Worship Wednesday // Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

Wow, this is sadly my first post in October! I took a little break from posting not really by choice but just out of being busy with birthdays, work, Etsy orders and quality time with friends! But I'm back writing on a Wednesday which means....Another awesome song to Worship to :) This week's song Oceans by Hillsong gives me goosebumps and sometimes brings tears to my eyes at just how simply tender the lyrics are. I hope you enjoy it too! 

Sometimes our problems seem as deep as the ocean. The lists, struggles, exhaustion and heartache pile up. Although we have trust in a Lord that can Move Mountains, at times the weight of the world just feels like too much. It could be one big let down or a lot of little let downs piling up and our faith begins to waiver. God is pressing us to "keep the faith" though, just as Jesus took that walk of faith when he walked on Water! How powerful to know that the One who holds our future is the same Almighty One that enabled Jesus to walk on water....to witnesses the impossible, became possible right before their eyes! 

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

(Chorus)

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

(Chorus)

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

All Wrapped Up into One Day // Worship Wednesday

Today is a very significant day for multiple reasons. It's a hard day because I know that my best friend and her family are hurting. They went through something very difficult a year ago that is pretty shocking, yet when I see their resilience and faith, I am reminded that this doesn't have to be labeled as a "sad day". 

I can honestly say that Kendra has played a significant role in shaping my faith and her friendship has made an impact on not only my life here on Earth but in my Forever Home in Heaven. Wow, that's deep stuff...but it's the truth and it is what is on my heart today as I think of the heartbreak her family endured. So I think it is no coincidence that this day is also National See You at the Pole Day.

  

I have no doubt millions of people across the nation were praying not only for their school, classmates and teachers but also healing. Whether that be healing from sickness, loneliness or a broken heart. God can work wonders through prayer and it is powerful that today so many young people are joining together for one mission. A peaceful demonstration and positive gesture in this broken world reminds me of the song by Kari Jobe called 'We Are'. The song is an anthem for living like Christ and walking in your faith as an open example for others. 

Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that's not who we are
We are children of the day

So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, let the light shine

We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let His love break through

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

Worship Wednesday - Give Me Your Eyes

This song by Brandon Heath is so dear to my heart because the second I start to hear the introduction I am taken back to Tanzania, Africa. This song sums up my experience in Africa like no other journal entry or conversation can. Love for the Humanity encompasses the simplicity of what that medical-mission trip was all about! 

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere, 
Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

Ones that are far beyond my reach.

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah

Yeah

Step out on a busy street

See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me

To hide what's underneath

There's a man just to her right

Black suit and a bright red tie

Too ashamed to tell his wife

He's out of work

He's buying time

All those people going somewhere

Why have I never cared?

I've Been there a million times

A couple of million eyes

Just moving past me by

I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well I want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all along

Remembering 9/11 & Worship Wednesday

Most of us woke up today from the sound of our alarm clock and not from a nightmare of the image of the Twin Towers falling. For that I am grateful but also saddened that so many people still have these horrific visions implanted in their memory. As a nurse I take care of patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some can find a little relief by taking a pill but medicine can only do so much unfortunately and many of these victims struggle every day to regain some sort of normalcy in life. I am no expert on this topic but my heart goes out to those that were present at Ground Zero that day and for the many firefighters, police officers, veterans, and current military men and women who are affected by PTSD. So if you are a praying person, please take the time today to ask God to wrap His arms around these men and women as a thank-you for their courageous acts! 

I know I have featured another Need To Breath Song before but they are just SO GOOD! So I can't help myself by featuring my second favorite song by them called "Washed By the Water".  As you listen to the song, you can hear their passion for the story behind the lyrics. But you can also interpret the song your own way whether it be a melody about baptism, endurance or standing up for what you believe in when no one else does! 

Daddy was a preacher

She was his wife

Just tryin to make the world a little better

You know, shine a light

People started talking

Just to hear their own voice

Those people tried to accuse my father

Said he made the wrong choice

Though it might be painful

You know that time will always tell

Those people have long since gone

My father never failed

Chorus

Even when the rain falls

Even when the flood starts rising

Even when the storm comes

I am washed by the water

Repeat Chorus

Even when the Earth crumbles under my feet

Even when the ones I love turn around and crucify me

I wont never ever let you down

I wont fall

I wont fall

I wont fall as long as youre around me

On the same topic of Water..check out one of Self Magazines 2013 Women Doing Good Honorees that is fighting for access to clean water world wide. Marla Smith-Nilson writes that through this organization, called Water 1st, her most inspiring moment was when, "An Ethiopian man called me their water mother. When their project was funded, he said to me, 'Now I know that God has touched the ground.'" 

