Refreshed

I feel so refreshed. A refreshment that reminds me of the Scripture verse "...the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:20 (KJV) I don't feel that I've necessarily made some drastic turn from sin recently; the struggle is no greater than usual right now. The surrounding verses say that when doing so, the times of refreshment follow. But, in this case His blessings abound nonetheless.

Some of the things I've appreciated this Spring Break week:

-time: I didn't feel like I had to be in a hurry to get anywhere
-peace: tides got a little rough for me as the semester wrapped up, but He's pulling me through again
-friendship: going home is always a time of renewal and spending time with those special to us is a remarkable joy
-Spring: the blooming flowers have added to my refreshment
-my truck and safety in my travels

And to top it off, today I heard a new worship song on the radio (new to me). This has happened a few times lately, and I've learned to look them up in iTunes. They sell single songs for 99 cents. Can't beat that. So, I downloaded it and as I laid down for the night I opened my blinds slightly so they revealed only the night sky from my third story window, gazed afar and listened to it...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, 2002
Sung by: Geoff Moore, Phillips, Craig and Dean and Newsboys

I still wish I could write music like that.

As I am about ready to start new classes and my next step in my journey that is school, I thank God for this much-needed week of renewal and encouragement. Thanks to all of you who were instruments for the delivery of that to me.