A Favorite

Here's the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. (click the above title "A Favorite" to see a video of the song)

"Perfect Peace"
Laura Story

Stay close by My side
Keep your eyes on Me
Though this life is hard
I will give you perfect peace

In this time of trial
Pain that no one sees
Trust me when I say
That I will give you perfect peace

And you'll never walk alone
And you'll never be in need
Though I may not calm the storms around you
You can hide in Me

Burdens that you bear
Offer no relief
Let Me bear your load
'Cause I will give you perfect peace

Stay close by My side
And you'll never walk alone
Keep your eyes on Me
And you'll never be in need
Though this life is hard
Know that I will always give you perfect peace
I will give you perfect peace

Woe To Those At Ease

Devastating tornadoes in the South. An entire nation still reeling from a horrific hurricane and it's never-ending effects. Children eating rocks at night in order to trick their bellies into feeling full.

The world's list of problems is by no means short, and by no means does it end there. Everywhere we look, people are crying out for help. Whether we hear them or not, well, that's up to us.

Amidst all this turmoil, a luxurious royal wedding occurred. Wealthy - and not-so-wealthy - citizens from all across the globe spent luxurious days and weeks on cruise ships. Everyday activities still took place: a day at work, an hour at class, hours preparing for finals.

This week, as I read through the book of Amos, I was struck by the thought: Should this be? Although this passage may be prophetic for the Day of the Lord, I believe it has something that we can apply to our lives today. Here's what the LORD says through His servant Amos:

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion . . .

Those who recline on beds of ivory

and sprawl on their couches,

and eat lambs from the flock

and calves from the midst of the stall,

Who improvise to the sound of the harp,

and like David have composed songs for themselves,

Who drink wine from sacrificial bowls

while they anoint themselves with the finest of oils,

Yet they have not grieved over the ruin of Joseph." (Amos 6:1, 4-6)

It's easy for disasters to shake us up; to stir us to action . . . at least for awhile. And then, somehow, we fall comfortably back into the routine of our lives. The disasters that don't directly affect us become distant memories and we once again recline on our beds of ivory - our lives of comfort.

But, I don't think this is what the Lord wants us to do. We've been blessed to be a blessing, not blessed to enjoy it all by ourselves. So, brothers and sisters in Jesus: what should we do? How can we be caring for those around us - even those miles away from us? I pray that we will be actively living out our faith in the desperate days we live in.

Look Up

Do you ever feel like life is overwhelming you? I have never felt so overpowered by life as I did this past week. As everything was changing around me, I found myself to be at a loss for control over each situation and in utter confusion each day. However, it is in these moments that God usually sends some words of wisdom to us. Mine were as follows:

"It is a blessed thing when the faithful soul in prayer fixes his uplifted eyes of faith on JESUS ONLY; when he does not look about him to lay hold on his own scattered thoughts, nor behind him at Satan who threatens him with the thought that his prayer is in vain, nor within him at his sloth and lack of devotion; but looks up to JESUS, who sits at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us" (Hammer of God by Bo Giertz)

I want these words to speak for themselves. I hope you all have a blessed week!