There is no circumstance
no trouble
no testing
that can ever touch me until,
first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ,
right through to me.
If it has come that far,
it has come with a great purpose,
which I may not understand at the moment.
But I refuse to panic,
as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it
as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart.


:: Alan Redpath

My Treasure: Christ!

My health is not my treasure...Christ is.

My children are not my treasure...Christ is.

My husband is not my treasure...Christ is.

My friends are not my treasure...Christ is.

Parental aproval is not my treasure...Christ is.

People's good opinion of me is not my treasure...Christ is.

My home is not my treasure...Christ is.

Being known for being talented, smart, pretty, funny, always right, kind, compassionate, wise, capable, important, interesting, strong, popular, a role-model Christian woman, a good cook, mom, or wife, is not my treasure...Christ is.

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining...
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am.
And every tear I've cried,
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You,
and raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone -- how can I carry on
if I can't find You?
And as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain...
"I'm with you".
And as Your mercy falls,
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
and takes away.

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.


:: Casting Crowns -- Praise You In This Storm

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

C.S. Lewis -- The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe