Category: Music

I had an interesting conversation with my children this weekend. I made mashed potatoes for dinner one night, and Anne caught me supplementing them with some cauliflower. Because she saw it, she was determined that they were horrible mashed potatoes and spent the first part of our dinner complaining, and sharing her knowledge with her brother which brought on a bout of complaining from him as well.

My initial reaction was one of sheer frustration with children who were complaining about what they were eating instead of being grateful that there was food, and food they enjoy, on the table in front of them to eat.

Then I decided to try to make it a teaching moment (despite my frustration). I explained to them that when you come at everything in life with the attitude of complaint, then you are basically saying that the things you don’t like take precedence in your life over the good. I suggested that they instead choose to find reasons to be thankful for what they do have.

About two years ago I began journaling my prayers more regularly, and a little over a year ago, I made a conscious effort to change the way I was journaling. I began adding, “Thank You, Lord…” to almost every single day’s journal. It forced me to look at the day differently. It forced me to pray prayers of thanksgiving rather than prayers of complaint or petition for what I didn’t have.

Now, a day rarely goes by without me being grateful for multiple things throughout the day.

After talking to the kids, I was reading my devotions for the night and read this:

It reminds me of the VeggieTales song my kids and I used to sing all the time:

I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!

For our home on the ground,
For His love that’s all around,
That’s why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I’m glad for what I have,
That’s an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
‘Cause He listens to my prayers,
That’s why I say thanks every day!

Perhaps it would be a good song for all of us to learn.

On the way to church yesterday, I heard this song on the radio. I have heard it many times, but it hit me again just what an amazing gift that I have been given – the grace and love of the God of the universe.

You have also been given this gift, all you have to do is accept it.

Before the Throne
Shane and Shane

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God

Update 9/7/16:

I am in the midst of a very busy week – starting fall seminary classes, prepping for Sunday School/preaching on Sunday, gearing up for fall church events and finalizing last-minute details for the Vine to Wine 1/2 Marathon and 5K on Saturday that I have been planning for the last 9 months and is bringing in over 500 registrants. Yesterday was a super-stressful day so this morning I spent my prayer time listening to this song and placing myself in God’s hands alone, because He alone is where I find my rest, my hope, my confidence, and in him I rest knowing that He will provide what is needed to accomplish the tasks at hand. Thank you, Lord.

As a part of the 2nd Sunday of Advent, with the theme of Peace, we spent the first 10 minutes of the service in silence on Sunday morning.

How often in our crazy-busy lives do we just sit in silence, much less sit in silence with the purpose of receiving the peace of the Lord?

I would venture a guess that the answer to that question for most of us is rarely, if at all.

As we came out of the silence, the first song we sang was Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest).

Have you ever really absorbed the words to that song?

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

In You I rest, In You I find my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still my soul.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

In You I rest, In You I find my hope
In You I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still my soul.

There is a very strong theme throughout the song of being still and trusting God in the midst of things that shake us up and bring anxiety rather than peace. Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” We have been given the peace of God, but the question is, have we received it? Do we accept it? Or do we look at our circumstances and allow them to steal the peace that we have been given?

We must choose to be still and accept His peace. We must choose to be still and receive His peace.

In the midst of the busy-ness of the holiday, in the midst of circumstances beyond our control, in the midst of grief and loss, be still.

Last week I was watching the GAC Top 20 Countdown and heard a new song. They don’t play it on Country radio. It is a new song by some old friends, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

WAIT! Don’t tune out!

I have always loved those two. They make beautiful music.

But this song stopped me in my tracks and made me weep.

And it did it because it is true.

We can make new friends every day, and that is a wonderful gift.

But those old friends that know us intimately we can’t make again.

It is true. It is beautiful. It is moving. It wrecked my heart.

And it made me realize that I need to make sure that my old friends know just how important they are to me.

I love you all – you know who you are. I am so grateful for you and the place that you have in my life.

Take the time to tell your friends what they mean to you.

Because “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”

This past weekend I had the honor of being part of the first event of The Shine Movement:

Every girl wants to shine. Little girls dream of singing, dancing, acting, or modeling. However, the world’s definition of shining can often lead to heartbreak, chaos, and broken lives. The stories of most Hollywood child stars demonstrate that.

The Shine Movement hopes to assist young girls with their dreams of shining by teaching them about inner beauty, purity, godliness, modesty, and confidence. The main avenue of teaching will be through a two-day conference.

It was a fabulous weekend of being able to speak TRUTH into the lives of these young girls. They got to SHINE as they danced, worshiped, learned, and created.

If you want to bring The Shine Movement to your community, visit their website to contact the leaders of the movement.

We want to spread the message that each of us is created uniquely to shine the light of God in all that we do!

Here is one of the songs we featured over the weekend. Enjoy and spread the word. You are worth more than Gold!

Britt Nicole – Gold (Official Music Video) from britt-nicole on GodTube.