea aka Nana (you can read our story here). She shared her “wonderfully made” story with the girls and encouraged them with two great verses: Ephesians 2:10* and 2 Corinthians 12:9*. I asked each guest speaker to prepare an activity and Nana taught the girls how to prepare their own homemade facial/body scrubs. The girls enjoyed that so much. We then dived into our group study. I am in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness towards us as I read Psalm 139*. Each girl shared what being wonderfully made means to them. It was a time of both boldness and healing as we each shared our weaknesses. It was also a time of refreshing as God’s precious Spirit filled us afresh and anew with the promises found in His word.

Goodie Bags!
Gift giving is definitely my love language, so naturally I prepared them another goodie bag. This bag included two items:

1. Play-Doh: to paint the picture that God holds us in His hands, molding us to be all that He created us to be.

2. Gel Eye Mask: (double meaning for this one) A. Incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is produced resting and waiting on the Lord. B. These eye masks can be used either hot to help relax or cold to help refresh but left to be used lukewarm would do absolutely nothing, therefore the application is to be either hot or cold but not lukewarm.

Keep praying for these wonderfully made youth girls as they embark on lesson two of their HEAL Journey. Have a beautiful week. Enjoy your life, the abundant life found in Jesus Christ.

* Click here for Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 139