Times

Every once in a while I'll play music during my writing sessions. There are always those songs that you never get tired of, songs that bring back crazy memories, and songs that grasp the core of your heart and continue to every time you listen to them.

While writing today, this song by Tenth Avenue North started to play and I felt my heart get heavy. I'm so grateful for these lyrics today, and every time I listen to this song.

I know I need you
I need to love you
I love to see you,                                                                                                                                                 but its been so long
I long to feel you
I feel this need for you                                                                                                                                         and i need to hear you
is that so wrong?
oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh

Now you pulled me near you
when we're close  fear you
still im afraid to tell you
all that i've done
are you done forgiving?
or can you look pass my pretending?
Lord I'm so tired of defending
what I've become
what have I become?
oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

i hear you say "my love is over,
its underneath, its inside, its in between
the times you doubt me, when you can't feel
the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'
the times you've broken, the times that you mend
the times you hate me and the times that you bend
well my love is over, its underneath
its inside, its in between,

these times you're healing
and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting
the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
im there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame
im there through your heartache
im there in the storm
my love i will keep you by my power alone
i dont care where you've fallen, where you have been
i'll never forsake you
my love never ends, it never ends
mmm, mmm
oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

The Body

Today has been a busy Saturday. It's usually my Sabbath, but today I've been working on a couple paintings that are gifts for a special bride (post coming soon).

I've been listening to my iTunes and painting my heart away and just talking to the Lord about things on my heart. I was completely out of touch when a song started playing and the lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks...

"...But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way..."

The song kept playing, If We Are the Body by Casting Crowns, and I just asked myself, "Am I the body?"

If we are the body of Christ then we should be reaching out to those in need. We should be healing with our time, finances, etc. We should be boldly speaking the Word of God and sharing it to no end. We should be moving and be on mission. It really made me think about the things I am doing in my life and if I really am a part of the body of Christ. And if I am, what am I doing to make Christ known?

So, I must ask you...

Are you working to grow the body?

My lately.

I don't even know where to start when it comes to how I've been lately. Lots of feelings, emotions and frustrations. Depending on God for literally everything, but there's a peace deep within that sense of uncertainty.

 I've been spending a lot of time with my brothers, which I always enjoy. I thank the Lord often that we are all so close. I never would have thought I'd love my little brothers like I do. Recently, Barton and I went to a concert at Rocketown in Nashville benefitting Africa's orphans and Japan's relief fund. The concert featured artists that we both really enjoy, but more so, share the gospel of Jesus Christ in an awesome and powerful way. They are all christian rap artists: Pro, Shonlock and Lecrae.

All three are incredible, but Lecrae is definitely my favorite. If you've never heard of him, you can check him out here. The other are also definitely worth a chance. They're all about sharing Jesus through amazing gifts and talents.

I've also been spending a lot of time outdoors and with people I love and adore. I was with a dear friend the other night and we went out to see her son play in a soccer game.

I've been seeing God in the little things. Like the beauty in the lights, the grass and the children running around.

Today I left work and went to spend time with another dear friend. We were both frustrated and ill with things of this life and decided to get out, talk and be outdoors. We spent the afternoon walking and talking and it was just what I needed.

 I've gotten to be with dear friends and celebrate milestones and new seasons of life. I got to spend last weekend with my best friend from college and go shopping for her wedding dress. It was a sweet, tender moment to share. I was thankful to be there and am honored to be in her wedding come November. I'd share a picture but I can't spoil that beauty. She's the best friend you could possibly ask for.

I am very thankful I got to share in another dear friend's birthday this week. Jennie and I work together and not only is she an amazing co-worker but she is a very dependable, sweet and encouraging friend. I thank God for her often.

On a more tender note, Barton goes to prom tomorrow. I cannot believe it. It seems like yesterday he was born and I was asking my mom to send him back to the hospital because he was so loud. That was almost 18 years ago...I was six and loving my quiet life, and then Barton came to liven it up. I am so very thankful for him and he is so incredibly dear to my heart. I can't believe he's growing...well, grown up.

 With all this going on and trying to get through each day without tears and frustration this is getting a lot of use:

Writing and praying are the only things that get me through each day. I type a lot and try to work on my blog often, but most of the time I am picking up my Bible and reading comforting passages or my journal and just writing thoughts, wishes and prayers. My comfort is in communication...communicating with my heart, my mind, my soul, my desires, my fears, my doubts, my frustrations, my people and most of all, my heavenly Father.

I am currently working on a side project that is hitting the ground running and getting a lot of attention and listening to this song. It's by a wonderful friend of mine, Holly Cormier.

Just praying God continues to guide me, for I know He is the lamp for the current time. 

Passion: Here for You

Since I can remember music has been like writing for me: an outlet. Music is that for most people, but for me it helps when I am happy, sad, excited, hurt, etc. Once I write I turn on something to help whatever mood I may be in and just relax from there. Writing is to cake as music is to icing....get it?

Well, it's rare for me to really talk or write about music, but today I got this album and I HAVE to share it with you:

Passion: Here for You. It is a worship album from the conference I attended back in January and it's absolutely amazing. What's awesome about the Passion music is that it's written and recorded weeks before the actual conference, then released at a later date. Each conference has it's own individual worship and the Passion albums never disappoint. If you want some awesome music that gives all the glory to our God you should definitely give it a try. I've been listening to it all day!