Trusting

Lately, I have been reflecting on just how much I really trust in God. I realized that I was limiting God's power in my mind. My trust in Him was not all that it should have been. So I found some Bible passages that has been a great help to me in this.

Psalm 17:5, 6, 8
Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip. I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

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

Psalm 18:28-32
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 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.

Isaiah 41:9, 10, 13
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you by My righteous right hand.' For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your name

Your name
Is a strong and mighty tower
Your name
Is a shelter like no other
Your name
Let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your name

Family is a Blessing

I can only give a small glimpse of what we did on our holiday. But here are a few highlights of our four days in North Carolina:

• staying in the same house with 14 wonderful people that I am privileged to call my family
• lots and lots of laughing and talking.
• playing games like 20 Questions, Phase 10, and Jungle Speed (and trying not to draw blood with my finger nails. Sorry Curtis!)
• quoting Veggie Tales with the cousins, what a blast that can be!
• watching The Nativity Story at the theatre, and Carz and Lord of the Beans at the Bos home theatre!
• a candle light service, in which I accompanied my cousin Laura who plays violin.
• refreshing walks and a hike in the gorgeous 60 - 70F weather, yes I said 70F.
• caroling around the neighborhood on Christmas Eve with another family from the Bos' church.
• eating a delicious Christmas dinner prepared by mom and aunt Marlene . . . and doing all the dishes after with dad and uncle Bill.
• singing around a campfire in t-shirts and bare feet!
• playing music with Amy, Kim and Curtis . . . I would have to say that was my favorite part of the four days we spent there. We even gave a mini concert to our parents on Christmas day.
• sharing a room with my five siblings.
• lots of food, namely baking, druppies, peanuts, and coffee!
• Did I mention all the picture taking that was going on?

What a truly wonderful thing it is to have such a family, both immediate and extended. I am so blessed to be a part of it. Not only because my family loves me, and so much fun to be with, but because they have their faith grounded in Christ. Once again, I have been reminded of that amazing blessing this past weekend. As David said in Psalm 61 "You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name . . . So I will sing praise to Your name forever." And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Greetings from North Carolina!!!

Hey ya'll! Greetings from Goldsboro, North Carolina. It's absolutely beautiful here . . . despite the rain we had yesterday. It looks like the sun is trying to peek out though, so it should be a beautiful day!! It's about 70F right now!

This first picture is a picture from when I got together with my friends and my sister on Tuesday night: Amy, Maria, me, Amy, and Jacinda! Thanks for the amazing fun girls. We'll have to do it again some time.

The rest of the pictures are just a taste of the beautiful scenery we saw on the 15 hour drive here on Thursday. It's hard to get too bored on the long drive when you have music and stories to listen to, movies to watch, and of course, the farms, houses, towns, and mountains to look at. It's a gorgeous drive!

Yesterday, we went to see The Nativity Story at the theatre. It was really good, and pretty faithful to the way the Bible tells the story. It was a really touching protrayal of our Saviors birth. Then last night, we watched Carz here at my aunt and uncles. Now that is one funny movie!

Anyway, hope ya'll are having a good holiday. God bless!

Christmas Blessings Ya'll!!

I know it's a week early, but since I will be in North Carolina during Christmas this coming weekend, I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas. May the joy of Christ's birth amaze you once again, and His love fill you as you spend time with friends and family.

This Christmas hymn has become a favorite of mine. As I really thought about the words I was singing, I realized how powerful they are. They speak of the adoration of Christians around the world of our Savior who came to save the world from their sin. What an amazing God!

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exaltation
O sing, all ye bright hosts of heaven above
Glory to God
All glory in the highest

Yea, Lord, we great Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

Another favorite during this time of celebration is the amazing "Hallelujah Chorus". All praise to God!

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Halleuljah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah!

I leave you with this beautiful passage in Isaiah, especially verse 6b.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Thought Provoking

Here is a song for the Christmas season. It was written by Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. He wrote it based on the song "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem".

Oh little towm of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed
While you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him
In the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed
While you were sleeping
The Savior of the world
Is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss
While we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
While we are sleeping
While we are sleeping

Who Am I?

This song is amazing. The words are very touching and have so much meaning. The first time I heard this song a few years ago, I loved it. It says very well what is in my heart so often.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would car to know my name
Would care to feal my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

No because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still you have me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Don't You Let Go

Here is a song that has meant a lot to me lately from Tait.

