Praise You in this Storm

I was sure by now,
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining...

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls,
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm,
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are.
No matter where I am,
And every tear I've cried,
You hold in Your hand,
You never left my side.
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again.
My strength is almost gone,
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls,
I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills,
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.

[Chorus]

Lyrics by Mark Hall & Bernie Herms; Sung by Casting Crowns

Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea

Creation's revealing Your majesty.

From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings,

All exclaiming...

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing, God.

All-powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim,

"You are amazing, God."

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go,

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?

Who imagined the sun and gave source to its light,

{And} yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?

None can fathom...

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing, God.

All-powerful, untamable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim,

"You are amazing, God."

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing, God.

Incomparable, unchangeable,

You see the depths of my heart, yet You love me the same.

You are amazing, God.

~Lyrics by Laura Story, sung by Chris Tomlin

Smile

Smile- though your heart is aching -

Smile- even though its breaking -

When there are clouds in the sky

You'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow.

Smile, and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you.

Light up your face with gladness,

Hide any trace of sadness,

Although a tear may be ever so near.

That's the time you must keep on trying,

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you'll just

Smile.

Turner & Parsons, music by Charlie Chaplin

Never Alone

I waited for You today
But You didn't show;
No, no, no...
I needed You today,
So where did You go?
You told me to call,
Said You'd be there,
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side,
So I'll hold tight to what I know--
You're here and I'm never alone.

And though I cannot see You
And I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life,
We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me.
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen.

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side,
So I'll hold tight to what I know--
You're here and I'm never alone.

We cannot separate,

'Cause You're part of me.
And though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen.

I cried out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side,
So I'll hold tight to what I know--
You're here and I'm never alone.

Raining on the inside

When all goodbyes
Are said and done,
And nighttime finds you home,
Are you all right
To spend a night
Of being all alone?

And do you hide
Between the lines
Of conversations past?
A wall of words,
A heart unheard,
That hides behind a mask?

I'm raining on the inside;
My heart wells up with tears that start to pour.
I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.

When friends who care
Can't be there
To ease away my pain,
And peace of mind,
It's hard to find,
Like sunlight in the rain.

God sees my heart,
The deepest part,
Inside this lonely me,
And reachin' in,
His love begins
To heal the heart in me.

I'm raining on the inside;
Oh, my heart weels up with tears that start to pour.
I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.

Sometimes we're raining on the inside,
And our hearts well up with tears that start to pour.
But when we're raining on the inside,
Let His cries of love break through,
Know that He loves you, once more....

Sometimes I'm raining on the inside,
But then Your cries of love break through,
And I fall in love with You once more.

Amy Grant

How Beautiful

How beautiful the Hands that served

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.

How beautiful the Feet that walked

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross.

How beautiful... How beautiful... How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the Heart that bled

That took all my sin and bore it instead.

How beautiful the tender Eyes,

That choose to forgive and never despise.

How beautiful... How beautiful... How beautiful is the body of Christ.

And as He lay down His life,

We offer this sacrifice:

That we will live just as He died,

Willing to pay the price...

Willing to pay the price.

How beautiful the radiant bride

Who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes.

How beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives so that others may live.

How beautiful... How beautiful... How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news and the love of the King.

How beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.

How beautiful... How beautiful... How beautiful is the body of Christ.

Music & Lyrics by Twila Paris

Abide with me

I've been listening to this hymn quite frequently this past week, so I thought I'd share it with you. It's one of my all-time favourite hymns...

Abide with me; fast flows the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its ebb flows out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou Who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Henry F. Lyte 1793-1847