Songs
Song: “Give You Peace” by Echoing Angels
The phrase that caught my attention in this song was “I will give you peace”. I cannot count the number of times in my life when it feels like I have more on my plate than I can handle. Part of the reason I am overwhelmed is because I haven’t given my concerns over to the One who can give me peace. There are days when I think I can manage life on my own but thankfully He gently gets my attention and draws me back to His side. He hears my prayers and gives me peace!
I see you lying their whispering prayers
I hear you breathing out hollowed be thy name
Holding out my hand catching every tear
Oh my child I’ll never leave your sideI will give you peace when the walls come crashing down
I will give you peace through the night
When you’ve had all you can take can’t face another day
I’ll give you peace, I’ll give you peaceFor such a time as this I have you here
Chosen for the lost to show I’m near
Through your brokenness my glory shines
And through your frailty my strength will riseYou’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
Perfect in my sight
Righteousness adorns you my bride
You’re beautiful, so beautifulSong: “None But Jesus” by Hillsong
Life has a way of getting cluttered…….and many times with great activities. How many times this week have I spent “in the quiet” and “in the stillness” with God? He has given so much for me, how can I refuse to spend time with Him. I never regret the times when I make the choice to spend time in His word and prayer. May He restore my heart and direct my path this week.
In the quiet
In the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call i won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll chooseThere is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praiseIn the chaos in confusion
I know You’re sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my daysAll my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope
All of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord
Forever moreSong: “I Lift My Hands” by Chris Tomlin
I am thankful that there is a healer whose love and mercy is unfailing. No matter what trials you face this week I hope you are encouraged by the one who can give you the strength you need every day. May my eyes be open, my faith be strong, and my prayers be lifted up to the one whose love is deeper than the sea.
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weakLet faith arise
Let faith ariseI lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, foreverBe still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary’s tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over meLet faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyesSong: “How He Loves Us” by David Crowder
Isn’t it great to know that we are loved by our heavenly Father! I am thankful for His never ending love, grace, and redemptive work in my life. It seems like I mess up more often than necessary yet He extends mercy to me every day.
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us allAnd we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…Oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
How He lovesSong: “Great I Am” by New Life Worship
This song came to my mind recently while Jake was traveling for work. I was getting worked up because our little road was busy with a lot of extra traffic one night (which is very unusual unless our family or one of the retired neighbors were hosting a get together), Skipper was barking a lot, and our old house was making a lot of creaks and noises. Shortly after going to the door for what felt like the 50th time that night to see what Skipper barking about I decided to remind myself who was in control. I had the Great I Am, protector, and all knowing God looking out for me. Little creaks, noises, and a barking dog shouldn’t have me edge I need to trust in Him to keep me safe. Awesome song with a wonderful reminder that we serve a powerful Savior.
I wanna be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real and death is a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as oneHallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the Great I am
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I amI wanna be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world and hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as oneHallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the Great I am
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the Great I amSong: “Hiding Place” by Steven Curtis Chapman
With all of the technology outreaches these days (blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc…) we have a lot of “pieces of ourselves” out on display for people to see and “critique.” Sometimes people make painful comments whether directly or indirectly pointed towards you that hurt.
- Am I perfect….oh no far from it.
- Do I try to do what’s my best for my family……most days.
It is painfully obvious of how far I fall short in so many areas in my life yet:
- Will everyone like you all the time….no.
- Will you make mistakes and say or do stuff that you wish you could take back…..absolutely.
The other day I was digesting some comments made pretty blatantly in my direction. My first emotion was disappointment and before long I was discouraged, but in the middle of my frustration I came across this song “Hiding Place” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Only God knows the true intent of my heart. I believe Satan allows those comments to hit with a hard sting to make us more distracted.
I need to learn to trust in God’s promises for my life. When I mess up He knows and when I do something right He knows that too. That should be all that matters to me. I need to place the value of my worth on Him not on some comment that only brings heartache. Once again He reminds me of the blessing it is to have people who do love, appreciate me, pray alongside me, and are there to pick me up when I fall. Hopefully the next time when I encounter a harsh word and the storm clouds come my way I will run to Him first.
Song: “Rest in the Hope” by Karyn Williams
Recently I heard another one of Karyn’s songs but when I went to look it up I came across this one. It was perfect the one for me to listen to at the time. These last few months have been a whirlwind. So many specific situations and people have been on my heart and mind. I have so many things to be grateful for in my life yet when a stressful situation arises often I find myself trying to fix and manipulate the circumstances rather than resting in the Lord. He put me on this earth with these specific challenges for a reason and I pray that I will bring glory to Him through each situation because when I rely on my knowledge and strength I end up making everything a bigger mess. I am thankful that He is the “truth that never changes”.
You are the truth that never changes
You are the love that came to save us I am Yours
Even through all my fear and sorrow
Facing a new unknown tomorrow I am sure
That I’m gonna rest in the hope that I’m YoursI’ve spent so much time looking for You
When You were here all along
Reaching for me to carry me through
Even when I would fall
You were waiting patiently
For me to find the faith to just believeSong: “Strong Enough” by Matt West
I had a day late last week when I got slammed with a bunch of stuff and felt overwhelmed with everything going on. It was one of those days you wanted to crawl back in bed and start over again. Thankfully I don’t have to fix everything or depend on my own strength to solve all the problems that hit me because God is right there alongside of me helping. He is not surprised by the extra challenges that come into my life; in fact He uses them to reveal Himself even more in my life.
You must
You must think I’m strong
To give me what I’m going throughWell, forgive me
Forgive me if I’m wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own,I know I’m not strong enough to be
everything that I’m supposed to be
I give up
I’m not strong enough
Hands of mercy won’t you cover me
Lord right now I’m asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of usSong: “Grace” by Laura Story
This is a great song by Laura Story. At times I find myself weak, discouraged, unfocused, and stressed. It is especially during those times that I am thankful that I have a Savior to pick me up and give me the strength I need to get through each day.
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done.
And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me.
And hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.I ask You: “How many times will You pick me up.
When I keep on letting You down.
And each time I will fall short of Your glory.
How far will forgiveness abound.
And You answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face.
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged.
Knowing that someone, somewhere, could do a better job.
For who am I to serve You, I know I don’t deserve You.
And that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.Song: “You Keep Givin Me” by Brian Littrell
There are so many reasons to be thankful in my life. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two kids, my health, extended family, friends and so much more. Many times its easy to look at the little stuff that drives us crazy but when we take an honest look around us we really have a lot to be grateful for in our lives.
So many reasons to be thankful
So many blessings that I can’t repay
And I never would’ve made it here without You
Sending angels to guide me on my wayYou keep givin’ me joy
You keep givin’ me happiness
You keep givin’ me hope
You keep givin’ me everything I wish
You keep givin’ holding me
When I’m about to fall
And if even all of that was not enough
You keep givin’ me loveI know that I’m not always easy
And I know I put You through some trying days
But in spite of all the worries that I gave You
You never let my Angels get awayHave I told You lately
How Your love has saved me?
It takes me to place I’ve only dreamed
I’m so thankful, Lord, for sending me angels