Then Sings My Soul "Hey God"

Go check out Amy for more on Then Sings My Soul.

It's Saturday!!!! We are heading to Chattanooga to celebrate my dad's birthday a little later this afternoon. A quick trip, but it will be good to see everyone. (Plus I get to look at some fabric for piece of furniture for my bedroom!!!)

With the music give-away going on. (See the Richie McDonald post if you haven't already.) I thought I would share one song off of the CD. It's entitled "Hey God".

This chorus is incredible. "You have your ways, you have your plan..sometimes mysterious and hard to understand.... I am humbled by your grace and everything you do....." There is meat in this song.

It's a live performance, although performance isn't the right word...you'll see what I mean.




Bet you want to leave a comment on my give-away post don't you?!

Does the name Richie McDonald ring a bell????

UPDATED TO ADD: It's Friday afternoon and I would just like to say if Richie McDonald needs a keyboard player....I would like to volunteer and can provide references upon request. I can hardly stand it anymore...this CD is AWESOME!!! GO and pre-order dozens of copies and give them away to your friends!!!! That is all....


Let me refresh your memory if you don't realize why you know that name. Richie McDonald was with the group Lonestar for several years.

After God impressed on his heart it was time for a change, he branched out into a solo career. Chad and I had the privilege of seeing him in concert with Jim Brickman in December. And we ALL know how I feel about any evening that includes Jim Brickman. Anyway...we're talking Richie McDonald here. :)

I was blessed, I mean, sneaky enough to get a preview copy of his new CD "I Turn To You".

To be honest, I wasn't too sure how I would feel about this CD. Everything I had read indicated that it was clearly Christian, but since I don't know that much about Richie I just didn't know what to expect.

The first thing I do before I ever listen to a CD is take out the cover and read it. EVERY WORD. It makes me feel like I "know" the artist better. Oh friends. This man loves Jesus. This is a quote from the inside cover...

"Hey God, I don't believe I ever thanked you....enough for all my blessings. At a turning point in my life when I needed you the most for guidance and direction you were there to give me the answers and show me the way. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to finally record music where you and Jesus Christ are the stars."

And our God is the star. No question about it. I have listened to this CD for 3 days and I love it more each time. These songs ignite something in my soul that drives me closer to the Father. At this moment my favorite song is "Walls", but I also love "Hey God".

If I could say one thing to this artist it would be this. Thank you for being obedient to the Father's nudge. The rewards from this CD will be eternal and you may not realize until glory just how powerful your stand for Jesus was. Blessings follow obedience.

Here is the deal. I'm going to strongly suggest that you go out next week and buy this CD. You will be blessed. BUT.....

Before you do: LEAVE A COMMENT!!! I have been given permission to give away the preview CD!!!!! OR don't leave a comment and I'll keep it for myself!!!

JUST KIDDING....I want to share this with you....

I'll draw for a winner on Monday night June 2 and announce the winner of this, as well as the book give away from earlier in the week on Tuesday, June 3! WOW...my first two give-aways on the same day!

Thanks Amanda at Brickhouse Direct for donating the preview CD!

Wouldn't You Know...

Just a few short days after I post about being content, I'm given a pop quiz. Just like Him isn't it! I guess He wanted to see if I was going to walk my talk.

The first test came at the pool Tuesday. A couple of other mom's and I were chatting. The other two kind of got into this "who can outdo the other" conversation. I hate those. They compared everything from square footage of their homes (which isn't that different...we all have the same builder) to their landscaping. This is where my pop quiz came in.

As they compared their plants, vines, annuals....they were both getting on the other's last nerve. It was very obvious, but neither one of these ladies was going to be the one to stop it. One of them kind of joked with me and made this comment..."so...when are you going to do something with the beds in front of your house...you all haven't added anything yet. Everyone else has?"

Excuse me?

This was not only a test of being "content" it was a test of me controlling my mouth. I didn't say much other than, "Well you know...spending money on landscaping has been the last thing on our mind over the last year." I would love to tell you my tone was meek and merciful and oozed the fruit of the Spirit, but it didn't. It was defensive and I was doing everything within my power not to break down into tears. How crazy is that!!!

The subject changed. One mom left and I was left to chat with the offender.

I know her well enough to know that she just speaks whatever is on her mind without thinking. I know she didn't mean to hurt my feelings and she probably didn't intend for that statement to come across the way it did.

I was over it pretty fast and we had a pretty decent conversation, but her comments have stuck with me all week. Which leads me to believe that God wanted to just see how content I really was. I told Him that her comment made want to forget about doing anything in the backyard and just focus all my attention and money on the front..what people see....but that isn't the plan.

