10 songs for the weary heart

Music has a way of speaking to the heart when words fail.

Why is it that music has such a powerful impact on one's mind and soul?  I find that a song can be playing in the background, and the words and ideas about the words will fill my mind--even though I am not even really *trying* to listen to the song!

Deeply rooted from our longing to join in the heavenly, eternal song of "Holy, holy, holy..." I believe that God has given us the gift of music here on earth to give us a tiny glimpse of the beautiful gift that reigns over all of heaven.  The gift of song...the art, the worship.

Today, I have 10 of my favorite songs to share with you for when your heart is feeling worn and weary.

10 songs to lift you up, to remind you of the goodness of God, the power of God, and His overwhelming love.

10 songs, prayers, cries out to the Lord...to remind us that we're not alone.

1. Never Alone, by BarlowGirl

"I cried out with no reply

And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I"m never alone..."

2. Broken Hallelujah, by The Afters

"I've seen joy and I've seen pain.

On my knees, I call Your name.
Here's my broken hallelujah.

With nothing left to hold onto,
I raise these empty hands to You.
Here's my broken hallelujah."

3. Hold Me, Jesus, by Rich Mullins

"Well sometimes my life just don't make sense at all

When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace"

4. Promises, by Sanctus Real

"Sometimes it's hard to keep believing in what you can't see

That everything happens for a reason even the worst life brings
If you're reaching for an answer and you don't know what to pray
Just open up the pages, let His Word be your strength..."

5. Lord, I Need You, by Chris Tomlin

"Lord, I come, I confess

Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You..."

6. For the Moments I Feel Faint, by Relient K

"Never underestimate my Jesus

You're tellin' me that there's no hope
I'm tellin' you, you're wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong, He will be strong..."

7. Never Left Your Side, by Stellar Kart

"So you feel another midnight on the way

Can’t see the road ahead
Though you’re wide awake
All the voices in your head begin to say
You’re alone, you’re alone

The sun’s still shining through the night
The stars still burn in the daylight
Sometimes you just can’t trust your eyes
I never left your side..."

8. 5 Minutes at a Time, Superchick

"Life is hard, but it's been a little harder than usual lately

I wish I knew why I am struggling through this
What makes it harder is the lack of understanding on my part
Could I have changed this, why am I fighting life so hard?"

9. It's Not Over Yet, by for King and Country

"They are inside your head

You got a voice that says
You won't get past this one
You won't win your freedom

It's like a constant war
And you want to settle that score
But you're bruised and beaten
And you feel defeated

This goes out to the heaviest heart..."

10. Still That Girl, by Britt Nicole

"Dreams, they come

Plans, they change
Yea, we're gonna break
Yea, we're gonna break
Things we face make us who we are
Baby, you're a star shining in the dark
Let's go back to the summer, summer when
We dreamed in love, let's go back again
Let's go back again
Yeah, back again, my friend..."

What songs speak to your heart and lift you up?  I'd love to hear!

great is Thy faithfulness

My head is bowed.  What next, Lord?

I see His hand, stretched out.  "Trust Me."

God, it's so hard!  I'm afraid.

"Trust Me." The hand does not waver.

I look up and see love personified.

"I will never leave You.  I love you."

My hand quivers...until it comes to rest in His.

You have always done as You have promised.

You have always been there; You've never left me.

You are faithful.

Jesus, I'll trust You.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

there is no shadow of turning with thee;

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided;

great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon and stars in their courses above

join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! 

I have been listening to this song recently, my favorite rendition by Chris Rice; pure guitar, violin and vocals, peaceful and worshipful.  It is such a beautiful reminder to me, as I navigate these treacherous waters of life that He is faithful.  When I am tempted to take control, to try to manipulate situations, relationships, decisions or whatever, I am reminded that He has promised that He will take care of me.  And He always does what He promises.  He is faithful; He promises that He will make my path straight if I trust in Him.  He will give me the desires of my heart IF I delight myself in Him.  If I commit my way to Him, my plans will be established.

Many times I find that by trusting in Him, delighting in Him, and committing my way to Him, I begin to focus on His way, His desires--and they in turn become my own.  Sometimes, though, it's hard to let go.  But that's when I remind myself of His promises, and that He is faithful to do that which He has promised.  That He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it...even if it hurts, I know that He knows what is best for me, and best for His kingdom; I will rest in that.

Music Monday {Choose Life}

Hello, my friends!

I'm sorry to not have posted in a whole week- our family has been so busy (y'all must be pretty tired of hearing me say that but it's true!) and computer time has not been at the top of the priority list :-)

When I got on blogger this morning I noticed that Trinka over at Amazing Love had a "Music Monday" post...  while I was at a loss of what to post today I thought that this was brilliant idea and figured I would follow suit.

I love music.  Music is a part of me.  Music has always been a part of me.

When I hear a song, I'm generally not listening to the instrumental part of it like most people.  Ever since I can remember I have focused on the lyrics of the songs.  My dad was playing some old songs by DC Talk, Big Tent Revival, and Salvador that I used to hear him blast on the stereo when I was 7 and I chuckled  remembering some of my childish thoughts triggered by some of the lyrics.  So interesting how music can take you back- even just to a crisp spring day with the windows and doors open, cleaning the house while the music reverberates off of the walls.  Those are my memories- and I love 'em.  :-)

This is a song that my dad used to listen to a lot- and I remember watching the music video more than once- (ahem- back in the "day"- please don't judge me by this 90's video!) and we have since started playing it for ProLife events.  I remember it almost every time I see one of those "Choose Life" license plates...

Big Tent Revival 

"Choose Life"

Big Tent Revival- "Choose Life" from ardentrecords on GodTube.

Did you listen to the lyrics? :-)

Have a lovely Monday!

~Amy