I Celebrate the Day

And with this Christmas wish is missed,
The point I could convey.
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life.
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve.
And from a lack of my persistency,
We're less than half as close as I want to be.

And the first time,
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior?
And the first breath that left Your lips,
Did You know that it would change this world forever?

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years,
To what this midnight made so clear,
That You have come to meet me here.
To look back, and think that,
This baby would one day save me.
In the hope that, what You did,
That you were born so I might really live.
To look back, and think that,
This baby would one day save me.

And I, I celebrate the day.
That You were born to die.
So I could one day pray for You to save my life.

The Twelve Words of Christmas

So we watched The Twelve Days of Christmas by Louie Giglio at church Wednesday night. Wowza. His talk was pretty beast if I do say so myself.

I mean, sure, I know Christmas is all about Jesus being born, but I've never really thought about how truly amazing the whole story is, nothing needs to be changed, it's perfect just the way it is. I mean, how many times does an angel appear to people these days? Exactly. We read over that like it's nothing. Think about it, an angel appeared to three unsuspecting wise men while they were chilling out watching some sheep and having a chat. An angel. Gosh, I would be terrified and amazed at the same time if an angel appeared to me while I was playing in the yard with my dog. Imagine why the first words that were usually coming out of the angels mouths when they appeared to people were "fear not." Louie made a funny comment about angels appearing, "Oh look honey! There's an angel in the den again!" ha. :) So yeah, and angel. How special is that? BUT, his words were even more specialer actually.

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people."

Wow. That's the opening line of all opening lines right there. I would have been super excited! I bet the angel just loved seeing the looks on their faces. So all three hold their breath, I'm sure the sheep did too, and then the angel said twelve magnificent words, words that probably made the shepherd's hearts skip a beat, words that made my heart skip a beat. Words that long after that night, would be read a million times over. You want to know what those words were?

"A Savior has been born to YOU, He is Christ the Lord."

That's crazy! If I would have been there, I'm pretty sure a shiver would have gone down my spine and I'd have a little spaz like I usually do, then I would look to the others and say, "did he just say what I think he said?" Gosh, I can't imagine the thrill it would have been.

I didn't know there had been four hundred years of God being silent before this, but that just made the story even more epic. After four hundred long years, the cry of a baby broke the silence...a human cry. That showed that He was still there, He came Himself to His people who were broken, hurting...crying. He identifies with us, He understands everything. As Louie said, "there was nothing perfect about that night...except the baby." THAT is the message of Christmas. God with us, here, now, Immanuel. After being silent for so long God had one word, Jesus. Jesus completely contains everything that's in the heart of God. He has bridged a gap so He can be as close to us that He can possibly be.

There is not a person on earth who has gone so far that His love cannot reach them where they are. He's not waiting for us to get to Him, He knew that was an impossibility. So He bridged the gap to us. Wherever you are, He's coming right to you. He is full of truth and He is full of grace and He is here now.

He said everything that needed to be said, it was the night of the dear Savior's birth. So before you absolutely demolish the wrapping on your presents, take a minute and read the story. Think about it. It's so huge and amazing I'm excited just writing this down. What Louie said at the end was pretty cool, I thought it was fitting. :)

"You say, 'well what do I do?' Absolutely nothing. Just fall on your knees, and open your arms, and say thank You. On that night they were holding the Baby, but on this night, the Baby is holding you."
Merry Christmas everyone

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I've been reading a lot of poems by Longfellow lately and I decided that I was going to post this one. It's so powerful. Every time I read it chills go down my spine, it's just that good. You'll have to look up the story behind it also, that makes if even more epic.


I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

A Hero Named Me

Glory writes amazing poetry, songs, everything. I saw this and thought it was absolutely GREAT, so I decided to post it. :)

My heart cries in the darkness
Surrounded by the pressures of life.
Tears drip from my face,
As Commitment holds up a knife.

Do I run? Or Do I fight?
Do I stay? Do I die?
Do I need a hero to rescue me?
Or is that hero a person named me?

