Praise You in This Storm
Casting Crowns
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Having Joy in Your Heart
"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God." Psalm 40:3
What would our life be without joy? We would be like a violin out of tune...such harsh sounds. Life wihtout joy is like a boneout of joint; it doesn't function properly, and it gives pain with each movement. We cannot do anything well without joy. Joy causes us to greet one another when the circumstances of life casue us to think, "I don't want to meet anyone today. Let me roll around in my own pity."
Lack of joy causes heartache within our own personal life, but it also overflows into the lives around us. What does it really mean to have joy in our life? Happiness and fun are good, but they come and go with circumstances. Joy, however, is felt beyond our circumstances. Joy can be experienced even when times are difficult.
Joy is an attitude we have toward life's experiences. It is a treasure of the heart, a comforting knowing of God's intimate presence. As we view the events of our life, we cab choose to be resentful to God for letting certain things happen to us, or we can choose an attitude of gratitude and a commitment to joy. Joy is by far the best choice.
We have joy when we are serving God and doing what He wants for our lives. We have joy when we learn to take our circumstances and the ups and downs of life in stride and use all situations to bring glory to God. We lighten our load in life and draw other people to us by having a joyful heart. When we have joy in the Lord, we begin to see life from God's point of view, and we realize that things have never looked so beautiful, so peaceful, so amazing.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
What would our life be without joy? We would be like a violin out of tune...such harsh sounds. Life wihtout joy is like a boneout of joint; it doesn't function properly, and it gives pain with each movement. We cannot do anything well without joy. Joy causes us to greet one another when the circumstances of life casue us to think, "I don't want to meet anyone today. Let me roll around in my own pity."
Lack of joy causes heartache within our own personal life, but it also overflows into the lives around us. What does it really mean to have joy in our life? Happiness and fun are good, but they come and go with circumstances. Joy, however, is felt beyond our circumstances. Joy can be experienced even when times are difficult.
Joy is an attitude we have toward life's experiences. It is a treasure of the heart, a comforting knowing of God's intimate presence. As we view the events of our life, we cab choose to be resentful to God for letting certain things happen to us, or we can choose an attitude of gratitude and a commitment to joy. Joy is by far the best choice.
We have joy when we are serving God and doing what He wants for our lives. We have joy when we learn to take our circumstances and the ups and downs of life in stride and use all situations to bring glory to God. We lighten our load in life and draw other people to us by having a joyful heart. When we have joy in the Lord, we begin to see life from God's point of view, and we realize that things have never looked so beautiful, so peaceful, so amazing.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
An Eternal Perspective
You are my refuge and my shield, and your promises are my only source of hope.Psalm 119:114
It is amazing how divided our country is. We are split 50/50 in almost all facets of life-all the way from our political choices to the culture we want. We can't understand how certain people think the way they do, and they can't understand the way we think. We have become a country of people who are "in your face". But I look upward!
People have asked me how I can be so upbeat when so many things around me are so negative. I guess it is because of my perspective on life. Through scripture and life experiences, I have come to trust that God has a master plan for my life. He knew my beginning, and He knows the events of my end. His words give me so much comfort. I have learned that I can count on His promises. When the scriptures tell me that God is my shield and that His promises are my only source of hope, I believe it. God's character is one of honor, trust, and reliability that I can bank on for my life.
God's word brings me light on a foggy day, it brings me hope when I become discouraged, and it helps me not to make a mountain out of a molehill. His word gives me the right perspective on life. I know that my time on earth is so short, and my time with Him after this earthly experience will be for eternity. I have conquered death through Christ- it has no sting' it is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).
It is amazing how divided our country is. We are split 50/50 in almost all facets of life-all the way from our political choices to the culture we want. We can't understand how certain people think the way they do, and they can't understand the way we think. We have become a country of people who are "in your face". But I look upward!
People have asked me how I can be so upbeat when so many things around me are so negative. I guess it is because of my perspective on life. Through scripture and life experiences, I have come to trust that God has a master plan for my life. He knew my beginning, and He knows the events of my end. His words give me so much comfort. I have learned that I can count on His promises. When the scriptures tell me that God is my shield and that His promises are my only source of hope, I believe it. God's character is one of honor, trust, and reliability that I can bank on for my life.
God's word brings me light on a foggy day, it brings me hope when I become discouraged, and it helps me not to make a mountain out of a molehill. His word gives me the right perspective on life. I know that my time on earth is so short, and my time with Him after this earthly experience will be for eternity. I have conquered death through Christ- it has no sting' it is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-56).
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