30-Day Challenge, Day 16

A song that makes you cry.

Good grief.  I didn't even have to think about that one.
Probably the song that makes me cry the most is "When Somebody Loved Me" from Toy Story 2.  When I watched that song on Youtube, it left me depressed for the rest of the day.
Watch at your own risk.




But that was just a "bad" kind of cry.  There are plenty of songs that make me cry a "good" kind of cry. :-)
The one--or some-- that comes to mind first is actually the whole CD, So High the Price, by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team.  The first several times I listened to it, it brought tears to my eyes with each and every song.  The theme of the whole CD is Christ's sacrifice for us.  When I listen to the songs, my heart is filled with awe as I consider my sinfulness and God's love and Christ's sacrifice for me and the glory of His resurrection...  I nearly always get a lump in my throat now when I hear the triumphant words in one of the numbers, "Death is dead!  Love has won!  Christ has conquered!"  Then the words of another song on the CD... "I was blinded by my sin/ Had no ears to hear Your voice/ Did not know Your love within/ Had no taste for heaven’s joys/ Then Your Spirit gave me life/ Opened up Your Word to me/ Through the gospel of Your Son/ Gave me endless hope and peace" ....

Here is another lovely selection from that CD:

30-Day Challenge, Day 1

A Favorite Song

Frankly, I don't have a 100% favorite song.... I have zillions! Well, not really, but I do have a lot. So I think I will do as Hannah (@ Life in My Own Words) did and list my favorites under a few different categories (selected by myself ;-) ) .

Traditional Hymn
You can look in my categories at various songs I've posted, and that will give you a general idea. I'm going to post one I haven't posted previously (at least, I don't think I have).

In Heavenly Love Abiding by Anna L. Waring

In heav'nly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o'er me where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free;
My Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me. Amen.

Contemporary Hymn
Again, I've posted several favorites (lots by the Gettys!) but here is another one I particular like. We sang it in church today so it's on my mind anyway. :-)

O Great God by Bob Kauflin

O great God of highest heaven,
Occupy my lowly heart.
Own it all and reign supreme,
Conquer every rebel power.
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war.
You have loved and purchased me;
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin,
Had no ears to hear Your voice,
Did not know Your love within,
Had no taste for heaven’s joys.
Then Your Spirit gave me life,
Opened up Your Word to me;
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace.

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace;
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face.
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed!
O great God of highest heaven,
Glorify Your Name through me!

Disney/Broadway
There are three that get continual stuck in my head. "You Can Fly" (Peter Pan), "Rescue Aid Society" (The Rescuers) and "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid). But these aren't my favorite (particularly "You Can Fly"...so annoying!) I think my favorite is probably "Tale as Old as Time/Beauty and the Beast". "Bitter sweet and strange, Finding you can change, Learning you were wrong...." You know the lyrics. ;-) I like this one because it hits on the fundamentals of life, unlike many of the other Disney songs. A lot of the songs are full of "You're good, you've got it all together, you deserve better, etc." This one speaks of the beauty of change....when we admit we are wrong and allow God's love to work in us, He changes us and makes us what we ought to be! It is truly a tale as old as time. I'm sure the songwriter didn't have that concept in mind when he wrote the song, but that's the message I get from that song. ;-)
Anyway, I do like "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid), "Once Upon a Dream" (Sleeping Beauty), and I get a kick out of "I'll Make a Man Out of You" (Mulan). ;-) I'm weird and kind of like the quiet, melancholy, 70's-feeling songs of The Rescuers too (and the "Rescue Aid Society" theme. ;-) )

Classical
I'd have to say "The Maldau" by Bedrich Smetana! (Sorry the song cuts off at the end of the video, but that has most of it). (It was the best arrangement I could find on Youtube. ;-) )



Soundtrack
Oh! So many!!! Also, it changes over time. Without a doubt, James Horner is my favorite soundtrack composer, and here is one piece of his that I've recently fallen in love. It's "The Heritage of the Wolf", from Balto, and contains most of the themes from the movie, which are all lovely (very stirring ;-) ) .


That's takes care of most of the categories I listen to and enjoy. It would take forever to list all the songs I enjoy, though. :-)

Even if you aren't doing the 30-Day Challenge, perhaps you might comment and share some of your favorite songs?

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

My absolute FAVORITE Christmas carol....ever...period. :)

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th' angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the Everlasting Lord;

Late in time, behold Him come,

Offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail th' Incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with man to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come;

Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,

Bruise in us the serpent's head.

