Saturday, September 6, 2008

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Selah

Welcome back to another Then Sings My Soul Saturday!  A little housekeeping about the music giveaway before I share my post. If you need the details about the drawing for the music to be given away next week at TSMS, you can click here to read last week's post. All of the details are posted there. 

Also, some people have been adding their links and comments to the Inaugural Edition of TSMS. That's great except for one thing... no one else can find it unless they go back to that edition. You need to link your post to the current week's TSMS Mr. Linky. Otherwise, I'm the only person who sees it unless someone is going back through old posts.  

By the way, some people are still linking to their blogsite and not to their TSMS post. What happens when you do this is... if people are looking through Mr. Linky on Sunday, and you have a new post up on Sunday, they have to scroll down to get to the TSMS  post. To link to your specific TSMS post, click on your title so the TSMS  post is the only one showing on your screen. Then, copy and paste that url into Mr. Linky. Clear as mud... good. Seriously, if you have questions on how to do this, just email me and I will try to help.

OK... now down to business. This week I'm featuring Selah. I have two wonderful CD's to give away by them next week. One is Hiding Place and the other is Greatest Hymns. So, I'm going to highlight a song from each CD this week.

The first is "Be Still My Soul." I love the words to this song. They have really spoken to me tonight as I began to look for a song to post from Selah. In the middle of all our craziness and busyness this past week, Spencer had more seizures. We had to administer his rescue med again last night. The seizures have been really out of control lately. And I can't get a doctor's appointment until the end of October. 

Today I sort of reached the point of feeling completely defeated. I pretty much always have a good attitude about dealing with epilepsy and try to keep the viewpoint that God brings something good of every trial we must face. I know this to be true, but today, I didn't feel it.

There is only so much a mama can watch her child suffer and not start to get mad. Today I was there... feeling mad, and overwhelmed and not quite sure what to do. I really didn't even want to pray about it. I'm sort of all prayed out at the moment. I spent the day trying to stay distracted with errands. I felt if I let my mind go there and I got into a conversation with God, it wasn't going to be pretty. My grandma taught me if you didn't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all... so basically I wasn't talking to God at all... because I didn't have anything nice to say. 

Have you ever been there? I was basically just being rebellious and resisting God. I sort of felt paralyzed with fear. I've always kind of thought in the back of my mind, "it's going to get better." You know, kind of like getting over a cold. You can console your child when they are sick with a stomach bug or a head cold that it will pass, and they will get better; but today, I really just lost hope. I thought to myself... "it's never going to get better." I was hardening my heart - being stiff necked. And we know what happens to stiff necked people right?! (Exodus 32:9)

Then, tonight as I was listening to these praise songs by Selah, my heart melted. I was reminded of Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

The very people who had held them in bondage and slavery were pursing the Israelites, God's chosen people. They felt trapped, paralyzed with fear... but they were exactly where God had led them. They became scared and cried out in anger to Moses against God. And Exodus 14:13 was how Moses answered them.

I was reminded the LORD is on my side. He will fight for me. I need only be still in Him. My job is to bear patiently the cross of grief or pain that is mine. He has led me to exactly where He wants me. I am to leave it to Him to order everything that happens and to provide just what I need. He is faithful. The waves and winds of every storm still know His voice rules them. He controls them. Listen to the words...

Be Still My Soul - Selah - Greatest Hymns


The other song I want to highlight is "All My Praise." It reminds me I am to praise Him not only in green pastures, but through darkness, pain and in the valley. He is Holy. He is Lord. And He is worthy of All My Praise!





Sweet Blessings,
Amy



35 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

Love Love Love Selah!!

Addicted to Beadz said...

Amy,

I love Selah. Their songs always bring such comfort and praise. Thanks for sharing your heart tonight.

I'm praying for your sweet man, as well as his Mama, Dady and Mary Lyndsey.

I pray this week brings no seizures.

Blessings!
Cheryl

life is a blessing said...

I love Selah!!! Todd's (the lead singer of Selah) wife writes an amazing blog, it is so uplifting! http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ beautiful songs this week!

LAURIE said...

Thank you for sharing from your heart this TSMSS and we can all relate to feeling defeated especially when it comes to fighting for our kids. I love it that you are choosing to Praise Him even in your trial...God will be honored thru it all. -Blessings, Laurie

Peggy said...

