Growing

I grew up on the old hymns. I just love them. There is so much gospel truth and comfort in the words of the hymns. The stories behind the hymns are also inspiring. So, with all that has gone on in the past week I have really been trying to focus on the words of some of my favorite hymns. Yet, God was speaking to me this week.

As wonderful as the hymns are, and as important as I think it is to know them, they are no substitute for the Bible. In lieu of turning to the hymns for comfort I need to be turning to Scripture. The words of the Psalms, the Gospels, Pauline epistles, I need to be focusing more on the Bible, and less on my favorite songs. For the songs are not inspired by God in the same way the Bible is.

In my endeavor to focus more on the Bible, I have been reading the Psalms, and have come across a few that I'd read before, but never really thought too deeply about. For example, Psalm 27 is a great psalm. Especially in the Message. Verses 13 and 14 really got to me.

"I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God! Take heart, Don't quit. I'll say it again: stay with God."

No matter what the situation, or dark the night, God is good. Even in the bleakest situation we can see God's goodness somehow. I've really been trying to focus on finding 5 good things to praise God for each day over the past week. Today, I am focusing on the weather. It is so nice here, I can sit outside to study or think. God has provided me with what I need to survive:food, shelter, clothes. He has given me some great friends out here, and the Packers won on Sunday! So much goodness. Yeah, it sucks that I had to say good-bye to a friend, and that a young boy in my hometown died. We all know that times like this are awful, but even in the midst of all my saddness, I'm going to stay with God this time. If it worked for David, than I figure it will work for me.

"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of his voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

I'd stay in the garden with Him, though the night around me be falling, but He bids me go, through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known." ( In the Garden, I don't know who wrote it, ask my Mom, she'll know!).