I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

- Chris Tomlin

The Voice of Truth

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND."
II Timothy 1:7

The Alabaster Box

I love this song.

Luke 7:36-50

HAVA NAGILA!

It started when my sister got home from her choir practice.

Actually, it started before that.

In case it hasn't been obvious from my blog, I'm getting really tired of winter. And cold. And snow. And ice. It's really easy to be depressed in the winter. The cold does strange things to your mind, like making you wonder if drowning is a really pain-free way to die...OK, so I'm not suicidal,but it is frightening because you can see how people with no hope or truth can despair.

But despair is a sin. And it happens. Even to the children of God, when that familiar demon perches on your shoulder and starts whispering. The children of Israel had very good reasons to despair in Isaiah. The prophet foretold that they would be captured by the king of Babylon and 130 years later, what God predicted happened. Imagine being seized from your homeland, made a slave in a foreign country where you were forced by threat of death, to worship false idols. You would be wondering if God remembered His promise to you. If He even remembered you...if He cared. But He had already ordained a means of escape, even before the tragedy occurred. He had Cyrus, king of Persia conquer Babylon and allow the Jews return to Jerusalem. All of these events were foretold 200 before they happened, and were planned far, far before in Eternity.

Because the Truth is, God never forgot the children of Israel. He comforted them and upheld with the right hand of His righteousness. His plans and visions for Israel never changed, even in the midst of discipline, because His relationship with them was a covenant relationship, and nothing, nothing no kings, or powers, or sin could ever change His steadfast LOVE. And still that remains today, because we are in a covenant relationship with God through Christ:

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Sometimes things seem worse than they are. But we always have this triumphal declaration to hold up above our heads..."MORE THAN CONQUERORS!"

So while contemplating these things, and the praise that the children of Israel offered God for their deliverance, my little sister came home from choir practice with a new song. Anna is learning, "Hava Nagila", a traditional Jewish song and dance of praise. She has been flitting around the house singing it and playing it on the computer for two days now, and try as hard as I can, I can't get it out of my head. But that's OK, because it makes me smile. I wonder how long this song as been around, and how long God's children have sung it in praise to Him. The words are:

Hava nagila, hava nagila, hava nagila v'nismeha

Hava neranenah, hava neranenah, hava neranenah v'nismeha

Uru, uru ahim! Uru ahim b'lev sameah!

Let's rejoice, let's rejoice, let's rejoice and be happy!

Let's sing, let's sing, let's sing and be happy!

Awake brothers! Awake brothers, with a happy heart!

If this song doesn't make you smile and want to dance, then there is something wrong with you!

LET'S REJOICE!

The Decomposing of America's Musical Taste

I was gearing up to write a scathing post about the SuperBowl half-time show last night. But why repeat what almost everyone with the smallest grain of musical nuance has already fumed about - when I can just link you up to Weeklyscoop's opinion? Which as usual, is right on the button. So was the Washington Post's opinion.

So, with those links up there, let me add a few words of my own.

Last night's performance by the Black Eyed Peas was rotten and putrid in so many ways, it's not even worth listing them all. Not to mention that even guest appearances by Usher, Slash, and some strange Mad-Hatter character who rose up from the out of the stage, did nothing to boost them. The greatest display of talent in last night's halftime was how quickly the stage hands set up and took down the props and stage on and off the field. It was just another confirmation that the slow decomposing in the cess-pool of America's musical talents and tastes have reached an all-time low...

F-A-N-A-T-I-C

I'm a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic
The world's trying to tidy up, exfoliate their skin
but only Christ can come and exfoliate their sin
And their fate look grim, If they don't take Him
As the high priest He is to mediate their sin
The world's got to many gods, man we choose the One
From Hebrews, He rules, He bruised His son
He moves the sun
So if we prayin and our schools call us fools
Cuz our God's too true to shun
Channels two in one
Man, it looks insane
TV make a lot Christians seem dramatically strange
Though we may be looked upon as one and same
We will not turn in shame, we proclaim the name
Christ Jesus, believe us, you ain't gotta receive us
But we gonna follow our God wherever the Bible lead us
And you can call us dramatic, fanatic, emphatic
But hate while you at it, take a look at our mathematics

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic
What can I do to make it simple, make it plain
Christ came, emptied Himself and let out sin hang Him
You couldn't blame Him for any sin
While they singing many men
The crucifixion was pretty grim
But when we state the fact that God resurrects
We get funny looks from a world that doesn't get
We are not David Koresh or Krishna
Or the people on TV who glorifying their bishop
From Edwards to Piper, MacAurther to Spurgeon
From Dallas to France, From Cali to Berlin
As Christians all over who getting the Word in
We ain't crazy we just understand the Truth and we burdened
The world sees us as evangelical Christians
As narrow-minded fanatics with a mythical mission
Labeled extremists for sharing out faith
But that's cool, we can carry the weight of persecution
Cuz earth is losing
And if we yelling the truth
We honored to be the people that our God is using
So keep it moving
Cuz if we yelling the truth
We honored to be the people that our God is using

