I had the wonderful privilege of singing "God Gave Me You" for a friend's wedding this weekend. It was a beautiful, outdoor wedding (which, let me just tell you... it is currently 80 degrees here in Florida... in JANUARY) I've loved this song since first hearing Dave Barnes sing it. Then Blake Shelton went on and made it all popular and everything. ;)

I figured I would make an easy choice this week, and go ahead and share it here with you all for "Music Monday!"

The words are so true in my life. God gave me Josh for the ups and downs.

Amen.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV-LOkEy5mQ]

Click here to download my acoustic cover of "God Gave Me You."

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