When I Am Afraid

Whenever I am afraid I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise. in God I trust. 
I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 
Psalm 56:3 NIV

Joe was on the board of elders of the small country church we attended, and when the pastor left, Joe was invited to fill that role. Joe had been a steel worker, and didn’t think of himself as a “real pastor” so he asked that we simply call him “Brother Joe.”  In spite of his humble start, Joe knew his Bible well, loved people and trusted God. His statements often included observations from his days of working on the towers, and my favorite was “Any man who tells you he is not afraid is a liar!” I think King David would have not only liked Brother Joe but would have whole heartedly agreed with that statement. When David wrote today’s verse, he had just been captured by the people from the city if Gath. In case that name doesn’t ring a bell, it was the home town of the giant he had killed, named Goliath. Probably in that crowd of soldiers who marched David off as a prisoner were Goliath’s friends and neighbors. They were hoping to see him executed and David really had a perfect excuse to be afraid. It is interesting that David didn’t start by pretending that he wasn’t afraid. Instead, he faced his fears by first accepting them, “When I am afraid!” David said. But what David did next was something most of us forget to do. He chose to trust in God in spite of that fear. If you feel as if circumstances have taken you prisoner, today, it’s okay to join David by just saying out loud, I am afraid!” But then we need to move on to what David said next. “But I will trust in You (God)!”  This isn’t pretending, it is a choice. We are afraid, but we don’t have to stay there. God’s promises are true. He is still in control, and He has us in His mighty hands! – I hope you enjoy this beautiful song from Selah that makes the case for trusting God. Have a blessed day everyone!

Quiet Sunday Thoughts- Selah

Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. 
Selah. Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV

“Selah…The pause is not an exclamation of dismay, but merely a rest in music. We do not suspend our song in alarm, but tune our harps again with deliberation amid the tumult of the storm.” Charles Spurgeon

For our quiet Sunday thoughts I am sharing a song by Lindsay Brackin of Sounds Like Reign. We used to sing the words of this Psalm in church but I have not heard it for many years. I pray that you may find a moment of quiet stillness and a Selah in your busy schedule today. May the words of the Lord enlighten your eyes, make you wise in His service and convert your soul to rest in Him and trust in His word forever. Selah

My Christmas Favorites – You will never hear on the radio

Some of you who follow me know that I am a big fan of both the music and testimony of the Mullett Family. There is a simplicity and honesty about this video that makes me think a lot more about the real Jesus on the real Christmas than slick professional productions. I hope you are blessed with their rendition of the carol of all carols, “Silent Night.”

The second song in this play list may be a carol you have never heard, but it is hardly new. Most famously sung by Selah, it was written by Lowell Alexander in 1992. Though I have listened to this many times, I still shed a few tears each time I listen. I love singing this too, though I will not inflict my version of this stunningly beautiful melody and lyrics. I hope it touches you also and will draw you closer to Jesus.

I have a few more I can’t wait to share tomorrow, but I would love even more to know some little known artists or songs that have touched your heart over the years.