SONGS OF MY HEART - I WILL SING HALLELUJAH

For all of my life I will praise the Lord, I will sing Hallelujah for He has supplied my every need. As I look around at the mountains and all the beauty that surround Bellingham, Wa I can't help but praise Him. As I kneel in prayer and thank Him for my family, of keeping them through the years, even through my idocy-I thank Him. As I review the past year, and see how He has kept me, provided for me, and comforted me through some VERY hard times, I can't help but praise Him. Even as I realize the joy He has put in my heart on a daily basis, it's a wondrous thought of His goodness. As I think about how He has made provisions in my life, even this past month,  I can't help but sing Hallelujah!

At this age I'm beginning to realize that what I don't have is maybe not quite the time, or I didn't need it as bad as I thought I did. Hindsight is profitable when its paid attention to and thought about. There are some things I asked the Lord for, and instead of giving me what I asked for, He gave me solutions. Solutions that involved other people, so they could see His working, and God gets the glory. There are things I asked the Lord for, that in the passage of time, I had to SHOUT "Thank YOU JESUS,"  You didn't give me that, or take me there. His faithfulness does not fail, and He knows just what we can and cannot bear.

Hills and valley's, level plains (same-o, same-o, the mundane, quiet times), we all will experience in our lifetimes. What will we do with them, through them? Food, clothing and shelter, He has given us. I will Thank Him for today, and thank Him for the name of Jesus, I will thank Him for the cross, and the blood He shed for me. Jesus, the source and supply of my life. I will praise and lift Him High.

Songs Of My Heart - I LOVE YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU

I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU, Jesus I love YOU
I love YOU, I love YOU, I love YOU

About a month ago, I attended a Sunday morning service where two different denominations came together to worship our Savior and Head of the church, Jesus (House of Wisdom Non-Denominational Church and Hope In Christ Christian Reform Church). It was a beautiful exchange and interaction of the body of Christ. Pastor Westbrook, The minister who preached started by talking about the need to have a love song for Jesus. That stayed with me. And the words above are my love song to Jesus. Sing a simple song...

I write much; stories, poetry, and even a few songs, but I will always remember why I sing this. Sometimes I just get so filled up, that all I can say is "I love YOU." So why am I writing this today? I read an article this morning, in Tracie Armstrong's SPIRIT Magazine about a child who was praying. It's so beautiful to hear a child pray. I'm awed to my bones as I listen to my grandchildren talk to the Lord. Okay Jay, get back on track... the article talked about a child praying, and the words "I love You" slipped out. Not I love God or I love Jesus, but I love You. So personal, so precious, so cool that our heart cry can be so audible throughout Heaven and the universe in "I LOVE YOU JESUS."

When I sing to Jesus burdens are lifted, the joy of living is rejuvenated, the cares of the day seem so small, and I know that whatever I'm doing today, or will face in this day - Jesus is there with me. He said I will never leave or forsake you, I am with you always, and I am more than the world against you, and as the Father has love Me, so I love you.

I LOVE YOU JESUS!!

Songs Of My Heart - JESUS KEEP ME NEAR THE CROSS

There is peace and reconciliation through the blood of the cross...Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 2:15-16

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o'er me.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Chorus:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

For me there are those times when I must go back, close to the cross. For me it is a time of remembrance of where my Lord found me; not that I was lost to Him, but He was lost to me. Sometimes I just need an adjustment of mind and soul as to what this life is all about.

The blood of Jesus is a healing stream that my heart cries out for everyone to experience. My heart aches for those who are so troubled and confused to accept that resting place that can only be found in Jesus. As I listen to the news of stealing, rape, murders, and wars I know that someday we will live in the glory of Christ, never to fight the battles of this life anymore.

But for today, we live and continue the message of the Cross of Jesus. For today we tell of the joy of resting in the eternal love of God our Father, our Daddy. As I watch the news and walk in the midst of pain and suffering on a daily basis, I am so thankful to be able to offer hope for today, and love unyielding through Jesus Christ who hung on the cross for my sins and the world. The telling of the cross is not only in the words we speak, but the life we live. Jesus shows up so the victory of Him living through us can be seen and realized by those around us.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait, hoping trusting ever - There is no turning around or leaving the path I have started on.

