There is no one like our God....

You're the God of this city, You're the King of these people, You're the Lord of this nation, You Are.

You're the Light of this darkness, You're the Hope to the hopeless, You're the Peace to the restless, You Are.

For there is no one like our God. There is no one like you, God. Greater things have yet to come,
And greater things are still to be done, in this city. Greater things are yet to come, And greater things are still to be done here.

You're the Lord of Creation, The Creator of all things, You're the King above all Kings, You Are.

You're the Strength in our weakness, You're the Love to the broken, You're the Joy in the sadness You Are.

For there is no one like our God. There is no one like you, God. Greater things have yet to come,
And greater things are still to be done, in this city. Where glory shines from hearts alive, With praise for you and love for you, in this city. Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done, in this city.
Greater things have yet to come, And greater things are still to be done here.

There is no one like our God. There is no one like our God. Yes, there is no one like you, God. There is no one like you, God. Greater things have yet to come, And greater things are still to be done, in this city.
Where glory shines from hearts alive, With praise for you and love for you, in this city.

Greater things have yet to come, And greater things are still to be done, in this city. Greater things are yet to come, And greater things are still to be done here. Still to be done here. Still to be done here.

Still to be done here.
~ God of this city by Bluetree ~
There truly is none like our God.... I have experienced so many amazing little blessings lately. You know what I mean? Those little aggravations that turn out sooo wonderful?? Sooo much more fantastic than you could have imagined & you KNOW that Divine Intervention is the ONLY explanation?? Yea, those! We are surrounded in a world that seriously needs a wake up call & to see God's hand in so many things still is just beautiful. Keep your eyes open to God's handiwork going on around you no matter how big or small. It often shows up where we least expect it, so don't let the heaviness & darkness of this world drag you down. Be Joyful always! And don't forget to SHINE!
<3 Randa

What If I Stumble....

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."  C.S. Lewis


Is this one for the people? Is this one for the Lord? Or do I simply serenade for things I must afford?
You can jumble them together, my conflict still remains. Holiness is calling, in the midst of courting fame. Cause I see the trust in their eyes. Though the sky is falling, they need Your love in their lives.
Compromise is calling...
What if I stumble, what if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all? Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl? What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all? Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl? What if I stumble, and what if I fall? What if I stumble, what if I fall? You never turn in the heat of it all. What if I stumble, what if I fall?
Father, please forgive me for I can not compose, the fear that lives within me or the rate at which it grows. If struggle has a purpose on the narrow road you've carved, why do I dread my trespasses will leave a deadly scar? Do they see the fear in my eyes? Are they so revealing? This time I cannot disguise all the doubt I'm feeling.

What if I stumble, what if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all? Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl? What if I stumble, and what if I fall? What if I stumble? Everyone's got to crawl when you know that you're up against a wall, it's about to fall... everyone's got to crawl when you know that....
I hear You whispering my name [You say]
"My love for You will never change" [never change]
What if I stumble, what if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all? Will the love continue when my walk becomes a crawl? What if I stumble, and what if I fall?

What if I stumble, what if I fall? You never turn in the heat of it all. What if I stumble, what if I fall? You are my comfort, and my God.
Is this one for the people, is this one for the Lord?
~What If I Stumble by DC Talk~

Face it, folks... We are all going to make mistakes. You will not react right in every situation you are placed in. But one thing we need to remember in the midst of our mistakes is that God already knew what was going down. God forgives & God's love for us never changes. Never...
Because Romans 8:38-39 says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Now this doesn't give you the "OK" to run around living the fleshly desires of the world. I believe this is telling us that once you have become a believer in Jesus as God's son, who was sent as our redemptive payment and your life has changed, that nothing can take that from you nor take you from God's family. We all fall short. We were told to LOVE each other. We were told to LIVE so that unbelievers wonder what it is that we have. Life is complex and difficult enough to muddle through, however we do have to live what we believe and what we profess. Believers, remember every mistake you make in this world will be viewed as hypocritical. Do NOT let it discourage you! You are a Child of the King! You know whose you are and in whose hands you are held! Do your best to SHINE! We have to not simply pay lip service to what we believe. It's time to walk the walk that was laid out before us as Jesus walked this earth so long ago. Serve your community, be love & see the mission field right in your backyard!
~ Randa ~

It's been awhile my friends...

My dear friend Cheryl & I have been sharing our walks with Jesus for a few years now. We often share books, music, websites, etc., anything that strikes a chord with us in what God is working on in our lives. Recently Cheryl brought me this book called "Choosing Joy" by Angela Thomas. Angela Thomas is such a great writer on women's emotions & struggles within themselves. This is the second book by Ms. Thomas that Cheryl has shared with me. I have had a trying year personally and Cheryl has been an incredible support in my family's life. Cheryl & I spoke over Christmas over some personal matters & Cheryl told me she felt like God was speaking JOY into my life. It seemed as though everywhere I looked prior to our conversation, I saw something about joy or the word joy. Just seemed odd, & then she brought the subject up to me & seriously caught my attention! You might find this as interesting as I do... My middle name is Joy! Hmmm...

The Holy Bible speaks much on the Joy of the Lord....

Psalm 97:11-12 - "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

John 16:22 - "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

So back to this new book...
This book is a 52 week Devotional on Choosing Joy. You start on a Monday, any Monday. Let me share with you an excerpt from day one:
'For the Glory of God
Monday
The Pursuit of Joy

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Psalm 43:4 KJV


Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV

As we begin this year of intentionally choosing joy, I want us to begin with one purpose in mind. We must choose joy in our everyday lives because a joy-filled life brings glory to God. God shines brightly through the soul that is wholly devoted to Him. Trusting in Him. Delighting in Him. If the pursuit of joy has seemed too worldly to you, then I pray this year of Scripture-directed joy will change your heart. The pursuit of joy and the glory of God are not in conflict. In fact, just the opposite is true. To pursue joy with your whole life is to honor the One who has given you life....God desires that we find our joy, our happiness, our peace, and our purpose in Him. When we have done so He is glorified."

Therefore, as Philippians 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice! I will dance & sing before my God like King David...like there's no one around! I will seek that unspeakable joy that only God gives. So find your joy in God, in Jesus... be silly & happy...

I am choosing joy!

FYI: El SIMCHAH GIYL = God my Exceeding Joy (Ps. 43:4)... When I read "Your Secret Name" by Kary Oberbrunner this was my secret name for God. Interesting.... :)
~ Randa ~