Have you ever thought what it will really be like to sing praises to God when we get to heaven?
I know I mentioned this song in a post a while ago but I have to post it again. I heard this song when I came in from my walk and I just started singing at the top of my voice. I just have such a vision of people gathered around the throne of the Father singing hallelujah. The hallelujahs in the song bring me to tears. I get so overwhelmed thinking of the day when I get to stand before the Lord and sing at the top of my lungs in worship to Him. I just can't wait for that day!
This weekend I wasn't feeling well. Since they say "Laughter is the best medicine", I decided to take that advice. I hopped on youtube and found some funny TV and movie clips. Feel free to take a gander when you have time. Maybe you'll find yourself laughing out loud!
I Love Lucy: The Operetta
The Court Jester: Danny Kaye
The Muppet Show: The Swedish Chef with guest Danny Kaye
•“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."(NIV)
•“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (NLT)
•Jesus replied, "Why do you say `if you can'? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" (CEV)
•Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." (The Message)
Jesus said those words after he went to go see a boy possessed by a spirit. The father wanted his son to be healed and freed. He came to Jesus and this is what the father said:
"… But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (vs. 22)
It is after those words that Jesus replies:
“‘If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (vs. 23)
Following Jesus’ words the father exclaims that he does believe and asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief. Jesus commanded the spirit to leave and the boy was healed!
Each of us struggle with our own “spirits”. Do we believe that Jesus has the power to do above what we could ever imagine in our own circumstance? Do we truly believe? Or do we just say we do to make ourselves somehow feel better? What is it to really believe?
There’s a saying that I have posted all over my house, car and work.
“Faith is not knowing God can, it’s knowing He will.”
I think that sums up a lot. Sure we can say, “God, I know you can work a miracle in my life, etc, etc, etc.” But to say, “God, you will work a miracle in my life”, that is going boldly to the throne of grace like we are told in scripture.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
To me, that is showing ultimate belief not just saying yes you can but saying yes I know you will.
Here is a song that I can’t get out of my head once I hear it. It is one that I sing as loud as I can! It’s called, “All Things are Possible”. Here are the words:
Almighty God my Redeemer, my hiding place, my safe refuge No other name like Jesus, no power can stand against you My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
My feet are planted on this rock and I will not be shaken My hope it comes from you alone, my Rock and my Salvation Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
Your praise is always on my lips, your Word is living in my heart And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will be bless you Lord
You fill my life with greater joy, as I delight myself in you And I will praise you with a new song, my soul will bless you Lord
When I am weak you make me strong, When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of your name All things are possible, all things are possible
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57
One of the songs that really gets me ready to face the day head on is "Victory" by Yolanda Adams. It is a very uplifting song that describes life's troubles and how we can face them with the victory that we find in Christ. We can stand on the promises of God and have victory in every situation. Feel free to watch this video and listen to the words of this song. I hope it lifts your spirits and causes you to remember the great victory we have!
I've got, got the victory I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus. Yes I do He is our mighty conqueror. In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight. I've got, got the victory I've got the sweet, sweet victory in Jesus. For me He died but He rose on the third day. That’s why I have true victory every day.
Truly I've been through the storm and rain. I know everything about heartache and pain. But God carried me through it all without His protection I'll surely fall. I’ve been broke without a dime to my name. But all my bills got paid because I called on Jesus name. You can't tell me that God isn’t real 'cause I've got the victory and that why I’m still here.
I'm not worried about material things I don’t have. I'm just blessed cause I know that my Savior’s there. Because I know that my blessing is on the way I can't see it right now but I stand by faith. I've fought many, many battles in His name. I've held up the blood-stained banner and proclaimed. That Jesus is the truth to the light. Believe me when I say he will make it right.
Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory yeah, yeah, yeah And if you got the victory sing along with me Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory Yeah, yeah, yeah Sing it with me I've got the victory
We all worry. We all allow our imaginations to run wild. This morning I woke up thinking of Matthew 6:34:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 is all about worry. If you have time check out the whole passage.
Here is another version of the verse:
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (The Message)
What an excellent way of putting it! I hope that encourages you today to leave your worries behind you and don't allow them to fester in your mind. That is of no benefit. Focus on God and He will bring you through whatever today or tomorrow has is store. Reading that promise makes me feel at ease...at peace...
