another of my mental playlist

The other song that has come to mind so much this last week was a song that is new to me, but our church has sung quite a bit the last few years. It speaks such truth, especially when we deal with the "but if not" (3 Hebrews and fiery furnace)/"even though..." (Job) situations of life. When the miracles we pray for do not happen or the answer is no, this song is a perfect description of the reminders I so often need in life.

Sovereign Over Us

Michael W. Smith

There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the Heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
You're the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good and for Your glory

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

Songwriters: Aaron Keyes / Bryan Brown / Jack Mooring

another musical throwback

This song was often played at funerals when I was growing up, and I was never overly fond of it as a child. It had some really high points, which meant I was unable to sing part of it. Now that I'm older, it has a lot more meaning to me. And after this week, knowing how much my family was hurting not being able to be with their wife/mother/grandmother while she was so sick and hurting, it had an extra special meaning.

I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone

Daniel O'Donnell

When I come to the river at the ending of day
When the last winds of sorrow have blown
There'll be somebody waiting to show me the way
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.

Often times I'm weary and troubled and sad
When it seems that my friends have all flown
There is one thought that cheers me and makes my heart glad
I won't have to cross Jordan alone

Though the billows of trouble and sorrow may sweep
Christ the Savior will care for his own
Till the end of my journey my soul he will keep
And I won't have to cross Jordan alone

Refrain:

I won't have to cross Jordan alone
Jesus died all my sins to atone
In the darkness I see
He'll be waiting for me
I won't have to cross Jordan alone.

Below:
Phyllis Gilland and her granddaughter Gracie, who died a few years ago in an ATV accident. More than one person has commented and thought about them being reunited in heaven. Gracie's Mom, Phyllis' youngest daughter, posted this on her Facebook page last night. May God surround Sharon with peace and comfort as her loss this side of heaven seems great.

throwback

Lately I've been recalling songs or bits of songs that I remember from my childhood. There are some mental images in my mind that I have no photo of and could never recreate for anyone, but they are still there, clear as ever.

The church I grew up in had hardwood floors. The floors were from the boards of the original church building, and the pews had been made by the men (hence they were too tall for almost everyone else and there were wooden foot benches for many of the women who were under 5'). By the time I cam along there were carpet runners in the aisles and up front. But between the pews...pure hardwood. And when the men started tapping their feet to the music, it was like a drumbeat.

This song came to mind last week while we were all fervently praying for my cousin's wife. Clint Short was a WWII vet, a German POW, who had a beautiful voice (and big feet). I can hear his heel tapping out the beat as his head bobbed and he sang this song. As a kid I often wondered if he was trying to get the music leader to speed it up (he tended to sing songs super slow), but now I wonder if he was simply meditating on the words.

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God though all else fall about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own:
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish.
He rules. He reigns upon His throne.

Refrain:

Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.

peanuts

My oldest niece graduates from college next week. This past weekend was her last college musical, and it was none other than "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". For those who didn't know, I've been an avid Peanuts fan since I was 8 years old. The following photos are from Welch College's facebook page, showing Em singing "Suppertime". Yes, she was Snoopy. :)  Her younger sister, who is a junior, is the one in red.

Of all the parts she had, I think "Suppertime" was one of my top two favorites. (The other was the scene involving Crabby Lucy.)  We crammed a LOT into this weekend trip, but hopefully I can post more pictures this weekend.

the Bentonville musicians

Federal Band performing for the crowd pre-reenactment. They even took a few requests from the crowd and played a few Rebel songs.

Add caption

One of my favorite shots. Most drummers were younger boys, though by this point in the war the South was decimated and most southern soldiers were Grandpas and young boys.

Not totally sure, but I think one of the flutists was a female.

And another female I don't think I posted yesterday.

ipod

Before we headed to Alabama for my birthday, I downloaded a few (okay, a LOT) of Christmas music on itunes, and started to load in on my ipod nano. Only it wouldn't work. It wouldn't even turn on. My computer wouldn't recognize it, and I finally got itunes to acknowledge it was there, only to have it tell me my little nano was "corrupt". 

I think it's fair to say I was not pleased. Even though I've had it for several years now, it wasn't cheap. So when we got home from our trip (of which we had to listen to "I'll Be Home for Christmas" at LEAST every hour on the radio), I tried several fixes apple suggested. Still nothing.

Today, I googled it, and tried the suggestion a bunch of kids made on a forum. It worked. (Holding the off/on button for 20 seconds...who'd a thunk it?)

