Hello Friends,
I didn't intend to skip all of last week but it happened. I write blog posts after we get Kambree down for the night and with the holiday her nights have been late and then I AM DONE. So much has happened since I last blogged but something happened today that I can't quit thinking about.
Every other Sunday morning I work during our church service to display song lyrics and scriptures on the large screen. I looked for a name for this task but I wasn't able to find anything. I usually call it video ministry but that doesn't seem quite right either. Anyway, we were about to sing Surrounded by Michael W. Smith. Surrounded YouTube video We have sang this song many times but I noticed something that I had not noticed before. At the top of the screen was
The Word says
"For the spirit of heaviness
Put on the garment of praise"
That's how we fight our battles
Praise! This is how we fight our battles! Not with worry and distress and doubt but with PRAISE! In our distress we are not alone, we are surrounded by God and He is for us. The lyrics in this song are simple but they evoke such emotion when our congregation sings them. I immediately snapped the picture of the screen as if the words would disappear.
PRAISE!!! We so often isolate praise to times of joy and times of plenty but I believe that a life of praise, no matter the circumstance, is what God wants from us. Praise Him in the devastating moments, praise Him in the turmoil, praise Him without end. I know that no matter my circumstance the Lord is with me - He surrounds me!!!
I think this is a great way to enter the New Year and I pray that I'll make this my focus of this year. I believe that I can have a spiritually powerful 2019 if I will replace my worry, fear, doubts, anger, frustration, etc. with praise.
While I was typing this post I listened to Surrounded several times but I also came across this great version of Way Maker , give it a listen.
Does anyone want to join me on this journey or praise? I would love to talk with you about it. We could partner through the year as accountability partners. Let me know how I can help.
Have a happy and safe New Years Eve.