My song today is a magnificent classical piece. I actually had this song played in my wedding. I just love it. It's such a serene and calming song. It's Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Many of you might be familiar with Fantasia by Walt Disney. This video clip is a deleted scene from Fantasia. Please take the time to listen to this peaceful song. I hope it will touch your heart & spirit and give you calmness in the midst of anything you might be facing today.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
God promises that my needs will be provided. That doesn't say my wants or wishes or dreams. It says my needs and that gives me great hope in knowing that no matter what I may want, God's provision is the best and that is all I need.
Check out some other versions of this great promise:
And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Amplified)
My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.(New Century Version)
And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus. (New Life Version)
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus. (New International Reader's Version)
One of my favorite times of the day is when I have a heart to heart talk with God. It may be in the car on the way to work, while I'm taking a morning walk, while I'm getting ready for the day or even when I'm swimming in the pool. I talk (outloud) to God like He is right there with me as I'm doing these various activities. It is such a sweet time for me and my heavenly Father. We have such power in prayer. I wish we really realized that. We have such power in the name of Jesus. I believe when we pray "in name of Jesus" that satan shudders. There is a quote from The Kneeling Christian that says, "Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." Prayer is our biggest defense against satan and his attacks. We have the power on our side. Why don't we take hold of it and use it? One of my favorite songs is "In the Name of the Lord". An excerpt from the lyrics read:
When My Plans Have Fallen Through And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone When There's Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You And The Power Of Your Name
And When We Call Upon Your Name Your Strength Through Weakness To Show We Can Know The Master Plan Extend The Masters Hand When We Come In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
Check out the song as sung by Sandi Patty. I hope it will impress upon you the power, the strength and the hope we do have in Jesus Christ our Lord!
And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. Matthew 21:22
Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. Mark 11:24
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philip. 4:6
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
This week I have heard 2 songs by Mark Schultz that just made me weep. I don't know what it is about his writing ability but he has the capability of pulling at my heart strings. Go grab a tissue before you listen to these songs.
"Letters from War": At the end of the video I just can't help but weep. I've been in that position of greeting a soldier home from war and it is by far the most amazing feeling ever.
She walked to the mailbox On that bright summers day Found a letter from her son In a war far away
He spoke of the weather And good friends that he'd made Said I'd been thinking 'bout dad And the life that he had That's why I'm here today And at the end he said You are what I'm fighting for It was the first of the letters from war
She started writing You're good and you're brave What a father that you'll be someday Make it home Make it safe She wrote every night as she prayed
Late in December A day she'll not forget Oh her tears stained the paper With every word that she read It said "I was up on a hill I was out there alone When the shots all rang out The bombs were exploding And that's when I saw him He came back for me And though he was captured A man set me free And that man was your son He asked me to write to you I told him I would, oh I swore" It was the last of the letters from war
And she prayed he was living Kept on believing And wrote every night just to say You are good And you're brave What a father that you'll be someday Make it home Make it safe Still she kept writing each day
Then two years later Autumn leaves all around A car pulled in the driveway And she fell to the ground And out stepped a captain Where her boy used to stand He said "mom I'm following orders From all of your letters And I've come home again",
He ran into hold her And dropped all his bags on the floor Holding all of her letters from war Bring him home Bring him home Bring him home
"When You Come Home": Is a journey through life about a mother and her child. It gets me every time.
My first day of recess They all laughed at me When I fell off the swing set And scraped up my knee
The nurse called my Momma To say I'd be late, And when she gave me the phone I could hear Momma say "I'm so sorry, son. Oh I think you're' so brave"
And she was smilin when she said:
When you come home, No matter how far, Run through the door And into my arms It's where you are loved, It's where you belong And I will be here When you come home
I waved good-bye through the window As I boarded the plane, My first job in Houston Was waiting for me
I found a letter from Momma Tucked in my coat And as I flew down the runway I smiled when she wrote: I'll miss you, son, You'll be so far away
But I'll be waiting for the day
When you come home No matter how far, Run through the door And into my arms It's where you are loved, It's where you belong, And I will be here When you come home
Well, I don't think She can hear you now, The doctor told me Your mother is fading, It's best that you leave
So I whispered, I love you And then turned away. But I stopped at the door When I heard Momma say, I love you, son, But they're callin me away
Promise me before I go
When you come home, No matter how far, Run through the door And into my arms; It's where you are loved, It's where you belong, And I will be here When you come home, When you come home.
