Praise You in this Storm

This song is one of those songs that you hear, and not only the words are amazing and the message is well worded, but the music fits so perfectly with the words, and is so beautiful that you could listen to it over and over and never get sick of it. I wish I could add the music to this post along with the lyrics, but I guess the lyrics with have to be sufficient for now. And if you know the song already, listen to it again! And yes, this is yet another Casting Crowns song. They have some really neat song ideas, and I love their musical style as well.

Praise You in this Storm
Casting Crowns
Romans 8:28 / 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 /
Psalm 42:5 / Psalm 121:1-2 /
Job 1:20-21 / Daniel 3:16-18

I was sure by now
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

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
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
You raised me up again
My strength was almost gone
How can I carry one
If I can't find You

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

The Lord have, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. I Corinthians 4:16

Another Song (By Me)

Rejoice with those who rejoice

Weep with those who weep

Showing love to all the saints

In all brotherly love

Serve the Lord, rejoice in hope

Patient in your trials

Strong in prayer, loving good

Watching for the needs of the saints

Cast your care upon the Lord

For He cares for you

Resist the one who walks about

And tries to make you fall

Knowing that your brotherhood

In the Lord are also

Going through the same trials

Satan tempts you with every day, so

Rejoice with those who rejoice . . .

Communion of the Saints

I was listening to Casting Crowns: Lifesong this afternoon and the song Stained Glass Masquerade (previous post) came on. I love that song. It says so well what I often think about in our little Christian communities. We often try to hide how we really feel inside from others around us so that they won't see what we truly think and feel, what we fear or worry about. We want others to think that we are strong and maybe even perfect, and have everything in our lives under control.

Then I got thinking about blogs. And how amazing it is that through something as small as a blog on the big web, Christians can not only be a witness to those who might happen to read our blog, but we can also, as Christian young people, learn about and learn from eachother and encourage one another by hopping from one blog to the next (as I do sometimes), leaving and encouragement here or a fun one there.

I think we often get frustrated with the increasingly high tech world we live in. At least I do. Or we take for granted the internet, or even computers. Thank you God for things like email and blogs and some pretty awesome young people in my world to learn from and get to know. The Christian community is a truly amazing one to be a part of!

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15). God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9). But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble (1 Cor. 8:12-13). And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 Thess. 3:12-13). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world (1 Peter 5:6-11).

Song on Psalm 91

Psalm 91
Carol-Lee Joy Brouwer

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High God
Shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty God
I will say of the Lord Most High
"He is my refuge and my fortress
My God, in how I trust."

A thousand may fall at your side
Ten thousand at your right hand
But it shall not come near you
Only with your eyes will you look
And see the reward of the wicked.

I have made the Lord Most High my strong dwelling place
No evil nor any plague shall come near me
His angels are surrounding me
In their hands they shall bear me up
Lest I dash my foot and fall.

"He has set his love on Me, so I'll go with him
And has known My holy name, I will set him on high
He shall call on Me in prayer
I will be with him in trouble
Bear him up and deliver him."

How Much Does Your RoadGuide Mean to You?

"You each need your own RoadGuide. All who walk the red road must read it. Repeat its words until they flow from your heart like water from a fountain. You must study the map, or you will get lost…or stray from the road…or be unprepared for what you encounter on it."

"You’re always reading it," Victoria said. "Can’t we just follow your lead? Besides, the red road is obvious, isn't it?"

"The book is your guide, your compass. Don't underestimate your ability to depart from the true road. Don't trust your instinct of your logic - don't even trust me. I don't trust myself. Trust only the RoadGuide."

I turned through the pages, reading instructions here and there, looking at the maps, scanning the many stories of those who'd walked the red road before.

. . . Everyone got up but Quon, already lost in the pages of the book. I had to pull him up, and even then he kept his nose in the book as he walked. I had to occasionally grab his arm to keep him from stumbling. Half the time he didn't even notice.

(Edge of Eternity, by Randy Alcorn, pages 150-51; definately a recommended book if you liked Pilgrim's Progress!)

RoadGuide - Bible ; Red road - Narrow path to life in Christ

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have such a renewed love for the Bible like Quon's love for it? We often hastily do devotions, thinking about all the things we have to do. We don't give God's Word, or Him, the time He deserves as our Father, Creator, Redeemer, and King.

"My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:81, 97

WAR!!

I love reading. Maybe too much! One thing I notice when I'm reading a book is that I always seem to feel as if the main character's problems are mine and I want to fix them. And I keep reading, wishing I could tell him or her how stupid they are when they make a bad decision or warn against obvious danger around the corner. And sometimes it's really annoying, but I guess that's the whole adventure of reading a book.

