1. JESUS. He is the one who has given me life when I deserved death. He gives me grace upon grace & love that I don't deserve. He is everything to me, the source of my joy, who I sing about, who I live for, who I absolutely love. He has given me SO much. SO thankful. 2. MY FAMILY.
I got to skype with them on Thanksgiving. It was great.They sat me down on the table & it was like I was right there with them! I was thinking about them a lot today. We have walked through a lot together. Some really really hard things, but also some really really great things. They have walked through times of me running away from the Lord & they have prayed for me and walked with me through times of obedience that led me to some hard decisions. (like moving 17 hours away to Austin!) They have supported me, provided for me, cheered me on & believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. SO thankful. 3. MY DAD.
He left a legacy that is continuing on and I am forever grateful for the Lord choosing him, bringing him into a relationship with Jesus and then taking him home. His life & death have brought hope to so many people. I miss him like crazy and wish that we could laugh and be goofy together, but there will soon be a day for that! SO thankful. 4. MY GIRLS AND MY COMMUNITY.
I am so blessed by the people I am surrounded by. Who walk through life with me and love me even when I'm crazy and hard to love. People who know me well enough to see when I'm not ok, who know me well enough to know how to make me laugh, who know me well enough to know when I just need some space, who will fight for me when I can't fight, who speak truth to me when I'm believing lies, who will dance & be goofy with me, who cheer me on, who aren't afraid of hurting my feelings when it's truth that needs to be said. I am blessed. SO blessed. I can't imagine doing life alone. SO thankful. 5. MY GUYS.
These are the guys that I get to do ministry with. I am absolutely blessed by each one of these guys. I've learned so much from them about leading and about loving people well & music. These are some of the most talented musicians/worship leaders that I know. I'm so thankful that I get to sing and make music with these guys. I'm beyond thankful. Chris, Aaron, Justin & Todd are married with kids. It has been so great learning from them about marriage and family life, I have gotten to know their wives & they are absolutely amazing. & then there is Jimmy...you can refer back to the laughing song. SO thankful. 6. MY CHURCH.
I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am for my church (the Austin Stone). Where I have grown and have been challenged in ways that I didn't even know were possible. Truth is spoken here in a way that is completely led by the Holy Spirit. Worship is being led in a way that is completely from the Holy Spirit. There is a heart that reaches outside of the walls of our church to the city, to the nation and to the world that is so beautiful. I am blessed beyond blessed to be a part of this church and to lead worship every Sunday. God is being glorified, lives are being changed and it's so beautiful. SO thankful.
I would like to share a new song with you all that is technically song #3 for me. It's a co-write with the one and only Jimmy McNeal. If you know either of us, you will know that there is one thing that we love to do.
Laugh.
This song features Jimmy on lead vocals and me on BGV's which is basically me laughing.
We are counting this as a song.
This song will guarantee to make you laugh and give you a better day.
You should also take note that at the end of the song is Jimmy's actual laugh. It's for real folks. So. Funny.
For your enjoyment...
Day 2. Song 2. Done.
I felt good about this song last night, and am not too sure this morning.
But it's a song...and it's a CHRISTMAS SONG! love christmas.
So not sure if this breaks the rules or not, but I found an old Christmas hymn that I've never heard before, so some of the lyrics came from that. Chorus, bridge & half of the 2nd verse are lyrically mine and the melody & music is mine.
Let me know what you think!
A Marvelous Birth
There's a song in the air
There's a star in the sky
There's a mother's deep prayer
And a baby's loud cry
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing
For the manger of Bethlehem
Cradles the King
Oh Hallelujah, Oh Hallelujah
The newborn King
Has come to save the world
There's a choir of joy
There's a marvelous birth
For the virgin's sweet boy
Is the Lord of the earth
And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing
For the manger of Bethlehem
Cradles the King
Oh Hallelujah, Oh Hallelujah
The newborn King
Has come to save the world
This baby boy will be
Our only victory
On the cross, On the cross
Sweet Jesus You will be
Our only victory
On the cross, On the cross
Oh Hallelujah, Oh Hallelujah
The newborn King
Has come to save the world
7in7 is back again. For those of you who don't know...it a challenge to songwriters to write 7 songs in 7 days. The last time I did this it didn't go so well. I put way to much pressure on myself and I was pretty much a mess the entire time. If you wanna revisit this...here is a link to my blog posts.
This year I've decided to let go of all pressure, let go of all expectations and pray like crazy. My people are praying for me and I am believing that God is going to do some amazing things during this time through all the 350 people who are participating in this thing!
I welcome you if you are here for the first time! I love that 7in7 brings together community.
So day 1 was yesterday. I had a FULL day and wasn't sure how this was going to work, but God came through. I was even thinking about how this song came together last night and I honestly don't remember a ton. I just know that I was completely exhausted and the Spirit was heavy.
I'm thankful for this song. It is completely from Him. I have a lot of friends who are going through some really hard stuff right now. I've walked through really hard stuff. It sucks. But I'm thankful that God promises us that He will never leave us, that He will fight for us, He gives hope, He gives rest. This song is about that...
I'll probably add a small bridge at some point and maybe a better way to end it.
Let me know what you think!
I'll Walk With You
I can see that you are broken
Your eyes say it all
Shut down and distracted
You stare at the wall
I will give you hope
I'll walk with you
I'll help you fight
Lean in, let Me hold you
My burden is light
You are Mine, you are Mine
I know you, your mind is restless
Come to Me, My child
Laid bare & wounded
Your thoughts are runnin wild
I will give you rest
I'll walk with you
I'll help you fight
Lean in, let Me hold you
My burden is light
You are Mine, you are Mine