I just want out of this mess
My heart bursting from the stress.
I lash out at my surroundings
Sending out the call of S.O.S.

Do I run? Or Do I fight?
Do I stay? Do I die?
Do I need a hero to rescue me?
Or is that hero a person named me?

Who will stand if I won’t?
Who will speak if I don’t?
The world is crying for a hero.
Is that hero a person named me?

“I sent you for this very time,
Even if it is an uphill climb.
It will never be more than you can bear,
I send you to prove that I care.”

This call is a heavy thing,
Not avoiding life’s sting.
It feels like I’m breaking inside,
Or maybe I’ve just come alive?

Do I run? Or do I fight?
Do I stay? Do I die?
Do I need a hero to rescue me?
Or is that hero a person named me?

Glory Ledbetter 11/27/10

A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow --
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand --
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep -- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

"A Dream Within a Dream" reflects Poe's feelings about his life at the time, dramatizing his confusion in watching the important things in his life slip away. Realizing he cannot hold onto even one grain of sand leads to his final question that all things are a dream. It may be interpreted that the "golden sand" is an allusion to the author's loved ones, and that each is inevitably swept away by death (the pitiless wave), no matter how tight a clasp the author tries to retain them with.

WHOA.

Ok this is rather random, but I was looking at Owl City website and reading Adam Young's blog. There was this one post entitled "my hope is found" and I thought, "huh. That reminds me of the song In Christ Alone." I am a big fan of that song, so I decided to read it. And it was GREAT. You may not think it's as beastin' as I'm making it out to be, but what he said really got to me in a way and his cover of the song was beautiful, so I thought I would share with you very few people who randomly stumble upon this here blog. Here's the link. Go read it, listen to the song, and be filled with awe at God's awesomeness.

http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/#more-1942

Sea of Clouds

I fly over the sea of clouds, the ground far beneath me,

they rush past my window seat as I stare at their beauty.

The sun peeks over, slowly rising to it's full glory.

like a diomond it shines, piercing my eyes,

the colors flow over the clouds pouring all over the skies.

There is one more star, refusing to sleep and be gone,

as the darkness has no choice before the dawn.
Who knew that there was a whole new world up above us?
With all different colors and textures.
I kinda wish I had wings so I could fly over it myself.
It's just that glorious.
But for now, I am back on the ground.
Gazing up at the puffy clouds, or the beautiful stars.
With that perfect picture in my mind,
of the sea of clouds in the open sky.

For the Life of Me by This Beautiful Republic

Was I worth the pain?

You had nothing left to gain,

I know I'm the only one to blame.

I'm broken on the floor,

Staring at the door,

Waiting on a Savior to walk in.

For the life of me,

Why'd You bear my chains?

For the life of me,

Why'd You walk to Calvary?

For the life of me,

I can't explain,

The reason You died, and the reason You came was for the life of me

What do You see in me?

I'm a leper not a king,

A mess that’s undeserving of Your name.

I've disappointed You,

Like a rose that never blooms,

Failing to display my heart to You.

For the life of me,

Why'd You bear my chains?

For the life of me,

Why'd You walk to Calvary?

For the life of me I can't explain,

The reason You died, and the reason You came was for the life of me

Lord, let me be so bright

I escape every shadow using Your light

Are You waiting to see,

That I will show,

Your life in me?

For the life of me,

You bore my chains.

For the life of me,

You walked to Calvary.

For the life of me,

I can't explain,

The reason You died, and the reason you came,

Was for the life of me.

Glorious Symphonies

The music starts slowly, in a sweet melodic tune.

I feel it groping deep within my heart as it tries to calm me.

At first I refuse, fighting against the musical tide that moves so freely.

The other instruments join the lonely yet content piano.

The sound builds as the symphony comes to life.

My mind has grown weary of it's inhabitants, so I let the music flood every thought.

Each note played starts to soften my heart from it's cold state.

I slowly become enchanted with the melody, the music makes me sway.