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's exrememly great
I'm a Fanatic
They thought Jesus was out of His mind
They laughed and mocked Him
Called Him a cult leader and they tried to stop Him
Pharisees said Christ got His power from Satan
Hating, on the very One that came to save 'em
Even after He rose, man the world ain't changed
They still rejecting the name, still look at us strange
Still tell us without shame that our faith's insane
and, "it don't take all that to be a Christian, man"
And it's hard when you tryin to reach your family and stuff
They say man, "you too spiritual, you doing to much"
So we show them the love of Christ and live in the Light
So they can glorify our God when they look at our life
And we win for sharing the truth and hearts get changed
We win if we're rejected because of His name
We win if seeds get planted and watered and grow
But even if we lost, we still be Fanatical though

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic

- Lecrae

The Edge of Vengeful Sanity

My sister is learning Scriabin's Etude Opus 8, Number 12 in D sharp minor.

I love it.

She has wanted to learn it for years. As she was practicing it very slowly, hands separate the other day, it was difficult to recognize. I told her whatever she was playing was mournful and was making me sad. She said it was supposed to be faster - at which pace it was still mournful, but less sad. More tainted with - revenge! As one person described it on YouTube: "If there is one piece that would represent the agony of a man on the verge of sanity, this would most likely be the piece..." So, my lovelies, if you like feeling as though you are tottering on the edge of vengeful sanity in a blindingly white snowstorm, then without much further ado, is Vladimir Horowitz playing Scriabin's Etude in D sharp minor:

"Grobot"

If you've ever find it worth your while to scroll the music I have annoyingly blaring from my playlist below, you might have discovered that I slipped some Josh Groban in there.

OK - so he's not really a classical artist, but his music is painfully beautiful, and for all other's opinions, he really does have a glorious voice.

Poor Josh.

I hardly ever hear much about him anymore...in fact, he's one of the few celebrities I have never, ever seen or heard any news about. No drug arrests, no illicit affairs, no D.U.I, no restraining orders...just fundraisers for African orphanages and various international concerts. He seems to be one of the few celebrities who is...normal. I remember back in about six years ago, when the "Josh Groban craze" hit the small and sheltered group of teenagers from church, who were the only people I hung around with. To be a Josh Groban fan, was then to me, daring and intense. Groups of guys even tried to imitate his style while singing at church, earning the nickname my dad dubbed them: "Grobots." Get it? Mindless, mechanized followers of Josh Groban? (Darn! I used an alliteration. I'm not fond of them. They are too overused. In fact in most instances, I find alliterations cheap, cheesy, and chintzy.)

Anyway, I don't hear much about Josh Groban from the mainstream media, nor from any of that group of people. I guess he's just not cool, or hip to young people anymore. I mean, who wants to listen to Josh Groban, when there's Lady Gaga?

Well, I still like him. His songs, to me, bring back streams of fragrant nostalgia. He came out with a new album just two months ago...I need to listen to it. Because I think he's still retained his talent. :)

Here's an old video...awww...this song was from his first album. (2001)

Don't  you love music? I can't imagine a life without it! Only the God of sunsets and waterfalls could have created music...thank Him that He did!



I Will Not Be Moved

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

- Natalie Grant

Happy New Year!

Well, after keeping this article in my draft folder for over a week, it's difficult to see the point in saying "Happy New Year", a week in. Isn't it funny how quickly a new year loses it's "newness".

I love the song on this video. I heard it on the radio as my sister and I drove to a friend's house New Year's Eve. We were looking forward to spending the night full of fun and games. But as we drove through the darkness on the highway and passed through the city, this song came on the radio and it's message struck me in a new way. I looked out the window to hide my tears.

It was literally the last song we listened to on that radio, since that night my sister's car was targeted, and a midnight thief high on alcohol and who-knows-what-else, ripped the radio and CD player out of our car. Happy New Year.

I have made no attempt to hide my eagerness for 2010 to be over. I was glad to see it go; and was looking forward to seeing what 2011 would bring - hoping it would be better than 2010. That year started going down-hill for me twelve days into the new year. But, God got a hold of me and exposed the selfishness of my delight.

Because two days before the new year, a dear friend of ours was diagnosed with Stage One cancer. A young lady, who is still single and an example in her faith and love of the Lord. A friend, who has encouraged us,  in many ways. In fact, there are three books sitting on our bookshelf all about trusting God, that came to us from her.

