Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Yet I Will Praise

This past Sunday, I sang an old Vineyard song at church. The words are really powerful, so I thought I'd share them here...

"Yet I Will Praise"

I will praise You Lord my God
Even in my brokenness I will praise You Lord
I will praise You Lord my God
Even in my desperation I will praise You Lord

And I can't understand All that You allow
I just can't see the reason
But my life is in Your hands And though I cannot see You
I choose to trust You

Even when my heart is torn I will praise You Lord
Even when I feel deserted I will praise You Lord
Even in my darkest valley I will praise You Lord
And when my world is shattered and it seems all hope is gone
Yet I will praise You Lord

I will trust You Lord my God
Even in my loneliness I will trust You Lord
I will trust You Lord my God Even when I cannot hear You
I will trust You Lord
And I will not forget That You hung on a cross
Lord You bled and died for me
And if I have to suffer I know that You've been there
And I know that You're here now

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

10 months together!

As of today, Jes and I have been officially "together" for 10 months. Over these past months, I have changed and grown up so much. Being in this relationship has been so significant for my spiritual growth and development into the man that God desires me to be.

Jes is such an amazing encouragement to me...even without saying a word, she inspires me to grow and strive for more and better in every aspect of my life. She is an amazing woman, and I am so honored to have her as my future wife and my best friend.

As we head into the final months of preparation for marriage (only 4 months to go!), I am filled with excitement for the beginning of a new life together. There has been such a natural progression as each of us have become the priority in the other's life. Other than my relationship with God, there is nothing more important to me than my relationship with Jes. She is the person that I turn to for comfort, encouragement, support, and love. I can't wait until we are able to come home to one another at the end of every day.

During this time, I also find myself thinking about all the things that I lack and the things in my life that need so much work. It's so easy sometimes to be disappointed by your own faults and shortcomings...but God is faithful to forgive and restore, and I have faith that He is in control of my life and that he will provide all of our needs as we get ready to be married.

As I was reading today, this verse really spoke to me and where I am right now. I think that it applies no matter where we are in life. No matter our circumstances...our purpose remains the same...to do His will!

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ..."
-Hebrews 13:20-21