Just so you know there are some new additions to my blog. I added a Christmas Countdown...it's time to start thinking ahead! I also added a "Verse of the Day" feature. So make sure to check that out. You can now "Subscribe" to my posts and become a "Follower". Make sure to look for those additions on the left side of the page. As we get into fall (which of course I'm not experiencing being out in the desert) I will make some color changes to my blog. So stay tuned for more aesthetically pleasing blogging. :-)
Today 2 videos reached me...one via email and the other through a friend's blog. Both special and very touching. Both about the love of God. The one was a Love Letter from God. It's a video that encourages the heart when you need it the most. It confirms what you might already know or shows you something you never heard before. The second video, to me, was an amazing reminder. We all are broken and all have our baggage...isn't it great to know that God loves us regardless? Here are the 2 videos. I hope they minister to your heart like they did mine. I pray that through these testimonies you are reminded of the love of God. He is just waiting for you to accept it.
So far I like the songs that I've heard from Darlene Zschech. "Glory to the King" is one of my favorites. When I listen and sing along, it takes me to another level of worship with my King. I hope it encourages your heart and gives you a sense of the "amazingness" of our God.
You're the comforter to the lonely The lifter of my head I see You veiled in majesty We cry glory,glory We cry glory to the King
Lord,my heart cries out Glory to the King My greatest love in life I hand You everything Glory,glory I hear the angels sing.
Open my ears Let me hear Your voice To know that sweet sound Oh my soul rejoice Glory,glory I hear the angels sing
You're the Father to the fatherless The answer to my dreams I see you crowned in righteousness We cry glory to the King Comforter to the lonely The lifter of my head I see You veiled in majesty We cry glory,glory We cry glory to the King
I have a calendar on my desk that has a scripture or thought for each day. Back on September 7th there was a saying that I couldn’t get out of my head. This is what it said:
“Listen to me…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs. I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.”
It’s so amazing to me that God knew me before I even was a thought in my parents mind. When I was little I thought that I could actually remember being in heaven as a baby and actually sensing God sending me down to my parents! Isn’t that a hoot? But it’s a fantastic visual that even as a child I somehow comprehended that part of that was true. Not to say that God has all the unborn babies sitting next to him and at the appropriate time He sends them down to earth but the fact that I was known by God before I was born. Wow. How cool and amazing is that? He knew my idiosyncrasies and complex nature before I did; not only that but He still walks with me until the day He calls me home. He carries me when I can’t walk…He sustains me. Thank you, Lord!
Psalm 139 (The Message)
GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in!
Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.
Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers—out of here!— all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies!
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.
That is the name of Michael English's newest CD. Back in my early college years I came to love Michael English. It was around that time he had his first album out and every one was listening to it. His biggest hits like, "In Christ Alone" and "Mary, Did You Know" were on his first album and those are standards even now. But Michael lost his way and ended up away from Christian music for some time. He had inner demons to battle. Hiswebsite shares a little bit about this fall from grace and how he has come back to Christ.
But his personal life was not what it should have been. When Mr. English was only 20, he had married a pretty young Christian music groupie named Lisa. They were both ready for a divorce a few years later, but Mr. English's managers wouldn't allow it, worried that the scandal of divorce itself would ruin his career. Instead, he was sent to California for a three-week therapy session. It didn't work. In the early 1990s, just as his reputation was soaring with the release of "In Christ Alone," his biggest hit, Mr. English fell into an adulterous relationship with another Christian singer, Marabeth Jordan. When the affair became public, his publisher stopped all promotion of his records and pulled his songs off the air.
That was only the beginning of Mr. English's troubles. When his relationship with Ms. Jordan didn't work out, he began taking Loritab, a prescription painkiller, to alleviate his depression and his panic attacks. Over the next several years -- as he tried to rejuvenate his career by singing straight pop music and eventually Southern gospel again -- he plunged deeper into drug and alcohol addiction. By 2000 he was "a grungy unwashed hermit" who sold his performance clothes and other collectors' items on eBay to finance his drug habit. He began taking cocaine and heroin.
But one evening in late 2001, something happened. Mr. English was listening to the television's drone and floating on a narcotic high when he found himself looking down on the swollen, dirty, pathetic man he had become. A voice told him that he "could keep heading down the road of addiction and be dead at forty." Or he could turn his life over to God. As Mr. English describes it, the experience wasn't like Saul's on the road to Damascus, an audible admonition. Rather he felt a voice speaking within him. Whatever it was, Mr. English considers the moment a miraculous one. Rolling off the couch, he knelt down and prayerfully promised to tell the world of God's goodness and mercy if only he might be helped to get off drugs.
