Tuesdays on Repeat: "Learning to be the Light" by Newworldson

This is the song that has been on my heart this week.  It's got a catchy tune, but even better is the words. They hit home.  With all the darkness around us these days, wouldn't it be great if we could learn to be the light?  It takes effort - but it can be done!!

"Learning to be the Light"

When the stars came crashing down
In tiny pieces to the ground
I was all alone down here
Trapped beneath the atmosphere
Then I, thought somebody called my name
I spun around and caught a flame
I gave into a God I didn't know
And now everything is falling into place
A brand new life is calling and I owe it all to grace

It's so much brighter living in Your world
Savior, what You did for me
You gave me something I want everyone to see
When we struggle and it all goes wrong
Only You can make it right
So I say
Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa

When a heart is cold as ice
You can't melt it with advice
No one wants to listen to
A list of things they shouldn't do
So I build a city on a hill
And I light a candle on the sill
Knowing You'll be always knocking at the door
Oh God I just want to love on everyone
All I have is Yours to give so let the people come

It's so much brighter living in Your world
Savior what You did for me
You gave me something I want everyone to see
When we struggle and it all goes wrong
Only You can make it right
So I say
Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light

That makes the shadows hide
The light that breaks the curse of pride
The light that takes the weary in its arms

When it all came crashing down
There was only darkness all around
But in the distance I could see
A flame

It's so much brighter living in Your world
Savior what You did for me
You gave me something I want everyone, I mean everyone to see
When we struggle and it all goes wrong
Only You can make it right
So I say
Oh oh oh oh oh
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light
Whoa, whoa
I'm learning to be the light!

****To listen to the video, please turn off the blog music player by scrolling down to the very bottom and hitting stop or pause.  Thank you friends.****

Tuesdays on Repeat: "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave

This song has been in my head and heart for a few weeks now!  Such a song of renewal and acceptance.  My friend, regardless of what you have been told about Christ, or what you think you may know of Him, I want to share that He loves you and accepts you as you are.
Are you flawed?  Do you fall short of everyone's expectations - even your own?  Well, do not fear.  He knows all about you and He loves you anyway.  He doesn't want you chained to the guilt and shame of past sins and secrets.  He doesn't want you to carry that heavy burden that has been placed on you... He wants to lighten that load.  Let Him carry you through.  He will make you new.

"Redeemed"

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

*before playing the video, you can disable the blog music by scrolling down and hitting pause or stop on the music playlist on the right*

What song(s) do you have on repeat right now? Share in the comments!

I know You're there...

I have always loved this song, "I know You're there" by Casting Crowns, but it means so much more to me right now. Sometimes, when we go through unsure times, we as humans may begin to wonder if God really is there. Don't get me wrong - I KNOW He is, but sometimes I get lost in my worry and pride and my faith begins to shrink.

When I feel this way, it's not ever very long before I hear a song, read a passage or am encouraged in some other way that takes me to my knees asking forgiveness for my lack of faith. God is so good and always receives me into His arms, with love unconditional, to let me know that it's okay. He will never leave me, nor forsake me. I serve a living God!!

I wanna get SMASH'ed too...

Saw this on Alissa's blog and now I want one!! On the hunt. I love it.

What Do I Know of Holy?

My first goal for 3 in 30 was about my Quiet Time. My time each day that I spend praying, meditating, worshipping, reflecting ...on my Creator...my Savior. I am wanting it to be something more of a natural habit. Something as easy and necessary as breathing...
I was working at my craft table early this week when this song came on my Pandora. It is called "What Do I Know of Holy?" and is by Addison Road. As it played, I listened to the words. I had never heard it before. Before long, this song had me putting down my paint brush and I immediately paused my Pandora and had to look up the song on YouTube. I needed to see the lyrics and hear it again clearly.
This song literally brought me to my knees. These lines here: "If You touched my face would I know You? Looked into my eyes could I behold You?" I often feel like we spend so much time trying to know about "religion" and "laws" and we spend so much time being busy working for Him that we really miss who HE really is. Then these lines stood out too: "I guess I thought that 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 slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees." Wow. I don't want to just rattle off a bunch of things that I learned in Sunday School or go around trying to convince people that what I believe is the Only Way... Instead, I want them to see Christ so real in me that they too might wonder what made me that way. I want them to see me love others regardless of their color, their class, their language, or lifestyle.
I was so encouraged by this song. It touched me so deeply and really made me think about my beliefs. I am a spiritual person. I am on a daily journey trying to peel away all of the layers of false teachings, prideful spirits, legalistic demands, etc. As each layer falls aways, I can see my Lord more clearly and I feel lighter and more free to worship Him and point others to Him.