Praise You In This Storm, Casting Crowns

My son sent me this National Weather Service aerial photo earlier this week. (Can you see the tip of Florida and Mexico?- barely?) Much of the nation prepared for the worst, ridding grocery shelves of much of the food and hunkering down to ride out this gigantic system bringing ice, heavy snow, and blizzard-like conditions with high winds. Pipes froze in Texas and Florida; electricity was out for tens of thousands elsewhere. Above average snow and ice covered almost 70% of the contiguous states, according to NOAA.

Here at home, we prepared cold foods a day in advance of the storm and drew up water reserves. We finally got our wood burning stove hooked up (well, partially)! We were spared the worst, but many were not so fortunate. I am not sure I was actively praising God for this!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Casting Crowns has written a powerful song which captures what we are to do when faced with life's storms. Mark and Melanie Hall of Casting Crowns give testimony on adopting a little girl with special needs from China into their home schooled family. This music flows from their lives. Read how God is working in the storm this brought to them: http://www.castingcrowns.com/blogs/melanie/update-hope-0

This version is softer than the original sung on their CD. I present that video below this one.

Notice: may want to turn down the volume at first - heavier than some might care for. Original track. This communicates more of how I feel when I am really crying out to God!! You can decide which one you can worship better to.

Lyrics:
I was sure by now God You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

[Chorus:]

And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to you And you raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth

[Chorus x2]

Supporting Scriptures:
"Through him [Jesus], therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." Hebrews 13: 15

"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job 1:21

"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121: 1-4

"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, save me!” Psalm 116: 1-4

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings." Psalm 40: 2

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" Romans 12: 1-2

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”" Hebrews 13: 5