Gab-fest: Day 31

Today is the last day of Gabfest...I can't even believe that October has gone so quickly. Today is also Halloween. What am I doing on Halloween? Working of course. Today's my first official day in the full time position at work.

Mikeschair is becoming a bigger artist as time goes on. I originally posted their song "Someone Worth Dying For" and it is one that has helped sooth my insecurities more times then I can count. This song is about the pull that God has on us and how He's pulling us into His heart.

This next song is one by Natalie Grant. I used her song "The Real Me". In that song she is praying to God, she's telling Him that she's tired of the games and that she knows that He is the only one who sees the person she is supposed to be. This next song is another one by her, explaining how there is no place like home.

Gab-Fest: Day 30

Two days left! TWO! Can you believe it? I sure can't.

This song I dedicated to my best friend and accountability partner. Michael W. Smith captures the sense of friendship in his song "I Will Be Your Friend".  Today, I'm posting one of the songs I grew up on and loved.

The song I posted by David Crowder band was "How He Loves". It is all about God's love and how vast it is for us. The song I am posting today never fails to remind me that He is the only one who can help us. He is our remedy for life's situations.

Gab-Fest: Day 29

Three days left. We're continuing on our journey of revisiting artists from previous posts. I hope you've been enjoying it so far.

This artist is one of three that I posted about in my dedication post to my husband. Mark Shultz song "Walking Her Home" is about a couple dating who fall in love and are together until the day she leaves this world. This song is one that I think that touches a lot of people who know someone who's gone to war, whether family, or friend.

Kari Jobe's song that I posted earlier this week "My Beloved". This song is one that I loved the instant I heard it. The song I'm posting by her today is a popular one, but I think that this is one that helps us realize how powerful God actually is.

Feedback Please....

I need your help. I've got a topic that I want to discuss. In our society labels have become the way to relate to people. So often in our minds, actions and words we label people.

 My question for you is this:

What label(s) has society (or yourself) put, or tried to make you wear throughout your life so far?

After you answer that question, if you'd be so kind to answer just a couple more questions for me.

1. How does it make you feel when someone labels you?

2. Is it easy to buy into these labels? Why or why not?

3. What helps you to look past those labels?

Thank you all for your imput. :) You can either comment at the bottom of this post, or you can e-mail me at godsbeloved110@yahoo.com.

Blessings on your weekend friends.

Gab-fest: Day 28

Four more days left in gab-fest. We're continuing to go back and revisit songs from artists I've posted from earlier this month. I'll link back to the previous post as well.

This group is my dad's absolute favorite band. I posted their song "When God Ran" earlier this month, it re-told the story of the prodigal son from the bible. This song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean talks all about how amazing His grace is.

Gab-Fest: Day 27

We have 5 days of Gab-fest left. I am going to go back and revisit some of the artists that I posted earlier. Many of them have some other songs that might not be as well known, and I thought it'd be cool to go back to visit them again. (Some of these posts may have 2-3 songs, but hey! Who said I have to only post one song a day.)

This first song is going to be by Audrey Assad. The first song "Show Me" was about teaching us how to die to ourselves in order that we might live more effectively for Him. This song is asking Him to step in and build us into the person that He wants us to be. To use us as a stone in His house.

The next group has been around for a while. I posted their song "Where I Belong" just a couple days ago. This song is one the reached the depths of me when I was in middle school. This is a GREAT song for those days when you feel like you're all alone and no one understands.

Gab-fest: Day 26

This song never fails to remind me of a few of the things that the cross really means to us.

My Favorite Verses:

My sinful soul could only be

Redeemed by the blood of a sinless King

So You came to the world that You had made

Conquered sin on the cross and You rose from the grave

Gab-fest: Day 25

This song is another one that's been playing on the radio lately. It's one that reminds us that this place is not our home. That there is something better when this life is over.

Gab-fest is almost over folks. It's been enjoyable, but I cannot wait to get back to my regular posts as well. I hope you'll continue to join me after this is done. 

Gab-fest: Day 24

Today's song is one I've been hearing on the radio quite a bit. I absolutely LOVE the concept of this song. I hope you enjoy it as well.

My Favorite Part:

He chose to take the cross

shed tears for the lost
The broken and the needy

forgiving those who were and will be

I love this explanation...He CHOSE the cross. Christ didn't have to die, but he chose to die for us. To heal us. To forgive us.

Gab-fest: Day 23

Today's post is scheduled. :) That way I didn't have to worry about it in the long span of time. Yesterday at work, I got some good news. A full-time position came open and it was mine if I wanted it. So I took it. While I don't  care much for second shift, it will actually work well with the schedule of my household schedule. My husband and my schedules will only be a couple of hours away from each others. (He generally works 10:30a-7p and I'll be working 1p-9p) I cannot be more excited.

Any hoo...on to the topic at hand. :) Gab-fest. While it may be winding down, I am not running out of steam (or songs come to that.