You see, the plan is to get the backyard going...this is the place where we spend time with family and friends. It's where we talk, pray, relax and weather permitting I do Bible study. It's very important to me that it be an environment that is welcoming, peaceful, a place where you feel the presence of God. (which is our prayer for the rest of our home as well) I know and have accepted that it is a process and since I know from past experience that God is the ultimate landscaper, He will show me some great deals and provide everything we need to create this dream garden. I'm totally okay and very excited about it. After the back is going and as we have the money, we'll add some to the front. That has been and will continue to be our plan.

Now.....before I go any further, let me just say that the front...does not look bad. We just haven't added to what the builder put in!

I wasn't real sure where I would wind up as far as a spiritual application goes. We could talk about our tongues and the power they have. OR, we could talk about being wise with the resources you have and not spending what you don't have. Then there is patience....(Yikes! There's a whole novel with that one!)

God gave me a different lesson. This one took me by surprise. I was soaking in the tub Tuesday evening after "THE COMMENT" was made. Really talking to God about why it bothered me so much. Here's what ran through my mind.

"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever and a crown is not secure for all generations." Prov. 27: 23-24

I had read that early Tuesday morning, once again He was giving me exactly what I would need for that particular day. God reminded me of my ultimate goal for the backyard.(and our home) We want to use that space for His glory today and for years to come. The girls and I have had some great conversations out there. It's a place where we invest in our "flock". And seeing as they refuse to stop growing, at some point they are going to leave. I want to use every minute to prepare them for the next stage of life. For our family that backyard is a place where everyone feels safe enough to let their guard down and talk about life.

If we were to neglect that area and just focus on the front yard, the part people driving by see, would we be so quick to grab a cup of coffee and go out back for after dinner conversation? Probably not.

Don't get me wrong, I've got some ideas about the front too! But for right now, that isn't where our focus is. We've got to complete the work inside that fence around the backyard before we can work on the front of the house. (If all goes as planned, the work on the inside of that fence, will produce enough to cover the front too.)

IT'S A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Two weeks ago I received an e-mail asking me if I would like to read and review a new book and then host a giveaway on my blog. My interest was peaked and I clicked on the link to read about the author.

I knew from the first line that YES I wanted to read this book! You see, it's written by a Southern Baptist preacher's daughter. There was already a common bond as we are both in the club known as PK's. (preacher's kids)

I responded yes and last Friday I received this book....

Trespassers Will Be Baptized The Unordained Memoir of a Preacher's Daughter by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock

I'm a little over halfway through and let me tell you....I have laughed out loud more reading this book than I have in a long time.

As she described GA's, Acteens, Women's Missionary Union...I cracked up. So many of us good little GA's (Girl's in Action is a mission themed "club" for elementary age girls) remember just waiting for our turn to reach Acteens,the teens version of GA's and as Hancock calls it "Eagle Scouts at the Seraphim Level". (Between the sash, the sceptor and the fancy dress you wore at your recognition service, you can tell that southern women will turn everything into a pageant.)

I relate to so much in this book. But I as I turned to page 153 and saw some of her family pictures. I literally laughed out loud. There on that page is her father's official Southern Baptist Convention portrait which was taken at the yearly convention in Saint Louis Missouri, 1987.

GIRLS. My sister and I were at that convention with my parents! We have the funniest stories of that trip! BUT, we did not have "convention portraits" taken. Thank goodness my dad thought that was a waste of God's money. (In other words, the church was to cheap to pay for it.)

I think one of the most hilarious moments was Elizabeth describing her mother basking in the sun with her "Redbook" magazine tucked safely inside her "HomeLife".(this is a Christian family magazine) Everyone knows that a pastor's wife would NEVER want that little piece of information in the hands of the lay people, even though we ALL know they have their own copy of "Redbook" laying on their coffee tables!

But here is the bottom line. You do not have to be a Southern Baptist to appreciate this book. You will absolutely relate to her and I can guarantee that you will have a great laugh.

If you are a PK and have grown up in a glass house, you will appreciate this.

If you are a deacon's child and have listened to your parents "discuss" the PK's, you will appreciate this.

If you have ever taught GA's, Acteens, RA's, WMU, Mission Friends....Sunday School... you will laugh out loud and get the biggest kick out of Elizabeth's candid story telling.

IT'S SO WORTH YOUR TIME! Laughter is good for your soul and I can guarantee you will laugh at the book and more importantly, YOURSELF!

So here is the deal....if you need a fun book to kick off your summer reading, leave me a comment! The publisher has been very generous and is giving away 5 copies of this book. I believe the release date is June 4 so you are getting a sneak peak!

I will draw names on Monday evening June 2 and announce winners on Tuesday, June 3!!!!

SO LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!

You do not have to have a blog to win. Just comment under anonymous and leave your name. If you win, you can e-mail your info.

FYI -----This will not be the last give away this summer....I hear that there is a music giveaway coming soon........

Busy, Busy, Busy

How has your weekend been? I can honestly say, this has been the strangest holiday weekend of my life. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's been packed full of activity, but I feel like I haven't seen my family much!

We had an incredible Sunday morning worship time with David Phelps. He did an incredible arrangement of "Bring Him Home" from Le Miserables. Very fitting for Memorial Day Weekend.

After lunch and a quick nap, I headed out the door for Lilburn. The retreat ministry I'm involved with "Freedom's Call" had a singing engagement. It was a great evening, long program, but a great evening.

I got home around 9:30 and found two little girls almost asleep in my bed. Daddy had worn them out at the pool while I was gone.

Chad had commitments this morning in our local Memorial Day Parade and festival, so he was out the door before 7:00. The girls decided that they agreed with me and would rather spend the morning at the pool as opposed to putting on their karate uniforms and walking in the parade. So we spent most of the day playing with our neighbors and working on our tans. :)

It's a little after 2:00 and Chad has just walked through the door. FINALLY, we will all get to have some family time. I think we'll spend the evening grilling chicken and working on our "mudpile". It's coming along... I just may add some pictures later this evening to show you the progress.

Hope your day is filled with family, friends, and good food....:)

Then Sings My Soul

Thanks to Amy for hosting! Be sure to say a prayer today for Amy and Carol from Sheep to the Right, as they speak this weekend at a women's conference.


This week I chose a song off of an older Hillsong CD. It is the first song that Emma really sang...LOUD. She LOVED this song and we have just about worn that track out on the CD.

After a week full of shock and a heavy heart, I felt like I needed to put on some fun praise music. This is one song that always changes my attitude and more importantly my focus.

Blessings to you today....

Do you have what you need?

Wednesday afternoon I managed to cut the index finger on my left hand. This wasn't a small cut. A better description would be a slice. A very clean slice by the sharpest pair of scissors I own. It was one of those cuts that you don't really feel until about 2 seconds after you've been cut.

I did what anyone would do, held it tight and ran to the kitchen sink to run water over it. When I got a look at it, my knees went weak. It's a straight cut, but at an angle....and it's deep. (Don't ask how I did it, I don't want to be laughed out.)

Chloe and Emma knew right where the box of neon band-aids were and grabbed a purple one for me. I put it on and attempted to go about my day, but it seemed that everything I touched sent a wave of pain through my poor little finger.

Yesterday morning after I had worked in the yard, I knew that I needed to replace the band-aid, but guess what...

Apparently we've had a lot of "paper cuts" lately and there were no more small band-aids. Only the BIG bandages that are meant for your knees or some other large area of your body. NOT my skinny finger. But it was what I had and honestly, it was throbbing so I didn't care how many times I had to wrap that thing around! The tighter the better.

Chad popped home for a minute and asked why in the world I had that huge bandage on my little finger. He laughed and said, I'll be back.

A few minutes later he returned from the drugstore with a box of appropriate band-aids. They fit much better and to quote Chloe "they have anti-oxidants I mean antibiotics on them to kill germs".

Chad took the old bandage off and got his first look at the cut, cringed and put the new bandage on. Much better. I can actually type a little this morning. Still hurts like crazy but everyday chores are easier with something that actually fits the need on my finger!

I read yesterday in Proverbs that "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Prov. 22:3 (NLT)

This morning, these verses from Prov. 23 stood out

Verse 12 "Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge."

Verses 19-21 "My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags."

And finally from Prov.31:21 "She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes."

Okay..so what in the world do these verses have to do with my cut finger? I'm so glad you asked.

All too often we hit a crisis. A "winter", or a time of need in our life. We call on friends to pray, we question God's hand in it all, we quote all the verses about God being in control and having a plan....you know how we are! We all do it. And quoting the Word is powerful. But.....

To be truthful, we haven't been preparing for the winter. We cost along, enjoying good times, having fun. We may or may not acknowledge God each day. But slowly over time, we little by little deplete the spiritual pantry. Before we know it, a winter storm hits and we are totally exposed.

Over the last few weeks, God has been showing me why He is big on planning ahead. By that I mean digging into His Word each day. God uses His Word to prepare our hearts, minds and souls for today's sunny sky AND tomorrow's unexpected winter storm. He is our winter coat. He is a fully stocked pantry. He is a huge wood pile ready to keep you warm.

I didn't have the proper band-aid for my finger. I hadn't given band-aids a second thought....until I needed them. If I had taken an inventory of our first-aid kit last week when I glanced at it in the pantry, I would have known what I needed.

The same principle applies in our spiritual life. The time to get to know God, or to fill our spiritual pantry, is before the winter storm hits.

God is challenging me and I challenge you to not waste a minute. Don't take for granted the spring time, and forget that seasons change!