The peace can search me out and find, that I'm so ready to be found.

I close my eyes as the tune goes on, dreaming of a world without faults.

I loose myself and begin to dance slowly to the sound.

The stars who look at a planet always watching pain, perhaps will see that there is hope.

The fireflies light up the world around me, as they perform their nightly ballet.

This is my chance to believe in something more than walls and ceilings.

The instruments fade, leaving the piano to play on.

It slows, then comes to a silence. Leaving me in the darkness of the night.

I open my eyes and gaze at the open sky above me.

The song has come and gone from my mind,

Like a dream lost on waking.

But something is different.

A joy has crept deep inside the shadows of my heart. 

A sweet calm that runs through my whole being.

It feels like I have come on a long journey to find this peace no one could understand.

Now I have a desire, a passion, that moves me to do something.

So that people who feel abandoned, 

lost in the cracks of an unfeeling universe,

could see a ray of hope in the distance.

c*c

I wrote this while "Moonlight" by Yiruma was running through my head one night. It's a beautiful song that I recently learned how to play on piano. You should go look it up. :)

The Greatest Kind Of Love

What is this love?

So deep I can hardly comprehend?

For someone such as I,

You would take the time to mend.

This tired and broken soul,

who's tried hard to stay aflame.

You now have made whole.

And I will never be the same.
The rhythm of Your presence,
beats steady in my heart.
Though I may wander,
 we can never be apart.
I can feel You all around me,

Your life is rushing through me,
Your love, it consumes me.

c*c

When I Go Down by Relient K

I really like this song, so I thought I'd put it on here. It's so good, it's like...me, you know? Anyway, here's the best description I found for it. *This is a song about rising from the ashes of an emotionally burned out life. They've been living their life according to their own selfish desires and things seem to be going smoothly, but soon they find that that life's taking them nowhere but down. Really down. Really quickly. So quickly, that before they even know it, they've hit rock bottom. It hurts, but the most painful thing is that they realize that they could have avoided all this if they had just followed God. They just want all this to be over, but "that's not the way it works." No, they've got to admit that they're wrong, and more importantly, to repent and submit to the will of God. And that's the beautiful part. Because even though they've gone and messed things up completely, and have hit the rock bottom, all they have to do is look up and there's Jesus, right next to them, "with open arms, to lift them up again."*

I'll tell you flat out

It hurts so much to think of this

So from my thoughts I will exclude

The very thing that

I hate more than everything is

The way I'm powerless

To dictate my own moods

I've thrown away

So many things that could've been much more

And I just pray

My problems go away if they're ignored

But that's not the way it works

No that's not the way it works

When I go down

I go down hard

And I take everything I've learned

And teach myself some disregard

When I go down

It hurts to hit the bottom

And of the things that got me there

I think, if only I had fought them

If and when I can

Clear myself of this clouded mind

I'll watch myself settle down

Into a place where

Peace can search me out and find

That I'm so ready to be found

I've thrown away

The hope I had in friendships

I've thrown away

So many things that could have been much more

I've thrown away

The secret to find an end to this

And I just pray

My problems go away if they're ignored

But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works

Any control I thought I had just slips right through my hands

While my ever-present conscience shakes its head and reprimands me

Reprimands me

Then and there

I confess

I'll blame all this on my selfishness

Yet You love me

And that consumes me

And I'll stand up again

And do so willingly

You give me hope,

And hope it gives me life

You touch my heavy heart,

And when You do You make it light

As I exhale I hear Your voice

And I answer You,

Though I hardly make a noise

And from my lips the words I choose to say

Seem pathetic,

But it's a fallen man's praise

Because I love You

Oh God, I love You

And life is now worth living

If only because of You

And when they say I'm dead and gone

It won't be further from the truth

When I go down

I lift my eyes to You

I won't look very far

Cause You'll be there

With open arms

To lift me up again

To lift me up again

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination...

