All My Fountains

Chris Tomlin "All My Fountains"

This dry and desert land

I tell myself, “Keep walking on”

Hear something up ahead

Water falling like a song

An everlasting stream

Your river carries me home

Let it flow, let it flow

A flood for my soul

A well that never will run dry

I’ve rambled on my own

Never believing I would find

An everlasting stream

Your river carries me home

Let it flow, let it flow

Open the heavens

Come Living Water

All my fountains are in You

You’re strong like a river

Your love is running through

All my fountains are in You

Come on and rain down on us

Rain down on us, Lord

Seek Me With All Your Heart

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11. Raise your hand if you've heard this in at least 2 out of every 3 graduation speeches you've listened to...yep, right there with you! In fact, I'm guilty for using it in my own speech at graduation in high school. It sounds overused but in reality, it's a reminder we should be praying through daily. When we're scared of the future, trying to make a big decision, unsure of what job to take or city to move to. It brings this verse back into reality. Choosing to pray through our futures and plans enables us to hand over the decision to the Lord, taking the pressure completely off! All we have to do is yield our decision to Him, knowing He will prosper us, not harm us. He wants to give us a beautiful, prosperous future. That doesn't mean life will be easy and worry free, but we will be walking in His will. Life is much better when we allow Him to direct our path.

We usually stop at verse 11, but I love the following verses: "'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:12-14a. When we seek Him with everything we are, everything we have, we will find Him. Beautiful passage! I think many times we're wrapped up in ourselves, so much so that our prayers and desires are half-hearted. We "seek" Him at our leisure or convenience, only when we've tried everything else. We think we have all the answers, but in reality we've just prolonged the path to get to Him. We've taken the scenic route, full of potholes, flat tires, wrong turns down dark alleys, and breakdowns. He's provided us the best path, we must choose to accept it. Trust Him to guide and direct your future!

And Life Flows From God

Charlie Hall "You Are God"



Where the Burdened Find Peace

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Matthew 11:28-30 "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"

What beautiful, comforting words. I have this scripture embeded in my heart and it even displays on my phone background when my phone is locked. I find myself repeating it over and over, especially when I'm dealing with a lot of stress and heartache. Only Christ can take on our burdens and provide true peace. It amazes me that He loves me enough to take on all the stress, fear, and hurt in my life. The ultimate demonstration of His love came on the cross, but He reminds us everyday that His love is unconditional and never-ending. His blood has already erased all my past, present, and future transgressions, but He also picks me up in the depths of heartache and takes on my burdens. In Christ alone, my hope is found. I can't imagine living a day in this life without Him.

Hiding Under the Covers

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you just can seem to catch a break? Who am I kidding...everyone has those moments. Sometimes, those moments turn into days, weeks, or months. Life is difficult enough each day without the added pressure to live joyously through all circumstances. This is one of the hardest concepts for me to live out in my life: to rejoice in my hardships. I don't want to rejoice! I want to curl up under my covers and hide. I want to escape and hope the hardship will disappear. One of my favorite quotes came from an evangelist a few years ago: "Stop telling God how big is your storm; start telling your storm how big is your God!" Wow. The only reason hardships become unbearable is because we lose sight of the only one who can help us through. Storms aren't meant to crush us, but to teach us and grow us. We must face our hardships and find the lesson we are meant to learn. His grace is sufficient! Man, I needed this truth today!

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Casting Crowns "Praise You In This Storm"

Shane & Shane "Your Grace is Sufficient"

Wake On Up From Your Slumber, Baby Open Up Your Eyes

I am definitely a creature of repitition. When I find a song that I like, I tend to listen to it over and over and over and over and...well you get the picture. Every morning I bust out the iPod when getting ready. It may not speed up the getting-ready process, but it does put me in a good mood. I love listening to worship songs. It's amazing how a song can exclaim the many words of praise I'm unable to express in my own words. I serve a beautiful, forgiving, and merciful God! This is the best way to start the day!

