"Got to go through the fire..."

As stated in the previous post, today I am resting. No crafting. No cleaning. Nothing. I'm on the couch, exhausted (and out of it) so I've been reading and browsing YouTube. I found this really cool song and I don't know about you, but music really speaks to me. I guess you could say it's a therapy for me. I feel like God talks to me through music a lot. If you know me personally, you know that I like all types of music....country, classical, hip hop, gospel, oldies, but contemporary Christian has to be the most inspiring for me. I'm always looking for new artists and styles.

I stumbled upon a song called "Story of Grace" by United Pursuit Band and have fallen in love with it. The lyrics go like this....

"One way ticket to the lion’s den
Got to go through the fire so I can come out again Fight for my faith, live what I believe
Got to stand on my feet
And sing Oh I will sing

Jesus You’ve called me friend
Jesus You’ve made me what I am
Jesus You are my life within

Jesus You’ve called me friend

Yet in my weak frame
I’m calling on Your Name
Broke my heart with Your love
God I will love You the same
Forgiven oceans I am
Brought to my knees
The story of Your grace
It fills me with the theme

I will live by the light of the glory you shine on me
I will live by the grace that you offer so freely"

 

My favorite lyric has to be, "Got to go through the fire so I can come out again Fight for my faith, live what I believe, Got to stand on my feet And sing Oh I will sing." Sometimes we have to go through the fire so our faith will be strengthened. If you are going through the fire right now, ask God for strength and endurance. Trust that He will make you stronger and show you things you've never seen before.  That's what stands out to me. What lyric stands out to you the most?

My own personal cheerleader

I know last post I said this time I was going to write about "finding God's specific will" from Gregg Matte's book, but as I was watching the Olympics tonight, that entry got pushed back to another time. Anyway, I just finished watching the All Around Women's final in Gymnastics. I've always enjoyed watching this event, especially this year. I think we had a lot of really good talent on the team and the girls seemed real down to earth. Another part of the event that I liked was watching the parents. Boy do they get into it or what?! I loved watching all the intense emotion from these supportive people. While I was watching Aly's parents squirm and Gabby's mom yell with joy, it made me wonder if that's what God is like up there in heaven. I wonder if He beams with pride when we reach a goal? Or does He feel our agony and pain that we go through? Or does He stand up and cheer us on when we're about to give up? Or does He give us advice when we ask Him for it? What about when we mess up, does He hang his head and whisper the words "it's okay...I still love you"? I think the answer to all of those questions is a simple "yes". I like to think of God as my own personal cheerleader. He may be far up in the stands sometimes, but I know He is always there. He never leaves. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." On top of that, even when I lose or screw up, He's still there. He doesn't give up on me. He doesn't storm out on me, but instead, He forgives me. He truly forgives me...He remembers my sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). He doesn't continue to remind me what I messed up on (that's not cheerleader-like), but He moves on and guides me to a new playing field. Lastly, He encourages me and motivates me to do better. He reminds me that with His strength I can do anything. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." I can't think of a better cheerleader than that, can you? Never forget that you have a cheerleader 24/7....ready to cheer for you, ready to be there when you mess up, and ready to encourage you to move on. Check out one of my favorite songs that reminds me of mine & your cheerleader! "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture.