So many things to Thank God for!

This season, when we think of renewal and rebirth, the earth warming for Spring, flowers coming up, trees budding, Easter coming…I am reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for. And my heart turns to expressing gratitude to God – for my life, for my salvation, for being there to meet my needs.

No matter what they are, not matter how big or how small, there is nothing beyond the scope of God’s ability and desire to help me.

He gave me a song years ago that expresses so many of the things I have to be grateful for. Sharing it here:

Chorus – Thank You Lord for being there for me

            Every time I knew I had a need of Thee

And thank You Lord for being there for me

            When I did not know there was need

Verse 1 – It’s so easy to thank You Lord for what we see

Like healing an illness or an injury

Or when You circumvent certain tragedy

It’s so easy to thank You Lord

I want to thank You for all the things I cannot see

For all the trouble You have kept from me

And for Your angels watching over me

I want to thank You Lord

Chorus – Thank You Lord for being there for me

            Every time I knew I had a need of Thee

And thank You Lord for being there for me

            When I did not know there was need

Verse 2 – It’s so easy when I think I have the perfect plan

And think I have the situation well in hand

And then the rug is pulled from under me and down I land

And I need to thank You Lord

Bridge – For my life could have been a lot worse, been a lot harder

But I have felt You there

Managing the pain, helping me in sorrow

You kept it at a level I could bear – – I know You were there

Chorus a capella – Thank You Lord for being there for me

            Every time I knew I had a need of Thee

And thank You Lord for being there for me

            When I did not know there was need

Laura Shaffer (c) 1990

What are you most thankful for today?

I Love March!

I love the month of March!  It feels like the year is finally beginning.

 

The seasons change and it feels like the world is waking up again…more sunlight, warmer temperatures, and spring flowers begin to show filling dead looking spaces with beautiful colors and aromas.

 

I remember songs from growing up in Military Chapel services like: Lead On O King Eternal the day of march has come, March On O Soul with Strength, and Onward Christian Soldiers, to name a few. Scripture tells us that spring was the time that men went out to war. And so many of these songs have the word “march” in them, that I associated them with the month of March. 

 

March on O soul with strength, as strong the battle rolls! ‘Gainst lies and lusts and wrongs, let courage rule our soul

Lead on O King eternal, the day of march has come…we follow not with fears…till sins fierce war shall cease

Onward Christian Soldiers marching as to war…like a mighty army moves the church of God…hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross…put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer

We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion

I know the lyrics weren’t necessarily referring to the month of March, but every March I’m reminded of them. And it births in me a strong desire to be adequately armed for spiritual battle.

It reminds me that the enemy of our soul is on the move and ready with an attack, and I need to be vigilant in praying for my loved ones. And in praising God that He protects and directs, that He guards and guides, He helps and heals.

I am reminded that He dwells in the midst of our praise. So I give Him praise! No matter what circumstances, or trial or sorrow I may face, God will be with me and is in control.

And in the victories, it is His power that allows me to rejoice.

March is coming to an end, but as you see the signs of spring where you are; the snow melting,  the flowers blooming, the trees budding, the birds returning, let it be a reminder to you to armor up! And join in, for the Battle Belongs to the Lord!

Scripture Advice from a Guitar

We all play guitars at my house. I learned unofficially by watching other people from about the time I was 10 and went to Girl Scout camp. We sang around the campfire with a guitar to guide us.

As a teenager in the late 60s it was the coolest instrument to play. I had taken years of piano lessons and my parents didn’t understand my wanting to switch. So I stayed with piano but taught myself a little guitar. You can play a LOT of songs with just 3 chords!

It was still cool in college and I really admired those who could play well enough for us to sing along with.

Even though all 3 of my sons play really well and have written their own songs, I don’t pick it up too often. But I can say I’ve learned a lot from guitars.

Here’s my:

 Advice from a guitar with scripture accompaniment

Don’t fret the small stuff

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Don’t be high strung

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Luke 12:25

Keep a song in your heart

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Don’t string people along

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

Play well with others

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Pick your friends carefully

Do not be misled: “bad company corrupts good character.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

Keep on strumming!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Psalm 100:1  ESV

Bottom line…Sing and make music to the Lord.

Do it today!

Are you thirsting in the midst of provision?

I didn’t want to walk.  It was very cold, and starting to snow.  But in an effort to be consistent with exercise for my body and spirit, I headed out.  I doubted that God would show me anything this blustery day.  The wildlife was in hiding, and the low cloud cover gave a dreary monotonous look to the landscape.  Soon, I had to raise my coat collar and pull down my hat to keep the icy snowflakes from getting into my eyes and down my neck.

The flakes grew in size and density until I could hardly see where I was going.  As the snow moved in, the wind died down.  The whole sky was gray with large spots of whiteness drifting down.  I kept my head down and squinted my eyes to keep my feet on the path before me.

The cold air made my nose stuffy and I began breathing through my mouth. Walking on, I realized how dry my throat was getting and became very thirsty. On a warmer day, I would have my water bottle at my side. But not today. Complaining out loud about the cold and dreariness of the day and about being thirsty, I trudged on.

Why had I walked today? If God wanted to speak to me, did I have to be so cold and thirsty to hear His message?

It was then I perceived a voice saying, “Look up!”

When I did, a huge snowflake hit me on the lips. Startled, I flinched my head back down to avoid a face full of cold, wet snow.

But in licking my lips and tasting the moisture, I realized this was God’s provision for me! I had heard of “showers of blessing”, but this?  I looked up again, and opening my mouth, made a game of “catching” these blessings coming from Heaven. My thirst was quenched.

What a wonderful lesson!

It wasn’t the birds or the plants or the lake. Today the lesson was me – and how God meets my needs! Provision was all around but focused on my uncomfortable circumstances, I didn’t see it.

How often do we grumble and whine about our needs, when God’s provision is showering all around us? We need to:

1.  Look Up: take our focus off the problem and put it on God!
2.  Open our mouth: in praise to receive His blessing

Are you so focused on your problem you can’t see anything else? Look to God.

Are you using your mouth to moan and complain? Use it to praise Him

Are you standing under a ledge of bitterness or rebellion, preventing God’s blessings from falling on you? Step out from under that canopy to catch God’s provision.

Whatever the weather –

Look up –

Open your mouth in praise –

Receive His blessing.

A Song for you…

How many of us are going through a hard time right now? Or know someone who is??

Personally, I’m in a challenging place right now with my health. And I have several friends who have lost a loved one recently, others are in a hard place financially, or have put much of their life on hold since the pandemic. And loved ones who have wandered away from the Lord and just need some direction and hope in their life.

A friend sent me this song from youtube. It’s actually a prayer. And the words reflect what I want to say/pray for so many friends.

So I’m sharing it with you. Thank you to Jeff Pardo, Ethan Hulse, David Andrew Spencer and Katy Nichole for these amazing words. For so many, I pray for their healing, and for their circumstances to change, for fear to be released, for miracles and a breakthrough. And for some, I just speak the name of Jesus over them, because it’s the best thing I can do for them.

These words come from my heart too and go out as a prayer as I sing along.

And the music! Is so powerful and moving.

Thank you to the person who put together this version of the video, as the photos are also powerful.

I pray it will touch you  too, and give words to your prayers for those you love in your life too.

And thank you Patricia for sending it my way 🙂