The song I chose today is one of Michael English's new songs, "Feels Like Redemption". Knowing his story and hearing him sing this song really strikes a chord with me. We are all like the prodigal son, we choose to go our own way and live our life the way we think is best. We squander what our Father has given us and we end up hitting rock bottom. We realize we can't do it on our own and we need the guidance and love of our Father. The greatest visual of the prodigal son is that the father was looking with anticipation for his son to come home. What an awesome thought that our heavenly Father does the same! He waits in eager anticipation for us to come back to Him. He forgives and we are redeemed...
I know how hopeless feels When you’re staring at the bottom of an empty hole In my life I know how forgotten feels Wondering if the world even knows who you are
But I’ve never known anything, felt anything Like the love of Jesus And it’s hard to describe what’s happening inside But right now all I know is
It feels like redemption raining down on me It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free All my chains have been lifted Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life It feels like redemption
Now I know how thankful feels Cause I am overwhelmed by this gift of grace And I know how healing feels Cause all my pain and all my shame And all my tears have been erased
It feels like redemption raining down on me It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free All my chains have been lifted Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life It feels like redemption
Say goodbye, the past is ending Say hello to a new beginning No more night The sun is shining
It feels like redemption raining down on me It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free All my chains have been lifted Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life It feels like redemption
I cried out to the Lord, He heard my cry He healed my heart and He touched my life It feels like redemption
So say goodbye, the past is ending Say hello to a new beginning Feels like Feels like redemption
I have always liked Keith Green. My earliest memories of listening to him are through my brother. My brother had his albums and would play them in his room. The album cover that is pictured here is one that my brother would actually hold up in front of his face and he would move around to the music! It was pretty funny and I guess you probably had to see it to think it was humorous. But those are fond memories I have. When I rediscovered this album,"For Him Who Has Ears to Hear", I downloaded it to my ipod. I couldn't listen to it enough! It has so many wonderful songs on it that are full of truth. The songs that I've picked today are "You're Love Broke Through" and "When I Hear the Praises Start". They both are beautiful songs with words that are so poignant to me. "You're Love Broke Through": This song is a wonderful picture of how Christ comes and transforms our lives when we come to know Him. People continually search for something to fill the voids in their life. If they would only realized the only one that can fill that is Christ. It's as easy as just asking Him!
Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise But then you took me by surprise
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed Until your love broke through I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me Until your love broke through
All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again It's like the power of the wind
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed Until your love broke through I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me Until your love, until your love, broke through
"When I Hear the Praises Start": When I started to listen to this song again it really became quite an emotional song for me. One day as I was driving home I was looking to the mountains and the sun was just glistening over top of the vista. This song came on and I felt God saying these words to me. I didn't realize until just today when I found this video clip that Keith Green wrote this song because he heard those words from God. In essence God wrote it for him. I just felt such an overwhelming love and peace when I was listening to this song in my car...just weeping as I thought of Christ wanting to rain down upon me blessings that would fill my heart! Seeing no stain on me because I am His child and He knows me... Wow!
My son, my son, why are you striving You can't add one thing to what's been done for you I did it all while I was dying Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you
For when I hear the praises start I want to rain upon you Blessings that will fill your heart I see no stain upon you Because you are my child and know me To me you're only holy Nothing that you've done remains Only what you do for me
My child, my child, why are you weeping You will not have to wait forever That day and that hour is in my keeping The day I'll bring you into heaven
For when I hear the praises start My child, I want to rain upon you Blessing that will fill your heart I see no stain upon you Because you are my child and you know me To me you're only holy Nothing that you've done remains Only what you do in me
My precious bride, the day is nearing When I'll take you in my arms and hold you I know there are so many things that you've been hearing But you just hold on to what i have told you
For when I hear the praises start My bride, I want to rain upon you Blessings that will fill your heart I see no stain upon you Because you are my child, and you know me To me you're only holy Nothing that you've done will remain Only what you do for me
May these songs be an encouragement to you as they are to me.
Well, I failed to put on a song yesterday so I'm making up for it today.
Yesterday we spent a lot of time watching the huge hurricane, Ike on TV. The stories of people evacuating and pictures of barren streets. Then through the night we watched the waves and winds tearing through the coast.
The other sad story from yesterday that took the backseat to Ike was the deadly crash in Los Angeles. The collision of a freight train and a passenger train. This morning they have confirmed 18 dead.