Adam's likeness now efface,

Stamp Thine image in its place:

Second Adam from above,

Reinstate us in Thy love.

Hark! the herald angels sin,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

~Charles Wesley

What's your favorite Christmas carol?

God of Heaven (lyrics)

A couple posts back, I posted a video of the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team singing "God of Heaven".  I wasn't sure if you could catch all the words (the video quality was poor) so I thought I would post them here for you to enjoy and meditate on.


GOD OF HEAVEN
Words and Music by Heather Sorenson

God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.
Great Creator, Master of all nature.
Who gives birth to snow from heaven,
Holds the waves at ocean's edge,
Gives the orders to the morning,
Shows each dawn its place to shine?
God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.

God of Ages, God who wrote the Book of Time.
Sovereign Ruler, Alpha and Omega.
Saints before, He's guided safely.
History's pages signed by Him.
Author of our days and hours;
Things to come are held secure.
God of Ages, Alpha and Omega.

God of Power!  God who breaks the darkness.
Righteous Warrior, Champion of His children,
Goes before us into battle;
Good and evil bow to Him,
Those in bondage freed forever,
Victories won at  His command!

God who heals us, God who gives us peace and hope.
God who listens, Carries all our fragile
Dreams and heartaches, wins and failures;
Binds the broken; hides the weak.
New beginnings freely offered;
Who can make us whole again?
God who heals us, God of Power,
God of Ages, God of Heaven,
God of all the earth and sky.

Higher Ground ~ My Heart's Prayer

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” 

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 


~words by Johnson Oatman, Jr. 

"Before the Throne of God Above"

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

~Charitie Bancroft

Two Encouraging Songs

BE STILL MY SOUL

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

WHEN TRIALS COME

When trials come, no longer fear,
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold;
And there His faithfulness is told,
And there His faithfulness is told.

Within the night I know Your peace;
The breath of God brings strength to me,
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow,
As treasures of the darkness grow.

I turn to Wisdom not my own,
For every battle You have known.
My confidence will rest in You.
Your love endures Your ways are good,
Your love endures Your ways are good.

When I am weary with the cost,
I see the triumph of the cross;
So in it's shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun,
Till He completes the work begun.

One day all things will be made new;
I'll see the hope You called me to,
And in your kingdom paved with gold,
I'll praise your faithfulness of old,
I'll praise your faithfulness of old.

Thrill

"God....God, please...please give me a glimpse of You. I need to see a glimpse of You-- I feel so far away."

This was my prayer last night as we were driving home from Bible class, listening to our new Getty CD with the windows down. In the West, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and shades of pink peeked over the trees, rising into purple, and finally blending into a dark, nighttime blue. Around me I saw God's glory, in the music I heard His truth, and yet my heart was lonely. It had been several weeks, and though spring had come to the earth, I was still struggling through a very discouraging winter in my soul. Here and there I was noticing new things in God's Word, and I was reading His Word and praying and singing to Him, but for a couple weeks my heart had been feeling so empty, like I couldn't connect to God. I longed for that feeling of thrill, not in any circumstance, but just that thrill of knowing Him, really knowing Him. That thrill of realizing as I never had before some aspect of His character, and knowing His presence with me. To go without that even for a couple days, much more two weeks, is to be very, very discouraged.

We got home; I did my normal evening routine of getting dressed for bed, checking blogs and Facebook, and even chatted with a friend on Windows Live. After that, I turned off my overhead light, turned on my small "nighttime" lights, scooted my feet under my covers, and pulled out my Bible. My heart was still empty. "Lord, I want so much to be close to You," I prayed. "But I feel so far away, in a way You can't even im--" I was about to say "imagine", but I stopped myself. That was no way to talk to God; besides, the verse about Jesus being the merciful and faithful high priest who is able to identify with our sufferings and temptations echoed in the back of my head and silenced me in mid-sentence. In that moment, God answered my prayer.

For suddenly, my mind went back to that dark day, and saw Jesus hanging between earth and heaven, that moment the Father turned His face away... and Jesus cried in agony, "My God, my God,why hast Thou forsaken me?" In that one moment, Jesus called His Father "my God", instead of "my Father", for in that moment He bore the sins of all the world, and the Father could not look upon His Son.

It was just for a minute, and yet in that minute Jesus tasted what it was like to feel so far away from God the Father, and yet it was so much worse, because for all eternity, the Father had never turned His face away from His Son.

