Music Monday: "Still Waters"

This song was released last fall, and I have enjoyed it a lot. At times, Leanna Crawford reminds me of Amy Grant. Leanna was a part of the group called "All Sons and Daughters," if you're familiar with them. I enjoy the truths in this song, and the idea that "Anxiety hates Psalm 23." I also like any song that puts Scripture to music. It reminds me of my blog's theme: "Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." You can listen to this song here:https://wfil.com/music/music-videos/leanna-crawford-still-waters-psalm-23-official-music-video

"Still Waters" by Leanna Crawford

Great Aunt Maurine said at a hundred and three
"Write scripture on your heart for when you need it
Cause anxiety hates Psalm 23
So just say it to yourself ‘til you believe it"
And I’m feeling like I’m needing it right now 

Chorus 1
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He leads me by still waters
‘Til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me
My Father, my friend


Your goodness and mercy
Will follow me all of my days
I know by Your still waters I’m safe

Verse 2
Lord, I believe You can set me at ease
Turn this broken piece in me to peace and quiet
I know there’s power in Your word
So I’ll say it over and over til my soul’s reminded

Chorus 2
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He leads me by still waters
‘Til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me
My Father, my friend
Your goodness and mercy
Will follow me all of my days
I know by Your still waters I’m safe

Bridge 1
Still waters run through
Any valley I could find
I’m laying fear down
Here at Heaven’s riverside
Your word has been true
In every season of my life
I believe, yes I believe

Bridge 2
Still waters run through
Any valley I could find
I’m laying fear down
Here at Heaven’s riverside
Your word has been true
In every season of my life
I believe, yes I believe

REPEAT CHORUS 1

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.


You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Marching band 2024

 In the heat and sun, my two teenage girls began marching band practice at the end of July. They just finished their season this past weekend, and it wasn't too, too cold here in Colorado! It was about 50 degrees for a low, which was lovely! It didn't snow at the state championships but it was windy. 

This year my husband and I rode the students' bus as chaperones. It was the first year that we had done so, and it was GREAT! We were pleasantly surprised at the kids' manners, the noise level was not too bad, and we were able to watch movies! We saw "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (haven't seen that one for a while!),  "Rise of the Guardians," and then on the way home we saw "Cars" and "Pirates of the Caribbean." Our 15-year-old daughter sat behind us with a friend. 

We stayed in a different hotel than usual, and it was a good experience. We quickly learned our way around and got acclimated to it. The continental breakfast was comparable. We slept well, and it was pretty quiet even though there were 80 kids in the building!

After a practice at a local church, the marching band performed in the quarter-finals and earned 7th place, one-tenth of a point above another band from our town. The following day, they performed in the semi-finals and earned 8th place, which was high enough so that they could perform in finals that evening. Last year the finals were canceled, so they were excited to be able to perform in them this year.

That evening, our band played in the finals competition and again earned 8th place. It was a great experience for the whole band. I felt bad for one student who ended up sick with the flu. We are so proud of all of the students, and our daughters for performing well and giving their best to the team. There were many tears after the final performance of the year, especially for all of the seniors, which was about 25 kids! Our older daughter is a senior and said that she wants to perform in the marching band in college!

We missed having Joshua's mom and sister attend with us, but medical problems got in the way for them this fall. We will hopefully travel together again with them next fall. Maybe our son will come with us too.

Enjoy the pictures!

daughter (middle) with friends

two daughters together, one mellophone and one synthesizer

Love these two so, so much! I'm glad that I get to be their mom.💙💙

showing the glitter on her face

Enjoying some performances and awards together

Performing "Across the Mirror's Edge"

Drums lined up

Performing "Across the Mirror's Edge"

Performing "Across the Mirror's Edge"

My hubby with me and our younger daughter

Lunch and water all lined up

Older daughter and friend

practicing at a church parking lot

Goodie bags all lined up

Front ensemble/pit performing "Across the Mirror's Edge"

We will miss the marching band performances for the rest of this year, but there are still a few pep band nights at football games and two parades this fall.

