The Impact of Music

It was just another average morning. I got up got the boys fed and dressed and then it was off to school. As we started driving I turned on whatever CD happened to be in the player and we began singing. I dropped Keegan off at school and Truitt and I headed home. We continued listening to the CD and singing.

Once again, God used music to speak to me. He seems to use the music that I am most familiar with and listen to all the time. I'm noticing that it is the music that I would least expect to impact me. Maybe that is because I am so familiar with it. I tend to listen and sing without really thinking about what I am singing. When I take the time to stop and think about the words and what they really mean it hits me.

This day was no different. As I pulled into our driveway I found myself in tears (over a song that I would never expect to make me cry). When I stopped to think about the words I was singing, and the truth in those words, it hit me. It is so easy for me to lose perspective of what this life is all about. I was made to know God and to Glorify Him!!! All the other details of life don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. The part that got me most were those last two lines. They seems so simple and easy to say, but am I really willing to live the words I was singing? Yes, I want to live my life in such a way that my God comes before everything. I count all these other things as blessings from Him. They can all be stripped away at anytime and I don't want my happiness/joy to hinge on those things, because when they are stripped away I will still have joy. Joy that can only be found in God.

Are you dying to know what CD/song we were listening to? It is nothing groundbreaking or life altering, but God used it to speak to me, and that is all that matters. I slowed down long enough to listen to my God. The CD was Toby Mac's "Portable Sounds" CD and the song was "Made to Love."

Tobymac - Made To Love From the album Portable Sounds

The dream is fading now I am staring at the door
I know it’s over cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection, I ain’t feeling what I see
It’s no mystery

What ever happened to a passion I could live for?
What became of the flame that made me feel more?
And when did I forget…

Chorus:
That I was made to love You
I was made to find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love and be loved by You
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And You said You’d keep me never would You leave me
I was made to love
And be loved by You

The dreams alive with my eyes open wide
Back in the ring You got me swingin’ for the grand prize
I feel the haters spittin’ vapors on my dreams
But I still believe…

I’m reachin’ out, reachin’ up, reachin’ over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And Daddy I’m on my way…

Chorus:
Anything I would give up for You
Everything I give it all away

We Shall Not Be Shaken

I don't have much to share these days. Sometimes God uses music to speak to my heart and this is one of those seasons. I share these songs hoping that they may speak to you also.

"We Shall Not Be Shaken" by Matt Redman

When everything's breaking
You are left unshaken
When everything's tumbling down
You're the solid ground
Nations could be quaking
Economies failing
When fear is found all around
You're the solid ground

Our God, You are all that You say You are
You never change, You never fail, You never fade
Our God, You are faithful in all Your ways
Forever You stand, forever You reign, forever remain
And we shall not be shaken

We shall, we shall not be shaken
We shall, we shall not be shaken
When all around is sinking sand
For You are, You are never changing
You are, You are never changing
You will stand, the Great I am

Being Content

In the midst of all the things that we are dealing with God has really been speaking to me about being content where I am. I am learning to be content with God and God alone. This has not been easy, but I am in process.



The song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns has really spoken to me. Especially the chorus. God is calling out to me. He tells me not to be afraid. I know he will use my circumstances for his glory. I just need to remind myself of that daily (sometimes hourly). I need to listen to my God and not the lies that this world throws at me. Thank you God for proving yourself to be faithful time and time again!!!




Oh,what I would do to have

the kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown

Where Jesus is,

And he's holding out his hand



But the waves are calling out my name

and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

time and time again

"Boy, you'll never win,

you'll never win."



But the Voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth



Oh, what I would do

to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant

with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound

of a thousand warriors

shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand



But the giant's calling out

my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me time

and time again

"Boy you'll never win,

you'll never win.



"But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth



But the stone was just the right size

to put the giant on the ground

and the waves they don't seem so high

from on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

singing over me



But the Voice of truth tells me a different story

The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth



I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe the Voice of truth

I will listen and believe 'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth

And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth

Moonbeam Award

Chris' first novel won the Moonbeam Award. You can read all the details on his blog.

Book Release

9/9/09 ~ This is a day we have been waiting for! I can't believe it is finally here. Chris and his brother, Allan, have missed many hours of sleep over this book. They have worked endlessly and painstakingly to ensure that this book is the best it can be. I am so proud of all they have accomplished!!!! Check out Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire

Update

Chris finally received a call from the Dr. office. He does have degenerative discs in the upper part of his neck. The Dr. didn't think it was bad enough to warrant surgery at this point. He would like Chris to do 6-8 weeks of physical therapy and see if that helps. Chris will continue taking his meds while he does the therapy. Hopefully after therapy he will no longer need the meds on a regular basis and will be able to function on a somewhat normal basis. Please pray with us that the therapy would be successful.

Prayers

Thank you to all of you that were praying for Chris, and our family, this weekend!!!! He went to his Dr. this morning. The Dr. looked at the ex-ray, of his neck, that was taken this weekend and wants a closer look. He wants Chris to have an MRI. This should be scheduled in the next couple of days. Without the results of the MRI the Dr. is just guessing that he might have degenerative discs in his neck. For now, Chris is on anti-inflammatory meds and pain pills. Hopefully we will have more answers soon and know what the course of action will be. Please continue to pray that the pain will subside so that Chris can focus on all the work that he needs to accomplish.