Beautiful Surrender (Song Series)

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

We all fear losing control, let alone choosing to let go of the control. When we give up we say we surrender. Many see it as a negative, weak response. We must have lacked will or strength. But what if we look at surrender as gaining life instead of losing it?

Surrender no longer becomes a white flag… it becomes a white heart. It becomes a heart that is ready to release all the ill attempts of perfecting ourselves, on our own strength. It becomes a heart that is given over to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

His wounds have already been made. He has already been pierced and crushed. Healing is waiting. Peace is waiting. Our surrender is waiting.

The sacrifice has been made, the offer is waiting…what will you decide?

I will go a step further. True surrender goes beyond our “Ok, Jesus, here’s my life, make it awesome.” If we surrender to Christ to see what we get out of it…it is NOT surrender.  He gave Himself up for us.  We give up of ourselves for the Glory of Him and His Kingdom.  That doesn’t mean unicorns and rainbows much of the time.  The Christian walk is not easy, but we know the reward lies beyond. It lies beyond ourselves, and beyond this life.  The desires of our hearts change to match His.  Then, there becomes, no other result, other than beauty, grace, peace, joy, etc.  None of these are circumstantial.  They are known when we live within the arms of our Father, seeking His will - living for His Glory.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galations 2:20

click HERE to listen to the song, Beautiful Surrender!!

Beautiful Surrender

Becki J Buescher

When I can’t speak

When I can’t see beyond me

What do You see?

When I am broken

Could these wounded pieces of me

Bring you glory?

I fall down at your feet

Lord I’m ready

Pour me out

In this beautiful surrender

A picture of grace

When my knees are on the ground

And tears are on my face

as I let go, You raise me up

up from the grave to glory

In this beautiful surrender

How far could I run

How far could I go where you can’t meet me

With your mercy

Your love is unending

Forever pursuing

To heal me, perfectly

I Need Only Be Still (song series)

When the freshly released Israelites looked back to see the Egyptians in fast pursuit, doubt and fear must have been palpable as they stood before the Red Sea.  Most were already prepared to give up their newfound freedom and return to the life of slavery they knew.  They questioned whether God would bring them this far and leave them to die or be captured again.  What short-term memories did the Hebrew children hold even as days before God’s power and miracles were displayed before their eyes? Before the first wave was parted, before the hardened heart of Pharaoh could attempt to retrieve his former property, Moses stood and addressed a crowd beginning to fall apart…

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. 

The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

-Exodus 14: 13-14

There are moments I sit overwhelmed.  I attempt to fix it all, to handle it myself, which proves a terrible idea and leads to devastation and broken relationships.  I am not meant to do life alone.  It isn’t my life to begin with.

Oh how we exhaust ourselves fighting battles we are convinced we can handle by ourselves.   With sword in hand we fight thousands of enemies…from greed, selfishness, deceit, and self-indulgence to pride.  We fight the surroundings of a pagan world and corrupt leadership.  We hurt and fight for the broken, the isolated, and the fearful around us. We fight our lack of control and insecurities.  We fight our addictions and strongholds.  We must step back and realize we were never meant to fight these alone…but equipped with the Wisdom to know who can…Our Savior and Lord, the Great I AM.  The one who was, and is, and is to come…our Redeemer.  He will fight for us, we need only to be still... not still and do nothing. Still, confident in His presence and His word. Still, on our knees with expectation and hope.  Still, with praise dripping from our lips to reach our Savior’s ear.  Still, in His holy presence.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

click HERE to listen to "I Need Only Be Still" Audio

I need only be still

Becki J Buescher

The battle rages all around

With crippling fear, strength is gone

When my heart is weak

And my flesh is failing

The Lord fights for me

I need only be still

The Lord fights for me

I need only be still

Mighty Warrior attend to

My call on Your name for rescue

to find refuge at Your feet

I need only be still

Greater is He who is within me

Than all that is within the world

Victory has claimed my heart

I will rest assured

Still before a righteous King

Still I offer everything

Still in the presence of the great I AM

Jesus is Worth It (song series)

I recently had the opportunity to watch a film about men and women in several different foreign countries who were considered law-breakers.  They were being watched and followed and investigated because of their illegal actions.  Many were arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and some were killed. They all suffered great loss. What terrible crime could possibly be that awful as to warrant such a response from the authorities?

