Living He Loved Me...

Do you ever have one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head and it seems to play over and over again?  This has been one of those lately.  I've heard the Casting Crowns version on the radio a lot, and I believe we've sang it in church.  I just absolutely love the lyrics, especially leading up to Easter and thinking about the sacrifice that was made for me.



The Village Church's worship leader, Michael Bleecker wrote the song.  They are releasing a worship album this Friday, and I am super excited about downloading it, as our worship leaders wrote several of the songs with them, so they are songs that we sing in church too.  Anyway, on their website, they have a "behind the song" about all the songs, but I especially loved this one.  Go read it!


Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine


Oh, glorious day

22/30: Where would I be?

Yesterday was such a full day - both literally and figuratively.  I was at church most of the day for different things and when I wasn't, I was with my roommate and/or friends.  It was pretty much busy non-stop, but I was continually reminded of God's work in my life and how everything I've done, everywhere I've been, every step I've taken has been because He working in my life.  I really couldn't have asked for a better day.  And to top it off, Mike (our senior high director) presented the gospel at Shoreline last night.  And I got to pray with a girl who is pretty new to our church to accept Christ.  Talk about a cool ending to a great day! Looking back on the day - the chorus of a song we sang yesterday morning couldn't be more fitting!

Where would I be without my Savior

Where would I be without His unending mercy.

I have life because His life was laid down.

I won't look back now.

And today I am officially halfway through the 30 for 30 craziness!  I was pretty wiped out from my non-stop weekend, so I went with an easy, go-to kind of outfit.  And, there's no way I could have put on a sweater, since the high here today is about 80 degrees.  Ewww.  That's all I have to say about that.

New Tunes

I bought two new albums this week.  Is it weird that I wanted to type CD's there? I would have, but that would be a lie, since I tangibly did not buy a CD.  Anyway...I'm thoroughly enjoying both of them and thought I would share in case you're missing out. 

Now, don't judge, but the first is Taylor Swift's Speak Now.  I know, I know. But really, people, how can you work with high schoolers and not have a little Taylor Swift on your iPod?!  Ignore the fact that there are now three Taylor albums on mine.  No one needs to know that.  It can be our secret.  We'll call it a guilty pleasure.

And can someone please get me this dress...or at least one that color.  It's quite lovely. Moving on to why I enjoy it.  It's catchy teeny bopper music at it's best.  I listened to it the first time through on a run, and I have to admit I laughed out loud at some of the lyrics.  Cheese at its best.  But I like the cheese...obviously.  See above remark about working with high schoolers.

The second album (still, want to say CD) is Shane & Shane's Dare to Share: Unending Worship.  Honestly, this could be a new favorite. 

Okay, Shane & Shane's worship albums CD's back in the day were pretty much the soundtrack of my college years.  I loved them.  I wore them out I listened to them so much.  But since then I haven't just loved anything they've come out with.  Enjoyed, yes, but over the top loved? No way.  But this.  It's a ton of the worship songs we sing at church right now and some new ones I had never heard...all sung by Shane & Shane.  Bonus in my book.  I love every single song.  I can't stop listening.  Buy it.  Now.

I'm spending the weekend with the aforementioned high schoolers...I'm sure there will be plenty of Taylor Swift jamming in our cabin.  Pictures to come!  And my roommate introduced me to one of the funniest blogs ever this week.  I love witty people.  It's a style blog, but with humor, you should check it out if those kind of things interest you!

You Hold Me Now

We sang this newish to me song at Shoreline on Sunday night.  I absolutely love the words and it was extremely powerful to hear a room full of high school students singing these words. I always love listening to our students worship; it just doesn't get much better than that.  If you have a minute, read the words, and listen (I put a link there at the bottom where you can listen). The words do a great job of putting into perspective what heaven will be and why it's something we should long for.

