the best song I'll ever write...

I am by no means a lyricist.  However, I do enjoy writing (hence the blog, ahem).  It's always been my favorite and most effective means of communication.  If I'm upset or angry, I want to write a letter to express my feelings.  If I'm thankful, I like to write a note of gratitude.  I write out our year's synopsis on our Christmas cards; I leave notes around the house for my husband to find; I have narrated my child's first year in her baby book.  I love to write.

So I may not write song lyrics, but I do love to write.  And on top of that, I absolutely love music.  And the key to a good song to me is not only in the instruments or melody or musical ability--no surprise here, it's in the words.  If written properly, a song can hit me in my deepest core and express what my heart struggles to ever so poetically.

So when I first heard this song, my heart wrapped around it immediately.

Arabella, my sweet daughter, you are my best story, my best artwork, my best song.   My life and example is slowly helping scribe you into the woman you will become one day.  It is not an easy task, and it isn't even always fun.  It's demanding and exhausting, yet exhilarating.  Each day, a little bit more of your story gets written.  I strive to give it my all, and can only "pray that you hear Jesus in it when you're older..."

I love you, my angel...my sweet, precious, beautiful gift.  

love, mama

Some favorites for Christmas time

As I mentioned in my "Thankful Thursday" post, I am grateful for Christmas music and it's reminder to focus.  So here's a post with a few of my faves for this time of year:

• Probably my favorite Christmas album is Casting Crowns' (surprise, surprise).  They're voices are beautiful, and again, their song lyrics carry such meaning.

• The Kenny G Christmas albums are in-cred-uh-ble.  I love them.  One of my favorites on his album, "Wishes" (and the bonus track on "Faith"...slightly different) is his rendition of Auld Lang Syne.  The dubbing over of the historical moments gets me teary every time I hear it.  (there is also a millennium mix with more current events dubbed over.  powerful.)  But both of his Christmas CDs are fabulous.

• This may be a shocker, but I love the entire N'SYNC Christmas album.  Guilty pleasure...  Reminds me of my youth...  Should be embarrassed, but I'm not...

• I love these next two songs because of their points of view--one from Mary and one from Joseph.  To understand the weight of this honor on them, carrying and raising the Messiah, and yet, just being able to be his parents.  

• Something about Judy Garland's voice makes my insides stir, and she sings this song like no other.  This version and this song bring the Christmas spirit to my inner core without fail.

• Who can get through Christmas without this one?  We've had the pleasure of seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas performance twice and would go back without question.  They're talent is incredible.

• And then the classics, sung by the classics...irreplaceable.

• And a few newer ones...

• And of course you can't have Christmas without this dose of fun and love!

Get caught up in the beauty of the season.  Be full of faith, full of servanthood, and full of love.

Enjoy!

merry moments, angie

Simple Man

I've always loved this song--both for the music and tune as well as the lyrics.  They serve as the basis of the lessons I want to teach my son if the Lord blesses me with one some day.  Bask in the simplicity of life and enjoy the little things that are big blessings.  It's the kind of man I married--the best kind in my opinion.

I actually prefer Shinedown's cover to the original by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Simple Man

My mama told me when I was young

Said sit beside me my only son

And listen closely to what I say

And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day

Oh, yeah it will

Oh, take your time, don't live too fast

Troubles will come and they will pass

You'll find a woman and you'll find love

And don't forget that there is a someone up above

And be a simple kind of man

And be something you'll love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can

Don't get your lust from the rich man's gold

All that you need now is in your soul

And you can do this, oh baby if you try

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man

And be something you'll love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can

Oh, don't you worry, you'll find yourself

Follow your heart and nothing else

And you can do this, oh baby if you try

All that I want from you my son is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man

Be something you'll love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can

So baby be a simple, be a simple man

Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?

Amazing Grace

I was deeply saddened this past weekend to learn that one of my high school SPARK English teachers had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  She was too young and still had quite a bit of spunk left in her.

Today's song is one of my favorites--an incredible spin on an already incredible classic.  Chris Tomlin has such an unbelievable gift with a pen.  Amazing Grace already captivated the beauty and magnificence of God's grace on us.  However, his rendition takes it a step further and opens our eyes and hearts to the freedom that only that God given grace can provide.

This song is in memory of Mrs. Polansky...

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

Down at the Twist and Shout

I have always loved this song!  We even have a home video of me when I was four or five dancing around like a fool singing this song--every word...  Now, it just reminds me of home and how much I miss Louisiana.  It is a place like no other.  And we love dancin' to our "Lou'sian' bands"...