This song is one that my sister and I LOVED growing up. It's a song that instills the story of Christ in a fun and creative way.

Gab-fest: Day 22

Posting Late today. I forgot to pre-schedule this post. :) oops.

The end of October is getting close. We're going to keep pressing on with the last few days of gab-fest. I have So many songs in mind still left to post. So let's get to it.

Today's song is one that I think each and every one of us can relate to at one time or another. I love this song because of the fact that it gives us the slightest glimpse into God's response when we turn toward Him instead of away from Him.

My Favorite Verse:

I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day

Gab-fest: Day 21

Day 21 out of 31 of the gabfest taking place with 700 other writers.

Today's song is about allowing God to cleanse us from our human struggles. This is the version that Kutless did. It was originally done by Petra. I hope you enjoy.

My Favorite Verse:

Pass me by the crowds of people
The priests who sing Your praise
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness
And it's only found one place

Gab-fest: Day 20

Today is day 20 of 31. We're 2/3 the way through the month and in the final stretch.

This is a song I've known for a while. It never fails to help me when I'm feeling down. I grew up with Rich Mullins songs. This one was by far my favorite though.

My Favorite Verses:

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees

Gab-fest: Day 19

Today's song I just heard for the first time. I've always loved Kari Jobe. I've found that, for me, the songs that tend to hit home the hardest are when the lyrics are written from God's perspective. It's like a love letter just for me. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I did.

My Favorite Part:

You're My Beloved

You're My Bride

To sing over you is my delight

Come away with Me My love

Gab-Fest: Day 18

Two-Thirds the way through gab-fest now. I can hardly believe I've been able to keep up!!! 

The song for today is one I heard twice yesterday when driving...Both times I was reminded of His greatness compared to my smallness. I hope you enjoy this song.

Key Lyrics for me:

You are joy, You are joy 

You're the reason that I sing

You are life, You are life, 

In You death has lost its sting

Gab-Fest: Day 17

This is day 17 of Gab-fest. I actually compiled this post yesterday because I was reminded of a song at church that I absolutely love. I wanted to put it into a day before I forgot about it. So between gathering with our church family and going to work, I put this together.

You'll also notice in the weeks and months to come, that if I do post on Mondays, it will be a scheduled post. I discovered today that with working weekends, I need to take a day as my Sabbath, a day to escape and relax the craziness of the everyday life.

Key Lyrics for me:
My dept is paid
Theres nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love

I hope you enjoy this song, and allow it to challenge you to take some time to think about these lyrics.

Maybe you're at a point in your life where it seems like everything isn't only helpless, but hopeless as well. Please let these words sink in. Allow the truth that His love will NEVER give up. God's love will NEVER fail. Not just that, but that it will NEVER run dry.

Want to know more about what that means? Please don't hesitate to ask.

Gab-fest: Day 16

This worship song, brings me to tears almost every time I hear it. 

Key Verse For Me:

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way 

Gab-fest: Day 15

Day 15 is going to start a new trend for the next few days. I'm going to cover some of my favorite worship songs. :) This first one is related to yesterday's post. I first heard this song at a retreat in high school. It has stuck in my mind ever since.

I hope you enjoy!

Key Verse for Me:

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again 

Gab-fest: Day 14

Have you ever wondered what a mentor relationship looks like in real life? Read my story on what it has looked like for the past several years.

Back to Gab-fest. I'm in the middle of 31 days of writing with over seven HUNDRED other writers. Join us here.

Today's song, kind of describes the journey that I took with the woman who mentored me. This one is one of the rare secular songs that I'm using throughout this journey. 

Looking back, think of the one person who helped you climb up the mountains you've faced in your life? If so, I want to encourage you to say thanks. 

Gab-fest: Day 13

Linking up with over 700 other bloggers. Join us here. :)

Okay, so the other day, I took a "spiritual giftings" test. I came back with Showing Mercy as my top gift. While I had many others that came close, this one stuck out more than the rest of them. Knowing this information puts in perspective exactly why this song hit me extremely hard when I heard it.

NEW: For the remainder of this series I am going to put the lyrics that hit me the most in the song presented below for you to read.

Living for the lost
Loving 'til it hurts
No matter what the cost
Like You loved me first
That's the motion of mercy
God give me strength to give something for nothing
I wanna be a glimpse of the Kingdom that's coming soon

Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If so, have you found any songs that fit right in with it and challenge you to give that gift all you have?





Gab-Fest: Day 12

Linking up with over 700 bloggers. Feel free to jump in and join us! Go here to read more about it.

Today's song has been one that meant so much to me. As I've worked through a lot of my childhood, I have a lot of scars, but that doesn't mean that it's healed.

Interesting that this song is the one that pops up today. I just had a conversation with someone about one of the situations that caused some of the scars in our lives. While mine might be more healed then hers, I believe that both of ours will be completely healed someday.

