I'm having a hard time falling asleep ........

Have you really listened to the words of a hymn? I mean like really listen?? Sure, you know the words by heart and you could probably recite a song if I gave you the title. One sunday, I was sick and my voice was going and I could not sing so, I just listened to the words. and there is some powerful messages in those song lyrics! From know on, I'm not going to just sing a song, I'm going to actually listen to the words and I challenge you to do the same!!

Several months ago, our church sang a song at a host church (we combined our small church group with another one) and it has stuck in my head ever since. These are some really good lyrics!!

The music/lyrics are by Chris Anderson and Greg Habegger. The song is titled is "I Run To Christ"

 ~ Verse 1 and Chorus ~

"I run to Christ when chased by fear and find a refuge sure.

"Believe in Me," His voice I hear;His words and wounds secure.

I run to Christ when torn by a grief and find abundant peace.

"I too had tears," He gently speaks; thus joy and sorrow meet

~ Verse 2 and Chorus ~

I run to Christ when worn by life and find my soul refreshed

"Come unto Me," He calls through strife; fatiuge gives way to rest

I run to Christ when vexed by Hell and find a mighty arm

"The Devil flees," the scriptures tell; he roars, but can not harm

~ Verse 3 and Chorus ~

I run to Christ when stalked by sin and find a sure escape

"Deliver me," I cry to him; temptation yields to grace

I run to Christ when plagued by shame and find my one defense

"I bore God's wrath," He pleads my case; my advocate and friend

In Christ Alone

A friend of mine posted a video to this song on facebook and it got me to thinking.  It could not have come at a better time for me in my life. My life has been nothing but an emotional roller coaster. Emotional on so many levels. From still not believing that my brother has a son (I just can't believe it) to actually realizing that he is finally home (I still can't believe this either)!! I honestly thought that it would be smooth sailing from here. It's not. A friend told me that "What does not kill you makes you stronger." To which I replied, "Well, if that is the case then I'm a lot stronger than I was 3 years ago (when Will was diagnosed with CML).

Through God's faithfulness, we will get through this trial!! Please pray for me!! Thanks!!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
 

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

Bless The Lord, Oh My Soul

This song has been on my mind and heart lately. I feel like the Lord is reminding me to keep blessing Him even when things get tough. Things have been hard on me lately. I've been having to make decisions that I've not ever had to make before. I need wisdom and I need guidance. Please pray for me! Thanks!

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Caledonia

I love this song and I just wanted to post it. The group "Celtic Woman (one of the singers, Lisa Kelly)" sings it.

I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today


Chorus:
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had


Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind


Chorus
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher
They've withered, now they've gone
But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When hands have shaken, the kisses float
Then I will disappear

Chorus:
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home
But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is the song running through my head all day today as I was thinking over this (almost) past year.

I moved out of my parents house in May to move in with a friend of mine just to get a feel for living on my own (without Mom and Dad having to furnish and rent an apartment for 6 months). I moved back hone in August to settle in to life again here at the farm.

Anyway, the same week I moved back home, we left for Texas. My brother's WBC (white blood cell count) had shot up. The doc's did blood work and the lab at the hospital made a mistake. Well, a couple months after that, his WBC shot up again. We found out that he needed a bone marrow transplant. In November, my sister flew out to Texas and my Mom drove out there. My brother has since had the transplant and I do not see him having any side effects from it.

It is now December and Dad and I are here. Mom is in Texas still and I just dont know when she will be home. I just hope that she gets home in time for Christmas. Daddy will not allow me to get down any Christmas decorations until Momma gets home.

What is this blog post about? Apparently its about random things. :-)

What I originally was going to write about is this:

I've learned that since moving home that if you follow God's will, things are alot easier. In the past, I've fought God in not wanting to finish my GED but, this year I took a leap of faith and it is paying off!! I am almost done!!! I followed God's will and it is alot easier. I'm also currently following God's will and not thinking/wishing I had a boyfriend and it is paying off as well! I mean, I'm so busy right now with Momma gone that if I had one, it would still be like I didnt. I mean, I'm so busy and here lately, I've been traveling ALOT! So, if I had one I couldn't/wouldn't have anytime to spend with him ....

I hope that this blog post makes sense ...

O Holy Night and 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Now, you are probably asking yourself 1 of 2 questions (maybe more):

1. Why on earth is Kate practicing Christmas music before Thanksgiving??

2. How does one tie in with the other?

Well, I will proceed to tell you .....

When I had finished practicing "O Holy Night", I was thinking about the words and for some strange reason, " 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus " popped in my head. I have no earthly idea why it did but, it did.

Now, I know that most of y'all (if not all) know all the words to it but, this is my blog and I can type it out of I want to!! :D

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Verse 1
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
and to take Him at His word
just to rest upon His promise
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord"

Verse 2
"Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to trust His cleansing blood
and in simple faith to plunge me
'neath the healing cleansing flood"

Verse 3
"Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace"

Verse 4
"I'm so glad I learned to trust Him
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend
and I know that He is with me
Will be with me to the end" **

****Chorus****
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!!
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus
O for grace to trust him more!!"

The only thing that I can think of that would put this song in my head is the health issues of my brother and how I know it is so sweet to trust in Jesus . I dont like to see him having a hard time. In His word it says that He will never leave us or forsake us. My prayer is that as our family goes through this that our faith in God will grow stronger and our family bond will become stronger. Please continue to pray for my family!!

** = Some Hymnals change the 4th verse to say:

"I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee
Precious Jesus, Savior friend
and I know that Thou art with me
Wilt be with me to the end"

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!!!!

Today in church, we sang this song. I stopped singing and I actually was listening to these words:

"Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be."

God's faithfulness is great!! Yes, we may have trials and tribulations (i.e: loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, surgeries, cancer (my brother in my case)) in life but, He in his faithfulness is right there in the midst of it with us!! Our God does not change and His compassion never fell us!! He will forever be faithful to us now as He has been in the past!!

"Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

Every morning, we see new mercies!! Everything that we will ever need God has already provided for!! Great is God's faithfulness!!

"Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love."

Though our harvest this year may not produce very much (due to severe dry weather and little to no rain during planting), God in His faithfulness, mercy and love will provide through all of the changing seasons!!

"Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

"Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!"

Yes, we may sin but, God pardons it and gives us a peace about it!! His very presence cheers us up and guides us (faithfully) on our way!! He lifts us up and gives us strength not only for today's cares and worries but for tomorrows also!! How awesome is that?? The blessings are enormous when we give God honor and praise!!

"Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

Anyway, this is all that I took from this song. It touched me so much that I almost cried while singing/listening to it!! God is indeed a faithful and just God!!!!

I hope that I was not being to "preachy"!! If I was, I'm sorry!! WAIT, no, I am not sorry!! I'm glad because someone who might read my blog would love to have some encouragement!!!!