Blessed be the name of the Lord

 

Another crazy start to the day.  Last night Selah did great, didn't have to get up with her but once:)  YEAH!  Her secretions are less so I don't worry about the oxygen therapy tomorrow as much.  She has to be in a chamber by herself.  We can see her but the chamber is pressurized and she can't be brought up too quickly (or the pressure changed too quickly)  she has to go 1.5 hours without having to be suctioned which is what she normally does.....  It looks like she will do fine now!

 

Well I didn't get up till almost 10 am!  Our church starts at 11 am but I have to get all the little ones up, fed and ready.  Jon has a service at the prison every Sunday morning.  I normally get up with him but I have just felt so tired...  so once I was up, I was running as fast I could to have everyone ready!

 

Our worship leader had had a hard week at work and various things and his song selection really were songs about trusting God through hard times.  All the make up I'd put on so quickly, was soon washed right off as I wept through the songs.  We started out with

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qp11X6LKYY

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

 

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the "world's all as it should be"
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say.
"Lord, blessed be Your name."

 

 

This is a song comes from the book of Job.  Job lost everything and yet he still praised the Lord.  As a Christian this is how we should live.  It's not easy, but I've seen folks who could stand at a funeral of a love one and still praise God, I've seen folks dying from a painful terminal illness who could still praise God,  I've seen folks who have lost jobs, lost their homes and still they have chosen to praise and trust God.   Speaking for myself, that is the type of Christian that I want to be.  I don't want to blame God when life goes bad.  I don't want to rail against heaven....I want to trust Him, not matter what is happening in my life. 

 

This morning I remembered singing this is the Pentecostal Church in Torez Ukraine with brothers and sisters of like faith.    Of course we didn't speak the language but we heard the tune and knew it and sang along with them.  The folks in that church, many had lived through dark days of Communism.  Many are unemployed and live in a country that doesn't have the "fall back plan " of welfare like the US has.  But yet they sang with their whole hearts.  I cried that morning in their church and I cried this morning in mine.....It's a deep song.......

 

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Then we ended with one of favorite hymns

 

TAKE YOUR BURDEN TO THE LORD AND LEAVE IT THERE

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNAxZV19Q4  (this is the best video I could find of this song. it's not quite how we sing it but it's nice) 

 

 

 

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there....

If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don't forget that God in Heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on

And your body bends beneath the weight of care;
He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

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The lines I highlighted seemed to speak to me regarding our situation with Selah both her health and the situation with the nursing.  God has been faithful to us and I know He will continue to be faithful. 

I've had moments when my heart has began to fail, scary moments when I couldn't see HOW we'd make it BUT God was there.....and I know He will continue to be there for us.

 

We are getting ready for tomorrow and for starting our Daniel's Fast.  We are devoting the next 21 days to Selah.  My days will be full with taking her twice a day for 1.5 hours of HBOT.  Transporting Selah is so hard.  We really need to get a wheelchair accessible van but you know right now I'm focused on Selah....I'd so much rather see her get better!  

 

We feel that by giving her all we can medically, we should also give to her spiritually....and by fasting, we feel God will see our commitment, that is why we are asking others to join us.  In whatever way you can, to pray and to fast for her.  I understand there are folks who can not fast, so please don't feel like I'm trying to put something on you!!!   But if you feel to do so, in any way, the full Daniel fast, a meal or even fast from soft drinks.....whatever and pray for Selah during that time.  We would appreciate it so much!!!  

 

 

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So today we went out to eat after church....I said it was our last meal:)  We love to go out with folks from our church, it is our time to be able to sit and talk together. 

 

We often go to Sunrise Eatery. 

 

Doesn't it look like a HAPPY place? 

 

It is!  The owner John and his staff are the greatest:)  They know you by name, know your family and really want to give you a great eating experience!  The place is packed always...but they try and seat you as soon as possible.  The food is great, good value for the money and varied.  The wait staff is wonderful, always.  I have never had a bad experience there and evidently no one else has either:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I love about them is they really help us get seated with the kids and get their drinks and orders right in.  Sam doesn't have much patience so it helps to have his plate in front of him:)   A lot of the staff come by our table just to speak to us, even if they aren't serving us.   It's just always a good relaxing time with good food and good people!!!

 

So if you are ever in Zephyrhills Florida....go and eat at Sunrise Eatery on 301....you might even see us there:)

 

 

 

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Can you see them?  They are both in camouflage ....LOL

 

 

 

Thanks for your prayers!  Think about Selah tomorrow at 10:45 and again at 3:45....  thank you!!!!!!