From Gretchen Miller:

Father,
Thank You for this day.
For all its joys and sorrows,
trials and triumphs,
laughter and tears–
For the time spent with friends
And time spent with family–
For tasks completed and tasks yet on “the list”.

Thank You for this day to work,
This day to rest,
This day to play,
This day….
To smile,
To share,
To speak,
To listen,
To write,
To read,
To sing,
To learn,
To teach,
To see,
To hear-
To LIVE!

“For all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be…”
And I celebrate This Day.

From Rob Stearns

I had been thinking about a couple verses in Ps 94 for a couple of days when I got the news that a sister of a dear friend of mine had just been diagnosed with cancer.  The way these verses were playing in my head had a completely different context as to what I just wrote.  I crawled into bed shortly after getting the news.  I was wide awake, although it was late.  These verses wouldn’t let me sleep…they took on a completely different meaning.

This poem became a poem with double meanings.  A praise to God that He is the maker of every part of us…and a petition to heal.

You are the God

You are the God
The God of our eyes
You have shown us so many—
Let us see your ways

You are the God
The God of our ears
You have told us so many—
Let us hear your voice

You are the God
The God of our minds
You have taught us so many—
Let us know your will

You are the God
The God of our hearts
You have touched us so many—
Let us beat for you

You are the God
The God of our trials
You have held our hands so many—
Let us triumph for you

You are the God
The God of our bodies
You have groomed us so many—
Let us live for you

You are the God
The God of our souls
You have healed us so many—
Let us be healed for you

For Christmas my father-in-law bought me Charlie Hall’s newest album “The Bright Sadness“. Whether I’m in my car, working on my laptop, or running/lifting weights with little Gina (my ipod shuffler), I haven’t stopped listening to it for over a week now. With songs like Bloom Again, New Year, Scenes, and Hookers and Robbers, you will find yourself drawing closer to God…appreciating Him for His majesty, complexities, and goodness. I have participated in musical worship several times with Charlie Hall’s leading. I have always appreciated his humble heart and desire to move people towards an understanding of God’s greatness and the only proper response – a LIFE of worship.

I know you are all big boys and girls and can find this on your own. But you can find the album in most book stores and online HERE and on itunes.