Tears welled in my eyes, and that thrill I had longed for filled my soul. Instantly, the feeling of loneliness and distance from God was dismissed and replaced with a very real sense of God's presence. For I realized that Jesus did know how I was feeling, and more, in such a way that I couldn't even imagine. In that one moment, Jesus tasted the bitterest extent of separation from the Father, so that I might enjoy close communion with my King for all eternity.

Words cannot express that joy that filled my heart as I realized anew the amazing love and grace my God showed to me. Yes, sometimes darkness obscures my view, and I cannot see God, but it is promised: through Jesus I have been brought indeed unto the Father's side, never to be separated from Him again. This the power of the Cross!! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

~~~~~~~~~~~

This song on our new CD really spoke to my heart as well, last evening. I am grateful that God works in others' lives to write and sing words that are such a blessing to us. May they be a blessing to you as well.

Every Promise

"Every Promise of Your Word"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

From the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Words of power, strong to save, that will never pass away,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
For Your covenant is sure,
And on this I am secure—
I can stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I stumble and I sin, condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
You are faithful to forgive that in freedom I might live,
So I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Guilt to innocence restored,
You remember sins no more—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

When I'm faced with anguished choice, I will listen for Your voice,
And I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Through this dark and troubled land
You will guide me with Your hand
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
And You've promised to complete
Ev'ry work begun in me—
So I'll stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out ev'ry fear,
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come,
And I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me,
Grace for all who will believe—
We will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

May this "Good Friday" be one in which you see the grace of God in a fresh and new way that leaves you so in awe of and in love with Him!

Baba Yetu-- The Lord's Prayer in Swahili

Totally the most awesome song....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJmJ6Orq2E0

!!!!!

While I'm Waiting

This song is performed by John Waller on the film "Fireproof". If you're thinking about the words below, they don't get monotonous. The key word is "wait"!


While I'm Waiting:

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting on You, Lord,

And I am hopeful.

I'm waiting on You, Lord,

Though it is painful,

But patiently, I will wait.

I will move ahead, bold and confident,

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting.

I will serve You

While I'm waiting.

I will worship

While I'm waiting.

I will not faint;

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait.

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful.

I'm waiting on You, Lord,

Though it's not easy,

But faithfully, I will wait, yes, I will wait.

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord."
(Psalm 27:14)

Speak, O Lord

Oh my goodness! We just learned this fantastic new song at church today. It is BEAUTIFUL!!! The words are so heartfelt and worshipful. May they be my constant prayer!

Speak, O Lord
by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

Convicting Words

Note: I heard the following song on the amazing Christian film, "Fireproof", and as the words I heard were so amazingly true, I asked my friend, Toria, for the rest of the lyrics. While the beat in the song may be a little too heavy for some, the words are no-fluff, Biblical, and convicting! It is mainly written for dads and families, but can be very applicable to every Christian. Think about these words.


Slow Fade
by Mark Hall, Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see;

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings.

Be careful little feet where you go,

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow.

(Chorus)

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away;

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray.

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away.

People never crumble in a day.

It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade.

Be careful little ears what you hear;

When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near.

Be careful little lips what you say,

For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray.

(Chorus)

The journey from your mind to your hands

Is shorter than you're thinking.

Be careful if you think you stand;
You just might be sinking.

(Chorus)

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:21-23)

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

P.S. Sorry about the font sizes; I was having a hard time getting them the way I wanted them. :-S

Consecration

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

-Frances R. Havergale

No Night There/ All My Tears

Here are some songs that have been going through my head since Leah's, Harrison's, and Sophia's deaths. They are very encouraging and uplifting as they remind me that Aunt Leah and the children are in a FAR BETTER place!!