Heard you say
That no one seems to care about you
It's in your eyes
You think that life's unfair to you
Just give it all you've got
My friend
Just give it all you've got
It's not the end

'Cause you ought'a know
There's a reason for these changin' seasons
God only knows how much your heart can bear
So don't you let go
Everybody has their up and down times
Everybody needs to know
How much their loved my friend
So hold on, it's not the end

As I remember
Everything you touched would turn to gold
You have a secret
To make your grandest dreams unfold
You are the very best of us all
But the sun that rises still falls

It's just a love song
Cause everybody needs a friend
I'll be right there for you
It's just a simple prayer
It's from the bottom of my heart
That He'll never let you go

Another Song . . . Psalm 20

Psalm 20 has been one of my favorite Psalms for a long time, so I wrote a song on it. I would have to say that this is my second favorite song that I have written so far.

May the Lord answer you
In the day of trouble
My the name of God defend you
May He send you help
From the sanctuary
And strengthen you out of Zion

Now I know that the Lord
Saves His chosen ones
He will answer them from
His holy place
With the saving strength of His hand

May the Lord grant you
All your heart's desire
May the Lord fulfill your purpose
May the Lord give you
All of your petitions
And answer you when you call

Some trust in chariots
And some in horses
But we will remember the Lord our God
They have all bowed down
And they have fallen
But we will rise up and stand

To My Wonderful Friends

Here's to all my friends who have come to mean a lot to me: first of all, my family. And Amy (my sister), Jacinda K, Amy V, Maria V, Naomi K, all of the people involved in LW, my friends in Zion YP, and my friends from working at Verbinnen's Nursery. Thank you so much for being such an amazing encouragment and blessing in my life.

I found this song on a CD of mine, and it reminded me again of how much you all mean to me.

ALWAYS BE
If you cry, I will cry with you
If you laugh, I will laugh with you
If you need a time to talk, I'm there
If you want to share your dreams, I'll care

And even though I know, that we're far away
I know that forever friends we'll stay

And I want you to know, what you mean to me
And I need you to know, that we'll always be

Let Us Run . . .

A few weeks ago, I was very privileged to read a poem that my friend Maria wrote. It was an amazing poem based on Hebrews 12:1-2. She wanted to put it to music, and asked me to help her!! I felt very honored, especially since she doesn't usually show people her poems. With her permission, I am posting it here.

Let Us Run With Endurance (Heb. 12:1-2)

Surrounded by those witnesses

While we run our race

We follow their example

Their every step we trace.

Jesus has begun us in this race 1

He will guide us through it 2

Then we'll see Him face to face

At God's right hand He sits!

Let us run with endurance

The race that is set before us 3

Looking to Jesus who will

Guide and uphold us.

The world runs for an earthly crown

Finding joy for a day

They do all their pleasure

Living like here's where they'll stay.

We run for an everlasting crown 4

Lay all your sin aside

Earthly 'things' don't matter

'Cause in Him we abide!

Let us run with endurance

The race that is set before us 3

Looking to Jesus who will

Guide and uphold us.

We had to make a few changes with the words to make it work, but I came up with a melody and chords. I played it for Maria and she really liked it. When we showed it to our friend Jacinda and my sister Amy, they helped us figure out how to put in an echo for the chorus. It was so much fun. Thanks Maria for allowing me to help you put your poem to music. I look forward to doing more!

When I put it to music, we changed these words to:

1 He's begun us in this race

2 He will guide us through

3 The race that's set before us

4 We run for a lasting crown

AND . . . Song IV

I wrote this song a few weeks ago, but I didn't have it perfected until now. It is based on some verses in Isaiah 25 and 26.

"For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall. And it will be said in that day: 'behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'" Isaiah 25:4, 9

"O Lord, we have waited from You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early." Isaiah 26:8

I've waited for Him

And He will save me

This is the Lord, my God

I've waited for Him

O Lord, I've waited for You

My soul's desire is You

Me spirit within me

Will seek You

You're a strength to the poor in heart

A help to those in distress

A refuge from the storm

And a shade from the heat

Song #3

Here is another song I wrote recently! It is based on Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Isaiah 55:8-9. I shared Jeremiah 29 with a friend this past summer, and I found Isaiah 55 while I was reading through Isaiah, and it reminded me of Jeremiah 29. I thought it would make a neat song. I haven't showed my sister, who is my "editor" yet, but here it is anyway!

As the heaven's are high above the earth
So are My thoughts higher than yours
Thoughts of peace and not of evil
To give you a future and a hope

If you will call on Me and pray
I will listen to your cry
If you seek Me with all of your heart
Then you will find Me
I'll give you a future and a hope

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks th bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.

My Second Song!

I have been writing more songs lately! Here is my second one, with more to come in the near future.

