God is still God....

I love when beauty is born from trials.  That to me is the miracle of James 1:2-4 in Scripture.  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

I fully believe that nothing God ordains comes back void.  There is not one single thing He allows in our lives that is not designed to bring Him glory.  And while many things may be very hard, He promises to walk with us through the fire.  He is the same regardless of anything we are facing.  He is still God. 

All of that being said, sometimes God inspires me to write music.  It's completely His doing because I do not consider myself to be all that talented in the field of writing at all.  But God recently inspired a song that I just happened to be able to put on paper and set to music.  I'm thankful for the encouragement these lyrics bring.  The lyrics are below.  And below the lyrics, you'll see a link to YouTube where you can hear a VERY rough rehearsal of this song.  My uncle, Caleb and I were rehearsing it for a very dear friend's funeral which is this Saturday.  Please overlook the vastly imperfect performance, but be encouraged by the message.....

When Jericho's walls causing great fear
All the people of God saw faith disappear
So they chose to obey, gave a victory shout
Just imagine their praise as the walls tumbled down

God is still God, He'll make a way
God is still God, He'll never change
Be still and know He's in control
No matter what, God is still God

When life hasn't been all that you planned
And the days are so long, it's just hard to stand
And if it all falls apart, there will always be hope
From the ashes you'll rise, from the rubble you'll go

God is still God, He'll make a way
God is still God, He'll never change
Be still and know He's in control
No matter what, God is still God

Be still and know He's in control
No matter what, God is still God
God is still God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7VQh4ccNDY&sns=em

Treasures

If you know me, you know my mad love for modern hymnwriters, Keith and Kristyn Getty.  I love their Celtic approach to worship but most importantly, I love the depth of their lyrics.  Over the course of this year, as I've felt God drawing my eyes, my heart and my attention UP to Him, a particular lyric of theirs has resonatated in my soul and stayed in my mind.  It's a lyrics from their song Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer....

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne

I realize we are several weeks before Christmas, but we will ignore that truth for a moment and focus on some other ones.

As I read the Christmas story each year, one tiny verse always takes hold of my attention and my heart. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart".

Wow.

No question she is one of my favorite characters in Scripture. She was young, but God took note of her obedience and faithfulness, and blessed her beyond her wildest dreams. And when this craziness is going on, she just worships and magnifies the Lord. I can't get over it. I'm sure the circumstances had to be overwhelming at times, but instead of freaking out, she took the special moments and memories and hid them away in her heart.

Overwhelming is the only word I have to describe the last several months.  Losses, deaths, bittersweet transitions, grief, trials, unwelcomed changes, diagnosis, struggle, anxiety.

It makes me tired just to type it all out. Despite the craziness of this season, there have been so many perfect moments. Moments when love overshadows everything else. Moments when beauty leaves me breathless.  Moments when I'm reminded of the blessing of family and friends who are like family. Moments when a friend opens their heart to share their experiences with cancer, loss and trials. Moments when God is glorified in the midst of a storm. Moments that I've hidden away in my heart to treasure and to ponder and to learn vital lessons.

Through this season, we are clinging to truth and promises. I am seeing His faithfulness and grace in ways I never have before. Despite being overwhelmed, we are overwhelmed in peace that can only be from Him. And even if it's through tears, my heart is joining Mary's song... "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior".

I know the plans

As far back as I can remember, I have been a planner. I want to be as prepared as possible for what is coming, and most of the time, I am extremely bothered if the reality doesn't line up with my expectations, regardless of how unrealistic that plan may be.

The first time I recall visiting Chicago, I was enchanted. It was so vastly different from the small town I called home, but I felt as though I belonged there. The sounds of the city sang me to sleep and the sea of faces seemed strangely familiar. I longed to be one of them. College would be the first chance for that dream to become reality, so Vandercook College of Music became my goal. My plan. And I gripped that plan like a priceless heirloom. It somehow became a part of my identity. When God's plan turned out to be different from mine, I had no idea how to respond. I ran into my closet and cried... literally. My plan was pried from my fingers, and I wasn't sure how to mourn the loss I so strongly felt.

I thought I learned an important lesson during that season. I realized His promises are true. His plans are good and for my good. He was not surprised by anything that happened. His plan prevails.

I guess I didn't learn it as I thought. I still struggle each time things don't go according to my plan. When my expectations are not met. When my dream comes crashing down. When there is an uninvited interruption. I find myself questioning time and time again whether He truly knows what is best for me. How could this be right?

The majority of the events that have affected me and my family this year were not a part of my plan. Even my oh-so-wonderful plan to show you around my little house on this blog was interrupted by life. And by death. But I was reminded of a precious glimpse of providence and His plan as I reflected this week.

At the beginning of each new year, our Pastor shares with the church a word that God has given him, and challenges each of us to seek the Lord for our own word. Quite honestly, the word I heard in January let me down and did not make any sense. And it was only two letters. Seriously. At least give me a couple syllables. As much as I tried to talk Him into a better word, I kept coming back to UP. It's a word you learn in 1st grade, and in my mind perfectly unacceptable for what I had sought. I finally gave in to my word for the year, but was too embarrassed to mention it to many people.  Even to my friend Melissa who I typically share these specific types of things with.

The first glimpse that this was the right word came soon after. In the midst of a scary diagnosis and surgeries and appointments, I so desperately needed the reminder to turn my gaze up to the Healer. To the Redeemer. To the Savior. A few months later, the word became more literal as I clung to it again when some precious family went to be with Jesus. My eyes were set heavenward. On eternity. Up.

And here again as I stare into an uncertain future, I feel Him pleading for me to look UP.

I have been so comforted that He knew in January what this year would look like. He has always known the plans He has for me to bring me a hope and future.

Peace in the midst of the storm

Even though the winds aren't still
And the waves continue tossing me
From the storm I call His name
For relief from things distressing me

Now so quietly it comes
Strength to find my course again
Though He does so much for me
His sweetest gift will always be

Peace in the midst of the storm
Peace in the midst of the storm
I cry to Him for mercy
His great love takes the form
Of peace in the midst of the storm

What tomorrows hold, they hold
Joy and sadness coming day by day
But I will not be afraid
Though I know some storms will come by way

Let my enemy be sure
I will not be lost at sea
There will never come a time
That in prayer I cannot find

Peace in the midst of the storm
Peace in the midst of the storm
I cry to Him for mercy
His great love takes the form
Of peace in the midst of the storm

I've found such peace in the midst of the storm

Peace

The word that has been on my mind most today has been peace.  As I have grown older and grown in my relationship with the Lord, I have come to look at peace as I look at joy.  If your peace is found in God, it is steadfast.  It does not change when the circumstances of our lives change.  It is deep rooted in the faithful, unfailing promises of the Lord.  Exactly like joy.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8)

I've been speaking this Scripture to myself over and over again in my mind today and out loud, as opportunity allows.  Not because I'm trying to convince myself of it, but because I believe it with everything in me and I refuse to allow fear and uncertainty to take over my mind.  There is power and victory in these words.  When I remind myself that He is the same regardless of what life circumstances come my way, I allow myself to trust even more that He is bigger than anything I will face in this life.  His grace is sufficient and He has equipped me for victory. 

He has equipped YOU for victory too.  He has set it in our minds.  He has engraved it in our hearts.  We just have to leave ourselves open to it and allow Him to lead us.

The mental image that I have when meditating on the peace is the ocean.  Sometimes the water is calm.  Sometimes it just flows peacefully along, unmoving.  Then the weather turns, the tides change and storms arise.  The water becomes restless, wave-ridden, in constant turmoil and motion.  As bad as it gets however, the storms cease and the water always eventually calms back down again.  It is so much like our lives.

Whether you're in the midst of a storm today or in a calm season of life, my prayer for you is that you sense His peace and presence in beautiful ways and that you are reminded of His faithfulness.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Selah

Great is Thy faithfulness
O God, my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

A Matter of Perspective

The first part of this blog will likely be a little TMI for any guys that happen to pass by my blog.  But for you girls, you'll understand well.  That being said....I don't know about the rest of you girls, but you can often tell my current level my how my face looks.  It seems as though the more stressed out I am, the more my face begins to resemble that of a 13-year old girl and I'm forced to make good use of my concealer makeup.  Haha. 

Such was the case this week.  Towards the later part of the week, I had something breakout that seemed to be getting to be Mount St. Helens on my forehead.  Of course I panic, and start applying facial treatment and developing the best methods to conceal this beast of a thing that popped up on my normally very clear, breakout free face.  All weekend long I've stressed over this thing because it was a weekend where I had to be around large numbers of people most of the time.  The thought of the fact that I would have to attend a family reunion AND sing in church on Sunday with this thing on my face mortified me and I began evasive maneuvers immediately.

Nonetheless, despite my best efforts, you could still see Mount St. Helens screaming there loud and proud on my forehead.  Thankfully, fixing my bangs a certain way made it so most didn't notice though.  All the frustration over that breakout this weekend came to an abrupt end this morning when I woke up and it was flat and smooth like it was never there in the first place.  The only remnant of the awful, ugly thing was a very small red place that was barely noticable.  Like magic almost, it had virtually vanished and I was beyond relieved.

As my day went along today, I could feel God speaking to my spirit loud and clear.  The words of the song "Speak To the Mountain" were playing through my mind all day long also.  Some things in life lately have been mountains that seem to be impossible to get over and move on from.  Sad things and stressful things.  To be honest, sometimes I feel like I'm walking with an avalanche waiting just over my head....and if I breathe wrong, it's all going to come crashing down.  I know all of you have felt like that time and time again also when life circumstances seem a little too overwhelming.

But today, God reminded me that He is greater than anything I'm facing right now and anything I will ever face.  All I have to do is speak to the mountains and they will not triumph over me.  Getting over the mountains of this life are often horribly difficult and heartbreaking.  But God is right there with you on the way over and He has greater things in store on the other side.  "Speak God's name and Satan trembles....Speak God's word and watch him flee....Once again, our God delivers....the mountain crumbles at our feet."

Much like that annoying blemish on my face that I miraculously woke up this morning without, one day I will wake up and all of this will be a distant memory.  My prayer is that I will be alert enough to SEE the treasures in these trials and come out stronger on the other side of them.  By God's grace, I'm confident I will.  I'm thankful for that assurance.

From strength to strength we sometimes go
Then again we're sinking low
In the shadow of a mountain
Looking high above our head
We need not fear what lies ahead
For the word has clearly said
That our faith would be sufficient
To make the moutain disappear

Speak to the mountain
You'll not triumph over me
Be thou removed from here to yonder
Disappear into the sea
Speak to the mountain
Speak with authority
And the mountain must move
And you will claim victory

In the midst of the battle
When the foe is gaining ground
Look up and see the might hand of God reaching down
Speak God's name and Satan trembles
Speak God's word and watch him flee
Once again our God delivers
The mountain crumbles at our feet

Speak to the mountain
You'll not triumph over me
Be thou removed from here to yonder
Disappear into the sea
Speak to the mountain
Speak with authority
And the mountain must move
And you will claim victory

Song:  Speak to the Mountain