Saturday, November 1, 2008

A New Song

[ Psalm 40:1-5 ]

[1] I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.

[2] He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

[3] He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

[4] Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!

[5] You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

14 comments:

We've Got Scents said...

So very proud for the offer on your home and prayerfully this will work out, and soon for your family. Continuing to pray believing prayer!
Thanks for sharing "A New Song", encouragement for today...and is very much appreciated.
After reading the Josh Hamilton story earlier this Summer, I engraved his favorite Scripture for him and the TV commentator for the Rangers, Tom Grieve, gave him his gifts for me. Josh is such an inspiration to all who follow him.
Continuing to pray for your family without ceasing.
Blessings of Peace,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22

Heidi Brown said...

Dear Nicol and Greg-

I have posted a few comments here in the past.

To give you a history, I found your site through Angie’s blog. I’m from Michigan and a friend of mine graduated with Todd and passed along Angie’s blogsite the day after Luke went to heaven. I’ve been praying for you since. I wanted to share a story that happened to me today that has to do with you.

I happened to be flipping through the television channels this afternoon and stopped when I saw that Bill Gaither had a few specials running. I have a soft spot for hymns and gospel music so I always enjoy the Gaither & Friends programs.

As I was watching this particular program it was going to commercial and announcing who would be singing when it came back. I quickly saw “Selah” and saw a Todd and Nicole! I was shocked as I had no idea that Selah was considered among the Gaither Friends. The program I was watching was the DVD “Church in the Wildwood”.

I sat, mesmerized as I listened to all of the beautiful voices singing hymns in the rustic chapel. I kept looking for glimpses of Todd and Nicole while I worshipped and every now and then I would see them in the back row. ;- )

All of a sudden, I began to hear these words being sung in that church…

One of these days I’m going home
Where no sorrow ever comes
We’ll soon be done with troubles and trials
Free from heartache, pain and care
We shall all that glory share
I’m gonna sit down beside my Jesus
Sit down and rest a little while

I shall behold His blessed face
I shall feel His matchless grace
We’ll soon be done with troubles and trials
Oh, what peace and joy sublime
In that home of love divine
I’m gonna sit down beside my Jesus
Sit down and rest a little while

We’ll soon be done with troubles and trials
In my little home on the other side
I’m gonna shake glad hands with the elders
Lord, and tell my kindred, “Good morning”
I’m gonna sit down beside my Jesus
Sit down and rest a little while

The tears fell from my cheeks as I saw Nicol and Todd at one point, singing those words. My heart aches for your family with the recent deaths of both Audrey and Luke. At the time of that recording, you were so joyful and had no idea what was in store for your future. It broke my heart and yet at the same time it was such a beautiful picture. The Lord put that song (and I’m sure many others) on your lips for a reason…to give you the much needed hope for the future as He knew what was ahead.

If you’d forgotten the words to this song I wanted to remind you of them tonight, for we will indeed soon be done with our troubles and trials and we will sit down and rest beside our Jesus.

Praying your family through to eternity…

Your sister in Christ Jesus, Heidi Brown (North Dakota)

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through Audrey-Caroline's story. Thank you for sharing your story of your precious Lukey. What a blessing his story is to all who read your blog.

Lee said...

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow...

Praying for a "SOLD!!!" post! And I really do pray for you when I say I do!

Beckycain6 said...

Hi there,

Just passing by to tell you and Nicol that I am bending my knees in prayer to our Father for you.

You have been brave and strong.....although you feel weak at times...........I see how the Lord has kept you safe in the hollow of His hand. Losing little Luke, to some, would not seem "safe," but we all know that there is nothing that surprises God. While we do not understand, we learn--through our love and trust in Him, how to praise amid the storm. It isn't easy, but we keep walking....scars and all.

Life is tricky and delicate and unbalanced. But, God's never-ending grace gives us every reason in the world to carry on and to live.

May you be still, and know that He loves you.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind can imagine the great things that God has prepared for those who love Him...."
1 Corinthians 2:9

Stay in the game till you hear that final buzzer. It's not over yet.

In Him,
Becky Cain

Ang said...

Keep us in your prayers today.
Thank you so much
Ang

sheila said...

Well, today is Monday. Praying the accept your counteroffer. A New Song; Yes I need a new song. Song of praise and worship.

I was stuck on one part of a song this morning:

I was sure by now
That 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

"Stepped in and saved the day', as I sang that part of the song, I realized that this is what I am waiting for; only I know what I want it to look like. I need, again, to give it over to God and allow him to work it out and pray I can come to understand, in part, our Heavenly Father's love for me (us).
Thank you Greg for sharing God's truth today. I so need it. God Bless you and Nicol and Summer. In God's love, sheila

Kaitlin said...

