christianity

myTunes Monday

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At work last week, my boss and I were brought to tears by Colton Dixon‘s rendition of Everything by Lifehouse after being voted off of American Idol. My boss watched his performance live, but I haven’t watched much TV in a while, so it was completely new to me. There’s something beautiful about the raw emotion and complete satisfaction despite earthly disappointment that testifies to the fullness of joy found in following Christ. That combined with the reality of someone worshiping God on national television for millions of people to witness led us both to waterworks.

This week’s myTunes Monday is a little different. I’m featuring a recording of Colton’s final performance in hopes that you’ll be encouraged to use your platform to worship the God who loved the world enough to send His only son to die for it (John 3:16). Your stage may not be national TV, but I can guarantee it has the power to transform at least one life. That one life is worth it.

[Reflection] The Porch: Enjoy Your Life

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As promised, here’s the link to the message from The Porch mentioned in my most recent post: http://s3.amazonaws.com/Wccaudio/20131112Porch.mp3

Take an hour or so to listen to the message and reflect on what it means for your life.

Be blessed!

[Heart Fuel] Creativity

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A brief update on my current adventures: I moved to the DFW area three weeks ago because God closed a lot of doors and opened one. He obviously knows I’m indecisive, so He made my next steps easy to decipher (He’s so good, y’all!). I love Austin and the incredible people I’m blessed to call friends that live there, but I’m confident that it’s not where the The Lord wants me right now. When I left ATX, I bawled. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew that if I intended to walk in obedience, I needed to trust and go. Since that move, The Lord has repeatedly affirmed that DFW is where He wants to use me. I’ve found community, made friends, and am loving every surprise – even Siri’s inability to guide me where I want to go. It seems like “proceed to the highlighted route” and “rerouting” are some of the most common phrases in my vocabulary lately. In Philippians, Paul talks about a peace that surpasses all understanding, and I can honestly say that’s what I’m experiencing (Phil. 4:7). Complete peace that doesn’t make sense.

Now for some heart fuel!

One of the many blessings The Lord has given me in “The Plex” is The Porch at Watermark Community Church. It’s quickly becoming a “Tuesday Tradition” to attend the young adult service and hang out with my incredible friends afterwards. Last night’s message was POWERFUL! We’re walking through Ecclesiastes, and JP, empowered by the Holy Spirit, brought it. One of the main things I took away from the message is that Christians are creative, not boring. So often, we are categorized as rule followers. I know that is especially true of me because my heart is prone to legalism and self-righteousness (Gross, I know. PTL for JESUS!!!). I’ve struggled with cycles of religion rather than relationship, and God’s used some extreme measures (sending me to France) to transform my heart. Like I said earlier, He’s so good.

Creativity

This simple thought is so true. Think about it. God is creative, so it’s natural that His creation is creative. Every single person you cross paths with is uniquely designed. No one looks exactly the same (including identical twins), which means BILLIONS of people have walked the earth, and not one person is an exact replica of another. That’s creativity. If the God of the Universe is creative, it makes sense that the aspect of creation He made in His image is creative too (Gen. 1:27). When I reflect on events in my life that have been the most fun, I’ve realized they were spent with other Christians doing some of the most random things. After last night’s message, I now realize these moments were incredibly joy-filled because we were fully exercising the creative nature God gives His people. Sometimes I feel like a 12-year-old walking around in a 22-year-old body, but the reality is the imagination The Lord’s given me and my friends leads to some pretty random and ridiculous adventures. And, I wouldn’t change that for the world.

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Exhibit A: Fancy Pants Valentine’s Dance. Photo booth included.

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Exhibit B: You’re never too old for a game of kickball.

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Exhibit C: Staying up until 4 a.m. for no reason. Apparently we thought it was a good idea to take pictures in ski clothes and bicycle helmets. YOLO

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Exhibit D: Camping in hurricane-force winds with a Honda Civic. Always an adventure.

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Exhibit E: Water guns + no sleep = brilliance!

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Exhibit F: Fire pit dancing completely sober on New Years. Party time!

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Exhibit G: There’s no shame in dancing in the bed of a truck at a coffee shop.

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Exhibit H: Spontaneous trip to the ballpark. Why not?

As I reminisce on these memories and many more, it’s evident that this life isn’t meant to be boring! It’s meant to be creative beyond measure. Yes, fun looks different from the world when you’re following Jesus. That’s not a bad thing. Sin isn’t creative. It’s repetitive and harmful. Get creative. Now! Do something absolutely ridiculous and completely righteous. Hit me up if you need ideas. I would love to help you out!

There is so much freedom and creativity that comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. When the podcast is posted online, I’ll share a link to it ASAP!

myTunes Monday

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After a week of absence, I present to you this week’s myTunes Monday. Drumroll please…

“Heaven Song” by Phil Wickham is this week’s pick! I was blessed to be led in worship by Phil last week at The Porch and was impacted greatly by his lyrics.

And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

I’m constantly praying for The Lord to stamp my eyes with eternity. I am easily distracted by things of this world, and I constantly have to check my heart and pray that my focus is solely heavenward. If you’re anything like me, I hope this song redirects you towards eternity in the presence of God. Enjoy!

