Words

It's been a while... I know.

I have yet to post some pictures and talk about the missions trip we went on in March. My goal is to do that before our next trip coming up in mid-June.

I've been pretty quiet about the college class I was taking this semester. I'm so thankful that it finished last weekend. It was good but a lot.

We are finally a 2 car family again.

Being a homeowner has not been all it's cracked up to be. We had about 3 months of "Wow!" before the "Whoa!" began.

I bought a super-cute $5 purse at an antique store.

I've also tried a couple new recipes that are worth blogging about.

I'm not sharing about any of that today. Today I'm sharing a song that often comes on the radio as I'm driving to work in the mornings. It is very fitting, and I love when I get to hear it so much that I will sit in the car to finish the song. It's called "Words" by Hawk Nelson.

They've made me feel like a prisoner

They've made me feel set free

They've made me feel like a criminal 

Made me feel like a king

They've lifted my heart to places I've never been

They've dragged me down back to where I began

Words can build you up

Words can break you down

Start a fire in your heart

Or put it out

Let my words be life

Let my words be truth

I don't want to say a word

Unless it points the world back to You

You can heal the heartache

Speak over the fear

God, your voice is the only thing we need to hear

Words can build us up

Words can break us down

Start a fire in our hearts

Or put it out

Let my words be life

Let my words be truth

I don't want to say a word

Unless it points the world back to You

Let the words I say

Be the sound of Your grace

I don't want to say a word

Unless it points the world back to You

I want to speak Your love

Not just another noise

I want to be Your life

I want to be Your voice

Also, I've read about and decided to try taking a photo a day for the next year, so stay tuned. Sounds like a fun challenge. 

Draw Me Close

This song came to mind as I was journaling and reading my Bible tonight.

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

[Chorus:]
You're all I want, 

You're all I've ever needed 
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near

You are my desire

No one else will do

Cause no one else can take your place

To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way to bring me back to you

[Chorus:]

It's an older song. Many have sung it since it's a classic. But it's great. Totally captures my thoughts and feelings over the last few days.

My Own Little World

Every time I hear Matthew West's song, I think that this absolutely relates to me and how I'm feeling right now. I feel such a push to make changes in my life and reach outside this box I'm living in where everyday feels similar to the day before.

Sometimes I wonder... Is God pleased with my life so far or is He disappointed that I haven't come to bat in more ways for him (both near and far)? Am I following His good and faithful plan for my life?

In my own little world it hardly ever rains

I've never gone hungry, always felt safe

I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet

In my own little world

Population: me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church

I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give 'til it hurts

I turn off the news when I don't like what I see

Yeah it's easy to do when it's 

Population: me

[chorus]

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world

Well, I stopped at a red light, looked out my window

I saw a cardboard sign, said "Help this homeless widow"

Above that sign was the face of a human

and I thought to myself, "God, what have I been doing?"

So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye

I thought how many times have I just passed her by?

So I gave her some money then I drove on through

And my own little world reached

Population: two

[chorus]

Father break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

and put Your Light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose

I could be living right now

Well I don't wanna miss what matters

I wanna be reaching out

Showing the the greater purpose

so I could be living right now

Outside my own little world

Songs that Comfort

Every time I hear this song by Chris Tomlin (I Will Rise) on the radio, I think of my friend that recently passed two and a half weeks ago. 

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

(Pre-chorus)
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
(Chorus)
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

(Pre-chorus & Chorus)

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
[repeat]

(Chorus)

God is so good. I am so thankful that He has a plan for each and every one of us. I am so glad that He sees it through to the end. How wonderful is He! He finishes what He starts in us. And on top of all that He answers our prayers in His timing, often better than we could have truly asked for.

As difficult as my friend's memorial service was today (at times) I'm so glad I went. It was such a blessing to hear how the Lord used him as a servant, the adult that he grew into, and the wonderful relationship he built in the short time he had with his wife.

Surprisingly the videos and photo slideshow didn't make me cry. The worship songs and family's words made my tears flow the most. Their words just touched my heart.

I'm so thankful our heavenly Father is so faithful. And He loves us so much!

I end with words from a Kristian Stanfill song (Day After Day)... 

Day after day our God is reigning

He's never shaken, my hope is in the Lord

Day after day our God is faithful

Trustworthy Savior, my hope is in the Lord

On My Mind

My thoughts have been many lately... probably the reason I've had a more difficult time falling asleep lately. I have felt a bit distracted lately. A couple things came to mind tonight as I was journaling and reading my Bible...

Luke 6:27-36

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

While I don't feel like I have enemies per se, 

there are some people I have a difficult time loving. 

I am definitely going to work on praying for them 

regardless of their behavior towards me.

Also, a song...

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

You are the potter

I am the clay

Mold me and make me

This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You