Hey guys, I wanted to share with you a few songs I've been working on lately. We recently used one for a night of worship church. After the service Jonathan asked the speaker (David Nasser) for feedback on my song. I was so embarrassed, but gave us some good critique. He said writing bullet songs is important; take a principle in scripture or an attribute of God and really drive it home poignantly, instead of moving from one thought to another.
I'm an amateur for sure, but songwriting is an area where I hope to grow. Thus, I am opening up myself for critique here. I need it to get better. So, how do these songs hit you? What do they say? Is there one driving point, or is it several?
Oh, and don't really mind my guitar playing. I'm a pianist, but the only instrument I have access to at the house is a guitar...so I play it...poorly! This is yet another area that needs improvement! :)
Well, this past week was simply amazing. I've been holding off on writing about it so that I could process all that happened. I still can't adequately explain everything, but here it goes! Basically WIRED week is about bringing the local church together to serve and worship in unity. We had 40 something youth groups and over 1000 kids. Everyone stayed at host churches in the area (one of them is our church) at night, and during the day we came together for worship, Bible study and serving the community through various mission projects. Believe me, it's awesome.
Our worship band for the week was DecembeRadio. Let me tell you, they are one talented group of people! Cody Deese was the speaker and man, he brought it! He certainly wasn't afraid to say what needed to be said!
The theme was "Under Siege" and it was all about spiritual warfare. It's kind of funny because one night the power went out completely. It was hot and dark but we still had worship!
My sweet sister also came into town for the week to help with a VBS track group, and also to keep me company while my husband did all his assistant camp director things. He basically lived at the church for 3 weeks...no joke.
I was also able to help at this booth! We sold these bracelets to raise money to build safe houses for victims of sex trafficking. This is the group I will be going to Ethiopia with this fall!
Speaking of Ethiopia, you should check out my vintage-inspired headbands that I'm selling to raise money for the trip!
Everyday, I helped deliver lunches to sites. For the first 2 years of WIRED I served as a track leader...it kind of made me miss it.
It was so good have my sister here all week! She is the sweetest girl ever and I'm so glad to call her my family! She was good to wear my headbands a lot to help me promote them...and of course, I wore them too!
By the end of the week there were over 150 people who committed their lived to Christ. And that was just from the WIRED participants! There were lots more at our sites! It is so neat to be a part of a generation who is rising up to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We aren't content with doing things simply because they've always been done that way. We are questioning. We are trying to make our lives line up with scripture, not tradition. I can't wait to see what the church will look like in the future. I have great hope!
WIRED Week 2011 is going really well thus far. I wish you all could be here. The whole place is full of energy! I love being in one place with a generation ready and willing to worship with everything. I am expecting great things!
Sometimes I my life gets so busy that I forget to stop and enjoy the small things...to be thankful for each day. I have so much to be thankful for today. I thought I would share a few with you all:.
I am thankful for...
Beautiful weather...
It so beautiful outside today! The warm sun kissing my face and the sweet smelling breeze is refreshing.
New things...
God is starting some new things in my heart these days. I am so thankful that some of my waiting time is over and I am seeing God move in my life in very obvious ways. I can't wait to see all that He does!
Coffee...for now...
Ah, the warm heaven-sent liquid is so wonderful in the morning! However, I am weaning myself off of coffee soon, so I will enjoy it while I can!
Leftovers...
Mmm...there are some yummy leftovers in the fridge. I'm thankful that we even have leftovers. We have more food than we need, which is good to remember today.
Our church...
It was a blessing to lead worship for the youth group last night. We serve beside some amazing and godly people. Fellowship with the believers is so precious.
New music...
I've recently started listening to Kristian Stanfill's new CD, Mountains Move, and I can't get enough. This song is my favorite right now:
My husband...
He makes me laugh so much! Albeit, sometimes it is because he is tickling me but I love to laugh with him nonetheless. We are so incredibly silly. He is a good critic. I have been depending on his feedback lately.
Clothes...
It has almost been a month since I've purchased any clothes. You can read more about that here. I am realizing just how much I really have. I am thankful that I have the means to dress well. Lots of people wear rags.
Well, that is all for now. I certainly haven't exhausted all that I am and should be thankful for, but that would be way too long for this little post.
A couple of you guys asked to hear me play and sing the song I've been working on...so I'm going to share it on here. This is the first time anyone but my husband has heard it. He could play and sing it so much better than I do, but oh well!
However, I give you full warning - this is me exhausted, my voice is tired, I'm not singing right, I slip in and out of head voice and I messed up on the piano parts. It's a work in progress. If you are a music nerd, please don't tear me to shreds! I am an amateur song-writter at best!
I had a better take, but someone walked in on me. Can you say awkward? Let me tell you, it was weird. After that I was too tired to give it another go. So here is the very imperfect first take:
I'm not sure why the video isn't matching up with the audio...working on that. If any one is an expert on uploading youtube videos from PhotoBooth, let me know what I'm doing wrong!
