Thoughts to fingers, for all the world to see..

Posts for Tag: Music

My ridiculously talented neighbors.

I've developed  a new hobby.

And I love it.

No, it's not a hobby for fishing. It's not a hobby involving playing a game. It's not a hobby for stalking celebrities.

It's hobby of watching people do what they love.

I think it's actually a rekindling of an old hobby.

I used to LOVE it - watching Catie play water polo, watching Carrie play basketball, watching Cory perform at a concert, watching Craig play in competition, watching Mae, Michelle, and Steph do guard stuff.. I loved it.

And it's been awhile since I've been able to do that.

Until recently.

My neigbors are ridiculously talented.

I have lived in the same house my entire life. And during this entire time, three doors down, has been this amazing family. Dad, Mom, Son, and Daughter. Bob, Carol, Matt, and Becca.

With us kids, it worked out great, because when you throw Matt and Becca in with Selah, Jenna, and me, we're all only about a year or two a part - it goes Selah, Matt, me, Becca, then Jenna - so we all always had someone to play with.

An extremely large percentage of the stories involving anything between the time of birth until junior high involve this family. And there's a less percentage as we've all gotten older, but they're still there.

When we were younger..
Disneyland. The beach. Wild Rivers. Mary Kate and Ashley movies. Playing video games. Trips to Palm Springs. 4th of July. New Years Eve. Thanksgiving. Christmas afternoon catch up. Matt's baseball games. Birthday parties. Swimming in our pool. Being baby sat by Amber across the street. Walking to Taco Bell. Climbing in the apricot tree. Dressing as twins. Synchronized swimming in the pool. Playing house.

And now as we're older..
Talking about school. Talking about life. Talking about God. Talking about music. Talking about boys. Talking about girls. Going for walks. Going for drives. Catching up for hours and hours and hours. Thanksgiving (still!). Disneyland (still!).

It's been fun to watch our friendships go from being friends because we lived close together and since we couldn't drive, it was either us or no one.. To actually being friends because we like each other, and get along.

There have been times over the years, where we'll go months and months and months without seeing each other.. And then sometimes we'll see each other every week or so - it really just depends on our schedules.

But recently, Matt and Becca have shown me these amazing talents that they have. They are musicians. And very gifted musicians at that!

I've known about Matt's music for a few years now.. I even have a couple of songs on my iPod that he probably wishes I didn't have.. And I remember when he first started getting into music, all I really kept thinking was "Matt loves video games. He's not a musician." and boy has he proven me wrong!

And Becca.. Well.. I have this vivid memory that took place at one of her birthday parties YEARS ago. We were playing a game, and all of us guests were supposed to guess answers to questions about Becca. And I remember that the answer to "What does Becca want to be when she grows up?" was most definitely "a singer". So I think it's always been in her blood - but never did I imagine she'd be as amazing as she is.

I absolutely LOVE watching Matt and Becca perform. Matt's been performing longer than Becca, but they're both amazing up there behind the microphone.

Oh, and for the record, they don't just perform covers. They perform their own music. Which is always something that is so hard for me to comprehend (give me sheet music, and I can play it, no problem. But give me a blank sheet of paper with no words or filled in staffs.. And it will remain that way.. Except maybe a few doodles..). Their covers are freaking amazing, too. But their original music is so awesome, I can't explain it.

I just love watching these two people (siblings of mine, really) use these gifts to get up there and perform and share their abilities with other people. I don't know if I could ever do that. But they can and do, and I love it!

Anyways, I love those two (and their parents) and I love what they're sharing with the rest of us these days :)

And I love watching people I love.. Doing what they love.. So that other people can love it, too!

And the "Song Stuck in My Head Award of the Week" goes to..

Gratitude - Nichole Nordeman

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude 
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .

 -----

I love this song.

I love the attitude that's presented in this song.

The reminder of what our attitude should be. Give thanks, for everything.
When no roof is overhead, be thankful because it offers a better view of the sky.
How cool is that?

Yes, it's hard to have that type of a response when something (like your roof falling off) happens.. But we should take comfort in knowing that it was all apart of God's planning. Find what God was using the situation for. Maybe to just remind you that this life here is temporary. Maybe to give you an opportunity to show non-believers around you what your attitude should be. Or maybe God really just wanted you to calm down and have a minute to stare at the stars - because how can you look up in the sky and not be absolutely AMAZED at the vastness of who Christ is!?

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

I Will Rise

I go through phases when something will just be on repeat over and over and over in my head. A line that resonates trough out my heart and soul. And sometimes it's a Bible verse, sometimes it's a line from a sermon, and sometimes it's something from a worship song.

All I've had the last few days is "And I will rise when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain". And it's funny, because it took me a few days to place the line. It even had a tune and everything to it. I thought maybe I'd had a musical moment and just thought of an amazing song! But no, Chris Tomlin beat me to it. :)

There's just something about this song. I get this image in my head of people all over the world, going through their daily lives. Getting coffee, sitting in class, in a meeting for work, talking on the phone.. And then God just calls their name.. "John." "Karen." "Sam." And with no hesitation, and nothing more needing to be said.. They just rise and go. I get goosebumps when I think about it.

When it's God calling you, why wait? Go. Run!


I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"


Sent from my iPod

Sweetly Broken, Wholly Surrendered

So this might be a little silly, but on my list of 5.5 billions reasons as to why I'm thankful for my God is the music! He has gifted His people with such amazing talent and passion for Him to be able to create such phenomenal music.. All to glorify Him.

Oh worship music..

How sad for non believers.. This is an entire genre of music that they will never fully appreciate or understand for as long as they are called non believers.


This is the newest one that is stuck in my head. And, apparently I'm not the only one.


Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

Friday Night Lights

I don't know what it is about this show, but I love it!

I didn't have any deep adoration for the movie, but this show..

Maybe it's the sport.

I don't live in Texas, so I don't understand the ridiculous passion for football. But I can relate to it.

The long hours of practice. The frustration with team mates. Oh, the frustration with the staff and coaches. The lazy people. The way too serious people. The sweat. The tears. The traveling. The complete thrill of winning. And the utter despair of losing. The feeling of winning when you don't deserve it. And losing when you tried your hardest. The inside jokes. The friendships. The passion. The smell (hah!).

Oh yes, I get it.

Or maybe it's the relationship between the main husband and wife.

How it is so evident how much they love each other. But, throughout the show, you witness their frustration with each other. That there are some days that they just plain can't stand each other. However, you know they still love each other with all their hearts. They laugh. They fight. They tease. The love.


It's just a well rounded show. And I highly recommend it :) I've lost track of how many people I've gotten hooked on this Texas football show.. But no one's hated it yet! The first four seasons (the fifth one is on now) are all on Netflix Watch Instantly.. Or I have them all on DVD :)

I also recommend The West Wing, but that's just cuz I'm a total nerd..