I can't sleep. The dark starry night has awakened all my senses of curiosity. I fly out into the rich colors of the Milky Way, with shooting stars and planets all set loose in a beautiful mess. I explore the world's under the smiling moon. I take my guitar and create sweet melodies from deep inside the doors of my heart to send off to the sky. To the other planets where other living beings are sitting under their stars waiting for the soft symphonies of the moon to reach their ears and send them off into a deep sleep full of dreams of the ones they love. The sweet aromas of midnight surround me as if embracing me in loving arms. The gentle breeze brushes my face like a sweet kiss from soft lips. I lie in the the soft grass, gazing up at the endless sky of stars. Wondering why a small indifference, not very significant to the world, would be allowed to enjoy this moment. And there, I drift off to sleep in the peacefulness of the night, dreaming silently of all His wonders.

c*c

Let Your Love Be Strong by Switchfoot

Story behind the song:
"Let Your Love Be Strong. This one means a lot to me. "Maybe I'm just idealistic to assume that truth could be fact and form, that love could be a verb, maybe I'm just a little misinformed." I wrote this one after a long walk in the early morning before the sun came up. I was sitting out by the train tracks halfway between the ocean and the freeway. When everything in your life falls apart you begin to realize what's worth holding on to and who's got a hold on you. Let the world fall apart ... all of my life rests upon the love that created every breath I have been given."

In this world of news, I've found nothing new,

I've found nothing pure,

Maybe I'm just, idealistic to assume that truth,

Could be fact and form,

That love could be a verb,

Maybe I'm just a little misinformed.

As the dead moon rises, and the freeways sigh,

Let the trains watch over the tides and the mist,

Spinning circles in our skies tonight.

Let the trucks roll in, from Los Angeles,

Maybe our stars are unanimously tired.

Let Your love be strong, and I don't care what goes down.

Let Your love be strong enough to weather through the thunder cloud.

Fury and thunder clap like stealing the fire from your eyes,

All of my world hanging on, Your love.

Let the wars begin, let my strength wear thin.

Let my fingers crack, let my world fall apart,

Train the monkeys on my back to fight,

Let it start tonight.

When my world explodes, when my stars touch the ground,

Falling down like broken satellites.

Let Your love be strong, and I don't care what goes down.

Let Your love be strong enough to weather through the thunder cloud.

Fury and thunder clap like stealing the fire from your eyes.

All of my world hanging on,

All that I am resting on, Your love.

eeeep!!!! :)

So God has given me this amazing opportunity to go to England in August. I know right? I was thinking a lot about it the other day, like expences and such. Yeah, I'm only 14 and I'm concerned about that. ha. Anyway, I'm kinda nervous in a way, I've never been on a plane, I've always wanted to fly though (but I want to have wings, not just be cooped up in a huge chunk of metal), and I've only been to like, 3 other states, much less across the ocean! And I've been thinking, why in the world did God choose plain little me, to be able to go on this big trip? I don't know, but I think that he has some reason, some plan, or I wouldn't be going. Whether it's meet an English Studmuffin (tehe c: ), get to know my Grandparents, Aunt, and Cousin better, or maybe He wants to point out His awesomeness in a new atmosphere. I don't know, but whatever it is, I love adventures, and I'm ready for this one! :) And I know He'll take care of everything, cause', well, my Papa's the best! :)

