Slow Me Down

So, this year I'm not in Chara, the Christian dance company here at A&M. But I've been stalking the company's YouTube channel waiting for the video of their first piece of the school year. Ironic that the song is fast climbing to the top of my iTunes playlist. It's called "Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum, the girl who played Christine in Phantom of the Opera.

The video is the top one in the sidebar on the right. Or can be found here. The official music video can be found here.

Rushing and racing and running in circles
Moving so fast I'm forgetting my purpose
Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning
Getting nowhere
My head and my heart are colliding - chaotic
Pace of the world -- I just wish I could stop it
Try to appear like I've got it together
I'm falling apart
Save me
Somebody take my hand
And lead me

Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall
Slow me down
Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down

Sometimes I fear that I might disappear
In the blur of fast-forward I falter again
Forgetting to breathe, I need to sleep
I'm getting nowhere
All that I've missed I see in the reflection
Passed me while I wasn't paying attention
Tired of rushing, racing and running
I'm falling apart
Tell me
Oh won't you take my hand
And lead me

Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall
Slow me down
Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down

Just show me
I need you to slow me down
The noise of the world is getting me caught up
Chasing the clock and I wish I could stop it
Just need to breathe, somebody please
Slow me down

but God...

That is my favorite phrase in the whole Bible. The story seems to be headed towards a rather disastrous climax, someone's life seems to be going down the tubes, or some nation is about to get wiped out.

...but God...

see, a "but God" statement gives hope when there is no logical reason to hope. It completely changes the story around. It allows for a startling chance in the plotline. It means that Someone stepped in, did something amazing, and someone's life was changed.

Frankly, it's comforting to know that there is always a "but God" clause at the end of of every event in my life. For every"Satan wanted to" or "the world did," there is a "but God."

"but God remembered Noah..."

"you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good..."

"but God did not give David into [Saul's] hands..."

"but God raised Him from the dead..."

"but God demonstrates His love toward us..."

Ahh, to know that nothing is without an "in case of emergency push button" sign. And to know that when we don't know we're even in an emergency God works on our behalf and changes things for our good.

It's kind of like Corrie Ten Boom's quote, "There is no pit but Christ is deeper still." He is deeper, He is farther, He is bigger, He is stronger, He is wider, He is father, He is... He is in ultimate control...

See, it's something that I am forcing myself to remember. Something that I am making myself read over and over. The pit is so not fun. It's dark and slimy and all my efforts only leave me at the bottom discouraged and tattered. But God...

Here's a video of a student group at A&M that regularly performs Christian mimes. This one is based off "Everything" by the Lifehouse group, and it was performed at my Christian dance company's end of the year performance a few months ago.

See, in some ways that girl is me. And He is trying to get my attention and get me to see Him behind all of the other stuff. And I am oblivious. But God... starts pulling on the rope. Starts pulling me in. Starts bringing me back to Him.

...but God. End of story.

"Call My Name" - Third Day

"For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." -Rom 10:13, NASB

Alyssa choreographed this piece for seven girls, then rechoreographed the last 30 seconds to add in the other six of us and make it the closing piece. I love how the girls started out in a tight circle holding hands, then spun out to start dancing. Before and after every rehearsal and performance we "circle up" to pray, so it seemed a great way to start the closing dance! The dresses were so fun to twirl in...

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=13430232&ap=0&albumid=8079783

It’s been so long since
You felt like you were loved
So what went wrong
But do you know
There’s a place where you belong
Here in My Arms

When you feel like you’re alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I’ll be there

The pain inside
Has erased your hope for love
Soon you will find
That I’ll give you all
That your heart could ever want
And so much more
When you feel like you’re alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name I’ll be there
You just call My name
Call My name say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

You just call My name
The love I have for you is so alive
The love I have for you is so alive
You just call My name

"All I Need Is You" - Hillsong

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need." -Psalm 23:1, NLT

Michelle's choreography for this piece was amazing; it was full of emotion and showcased each girls' specific style of worship. The whole song is about how much we need God and how He holds the world, and each one of us, in His hands. 

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=8052249&ap=0&albumid=8165542 

Left my fear by the side of the road

Hear You speak
You won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray

Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You

All I need is You Lord
Is you Lord

One more day and it's not the same
Your spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You

All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

You hold the universe

You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord 

"Mirror" - BarlowGirl

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." -1 Peter 3:3-4

I loved the message of this song... life is about turning away from the mirror that lies to us and looking to the One who made us and created us in His image. At the beginning of the school year Emily told us that God would use these songs to work in our lives and that as we heard the lyrics over and over again at rehearsal they would start to pop into our heads at random times... and she was right. I really enjoyed the visual aspect of this song as we danced with silver picture frames, fought with them, and finally threw them down in order to dance freely.

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=7780907&ap=0&albumid=8270704

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, 

Have I got it?

'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?

Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare

I know He defines me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

You don't define me, you don't define me

"On Our Side" - Bethany Dillon

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a very good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him." -Rom 5:6-8, NIV

This dance is seriously the most powerful dance that I've ever seen... there's a video on an older blog post so you should check that out. :-) The sashes say "greedy," "lost," "empty," "broken," "captive," and "weak."

The orphan clings to Your hand

Singing the song of how he was found
The widow rejoices
For her oppressors are silenced now

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor

You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

The runaway falls at Your feet
You are what he has searched for
The rich man is broken
When he stands beneath a sky full of stars

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore

When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us

You are on our side

You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side

"The Light" - Brandon Heath

"Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me." -Acts 26:17b-18, NLT

Every time I see this dance it makes me cry... the words remind me that there really is light at the end of the tunnel, and that light is the person of Jesus Christ. Emily's choreography beautifully represented the struggle that we feel as we strive to find the answers to our pain and the questions of life. It's OK to cry, OK to fight and strive for the light, and He is there at the end with His arms wide open to recieve us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0F8kE8n5XQ

The hand that feeds the fire

The lips that taste the smoke

All together once again
The moon that hangs so pale
The dark that makes you choke
Comes to cover you again

Stay close you people with your broken hearts
I stand before you as a witness
Hold tight to the man that stands in front of you

As we move toward the light

The will that knows no end
The eyes that see your heart
Come to look on you once more
The word that shakes the ground
The voice that clams the sea

Stands knocking at your door

Stay close you people with your broken hearts
I stand before you as a witness
Hold tight to the man that stands in front of you
As we move toward the light 

"I Choose Now" - Anthony Evans

"I could have no greater joy than to heart that my children live in the truth." -3 John 1:4, NLT

I loved this dance! Lindsey first heard the song last summer when she was on staff at Pine Cove, a Christian family summer camp in East Texas. Anthony Evans came to do a concert one night and when she heard this song she reached over to the girl staffer next to her and said, "Wouldn't this be a fun song to dance to?" The girl was surprised and didn't know what to say, so Lindsey just got up and started dancing in the back of the room! :-)

I had a lot of issues remembering all of the turns in this dance--up until a few hours before our last Art of Worship performance I was trying to remember which steps came in what order. :-) But the song was so fun and drew the audience in to remember that one day we will all bow in worship, but we can choose right now to glorify Him! 

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?

fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=8344351&ap=0&albumid=7425548

I don’t want tragedy to be the only

Thing that leads me to Your throne
With every moment of my life
With pain or joy I will cry
You are God alone
You’ve given me the choice to kneel or walk away

I’ve struggled with surrender long enough to say

I choose now 

To be humbled in Your presence
I choose now

To fall on my face
'Cause one day

Every knee will bow but Jesus
I choose now

I have the scars I can’t deny from
Thoughtless words and foolish times

But You still forgave

I wondered down a thousand roads
Lost my way but You led me home

Where I was safe
I know heaven is a gift of Your grace

But until I see Your face

I choose now
To be humbled in Your presence
I choose now

To fall on my face
Cause one day
Every knee will bow but Jesus 

I choose now

To glorify Your name
That’s why I was made
To worship and obey
I won’t wait

I choose now 

To be humbled in Your presence
I choose now
To fall on my face 

'Cause one day
Every knee will bow but Jesus
I choose now

"Dance" - 21:03

"The young women will dance for joy, and the men--old and young--will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing." -Jer 31:13, NLT 

This was a crazily fun dance to watch Meredith, Anne, and Michelle perform! Meredith worked out the choreography to accent every beat in the music and make it a really upbeat piece! I love how this dance emphasises the joy of the Christian walk!

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=7944208&ap=0&albumid=8109196

I can't find the lyrics for this song ANYWHERE online, but if I do, I will post them here. But listen to the song (a.k.a. the link above!) instead. :-)

"Awesome God" - Kirk Franklin

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable." 

-Isaiah 40:28, ESV

This was a really fun dance; completely out of my comfort zone when we started learning it, but fun nonetheless! The steps were a mix of jazz, hip hop, and salsa, and kept all of us on our toes and out of breath! Each time we performed this dance Lindsey told us to just "ham it up--get out there and have fun." It was a different style of dance than I had ever thought I would do before, but I ended up loving this dance! It was fun to see the audience's smiles and just

 proclaim how awesome our God is!!!

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=8683847&ap=0&albumid=8083098

Our God

Is an awesome God he reigns 

From heaven above
With wisdom,power and love

Our God is an awesome God.

