Musical Monday

PCS season is upon us.   Like my family, if you are in the midst of a move, you will be leaving your assignment with mixed feelings.  On the sad side of those feelings are the friendships, the lasting relationships you have made with neighbors, with coworkers, with church members.  

The following song is a favorite despite it being a classic at this point.  However, it reminds us that those friendships that are based on His Truth- love, respect, truth, honesty, integrity, hope, and peace- will last throughout our lives no matter the time and distance that separate us.

God bless you, your families, and your friendships!

Musical Monday

Two words- You are...   (He IS)

This song by Colton Dixon makes a great prayer.  Take a moment to use this song as a prayer today.  A prayer of recognition of His love and grace.  A prayer acknowledging His presence in our lives.

God bless you!

Musical Monday- Memorial Day Tribute

In honor of those who sacrificed so much for our Country, I created this video.

God bless America!  God bless the men and women who gave their all.

Musical Monday

  Turn it up! 

Happy Monday!!!

Musical Monday

Our lives are a serious of decisions from when we are really young to when we are really old.  Our choices shape us, who we were, and who we are at this moment. 

However, the choices we have made do not have to define who we become.  There is no shame that is too deep for Him to conquer.  There is no sin so great for Him to turn you away.  We are ALL sinners.  We ALL fall short of perfect, yet He still chose to die for us.

The greatest choice we can make, as creatures of free will who can act beyond instinct, is to turn to God, to accept His love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption.  That simple choice can wash away every choice we made or failed to make that we fear can impact our future negatively.

Have you chosen to follow Christ?  Have you let your past be washed away by His love, by God's forgiveness?  If you have not, and would like to please let me share with you more about His perfect love, and how to have a new future in Him.

God bless you!

Musical Monday

I want to take this opportunity to ask all of you to remember me in your prayers this week.  Nothing is wrong, I just have so much on my plate, and I find myself getting easily overwhelmed and frustrated.

Keeping that in mind, I draw much comfort from reading His Word, from prayer, and from Christian music.  So today, I wanted to share two songs with you that bring me comfort.  I hope they bring you comfort as well!  

Please... if you have prayer requests as well, please add it to the prayer wall... I want to pray for you!

Musical Monday

This song by Matthew West was a reminder to me when this time last year, I found myself struggling.  The weight of the world seemed to be on my shoulders.  Even in my relationship with our Lord, I felt weak and helpless. 

We have all been through times in our lives, whether it was a single situation that was over in a day, or a period in our lives where each day seemed to last a year and the journey seemed too much to bear, where the struggles we face seem too big for us to get through.

What a blessing to be reminded- we are not alone.  He is with us.  He is carrying us.  We can rest in His embrace and know that His will is being done, even if we cannot see it or understand it.

Musical Monday

 

 For all the boys and girls part of our Armed Forces.

 

You are worth more than gold!!!

 

 

Musical Monday

In honor of the Military Child: the following song is performed by two MilKids.   A beautiful song from the perspective of a Military Child, what they go through, and a positive outlook on the military way of life.

Take some time this month to honor the children of our Military Members.

Musical Monday

This song was first done by Rich Mullins... This version by Third Day and Brandon Heath is a beautiful tribute to the original, and a beautiful rendition of the Creed we Christians abide by.

I hope you all have had a beautiful Resurrection Day with your friends and family!  Carry that gift of new life, of forgiveness, of grace and hope with you every day!

Musical Monday

 

 

In keeping with the theme of returning to Scripture as the Holy Word of God, this week's music video is an oldie.

 

 Performed by Aaron-Jeoffrey in the mid-90's, "He Is" carries the books of the Bible and the Names of God as each book represents Him.  The song is very powerful, capturing the message of the Bible, and proving the theme of the Bible as a book to better know our Lord.

 

 I hope you enjoy it.

 

 



Musical Monday

 

The song I have chosen for this week is dedicated to the men and women I personally know who are struggling through deployments, moves, separations from family, separations from spouses, divorces, and deaths.

 

HE said... 

 

Do you remember what HE said?

 

The struggle does not mean He has left you.  The pain is real.  The sadness is real.  But there is Hope!  He offers Peace!

 

He offers His hand and wants to carry you through it.

 

He wants to see you become better and stronger on the other side.

 

God Bless You!

Musical Monday

Sing along...  What a beautiful song of praise and admiration!  An incredible way to start the week!

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:
Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah
The very same God
That spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know
My Redeemer

He lives
To take away my shame
And He lives
Forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sins
Was the precious life He gave
And now He's alive and
There's an empty
Grave!

And I know
My Redeemer lives
He lives
I know
My Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know
My Redeemer lives
*I know my Redeemer lives*

Musical Monday

There are days, weeks, and seasons, when we forget who we are as Christian women.  There are instants where we forget His love for us, when we forget to share His love.

This song, by Jason Gray, is a great prayer to sing when we need help remembering who we are to Him.   I hope you all have a great week!  Be blessed, and remember: you are loved!  You are never alone!  You are cared for!  You are remembered!

Musical Monday

Today, in honor of President's Day, I am breaking away from the typical musical encouragement for a lighter look at our history of Presidents.

The following clip is from the Animaniacs, a cartoon I grew up watching that poked fun at just about everything.  This clip is no different.  Be advised it ends with the Clinton's, but we can fill in the gaps since then I hope!

I hope everyone that had today off enjoyed their day. 

Let us remember, whether we agree or disagree with the POTUS, his job is not easy.  He can use our prayers just like any of us!

