I found this website today when I was looking for music by Sons of Korah… It’s a very awesome site, and has free downloads of some songs by artists who base their music on scripture! http://www.scripturemusic.com/mp3.htm Have fun!
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my father’s God, and I will exalt him! In church yesterday, Joe Loveless (or pastor’s son) spoke in the kickoff of our Christmas season message. He spoke about finding the song we’ve been given to sing, the story that we’ve been given to tell, the God sightings that happen in our lives that we need to remember and share with others. It was awesome! It reminded me of the original purpose of this God Hunt… to record the ways that I see God and the ways that I find God in my life. To some degree this blog’s purpose hasn’t changed much, although I think that sometimes it becomes more of a journal of my journey through the Bible than a journal of my God sightings. So with that in mind, I thought I’d recall a few of the God sightings I’ve had that stick out in my mind (and continue to watch and record them as I go forward). God Sightings: * The most vivid God sighting in my history is when God sat with me in my living room in 2003. No, literally sat with me. I couldn’t see Him, but He was brilliantly and boldly there. I still get teared up thinking about it. It was overwhelming, encouraging, powerful, and loving. My God came and held me and strengthened me. It was indescribable. * The birth of my children is a daily God sighting. He created them perfectly and amazingly. They are beautiful and hilarious (a sure sign that God has a sense of humor and irony)! They are full of boundless energy and they make me smile just to think about them (okay, they also make me want to pull my hair out sometimes… but isn’t that how it goes?). * My husband and I still have jobs. I teach. My husband manages the front drive valet at a hotel around here. Considering the budget cuts of late, it’s amazing that either of us (much less both of us) have jobs! Watching God work and do miracles in that area reminds me that He’s there and He’s working. * Last week during the service. Last weekend, last Sunday specifically, was rough. There were pie-crust promises made and broken, things I had been looking forward to didn’t happen, and I felt betrayed and lonely. Until God spoke to me. All my life music has been incredibly important, and it’s played a big role in how God speaks to me. Sure enough, the second song we sang (Everywhere that I Go by Israel Houghton) spoke straight to me. It’s all about how God keeps His promises and is always there, everywhere that I go. It’s incredible. Check out the church’s media page for the song and for other things, like this week’s service (the song is under the service titled, “My Favorite Things”). There are more, but I’m out of time. I’ve got to get myself and the boys ready for school! Happy Monday!
Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? I feel a little bit like the remnant sometimes. I feel small and discouraged by the circumstances of my life. Last Sunday was one of those days. I was frustrated by some of the events that had happened and discouraged by life. The hope of God’s promises seemed really impossible and it seemed like we’d never get out of the situation we’re in. There always seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon, but it never seems to get any closer. I was overwhelmed and felt incredibly small compared to the craziness and circumstances of what is going on around me. But God reminded me of His faithfulness, first through a song by Israel Houghton called “Everywhere That I Go.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus: You promised me, you’ll never leave You promised me, I’m never forsaken and I believe Goodness and mercy, will follow me Surrounding me, where I go Every where that I go These words are incredibly comforting because they remind me that God NEVER leaves, He NEVER gives up, He NEVER fails to keep His promises. He never makes pie-crust promises (those promises that are easily made, easily broken… as Mary Poppins would say). Everywhere that I go, He is there, surrounding me with His great LOVE! So, what seems like it would be impossible and has over time seemed like it will never end, is not impossible for God. He never leaves me stuck here, He never gives up on me, and He never fails to keep His promises. Is it impossible? For me, yes. For God, no. I still get discouraged and feel tiny compared to my overwhelming circumstances, but this (and God’s continual reminders through music) helps me to stay focused on the fact that God is SO much bigger than my storm and SO much more able to do the impossible than I can imagine. I certainly don’t know the future, but I do know that He’s already been there and already knows the best path to take to get there. And in the end, if I get there holding His hand, then no matter what life throws at me, He will lead me in His presence and eventually all those promises will be true.