Fantastic Song!

I have had this song on cd for a couple of months now, and I've always liked it...but it has really spoken to me lately and I wanted to share it with y'all. The lyrics are amazing...especially the verse that I've put in bold italics!

Inside Out
In the heart of me
There's a mystery
In my weakness there is still
A goodness not my own
That come from God alone
But it cannot be known until

You turn me inside out
So that I can be
A reflection of the One who made me
So the world can see
That it's Christ in me Lord,
Turn me inside out
Turn me inside out

What my pride conceals
Lord, Your truth reveals
And Your grace is seen somehow
There is mercy when,
In spite of who I've been,
Your glory dwells within me now

So turn me inside out
So that I can be
A reflection of the One who made me
So the world can see
That it's Christ in me Lord,
Turn me inside out
Turn me inside out

Whatever else you see
The only good in me
Is Jesus, Jesus
Whatever else you see
The only good in me
Is Jesus, Jesus

So turn me inside out
So that I can be
A reflection of the One who made me
So the world can see
That it's Christ in me Lord,
Turn me inside out
Turn me inside out

Maintaining Perspective

It is important to look at things from God's point of view. I Cor. 4:6 (The Message)

If a temporary loss of perspective has left you worried, exhausted, or both, it's time to readjust your thought patterns. Negative thoughts are habit-forming; thankfully, so are positive ones. With practice, you can form the habit of focusing on God's priorities and your possibilities. When you do, you'll soon discover that you will spend less time fretting about your challenges and more time praising God for His gifts.

When you call upon the Lord and prayerfully seek His will, He will give you wisdom and perspective. When you make God's priorities your priorities, He will direct your steps and calm your fears. So today and every day hereafter, pray for a sense of balance and perspective. And remember; no problems are too big for God--and that includes yours.

The Bible is a remarkable commentary on perspective. Through its divine message, we are brought face to face with issues and tests in daily living and how, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to respond positively to them. -Luci Swindoll

Seeking His Will

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Ps. 143:10

God has a plan for our world and our lives. God does not do things by accident; He is willful and intentional. Unfortunately for us, we cannot always understand the will of God. Why? Because we are mortal beings with limited understanding. Although we cannot fully comprehend the will of God, we should always trust the will of God.

As this day unfolds, seek God's will and obey His Word. When you entrust your life to Him without reservation, He will give you the courage to meet any challenge, the strength to endure any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace.

The only safe place is the center of God's will. It is not only the safest place. It is also the most rewarding and the most satisfying place to be. -Gigi Graham Tchividjian

Heavenly Father, I will study Your Word and seek Your guidance. Give me the wisdom to know Your will for my life and the courage to follow wherever You may lead me, today and forever. Amen.

Indescribable

From the highest of heights
To the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall
To the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

What Doesn't Change

Dear Lord, our world changes, but You are unchanging. When I face challenges that leave me discouraged or fearful, I will turn to You for strength and assurance. Let my trust in You--like Your love for me--be unchanging and everlasting. Amen.

Optimism now!

Wow! Everyday, this devotional book of mine tells me something that I REALLY needed to hear on that specific day! It's amazing how God does that! Here's the one I read this morning...hope it is something that helps you, too!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Phil. 4:8 (NLT)

As Christian women, we have every reason to rejoice. God is in His heaven; Christ has risen, and we are the sheep of His flock. But, when the demands of life seem great and our resources seem small by comparison, we may find ourselves exhausted, discouraged, or both.

What's your attitude today? Are you fearful, angry, or worried? Are you confused, bitter, or pessimistic? If so, God wants to have a little chat with you.

God wants you to experience His joy and abundance. But, God will not force His joy upon you; you must claim it for yourself. So today, and every day thereafter, celebrate this life that God has given you. Think optimistically about yourself and your future. Give thanks to the One who has given you everything, and trust in your heart that He wants to give you so much more.

Develping a positive attitude means working continually to find what is uplifting and encouraging.

