Leave it all behind, and come to the well.

I simply love Casting Crowns - the music, the lyrics, the harmonies, the band members as individuals and their integrity. Seriously, they make my all-time favorite music artist list. There is not one single song I don't like, and I love most of them. This one has a beautiful message - so simple, so powerful, such truth.

The Well
Casting Crowns

Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,

I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin',
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin',
When you're runnin' on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.

You can spend your whole life,
Chasin' what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well.

And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well.

The world will try, but it can never fill...leave it all behind

And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
'Cause you came to the well.

Sustain

It has been said that after silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
- Aldous Huxley

Sustain

Seth Condrey

Situations get me down,
But your hand sustains my heart again.
The patterns seem to be so strong,
so break this mold and free me to live.

But there's questions and I ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul is dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

A passion's burning in my soul,
and there a beauty that will light the way.
But still your streams of mercy flow,
and I can feel the hand of love today.

But there's questions and i ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul's dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

Life Makes Music

But if life stayed the way it was
And lovers never fell out of love
If memories didn't last so long
If nobody did nobody wrong
If we knew what we had before it was gone
If every road led back home
This would be the very last country song

- Sugarland

Four the Record

If you haven’t already purchased Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert’s newest album, do yourself a favor and head to iTunes or your nearest Target, and buy it right now…well, as soon as you finish reading this. If haven’t been able to tell from previous posts, she is one of my very favorite artists. Picking a favorite song from the new album, Four the Record, is tough. This is her first album since she married Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton, so it's only fitting that he make an appearance on the album via duet. (He and Miranda also co-wrote "Over You," her next single.) Even though she is living her happily-ever-after, Miranda, still has some quirky break-up songs, like the first single, "Baggage Claim." (We girls in the dating world love to sing along to those sort of songs!) I really love the songs that Miranda wrote, especially “Dear Diamond,” but the lyrics of that one don’t necessarily portray something I can relate to. The background vocals (Patty Loveless) plus Miranda’s lyrical ability make for a stunning song though. (It is an alto's dream! It also makes me ache to play the guitar!)

The song I can (or one day hope to) relate to the most is “Oklahoma Sky.” To me, it symbolizes the deep sense of peace my heart feels in the country; the expansive sky holds infinite possibilities and hope. Hope that one day I will finally find the love that brings me home, and the long wait and heartbreak will all be worth it. What can I say; despite everything I’ve been through, deep down I will always be a hopeless romantic.

Oklahoma Sky

* How long has it taken me to find you? * Five hundred years, five hundred thousand miles * It don’t matter now, love’s always on time * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Lightening flash, everything went silent * A feather could have knocked me to the floor * Missing peace was found, I was finally alive * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * With the speed of sound I am homeward bound * All our sorrows swept away forever * Each and every tear washed out to sea * There ain’t no goodbye with your hand in mine * Meet me underneath the Oklahoma sky * Oklahoma sky *

* Oklahoma Sky *



I'm On My Way

I have always liked this song, but over the past few months it has come to mean more to me. It is on my running playlist. (Yeah, it's not all that upbeat, but many songs on my list aren't. Sometimes great lyrics are enough to motivate me.) I love how this song talks about waking up one morning and deciding to face your fears...having been through a lot, yet having so much more to learn...having dreams that nothing can keep you from achieving.

 I'm On My Way

Kellie Pickler

I've felt the power of forgiveness
I know that life can let you down
I'm not blind
No, I don't need a witness
To tell me there's angels all around

My eyes have seen more than they want to
My heart has scars that run so deep
There's tears that I've had to let go
And there's dreams I told myself I'd keep

Now I don't give up easy
I've got many miles to go
But I can't wait to get to
What I see down this road
And all my life I've learned to
Just take it day by day
I'm not there yet
But I know I'm on my way

I've looked out the window
When there's no hope in sight
But I swear I heard a whisper
Said it would be worth the fight

So I woke up one morning
And I put my fears aside
Now look how far I've come
From the back of an endless line

I still got lessons to be learned
There's a choice at every turn
Someone out there cleared a path
And there's no turning back

And all my life I've learned to
Just take it day by day
I'm not there yet
But I know I'm on my way

Light Up The Sky

Somebody Else

I had to watch Miranda Lambert: Behind the Music the other night 'cause I just love her! I absolutely love her music, and I admire her talent and "don't mess with me" attitude. (Also, when/if I get married, her wedding will definitely be an inspiration in planning my own!)

