All You've Ever Wanted...

I've always been a musical person, and I love that we can worship God through music.  One of the Christian artists I really enjoy is Casting Crowns, especially their more recent songs.  Since their lead singer, Mark Hall, battled cancer, I find myself really connecting with the songs he writes as I can completely relate to his experience and his calling upon God in his times of need.

One of the areas I really struggle with is staying connected to God when things are going well. In addition to spending time in prayer and in God's Word, I find that music is a great way to reconnect with God when I'm starting to become apathetic in my walk with Him.  It's so easy to stay close to God when we're struggling and crying out to Him, but when things start going well again, I tend to neglect my relationship with Him because I figure I can handle things myself.  The song All You've Ever Wanted really resonates with me. For the past month, I've felt pretty good.  I've had a break from chemo, and I'm starting to feel like myself again, even though the cancer is still there.  I really need to make sure I stay connected to God.  This song calls me back to Jesus.  It reminds me that nothing I can do in my own strength will ever compare with what God has done for me. (Plus as a pianist, I love the piano parts in the song!) .

I just looked up today 
And realized how far away I am from where You are
You gave me life worth dying for
But between the altar and the door
I bought the lies that promised more
And here I go again

Lord, I know I let You down
But somehow, I will make You proud
I'll turn this sinking ship around 
And make it back to You

But all my deeds and my good name
Are just dirty rags that tear and strain
To cover all my guilty stains
That You already washed away

'Cause all You've ever wanted, all You've ever wanted
All You've ever wanted was my heart
Freedom's arms are open, my chains have all been broken
Relentless love has called me from the start
And all You wanted was my heart

I was chasing healing when I'd been made well
I was fighting battles when You'd conquered hell
Living free but from a prison cell
Lord, I lay it down today

So I'll stop living off of how I feel
And start standing on Your truth revealed
Jesus is my strength, my shield
And He will never fail me

No more chains, I've been set free
No more fighting battles You've won for me
Now in Christ, I stand complete

I encourage you to click the link and listen to the song.  If you're walking with Jesus, may it draw you closer to Him.  If you've never given your heart to Jesus, that's all He wants from you.  It doesn't matter what you've done or haven't done.  Draw near to Him; give Him your heart.  You won't regret it!

Held

This is just a song that reminds me of God's presence and strength in difficult times. The melody is lovely, and the words are so poignant.

"Held" by Natalie Grant

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it, let the hatred NUMB our sorrow
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow

(Chorus) ...
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

My Savior My God

Another one of my all-time favourite songs!

My Savior My God by Aaron Shust

It's about 5 minutes long, but worth the listen. Powerful lyrics and I love the music.

East to West

Okay, this is my new favourite song!

East to West - Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I'm drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight

I know You've cast my sins as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as
As though I've never sinned but today
I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus can You show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again
Your truth Is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way

Jesus can You show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I know You've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel
But by the truth Your Word reveals
I'm not holding on to you
But You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far
The East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I've been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
(The arms of your mercy I find rest)
Cause You know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other (x2)

(Just how far, the East is from the West) (x3)

From one scarred hand to the other

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Time for another song! This is one of my favourites.

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Music Speaks

I'm finding myself listening to lots of Christian music lately and really thinking about the words.

Shelley had a link today to a great song (Word of God Speak).

Here are a few more:

I Can Only Imagine

How Great is Our God

The Potter's Hand

These songs speak so beautifully of God's love and plan for us.

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever - Martin Smith

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Spirit set me free.

I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing of
When Your love came down.

I could sing of Your love forever.
I could sing of Your love forever.
I could sing of Your love forever.
I could sing of Your love forever.

Oh I feel like dancing
It's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy
Like we're dancing now.

I absolutely love this song. I was playing it on the piano today, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I started singing it with Noah, and tears came to my eyes as I worshiped God. It's amazing how music can unleash something in us. I can always feel the Spirit moving in me when I sing a worship song to the Lord from my heart.