Distant Melody

When I was six years old or so, I had a close friend, Brian. I found myself playing at his house often. He had an older sister named Emily. I remember one particular time, Emily had been chosen to play Wendy in her school's production of Peter Pan. She got to sing a song in the show entitled Distant Melody. I remember her teaching it to me and I remember listening to her practice it over and over again. This came to mind just a little bit ago, when I was sitting here rocking my little mister to sleep. I began to sing that song to him. I haven't heard that song since I was six years old, yet to this day I still remember it. Up above is a clip from another production of Peter Pan with the song, Distant Melody. It's a really pretty song.

Anyway, I have always been that way with music. I remember tons of songs from my childhood. I can easily recall their melodies and lyrics at the drop of a hat. In fact, I have always been great at memorization. That is how I scored so well on the majority of all of my tests in school.....memorization. I make hundreds upon hundreds of flashcards when studying and then review them until they are all memorized. Sometimes I just read my notes over and over again until they are memorized and when I take my tests, sometimes with certain questions, I can actually visualize the answer on my notes. I can see where I had it written and what everything around that word or subject said.

I am always getting tons of songs stuck in my head. I have sung and performed so many in my lifetime, that my brain has become a giant song storage unit. It's crazy how much one can remember.

So, where am I going with this? Sorry, I know that was a lot of rambling.

There are 30,442 verses in the Bible according to some Bible trivia site I just came across on the web. I can't say that I have yet to read all of them. I am working on it. But, I have read quite a bit of the Bible. I am lacking in the Old Testament department. I have read the entire New Testament. I have many verses that I love and have written down. There are many verses I have underlined with the goal of memorizing them. But sadly, if you asked me right now to spit off to you thirty verses including their book and chapter for reference, I probably couldn't do it.

That saddens me. Especially, when I think about how many random songs I can sing to you from off of the top of my head, including ones in German.

My goal for awhile has been to memorize, memorize, memorize scripture. I do know that there are times when the Spirit will give you the verse when speaking to someone. You'll spit out the verse and reference and be a little shocked and excited that you knew it. I have had that happen before. But, I do feel that Bible memorization is TRULY important. And tonight as I rocked the little mister and sang to him another childhood song, I really felt a tug in my heart to have just as many Bible verses come pouring out of me as I do songs.

So, that's my goal.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word..... I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:9, 11)

My Passion

So, for this week's Shape Of My Faith, I am to talk about my passions. Here's a little blurb the meme creator wrote in regards to what we shall write about.

Sometimes a passion is related to spiritual gifts, sometimes to experience, sometimes to personality, but always it is God given. Sometimes we get too caught up in it and have to hand it back over to the Lord, He will hand it back at the right time, when you are most prepared to act on it. Sometimes He takes it away (if we use it wrong) and gives us something else in return.

So what’s your passion? What group do you care about so much it hurts? What cause makes your heart beat faster?

Children, Adults, Elderly, Babies, Teens, Men, Women?
Orphaned, Abused, Married, Single, Poor, Rich?
Mental Health, Physical health, Spiritual health, Emotional health?
Evangelism, Education, Discipleship, Prayer, Hospitality?

There are many more and many possible combinations of those listed above. Think about it.
This weeks Faith Shape asks what is YOUR heart’s passion?

So, here goes. First and foremost, I have a very strong passion for kids, primarily those who are hurting or abused, stricken with disease, autistic or orphaned. I long to someday work one on one with these types of children. I have a strong desire to possibly adopt one day, when the time is right. I have also always wanted to go on a mission trip to an orphanage. It looks like I am getting the chance to do that this summer.

I feel tugs on my heart all of the time to help out the children who are hurting. I have a desire to bring happiness and love to children fighting cancer. I want to reach into the world of an autistic child and try to show them God's love. I want to love on the orphaned.

God has ordered us to take care of His children. And I truly feel that as a call on my life.

I love to sing and I have always, ALWAYS enjoyed performing. It is a passion of mine. However, I don't think I am in that place in my walk or relationship with God where I am ready to use it for His work. A friend of mine who is also a Christian and a singer was having a conversation with me in regards to singing and worship. We both struggle with putting too much emphasis on having others hear us and think we are talented. I know that right now, if I was up on a stage worshipping GOd in song, that some of my thoughts would be...hmmmm..I wonder if that person is thinking, wow, she has talent. So, until I can get to a point where my singing is all about God and all for Him, I will not use that passion to its fullest capacity.

I have a passion for the youth groups at church. The teens, mainly high schoolers. I just know, from experience obviously, how hard it is to be a high schooler. I also know how on fire those kids can get. I would LOVE to work with the youth someday. I hope that one day DH and I could be the youth leaders/pastors at our church. I am sure if there ever is a time for that, that God will put it even more on our hearts.

So, there you have it folks. Since I am behind on this meme. I will be writing another edition on Wednesday about my abilities.

More Than Enough

So, do you ever have a worship song convict you? Last night, the song Enough, sung by Barlow Girl was on. It's a pretty popular worship song and I began singing along.

