April 2012 Archives
Thank God for Friends
I had the wonderful blessing of spending the afternoon with a friend. We’d not seen each other in about a year and a half but it was such a blessing to have time to catch up and to encourage each other in the Lord.
It seems like too often, people take relationships for granted. It’s easy to let life get away from us but the fact is we need each other. Everyone needs someone to bounce ideas off of, to challenge us when we are missing the mark, and to encourage us when we’re discouraged. Yet how many have a friend who will be those things for them?
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” I thank God for the friends He has given me, and I pray to be that kind of friend to others.
The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows
I’m a couple weeks away from celebrating 20 years of walking with God, and I must say it’s been an amazing journey. Sure, there have been ups and downs, joys and trials, laughter and heartache but I would not have wanted to go through one moment without Him. I’m so thankful that He continues to hold my hand and lead me through the paths that I must trod.
Although at times I begin to stagnate in my relationship with Him, I’m thankful He doesn’t leave me there. His continual love and guidance is a reminder of His enormous love for me. I don’t know how many more years God will give me on earth but I pray that I will continue to serve Him the rest of my days. He has been such a good God to me.
CD Review: Grace Says (The Kingsmen)
Although one of the longest running southern gospel groups still singing today, the Kingsmen continue to get better each time I hear them.
“Back to Grace” has a country feel and tells us there’s always a way back to grace. No matter what you’ve done, you can return.
“What a Hallelujah Day” is an uptempo quartet song, one of my favorite styles that the Kingsmen do.
Harold Reed sings a powerful song, “That’s When I Knew It Was Him.”
Last year at the National Quartet Convention, the Kingsmen’s new song was “He’s Everything I Need.” I still love that song and often play it when I need encouragement. He truly is everything I need.
The title song states, “When you least deserve me, ‘Grace Says’ I’ll be here for you.”
Bryan Hudson sings “Ordinary Man” which talks about how an ordinary man is more than ordinary with God.
“I Can Hardly Wait” is another uptempo song with Harold Reed on the lead.
Randy Crawford sings the first 2 verses of “If Not for the Love of Christ” with Bryan Hudson singing the last verse. I heard Mercy’s Way sing that a few years back and love the song.
“After the Sunrise” is an old song which I know I’ve heard before but it’s been a LONG time.
The tempo slows down for “Loving Shepherd Gracious God.” Just reading the title, it says so much. God truly is loving and gracious.
Come Away
After a busy weekend, it was a blessing to have some time to rest today. I’m battling a cold so the break was especially timely in that regard.
It’s easy to run a hectic schedule and never take time to rest but I remind myself that even Jesus needed time away from the crowds. He needed to be alone with His Father and sometimes He needed to sleep. There are times when we need to be busy doing God’s work but there are also times we need to withdraw into His presence. Often, when I’m taking a break from work, I still spend the time being busy with other things but I pray God will help me to take more time to draw near to Him. I know I need it, and you do too.
“My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.For, see, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (Song of Solomon 2:10-13).
The Grass is Never Greener
I was talking with a lady this evening about how easy it is to think you want what you don’t have. Single people often wish they were married while married people understand the hard work involved. Some spend their lives climbing the corporate ladder until the day they look at their lives and realize they have no free time. Those with young children look forward to their children becoming adults … until that day arrives. If there’s one thing we lack in our lives, it seems to be gratitude for where God has us right now.
People have been discontent since the beginning of time but God calls us to embrace the life He gives … to find His purpose for our lives and then fulfill it. That’s easier said than done but it is important. We may THINK we know what’s best for us but God knows in reality, and He will work it out so that’s exactly what we get. We simply need to trust Him.
If you find yourself looking at others and wishing your life was like theirs, ask God to forgive you and begin to change your way of thinking. Thank Him for His calling on your life and strive to do the best you can in the place He has for you right now. His plans for you may change from time to time but thank Him every time. You may not know what’s around the next bend but He does, and I guarantee you it’s good.
From God’s View
Tuesday, I wrote about how, although we are as ants compared to God, He still sees us and knows about each need. As I was traveling yesterday, I was thinking how the things that look small to God are our trials and troubles. When you’re facing a mountain, it’s huge. However, compared to God, it also is dust.
Our view is limited. We can only see a short part of the road ahead but, as God’s looking down, He sees the whole picture. He knows what lies around the bend or over the mountain. If you persevere, you will see that too. If you are tired, ask God to carry you. He will. He doesn’t tire as we do but can help you soar through the valley and over the mountain. He loves you. He just knows that, without the troubles of life, we may become complacent or content. He wants us to be strong in His Spirit, and He wants a close walk with us. If life were a bed of roses, we wouldn’t understand how great a need for Him we have.