Of course on September 11th we revisted another tragic moment in our country's history.
The events that happened within the period of the past two days are beyond our comprehension. The death toll will most likely rise in the train accident, we don't know the full impact of the hurricane yet, and our country still mourns the losses of 9/11 but the amazing thing is that God is not surprised by any of this and He is in control. He has never left our side. I received a very touching email on September 11th. This is what it said:
'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
The song of the day has to do with us never being alone. God is with us even through our darkest nights.
"You're Not Alone" by Meredith Andrews.
I search for love When the night came and it closed in I was alone but you found me where I was hiding and though I’ll never ever be the same It was the sweetest voice that called my name singing
You’re not alone For I am here let me wipe away every fear My love I’ve never left your side I have seen you through the darkest night and I’m the one that’s loved you all your life All of your life
You cry yourself to sleep cause the hurt is real and the pain cuts deep All hope seems lost With heartache your closest friend and everyone else long gone
You’ve had to face the music on your own but there is a sweeter song that calls you home **sayin’
You’re not alone For I am here let me wipe away your every tear My love I’ve never left your side I have seen you through the darkest nights And I’m the one that’s love you all your life All your life
Faithful and true… Forever For my love will carry you….
You’re not alone for I… I am here let me wipe away every fear… Oh yeah My love I’ve never left your side I have seen you through your darkest nights Your darkest nights And I’m the one that’s loved you all your life All of your life
September 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. I remember being at work and having the radio on. We didn’t get the full story of what was going on but we knew something wasn’t right. I ended up going home for my lunch break and turned on the TV. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was horrific. I couldn’t break away from watching the events unfold. I wept. I tried calling my parents because they were on their way to Maine. They had been hiking that morning and I finally reached them on their cell phone.
The days following I just sat and watched the stories as they flooded in about the people who were lost on that day. I felt such sadness and yet so much pride in my country. I remember picking up newspapers and magazines and seeing the devastation and yet there were pictures of a nation coming together as one. I used those newspapers and magazines to do something that became quite therapeutic for me. I made 2 scrapbooks. The first one was black and it contained pictures from the dreadful day. The second one was red and it held pictures of hope and promise; pictures of flags, pictures of people helping one another, pictures of our soldiers, police and firefighters. I don’t know if you remember, but in the newspapers after 9/11, companies were taking out advertising space to write their letters of condolence to those who lost loved ones. It was amazing to see people in our country coming together to express love and concern for those who were mourning. I clipped all those letters and notes and put those in my scrapbook. Another thing I did was with a friend of mine. We got together and made pins to wear. We made yellow ribbons and red, white & blue ribbons. It helped us heal during a time of such hurt. It also was a way for us to show our patriotism. We also took time to write letters to our elected officials, police, firefighters and service members. It was through these tragic events that I met my husband.
I have to say I thought that I was a pretty patriotic American before I met Art but in all honesty I had no clue to what it was really like to be patriotic until he was deployed just 5 months after we were married. That year of him being gone was awful but it was a time I would never change. I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. I felt such pride in my husband and such pride in my country for which he fought. It killed me to watch the news and not know of Art’s well being every moment of each day. It hurt me to hear people arguing over whether or not we should be in Iraq. Bottom line was…my husband is there, it doesn’t matter how he got there, let’s support them! Still to this day I get very emotional thinking about it and reliving those moments. I really believe the only people that can truly understand this level of pride are those who have protected our freedoms and their families. You haven’t a clue until you are actually faced with it. I will always be a proud Army wife and even more proud to be an American because of Art’s sacrifice for me and all of you.
As we reflect today on the events that took place 7 years ago let's not forget our military men and women who are defending the freedoms that we take so easily for granted...you can have an opinion and share it because of those who guard your freedom to do so. Those out in the world that protest the war are only able to do so because of the men and women of the military that preserve that freedom.
Thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines and Airmen for your sacrifice to our country. Thank you to all the spouses and family members...you have the toughest job in the military.
Thank you also to our police, firefighters and other servants in our communities. You face dangers daily and we thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of our safety.
Below is a video from when Art was deployed. It's made up of pictures from his unit. Take a moment to see some of the faces that have protected us.
This next video is a reminder of the events that happened 7 years ago today. To see some of the pictures and footage is haunting. It brought back many thoughts for me and caused me to cry. But maybe that's what we need...we have gotten back into our own way of life, often forgetting what did happen on 9/11/2001 until it is remembered today. Have you forgotten?