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know.
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know.

Those words so true. God is so awesome. More awesome than I know.
Then I got to the chorus.

And all of you
Is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

And that's when it happened. I realized that I don't allow God to be enough...all I need. I don't let Him satisfy my EVERY need. I like to try to satisfy needs on my own. I like to satisfy some weird addiction to celebrity gossip by spending time reading US, instead of reading the Bible. I haven't done a morning, noon or evening devotion in a couple of weeks. But, I can tell you why Sara Evans is getting a divorce, how much weight Britney Spears has lost, and that Katie Holmes is getting married in Italy.

I spend free time watching junk on television. Yes, junk. A lot of it goes directly against The Word. The Word, which is supposed to be enough, takes the back burner to Grey's Anatomy and weird makeover shows.

I spend time grumbling and complaining because I need new boots, more money and more sleep. I don't pray for God to help me rest. Although He says to come to Him when weary. I instead blame my hubby or my kiddos. It would have nothing to do with the fact that I drink 3 Pepsi's from 6:00 P.M. on.

I have raised my hands in worship to God countless times while singing Enough. And for the most part my heart is genuine and true in singing that song.

You're my sacrifice
Of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know.
You're my coming King
You're my everything
Still more awesome than I know.

And then of course, the chorus comes again and I am left to feel a little unworthy.

And all of you
Is more than enough for
All of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough
You are more than enough.

More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me.
More than all I know
More than all I can see
You are more than enough for me.

Just Showed Up

Sara Groves is one of my favorite Christian recording artists. I was introduced to her in 2002, when she performed at the Christian college I was attending. I love her voice and her lyrics. Back in August she released a documentary, Nomad: Just showed Up. It is a documentary covering two trips she took on a mission to help others. One, to deliver goods to Katrina victims and the other, a missions trip to Rwanda.

I am pretty certain that her dvd will be available at Christian Bookstores. You can also find it Here

Here are some reviews:

SARA GROVES' REALITY FILM "JUST SHOWED UP FOR MY OWN LIFE" HITS MARKET WITH ASTOUNDING RESPONSE from MEDIA, ARTISTS AND MORE:
NASHVILLE, TN8/11/06. INO Records and documentary film-makers from the Nomad Series recently collaborated to release "Sara Groves: Just Showed Up For My Own Life" a music infused, reality style film featuring Groves in all aspects of her life over the past year, and as the project hits the market this week, word about the film and its impact are pouring in from media, fellow artists and more:

"This DVD will truly impact the life of anyone who views it, Sara's gift thru her songwriting has always been her transparency regarding her faith, this film is a natural outgrowth of that transparency and her desire to be a true Christian in a world where Christians find it easy to be phony, take the time and watch it but be careful it may change your life" - Kevin Collard, ABC Radio-Detroit

"There is something deeply satisfying that happens when we are invited into the real-time dialogue and struggle of a person finding redemption in the face of human suffering and violence. And it is a rich and wonderful gift to connect with God and humanity through the experiences and thoughts of someone as articulate, inspiring, and graceful as Sara Groves. " -Dan Haseltine (jarsofclay/Blood:Water Mission)

"Its one thing to face life outside of your comfort zone and to embrace the suffering around you, but to share that journey with the world is nothing short of courageous. This film inspires." - Cara Davis, editor, Radiant magazine

"Be forewarned. By viewing this documentary, your own view of the world may be changed or, at the very least, called into question. And in this case, that can only be a good thing." -Andy Argyrakis for CCM Magazine

Just Showed Up for My Own Life invites the audience to view an artist beyond the studio, beyond backstage and beyond the road life. Travel with Groves to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Slidell, Louisiana as relief efforts are underway to restore a community ravaged by the storm. See the beautiful country of Rwanda on an emotional trip with Groves and her team to learn about the challenges of reconciliation and economic development 11 years after mass genocide.


"We started out making a simple music DVD, with behind the scenes footage in the studio, scenes from our life on the road, and of course some concert footage, but it just failed to capture the essence of the album, recalls Groves. So, we partnered with a documentary film company to tell the larger story. We started to ask what it means to add to the beauty, and that question led us around the world. As production wraps up, I am profoundly grateful that God chose me to be a witness to this span of years. I am excited to be a witness to what God is doing in this, my brief time on earth, and humbled that He has invited me to be a part of His beautiful, restorative work."


Also, here's a little preview for you.

Sing Praises

So, do you know what is wonderful? Having a radio. Really and truly. This afternoon the day got a tad stressful. Two kiddos were at each other for quite awhile and it was getting a bit frustrating. So, I took a few deep breaths and turned on one of the local Christian stations. And you know what? When you are listening to great Christian music and singing along to some of your favorite worship songs, it's pretty hard to be stressed or grumpy.

One of the stations out here, WayFM, can be listened to online here

Two other favorites of mine that sadly aren't out here are
Air 1
and Effect Radio

So, listen and be in a joyful mood!

Oh, real quick here is a new pic of my hair cut.