May News
Greeting from Daily Creek Music!
This month I would like to share a testimony from one of our listeners. I met Tom over a year ago. Since that time Tom has shared with me how God has been working in his life. In addition, he has shared throughout the past few months how God has used the music of Daily Creek to minister and encourage in his life. Tom has also been a huge part of this ministry as he has encouraged, prayed, and ministered to those of us involved.
"Recently, Pastor Bryan Clark was teaching thru the Gospel of Mark, chapter nine. As he expounded on verse 24, I felt great emotion. I have often felt the same way as the father in verse 24 felt. "Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying, 'I do believe: help me in my unbelief.'"
It's such a revealing statement, and it goes so close to the heart. The father cries out with great emotion, frustration, and anticipation. Sometimes I feel just like that father. I know what he was feeling. You want something to happen, and you KNOW God is able to make it happen, yet it doesn't occur. Is it His will, His plan, His timing? Why doesn't He___________? Or maybe, why did He allow________________ to happen? (You fill in the blanks).
When I am struggling, as I have the past few years (three surgeries in 15 months; financial difficulties; two moves; family crisis; changes in jobs, schools, churches, etc, etc.),I have several things that have proven effective to keep me on track.
First of all, I ask God to make Himself real to me. So that I may understand verses like Psalm 62:8, "Trust in Him at all times, O People: pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."
Secondly, I look to praise and worship music to set me free. Just over one year ago, God led me and my family to Lincoln Berean Church. I began singing in the choir, led at that time by a dynamic sister in Christ, Melissa Moates. Time and time again God has used Melissa and the words she has penned to touch my heart. When the struggles, hardships, pain, and confusion seep in like cold, black water I put on one of her CD's, and God speaks through those lyrics. The second verse of "Fall Like the Rain", is one I have gone to many times:
In the midst of these trials, Lord,
Let Your strong arm cover me.
Bring to mind Your many promises.
Help me Your truth to see.
That You are Lord of all things in my life,
Of the earth and heavens high above.
If I take the time to look around
I'll see reflections of Your love.
Thirdly, I must know, that above all, God is faithful!! The father of the boy who's lifelong suffering is described to us in Mark chapter nine endured great pain, disappointment, and sorrow. How he must have searched for answers, sought after God's healing, and looked for help over and over again. Don't we oftentimes feel the very same way? Don't we feel like what author John Eldredge describes in his book, Waking the Dead? "Yes, we have our faith. But even there-maybe especially there-it all seems to fall rather short of the promise... How come nearly every good thing, from taking the annual family vacation to planning a wedding to cultivating a friendship, takes so much work… So which is your more common reaction to understanding the trials, disappointments, and blows of your life? Is it (a) You are blowing it, (b) God is holding out on you, or (c) some combination of both?"
In summary, I believe it is as Melissa penned in "I Trust in You"
I trust in You and I give You all my heart.
No matter what may come my way.
Lord, help me to say,
I trust in You.
Next month I will share how God is using Blest to Be a Blessing as part of a church plant in India. Through your prayers and support Daily Creek continues to take the gospel through music around the globe. I Timothy 2:4 states that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Thank you for partnering with us!
Until next time,
Melissa