“You build me up like a city of gold
The battles rage but I’m standing tall
You formed my heart like an empire
The wind and rain can’t stop this fire
If only I could see it from Your perspective
The beauty and the grace of Your architecture”
“Architecture,” Jonathan Thulin
Be blessed!
On par with my New Years Resolution, be blessed by “Love Never Fails” by Brandon Heath on this b-e-a-utiful myTunes Monday!
Christmas is a little over a week away, and one of my biggest concerns is that we’re forgetting what we’re actually celebrating. Don’t miss Christ is Christmas. The whole reason for celebrating is that God came down to rescue us. Since Genesis 3, God’s redemptive plan has been in motion. The pinnacle of His plan was Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection that paved a way for us to enter in our Father’s presence. Jesus isn’t an accessory to Christmas, He is the reason for the season. The Bible points to restored community with God, and that restoration begins with the birth of a baby in a manger.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name “Immanuel.” (which means God with us.) Matthew 1:23
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I want to point you to His finished work. This week’s myTunes Monday pick does just that. Shane and Shane‘s song, “You Loved My Heart To Death,” reminds us of the baby’s purpose. His first breath was destined for his final exclamation: It is finished. He loved our hearts to death.
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
The Austin Stone has an incredible worship team that released a single titled “Jesus Is Better” this Fall. Those three simple words carry a lot of weight. I’ve asked myself if, at the core of my being, I believe Jesus is better than anything this world offers, good or bad. My conclusion? He is.
“In all my sorrows, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.
In every victory, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.
Than any comfort, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.
More than all riches, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.
Our souls declaring, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.
Our song eternal, Jesus is better.
Make my heart believe.”
Written by Aaron Ivey and Bret Land
2013 Austin Stone Music
It’s simple: Jesus is better. Lord, make our hearts believe.
To download a FREE copy of “Jesus Is Better,” visit this link: http://www.austinstoneworship.com/freedownload
For the story behind the song, watch the video below:
I think this one speaks for itself. Enjoy “You Love Me Anyway” by the Sidewalk Prophets and have a blessed week!
The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind
Still you call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far
My heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me
It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die?
But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas’ kiss
But You love me anyway
See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life
But You love me anyway
Oh, God… how you love me
You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
You love me, You love me
You love me, You love me
How You love me
How You love me
How You love me
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.
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
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.
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
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
sojourney 