The first week of December, I enjoyed reminiscing about my "surprise" trip to Haiti - already a year ago. But those good memories were shadowed when I heard from my friend who took me there, that Pastor Nene had been in a terrible accident, and was now struggling with recovery from severe brain damage. Pastor Nene, who good naturedly followed us all over Port-au-Prince and up into the mountains; who patiently waited for us while we played duck-duck-goose with the kids in the orphanage. Pastor Nene, who gladly translated for us, and was always available, even if that meant spending more time away from his family. Pastor Nene, who proudly introduced us to his beautiful family, and his joyful church. Pastor Nene, who translated for me in the prison, as I shared the message God laid on my heart to the women behind iron bars, and who helped me pray with them as they accepted salvation.

Then there's Betsey, my new friend who, along with her husband, had adopted two beautiful sisters from Haiti after the earthquake. They had been trying to adopt a third handicapped little girl, who had lived with them while in the States on her medical visa. Now that her mother has decided she can't provide and take care of her, they're trying to get her back. Only a few weeks before the new year, they discovered that the Embassy in Haiti has denied her a visa. Now what?

This list can go on and on...

While I may be looking forward to 2011 - what frightening depths of the unknown it holds for people close to me in Christ.

Depressing sounding, isn't it? That's not how I mean it. God,  in His great mercy, often delights in our impossibly despairing circumstances, in order to show us Who He is. It's a lesson for all of us in the body of Christ and it certainly has been for me. While these depressing circumstances are not happening to me personally, how can I do my duty and help bear the burdens in the church of Christ, if I am so concentrated on my own personal comfort, "I'm so happy 2010 is over!" Sin and it's affects follow us everywhere. Even into New Years. Sickness and disappointment are not unknown to Him, the Man of Sorrows.

So that's why that song meant so much to me. It was like everything was just made clear. No matter what resolutions I make for perfection, living in this sinful world will hurt and disappoint and mess up my plans. So my one resolution for this year, that I have no idea what happiness or maybe sorrow, it will bring for me or loved ones:

"Be strong in the LORD!"

And my prayer for those around me - whether I weep or rejoice with them:

"Be strong in the LORD!"

I'm still looking forward to this year...but not for myself. I'm just excited to see what God will do - in me, everywhere and all around me.

Happy New Year!

O Holy Night!

Bon Nwel!

Music from the Sky

I love Debussy.

I love this song. I'm having a love affair with it.

Well, then...it is lucky for me that my sister is learning it for her Winter Quarter and I get to hear her practice it all the time.



I have been posting too many videos...a very shoddy excuse for blog posts. But it's so easy!

I don't know where my title came from...that's what it sounds like to me. Oh, maybe because that crazy man whistles it on that astronomy TV show...but it does sound like stars twinkling.

Waltz in Swing Time

Winter is a time for nostalgia.

When I was a younger I wanted to be an actress. (OK - well, I still do, I just have accepted that I am not) and dancing just went right along with that. I love dancing.

I've never danced, but I know I love it.

When I was younger I would dress up in heels and flowing skirt and go dance in our barn. Because it was big...lound...echo-y. I would imitate Ginger Rogers because I loved watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies. (Eek...actually, it doesn't seem that long ago.) They are really dumb, though. Really, really dumb. Because movie writers would have to write scripts around the song/dance acts and that resulted in stupid plots. I grew up watching those black-and-white, film noir,glamorous, artistic older movies. They have a special place in my heart.

I was thinking about some of those Rogers/Astaire movies with a nostalgic longing this week and thought about placing a hold on some of them throught the library. But then, I found the dance scenes on YouTube...and since those are the best parts...who needs the movies?

I mean, come on...who wouldn't want to be Ginger Rogers?

Your Love is Strong

With My Own Two Hands

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own

With my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own

With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands
With my own

With my own two hands
I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you've got to use
Use your own two hands

Use your own
Use your own two hands
With our own
With our own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands


- Jack Johnson

Wonderful Life

Beautiful is in the sky
Watch it slowly
All our time is flying by, too fast
Where we're headed is so clear

It can feel like nowhere.
But everything we need is here, right now

'Cause the sun is shining
And the world is alive

Everything's all right
And all we've ever needed
It's a perfect day to be alive
So no more waiting now
For a wonderful life
'Cause it's a wonderful life right now

Beautiful is in the eyes
Of a friend or a stranger
Souls searching in disguise, for love
We're all planning our escape
To something higher
But there is a better way to live

'Cause the sun is shining
And the whole wide world is alive and...

Everything's all right
And all we've ever needed
It's a perfect day to be alive
So no more waiting now
For a wonderful life
'Cause it's a wonderful life right now

And the sun is shining
And it's so good to feel alive!