Greg and Nicol,
My husband and I are new parents...June 14th our perfect, beautiful, little girl, Grace Guiry, was born...best day of our lives. We are now new parents grieving as our baby girl died from SIDS on Oct 2, just one month ago. We can barely breath... I'm glad it's not an option or I would entertain the idea of having life NOT going on. We are firm believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Why doesn't my faith console me more? If "death has lost its sting," when will it stop stinging me so painfully and so deeply? My friend has directed me to your blog and I've started reading from the beginning. You put to words the agony we feel, and also seem to weave strands of hope in with the tears. I turned the the Word a few days after Grace's memorial to seek some comfort. I randomly chose a Psalm, no rhyme, no reason, just open and read...how can you go wrong with the Psalms? The first thing I read was Psalm 127...why God, why that one? Since then I haven't had enough courage to return to the Word, but reading your blog I know I need to. There is no comfort in pain or joy like those whose stories are recorded in the Bible. We will follow your blog as we stumble through this darkness. Thank you, and we will pray for you as we pray for ourselves. Kaitlin Watson

Lee said...

The suspense is almost too much! Any news?

Ponderings of The Rural Artist said...

Greg, this isn't in regards to any one post; just wanted to let you know that you and Nicol have been on my heart, and therefore, in my prayers. My heart aches for your loss and what you must be going thru. 27 years ago, I was a 13yr old girl who found my neighbors sweet baby boy, blue, with a line down one side of his face. We were celebraiting his momma and grandmother's birthday's. The event still haunts me. But, I went to visit his mother a few months ago-- her life has been very oppressed by severe depression/satan. Has she gone to any kind of counseling? No. Does she dive into the Lord? No, unless she happens to run across a tv preacher. My heart aches for her and her family, and of course, I have given her phone numbers, and biblical counsel and encouragement. But you can't "make a horse drink water"... Please continue to take care of yourselves. Please take the time to recieve counsel and listen to what your heart and body are telling you you need to do to accomplish that ongoing goal.
-Also praying that your house will sell and that the move to Nashville will be smooth and be of much benefit for your family, as well as Nicol's singing career. I want you to know that I very much appreciate you sharing your heart regarding the state of our country, your personal thoughts, etc. So much of what you share rings true with the course of my own thoughts. -Looking very much towards getting Nicol's new cd. she's one of my favorite female singers.
Blessings, Shannon Allen

Ponderings of The Rural Artist said...

Greg, this isn't in regards to any one post; just wanted to let you know that you and Nicol have been on my heart, and therefore, in my prayers. My heart aches for your loss and what you must be going thru. 27 years ago, I was a 13yr old girl who found my neighbors sweet baby boy, blue, with a line down one side of his face. We were celebraiting his momma and grandmother's birthday's. The event still haunts me. But, I went to visit his mother a few months ago-- her life has been very oppressed by severe depression/satan. Has she gone to any kind of counseling? No. Does she dive into the Lord? No, unless she happens to run across a tv preacher. My heart aches for her and her family, and of course, I have given her phone numbers, and biblical counsel and encouragement. But you can't "make a horse drink water"... Please continue to take care of yourselves. Please take the time to recieve counsel and listen to what your heart and body --and most importantly, what the Holy Spirit-- are telling you you need to do to accomplish that ongoing goal.
-Also praying that your house will sell and that the move to Nashville will be smooth and be of much benefit for your family, as well as Nicol's singing career. I want you to know that I very much appreciate you sharing your heart regarding the state of our country, your personal thoughts, etc. So much of what you share rings true with the course of my own thoughts. -Looking very much towards getting Nicol's new cd. she's one of my favorite female singers.
Blessings, Shannon Allen

Ponderings of The Rural Artist said...

Greg, this isn't in regards to any one post; just wanted to let you know that you and Nicol have been on my heart, and therefore, in my prayers. My heart aches for your loss and what you must be going thru. 27 years ago, I was a 13yr old girl who found my neighbors sweet baby boy, blue, with a line down one side of his face. We were celebraiting his momma and grandmother's birthday's. The event still haunts me. But, I went to visit his mother a few months ago-- her life has been very oppressed by severe depression/satan. Has she gone to any kind of counseling? No. Does she dive into the Lord? No, unless she happens to run across a tv preacher. My heart aches for her and her family, and of course, I have given her phone numbers, and biblical counsel and encouragement. But you can't "make a horse drink water"... Please continue to take care of yourselves. Please take the time to recieve counsel and listen to what your heart and body --and most importantly, what the Holy Spirit-- are telling you you need to do to accomplish that ongoing goal.
-Also praying that your house will sell and that the move to Nashville will be smooth and be of much benefit for your family, as well as Nicol's singing career. I want you to know that I very much appreciate you sharing your heart regarding the state of our country, your personal thoughts, etc. So much of what you share rings true with the course of my own thoughts. -Looking very much towards getting Nicol's new cd. she's one of my favorite female singers.
Blessings, Shannon Allen

momstheword said...

Those verses are so beautiful. It is the sacrifice of praise. It is praising God because we believe in His promises, even though the tears are streaming down our cheeks and our hearts are breaking. It is setting our hope in Him, even though we feel hopeless. It is His promise that we will sing again. You are in my thoughts and prayers, thank you for sharing.

Ponderings of The Rural Artist said...

Greg...

Too funny. After scrolling down and finding not 1, but 3 of my posts (all the same, basically), I couldn't help but giggle at myself. It's so obvious that I am a newbie at this!!

So happy that you all have got a serious perspective buyer!! Whew-hoo! --Take a deep breath when you feel the stress. It will all work out beautifully.

I can't help but wonder, since song lyrics speak to you so much, are you also a singer?

Shannon