Browsing Category

Music Renews

Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Being Made New And Beautiful

{push play, then click through to YouTube.  It is worth it}
Our worship leader in church today lead us in prayer.  In the middle of the prayer, she said “Lord, you make us beautiful.”  This song above, “Beautiful Things,” immediately came to mind and it has been on repeat in my brain all day.  It is a favorite of mine.  Its words go perfectly with a reading I have found lately that has also been on my brain.  I thought I’d share them with you:
From Jesus Calling:
     As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Me.  Instead of worrying about what you should do if…or when… you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me.  When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.  

     Many people are so preoccupied with future plans and decisions that they fail to see choices they need to make today.   Without any conscious awareness, they make their habitual responses.  People who live this way find a dullness creeping into their lives.  They sleepwalk through their days, following well worn paths of routine.

     I, the Creator of the universe, am the most Creative Being imaginable.  I will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths.  Instead, I will lead you along fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know.  Stay in communication with Me.  Follow My guiding Presence.

______________________________
I love that my Creator does not “leave me circling in deeply rutted paths” but “leads along fresh trails of adventure.”  As He does this, He guides me, changes me, grows me.  Sometimes it is painful, change often is.  Refining often comes through fire, and oh, how uncomfortable it can be! 
Malachi 3:3
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..

A good refiner never leaves the crucible but, as the above verse indicates, “will sit” down by it so the fire will not become even one degree too hot and possible harm the metal.  And as soon as he skims the last bit of dross from the surface and sees his face reflected in the pure metal, he extinguishes the fire.
Arthur Tappan Peirson

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1
Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

I Am Remade

Is there someone in your life that hurls accusations at you?  That won’t forgive your shortcomings?  That reminds you on a consistent basis where you are failing?  Who points fingers at you, making you feel like everything bad that happens in life is your fault?  Who makes you feel like you have done something wrong when you have not? Or, when you have messed up, keeps holding up a mirror forcing you to stare at what you have already confessed?
Is that someone you?  Is that someone you love dearly?
Whether or not it is another person or your own self- talk, accusations are meant to destroy.  I believe they ultimately come from the one whom all evil flows– Satan, the Accuser.

From “A Confident Heart” by Renee Swope:

God’s spirit will convict you, but His heart will never condemn you.  How do we know whether what we are experiencing is condemnation that comes from the Accuser, or the voice of conviction that comes from God?

 Condemnation sweeps across our thoughts with generalized statements- “Your such a failure,” “Your so hypocritical,” etc.  When it is the Accuser, the tone is condemning, questioning and confusing.  It leads to guilt and shame.

Conviction that comes from God will be specific.  It reveals a sinful action and attitude and instructs us on what we need to do to right the wrong.  He’ll give us steps to take to change behavior or attitude.  

 ~Instead of Your such a failure as a [wife, mom, daughter, friend], the Spirit might say, You were really critical the way you talked to _______. (your husband, child, parent, etc.).  you need to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness.  Then tell them something that will build them up instead of tearing them down. 

~Instead of You’re so hypocritical, the Spirit might say, You judge others for gossiping, but you are doing the same thing when you talk about your neighbor are at work.  Tomorrow at lunch break, apologize for what you said and share a few things that are positive about her.

God uses conviction lovingly, to show us our sin and lead our hearts to repentance.

–Renee Swope “A Confident Heart”

We’ve got to get our “good enough” from Jesus.  When we belong to Him, we’re clothed in His righteousness, forever beloved and accepted; a constant recipient of His steadfast love and grace.

–Gary Morland

My prayer:
Lord, thank you for remaking me.  Thank you for a love that is patient, is kind and keeps no record of my wrongs.  I trust your perfect love for me and I know that because of that perfect love I don’t need to be.  I will remain in your love and I will be confident of this: that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!

The video above is powerful.  The song is a favorite of mine.  I hope you enjoy.

You Are More by Tenth Avenue North

There’s a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she’s wandered
And the shame she can’t hide

She says, “How did I get here?
I’m not who I once was.
And I’m crippled by the fear
That I’ve fallen too far to love”

But don’t you know who you are,
What’s been done for you?
Yeah don’t you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade. 
Well she tries to believe it
That she’s been given new life
But she can’t shake the feeling
That it’s not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she’s rehearsed all the lines
And so she’ll try to do better
But then she’s too weak to try

But don’t you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.

‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done,
But what’s been done for you.
This is not about where you’ve been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved. 
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.

3
Music Renews/ Spiritual

A Love Song To God

I heard this song in the car today and loved it.  I have heard it before, but today it lit my heart up.

Jason Castro talking about his love and life.  As he says in the video below, his goals in life are to be “a loving father, a faithful husband and a servant of all.”  Beautiful.

