To the Hills...

I think that these bodies that we live in weren't built to withstand wear and tear. There's no doubt that life's elements can wear on this mortal flesh. I think the solace I find in hard times comes from the knowledge that I have a Strong Tower that I can run into and find safety. We weren't created to go through life without shelter and without a safe haven.

I don't think that the cares of this world can stand a chance against the greatness of our mighty God. The problem arises when we forget to run to Him. I think that this post is here to serve as a reminder that we aren't meant to go this road alone. There is an awesome Savior who loves us deeply and passionately, and He wants to walk this path with us. When times get rough, He wants to be a friend and a shield and a hope. I think that the psalmist understood this. Psalm 121 (NIV) says this:

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

This passage is exceedingly comforting. As Christians, our hope comes from the knowledge that our help doesn't come from the fallible hand of a man. Our help comes from a God who never sleeps on the job. He's always watching over us. Always protecting, always loving, always guiding, always keeping. And here in lies our peace: our God who created this earth will not allow us to be lost within it. He sees, He cares and He knows.

What is it that you are afraid of? What is it that looks bigger than your strength? What is that thing that seems insurmountable? Look up. Look toward the hills and take a good look at the mighty God who is fighting on your team. He is greater. He is bigger. He is stronger. He is mightier than any fear or doubt or insecurity or trouble. He is greater.

Paths of Righteousness

I think about the nature of Jesus a lot. I like to think about the
things that He's done, too, but thoughts of those things always point
back to thoughts of who He is. I'll be honest in saying that when I
think of who God is my mind is boggled. I've lived long enough to be
let down and rejected and abandoned and humiliated. Thinking back on
some experiences, I can truthfully say that I've seen the nature of
man and it ain't pretty. But the nature of Jesus is Love. It is
incorruptible. It is pure. To me that is mind-boggling and I will not
apologize for being in awe of this magnificent God.

I read one of David's psalms again today. Psalm 23 speaks volumes
about our God's nature. It speaks of how He takes care of and
protects us. With each verse, I become more and more grateful. More
and more amazed.

The verse that stood out to me this time was verse 3. This verse says
that our Lord restores my soul. It says that He leads me in paths of
righteousness for His Name's sake. I don't think that I am able to
describe how much this means to me. I think about God's nature:
strong, kind, compassionate, faithful, unchanging. I think about human
nature: desperately wicked, frail, fickle and weak. If God were to
lead me in paths of righteousness for my own name's sake I would be
worried. It would be easy for me to believe that I could get lost,
somehow, in the thickness of life. But it's not based on my name.
Righteous living and righteousness itself are not based on my nature. They are based on the nature of One who is steadfast and unchanging. He is
steady and faithful. He is trustworthy and good. He is really really
good.

I think this verse means so much to me because it means that God will
never let us go. He won't let us slip away. It will never be His
choice if we walk away from His providence. As long as we remain as
sheep, following with complete trust a mighty Shepherd, He will always
show us the right way to go. He'll never change His mind and choose to
lead us astray. He will not choose not to lead us. It is not in His
nature to abandon us. These paths of righteousness, paths of peace,
paths of love, paths of grace are ours to walk along.

Sent from my iPhone

Musings...

Remove from my life the nature of wickedness
And reign in my heart with no rival
For only in You will I find rest
And in Your love, my soul's survival

Sent from my iPhone

Our Secret...

So...apparently it's been a poetic month for me. Here's another:

It's like You know a secret about me that You won't share

And it has to be something good

It has to be something amazing

Because I look at me and

I can't for the life of me understand why

Your love has carried me above the

Muck and Mire

Its like You know a secret about me that You won't share

Maybe I'm a princess from a far away land

Maybe I'm a warrior queen from an exotic coast

But I look at me and I'm still me

No riches or fame or power to claim

But Your love has rescued me

Its like You know a secret about me that You won't share

Why do You love me?

It seems so unfair

But then I look up and You are still there

Perfect in all Your beauty and splendor

I get it now

Its not because of me, I see

You are Who You are

That's why You even see me.

Thank You.

Musings...

The shame is removed in Your presence
I look at You and I know that I am beautiful
This love, Your love
Has broken the chains
I lift my arms high
I shout aloud
You have saved me
Its amazing
I am free

My Heart Yearns...

My heart yearns, Oh dear Saviour
Fill me up with You
Do not let the cares of this world
Distract me from what is true

Cleanse my heart and make it pure
My mind, daily renew
So that when all is said and done
I'll look just like You do

Wash me, purge me, do what You must
For You are my reward
And if I cannot be with You
I want nothing, my dear Lord

My heart's desire is to see Your face
And to dance with you indeed
For all else could fade away
But You are all I need

You are so holy, Lord, so pure
And I look to You for peace
Let my heart always be right with You
My praises will never cease

If Ever...

If ever I forget that You are my everything
Remind me, so gently, why You are the song that I sing.

If ever my heart and mind wander from the path of Truth
Guide me, dear Saviour, to the scars that are Your proof.

If ever I give less than my all, or try to walk away
Renew our love and make it clear that this is the place to stay.


You are my Life, my Hope, my Breath
Without You I have no thing.
So if ever I make a single mistake,
Forgive me, for to Your cross I cling.