How can I keep from singing?

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to run in the Rocky Mountain Soap Company Annual Women's Run. It truly is an amazing thing to run with over a thousand women. Blue says the estrogen is a bit overpowering for him, but he is a good sport and he and the kids cheer me on.
I ran the same race last year, and I recognized something I already knew, women like to do things like this in groups. I am a bit of a loner and prefer to run alone. Another thing about women I already knew, they love to talk. Therefore, last year I found that I was in the midst of the Canadian Rockies, enjoying the outdoors, and surrounded by talking women. And, believe me, they talk about everything...
This year, I arrived at the race, proud of myself for remembering to bring my Ipod. There would be no listening to 1,000 women talking this year, no way, I was going to listen to my praise music and was so excited about it.
A few minutes before the race began, the MC put on some rock song with the purpose to get us all "pumped up". I just smiled,put in my ear buds, and cranked up the volume. The song that came on was "How can I keep from singing Your praise?" I started jumping up and down and singing out loud. I was pumped. The whistle blew, and the herd of women began to move.... I kept singing, patting myself on the back once again for remembering the Ipod. This was going to be great.

"How can I ever say enough, how amazing is Your love. How can I keep from shouting Your name. I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing."

Wait, what was this? Where is the next song? I was in the middle of quite a lengthy hill, and was in no position to check the status of my Ipod, but, sure enough, it lay silent in my jacket pocket. This can't be happening. But, it was...

I made it through the race. I even began to enjoy the women's voices around me.
In the hour that I ran, I must have sung that song a thousand times in my head.
I realized that my sovereign God, who always has a purpose, had a plan for me. And, a few times in the last couple of days, I have felt down, or tired, or discouraged. I have lifted my eyes to the One who has given me a new song, and sung, "How can I keep from singing your praise?"

"There is an endless song, echoes in my soul, I hear the music ring. And, though the storms may come, I am holding on, and to the Rock I cling."

He is Risen!

It has been over a week since Easter Sunday, and the awe of that celebration has yet to wear off. Every time I read the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb, weeping for her Lord, questioning the man she believed to be the gardener and the Lord saying her name,"Mary", I get goosebumps. I have attended many a Easter Sunday in my 32 years, and the simplicity and the beauty of this service will forever be in my heart.

My sister and her husband pastor a small gathering of believers in Rexburg, Idaho. Rexburg is a small college town, home of Brigham Young University. The percentage of Mormons living here is over 90%. Mormonism is a false religion that has persuaded thousands of people that they can work their way to heaven. This is the town that Joe and Sus have been called to, and have served faithfully and joyfully for eight years. By the way, faithful and joyful service for God only comes from God. I am not trying to brag on Joe and Sus, I am merely trying to express my thoughts of knowing two people who sincerely allow Christ to be lived out through them on a daily basis. Allowing Christ to be seen in your life is simply a matter of putting self last and Christ first. Easy, eh?
Anyway, back to Easter. This small body of Christ in Rexburg gathered together early Sunday morning to enjoy a breakfast and to read the story of our Lord's resurrection. The service that followed was not a grand display of the talents and gifts that God has given His people, rather it was a simple offering of the heart. It reminded me of the story of the drummer boy coming to see the King at Christmas, and having nothing of material value to give, he played his drum. It was beautiful.
I have thought of that service daily since last week. What will I do when Christ says my name, "Debbie"? The desire of my heart is to immediately recognize His voice and respond, "Master".

His going forth is certain...

I am ashamed that I have let so many days drift by without writing about the goodness of my Lord. Life has this amazing capability of sucking me in, like quicksand, and time washes over me like a flood, out of my control. And, as I rush from activity to activity, from meeting to meeting, and from diaper to diaper, I find myself attempting to accomplish everything on my own, becoming proud when projects are completed, and worrying when I feel as if I should be able to do more. It is then, I feel a gentle reminder, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Two things are certain. One, God is God and I am not. Two, God is good, all the time.
Life is crazy, no one can argue that point. It is full of joys. We have committed to ministry in the outdoors this summer. Blue passed his EMR course. Ocean will be in 1st grade next year. It is also full of disappointments. Our ice cream business has not sold, and we are without a lease for the summer. But, through all of the joys and disappointments, I must know that God is good. "So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain, Like he spring rain watering the earth."