One song...

from musicandlyrics via lovetrains

What's your "one song?" Some of mine are:

"Caroline" by Seventh Day Slumber

"Into the West" from the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack

"Bad Day" by Daniel Powter

"You're Beautiful" by James Blunt

"Courage" by Superchic[k]

"While I'm Waiting" by John Waller

"So Yesterday" by Hilary Duff

"Flora's Secret" by Enya

"Tongue Tied" by Stereo Skyline

"Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade

"Healed" by Shane & Shane

"Gentle Savior" by David Phelps

"Banquet" by Bloc Party

"Come On Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson

Before I Met You...

Road trips are great. Road trips listening to 90s pop music is even better. Thank God for Pandora and a car full of girls who either sang along or fell asleep to Jump5, Hilary Duff, and the Backstreet Boys!

And then this lovely song:



As I continued singing in the shower that night, I couldn't help but think of Proverbs 31:12

"She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."

We always think about loving our husbands after we marry them... but if the Proverbs 31 woman loved her man all the days of her life, she must have loved him before she knew him...

and I'm on the quest to find out what that means.

Songs and Statuses

from overloadedaegyo via lovequotesrus.

Does it bug you when people post song lyrics as their Facebook or IM statuses? It used to... until I found myself doing the same thing.

I figure, if someone else has taken the time to find the perfect words (and they've made those words famous/gotten quite a bit of money from those words) why should I try to find some other way to say the same thing?

And I also figure that if someone sees my status and moves right on because they don't understand it, they obviously don't know me that well. When I get a Facebook comment, a "like," or even a text with either "that's perfect, I totally agree!" or "I'm getting the vibe you're not OK, wanna talk about it?" I know those people care. 

I figure, the people who need to know will understand what I'm (not) saying... and the rest of the world can just read some great lyrics and remember a wonderful song. 

BTW, I'm kind of in love with the faded lyrics, a blog dedicated to bringing Taylor Swift's words to life. Check it out.

This is going to be good.

I came across this last week... have to say that satelliteofyou has some beautiful photos.

Fall is going to be good. The pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks has made its blessed return, football season is in full swing, the University Dining Services is selling caramel apple cider at the on-campus coffee shops, long-sleeve Ts are coming out of boxes, the Christmas season is soon approaching, it's not quite cold enough to stop wearing Chacos, I'm no longer sweating buckets walking across campus, the cold air wakes me up on my way to my first class of the day (and then it warms up by noon so I can shed the sweater), I'll soon be 21, pumpkins are on sale at the grocery store, the crockpot is getting good use...

It's gonna be good. It feels like waking up. It feels like coming back. It reminds me of a favorite Sara Groves song, "It Might Be Hope." 

<

You do your work the best that you can

you put one foot in front of the other
life comes in waves and makes its demands
you hold on as well as you're able

You've been here for a long long time

Hope has a way of turning its face to you
just when you least expect it
you walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless
you say to yourself
it's been a while since I felt this
but it feels like it might be hope

It's hard to recall what blew out the flame

it's been dark since you can remember
you talk it all through to find it a name
as days go on by without number

You've been here for a long long time

Hope has a way of turning its face to you
just when you least expect it
you walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless
you say to yourself
it's been a while since I felt this
but it feels like it might be hope

The first week of school I got a little stir crazy after doing so much over Christmas break and then facing so much free time! I went to Walmart, bought some paint and brushes, and started right in... :-) I had no idea what it would look like when it was done so I had fun seeing it take shape!

Here's the finished product (well, it was finished the second week of school but I didn't actually take pictures until today... )

(the whole thing)

(top right)

(bottom right)

(bottom left)

(top left)

Wait for Me - Rebecca St. James

This post is nothing much different from last year's regulatory Valentine's Day post. But hey, it's OK. One day I'm sure I'll be posting pictures of the perfect date, the perfect guy, the perfect flowers, the perfect sappy over-priced Hallmark card... and it will be perfect because God picked him... and so for now, I wait.


This song by Rebecca St. James has been a really good reminder. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have!


