Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

Bring the Rain

I have just discovered this song by Mercy Me. If you are going through a difficult time right now, draw closer to HIM and let Him minister to you deep inside.

> HE is the One to see you through the stormy days.

> HE is the One who gives us the strength to go on when we can't take another step.

> HE is the One who wipes away our tears and LOVES us no matter where we have been.

> HE will NOT turn away the weary heart calling out for Him to deliver and lift from the miry pit.

> HE will NEVER abandon or forsake you. TRUST HIM.

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Slippery When Wet

Today was dreary and wet. It has been so dry this summer/fall and we desperately need the rain to replenish the water levels. And rain it did today – pouring down at times (and it is still raining tonight). This created a lot of water on the streets.

I knew about hydroplaning on wet highways, but today I experienced it – sort of. While stopped at a red light, I was hit from behind. When the driver hit his brakes, he skid into me while I was waiting for the light to turn. It jolted me forward and really startled me. At first, I thought it was my brakes that had failed, but then I realized what had happened.

Damage to my bumper is so slight that you really have to look hard to see the indent. But it really shook me – a very strange feeling. He was very nice and asked me twice if I was OK Then he gave me his phone number and I continued on my way.

Things can happen SO quickly. I am VERY THANKFUL as I watched the news tonight and saw a terrible head-on collision where someone else was not so fortunate. In a moment, everything can change. It is so ironic that I just posted the entry below on “Peace” this morning. If our peace depended solely on our circumstances of the day, we’d never maintain it.

I was shaken today – physically jolted – yet, my inner peace remains intact – focused on Him, knowing that I am in His care and under His protection.

Selah Y

REST in His Presence

In today’s busy, busy world, there is often a lack of time taken to rest. By some, it is looked on as unproductive and “wasted” time, but even the medical professionals are confirming this need in our lives. God worked for six days and then rested on the seventh. HE gave us this pattern to follow. Does God really get tired? Think about it. I think He was showing us what we needed to do and then put a boundary there because He knew we would have a tendency to overload our schedules or be overloaded by others.

When we set aside time alone with Him, we renew our focus. It is there we will be refreshed and regain our strength. Jesus recognized the need for peace in our lives. He is the “Prince of Peace.” He often withdrew from the crowds (even when there were still obvious needs) and spent time alone with God. If HE needed this time, how much more do we need time away?

There are so many things that steal our Peace: Fear, Anxiety, Worry, Depression, Self-Condemnation, Guilt, Doubts, Distrust & Suspicion, Discontentment, Jealousy, Envy, Busyness & Weariness, and so many more. It is this wearing down that drains us not only of our peace, but also our strength and eventually, our health. This is not God’s plan for us.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible)

God promises to guard us – sheltered under His protection. HE will keep us in perfect and constant peace, but don’t miss the KEY to this promise. It is for “…whose mind is stayed on Him.” With our every inclination - this means every thought – where our minds naturally wonder to, as well as in our character (Is He your first thought?)

He KEEPS us in peace when we have committed ourselves completely to Him, including our minds with all of its thoughts, plans and dreams.

He KEEPS us in peace when we think on these things: whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (Philippians 4:8 Amplified Bible)

He KEEPS us in peace when we lean on Him and Trust that HIS ways are Higher and Wiser and Better than our ways.

He KEEPS us in peace when our hope is in Him and not in our “Plan B” in case this “Christian thing” doesn’t quite work out the way we want it to.

He KEEPS us in peace when we purpose to spend quality time with Him.

I have been listening to a Jason Upton song a lot lately called, “In Your Presence.” I hear the lyrics as they keep repeating in my mind:

In Your Presence, all fear is gone, in Your Presence;
In Your Presence, is where I belong, in Your Presence.

Peace is so valuable and yet sometimes it is so elusive. There is no substitute for peace. Don’t trade away your peace or let it be stolen from you. Listen for HIS voice as He says to you: “Peace, Be Still” and “Be Still and Know that I Am God.” (YOUR God!!)

Peace be unto you today as you seek Him and “REST in His Presence.”