What are your kids involved in? I'd enjoy hearing about it!

Ephesians 2:8-9 
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Numbers 10:9
When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.

Psalm 150:4-6

Praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the Lord.

Music Monday: "The Goodness of God"

 This song was recently played at a young man's memorial service, and I really enjoyed the lyrics. I've had it in my head since we sang it again yesterday at church. It still makes me sad for the family, but it is a great praise song. Because in all of the good times and the trials, God is still good.

I hope you'll read the lyrics and take a listen. 

 "The Goodness of God" by Jenn Johnson

I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

And all my life You have been faithful, oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me
Your goodness is running after, it's running after me
With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me
'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me
Your goodness is running after, it's running after me
With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now
I give You everything
'Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God
I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing

'Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

We love You for that
One for all my days

You can listen to this song here.

Psalm 73:1

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

Psalm 73:28
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 147:1
Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Music Monday: "To Cry for You"

This has been a hard year for our family in the loss of many friends and a family member. My last posts talked about a few of them. Our church is growing older and with an older congregation, I guess that funerals are a part of things. My Dad says, "Death is a part of life." That is true, whether we like it or not. As Christians, we have hope that we will see our loved ones again in heaven, and I am very thankful for that hope and reminder.

I've enjoyed Carolyn Arends' music for over 25 years. We saw her in concert many years ago in our town with the late, great Rich Mullins. I really liked her music then. My husband discovered her newer album called, "Recognition" a few years ago, and we really like it. She has a great way with thought-provoking lyrics that I can identify with. She lost her mother over 3 years ago, and she wrote this song in her mother's honour (she is Canadien, so the extra u is correct for them!). My husband "sent" this song to many friends who have lost family members and close friends, and we've always gotten good responses to it. I am posting it here because it is needed for many friends to hear right now.

I hope you enjoy it. Remember that it is okay to cry, tears are not a bad thing! Carolyn says, "So many of us are carrying such deep loss, some of it fresh, and some of it buried-- and that for all of us, grief is the work that love must do." It is my honour to cry for you... 


"To Cry for You"

Words and music by Carolyn Arends

There’s a lump in my throat
There’s a knot in my chest
I am tired to the bone
But I cannot rest
Still it’s only right to feel like I do
‘Cause it is my honour to cry for you

All the memories come back
Like the tide rolling in
And the current is strong
I go under again
So I hold my breath, what else can I do?
It is my honour to cry for you

Blessed are the ones who weep
‘Cause every tear is proof
Of ties that bind so strong and deep
That death cannot undo
So it is my honour to cry for you

I’ve got more than a hunch
That you’re somewhere so good
It’d be wrong to come back
Even if you could
I will see you again, but until I do
It is my honour to cry for you

Chorus

There’s a lump in my throat
There’s a knot in my chest
But the ache in my soul
Tells me I am blessed
‘Cause when the sorrow is great, the love is too
And it is my honour to cry for you
I guess grief is the work that love must do
So it is my honour to cry for you
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP

You can listen to this song here. I love the violin in that song! But be warned, it is a tear-jerker!

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

John 11:33-36
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
 Jesus wept.
 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Old hymns

 Recently, I was "laid up" with lower back & hip problems. I spent a lot of time sitting. There is only so much reading and crossword puzzles that I could do until I was BORED. Friends on Facebook had some good suggestions, but I still wanted a project or something to work on.

My hubby suggested that I help him with his work. He'd been wanting to do this project for a while but never made time to do it. I could do this proofreading on the computer, I could sit, and I could do it when I had time. Generally, my girls are on the computers in the morning during homeschool. I took time on several afternoons and evenings to proofread for him.

