Bryan Duncan was one of my favorite Christian artists back in the day. He was a regular on TBN's Real Video's show, and played so many concerts under-the-stars at Disneyland, Knotts, and Magic Mountain for Christian Music Nights. I stumbled on this video and can't believe he sounds exactly the same as he did over 19 years ago when I first saw him in concert! Most of his songs were very upbeat, fun and even silly at times; but, the lyrics of this song will always hold a very special place in my heart.
Everyone enjoys music, but for some reason I am passionate about it. Music has been known to stop me in my tracks, bring me to tears, even drop me to my knees. A song can completely change my outlook, my attitude, my day. An old song can instantly bring back a memory that was hidden for twenty-years. A new song coupled with an experience can engrave that day in my mind for years to come.
As a child I played the piano, but was never satisfied with my ability. I would pour over sheet music with frustration as I just couldn't perfect the sound. Later I learned chords and would sit for hours creating basic melodies that I would play over and over again. Simple wordless songs from the heart. As a teenager, I played some very basic worship songs. There was such a peace in this and I could easily lose track of time.
In my late teens and early twenties, I grew fond of the unique sounds of the saxophone. I bought a sax and took lessons for a couple years. Again, I was never satisfied, because I just couldn't seem to get the smooth sounds out of it like I had heard on the radio. My greatest reward from the saxophone was merely a set of lungs that were exhausted, and never ending chapped lips. Though I have long since parted with the sax, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
These experiences with musical instruments enriched my life, though I never mastered either. I have such an appreciation for music and lyrics. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God uses music to reach out to me. I've been known to catch just a word or two of a song on the radio, stop, and turn my entire attention back to Him. During some of the loneliest nights of my life, two or three worship songs would carry me for hours into His presence. Without fail, He would always bring me through the day with a specially placed song, like manna for my soul.
I will frequently post songs and lyrics to my journal, as music is such a part of me. It doesn't take much to read my mood, as it seems there is a song for every feeling. If you share a song with me, and we are able to connect on it, we build a bridge with each other that will always be remembered.
My Pastor, Bill Baldwin, mentioned this song in an open letter to our worship team on Friday night. Since then I must have listened to it about 25 times. I've thought about it so much and feel so blessed to be pursued by God's love. This morning during worship, a smile crossed my face when our church band began to play the song. The words led us into God's presence in such a special way. In fact, it seemed as if the whole services was turned upside down as we all gathered around the altar on hands and knees seeking Him.
I post the song here in hopes that it will bless you in the same way I have been blessed....
Misty Edwards You Won't Relent
You won't relent
Until You have it all
My heart is Yours
I'll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy demanding as the grave
And many waters cannot quench this love
Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
Come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one
I heard this song today, and it reminded me of a discussion that a friend and I were having earlier in the week. Why do we wait till it's too late? Why don't we tell the ones we love, how much they mean to us while we can? Watch the video below and check out the lyrics.
We've only got 86,400 seconds in a day
to turn it all around or throw it all away.
We've got to tell them that we love them,
while we got the chance to say.
Gotta live like we're dying.
Kris Allen Live Like We're Dying
Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up
We're hiding behind skin that's too tough
How come we don't say I love you enough
Till it's to late, it's not too late
Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
And we could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you,
What would you wish you would've done
Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying
And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbye
Should be so careful who we live out our lives
So when we long for absolution,
There'll no one on the line, yeah
Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying
You never know a good thing till it's gone
You never see a crash till it's head on
Why do we think we're right when we're dead wrong
You never know a good thing till it's gone
Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying
Benjamin Graham, my second of three children, turned eleven earlier this week, and we've been looking forward to going out for quite some time. After much thought about where we should go for dinner, Ben finally chose one of our local steakhouses.
Yay! Alright now.. bring on the steaks! I was excited because we're finally past the "Chucky Cheese" stage and now we're dining at places that I can sink my teeth into! Trust me, we've had our share of kid-friendly restaurants and play-places. My girls were equally excited, especially when they remembered they serve salted peanuts while you wait.
When we finally gathered around the table and the menus were passed out, my kids all decided on things we could have eaten at any fast food restaurant! Pfffffff. They could have ordered Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Baby Back Ribs, but instead chose Chicken Tenders, a Cheeseburger, and the other just had a side of Cheese Fries. Then to top it off, after a few bites they all declared they were full and ready to go! Ha! Gotta love 'em!
Well this morning I was thinking about that and it reminds me of how I am sometimes with my Father...
Why do I settle for the small stuff when God has provided so much more for me. His word is full of His passion and promises for me. His desire is for us to take all of Him... to Hunger and Thirst.. to Taste and See... to be sold out. He desires to spend time with me. He desires to give me His living waters and bread of life. The days that I nibble and quickly turn away from Him are the days I settle for "peanuts" instead choice cuts of meat from His word.
Father forgive me for that! I want it all! I want all of You! Forgive me for the times that I was satisfied to barely partake of You. Forgive me for the times I was satisfied just to spend a few minutes in your presence.
My children chose the same old familiar, every day meal when I was willing to bless them with so much more. We still had a great time together... they just don't realize what they missed out on. By the time we made it home, they were already looking for a snack in the cupboard. Oh! If you were wondering; I ordered a nice slice of Prime Rib, medium with a fully loaded baked potato. Delicious! :-) Enough for dinner and left overs for the next day too! Yum!
From the very beginning, He spoke with such simplicity and authority -- "Let there be light" and there was. No question about it, when my Daddy speaks, things begin to happen! In fact, He even says in Isaiah 55:11 "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will NOT return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Oh how I desire for Him to speak good things into my life... knowing that they will be accomplished and will achieve his purpose.
The fact is, He is speaking to you constantly. He still speaks with simplicity... so much so, that we often miss hearing his voice. But rest assured, He's there whispering the words that you need to hear.
There's rarely a time when my mind is silent and lately thoughts have been constantly swirling and swirling. Thoughts of words, ideas, concepts, quotes, scriptures, family, friends, love, hope and direction. I often wake up in the middle of the night and I know my Father is near. I'm beginning to discern his whisper, and I'm hearing his heart. I decided that I would start this public journal as a way of sorting through and sharing the thoughts of my heart.
Thank you for stopping by. This is only the beginning.
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