“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! 
Declare His deeds among the people” 
(Psalm 9:11, NKJV).

I LOVE music and I believe God does too, after-all, look at how He has gifted these artists. God uses many songs to S.P.E.A.K. to me; I've been convicted, broken and encouraged through songs I have heard at just the right time. Here are some of my favorites. 

This song has been in my head through the nights and in the early mornings as I awake. I think the Lord is using it as a reminder that it is He, Jesus, Who makes the darkness tremble. It is the name of Jesus that cannot be overcome. Whatever your battle is today - remember this song. Get it in you. Deep. 

What's one of your favorite Christmas songs? Pentatonix does a wonderful job with one of mine, Little Drummer Boy. Enjoy the season of Jesus!

This. Yes, THIS! I just heard this song for the first time today and it really spoke to me. Check it out and tell me if you don't begin to sense bravery rising up in you! Who doesn't want to be, " Brave, I'll fight like a soldier, Brave, Rise like a warrior, Brave, Won't stop till the final day, Brave, I want to be stronger, Brave, Gonna be bolder, Brave, Look up and I see the way, You make me brave." 

Oh my. A dear friend sent me a text the other day and asked if I had heard this song yet (I hadn't) and they said, "Be ready to be moved in tears and joy!" So, get ready to be moved. What a beautiful song of praise. "If You gave Your life to love them, so will I." Wow. 

He is faithful - even when it feels like life has kicked you in the gut. 

This song really spoke to me this morning. I hope it speaks to you, as well. 

I really want His praise to ever be on my lips. How about you? 

"Hear the Word, roaring as thunder; With a new, future to tell. For the dry, season is over; There is a cloud, beginning to swell. To the skies, heavy with blessing, Lift your eyes, offer your heart. Jesus Christ, opened the heavens; Now we receive, the Spirit of God. We receive Your rain, We receive Your rain." - Elevation Worship, There Is A Cloud

This song was added to my devotional time playlist last week. "When He speaks, when He moves, When He comes in the room and does what only He can do - it changes us. It changes everything." Spend some quiet time with Him.  

Have you heard this song by Jasmine Murray? I love listening to it when I feel as though fear is trying to sneak back in. I often struggle with the thought I am not good enough and I will never measure up. Isn't it something how people can make us feel that way? Well, let this song help you defeat that spirit of fear!

"Pour it out, Lord. Let your love run over. Let Your glory fill this house." May this be our hearts cry and the prayer of the church. 

Our church recently began singing this song, Champion, and let me tell you, it's powerful. But, yesterday, on Easter Sunday...wow. It was like a powerhouse of movement in the atmosphere. So amazing. 

 I heard Hillary Scott explain she wrote this song based on her favorite Bible story in Exodus 14. The Israelites have left Egypt and now they find themselves trapped between the Red Sea and a mad army of Egyptians. Then, "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV). I wonder how many crisis' I could have spared myself from if I had simply been, "Still."

My friend, Grace, posted this song to FaceBook one day for me to listen to. Wow. What a song, huh? God is able and God can but sometimes He doesn't. In those days, when the answer is no, we can still hold on to the promise that God is Good. And our hope is in Him alone. Only Him. 

I heard this song this morning, for the first time, while I was in the midst of feeling as though I was falling apart...it was a perfect reminder for me of Who holds it all together. 

I heard this song for the first time while driving to Virginia and was moved incredibly by it. In the midst of grief and pain it may seem impossible to speak these four words, "They will be done" yet Jesus spoke them while agonizing over what He knew He was about to endure. If you are in a time of pain and sorrow, please listen to this song. 

When I find myself asking God for His blessings more than anything else during my prayer time, this song plays in my head. That's when I know He is reminding me how great surrender is. Really. Are we willing to surrender to know Him more? 

I think we all, if we are honest, can say we need greater faith to believe God is Good and able to be trusted with our lives. Surrender. My flesh may fail, and I may be weak, but God never will. 

I get excited when this song begins to play while I am walking on the treadmill. It has the ability to make me run, dance and rejoice. Love it!! Let's go down to the river and be changed!

I had never heard of the group, Stars Go Dim until I heard this song on Pandora. I was in the middle of a walk and praying about how I was "feeling" about a few things and then this song began to blast in my ears. Oh. What great timing God has! ;)

"I'm running to the One Who knows me; Who made every part of me in His hands. I'm holding to the One Who holds me; cause I know Whose I am, I know Who I am. I am sure I am Yours." Love this song and reminder of Who made US so perfectly! ;)

Goodness. I was out for a walk and this song began to play in my ears. I began to pick up my pace...and before I knew it, I was nearly dancing on the road. Wow!! If you are lost, if you are a prodigal, let the gates of glory open wide!

These words got me this morning when I heard this song, At the Cross. "Where Your blood ran red and my sin washed white." Wow. The blood of Jesus ran red down that cross so our sin could be washed white. Amazing Grace. 

I was sitting in line at the dump when this song came on the radio; it's not a new song, in fact, I've  heard it many times before, but it spoke to me deeply. It was as though my ears were opened to it in a new way. I share this today with you ..no matter the bumps or the bruises & the scars..the cross has made you flawless. Give it a listen and hold on to this truth.

We sang this song in church during worship last Sunday and it hasn't left me. During the last few nights I have awakened to this in my mind..."On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. The Rock won't move, no the Rock won't move. When darkness seems to hide His face I rest on His unchanging grace." Remember, the Rock won't move and His Word is strong and His love can't be undone.