You Hold Me Now, Hillsong United

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see you face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering
You hold me now, You hold me now
No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding
You hold me now, You hold me now

In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering
You hold me now, You hold me now
No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding
You hold me now, You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

• You Hold Me Now by Hillsong United

More Hillsong United music on iLike

For the Good

At the recommendation of Kristie, I have been listening to the new Shane & Shane album.  I really like it.  One song in particular, For the Good, has lyrics that just seem to be hitting me right where I am.  Particularly words like, "we like to take the blessing from You, shall we not take the trouble to, You are working all things out." I love how the theme of this song lines right up with what I've been learning in my own life in this year and what I've been teaching my girls in 1 Peter about suffering and the things that we will walk through when we choose to follow Christ.  There's no guarantee that it will be easy.  I know I've written about it before, but I love how amidst the hard times and the suffering God is there.  Calling us closer.  Making us more like him.  And teaching us about obedience.  I really like it and I apparently love reinforcement of the things the Lord is doing in my life in the form of song.

For The Good - Shane And Shane


When darkness is surrounding me
by Your Spirit, Lord help me sing
that You are working all things out
Lord, I really need to hear you speak
Remind me in the waiting
that You are working all things out

For the good of those
who are called by You
for the good of those
who are in Love with You
That's why we sing

Holy God of light
I lay down my life
Holy is the Lord
Even in the storm be glorified

We like to take the blessing from You
Shall we not take the trouble too
You are working all things out
We like to take prosperity
Shall we not take the suffering
You are working all things out

Holy are you Lord
even in the storm
be glorified
Worthy of affection

The Music of Christmas

I tend to fall in the category of people who like to wait until after Thanksgiving to pull out the Christmas music.  I'm a rule follower.  Always have been, probably always will be.  I also like to think that Thanksgiving deserves a spot all it's own.  But I do LOVE Christmas music. And in the spirit of list-making that I've been lately, here are some of my favorite Christmas albums.  Yes, some of them are cheesy, but just embrace it.  It's Christmas!

• Amy Grant, Home for Christmas
• Point of Grace, A Christmas Story
• Jars of Clay, Christmas Songs
• Sarah McLachlan, Wintersong
• Steven Curtis Chapman, Music of Christmas

What are the favorites in your collection?  I always love finding new, fun Christmas music!

New(ish) Music

I always love to hear what other people are listening to. I just love music. I love how fun it is and how a certain song can link to a certain memory. I just love music. So, here is some of the music that I've recently purchased.

1. Sara Watkins, Sara Watkins


2. You Deliver Me, Selah
3. The Outsiders, Needtobreathe

4. Fiction Family, Fiction Family

5. Church Music, David Crowder Band

6. Love, Save the Empty, Erin McCarley

What are you listening to that you love right now?

Unredeemed

I am absolutely loving Selah's new CD...particularly the song Unredeemed. I have had it on repeat today. I particularly love these words from the chorus:

It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

I love the truth that when the Lord brings us through hard times, our lives might not look the same, things won't be like we expected them to be, but he will redeem it and use it for His glory if we let him by laying our lives at His feet. Such good words.

UNREDEEMED

The cruelest world
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every lie that gave up hope
We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all
Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
It may be unfulfilled
It may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the Father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Just watch and see
It will not be unredeemed

Revived

I've been in a funk. I think it started about when this happened...I just haven't realized it. A lot has happened this summer. From failing a test, to my living situation becoming unsure, to losing Mama, I have just been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. You just have to love how when you're already there - in the ditch of your emotions - that Satan knows how to take you even farther. He taunts you with struggles that you had thought you had conquered years ago. He convinces you to believe hundreds of lies about yourself...about your relationships...about your place in the world.

Needless to say, life has not been pretty lately, I dare say it's been ugly. But God, in his infinite wisdom and timing, is always there. When you think you can't go farther into the emotional pit, you find yourself reading Psalm 143 . From the very first verse, I could relate to the psalmist when he said to the Lord, "come to my relief." Through the words of this psalm and the Shane Bernard song that comes pretty much directly from its verses, I decided I needed a new mindset about the place where I had gotten emotionally. Yes, I had been spending time with the Lord. Yes, I had been asking him to pull me from the pit. But the reasons I was asking him for it were about me. I wanted to feel better...plain and simple.

