Category / Freedom

by tracycpoetry

When the Holidays Aren’t So Happy

During this time of year, I know it’s not all turkey and tinsel for everyone.   The stark contrast of the celebratory season to some of our painful realities is a lot to bear.  Some friends of mine going through a difficult season right now are asking, “How do I manage the {emotional,  mental, spititual} pain?”.

There are so many ways to manage pain…. Some are not so good – like numbing the pain with substances, food, activities, and so forth.  Other ways of managing pain are much healthier – like relaxation techniques, praying, talking things through with a counselor or a friend, and journaling.

But for me, personally, what helps the most is thankful worship to my amazing God.  So, as we enter in to this Thanksgiving season, let me share one of my favorites with you.  It is a song by Bethel Worship called “Come to Me“. I love the lyrics (I’ve emphasized some if my favorites below).  I especially like the conversational feel of this track.  It begins with God singing over us and then we sing back to Him in response.

Will singing this or songs like it make your pain instantly go completely away? Of course not.  But it will definitely shift your soul in the direction of healing.

Worship will help you cultivate a thankful spirit. And where there is thanksgiving,  hope is easier to embrace.

COME TO ME – LIVE
CCLI# 6147419

Written by Jenn Johnson

© 2013 Bethel Music Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

VERSE 1

I am the Lord your God
I go before you now
I stand beside you
I’m all around you
Though you feel I’m far away
I am closer than your breath
I am with you, wherever you go

VERSE 2

I am the Lord your peace
No evil will conquer you
Steady now your heart and mind
Come into my rest
Oh let your faith arise
Lift up your weary head
I am with you, wherever you go

CHORUS 1

Come to Me, I’m all you need
Come to Me, I’m everything
Come to Me, I’m all you need
Come to Me, I’m everything

BRIDGE 1

I am your anchor
In the wind and the waves
I am your steadfast
So don’t be afraid
If your heart and flesh fail you
I’m your faithful strength
I am with you, wherever you go

BRIDGE 2

When the storm rages
I won’t be afraid
I have locked eyes
On You face to face
Your voice I will follow
Your eyes I will see
I’ll come a little closer
Come close to me

BRIDGE 3

You are my anchor
In the wind and the waves
You are my steadfast
I won’t be afraid
Even in the darkest night
I know You are there
So I press into You, Jesus
And lose all my doubt

BRIDGE 4

You are my anchor
In the wind and the waves
You are my steadfast
I won’t be afraid
If my heart and flesh fail me
You’re my faithful strength
You are with us
Wherever we go

CHORUS 2

We come to You
You’re all we need
We come to You
Our everything

by tracycpoetry

#LunchtimeInspiration: Where’s Your Center?

A friend just shared this verse and quote with me that made me reassess where my “center” is today.  Great stuff – so I thought I would share!

“…who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 2 Timothy 1:9

vernick quote1

by tracycpoetry

#LunchtimeInspiration: Goodbye Negativity!

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This quote making the rounds in social media right now is simply reflective of the eternal truths in God’s Love Letter to us that remind us to focus on and cling to what is good. 

And, ultimately, everything that is good  comes from God (See James 1:17).  In the end, that is truly what we want: more of God – our Father, our Designer, our Redeemer, our friend….

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 NASB
http://bible.com/100/php.4.8.NASB

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” – Romans 12:9 NIV
http://bible.com/111/rom.12.9.NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jas.1.17.NIV

by tracycpoetry

Tired of always being “On Guard”?

Instead of self-protecting, rest your heart under God’s protection.

God Guarded

A friend just shared the beautiful truths of Psalm 121:7-8 on Facebook, so I just had to “pass it on!”

These verses also make be think of this awesome worship song by Planetshakers:

Grace, glorious grace, grace, glorious grace
At the cross, You called it finished
Grace, merciful grace, grace, merciful grace
At the cross all of my sin is

Covered, covered, covered by your grace, oh
Covered, covered, covered by your grace

Grace, beautiful grace, grace, beautiful grace
At the cross love everlasting
Grace, powerful grace, grace, powerful grace
At the cross all of my past is

No matter what I’ve done, no matter where I’ve been
No matter how I fall, You pick me up again
You have removed my shame, You take me as I am
You called me justified, now I am covered by your grace

by tracycpoetry

I’m Ditchin’ the Pity Party…. Join me??

I’m ditchin’ the Pity Party.

I have better things to do then to sit around and focus on things I have no control over.

What do you think life looks like when you approach it from a victor’s mentality rather than from a victim’s mentality?  Click the “Leave a Reply” link toward the bottom of this page to give your “two cents”.

victor or victim

Today, I choose not to let my circumstances dictate my joy.  Join me?

Thanks for stopping by!

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