Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Conversation w Lily: "A Huge Salami"

So I was talking to my niece Lily Margaret on the phone yesterday:
This is how our conversation went:

Me: Hey sweet girl! how are you?
Lily: Good.
Me: How was school today?
Lily: Good.
Me: Did you have someone come to talk to your class?
Lily: Yeah.
Me: Who was it?
Lily: It was a lady who lives in Japan. The ground shook really bad and then there was a huge salami that knocked down the houses.
(oh Lord help it. my heart. bless her.)
Me: Oh wow.
Lily: But her family didn't get hurt.
Me: That's good! I'm so glad her family is ok.
(later on in the convo...)
Me: Lily, I'm so excited for you to come to Texas and visit me! Are you so excited!?
Lily: Yeah! Do you have a family?
(here we go...)
Me: Nope. Just Roommates. They are my good friends.
Lily: What are their names?
Me: Amanda, Jordan, Staci & Ani
Lily: What are their favorite games?
Me: That's a good question...I'll have to ask them.
Lily: Do they like to do crazy dances?
Me: yes. they sometimes do crazy dances.
Lily: well, I'm getting kinda tired now.
Me: Oh! ok...does that mean you are done talking?!
Lily: yeah...you wanna talk to mom?!

Oh my. LOVE this girl.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Set Lists: 3/27/11

Here are the set lists from the Austin Stone Community Church on Sunday 3/27/11:

Campus: Austin High School
Worship Leader: Aaron Ivey
One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
Love Shines - Aaron Ivey
Your Great Name - The People's Church
Come Thou Fount - hymn

Sermon: "True vs. False Repentance" - Matt Carter

Come Ye Sinners (Ten Thousand Charms) - hymn
Forever Reign - Hillsong
How Great Thou Art - hymn (7:00pm only)
Stronger - Hillsong (7:00pm only)
Campus: St. John
Worship Leader: Todd Agnew
All To Us - Chris Tomlin
Found - Aaron Ivey
You Are Good - Todd Agnew
Amazing Grace - hymn

Sermon: "True vs. False Repentance" - Matt Carter

Come Ye Sinners (Ten Thousand Charms) - hymn

Friday, March 25, 2011

Song on Repeat: Lord, I Need You

So I have a new theme song. Lord, I Need You from the album Passion: Here For You. 
I remember listening to this song back when they were live streaming the Passion conference. I fell in love with it...(along with Waiting Here For You, of course) I had forgotten about it when the album released not too long ago. I think I was just stuck on #3 (waiting here for you).
Until yesterday. I listened to this new theme song of mine and put the repeat on it.
God does this to me...let me just tell you what He does...
I go through seasons of funk. I've talked about it before on this blog (but not for a long time, and that is not saying it has been a long time since the funk, cause it comes often) I have been in it the last couple of weeks and so when I heard this song my heart softened a bit.
There are certain lines that resonate so well with my soul.
"Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart"
"Every hour I need You."
"So teach my song to rise to You
when temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay"
Oh my heart. I cannot help but fall on my face. I have listened to this song over and over again. In my room, in my car, in my backyard, in my dining room. I keep coming back to this: This song isn't changing my life. Jesus is. He is using this song, using these words to stir my heart to Him. That's what worship does, it's not just some songs to make you feel good. It is truly a response to what Jesus is doing. It is a way for us to connect with Him in a way that is like no other. He is good and He will continue to pursue my heart, and I will respond in worship.
Here is a video of this song with the words. I hope that you will listen to it and even sing along. worship. get after it. do it.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Night at Breakaway

Last Tuesday night the guys and I led worship at Breakaway.
Breakaway is one of those ministries that I just love. They are so great. Amazing staff, amazing volunteers, amazing students. God is at work on the campus of A&M.
Our usual routine for a Tuesday is to drive the 2 hours to College Station.
I usually drive up separate since there is not usually room in the band van and let's just be honest...it's probably stinky in there. Plus it gives me a chance to invite a friend to come with me, it's usually a lot of fun. Playlists, snacks, laughing, catching up on life, or just sharing life stories and sometimes a game of "Hey Cow".

Here's a quick story you will enjoy:
There was this one time that I ended up going up by myself and I accidentally got pulled over for speeding...and...I had not put my updated registration sticker on my car. oops.
I didn't get a ticket.
Well that SAME night on the way home...I accidentally get pulled over again for speeding. oops.
OH...and it was the SAME cop that pulled me over earlier that night. oops.
His words after looking at my license and my registration sticker that was still out of date from earlier that night: "Did I talk to you yesterday?"
Me: "uh...well...that was actually earlier this evening" *insert cute little grin* "yeah, sorry about that."
I didn't get a ticket. *insert cute little grin*
You better believe that I set my cruise control at the speed limit now and always.
the end.

