Mercies in Disguise

"Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise"

This song gives me hope. It reminds me that even when my heart is aching, when sadness and loneliness and grief overwhelm me, the Lord has a plan for me and there is a purpose in it all. Often during my trials and struggles and endless sleepless nights, I ask "why?" I wonder why I have to go through all of this to get through to the other side. This song reminds me that these trials can be the Lord's blessings and new mercies in disguise.

I'm Giving in to Something Heavenly

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...

Take this Sinking Boat and Point it Home

This song makes me want to cry, but it's so good.

"Falling slowly
Eyes that know me
and I can't go back,
Wounds that take me
and erase me
and I'm painted black.
Well you have suffered enough
and warred with yourself
it's time that you've won"

While I'm Waiting

Babies are Everywhere! Part 2

So, a few months back, I wrote a blog called "Babies are Everywhere!" You can read it by clicking on the name in quotes. Of course, 4 months later, the situation is still the same...BABIES ARE EVERYWHERE! :)

Even on the worst of days or the most depressing of days, it's practically impossible for me not be happy around babies. They are so precious. New life.... new hope.... innocence.... tenderness.... love.... and so many things come to mind when I think of babies. It's the miracle of new life that God blesses us with that leaves me in awe. Seeing a baby gives me so much happiness and joy. I have had this deep desire in myself since I can remember to have a family of my own and children of my own. Call it a motherly instinct or something, but I think God has placed that desire in me and I hope He will bless me with a family of my own someday. In the meantime, I am completely satisfied watching all my friends around me have their babies. My good friend Sandi just had her baby boy on Thursday and I am so happy for her and Andre. They are already fantastic parents to their 2 year old daughter Luciana and now they are going to share their love and Christ's love with another precious treasure, Teo James. Below is a picture of me holding Teo on his 2nd day of life! Congratulations Sandi and Andre!!!

My Soul Longs For You

I remember when my best friend first introduced me to Misty Edwards 3 years ago, and she instantly became one of my favorite Christian artists. There is just something about her songs, her lyrics, her passion, and her voice that invigorate me and energize me with a fire for the Lord.

Truth

So, I just signed up for the "Daily Hope with Rick Warren" last week. It basically sends you a short one page email devotional every morning from Rick Warren who is the famous Pastor from Saddleback Church in California and the author of the well known book The Purpose Driven Life. I knew that as I went through this change in lifestyle after breaking free from my stronghold, that I needed to fill my emptiness in my heart and soul with more of The Word and with more prayer. Both have improved greatly over the last week! I think it is very important to read The Word directly from the Bible, but I also really like to hear what different Christian writers and Pastors have to say about it too. It's been amazing the way God has spoken to me every day this past week. Every single devotional from Rick Warren has been so relevant to something going on in my life and have spoken on topics and issues that I really needed to hear about. The devotional for today was titled "Principles for Personal Change: Truth" and here is a great excerpt from it that really hit home for me:

Deliverance

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18:2

Deliverance. I have always known what the word meant. I mean, I grew up in the church my entire life, so the idea of deliverance was a familiar one to me. I knew the definition. But had I ever truly experienced it? On a conceptual basis, I of course believe that I am delivered from my sins daily through the blood of Christ. But I have never felt any grandeur experience with deliverance...until last week.

My Favorite Movies

We just finished our second "At the Movies" sermon series led by Rob Shepherd at Waters Edge Church. It got me thinking about my favorite movies. I actually keep an updated list of my favorite movies on my laptop...is that nerdy? I don't know...who cares! Here it is!

Painful Story of Love

Disclaimer: I did not write this. I came across this story through a friend of a friend on August 5, 2009 and it is one of my favorite pieces I have ever read.

"I will tell you a story now, and hope you will understand its beauty and significance someday, though the words may haunt you in your darkest hours.

Your Love Never Fails

New favorite worship song - "Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture. I just discovered it at WEC's Thursday night Production rehearsal and have the privilege of worshiping to it 5x today with my church family at Waters Edge Church! The lyrics just hit home.

"You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning."