As For Me And My Spouse We Will Praise The Lord

There are moments in life when praise feels effortless, when the joy of the Lord overflows, filling every breath, every heartbeat, every step. And then there are moments when praise requires every ounce of strength, when faith is tested in the fires of grief, loss, and uncertainty. This book is not just a reflection of our journey but an offering of testimony-an unwavering declaration that through every trial and triumph, as for me and my spouse, we will praise the Lord.Our story is not one of perfection. It is not one of a smooth path laid out before us without obstacles. No, it is a story of deep valleys and breathtaking peaks, of moments when the light of God felt distant and others when His presence was undeniable. It is the story of love, faith, and a commitment to worship-not only in the comfort of sanctuary walls but in the rawness of life's hardships.Faith was tested in other ways, too. Living as Protestants in Croatia brought challenges that threatened our peace. There were days of unease, moments where fear knocked at the edges of our hearts. But even then, praise remained our refuge, a shield against the voices that sought to intimidate us. Worship was not just an act; it was a weapon, an anchor in a storm that tried to shake us.I think back to the day we returned from India, weary but hopeful, only to find our van stolen-along with boxes of carved elephants we had brought back as gifts. The frustration, the loss, the questions-all of it threatened to steal my gratitude. Why would God allow this? Wasn't our mission good, our hearts surrendered? But through the haze of disappointment, praise still broke through. Worship is never about what we have or what we lose, but about the One who remains constant through it all.There were seasons of sickness when my body was weak and my heart questioned. I watched Kathleen stand strong, her faith unwavering, her prayers calling down heaven to rescue us. It was in those moments that I saw the power of praise-not only in lifting our spirits but in shifting the very atmosphere of our lives. When we worship, we invite heaven to move, to intervene, to pour out the presence of God in ways beyond our comprehension.Through every trial, every moment of doubt, praise has remained our testimony. It has been our choice, our commitment, our declaration of trust in the One who holds our every breath. And as we stand today, reflecting on the years of love, loss, victory, and surrender, our anthem remains the same: as for me and my spouse, we will praise the Lord.This book is an invitation. It is a call to every heart that has wrestled with faith, that has questioned in seasons of pain, that has rejoiced in moments of breakthrough. May these pages be a reminder that no matter the storm, no matter the valley, no matter the darkness that threatens to overwhelm-praise is always the answer. Worship is the sound of heaven, the language of faith, the declaration of hope. And in every season, through every moment, may we all find the courage to lift our voices and declare His goodness.There have been days where praise came as a sacrifice, where lifting our voices required fighting through fear, doubt, and exhaustion. There were moments in sickness, uncertainty, financial struggles, and disappointments when everything in us wanted to withdraw. But God is never absent. His faithfulness is unchanging, His love unwavering. And when we make the choice to worship Him even through our weakness, we experience the miracle of His presence.