Favourite Music – Casting Crowns – Somewhere in the Middle

This is an amazing album.  Out of 10 tracks, I give 4 of them 5 stars, and 5 of them 4 stars!  Now that’s what I call listenable!

Amazon.com: The Altar and the Door: Music.

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You’re making me
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me

Actually, I was spoiled for choice on lyrics from this song.  I wanted to just grab them all.  Listen!  Listen!

The line that most convicts me though is:

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

 

Favourite Music – Paul and Rita Baloche – I Will Not Forget You

I will not forget You are my God, my King
And with a thankful heart I bring my offering
And my sacrifice is not what You can give
But what I alone can give to you

A grateful heart I give, A thankful prayer I pray,
A wild dance I dance before you
A loud song I sing, A huge bell I ring,
A life of praise I live before You

Amazon.com: Iworship 2 (Bonus Dvd): Various Artists: Music.

I just want to open my arms in praise when I hear this song.  Especially, “A wild dance I dance before you” calls out to my heart.  This may be because I always loved dancing and haven’t had the energy for it lately.

The call to give what I alone can give is what NeedlePrayer is about for me.  We each have talents and skills to use for His glory, and I believe it is our calling to find them and exercise them.  In all the little ways that mean so much more than we think.

Favourite Music – Rebecca St. James – Abba

You make the road rise up to meet me
You make the sun shine warm upon my face
The wind is at my back and the rain falls soft
God I lift You high You are my Abba 

 

 

Amazon.com: God: Rebecca St James: Music.

 

What a wonderful celebration of the joy of a relationship with our Father!  He makes all things, and they are wonderful!  But the song is not just for glad times.  It reminds me of the comfort and joy we can have in God in the hard times too.  The rain falls soft…  and again, with Him:

I’m feeling like the eagle that rises 
Flies above the earth and it’s troubles 
Oh yes he knows that there are valleys below 
But under his wings there’s a stronger power 

Abba.  Father.  I rejoice in the wings I shelter under!

Favourite Music – Rich Mullins – Sometime By Step

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

 

Amazon.com: Songs: Rich Mullins: Music.

This song answers so many needs I have when I go to Christian music.  It celebrates creation.  It calls me to faith and to follow.  It stirs my spirit to joy and energy and fortitude.

It also contains a couple of lines which one day I hope to make into a prayer piece:

Sometimes I think of Abraham 
How one star he saw had been lit for me 

This connection between me and Abraham through faith is so inspiring.  Of course I’m not sure my faith is really in his league, but I believe God considers me a descendant of this amazing man of faith, and a child of God.

I haven’t yet found the right person or group to do this piece for, but I hope to someday!

Favourite Music – True Vibe – See the Light

Everyone can make a difference!

All around us everywhere are people hurting
Opportunities to love
Make the most of everyday of every moment
That he gives for us to share
Take the time to show you care

 

Amazon.com: See The Light: True Vibe: Music.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget the opportunities all around us.  They are there!  I spent years thinking I couldn’t do anything because of my health and financial issues.  That’s just not true!  I have been doing NeedlePrayer in service of others for a year now, and it is so rewarding, and really does make a difference to my recipients, to know they are cared about.

Make the most of every day!

Favourite Music – Casting Crowns – Lifesong

Another favourite song from another favourite artist.  I only found Casting Crowns this past year, and they have already shot up to my top 10 artist list!

Amazon.com: Lifesong: Casting Crowns: Music.

Lifesong is one of the first songs by Casting Crowns that I heard.  It’s about making our lives a living sacrifice.

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

This is a great message for NeedlePrayer.

Favourite Music – Michael Card – The Basin and the Towel

My favourite thing to have on while working on NeedlePrayer projects is uplifting music.  And one of my very favourite songs is Michael Card‘s The Basin and the Towel.

Amazon.com: Poiema: Michael Card: Music.

This song references the beautiful episode from the Gospels where, at the Last Supper, Christ takes up a basin and towel and washes the feet of the apostles.  It is a call to service.

And the call is to community,
The impoverished power that sets the soul free.

It challenges us to think beyond ourselves, and find purpose in serving others.  Even our Lord focussed on service, so how can we be above it?

And the space between ourselves sometimes
Is more than the distance between the stars.
By the fragile bridge of the Servant’s bow
We take up the basin and the towel.

What a wonderful way to comfort our lonely souls than to connect with others and God through action, through work, as well as through prayer.