Encouragement

myTunes Monday

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

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.

~ mbard ~ Leave a comment

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.

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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.

myTunes Monday

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Do you have a song you’ll never skip while shuffling through your music library? This week’s myTunes Monday features “Something Beautiful” from NEEDTOBREATHE‘s album, The Outsiders. No matter what mood I’m in, this song is just what I need to hear and I will never shuffle past it. NEEDTOBREATHE is hands down one of my favorite bands. Their music strikes a chord in my soul, they put on an phenomenal live show and their harmony is unmatched. If they’re new to you, I highly recommend checking out some of their other songs. Before you download every song they’ve ever written, sit back, relax and enjoy one of the songs that put them on the map.

In your ocean, I’m ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin’ on my feet
It’s like I know where I need to be
But I can’t figure out, yeah I can’t figure out

Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There’s only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, ’cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I’m in reach
‘Cause I am down on my knees.
I’m waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can’t be sure when it will subside
So I won’t leave your side, no I can’t leave your side.

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, ’cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I’m in reach
‘Cause I am down on my knees.
I’m waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

In a daydream, I couldn’t live like this.
I wouldn’t stop until I found something beautiful.
When I wake up, I know I will have
No, I still won’t have what I need.
Something Beautiful

Hey now this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, ’cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I’m in reach
Cause I am down on my knees
I’m waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful

October 7th

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I’ve dreaded October 7th for a while because it symbolizes the end of a chapter and a leap into the unknown. I’ve had a full-time seasonal job to occupy my days for the last eight months. A job with people I adore. A job that was joyful. A job that was fun.

October 7th marks the end of eight months of consistency. I’m not a huge planner, but knowing where I’ll be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday is something that gives me comfort. I’m surrounded by amazing people who encourage and support me in times of need, and fortunately I’ll be working part-time for an incredible woman of the Lord for the next few weeks. Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides. I have income for another month as I continue job seeking and interviewing. PRAISE THE LORD!

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19

But what’s next? That’s the unknown that sends chills down my spine because honestly, I have no idea. For the first time in my life, my next days don’t have a specific plan. I know what my passions are, and I know I am blessed with intelligence and useful skills. I have so much joy to offer, and I’m searching for the place where my passions and career ambitions intersect. Am I called to stay in marketing? Am I called to ministry? Am I called to write? Am I called to missions? Am I called to stay in Austin? These are just a few of the thoughts that launch me into a whirlwind of confusion over where I’m headed next. After the confusion sets in, I start questioning who God has created me to be and the purpose of my life. In these moments, I hear the sweetest Voice whisper in my ear that He brings peace, not confusion. The Voice reminds me that He has me in the palm of His hand, and He has plans for my future that were ordained before time. I find myself stepping out in blind faith, trusting that I’m not walking off of a cliff, but rather into a life lived for the Voice’s glory. The Voice overwhelms me with peace. The Voice brings me joy. The Voice gives me purpose.

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Here’s what I do know about tomorrow: it’s never guaranteed, Jesus is the same and my purpose to glorify Him remains. So cheers to what tomorrow brings, and the vulnerability of walking by faith, not by sight. It’s amazing to me that when we are most vulnerable, we are the most secure.

[Heart Fuel] Live A Great Story

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Austin’s Town Lake holds a special place in my heart. The combination of nature and athleticism is something that always puts me in tune with the Spirit and I never leave the trail with a lack of inspiration. At the completion of my latest run, I stumbled on this reminder to live a great story and, as usual, it spurred my thoughts.

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Living a great story starts and ends with Jesus Christ. Your great life story begins when Jesus becomes the reason why you live it, and it ends when you join the heavenly voices in Hallelujah praises. The in-between is an opportunity to live out the purposes God has appointed in your life by walking in obedience.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast… – Ephesians 2:8-9

This is the start of your great story.

…For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

This is the journey of your great story.

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure” -Revelation 19:6-8

This is the final destination of your great story.

Live it.

myTunes Monday

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My first encounter with The Reliques was at a concert featuring Jimmy Needham, Trip Lee and Andy Cherry. They played an acoustic rendition of NEEDTOBREATHE’s “Washed by the Water” that was absolutely incredible. If you’ve ever heard of NEEDTOBREATHE, you understand why their name is in all caps…they’re that awesome! I actually enjoyed The Reliques’ performance more than the original, which is testament to the duo’s talent. This week’s myTunes Monday features “The Love of God” off of the band’s latest EP, To Feel And Be Loved. Be blessed!