Blessings Amy...Sorry that Spencer & you have had another tipsy topsy week with these maddening seizures!
Can't doctors make adjustments when they hear the many times...geez! My doctor would...course he isn't a specialist in seizures. Ohh Amy! When you were so honest and admitted being all prayed out...I could so relate! Not at all like you & your mother's heart but something that attacked me this week, and I can't shake it and I can't pray my way out so I need a shopping spree...but it's just not like back home...Let me tell you though this SELAH songs are the BEST! I love SELAH! And I certainly needed "Be Still". I'll go fix my link to you...sometimes, it is to the info and sometimes it's to the current post but that was Mary Lyndsey's first day of school.Hope I don't forget!

No problema...Thanks for your honest transparency...I need this week's TSMSS to lift my spirit in Praise & Worship!Love ya'

Cathy said...

Dear Amy,
I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. I'm praying for you all. I love Selah, and both videos were great.
In His Love,
Cathy

Mindy said...

I love Selah, what an amazing talent!

sharon brobst said...

AMy thank you for sharing...He truly IS worthy of ALL my praise!!

Nancie said...

Hi Amy,

I am new to TSMSS. Peggy encouraged me to join. I am so glad that she did as I am encouraged by your sharing and the 2 songs you shared.

My heart goes out to you in your child's sufferings. I too battle with a chronic illness that threatens my life at times. In time of suffering it is difficult at times to trace the hands of God. But I am discovering time and again that God is with me, He sustains me in the trials and deliver me in His time. He is lovingly and faithfully working all things for His glory and my good, and the good of His people. I am learning to Trust in His Arms and Praise Him in The Storm as I sense anew His love, mercies and faithfulness through them. I am learning to Be still my soul and know that He is God!

I am praying for you and your dear Spencer. Thank God for ministering to you and encouraging you. Thanks for sharing your heart with us. May God continue to shower His love, mercies and healing upon Spencer and grant your family much joy and blessings as you seek and serve Him together. Thanks for hosting TSMSS. Take care and have a blessed weekends!

Praying for you, Spencer and family,
Nancie

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a beautiful song. I love tsms because I get to hear so many songs that I have never heard before.

Lana said...

I'm so sorry things have been so tough. It breaks my heart to see my daughter suffer, I can not imagine the pain of a long term illness.

I'll pray for you and Spencer.

thanks for always making my Saturday begin so well...

Bonnie said...

Amy, thank you for your transparency in all you have been feeling this week. As a Mom to two boys, I can't imagine how I would be in the midst of battling this. You are in my prayers and so is Spencer. If God doesn't choose to relieve the seizures quickly, I pray He makes it abundantly clear the "why." He is the all-powerful One, though, so I will pray for nothing less than complete healing. He is mighty to save.

A Stone Gatherer said...

Oh my goodness your post spoke right to me today! Thank you for the Exodus scripture! You asked "do you ever feel that way" about being mad and not wanting to talk to God. My answer OH YEAH! I have been very rebellious at times and even told him I just don't care I want to feel this way! Isn't that just awful! But he continues to be true to His word and ministers to me! Be Still my Soul is one of my all time favorite songs! It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it! Thanks so much!!! I'll be praying for you and your little guy! I'm sure it must get frustrating. Having to wait until October for an appt is absurd!

Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.net said...

Amazing song! Please stop by and listen to mine today - it's a great message that you need to hear considering the week you had - trust...

You and your family are now a constant in my prayers! I'm so glad I've gotten to know you through TSMS! The Lord is amazing!

Addicted to Beadz said...

Hey Amy,

I just love Chris Tomlin's new CD. I listened to some online. I guess I better wait to go get it, I may just win it.

Have you heard anything of "Tenth Avenue North?"

Praying Spencer has a great "seizure-free weekend"

Cheryl

LAURIE said...

Amy, thank you for coming by my TSMSS post and I am so sorry that you could not see the video. I checked it and I had no problem viewing it. So I am not sure why you couldn't .... technology is strange.

I hope you have an awesome Saturday filled with His praise! - Laurie

Liza on Maui said...

Amy,

I can relate to what you are saying about "sometimes we get tired seeing our kids suffer on some condition that they have which other kids don't have. I am glad you've been encouraged by this song. I'd say more prayers for you.

From one mother to another - God bless you.

Debra Kaye said...

How beautiful .. thank you for doing "Then Sings My Soul Saturday"! What a blessing!

