Back in July during a family vacation, Katie, my “could-have-been-twin” sister, showed me an artist that decided he would release a new song… once a week… For TEN years!
He figured he would either make a career as a musician or determine after his best effort that music wasn’t for him. I was shocked to see how he has regularly released a new song each week for years!
His consistency, challenged me to ask myself, “What did I have to show for each week that pointed to all my Father in heaven was accomplishing in my life?”
Well, I could see the Holy Spirit faithfully helping me! I wanted each day to be marked by seeking the Lord with my whole heart! I was experiencing the Lord’s grace and learning from His correction! I was growing stronger in faith that I would be found faithful as I learned to trust in Christ! I wanted God’s will be done in all areas of my life! I had a bunch of notes! I was memorizing verses and seeing them change my heart! I was actually seeing the Word of God mightily work in my life!
And then I was hit by what we’ll call “The Little Mermaid crisis!”
“I’ve got gadgets and gizmos aplenty.
I’ve got whozits and whatzits galore.
You want thingamabobs?
I got twenty!
But who cares? No big deal! I want more!”
After several guided conversations from the brothers in my life, (Shout out to my brothers! Fist bump, fireball! ??) I started to think, “What if I could look back and actually have something to show and tell? What if I could see and share my response of praise for all that the Lord worked in my life and point to how His goodness faithfully shaped me day by day?”
I praise God for all He is doing in my life. This blog is an attempt to point simply and joyfully to Jesus Christ, the Savior of my soul. His love and mercy to make something new out of my life and anyone else who turns to Him is something that fills me with awe and wonder.
Praise God when we cry out to Him, He answers us no matter how far we may have strayed. Words can’t express my heart when I see how my Father, in His kindness, answered me and saved me from all my sin and shame.
This poor man cried out to the Lord, and He answered me. Ps 34:6 paraphrased
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
As the Holy Spirit leads, I’ll share the songs, poems, and images that God has graciously placed on my heart. To God be all glory, honor, and praise!
For today – I’d like to share an original song based on Psalm 34. The funny thing about this song is I have no idea why or when I was reading Ps 34 or when I decided to put the melody to the verses. After writing it, it seemed like Ps 34 kept popping up everywhere! It was as if the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to joyfully share how the words in this psalm became so true in my life!
The image is a picture Pauline and I took in Holland last week with Pauline’s family, edited in the style of a painting. Both Pauline and I have been amazed by the way God has worked in our marriage and mended relationships in both of our families. We have a love for them and from them that we never thought possible. Praise God that no matter how much beauty we find in our relationships and this world around us, that we can trust in His promise:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
May we love Him more today…
Original Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.
Lyrics
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
Hear and rejoice.
O come magna, O magnify the Lord with me,
let’s exalt His name
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
Saved from all my fear.
I look to, I look to Him and He’s radiant,
Our faces not ashamed.
This poor man cried out to the Lord,
And He answered me
Oh! Saved from all my sin!
The Lord is with me
His angels protecting me
Saved by Jesus’ love
O come taste and see that the Lord is good;
Take refuge in Him!
Fear the Lord, all you saints;
In Him there’s no want.
O come taste and see that the Lord is good;
Take refuge in Him!
Fear the Lord, all you saints;
In Him there’s no want.
Tabs
e|——————————————–5-3-2
B|——————–7-5-8-8-7-5-7——–
G|-4-3-7-4-6-7————————–
D|—————————————–
A|——————–7-4————————2
E|-3-2-7-3-6-7————7———–0-3
Chord Progression:
Gmaj – Amaj7 – Bmin