He has computer software that we use in our church. He had downloaded the lyrics to many old hymns but hadn't checked them against OUR hymnal. That is where I came in. I sat down with the hymnal, chose a song (they were in alphabetical order), and then I would read the lyrics on the screen and in the hymnbook to compare them. Many of the hymns had one or two words different, some had a phrase different, and some had extra verses or mixed verses that I fixed. Many times I would change a word like favour to favor or add a comma here and there. I like to proofread, so it was a good job for me.

What I didn't realize about this task was how much I would enjoy it. I love the praise songs that we sing in churches today. People always say that old hymns have better theology. Yes, some of them do. But many are just as repetitive as the praise songs. I love old hymns. I vividly remember singing them in church as a little girl, surrounded by my extended family. I especially remember hearing my grandmother singing (a little off-key) to "How Great Thou Art" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

There are so many great lyrics that I remembered as I reread them. One song I didn't know was a hymn was made popular several years ago by Aaron Shust, called "I Am Not Skilled to Understand." He added a chorus to the hymn and renamed it, "My Savior, My God." Casting Crowns did a similar thing a few years ago with their song, "Glorious Day."

Here are some verses of songs that I really liked...

"O worship the King all glorious above,

And gratefully sing His wonderful love,

Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days,

Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise." (O Worship the King)

""Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word,

Just to rest upon His promise, just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to trust Him more!" ('Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus)

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing,

He chastens and hastens His will to make know;

The wicked oppressing now cease fro distressing:

Sing praises to His name-He forgets not His own." (We Gather Together)

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!

O my soul praise Him for He is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near,

Join me in glad adoration!" (Praise to the Lord, the Almighty)

And this one was an old favorite...

"Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?

Does the road you travel harbor danger yet unknown?

Are you growing weary in the struggle of it all? 

Jesus will help you when on His name you call.

He is always there, hearing every prayer, faithful and true,

walking by our side, in His love we hide all the day through,

When you get discouraged just remember what to do-

Reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you." (Reach Out to Jesus) 

There are many others that I love too... including "For Those Tears I Died," "Come, ye thankful people come," "Holy, Holy, Holy," and "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." Just to name a few!

What are some of your favorite hymns? Any of the ones that I chose?

1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Psalm 13:6
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

James 5:13
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

Music Monday: "How you live"

I found this song again recently, and I remembered why I liked it. It has a great message of "seizing the day". I do like to turn up the music! I try to take time to smell the roses, to really gaze into my child's eyes, to listen to them when they are talking to me. I hope you enjoy the message of this song too!

Music Monday: "How you live" by Point of Grace

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did, it's how you live



So, go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away, oh no
Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did, it's how you live

Oh, wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

written by Cindy Morgan

You can listen to this song on YouTube here.

Exodus 18:20
Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.

Ecclesiastes 11:8
However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all.

Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise...

SCC Solo concert/weekend

This past weekend was a belated Valentine's Day present to me! I knew that my hubby had gotten tickets to see my favorite artist since he was coming to our town, he knew I really wanted to see SCC.  But what I didn't know what that he had a surprise in store!

We went out to dinner at a yummy pizza place downtown. We don't go there often, so it was a treat!

 We walked down to the concert venue and got there a little early. My sweetie let me get a t-shirt too! It says, "I am a Cinderella" on the front, and "The dance will go on" on the back. I love Cinderella, so he encouraged me to get that shirt. Plus, it's purple- my favorite color!

Ready for the concert to start!

 Even though our seats were not too close, (cheap seats) we still could definitely hear Steven Curtis Chapman well, and he was pretty funny! It was a SOLO tour, so it was just him, guitar (he used two) and a keyboard/ piano. He did not have a band like a few years ago when I saw him at a nearby festival. You can read about that concert here. He showed several old photos and videos on the screen behind him.

 He sang lots of my favorite songs of his, including "The Great Adventure,""Do Everything," "Fingerprints of God," "For the Sake of the Call," "I Will be Here," as well as "Lord of the Dance" when talking about his birth and young childhood. He also sang, "No Better Place" while talking about his time of salvation at 8 years old. It was fun to hear his stories. He also sang some hymns, including "Great is Thy Faithfulness" (in the above photo). He wanted us to sing along, said that we were his back-up singers. I got to sing back up to Steven Curtis Chapman! 😁

 He had a pastor/ artist friend of his, "Pastor Eric" come out and talk about the charity "Food for the Hungry." While Steven sang the song "When Love Takes You In" the pastor painted on a canvas, and it was the face of a little girl, with the words Love Hope and Change on it. In the second half, he took requests and it was cool! He played a few older songs (some he had a hard time remembering!), and one from his bluegrass album called "Where the Bluegrass Grows." He also sang a funny one called "Love or the Flu." He almost didn't want to sing that one, but he did, and it was cute!

He also sang "The Glorious Unfolding," "Dive," "Cinderella," and a few other (planned) songs in the second half. It was over 2 hours, and I loved every minute!

Then we walked back to our hotel where we spent the night. It was a new hotel on Main Street, and it was nice! This is a picture of the breakfast area/ lobby. What a nice surprise! Thanks, Joshua! I loved it!

So many of his songs are about hope, so this verse came to mind...

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:18-19
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

"It's okay..."

Some of my close friends and family know that I have really enjoyed Josh Wilson's music over the past few years. I enjoy the song "OK" because I can identify with the lyrics. I've had a broken heart a few times, I've felt like I have carried a lot of weight. Sometimes I think that in our culture, we tell everyone that they have to be happy all of the time, not sad or upset. Well, the reality is that there are times when we are all not okay. We cry, get frustrated, get angry, and feel real emotions. We do not have to have it all together, as the song says. We can come to God as we are. We can bring Him our sadness, depressed times, or anger, our times when we just don't understand. He loves and hears us. He's always listened, and He will meet you and me inside the times of struggle, pain, and doubt.

We do not have to have everything all together to come to God. I've had times even recently where I have cried. Sometimes I've cried more than once a day. And then I think of this song. It is okay not to be okay. There is no shame with God. Give Him your worries and struggles each day in prayer.

"OK" by Josh Wilson

Shame says you've gone too far this time
Shame says you've finally crossed the line
Shame says you have to hide away
But shame is shattered by amazing grace

So come just as you are

Bring your broken heart
Your secrets and your scars
You were never meant to carry all this weight
Let your walls come down
And let the tears fall out
And know that Jesus loves you just the same
It's ok not to be ok
It's ok not to be ok

This, this is where the healing starts
This is where the light can crush the dark
Here, inside your pain, inside your doubts
Here is where He's gonna meet you now

Bring your broken heart
Your secrets and your scars
You were never meant to carry all this weight
Let your walls come down
And let the tears fall out
And know that Jesus loves you just the same
It's ok not to be ok
It's ok not to be ok

You don't have to have it all together
You don't have to have it all together
You don't have to have it all together
So come just as you are

Bring your broken heart
Your secrets and your scars
You were never meant to carry all this weight
Let your walls come down
And let the tears fall out
And know that Jesus loves you just the same
It's ok not to be ok
It's ok not to be ok

It's ok
It's ok not to be ok

-------------------------------------------------------------------

You can listen to this song here.

Have you heard this song before? Let me know what you think!

Psalm 116:8
For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

Isaiah 25:8
he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

2 Timothy 1:4
Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

Inspired to write...

Many years ago, my husband and I traveled to Estes Park, CO for a Christian music conference. It was a delightful time away from home, but we missed our kids. While we were there, we attended a songwriter's showcase, with one of our favorite Christian artists, Chris Rice. (If you don't know his songs, please listen to "Lemonade" and "Smell the Color 9.") We were inspired to write song lyrics. I'm not a writer, but I was inspired then.

I am a word-lover. I love word games. I am a good speller. I love grammar. I was not an English major in college, but sometimes I wish I could have been! In high school and college, my friends always asked me how to spell everything. If you wanted the thesaurus, you asked another friend. 😁

Anyway... When we left the showcase, there was a huge torrential downpour of rain. It was a real "gully-washer." That rain was coming down quickly! It was one of those times when the sky just opened up and beat down rain. I mean, a bigtime downpour! What struck me about that time was watching the rain rinse and clean everything. There was no more dirt on the blacktop roads. There was no more dirt on the sidewalks, it was all washed away by this rain! The leaves on the trees were clean. Of course, our shoes got clean too! Thankfully we had an umbrella and made it back to our room safely.

There are not many things that I remember about our time in Estes Park. I remember hummingbirds at a feeder there, fighting for the food in the feeder. I remember seeing Chris Rice perform in concert. I remember hearing and meeting Sarah Kelly, a singer-songwriter. And I remember the rainstorm. This all happened about 14 years ago, so it must have been quite the rainstorm, am I right?

There have been many times that I have thought about that song, and what I wrote. If I really dig, I'm sure I can find the lyrics somewhere. I know it was about the cleansing rain. Just seeing the rain clean the ground, reminded me of God, and how he cleans our hearts. If we open our heart to Him, He will come in and cleanse us. He can take away the dirt, grime, and darkness of our sin in our hearts and lives. He can renew us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And only God in heaven, through Jesus His Son, can remove the old and make us new. (Read verses below. If you are interested in learning more about this, I am happy to talk to you. Please contact me!)

The problem with the cleansing rain idea was that Michael W. Smith's song "Healing Rain" had just come out. I knew I couldn't compete with the likes of Michael W. Smith with a similar song called "Cleansing Rain." But I still remember the idea and the time when I was inspired to write a Christian song.


What about you? Have you ever been inspired to write a song? I've written other poems, some of which you can find on my blog under the tab to the right called "Poems and Quotes."


Psalm 51:2
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Music Monday: "Never Lost"

Winning and losing... it is something that every sports fan knows well. Sports parents know about it too. Our son has had a winning season with his JV baseball team this year. It is fun to watch and cheer! We've been to other sports games, such as football and baseball games at the nearby college, and it is enjoyable when they win too. We can cheer on teams on TV too, and think that what we do affects their winning and losing... but in reality, that is not the case. 

This past Sunday morning, in church our pastor was talking about how God never loses, He ALWAYS wins! It is true, God is a winner, and we can be too by choosing Him. God wins people to Him each day. God wins over Satan every time. When pastor spoke about it, I immediately thought of this song, one that I enjoy and heard about recently from another artist, Francesca Battistelli. I have not listened to Rita Springer very much, but I really love the words in this son. The chorus is especially powerful! I hope you will enjoy this song and be encouraged by its truth... He has never lost a battle!

Never Lost by Rita Springer

He is my faithful Father, calling me out of the dark
Night cannot whisper away what He said in the light
He is my firm foundation, my anchor won't be moved
Storms may collide but my soul is on fire with His word

Wind, listen to the sound of power on my lips
Jesus has broken the curse, He has never lost a battle
Who are you great mountain, that you should not bow low
Jesus defeated the darkness, He has never lost a battle

He is the only healer, His love will never fail
And all my belief dares to defeat every lie
He is a strong, high tower, fear will not find me there
I come alive with His promise inside of my heart

Wind, listen to the sound of power on my lips
Jesus has broken the curse, He has never lost a battle
Who are you great mountain, that you should not bow low
Jesus defeated the darkness, He has never lost a battle

Christ Redeemer, we remember He has won the war
Jesus, Mighty Overcomer, our Defender has conquered
Christ Redeemer, we remember He has won the war
Jesus, Mighty Overcomer, our Defender has conquered
Christ Redeemer, we remember He has won the war
Jesus, Mighty Overcomer, our Defender has conquered

Wind, listen to the sound of power on my lips
Jesus has broken the curse, He has never lost a battle
Who are you great mountain, that you should not bow low
Jesus defeated the darkness, He has never lost a battle

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can listen to this song online here.

