Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

I absolutely love this song! It really touches my heart, and fires me up. "The God of Angel Armies is always by my side." Wow! What a powerful image this invokes. Our God is one with incredible resources, and He surrounds us with powerful and plentiful strength.

In 2 Kings, Elisha and his servant are up against an enemy king's huge military force.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17).

Elisha's servant got a glimpse of God's Angel Armies. What a sight!

God is our ever-present defender, our refuge in time of need. He is all-knowing. He loves us unconditionally, and He is in control. So, whatever trial or challenge you face, take heart... the God of Angel Armies is always by your side!

http://youtu.be/qOkImV2cJDg

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

[Chorus]
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

[Chorus]

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

[Chorus] (repeat)

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

Overcomer by Mandisa

So, I had my first round of Botox today for my chronic migraines, and this was one of the songs that played during the treatment was. It truly blessed me today, and I wanted to share it here.

This song is a beautiful reminder that God has already overcome and won the battle on our behalf... all we have to do is to "just hold tight, fix your eyes on the one who holds your life [because] there's nothing He can't do."

http://youtu.be/ut8W3V0B9MY

Overcomer by Mandisa

Staring at a stop sign

Watching people drive by
Got so much on your mind
Nothing's really going right
Looking for a ray of hope

Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He's not gonna let it get the best of you

[Chorus]
You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer

Everybody's been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Oh, you're not alone
Just take a breath, don't forget
Hang on to His promises
He wants You to know

[chorus]

The same Man, the Great I am
The one who overcame death
Is living inside of You
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There's nothing He can't do
He's telling You

[chorus]

Ground Turkey Risotto

Jeremy and I have tried this twice now, so we've made a few additional adjustments to the recipe (it's only loosely based on a recipe I found online). It's easy, delicious, and it makes for good leftovers. It can also be tweaked in a lot of ways - use a different ground meat, different or additional veggies (such as, celery, broccoli, peas), additional spices (perhaps some basil or Italian seasoning?).

Ground Turkey Risotto
Adapted from BettyCrocker.com

Ingredients:

¼ - ½ cup diced onions (we use frozen)
1¼ lbs ground turkey
1¼ tsp minced garlic (2-3 cloves)
¼ - ½ tsp black pepper
1¼ cups uncooked arborio rice
32 ounce chicken broth
1 cup chopped carrots
¾ cup Parmesan cheese
[Optional: fresh chives (sprinkle on top before serving)]

*** Use deep skillet or stock pot. 

Directions:

1. Saute onions (this may just be our preference) over medium-high heat for just 1-2 minutes.
2. Stir in ground turkey, garlic, and pepper. Heat 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring until meat is thoroughly cooked.
3. Stir in the arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in the chicken broth. Heat until boiling.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Stir in the chopped carrots. Cook uncovered 5-7 minutes longer, or until liquid is absorbed.
7. Remove skillet from heat.
8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cover, and let stand 3 minutes.
9. Serve.

Beauty From Pain by Superchick

I haven't heard this song in quite some time, but I randomly started singing it a couple nights ago. It just resonated so much with me - I listened to it three or four times in a row. It's a somewhat dark song, I suppose; but I find it beautiful. It's raw and honest, yet offers hope that "there will be a dawn," and "there'll be beauty from pain."

http://youtu.be/M-GPbYcTDbQ

Beauty From Pain by Superchick

The lights go out all around me

One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive but I feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away

[Chorus]

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how you've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

[Chorus]

Here I am at the end of me (at the end of me)
Tryin' to hold to what I can't see (to what I can't see)
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to Your promise
There will be a dawn

[Chorus]