So what was their crime? 

Their crime was confessing Jesus Christ as their Savior and sharing the Bible with others, so they too could learn of Christ.    

It is so unbelievable to me sometimes to even comprehend that kind of hostility.  I regret to admit how sometimes inconvenience or being awkward may stop me from sharing the gospel.  For heaven's sake, right now, I am up against no lawful risk of being imprisoned or beaten and I still may avoid telling others about Jesus.  How ridiculous I feel and look considering those in countries who do it despite the risk.

To say the least, the movie was convicting.  At the end they posed the question that remains on my heart. 

Is Jesus Worth it?

Is He worth risking my life, my spouse’s life, my children’s lives, my lifestyle, my modern comfort, my time, my earthly possessions, my pride?  Is He worth it?

Well … is He?

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Click HERE to listen to my song "Jesus Is Worth It"

To find out more about the movie...click here ----> The Insanity of God (the movie)

Jesus is worth it

Becki J Buescher

Will I stand for Christ when my life’s on the line

If my children should fall in the crosshairs of the fight

When it does not make earthly sense to utter His name

Jesus is worth it

Though the cost may be great

Jesus is worth it

And He alone will save

Live or die, a sacrifice.

We have been called

to live for the glory of our God

And he is worth it.

Afraid to stand out, afraid to look the fool

Criticized or judged beyond what I say or do

Laying my pride aside and surrender all my fear

Worth it to my final breath

Worthy of all I have left

Until my eyes rest upon Glory
In His fight I shall be

Your Grace is Sufficient (song series)

It is a season.  How I have heard that and repeated it in my heart and mind.  A season that I don’t necessarily want over, but one that is more about my kids than my own personal endeavors…with more to do than what I could possibly even attempt.  I am right where God wants me to be at this very moment and I am grateful.  I have a house full of love and joy… and poopy diapers, messes, and tantrums…but mostly laughter and smiles and squishy hugs and “I love you’s”.  There are fleeting moments of inspiration to write or create…though filled with background “music” of milk spilling, hundreds of Legos hitting the floor and a crying baby fighting sleep in the other room.  I have been mastering multitasking and millions of interruptions. It is a season.

I catch myself feeling that I am not doing enough. Bible studies, PTA, small groups, house projects, and play dates aren’t getting my attention and I have to take a step back, and with a deep breath, give myself grace.  It is ok. It is ok not to be involved with everything.  It is just a season. It is ok. God will meet me where I am. His grace is sufficient.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

I have been waiting for the day to return to writing and recording again.  I guess when my third child was thrown into the mix, my extracurricular activities got second fiddle…or third… or actually it didn’t even make the orchestra and is sitting busted back behind the stage. Though I have had small miniscule opportunities to contribute to my creativity, I mostly use my energy to be a wife and mommy.  So here’s to the day I will eventually get an uninterrupted night sleep, away from the seemingly carefully planned interludes of children crying or parading in my bedroom at all hours of the night. His grace is sufficient for that too…although mine may not be.  As I said, I wouldn’t want this moment passed; I will somehow miss it when it is gone…but right now… I do miss me a bit.  I miss my time to throw into myself and my music. It is a season.

click HERE to listen to Your Grace is Sufficient

Your Grace is sufficient

Becki J Buescher

           

If joy comes in the morning

Should I go back to bed

can I push the reset button

or run away instead

The days I run on empty

Overwhelmed or just afraid

That all my imperfections are proudly on display

Calling out for some reprieve

God I need your grace to cover me

Your Grace is sufficient

In my weakness may You shine through

For You know my heart and what I need  

And Your grace is sufficient for me

When it seems I’m good at failing

With more costs beyond my means

And if I hear another whiny voice

I may have to scream

Today I need reminding please

God, that your grace, will cover me

When the world turns upside down

And my mind is spinning round and round

If my body fails and all strength is gone

and I just cannot go on

----------

Grace, Grace, God’s grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

“Grace Greater than all our sin”

Words: Julia H. Johnston Music: Daniel B. Towner

Only Jesus (song series)

It has been a while since I have blogged or recorded any music.  I have continued to write but haven’t had much time or energy to do much with it.

