Soulful Sunday: Speech is Silver But Silence Is Golden

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Boy, that year of being still sure turned into a long break!! I looked back and the last time I blogged was back in 2016, almost exactly two years to the date. A lot has happened in two years, and to be honest, a lot of it I probably needed to process in the stillness and silence with Jesus. I’m sure the lessons I went through will probably manifest themselves in a few blogs, so I will let all of those come out at the right time.

As I scanned back through my old posts, I’ve seen ways my heart has changed. I’ve also still been praying for that Godly spouse to come into my life, but God hasn’t seen fit for that time to happen. I’ve met some very interesting men and even made some new friends. When I last posted, the Nurse and her husband were newlyweds and now they’re an old married couple with the cutest redhead baby in the world, who I’ll refer to as Precious Niece. And I’ll have stories about that cutie for sure.

I know I’m in a growing season, and I’ll even try to be transparent about some of the changes that season is ushering in. That way if you’re growing too, we can be growing comrades!

The silence has been golden...a way for my faith to grow and now I know it’s more precious than any amount of money or gold in the world.  Hello Blogland...I’m back!!

Soulful Sunday: Who loves you?

Soulful Sunday: Peace

As I shared with you at the beginning of this year, the word that God laid on my heart for this year is PEACE.  When I wrote that first entry about peace and realizing that God wanted me to seek Him for peace, not that I was going to be in peace, I was frustrated.  Eight months later, and the truth still is there:  Life is not peaceful, BUT God is Peace.  Seek Him and let the Peace of Christ rule in your heart.  I cannot tell you all the situations I have been involved in over the past year, but I can say this: when I choose to look at God, the Peace is there.  The times I haven't looked at God, well...you guessed it.  Those are the times I was frustrated, sad, angry, or fearful.  In fact, let me even confess, I've had to ask God for more self-control to chose His Peace.  My first response hasn't been His peace in a lot of my circumstances.  In case I haven't shared with you, my personality has a strong feeler side to it...What does that mean you ask?  Well, for me, I can easily dwell in how I feel and in the feelings of others around me.  For example, I feel like October was a month of sadness and frustration for myself and others around me.  I was feeling worn out and confused by God.  On my way to work one morning, I was listening to Bethel's Loft Sessions, and the song, "Come To Me" came on.  For about two weeks now, when I am alone in the car, this song is on repeat.  And it has been God's love letter to me.  He is reminding me to come to Him.  Things may look confusing, frustrating, disappointing, sad.  Don't look at the circumstances.  Look at Him.  Receive His Peace.  I leave you with the video of "Come To Me," and don't be surprised if you leave it on repeat too.

Soulful Sunday: Three Times

2 Kings 13: 18-19 (NLT) - Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”

This encounter in 2 Kings is Elisha’s last prophecy before he dies.  There were many things that I found interesting here.  First, even though the king knew Elisha (and I’m sure of all the great things God used him for) he only did a minimum.  Elisha becomes angry with the king probably because of how small the request was.  He reminds the king of God’s power and now give a prophecy that the king will not destroy the enemy.

For me the passage hit home about how I can narrow my view of God in light of the struggles I face.  Instead, I should remember how big my God is.  I’m not saying we can manipulate God by showing Him how big our faith is.  This isn’t one of those things that I am saying God will do as I ask because of my faith.  Instead, I’m saying that sometimes, just like the king, I see my struggle as so large, I only ask God for the minimum.  Which to me is a symptom of a heart that is making what I am facing bigger than God.  Which is idolatry.  Which is against the first commandment.  

You know, the one that says we shall not have any gods before God.  SO maybe, just maybe, instead of praying for the minimum solution to what feels like an overwhelming problem, I should start praying from a place of knowing my God is greater than anything.  Instead of “striking my arrows” three times, I should go ahead and do five or six.  Then I can watch God do more than I could ask or imagine!

Soulful Sunday: Broken Vessels

This is on the latest release from Hillsong's "No Other Name."  I have a feeling that this song will be as impactful as "Oceans" was for many last year.  I love the images that come to mind within this song.  It is so beautiful because it reminds us of the fact we are broken due to our sin, but God's grace and love transform us to be used for us.  A great reminder for us all...

Soulful Sunday: Don't Get My Hopes Up

2 Kings 4: 15-16 (NLT)-  “Call her back again,” Elisha told him. When the woman returned, Elisha said to her as she stood in the doorway, “Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms!”  “No, my lord!” she cried. “O man of God, don’t deceive me and get my hopes up like that.”

Have you ever been in a season like this?  You know, one where that desire of your heart hasn’t yet happened.  You have prayed for something, got your hopes up over and over again and yet for some reason,  what you are praying for hasn’t happened.  Maybe it is for a spouse, a job, or to have a child.  Maybe it is for a direction in life.  Maybe it is for that person to come to Christ.  You then resign yourself to the idea that what you desired isn’t going to happen.

But then God intervenes.  Perhaps it is a verse you read that encourages you.  Maybe it is a word from someone, telling you to keep the hope alive.  You go to church and the sermon speaks directly to you.  A song comes on the radio that speaks straight to your heart.  God is calling you to hope in Him again, just like God used Elisha to call hope into this woman’s life.  Instead of your reaction being filled with praise and joy though, your reaction is a lot more like the woman here.  She doesn’t want to be let down once again.  We then feel guilty because we feel like we shouldn’t have wavering trust in God.  We feel like our hope should be steadfast.

