Thursday, February 15, 2007

The Valley

In life, there are mountains. There are valleys. There are places in between.

I have stood on top of mountains...




I have made my way comfortably through those places in between...




Now, I am in the valley...



But The One who walks with me is The One who tells the sun to rise, the wind to blow, and the tides to turn. He's carried me through other valleys, he's watched over me in those places in between, and he's lifted me high atop the mountains. He will never leave me, and I am strong because of Him.

Psalms 91, according to The Message

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"


How beautiful is that? I am content in this valley because I know I am safe, and because I know that someday I will once again walk on mountain tops. He'll throw me a party. And you're all invited.

19 comments:

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

AMEN Lana !!

you won't be in the valley for long because your a FIGHTER and a believer!! I just posted all about being a Fighter and how we FIGHT back(in a positive way)in a GODLY WAY!!

Great POST!!
Thank YOU and God BLESS YOU!!

Bob
PS: your not in the Valley because that shampoo ended up making your hair Green? no that can't be it :-)

Kate said...

What a beautiful post.

I hope everything is OK.

qcmier said...

Awesome post. Hope you get back to the montain top soon. I'm hoping to be at that party too.

qcmier said...

By the way, in response to your post on my blog, see the post on my blog dated April 10, 2006

Brooke said...

Hope your back on top soon.
I'll be thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me.
Psalm 23:4 (HCSB)

Know your are in my thoughts and prayers, friend.

:) said...

Thinking of you....

You have such an awesome outlook. Take care of yourself and you will be on top again soon. I believe it!

DV said...

if it weren't for valleys, we never would appreciate the mountains...

and what a party it'll be!

Rice said...

;)

Rice.

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with everything, Lana. Your on-line friends are thinking of you.

- John.

Cliff said...

sweet..party w/ G O D :)

Trisaratops said...

Praying for you!

And I will SO be at that party. ;)

Taconite Boy said...

Amen

Rae said...

lots of hugs from us....

Laurie said...

Hey Lana, I hope you are feeling better. I am in a valley right now, too, and your post is encouraging. Hopefully you'll post an update soon because I hate to think you are down.
Love, Laurie

Rachel said...

Very beautiful. Nice photos too. Thank you for the thoughtful post about me and my bunny's health. We are doing better. Hope you've kicked that bronchitis.

Joe said...

Footsteps In The Sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you."

Stephanie said...

without the valleys there would be no mountains!!!

Papa Louie said...

Beautiful!