No Night There
This is one of the songs that I played on the piano at Aunt Leah, Harrison, and Sophia's calling hours.

In the land of fadeless day
Lies the "city foursquare;"
It shall never pass away,
And there is "no night there."

All the gates of pearl are made,
In the "city foursquare;"
All the streets with gold are laid,
And there is "no night there."

And the gates shall never close
To the "city foursquare;"
There life's crystal river flows,
And there is "no night there."

There they need no sunshine bright,
In that "city foursquare;"
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is "no night there."

God shall "wipe away all tears;"
There's no death, no pain, nor fears;
And they count not time by years,
For there is "no night there."

All My Tears

This is one that Mrs. Maurer, Christie, and Jesse have sung for us. I copied the words while listening to the MP3 recording Amanda got of them, so I may have gotten a few words incorrect. I highlighted in bold the words that always send a chill of excitement down my spine. :-) Perspective-changer! ;-)

When I die, don't cry for me;
In my father's house I'll be.
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed, and I'll be whole.

Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face;
And I will not be ashamed,
For my Saviour knows my name.

CHORUS
It don't matter
Where you bury me.
I'll be home,
And I'll be free.
It don't matter
Where I lay;
All my tears
Be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye,
Temporary riches lie.
Come and drink from Heaven's store!
Come and drink, and thirst no more!

So weep not for me my friend,
When my time is at an end.
For my life belongs to Him,
Who will raise the dead again.

(chorus)

When I die, don't cry for me.
In my father's arms I'll be.
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed, and I"ll be whole.

(chorus)

I Want You!

Mrs. Hadley is busily shuffling about the kitchen, trying to throw lunch together, while Kaylyn studiously bends her head over her schoolwork and Daniel drives his trucks back and forth on the carpeted floor. Miss Melanie is trying to occupy Hannah, but Hannah trots up to Mrs. Hadley with a sad look on her face and cries, "Mommy, I want YOU!"

~*~*~*~*~

Poor Hannah's exema is bothering her and she is sitting in her highchair wimpering. "Mommy," she says sadly, "I want YOU!"

~*~*~*~*~

I found Hannah saying this very frequently throughout my visit at the Hadleys. She is at the age where there is no place she'd rather be than in her daddy's or mommy's arms. She doesn't take the effort to notice that Daddy is studying his sermon for Sunday or that Mommy is putting together her supper. She doesn't want to play dolls with Kaylyn or trucks with Daniel, and doesn't want Miss Melanie to read her "Sam Gets Lost". "Mommy, I want YOU!" That's all she wants.

I wonder, have we, as we have grown to more "mature" years ;-), lost this simple desire, "I want YOU!" No, not for our earthly mommy or daddy... but for our Abba Father, our Saviour and our God. Have we lost the simplicity of forgetting about all our "trucks", "dolls", and "storybooks", and coming before God, pleading, "Jesus, I want YOU!"

Sometimes Pastor or Mrs. Hadley was busy and couldn't stoop down and pick up Hannah and comfort her each time she came to them. It's just not humanly possible to be available for one's children every second of every day. But our God is infinite and omnipresent and omniscient, and He is never too busy for any one of His children. As the love and care of a mother is as essential to a child's emotional growth as clean air and suitable food is to her physical growth, so is the love and care of our Heavenly Father essential to our spiritual growth in Him. He is always ready to give it, but He wants us to come to the point that that is what we want-- more than ANYTHING else. He wants us to come to Him with our arms spread out, crying, "Daddy, I want YOU!"

All other things-- even the most precious things-- can perish on this earth. This week my uncle's brother-in-law, "Uncle" Brian, lost his house, his wife, and his only two children in a house fire. But God is eternal, unchangeable... FOREVER. He alone is our eternal hope, He alone can we entirely entrust our lives to and devote our all to, because He will never die. And He knows what is right for us and will take care of us. This week I have been challenged with this thought. How important are earthly things to me? Is Jesus all-in-all to me, above any other person or thing? Am I ready to leave all else, come to God with outstretched arms, and simply say, "Jesus, I need YOU!" For He is all I need. Once I am resting in Him, I can let Him take care of everything else.

"Whom have I in heaven but thee?

and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

Psalm 73:25,26

GIVE ME JESUS

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise,

Give me Jesus.

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone,

Give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die,

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus!

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus.

Please visit this link here for the beautiful tune to these beautiful words! Thank you, sweet Leah! This is one of my favorites!

Begone, Unbelief

"Begone, unbelief; my Saviour is near,

And for my relief will surely appear.

By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform;

With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.

"Though dark be my way, since He is my guide,

'Tis mine to obey, 'tis His to provide;

Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail,

The word He has spoken shall surely prevail.

"His love in time past forbids me to think

He'll leave me at last in trouble to sink;

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review

Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.

"Determined to save, He watched o'er my path,

When, Satan's blind slave, I sported with death;

And can He have taught me to trust in His name,

And thus far have brought me to put me to shame?

"Why should I complain of want or distress,

Temptation or pain? He told me no less;

The heirs of salvation, I know from His Word,

Through much tribulation must follow their Lord.

"Since all that I meet shall work for my good,

The bitter is sweet; the medicine, food;

Though painful at present, 'twill cease before long;

And then, O how pleasant the conqueror's song!"

-John Newton (1725-1807)

Singing in Spirit and in Truth

The following song I read in Volume 49, Issue 3 of the Christian Example. It is taken from the Anabaptist hymnbook, the Ausbund. It was sung by the Anabaptists during the Reformation. I thought the words were very interesting, and convicting if you take the time to meditate on them; and what's funny is that Pastor said basically the same thing today, only in his own wording.

Singing in Spirit and in Truth

Lift up your hands; turn toward God

With all your soul and mind.

Tread rightly before God; ask from the heart

And thank Him for His goodness:

Then [your song] sounds well, if filled with joy.

Otherwise your singing has neither tone nor sound

But is only thrashing of the tongue.

Only the heart can sing that which rings true before God;

Your mouth is but the interpreter

If your heart is grounded in the law of the Lord

As your mouth moves.

When the Covenant of Christ is but seized by the mouth,

What one's vulgar mouth mutters does not chane the heart.

God says, "Depart, you mockers."

Christ punishes harshly this improper practice

Which Satan's mob carries on.

As Paul also rebukes the man that so slothfully

As in this present distress,

Perfect syllables and sounds forth without spirit,

Going about in form--all is filthy,

Though they sing beautifully.

A work without faith fails the test

As Cain's followers sing and do.

You must be Abel, here without fail

Who without guile does what is good.

Unto Thee the heavenly host give glory

With heart and tongue, old and young,

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

-Sebastian Franck (1499-1542)

Happy New Year!

As I write, it is about three hours until the New Year. Tonight we ate a delicious crab and cream cheese wan-ton (sp??) dinner, I sat down with a delicious cuppachino (sp?) to watch "Jane Eyre" with my sisters and mamma, and then I wrote half a post, clicked on a link to check to make sure it was right, and lost all that I had written. So now I am rewriting it! :-P (It will give me a chance to rethink and reword what I was going to say; perhaps the Lord wanted to remind me of something else to share or a better way to share it. Even something so small as losing a post you wrote can be used to bring God glory. There can be no greater joy. So here I go.)

I am sitting in our dining room, listening to Bethany play her violin and Mommy checking out the new laptop we just got her for a late Christmas present. It is dark in this room, but light is coming in from the adjoining living room. It's very lovely and peaceful and good for reflection. It is good for me to quiet my heart and reflect.

As I think of the new year coming, I cannot help but feel a bit of dread about it. I may sound a little fatalistic-- I do worry about what will happen to my country, and thereby to my family, my dear friends, and myself. Even in my selfishness I think, "What about my writing career? What about marrying? Having kids? Having a sweet, lovely little family out in the country, attending Heritage every Sunday, having people over during the week, enjoying visits with my sisters and their families....?" (The list goes on.)

Then the Holy Spirit whispers in my heart: "Take therefore no thought [do not be anxious] or the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."

Allow me to share part of an Instant Messenger conversation I had with one of my best friends today. It is a little edited to avoid the confusion of several messages going on at the same time. This is the jist of it.

L: "Wow! How exciting it is that there is a whole year ahead of us!"
Me: "Well, I'm a little scared of it. But we'll see what the Lord has in store."
L: "You are? If you are, then so am I. Why are you scared?"
Me (here's the confession): (well, in short I said Obama-- Juli, you'll understand! :-) I won't say what I called him though.)
L: "Me too."
Me: "It's hard not to know what's going to happen."
L: "But-- not to be light-- our God is in control. We should pray for each other, to take each day as it comes and not to be afraid of what happens..."
Me: "and be diligent in growing closer to God NOW, not waiting 'til then..."
L: "'Cause all we can do is be secured in Christ!"
Me: "And He's more powerful than 1,000 Obamas, so we are safe in Him, with Him on our side."

Then I shared the verse I had been memorizing, in Psalms, about the Lord being on our side-- what can man do to us? We are children of God, secure in Him, sealed by Him... yes, we know all that. But even better than that, who IS God?

"This high rock, eternity, He is,
The Maker of the sky and sea, He is.
He is, and through Him all things came to be,
The one whose breath gave life to me,
Creator of the galaxies, He is, Jesus is...

