the peace that surpasses all understanding

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

This seems like a pretty tall order, doesn't it?  "Be anxious for nothing"  How is that possible?  Being anxious comes naturally to me... to most of us!  When the world around us changes, anxiousness creeps in. When things seem out of control, anxiousness sneaks in. When we don't know what's going on or don't understand why... again anxiousness... It's how we were made, right?  WRONG!  well, sorta... While it comes too easily to be anxious... I know I was made to pray and worship!!! God created me (and you) to be in relationship with Him... this includes talking to Him. 

Something funny I've been thinking about... If I have an issue... any issue, and I talk about it with my friends (or even with myself) sometimes we figure it out... but most often, I just become more worked up about it... BUT... when I talk about it with God ("but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.") something else happens... PEACE... ("And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.")  This really is quite amazing! Peace moves in and replaces anxiety... and it is unexplainable... It's a God thing.

This week I have had several things weighing on my heart... My heart was so heavy yesterday.  I was crying out to my Abba for a number of things... and really fighting for a good attitude.  (those closest to me might tell you that I did not always win)  All I could think about were these "things" going on... and so I took that as a reminder to lift the situations up in prayer... You might say I was nagging God. He doesn't see it as nagging however... He wants us to come to Him... to lift it all to Him and to praise Him in all circumstances, to see His hand in our lives... His fingerprints on all that happens in life... so that was what I did... alllllllllllllllllll day and into the night...

This morning I woke up flooded with His peace... I don't know what He is up to... I don't know what things have taken place in the spiritual realm...I don't know if anything has changed  I only know that here and now, my anxiousness has been replaces with His peace!!  This continues to amaze me...

May His peace fill you and yours today as you give everything to the One who holds  you in His hands!

shut up and SING!

When i was in Jr. High, we used to listen to alot of Amy Grant on the church bus going to events... Remember the song "Sing your praise to the Lord" the words said "stand up and sing one more Hallelujah"  but we used to sing "Shut up and sing one more Hallelujah!"  And now I'm thinking... such wisdom from Jr highers being silly... 

When I'm tired, it's easy to get that overwhelmed feeling... and sometimes life happens and we feel like we just don't have anything to give... It is easy and even natural to complain or to whine... to this I say "Shut up and sing one more Hallelujah!" today :)  It is theologically correct... In all things we are supposed to praise Him... In all things we are supposed to thank Him... Today, praying for my friends, my heart feels heavy... there is so much going on... so many needs... and I have a choice to make. I can get cranky or depressed OR I can praise the One who holds us close... the One who has it all under control. (even though things may seem out of control). so... a few minutes ago, I got out my guitar & sang & sang & sang... until it was worship... until I meant what I was singing... "I open my heart and let my spirit worship yours. I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth... worthy, you are worthy."  He is indeed worthy of all my praise. He is worthy of all your praise!  and it changes us... it lifts us into His presence and brings my attitude into a much better place.  In the words of wise jr highers... "shut up and sing one more hallelujah!"  just sing!