Campness

So....Camp was last week. As many others have said, it was pretty flipping awesome. I met a lot of new people that were great, and got to spend a lot of time with people that I already knew that are pretty great.
The theme was "Live Love". I think one of the biggest things that God pointed out to me was that the little things matter. I pass by people every day who may need someone to talk to, a hug, an encouraging note, or maybe just someone to say hi to them. But most the time, I don't even pay much attention. I get too absorbed in myself and what I want, instead of thinking of others. "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." John 13:34-35. People will know that I am a disciple of Christ by how I LOVE others. It's easy to just be nice to people and tolerate them, but loving them like Christ has loved me is like "whoa! Hold up! What if I don't really like that person??" He says love your enemies, it's going to be hard, but He'll help you. Ok, so quick story. I met this guy Andrew at Camp while doing the high ropes course. He asked me if I made my necklace and I told him yes, and that I make most of my jewelry. He really liked it and then told me all about his grandfather necklace that he made (it was really cool). So I decided right then that I was going to make him a bracelet. I conveniently brought all my string. :) So I made him one, and I was going to give it to him, and I was like "ANDREW! I made you a bracelet!" He stopped and looked at me and was like, "Are you serious?" "Yep!" "You're kidding!" "Nope!" Then we talked a little more and he looked at it and he seemed so excited that someone thought to make him something. It was pretty great. That's just a little story that probably doesn't mean much to you, but it made me realize that I could change someones life by just showing God's love, not only because they could see Him through me, but because He would do that for me. He would help me pick up my books if I dropped them, He would open the door at the Library cause' a lady has a ton of books in her arms. So why shouldn't I? Love is never taken, it can't be. It has to be given, it's a choice. Love is seen not heard. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 1John 3:18. People will know that you love them by what you do.

Other than the awesomeness of the services and small groups and devo's and service projects, we had some pretty wicked activities. There was the high ropes course, where I told Daniell with two L's how much I love playing drums while on the really high log thing, ran around taking pictures while singing "Hey Soul Sister" with Eric, watched Kelly totally pone the climbing wall while talking to Taylor and Lucas, and did team building stuff with the other girls and Kasey, and went on this huge swing that made me feel like I was flying! Which is something that I've always wanted to be able to do. :) Then I went night climbing with everyone and sang Music Man songs/Wizard of Oz with Eric and Taylor all the way up the wall. And Eric let me go again after everyone else left cause' he loves me so much. lol I love that guy! And he looks exactly like Lucas! I mean, they could be twins! It was crazy peaches lemme' tell ya! Then there was horse back riding, where Philip almost got thrown in the water, and Kelly's horse wouldn't stop eating every plant it passed. lol And then there was rafting on the big bad Ocoee. Which was GREAT! It wasn't nearly as bad as people made it out to be. I did this thing called the bull, it's where you sit on the very front of the boat and hold on to a rope. It was so much fun!! And then I accidentally-on-purpose fell out at the end cause' our guide really wasn't supposed to let us swim or anything, but he let me do it. So I screamed at fell out and was like "help help! I fell out!" and Robert was like, "Oh no! Someone save her! She could drown!" lol It was great. Played some volleyball, 4-square, and baseball with the youth group and Patrick. Gotta' love him. :) And of course we can't forget Alex. The best mountain biking manager ever, even thought unfortunately I didn't get to go mountain biking. But anyway, he talked to us all week and hung out with us. I'm gonna miss all the people on the staff. *tear*

 I'm going to miss everything, our new awesomesauce game "Firesaw", and hanging out with Alex and him making me laugh cause' his laugh was so funny, :) and weird face wars with Patrick, and singing Music Man with Eric and Taylor, and having to remind Andrew that my name is Catherine not Chelsea (he got it right by the last day lol), and walking to the Outpost with Sarah, ;) and going to Mr. Hughes house to clean out his crazy porch and garage thing, and trying to keep Garry from hitting Rabies and Scabies (Mr. Hughes cats) with a shovel, and listening to everyone try to figure out Christopher Luke's REAL name, lol and so many other things! I have to thank Garry, the counselors, the staff, and most of all God, for allowing us to have an amazing week at White Water Express. :)

In memory...

So Memorial Day was this past Monday. My family watched this movie called Taking Chance. I've never really thought about Memorial Day much, never really understood why it was made a holiday, until now. This is a day not to just take for granted, "oh yay! off work!" uh, no. It's not an excuse to go to a ton of cookout's and eat good food, it's about remembrance. A day to sit back, and think about those who you've probably never met, but yet, gave their lives so you could have the choice to go to church, so you could have the choice to say what you want, and go where you want, so you could be free. Don't get me wrong, it's awesomesauce to hang out with friends and go to cookout's, I like doing that, but just make sure you don't forget those who have died for your freedom. They deserve respect for their service, their loyalty, their bravery. Do your part. I will never again pass a person in uniform without saying thanks, or just, something.

