Remember...

"Sometimes I go to God and say,
'God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth, I will still worship Thee as long as I live and in the ages to come for what Thou hast done already.'
God’s already put me so far in debt that if I were to live one million millenniums I couldn’t pay Him for what He’s done for me."
A.W. Tozer (Worship: The Missing Jewel, 24).

Lord, I will remember your deeds, and yes, Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty acts. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as You are? I remember that You, Oh God, have been my Rock, that You, the Most High, have redeemed me. I will look to You and Your strength, always seeking Your face. I will remember the wonders You have done, miracle after miracle, and also the judgments You pronounced. Glorious and majestic are Your deeds, and Your righteousness endures forever. You have caused me today to remember Your wonders. You are so gracious and compassionate. In the night I will remember Your name , O Lord, and I will keep Your law. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember You. You are my highest joy. I meditate on the fact that long ago, You said, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Thank you, Lord. I will remember the former things, those of long ago. YOU are God, and there is no other.YOU are God, and there is none like You. You have forgiven my wickedness and remembered my sins no more. Yes, Lord, I remember, and I could never pay You back for all that You have done for me. And you wouldn't even ask me to. I love you, God. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Prayer adapted from the following NIV Scriptures: Psalm 77:11-13, Psalm 78:35, Psalm 105:4-5, Psalm 111:3-5, Psalm 119:55, Psalm 137:6, Psalm 143:5, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 46:9, Hebrews 8:12


In the Key of HE,

Reminded Me With Silence

The Shaw family has an annual tradition: it is the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo. This past weekend, using our corn-on-a-sticks as weapons, we fought through the humid air to enjoy our children spending mom and dad's money(cough) experiencing the fun.

Speaking of fun, one of the highlights of my evening, other than the bull-fighting and rodeo clown, was the eighties music booming out of the speakers down the midway. I felt like I was back in high school, experiencing the same rides, resisting the urge to wiggle my tush to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Oh, and then I heard it from a friend who-oo-oo, heard it from a friend who-oo-oo, heard it from another...oh, there's the merry-go-round. A little REO Speedwagon, Stevie Nicks...Journey, Air Supply...then I saw Jesse's girl in the haunted mansion. Oh my, she had big hair. Black eyeliner. Leather pants.

I digress.

Finally, as the humid air turned to big random sprinkles, it occurred to me that there was Always Something There To Remind Me. Seriously, just moments after we heard that song and turned around like a tilt-o-whirl, there it was. A reminder. And not just one, but TWO. TWO RAINBOWS. And they hung around for over 20 minutes. I was stunned that everyone in the entire fairground was not Blinded With Silence over it.

I have NEVER, never ever ever NEVER, seen a double rainbow before. Stunned, delighted, exhilarated, silenced...there it was, there to remind me. Of all I have been through. Of all He has carried me through. Of all I have to thank Him for. I just can't help but remember the pain mixed with provision, the tragedy trumped by victory, and the uncertainty filled with purpose. He truly traded my ashes in for beauty and my sorrows into joy. He is an amazing God, all-powerful, wondrous, majestic, above all. Even now as I think of it, I feel personally loved that He would allow me this small glimpse of His splendor.

I'm quite certain that each year we trudge through the thick August air in Shaw family tradition, I will always remember the stunning silence of the double rainbow. And each time, I will tell of all the miracles He has done in my life--His Best of the 80s, if you will, and beyond...

Psalm 77:11-13 (NIV)
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?"

In the Key of HE,