Saturday night and the moon is out

I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout

Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat

When it lifts me up I'm gonna find my feet

Out in the middle of a big dance floor

When I hear that fiddle wanna beg for more

Gonna dance to a band from a-Lou'sian' tonight

Well I never have wandered down to New Orleans

Never have drifted down a bayou stream

But I heard that music on the radio

And I swore some day I was gonna go

Down Highway 10 past Lafayette

To Baton Rouge and I won't forget

To send you a card with my regrets

'Cause I'm never gonna come back home

Saturday night and the moon is out

I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout

Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat

When it lifts me up I'm gonna find my feet

Out in the middle of a big dance floor

When I hear that fiddle wanna beg for more

Gonna dance to a band from a-Lou'sian' tonight

They got a alligator stew and a crawfish pie

A golf storm blowin' into town tonight

Livin on the delta's quite a show

They got hurricane parties every time it blows

And here up north it's a cold cold rain

And there ain't no cure for my blues today

Except when the paper says: Beausoleil is coming into town

Baby let's go down

Saturday night and the moon is out

I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout

Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat

When it lifts me up I'm gonna find my feet

Out in the middle of a big dance floor

When I hear that fiddle wanna beg for more

Gonna dance to a band from a-Lou'sian' tonight

Bring your mama, bring your papa, bring your sister too

They got lots of music and lots of room

When they play you a waltz from 1910

You gonna feel a little bit young again

Well you learned to dance with your rock'n'roll

You learned to swing with a do-si-do

But you learn to love at the fais-so-do

When you hear a little Jolie Blon

Saturday night and the moon is out

I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout

Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat

When it lifts me up I'm gonna find my feet

Out in the middle of a big dance floor

When I hear that fiddle wanna beg for more

Gonna dance to a band from a-Lou'sian' tonight

What if?

The age old question...what if?  It's even turned into somewhat of a game these days, trying to guess the different outcomes of life's twists and turns if only we'd made a different decision.  TV shows (Grey's Anatomy off the top of my mind) and movies (Butterfly Effect) encase this unanswerable question for our entertainment--and to make our brains wonder about our own decisions and the effect they've had on our lives as well as those around us.

So here's the biggest what if of all...  For those of you who are unbelievers in our God Almighty, what if you're wrong?  If I'm wrong (although my faith ensures me that I'm not), it's ok.  My life will have been full, happy, and earthly.  But what if you're wrong?  What if your life could be so much more?  And what if your life doesn't have to be constrained to this earth?

What If?

What if you're right, and He was just another nice guy

What if you're right, what if it's true

They say the cross will only make a fool of you

And what if it's true

What if He takes his place in history

With all the prophets and the kings

Who taught us love and came in peace

But then the story ends

What then

But what if you're wrong

What if there's more

What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for

What if you jump, just close your eyes

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise

What if he's more than enough

What if it's love

What if you dig way down deeper

Than your simple minded friends

What if you dig

What if you find

A thousand more unanswered questions down inside

That's all you'd find

What if you pick apart the logic

And begin to poke the holes

What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore

That must be told and retold

But what if you're wrong

What if there's more

What if there's hope you never dreamed of hoping for

What if you jump, just close your eyes

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise

What if he's more than enough

What if it's love

You've been running as fast as you can

And you've been looking for a place you can land

For so long

But what if you're wrong

What if you jump, just close you're eyes

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise

What if he's more than enough

What if it's love

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.”
― Albert Camus

I Will Be Here

Sorry for the outage of my posting.  That always seems to happen when I claim to try to make it a daily occurrence...  My absence can be explained by my divulgence into the The Hunger Games trilogy.  It was an excellent set of books--right up my alley with the perfect mixture of suspense, a bit of mystery, and of course a little love.  I began reading them Wednesday night, and just finished the third one about thirty minutes ago.  My house is more of a mess than I would like, and I probably haven't spent as much time in conversation with others as I should have...but if I had a moment to spare, I was reading!  I always do this when I get into any book that I really enjoy--but it's especially bad in a series.  It's like the book is a magnet, and I can't escape it's grip until I finish reading...all of them!  Hunter just laughs at me, thank goodness.

My song for today is "I Will Be Here", sung and written by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It became special to me when my sister used it in her wedding.  Her groom actually recorded himself singing it for her, making it one they will always cherish even more.  The words are so defining for a marriage, and I truly just love that.  I also read his wife, Mary Beth Chapman's book, Choosing to See,  a few years ago.  Another incredible read.  The explanation of why he wrote this song for her and the tenderness they allow you to glimpse through it is just heart touching.  And now, on the tail of reading that ever so popular trilogy, The Hunger Games, I'm even sensing my brain make a connection between it and this song.  The promise of being there for someone, always. 

Hunter is my always.  And I choose to be where he is, always.

Tomorrow morning if you wake up

and the sun does not appear

I will be here

If in the dark, we lose sight of love

Hold my hand, and have no fear

'Cause I will be here

I will be here

When you feel like being quiet

When you need to speak your mind I will listen

And I will be here

When the laughter turns to cryin'

Through the winning, losing and trying

We'll be together

I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up

And the future is unclear

I will be here

Just as sure as seasons were made for change

Our lifetimes were made for these years

So I will be here

I will be here

And you can cry on my shoulder

When the mirror tells us we're older

I will hold you

And I will be here

To watch you grow in beauty

And tell you all the things you are to me

I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made

To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up

And the sun does not appear

I will be here

Oh, I will be here.