Yes, that sound you thought was thunder was actually me doing my happy dance. I so love google!

swirly clouds

There's nothing like Facebook to be able to see what's happening. When the earthquake shook NC a while back, Facebook updated everyone long before the news media. And when a tornado hit Huntsville, AL this morning (in the Madison area where my cousin lives), it was on Facebook before the weather stations carried it. In lieu of the storms, I'm posting the words to a song that is a favorite back home. Almost every music group sings it; almost every 5th Sunday night singing (where the congregation got to choose the songs) it was requested. And given the tragedies of this last year, it's so very fitting.

In the dark of the midnight,
Have I oft hid my face;
While the storm howls above me,
And there's no hiding place;
'Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry;
"Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by."

'Til the storm passes over,
'Til the thunder sounds no more;
'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispers,
"There is no need to try;
For there's no end of sorrow,
There's no hope by and by";
But I know Thou art with me,
And tomorrow I'll rise;
Where the storms never darken the skies.

'Til the storm passes over,
'Til the thunder sounds no more;
'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

When the long night has ended,
And the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence.
On that bright, peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest
Never comes, Lord may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

'Til the storm passes over,
'Til the thunder sounds no more;
'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

Hold me fast, Let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

'Til the storm passes by.

adele

One of my strange idiosyncracies is that even though I'm not a big fan of secular music, I do like to watch the Grammy's and Country Music awards. My nieces introduced me to a British singer named Adele last year. While I'm not overly crazy about heartbreak songs, I love her voice.

If you watched the Grammys, you probably noticed this, but British singers sing. They don't go for the big props, elaborate costuming, pornagraphic dance numbers, or fireworks. They sing. And they do well.  There were quite a few British singers, past and present, at the Grammys.  It's almost as if our super-sized nation has so much bling around it that we forget what really matters...the song itself.

So while mulling on that, I left the news on the next morning a little longer than usual, and this just made me laugh.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7398460n&tag=re1.galleries

She doesn't call anyone out by name, but she hits the nail on the head. I would much rather my nieces listen to someone like her than "I'm Sexy And I Know It" (WHAT were my sisters thinking to let impressionable girls listen to a song with an "Explicit label" on it by a group whose name is SO vulgar that they have to use the acronym for it in order to place it on their records? Yes, I'm still upset by some things I learned over Christmas.) Adele may not be a Christ-follower, but is a breath of fresh air. She dresses simply and modestly, though elegantly, and her songs are neither vulgar nor prevocative. She says her new album will not be about heartbreak but something else, and I look forward to seeing what it entails.  I wish this 23 year old the best, and I hope she keeps her head on straight as she continues her music career.

roller coasters

I'm not a fan of roller coasters. I don't like the way they make my stomach lurch. In my book, that's not excitement.

Emotionally, these last few weeks have been a roller coaster. It reminds me of that song from Audio Adrenaline (which I've never really liked until now):




But unlike roller coasters, he leaves us up. And that's quite cool, even if I don't like heights. :)

full

too much on my heart to write...so this will suffice

hmmm

Well, yesterday's post was deleted by Blogger's technical difficulties. so here's the long and short of it:
Ezekiel 16:12 - it's okay to pierce your nose.
And no, I'm not doing it, although I think the minute studs and minuscule rings are really cool.

And on to today: I was very thankful to overhear people talking in the doctor's office about their displeasure of having Lady Gaga perform on American Idol. Like them, I was pleased at how Scotty performed, that he took what advice she had that was worth something and used it, and that he recognized her as the Proverbs 1 woman that men should avoid. After scanning the internet I realized just how much a minority I was in and how depraved our country truly is. And the more I think on her performance, the more I've come to this conclusion: it doesn't matter how well you sing or how many your records you make, if you dress, talk, and act like a prostitute, you are one. I don't understand why so many mothers think it's okay for their girls to watch and desire to be like the "stars" today. Jennifer Lopez may be a sweet judge on American Idol and have a beautiful physique, but her video and performances are/were overtly sexual, as were Taylor's and some of the other performers. Why can't they just be good musicians and not pimps and prostitutes?

I'm a little disappointed to have obligations this weekend so that I can't attend the free Scotty concert. (And I hope all the traffic on the road tomorrow won't mess up Abigail's wedding!) But on the flip side, I was a little startled to read the advice from another small town to Garner's police: "Your number one problem will be ten and eleven year old girls."  REALLY?  WHERE are the mothers? Sometimes I truly wonder what this world is coming to.  And then someone like Scotty comes along, reminding people that morals and values and faith and a good upbringing DO make a difference. Go Scotty, Go!

a new favorite

I really enjoy music. All kinds. But here is one of my new favorites, by Francesca Battistelli.