It's Happening, Isn't It?

"Ready or not, here I come," warned August 11th.  

I am in utter disbelief that summer is coming to an end in less than two weeks.  The clock ticks by too fast...  I have been supremely surprised by my floods of excitement and lack of anxiety.  I keep waiting for it to really hit and sink in. I guarantee you it's not going to be pretty when that happens. I have little moments when I think about my "last" Sunday at Shepchap, or my "last" piano lesson, or my "last" band/choir practice, but then I'll talk to someone from Asbury & I get excited again.  This is the week of all my "last"s and I don't know if I'm ready for them.  But it's happening, whether I'm ready or not. I am so lucky to have a home that I love and care for deeply.  Everyone complains about poor ol' Stanco, but it's honestly my favorite place in the world.  I like running into people I know everywhere I go. I like that our movie theater only costs $4.50 for a matinee.  I like how excited Stanco is when we get new things like a Cookout or a Sweet Frog.  I like that the ladies at Belk or Jcpenney have watched me grow up and now share in my excitement for college.  I like that Goodo's Putt Putt, just a shabby hole in the wall, has the best ice cream in the world.  I like that I consider the waiters at Mazatlan my friends. Most of all, I like that my family, friends, and church are in Stanco.  It's just the little things that make this town so special to me.  A promise that I made and fully intend to keep is that I will always love my ground. 

I have ten more days here and I am determined to make them count. I ask that you be in prayer for my family and I as I fear we will be displaying the ugly cry for all to see on campus next week.  I am full of anticipation for the days ahead, but dreading the never-pleasant "see you soon"s. Pray for comfort and easy transitions; I would greatly appreciate it.

It's really happening.

The Lord Be With You

"When worshipers arrive at church, they are welcomed to the worship.  There are different ways in which this welcoming is achieved, just as there are different ways of welcoming guests to one's home.  But the first thing to remember is that worshipers are not in church primarily to welcome one another, nor should it be thought that the minister is playing host to the congregation.  They are gathered to meet God; God is, in a sense, the host, and we are being welcomed into his presence.  This is why the greeting is not "How are you this morning?"--which is often heard in churches that seek to make the service friendly to the visitor.  The appropriate greeting is a mutual salutation, "The Lord [or, The peace of the Lord] be with you," and the congregation responds, "And also with you."  When the minister says, "The peace of the Lord be with you," and the congregation responds, "And also with you," they are joined together in peace.  "The Salutation joins the participants in the action through the gift transmitted through it." The state that defines the community that gathers in the name of Jesus to worship the triune God is peace, that is, reconciliation.  If there is no reconciliation between God and people and between people, there can be no true worshiping community."

 Liturgical Theology by Simon Chan

I love this...

New Year's Resolutions

Twenty thirteen is nearing & I must say I'm rather terrified. This is going to be a big year. I graduate from high school in like five months. Then I will most likely proceed to go to college in August.

COLLEGE. 

asdlkfjacmsllfasklsakfhaskehfraksmhfalskdclakshmfklajhshfsaka

Needless to say, it's scary & I need to prepare myself physically, mentally, spiritually, & emotionally. Here are my resolutions!

Physical Resolutions

• I'm joining the rest of the world and getting back into the gym. I plan to run a 5k with my sisters in the summer & I want to do it well. 
• First semester of college: DON'T GAIN THE FRESHMAN 15. 

Mental Resolutions

• READ MORE. These are some books I would like to have read come 2014. 

• Try not to give in to senioritis and finish with a BANG! Don't just cover the material, allow the material to cover me ;)

Spiritual Resolutions

• We were discussing in Sunday School this morning about being a more intentional people and so I would like to make it a resolution to become more intentional; intentional about reading God's Word, studying it, praying, journaling and just taking time to spend with God everyday. It has been a goal of mine since freshman year to read the entire Bible. It's sad and frustrating that I have not completed it. My ultimate goal, though, has been to complete the Bible before I go away to college. In a way, that's been my excuse every year: "Well, I don't go to college for another year or two, so I have time to finish it." And now here I am, 8 months away from that big step!! No more procrastination, it's time to do it!