The Psalm below is one that I would read almost daily the year that Art was gone. It was so very encouraging in some of my darkest moments. It's the Soldier's Psalm.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
I saw this on a friend's blog today and I thought it was a varied form of the "Getting to Know You" email that we all seem to circulate. So here are the ABC's of Me!
A is for age. 34
B is for burger of choice. Cheeseburger
C is for what car you drive. VW Beetle
D is for dog's name. Don’t currently have a dog
E is for essential item you use every day Water
F is for your favorite TV show at the moment Retro game shows on Game Show Network
G is for favorite game. Scrabble
H is for hometown.Dayton
I is for instruments you play Piano, Violin
J is for favorite juice. Does Lemonade count? If not, CranGrape
K is for who you'd like to kiss. My darling husband
L is for last restaurant you ate at. Olive Garden
M is for your favorite Muppet. Ooh that’s hard… 1.Dr. Bunsen Honeydew 2.Beaker 3.The Swedish Chef
N is for number of piercings. One on each ear
O is for overnight hospital stays. Plenty…probably too many to count
P is for people you were with today. Church people, Art & Kay
Q is for what you do with your quiet time. Just open the word most days. Spend a lot of my time in prayer.
R is for biggest regret. I don’t see things as regrets since I am the person today through all life’s moments but I wish I would have pursued one of my dream jobs (news anchor or a star on Broadway)
S is for status. Married for 5 years
T is for time you woke up today. 5:29 AM right before my alarm went off
U is for what you consider unique about you. I auditioned for the Dayton Opera
V is for vegetable you love. Carrots
W is for worst habit. Eating too much…guilty as charged!
X is for number of x-rays you've had. Once again, probably far too many to count since I broke my leg twice as a child
Y is for yummy food you ate today. Weight Watchers Chocolate Cake with Icing…YUM
Z is for Zeal I’m passionate about my relationship with Christ and encouraging others to experience Him as I have.
I was thinking last night how much I love music and how I have so many favorite songs. There are just too many to name! Well, I thought about how people have Verses for the Day, Devotionals for the Day, Quotes for the Day, etc. Then a light clicked on and I thought, why not have a song for the day! Ingenious isn't it? : ) So I will attempt to have a song for each day. If I don't get to it every day, I'll shoot for every other day. We'll see how I do.
So today's song...it's one I just heard not too long ago but every time I hear it, I want to turn it up and sing it as loud as I can! It's "Top of My Lungs" by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I found a video on youtube that is done by a church praise team. It is a beautiful song. I hope you will take time to listen to it. Perhaps you will even find yourself singing at the top of your lungs as you praise God for all He has done!
Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
I kind of went on a bit of a hiatus from writing on my blog and I’ve missed it. I guess when you have time on your hands, you tend to do other things and things that have more priority…other things get left behind. This definitely was one of those things. But I’m back and it’s time to move forward…
Things have been good.
Life is good.
I spent some time back home with family celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday. What a fantastic time that was! I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of it. My dad has a tremendous testimony for Christ and has given me a godly heritage and legacy that I hope to continue.
Work is great.
Yuma is hot.
Hubby is wonderful.
God is AMAZING!
There is a song that’s been stuck in my head for a while, “I Am” by Mark Schultz. It uplifts me and encourages me every time I hear it. Here are the words:
I am the maker of the Heavens I am the bright and morning star I am the breath of all Creation Who always was And is to come
I am the One who walked on water I am the One who calmed the seas I am the miracles and wonders So come and see And follow me You will know
I am the fount of living water The risen Son of man The healer of the broken And when you cry I am your savior and redeemer Who bore the sins of man The author and perfecter Beginning and the end I am
I am the spirit deep inside you I am the word upon your heart I am the One who even knew you Before your birth Before you were
Before the Earth (I am) The universe (I am) In every heart (I am) Oh, where you are (I am) The Lord of love (I am) The King of Kings (I am) The Holy lamb (I am) Above all things
Yes, I am almighty God your father The risen son of man The healer of the broken And when you cry I am your savior and redeemer Who bore the sins of man The author and perfecter Beginning and the end I am
I’ve highlighted the lines that just really encourage my heart. He is the healer of the broken…He is the one who knew us before we even were…what an amazing visual and just makes me realize my worth in Christ and His amazing love. HE IS EVERYTHING WE WILL EVER NEED! End of story…
Have you ever thought what it will really be like to sing praises to God when we get to heaven?