Selah Y

What is the Carnival of Beauty?

Each week women from around the world write on a specially selected topic allowing them to reflect on the beauty of Christ in the world around us.

What is the purpose of the Carnival of Beauty?

1. Encourage women by reflecting the beauty of Christ in our writing.

2. Meet women online who cherish the beauty of Christ that we might not have met otherwise.

Please join us as we seek to glorify Christ in our writing!
Join this week's Hostess: Sara @ Stones of Remembrance

This week's Theme: The Beauty of Peace

Wordless Wednesday

Butterfly Girl

This song was presented at our Ladies Retreat. I love it!! So many of us can relate to these lyrics.

We often just want to curl up and hide – too “full of fear & doubt & insecurity” to face to the day. But nothing just goes away. Problems remain, pain increases, and situations worsen. Hiding and isolating NEVER solves the issue at hand – only prolongs it and often intensifies it.

Many people have their own advice or “opinions” to “help us out.” Their words could comfort & soothe, bringing healing and relief. However, sometimes they are spoken rashly, not knowing the full picture, and are actually spoken in judgment or criticism. They can in fact, surround us like a web – trapping us inside, unable to break free of their pronouncements. Bound, we stay there. It is easier to give up and give in than to fight for our freedom. “They must be true,” we conclude. The veil settles over our heart and the walls close in tightly around us. Darkness seals the tomb. We are left with hardly room to breathe. Life is very limited.

There is a time to BREAK FREE!! It will be scary to step out into the unknown and the first steps will be shaky, but Jesus will be there to guide us. Break out of the dark cocoon of winter and follow the Light. Lingering in His warmth, we will regain our strength. When He releases us from our past life, we are transformed – no longer the same. Beautiful butterflies – no longer hiding – free to shine!! Then we spread our wings and FLY!! The world is a new place and our lives reveal our true colours – the hidden treasures now revealed in full splendor.

“Don’t you know that you’re a precious miracle”!! EVERY life transformed by God is a miracle – a testimony of His Amazing Grace and His Great Love for us. Our suffering IS then transformed into something wonderful!! Only HE can turn ALL things around for GOOD. The very places that bound us will be the areas of our strength. We will be able to testify to others how Jesus releases the captives from their prisons and set them free.

He is calling you out of your cocoon. Step out and spread your wings. Their colours reflect His creativity IN you. Throw off the veil of lies that has been holding you back. No more hiding, no more fear. It’s time to be released.

TRUST HIM & FLY!!

You ARE Beautiful,

Butterfly Girl!!

Selah Y

Fall Colours

The Colours of Fall tell us that cooler days are ahead. I love the variety of our Canadian seasons. This fall has been very warm which has us spoiled. When the cold weather finally does come, it will be a shock.

In the meantime, the trees are changing slowly - almost as if they are dancing in slow motion. Maybe so we don't miss it this year. Maybe so we'll take the time to notice. Fall is such a busy season. It seems like everything starts up at once - each demanding our full attention.

This weekend I am going away to a Ladies Retreat and I am soooo looking forward to the time away. I want to walk in the woods and hear only the birds (no phones!). I want to enjoy the mass splashes of colours so intricately blended on the trees before the winds blow them to their winter resting places. I want to spend some quiet time - just me and God, enjoying His creation together.

Of course, I know there will be others there too!! It will also be a chance to spend time with other ladies without the many interruptions that creep in every day. It will be a time set aside to just be "us" - not having to wear the many "hats" that fill our lives - not having to fulfill the many "roles" of commitment in our busy schedules. For two days, we will just be women - seeking God and seeking to know ourselves and others better.

As the season changes again and transitions into winter (the harshest season), let's take the time to reflect on ALL that God has blessed us with, both physically and spiritually. I am setting aside this weekend to be refreshed and to refine my focus for this next season God is opening up to us. Stay close to HIM. Winter can be cold and barren, but it is also a time to draw close to the "Fire" and stay warm in His presence. He has made the preparations. Don't be too busy to be part of what He is doing.

Selah Y