In Christ Alone

I mentioned previously how powerful lyrics of a song are to me.  This song is the perfect example.  Each and every time I hear this song, those words pierce to my soul, bringing me hope and an intense moment of worship.  The Spirit just comes over me.

I'm headed off this evening to a Women of Faith event and I am so excited!  It is an awesome experience to fill a room with ladies and the presence of the Almighty.  I am ready to see what He has in store for us!  Be blessed!

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From a life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

Rockin' Years

This is one of those oldies but goodies.  No matter what phase of life we're in, Hunter and I will always be in it together.  We happen to be in the "rockin' babies" phase right now--and let me tell ya.  It has been an incredibly rewarding and indescribable blessing--but it's been tough and we've had to work together more than ever.

"Rockin' Years"

I'll do everything I can to make you proud to be my man 

And I'll fulfill all of your fantasies

I guess we're promising a lot, but for now it's all we've got 

And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years

Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages 

Side by side we'll be together always 

And if you'll hold me tight when you love me 

That's all I'll ask of you 

And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

I'll be your friend, I'll be your lover 

Until the end, there'll be no other 

'Cause my heart has only room for one 

Yes, I'll always love you, and I'll always be here for you 

And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages 

Side by side we'll be together always 

And if you'll hold me tight when you love me 

That's all I'll ask of you 

And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

a song a day--God Gave Me You

I've always been a huge musical person.  My mom laughs at me because I sing a song for just about anything that goes on in my life.  I have always loved to sing, listen to music, and create it.  I took piano lessons from age 4-13.  I was also in band grades 6-11, playing the flute, piccolo, keyboard, and pit.  I loved it and I miss it.

Needless to say, music is a powerful force for me.  I appreciate talent, both vocally and instrumentally.  I also appreciate the lyrics and pay attention to them sometimes more than the music itself.  

So I decided I'm going to try to do a song a day with a little blurb of why I love it so.  Most of them will be for my boy--just a heads up for those of you who get annoyed with the helpless romance.  Sorry, that's just the way I roll.

"God Gave Me You"

I’ve been a walking heartache

I’ve made a mess of me

The person that I’ve been lately

Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me

And watch as the storm blows through

And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you

Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing

A divine conspiracy

That you, an angel lovely

Could somehow fall for me

You’ll always be love’s great martyr

And I’ll be the flattered fool

And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you

On my own I’m only

Half of what I could be

I can’t do without you

We are stitched together

And what love has tethered

I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words here left to say, it’s true

God gave me you, gave me you.

He gave me you.

I truly believe that Hunter and I were given to each other through God's plan and design.  We've been through a lot together already--and every day brings a new adventure.  He's my love.

generational mouthpiece

We had the privilege and honor of taking our youth group to Soul Link--a large youth rally in Houston--this past weekend.  The theme was "a frayed knot vs. afraid not".  It focused on fear and forced these kids (and us adults with them) to take a hard look into their lives and how much hold we allow Satan to have on us through our fear.  I'll have a whole post about this later.

But in the last keynote session, the speaker (David Skidmore) mentioned something that I found quite interesting.  

Katy Hudson was a talented teenager, who after receiving her GED during her first year of high school, decided to pursue a career in music.  She produced an album, writing or co-writing all of the songs on the album.  

The lyrics are incredible.  He played the song "Search Me" and had the lyrics scroll across the screen as we listened.  

Through this skin you see My heart
Through this laughter you feel My pain
Even through this mask you see My face
For You are the only one who really knows just who I am
And you search me 
And you know all the secrets of my heart 
And you search me
Revealing the mysteries of who You are 
You search me
Growing up never comes Easily 
In Your hands, You're the potter Molding me
Then why do I wear this mask and play this game Of hide and seek 
When You are the only one who really knows just who I am 
CHORUS
My Father, my Father You are my Father, oh, and I am Your child
And you hear my cry, even at the midnight
CHORUS

Her album wasn't successful.  She wanted to be a mouthpiece for the youth of her generation.  But her production company failed, and therefore her album didn't stand much chance.  

So a few years later and some experience with other albums that didn't get produced, someone heard her.  They thought her music wouldn't sell, but her voice would.  Does she look familiar yet?
This was when she changed from Katy Hudson, a Christian model and vocal inspiration, to Katy Perry.  She went from "Search Me" to "I Kissed a Girl."  She is afterall a mouthpiece for this generation as she'd always hoped--but sadly, quite the opposite of her original intent.  

What will you give up (or what have you given up) of yourself to succeed in this world?  What message are you sending out to those around you?  Was the sacrifice of self worth it?  

Satan is an Imposter.  He does not try to hide or distort his identity.  He deceives you of what yours is.  Don't fall victim to this world. 

What does your life say?

love, angie