..beyond our understanding you are teaching us to trust...

one of the many, many most wonderful things that happen at the Michael W Smith and Friends Events is that we sometimes find out a few things that no one else knows yet.... ooooolala....

but seriously, it is quite amazing to hear 2 songs Michael has been working on for his new "album" that will be coming out some time next spring..

being part of some of the background vocals for one of them was out of this world..
the other one, that he played for us during the Sunday church service is what God has been using in my life over the last few days...

since I love the kind of music he writes, obviously, and love his voice.. :) it's often the lyrics that make a song stand out for me... God uses those to minister to my soul...

this is what this one, and I don't remember if he told us the song title... says:
( and I didn't tape the whole song... so this is all I have)

........ ( missed the first part... )

you are working in our waiting,

you are sanctifying us,

beyond our understanding,

you are teaching us to trust.

your plans are still to prosper,

you have not forgotten us,

your are with us in the fire and the flood,

you are faithful forever,

perfect in love

you are sovereign over us

you are wisdom unimagined,

who could understand your ways,

reigning high above the heavens

reaching down in endless grace..

....... ( missing a phrase here... sorry..)

compassionate and kind

you surround and you uphold me

and your promises are my delight..

your plans are still to prosper,

you have not forgotten us,

your are with us in the fire and the flood,

you are faithful forever,

perfect in love

you are sovereign over us

even what the enemy means for evil

you turn it for our good

 for your glory

even in the valley you are faithful

you are working for our good

for your glory..

your plans are still to prosper,

you have not forgotten us,

your are with us in the fire and the flood,

you are faithful forever,

perfect in love

you are sovereign over us

amazing how God orchestrates things.... perfect comfort at the perfect time... nothing new, just put in words and to music that stirs my soul... 

He has not forgotten me... He is working in the waiting... and He is always working for our good.. for His glory.. because He is faithful...

a wonderful start to a new week... to Him be the glory forever Amen!!!

... "let's just pretend they are dead... ??????? " :O

"....hating someone takes too much energy... I will just pretend they are dead...."a post I saw on Facebook this morning..

how about forgiveness is what I am thinking.....  don't know what this "someone" has done to make her hate him / her....  

make no mistake I do know about hurts so atrocious that hating comes "naturally".... a human feeling to be had... never God's intention.. a consequence of the fall.. destructive and harmful.. distorting the person who hates.. she has a point there that it takes too much energy and as we know, it keeps us bound to the offender... chained to his sin against us...

trying to pretend they are dead.. not so sure if this is a good and effective way of dealing with this..

forgiveness seems to be too costly... what do you mean, letting go and agreeing to live with the consequences of the other person's sin committed against you???

makes no sense apart from the truth... the truth that God Himself has forgiven me, the broken and sinful child of His.. only if I fully understand my need for forgiveness and the amazing grace that was given to me... obviously I am not going to forgive... why would I....  

without God convicting me and showing me how I fall short of being holy and without sin, I don't really have the ability to forgive and let of the hook the person that has hurt me.......

when we forgive we basically say that God should be the judge, we can be sure that He never takes sin lightly... He alone though is holy and therefore can judge justly.... He alone is full of mercy and grace.. and He will deal with the person and his sin....  

who am I, a sinner, to think I could judge others?

forgiveness brings freedom and peace and God will be faithful to heal the hurt done to us... I am glad that He also will heal the hurts I have done to others... ha, that's a thought...

a wonderful song introduced to me last weekend reminds me of this totally UNDESERVED gift that I have received when God saved me 19 years ago.... check it out... it's a great song by Leeland:

Wounded and forsaken 

I was shattered by the fall 

Broken and forgotten 

Feeling lost and all alone 

Summoned by the King 

Into the Master's courts 

Lifted by the Savior 

And cradled in His arms 

I was carried to the table 

Seated where I don't belong 

Carried to the table 

Swept away by His love 

And I don't see my brokenness anymore 

When I'm seated at the table of the Lord 

I'm carried to the table 

The table of the Lord 

Fighting thoughts of fear 

And wondering why He called my name 

Am I good enough to share this cup 

This world has left me lame 

Even in my weakness 

The Savior called my name 

In His Holy presence 

I'm healed and unashamed 

You carried me, my God 

You carried me

so how can I not in turn let the ones that hurt me off the hook? undeserved as it is, for sure... through Him I can do all things, forgiveness is what being a Christian is all about... and I don't even have to be die on the cross... He did that for me......... will never be able to get my head around that one.. eternally grateful I am choosing to be obedient... and through Him I can...