Put A Pin in Pinterest Thursday...

Pinterst Thursday has been preempted by this...

I saw this video posted on FB a few times this week and after watching it, well...I'm sad.  I'm sad that women don't truly know how beautiful they are, that it's almost impossible for a woman to see herself the way others do and I know that I'm one of these women.

I applaud Dove as they campaign for real beauty.  With real women.  Women that are flawed, and instead of those flaws being airbrushed before publication, they are celebrated.  In Cars 2, Mater (the rusty tow-truck who's honesty is refreshing but isn't known for being all that smart) refused to let his dents be fixed.  He said “You can’t touch my dents,” he says.  “I got every one of them dents with my best buddy Lightning McQueen.”   His dents were accumulated doing what he loved most-spending time with his best friend.  Our dents are accumulated over time, and not always from things we enjoy or can even control.  Stretch marks from carrying a child for 9 months, varicose veins from standing hour hours on end at a job we may or may not love, acne from those dang teenage (or even adult) years, scars from falling off our bike, a car accident or sports injury.  A few extra pounds because we refuse to put the people in our lives on the back burner just to look like a model on the cover of a magazine who has been airbrushed and photoshopped anyway.  We are women who have lived life, and we aren't perfect but we should embrace the fact that that's what makes us wonderful.

I'm on a campaign to stop negative self-talk.  To show women how truly beautiful they are, no matter what shape or size, hair color or texture, bone structure or skin tone.  We are all created in the image of God and when I look around, all I can say is, "Man, my God is beautiful.  In so many different ways."

Will you join me in uplifting each other and putting an end to the idea that only certain traits are beautiful and dethrone society's view of beauty and replace it with God's?  

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 
Proverbs 31:30

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.  1Peter 3:3-4

Walking On, Walking On...

The girls knew I was having a rough day yesterday and as we sat at dinner they tried their hardest to lighten the mood.  They aren't used to me being quiet.  I think it scared them a little.  Lucy was rambling on about who knows what (I swear I was listening, I just don't remember at the moment) when she started talking about the song that played when her alarm went off this morning.  See, we're trying to teach her some responsibility and make her get up with an alarm instead of waiting for someone to come get her up, which results in a fight and obnoxious attitude.  

Anyway, that got me thinking about simpler times.  When I was in junior high, I would wake up to the same song every single morning.  Not by choice, mind you.  The radio just happened to play this same song each day at the time my alarm went off.  

Thinking back to junior high and how the biggest concern I had was if (boy of the moment, insert name here) noticed me, if my math teacher would realize I had no idea what was going on in class and hadn't for sometime, and if my bestie would let me eat some of her nachos at lunch...

Well...he usually never noticed me, the teacher never caught on and yes, she let me eat her nachos every day, and not just a bite, but the majority of them.  That's how much she loved me.  And also says a lot about my eating habits back then...

Anyway, I digress...the song was Annie Lenox, Walking on Broken Glass, and if you'd also like to take a trip back to simpler times, enjoy the next 4 minutes.  You're welcome.

In Christ Alone

I did not know Owl City put out Worship music.  My Lucy LOVES Owl City.  Maybe she won't mind worship music so much if I start playing her this:

With Easter being this past Sunday, this song has been stuck on repeat in my head.  My favorite part (especially on Easter morning) is the line:

Then bursting forth, in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!

Powerful.  I still consider myself a fairly new Christian-just 6 years in, and though I know I've matured a lot in that time, some things still take my breath away, and I think that's ok.  I think it's just fine that my little human brain can't even begin to fathom the love God has for us--enough to sacrifice His Son so we may be in relationship with God the Father.  I don't mind one bit that I usually tear up while signing in church because the words are so powerful, and I know they are only paining a picture of an even more powerful God.  I like that because I have AOC I don't take those songs for granted or get annoyed that it's the millionth time I've heard them-the words continually hit me fresh and stir up desire to know Him more.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Hello My Name Is

I heard the story about this song on KLOVE one day and thought...wow, what an amazing reminder.

