Beautiful....

I was so unique

Now I feel skin deep

I count on the make-up to cover it all

Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention

I thought I could be strong

But it's killing me

Does someone hear my cry?

I'm dying for new life

I want to be beautiful

Make you stand in awe

Look inside my heart,

and be amazed

I want to hear you say

Who I am is quite enough

Just want to be worthy of love

And beautiful

Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me

Fighting to make the mirror happy

Trying to find whatever is missing

Won't You help me back to glory

You make me beautiful

You make me stand in awe

You step inside my heart, and I am amazed

I love to hear You say

Who I am is quite enough

You make me worthy of love and beautiful

Beautiful- Bethany Dillon

My Top 10 Fav Songs- November 2009

I know; I have been horrible with my blogging. I’m so sorry. I have been busy with Bible School (which is sooo much work I’m learning). That being said, here’s my list for November:

1. Relient K- Scene and Herd
I love Relient K! Who doesn’t? I have to have them on my play list. Their song titles are funny but there’s always a message in the bottle. Got to love Relient K!

2. Plumb- Hang On
I fell in love with this group when I first heard the dance version to “Cut”. They have a new album “Beautiful History” out (it is so going on my Christmas List) and I’m extra excited over it. The song is amazing. It tells you that in the midst of it all; hang on and don’t let go. We need to learn how to hang on in the hard times of our lives. We seem to forget sometimes Who we serve and that He can deliver us.

3. Phil Wickham- Coming Alive
He’s a newbie on my play list, even though I have heard a few songs. I like the song; especially the chorus. It says: “now, we’re coming alive/ yeah we’re coming alive/open your hearts, take what’s inside and let go.” That line alone is awesome. I plan to keep my eye on this artist.

4. Terra, Terra, Terra- Paradigm
New band alert! So there’s this band….and they’re called Terra, Terra, Terra…and there are awesome! I am sooo looking forward to hearing more of their music and learning more about them.

5. Rush of Fools- Can’t Get Away
I was trying to track down a particular song and I ended up with this song. It says no matter what we do or how hard we try; we can’t get away. But who would want to? I know I wouldn’t want to get away from Him.

6. Dream Pilots- Comedown
New Band Alert! They come from Norway and I have to say, they sound like they are here to stay. Their song “Comedown” is catchy and was on replay for the better half of my day. Lol. I look forward to hearing more from them.

7. Brooke Fraser- Seeds
I Love Brooke! Lol, really I do. This song poses the question what do we leave for the next generation. It really makes you think. It’s an awesome song; really it is.

8. Bethany Dillon- Reach Out
Where do I begin with Mrs. Bethany? Like Brooke, she is one of my favorite acoustic rock artists. The song “Reach Out” tells the story of the woman with the issue of blood in the New Testament. If we just reach out and come out of our comfort zone we will be able to reach our healing.

9. Coko- He Made A Way
I’m not really into R&B, but this song is so good! The song is a catchy tune that reminds you of a very important thing: “He made a way/He always makes a way.” I love this song.

10. Shekinah Glory Ministry- Bow Down And Worship Him
This is the song for the Children’s church Christmas dance. They girls come in after Jesus was born and they dance before Him. I love this song. It has been one of the easiest and hardest songs I had to choreograph. The title speaks for itself: bow down and worship Him. That’s what we were created to do; and it’s the most humbling experience to be before the Lord of Hosts knowing you are not worthy to be in His presence yet He wants to commune with you. Who are we that He thinks of us? We are so

I hope you guys are touched and blessed by my selection. May you continue the good fight and ENDURE until the end. Be blessed.

My Top 10 Fav Songs- October 2009

Here's my Playlist for October. I actually enjoy doing this because it shows me my mindframe for each month. Enjoy:

1. Bethany Dillon- I Am Yours
I love this song! To hear how much she has grown as a artist is amazing. The song is something that we need to remind ourselves. We are not our own. We were brought with a price and belong to God. In our everyday life we have to show that; we are representatives for the Most High.

2. Ayiesha Woods- Happy
This is a wonderful feel good song. I love it! The Lord makes us happy and we should make sure our lives are in line with His word to bring joy to Him.

3. Damita Haddon- No Looking Back
This is my anthem for my quarterlife. I leave my past in the past. I move forward and there’s no turning back and no looking back. When we start to look forward and stop looking back we move at a quicker pace into the role God has given us. The time we waste looking back and comparing or past mistakes should be spent on looking forward and thanking God for His goodness.

4. Michael Gungor- Wrap Me In Your Arms
I had the pleasure of hearing this song while I was at Elevate for worship. It is such an intimate, beautiful song. To hear it in the acoustic version is even more amazing. To ask the Lord to take you to that secret place where it’s just you and Him; in His arms fellowshipping and worshipping Him is something that you can only ask if you really want to know Him. This song blows my mind every time I hear it.

5. Shane & Shane- Everything is Different
I love Shane & Shane; I fell in love with them when I first heard “Yearn”. They have a new album (one of which I am very excited to get) and this is the first song off their album. Maybe because I am about to enter a new chapter in my life that I am gravitating towards songs that speak of it but I love this song. Everything is different and will be different for me; I speak it and I receive it, lol.

6. Room for Two- Roots Before Branches
Room for Two is a new duo that has been placed in my radar. The song can speak to anyone. You have to have roots and place or something of substance to be rooted or planted into before you can grow and begin to do what you want to do. A lot of people fail to realize that we have to be equipped before we can be called. This song speaks about that situation. Patience is a virtue.

7. Phillip LaRue- Found
Phillip LaRue from the duo LaRue has been recording solo for awhile. This song is another love song (sorry, didn’t mean to like it). I like it because I want to get to that point: that I am so lost in God’s love that I don’t ever want to be found or find my way out. So quickly we taste a bit of God’s goodness than we run the other way. God wants us to know that small taste is just merely the beginning.

8. Britt Nicole- The Lost Get Found
Britt Nicole is quickly becoming one of my favs. That is saying a lot because I am a very picky girl that likes to rock out only. The song is an eye opener. It lets us know that our light isn’t for us but it’s so those who are lost and don’t know the Lord can come to Him. You know the Bible verse: “Let your light shine before men…” Matt. 5:16. We have to show God in us 24/7 because that one time we don’t could be the one time someone is seeking Him.

9. Unfailing Love (Kelly’s Song)- Jimmy Needham
I absolutely melted when I heard this song. It spoke to the romantic in me (the one that swoons when she gets to the part of Captain Wentworth’s letter in Persuasion). It’s such a beautiful love song that not only speaks about the love between two people but the love of God and His plan for the two people. It’s a beautiful and sigh worthy song. You will get dreamy eyes while listening.

10. Switchfoot- Mess of Me
It’s Switchfoot! I don’t have to explain why they are on my favs, lol. Really, I like this song because it’s an honest song. To admit you’re a mess and you can’t fix yourself takes a lot to admit; believe me I know. To top it off Jon Foreman’s voice (insert sigh here, lol) and the amazing band that is Switchfoot= amazing!

My Top 10 Fav Songs- June 2009

Here we go; a couple of newbie’s made the list:

1. Danyew- Streetlights
Can I say I absolutely love him and it was right after I heard the song? I downloaded the song and never really had a chance to listen to it and then it played….the rest is history. It feels so good to listen to good music that also exalts the Lord.

2. Francesca Battistelli- Free To Be Me
I found this song on one of my Youth member’s iPod. I loved it, I like the fact that she is saying because He died, and she is free to be who she is. In Christ there is liberty and nothing beats Christ.

3. Grey Holiday- You Belong to Me
I personally like this song. This song speaks to the Prodigal Son in all of us. We run from God and He’s just patiently waiting for us to come back home. I am so upset that they disbanded. Argh!


4. Stacie Orrico- I Could Be the One
This is an oldie but goody! I was playing her album in my room and kept playing this song over and over. In this song she is saying that she could be the one that God uses; she isn’t thinking that she’s nothing. If God can use a donkey he can definitely use us.

5. DC Talk- Godsend
The first Christian love song I fell in love with. To call someone your Godsend, the person God especially sent apart for you sounds so much better then a soul mate. I remember the first time I heard this song I literally put my hand on my heart and started to swoon, lol. I love this song.

6. Audio Adrenaline- Ocean Floor
This song is definitely one of those songs that make you want to cry. This song talks about how our sins, wrong doings etc. are forgiven and at the bottom of the ocean floor. I am so happy for Grace. God is so good!

