Captivate us

Two painters were once asked to paint a picture illustrating his own idea of rest. The first chose for his scene a quiet, lonely lake, nestled among mountains far away.

The second, using swift, broad strokes on his canvas, painted a thundering waterfall. Beneath the falls grew a fragile birch tree, bending over the foam. On its branches, nearly wet with the spray from the falls, sat a robin on its nest.

The first painting was simply a picture of stagnation and inactivity.
The second, however, depicted rest.

Outwardly, Christ endured one of the most troubled lives ever lived. Storms and turmoil, turmoil and storms - wave after wave broke over Him until His worn body was laid in the tomb. Yet His inner life was as smooth as a sea of glass, and a great calm was always there.

Anyone could have gone to Him at any time and found rest. Even as the human bloodhounds were dogging Him in the streets in Jerusalem, He turned to His disciples, offering them a final legacy: "My peace."

Rest is not some holy feeling that comes upon us in church. It is a state of calm rising from a heart deeply and firmly established in God.

- Henry Drummond

~ With evil ever growing and hate showing face everywhere we look these days, 

may we learn to land where true rest can be found. ~

   Captivate us, Lord Jesus
   And set our eyes on You
   Devastate us with Your presence falling down

   Rushing river, draw us nearer
   Holy fountain consume us
   And captivate us, Lord Jesus, with You

   Your voice is powerful

   And Your words are 

   radiant bright
   In Your breath and shadow
   I will come close and abide

   You whisper love 

   and life divine
   And Your fellowship is free
   Draw me closer 

   Oh, my Lord
   Draw me closer 

   Lord, to Thee

   Let everything be lost 

   in the shadows

   Of the light of Your face
   Let every chain 

   be broken from me
   As I'm bound in Your grace

  Your yoke is easy, 

  Your burden is light

  You're full of wisdom, 

  power and might

  Every eye will see You

  Captivate us, Lord Jesus
  And set our eyes on You

      Captivate us with You

                     (lyrics written by Nathaniel & Christy Nockels and Charlie Hall)

*photos from the beautiful waters in Haiti