tribute to cory asbury

hey cory,
we've never met before, but for some reason it feels like we've been friends for a long time. in fact, sometimes it feels like i really know you (in a very non-weird way). maybe it's because of the way you open your heart when you lead. over the past 4 years, i've caught a glimpse of the way you love Jesus, and it's been ever so encouraging. i love how you're so fun and joyful in your worship, even a bit silly. it makes me want to love Him more.
over these past few years, i've spent more time worshipping with you on the webstream than i spend with a lot of my friends. it's sad to watch you go, because for some reason i had always expected that you'd be there, on that stage, leading worship, singing jesus lover of my soul, or for the past year, set a fire. you've been a part of my life in many a good seasons and more difficult ones. i've cried during your sets, fallen asleep, and have zoned out quite a few times. however, even though you sing the same songs all the time, there's a freshness about each set, and about each time you open your heart up to Him. you've taught me that our relationship with Jesus isn't found in the flashy spiritual highs, but it's in the mundane of life, the daily seeking, the daily reaching, the daily opening up of our heart to touch His heart and to be touched by Him. you've taught me that History is made in secret, the place where we sing our hearts out when no one's watching but One. it's in that place where our heart becomes a 24/7 prayer room, ablaze with worship. let incense arise!
here's just a few of my favorite sets that have forever changed me:

faithful to the end


  do you know the way you move me
 

my soul sings


shekinah glory


cory, it was hard watching your last set. though there's other great worship leaders at IHOP, it's just not going to be the same. no one else can dance to 'cant get enough of your presence' the way you do. i know this post is a bit silly but i just wanted to say thank you. thank you for choosing to love Him above all else. thank you for showing me what a life wholly surrendered looks like. i can't wait to be friends with you when i get to heaven and sings songs to King Jesus for ever and ever!

reminders

there are some moments that i need to stop and remind myself--i am not my own. my mind, my affections belong to Jesus. my career, my gifts, and talents belong to Him. my hopes, dreams, desires, and purpose belong to Him. my future, my time, and my thoughts belong to Him. and whenever things don't feel right, again, i remind myself--my emotions belong to Him, and would He help set my mind right.

You would think that giving so much of oneself away would be robbing ourselves of what we as humans take pride in--our identity and the core of our uniqueness and human beings. we've been taught to choose a name we want to make for ourselves, so that we could stand out, and make a difference in this world. but the more i give away, the more i find myself content with being nothing more than a part of something greater than all that i ever could've become on my own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjLnW2YOBPw

for from You are all things, and to You are all things