Thankfulness

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4

 

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:11-12

 

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

 

 

Held safely in the palm of His hand. It did not escape me that there was very little I could humanly do as I held my precious baby in my arms. As his usually rambunctious and vibrancy for life quickly drained from his little body, the tears from my eyes increased. "Save him, Oh Lord," I pleaded. I begged. So fearful I was losing my son, I yelled louder as if that's what God needed in order to hear my desperate cries. "Please don't take him today, Lord! Not today." As I drove him to the hospital fearful of losing him, my thoughts turned to the Lord and I was reminded again we are not in control! Life is precious. It can change in an instant. God's ways and thoughts are not ours. He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

 

I'm unsure of the why behind what happened to my little boy Christmas day. But I am sure that the Lord's Will always prevails, and that He can take anything and bring good out of it. I am sure God had (has) His hand on my little boy today - and every day. Held safely in the palm of His hand.

 

And I'm so very thankful. I'm thankful and praise God that He gave me another day, another minute, another second with my sweet little boy. I'm thankful that the prayers of many were heard today. So much to be thankful for. Today, that little boy brought his mama closer to Jesus in prayer. That little boy brought a close family even closer together. That little boy brought many people to Jesus in prayer today. That little boy brought new faces and familiar faces together today. And that little boy reminded us all just how precious life is and just how much even 1 minute matters. Thankful. Held safely in the palm of His hand.

 

Thankful

 

I am amazed at what I see when I look all around.

So many blessings can be found.

 

My heart is filled with a joyous and thankful song.

May the Lord's praises be sung all day long!

 

From out of the trenches You have rescued me,

And have shown me a new way to be.

 

Only You could do such a marvelous thing.

How great is Your love to me - all praises to You I will sing!

 

Never Forsaken

 

You were there that day

When my world was falling away.

 

You called to me and spoke my name out loud.

I was so scared I was lost, but in You I was found.

 

Never by You was I forsaken.

But all along named and taken.

 

You came to get me that night.

In speaking my name, You told me it would be more than alright.

In You, I would be given new sight.



Hope

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
Psalm 34:4-7
 

As I write this, it is the day before Christmas Eve. All is currently calm. And by calm I mean my soul is at rest. I can't help but reflect on the past year. A year ago, all was definitely not calm. Turmoil was to the left, to the right, to the front and to the back (I think there's a song for that). So much has changed in my life, and it has very little to do with me and a whole lot to do with the Lord and His promises. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).

Christmas has a whole new meaning for me this year. Now, don't get me wrong. I've always before seen "Jesus as the reason for the season," but this year it's different for me. I close my eyes and see that perfect little baby lying in a manger and I'm standing there right beside Him. My heart belongs to that sinless baby. I think about that baby and am overwhelmed with joy, thankfulness and praise that that little baby came to save me from my brokenness.

Christmas is about the hope we can find in that little baby. Christmas is about the unconditional, self-sacrificial love found in that little baby.

A year ago, my hopes and dreams were few and far between. I wondered if the emptiness I felt inside could ever be filled with joy and laughter again. Today, I have never felt more joy and have laughed as much as I do now. The emptiness I once felt is filled with hope and love because of what that little baby lying in a manger did for me. As for my dreams...I dream much bigger these days. I dream for the day I will be in the eternal presence of that little baby and finally be home...and fully complete.

Under the Shelter of Your Love

 

Under the shelter of Your love,

You watch over me from Heaven above.
 

All things in my life You have promised to work for good,

Having been predestined to be like Christ, as You knew I would.
 

Out of all the poor choices and broken dreams,

You still triumph and come to redeem.
 

You come to the oppressed to deliver and save.

We, in Christ, are no longer condemned by the grave.
 

My life because of You is anew.

You now ask that I do as You would do.
 

You see beyond that which has ripped me apart.

And see the goodness no longer hidden deep within my heart.
 

You ask me to patiently wait for Your call,

And in You will be the confidence to deliver Your message standing tall.
 

Within me is the Spirit of Life.

It drives out all worldly strife.
 

How humbled and privileged to be called to this greater purpose,

When surely I don't deserve this!
 

You have come to save,

And, with this, the peace of understanding You gave.
 

You have given me salvation.

It is Your proclamation.
 

You have healed me and made me whole,

Restoring my body, mind and soul.
 

You give me what I need and more than I've asked for,

Because it is me that You adore.
 

What a great gift this is,

And all because I AM HIS!

December 14, 2012

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth - he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do...

 

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

 

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."

 

Psalm 33: 12-15; 18-22

 

 

RISE UP

 

Rise up, rise up and for our Lord fight.

Christians, I'm calling you - Come out this night!

Free from us evil one, no more may we be held down in fright.

 

With the Lord by our side,

His light will be the lantern that will be our guide.

 

Through His mercy and grace,

The power has been given to take back this place.

 

No longer will we live shackled by fear.

With the Lord as our center, we will persevere!

 

Let us take back the night.

May the love of the Lord be our vision and our sight.

 

The time is now, Christians, we are in need.

For it is our dear brothers and sisters that are wounded and bleed.

 

Let us be ready Lord, send us on Thy way.

Lord, have mercy. This we pray.