I got Randy Alcorn's Edge of Eternity for Christmas. I just started reading it today. I tried reading it a few months ago when I got it out of the library, but I couldn't get into it then. This time, I'm seeing it differently. The main guy, Nick Seagrave, finds himself in another world and scenes of his messed-up life keep flashing before him. He begins to realize the wrong choices he's made, but the devil (represented by a scorpion hooking it's tail into his chest) still has a powerful grip on him. One part struck me and reminded me of Ephesians 6. I think we sometimes forget about the spiritual battle that is constantly going on, not only around us, but it is a war to fight for our very souls. And when we do remember, we are sometimes so caught up in the battle and relying on our own strength, that we sometimes forget the power we have to fight in Jesus Christ.

The plain suddenly became an immense battlefield, full of great gladiators, with eyes of fire, lifting their swords against other warriors, these with cold shark eyes. The warriors of both sides seemed to be of the same stock, as if it was a civil war - the gray city of the east versus the bright city of the west. Some troops fought on the ground, some above it, as if the air had an invisible floor. Sparks flew off their swords and lightening bolts pierced the sky. Swords clashed agianst shields, and thunderclaps exploded. Even at a distance the noise was almost unbearable.

People, some of whom I'd just seen, walked on the ground underneath the great combatants. Now they appeared translucent, almost invisible. Most of them stepped casually, unguardedly, apparently unaware of the battle raging above and around them. (Edge of Eternity, page 73)

"Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

It is God Who Arms Me with Strength

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;
With the pure You will show Yourself pure;
And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.
For You will save the humble people,
But will bring down haughty looks.

For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
He teachers my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.
Psalm 18:25-36

Verse 29 is amazing. With God beside us, we can do or face anything. He is our rock, shield, defender, Savior, salvation. He holds us in His right hand. Isn't that amazing . . . to think that God would love us so much that He actually HOLDS us in His hand? He guides every step we take, helping us along the way, to face anything. With God's help we can perservere through any trial, whether spiritual or physical. "For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall." What stunning imagery . . . a troop and a wall. Passages like these never cease to provoke awe and wonder of just what an amazing and all-powerful Father we have.

Stained Glass Masquerade

Stained Glass Masquerade
Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

'Cause when I take a look around
Everbody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we'll close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one that's traded
In the alter for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
You imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatains 6:2

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you . . . and this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the friuts of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:3, 9-11

"A friend is someone who shares all your great moments with you. A true friend is someone who is there to share all the bad moments too." R. Sherwood

To all who I can truly be myself with, thank you for being such amazing friends in Christ.

Letting God Take Control

Ready for You (Kutless)

Lord, You take my heart away with Your love

And I, am willing to put all my faith in Your plan 1

Come and take my life

Make my soul refreshed in truth now 2

I am ready for You

Take my heart and make me new now

I am ready for You

To come and fill my soul 3

Cleanse, all of my mind that is not of You

Break me, teaching my how to find rest in Your hands 4

Whatever it takes

I'm needing to make Your will be done 5

And I'm letting go of my control

For I see what You've done in me 6

1 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

1 "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

2 "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3

2 "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6

3 " . . . where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." Colossians 3:11

3 "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:8

4 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

4 "Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins." Psalm 19:"12b

5 "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

5 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

6 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

6 "For our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29

6 "I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me." Galatians 2:20

Back to the Grind

Well, it's back to the grind once again. 'sigh' I must say, it felt really good to get up at 7:30 this morning, which is unusually early for me, and get to work. I feel like I have actually done something worth while . . . especially after almost three weeks off. I even helped my sister with some Algebra 1 this morning, and shocked myself that I can still remember that stuff! I plunged right into studying music history this morning, and it was surprisingly fun. It felt good to be studying music again, even though I was really sick of it before Christmas. I think I really needed a holiday. And then I taught 4 piano lessons. I'm glad the break is over, I'm ready for a regular routine again.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Psalm 91

I've been memorizing Psalm 91. There are some pretty amazing verses in this psalm. One of my favorites is verse 7 and 12.

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall hear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall 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 I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

This is one amazing passage. I came across it again during the devotions the other day, and I realized that I don't think about this as often as I should . . . that I don't always strive as much as I should to serve God with all of my life, every single part of it.

2007's here!!!

Blessed New Year everyone! Welcome 2007!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower,
The righteous run to it and are safe.\
Proverbs 18:10