Light Up The Sky

This is an amazing and powerful song and video. The Afters CDs have long been music played in our home.

But this one song really captured my heart...




Last year when our life came crashing down and we filed bankruptcy because DH could no longer work due to his injury to his back and later the failed spinal fusion and we lost everything we owned--our home, RV, vehicles, respect of others, etc... it was a hard time for us.  We had presumed on the future--gambled on the ability to always go on as we were doing.  But we could feel the Lord's hand in it all. Such a dark time but through it all we were right where He wanted us.

On one of our trips to go load up stuff to move to the new place we were driving back to our old homestead and this song came on. It was a very low time for me. I had been taking pictures of a beautiful sky after a storm. Amazing scenery. And this song came on the radio and I knew that the Lord was speaking directly to my heart...

No fireworks but this was so beautiful and fitting.

You can read the blog post that I shared this picture originally here.

Light up the Sky
The Afters

When I'm feeling all alone
With so far to go
The signs are nowhere on this road
Guiding me home
When the night is closing in
Is falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close?

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I I I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don't feel them shining
When I can't see beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I've almost reached the end
Like a flood You're rushing in
Your love is rushing in

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I I I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

So I run straight into Your arms
You're the bright and morning sun
To show Your love there's nothing You won't do

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I I I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

That You are with me
That You are with me

Goodbye Davy...

Yesterday I was saddened to learn that Davy Jones of the Monkees had died. I have many happy memories of sitting down in the afternoon to watch the show with my mom (reruns by that time because the Monkees were born shortly after I was in 1966!) and then years later watching the Monkee Marathons on MTV with my family. I confess that Peter Tork was my first love--but who didn't like Davy? Oh how I loved their goofy, silliness!! Such good memories and a big influence on my life. I guess that you could say they were the first band I really liked--and still do!!  They are probably the reason that music is such a passion in my life.

Goodbye Davy...  You will be missed!!!

A Trip Down Musical Memory Lane

Today I've had to spend some time in front of the computer working on getting our tax stuff ready (I tend to procrastinate so it's usually quite the task!).  I thought that I would get onto YouTube and listen to some music while I was working.  I found myself tracking down some very special vintage Christian music.

When I received Christ on Easter morning in 1988 one of the first things that happened was that a young man, a member of the church, handed me several cassette tapes of Christian music--Petra, Sheila Walsh, BJ Thomas and a few others.  This young man was led by the Lord to share his music tapes.  From the moment that I was saved I knew that I would no longer be listening to the music that I had formerly been "enjoying"--it just wasn't acceptable.  And the Lord knew that I would need to fill that big part of me with something that was acceptable.  

Some of my favorite artists in the late 80's and early 90's are...

Psalm 1 was the first song that I heard on Christian radio that I had to have!!

Melody Green was my inspiration for many of my Pro Life convictions.

I loved Rich Mullins' passion and depth.

I loved all things Steve Camp!!

Awesome stuff!!

This CD calmed the beast in me MANY times!!

Rare CD that I would listen to over and over again!

I love "Casual Christian"!!  I still have this CD from all those years ago.

There was a lot of meat in this music.  As I listened again today to some of my old favorites I can see where much of my radical passion came from.  I was occasionally uhm... perhaps a little too passionate.  But oh the exhileration of being so newly in love with Jesus!!  Sometimes I wonder that I didn't just die of rapturous joy!!  Nothing can describe it.

The contemporary Christian music of today seems to lack some of the radical passion that existed "way back when".  I miss these "Greats" who have bowed out of the music scene or have gone on to Heaven.  And I'm thankful for the strong foundation in me that some of this vintage music helped form.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Today is the 36th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I grew up loving the Gordon Lightfoot tribute to the event and thought that I would share.   This video isn't the highest quality but it is informative and shows pictures of the captain and crew.

In remembrance...

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Gordon Lightfoot

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee

The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead

When the skies of November turn gloomy

With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more

Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty

That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed

When the gales of November came early

The ship was the pride of the American side

Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin

As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most

With a crew and good captain well seasoned

Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms

When they left fully loaded for Cleveland

Then later that night when the ship's bell rang

Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound

When the wave broke over the railing

And every man knew, as the captain did too

'Twas the witch of November come stealin'

The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait

When the gales of November came slashin'

When afternoon came it was freezing rain

In the face of a hurricane west wind

When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck

Sayin' "Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya"

At seven PM a main hatchway caved in

He said, "Fellas, it's been good to know ya"

The captain wired in he had water comin' in

And the good ship and crew was in peril

And later that night when his lights went out of sight

Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Does anyone know where the love of God goes

When the waves turn the minutes to hours?

