My Hope

One of my favorite musicians is worship leader Paul Baloche.  I have purchased several of his cds over the past few years, and they hold some of the richest, deepest worship music I've ever heard.  His latest CD is called "The Same Love."  It is sooooo good!  There is one song right now that I am just loving and listening to over and over.  It's a spin on the classic "My Hope is Built."

My favorite lyrics:  "I don't know where You'll take me.  But I know You're always good."

Here is a video of the song.



Here are the entire lyrics:

Nothing will change
If all the plans I make are wrong, Your love stays the same
Your light will guide me through it all, I’m hangin’ on
I’m leaning in, to You

Nothing can reach,
The end of all Your faithfulness
Your grace is with me,
Through every shadow, every test
I’m hangin’ on
I’m leaning in, to You

I don’t know where you’ll take me
But I know You’re always good
My hope is built on nothing else,
Than Your great love, Your righteousness
I will not walk another way
I trust Your heart, I trust Your name
I’m holdin’ on
I’m holdin’ on, to You

You are my rock
When storms are raging all along,
You shelter me, God
I’m safe with you on solid ground,
I’m hangin’ on
I’m leaning in, to You

I don’t know where you’ll take me
But I know You’re always good
My hope is built on nothing else,
Than Your great love, Your righteousness
I will not walk another way
I trust Your heart, I trust Your name
I’m holdin’ on
I’m holdin’ on, to You

My hope is built on nothing else,
Than Your great love, Your righteousness
I will not walk another way
I trust Your heart, I trust Your name
I’m holdin’ on
I’m holdin’ on, to You

For anyone who has a heart and an iTunes account...

.nothing is wasted.

The hurt that broke your heart
And left you trembling in the dark
Feeling lost and alone
Will tell you hope’s a lie
But what if every tear you cry
Will seed the ground where joy will grow

And nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

It’s from the deepest wounds
That beauty finds a place to bloom
And you will see before the end
That every broken piece is
Gathered in the heart of Jesus
And what’s lost will be found again

And nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

From the ruins
From the ashes
Beauty will rise
From the wreckage
From the darkness
Glory will shine

by Jason Gray
Album: A Way to See in the Dark 

Behold the Lamb of God

Last night, Jonathan and I went to see Andrew Peterson and friends live in his "Behold the Lamb of God" concert.  There are NO WORDS for this experience.  It was incredible.  It was so edifying, so beautiful, and so powerful.  I really do not know if I can do it justice to try to describe it, so if you ever get the chance to see him live in concert, please do!

I discovered Andrew Peterson only one year ago when our church choir sang one of his songs from the "Behold the Lamb of God" album during our Lessons and Carols Advent Service.  The name of that song is "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks."  I was instantly interested in finding out more about the songwriter.  Not long after that, I downloaded a free Andrew Peterson album from Noisetrade.  After listening to that album all the way through one time, I was hooked.  Now I cannot get enough of Andrew's unbelievable story-telling through song.  The Lord has so blessed him musically and with an ability to communicate Truth in such a compelling and beautiful way.  Almost every song is a story, and every story makes you hungry for God.  Deep, strong stuff.

When I heard he was coming to Knoxville for his annual Christmas concert, I begged Jonathan to take me.  I have converted him to an Andrew Peterson fan, so he was more than happy to oblige.  Last night we went, and I walked out of that concert with a renewed love for the Christmas story, a renewed love for the Lord, and renewed love for music. 

Please either purchase the "Behold the Lamb of God" album or at the very least, listen to the songs on Grooveshark.  The album tells the story of Jesus, God with us, from the Old Testament all the way through the New Testament.  It's the TRUE tall tale of Jesus come down to earth to save his people from their sins.  And he starts at the beginning....the Old Testemant, Genesis. 

On the Web

Here are some things that I've been enjoying on the Internet lately.  Just some things that I thought I would share to hopefully brighten your day:

1.  Pandora:  I know this website has been around for several years now, and it is probably SOOOO 2009, but I have really been enjoying it on my iPhone while riding in the car.  Here are several stations that I've been listening to over the past few months.  Check them out:

-Andrew Peterson radio station
-Waterdeep worship radio station
-Adele radio station
-The Civil Wars radio station
-Brian Regan radio station

One other thing I want to say about these Pandora stations is that Jonathan and I have come across some really great new artists by listening to these stations.  We'll be listening to something and are intrigued by a song or artist, so we've broadened our music listening even more!  Love it!

2. Pinterest:  Almost everyone is on board with this new website, and I must say that I absolutely LOVE Pinterest.  I usually only get to browse it while I am nursing Stella, so I am glad that I downloaded the Pinterest app for my iPhone.  I have come across TONS of great recipes (many of which I have actually TRIED!), some great decorating ideas, craft and fun activities for the kids, and much, much more.