Our God
Is an awesome God he reigns
From heaven above
With wisdom,power and love
Our God is an awesome God

You're marevelous and you're glorious
You're love has made me victorious
You took away the fear in us

Now we praise You cause
You delivered us

There aint no stoppin us (naw)
Devil there aint no blockin us (naw)
Come on and clap your hands with us
Like this like that

He reigns
He reigns
He reigns
Forever and ever

"Stand in the Rain" - Superchic[k]

"Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him." -Proverbs 2:5-8, NLT

This full-company piece was the first dance we learned all year. We performed this dance at a talent show hosted by the Texas A&M Philippino Student Association, as a filler act in a huge sorority/fraternity show called "Songfest", and several times in the main plaza outside the student center here. This was one dance that we all knew really well and we could focus on the words instead of remembering all of the choreography. The dance starts out with all of us quickly walking in random patterns on stage, then different groups breaking into dance until at the chorus all of us dance together. At the end of the song, we go back to our personal walking pattern but then stop and look at each other. It's supposed to represent how we often go about life in our personal bubble of our problems and don't stop to consider that we are all going through hard things and we can stand in the rain better when we stand as a group instead of by ourselves...

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=5815731&ap=0&albumid=7677471

She never slows down
She doesn't know why but
she knows that when
She's all alone it feels
Like it's all coming down

She won't turn around
The shadows are long
And she fears if she cries
That first tear
The tears will not stop
Raining down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won't make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself
And the fears whispering
If she stands, she'll fall down
She wants to be found but
The only way out is through 

Everything she's running from
Wants to give up and lie down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
Stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found

Stand in the rain

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

"Shadowfeet" - Brooke Fraser

"I have  told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" -John 16:33, NIV 

This was probably my favorite dance out of the seven that I learned. I heard this song last semester on a CD of possible Chara songs, and I really really wanted to dance to this one, so when Lindsey picked me, I was ecstatic! :-) I love how this song talks about stumbling as we wait for the day when we will be found in Him; when the world is crashing down, we won't be swept away!

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=761139&ap=0&albumid=7674766

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet 

Toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing
Less and less asleep
Made of different stuff than when I began 

And I have sensed it all along
Fast approaching is the day
When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you

There's distraction buzzing in my head
Saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
But I've heard rumours of true reality
Whispers of a well-lit way 

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you

You make all things new

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you 

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you 

When time and space are through
I'll be found in you 

"Hallowed" - Jennifer Knapp

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdome come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" -Matt 6:9-13, ESV

These four girls were part of the second dance of Art of Worship, reminding us that our lives are to be a prayer to our Heavenly Father. He is hallowed, we are simply His beloved creation! Their poise and grace on pointe was beautiful, and Megan's choreography was a gorgeous adddition to such meaningful words!

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=14108439&ap=0&albumid=8122914

Our Father,
Which art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done,

Hallowed... Hallowed...

Done on the earth as it is in heaven,
Hallowed... be thy name,
Give us this our daily bread,

Hallowed... Hallowed...

And please forgive, 

All of our debts,

Hallowed... be thy name,

As we forgive our debtors,

Hallowed... Hallowed...

Lead us not into

Temptation's lair,
Deliver us from the evil snare,
For thine is the kingdom,

Power and glory,

Forever and ever, Amen...
Forever and ever, Amen...
Hallowed... Hallowed...

"Wherever We Go" - Newsboys

"I command you-- be strong and courageous!

Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9, NLT

This was the opening dance for Art of Worship. Something fun and uplifting that would set the tone for the night and draw the audience in to worship with us. Brittany, my Chara prayer partner for the semester, was one of three girls to choreograph this dance, and I got to help her out a little. :-)

This was a great song to start to, because many people have heard this song, but have probably never thought of dancing to it! The words talk about the witness and the effect we have on people simply because we're Christians. We can't explain why God gives us a joy that overflows and impacts those around us. And it's all for the glory of God!!!

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=2181781&ap=0&albumid=9504939

Wherever we go,

The bluebirds sing

And the flowers bloom

And the grass gets green
It's a curious thing
But it's just our thing

Wherever we go, the bees behave
In the treetops, squirrels smile and wave
It's a curious thing

And it's humbling

Wherever we go, little glow-worms glow
Little roadrunners run ahead
Gonna tell their friends
Little mice, little men
Get 'em all excited
All invited

Hands up

Holler back there

Let's throw this party in gear

We brought the welcome mat

Whever we go, that's where the party's at

Hands up

Holler back now

We don't claim any know-how

We're giving God all that

Whever we go, that's where the party's at

Wherever we go, the dumb get wise
And the crime rates drop
And the markets rise

It's a curious thing
But it's just our thing

Bullies make nice, crooks repent
And the ozone layer shows improvement
It's a curious thing
And it's humbling

Wherever we're led
All the living dead
Wanna leave their zombie mob

It's a touching scene when they all come clean

God help us, we just love our job

Hands up

Holler back there

Let's throw this party in gear

We brought the welcome mat

Whever we go, that's where the party's at

Hands up

Holler back now

We don't claim any know-how

We're giving God all that

Whever we go, that's where the party's at

High, throw your hands up,
Throw your hands up high,
High, throw your hands up,
Throw your hands up high

This is a message we spread

Bringing life to the dead
This is the gospel expo
Follows wherever we go

Hands up

Holler back there

Let's throw this party in gear

We brought the welcome mat

Whever we go, that's where the party's at

Hands up

Holler back now

We don't claim any know-how

We're giving God all that

Whever we go, that's where the party's at