I am in my last days of pregnancy as today is my due date, and though I am ready to meet our little boy (and move on from this aching, overstuffed body) I am feeling the urgency to accomplish much before there is a baby in my arms.

I wrote this song early in the days of when we were still struggling with the initial injury and surgery of Will’s knee and the changes that occurred in our lives as a result of that incident. 

I have to admit…I couldn’t imagine any different way to spend the first part of this year than the way we did.  We were two stay at home parents with two amazing kids getting our full attention, and we were overwhelmed by God’s abundant provision through multiple means.  He truly blessed us in ways unimaginable!  I would not have changed this time a bit!  We grew so much in our faith, in our marriage, and as parents. 

The one area in our life that has remained constant is our reliance on Jesus.  He has held us in every moment and as we reflect during this Eastertime, we especially focus on His sacrifice for us.  I cannot help but sit in awe and reverence over such a love.   It is unfathomable and so undeserved.  But He has displayed all authority in just His name alone.  What wonders will be when we utter it or cry it out?  Never underestimate the power of His name and work in our lives!

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

As a special treat Sam and Elsa sang an intro and outro to this song…a very familiar tune to anyone raised in the church.

I also have been working on my piano skills…so this is my first song written and recorded with a piano…which still needs to be tuned!

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Click HERE to listen to "Only Jesus" audio

Only Jesus

Becki J Buescher

When days are dim I call on Jesus

If not for Him I would not be

When trials find me I’ll be wanting

His gentle, loving hand of peace

So do not fear, do not be weary

His yoke is easy, burden light

My soul at last will quench its yearning

As I rest in His great might

Until my eyes no longer see the sun

Until my body bids me good night

Until my lungs give up their final breath

My hope will rest on one

My Jesus, Only Jesus

My redeemer and my joy

And if words just fail to come

May my lips find strength for one

Jesus, Only Jesus,   Je    -   sus

Sharing our burdens and blessings

Wow

God is good. 

I should just stop writing right there and let that just be my post, but to neglect to back that up with my experiences recently would leave me aching to tell more.

It has been one month since Will has injured his knee and we have been tested and we have come out stronger.  He was operated on yesterday morning and though he is in pain and exhausted, we are grateful and thankful.

I have never been one that finds it easy to ask for help, let alone accept it. But recently after Will’s injury, diagnosis, surgery and subsequent inability to work, we have been brought to that point where we must drop our pride and allow others to share our burdens.  It is not easy for either of us and I think it brings me conviction on how I also struggle to jump up and tend to other's needs as I should.

I am very humbled, very overwhelmed, and very thankful for those that have pushed through our “we are fine, we can manage” mentality and overcame it with blessings.  From food to finances we have had an abundance of faithful servants coming to our aid.  We feel undeserving of such a response but we are very grateful for all who have prayed so diligently for us and have served us in such beautiful ways. 

It simply amazes me how God uses others to care for us and the existence of many people praying over us actually feels tangible as evidence from our complete peace and even joy during this time.  We look ahead.  We look to the day where Will is healed.  We look excitedly to the day where our little unborn baby boy is in our arms.  We look with joy to the day where we can turn and be that help and blessing to those in our lives that are also in need. 

But now we rejoice in where God has brought us today. 

We rest in thankfulness and reflection of the unexpected gifts and provision that God has been so evidently orchestrating in our lives.  We are undeserving.  We hope, however, that our faith in this current season can be an encouragement to others that are going through their own trials.  We are also overjoyed that we can be that example to our fully attentive front row audience…our children.  They watch us.  They listen to us.  They mimic us, and we hope that our example will grow their faith now and when they go through difficult situations.  May they turn to God always and allow Him first place in their hearts and lives!

Let us not hide our hurts, fears, or struggles.  Let us share and also pray for others in the rough moments in their lives so that we may follow up with the undeniable blessings that God WILL provide.  Whether in this life or the next, God will make all things new and bring all things together for our good and for His Glory.  May God be praised in ALL moments, for it is in those moments that He makes us more like Him if we turn and let Him hold and carry us through.

Will and I had recently led worship at our church and had purposefully chosen songs directly pertaining to where we were in this season of our lives.  So, I want to leave you with the lyrics of one that spoke such truth to our life.

"Never Once"

by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful