God's Promises

Another year come and gone and here we are in 2007. I can hardly believe it, where did the time go? 2006 was a tough year a really tough year. We learned valuable lessons about our faith and we were put to the test. Looking back now it seems like a dream, a bad dream, but it also feels good to see we made it through.

As you read this you are probably wondering what I am writing about and though I could spend countless hours going over all the very painful details, I won't because that is not what is important anymore. What is important is that I am not in that place emotionally, spiritually or physically anymore. Thank you God!

I know I am not alone when I write that we have all been in that place of pain. Some of us have experienced the sting of death in our family or the tradegy of illness. Perhaps it's the relationships in our life that are falling apart or a situation with our children. Whatever it is...we all know the disappointment and heartache that comes with trials.

But, we are a people of hope. We all hope for the best or hope that things will work out. We hope for something better and hope upon hope that we will be spared future hurt...but even in all that hoping, we know that our real hope lies in the one who suffered and died in our place - Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can give us true hope. A hope of eternal life, a life with Him in heaven some day.

I am glad 2006 is over. I hope I am a better person because of all that I have been through. I know I have learned what really matters and it is not what others think of me, but what God thinks of me.

God tells me I am His, that I have an eternal home, that this world is not my home, that He loves me with an unending love and has given me everything pertaining to life and godliness!

Will I be hurt again? yes, I am sure I will be. I will be disappointed, I will suffer things I can't even imagine right now, but I know that it matters not what I will go through...because He will be with me through it. God does NOT promise us exemption of pain and suffering...but He DOES promise us His presence in the midst of it, and that is worth more than anything we can ever want or hope for.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...." Isaiah 43:2-3a

Disappear

Life has it's ups and downs and though life isn't always filled with downs...the down times can be a time of reflection and growth. Personally I find that introspection during these times draws me closer to the Lord. As a singer/song writer I am often my most creative during these down times. Songs that come from a broken heart are often quite profound as they seek answers that can only come from a living, loving, God.

Of course songs that come from a heart of praise and joy are just as profound as I marvel at God's goodness, forgiveness and mercy. Whether I am praising Him for His amazing grace in my life, or I am reflecting on my weaknesses that cause me to be dependent on Him, music changes and draws me to Him. I guess that is why I love the Psalms so much.

Ater having my fill of wonderful Christmas music, yesterday as I was looking for a new CD to play (I go through this kick where I will play a particular CD for weeks on end until I am saturated with the songs and know them inside out.) I have had this one CD for awhile and hadn't really listened much to it...so I put it in the CD player. It is by a wonderful christian artist named, Bebo Norman. The CD is called "Try." One particular song stuck out and hit me. I had heard this one once before on a WOW CD that I had borrowed from my friend Kathy, but after giving it back I hadn't heard it for some time.

These are the words that came out and hit me square in the face. Man, how I love it when God speaks to me this way.

Disappear

On a day like this, I want to crawl beneath a rock.
A million miles from the world, the noise, the commotion

that never seems to stop.
And on a day like this, I want to run from the routine.
Run away from the daily grind that can suck the life right out of me.
I only know of one place I can run to...I want to hide in You,
the Way, the Life, the Truth, so I can disappear and love is all there is to see, coming out of me. As you become clearer - as I disappear.

I don't want to care about earthly things,
be caught up in all the lies that trick my eyes,
they say it's all about me, I am so tired of it being about me...
I would rather be cast away separated from the human race
if I don't bring You glory. If I don't bring You glory. If I don't bring You glory!

I only know of one place I can run to...I want to hide in You,

the Way, the Life, the Truth, so I can disappear and all you see is love coming out of me. As You become clearer....and I disappear!

I love that line, "as You become clearer...and I disappear!" Isn't that what the Christian life is all about? For us to become more like Christ as we disappear. I stated that this was the prayer of my heart on my last blog...and the Lord has chosen to remind me once again.

We all need to be reminded. The world is a place filled with incredible temptation. It's so easy to get caught up doing things we know are wrong and that go against a Holy God. None of us are immune to the pull of the world, none of us have eradicated the sin nature we have all been born with. But praise God we are not alone in our spiritual battle. We have the Holy Spirit - our helper to help us in our daily struggle. We have His Word, we have the Church and our brothers and sisters in Christ...all these have been given to us so that we can grow and be more like Him. There are no excuses.

Lord I want to disappear in You, the Way, the Life, the Truth. I want to reflect You in all that I think, say and do and as I do...You will be clearer in me.

"For I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. For the life I know live, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." Galations 2:20

So Many Blessings - 2007 Here I come!

I haven't blog in ages, so for all my faithful friends who do read this...sorry! I just wanted to share a few pics of the two most special blessings in my life. Their names are Benjamin (2) and Adan (7 mos.). These pics were taken at Thanksgiving and Christmas at my folks home.

God has so richly blessed our family with these precious gifts from heaven. We are so in love with them and the joy they bring us is unmeasurable.

As we embark on a New Year, it's exciting to see how God will bless us, because we know He will. He is so awesome that way, being so loving and faithful even inspite of our unfaithfulness. Oh that we would be more like Jesus this coming New Year. I don't usually make New Year's resolutions...but that is the prayer of my heart!

Happy New Years to all who read this...may God richly bless you in 2007!!!