Darling, did you know that I
I dream about you
Waiting for the look in your eyes
When we meet for the first time
And darling, did you know that I
I pray about you
Praying that you will hold on
And keep your loving eyes only for me


CHORUS:
'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
'Cause I am waiting for, praying for you darling
Wait for me too
Wait for me as I wait for you
Darling wait


Darling did you know
I dream about life together
Knowing it will be forever
I'll be yours and you'll be mine
And darling when I say
" Til death do us part"
I mean it with all of my heart
Now and always faithful to you


CHORUS


Now I know you may have made mistakes
But there's forgiveness, and a second chance
So wait for me, darling wait for me
Wait for me
Darling wait for me

CHORUS 

"Heal the Wound" - Point of Grace

This song has come to mean a lot to me recently... long story. When I came across this picture tonight I just had to do something with it and post it here. :-)

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

safe love...

I've recently come to love this song and thought I'd blog it here. It's called "Safe" from Britt Nicole's semi-new album "The Lost Get Found."

You keep trying to get inside my head
While I keep trying to lose the words you said
Can't you see I'm hanging by a thread
To my life, what I know
Yeah, I'm losing control and

Oh, no, my walls are gonna break
So close, it's more than I can take
I'm so tired of turning and running away
When love just isn't safe
You're not safe

I'm strong enough
I've always told myself
I never wanna need somebody else
But I've already fallen from that hill
So I'm dropping my guard,
Here's your chance at my heart

Oh, no, my walls are gonna break
So close, it's more than I can take
I'm so tired of turning and running away
When love just isn't safe

Everything you want, but it's everything you need
It's not always happy endings
But it's all the in-between
It's taken so long, so long to finally see
That your love is worth the risk

Oh, no, my walls are gonna break
So close, it's more than I can take
I'm so tired of turning and running away
When love just isn't safe

You're not safe
And that's ok

God’s been teaching me a lot about love recently—“people love” and “God love.” See, I’m realizing how stubborn and self-sufficient I am. And even when I’m not, I still make it very clear to people that I still want to be treated as such. It takes a lot for me to admit that I’m worn out, to accept someone walking me back to my dorm late at night, or to let people see the way I really feel.

And then God knocks me off my feet. Showers me with His love and when I look for the strings experience has taught me must be attached, I find none. And that unnerves me. Makes me unsure of what to do. Makes me realize that He has once again seen past my defenses.

When things aren’t safe I turn and run. I think it’s easier that way. I don’t have to face it. I don’t have to let anyone past the walls. The defenses are up.

I like walls. I like distance. Letting anyone in is risky. Uncertain. Unclear. And then I hear His voice in the back of my mind asking for me to let Him in. He wants to bring light. Bring life. Banish loneliness and bring laughter. He could tear down the walls but He would prefer that I hand over the key and let Him in of my own accord. Let Him have His chance at my heart. Allow Him to woo me and make me fall in love with Him.

If I let Him in will that rock my world? Yes.

Love’s not safe, but it’s worth the risk.

ideas?

So, I am debating doing a dance for an event coming up in Decemeber (still in the works, so I don't want to ruin the surprise!) and I need some help narrowing down my list of songs. They're in order from my favorite to not so favorite, but what do ya'll think? Even if you've never danced, which songs resonate most with you???

I'm Speechless (Avalon) http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=4805323&ap=0&albumid=9641356

Gentle Savior (David Phelps) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsFNnJObieA

Daughter of the King (Donna Stuart) http://www.myspace.com/donnastuart

Completely (Ana Laura: from Facing the Giants Soundtrack) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcYqKuRDttw

Omega (Rebecca St. James) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-zjQMRRX5o

Your Name (Phillips, Craig, and Dean) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2qm3eD4akM

It Might Be Hope (Sara Groves) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRlOLZ0H4ck

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

"More Beautiful You" - Johnny Diaz

This song has been on the radio quite a bit lately... on everything from KLOVE playing CCM, to the usual soft rock/office music station, to the 80s-today mix station! The first time I heard it, I pulled over to the side of the country highway and just sat there listening... It was just what I needed. This song has since become my 3rd most played song on iTunes ("Bella's Lullabye" from the Twilight OST, and "Two Hands" by Jars of Clay are numbers 1 and 2), and has helped me remember what true beauty is all about....

I know what it's like to feel like the "little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine" and I know what's like to long to be "treated like the jewel you are." In some way, this song describes what every girl struggles with at some point in life... oh, we may be able to hide it from the rest of the world, and especially from the male population, but we--I--sometimes need to be reminded that I am the most beautiful me ever.....

Check out the music video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

[Chorus]
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

[Chorus]

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away

By the One who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

[Chorus]

"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