You Are -Jason Castro
Looking for meaning
Looking for love
Looking for something to
Never give up
You are the one
You are the one
Looking for purpose in all
Of the pain
Looking for someone to
Hold in the rain
You are the one
You are the one

[CHORUS]
You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one

You came in my darkness
You came in my night
You came without warning
You came to my side
You are the one
You are the one
There’s no before you
There’s no too late
There’s no without you
There’s only today
You are the one
You are the one

[CHORUS]
You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one
You are the song I wanna sing
You are here
You are everything
You are the light that always shines
You are the one

And I will never move on from you
Oh oh
I will never move on from you
Yeah

CHORUS
You are life more beautiful
You are love more powerful
You are the light that always shines
You are the one
You are the song I gotta sing
You are here
You are everything
You are the light that always shines
You are the one
You are the one
You are the one
You are the light that shines
You are the one

And I will never move on from you
I will never move on from you

(LOVE NEVER FAILS)


1
Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Hurting Hearts

My heart has been heavy for people who are in pain around me.

We found out a man who has lived beside us for years, one whom I’ve only said hi to. One whose pain, disfunction, addiction and odd actions with my children caused me to fear him and avoid him, took his own life.  I don’t know much about the situation, but I do know that he was hurting enough to believe that the only way out was to kill himself.  
The one thing I did know about him was that he slept with the TV on.  He lived in the basement of the house next door, and when I would walk down my stairs, from my upstairs window, I could see in a crack of his makeshift curtains –a shirt hanging in the window that always looked like a ghost.  The crack showed only a slice of his TV, which was on 24/7, tuned to black and white shows of the past.  I’m sure the TV was on the day they found his body.  I am sad to think of this man, dying alone in a basement lit with black and white.
I regret not pushing past my fear to at least try to get to know his story and offer him some hope. We even could have talked television, it would have been a start, maybe have led to something more meaningful.  I wish now to tell him that there is a God who knows, as the song below says,

“You know my heart is heavy
And the hurt is deep
But when I feel like giving up
You’re reminding me
That we all fall down sometimes
But when I hit the ground You
Lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go”


Are you hurting today?  If so, please take a listen and know that the God of the Universe loves you, no matter what.

Watch the official video by the Afters: 

Lift Me Up-{The Afters}
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

Waiting for the sunrise
Waiting for the day
Waiting for a sign
That I’m where you want me to be

You know my heart is heavy
And the hurt is deep
But when I feel like giving up
You’re reminding me
That we all fall down sometimes
But when I hit the ground

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

I know I’m not perfect
I know I make mistakes
I know that I have let you down
But you love me the same

And when I’m surrounded
When I lose my way
When I’m crying out and falling down
You are here to

Lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love
With your love
I don’t know what I can offer
In this moment I surrender to your love
To your love

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

3
Music Renews

A Reminder To Breath From Luminate

Healing In Your Arms by Luminate

I love the strings in this song, and I so relate to the words of this verse:
“So I’ve been striving, running in circles
Through the fight, I’ve forgotten who I am
God I am longing to break the cycle
To lose myself, so I can start again
Slow down, breathing in breathing out”

Over and over, in this fight with my health, I forget who I am.  I get caught up, tense up and forget.  I need to keep remembering to “slow down, breathing in breathing out.”

3
Love/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

Sadness

I am on a walking trail
Ipod in ears–again.
Iced latte in hand-again!

I look for a bench to sit and write, I avoid the ones that are engraved and say “In Memoriam,” for they depress me further than I already am.

 I am sad.

The only benches in the shade are these said benches, so I give in and sit on the shiny, cold marble that is carved with the name, “Marilyn, 1999.”  Did she love this trail too?  Did she walk when alive, drinking in the sounds of life?  Did she walk it slow, weak and sick, feeling life fade?  I wonder these things and I feel sad for Marilyn.

I am not used to being sad.  Moody, yes.  Sad, no.

I take a walk today, to get some exercise, and to pray release some natural serotonin. Surprisingly, it helps.

How could it not?  The 60- degree cool breeze, brings whiffs of spring flowering trees.  These trees are the accessories of nature in the springtime, touches of purple, yellow, white and pink.  God never over-accessorizes.  He always gets it just right.

The sun shines but plays hide- and- seek behind large, white clouds.  It is a bit annoying as I have to reach for the jacket tied around my waist, every time it stays hidden for too long.  Annoying, but amusing, this hide-and-seek-game-playing with the sun.

This game I can’t control reminds me of life right now, and makes me think about how I am responding to things out of my control.  Am I responding annoyed or amused? Truthfully, I have fallen into self pity. I am oozing discontentment as these annoyances come my way:

~painful joints that get “stuck” when I sit too long–chemo side effects

~a female cycle that brings 2 weeks of emotional struggle, more than an annoyance–a full- blown sting.

~fatigue.  I pay for my walks, for at least 2-3 days after, I have little energy, needing naps and an early bedtime.

~right-side lower back pain.  A dull ache.  I wonder if it is the cyst on my ovary introducing itself to me.

These annoyances come my way and I respond annoyed.

I wonder how to change my response, to enter into the game and play nice.  How to be sad without making everyone else around me sad, too??  How to play, and even how to fight with a submissive “yes” nod?  Instead, I tense, fear and fight with a nodding, stubborn “no.”

I’ve lost my way and the ability to say, come what may.  