Don’t be hard on yourself.  I love these verses in the Bible because they are real; real emotion behind deferred dreams.  I think that if we gave ourselves grace to continue hoping, even during  moments of resignation or fear of the dream failing once again, we can move forward with God to the place He is calling us.

Soulful Sunday: My Beloved

I know I have posted several of David Crowder's work with the DCB and on his own as Crowder.  His new album, "Neon Steeple" is great!  Crowder calls it a 'folktronica' blend and I enjoy it as it mashes two of my favorite styles together!  Here is one of my favorite songs from 'Neon Steeple':

Soulful Sunday: Alive (Acoustic)

Yes, I may be a little outside the target demographic of Hillsong Young and Free, but I do love their album.  In fact, it is one that I like to workout with or just listen to when I need a boost.  I actually sing this song a lot at church and it is one of my favorites!  I was listening to Relevant's podcast and this was a special recording from that session.  I love the acoustic version as much as the original!  I was afraid that when they said it was going to be acoustic it wouldn't translate.  However, I enjoy listening to this version a lot.  I think it is because the truth in the lyrics is so powerful, whether it has a big techno sound or the acoustic sound.  Enjoy!

Soulful Sunday: Only Your Love

I love Kari Jobe.  She is so anointed to lead worship.  I've had the pleasure of attending worship services she has had, including at Women of Faith last year.  I'm in love with her latest worship album, "Majestic."  I felt like she wrote the words on my heart lately.  I can listen to this and suddenly I'm transported to the presence of God.  His love and peace become renewed in my heart and my focus is shifted back to the Almighty God.  Here is a video from "Majestic," which is one of my favorite songs.  Check it out!

Soulful Sunday: You Crown The Year

 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. (‭Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭11‬ NLT)

Yesterday I was listening to Hillsong's Glorious Ruins. There is a song on there that really spoke to me in a new way called You Crown The Year (Psalm 65:11).  I looked up the verse and it spoke straight to the depths of my heart. Even though I may find myself in a difficult place, God has not forgotten me. As the verse says, the hard pathways will overflow with His abundance. I started to really meditate on this verse and I could look back on my life and see God's faithfulness and provision.  For example, my last year working in OKC Public schools was very hard. I had a child who was crying out for help but his parents thought the answer was to move him to another school. I had two students that destroyed my books and desks to be mean to the rest of the class. Not to mention all the testing pressure to get the class ready for third grade. It was definitely a hard pathway. But God provided. I was able to form relationships with those hard students and the parents. My class improved greatly in their math and reading skills. God kept me safe from any violence at the school. These are just a few of the blessings that come to mind.

Right now, I know so many people struggling. Life is on a hard pathway for so many I know. For me, my hard pathway is not letting my feelings dictate my situation. I know that by still praising God, still looking to Him, He will crown this hard time with blessing. It may not be to change the situation to what we want. Maybe it is to change our hearts. Maybe He will do something we didn't expect and it will be a bigger blessing than we thought. Maybe it is to take us deeper with Him.

Hold on right now. Give Him praise. Follow Him and watch Him work in your life.  I saw a great quote from a Christian pastor which went something like this:  "Even in your waiting, God is still working."  Keep your eyes fixed upon Him during your hard pathway.  Just because you cannot see it yet, does not mean that God has abandoned you.  Right now He is covering you with His abundant love and grace.  And hopefully, soon for you, the pathway will become smooth.

Soulful Sunday: In The Fire

It seems like I've been going through some emotionally stretching times.  Nothing major has happened, it is just that there has been an internal struggle for me about trusting God.  Today I wanted to post two incredible sermons that encouraged me and hopefully will encourage you.  The pastor is Carl Lentz, from Hillsong NYC.  There is definitely some real talk in these messages.  Listen and be encouraged!

Soulful Sunday: This is Amazing Grace

My new favorite song about GRACE

Soulful Sunday

I was listening to some old playlists on my ipod this week and came across this song from about five years ago.  I loved it then, and I love it still.  The words are so pure and honest.  It reminds me of a modern day Psalm.  Listen and be refreshed!

Soulful Sunday: Bethel Tides

On Tuesday Bethel's new release, Tides, came out. My life is changed. The musicality of the entire work is excellent. It moves my soul in a deep way, responding to the Spirit. The two videos below are two of my favorites. The words express how my heart is feeling lately. I am overjoyed to put a name to all that is in my heart right now. Enjoy!

Be Still: http://youtu.be/TAPpunj-dMM

Letting Go: http://youtu.be/okmxFDMYuEQ

Soulful Sunday

After my quiet time this morning, this hymn came to mind. It's one of my favorites, and this version is fantastic. It is beautiful, sweet, and so pure. Listen to the words and let God speak to you. What a way to start a Sunday!

Chelsea Moon and the Franz Brothers, "Trust and Obey": http://youtu.be/IrSCxfnN2B8

Soulful Sunday

Thankful for this song describing my life right now. The more I focus on God, all the things that I want to worry about fade away. The power of grace overtakes my sin of worry and I don't have to be a master to it anymore.