but God...

That is my favorite phrase in the whole Bible. The story seems to be headed towards a rather disastrous climax, someone's life seems to be going down the tubes, or some nation is about to get wiped out.

...but God...

see, a "but God" statement gives hope when there is no logical reason to hope. It completely changes the story around. It allows for a startling chance in the plotline. It means that Someone stepped in, did something amazing, and someone's life was changed.

Frankly, it's comforting to know that there is always a "but God" clause at the end of of every event in my life. For every"Satan wanted to" or "the world did," there is a "but God."

"but God remembered Noah..."

"you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good..."

"but God did not give David into [Saul's] hands..."

"but God raised Him from the dead..."

"but God demonstrates His love toward us..."

Ahh, to know that nothing is without an "in case of emergency push button" sign. And to know that when we don't know we're even in an emergency God works on our behalf and changes things for our good.

It's kind of like Corrie Ten Boom's quote, "There is no pit but Christ is deeper still." He is deeper, He is farther, He is bigger, He is stronger, He is wider, He is father, He is... He is in ultimate control...

See, it's something that I am forcing myself to remember. Something that I am making myself read over and over. The pit is so not fun. It's dark and slimy and all my efforts only leave me at the bottom discouraged and tattered. But God...

Here's a video of a student group at A&M that regularly performs Christian mimes. This one is based off "Everything" by the Lifehouse group, and it was performed at my Christian dance company's end of the year performance a few months ago.

See, in some ways that girl is me. And He is trying to get my attention and get me to see Him behind all of the other stuff. And I am oblivious. But God... starts pulling on the rope. Starts pulling me in. Starts bringing me back to Him.

...but God. End of story.

"More Beautiful You" - Johnny Diaz

This song has been on the radio quite a bit lately... on everything from KLOVE playing CCM, to the usual soft rock/office music station, to the 80s-today mix station! The first time I heard it, I pulled over to the side of the country highway and just sat there listening... It was just what I needed. This song has since become my 3rd most played song on iTunes ("Bella's Lullabye" from the Twilight OST, and "Two Hands" by Jars of Clay are numbers 1 and 2), and has helped me remember what true beauty is all about....

I know what it's like to feel like the "little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine" and I know what's like to long to be "treated like the jewel you are." In some way, this song describes what every girl struggles with at some point in life... oh, we may be able to hide it from the rest of the world, and especially from the male population, but we--I--sometimes need to be reminded that I am the most beautiful me ever.....

Check out the music video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

[Chorus]
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

[Chorus]

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away

By the One who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

[Chorus]