Emotional Resolutions

• Love, love, love, love, love & cherish each moment. 
• I am one of those fortunate enough to have a mama who does my laundry for me. So I figured I better start learning how to do laundry NOW to avoid future emotional breakdowns in college :) 
• This is not really an emotional resolution, but I'm terrible in the kitchen. (It's a known fact...) Therefore, I need to learn how to cook. It'd be a shame if I didn't take advantage of learning now while under my Mama's wing. <3

If I had to describe what I think 2013 is going to be like...

It would be something like this.

I'm excited & I hope you are too!

Have a Happy New Year!!!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far! I came down with a little cold last week, so that's why this recording is overdue. I picked a short, simple, hymn today. It is called, "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus." At first, it doesn't seem to have much depth. It is repetitive and rather straight-forward. But that's why I like it.

Take a listen and see what you think & don't forget my commentary is right below (This one is really worth reading, promise!)

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wander, I still will follow;

Though I may wander, I still will follow;

Though I may wander, I still will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?

No turning back, no turning back.

In an attempt to search the seemingly nonexistent depths of this hymn and to find the beauty rooted within, I found the most incredible story that it originates from.* This hymn was formed by the lips of man from India. He and his family found the Lord and converted to Christianity in the mid-19th century when some Welsh missionaries came to share the message with the community. This, of course, was not acceptable in the Eastern Indian society.  The chief asked him to renounce his newly found faith or face execution and he replied, "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back..." Enraged, the chief ordered an archer to shoot down his two sons. Then again, he asked him to renounce his faith or see his wife dealt the same fate. He just sang, "Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back..." Then he watched his wife fall to the ground from an arrow. The chief gave him one more opportunity and he replied, "The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back, no turning back..." Following after his family, this extraordinary man was killed. This right here, this story, this is why I am studying hymns. They have substance, they have beauty, they have history. Now when you sing those words over and over again, you have an entirely different mindset. It is also worth noting that because of this man's display of such great faith, the chief spontaneously confessed that he too belonged to Jesus and the entire tribe followed in his footsteps.  Because one man was willing to die for Jesus (as He did for us), an entire tribe accepted the Lord as their Savior. This story is just amazing. Something my youth leader said a long time ago has always stuck with me; we must decide each day to follow Jesus. Each morning when you wake up you have to make that choice. Am I going to live like a follower of Christ today? Make that decision and live accordingly. 

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I'm running on 4 hours of sleep and being gone from 7am-9pm and yet it's midnight and I'm still typing. That should say something!! I really hope you took the time to read this and I hope it blesses you as it did me. Have a lovely rest of the week!

*The origin is actually indefinite concerning whether it was from an Indian missionary, an Indian prince, or just an ordinary Indian man. Each story is very similar, but I chose to share the one of the ordinary man. 

Day By Day

For my second hymn, I chose Day by Day! It's been over a week, so I didn't meet my goal, but this song was just so difficult for me!! I recorded it last week, but I wasn't satisfied with it, so I didn't get to finish it till today.  I'm still not thrilled with it, but I'm content. Hope you enjoy!

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As your days, your strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Your promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Your holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

Day By Day (1865) was written by Karolina W. Sandell-Berg, the "Fanny Crosby of Sweden." Robert J. Morgan provides a little history about "Lina": She was born in Frvderyd on October 3rd, 1832, a pastor's daughter.  When she was twenty-six-years-old, her father drowned when the two of them were enjoying a boat ride. She found consolation in the Scriptures and expressed her faith in poetry. 

This song is a reminder that God is with us each day helping us through our trials. "I've no cause for worry or for fear." Lina knew hardship; she knew sorrow and grief but she believed in God's kindness and love. She believed that He gave each day what he deemed best which could bring us both pain and pleasure, both toil and peace. Even during the hardships, Lina had faith that God was in control and just as she accepted the pleasures of having a kind Savior, she accepted the pain and toils of life. 

God is present with us and so is His mercy. He protects us as a Father protects His child and what's beautiful about that is that He doesn't have to. And yet He does... He treasures us & keeps us safe. Lina quotes Deuteronomy 33:25 in the second verse. God promises that our strength will grow as the days go on.  So if you feel like giving up, remember that each day, you grow stronger.