The Importance of Prayer

Are y'all ready for another post from my devotional book? I've just really been enjoying these daily devo's, and I thought some of you might enjoy them as well. This one really stepped on my toes. I'll be honest, I realize that my prayer life hasn't been what it should be, and this devo was like a kick in the pants for me and exactly what I needed to hear.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Prayer is a powerful tool for communication with our Creator; it is an opportunity to commune with the Giver of all things good. Prayer is not a thing to be taken lightly or to be used infrequently. Prayer should never be reserved for mealtimes or for bedtimes; it should be an ever-present focus in our daily lives.

Daily prayer and meditation is a matter of will and habit. You must willingly organize your time by carving out quiet moments with God, and you must form the habit of daily worship. When you do, you'll discover that no time is more precious than the silent moments you spend with your Heavenly Father.

Dear Lord, I will open my heart to You. I will take my concerns, my fears, and my hopes to You in prayer. And, then, I will trust the answers that You give. You are my loving Father, and I will accept Your will for my life today and every day that I live. Amen.

Celebrating Others

I have a devotional book for women that I've been reading daily. Some of you might have seen some of the prayers from that book posted as my status on facebook from time to time. I really liked this prayer today, and thought I would share it with whomever still looks at my very rarely updated blog! It was something that I really needed to hear today.

Dear Lord, let me celebrate the accomplishments of others. Make me a source of genuine, lasting encouragement to my family and friends. And let my words and deeds be worthy of Your Son, the One who gives me strength and salvation, this day and for all eternity. Amen.

The Motions

I know y'all love how I don't post for 8 months, then when I do, it's more song lyrics. Sorry...these just spoke to me. I heard this song by Matthew West on the way to work this morning, and it struck me as something I really needed to hear.


The Motions

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care if I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause 'just ok' is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

I was listening to a cd that I haven't listened to in a long time as I drove around on my lunch break yesterday. It really got to me and I thought I'd just share the chorus and bridge with you....

So, thank You, Jesus

Even when You see us just as we are

Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be

So, thank You, Jesus

Even when the pieces are broken and small

Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind

Thank You, even then

So I put aside the masquerade

And admit that I am not okay

Which may not be the thing to say

But I'm not ashamed to need You more each day

-Nicole Nordeman

Random

Well, I realize that every time I post something new, no one can believe it. I just don't take the time to blog much, and truthfully, I don't feel I have a lot to say!! But once in a while, I'll think of something random that I want to share. This time, it's a poem that my dad wrote for me 7 1/2 years ago when my daughter was born. I was with friends on New Years Eve, and one of them shared a poem that was written about her son by her mother, his grandmother. It made me remember this poem that my dad wrote for me and my daughter, and to this day, it brings tears to my eyes. It is so special to me, as I know it will be someday to my daughter. I just thought I would share it with you all too! I guess I should tell you that my daughter and I were both born in July, and I was 4 days shy of turning 25 on the day she was born...

There were bright, white-hot days and dark, muggy nights

In July, twenty-five summers ago.

And there was change upon change in every aspect of life--

We were bringing our new baby home.

We would cuddle her close and stare at her face

And wonder what would become

Of this beautiful creature, this dear little Angel

God had given us for our very own.

Sometimes in the night when our Angel would cry

Mommy and Daddy both got to our feet

And decided who'd feed her and rock her this time

And who'd get to go back to sleep.

When Mommy was worn out and needed to rest

Daddy would then do his part.

He would cuddle and rock and hold on his chest

The Angel who had stolen his heart.

He's sing "Hush-a-bye" and he'd sing "Daddy's Baby"

He'd sing them over and over again.

He sang to his Angel and told her he hoped

That someday she would sing songs with him.

Mommies and daughters have a special bond

That only mommies and daughters can know.
Daughters and daddies have something different--

Something that may not always show.

Those first nights at home with our little girl

Came back clearly and painfully, as well
When I saw my Angel in a white gown and veil

And heard the ringing of her wedding bells.

Our little Angel is grown and now out on her own

With her husband, a special young man.

And there is change upon change taking place in their home

Twenty-fve summers have past and it's July again.

There are bright, white-hot days and dark, muggy nights

This July, just like others we've known.

And God has visited my daughter and has given to her

An Angel of her very own.

I never thought I'd see an Angel on earth

Much less raise on in my own home.

But now I have seen--through another miracle of birth--

my Angel bring her Angel home.

-Papa