I don't think anyone would blame me for asking to be pulled out of the funk I was in. But the more I sat with the God's Word, the more I realized that I wanted God to have the glory for getting me out. The chorus of the Shane Bernard song says, "Revive me, Revive me, Not for me, But for Your name." That became my prayer that day. Revive me, FOR YOUR NAME, Lord. Revive me so that I can focus on serving the people you've placed in my life. Revive me so that You can use me in the lives of my high school girls as school starts back up. Revive me so that YOU will be glorified...not me. That is my new prayer. Things are shifting. I can feel it. It's slow, it's gradual, and it's still not easy, but I know that if I keep praying for God to be glorified, then I am going to be in the best place I can possibly be, funk or not.

Hymn

I have always loved hymns. I grew up singing them in church. They seem so holy and reverent and above everything else I tend to love the words. There is no exception for the song named “Hymn” on Brooke Fraser’s Albertine album. I can’t get enough of the words. If you know me very well, you know that music just has a way of getting under my skin, but when there are words this powerful, I get swept away. I think I’ve listened to the song at least ten times today. The words – especially the last verse speak so much of what I long for my desire to be and leave me realizing where I’m missing the mark. I long for my only ambition, goal and vision to be to dwell in Christ. But I’m so off base. I find my heart chasing after things that aren’t Christ. I find my heart dwelling in some of those places. I’ve been singing this one and asking God to make the words true of my life – whatever the cost.

If to distant lands I scatter
If I sail to farthest seas
Would you find and firm and gather
'til I only dwell in Thee?

If I flee from greenest pastures
Would you leave to look for me?
Forfeit glory to come after
'Til I only dwell in Thee

If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision
'til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee
'Til I only dwell in Thee

Faithful

One of the character traits of God that has always resonated with me is His faithfulness. Even when I don't feel it, or even when I don't see it, he is ALWAYS faithful. I love this song. I sat and really listened to the words last Saturday in front of a fire at the lake. And today I was listening to it again sitting on my grandparents back porch looking at the river. And I love it. I long to be faithful even when I can't see or hear Him. He has taught me that He is always faithful, and I long to be the same.

FAITHFUL
There’s distance in the air

And I cannot make it leave

I wave my arms ‘round about me

And blow with all my might
I cannot sense you close

Though I know you’re always here

But the comfort of you near

Is what I long for

When I can’t feel you

I have learned to reach out just the same

When I can’t hear you

I know you still hear every word I pray

And I want you

More than I want to live another day

And as I wait for you

Maybe I’m made more faithful

All the folly of the past

Though I know it is undone

I still feel the guilty one

Still trying to make it right
So I whisper soft your name

And let it roll around my tongue

Knowing you’re the only one who knows me

You know me

Show me how I should live this

Show me where I should walk

I count this world as loss to me

You are all I want

You are all I want

Lake & Lyrics

I'm headed to Lake Cypress Springs for our annual leader's retreat with all the girls of student ministries. I am so, so excited about this weekend. It is always great to get to know new leader's and spend time with old friends. I love the laid back schedule and just being out of Dallas. I ALWAYS love being out of Dallas.

Also, I thought I'd share the lyrics from another one of my favorite songs. It's Phil Wickham. Powerful words that spur me to praise Him.

Cannons
It's falling from the clouds
A strange and lovely sound
I hear it in the thunder and rain
It's ringing in the skies
Like cannons in the night
The music of the universe plays

You are holy great and mighty
The moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

Beautiful and free
Song of Galaxies
It's reaching far beyond the milky way
Let's join in with the sound
C'mon let's sing it loud
As the music of the universe plays

You are holy great and mighty
The moon and the stars declare who You are
I'm so unworthy, but still You love me
Forever my heart will sing of how great You are

All glory, honor, power is Yours amen
All glory, honor, power is Yours amen
All glory, honor, power is Yours forever amen

A few more Coldplay pictures...

...from Brooke. What a night!

Coldplay!