I ponder these questions on my walk, as ipod pushes truth answers into my ears.  I scroll through songs and come upon one that pushes through my swirling questions and thoughts, giving answers.  Despite my dislike for the slight country twang, I listen to it three times…

Lyrics-Bold
My thoughts-{italic}
It’s hard to stand on shifting sand
{shifting moods, shifting cycles}
It’s hard to shine in the shadows of the night
{my shadow of the night? Said cycle.}
You can’t be free if you don’t reach for help
{“Amy-keep looking to me, turning and reaching for my perfect help”-God}
You can’t love if you don’t love yourself
{“I love you with an unconditional love.  It is complete, lacking nothing. True love. You are 100% fully known, and fully loved by me.  This makes YOU complete”-God}

There is hope when my faith runs out

Cause I’m in better hands now
{“lean into my hands!  Come to where you belong in this restful and safe place.  Submit. Nod the “yes.”” -God}

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down

{right on cue with the music, the sun dramatically reveals itself from behind a cloud, playing its game. It makes me smile and gives me shivers.   A God kiss.  Even in rain sadness, the sun is still shining and will keep me warm despite the dreary.}
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
{I can walk through this life, these annoyances, He will help me rise above and even fly.}
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
{I’m starting to get it, starting my submissive “yes” nod}
I’m in better hands now
{not I, but Christ. Galatians 2:20. Not my own, but HIS!}
I am strong all because of you
{this statement revealed pride in me.  I have felt tough since fighting this battle of cancer and getting through the treatments. But it was HE that got me through, and is getting me through. He who strengthens me!} 
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
{one of my favorite lines in the song.  This mountain, this cycle sting. He can move it!  He can do what He pleases and has a plan for me that is good!}
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
{another favorite line, the lies want me to believe I am a lost cause, a continuous cycle of strong then weak.  They want me to believe that I am the same.  But, NO!  Yesterday is gone, today is a new day with new mercies! These struggles do not define me.  I am who He says I am. Changed. New.}
I am safe from this moment on
{the enemy whispers self-imposed ruin. But I know better.  I know I am safe.  My family is safe.  My marriage is safe. My future is safe.  He holds it all!}
[
There’s no fear when the night comes ’round
{It is ALL in His hands & SAFE.}
I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
It’s like the world is silent though I know it isn’t true

{If I feel alone, I am not.  Silence and stillness can be embraced.}
It’s like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room
{another God kiss.  Again, right on cue of the music, I walk under a tunnel of sweet- breathed spring trees, white petals floating down in the spring breeze– it looks like snow!  Fragrance all around. He is here. Through Him, I can handle whatever comes, even the sadness. I can nod “yes” and wait it out, for there is no doubt, I am in His hands, now.}

So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now
I’m in better hands now



7
Music Renews/ Spiritual

Psalm 91

I bumped into my friend, Anna, this last week.  The same Anna I spoke of here.

Once again, she brightened my day, just being who she was created to be and sharing herself with me.   She shared with me a Psalm that had been on her mind, and encouraged me to not just read it once, but many times over, even once a day for several days.

When I opened my Bible, I was excited to see that it was the same Psalm God had used specifically, another time in my life.  I was facing rejection and an uncomfortable conversation I had to have with someone I loved deeply.  I remember so clearly, I was in my early 20’s, and I was terrified to have this specific conversation.  I opened my Bible to the Psalms looking for comfort, and chapter 91 brought just that.  I remember verse 5, that says “you will not fear…the arrow that flies by day.” At that time, the arrow I was so fearful of were words that I knew would be shot my way, verbal arrows that I knew could wound me deeply.

 I also remember and loved verse 4, where it says:

I walked into that conversation, visualizing myself covered with feathers, hidden under mighty wings, shielded from arrows.

  Held.

 

 I  knew I would be ok no matter what, because I could take refuge in GOD.

 He would not reject me–ever.

The conversation I had was hard, there was rejection involved, and I was actually cut off from this person for a period of time.  Yes, it hurt.  But…I was still ok. It did not define me or destroy my confidence.  In time, the relationship was healed and continues to be blessed.

The verses take on a whole new meaning as I read them in this season of my life.

They are so comforting.

He HAS answered me when I call to him. v. 15

He HAS been with me in trouble. v. 15

I know nothing will happen to me that has not passed through His hands first.  He is aware of me, He knows me intimately, He knows that number of hairs on my head! Luke 12:17

He tells His angels to watch out for me, and keep me!  So cool.

God seems to teach me things in themes.  Just a few days after seeing Anna and reading Psalm 91, I read this in my devotional book:

Jesus Calling:

Trust me, and do not be afraid.  Many things feel out of control. Your routines are not running smoothly.  You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable.  Let Me lead you to the rock that is higher that you and your circumstances.  Take refuge in the shelter of My wings, where you are absolutely secure.

When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities.  Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, accept the challenge of something new.  I lead you on from glory to glory making you fit for My kingdom. Say yes to the ways I work in your life.  Trust Me, and don’t be afraid.

{Psalm 91 Song By Lincoln Brewster}

10
Top