Sunday Seven

Do you ever just NOT feel like being thankful and even DOING a Sunday Seven (or something similar)? I am in that place today. And this morning when I woke up, I thought this is EXACTLY the time you NEED to do a SS. I mean when we stop to "count our blessings" and "give thanks" is when we realize just how loved we are, isn't it? This week while I was driving, I did what I love to do when I drive, I listened to music...lots of it in lots of genres. Each time I listened to the praise music, I found myself picturing God. They weren't "new" pictures for me...but they were so vivid and I found myself that we have this type of music to put these pictures in our minds.



So, here's my Sunday Seven...seven pictures I had of God this week:



1. "You make everything glorious, yes you make everything glorious, and I am yours...what does that make me?" {Thanks to David Crowder * Band for this...HE finds us all glorious! Can't you picture that approving smile and laughter over His creation?}



2. "Oh no you never let go through the calm and through the storm....On no, you never let go, every high and every low...Lord you never let go of me." {Thanks to Matt Redman...I could picture the great Hand of God holding me firmly in His grip...even when I wiggle and squirm.}



3. "And we can see that God you're moving...A mighty river through the nations...And young and old will turn to Jesus...Fling wide your heavenly gates...Prepare the way of the risen Lord" {Thanks to Sonic Flood for this one. As I think about those who turn their back on faith...and in some cases, run away completely, I am convinced that the times we are living in WILL draw people back to a deeper more meaningful faith. The picture? People, by the millions, turning back to faith.



I think so many people are living an obligatory faith these days...you know, I believe because my parents believed. I go to church because it's "what you do". And while I believe that we have to train up the following generations by setting an example, I am convinced that my children and my children's children will be forced to have a more radical faith than I do or those before me did."}



4. "Jesus, Lover of my soul, Jesus, I will never let you go You’ve taken me from the miry clay You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i knowI love you, I need you, Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go." {Thanks to Hillsong for this song. It's not just little messes we get ourselves in. No, we get into MIRY CLAY...and everytime he scoops us up and takes us out of the unsettled and messy state and puts us back on the rock. I'm so thankful for His patience with me even when I make a mess of things.}



5. "Why should we tary when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me?" {From Alan Jackson's Precious Memories CD. I picture all those that I know who are just wandering away from God and those times when I wander (even momentarily)...and I love that picture of Jesus pleading to give us His mercies and calling us to "Come Home."



6. "Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely? And long for heaven and home When Jesus is my portion A constant friend is He His eye is on the sparrow And I know He watches me.." {Compliments of Selah's Greatest Hymns CD. The sparrow is such a little bird. He cares about everything...everything...and I know He watches me.}

7. "When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea When I cry for help, oh, hear me Lord and hold out Your hand Touch my life Still the raging storm in me" {Also from Selah's CD...I love that picture of God parting the waters for us when we think we are facing the huge sea...}

I hope that all of you will look and listen for things in your world that give you pictures (glimpses) of God and His precious love. Have a GREAT week!