- Natalie Grant

In Better Hands

It's hard to stand on shifting sand,

It's hard to shine in the shadow of the night.

You can't be free if you don't reach for help.

And you can't love if you don't love yourself.

But there is hope when my faith runs out.

'Cause I'm in better hands now.

It's like the sun shining when the rain is pouring down;
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground.
So take this heart of mine, there's no doubt
That I'm in better hands now.

I am strong, all because of You,
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move;
I am changed; yesterday is gone;
I am safe, from this moment on.
And there's no fear when the night comes 'round
'Cause I'm in better hands now.

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down;
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground.
So take this heart of mine, there's no doubt
That I'm in better hands now.

-  Natalie Grant

Something's in the Air...

Something's in the air tonight
The sky's alive with a burning light
You can mark my words something's about to break

And I found myself in a bitter fight
While I've held your hand through the darkest night
Don't know where you're coming from but you're coming soon

To a kid from Oregon by way of California
All of this is more than I've ever known or seen


Come on and we'll sing, like we were free
Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us
Come on and we'll try, one last time
I'm off the floor one more time to find you
And here we go there's nothing left to choose
And here we go there's nothing left to lose

So I packed my car and I headed east
Where I felt your fire and a sweet release
There's a fire in these hills that's coming down
And I don't know much but I found you here
And I can not wait another year
Don't know where you're coming from but you're coming soon...

I can still hear the trains out my window
From Hobart Street to here in Nashville
I can still smell the pomegranates grow
And I don't know how hard this wind will blow
Or where we'll go

To a kid from Oregon by way of California
All of this is more than I've ever known or seen


Come on and we'll sing, like we were free
Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us
Come on and we'll try, one last time
I'm off the floor one more time to find you
And here we go there's nothing left to choose
And here we go there's nothing left to lose

- Matt Kearney

Music

I don't why I decided to torture my readers by putting a playlist on my blog. I always hate opening a page and then being surprised when unfamiliar music starts pouring out of my speaker. Don't you hate it too? Like I said, I'm not sure what possessed me. And since it is December 1 and close to Christmas, it's about time for me to create a Christmas Music playlist! Oh, boy!

I love music. I cannot imagine life without it. It is one of God's greatest gifts to us. While musical ability runs in my family, music to me be continues to be very personal. I love it, I've been trained classically, and I understand it...but I'm not a performer when it comes to playing my violin. Unless I'm being paid. Isn't that pathetic? I've tried to diagnose my lack of confidence when performing on my violin and it makes no sense. I love singing, acting and public speaking. Those things do not make me nervous...at least to the extent of throwing up. But when I close my bedroom door, shut the windows and cover up the vent - I love to make music for my own personal satisfaction and emotional release.

I was five or six years old when I first introduced to the music of Antonio Vivaldi. My mom had a theatrical recording that told the story of a young girl arriving at his girl's musical boarding school in Venice, and was full of fictitious dialogue and mystery. However, it was also liberally sprinkled with Vivaldi's music, and I fell in love with the red-headed composer who had been dead for 250 years. I listened to that recording at least once a day, and acted out all of the main characters as I did so. I also begged my mom for violin lessons. Which I received.

I was happiest when I was finally able to start working on Vivaldi's violin concerto in A minor, 1st Movement. It was the song that started it all for me. And it is also the song that every Book 4 Suzuki violin student has been tortured by, since the program started. But I loved it. I can't play it very well anymore, but I still love it.

My siblings are better musicians that I am. My older sister is an amazing piano player and is pursuing her degree in music performance. She is making all As, of course. My brother was singing harmony when he was three years old and my little sister Anna, plays the piano by ear...both hands. I am not tone-deaf, but I had to teach myself to sing harmony when I was a teenager to avoid being embarrassed in chorale. I don't have perfect pitch, but after lessons with very talented music teachers, I am able to fine-tune my violin and other people's, with a musically trained ear - now very sensitive to the difference between sharp and flat. I don't have the best natural sense of rhythm - but I don't try and fake it! I had a teacher who taught me how to count, and count I do! I am not able to compose, retain music theory, or play a double clef instrument like my sister, but I have a deep appreciation for the time, effort, talent, emotional message, and professionalism that is put into songs and performances, and I understand chorale and orchestral protocol.

I am so thankful for the classical musical training I have received and for my parents for supplying it and pushing me when I did not want to perform! It has given me a strong foundation and an appreciation for the artistic expression of all kinds of music. I will always regret not going farther than I did in my training - but I look forward to reaping the benefits I received! Who knows...maybe I'm not finished...there just might be another beginning in my future!

Dirait-on

This is without hesitation, one of the most beautiful choral pieces ever composed. I love this song.

Just thought I'd share.