I am so glad to be able to share a song this week for Music Monday!! I know, it's been too long. :)

I first heard this song earlier this year when a bloggy friend recommended it on Twitter. I listened to it at the gym, and literally raised my hands in the air while on the treadmill (and then quickly put them down, because I'm human and feared looking ridiculous). I wanted to do a cover of it then, but I put it off in hopes to become a little more familiar with it.

Then yesterday, I stumbled across it again while browsing iTunes. New Life Worship just released their own version of this wonderful song and even named their entire live worship album after it.

So after putting Micah to bed, I set aside some time and picked through this song. The words, the melody, everything just come together to make a powerful statement about who God is. He's strong and mighty. He is healer and creator.

I need this reminder every day in my life. But especially today.

Today marks 5 years since my precious Robinson family lost one of the sweetest, kindest-spirited souls I had ever met. After a year long battle with cancer, Jordan Robinson went home to be with Jesus at only 20 years old. My husband's younger brother and one of the greatest guys one could ever know. We named our son, Micah Jordan after him. I would be more than happy if he grew up to be just like his uncle.

Sometimes when God doesn't miraculously heal the ones we love, it can be easy to let that affect our view of God. It can be easy to question why and easy to let our faith slip into wondering if He really is that strong.

With us in the wilderness...

That sentence in this song gets me every time.

God is strong not because every circumstance in life turns out exactly like we hope... His strength is shown in being able to come down from heaven and pour out His spirit of comfort, love and peace in our lives amidst tragedy.

I mean it when I say that there is no way we could get through this life without God.

I pray that today, you will hear and believe these words. That God is strong. No matter what you are facing, He is there.    

Strong God

Father to the fatherless Defender of the weak Freedom for the prisoner We sing

This is God, in His holy place This is God, clothed in love and strength

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out Awesome is our strong God Mighty is our God

With us in the wilderness Faithful to provide Every breath and every step We see

This is God, in His holy place This is God, clothed in love and strength

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out Awesome is our strong God Mighty is our God Sing out, lift your hands and shout out Awesome is our strong God Mighty is our God

There is none higher, no There is none greater, no There is none stronger than our God

Be sure to also check out Meredith Andrews, Desperation Band and New Life Worship's versions.

Okay, so I know this is cliche'. But I really love the idea of posting a song once a week - and what other day makes more sense than Monday? :) Even if I have to sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' (hey, Micah likes it!) I will sing something. I guess you can call it my "New Years resolution." Today's song is a new worship song we introduced at The Springs called, "Your Presence is Heaven to Me" by Israel Houghton. He is amazing. And this song is amazing.

Isn't it incredible to know that one day we will be face to face with Jesus?! The closest we can get to heaven in this world, is when we are in His presence here on earth. Many just returned from Passion 2013, and I am sure they can testify that they were in the presence of Jesus this week! THAT is heaven on earth. There have been a few times in my life where worship has been so extraordinary - that I literally feel out of this world. And I know in those moments that His presence is heaven.

I hope today that you are blessed by these words.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZZ1AVr80Qw]

Your Presence is Heaven to Me

Who is like You Lord in all the earth? Matchless love and beauty, endless worth Nothing in this world can satisfy Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry

Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me

Treasure of my heart and of my soul In my weakness you are merciful Redeemer of my past and present wrongs Holder of my future days to come

Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me

Singing, Oh Jesus Oh Jesus, your presence is heaven to me Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus Your presence is heaven to me

All my days on earth I will await The moment that I see You face to face Nothing in this world can satisfy Jesus You're the cup that won't run dry Nothing in this world can satisfy Jesus, you're the cup that won't run dry Jesus, you're the cup that won't run dry

Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me Your presence is heaven to me

Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus Your presence is heaven to me Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus Your presence is heaven to me

Click here to download my acoustic rendition of "Your Presence is Heaven to Me."

This song has been a personal favorite of mine for years. There have been trials in my life, when I needed the reminder that Jesus was holding me through it. But for the past few days, I cannot think of anything more tragic than losing a child... than losing my little boy, Micah. Especially one that was only five or six years old... just starting school and seemed to have their whole life ahead of them. But this tragedy that I find incomprehensible to walk through, people are in the midst of... right now. They may be lying on the floor of their child's bedroom, just sobbing. Crying out to God and asking "Why their little girl... their little boy..." And in the midst of the pain, there is a hand reaching out to them that is the ONLY one capable of offering the comfort and strength they need in this moment. Almighty God.

He is holding them.

Held

Two months is too little, they let him go They had no sudden healing To think that providence Would take a child from his mother While she prays, is appalling

Who told us we'd be rescued What has changed and Why should we be saved from nightmares We're asking why this happens to us Who have died to live, it's unfair

This is what it means to be held How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know That the promise was when everything fell We'd be held

This hand is bitterness We want to taste it and Let the hatred numb our sorrows The wise hand opens slowly To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

This is what it means to be held How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know That the promise was when everything fell We'd be held

If hope is born of suffering If this is only the beginning Can we not wait for one hour Watching for our Savior

This is what it means to be held How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know That the promise was when everything fell We'd be held

#music