In the third verse, Lina makes a plea to God. She acknowledges that as sinful humans, we often lose faith in the Word of God, if we think it is not being fulfilled. So she asks for help that she can trust Him and not lose "faith's sweet consolation." Our days here are earth are "fleeting" and soon we will reach the promised land where all our sorrows will be forgotten. 

Here's some scripture to end with:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

 The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" 

~ Psalm 27:1

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

~ Nehemiah 8:10

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

~2 Corinthians 12:9

Be Still My Soul

For my first hymn I chose Be Still My Soul! I finished recording it today and I'm really excited about it! My piano teacher lent me this book called Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan. It's really cool! It has a wide selection of hymns and with each hymn he gives a little history on the song and so I will reference to it quite a bit throughout this series. And now without further ado, I present to you my very first cover!!! (Warning: It's rather long, but I couldn't cut out any of the verses! Be sure to read the lyrics.)

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Be Still My Soul was written in 1752 by Katharina von Schlegel of Germany to the tune of Jean Sibelius' song "Finlandia", which became one of Finland's most popular national songs. According to Robert J. Morgan, this hymn was widely sung during World War II. It was a huge comfort to the people during that terrible time and especially to the soldiers. This song renewed the spirit of so many who were in such a hopeless place in life. 

In verse 1, it reminds us to leave everything in God's hands. So many times we want to walk our own way, make decisions that are not according to God's plan, but we have to leave it to God. He will order and provide.  In other cases, we find ourselves wrapped up in a lot of changes; changes we don't necessarily like. And it says that He will remain faithful.  Just beyond the thorny patch is a plain field where we will find joy.  

The 2nd verse speaks volumes to me right now as I am trying to decide about my future. It's clear that God has been with me throughout my life and so I can believe, with full confidence, that He will guide me through my future. In the last part of the verse, Schlegel is referring back to Mark 4:35-41, the story of Jesus calming the storm. "They became very much afraid and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?'" 

Verse 3 addresses loss. You can see why this song brought comfort to the soldiers of WWII.  Through our tears of loss, we come to know God's heart and love in a new light. It is when things are going bad that we rely on God the most.  We search Him for answers, for comfort, for relief of pain and sorrow & He soothes us. "Thy Jesus can repay from His own fullness all He takes away." Even though He takes away, He gives us more of Himself. 

Verse 4 speaks of a better life.  A life where we will be reunited with the ones we have lost and we will have pure joy.  

And so in verse 5 we praise Him!! He is faithful to us always. He guides our past and our future.  He comforts us by giving of Himself.  And it is through Jesus that we can have eternity with our Lord and loved ones and truly be happy. So acknowledge Him in all your words and ways and praise Him! "Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."

Words like these renew ours spirits & minds.  It is important we allow them to cover us for in them we will find great peace and a greater understanding of our Lord. 

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend :)

Acknowledging The Beauty in Hymns

Hello all! It's been a while since I've posted something on here, but it's time to get back in the groove of things! I'm starting a blog series on

Acknowledging the Beauty in Hymns!!! 

Hymns have been deemed (by many) to be old, outdated, boring, & not important. But what if, by casting them aside, we are losing a very important aspect in worship? I believe that hymns are essential to worship in church.  Slowly, but surely, hymns are being forgotten. In fact, I imagine, that in the grand scheme of things, very few people of my generation actually know hymns (except the popular ones, like, Amazing Grace, It Is Well, etc...)  How sad is that?

So here's how it's going to go...

• Every week (hopefully), I'm going to record myself playing and singing a hymn and then I will blog about its history, the message, and just share my thoughts on it. 
• The purpose of doing this is so that I will learn more about hymns and how to worship and also that hopefully, those of you who will listen and read, will learn a little too! I don't want my generation to be the one to ignore hymns and keep future generations from ever knowing of them.

Also note that I am new to the whole recording process, so forgive my imperfections :) Just focus on the words and the beautiful message that each hymn has to share! I'm super excited to go on this little journey through music, and I hope you join me! Stay tuned!