Basically the story goes like this (sorry, I couldn't find a video or anything to explain it so I'll do my best to remember)

Matthew West asks fans to submit letters about their lives and he writes songs about them.  One letter started with "Hello, my name is (insert a male name here) and I'm an addict."  The letter goes on to explain just how far this man has fallen from Christ and then the love, mercy and grace God has given him.  He signs the letter with "Hello, my name is Child Of The One True King."

Powerful stuff.

No matter our condition when we meet Jesus, we walk away as a child of the one true king, forgiven, redeemed, set free.  There are no exceptions.

Come To The River

I love this song.  The lyrics speak to a place in me that I haven't been able to adequately express with my own words.  The Rhett Walker Band says it all.  Take a listen...

Steal My Show

God reminds me over and over that this life is not my own, I am here for His glory.  For Him to use me in whatever way He needs to further the Kingdom.

I could go through my day looking out for me, what's going to make me happy in each moment, never worrying or thinking about what might benefit those around me, or I could turn my day, and my life, over to God and allow Him room to move in me and through me to bring light and hope into places I would never be able to on my own.

When we step back, take my hands off and relinquish "control" of things to God, He is able to do  exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Check out TobyMac's explanation of his song "Steal My Show"

More Like Falling In Love

Growing up I had a very legalistic view of Christianity.  The only thing I was ever exposed to was along the lines of "You better follow God's rules, or else."  Well, I didn't want any mart of that.  Why follow the rules?  What made those rules so important?  How was anything going to be different if I did or didn't follow the rules?

I'm the kid who has to touch the burner to make sure you aren't just saying its hot--I need to verify that it actually is hot.  I'm the kid who wouldn't take, "because I said so" for an answer.  I needed you to explain why I couldn't have a cookies before dinner.  "Because I said so" makes you an illogical tyrant.  Once you explained that a cookie was going to spoil my dinner, that cookies didn't have the nutrition that I needed to grow big and strong, but that the dinner that was on its way would fill me up with proper vitamins and give me the energy I needed, I realized asking for a cookie every night was pointless.  Also, offer me an apple if I'm starving...there is no need for a kid to be hangry...just sayin.

So, you get the picture--I'm not ever going to just believe something because someone tells me to...that's just not how I work.  I need reasons, proof.

Once someone finally explained that Christianity isn't about following rules (I'll break them) but a relationship, one that develops over time, between me and God, things started falling into place for me.  I never understood why people would just follow a bunch of rules because someone told them to.  I was raised in a home that taught me to question everything, even authority, if things didn't make sense to me.  (I'd like to add that I was taught to do so respectfully)  And nobody ever explained that when someone loves you to the point of giving anything to be close to you, and you return that love, you want to abide by their desires for you.

I guess once I finally saw the other side of Christianity, not the "religious" side, but the relationship side, I was done for!  I'm such a relational person-I love loving people, especially if those people love me.  When it became a heart issue and not a head issue, it was easy to jump in, to turn my life over to God and live for Him, and His will for me.

This Jason Gray song never grows old, because it speaks exactly how I feel...It's gotta be more like falling in love than something to believe in, more like losing my heart than giving my allegiance.

Slip On By

As a child I hated Sunday nights.  I always struggled to find sleep.  It wasn't that I hated school and dreaded everything Monday brought...I actually loved school, so that wasn't it.  I never could put words to how I felt but I almost made myself sick each week.

Looking back, I think I can accurately say that I was mourning the week that had just come to a close.  I knew that it was time I'd never get back and there was so much that didn't get done, or relationships that needed mending.

**For those of you who don't know me, I'm not being overly dramatic here, I've always been super self-reflective, intuitive and sensitive to the emotions and needs of those around me...so it's not crazy that at 8, 10, 12 years old these things were going through my mind.  Plus, I didn't have a smooth childhood so there was always plenty to reflect on.**

When I experienced my first real loss, I was in 7th grade.  My Grandma Collier died.  I remember someone teasing me for wearing my gym socks to English class...my response was, "My Grandma just died, like I care about my socks!!"  I'm sure I mumbled an "idiot" or "loser" as I walked away, but that part is a little bit fuzzy.  In eleventh grade my Grandpa Collier died.  I'm pretty sure it was from a broken heart.

Papa never recovered after the loss of his parents.  He was very close to them and being emotionally stunted and unavailable as he was, he never dealt with the loss which changed him forever.

