All Creation Proclaims

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Have you ever wondered why?  A picture portrays a story -- a setting, mood, voice, tense... a moment somewhere between cause and effect -- all from the perspective of a picture.  Sometimes a picture leaves more questions than answers, but at the same time, it often explains more than any sentence.  It isn't colored by the giver's biased perspective or lack of eloquence -- only by what the receiver is willing to take the time to understand.

On Good Friday I went for a walk out in the swamps near my house.  And all that I could think was, nature was proclaiming something loud and clear.  The beautiful quietude, the quiet elegance, spoke to me.  Can you hear it?

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

or let the fish in the sea inform you.

 Which of all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord has done this?

 In his hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10

Top Ten Favorite Songs for 2014

I feel like most of my posts lately have been rather serious.  Today I would like to post about something a little less important than Joy and Hope and Spiritual things.  Today is a day for a TOP TEN POST.

#10  "Furious" by Jeremy Riddle
This is the only song by Jeremy Riddle that I've heard, but I really like it.  He has an unique perspective on the love of God -- that it is deep, wide, fierce, strong,  furious.  It's an compelling idea, and a beautiful song.




#9 "Chasing You" by Jenn Johnson
Again, another artist who I only know by one song.  This is such a great song just to get lost in.  The music is really fun, too -- the keys is great :)




#8 "Oceans" by Hillsong United
This song talks about stepping out into the unknown -- like Peter stepping out onto the water in faith.  It inspires me to just let go and let God do what He wants in and through me.



#7 "Wake Me" by Tal & Acacia
The group Tal & Acacia has a very unique sound to them, but I really love their laid back grove.  This is one of my favorite songs by them.  It talks about wanting to know what God is doing now.  Like Noah building an ark an wondering what God had planned, sometimes we just want to know what's going on.




#6 "Hurricane" by Natalie Grant
I love playing this song on the piano and singing along to the lyrics.  God can find you anywhere, even in a hurricane.




#5 "Narnia" by Toby Mac
This song is on an album devoted to "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."  Listen to it -- it's really cool.



#4 "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick
This song's one I've known for a long time, but I've sort of re-discovered it.  It's so good.



#3 "Bring Us Home" on Music Inspired by the Story
This song is on an album that was written by Nicole Nordman -- inspired by a version of Scripture called "The Story."  The song is about Joshua, and is sung by Micheal Tait, Lecrae, and Blanca Callahan.  It is definitely worth listening to.  Actually, go listen to the whole album!  It's two discs' worth of inspiring music.



#2 "Let Us Love" by NEEDTOBREATHE
This song has such great lyrics.  It wasn't until I looked up the words and just read through them that I realized just how deep, yet crazy, they are.  It's such a good song just to sing along to.



#1 "All of Me" by Matt Hammitt
"I can't give You half my heart and pray You make it whole..."  That sums it up completely.  God, You are going to have all of me... it's where I'll start...

The Art of Celebration

A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine showed me a video from Rend Collective.  It's about their new album, "The Art of Celebration".  The theme of their CD, and the topic of the video, couldn't have been more applicable to this journey towards Joy that I've been on this year.  One of my favorite parts of the video is when he says that nowhere in the Bible does it say "thou shall be serious."  It does say to make a joyful noise, though!

I really loved just the whole message of this video, and I wanted to share it with you today...