Never Once

This song expalins itself.  So amazing, so powerful, so true.

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KDPGGLNX

Never Once By Matt Redman

Verse 1

Standing on this mountaintop 

Looking just how far we've come 

Knowing that for every step 

You were with us 

Verse 2

Kneeling on this battle ground 

Seeing just how much You've done 

Knowing every victory 

Is Your power in us 

Pre-Chorus

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Yes, our hearts can say 

Chorus 1

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Repeat Verse 2

Repeat Pre-Chorus

Chorus 2

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Bridge

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Carried by Your constant grace 

Held within Your perfect peace 

Never once, no, we never walk alone 

Ending Chorus

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Every step we are breathing in Your grace 

Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Praise

What a fun exciting weekend!  Wow!  Where to begin...

Well, I’d planned a fun day with some of my young friends from church for Saturday and we had a lot of laid back fun.  We went to a nearby park with some sidewalk chalk and spent over an hour writing and drawing pictures on the walk way.  Here’s a picture of just some of their amazing artwork!  We had some snacks at the park and headed back to my place to do some pedicures. 

Our fun day together was just coming to a close when I get a call from one of the leaders at church.  It wasn’t my weekend to teach or even day (I usually teach Sundays only, not Saturdays), so I was instantly curious what he could want so close to service time (20 minutes).  In a very unique way it came about that they were without a praise team in Kidzland and my name had come up as a last minute alternative.  A number of the kids with me were attending the service anyway, so I asked them if they wanted to help.  They all agreed and we quickly picked 3 songs that we all knew.  It also just happened that during our pedicures I’d had music going and the songs we chose were on that playlist.  So we went through the songs once before heading over to church!

I should mention here that I have not sung on a stage in years, and have been exceptionally self conscious of my singing voice when in public.  In the few minutes I had to mentally prep, I prayed over and over: “God this is for the kids, please don’t let my voice crack!”  They had gotten another girl to come sing as well who happened to be an old friend of my sister.  So I was a lot more comfortable just having her there leading with me!

All can say is wow!  I was still a bit nervous, but I had a lot of fun up there!  I ended up helping out at all 4 services!  It was such a fun and new opportunity to minister to kids! It may not sound like much of an accomplishment to some, but to me it was huge!

I Refuse

Do you ever get up in the morning, alarm clock radio blaring, and the songs playing are just perfect for starting your day?  That happened to me this morning.  This is the first one that I heard that inspired me to do more with my day than get through it:

I Refuse
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover;Joshua David Wilson
Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B1Lv8k5pEc&ob=av2e

I was thinking about how selfishness so easily sneaks up on me.  I think about the issues in my life that are challenging for me, but that’s not what life is all about.  Life isn’t just about me and how I feel.  Life is about others; about making a difference in their lives for the better.  If I start my day in prayer asking God what I can do today to serve Him, my day and my time will be much better spent.  So that is my prayer today!  ‘I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day, to die to myself, I refuse to make one more excuse...’

In my devotions this morning, it asked: 'Who has left a lasting positive impression on your life?'.  A number of people came to mind like parents, family and friends, reminding me how blessed I am to have so many Christian influences in  my life.  But the friend I felt that I needed to pray for this morning has the initals MD.  I didn't ask her if I could put her name on this blog or a picture.  But MD, you are very special to me and you have made a lasting positive impression on my life.  I am so glad that God crossed our paths and made us friends!  May God bless you especially today!

Patience

It has been a SUPER long time since I’ve posted on here.  I guess this summer has been a little busier than I’d expected!  We’ve done some camping at Clearlake with family, and Falcon with friends.  We’ve also done a bunch of day trips to the beach or just out with friends.

It has now been a year since we first applied for adoption and we have spent the last month or so renewing everything.  At our meeting with our adoption worker (not sure what her title is) we discovered that our profile did not match with any birthmothers at all over the last year.  It was tough to hear that we paid all that money and did all that work for our profile to sit in a box for a year.  We weren’t even close to getting a child!  We were encouraged to broaden our stipulations (required in the application process) on the alcohol consumption of a birthmother during and prior to pregnancy.  We are still comfortable with our new stipulations knowing that God will not give us more than we can handle.

 I am so very blessed.  I’ve really enjoyed the love, prayers and encouragement of my close friends and family.  I went on a weekend retreat with a group from my church and we spent some time praying for each other.  It was amazing.  Some of the things they shared with me have helped me through some of the harder times this summer.  One of the verses presented to me was:

Psalm 139:10

‘Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.’

It’s encouraging to know that God has a purpose for everything that I don’t even understand.  But in those circumstances He is right there with me.  There have been a number of verses, pictures, and words that have been shared with me that have really blessed me and helped me.

Another friend received a picture for me that I’ve replayed in my mind often.  It was a picture of Jesus holding a baby in Heaven and Jesus was saying: ‘Just wait, I’ve got him right here, I’m just waiting for the right time.  But I have him with me right now.  It’s real.  It’s coming’

Just the other day on Facebook, Joyce Meyer posted this quote:

 ‘Patience is not the ability to wait, but it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.’ –Joyce Meyer

Anyway, God has been doing a lot in my life this summer and teaching me a lot too.  I hope to share more of it with you in the near future!