When I started my senior year of high school, Papa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He fought for 5 years but finally was set free in October 2002.

At that point I realized how much I didn't pay attention as a child, teen and young adult.  How many times Papa told me stories that I ignored because I thought there would be years and years to hear the story again.  I knew very little about Papa's childhood, adolescence and the desires of his heart, beyond the obvious.

The old "Sunday night" feelings took hold and for years I walked around in a constant state of mourning.  Not just morning the loss of my father, but mourning all the time I'd never get to spend with him and all the time I had wasted while he was still alive.

I felt I'd ruined everything (ok, a little dramatic, but that's how I felt) that I'd never feel whole because I'd lost so much, wasted so much time.  It just slipped away without me even noticing, and POOF! Papa died and all his stories, jokes and tall tales died right along with him.  Oh, how I'd treasure those stories now!  If only, if only...

Eventually, Jesus filled the voids in my life and I knew that things, though different than I imagined, would be ok.  Life would go on--just without Papa, but that too would eventually be ok.

God revealed to me that He created me to be deeply relational.  That sharing experiences with those I love is what makes me happy, feel loved.  I could be in Paris staring at the Eiffel Tower all alone and be miserable, yet find complete and utter happiness in figuring out how to inflate a flat tire on a scorching July day if doing so with a good friend.

Circumstances mean nothing to me...happiness occurs when doing anything with someone I care about.

I guess what it all comes down to is this song, and the message that before you know it, you'll be at the end of your days and if you're like most people, you'll have a list of "should haves" like the elderly man this song speaks of.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  You don't have to let it slip on by.  You can stop right now, and change the course of your relationships, of your life, of the lives of others.

The message isn't new or surprising to me, it's the feeling I've had since all those Sunday nights ago when I just knew things were slipping away, important things, important relationships.  I think that's why I am so busy, why my calendar is bursting each day-because I'm so afraid that I'll blink and it'll be ten years from now, and things, and people, will have slipped on by...that's my biggest fear.

A Decent And Kind Man

Watch this video...all the way through...I dare you not to cry.

Now, read this:

Matthew 25:

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

A Brahmin man is willing to go against EVERYTHING his beliefs tell him about interacting with those in need.  Are we as Christians, willing to do those same things, the things which Jesus instructs us to do?  

He said, "Food is one part.  Love is another part.  So, the food will give them physical nutrition.  The love and affections which you show, will give them mental nutrition."  

I'll go one step further...it will give them spiritual nutrition as well.

Roll Away Your Stone

I recently rediscovered my love for Mumford & Sons.  Sure, this isn't a new song, Mumford isn't the latest and greatest...they are becoming old news.  It's been ages since I've heard some Mumford--they used to be everywhere.


I enjoy pretty much everything I've ever heard from them, but this one particular set of lyrics from "Roll Away Your Stone" always hits me:

Seems that all my bridges have been burnt,
But you say that's exactly how this grace thing works

Its not the long walk home that will change this heart,
But the welcome I receive with the restart

Because when our bridges are burned, when we're out of ways to make our lives work the way we want them to, when we've done, said, thought things we never dreamed we would, when everyone has walked away and we don't deserve anything...grace is there.  God's grace swoops in.  The thing is, if you deserved it, even a little bit-it wouldn't be grace.  You  can't earn grace...you can't follow a set of rules, walk a narrow enough path, jump through the "right" hoops or otherwise be "good enough" to merit God's grace.  It's a gift...given freely.  Following rules, jumping through hoops, going through the motions...that's not enough to change your heart, but accepting the gift of grace, love, mercy...that is what will change your heart.

If not, darkness is what will dominate the things we see...we have a choice--we can hold tight to our desires, never yielding to anyone or anything (including God) with our stake stuck in the ground, or we  can give them (our desires) to God, let Him use us for His glory and honor.  Because when we align our desires and our hearts with God's, we are told we can ask for anything in prayer and it will be given to us.

John 15: 

⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

Monday? Or Tuesday?

I know it's Tuesday already but since yesterday was a holiday and I didn't work, today still feels like a Monday...and what better way to kick it off than an old favorite...

Hope your Tuesday flies by without any of the regular "Monday" issues!