Search Me, O God
Carol-Lee J. Brouwer
Psalm 139

Verse 1:
Lord, You have searched my and known me
You know my sitting and rising up
You understand my thoughts far off
You know my path and my ways

Chorus:
Search me, O God, and know my heart
Try me and know my ever fear
And see if there is evil in me
Lead me in Your way, O Lord
Lead me in Your way, O Lord

Verse 2:
For there is no word in my mouth
That You don't, Lord, already know
You have hedged me behind an' before
You've laid Your hand upon me

Bridge:
Such knowledge is to awesome for me
It's high, I cannot attain it

I Asked the Lord

I promised my friend that I would post this song. So here it is:

I Asked the Lord

John Newton & Laura Taylor

I asked the Lord that I might grow,

In faith and love and every grace,

Might more of His salvation know,

And seek more earnestly His face.

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray,

And He I trust has answered prayer,

But is has been in such a way,

As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,

At once He'd answer my request,

And by His love's constraining power,

Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this He made me feel,

The hidden evils of my heart,

And let the angry powers of Hell,

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more with His own hand He seemed,

Intent to aggravate my woe,

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Cast out my feelings, laid me low.

"Lord why is this," I trembling cried,

"Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?"

"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,

"I answer prayer for grace and faith."

"These inward trials I employ,

From self and pride to set thee free,

And break thy schemes of earthly joy,

That thou mayest seek thy all in Me."

God's Plan for Us

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thought 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

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Sheperd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to who be glory forever and ever. Amen.

He Holds My Hand

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' . . . For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'fear not, I will help you.' . . . The poor and needy seek water, but there is non, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." - Isaiah 41:9-10, 13, 17-20

"See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." - Isaiah 49:16a

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." - Isaiah 43:1b

Reading the book of Isaiah is an amazing journey. Seeing God's wrath poured out against His enemies and then the beautiful imagery that describes how He gives His remnant, His chosen people, a second chance. God is so full of mercy and love! And what makes Him love a sinner? It continues to remain a mystery to me. But I know that it is a comfort that He calls me by name, He holds my hand, and He is there in every valley and trial.

Tucked Away in the Prophets

I have been reading a lot of the prophets lately, and finding some really awesome verses. I don’t know about you, but I used to think the prophets were boring to read, because I they are all about God's wrath against the evil nations. But a little while ago, a good friend of mine put a verse from Lamentations at the bottom of her email. It was a really neat verse. So I read through at least five or six whole books from the prophets in one night. And I am reading through Isaiah as well. There are some pretty powerful verses in there, especially images of God's love and protectiveness to His people.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion's fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26

"The Lord you God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I make them My jewels.'" Malachi 3:17a

JOY

I have been reading "Wonders Never Cease" by Phil Callaway. The last chapter was my favorite, especially this part, "After all these years and all the things I've seen, I still find each day too short for all the prayers I want to pray, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. The longer I live, the more I'm coming to love God. And the more I love Him, the more I find to be thankful for."

Everyday, I learn to love God more as well. Even when it seems like my life is a repeat; week after week, doing the same old things. But life is so much more than just living, it is living for God! He created us for one purpose, to bring glory to Him. What an amazing calling! It is so easy to forget that we have a high calling, and to become bored with life. But in Christ there is a so much joy and overwhelming happiness and thankfulness for all the blessings He gives us.

Today, I was sitting in my room, listening to music, and I decided to come up with a Bible verse for each letter of my middle name, Joy. The words will probably seem a little strange when you read them, but the verses will explain why I chose them. The first verse speaks of our joy in Christ, and my church gave it to me when I did profession of faith. The second one says that we can turn to God for comfort when we are lost, afraid, or just feeling down. The last one is a simple description of our service to Him as His children.

Joy - "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

Overwhelmed - "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

Yoke - "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:30

The Reason for Music

"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." - Psalm 147:1

While I was studying my music history the other day, I found some quotes about music that I thought were pretty neat.

"Music is to me the perfect expression of the soul." - Robert Schumann

"These harmonic notes are the language of the soul and the instruments of the heart." - Barbara Strozzi

"Music [is] the favorite passion of my soul." - Thomas Jefferson

"The practice of [music] is . . . a great part of my inner self. To me, it is the very air I breathe." - Clara Schumann

"We know by experience that song has great force and vigor to move and influence the hearts of men to invoke and praise God with a more passionate zeal." - John Calvin

So often when I play music, whether it be classical music, hymns, or praise music, it plays with my emotions . . . of joy, thankfulness, and praise. I have told people over and over that I don't know what I would do without music. It is me, my career, the one thing that I probably would have the hardest time letting go of in this world.

But music is not only about our soul and emotions, it is first and foremost about bringing praise and glory to God, who is the Creator of music. Here are two amazing quotes that I found from two early composers.

"The aim and final reason of all music should be nothing else but the Glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit." - Johann Sebastian Bach

"Our wisest mortals have decided that music should give zest to divine worship. If people take great pains to compose beautiful music for profane [secular] songs, they should devote at least as much thought to sacred song, nay, even more than to mere worldly matters." - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina