I’m blessed.
I was able to wake up today.
Lead alongside a great team in worship.
Had my usual Sunday morning Starbucks.
Ate 3 meals today.
Had a car problem, but someone fixed it in Speedy Gonzales timing (thank you a kajillion times!!)
Surprised by some friends, who are like family, show up on my doorstep.
Was able to finish up stuff before youth.
Worked with a talented group of student leaders, a helpful youth staff and shared God’s Word to students who are in the process of becoming the next history makers.
And most importantly, spent time with family.
Yep, I’m blessed.

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.

Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things. Who, O God, is like You?

Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You— I, whom You have redeemed.

I wake up each day,
because of God. 
I have strength,
because of God. 
I can walk by faith and not by sight,
because of God. 
I believe,
because of God. 
When I walk through the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
because of God. 
I can sing,
because of God. 
I have peace,
because of God. 
I am comforted,
because of God.
I will carry on,
because of God. 

I wish I could tell you that living by faith is easy. But, it’s not. In all honesty, it sucks. Not knowing what’s going to happen within the next minute/hour/day/week/month/year is too much to get overwhelmed by.

Isn’t that how we are suppose to live every day out anyway? As though it is our last?

“We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will only last a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Life is temporary; eternity is, well, forever! The things we see around us won’t be around much longer.

Maybe you’re getting beatin up from life, or possibly God is helping you work out some things that need to be settled in your life now before it gets worse down the road. (The Lord corrects those He loves. Proverbs 3:12) whatever you do, keep fighting the good fight! Choose the right attitude as many times as you can. (Philippians 4:4) Ask God questions, tell Him how you feel. He isn’t afraid of you or your emotions, He made them! He already knows every thought you have ever had.

This is what you need to know, the Lord is near. He is near to you at all times (psalm 145:18). He is close to the broken hearted (psalm 34:18) and He is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:5).

I truly believe the experiences each of us go through is something that we can help and encourage someone one day when they too go through the same or similar thing.

So, maybe walking by faith sucks at the moment, but I have seen God work miracles and I’m still waiting for Him to heal my Dad. Yes, everything happens all in God’s timing, but I know that God has it in His hands. He has never forsaken us. He is faithful. He is stronger. He is my peace. He is my anchor.

And so we celebrated
because the [Lord] had indeed
worked miracles for us. (PSALMS 126:3 CEV)

(enjoy this encouraging clip that is my absolute favorite! — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dKmgPMDnCI&feature=youtube_gdata_player )