like that

You know how you can hear a song but it's only when you take the time to listen to the lyrics that it clicks with you and you realize "I like this song!"? That was me with "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets. I keep forgetting about them until I hear one of their songs and am reminded all over again why I like them so much. Just to warn you, this will probably get stuck in your head but that's ok because it's such a great song! To me, it's about refusing to settle and striving to walk in the plans God has for us. To reach out to the hurting and the lost and love like Jesus did.

hero

rhythms

I had the amazing opportunity to see Hillsong United a few weeks ago in concert. It was absolutely amazing (yes, I used 'amazing' a whole lot just now). I had bought their "Aftermath" CD before the concert so I would be familiar with their newer songs. I find it awkward and a little boring if I go to a concert and don't know the songs - I'm not connected and I don't like that. One of the songs on the CD is titled "Rhythms of Grace." That made me think of the Matthew 11:28:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Message).

I like that. A lot. To me, there's something simply beautiful about the phrase. It's only three words yet so heavy with meaning. To me, it means letting go of our plans and letting God direct us - just that moment of release. Sort of like when floating in the water and letting the current take you where it may. It's finding freedom in release.

take two

I'm very excited about having the chance to see Hillsong United in concert again! I saw them a few years ago but wasn't as familiar with their music as I am now. I bought their "Aftermath" CD last week and have been listening to track 6, "B.E." which is an interlude. There's just something about instrumental pieces that mean something to me. Desperation Band's latest album has two "soaking sessions" (instrumental songs) that I just love to put on repeat, "Dawn Til Dusk" and "The Morning." Hillsong does a fabulous job of putting into words what I may be feeling. One of my favorites is "Always" - they are just amazing at what they do.

I tried finding a video of "B.E" but here's link where you can listen to it!

the waiting

I'm taking a major trip down memory lane here but every so often I'll get Christian songs from the 90's stuck in my head. This was the case the other day when I began humming "In the Waiting" by Greg Long (this was prior to him joining Avalon in case you needed that clarification). Humor me as I share the chorus:

"I want a peace beyond my understanding

I want to feel it fall like rain

In the middle of my hurting

I want to feel Your arms as they surround me

And let me know that it's okay

To be here in this place

Resting in the peace that only comes

In the waiting."

source: http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/greg-long/in-the-waiting.html

I think there will always be something in life I'm "waiting" on - that's just how life is. We're always striving for something but I think that's ok. The other side of that is being completely satisfied to the point of never trying, never reaching. So for me, I'm still in the process of being in a place where I'm waiting but I'm also doing. I'm eagerly anticipating some things but at the same time, busy with other things God has for me. I get excited when I see tiny glimpses of those things and it encourages me as I continue to wait.

*After I scheduled this post, I heard the song "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller and had to include it! It's such a great song and totally goes along with this post!

backwards

So I plan on doing another post on some amazing artists I've had the pleasure of seeing in concert for the first time this year but this song has been running through my head this week and I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. The song is called "Moving Backwards" by a guy named Ben Rector. He's not hugely known (yet) but I have a feeling he'll one day get there. And what's really cool about this song is that I saw him perform it which somehow makes it that much better in my mind.

I tried researching the story behind it because I think it interesting to hear the inspiration. My digging didn't turn up anything so I'll give my own take on the song. To me, it's about putting faith in God even when it doesn't make sense. Others may not understand why you choose to believe - to them the Bible may just be a jumble of stories - but it's more than that to you. Life is always moving and we're constantly making choices...

Here's a promo for the video...

contagious

Although I listen to Christian music, I'm not a fan of every single song incorporating scripture and talking about God. I think sometimes it's ok for music to have a God-centered message in a subtle way. For example, I've been listening to the song "Fever" by Family Force 5. I don't think God is mentioned one time but I can't hear it without thinking about Him. To me, the song is about being contagious in our Christianity, like a fever spreading. I just sometimes think we overdo the whole "Christian music" thing by staying on the end of the spectrum where the songs have to be so flowery and "God I love you." I'm not trying to be too much of a critic and say that all Christian songs are fluff and whatever else - it's just that sometimes we don't have to mention God in order to be talking about Him.

safe

I heard this song on the radio this afternoon and though I've heard it before, it caught my attention. It's "Safe" by Phil Wickham and I think the message is one that we need to be reminded of sometimes.

move

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Roosevelt

Fear has a way of paralyzing you, making you want to do nothing more than hide under a rock or cower in a corner, wishing the thing you fear would go away. Staying in the pocket of what's safe/comfortable can be tempting - "nothing ventured, nothing gained." But at some point, we all have to move. You either move forward or you move back, pressing farther into the recesses of what's familiar, what you know.

It's often in our moments of being scared that we exert the greatest strength. Moving when you're scared out of your mind takes courage and will undoubtedly either "make you or break you." Moving when there are countless uncertainties looming in front of you can be overwhelming but by taking that step forward, God will come behind us and alongside, bringing clarity to what once seemed obscure and muddled. So go on. Move.

(this song was playing in my mind as I wrote this...)

learning to breathe

There's a song by Switchfoot called "Learning to Breathe" and it's a little old but whenever I hear it, I always smile and am taken back to the late 90's (good times :-). I looked up the lyrics today (because how many times do we sing along to a song and either stumble through the verses or sing the wrong words?) and it's amazing how much more you can get out of a song when you take the time to stop and listen to the words. I was reading an interview with the lead singer for the group and he was talking about the inspiration for the song. He said, "...this is the spiritual world that we have been called to and the kingdom of the heavens is here. We are learning to breathe in the atmosphere of grace."

Breathing is one of those things that we don't have to think about - it's involuntary. We can go about our day and not have to remind ourselves to breathe. However, sometimes situations occur and we're paralyzed momentarily. We have to consciously tell ourselves to take a deep breath and then let it out (John 14:10 is one of my favorites during these times). I've learned that no matter what, God is never caught off guard and will be with us during these times. Breathe in, breathe out...

I couldn't mention the song without including the video...