Always...

At church this weekend, we sang this song and it hit me hard.  These lyrics: 

Oh, my God, He will not delay

My refuge and strength, always

I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always

I walked into church Sunday morning thinking about this waiting game...not knowing if what I desire most will ever come to pass...seeing everyone around me get the things I want, the things I've prayed for, waited for--good things, God honoring things...then, this song, these lyrics remind me that God will not delay, He's not withholding anything from me but rather, He's preparing me for what is to come.  He won't keep me in this place one second beyond what is most glorifying to Him.  He is my strength during the waiting, the praying, the crying out for what it is my heart aches for.  His promises are true, yesterday, today and tomorrow--He doesn't go back on His word, He delivers.  Every time.  Without fail. 

Trouble surrounds me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm

My help is on the way, my help is on the way 

When I stop fighting the current and surrender to His will, His timing, my soul will find rest.  I need not fear what is to come, what might not ever come...whatever it is (or isn't) He'll be there, arms open wide, to comfort me, to give me rest, to rescue me...even if it's from myself.  My God doesn't ever walk away.  I might on occasion take a few angry, frustrated, spoiled-brat steps in the opposite direction, but He never does, He's looking to help me, to shelter me, to love me--no matter how many times I throw a tantrum.  

I lift my eyes up
My help comes from the Lord

Keeping my eyes on Him will help me see what His purpose is for me...and will keep my eyes off the disappointment of things not going my way.  The sadness, anger, jealousy, loneliness that comes when everyone you love seems to be swimming in answered prayers.  It's not because God forgot about me, it's simply because He has a different plan for me, one He'll prepare me for and help me to navigate...when you're eyes are fixed on God, you don't notice the choppy waves daring you to doubt Christ's power, causing you to sink and call out...but that's a different song...but man, I do love Peter. 

Rise

I love this song.  I've loved it since the first time I heard it.  

My favorite line is:

Because He who is in me is greater than I will ever be, and I will rise

This song is a great reminder that we came from the dust and one day will return to dust, but God takes us, lifts us up, creates beauty from our messes and when we yield to Him, anything is possible.

A quick prayer for my friend who is on her way to the Democratic Republic of Congo to FINALLY pick up her two kiddos would be appreciated...safety in travel, a smooth transition of the kids into her custody and a wonderful God-centered life for them here in the states.  Thanks guys!

Auld Lang Syne

Honestly, I have never been a fan of this song, the lyrics and melody combine together in a haunting way that makes me feel lonely and sad...like life is slipping away, another year gone.

Funny then, that this version would be my favorite...it's the version from the Sex And The City movie...when Carrie is already asleep and Miranda calls her...she treks across the city as the clock winds down and makes it just in time to embrace her dear friend.

When I hear this version, I think of my girls...Hannah and E...and not just because I saw the movie with them, but because I know, if I needed, I could call them at midnight and they'd come running, just the way Carrie did.

The words "Auld Lang Syne" translate to: times long past, the good old days.  May we remember all the good times of the year past and look forward to the good times to come in the new.

And in the words of Colonel Potter (yes, from M*A*S*H):

"a toast to the new year may she be a damn sight better than the old one

and may we all be home before she's over".

Dominick The Donkey

Not everyone has had the privilege of hearing this song.  I was introduced to it a few years back and still crack up every time I watch this video.  It is untraditional, but enjoyable nonetheless.  

Your Hands

I heard this song for the first time today.  I was surprised to learn that its several years old.  It was definitely a God thing...I needed this reminder today.  I never leave His hands...

I know we've throughly discussed living with unanswered prayers so lets not launch into that again...just listen...Your Hands by JJ Heller (and her husband)

And because I'm a visual person...here are the lyrics...

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn’t there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That you would take my pain away

You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crooked lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking, heaven stands

When my heart is breaking 

I never leave your hands

When you walked upon the earth

You healed the broken, lost and hurt

I know you hate to see me cry

One day you will set all things right

Yeah, one day you will set all things right

When my world is shaking, heaven stands

When my heart is breaking 

I never leave your hands

Your hands that shaped the world

Are holding me

They hold me still

The 12 Days of Christmas

Growing up, much like everyone else my age and older, we had a record player at home.  Papa loved music.  We had lots of records.  None of which meant anything to me, other than the Muppets Christmas record.  We listened to it endlessly...at least that's the way I remember it...

