Random Thoughts

So I realize that most people only read the main page of this blog. That's great and I am so thankful! If you ever bore with the posts here I also have been working on some other pages (some still need work) that you are more than welcome to check out.

On the right here as well, I have short devos or inspiring scriptures that I miyself have come to learn as I seek God more and more. Some are simply from Church services while others are what the Lord has shown me throughout random days.

Below and to the right of this pain page I also have a few links posted. The list grows longer as I discover more amazing faith based sites. If you have any you know please let me know. I would love to check them out and link to them.

One in particular is my favorite. Harvest Time is the name, and currently it is previewing a talented Christian Country artist on the rise. You can check that out here at - http://www.ourchurch.com/member/h/harvest_time/index.php?p=1_7_Music-Multi-media

Thanx everyone so much for reading and commenting. It truly is so encouraging. I love writing to you all and am so glad I have people to share my experiences with as I grow deeper in the Lord.

God bless!

When Everthing Falls Apart...

Have you ever heard of the song: "When Everything Falls Apart" by Tenth Avenue North? If you haven't heard it, go take a break and listen to it. It is a pretty simple song but is really encouraging as it is a reminder of how God is there in the midst of every storm.

A while back, some years ago, a friend of mine showed me the song when I was having a real hard time. The song spoke to my heart and ever since then has been a favorite. I guess you might say, thru those words and thru that simple melody, God really reached me. Just being reminded that everything was gonna be OK and that He would be there comforted me.

See, you might say I've had a pretty dramatic life. LOL. And I'm not complaining but some days can get pretty tough. I used to worry and fret over everything. Even the simplest of things, but I don't anymore because I know that with God I can be at peace, knowing that everything is in His hands. He WILL carry me and in Him I can withstand anything because it is through Him that my weakness is made strong. Instead of fretting over how everything will work out, I now rest in my Father's arms in peace as I watch Him move mountains and wrought miracles in my life. What do I have to fear when I rest in the shadow of the Almighty?

Music - A gift from God

Hey guys,


If you're listening then I have something BIG to tell you. Ready for it? Here it is: Music is amazing!! =P My sister is flipping through songs on my IPod right now and I don't know, for some reason music can just sooth ya and calm ya. It can excite you too or sadden you. Honestly, if you really think about it, music can really shape a lot of your emotions.


But the important thing here isn't that music is so powerful and how it plays in our emotions, but that music is a gift from God and that if used for His glory it can move mountains and aid in healing the most wounded and broken soul. It can bridge any gap and bring so many diverse people together. Does that make sense? I mean, even if somebody is singing in a different language that you can't understand, when you're worshipping God it doesn't matter. You can still fall into the heart of worship, you can still glorify God and through it you can still be part of praising our Creator.


When my family was down in Mexico for four years... we got to see a lot of diverse people. This may sound strange, but there was even clans of German and Korean groups there. Yeah. Pretty interesting huh? Not to mention the growing population of Americans.


The thing is, when we first arrived we didn't know any Spanish save some basic words like: "Taco" and "Bano" (bathroom). LOL. So when we attended church service, yes sometimes people translated, but a lot of times we were left to sit there and listen completely confused. But thats the thing! Christ, even though we couldn't understand them, brought us together as one family and one people. We were still fed by God's Word. We were still lifted up and drawn closer to Him... and the worship (this is where music plays in). We were still praising God with one voice and one heart united for Jesus.


Have you ever attended a service in a language you did not understand? Have you ever worshipped in a congregation with people who spoke a different dialect? Somehow the music bridges the gap between the languages. It doesn't matter any more if you don't understand every word or even that you can't sing it. As long as it's for the glory of God, you can still lift your hands in praise and bask in the presence of God. Music. It can make you cry, laugh, jump and dance.


It is a gift from God that goes beyond words; and when your heart can't express its deepest feelings and burdens and thoughts through words... it can through music. :) What would our world be without music?!


So next time a melody drifts to your ears, think of God and thank Him for that simple yet amazing gift from Him. Then lift your own voice and praise Him and play your instruments, because He gifted you with that as well to glorify Him.

Why we worship

(Hey everyone, I'm so sorry for not posting or being on for so long. In short my life has been busy. :) So the other day I found this stuffed in a bunch of worship songs in my music binder. I revised it a tad but it's pretty much exactly the same. So... here it is.)


WHY WE WORSHIP

"The biggest thing for us as worshippers is to reflect the glory of the Lord in our lives. But instead of recieving that glory unto ourselves we need to deflect it towards God, the only One who is worthy of all glory. This is the natural response of true worship.

"Satan saw the glory of the Lord upon himself, when he was still an angel of God, but rather than deflecting it toward God as he ought, Satan instead accepted the glory unto himself and began worshipping that glory in him; making himself equal with God. It is very important that we do not follow in those same footsteps. God alone is worthy to recieve all the glory.

"So when the Spirit of the Lord is seen in our lives and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are apparent, let us remember: It was not our hands and feet that were nailed to the cross, it was not our flesh that was crushed for sinful man, it was not our brow which thorns were pressed upon, it was not our love for mankind which led us to Calvary. It was JESUS, He alone is worthy! It is by Him, for Him, and to Him that we reflect God's glory. Let us adamantly and zealously give Him all praise. We are not here to please men but God, who tests and knows our hearts. This is the standard by which we must lead worship."

A church worship leader of the church I attend said this once. I don't know if it is his own words or a quote from another. Like I said, I revised it only a little for better clarity but other than that I've really tried to keep it exactly how he said it. It's powerful!

When the Stars Burn Down

"When the stars burn down and the earth wears out and we stand before the throne, with the witnesses who have gone before we will rise and all applaud

"Singing blessing and honor, glory and power forever to our God. Singing blessing and honor, glory and power forever to our God.

"When the hands of time wind fully down and the earth is rolled up like a scroll, the trumpets will call and the world will fall to its knees as we go home.

"Singing blessing and honor, glory and power forever to our God. Singing blessing and honor, glory and power forever to our God."

In Christ, we have something to look forward to. (song by Philips, Craig & Dean - When the Stars Burn Down)