Last night I went to see Coldplay with my roommate Brooke and our friend Kelly. I was excited and looking forward to it, but I was tired, so I don’t think I was expecting as much as I got. It was absolutely the best concert I’ve ever been to. The show was incredible. Chris Martin going from piano to guitar back to piano. The band moving to different spots in the audience to play songs. Down to the way the live video of the band was projected on globes hanging from the ceiling. It was all amazing. And even without all of that, Coldplay just delivered. I walked away from last night liking them even more than when I showed up. Here’s a few pictures I took with my phone since I forgot my camera. Brooke had hers, and I’ll have to update with some actual good pictures whenever I get them from her.

Lyrics...

** Update: I added the video at the bottom so you can listen to the song if you want!

I love music. Song lyrics speak to me in a way that the written word just sometimes can't get through. I think I've always loved to sing, and this is part of it, but music just gets inside my head. There are songs that I feel have shaped me. Lyrics that will be in mind and in my heart forever. To some people, I'm sure this is crazy, but I just love music.

We were listening to this song by Brooke Fraser at some point this weekend, and I was struck again by how much I love the lyrics to this song, so I thought I'd share one of the songs that has really gotten in my head lately. If you haven't heard it, you should find it, and listen!

SHADOWFEET

Walking, stumbling

On these shadow feet

Toward home, a land that I’ve never seen

I am changing

Less and less asleep

Made of different stuff than when I began
And I have sensed it all along

Now fast approaching is the day

When the world has fallen out from under me

I’ll be found in you, still standing

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in you

There’s distraction

Buzzing in my head

Saying in the shadows it’s easier to stay

But I’ve heard rumours of true reality

Whispers of a well-lit way

You make all things new

When the world has fallen out from under me

I’ll be found in you, still standing

Every fear and accusation under my feet

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in you

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in you

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in you

The Power of Music

Single Minded, whole hearted
One thing I ask

That I may gaze upon your beauty, O Lord
That I may seek your holy face
That I may know you in an intimate way
And follow after you all my days
And follow after you all my days

All of life comes down to just one thing
And that's to know you, Oh Jesus
And make you known

As we sang this song in church today, I was struck by a couple of things. First of all, just the impact that music has on my life. There are certain songs that will transport me to a different time, to a specific part of my past. This song immediately took me back to freshman year of college. Sitting the auditorium of First Baptist Waco for Touchstone. Crying...tears of brokenness. For the first time in a long time, or maybe ever, I realized that my life wasn't about me. Sure, I knew it in my head before, but it hit me like a ton of bricks that night. I sat in a pew, head in my hands, tears streaming down my face, mourning the selfishness with which I had lived my life. I went home that night, made a phone call to end a relationship that I had been in for very selfish reasons, and started to let God take the reigns for the first time in my life. I can hardly begin to explain the feeling that came over me when I heard this song this morning. Memories of what the Lord has done in my life in the last eight years. Memories of that feeling of brokenness. Memories of such a sweet time in my life. Music. It does it to me every time.

I was also just struck all over again with the words of the song. Reminded that I should have a single focus in my life. Sure, there are things going on all around me, and a ton of stuff going on in my life, but there is one thing that should shine above all others. Such a sweet reminder that my relationship with God really is it. It's all I need, and I should spend my life trying to spread the gift that He's given me through a relationship with Him. What a challenge!

Unchangeable

You are not a god created, by human hands,
You are not a god dependent, on any mortal man.
You are not a god in need of, anything we can give.
By your plan, that's just the way it is.

You are God alone, from before time began,
You were on Your throne, You were God alone
And right now in the good times and bad,
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

You're unchangeable, You're unshakeable,
You're unstopable, that's what You are.

You're the only God whose power none can contend.
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end.
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can.
You are God, that's just the way it is.


I was standing in church a couple of weeks ago as we were singing the words to this song thinking about how amazing it is that our God is unchangeable. No matter how much craziness and change is going on in our little lives, God is there and He is constant. I am so humbled by that in this phase of life where everything seems to be so up in the air. I am so thankful that I worship a God who doesn't change and whose truth for my life remains the same through it all!