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

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.