The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

This is one of my favorite Scriptures.  Each phrase gives me so much comfort!  

The Lord my God is with me…  He is with me every moment, every day, every night.  He is my God, my Lord.  He is with me.  Not was.  Is.  At this moment.  I love that.

He is mighty to save.  Mighty to save.  Mighty to save.  I am no great theologian and have so much to learn in my own spiritual walk, so if there is some great spiritual insight into that phrase I have no idea what it is.  But taking it at face value, I read it as Him saying to me that no matter where am, no matter the depths, no matter how sticky the mud, no matter how sick I am – He is mighty to save me from it.  He is strong enough to carry me through it and He will.

He will take great delight in me.  Really?  Seriously?  When we are in the lowest of lows, feeling less than human, like the worst mom in the world, it is easy to feel utterly defeated.  It is in those moments that I remember this promise – He will take great delight in me.  Not just delight.  Oh no!  GREAT DELIGHT.  How awesome is that?!  He will take great delight in you.  Not maybe, not if…He will.  That makes me heart so glad.

He will quiet you with His love.  Quiet.  Oh, to be quiet.  I don’t know about you, but when I was sick, there were times when I was screaming inside and outside.  My thoughts would not stop, or I just felt dead inside.  I just wanted peace and life again.  He will quiet me with His love.  Love.  Peace.  Quiet.  Just picturing it calms my heart even now.

He will rejoice over you with singing.  Rejoice?  What possible reason could my God have to rejoice over me?  Oh, honey, so many!!  He loves you with an everlasting love and He is going to see you through this dark valley.  And He will rejoice over you with singing.  It is a promise, again, not an “if” or a “maybe.”  I also think of a lullaby here.  We long to sooth our little ones to sleep with a lullaby or to be soothed by a lullaby ourselves.  (Again, I am no theologian, I am taking this at face value as it hits my heart.)  I picture being wrapped in  His arms, quieted by His love, and soothed by His rejoicing, His song, His lullaby.  

The Lord my God is with me, holding me, comforting me, with strength – saving me.  He is quieting me with His love, delighting in me, and soothing me, looking upon me with rejoicing and song.  

I challenge you to memorize this verse.  Pray it.  When you are in a dark moment, full of anxiety, fear and/or sadness, say this or pray this.  

I love you all!  Here is Laura Story’s Mighty to Save…enjoy!

Devotional, Videos & Music

I’ve recently become familiar with this song and I love  it!  It is so encouraging, uplifting, and just plain beautiful.  The words are so true – He never lets go.  Ever.  Ever.  Ever.  Add this to your encouragement playlist.  

Enjoy.

Videos & Music

When I first became a Christian, Rich Mullins was one of the first contemporary Christian musicians I was introduced to. His voice, his music, the lyrics – just an amazing artist. His song “Hold Me Jesus” has gotten me through a lot of hard times as well, including PPD. I may post that another day, but today I wanted to post this song for you. I heard this on the radio last night and I hadn’t heard it in a long time. I was reminded of what an amazing song it is and I wanted to share it with you today. The lyrics are in the video for you to read. I also have to mention that, as a pianist, I really enjoy the piano accompaniment to this one. Beautiful! Enjoy!

Videos & Music

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns.  Ever.  I love the version by Shane and Shane – you might check that one out when you have a chance – but all versions are beautiful.  The words are powerful, the melody haunting yet peaceful, and the message clear.  Our circumstances can seem overwhelming, but Christ is our Rock.  He holds us firm.  It Is Well.

Videos & Music

I wrote here back in October about Wade Bowen’s song “Turn On the Lights”, written after his wife’s battle with postpartum depression. In November, a benefit concert to raise money for Postpartum Support International was held featuring Mr. Bowen. As he performed this song, a slideshow played in the background featuring photos of moms, dads, and their children who had been affected by postpartum depression.

There is a photo of us near the end of the slideshow. In it, we are walking on the beach swinging G in the air, and I am holding S. It is so neat to be included in such an event in this tiny way, during this fabulous song. Seeing the faces of so many moms who had gone through PPD, the dads who were there for them, and the children who are such joys to them now – it was really too much, brought tears to my eyes.

If you are hurting now, see the smiling faces of women who have survived. You will be there, too.

Enjoy…

Videos & Music

This song by Ginny Owens has always been a favorite of mine.  It is a reminder to me of humility and trust in my God, that He is always there, even in this valley.  Hang on to Him.  

Videos & Music

I apologize for the lack of posts – my daughter is cutting two of her two-year molars and apparently has my tolerance for pain, which is not much.  Poor girl.  Between that and Christmas preparations, I’ve not been around the computer as much as I would like to keep you ladies encouraged.  Today, I leave you with a beautiful Christmas lullaby, one sung from Joseph’s perspective.  I know its hard, but treasure the little things about your baby and/or child(ren) this Christmas.  The sweet smell of them, the softness of their skin, the feel of their hair…and hold them just a little longer and sing them to sleep.  You’ll treasure it, maybe not now, but you will.  I promise. This is Joseph’s Lullaby by MercyMe.

Videos & Music

Kutless with Strong Tower and Better Is One Day.  Enough said.  Enjoy!

Videos & Music

Do you have iTunes or a similar program where you can design your own playlist of favorite songs?

Something that I did while I was sick was to put together a playlist of songs that encouraged me.  On days when I thought I was not sure I make it through, I’d play this list or CD that I made from it, and be encouraged that I was not the only one and that God knew. 

As a musician, music speaks to my heart and soul very easily.  It can calm me and motivate me very easily.  Even if you are not a musician, I think music speaks to everyone.  God, as the Creator of everything, created music!

Here are a list of songs I find very encouraging:

• Praise You in the Storm by Casting Crowns
• Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day
• If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens
• It Is Well – (I love the version sung by Shane and Shane
• Be Near by Shane and Shane
• Strong Tower by Kutless
• Never Alone by Barlow Girl
• Breathe on Me by Todd Fields, and Christy & Nathan Nockels

There is another by Bethany Dillon but I cannot think of the title.  What are some of your favorite songs that encourage you when you are down?  What music do you play?

Encouragement, Self-care & Healing, Videos & Music

He never, ever lets go of us.  Love that!  Here are the lyrics, and enjoy the video of Matt Redman singing his song, Never Let Go.  *you might need to turn up the sound on your computer, and it takes a few seconds before the song even starts, be patient.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Videos & Music