Needtobreathe is one of my absolute favorite bands. They openly share the love of Christ through their music. They have been featured on many soundtracks and were handpicked to open for Taylor Swift on her "Speak Now" tour. God works in amazing ways. He's opened the door for Needtobreathe to share the love of Christ to new audiences and people who need a Savior. "Slumber" is their new single off their upcoming album to be released in September. Definitely check it out. It's been getting some serious playing time on my iPod lately!

The Focus of His Love

“Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love…It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” Ephesians 1: 4, 11-12 (The Message).

It’s so awesome that out of all God created He chose us as the focus of His love! I think sometimes we think we were created because God needed us to do His work. It gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment. The truth His he didn’t need us for anything. He chooses to use us so that we may bring Him honor and glory. That’s it. His work has nothing to do with us. He’s Almighty God! What makes us think He decided: “This is too much to handle. I need to create people so they can take over and give me break! I need them to do my work because I can’t handle it.” To put it in those words sounds foolish and ridiculous, but that’s exactly what we’re saying when we believe we are needed by Him. He uses as to accomplish His work but it is not why we are here on this earth. Feeling needed leads to pride, and as we know pride is what leads to our downfall. Just ask King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16). May we always know and trust that we are given the privilege and great responsibility to carry out the work of the Lord because He loves us, not because He needs us.

Here’s one of my favorite worship songs by Shane and Shane. Enjoy!

With Freedom Comes Responsibility

Galatians 5:13-15 “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just to make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”

Freedom comes with responsibility. Christ gives us the freedom to live in this world but we are called to live in the world but not be of the world. He allows us to make choices but we must reap the consequences of those choices.

One More For Jesus!

I got to spend some quality time with my family this weekend in Salem and St. Louis. We had the awesome privilege of celebrating Josiah’s baptism at church on Sunday! What a great reason to celebrate! I’m such a proud aunt! I am truly blessed to have two incredibly handsome, fun, and high-energy nephews who call me Aunt Rachie. (they’re the only people allowed to call me Rachie!) It’s been great having my family closer and getting more time to spend with them.

You Are All I'm After

"'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:12-14.

"You Are All I'm After"
Coffey Anderson

We will shout from all the rooftops
We will sing from the highest hills
Come along and join with heaven
Let the redeemed of the Lord be filled

Unfathom, untamed, unbridled, oh unrestrained
You are the hope that fills my soul
You are all I'm after
You are all I'm after yeah

Your love is deeper than the ocean
Your blood is stronger than my sin
You grace is bigger than my failure
You are all I'm after
You are all I'm after

We are strong by the joy of the Lord
Free to dance from the love within
Taking a hold onto your promise
More than conquerers to Him

Unfathom, untamed, unbridled, unrestrained
You are the hope that fills my soul
You are all I'm after
You are all I'm after

Your love is deeper than the ocean
Your blood is stronger than my sin
You grace is bigger than my failure
You are all I'm after
You are all I'm after

Your love is deeper than the ocean
Your blood is stronger than my sin
You grace is bigger than my failure
You are all I'm after
You are all I'm after

Nothing I Could Do Would Make Him Love Me Less

The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is one of my favorites. A father had two sons. His younger son came to him one day and asked for his inheritance. The father agreed and his younger son left to live life on his own. The younger son wasted everything that was given to him. In order to survive, he took a job feeding pigs on a farm. Desperate from starvation, he came to his senses and decided to return to his father and beg for forgiveness. He rehearsed his plea and was determined to ask his father for a job so that he could return and be forgiven.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to his servants, 'Quick! Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here - given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!'" Luke 15:20-24 (The Message)

This story is the story of how many of us live our lives. We strive to achieve our own dreams and desires. We squander our inheritance and are often left for dead. But the love of Christ is unconditional, never ceasing or diminishing. He never leaves us; we choose to leave Him. We are given freedom in Christ to make decisions, and when they don't work out, He's right there waiting to embrace us and welcome us home. He rejoices when his wandering child returns to Him. Nothing I could ever do would make Him love me less. He desires a relationship with us that is forgiving and full of grace. It's never too late to turn back to the One who gave His life to save us from our own demise!

Conviction Makes the Heart Grow...Stronger?

