Amy's Pen

Have you tasted the living water?

LIVING WATER
Amy Branson Fata
© 2011 Portion Music (ASCAP)

Hear how the Savior calls
Like a voice in the wind
Like a wave on the sea
Oh, how He rescues the lost
Taking captive our sin
He has answered our plea

Chorus
Never shall His well run dry
Come and drink and be satisfied
Living water flows down from His side
He’ll quench the thirst of dying men
Cover every evil sin
The beggar and the thief are now His friend
Come

Feel how the Spirit moves
Like a fire in the bones
He is stirring His own
Oh, our redemption He proves
To the Father He groans
He is calling us home

See how the Savior reigns
And with grace rich and free
He makes ready His bride
Oh, ’twas the Lamb who was slain
When He hung on a tree
Bringing dead into life

Every roll of thunder strikes fear in my five-year-old’s heart. I’ve asked her to explain to me who controls the weather, and though she can do that without hesitation, she still cringes in the storm.

Really, I am no better. The storms of life have blown on me this year and I have cringed. I know Who controls them, yet I have feared.

In the last few weeks I have realized it is not my place to determine what is called a blessing or a trial. In the peace following a storm, the two seem to converge into one. Usually, in hindsight, believers say they would go through the hardship again to be in their new place of growth and wisdom. If that is true, then the trial that allowed this to happen can actually be deemed a blessing.

As the Lord reigns over every happening in all of history, space, and time, I trust that these few trials in my small life were no surprise to Him. In fact, I’m sure He doesn’t view them as such, but rather as part of His beautiful plan for my good and His glory.

As each day, week, and month roll by, and we face new “blessings” because of this fallen world, may we actually rejoice, knowing He has a plan and is fulfilling it for us and even through us. What a joy it is to be His! In fact, the storm doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Ps. 23:3). It is the Lord’s desire for His children that we walk in such paths. The protection and preservation of the glory of His name is certainly of great importance to Him, as it ought to be to us.

I believe I am a chosen child of God. I have been purchased by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet in my humanness, I am painfully aware of the moments when I have chosen a different path and have not protected His name. I regret the times when I have robbed Him of His due glory, or worse, acted in a manner unworthy of my calling.

I am beyond thankful for the forgiveness I am afforded. As David cried out in Psalm 51, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Understanding His grace in this way inspires the determination to limp back onto the path of righteousness.

As I strive to represent His holy name, I wear Christ as a cloak about me. Replacing the torn garments of bitter deeds with the beautiful robe of His righteousness, I see the path broadening in such a way that it feels unthinkable to step off again.

In last month’s post, I described how this year has been filled with events that have rocked my world. Now, as I reflect on each of them, I find myself fumbling around in the aftermath. God’s glorious hand of protection has been proven and revealed in ways I will never deserve or fully comprehend. The respite I have waited for for seven months seems to be arriving, yet I am frustrated by the struggle to truly rest.

Battle must be waged against the lasting effects of recent trials. I will do so with the power of Scripture and Christ dwelling within me.

…Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:16-17).

What do people without this knowledge do? How does an unbeliever get through a single day without the company of Christ? He is my Lord, my Comforter, my Rock, My Deliverer, and my All in All. His presence is an unrivaled treasure in my life. When I am communing with Him, I find myself at rest. So, there’s the answer to my fumbling, frustrations and struggles.

Just be with Jesus!

2012 is a year I will never forget. And it’s only June! These six months have been some of the most difficult of my life, and it is now tempting to live as if I am waiting for the next bomb to drop.

I believe the Lord works all things for my good. I believe He is sovereign. I believe He is bigger than any devastating moment in my life. In fact, I believe He’s ordained them and allowed them to happen.

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

He has always been faithful to me. Kathy Troccoli sings a lyric that simply says, “You are Lord and all is well.”

Because He is Lord I can truly rest. During this earthly journey, more bombs will drop and I am actually okay with that. For His mercies are NEW every morning and He alone is my PORTION! He is growing me into His likeness with each passing day.

Because of Him, I have HOPE.

“How good can the good Lord be,”
My Pepaw used to say,
That He would even think of me
And spare me on that day?

I still can see the white of the truck before my eyes
I hear the scream of metal, feel the peace He supplies

His protection victorious
His hand ever present
His plan deemed glorious
His Word so pleasant

I’m overwhelmed, overjoyed, raptured at the thought
That though I be a sinful mess, my humble heart He sought

I learned how to water ski when I was a teenager. Surprisingly, I didn’t have any trouble getting up, but the coming down was much dreaded. I knew a fall was inevitable, and it would be only a matter of moments before I was face-first on the water. You would think that the fear of falling would have aided me in staying vertical longer, but my fall always came quickly and was usually painful. Strangely, there was relief in the fall, and I sighed knowing it was over. Because I knew I would fall, I premeditated it, anticipated it, waited for it, and then was relieved by it.

