Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Blessed Be Your Name


I made this Flash Music Player at MyFlashFetish.com.



Last Sunday our church started a two part series on one of my favorite songs, Blessed Be Your Name. I love everything about the song –– the tune, the lyrics, the beat. But until last Sunday it was just a song. Now I look at it as a wake up call.

Some people are great friends with God –– when things are going good. It is easy to praise God when life is "A-okay". And there are others who walk a path where when things are good then God tends to get put on the backburner, but the minute things start going "south" they are right there on their knees begging God for help. Or maybe you are that person that like the song says, can bless God no matter what the circumstances. So which group do you belong to?

I used to have a pretty good relationship with God. I enjoyed going to church. I read my bible. Matt and I did devotions. I prayed. But 5 years ago that all changed. Five years ago God took away one of my most precious gifts –– my daughter. Sure we still go to church. And we pray with the kids. But honestly I do those things because I have to. I am not even sure where my bible is anymore, and the devotional books remain shut. I sit through services talking about how "God is good" thinking sarcastic thoughts. I find it hard to praise God when my heart is so hard towards Him.

But Sunday's sermon gave me a wake up call. God only wants from us what we want from everyone else ––trust. Matt Redman, the writer of Blessed Be Your Name, says "Trust is a beautiful act of worship. It says to God, 'I believe in You—in Your unfailing goodness and greatness—no matter what season of life I find myself in.'"

I'm tired of being angry with God. I don't understand why people go through the things they do. Why children die. Why people are abused. Why people suffer with sickness. Why people go through struggles and hard times. Why my daughter had to die. But know what? We will never understand, at least not in this lifetime. But no matter what, even though it may not seem like it, God is there and God is good.

Matt Redman and his wife Beth are no strangers from pain. This song stems from their life experiences. They both experienced extremely painful childhoods, losses and three miscarriages. This song was actually written in the days following 9/11. Through their life experiences, the Redman's believe come pain and suffering, and in times of joy, worshiping God is what we are supposed to do.

I encourage those who may be struggling with life and with God, to listen to the sermon from our Sunday service. You can find it here. I don't know all the answers, and I don't know how to go from where I am today to where I need to be, but I do know I cannot get through this, or anything else, without Him.

20 comments:

Jenn said...

(((Alexis)))
I didn't know you were going thru this. I have no idea how you feel, and what you struggle with. I am praying for you and your family though, know that much.

Revelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Kari said...

This is a beautiful post! I love that song and I am glad to hear the back story! It is a tough song to hear/sing after going through rough times.

KC said...

I just read your dd story. I'm so sorry you had to lose your sweet little girl, and I'm sorry you have been going though this for the last 5 years. I know I could never know how you are feeling. I lost a baby but I was only 13 weeks along and that was the hardest thing I had ever gone though, and even harder was learning how to give thanks in all things.
It is really hard to trust God and know His way is best in times like this with out becoming bitter and hard. But God is in control, and he only does what is best even if there is no way in the world we could ever wrap our minds around how could this be best.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))
I'll keep you in my prayers.

Carey said...

Thanks for sharing this with us. Im praying for you as you find your place in God journey. It is tough sometimes, but God is good. I love this song too. It is an eye opener.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

I'm praying for you, Alexis. May the God who Knows be your comfort, your guide and your healer.

~michelle pendergrass said...

Father God,

Your name and your love wrap around us even during the darkest days, you lead us through the valley and sometimes, when we can't see you, we're afraid. We want so much to reach ahead and hold your hand and we panic, feeling like you're there. We forget you have eyes that see in the dark. We don't think about the fact that you know what the beginning, middle and end look like--because we can't see how it all fits together, we can't comprehend how these things can be right. We can't understand how Romans 8:28 can be true.

Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for enduring our ignorance and pride. Thank you for being there to give us hugs and love when we need you.

Please be with Alexis and bless her. Send her your supernatural wisdom, understanding, and healing. Father, forgive us for our lack of faith and trust in your glorious name. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

ErinFiat said...

:hug: Alexis, that is beautiful. It amazes me to see the many ways He touches our hearts.

I have another song for you. It's called Sweetly Broken. http://www.myspace.com/caseycorum

Corie said...

Alexis...
I imagine it took a lot for you to sit down and write this post.
I'm so sorry that you have been experiencing anger and hurt over these past few years.
I am glad to hear that you have had a realization that God has been by your side every step of the way. You are right- we have so many hurts and tragedies that we will never understand in this lifetime. We have to rely on our faith and trust in Him and His perfect plan. I'm sure with your prayers and the prayers of others, He will guide you.....

I'll be praying....
((HUGS))!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sending hugs and love your way. I just read your dd's story. You are a beautiful mom and were so blessed to have those 101 days with her, though I'm sure you wish for millions more.

This past January I walked alongside my friend as she lost her 18 month old to a choking accident. I too wondered why this happens. God too slowly whispered in my ears through messages and His word what you said - TRUST. It sounds so simple but it's trusting in the unseen, the unknown and not having control. It goes right along with Faith - believing in the unknown.

God loves us and wants the best for us. He uses losses in our life for reasons we may understand later or may not.

I lost my father when I was only 1 year old. I questioned God for almost 25 years of my life, rebelling against Him for not having my father. But one day it did come down to DO I TRUST HIM.

I'm so glad to hear that you are slowly drawing near to God. Praise God He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is longsuffering and waiting with open arms to love you and comfort you.

Praying you always remember your little girl in the arms of the angles to you are reunited.

Love
Mikki

Anonymous said...

My children and I are singing/shouting the lyrics! But, honestly I have a lump in my throat for the peace you have found in this song & the memories of your sweet angel. God does heal those sorrows, and brings peace.

Anonymous said...

The above comment is me Alexis.....K. C. from SN

Angi said...

I am listening now to the sermon. Sounds like you have a great church.
Thanks for sharing with us. I'll be praying for you as you emerge from mourning, wake up, and hopefully let yourself fall into the arms of your savior - who has all that you need to heal.

mama2dibs said...

Alexis,

First of all (((hugs))). I can't say that I have been through quite the tragedies that you have so I can't say what I would do in your situation, but girl, God loves you. I can't answer why He did what He did, but I know that He has it all under control and that He has an ultimate plan to bring you or someone else closer to Him.

Second of all, I just love this song for it's message. This is the ring on my cell phone just to remind me several times that I need to praising my God.

I will pray for you as you try to reach out to God after being hurt in a way that nobody wants to be hurt. You are a good woman and I know that you will find God and find that relationship that you used to have plus a whole lot more.

Jamie said...

((((Hugs)))))

Jennifer said...

this gave me a smile to my face..and yes God is Good!
:)

Unknown said...

Wow, this post is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I love this song, too. I will pray for you Alexis. Our struggles only make us stronger...it says so in the big book. But, it sure is hard to swallow them.

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful. Islandmom

Anonymous said...

Alexis, you have such strength. I can't begin to imagine the pain of losing my child. For you to write such a beautiful post (this one & the linked post), to share with others through your pain...clearly you do trust Him.

Your sharing has blessed me. I'm struggling with trust. {{{HUGS}}}

LiLi said...

your post made me cry, I love you, AJ. God IS Good... we just can't always see past our hurt to find that good! ((hugs)) Good days and bad days, God will love us through Each and everyone!

Unknown said...

Love you, Alexis.