If you’re going through a trial right now, hold to God’s unchanging hand. Keep fighting the good fight. Your trial will not last forever. It’s just a stepping stone on the journey to your Home.
The View From Above
I recently had the privilege of taking my first commercial airplane ride. I had moments of anxiety the day before my trip but God gave me grace and everything went very smoothly.
As I was looking down at the earth from above the clouds, I had a small picture of what we must look like to God. The houses are toys, the vehicles look like ants, people may as well be dust. I couldn’t see them at all. That part is unlike God for, as He looks down, He does see us but we are so small in the scheme of things. He could accomplish anything He wanted without us, yet He chooses to use us small, insignificant humans to accomplish His purposes on this earth.
God sees everything we do–good and bad, selfless or selfish. No matter how great you think you are, without God, you are nothing. Don’t become puffed up for you have nothing to brag about save Christ and Him crucified. When you begin to see yourself as God sees you, that’s when you can accomplish tremendous things for His Kingdom.
CD Review: Modern Pioneers (Song of David)
“When Love comes to town, He brings hope and joy and laughter. When Love comes to town, He gives the brokenhearted peace.” Those lyrics sum up what we’re celebrating this weekend, doesn’t it. Because Christ arose, He is still bringing hope and joy and laughter. He is still giving the brokenhearted peace. He still moves mountains and pours out His grace because He lives! This uptempo song opens the new CD from Song of David.
David Bryan then put together a progressive version of Dottie Rambo’s song, “The Holy Hills.”
The tempo then slows down for “Water in the Wilderness.”
Next is the title song: “Modern Pioneers” which talks about our pilgrimage to Heaven.
“The Sound of the Sun (Going Down)” has a country feel which tells how “When I get over-burdened, I just pause to listen to the sound of the sun going down.” It is possible to find peace in the midst of the storm.
“One Step (at a Time)” has a Crabb Family sound. Sometimes God asks us to just take one step at a time and let Him lead the way.
“When I Leave it in Your Hands” was written by Ann Downing and Dwight Lyle. The greatest peace really does come from leaving it in God’s hands.
“Angels Watching” is a great reminder that we always have angels watching over us. We have nothing to fear.
Ashley Cook Mackey joins David in singing “This Storm.” “Don’t let this storm go to waste.” This is a prayer of mine often. If I must go through storms, I pray they accomplish God’s purposes.
“Power in His Name” begins by talking about Jesus’ birth. Then it talks about today, if you are going through trials, there is still power in Jesus’ name. “Over mountains, through valleys, in the city or on the plains … when the world needs a miracle, there’s power in His name.” It then breaks into a chorus of “Crown Him Lord of All.” A great song.
Five of the ten songs on this CD were written by David who is very gifted at writing. I realize this may be too progressive for some people but I was impressed with the songs and the heart with which he sings. His style took me back to the days of listening to the group Harvest.
God Has Everything Under Control
Last week was busy and, as I look forward to another busy week, I’m grateful that God has everything under control.
One never knows what a week is going to bring. This week, I heard about the death of Thomas Kinkade and Mike Wallace. Then a dear friend of mine found out her mother has cancer which is pretty advanced. Traveling today, we passed by an accident where a car had run into the side of a semi. Fortunately, it didn’t look like anyone was hurt but, had there been a passenger in the car, they no doubt would have been killed. Yes, God has everything under control.
Do you have days where you feel like everything is out of control? That’s the perfect time to stop and refocus, letting God take over. Life can be chaotic but there is no chaos where God’s concerned. Everything is perfect with Him at the helm.
I’m grateful to God for keeping us safe. I praise Him for health for me and my loved ones but I know if everything turns upside down tomorrow, I have nothing to fear for God still has everything under control. Thank You, Father, for this reminder.
He is Risen!
Last night, I watched The Robe, one of my favorite movies which I try to watch every year around Easter. Although based on a novel, there is so much in the movie that provokes thought.
The story is from the perspective of the Roman who crucified Jesus. For quite a while after the crucifixion, this Tribune would have nightmares. He felt he was losing his mind and he decided that the robe he had won by a roll of the die was bewitched. The only way he could get free of the torment he was under was to find the robe and destroy it.
After some searching, he found the robe but, when he held it this time, it gave him peace. He saw that the followers of Jesus were different than the Romans he worked with. The Christians were full of peace and love instead of violence and hatred. At the end of the movie, the Tribune surrendered his life and gave it up in death because of His belief in a resurrected Savior.
I’m not doing the movie justice with my brief synopsis but it’s really a powerful story. As I think about the Tribune coming to not only believe in Jesus but to die for Him, I ponder my own life. In some ways, it’s easier to die for Him than to live for Him but I pray I will be faithful to do both. He gave His life for me. Do I really think I can do less?