Almighty God, the great "I Am", He is
The prince of peace, the spotless Lamb, He is.
He is our counsellor, eternal friend
Beyond what we can comprehend
The Word made flesh and here to dwell, He is,

He is the loving hand that formed me
And fills my heart with song,
The voice that stirs inside me
When all hope is gone;
The morning star that guides me,
The light that glows before me,
The one whose praise is on my lips, He is,

The One who died to set me free He is,
When no one else is there for me He is,
He is the same tomorrow as today
The life, the truth, the only way
The one who paid the price to make me His, He is,

He is the loving hand that formed me
And fills my heart with song
The voice that stirs inside me when all hope is gone
The morning star the guides me
The light that glows before me,
The one whose praise is on my lips He is,

He is the first and last, the cornerstone He is,
King of kings and Lord of lords he is,
He is the mighty God!"

Funny, just as I wrote "Who IS God?" this song came on (I was listening to music) and it was so appropriate that I impromptu-ly decided to record the words. (I'm afraid I can't tell you the author, publisher, or anything, but it is sung by Kevin Inafuku on his new CD "He Is" .) In any case, I had been going to elaborate in my own words the greatness and dependability of our everlasting, all-knowing God, but instead I'll have you read and re-read that song and realize for yourself that with this God, we need fear nothing. HE IS in control! :-D

I suppose a New Year's post can't go by without stating my resolutions, or at least talking about it a little. I don't necessarily hold to what they call "New Year's Resolutions", as anyone can "resolve" to do something and never go through with it. I will state my New Year's Wish, though-- my Prayer. That God would ever increasing make me like Him; that "Melanie" would decrease in people's eyes and that God in Melanie may increase more and more, shining to the dark world through me, as a light shines in a lantern. That the things of this world would grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. That He would indeed be my all.

Some more material things I wish for in this new year are
* To memorize much more Scripture. This was my wish last year, and I am ashamed to say I didn't follow through with it faithfully until November. I particularly wish to memorize Psalm 147, Revelation 1-5, and Revelation 21-22-- and much more, by God's grace!
* To finish and possibly work towards publishing one of my books. That also has been a desire for several New Years. I hope this year I can follow through with it. We'll see how it goes! :-)
* To continue to grow in domestic abilities to be a suitable wife, in God's time, but even more to develop the Godly character that a wife and mother ought to have. One doesn't automatically become an angel and a perfect housekeeper and a delightful person to live with the day she gets married. It must be cultivated in the single years. So that is what I want to do.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the new year and perhaps your own resolutions or prayers for the New Year. I love to hear from you all. You are all very dear to me and I pray that this New Year would be one in which you would also continually draw closer to our precious Lord and see Him display His power and glory in Your life.

Happy New Year!

"For this God is our God for ever and ever:

he will be our guide even unto death."

Psa 48:14

P.S. Sorry for such a loooong post! I felt a little ramblingish tonight. :-)
P.S.S. Now only an hour and a half til 2009! When you all read this it will already be 2009! :-P

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

"O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

"O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel!

"O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent ehre;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel!

"O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel!"

-Latin Hymn, 12th century; trans. John M. Neale, 1818-1866

I Could Not Do Without Thee

I just read a post about advertisements rejecting belief in "a god". How very tragic that this world would reject the only One that can give them hope-- Jesus Christ! And how tragic that we Christians have become negligent in sharing this hope with others, and are so often poor examples of the beauty of the Christ-life. Reading that post set my mind to the words of a song my family enjoys singing and I wanted to post it here. Where would I be without my God? Despair, definitely. Life is not worth living without Jesus.

~*~*~*~*~

"I could not do without Thee,

O Savior of the lost,

Whose precious blood redeemed me

At such tremendous cost.

Thy righteousness, Thy pardon,

Thy precious blood must be

My only hope and comfort,

My glory and my plea.

"I could not do without Thee,

I cannot stand alone.

I have no strength or goodness,

No wisdom of my own.

But Thou, beloved Savior,

Art all in all to me,

And weakness will be power

If leaning hard on Thee.

"I could not do without Thee,

O Jesus, Savior dear;

E'en when my eyes are 'holden,

I know that Thou art near.

How dreary and how lonely

This changeful life would be

Without the sweet communion,

The secret rest with Thee.

"I could not do without Thee,

For years are fleeting fast,

And soon in solemn loneness,

The river must be passed.

But Thou wilt never leave me,

And though the waves roll high,

I know Thou wilt be near me,

And whisper, 'It is I.'"

-Frances R. Havergal

Click here to listen to a clip of this song!