Hymns have a way of moving me like almost no other worship song can.  This one in particular.  It's another one that should belong on the soundtrack of my life, another one that should be on my heart as I wake each day.  Take my life Lord, which is really YOUR life, and set me apart for YOU each day.  Let everything about my life, my being, my materials, my will, all that makes up me and let it be for the Lord and only for him.  Let my life be a throne for the King of the Universe.  Selah. Take My Life and Let It Be (Chris Tomlin) Take My Life and Let It Be (Christ for the Nations Worship with Kari Jobe)

I have never heard of Tom T Hall or this song so when I pulled it up I was surprised to find it was an old song!  Thanks Tracy for passing this one my way!  I like this song because it inspires me to compose my own list of what I love.  Sometimes the simplest sentiments are the best ones, the most sincere ones, the ones that best convey the heart.  So what do I love?  I love the air after a rainstorm, I love brightly colored flowers, I love coffee in a cup, I love the tea kettle whistling, I love baking, I love the smell of jasmine, I love ice cream, and I love a whole bunch of people, and this list could go on and on!  What do you love?  :)  I love

I use songs to define my life.  Sometimes they define a short season, sometimes a year, sometimes longer.  Sometimes the songs come and go at different times in my life.  This song is especially meaningful to me.  Jordin Sparks won American Idol the year I went to Kenya for the first time.  And for me going to Kenya was all about grabbing the now moment and stepping outside of fear, doubt, etc.  It was all about learning to live out of courage instead of fear.  In 2007 when I traveled to Kenya God did some really amazing things that apparently he could have only done by taking me halfway across the world.  I came home from that trip empowered, certain fears banished, with a new family, loving the now that God had given me and ushered me into.  The song faded away as I was living out of new found courage but it's kind of popped back up recently as I face head on some other fears and need to make a choice to grab the now moment.  It's ...

In today's culture we are encouraged to hide who we are, what we believe, any weaknesses.  Disagree?  Take a closer look, rather take a closer listen, to the messages we are sent daily by the media, by television programs, by various publications, by celebrities, and yes, by the Church.  People say "just be yourself" but when someone dares to actually try it they are shot down, judged, harassed, or name your own adjective.   I love this song because from the first words you know what the message is.  You know that Chris & Conrad are giving us encouragement to swim upstream, to defy the message of the world and live out the message of Christ.  To allow freedom to define us rather than the bondage of definitions that the world, the Church, and yes, we ourselves have said we are.   Do you know who you are?  Do you want to find freedom from what holds you back from who you know you are?...

For years now I have started a lot of my days with this song, whether I'm just humming it or I actually cue it up in my itunes.  I love the energy of this song, I think it is a great way to start the day!  But really why I like to start my day with it is it serves as a reminder of my mission for that day.  To live every minute of that day for Christ.  To take his word and apply it to my actions, words, and thoughts.  To set aside myself and live solely for him.  Following in the footsteps of Jesus has never led me down a stray path but has always led me in the path he has marked out for me.  When I succeed and make my day all about him I never have any regrets at the end of the day, I never feel frustrated about decisions that had to be made, and I have peace that the day belonged to the One who made it.  Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Everyday

I love Fall.  It's my favorite season.  The smell, the feel in the air, the colors, the tastes, and the sports - specifically High School and Collegiate Levels.  I have some really good memories where Fall is concerned.  I got married in the Fall because I loved it so much!  I have this mostly love relationship with Kenny Chesney.  Almost every song he's released I have loved but something about him bugs me!! :)  But dang it if he don't sing some good stuff (good redneck impression? :) )!  Once again Kenny Chesney manages to tell a great story through song, he again manages to make me want to pack up and move to a small town and dive in to that small community where things are a little simpler, including football.  Where community means something, where Coaches care even if they are yelling.  I love the idea of Friday night football games and knowing every single person in the stands.  I love the idea of a community sitting around...

I was so uninspired today, I guess because it's Monday, that I was at a loss as to what song to do when viola!  My friend Crystal posted a status on her Facebook that provided the very inspiration AND excuse I needed for the song for today!  So a huge thanks to Crystal for unintentionally providing me with today's song!  Crystal said this, " Looking back at prayers that were not answered...I am truly glad that God said No!"  Boy do I ditto Crystal! I am SO glad God knows better than I and therefore acts in my life accordingly.  Isaiah 55:8-9 is all the proof I need that God knows better.  He says that his ways and his thoughts are higher than mine.  That equals BETTER than mine also!  See, God sees the whole picture while all we can see is the corner piece and we pray according to what we see but God works in our life according to what he can see.  And I have discovered that when God doesn't answer my prayer (usually prayed out of igno...