You wrote a letter and You signed your name
I read every word of it page by page
You said that You’d be coming, coming for me soon
Oh my God I’ll be ready for You

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

I hear Your voice and I catch my breath
‘Well done my child, enter in and rest’
Tears of joy roll down my cheek
It’s beautiful beyond my wildest dreams

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing…

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing
No, I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

[Heart Fuel] Paths

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Web

Here’s what I’m learning lately:

  • Closed doors aren’t rejections, they’re redirections.
  • The path to a greener pasture requires crossing a shaky bridge.
  • Obstacles, in retrospect, are actually paths. (Thanks, Bob Goff!)
  • Maybe we create our own obstacles because our desires don’t align with God’s desires. (Proverbs 16:9)
  • With Jesus, obstacles are joy-filled.

myTunes Monday

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This weekend I saw Grace Unplugged with a friend and it was AWESOME! I think it does a great job of portraying temptation and how difficult it can be to resist the futile things this world offers. The movie also has an incredible soundtrack and I fell in love with a song titled “All I’ve Ever Needed.” I’ve listened to it non-stop since Friday, so it’s only natural that I choose it for this week’s myTunes Monday. Enjoy!

Honestly it’s time for honesty
My heart is on my sleeve
Oh will you hear me out?
I’ve got nothing left to give of me
I gave up everything
So there is nothing less to loose from me now
But you forgive me somehow.

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love.

Truth be told I made this world my home
I let it steal my soul, but now I want it back
Cause all I need is waiting
In your arms a place to hang my heart
Where I am known at last
You’re the one true thing I have.

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love.

And I know that I was meant to be
More than just a melody
I know that You had hopes for me
I hope you still believe in me…

I’ve chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I’ll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord all I’ve ever needed was your love
Lord all I’ve needed was Your love.

LADIES: You need to hear this.

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FaithIt is a place of encouragement where Truth and examples of Christ-like love are shared. Based on that one sentence, you can understand why I’m attracted to the site. We all need encouragement as we walk the road less traveled. If you’re a Woman of God and have fallen victim to lies from the enemy, enjoy the video below and revel at your identity in The King.

myTunes Monday

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This week I’m featuring Josh Garrels‘ “Pilot Me” on myTunes Monday! I chose this song because my daily prayer is that the Lord leads me where He wants to use me to glorify Himself. It also helps that the instrumentals make me daydream about island life. Enjoy!

I will arise and follow you over
Savior please, pilot me
Over the waves and through every sorrow
Savior please, pilot me
When I have no more strength left to follow
Fall on my knees, pilot me
May your sun rise and lead me on
Over the seas, Savior pilot me
O’ Lord

myTunes Monday

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I introduced you to Ben Rector and his bow ties a few weeks back. Since releasing The Walking In Between on August 20, 2013, I’ve listened to the album over and over again. “Sailboat” hits home with the season of life I’m walking through. Sailboats can’t generate their own power, and rely on wind to carry them home. Their final destination ultimately depends on something they can’t control. I relate to that. For the first time ever, I don’t have a plan. I feel constantly tossed by the wind, and have no idea where I’m headed. Despite many uncertainties, I know a few things to be true. I’m broken, redeemed and being restored. I’m a child of God, and this life is not my own. The steps I take are completely dependent on where The Lord leads. Although I’m tossed by the wind, my ultimate destination is sealed by the One who controls every gust. With that knowledge, I confidently raise my sail, and wait for the wind to carry me home.

When you find yourself in the depths of the unknown, trust in God’s greater plan, and let Him guide you through the waves. Happy myTunes Monday, y’all!

But I’m not giving up,
I’m gonna move on forward
I’m gonna raise my sail
God knows what I’m headed towards

 

Thursday Thoughts

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I got off the phone this morning with a woman from West, Texas. When I made the call, I wasn’t expecting to speak to a woman. After a few seconds, I learned that the man I intended to speak with was a firefighter who lost his life trying to save the lives of others in the West fertilizer company explosion in April. Upon hearing his story and the pain in the woman’s voice as she tried to explain the lack of organization at her office due to his passing, I was convicted. I hung up the phone, wrote down the man’s name as I removed his contact information from my database and mourned.

praying-for-west

Although cognizant of the West tragedy, I had long since stopped praying over the situation and the people who were still experiencing the wounds of April 17, 2013 daily. I hate that I am so quick to think those deep wounds have been healed and no longer need prayer after a mere six months. I mourned for this man and the people still hurting from that fateful April day. I mourned for my own ignorance to the pain that ensues after emergency response leaves and people attempt to reconstruct the puzzle of their lives despite major pieces missing.

I think about West, Texas. I think about Moore, Oklahoma. I think about Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I think about Indonesia. I think about New York City. I think about the Pentagon. When tragedy strikes, we hastily rush in with aid, but as days, months and years pass, we forget that those same people we were so quick to help are still trudging through each day dealing with wounds that may never fully heal.

A child is forced to face life without a parent. A wife is forced to hold herself together after losing her other half. A parent is forced to lay a child to rest. A friend is forced to look at pictures that freeze a moment in time with someone they will never see on this earth again.

That pain is real and doesn’t leave when emergency responders pack up their bags and head home. I’m convicted that the least we can do is enter into that pain through prayer, which is powerful beyond measure. While we may not be able to provide anymore physical relief, we can bombard the throne room with pleas for healing, restoration and peace.