Sunday at the Celebration

On Sunday, a very pregnant Francesca Battistelli played at the Decatur Celebration to a crowd of excited onlookers. I have been a fan of Francesca for a while and although the radio plays her songs often, it's not the catchy tune that resonates with me. It's the words of the song and desire to let go that gets to me.

Letting Go

By Francesca Battistelli

My heart beats, standing on the edge

but my feet have finally left the ledge

like an acrobat

there's no turning back

Chorus
I'm letting go

of the life i planned for me

and my dreams

i'm losing control

of my destiny

it feels like i'm falling and that's what it's like to believe

So i'm letting go

This is a giant leap of faith

trusting and trying to embrace

the fear of the unknown

beyond my comfort zone

I'm letting go

of the life i planned for me

and my dreams

i'm losing control

of my destiny

it feels like i'm falling and that's what it's like to believe

so i'm letting go

Giving in to your gravity

knowing you are holding me

i'm not afraid

Feels like i'm falling adn that's what it's like to believe

feels like i'm falling and this is the life for me

For those of you who have known me for a while, you'll know that this is something that is hard for me to do. I come from northern Illinois and never planned on staying down here in the "south". I had a boyfriend that i planned to marry and already had the names of my two children picked out and we were all set for our little house with white picket fence and two dogs. Those things didn't happen, and it was extremely hard for me let go of the dreams i had and the plans i had made and let God lead me in a direction farther from home, alone and scared. What i can say was that for all the things i felt like I gave up when those dreams ended, God has given me back ten fold. I have a new family here, a wonderful and loving husband and i still got my two dogs. Sometimes letting go and letting God is the hardest thing we have to do, but if we are willing to give up what we thought was best, God will do so much better for us!

Here's to letting go and letting God lead us where he wants us to be.

My Brothers Keeper

I think sometimes we feel alone even when we are surrounded by other people. We can be in a gym filled with fans, or a church filled with believers and still feel so isolated from the person right next to us. Often we need community, brotherhood and fellow believers. At times we need those people to come to us and embrace us when we don't ask for ourselves. What a difference it can make when someone steps up and asks if they can pray for you, or a someone asks how it's going and truly means it and wants to hear the answer.

Today's song embodies the importance of looking out for those around us.

Hold us Together

By Matt Marr

It don't have a job

won't pay your bills

won't buy you a home

in Beverly Hills

Won't fix your life

in five easy steps

ani't the law of the land

or the government

But it's all you need

Love will hold us together

make us a shelter

to weather the storm

and i'll be my brother's keeper

so th whole world will know

that we're not alone

It's waiting for you

knockin' at your door

every moment of truth

when your heart hits the floor

When you're on your knees

and i'll be my brother's keeper

so the whole world will know

that we're not alone

This is the first day of the rest of your life

this is the first day of the rest of your life

cause even in the dark you can still see the light

it's gonna be alright

Love will hold us together

make us a shelter

to weather the storm

and i'll be my brothers keeper

so the whole world will know

that we're not alone

This song is a great reminder of how important it is to look out for our spiritual brother's a sisters and to be willing to weather the storm with them. A little love toward someone goes a really long way and that can be all someone needs to make it through a tough time.

Make sure you give out some brotherly love today.

I love you more

Yesterday while on my home from work i was listening to the radio and a great song, that i've known for what seems like forever, came on. What shocked me most was the words that hit me this time. Each time i hear this song and sing along but sometimes gloss over the true meaning.

More

By Matthew West

Take a look at the mountain

stretching a mile high

take a look at the ocean

far as your eye can see

and think of me

Take a look at the desert

do you feel like a grain of sand

i am with you wherever

where you go is where i am

And I'm always thinking of you

take a look around you

i'm spelling it out one by one

Chorus:

I love you more than the sun

and the stars that i taught how to shine

you are mine and you shine for me too

i love you yesterday and today

and tomorrow i'll say it again and again

i love you more

Just a face in the city

just a tear in the crowded street

but you are one in a million

and you belong to me

And i want you to know

I'm not letting go

even when you come undone

Chorus:

I love you more than sun

and the stars that i taught how to shine

you are mine and you shine for me too

i love you yesterday and today

and tomorrow i'll say it again and again

i love you more

You shine for me

you shine for me

you shine on, you shine on

you shine for me

Chorus

I love you more than the sun

and the stars that i taught how to shine

you are mine and you shine for me too

i love you yesterday and today

through the joy and the pain

i'll say it again and again

i love you more, i love you more

And i see you and i made you

and i love you more than you can imagine

more than you can fathome

i love you more than the sun

and you shine for me

I am reminded that while God made all of creation, the heavens and the earth, he is most in love with us, sinful humans. He loves us more in our failings than he does the sun that never disappoints him, never lets him down. I am awed at how much our father loves us that he knows every tear we cry, no matter how small and insignificant we feel, like a grain of sand in the desert. I find it hard to believe that i am loved so much that God knows the numbers of hairs on my head. (Does that count the ones that fall off?!!). Be reminded today that no matter where you are, what you've done, or how you've failed, God loves you so much more than you can ever imagine.

Rest in God's love today.

A Summer Challenge

To start, I have absolutely no idea what i'm going to do with this blog, but i think that's the unique thing about having a blog, you can do whatever you want with it.

My faith, my dogs, and my family are very important to me and i've always got great stories of funny things that happen. I also work with seniors and have many odd and funny tales to go along. I'm sure this will be a mix of things that come to mind over the days and will entertain you, challenge you and hopefully give you a glimpse into the life of a thirsty sinner like me.

I work in another town, in another county two days a week and that leaves me with about a 45 minute commute each way. I see this as a blessing most days. I get alone, quiet time and get to rock out with WBGL in the mornings. I love this chance to worship, pray and talk to God. I have found that we often have small moments of worship throughout the day. We don't always have the time to just stop what we are doing and worship or pray or read the word. Sometimes we are lucky to remember to even eat dinner let alone find time to talk with God. I am sure that my position here is in part to allow me time to sit in God's presence and be touched by his spirit.

Today i want to share a song that touches me EVERY time I hear it and has for several months now.

What Do I know of Holy

Addison Road

I made you promises a thousand times

i tried to hear from heaven

but i talked the whole time

i think i made you too small

i never feared you at all no

if you touched my face would i know you?

looked into my eyes could i behold you?

What do i know of you

who spoke me into motion?

where have i even stood

but the shore along your ocean?

Are you Fire? Are you fury?

Are you Sacred? Are you beautiful?

What do i know? What do i know of holy?

I guess i thought i had figured you out

i knew all the stories and i learned to talk about

how you were mighty to save

those were only empty words on a page

then i caught a glimpse of who you might be

the slighest hint of you brought me down to my knees

What i do i know of you?

who spoke me into motion?

where have i even stood

but the shore along your ocean?

Are you fire? are you fury?

Are you sacred? are you beautiful?

What i do know? What do i know of holy?

What do i know of Holy?

what do i know of wounds that will heal my shame?

and a God who gave life "its" name?

what do i know of holy?

of the one who the angels praise?

All creation knows your name

on earth and Heaven above

what do i know of this love?

This song humbles me whenever i hear it. Not only because it talks of a God who is real but it reminds me that i really don't know Holy. I know the stories and i can talk about God's grace and love, but to be face to face with the God of Creation is intimidating to say the least. This song just simply reminds me that as much as i know about God, there is sooooo much more i don't know or havent' learned to hide in my own heart.

I hope that this song invites you to learn more about our God to go beyond just standing on the shore of his Ocean.

Have an awesome day!