And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:8
My personal blog about weight loss woes, spiritual yearnings and the whispers to my soul, parenting, being a wife and mother, politics...pretty much whatever comes to mind.
Showing posts with label Israel Houghton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel Houghton. Show all posts
Israel Houghton has a special style of worship that speaks to me no matter what circumstance, what mood I find myself in.
A Lifeway Research study came out recently that said Christians are spending less time reading the Bible than ever. If we're not reading the Word of God, we're not refilling our cup. Jesus is the cup that won't run dry, but we can't quite say the same. I hope if folks aren't reading the God's Word, then they're hearing it or spending time in communion with him. Anything that fills the distance, that bridges the gap that too easily opens up and widens between us and God.
You hold my world in Your hands, You hold my world in Your hands, And I am amazed at Your love, I am amazed that You love me.
You hold my world in Your hands, You hold my world in Your hands, And I'm not afraid, My world is safe in Your hands, In Your hands.
I first heard this Israel Houghton song shortly before my brother passed away earlier this year. He was alone when he died, in pain and suffering.
I think about him a lot. I wish I'd been a better sister. We were so close and he knew I would do anything for him, knew that I loved him. I just wish I could have done more.
We used to talk about the things of God some times. He wasn't where I am, not quite as sure that his Heavenly Father cared about him or loved him the way I know that Jesus did. He believed in Christ as His Savior, but organized religion, church, wasn't his thing. To my knowledge, his relationship hadn't deepened but perhaps stagnated over the years.
In truth, I don't really know.
Oh, I wish I could have done more.
But when I hear this song, as tears stream down my face, I always imagine Daniel hearing these words, almost as if the Holy Spirit was whispering them to him as confirmation, in his final minutes:
You won't let go of me, You won't let go of me, You won't let go of me. Never let go.
You will take care of me, You will take care of me, You will take care of me, You will take care, Always take care.
It's such a strong image, with him sitting in a particular chair in the living room, facing the picture window in the house where we grew up. It's almost as though God burned that image in my head to comfort me. It's the same image every time I hear this song.
I'm glad I know that God holds my world and that my world is safe in His hands.
Do you know who holds your world?
I love hearing Israel Houghton perform live. This song, Everywhere That I Go, has been ringing in my head for the past week, even as we played a boatload of other CDs driving to and from Atlanta last weekend.
God wants us to remember that wherever we are, He's there too. We don't have to wonder or look very far. God is always within reach, always willing to listen, always ready to guide and inspire.
You promised me You'd never leave, You promised me I'm never forsaken, And I believe Goodness and mercy shall follow me, Surrounding me, Where I go, Everywhere that I go.
Now, before you click on the video, I hope you won't mind the Jackson 5 riff at the beginning. I think Israel simply appreciates good music. I certainly do.
God is dealing with me, making me take a hard look at myself. Not fun but I'll come out better for it. What I love about the process though is that He already knows the outcome.
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
Israel Houghton's It's A New Season has been bubbling in my head all week. And I truly feel I'm on the verge of a new season. Know how you can tell when God is moving in your life--and moving you? That's where I am.
Sorry I couldn't find a live video, but just turn up the audio and enjoy!
I'm still in Israel mode. Goes with the Word that's swimming around in my head and with the word on expectations that I'm receiving. More on that later.
Wow, I haven't said anything in a week. But we'll talk tomorrow.
Today we're celebrating my littlest one's 4th birthday. Hard to believe that much time has passed.
In honor of him, I'm playing his favorite worship song, Israel and New Breed's With Long Life. May he be blessed with a long life, with which to worship God.
Be forewarned, it's a live performance. I think the cameraman was trying to get in on the singing.
Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever!
I admonish my son to consider how blessed he is when I think he's behaving in a selfish, self-centered manner. At times, I have to admonish myself too. We've been through a lot as a family and it would be so easy to dwell on the negative, to focus on the things we've lost, to remember that which is no more.
But God is toooo good for that.
Israel Houghton and New Breed brought something new and fresh to the worship scene in recent years. A mix of Latin, soul, and contemporary Christian music with loads of energy and wonderful instrumentals.
If I can't get near a large body of water, the other thing that never fails to center me and refocus me on God, then an Israel song will serve me well.
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