God Moves in a Mysterious Way

A week ago friends of ours lost a grandson.  At times like this I am often speechless.  I wonder how to encourage... how to uplift...  how to grieve with them.

And then I picked up a book that had been sitting on my shelf for a long time... a book I had never read.  As I flipped through some of the pages, debating on whether or not I wanted to read it, a poem jumped out at me.  It's by William Cowper, and it's entitled, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way."

I had never heard this poem/song before.  So, I did a quick search, and I found a copy I enjoyed on You Tube.  It's by Lori Sealy.  (I have no idea who she is.)  She's added a new tune to the song, and added a little bit to the lyrics, but I think you'll still enjoy it.

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace.
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

God moves in a mysterious way that's often not my own
His wisdom guides each path I take, His mercy leads me home.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain.
God is His own interpreter and He will make it plain.

God moves in a mysterious way that's often not my own.
His wisdom guides each path I take, His mercy leads me home.
Help me to trust when I don't understand
Grant me the peace of resting in your plan.

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace.
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

Favorite Songs - Blessings

I had never heard this song before, but having heard it just once, I really like it.  I hope you appreciate it as much as I have.  Here's the link to her blog if you're interested in hearing the story behind this song:  Laura's Story



A Fun Song: Matthew's Begats

Two young ladies from our church sang this song at our Family Christmas Program.  Many of us fell in love with it.  And while I don't have a video of the two gals singing it, I still wanted to share it with you.  So, here's someone I don't know singing the same song.  ~smile~  Enjoy!

Favorite Songs - The Sands of Time are Sinking

This song is one I've fallen in love with this past winter. The words are beautiful, as is the melody. I love the harmony in this edition. Enjoy!

Favorite Songs - Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone!)

If you haven't listened to this latest variation of the traditional "Amazing Grace," you are missing out. Take a listen. I think you'll like it.




Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) lyrics
Songwriters: Traditional; Giglio, Louie; Tomlin, Chris;

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Favorite Songs - Are You Washed in the Blood?

I'm not sure where I picked up the CD "Amazing Grace" by the Antrim Mennonite Choir, but I have fallen in love with their music! It's all a capela, and it's beautiful. No one voice stands out. They all mingle together perfectly. When I was recovering from my ankle surgery and couldn't sleep, I listened to this CD over and over again. "Are You Washed in the Blood?" is one of the songs from it.

Favorite Songs - Speak, O Lord

As soon as I heard this song, I knew it would be an all-time favorite, and so it is! May the words of this song become the prayer of your heart as well.

Here are the words:

Speak, O Lord, as we come to you
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us,
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness.
That the light of Christ might be seen today,
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All your purposes, for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes,
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail,
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our mind,
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged since the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till your Church is built,
And the earth is filled with Your glory.



Speak, O Lord
Written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend
© 2005 Thankyou Music

Favorite Songs - Soar

Wayne and I were introduced to the music of Buddy Davis two summers ago at an Answers in Genesis conference. And "Soar" is one of the songs with which we immediately fell in love!

I never knew that eagles didn't "hunker down and weather the storm." No. Rather, they fly above the storm. Oh, to mount up with wings as eagles when the storms in our lives arise! Enjoy!

Favorite Songs - Amazing Grace

Many of us know the song "Amazing Grace." And many of us know a bit of the history of this song. John Newton wrote it. He ran a slave ship, hauling slaves from Africa. Well, this version will open your eyes a bit more to the likely origin of the music to that song. Enjoy!

Favorite Songs - In Christ Alone!

One of my friends posted this on Facebook. It was a great way to wake up this morning. This song reveals the heart of true Christianity. Christ alone is Who makes us in to the people He wants us to be. If you belong to Him, He's working on your life. It's because of His finished work on the cross that you will be able to stand firm.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please get it touch with me. Knowing Jesus Christ is the most important thing that's every happened to me. And I'd love to introduce you to Him!



Here are the lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease,
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless Babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay.
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again.

And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death.
This is the power of Christ in me.
From a life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Could ever pluck me from His hand,
Til He returns or calls me home.
Here in the power of Christ I stand.

God Bless the USA

Today we celebrate our nation's birthday. It's a day we remember those who gave their all so that we may know freedom on earth. I am blessed beyond all measure, not only because I enjoy freedom in America, but more importantly because I enjoy spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ. He purchased my eternal freedom by dying in my place about 2000 years ago. What a wonderful Savior He is!

In honor to those soldiers, past and present, who have fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in America, "Thank you!"

Favorite Songs - The Mom Song

Here's a song I stumbled across a year or so ago. It still brings a smile to my lips. May all you Moms out there enjoy "The Mom Song."

Favorite Songs - Man of Sorrows (Hallelujah! What a Savior!)

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns. It's a beautiful reminder of what Christ did for us, and of what awaits those who believe in Him. (The singing will start after the speaking part. The harmony is beautiful. It's worth waiting for.)



Man of Sorrows

1. Man of Sorrows! What a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

4. Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

5. When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Favorite Songs - The Power of the Cross

As Easter draws near, this song has gained more meaning for me. I've been working through the book of John (mostly), writing lessons for our Wednesday night kids' club, and I'm currently working on Judas and on the Crucifixion. So, for me, Easter is kind of the culmination of what I've been working on for the past twelve months. And "The Power of the Cross" by Keith and Kristyn Getty does a good job of summing it up.

Because Christ took the punishment we deserved, we can indeed, stand forgiven. No other religion serves a god as great as our God. Our God is a God of grace and mercy. We only have to accept what He has done for us and follow after Him. When I did that, I experienced true freedom. What an awesome God I serve!



Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1
Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood

Chorus 1
This the pow’r of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Verse 2
Oh to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

Verse 3
Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as its maker bows his head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
‘Finished!’ the vict’ry cry.

Verse 4
Oh to see my name written in the wound
For through Your suf‘fring I am free
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

Chorus 2
This the pow’r of the cross
Son of God slain for us
What a life, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross

Favorite Songs - Before the Throne of God Above

Sometimes a song just hits me. This was one of those songs. It's called "Before the Throne of God Above," and I love Selah's rendition of it.

May it mean as much to you as it does to me. My great High Priest is always interceding for me! What an awesome God I serve!



Here are the lyrics:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands.
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God