Kids songs...

I teach 1-3 graders every Wednesday night. I love to teach!! To ask them questions, and see their faces light up when they know the answers. Not everyone gets excited, obviously, but it's always encouraging when you see the light bulb go on, and you know they understand. During this time I've been learning a lot of kids songs for the first time--it's so great!! One such song is "Do Right"--That song is great!! :) Whenever you learn a new song, I think you tend to look at the words more than if you've known the song for years and years. So, I've been thinking about the song "He is Able". Often we sing the song with kids, and we don't even realize what we're singing. He IS able to carry me through--He HAS healed the broken hearted, He HAS set the captive free, He HAS made the lame to walk again, and He HAS caused the blind to see. Fun song, but GREAT message too, no matter how 'simple. ' :) I am amazed at who my God is, the more I see of Him, the more I am amazed. I know my Lord is able to carry me through any circumstance in life--not only just to carry me through the 'hard and trying times', but also to plan those times knowing that that is what's best for me. So although there are things in life that are difficult--whether physical, relational--whatever! There can and should be joy in knowing that God knows.

A verse I read today in my devotions is Psalm 37:3:
Trust, lean on, rely on and be confident in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Trust...Blessed Quietness...

I was reading in my devotions this morning, and came across this verse. I have an amplified version that I use once and a while, and this is Psalm 5:11:

"But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits."

Again and again the Lord has been showing me that He is faithful, He is trustworthy. Trust can be a very tricky thing. It means not relying on myself, but in someone else. It is so amazing to know that the God of the universe, who knows all, sees the little details of my life, cares about me, and plans things for my good. Such a burden is lifted when I look at who my God is, and the fact that I don't need to worry about things He sends my way, because He already knows the beginning from the end. Praise God for who He is, and the peace He gives in trusting Him!!

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
Blest assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea Jesus speaks to me,
And the billows cease to roll

Grace

I love music. I love the words, I love finding a song with a great tune. There are so many parts to music, it can convey so many different things. I'm thankful that God has given us music both to enjoy, and to give honor to Him. Whenever I am struggling, I try to find a verse of scripture, and also a song that I can have in my mind throughout the day. I heard this song a few years ago, and I memorized the words right away. Nothing comes into my life that God is not aware of. He not only allows things in my life, but plans them. No matter what I do, He is always willing to forgive me, He is always watching over me, and I can rest knowing that I am in His loving care.

"Lord as I seek Your guidance for the day, I find my thoughts unyielding confusion crowds my way. But then, when I bow to You, the challenges You guide me through, Your promises are ever new, I claim them for today. Your will cannot lead me where Your grace cannot keep me, Your hand will protect me, I rest in Your care. Your eyes will watch over me, Your love will forgive me, and when I am faltering, I still will find you there."

Oh Sacred Head, Now Wounded

This morning I woke up with this song stuck in my head. I had never actually heard the words to the song till I came to Northland, I just knew the tune. I opened my hymnal bright and early this morning, and began to think of all that this song says. It is so amazing to think of an infinite, holy God coming to earth for me. I loved the opening prayer time of the Day of Prayer last week when we got into groups and read passages about who God is, and who Christ is. Then we prayed through the verses that we had just read. Oh, that like this song says, I would never never out live my love to God, but increase in the knowledge and admiration of my heavenly, loving Father.

"What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee dearest friend
For this, Thy dying sorrow
thy pity without end
Oh make me Thine forever,
and should I fainting be
Lord,let me never, never
out live my love to Thee"