My Struggles in the Navy according to Casting Crowns...

Praise You In This Storm

I was sure by now

God 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

***

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

***

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

***

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

***

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

***

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

***

Slow Fade

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

***

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

***

Be careful little ears what you hear

When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say

For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

***

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

***

The journey from your mind to your hands

Is shorter than you're thinking

Be careful if you think you stand

You just might be sinking

***

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

Daddies never crumble in a day

Families never crumble in a day

***

Oh be careful little eyes what see

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

***

Alright...so to be honest...these are the only two Casting Crown songs I know. I personally think that their music is a little too rocky for me. I cannot deny however that these two songs have very powerful messages, that are poignant to me right now. The first time I heard "Praise You In This Storm" was when I was watching the online memorial service for "Chief"...the father of the present pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Lansdale, PA. I used to go to that Church back when my family lived in PA. Anyways...getting to the point...during the service they had a special in which they played a beautiful Piano-Violin arrangement of "Praise You In This Storm" with the lyrics being projected on the screen. The words that I was reading and the music I was hearing was so beautiful that I had to look it up. It has now become one of my favorite songs.

How does this song apply to my current situation in the Navy? Well...some days I must admit I feel as if the Navy is one big storm in my life. There are some days I get up and I just feel so sick of all the peer pressure, and all the immorality around...that I must be honest...I have come pretty close to giving up at times. I must be honest...even admitting that is extremely hard, but it is true. Where do I go at times like that? "I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." I must admit I am still learning to do this. Everyday I'm reminded of the fact that all these struggles the Lord is bringing me through to better prepare me for the ministry...does that make it any easier? Sometimes it does, other times it doesn't. But still..."I Will Praise You In This Storm"...for that's all I know to do...

***

Okay...so what about "Slow Fade?" Well...the first time I heard about this song was on my "Heart Conference" CD's I ordered from Northland. I was listening to one of the tracts where Pastor Tim Jordan (Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Lansdale PA.) was talking about music. He was talking about how his son-in-law came to him and asked him if he knew of a song that could be sung in support of his sermon about "Sexual Purity." He said he told him that he couldn't think of one. Well...I think it was a couple of days later Pastor Tim had an email in his inbox from his son-in-law with the lyrics to "Slow Fade" in it. Pastor Tim said he read the lyrics and just started weeping...the words were so true....and honest. They ended up finding someone who took the song and made a beautiful Piano-Solo arrangement to be sung at church. He said when the Sunday came for it to be performed there were men of all ages in the audience just crying like little children.

Truly the slide into sin is a "slow fade." It starts out as some small thing that we decide to let slide...and before we know it...we are so far from God that we can't even bring ourselves to talk to Him anymore. We must be very careful what we allow ourselves to do...

How can we guard ourselves from dulling the lines between right and wrong? I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Matt Olson tonight...and he was talking about how many of our problems in our church's comes from not being on our knees enough. We must constantly be on our knees before Lord, praying to him for wisdom, and asking him to help us...whether actually physically on our knees before Him, or figuratively on our knees before him, meaning completely humbled before Him at all times.

Oh Lord...help me to do just that, and I pray also Lord that this blog post might be a blessing to all who read it. Amen...