Gab-fest: Day 11

Today is day eleven of thirty-one in the October Gab-Fest. Thirty-one days of writing, on a topic of my choice.

Continuing on in the series of songs that either show me God's love for me in a new light, or ones that challenge me every time I hear them.

Have you ever experienced feelings like the ones portrayed in this song? I know that I sure have.

Blessings friends

Gab fest: Day 10

In the middle of the October gab-fest. Linking up with over 700 other writers. Check it out here.

This song is a recent release. The first time I heard it, I had tears running down my eyes. In my struggle with insecurity, this song helps remind me that I am valued, treasured, chosen, and loved. I hope you enjoy it:

What songs help remind you of what you mean to God?

Gab-fest: Day 9

Linking up with other writers doing a 31 day challenge.

This post kicks me in the behind every time I hear it. Keep in mind, this is God talking to us:

This song always challenges me to dig deeper into God's word and into His presence.

Gab-fest: Day 8

I'm linking up with Emily and 800 other writers again for the 31 days challenge.

The next few days, I'm going to be focusing in on the songs that really put God's love for me into perspective.

This song made me realize that we don't have to wear masks. God sees our heart and He loves us just the same. Hope this is as inspiring for you as it is for me.

Gab-fest: Day 7

For those who normally follow me, you're probably expecting 5 minute Friday. I might participate later today, if not, check back next month, I'll be back to my normal "Thirsty Thursdays" and "5 Minute Friday". This month, I'm linking up with about 750 other bloggers in a gabfest. 31 days to write on anything your hearts desire. My topic music.

Today wraps up dedication week. I thought it appropriate to dedicate today to the One who made life possible. So, in honor of the God I serve, I'm choosing the song that I rededicated my life to several years ago. I hope you enjoy.

If you don't know this God person I speak of, or what I mean by rededicating my life to Him, please feel free to ask! I would love to share.

Gab-fest Day 6

Linking up again for the 31 days of blogging with several other blogs. If you want to check out the list of bloggers, you can go here.

Today is another fitting date. Not because of what has happened, but because of what will happen. A year from today, I will be blessed enough to see the union of two friends. One I have known for a long time, the other less than a year, but both are like family to me. This goes out to them.

Gab-fest Day 5: Music

Continuing along with the 31 days of blogging in October. I'm linking up with other writers as we challenge ourselves and encourage others to continue on this path.

Today's dedication song is probably the hardest one for me to decide on. You see, six years ago (today!!) I started dating my best friend. It was my first relationship, and the same for him. Little did I know that 3 years later we'd be engaged, and a year and a half after that, we'd be married. 

So as I'm scrolling through the songs that I want to dedicate to my husband, there are like 3-4 that came to mind. All described us at a different point in our relationship. So today, I'm not going to post just one song, I'm going to post each of the songs that came to mind.

So here it goes:

This song, is one that he dedicated me and still, when I hear it, I think of him:

The next is a song that came out while we were dating. When I heard it, I dedicated it to him:

This song was one we danced to at prom, and then again at our wedding:

This song has been the most recent one that came out. I wrote another blog on it, you are more than welcome to read it here:

I hope you enjoyed these songs today. :) 

Gab-fest day 4

Rita Springer: Worth It All:

If you've been following along this is still my week of songs with dedication. This one is for my mom. I'm hoping this song will be a reminder that everything she's been through has a purpose. It's a beautiful song and helped inspire me in high school. I hope you all enjoy!

Day 3: Music Gabfest

So, yesterday my song was dedicated to my dad. Today, it's going to be dedicated to someone else close to me. As will the rest of the posts for this week (til Friday).

Today is to my younger sister. She's my best friend and we have been through Oh so much. Today's isn't a Christian song, but it is a song that reminds me of her every time I hear it and she knows it's my song for her. I hope it encourages her as much as it inspires me to think of her.

So this one's for you sis!

31 Days of Music: Day 2

If I had to pick one song (yes one song) that started my love of songs and helped me to see how they nourished and healed my soul, it would be this one.

When I was a kid, my family went through a rough time, and my dad left the house for a while. I can remember playing this song on loop because it was a song my dad played for me and told me that if I ever missed him, all I had to do was listen to this song to be reminded that he missed me too. So on those nights that I missed being able to sit on his lap, and watch TV or read books, or just talk (which was daily), I would play this song.

On the day I got married, I couldn't think of a better song to walk down the aisle to. It was a surprise to my dad. This is for you Daddy!

Gab-Fest: Music Videos

Show me: Audrey Assad

I absolutely LOVE this song. I bought the album for the song Restless, and ended up falling in love with the entire album. This song though, was by far my favorite.

The way she captures what our very goal should be as a Christian: to learn what it means to die through Christ, despite how many of our bones were broken. Almost every time I listen to this song it brings tears to my eyes.

Hope you enjoy it.