Have you ever had something pop into your head and you really have no idea where it came from? It's happened to me quite a bit lately. The other day I was getting ready to head to lunch when this thought came to me:
What if I was more aware of the needs around me? What if there was a way to get a lot of people connected and united with the mission to make a difference in our world for the Kingdom? What if I started such a project? How can I help others to help others?
Ideas started flooding my mind. Where did they come from? Sometimes I have a hard time differentiating my dreams from inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I wonder, what is the difference? God has been doing some crazy things in my heart as of late. I almost fear becoming a radical. What will this mean for my life? What will he call me to do? I'm not sure what God is going to do, but I am ready to find out!
I don't know about you all, but I'd love to do more to help people. My problem is that I'm not sure of where to start. Simply giving money to the church and expecting the ministers to impact the world just isn't good enough for me. I want to be a part. I want to make a difference for Christ in this world.
I want to love justice and mercy.
What good is my worship of the Savior if I have no love for the lost, the needy, the broken, the widows and orphans? How can I say that I serve Jesus Christ and NOT reach out to them?
I have a vision.
I see our generation rising up as the Bride of Christ. We can be more unified now than ever before. We have so many things to our advantage. I see this generation leaving behind the comforts of our culture and using our resources to reach this world. I see us rising up to proclaim the glory of Jesus Christ, showing the world that He is worthy by giving up everything for Him. I see the Spirit move in power among us. I hear us proclaiming, "Jesus, we are here for You!" And oh, how I yearn to witness it all come to pass.
This video rocked my world. God has been speaking these very same things to my heart. This was confirmation. Please, take a moment to watch it. I'm not sure about everything he says, but the principle behind this video is worth seeing.
So, this is your invitation. Come and join the revolution. Come and make a difference. I don't know how it will all happen, but I'm giving everything I've got for this purpose - the glory of God, no matter the cost. O grace of God, let me not stay the same. Take hold of me. Consume me.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother in needy but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with workds or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18)
"He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dreaded asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short-lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul - a short life? In me there dwells the Spirit of the Great Short-Lived, whose zeal for God's house consumed Him. And He has promised baptism with the Spirit and with Fire. 'Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.'" (Jim Elliot)
In reading "Shadow of the Almighty" about the life of Jim Elliot, I have been struck by the flame of passion that exuded every part of his life. He was indeed consumed with Christ. And he sought to live as Jesus did - for the glory of God. I love reading Jim's prayers. They are bursting with fervor and intensity. I have most definitely been challenged to let go of the 'other things' in my life that are distracting me from my knees, from desperation for God to move in me, and from soaking myself in the Word of God.
It's been a little over 8 months since we've been married and I love our life together. It's so freeing to know that someone is there no matter what may come, and loves me just the way I am. I'm more crazy about my man than ever.
Lately, I've been seeing how God is using us together. One of the things that attracted us to each other when we first met was our shared love of leading worship and music in general. The first time I saw Jonathan he was leading worship at a Bible study...playing the guitar and singing. *Swoon* Before he even met me a friend of his started telling him about "this girl that he just had to meet." On the list of attributes that caught his attention were "she sings soprano" and "plays the piano." Not long after we started "talking" we found out that we both attempt to write music as well. Ok, I attempt...he is actually pretty good. It makes me laugh to think about it. We will forever be music nerds. I am very ok with that. It's been so amazing that we've had the privilege to lead worship together lately. We just come alive when we do that like nothing else in the world.
I'm excited so see where God is leading us. We are running on this path rather blindly, not really knowing where the Lord is leading. It can be frustrating sometimes because I want to "plan." I wish I knew if we were going to Seminary soon, where we are going, how long we are going to stay here, if we'll ever leave, when we should have kids, if we'll ever be settled, and the list goes on. Even still, it's a thrilling journey we're on. I know God has a plan for us and I'm just so happy that were on it together. I wouldn't want any other life. I'm so amazed at how much better I become with my husband. God knew what He was doing when He brought us together! I am so grateful that He did!
Well, that's all for now folks.
Side note: I dyed my hair brown. I kind of feel like a rock star now. Don't ask me why. I just do.
I use to play a whole lot more in college, but that has been almost a year now....shame on me. I miss college life sometimes. Those spare hours between classes were wonderful for writing, thinking and playing music. Alas! Those days are gone never to return! Well, they might when we go to seminary...if we go to seminary. However, I thought I should start back up again regardless.
I don't have a piano (which is my instrument of choice) at my disposal, and sometimes I just really NEED to play music. Solution? Start playing one of the 4 guitars we have at the house. I really don't have a good excuse not to pick it up. My husband plays very well, so it's not I don't have someone to teach me. Being married to an extremely talented musician sure does have it's perks! I rather like it.
Being a music major has helped me understand the theory of playing, but I need lots of practice on my strumming for sure! I was inspired to pick back up after hearing Hillsong's new CD "A Beautiful Exchange." It is fantastic! Love Like Fire is one of my new favorite worship songs!
So without further ado, here is the song I am learning to play these days.