So once we arrive in College Station we usually eat dinner at Blue Baker, which has amazing pizza.
We sometimes get weird looks.
We definitely look like we are from Austin and even got asked by a Blue Baker employee:
"Are y'all together? cause y'all don't look like you are from here? What are you doing here?"
Makes sense when you look at us with our skinny jeans, tattoos, big beards, white hair, crazy haired selves... and when Cauble is with us...blue pants.
After dinner we make our way over to Reed Arena to set up and sound check. When we arrive there is a crew of guys ready to help carry everything in and help set up. They are amazing!

One thing that I have been so thankful for is the hospitality team. They set up the green room each week and they provide us with treats and drinks and every once in awhile they will throw in some fun things...like a whoopie cushion key chain. Perfect for the band van.
They also ask us each week how they can be praying for us.
They know how to love us well. We are so thankful and we love them back.

We pray together for God to do His thing & for His name to be lifted up.
Then we head out to worship.
*picture from breakaway ministries*

They get after it. So much fun.
*picture from breakaway ministries*

Breakaway usually starts at 9:00pm. By the time we get done and get on the road it's about 11:00-11:30pm. 2 hour drive home. We are old. But it's SO worth it! 
 
This ministry also does a thing called Shalom Project, where they raise money for those in need. This year they wanted to send money to two different organizations that would rescue kids in India and Haiti from human trafficking. 
The goal that they set was $27,000.
In the 4 weeks that they had this project they raised $119,000!!!!!! 
This means that 19 girls in India will be rescued from a life of sex trafficking and 165 children in Haiti will be free from slavery. 
This is HUGE. College students giving up their money, selling their possessions, sacrificing to make a difference. Love. this. You can read more about this here. 

I have met so many amazing people through breakaway. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to lead with Aaron & the boys, and to work with such amazing people at Breakaway Ministries. So blessed & so humbled. God is truly truly GOOD.

If you want some music to listen to you can download our live album that we recorded with the other worship leaders of Breakaway, Jeff & Jourdan Johnson, Jeremy McCasland & Donna Stuart.
Breakaway // Live

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Set Lists: 3/20/11

Here are the set lists from the Austin Stone Community Church on Sunday 3/20/11:

Campus: Austin High School
Worship Leader: Andy Melvin
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
Everything Has Changed - Andy Melvin
Mystery - Charlie Hall
The Stand - Hillsong United

Sermon: "Jacob Have I Loved:And He Will Be Blessed" - Halim Suh

Solid Rock - hymn
Come Thou Fount - hymn
Campus: St. John
Worship Leader: Aaron Ivey
How Marvelous - hymn
One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
Hosanna - Hillsong United
Solid Rock - hymn

Sermon: "Jacob Have I Loved:And He Will Be Blessed" - Halim Suh

Forever Reign - Hillsong
All To Us - Chris Tomlin
A couple of days ago I was sharing some things with a good friend of mine, and was telling him about how I had been in a rough place the last couple of weeks and how I felt like satan was attacking. (FYI...satan is very real) and how it kinda freaked me out. He began reciting Psalm 23 to me, which I'm familiar with, but this time it was different:
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me." 
I will not fear. I don't have to be afraid. HE is with me. 
I haven't been able to stop thinking about Psalm 23.
It's been in my mind and in my heart.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters, 
He refreshes my soul
He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake"
So after having a really rough couple of weeks, I needed a day of just being.
A day of beauty.
A day of nature.
A day of quiet.
My friend Sarah had asked me to go hiking with her.
Perfect.
After a few detours & lots of driving...we ended up at Pedernales Falls State Park. It was absolutely beautiful.
We hiked.
We did some "rock climbing".
We sat and read. Journaled.
But mostly just stopped.

There is something truly beautiful and amazing about sitting in nature and having God's creation all around you crying out His glory because of its beauty. You can't help but worship.
We sat on this rock that was right next to a small waterfall. I loved the sound. To me, it was the sound of quiet waters. It was so peaceful. I laid back on the rock and closed my eyes letting the sound take my mind to places of green pastures.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters, 
He refreshes my soul"
Refreshes indeed.
We hiked and climbed up rocks trying to find our way to another area. Except we weren't sure how to get there. There were bushes and branches cutting up our arms (well...Sarah's arms) and huge rocks & cliffs were preventing us from getting to where we wanted to be.
Finally we came across a path. The path led us to where we needed to be and it led us back out.  A path.
"He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake."
I felt like this day was just what I needed. I love how God kept reminding me of His faithfulness. Showing me His word. Letting me see His goodness. He is beautiful.
Here are some more fun pics I took:




Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Set Lists: 3/13/11

Here are the set lists from the Austin Stone Community Church on Sunday 3/13/11:

Campus: Austin High
Worship Leader: Andy Melvin
All I Need - Andy Melvin
Hosanna - Hillsong United
To Know Your Name - Hillsong

Sermon: "Generational Sin" - Jeff Mangum

From The Inside Out - Hillsong United
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
Campus: St. John
Worship Leader: Austin Jones
You Alone Can Rescue - Matt Redman
Jesus Paid It All - hymn
Stronger - Hillsong
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan

Sermon: "Generational Sin" - Jeff Mangum

From The Inside Out - Hillsong United

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Waiting Here For You

This song has been on repeat for the last two days.
God is moving my heart. 
Brokenness is coming out of me.
Healing is coming in to me.
Worship is coming out of me.
Jesus is coming in to me.

if faith can move the mountains, let the mountains move
we come with expectation, waiting here for You
waiting here for You

You're the Lord of all creation and still You know my heart
the Author of salvation, You've loved us from the start

waiting here for You
with our hands lifted high
in praise
and it's You we adore
singing alleluia

You're everything You've promised, Your faithfulness is true
we are desperate for Your presence, all we need is You

waiting here for You
with our hands lifted high
in praise
and it's You we adore
singing alleluia

singing alleluia

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Music Love: Passion - Here For You

the newest Passion CD came out today. I watched some of the sessions online during the event and was blown away by some of the songs. I'm so excited about finally getting to listen to these songs and have my own worship time at home or in my car!
Favorite songs "Symphony", "Waiting Here For You" & "All My Fountains" .
Get this.
Get it here -- Passion: Here For You

Monday, March 7, 2011

Set Lists: 3/6/11

Here are the set lists from the Austin Stone Community Church on Sunday 3/6/11:

Campus: Austin High
Worship Leader: Aaron Ivey
Stronger - Hillsong
The Stand - Hillsong United
Solid Rock
- hymn (Jeff Johnson arrangement)
Forever Reign
- Hillsong
Sermon: "Jacob I loved, Esau I Hated" - Matt Carter
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
Campus: St. John
Worship Leader: Jimmy McNeal
You Are Worthy - Jon Shirley
A Mighty Fortress - Christy Nockels
You Alone Can Rescue - Matt Redman
How Great Thou Art - hymn (Aaron Ivey arrangement)

Sermon: "Jacob I loved, Esau I Hated" - Matt Carter

How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
Stronger - Hillsong

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Kimyal People: A Little Taste of Heaven

I was reading out of my Bible Doctrine book this morning.
yes.
You heard that right...I was reading and I was reading theology.
I have been reading about the bible and how it is God's word. I've been reading about God and how every person has an inner sense that God exists.  God created us that way. God gives us His word to know more about Him, so that our inner sense of knowing that there is a God grows to knowing Him deeply.
I came across this video from JD Greear's blog and was so moved by this story, especially after processing through all that I'm reading. A church in Indonesia for the first time received the New Testament in their own language. These people are so beautiful.
Watch this:

The Kimyal People Receive the New Testament from UFM Worldwide on Vimeo.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Amazon Deal : The Civil Wars $5

Civil Wars.
Ridiculous voices. Ridiculous harmonies. SO. good.
I will be seeing them at SXSW in a couple weeks. i can't wait!
You can get their album today for $5 on amazon. This will be the best $5 you spend today!!
 $5 - Civil Wars: Barton Hollow


Here is one of my favorite songs lately:

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Music Love: David Ramirez

A local singer/songwriter David Ramirez is having his album release on Saturday March 5th, 8:00pm at the Parish.
I first met David at a friends college graduation party several years ago that we both played at. He is one of the most talented songwriters I know.
Go download his music. You will LOVE it.
Here are a couple of videos:



I gotta give a shout out to my good friend Steven Bush who made the video to "Wandering Man". Check out his website: www.colorblindlife.org