A Reason to Surrender

I Lift My Hands

Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin is one of my absolute favorite artists--Steven's too. In fact, we didn't attend many concerts this year, but we made sure to go to Chris Tomlin a few weeks ago when he was in town with Louie Giglio. If you ever have the opportunity to worship with Chris Tomlin--DO IT! You will thank God for the gift He has blessed Chris with!! So, now that you know I Heart Chris Tomlin, let's share a little about this song.
I think this year has been one of doing a little more than lifting up my hands. Sometimes I just felt like I was throwing up my hands and asking God...."what next?!?" It was this song that kept me thinking "You are faithful God, forever". If God is faithful FOREVER then shouldn't I surrender to Him? Lift my hands to Him and know that if I give up what I think I want and rely on Him to provide what I need then I can find comfort.
Easier said than done, right? How does someone just surrender to God. I think that each person would answer that in a unique way, and that is the amazing thing about our relationship with God...He is OK that we are all unique in how we relate to Him. You can go to God on your best day or at your worst and He will treat you the same--with unconditional Love. Don't you wish you could do that to everyone? Oh sure, we try to, but sometimes... well, you know what I mean.

Be still....be still...surrender to God. Reminding myself of this has helped so much during this year. It's almost like I'm singing parts of the Bible to help remind myself...I may not know which verse I always want to turn to, or which book or chapter is the one I'm looking for, but the songs are always in my heart and my head. That being said, I do know some verses that I particularly turn to or recite to myself; Psalm 46:10 "Be Still and Know that I am God...". This doesn't mean that you don't move, but more important that you are intentionally surrendering to God. You stop to listen to Him and to recognize that you are not doing this on your own (whatever this may be at the time. So the next time you find yourself wanting to throw up your hands in despair, do so...but be ready to feel the strength of the Lord as He takes care of the weak. He will recognize your surrender and find ways to remind you that He is faithful, FOREVER.

I Lift My Hands lyrics
Songwriters: Christopher Tomlin,Matt Maher,Louie Giglio

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
And I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

A Reason to Remember...

This is the Stuff
Francesca Battistelli

I love this song, it's my phone ringtone...yes, I actually paid for it! It's so loud, I actually jump a little when my phone rings, but I can't bear to change it.
This songs speaks to me on so many levels...it's that everyday stuff that seems to happen that sometimes gets irritating ...but this song reminds me that it's all for a reason. That if I keep looking for the reason for some things happening, I'll realize that maybe the initial frustration isn't so I will be irritated, but so that I will realize that it's something that doesn't TRULY matter. So this song reminds me that I need to remember that it's not all about the choices I make, but maybe it's about the reason I made the choice I did or maybe I was presented with this situation because God needed to get my attention.
I think some people would think of it as "don't sweat the small stuff"...which is a nice idea, but sometimes you gotta "sweat it and forget it". Learn the lesson and move on.

"so break me of impatience, conquer my frustrations, I gotta new appreciation...it's not the end of the world" If there is one part of the song that I sing over and over again as a reminder, it's this section. Sometimes that is my prayer. Lord help me realize that whatever "this" is that seems big at the time is not that big. Lord, help me REMEMBER that no matter what, "You got this!"
"Someone save me"--Lord, that is You, because, ultimately, doesn't God have our back? I mean, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, for US! FOR ME! Thank God for that!!! Isn't it great to remember that even when these little things start to frustrate you or make you impatient that you can ask the Lord to forgive--AND HE WILL!!

The lyrics to "This is the Stuff":
(Written by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin, & Tony Wood)

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Oh Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff You use

A Reason to Feel Weak...

Held
Natalie Grant (Written by Christa Wells)

Now this song is one that I have loved for several years, but has recently been popping up in some crazy places...like "Stir Crazy", the restaurant in Greenwood.

I think what this song reminds me of is that God loves us and has promised us eternal life...but that it won't be easy. Like I said yesterday, good is so quickly followed by bad sometimes, but how would we know it's good if we haven't experienced the bad? Quite honestly, it's those times when we are experiencing the bad is when God is holding us up. It is actually good for us to feel weak so that we can feel God's Love as He can always comfort us. Ever wonder how some people can just keep going when things get crazy? I've done it and let me tell you it's not about me, it's my faith. My belief that the truth that Jesus died for us, so that we can have eternal life keeps me going at times when it seems like there is no other reason. I know that my friend Laurie, who we lost on this earth in August, believed that, and so she let our Lord hold her during all of her trials and her life demonstrated that faith. Also, to my dear, dear friend (you know how you are), this song has been a way for us to connect even more. Love you girl!!

The lyrics to the song along with verses that have helped me while I'm feeling broken and in need.
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11
Psalm 23

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

A Reason to Celebrate...

Praise You in This Storm

written by Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)

As the Christmas season approaches, I am reminded of the REAL reason we celebrate CHRISTmas. The birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ! What an awesome reason to celebrate. I've also started thinking, how can I celebrate this season in a way different from any year before....considering this has been a year like none before! That's when I started praying and searching for some way that I could uniquely celebrate--for me--and for those of you who want to read (and sing) along this season (and who knows....this might just continue all year long!).


I started thinking that so often it's music that I connect with and use to pull me through the ups and downs that I've been facing, so with that, I'm going to share some of the videos/songs that I have used over this past year to get me through. It's my way to connect back to the unconditional Love from Jesus. Sometimes it's because the song is in my head all day, reminding me of God's promise, other times it's because a song reminds me of a scripture that I need to read again (or find for the first time in the Bible and not in a lyrical list), and sometimes it's because I've thrown my hands up and said, "Really, God?" because the song is answer to my current situation. My hope is that these posts will encourage you the way the have encouraged me...or maybe they'll help you understand how, in the face of the year that has unfolded, that I can still Praise the Lord and know that God is good. I was going to wait to start this little 'gift' on December 1st, but just felt pulled to start today...maybe it's the rain? Maybe it's the leaking laundry room (at my parent's house? Maybe it's because I can't get this song out of my head today...but, then again, it's not my timing is it?


So today, I start with Casting Crowns "Praise You in this Storm". If one thing has been true about this year, it's that it has felt like one looooonnnnngggg storm. Here's food for thought...Steven and I joined an amazing Life Group this year, I think our first meeting was in February and for EVERY time we've met, our friends have been praying for one of our parent's cancer...not kidding! If you don't think Cancer is a storm, call me and we'll chat. But even when the storm was bad, there was a Praise to be found...something worked, something was caught early, the medications worked, the family grew closer, and on and on and on. I keep asking myself why all the good stuff has to be so quickly followed by a bad thing, but then realize that good seems that much better when you put the bad in perspective. THAT is why I continue to praise, even in the depths of the storm.

The lyrics to the song, along with the related scripture are below, according to the Casting Crowns website.

Romans 8:28 / 2 Corinthians. 4:16-18
Psalm 42:5 / Psalm 121:1-2
Job 1:20-21 / Daniel 3:16-18

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with You"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(repeat)

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

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