Music That Blesses The Soul

Farther Along 

Farther along we’ll know all about it 

Farther along we’ll understand why 

Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine 

We’ll understand this, all by and by 

Tempted and tried, I wondered why 

The good man died, the bad man thrives 

And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both 

We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes 

Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope 

In a house of mirrors full of smoke 

Confusing illusions I’ve seen 

Where did I go wrong, I sang along 

To every chorus of the song 

That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates 

Leading mice and men down to their fates 

But some will courageously escape 

The seductive voice with a heart of faith 

While walkin’ that line back home 

So much more to life than we’ve been told 

It’s full of beauty that will unfold 

And shine like you struck gold my wayward son 

That deadweight burden weighs a ton 

Go down into the river and let it run 

And wash away all the things you’ve done 

Forgiveness alright 

Chorus 

Still I get hard pressed on every side 

Between the rock and a compromise 

Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul 

And I’ve got no place left go 

Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown 

More glory than the world has known 

Keeps me ramblin’ on 

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall 

I’m free to love once and for all 

And even when I fall I’ll get back up 

For the joy that overflows my cup 

Heaven filled me with more than enough 

Broke down my levee and my bluff 

Let the flood wash me 

And one day when the sky rolls back on us 

Some rejoice and the others fuss 

Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess 

That the son of god is forever blessed 

His is the kingdom, we’re the guests 

So put your voice up to the test 

Sing Lord, come soon 

Chorus

Found This Old Post On My Computer

Wow. Well, in times of trial, and in times of hurt... your friends won't always be there for you. That is when dependance on God is key. He will never leave you or forsake you. He won't judge you. he sees what lies ahead not only the here and now. He understands you innermost heart and knows the plans he has for you. So when you feel abandoned or lonely or like you have screwed up so bad that everyone around you doesn't want to be around you and you don't even want to be around yourself because you are beating yourself up for making the wrong decisions... God is there to stay, he will hold your hand, He will love you unconditionally, He will remind you of the truths about yourself that you have lost because you have been hearing lies and believing them yourself. God is the relationship I need to work on the most. I love him. I love him ever so much more now than ever before. :)

Motivation

I burnt myself out. Over a course of 7 years I have over-committed and filled every possible moment with things I wanted or needed to do. Now that I have hit this place where I feel that I have burnt out, I find myself feeling lazy. Almost there. Senior Year. Almost done... but still so much to do... and this is when it really counts! I need structure to my week. Structure in a way that I can take time to not have a plan. Does that even make sense? I feel that my life needs a re-structuring so that I am using my time wisely. I don't want to worry or feel anxious. Pastor Dan talked about seeing things from a Heavenly Perspective today in church. I feel like I used to have more of that perspective back in my 11th and 12th grade years. Here I am in my 17th year of school (counting Kindergarten). Time to view school, work, homework, relationships and life from a more Heavenly Perspective. Time to create a healthy habit. Time to sit the little girl down and make the woman stand up. (Thanks Jay Strack) 

An Update From LightForce:

This is an update for LightForce that I made while I was in Costa Rica. Please Watch. Please Share.

Job 37

I sat down on my bed next to my window and opened it. As soon as I found myself comfortable and began to open my bible a roar of thunder sounded followed by a show of lightning. Interestingly enough... I opened my bible to Job 37. I don't think that was by mistake. I looked all over my room for my other books I am reading in conjunction with my quiet time but couldn't find either of them. So I opened my bible. BAM Job 37! Ok... so here is what it says:

Job 37

New International Version (NIV) 

“At this my heart pounds
    and leaps from its place.
² Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
    to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
³ He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
    and sends it to the ends of the earth.
⁴ After that comes the sound of his roar;
    he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
    he holds nothing back.
⁵ God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding.
⁶ He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
⁷ So that everyone he has made may know his work,
    he stops all people from their labor.
⁸ The animals take cover;
    they remain in their dens.
⁹ The tempest comes out from its chamber,
    the cold from the driving winds,
¹⁰ The breath of God produces ice,
    and the broad waters become frozen.
¹¹ He loads the clouds with moisture;
    he scatters his lightning through them.
¹² At his direction they swirl around
    over the face of the whole earth
    to do whatever he commands them.
¹³ He brings the clouds to punish people,
    or to water his earth and show his love.