Songs Of My Heart - GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART

This is my particular prayer today, tonight. This is one of those days where I've been judgemental and uptight about things I really had no control over. It's one of those days, the Apostle Paul talked about, "What I don't want to do, I do. where I don't want my mind to travel, it goes there with lightening speed." Anybody but me have those kind of days? The old folks used to talk about the Lord being a heart fixer and a mind regulator. That's what I needed today, but was too stubborn to ask, so my mind became a battlefield of doubt, pridefulness and guilt. It is possible for our minds to become as turbulent storm, but it doesn't have to stay that way. When I finally talked to the Lord, the one who calms the storms, He was so present and quick to supply relief. But it took all day for me to ask Him. Sometimes I think I enjoy a lil' bit of misery. Can I hear an Amen?

I'm not asking for the riches of the world. I already know and really believe that I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. I'm asking for what He has already provided, grace for today, faith for the moment, and to feel His love that never leaves me. See sometimes I wander to far away and it leaves me in the emptiest valley of despair. But I came home to Abba, to Daddy, I came home to His open arms of love and peace, and He restores within me a clean heart.

Songs Of My Heart - I REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED

Jennifer Holliday singing.

Here is a great poem: author unknown

I refuse to be discouraged, To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why:
I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.
He is all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same.
My God knows all that's happening; Beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease.
When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me. My life is in His hand.
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope. It's in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me, As through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances, To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God I'm resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory mine; He'll help me win the race.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!!
Pass it on!


"Vision is not seeing things as they are, but as they will be..."
-Unknown

Songs Of My Heart - IT'S ANOTHER DAY'S JOURNEY AND I'M GLAD ABOUT IT

These are The Mighty Clouds of Joy. If you like group music, you'll love to hear their many, many recordings.

I don't know who wrote this song, but I'm glad they did. Many have sang it as a solo, a group, and as a choir.

When I sing it, I just love to recount how the Lord came into my life and why I'm glad about it today. When I think about going on a journey, I know I'm moving. I'm not sitting or standing stagnant, just catchin' whatever comes my way. No I'm taking action today. There is purpose in today, and I'm going to find it.

What does it profit me to dwell in sorrow, aches and pains, hurts of the past or even yesterdays mess-ups? I can linger there and become depressed, obsessed, and doubtful of today, making myself and everyone else around me miserable - or I can be glad that my Lord has given me new mercy, new grace for today. There's another song that says, "Pick Yourself Up, Brush Yourself Off, And Start All Over Again." This is what 'Another Days Journey' says to me.

The old folks used to pray, "Thank you Lord for a reasonable portion of my health and strength." I may not have it all, but I thank You for what I have. They used to say, "Thank you for clothing me in my right mind," recognizing that we could have woke up this morning totally messed up." So I'm Glad for this another day.

I don't know where some of you came from, but I know the Lord brought me from a mighty long way. Yes, from lovin' the alcohol and not allowing it to ruin my life - He brought me to sobriety. From molestation, rejection and depression - Yes, Jesus brought me, and I'm so glad to be alive to encourage someone today to KEEP ON GOING, DON'T GIVE UP. This is a new day, and I'm glad about it.

This is the Day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in this day. I shall not die, but live and tell of His mighty works - I Am The Work Of HIS Hands, and so are you.

Blessings Y'all!

It's another days journey and I'm Glad
C: I'm glad about
L: I'm so glad
C: I'm glad about
L: I'm so glad
C: I'm glad about
L: It's another days journey and I'm Glad
C: I'm glad about, I'm so glad to be here

L: It's another day for Jesus and I'm Glad
C: I'm glad about
L: I'm so glad
C: I'm glad about
L: I'm so glad
C: I'm glad about
L: It's another day for Jesus and I'm Glad
C: I'm glad about, I'm so glad to be here