Unfortunately, as believers, we often view our earthly journey in a similar way. Everyone at some point deals with a nagging transgression that continues to rear its ugly head–that habitual sin that we just can’t seem to shake. We understand Christ is sufficient. We know to cling to Him in the moment of temptation. We believe no temptation has overtaken us but such as is common to man (1 Cor. 10:13). Yet we fall. Proverbs states a righteous man falls, but rises again (Prov. 24:16). This certainly is an encouragement to strive onward. But I have to wonder: does our premeditation of the fall help it to happen? Do we find relief once it has taken place, even though it is so very painful?

Victory over sin is ours through Christ. Romans 8:37 tells us we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We CAN quit the sin cold turkey. We CAN be released from its grip and never look back. We CAN choose, through the power of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us, not to fall again. We are sinners and our nature lends itself to failure, but Christ is perfect. He has defeated the power of sin, death, and unbelief, and we are blessed to share in His triumph (1 Cor. 15:56-57). We need not look for the next fall. Let us consider ourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11)!

On Wednesday, March 14, at 1:30 in the afternoon, I was stopped at a red light at a busy highway intersection. I will never understand what provoked me to move from that spot of safety. I collided with a semi that was traveling at full speed. The entire front end of our Jeep was stripped away. Had I accelerated one fraction of a second earlier, I would have been T-boned in my driver door. The truck came to a stop one hundred yards down the road, and I sat in the middle of the intersection in a broken-down heap of metal, yet I was completely whole and unscratched.

I have replayed the scene over and over in my mind. What amazes me most is how peaceful it was. Yes, it was violently loud and extremely messy; the stains remain on the road even after the rain. But my experience was not one of terror. In fact, I knew no fear. I didn’t scream or shut my eyes or even take my hands off of the wheel. Though items in the car were hurled, I don’t remember being jarred. There was a protective bubble all around me like I have never known and which I will never forget. It was the most awful and yet one of the most precious moments of my life.

I believe the truth of Scripture; it is the sure foundation on which I build all my days. So when I read . . .

I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself,
Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).

The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). 

Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? (Proverbs 20:24)

Do I question the events of this earthly journey and ask why, or do I simply trust His plan? Do I see His providential hand and rejoice? Do I take hold of both the good and the bad and live them out according to His will because of His will?

Seeds have already been planted from this incident. It is a wonderful conclusion to know that my heavenly Father orchestrated this moment not only for my personal protection, but for its purpose in my life and witness for His kingdom. Why He spared me I do not know. But what I am absolutely sure of is that He is on His throne, sovereignly reigning over the details of my daily life. Oh, the riches and bounty of His grace and mercy!

Lately, it seems that at every turn I am being challenged in some way, whether spiritually, socially or emotionally. But I know the Lord is ever working things out for my good and for His glory. I trust this is the case with all of my being. I am thankful for these growing pains, for it is with joy I see the fruit they bear.

But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me (Psalm 109:21). He is good. When feeling overwhelmed, it is a blessing to understand His goodness, to be held in His arms, and to believe His plan is filled with wonderful purpose. I praise Him for this, and I am humbled by it.

Here are the lyrics to a new song. Though it was written to encourage a dear friend, its truths ring deep within my own heart.

YOUR ARMS
For PJ
Amy Branson Fata
© 2012 Portion Music

I’m finding myself in that place again
Of fear and doubt
I’m finding myself in that place again
Where sorrow abounds
You know my heart
You are never far
I’m finding myself in that place again
Your arms
Oh, Your arms

You cover my life with Your wings of love
When the cold winds blow
You quiet my mind with Your soothing Word
When the teardrops flow
You shelter me
You never leave
I’m finding myself in that place again
Your arms
Oh, Your arms

All glory belongs
To Your name alone
Whether I win or I lose
You are on Your throne

I’m finding myself in that place again
Where the world melts away
I’m finding myself bowing at Your feet
Kneeling in grace
You wore my shame
You bore the blame
When laying down Your life, stretched out on a cross
With Your arms
Oh, Your arms

Some time ago, a friend asked me to write a song that speaks of our eagerness to grow in God’s Word. To absorb its truths and to prosper in its wisdom should be the desires of every believer. It is both a privilege and a blessing to open it with our hands, speak it with our lips, and let it dwell within our hearts.

GROW YOUR WORDS IN ME
For Leslie Miller
Amy Branson Fata
© 2011 Portion Music (ASCAP)

Make of me Your humble servant
Draw me to Your precious Word
Teach me knowledge, good discernment
I delight to know and learn
Your holy Word
My heart’s desire
Let me be a faithful steward
Grow Your Word in me

Like a fountain flowing freely
Wash my tender heart with truth
With a passion growing deeply
Your commands, my life, my food
Your holy Word
My heart’s desire
Like a stream that never ceases
Grow Your Word in me

In Your law my life is founded
In its comfort I find rest
In its path my feet are grounded
In its goodness I am blessed
Your holy Word
My heart’s desire
In its wisdom let me prosper
Grow Your Word in me

Such reward I find in Your ways
Righteousness is now my own
Such a treasure for all my days
Till I bend before the throne
Your holy Word
My heart’s desire
On this earth and for Your kingdom
Grow Your Word in me