The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay

If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her

They might have split up or they might have capsized

They may have broke deep and took water

And all that remains is the faces and the names

Of the wives and the sons and the daughters

Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings

In the rooms of her ice-water mansion

Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams

The islands and bays are for sportsmen

And farther below, Lake Ontario

Takes in what Lake Erie can send her

And the iron boats go as the mariners all know

With the gales of November remembered

In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed

In the Maritime Sailors' Cathedral

The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times

For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down

Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead

When the gales of November come early

Courage

I confess that going through down and out hard times are just plain rough. We discovered this really uplifting song by Orianthi featuring Lacey of Flyleaf (we are Flyleaf fans!) . Very inspirational!! The video is fantastic and I thought that it was ironic that they were in an old Winnebago similar to the one my daughters are staying in while we work to remodel our old mobile home we will be moving into before winter (see this post). 

Courage

Take all my vicious words

And turn them into something good

Take all my pre-conceptions

And let the truth be understood

Take all my prized possessions

Leave only what I need

Take all my pieces of doubt

And let me be what's underneath

Courage is when you're afraid,

But you keep on moving anyway

Courage is when you're in pain,

But you keep on living anyway

We all have excuses

Why we're living in fear

Something in us dies

Like a bird with broken wings

It's not how high he flies,

But the song he sings

Courage is when you're afraid,

But you keep on moving anyway

Courage is when you're in pain,

But you keep on living anyway

It's not how many times

You've been knocked down

It's how many times you get back up

Courage is when you've lost your way,

But you find your strength anyway

Courage is when you're afraid

Courage is a burning faith,

Courage is when you make a change,

And you keep on living anyway

You keep on giving anyway

Courage is when you're in pain

But you keep moving anyway

You keep on loving anyway

Revelation Song

Last week we needed to borrow the pickup truck Son #3 drives

I drove him home in our Jeep Commander with Daughters #2 and 3 tagging along.  After we dropped him off and headed back home I turned on the radio.  We have 2 Christian stations to choose from--our local station KCVO here at the Lake of the Ozarks and KLOVE--so we switch back and forth a lot when there's something on that we don't care much for.  Well a song came on by Phillips Craig and Dean that I hadn't heard in some time--their "Revelation Song".  "Sweet" I thought.  A couple of songs later I swapped stations because I didn't like what was playing and the other station was playing that same song, the "Revelation Song" and I was like "Whoa that's just weird!!"  I mean what are the chances, right?

The next morning I headed back out to pick Son #3 up and bring him back to our house so he could do some work (family business work).  I had Daughter #2 with me and I turned the radio on (normally we listen to CDs).  I was really surprised to hear "Revelation Song" AGAIN and thought to myself, "If we hear that song again I'll..." but I just couldn't think of anything crazy enough to add on.  I wish I would've said it out loud so that Daughter #2 could've heard me since it was just a few minutes later when I switched stations that it was playing yet AGAIN on the other station.  So we heard a song 4 times in less than 12 hours that I rarely ever hear and isn't even a new release.  And since I don't believe in coincidences I believe that this song is something that the Lord definitely wanted me to hear.  :-)  And since I love to share...

Two "Startling" Discoveries

In less than one week I've made two discoveries that have just rocked my world.  OK so maybe that's a bit over the top but they were pretty amazing--to me anyway. 

I am very auditory.  In order to learn new things and retain the knowledge I have to say things out loud.  Sometimes when DH is working on a vehicle he will take me along for a test drive so that I can listen and note "strange" noises.  And he always takes me along to test drive a new car/truck.  Also I can recognize voices way better than I can remember faces.  :-)  So that leads to my discoveries...

1)  As I was sitting on the couch watching a Scooby Doo episode with Son #6 (which was one of his birthday gifts) I happened to look up during the credits and saw the name Casey Kasem.  Stunned, I closed my eyes and immediately visualized Shaggy.  For many, many years I've listened to Shaggy and thought "I know that voice" but being that searching down that info wasn't something very high on my list of priorities, I just never really gave it a second thought once the show was over.  Well, I grew up listening to America's Top 40 and enjoyed listening to Casey Kasem and knew his voice.  And now I know he's Shaggy too.

Jinkies!!  Mystery solved!! 