I really suggest that you see Taking Chance. It's such a good movie! It's about a man that died while fighting for our country, and his escort taking his remains back to his family. And it's a true story. So go watch it.

I've thought for a long time that I would like to serve my country when I get older. But every time it came up in my mind I would push it aside. I thought, "I don't want to stinking die somewhere across the globe, I'm not that, brave. I just can't." (of course I know not everyone loses their life) But now, I think I just might, I dunno, just do something.


In memory of Chance Phelps, 1984-2004 Thanks.

The Shadow Proves the Sunshine

So here is my song for the week. This one is right up there with Only Hope on my list, it's amazing. There's a reason Switchfoot is my favorite band. :) One of my most favoritist lines is "Let my shadows prove the sunshine". What that means to me, is like, I want the way I talk, the way I go around my house cleaning up, the way I play a sport, or not make a team, the way I sing, just the way I live in general, to prove the sunshine in me. To prove that I've been saved by a wicked awesome God who loves me more than anything, there's no reason for me to go around depressed, unhappy, or angry. I have all the reason to celebrate! He's just worth it you know? So anyway, here's the lyrics.

Sunshine won't you be my mother,

Sunshine, come and help me sing.

My heart is darker than these oceans,

My heart is frozen underneath.

We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight,

Dry eyes in the pouring rain.

The shadow proves the sunshine,

The shadow proves the sunshine.

Two scared little runaways,

Hold fast to the break of daylight,

The shadow proves the sunshine.

Oh Lord, why did you forsake me?

Oh Lord, don't be far away.

Storm clouds gathering beside me,

Please Lord don't look the other way.

We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight,

Dry eyes in the pouring rain.

The shadow proves the sunshine,

The shadow proves the sunshine.

Two scared little runaways,

Hold fast to the break of daylight,

The shadow proves the sunshine.

Shine on me,

Let my shadows prove the sunshine.

Poetry :)

So we've been doing poetry the last couple of weeks in my literature class at a home school co-op that I go to on Tuesdays. I've always loved and adored poetry, but never thought I could write any. Well thanks to Mrs. McNeely, I have recently found out that I can write poetry. lol Thanks. :) So I'm going to share with you some poetry that I have written, and some that I have found on the good ol' Internet that I REALLY like. The first one is a free verse poem that I found that absolutely took me to a magical place when I read it *smiles*, and the second one is a sonnet that I wrote. I'll add some more sooner or later.

               One Thousand Stars

                         Tonight, when the wheels of yesterday have creaked haltingly to a stop, but before the bright chariot of tomorrow arrives, I will wander out beyond the confined box of my bedroom and run to the hammock, painted in shadowy hues by the soft brush of midnight.

Lying there, feeling the silent energies of growing plants and the soft yearning for light, one thousand stars will fall out of the sky, and land on my outstretched feet.

I will let them glimmer there for a moment, imagining I have the anklets and toe rings of Orion, and diamond slippers illuminated with light, and then I will get up slowly and tiptoe across the lawn, balancing on the drops of dew still forming in the darkness.

Creeping soundlessly, I will walk seven and three-fourths times around the world for good luck, and while I am out I will discover there are others walking too, people who escaped from crowded apartments and bamboo huts and city ghettos, but are all, really, just like me.

We will stand in the wide wet spaces between continents, letting our shining feet drag across the moonless surface of the seas, and then suddenly begin to play a game of soccer, all as one team, kicking up stars with our toes, and watching them soar in a bright blinking arc into the ceiling of the heavens, until each of us has only one glimmering star left on each toe, and we must all sprint back to our homes to live our somber lives, each quietly smiling, awaiting tomorrow night.

A Sonnet on the Sky

What is it about the sky that gets me?

Is it the big white clouds that flow along?

Their big puffy whiteness, moving so free?

