I react to songs in different ways. If I'm really jamming, I usually bob my head to the beat or sway to the right. If I'm rocking out, my hands usually form a "ROCK ON" symbol and I'm screaming. If I'm trying to listen, I generally close my eyes.
But if I'm really feeling the music, I close my eyes, put my hand over my heart, and sway.
Last night was one of those moments....
Shane & Shane, Starfield, and Bethany Dillon held a concert here. I've loved all of them as I've watched them mature into the artists they are today. Beth's music has always spoken to me the most. It is genuine and real, and it easily translates to many stages of my life and walk with God. She started with this song last night - just her and her guitar. Raw, acoustic, and heartfelt. I easily recognized it from Hillsong United, but she did an amazing job.
...My eyes were definitely closed, hand over my heart, swaying.
None but Jesus
In the quiet
In the stillness
I know, that you are God
In the secret
Of your presence
There I am restored
When you call I wont refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise
In the chaos
In confusion, I know
You’re soverign still
In the moment
Of my weakness
You give, me grace to do your will
So when you call I won’t delay
This my song, through all my days
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise
All my delight is in you Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in you Lord
Forevermore
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise
28 February, 2008
25 February, 2008
Magical
I think that yesterday was one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. Yes, it had to involve Disney's Magic Kingdom, but there is nothing like taking you 5 year-old nephew to DisneyWorld for the first time.
So the fam is in Disney. My nephew, C, isn't really a Disney fan, but we're here as a family vacation. I desperately needed vacation, I think the rest of my family did too. What is amazing about our family outings is that everything always seems to fall into place. We got in early for our character lunch reservation. The family received a day fast-pass that got is directly on rides. We bypassed most of the crowd to get a prime spot for the fireworks. Every time we decide to do vacation, things just seem to work out seamlessly.
It was all worth it to see C's face as we entered the Kingdom on Main Street. As we walked through the main gates, he sees this large show going on right in front of Cinderella's castle. He looks at me and says "Aunt Amy, I can't see." Well, what was I supposed to do? Deny him an amazing Disney experience? Heck no... I picked him up and lifted him as high as I could. The look on his face was priceless.. jaw dropped, eyes transfixed, huge smile. He saw Mickey. And Nana T got it all on video.
What is amazing to me about this place is that the Magic never dies. For C, it was seeing Mickey the first time. Plus, he was a trooper yesterday riding Big Thunder Mountain, his first major roller-coaster. He freaked out at the ghosts in Haunted Mansion, and loved Buzz Lightyear and how they made all the toys come to life. He stood on his chair and was ecstatic when Pooh and Tigger came over to see him during lunch. It was magical.
For me, it was Tinkerbell. I remember the first time I saw Tink and the fireworks. Dad and I jetted over really quick to ride some extra rides when I was 11. Grandma paid for the entire family to come and stay at Disney for a week, so Dad and I didn't get to ride most of the rides we wanted to. We sprinted in the main gates and booked it through Main Street until, all of a sudden, I stopped. Dad looked back and saw me staring at the castle, and then glanced back to see what I was looking at. At that moment, the castle glittered and Tinkerbell flew from the Castle to a point in tomorrow land. He said I had the same look on my face that C had on his face last night - in awe, wonder, amazement. All of a sudden, the magic was real. Tink could fly, and I could do anything.
Fast forward about 15 years, and we're back. Dad, me, a new group of people and experiences, waiting on fireworks again. Ry picked a good place to sit, and we all went to grab some dinner. Once the lights dimmed in the park, the castle lit up. As I'm looking through my camera, struggling to understand the "night snapshot" feature, I see something twinkle from the highest point at the castle. That twinkling became brighter as I dropped my camera and realized that Tinkerbell was flying overhead, right above us. I felt like I was 11 again. The magic never gets old. It took my breath away and put tears in my eyes.
As we're leaving, dad was asking C what he thought of the fireworks. C looks at him and says "Man, that Tinkerbell is one brave lady!" Priceless.
Off to see Animal Kingdom!
So the fam is in Disney. My nephew, C, isn't really a Disney fan, but we're here as a family vacation. I desperately needed vacation, I think the rest of my family did too. What is amazing about our family outings is that everything always seems to fall into place. We got in early for our character lunch reservation. The family received a day fast-pass that got is directly on rides. We bypassed most of the crowd to get a prime spot for the fireworks. Every time we decide to do vacation, things just seem to work out seamlessly.
It was all worth it to see C's face as we entered the Kingdom on Main Street. As we walked through the main gates, he sees this large show going on right in front of Cinderella's castle. He looks at me and says "Aunt Amy, I can't see." Well, what was I supposed to do? Deny him an amazing Disney experience? Heck no... I picked him up and lifted him as high as I could. The look on his face was priceless.. jaw dropped, eyes transfixed, huge smile. He saw Mickey. And Nana T got it all on video.
What is amazing to me about this place is that the Magic never dies. For C, it was seeing Mickey the first time. Plus, he was a trooper yesterday riding Big Thunder Mountain, his first major roller-coaster. He freaked out at the ghosts in Haunted Mansion, and loved Buzz Lightyear and how they made all the toys come to life. He stood on his chair and was ecstatic when Pooh and Tigger came over to see him during lunch. It was magical.
For me, it was Tinkerbell. I remember the first time I saw Tink and the fireworks. Dad and I jetted over really quick to ride some extra rides when I was 11. Grandma paid for the entire family to come and stay at Disney for a week, so Dad and I didn't get to ride most of the rides we wanted to. We sprinted in the main gates and booked it through Main Street until, all of a sudden, I stopped. Dad looked back and saw me staring at the castle, and then glanced back to see what I was looking at. At that moment, the castle glittered and Tinkerbell flew from the Castle to a point in tomorrow land. He said I had the same look on my face that C had on his face last night - in awe, wonder, amazement. All of a sudden, the magic was real. Tink could fly, and I could do anything.