2)  Son #2 turned us on to a Grits song that we really love.  Normally I don't really care for Grits but this song "Fly Away" is Grits shining glory (in my humble opinion).  Well, there was this other voice that wasn't rap-ish and didn't quite seem to belong yet fit perfectly.  It seemed so familiar and yet I couldn't place it.  Then I happened to look the song up on YouTube and saw "Fly Away by Grits featuring Mack Powell".  Whoa!!  Mack Powell of Third Day!!  I love Third Day!!  So then it was so obvious I couldn't see how I could've missed it!!

When I told Son #3 of my discovery he said that he really didn't expect that--Mack Powell to be singing with a rap band.  I told him yeah, but you wouldn't expect a 45 year old, homeschooling mom of 10 to be listening to it either!!  :-)

If I was stranded on a deserted island and could have one song with me "Fly Away" would be the one!!

I won't post the song here since it's blatantly rap but you can find it on YouTube if you're terribly interested (make sure it's "featuring Mack Powell").

And now you're privy to some of my most innermost thought processes!!  Scary huh?  Ha Ha!!

I Will Be Free

I'm re-reading Hinds' Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard.

Need to feel loved by our Savior? Want to feel special--that there's no one else like you in the Lord's eyes? Do you need reassurance that you are worthy--that if you were the only soul in the world, Jesus would have still went to the cross just for you? Are you discouraged? Do you need to feel forgiveness and compassion? This is the book for you!!! Oh, to wrap your heart around the Lover of our souls.

As I've been reading, I keep thinking of this song by Cindy Morgan--I Will Be Free.  I don't know whether she wrote it with this book in mind--but it fits so beautifully. 

I Will Be Free

Cindy Morgan

The mountains are steep

And the valleys low

Already I'm weary

But I have so far to go

Oh, and Sorrow holds my hand

And Suffering sings me songs

But when I close my eyes

I know to whom I belong

Who makes me strong

I will be free

I will be free to run the mountains

I will be free

Free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I'll never turn back

'Cause He waits for me

Oh, I will be free

A wise man, a rich man

In pauper's clothes

A Shepherd to lead us

Through the land of woes

Though many battles I have lost

So many rivers yet to cross

But when my eyes behold the Son

Who bore my loss, who paid the cost

I will be free

I will be free to run the mountains

I will be free

Free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I'll never turn back

'Cause He waits for me

Oh, I will be free

Oh, and I'll dance on silver moonlight

And I'll walk through velvet fields

Oh, and I'll run into the arms

The arms that set me free

I will be free

I will be free to run the mountains

I will be free

Free to drink from the living fountain

Oh, I'll never turn back

'Cause He waits....

I'll never turn back

Don't you ever turn back

Because someday, someday we're gonna see

That we will be free

The Pieces Fit

This is the song that is calming the "inner beast" at this point in time in my life. When I'm stressed out I just listen to it over and over and it helps me know that in spite of everything that is so very messed up in my life God still loves me and is working everything out in His own way for my benefit. :-) 

Stuck in the Middle...

Not having anything witty to write about--or spiritual--or thought provoking--or... (you get the point) but wanting to blog I thought I'd share my little trip down memory lane that I traveled this morning when reading the news that Gerry Rafferty had passed away. Most people know that he sang "Baker Street" and "Right Down the Line" of course, but he also co-wrote one of my very VERY favorite songs in my early growing up years, "Stuck In The Middle With You". This song was a family favorite and my dad would often belt it out when the mood/circumstance was right. Still, to this day my adreneline level shoots through the roof when I hear it when I'm out and about. :-)

My dad has always been a music lover, has a pretty good voice and can carry a tune without music to help him along--so it was nothing unusual for him to walk through the house singing a line or two from a song that would fit the occasion and every so often just to fill the air with music I suppose.

Coming from a line of music lovers I have a couple of children who do the very same thing. Son #2 is notorious for singing for the occasion, while he's working, etc... He's got a great voice and can carry a tune perfectly. And we all love when he changes lyrics around Weird Al style!! So funny!! It's something that I sorely miss since he's moved away. Daughter #2 follows in his steps but she isn't as naturally blessed in carrying a tune (I'm not picking on her cause I am way worse and wouldn't dream of doing anything but quietly singing along with the music! She's much braver than I am!). As much as she loves to sing we should probably invest in some voice coaching. ;-)

Anyway, I digress...

I thought that today I would share with the world one of my favorite childhood songs. And hey, there's even a video...




Thanks some really fun memories Gerry!!

"Mommy, what do you wish?"