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

I am sorry that your son had such a bad seizure. I can't imagine, as a mother, how terrifying it must be during the throws of those moments. I am a nurse, and now how hard it is to see a patient go through something like this. So, words can even describe what it must feel to have it happen to your child. Your son is so blessed to have mother who cares for him, in such a way, and fights do give her son the best care.
I love Selah. Their music always touches me. Thanks for sharing these songs, today.

Cristine said...

Amy,

Thank you for sharing your heart on this one. I'm sorry to hear it got so tough this week. I can't imagine how helpless it must feel to see your child suffer so. As Mamas, we so want to fix the bad things for them and make everything all better.

The songs you posted were awesome. I love Selah (but, who doesn't???)

Blessings and praying for a quieter week for Spencer,
Cristine

Peggy said...

AMY & ALL TSMSS...Please visit Nancie...it is her first time joining TSMSS! I think it would be a good encouragement for her if we all rally around her and visit her.

She shares so much with all of us on TT and WFW...in encouragement,
she is sharing one of my favorites though it may be too close to home for many of us in the wake of these relentless storms but we serve a GOD who is more powerful than every natural disaster. Enjoy TSMSS!

lynettebm said...

Thanks for sharing, Amy! Love it!

I posted my firt TSMS entry...took me a while to figure out how to embed video. Not sure if I'm doing all this properly. And, uhh...whatever you were trying to explain was clear as mud to me! :-P Can you tell me if I'm guilty of not doing what you say ought to be done?

I'll get the hang of this...

Thanks for all your help!

lynettebm said...

Okay...I get what you mean now!!

I'm gettin' it...
;-)

Melissa said...

My prayers are with you. I have added the TSMSS link/ picture to my blog. I thought I would enter this give away, and if I come away with anything I will take it to Romania with me, and give it to someone there. Thanks for you blog. Blessings,

Melissa

Carol said...

Hi Amy,
I usually post a worship song on Sundays, since I host a recipe carnival on Saturdays. Would it be ok if I linked my song post on Sunday to your Then Sings My Soul Saturdays? I would be sure to link back to you in my my post. Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Carol (www(dot)I Throw Like a Girl(dot)com

Sheryl said...

Okay, I have not even listened to the songs yet because I needed to comment. I so get that place of being mad and to the point of not knowing how to pray! Completely different circumstances but tough ones just the same. Cannot imagine what you feel when you watch your little guy suffer. Will pray for all of you and pray for a miraculous opening at the doctor's office. Now I am off to listen.

-Sheryl

Lelia Chealey said...

Hi Amy!
Oh your realness in this post got to my heart big time! "All prayed out" and how you took your Grandmother's advice and didn't say anything to God. REAL. I think that when we allow God to really see into our hearts that He just soaks every bit of the anger, frustration and confusion within us up in a towel and when our hearts soften like yours did, I think He rings out the towel over our heads and drenches us with His love and understanding.
Thanks for being completely transparent with us Amy.
I will be praying for you & your Spencer and trusting God to take care of you both. Also, for a sooner opening for a doc appt.!
Love ya,
Lelia

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

Amazing! I love Selah. They have blessed voices!

Lisa Cobler said...

Thanks for sharing this great song.

Michelle said...

I also love this translation of Exodus 14:14 "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” It can be a challenge to stay calm in the storm.

I have been absent from blogging, but I started back Safety Saturdays today. Check it out if you can this week.

Praying for Spencer and you all. Blessings!

GranthamLynn said...

Wow Amy. I have not heard the first song before. It totally spoke to my heart. Your words were words are feelings that I have tried to put into words too. And just have not been able to. I know what you mean about being prayed out. I am at that point right now. The two verses at the end of the song really spoke to me.
Thanks for sharing this.
I will be praying for your and your spirit and that God will give you strength and for your son.
Blessings,
Sherry

Cracker Scraps said...

I've always loved that song! Hearing it while seeing it set to music is such a rejuvinating blessing!

Cracker Scraps said...

I've always loved this song and to see it put with pictures is such a blessing! TFS!

Jesus, My Best Friend said...

i love Selah... they always bless my heart : )

Stephanie said...

Wow, Amy! I came to your site to link up for the first time in forever to TSMS. Instead, I scrolled down to your post from 9/6 and read words from you that echoed my own feelings over the past couple of months. I can relate to everything you wrote! Thanks for sharing your words, your struggles and your heart!

I will check back tomorrow to link up!
Stephanie