Fast forward about 15 years, and we're back. Dad, me, a new group of people and experiences, waiting on fireworks again. Ry picked a good place to sit, and we all went to grab some dinner. Once the lights dimmed in the park, the castle lit up. As I'm looking through my camera, struggling to understand the "night snapshot" feature, I see something twinkle from the highest point at the castle. That twinkling became brighter as I dropped my camera and realized that Tinkerbell was flying overhead, right above us. I felt like I was 11 again. The magic never gets old. It took my breath away and put tears in my eyes.
As we're leaving, dad was asking C what he thought of the fireworks. C looks at him and says "Man, that Tinkerbell is one brave lady!" Priceless.
Off to see Animal Kingdom!
19 February, 2008
Breakable
I'm not sure if you've heard her name before, but you've definitely heard her songs. In fact, if you watch any Old Navy commercials, you know "the Sweater Song" (even thought that isn't it's official title). I am addicted to Ingrid Michaelson because of a generous gift from one of my fave friends Sarah for Valentine's Day. What is amazing to me is how much music stills and quiets my heart more than anything else, especially on a day when it seems to turn my heart upside down.
But, enough about me.... let's talk about Ingrid.
She sang on Joshua Radin's latest release (who also has a great hit "Amy's Song"- wonder why I love that one). She's circled the talk show circuit, spending lots of time on Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel this week. One of her more popular songs "Keep Breathing" was a key feature on the end of Season 3 of Grey's Anatomy... (Yeah, you remember the part - Christina, after Burke left her, trying to tear her wedding dress off so that she could breathe. That was powerful!)
What I love about her is her genuine transparency. She has an ability to convey so much feeling and emotion in so little words. Her melodies flow back and forth, allowing you to enter in the music and let it wash over you. There is a keen truth and honesty in her lyrics and a strength in her voice that resonates. She talks about good and bad, strength and weakness. All in all, I haven't been able to get her album off of my iPod. And the awesome thing: She did it all by herself. No label, just Ingrid. Selling her love on iTunes.
So, here's the track that has been in my head this week. I think it speaks to a lot of people I know... myself included at times.
Breakable
Have you ever thought about what protects our hearts?
Just a cage of rib bones and other various parts.
So it's fairly simple to cut right through the mess,
And to stop the muscle that makes us confess.
And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.
You fasten my seatbelt because it is the law.
In your two ton death trap I finally saw.
A piece of love in your face that bathed me in regret.
Then you drove me to places I'll never forget.
And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.
And we are so fragile,
And our cracking bones make noise,
And we are just,
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls-
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls-
Breakable, breakable, breakable girls and boys.
15 February, 2008
Peace and Purpose
Peace and purpose. For some reason, this is a very hot topic when you get around twenty-somethings. We all are figuring out where to move, what to do, what adventure is next, and who we are going to experience it with. It feels like this has been the week for talking about peace and purpose.
I was sitting with a friend this afternoon and the topic inevitably wandered to peace and purpose. A lot has changed in both of our lives over the past six months, and we were both trying to grapple with it on a drizzly Friday afternoon. For my friend, it was about if this place was truly the place for her. She is confused because of where she is in life, and if that is truly where she's supposed to be.
So, I asked the question. "When was the last time you encountered peace and clarity with life?"
Her answer: When she decided to go back to school.
And life seemed simple for that moment. In college, a wise friend of mine revealed many quirky, but true phrases. "God doesn't like to push a parked car" was one of them. Another was "If you're ever confused about where God is taking you, think back to the last time He made Himself perfectly clear." For B, it was the decision to get a Master's.
So I had to ask... when was mine?
Easy: The decision to move to Nashville last summer. I remember that decision like it was yesterday - I looked at my savings, wondered if I could swing it financially, closed my eyes and stepped out. Within a week, all of the details were worked out and I was living more cheaply there than I was here. God was faithful. I was extremely vulnerable and, sure, the move was full of risk. But, God is faithful.
it was a little reminder that I needed this afternoon. Obedience is rewarded. Clarity comes for those who seek Him. It is ok to be vulnerable with people and life situations. Life can get really confusing, and sometimes you just need some clarity.
Currently Listening: "White as Snow" by Jon Foreman, the Winter EP
I was sitting with a friend this afternoon and the topic inevitably wandered to peace and purpose. A lot has changed in both of our lives over the past six months, and we were both trying to grapple with it on a drizzly Friday afternoon. For my friend, it was about if this place was truly the place for her. She is confused because of where she is in life, and if that is truly where she's supposed to be.
So, I asked the question. "When was the last time you encountered peace and clarity with life?"
Her answer: When she decided to go back to school.
And life seemed simple for that moment. In college, a wise friend of mine revealed many quirky, but true phrases. "God doesn't like to push a parked car" was one of them. Another was "If you're ever confused about where God is taking you, think back to the last time He made Himself perfectly clear." For B, it was the decision to get a Master's.
So I had to ask... when was mine?
Easy: The decision to move to Nashville last summer. I remember that decision like it was yesterday - I looked at my savings, wondered if I could swing it financially, closed my eyes and stepped out. Within a week, all of the details were worked out and I was living more cheaply there than I was here. God was faithful. I was extremely vulnerable and, sure, the move was full of risk. But, God is faithful.
it was a little reminder that I needed this afternoon. Obedience is rewarded. Clarity comes for those who seek Him. It is ok to be vulnerable with people and life situations. Life can get really confusing, and sometimes you just need some clarity.
Currently Listening: "White as Snow" by Jon Foreman, the Winter EP
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