God bless the U.S.A.

Musical Monday

The past few weeks I have become aware of so many friends and family members hurting.  Some are experiencing separation from loved ones due to deployments.  Others are having to make tough and unexpected decisions that affect careers, homes, and families.  Some are on the verge of incredible and heartbreaking changes as relationships fail.  Others still are finding themselves on the edge of the unknown as choices, circumstances beyond their control, and events are thrust upon them forcing them to ask where He is in all of the mess?

My heart is heavy for the people I care about who are experiencing pain, hurt, and loneliness right now.  My heart longs to offer encouragement to those who, like me, are on the edge of the unknown- a myriad of paths stretch into the future, and all of them are appealing and scary in their own ways.

I understand the feeling when prayers seem to be unheard.  I can completely relate when He seems silent through my struggles. 

Even as a Christian woman, I can feel abandoned when I don't get an immediate answer.  I often even feel abandoned when I get an answer, but it is not the one I wanted.  How easy it is for me to forget that His will is not my own.  How easy it is to forget that He promises ETERNAL blessings, not instant gratification.

The song I am sharing today is sung by BarlowGirl.  While the lyrics are especially appropriate to this time in so many of our lives, pay attention to the video and the man struggling against the ropes binding him.

Let's stop struggling with Him even as we struggle with our trials and tribulations.  He has not abandoned us.  He has promised to never leave or forsake us.... Neither heighth nor depth can separate us from Him...  THAT is a promise I can lean on!!!

God bless you!!

Musical Monday

Let my words be uplifting, encouraging, full of His Love and Grace!

A video on the power of our words by Hawk Nelson.

Musical Mondays

Do you remember "Touched By An Angel" that used to appear on CBS?   One episode featured Wynonna Judd in the role of a mother watching as her son was dying; she was losing faith and hope.  Her son didn't want to leave her alone.  As the angels show up in their lives to help them both let go, her son made a list of things he wanted to complete before he died.  One of those things on his list was to have his mother start writing music again.  The following song is what she sang at the end of the episode.  (The clip is from that particular episode.)  I have included the lyrics beneath the song.

All the colors of the rainbow

All the voices of the wind

Every dream that reaches out

That reaches out to find where love begins

Every word of every story

Every star in every sky

Every corner of creation

Lives to testify

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

I'll be a witness in the silences

When words are not enough

 

With every breath I take

I will give thanks to God above

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys

From the rivers to the sea

Every hand that reaches out

Every hand that reaches out to offer peace

Every simple act of mercy

Every step to kingdom come

All the hope in every heart will

Speak what love has done

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

I'll be a witness in the silences

When words are not enough

 

With every breath I take

I will give thanks to God above

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

This song moves me very deeply.  Of course, it is hard not to get emotional watching this clip.  But take the clip away and just sing along--- there is power in this song.  A true worship song giving Him all the glory!  No matter what!  You can also find a version of this song by Avalon.  I have worn down two CD's listening to this song over and over and over again!

God bless you!!!

Musical Monday

Music has always had an impact on our lives. It enhances our moods. It sometimes shapes our moods. It causes us to pour out our thoughts and feelings in singing along with a song that means something to us. Sometimes it causes our feet to move, our hands to clap, our bodies to sway in time with the rhythm that really does cut through our walls and touches our emotions. 

 

Psalm 28:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.

⁸ The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

 

Last week, I was able to catch up with an old friend who served in the Air Force with me.  She and I were as close as sisters, and despite a divergence in paths, we have come back together.  She is facing struggles that she never dreamed she would have to.  I ask that you lift her and her family up to Him this week.  There are MANY men, women, and children in the Military who are going through similiar situations.  Men, women, and children who rest in His hands of grace, mercy, and love- and yet, I know they wonder where His Will can be in these situations.

 

To my friend- You are not alone.  You are being prayed for, you are being thought of, and you are being lifted up in His hands!  My prayer for you is that you feel His continued presence in your Heart as you walk through this valley!  For as strong as you were, as strong as you have become, your walk with Him through this will only make you stronger when you reach the other side! 

 

 

Musical Monday

 

Music has always had an impact on our lives. It enhances our moods. It sometimes shapes our moods. It causes us to pour out our thoughts and feelings in singing along with a song that means something to us. Sometimes it causes our feet to move, our hands to clap, our bodies to sway in time with the rhythm that really does cut through our walls and touches our emotions. 

 

Romans 8 v 28-39 says:

^"28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

More than anything, this passage is a reminder to Christians the He truly loves us.  No matter what challenges we face on this planet, everything He walks through with us will work out for the best.  As Christian women, we KNOW this passage, this promise to be true.  There is nothing we can do that will pull us from His grasp.

 

As Christian women in the military, no matter where our Command sends us, no matter where our spouses deploy, no matter how far away from family the military causes us to live, so long as He is the King of our Hearts, these seasons of challenges will pass, and will benefit us. 

 

Nothing in the military way of life is so permanent or so strong that He cannot triumph.  Not even death, for those of us who have suffered through the loss of a friend, familiy member, or spouse killed in combat or on duty.

 

This passage is a reminder of hope in Him, of His promise of love, of His declaration of protection, of His enduring promise to carry us.   As Christian women in the military, there is nothing we have to fear.

 

The following song is a beautiful praise and worship song that I encourage you all to sing today.  Lift up your beautiful voices in praise of the One who loves us more than we can comprehend!