Sometimes we can't grasp the depth of pain our actions cause those who love us most. When I heard this song I was struck by the humility and honesty of the words. It might be easier to point the finger of blame but God is waiting for us to come to the place of surrender. Completly surrendered. 

We sang this at church the other night with such power and conviction I really thought I could hear the chains falling. 

I rediscovered this song yesterday and didn't realize the impact it would have on my heart. It is perfect for where I am today. 

Not every parent has the ability to write a song for their children, .but I loved this song when I first heard it. I have always hoped that my kids would know and believe that they have always been enough. Pat and I have considered it a privilege and  honor to raise three of the best human beings this world has to offer. We love them from the deepest parts of our hearts. We pray they know God's love goes deeper. 

I don't know if you have heard Mercy Me's new song yet called Shake...but here it is if you haven't. I think this could be the start of something great. A revolution of people who "shake like their changed." love it! Crank up the speakers and get ready to dance. :)

My friend, Pastor Don, shared this song with me. It is a beautiful song of prayer and worship.

Today as I was driving, I was praying for one of my sweetest friends. Who am I kidding? She is, to everyone who knows her, their sweetest friend. She is a remarkable woman, who is going through a very painful test. Just yesterday she told me how hard it was to sleep. As I was praying for her, I heard the line from this song; "what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know Your near" and I thought of her. And I prayed that God would meet her every single night, as she lays awake and she would sense His nearness. I don't know what your test it, but I pray the same for you. Blessings may not always come wrapped up the way we want them, or expect them. I pray out of the difficult circumstances you are able to see God's blessings.

I had the privilege of hearing her testimony at a Woman of Faith Conference in the Spring.  A very dear friend of mine grew up hearing the same words Amy did. "If you would only lose a few pounds, you would be so pretty." It's not just weight we are struggling with...broken marriages, broken hearts,  and broken dreams make us feel defeated in so many ways. We must turn our eyes upon Christ and look to Him. 

It never ceases to amaze me that, at just the right time, God allows my ears to open to a song playing on the radio which speaks to the very need of my heart. I have heard the song, "He is With Us" by Love & the Outcome before, but today, I knew that He was making a statement. "Don't lose hope. I AM with you." Thank you for those sweet moments, Lord. 

I don't know anyone who hasn't gone through a time of waiting. We wait for our marriages to be healed. We wait for friendships to reconcile. We wait for Doctor reports, job opportunities, and prayers to be answered. There is a lot of  waiting in life. Not too long ago, I spent a year waiting. I sat alone, with the Lord seeking Him for answers, and playing this song over and over. I don't know what you may be waiting for...but while you wait, worship.

For too many years I tried to make my wants be God's Will. I finally came to the realization that even if it hurts, the best place to be is in the center of His will for my life. If you are trying to figure things out...ask Him to help you find the road for you to walk. 

We sang this song in worship at church this morning. I thought it was GREAT because today was the day I would be posting about Love on Facebook. There is no possible love like the Love of Christ. Do you love Him with all that you are because He loves you with ALL that He has! Love has a Name..Jesus.

When I listen to this song the last 30+ years of my life flash through my thoughts. Pat and I as high school sweethearts, the early years of marriage and three beautiful kids. School events and all that drama teens bring to the home and then college and marriage. Now we even have the title of grandparents.  Our life together has been beautiful and I know and appreciate how blessed we are. I would not change one bit of it.  Every life is beautiful.  

I first heard this song right after the Oklahoma tornado destroyed Moore, OK and I thought about God's timing.  While we may never find ourselves in the middle of  a category 5 tornado, we all find ourselves tossed by the hurricane's of life. Remember, you're never out of reach and He will find you in the hurricane. 

I just put this song on my ipad  and play it all the time! I love the heart of this song.

This song really spoke to my heart when my mother-in-law was in Cleveland Clinic following heart surgery. We were desperate for God to allow her to stay with us, but, He called her home. When it is hard to understand His ways, we need to remember Who He is and His ways are greater.

"And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

I heard this song shortly after a friend revealed that her husband was seeking a divorce. I never saw that one coming, honestly, and my heart aches for his family. After I heard this song I realized that I had been singing; "He won't give you more than you can take and He might let you bend, but He won't let you break" all day long. What  GREAT promises we have within the scriptures that we might bend, but when we hold on to Him...we don't have to break.

Many times we refuse to overlook offenses, or forgive someone because we feel like we are excusing what happened. If God can go to the cross and say, "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing" - should we not be able to say the same?

I just heard this song on Pandora and loved it. I had to share it. One more song with the title "Amazed".... Lord I'm amazed by You.

I heard this song around Easter this year. Wow. I love the questions that she asks..."Who but You?" "What kind of love?" "What kind of King?" and then the answer..."You"....."Look what mercy has overcome, death has lost and love has won." He is ALIVE. Thank you Jesus for Your love!

I am always amazed by God and I love this song!

Psalm 107:2 says this: " Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy." What breathtaking joy there is in knowing that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

I heard this song about a year ago when I needed Jesus to refresh me and heal some broken areas in my life. It still touches me and I sing it loud and straight from my heart. No matter what you are going through- you can trust the Lord, even though it seems like a hard thing to do. You can also go to youtube and listen to Heather's story behind the song. Very moving.

This past week I heard this song, saw the video on youtube about Kony and heard Natalie Grant share about her ministry and passion on human trafficking. We've got to rise up and open our eyes up. I am praying that the Lord will reveal my part!

One of my  favorite songs from Building 429; "Where I belong." Enjoy!

This song fits my book perfectly! We are NOT who we think we are when we forget to view ourselves by what God says about us in His Word!!