“Prophets and lovers don’t always hold true,
But I’m never gonna stop falling for you
So, when your wine’s all gone and your well runs dry,
Open your hands and look into my eyes; all that you see here,
You’ll soon leave behind, so open your hands and look into my eyes
I’m coming for you, coming for you wherever you go.”
(Source: Spotify)
“…for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
[Romans 8:13-17]
Today, I am so thankful for the grace, the mercy, and the power of sanctification found in Christ. Even in my weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). In my failure and in my flesh, my eyes turn back to Him who sanctifies me to perfection in Jesus Christ. He is good.
Hello, friends! I’ve been falling down on the job as far as letting you all know where I will be playing and singing and having a generally wonderful time. I’m not a big fan of typing all the little details into Reverbnation individually, so I thought I’d make a “master schedule” (sounds professional…) for the rest of April, and a few May dates. Please come hang out whether at the Marriott or the local church! I would love to see your lovely faces!
April 11th:
[6:30pm] Highland Park Baptist Youth Group (w/ David Langston & speaker, Lori McGuire)
April 15th:
[10:15am] Parkview Baptist Church (w/ Drew Bumpas & the Youth Choir)
[6:00pm] Harris Chapel Baptist Church Revivial
April 16th:
[5-7:00pm] Swampers Lounge at the Shoals Marriott
April 17th:
[12:00pm] UNA Amphitheater (w/ Kristen Dunn and Max Beech)
[6:00pm] Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association Meeting @ FBC Killen
April 19th:
[11:30am] Senior Adult Luncheon @ Highland Park Baptist Church
[2:00pm] UNA’s Earth Day
April 20th:
[7:30pm] Ignite the Light @ MSHS (w/ Kristen Dunn & Max Beech, Speakers: Max Beech, Casey Hagle, and Barrett Jones)
April 27th:
[5:00pm] Highland Baptist’s THE WELL Girls’ Retreat
April 30th:
[5-7:00pm] Swampers Lounge at the Shoals Marriott
May 4th:
[TBA] Tom Ed Moore Scholarship Benefit @ FloBama (Downtown Florence, AL)
—Vienna mp3
“Slow down, you’re doing fine
You can’t be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it’s so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight…”
Her voice. Holy molasses, I love it so. She’s a strange little dancer, but oh how I love her voice.
—Bill Johnson (Bethel Church)
—One Thirst (feat. Jeremy Riddle & Steffany Frizzell) [Live]
May this be our attitude of worship today.
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
Last night, I went searching in the Word for something. I didn’t know what. I figured I’d read in Joshua 11 (since that’s where we left off at Two or More, and Chad Hess said the next chapter was our “homework”). I have to start off this blog by saying that the Holy Spirit completely guided me through this. He took my childish questions, and answered with grace. He’s so very wonderful like that.
Chapter 10 of Joshua left Joshua and the Israelites back at Gilgal where it all began (chapter 5). Their obedience and complete dependence on God as well as His clear faithfulness began back at Gilgal. What better place to rest after battle?
In chapter 11, we see that a “super army” is forming…seriously…it’s huge (verse 4).
“They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.”
I can only imagine myself in this situation: “Really, Lord? Really?” I would be like that SNL: Weekend Update bit with Seth and Amy…but I would be trembling uncontrollably. Still, God speaks peace and assured victory to the Israelites (verse 6-8).
“The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain[…]and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel…”
God provided complete victory for His people. He had no mercy for their oppresors:
WAIT. What? Why? Why would He harden hearts himself? He could’ve softened their hearts toward His people, and avoided war. Instead, He hardened hearts to wage war and set them up for complete destruction. I’ve been struggling with the fact that God is both just and loving. It’s a big question. I’ve been settling with the ol’ “His ways are higher than our ways” verse, but last night it just wasn’t enough; so, I asked.
WHY WOULD HE HARDEN HEARTS? WHAT DOES HIS WRATH AND JUSTICE MEAN FOR US?
Isaiah 51-52:1-12
1. “The law will go out from me; my justice will be a light to the nations” (51:4).
2. “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again. I will put it into the hands of your tormenters, who said to you, ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk over you.’ And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked over” (51:22-23).
3. “All day long my name is constantly blasphemed. Therefore, my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I” (52:5b-6).
What about those who don’t know Jesus? What about those who have strayed? Will He strike them down like the “super army”?
Dear friends, there is hope. He will gracefully guide them out of the darkness. He will go before, and guard behind. Upon their return, He will be waiting (Isaiah 52:12)!
Hall & Oats, “You Make My Dreams” cover
I forgot to post my Valentine’s Day cover song on the trusty ol’ Tumblr! Happy belated Valentine’s Day you sweet love birds :)
Hello world.
Today…well…technically yesterday, I stepped into my twenties. It is so strange to be entering into another DECADE of life. This year of being a 19-year-old has been pretty incredible. I have been on the mountaintops and deep into the valley, and I’m so honored to have been in each place.
This year, God has allowed me to see His Word with brand new eyes. He has traded my dreams for His own (the dreams of a Father that are so much bigger than my own). He has equipped me for the task set before me. He has evidenced His work by making the uncomfortable comfortable (for example, camping over a weekend showerless, in the rain, and in 95 degree weather as well as entering a room of 50+ women whom I’d never met, and leading me into intimate worship with them—all for the sake of His Kingdom and His calling placed on my life). I am amazed.
I stand in awe of His perfect timing. I stand in awe of His grace. I stand in awe of His perfect, living Word. I stand in awe of the beautiful, loving, supportive family and friendships He has surrounded me with (a family and friendships that are perfect pictures of His love for me). I stand in awe of His sweet love.
I am in love with Him.
He is good.
He loves me.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.“—Jesus (John 17:25-26)