Taken by me at June 4, 2011 concert

Miranda write most of her music, and one of the first songs she wrote was "Somebody Else." I didn't even know the song existed since it is not on any of her albums. A snippet was played during the show, and I was hooked. I had to go find it! I can't find anywhere to listen the song besides some chick doing a "cover" on YouTube. (FYI - Doing a cover is NOT the same thing as singing over the original artist's track and recording a video of yourself doing so. That would be taking the term "cover" a little too literally.) I did, however, find the lyrics.

This song is pretty much my life right now. I badly need vacation...break from the routine...something! I'm feeling kind of stuck, disappointed with the way some things have turned out in my life, and I'm afraid my life will just pass me by with so much I want to do left undone. I so wish I could just hop in the car and take off not worrying about money or where I'm going or what I'm leaving behind. I wanna be somebody else for a little while.  

Somebody Else 

Miranda Lambert

Highway 65 sure sounds kinda nice
I feel like drivin' somewhere far away
Got the top rolled down, radio up loud
Playin Willie and Old Hank

Well I don't really have a certain destination
I'll just fill the gas tank up and use my imagination

I wanna feel my freedom blowin' through my hair
Throw my troubles to the wind and scream out I don't care
I'm tired of bein' down and out cause that ain't what life should be about
I can feel the load gettin' lighter with every mile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Sometimes we're afraid to change, scared of what tomorrow brings
Same routine every day
If you never stop and listen, you dont know what you'll be missin'
Don't let your life slip away

I wanna feel my freedom blowin' through my hair
Throw my troubles to the wind and scream out I don't care
I'm tired of bein' down and out cause that ain't what life should be about
I can feel the load gettin' lighter with every mile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Stay up all night and sleep all day and wake up with a smile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Tenth Avenue North

So, Tenth Avenue North is one of my very favorite Christian bands. (Watch the video for my favorite song from a previous blog.) I had an amazing opportunity last night to see Mike Donehey, the lead singer, perform an acoustic set. On top of that, I got the chance to meet him! (Nice, talented guy...funny too!) If you haven't already listened to some of their music, you should. I find it to be an encouragement, and I hope that you might too!

The Only Exception

It amazes me how powerful music can be. Do you ever hear a song that reminds you of yourself? So much so that it had to have been written about you? I had one of these epiphanies tonight. It is not the first time, and it won't be the last I'm sure. Most songs I have on this blog in some way express who I am, my beliefs, and my ideals.  This particular song happens to be a one of my favorites since it describes my feelings and experiences of love (the romantic kind) so well. I haven't exactly met my exception yet. I've thought I did...a few times, but I was sadly mistaken. Not so sure I'm on my way to believing either, but it is a hopeful ending.

The Only Exception

Paramore

When I was younger, I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart and I watched
As he tried to reassemble it

And my momma swore that

She would never let herself forget

And that was the day that I promised

I'd never sing of love if it does not exist

But darling, you are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

Maybe I know, somewhere deep in my soul

That love never lasts

And we've got to find other ways to make it alone

Or keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this

Keeping a comfortable distance

And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

But you are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

I've got a tight grip on reality

But I can't let go of what's in front of me here

I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up

Leave me with some kind of proof, it's not a dream, oh

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

And I'm on my way to believing

Oh, and I'm on my way to believing

Through the Fire

 "Through the Fire"

The Crabb Family

So many times I've questioned certain circumstances,
And things I could not understand.
And many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision;
That's when my frustration gets so out of hand.
It's then I am reminded: that I've never been forsaken,
I've never had to stand one test alone.
When I look at all my victories,
And the spirit rises up in me,
And it's through the fire my weakness is made strong!

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy,
And the hill would not be hard to climb.
He never offered our victories without fighting,
But He said help would always come in time.
So just remember, when you're standing in the valley of decision
And the adversary says "give in",
Just hold on, My Lord will show up
And He will take you through the fire again! 

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the mighty hand of God,
He'll shield the flames again, again.