Or the dark stormy ones? So big, so strong.

Or maybe it's the wonderful colors,

The peaceful blue that just doesn't fit,

Over this crazy world that it hovers.

Or the ones at sunset, so brightly lit?

No, I think it's mostly that stars at night,

As they shimmer and shine, they watch our lives,

Against the darkness they just look so white.

Like small holes from the heavens, cut by knives.

What is it about the sky that gets me?

The stars I say, they make my soul feel free. 

 

Houseplants

Here is a hilarious, yet really good song. It's a funny way to point out the need of realizing what really matters most. After you read the lyrics, go look it up and listen to it, it makes it even better. :) Hope you like it!


Once I read a book
And this is what it said
If your music has a beat
Then you're gonna wind up dead
It doesn't really matter if it's Christian or not
If it's syncopated rhythm then your soul is gonna rot
And this book was called "Ha! Your Gonna Burn"
And in the second chapter I went on to learn

Take your houseplants
And put them to the test
Set them both in front of speakers
And let the music do the rest
The first one you play Mozart
Or something lovely like that
The second one you play that Petra or that MegaDeth.
Doesn't really matter what kind of rock it is.

So I took my two houseplants
And I put them to the test
Set them both in front of speakers
To let the music do the rest
I powered up my Pioneers
To let the music roar
But twenty minutes later
Someone's knocking at my door
I opened up my door
And there my neighbor stood
He said, "Man I'd like to get some sleep, if you think I could"
I said, "Man, can't you see here I've got this moral dilemma that I got to get clear."
He said, " What kind of moral dilemma
Could you have at this time of night
That could make me so angry
That I just want to fight!?"
So I pointed to the page in that open book
That had a picture of a potted plant
And I said, "Go have a look." And he read

Take your houseplants
And put them to the test
Set them both in front of speakers
And let the music do the rest
The first one you play Mozart
Or something lovely like that
The second one you play that Petra or that MegaDeth.
Doesn't really matter what kind of rock it is.

First of all he said,
"That's Wagner that you're playing
I've never heard of Petra
And isn't MegaDeth all dead?"
And secondly, emphatically, He asked me,
"What's the sense of hanging out with houseplants when, hey,
I live right across the fence?"
And I thought to myself
You know, that's a good point
So I took my two houseplants, and I put them both back outside
And me and my neighbor
Well, we went out for a drive
We talked about all the things
That really matter most
Like life and love and happiness
And then the Holy Ghost
And now my two houseplants
They sit out in the sun
As for me and my neighbor
Well our friendship has become
A meaningful relationship
That's headed straight to heaven
But as for now
We like to sit around and listen to Audio Adrenaline
Cranked to eleven!

THE HOUSEPLANT SONG by Audio Adrenaline

Isn't that song just plain cool? I don't know about you but I really like it. :)

Matters of Chimney's and Other Things

So I went hiking the chimney tops with my youth group today, and I must say it was pretty flipping awesome. Not only did I get an AMAZING workout for my legs, but I got to sit at the top of a high mountain and look at God's wonderful creation. It was so beautiful it took me a while to actually take it all in, it made me feel rather puny, you know? It was just breathtaking. I can't believe that God would create so many wonderful things just for us to enjoy, the stars, the sunshine, the mountains, the trees, everything. All of this is here to remind us of Him, to point to Him and show us just how awesome He truly is. I love going out and looking at the stars, or sitting on my porch during a nice day and looking at everything, and I must say when it snows, it's so beautiful. :) So I encourage you to do the same, take some time to really explore God's creation, it will blow your mind.

Over and Underneath

Sorry it's been a while everyone, I'll try to do better. :) I owe you all two songs besides this one, so here is the first of three. It's one of my very favorites and the first time I heard it, I was speechless. It was like realizing God's love all over again for the first time. So anyway, Here it tis'.

I know I need You
I need to love You
I'd love to see You, but it's been so long
I long to feel You
I feel this need for You
And I need to hear You, is that so wrong?