7. Point of Grace- How You Live (Turn Up the Music)
I used to play this song when my grandmother first past. She was a beautiful and amazing woman. It’s been a year this month, but it still feels like yesterday. The song tells you to live each day to the fullest because it doesn’t matter who your friends were but how you lived your life.

8. Bethany Dillon- Holy Is the Lord
I love worship songs by other genres. This song is so beautiful! Our Lord is so amazing and He requires so much from us but no matter what He is still holy.

9. Jennifer Knapp- Say Won’t You Say
This is another oldie. I will always like this song; it has the ability to always stick in my head.

10. The Elms- Hey, Hey
This was the first Elms song I ever heard. I was on the WOW mix. I wanted to know more about them because I liked their style, and I still do.

I hope you liked my selection. Next month will have a lot of new artists.

Yearn

I found this song while I was cleaning my room for the big move on Memorial Day. The song by Shane & Shane called “Yearn” had me on a high all day as I cleaned. I was watching the video on Youtube from a live concert with Bethany Dillon. I immediately wanted to go out and buy the album. To say you want to yearn for the Lord, you want to burn with passion over Him and only for Him is a bold declaration. It is so easy to desire and crave something you can see and touch; but to crave and desire someone or something you can’t see or touch takes an amazing move of faith. To yearn means to desire; to long after. What would have in our lives if all we desired and longed for was God? Imagine the feeling we would have?

Favorite Blogs

Every morning, it’s the same thing. I read my Daily Bread, read my Bible for the text that is in the Daily Bread, look up the verse in the Amplified and NIV version, and figure out what I am going to blog about while I read my favorite blogs. So, I decided to share them with you. I think it’s very hard to find a blog for our generation of Christians these days. Either they’re far left or far right. I am the kind of person who wants to read about how God affects your outlook on life, and everything in between. I am trying to figure out how to share everything because I feel that by me being open I might be able to help someone in the same situation as me. That being said let me list my favorite blogs and tell you why I love them. Hopefully you will share in the addiction with me. (They’re not listed in any order.)

1. The Scottish Wisdom (http://www/thescottishwisdom.blogspot.com)
I love this blog because of David’s (the blogger) hilarious topics as well as his blogs that make you think. David is a Christian (He’s a Bible School student) and a musician as well. It’s interesting to see what goes on in the mind of an artist.

2. Girly Girl (http://girlygirl.typepad.com/girly_girl)
This blog belongs to Kristin Billberbeck (author of The Ashley Stockingdale Series). She is a Christian Chick Lit writer, so in lame man terms: I LOVE HER! I love her sense of humor, her honestly about topics that happen in everyday America, I just love HER. The fact that she’s so open about everyday experiences, her minor shopping addiction, her kids, and her opinion of TV (especially American Idol) makes me like her so much more.


3. Bethany Dillon (http://bethanydillon.sparrowrecords.com; http://www.myspace.com/bethanydillonmusic)
Bethany is one of those rare, one of a kind people. You can’t help but love her.
From her music, you can tell she is love with God and wants to make music that shows that. Bethany’s blog is a funny, laid back type of journal. Its like she is talking to her friends and updating you on what you miss. (It’s not updated daily.)

4. Brooke Fraser (http://www.myspace.com/brookefraser; http://www.brookefraser.com/blog )
Okay, I will probably one day not love talking about her as much as I do now…but I highly doubt that. Any who, Brooke doesn’t blog daily. Her blog is more occasional and I like what she talks about. She talks about various topics: concerts she went to, her husband, writing her album, touring, etc.

5. Apricot Tea (http://apricot-tea.com)
Okay, this is the only secular blog I read. I like her blog because she’s a fashion addict like me. She talks about marriage, fashion, her family, experience, etc. She is honest and open about a lot of things. That’s why I like her.

6. Christa Ann Banister (http://christabanister.typepad.com/heythereitschrista)
Christa is another Christian Chick Lit writer (Around the World in 80 Dates & Blessed Are the Meddlers). She writes for magazines and gives reviews on movies and music. She makes you look forward to her blogs.