¹⁴ “Listen to this, Job;
    stop and consider God’s wonders.
¹⁵ Do you know how God controls the clouds
    and makes his lightning flash?
¹⁶ Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
    those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
¹⁷ You who swelter in your clothes
    when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
¹⁸ can you join him in spreading out the skies,
    hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

¹⁹ “Tell us what we should say to him;
    we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
²⁰ Should he be told that I want to speak?
    Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
²¹ Now no one can look at the sun,
    bright as it is in the skies
    after the wind has swept them clean.
²² Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
    God comes in awesome majesty.
²³ The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
    in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
²⁴ Therefore, people revere him,
    for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”

For those of you who don't know this already about me... I love stormy weather. I love the smell of rain as it is about to pour. I love hearing the sounds of thunder and feeling it pass through my entire body. I love seeing the lightning as it lights up the sky and passes so quickly. I love hearing the rustling of the leaves in the trees being moved by the wind. I love playing in the rain, dancing in the rain and going on walks in the rain. There is something about a storm that says "I love you." I wouldn't be able to count the times where my heart has felt heavy and burdened that a huge storm came and almost projected my heart and spirit in the skies. I once read about how God shows us he loves us in nature. Some people see God's love in a sunset or sunrise, or some see it in the blossoming of new flowers or in a fresh blanket of snow. I see love in all of these, but the one that speaks to my spirit the most is that of a thunderstorm. Some people would say "but thunderstorms can be scary" that's something I love. I may be fearful of a storm from time to time but that fear is a respectful fear and an exciting fear. If that makes any sense at all. I guess it really only matters if it makes sense to me... but it would be cool if you all understood what I am saying as well. :) 

So as I read this passage, as I listened to the thunder coming from outside my window... there is no way that I cannot be totally overwhelmed with His love. My heart is in an interesting place right now. Not a bad place. There's just a lot going on. It's been an interesting 4.5 weeks. 

• Prep for Costa...Everything I had to do before leaving for Costa Rica
• 2 weeks in Costa Rica (felt like a month)
• Moving into my new apartment
• Jumping into 2 weeks of RA Training
• Area Prep
• Freshman Move In
• Upperclassman Move In
• Preparing for Classes to start

All of these things come with sure and clear realizations. The biggest of them all is change. It's a lot to process. 

I'm glad today is rainy. 

Dancing & Shouting & Laughing

Come as close as You want, 

Consume this heart that longs to burn 

I know Your fire can hurt, 

But I would be worse here without You 

For I was made to dwell with You, 

And how I ache until I doHoly God, 

Take my heart,Purge with flame and truth! 

A holy heart is all I want, 

That I may live with You! 

Come and take all these chains 

That get in the way of what You want 

And as I stand in the flame 

Still I will say, “I trust You God!”

Sunday night was beautiful. Big House was filled with the Spirit... you couldn't walk in the room and not feel God's presence. The joy of the Lord was upon everyone in the room. His children were laughing, dancing and shouting. His delight made me laugh and smile. I'm learning that it is such a beautiful thing to express myself in worship by dancing, shouting and laughing. For an hour and a half that evening we just worshiped... it was beautiful. 


I went to lunch with a friend yesterday and she told me something simple that brought me to tears. She said that a friend once told her about a guy who came to america from a foreign country and visited a somewhat more conservative church where everyone stood still... he said he didn't understand how americans can stand still and not dance or shout or laugh because we have so much here in america we should be dancing and shouting and laughing in worship and praise to our God. That really stuck me at the heart. 


Oh Lord that I would rejoice in even the little things I am blessed with. That I would dance because I took another breath. That I would shout in thankfulness for my heath and wellbeing. That I would laugh out of joy for having the promise of eternity. 


Less that 2 weeks and I will be in Costa Rica. Come on God. Bring it on. I'm so excited!

אמון

The above title is hebrew for Trust. This is something I have had on my heart and mind lately. There are some things that my heart is set on as of current that I need to let go and trust that they are in good hands. It's hard when the heart is deeply involved. We want what we think is best or we struggle to determine what is best because the heart wants one thing and the mind contradicts. Reality is... I don't know what is best. I will admit to knowing the foundation but not knowing the mix that comes next. I don't even know if anything I am writing right now makes sense... so as you try to process what you are reading, know that I am processing as I type. haha. 

A lot is changing around me. A lot is changing at Regent. I'm thinking back now on the past two semesters and all the things that happened this year... kinda crazy to think about now. So if there's major changes happening now... imagine what is to come this year.

I definitely have been hungering for time with the Lord recently. I've been longing for a quiet place to meet with Him. To meet him in my every day schedule. Today I pushed myself to be extra cheerful and you know what? It made me happy. It made this day so much more meaningful. Not saying that every other day I have moped around and been unhappy spreading the funk... it's just that I wanted to try and experience even more of His joy and spread it to those who I encountered today. Fun stuff. 

In other news: 

I am on an outdoors kick! Hiking, camping, kayaking, road-trips. Give it to me! ALL OF IT! I haven't kayaked yet or camped but I am so game for all of it. I hiked with Courtney yesterday 2 hours in First Landing State Park. I don't have hiking gear... I want to fix this. I called my grandfather last night to let him know that I need hiking boots... waterproof. He was happy to help. Love that my family owns a shoe and sporting goods business. Tomorrow I am going to the Great Dismal Swamp with Lum & Ashley Fielden! Whoo! Hiking! So excited! 

That's about it for now. Toodles!