08/19/2007

On the radio station I listen to here in Houston, they often play music from an artist named Israel Houghton. Not too long ago he redid a song called 'My Tribute', and I love it! I think the song will be familiar to lots of you, but read it again, because the sentiment is so appropriate in our lives:

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me,
Things so undeserved,
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.

To God be the glory.
To God be the glory.
To God be the glory,
for the things He has done.
He has done.

Just let me live my life,
Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee,
Should I gain any praise,
Let it go to Calvary.

To God be the glory.
To God be the glory.
To God be the glory,
for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me,
With His power He has raised me,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
He has done.

He has done great things.
He has done great things, yeah.

How great is our God
Sing with me, How great is our God
And all will see how great, how great is our God.
Oh, How great is our God
Sing with me, How great is our God
And all will see how great, how great is our God.

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me.

I'm thinking of all the pictures that could flash through the Power Point presentation on God's work in my life with that song playing in the background.

I'm not naturally a charismatic. I'm not one to raise my hands in church and I wouldn't fit in with a group of people that liked to 'jump for Jesus' or otherwise appear incredibly enthusiastic. In fact, I don't generally radiate enthusiasm--in any realm of life, not just Christianity. It's not my personality. However, I've figured out that I don't need to be a hand-clappin', leg-slappin', foot-stompin' Christian in order to be a sincere Christian. And so God and I communicate quietly, calmly, and though I know He speaks with Christians on the far other end of the 'charismatic spectrum', He is willing to meet with me in my way.

We sit together on the piano bench, and I play and sing to Him acknowledging His greatness and His goodness. And through my mind flash the pictures from that Power Point...and I know He is viewing it with me...

pictures of Nathan (How can I say thanks?)
pictures of Nick (for the things You have done for me)
pictures of my home (things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove your love for me)
pictures of my Dad, Mom, & Kyle (the voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude)...

To God be the glory.
To God be the glory.
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
He has done.