Some Beach

This week has been a loooooong one. Being sick makes the days drag on forever. I was somewhat sick last week, but it has most definitely gotten worse. I've been fighting some serious cold/sinus symptoms for a week and a half. This morning I woke up with swollen glands in my throat. Definitely not fun, and decided it was time to see a doctor. In addition to my being sick, I have started to ache for a vacation. Maybe being pretty much trapped in the house has done me in. I want to be somewhere warm and pretty without all this pain and congestion. Oh, some beach...somewhere...would be wonderful. Sadly, I don't foresee myself making it to the beach anytime soon, but I do hope to see Blake Shelton very soon...hence, how perfect this song of the week is!

"Some Beach"

Blake Shelton

Driving down the interstate
Running thirty minutes late
Singin' Margaritaville and minding my own
Some foreign car drivin' dude with the road rage attitude
Pulled up beside me talkin' on his cell phone
He started yelling at me like I did something wrong
He flipped me the bird an' then he was gone

Some beach

Somewhere
There's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair
Palm trees are growin' and a warm breezes a blowing
I picture myself right there
On Some beach, somewhere

I circled the parkin' lot, tryin' to find a spot
Just big enough I could park my old truck
A man with a big cigar was getting into his car
I stopped and I waited for him to back up
From out of no where a Mercedes Benz
Came cruisin' up and whipped right in

Some beach
Somewhere
There's no where to go when you got all day to get there
There's cold margaritas and hot Senoritas smiling with long dark hair
On some beach
Somewhere

I sat in that waiting room
It seemed like all afternoon
The nurse finally said doc's ready for you
you're not gonna feel a thing we'll give you some novicane
That tooth will be fine in a minute or two
But he stuck that needle down deep in my gum
And he started drillin' before I was numb

Some beach
Somewhere
There's a beautiful sunset burning up the atmosphere
There's music and dancing and lovers romancing
In the salty evening air
On some beach
Somewhere
On some beach, somewhere

South Beach (Martha's Vineyard)

laugh even when you want to cry

This week's song is an inspiring country song about life by one of my favorites, Martina McBride, from her newest album. It is definitely worth downloading! Life is absolutely like a roller coaster ride. I do love roller coasters, but being stuck on one for a long time would probably get old. I guess that's why we just have to hold on tight...and ride. 

"Ride"

Martina McBride

You wake up from your dreamin' and you don't want to face the day
You can't find a reason to think your world will ever change
You can hide beneath the covers
Or you can run outside, head up high and carry on

Life is a roller coaster ride
Time turns the wheel and love collides
Faith is believing you can close your eyes and touch the sky

Shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride

It brings you up slowly then shoots you like a rocket towards the ground
It twists you and it shakes you before it turns you upside down
You can't see what's around the corner
And you can't look back, so just live it up and feel the rush

Life is a roller coaster ride
Time turns the wheel and love collides
Faith is believing you can close your eyes and touch the sky
So shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride

Oh yeah, shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride

Introducing...The Song of the Week

It just occurred to me that I should have a song of the week every week. In case you haven't noticed by now, music has a profound effect on my day to day life. I could probably have a 'Song of the Day,' but I won't overwhelm either one of us. Anyways, the song I pick every week will be one that has expresses my  current feelings, has inspired me, or just brought a smile to my face. So, check out the lyrics to get some insight on where I am coming from this week. (I also think you should head over to iTunes and download the song for yourself!) This week: a little Christian rock from a rockin' Christian.

 "I Will Not Be Moved"

Natalie Grant

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on
And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Over the Rainbow

I love Glee, and I love this song. This is one of my all-time favorite Glee performances, especially since it is performed by the two most beautiful men on Glee.

Anyway

I love music. I love how it can make me feel happy, encouraged, sometimes sad, and even understood. It lets me know that I'm not the only one to ever feel this way because someone sat down and wrote a song about it once upon a time. They went through the same struggles, and they lived to sing about it. A lot of times in life I'm left wondering why everything happens the way it does. I feel helpless, hurt, and alone. I feel like I shouldn't have believed that things could change, loved so much, or even dreamed that something was possible. Things don't always turn out how I hope they will, but I will keep singing, dreaming, and loving anyway because...

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:13

Anyway
Sung by Martina McBride
You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway

I sing...I dream...I love...anyway