The Muppets were a staple in my house.  We watched the Muppet Show...I mean, who didn't?  The old guys in the balcony, Super Gonzo, Ms. Piggy forever chasing Kermie...

Their version of the 12 Days of Christmas is by far my favorite childhood Christmas memory.  It's bitter sweet though...at an already tough time of year it reminds me once again that Papa isn't here.  But, at the same time, this time of year gives me so much hope...For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given...

Enjoy the Muppets...and listen through...ya gotta hear Ms. Piggy's "ba-dum-bum-bum" it's my favorite part!

All I Want For Christmas

Probably you'll stop reading my blog after this post.

I love this song.

I love Mariah Carey.

The first version of Mariah Carey...the adult contemporary artist from the 90's.  Not the...uh...how do I say this nicely...not the scantily clad, questionable morals Mariah Carey that reemerged sometime later.

I listened Mariah's first Christmas album endlessly when it first came out, while doing homework on the computer, with headphones of course so the rest of the family wouldn't kill me for playing this song over and over and over...

Steady My Heart

It's no secret that I've been a little bit of a mess lately.  I'm not sure what God is working on, but man, it is definitely stirring up a lot of emotion and frustration.

I've just needed a steady hand, an assurance that it will all be ok.

Throughout my life, I've sought that from my dad.  No matter what was happening, I knew life would be alright and I didn't need to worry, once I turned things over to Papa.  The past 10 years I've tried to find a man to fill the void that was left when my father died.  Eventually, I realized that God is the only one who can steady my heart.  His plans for me are good.  I know that because He promises me they are and God never breaks His promises:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Pain in this life is inevitable, following where God leads isn't always going to be easy, we're going to shake, tremble, stumble, and fall.

Lately, I've been feeling unsteady and uncertain.  Waiting for God to show me the next step, or how to better glorify Him on this step.

Kari Jobe reminds me that He is holding me in the palm of His hand, His hand is in it all-wether things are going my way or not.

He alone can heal my scars, provide refuge, steady my heart.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let    the righteous be shaken.        Psalm 55:22

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

When I first heard this song it annoyed me.  But the more I listen to it, the more I love it.

I was reading through Luke and ran across the following passage, and Jesus, Friend of Sinners came to mind.

^{Luke 6:27} “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic^[a]either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Is this how we act?  Most of the time, I'd say no...we've strayed so far away from Jesus' teachings.

We have come to believe righteous anger is acceptable.  If someone isn't doing something just like we would, or heaven forbid they have a different view than us on something, We cut down people in Jesus' name...but that sword was never ours to swing.

How many times have we been the stumbling block for someone on their search for Christ?  How many times has our witness been tainted by ugly words or actions?  Without us even knowing?  What if this life isn't really about us, but about them--the ones who don't yet know Christ's love?  And instead of feeling holier-than-thou, we remember that once we declare Christ as Lord, our life becomes His and we are now to use this life to bring the Good News to others, instead of being an obstacle, hurdle, or roadblock on their way to Him?

The world is on their way to you, but their tripping over me.

I pray this isn't true of us Lord.

We are all sinners.  Each and every one of us.  Whether you have never known Christ or have called Him Lord your whole life, you will never cease sinning this side of Heaven.  Why then are we always judging others sin?  Are we forgetting that before we came to Christ we needed the love, grace and mercy that we sometimes withhold from others?

Jesus came for sinners, the undesirable, outcasts

^{Matthew 9:12} On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

^{Mark 2:17} On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  

^{Luke 5:31} Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

If we saw people as Christ sees them, our hearts would be led by mercy.  We'd love these brothers and sisters that are in such need, because we'd realize that we were once in need and Jesus stepped in. We can love because we were first loved by Him.  If we aren't loving, extending grace and mercy then one has to ask, do I really know the Love of Christ?  Is it evident in how I treat people?  Everyone? Especially those who are different from me, in need, challenging to be around, undesirable to society? 

Hmmm...if Jesus is my example and he's a friend of sinners, shouldn't I also be?