Usually about once a day (and some days a whole lot more) Son #6 will ask me, "Mommy, what do you wish?"--meaning if I had a wish, what would I wish for. Usually I'll answer with something related to what I'm doing like, "I wish this kitchen was all cleaned up!" or "I wish we weren't stuck in this traffic!". You get the idea. BUT... if I really could have a wish--and I was allowed to be totally selfish--I would wish that I could spend a whole day with each of my children (all together at the same time) being 2 years of age. I would love to see how similar/different each one was at that age, how well they would play together, and just spend the entire day enjoying them. After all 2 IS my favorite age!! ;-)

Now if I was allowed a bigger wish and could be even more selfish, I would love to spend a week with them all together in this manner: Day 1--3 months old (oh those baby smiles and "coo"s!), Day 2--1 years old (crawling/walking and playing!), Day 3--2 years old (totally adorable!!), Day 4--3 years old (absorbing and learning!), Day 5--4 years old (so independent and funny!), Day 6--5 years old (questioning everything!), and Day 7--6 years old (independent, smart, funny and with their own definite personality!). Son #6 is only 6, so any more than that would be in the future. Yes, indeed, that would be my wish.

There is a song that I love...

In My Arms

by: Plumb

Your baby blues

So full of wonder

Your Curly Que's

Your contagious smile

And as I watch

You start to grow up

All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Story books

Are full of fairy-tales

Of kings and queens

And the bluest skies

My heart is torn just in knowing

You'll someday see

The truth for lies

When the

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble

Dreams may not come true

Cause you are never all alone

Cause I will always

Always love you

Hey I

Hey I

Will love

Clouds will rage in

Storms will race in

But you will be safe in my arms

Rains will pour down

Waves will crash all around

But you will be safe in my arms

In my arms

My older kids think it's corny for me to be so gushy--but a momma's heart will always keep her children in her arms--even if it can only be through prayer!! And only as they have their own children will they truly be able to understand that fierce and faithful love a parent has for their children.  :-)

A Few Thoughts on "Skillet"

Around our house the hot new music item is the new Skillet CD, Awake. Even Son #1, who usually likes a softer style of music, loves it. In fact it's not uncommon for little 5 year old Son #6 to walk through the house singing "I feel like a monster" in a gruff little voice!! Way too funny!!

Over the years I've had sort of a love/hate (not "hate" really--more like "frustrated") relationship with Skillet. Many of their songs are on my most favorite list of songs. On the other hand it's not difficult to see that the band/band member has some issues. I'm sad that many of their songs have a serious spirit of unforgiveness. Nevertheless, it makes for some really good discussions with my children, for which I am very thankful. Anger, unforgiveness and blaming are spiritual issues we deal with in our family very often and so it's helpful to have this object lesson via one of our passions, music, to turn to for child training in taming that particular beast. :-)

From this new CD Awake, there is one song in particular that speaks to me in this time of my life...

One Day Too Late

Skillet

Tick tock hear the clock countdown
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late

Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through an hourglass
In the madness I guess I just forget
To do all the things I said

Time passes by
Never thought I’d wind up
One step behind
Now I’ve made my mind up

Today I’m gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
’Cause we don’t have long, gonna make the most of it

Today I’m gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
’Cause tomorrow could be one day too late
One day too late
One day too late

Tick tock hear my life pass by
I can’t erase and I can’t rewind
Of all the things I regret the most I do…
Wish I’d spent more time with you

Here’s my chance for a new beginning
I saved the best for a better ending
And in the end I’ll make it up to you, you’ll see
You’ll get the very best of me

Time passes by
Never thought I’d wind up
One step behind
Now I’ve made my mind up

Today I’m gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
’Cause we don’t have long, gonna make the most of it

Today I’m gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
’Cause tomorrow could be one day too late

Your time is running out
You’re never gonna get it back
Make the most of every moment
Stop saving the best for last

Today I’m gonna try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
’Cause we don’t have long, gonna make the most of it

Today I’m gonna love my enemies
Reach out to somebody who needs me
Make a change, make the world a better place
’Cause tomorrow could be one day too late

One day too late
One day too late
One day too late
One day too late

Not long ago Son #6 was on the scale to see how much he weighed. I told him that he was growing and is such a big boy now. He looked up at me and said, "Mommy I want to be a baby again. I wish we could rewind." I hugged him and told him that we can't do that. All we can do is "press play". It was sad and cute all in one. Poor little guy. I know just how he feels!!