Because in each day, no matter how dark or how long, there is a praise to be found. Sometimes our hearts are too weary or too frightened to voice them, but our souls cry out to God... and He is there.
Oh Lord, my heart cries out with joy,
Your name is on my tongue.
For I am blessed beyond belief.
Your praises will be sung.
Your peace I claim as mine.
Lord, I’m grateful to have a place
Within Your grand design.
A broken soul like me,
But I will follow, rejoicing,
For Your love set me free.
From mountain top to shore.
Through all the earth my praise I’ll sing
To You, whom I adore.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break
forth into joyous song and sing praises!
He carried my sins far from me,
So why do I still call them mine?
You’d think I’d leave them in my past,
Not let them age like some fine wine.
To remind me of all my flaws,
The many times I willingly
Turned my back on His love and laws.
With strength and wisdom I will need
To stay on path and follow Him.
What I need most is to pay heed.
Yet it becomes breathtaking when
I found all my sins died with Him,
And, unlike Him, they’ll stay dead sin.
I need to stop holding to them
And turn my heart, my mind, and soul
To forever hold on to Him.
So why do I still call them mine?
I will surrender them to Him
And claim instead His grace divine.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they
keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is
blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
When the day shines with heaven’s light
It sleeps upon the shore.
Yet, when darkness falls on the land,
Its light shines bright once more.
Offer to all His light,
Reflected from hearts fixed on Him
And filled with pure delight.
But can reflect His grace,
Casting it out across the earth
That all might seek His face.
That we’re not meant to hide.
Let His love shine in this dark world,
Reflect Him far and wide.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.
He stood there in the quiet pond,
Not seeing his own face,
Seeking instead his morning meal,
Depending on Your grace.
I saw reflected there.
He was hunting for His meal,
And I, for peace to spare.
And lived at such a pace,
That no matter how fast I ran,
I knew I’d lose the race.
But held on to the fear
That I would let everyone down
Whom I hold to be dear.
My list of things to do,
And that had lead me to forget
To just listen to You.
Reflected in the light,
I heard Your voice and felt Your peace
And knew I’d be alright.
I don’t always hear You,
But I will always stop in awe
At such a stunning view.
And loving me enough
To remind me that I am blessed
Even when life seems rough.
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
The vast empires born of man
Rise up and then they fall.
Those who once ruled with great power,
Later realms can’t recall.
When we stand on this land,
But He who rules beyond all time
Holds the earth in His hand.
For each one bears His mark,
But most will come and go from earth
Without knowing His spark.
Our foothold on the earth,
But His view covers time and space
Beyond ending or birth.
Is meaningless until
It’s measured by obedience
To Him and to His will.
Have nothing now to claim,
For we who stand where they once stood
Don’t even know their name.
Of what you know and see,
For you are blind in sight and mind
Within eternity.
Knowing what we can’t know,
Is He who formed us, called us His,
And He still loves us so.
Beyond this life’s domain,
And fix your eyes and heart on Him.
In Him is life’s true gain.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
This amazing photo of Egyptian ruins taken from a hot air balloon is another gift from TAF and her adventures!
You are the way, the truth, the life,
And I know that is true,
For I have traveled other roads,
But they led back to You
To stay upon the way
To which You have directed me,
Lest I should go astray.
And, like a wayward sheep,
My shepherd came to bring me home.
My soul is His to keep.
When I was young and wild,
But, as I've grown, my sight’s improved.
I’m a less wayward child.
As You’ve taught me to do.
You are my way, my truth, my life
And I’ll stay close to You.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There are those who complain of heat,
And those who fear the cold.
There are a few who dislike both,
More so as we grow old.
Despite the season’s pain.
We simply rejoice in the gift
Of sunshine or of rain.
For You have formed each one,
And we will seek Your blessings in
The moon’s light or the sun.
Or autumn’s growing chill
I’ll relish each day as it comes,
Rejoicing in Your will.
Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have
established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries
of the earth; you have made summer and winter.
I’ve watched as those I love suffer,
Yet still lift up Your praise,
Knowing that You will hold them through
Even their darkest days.
Your light is at their feet,
And though they cannot see ahead,
You know the path complete.
They rest beneath Your wing.
Even when life’s troubles arise,
They lift their voice and sing.
The faith to see me through.
When I am lost and broken, Lord,
Let me rejoice in You.
Along life’s dark pathways,
And help me keep a heart of praise
Even on pain filled days,
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
This amazing photo of the sun setting on the Nile River is another gift from TAF on her trip to Egypt.
Thank You for Your patience with me
As I move through each day.
I bet You shake your head and laugh
At me along the way.
But also, not the worst.
Yet I am smart enough to know
That You are always first,
For… oh look, a squirrel!
That's why I’m grateful Your patience
Is still there for this girl.
Though my focus might stray,
My heart will always praise You, Lord,
And will not go astray.
Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help
me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not
forget your commandments.
I’m going to step back from the world,
And turn my eyes to You.
I’ve found myself distracted by
The things I shouldn’t do.
But I don’t have to be,
For I am Yours and have been called
To be a better me.
I’m not a perfect child,
But I’d rather stay close to You,
Than out there running wild.
And to whom I sing praise.
Let me not be distracted from
Your word and all Your ways.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your
statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your
commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your
righteous rules.