3. I am really trying to do some planning for this coming Christmas season, and I have really had a desire to start implementing some new family traditions.  One that I want to start this Christmas is an advent calendar that I do with the kids, including learning about the Christmas story and fun activities to go along with that.  So, I've been doing lots of searching online for great ideas in this regard.  I thought I would share some websites I've found in case you want to look into them:

Confessions of a Homeschooler's Advent Activity List

Advent Gift Boxes

Tons of Christmas Ideas from I Can Teach My Child

Christmas Countdown including a breakdown of the Christmas Story in the Bible

I am planning to put a few ideas together to personalize our Advent calendar, and I am sure I will come across more great ideas as the season approaches.  Next on my list is to find an Advent calendar.  I am trying to find one with the little boxes you open up, so if you know where I can find one, please give a shout out!

4.  When the Milkshake Runs Low is another article by Rachel Jankovic on the Feminagirls.com website.  Rachel is the author of Loving the Little Years, a book about motherhood and having young children that I read recently.  She is such a gifted writer and such a blessing to mothers who can relate to having lots of little ones around, fighting for joy and wisdom.

That's all for now!  I'll try to share some of the awesome recipes I've come across on Pinterest soon!

Only Your Blood is Enough...

No 
bleeding
 bird, 
no 
bleeding 
beast
 
No
 hyssop 
branch, 
no 
priest
 
No 
running 
brook, 
no 
flood, 
no 
sea

Can 
wash 
away 
this 
stain 
from
 me.

For only your blood is enough to cover my sin.
For only your blood is enough to cover me.



I know I have talked about the band Sojourn several times and their wonderful album entitled "Over The Grave," so forgive me for doing so again.  However, I can't get these powerful and thought-provoking words out of my head today.  Which is fine with me!  I pray they strike your heart like they have mine.

Reading through the Old Testament laws about sacrifices and offerings helps this ring ever more true.  Praise God that we are free to come to Him without a priest, a bird, a lamb to sacrifice.


The Law demands a perfect heart but I'm defiled in every part.
For only your blood is enough to cover my sin.
For only your blood is enough to cover me.

Thank you, Father, that my future isn't dependent on what I contribute.  I'd be hopeless.

May Your Power Rest On Me

I can't get enough of this song.  Such truth!

Labor of Love

I was recently introduced to Andrew Peterson when our choir sang a song of his for our Lessons and Carols Christmas service about two weeks ago.  Since then, I have been enjoying his Christmas album along with his other worship music.  (You can listen to him for free on Grooveshark).  This morning, I was listening to him again when I just fell in love with his song "Labor of Love" which recounts the night of Jesus' birth.  It is amazing!  Seriously, crying.  (I'm pregnant, but still, it's beautiful to meditate on.)

I found this version of the song by Point of Grace in video form, if you would like to watch and listen, but Andrew' Peterson's version is amazing.  Do yourself a favor, go to Grooveshark.com, and search for Andrew Peterson and Labor of Love.




Lyrics to Labor Of Love :

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love

 

May your heart be affected like mine was and is!

For The Beauty of the Earth

I have been singing this song in my head for the past few days and thought I would share the lyrics.  They are beautiful and are a great meditation for this time of Thanksgiving.

For the beauty of the earth, 

For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

"King of Peace" by Generation Letter

Worship at our church this morning was amazing.  The songs that were chosen were so perfect for where I am today.  One of my closest friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  We are in the beginning stages of what this means, but I am still reeling from the news.  When we started to sing the words of this song, I couldn't help but be reminded of the the truth that God is with us in the midst of suffering and pain.  I found the lyrics online this evening and thought I'd share them with you.  If you are interested I'm sure you could google the song or look for it on You Tube or iTunes.  It's a beautiful song!


“King of Peace” reminds and assures us of God’s faithful presence and care in the midst of suffering and trials. Here are the lyrics:


Verse 1
Lord, your children have not been spared
From this worlds daily trials and cares
We know weakness, fear and sorrow, yet weʼre not alone
You are near in our time of need
You are faithful you hear our pleas
You give grace to all who hope in your mighty name

Chorus
King of peace you calm our raging storms
All we need is found within your arms
We find rest by your quiet stream
King of peace

Verse 2
We were rebels against your reign
We were haters of your great name
When you saved us from your justice and from ourselves
You gave life to our hearts of stone
Made a way for us to your throne
Where we lay down all our burdens at your feet

Bridge
We stand upon your faithfulness As we trust in you