What do you think? Have you heard this song before?

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 6:18-19
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Music Monday: "Still Rolling Stones"

I have heard this song several times this past semester, since my 12 year old was in middle school ASL class, and they performed the sign language to this song in our semester finale at our homeschool co-op. I have had this song in my head ever since. I think it is a very appropriate song after Easter. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I have lately. (It's good really loud!) 😁

"Still Rolling Stones"

Out of the shadows
Bound for the gallows
A dead man walking
Till love came calling
Rise up (rise up)
Rise up (rise up)

Six feet under
I thought it was over
An answer to prayer
The voice of a Savior
Rise up (rise up)
Rise up (rise up)

All at once I came alive
This beating heart, these open eyes
The grave let go
The darkness should have known
(You're still rolling rolling, you're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones
(You're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones

Now that You saved me
I sing 'cause You gave me
A song of revival
I put it on vinyl
Rise up (rise up)
Rise up (rise up)

I once was blinded
But now I see it
I've heard about the power
And now I believe it
Rise up (rise up)
Rise up (rise up)

All at once I came alive
This beating heart, these open eyes
The grave let go
The darkness should have known
(You're still rolling rolling, you're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones
(You're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones

I thought that I was too far gone
For everything I've done wrong
Yeah, I'm the one who dug this grave
But You called my name
You called my name
I thought that I was too far gone
For everything I've done wrong
Yeah, I'm the one who dug this grave
But You called my name
You called my name

All at once I came alive
This beating heart, these open eyes
The grave let go
The darkness should have known
(You're still rolling rolling, you're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones
(You're still rolling rolling oh)

You're still rolling stones
(You're still rolling rolling oh, you're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones
(You're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones (you're still rolling, rolling)
(You're still rolling rolling oh, you're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling rolling
(You're still rolling rolling oh)
You're still rolling stones

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You can listen to this song here.

I'm so thankful that Jesus brought ME out of the grave of sin and into eternal life with Him! He can do the same for you if you trust in Him as your Lord and Savior! 

You can read more about how to do this HERE. It will change your life forever!



Matthew 27:59-60
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.


Mark 16:1-4When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.


Luke 24:1-3
Jesus Has Risen
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Almost Christmas (song)

Lately I have been living this song by Josh Wilson. I like his music anyway, but I love his Christmas album called "Noel." There are several great songs on it, but this is my favorite, and the one I have had stuck in my head several times recently.

I like 'different" Christmas songs. I get tired of hearing the same songs over and over, year after year. I like when artists write a new song about Christmas. I know it is an old story, but it is refreshing to hear it told in a new song. I hope you have a moment to take a listen!

Josh Wilson - Almost Christmas 

Christmas lights, shinin' bright, 
what a sight I wanna feel this way, 
every day of my life Oh I can hear the bells ringin' out loud 
and it sounds like it's almost Christmas

In the street, families caroling, 
singing the same noel the angels sing
It's the birth of peace on the earth 
Tell me have you heard that it's almost Christmas?

And I feel like I'm eight years old again 
Waiting for December 25th It's almost Christmas
I'll be home soon makin' memories 
So excited I can hardly sleep It's almost Christmas Day

There's somethin' new in the air, everywhere 
Makin' me take the time, time to stop, time to share 
Till the people I love the most really know 
Cause it's almost Christmas

And while the snow is comin' down, 
all around I'll take a moment to remember 
how it's the birth of peace on the earth 
Tell me have you heard that our God is with us?

I feel like I'm eight years old again 
Singing ‘bout that boy in Bethlehem 
It's almost Christmas 
And I'll be home soon makin' memories 
So excited I can hardly sleep
It's almost Christmas Day!


You can listen to this song on YouTube here.


Luke 2:4-7
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:14
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’