7. Erynn Mangum (http://www.erynnm.blogspot.com)
I love Erynn! She’s a Christian Chick Lit author that makes me excited that there’s someone out there who writes for Christians. Her humor is very much like mine and I love her characters. Any who, her blog is very hilarious! I love her sense of humor. She also throws in Bible verses, reflective thoughts, etc.

My Top 10 Fav Songs- March 2009

Lately there have been some songs constantly on my replay list. Some are old, while some are fairly new. Here they go:

1. Beautiful Love- The Afters
I am a sap for this song. I have never heard a Christian love song that makes me want to play it over and over without feeling mushy. Everytime I hear it, it brings a smile to my face.

2. Miracle- The Elms
This song reminds me of the old school rock music that makes you want to go to their concert with and get the band tees. The song is such a simple concept that speaks volumes.


3. Decode- Paramore
Don't really need a reason for why they're on my playlist. It's Paramore, I love this band! The song makes me think over my past relationship every time I hear it but the song overall is hot. It's also on the Twilight Soundtrack (personally picked by Stephenie Moore).

4. I Need You- Jars of Clay
If you NEVER heard this song before, you need to! I absolutely love it! It's so catchy and it's a declaration that we need Jesus as our Lord and Savior in our life.

5. All I Need (Acoustic)- Bethany Dillon
This song is amazing. I can't really find the words to describe it. The song says everything we need to say to the Lord; in the midst of everything, when we are alone, He's all we need.

6. Say the Words (Now)- DC Talk
If a DC Talk song wasn't on my list, I would be shocked. The band is aweome! This song is aweome! It could just be my opinion because I am a die-hard DC Talk fan! They need to do a reunion tour ASAP! The song talks about saying "I love you" when you need to say it.

7. In Such A State- Edison Glass
They're one of the new bands I just discovered. They sound like Christian Power Rock. This song is another one of those songs that just express where we are and where we need Him to be: in our hearts.

8. Opposite Way- Leeland
Leeland is one of my favorite worship bands. They actually minister to you in song. They have a way of making you want to go into worship when listening to them. This song makes you feel empowered about being set apart, for going in the opposite direction then the world.

9. Something to Say- Matthew West
This is one of the coolest songs I have heard in a long time. It makes me think of "Live Out Loud" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Everytime I hear this song I feel like climbing to the top of a roof to scream something; anything.

10. Alive- P.O.D.
This is a personal song for me. After I survived a traumatic experience, this became my theme song. You don't realize how alive you feel until something happens and puts everything into perspective.

Let's see what will be my soundtrack for next month.

More Caffeine Please!

It's been a month since I had a cup of coffee. So today at work I got my big company cup and filled it to the brim with Starbucks Sumatra and had it with Reese's Peanut Buttercups, and sat in front of my computer and visited my favorite website: Wikipedia. My sisters at church tell me that I'm addicted to caffeine, but I totally disagree. I look at it as an appreciation for the drink. I can stop drinking if I wanted to, really I can. But I don't need to, and I don't want to. I can't wait to have a Starbucks Caramel Macchaito and CRUMBS vanilla with rainbow sprinkles cupcake. I want one so bad!
This morning on my way to work I was listening to Bethany Dillon's self titled debut album (2004). I love her sound! I appreciate all genres of music but lately I have been into acoustic and folk rock. She is such a on fire young woman of God. I had to remind myself that at the time she recorded this album she as only 14! You can hear in her songs that she really loves the Lord. I love all the songs on that album. I first discovered her last year because I was into Colbie Caillat's sound, so I asked the Lord to help me find a Christian artist with a similar acoustic/folk/pop sound. I found something better: Bethany Dillon. I listened to her "So Far: Acoustic Sessions" (2008) album and was hooked! She also has these two love songs called "When You Love Someone" and "For My Love". "For My Love" is on her debut album and its such a beautiful song. I kept playing that song over and over. It had me thinking, this is what love songs should sound like. Love is something that God created to be pure and to show His presence in that relationship. Why? Because God is love, so your relationship should be based on and in God. These days, love is often mistaken by lust. Relationships are built on sex, physical attraction, and what "feels good". But if we let God leads us, its this beautiful experience that starts out as a slow burn and becomes this beautiful passionate relationship as God has intended. Too deep? I think not. Maybe it's the lack of caffeine that has me like this, I think its time for my second cup.