Saturday, February 2, 2008

Shout To The Lord!


Earlier this month, I was inspired by Leslie in this post,
about a wonderful, life changing miracle her family received some years ago.
Her words inspired me to read a book that I have been "ducking out" on.
If you haven't already, I hope you will pop over later to read her
very inspiring testimony.

She mentioned feeling like Abraham,
when he was asked to surrender his long awaited son of promise.
Surrender him on an altar.
As I read her words, I knew I could no longer put off the book.
The book that I had buried under numerous others that I prefered to read.
I would get to it later.
Much, much later!

It's a long story for another day, but this book is a big deal
with the women from my church.
As a matter of fact, several went to hear the author speak at a church a couple of hours a way, just this weekend.
See, big deal here!
I can't wait to hear what stories they have to tell!
Anywhoooo, Leslie did what no one else was able to do,
she inspired me to pick up the book and read it!
It was hard getting started, but it was been worth it.
Like necessary surgery, it's painful but healthy to read it!
Look for SEVERAL POSTS on the things on my heart as I read this book.
*** Here's the book description from Christian Book Distributors,
When God calls us to lay down the place, ministry or even the person we love most on the sacrificial altar, how will we respond? When her only son committed murder Carol Kent was forced to lay the person she valued most, or her "Isaac," in the hands of God. Fortunately, like Abraham before her, in the midst of her terrible sacrifice Carol encountered the God who loves her more than she loves her Isaac and she learned, little by little, to trust her Isaac to His caring hands. If you or someone you love is in the process of laying down an "Isaac," you will find Carol's heart-wrenching story and godly guidance absolutely indispensable.***
In the mean time...
There is a moment in the book where friends gather around,
and one of them leads a spontaneous moment of worship,
followed and preceded by group prayer.
The moment really touched me.
The worship song was "Shout To The Lord"!
We haven't sung this song in a few years, we use to sing it a lot.
I have been singing it for three days now!
I just thought I would list the lyrics for you all!
I hope it rings in your heart also!
Shout To The Lord
as sung by Darlene Zschech
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing.
Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise
I have in YOU!
(chorus)
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing.
Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!
(bridge)
let the earth sing
i declare your great name
all of my life i will
with all of my breath
i will praise you
lift it up, life it up
(chorus)
nothing compares to you
i shout your praise
nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!

Photobucket

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Awesome post! It is always easy to give God the things we want Him to help us with. Lay down, my bills, my pain, my anger yes Lord! No problem. But when God asks you for that which is nearest and dearest to you than all of a sudden you question the voice, Is that really you Lord?
But in reality are we better than God? He watched His only begotten son, beat, tortured, spit upon, cursed and accused. But yet and still He laid Him down for us!

I may have to get that book, thanks for the prodding!
Blessings!

She Rose Up said...

Thanks, Regina! I have never, ever, ever struggled to begin to read something Christain before...once I made the decision though, that was all behind me. Lots & Lots of thoughts and ideas perculating...will morph into several posts...

You won't be sorry though, girl! :)

A Captured Reflection said...

Oh this book sounds like one that has to be read, but I feel nervous at the idea at the same time, if you get my gist. We sang "Shout to the Lord" at our Wedding 9 years ago.

A Stone Gatherer said...

I've never heard Carol Kent, but this weekend I met her sister at a Women's Leadership Conference. She mentioned her sister. Our church has the book too, but I haven't read it yet! I'll have to add it to my list!

luvmy4sons said...

I love taht song. I love the picture at the end. I just might have to get this book too. I am glad that my musings, my reflections inspired you. I am humbled once again by your kind words. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this book.

Denise said...

Sounds like such an awesome book, I love that song. Be blessed dear one.

Joyful Days said...

That is such a wonderful, life-changing book. It was a book that touched me to my core. I'm glad Leslie got you to read it.

That song has good memories for me.

Bless you!

heidi @ ggip said...

That does sound like a powerful book.

Tiffany said...

Ok, I couldn't hardly get through Leslie's post, I was sobbing so hard. I couldn't see through the tears there for a while. (Phew!) I mean I don't even have words right now! I'm sure that it's partly my own emotional state right now, but her story really touched me. I can't wait to hear about your book, and what the Lord reveals to you through it. (smiles!) Blessings on your day!

Masked Rabbit said...

This book sounds scary but amazing all at the same time. Its funny but there are books like that, aren't there? Books that address a certain topic and you just know that God is going to touch on something close to you so you avoid it for a while.
Laying down an Isaac has got to be tough.
Looking forward to reading your posts as you make your way through the book.

Cecily R said...

I think about the story of Isaac and Abraham all the time. I wonder if I would have that kind of faith and courage--to give up my Isaac that way. I don't think so. Which is why I haven't been given that test I guess.

:)XO

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

That is one of my FAVORITE songs of praise!! I love it!! Someone at our church did this bible study......I heard it was amazing!! I'm going to have to pick it up!

She Rose Up said...

Karen, I DO get your gist, I felt the same way. It is a worthy read though. How neat that this song was at your wedding! It is a very mmmm I guess majestic comes to mind, majestic song.

Kim, yes, she speaks often of her sisters in her book. Wonderful family. The conference the women from my church went to this weekend was wonderful, many bought the next book, called "A New Kind of Normal".

Leslie, it is truly a wonderful song! I LOVED what you shared. And I AM glad I have read the book. I feel a little like Jacob right now, wrestling! But, that's good! Excercise is good!

Hey, Denise! Thanks!

Julie, you've read it? What a fantastic support system, huh? And family! & I am STILL singing that song, that one and Mercy Me's "Word of God Speak"! That's my 2 songs that last week! :)

Heidi, it really is. Lots of tears! Lots of putting it down, bc it was too hard for me.

Tiff, I know! Isn't that just beautiful & inspiring? It really touched me, too!

Hey, Bunny Girl! It has been most thought provoking! Very challenging.

Cecily, I'm with you!

Nicki, it has always been one of mine, too. After reading this book, and then posting this, and hearing how the song has touched others, I will never think of it the same though! It makes it richer!

Thanks everyone! Hope your week is going well! Super in fact! (Ha! Another pun is IS Super Tuesday!)

xoxox,
Maria

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!