Now You pull me near You,
When we're close, I fear You
Still I'm afraid to tell You, all that I've done
Are You done forgiving?
Can you look past my pretending?
Lord, I'm so tired of defending, what I've become
What have I become?


I hear You say,
"My love is over, It's underneath.
It's inside, It's in in between.
The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.
The times that you question, 'Is this for real? '
The times your broken.
The times that you mend.
The times you hate Me, and the times that you bend.
Well, My love is over, it's underneath.
It's inside, it's in between.
These times your healing, and when your heart breaks.
The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.
The times your hurting.
The times that you heal.
The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.
The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.
I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.
I'm there through the heartache.
I'm there in the storm.
My love I will keep you, by My power alone.
I don't care where you've fallen, or where you have been.
I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.
It never ends."

"Times" By Tenth Avenue North


Doesn't that just rock your socks off? It is SO true! God loves us so much, He's crazy about us! He can't get enough, there is just NO other love like that. He wants us to come to him with everything that goes on in our lives. He wants us to love Him, talk to Him, have an amazing relationship with him! He cares about us so much that He actually sent his son to die for us. I don't know about you but I think that is crazy peaches right there! :)







.

C.S. Lewis tribute :)

So C.S. Lewis is my absolutley favorite author. I love his books, they truly mesmorize me. When I read them, I get lost, lost in this wonderfull world of happiness and light, a fairy tale. I can get away from the busyness of life and settle down with one of his books and feel free. So I decided I was going to do kind of a tribute to him. Whenever I see a quote that I like, or a line in a book, or anything, I'm going to post it! :) Today's is quite awesome I must tell you.


“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

Weather

The sun is out, it's a clear sky and I am LOVING every bit of it!! God has created such a beautiful world. :) I can't wait till' tonight to see the absolutely, positutely, wonderfully, beautifully, amazingly awesome STARS! They are my favorite. But as for now, I'm gonna go swing with Michael. :D
If you are reading this, as soon as you get done, go outside and enjoy the weather. :)

Oh and by the way, Happy Birthday Garry!!

The Song of My Life

So I took a WONDERFUL nap today, and woke up with my favorite song in my head. I shall write the lyrics down for you, prepare yourself for awesomeness. :)


There's a song that's inside of my soul. It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again.
I'm awake in the infinite cold. But You sing to me over, and over and over again.

So I lay my head back down. And I lift my hands and pray, to be only Yours I pray, to be only Yours. I know now you're my only hope.

Sing to me of the song of the stars. Of Your galaxies dancing, and laughing and laughing again. When it feels like my dreams are so far, sing to me of the plans that You have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down. And I lift my hands and pray, to be only yours I pray, to be only Yours, I know now You're my only hope.

I give you my apathy, I'm giving you all of me. I want Your symphony, singing in all that I am. At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.

So I lay my head back down. And I lift my hands and pray, to be only Yours I pray, to be only Yours, I know now You're my only hope.

Switchfoot
"Only Hope"


Now are those lyrics just crazy peaches or what? We'll say that's the song of the week. Every Sunday I'll have a new song to put up here that really attracts my attention, impacts me, or just makes me want to dance! lol And you all can go look them up and see how awesome they are for yourself. :)

It's a surprise!!

So I found out today that my big brother, David, is going to ask Jennifer Prevatt to marry him. Is that crazy or what? Two siblings getting married within two years. sheesh. Slow down a second please! My mom told me this morning and I was completely speechless, I knew I didn't really want him to get married cause' I'd miss him a lot, and you know, he's MY brother, why should I want to share him with someone else? But now, I realize that I was being a tad selfish. God wasn't selfish with his son when He sent him to DIE, He wasn't like, "I don't want to share my son with all those sinner people down there!" He gave his only son to come here to earth, to live, and die for us. I still can't get over that. I'm not perfectly ready to let David go yet, but I want him to be happy. I know that God has a plan for his life, and mine. He'll give me peace about the whole thing, cause' he's just awesome like that. :)