Conviction is a word thats...well...painful. Conviction isn't fun or joyful, it's tough and gut-wrenching but is necessary for believers to grow in Christ. Monday night I was overwhelmed and completely convicted about a certain area in my life...what I watch on tv and in movies. It's funny how one harmless night watching a supposed "comedy" brings about such conviction in my life. Christ calls us to be set apart, to be in the world but not of the world. 1 John 2:15 says "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity" (The Message).

Immediately Christ put Philippians 4:8 on my heart as well: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." It's sad how our society has evolved into one of tolerance for all things ungodly. There are very few movies that don't use crude language or explicit sex scenes. Television is just as bad. I don't want my nephews to watch or hear these things, so why would I ever allow myself to do the same?

We are called to be set apart, to be an example. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Praise be to God for His unfailing love that doesn't grow weary or diminish despite my faults and failures. His love is the only perfect love that can bring about change in this world. May my convictions bring about change in me that others might see and come to know my Savior!!!

And the Records Keep Spinning…

There are days where I feel like the jukebox inside my head is stuck and spinning the same record. Some days it’s enjoyable. Others, not so much, especially when it’s Willow Smith’s “Whip My Hair”. I’m sure you’re glad you weren’t around me those few days! Don’t blame me, blame the catchiness of a song sung by a 9 year old. As of late the song on repeat has been “Forever Reign”. I love this song and the message it conveys:

You are good, you are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, you are love
On display for all to see
You are light, you are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, you are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, you are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, you are true
Even in my wondering
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

Chorus:
Oh, I'm running to your arms
I'm running to your arms
The riches of your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, you are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, you are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, you are here
In your presence I'm made whole
You are God, you are God
Of all else I'm letting go

My heart will sing no other name
Jesus, Jesus
My heart will sing no other name
Jesus, Jesus

Ephesians 3:17-19 says: "And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God" (The Message). The New Living Translation says: "Then Christ will make His hom in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

The love of Christ is all we need. We spend much of our lives working to provide ourselves with things to satisfy our temporary desires. We long to be “happy”. My boss and I had a great conversation a few weeks ago about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion dependent on our circumstances. Joy is dependent on our emotional well-being. “Happiness may warm us, but it is joy that creates the fierce heat of emotion that takes our breath away” (Alive, 2003) (See the article “Joy and Happiness: The Same or Very Different Emotions?” here).  What an awesome way to describe joy!  Happiness is temporary but joy is difficult to diminish. When you look at the difference between the two, you realize that relationships bring about a great deal of joy. I’m blessed to have so many great people in my life who bring me joy, but none compare to the joy I have in my relationship with Christ. His love is unconditional and never ceasing. Christ’s love looks past our failures and fears. Nothing I could do would make Him love me less. May my heart only sing the name of Jesus forever! May my joy be complete in Him so that through Him I may bless others!

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:1-4

Always on Replay...

Do you ever have one of those days where you can't get a song out of your head? No matter what you do, it’s there. You find yourself thinking about it, singing it in your head. The next thing you know you’re humming it, maybe mumbling a few words. Then…bam! You’re singing it out loud. It seems like I always have some type of song replaying in my head most days. God has been doing a mighty work in my life these past few weeks. He’s put certain songs on my heart at certain times throughout the week. Some have been when I’m walking outside in the rain. Others have been while sitting at my desk at work. Each day He finds a way to remind me of his grace and love.

Sunday was Easter. My family and I celebrated the resurrection of Christ with the church family at First Baptist Church Harvester in St. Charles where my brother-in-law serves as the Community Pastor. It takes a little over 2 hours to get there. My parents and I drove up Sunday morning, early. I was so exhausted but still managed to get us there! On the way, I was struggling to find a radio station to listen to. That morning I woke up singing “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher. It was on repeat in my head and on my heart all morning. I was singing it to myself during the drive until we got to Eureka. I turned to yet another radio station and this song immediately started playing! I didn’t hesitate to start singing out loud:

"'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-56.

Because of Christ's sacrifice, hell was defeated so that those who trust in Christ may have eternal life. Praise be to God!!!