Worship Wednesday

Thank you to anyone who read my last post on prayer and for the positive feedback! My prayer list is getting longer and longer and I hope you have found time to have a quiet moment with God too in this crazy (Cyrus circus) world! I was hesitant to bring up Miley because I know attention was the main goal of thy performance but I want to add her (and all the young ladies watching) to my prayer list too. But honestly what I was more troubled by was Kayne Wests heartbreaking introduction when he performed at the VMA's because it is a direct hit to my faith. Or should I say 'swing and a miss' to my faith because nothing will stand between me and My God! The singer was introduced with an 'Amen and Hallelujah!' And shockingly even 'jesus' (pronounced hey-sues as in the Spanish version) 

This hurt my heart and I immediately turned off the TV in disgust. I know I am naive to some of the things that go on in our culture but why should I be surprised by this even? In the Bible there were plenty of parables of people worshiping Idols such as gold cows and false prophets but I'm not here to write a research paper on the topic. I'm here simply to say I was saddened by that introduction and it brought me to close my eyes in prayer and once again praise The Lord for my Christian upbringing. 

And now... With a proper and pure introduction .. I give the Worship Wednesday song 'He is With Us' by Love & The Outcome 

Remember when your hope is lost and faith is shaken
Remember when you wonder if you're gonna make it
There's a hand stretched out through your deepest doubt
We can't pretend to see the ending or what's coming up ahead
To know the story of tomorrow
But we can stay close to the One who knows

We can trust our God
He knows what He's doing
Though it might hurt now
We won't be ruined
It might seem there's an ocean in between
But He's holding on to you and me
And He's never gonna leave, no
He is with us, He is with us
Always, always
He is with us, He is with us
Always

We believe there is purpose, there is meaning in everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more than to have us close

Worship Wednesday

Happy [late] Wednesday everyone! I have a lot to be thankful for this week, and most importantly is my wonderful Aunt Julie who is letting Alex and I stay at her house tonight because our AC isn't working. Today in Omaha it was well over 90 but felt like Aruba temps! Not a good time for the AC to stop working. It has been acting up lately and we hadn't made it a priority because eventually the temperature would drop and we could just handle having our windows open with the nice breeze. But today we wanted to take refuge in a place that was cool because it became pretty uncomfortable. I worked last night and couldn't sleep past 2:30 pm today because laying in 80 degree weather even with the ceiling fan on was just not cutting it.

So tonight I am very glad that my aunt lives in Omaha and has plenty of room for us! I even brought Kobe over for a play date with the other cats. They are chasing each other around currently and judging by their hissing and growling they are hitting it off well ;) 

Can you tell which one is Kobe?

Not having AC is such a first world problem. I shouldn't grumble about it because everyday there are people in this world that are living in extreme heat and have to go about their daily lives without the convenience of a cooled house. Alex did make a joke when he got home today though that made us both laugh,"Tonight let's sleep like Kings and be in the AC!"

This week's song comes from one of my favorites right now on KLove called "One Drop" by Plumb. This song is really lighthearted and catchy! It is so fun to listen to in my car and I find myself singing along with a smile! 

Left alone, we will never be who we could be

So take my hand and, don't forget that

We can do anything together

(Chorus)

Just one drop of your love

A single ray of sun

Just one thing to change the world

It's just you and me

Starting with a dream

And giving it all we've got

Only takes one drop

----------------------

Click Here to See the video!

So if you are thankful for AC like me.. After watching that video you are probably also thankful for clean running water too! There are so many astonishing things that you see when you are in a third world country but I felt like one of the most surprising is the lack of clean water and the availability of water. 

I hope you all have a great rest of the week and remember it only takes one drop to make a change in the world! 

Blue Moon on my night time run!

Worship Wednesday

This post is brought to you by halls cough drops and hot tea.... because I think I have a cold...In the summer! Weird I know but unfortunately I had to miss a day of work (haven't called in sick for almost a year) last night due to a sore throat and headache. Thankfully I have a wonderful job where I have the next 8 days off from the hospital so I will have plenty of time to recuperate. But besides the awesome schedule, another reason why I love my job is because I have the opportunity to talk openly to patients and their families about various subjects that might not come across in daily conversation. Last night my patients' wife explained that she was a Jehovah Witness for over 30 years and just recently converted to Christianity. And she said that even though she is much happier with her new faith, her whole family disowned her...even her own daughter! I can't imagine that type of loneliness! As happy as I am for her to be part of the Christian family I know that must have been very hard and thinking of what I would do in that situation I wonder if I would have had the strength to break away.

It also brings up the fact that I am so thankful I was raised in a Lutheran family where I had the opportunity to go to a Christian Camp at Okoboji during the summer when I was young and attend a Christian Youth conference in Florida when I was in high school. Church on sunday and all of these activities of given me a strong foundation for my faith today.

I thought every Wednesday (I know I'm a day late) I would feature a song that has really helped me express my faith and has been a great song to worship the Lord with. for the first week it is only fitting that I feature the song that was the inspiration for the title of my blog! 

I have seen NeedToBreathe 2 times in concert with my wonderful friend Kendra. Their songs are so upbeat and the lyrics are really strong! I was driving in my car and happened to hear 'Something Beautiful' yesterday playing on KLove which they don't play too often so I always feel God is speaking to me whenever it is played :) 

Check it out... 

In your ocean, I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin' on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful
And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side.
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful