Take Hold Of God And Pull

monarch feeding on coreopsis

I was baking muffins this morning listening to the Selah CD entitled Hiding Place when I began to cry and at the same time worship God. These feelings were not completely unexpected, they were not unwanted. I knew they would come. Liz has died.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

This is the title of a book on my parents bookshelf while I was growing up. I never read it, I never asked about it, but it stuck with me. I connected the title with my Mom - it suited her.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

I hate death. It hurts.

death is not God's will - Life is!

death is our God given curse - Jesus is our God given mercy and grace

Jesus is life

we are created with eternity in our hearts

Take Hold Of God And Pull

Are you sad for the one who has died? I'm sad for the ones left behind. The valley of the shadow of death is walked by the living - the dead in Christ are free, whole, alive, in the presence of their Creator and Lord, secure. I can't be sad for them.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

I love to sing. I've discovered I cannot really sing just anything. Songs must speak to my being or speak for my being to be sung well. Melodies and harmonies need to give life to the lyrics; sometimes they simply have to give expression to my feelings. Songs are my medium with God; my prayer, my praise, my life line to my Creator and Lord.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

After my Mom died, I hid from God behind a wall of distrust - I was angry and confused - I did not understand the magnitude of God's grace in Jesus Christ - I was afraid. I didn't want to hurt anymore so I closed off what feelings I could. Songs broke through - songs of praise, songs of grace, songs of God's people and their walk with their Father in heaven - songs broke through.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

Liz has died - I will sing through the pain, I will sing through the confusion, the anger and the tears. I will hold God to his word: He will turn my mourning into dancing, dress me up with gladness and I cannot be silent forever.

Take Hold Of God And Pull

Selah sang these with me this morning - I sang through tears - I held onto my God and pulled.

I Bless Your Name (chorus)

I bless your name

I bless your name

I give you honor, give you praise

You are the Life, the Truth, the Way

I bless your name

I bless your name

lyrics of Wayne Goodine, sung by Selah

All My Praise

I will follow You through green pastures

and sing hallelujah to your name

I will follow You through dark disaster

and sing hallelujah through the pain

and even in the shadow of death

I will praise You

and even in the valley I will say

Holy, my God

You are worthy of all my praise

Holy, my God

You are worthy of all my praise

You are sealed on Your throne in heaven

and You see all of us down here

and You have promised You will not abandon

so I shall not fear

You made every star

and You taught it how to shine

You knew my name before there was time

and all this was just part of Your glorious design

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Lyrics by Audrey Hatcher, sung by Selah

Take Hold Of God And Pull

Search God's Word for His promises and hold tight; they are yours.

Take Hold Of God And Pull