The Lion’s Mouth

Php 3:8b-11 …I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ and be completely united with Him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith.  All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of His resurrection, to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death,  in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

Lion, by Rebecca St. James

Mysterious
That’s what I call You
I’m curious about You
I’m scared and not sure that You are safe
But Your eyes seem to say that You are goodChorus
This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth, but the lion is (an angel)

Wise eyes, You see the core of me
Your gentleness melts me
And now I know that words cannot describe
The power that I feel when I’m with You

Chorus
This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth, but the lion is

Peace and power, love forever
Who am I to stand before You?
I am speechless
But in my weakness
You are here and all is well

You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth, but the lion is (an angel)

Chorus
This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of Your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope
With You with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth, but the lion is (an angel)

is an angel

Puritan quotations on suffering

The Puritans had the right attitude, which has been mostly forgotten today.

A sanctified person, like a silver bell, the harder he is smitten, the better he sounds. (George Swinnock)

It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit, because there is no winter there. (John Bunyan)

On obedient child doth not only kiss the hand which giveth, but the rod which beateth. (Henry Smith)

He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day. (John Trapp)

Well’s them who are under crosses, and Christ says to them, “Half Mine”. (Samuel Rutherford)

And I saved the best for last, although this is not a Puritan quote:

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; (Philippians 3:10)

Praise You In This Storm

Alright. Enough of hiding behind my videos. Now is the time for me to get our there and sing my heart out for the Lord in praise! In good times or bad.

I got some words wrong, but hey, this is live and unedited! I love the lyrics, which speaks of faith in the Lord’s love and provision amid incomprehensible personal suffering. Powerful stuff.

I only did a cover. Here is the original – Casting Crowns. I love their music, which rings true, and is Biblical.

Here are the lyrics:

I was sure by now, 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
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 onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

I pray that you are blessed! And for those of you who have made down to the bottom of this post, here is a treat for you: the same song sung by someone who can actually sing!