There's An Empty Cross

Hi Readers!

I just wanted to stop and share a very special song with you. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, a day of the year when many people step outside of their everyday, humdrum lives to ponder the fact that Jesus died for us and rose again on the third day. I personally don't celebrate it by decorating easter eggs and nibbling on chocolate bunny rabbits, but I'm glad that we take some time to thank HIM for His Ultimate Sacrifice.

Please click play and listen to this whole song. I think it will really touch your heart. It might possibly be my very favorite from this great album.
This tells the perspective from the disciples' point of view of the crucifixion and resurrection.
Awesome. It makes me feel like I'm there with them!

"Fire and wind now sweeping in... this tiny upper room.
So sing with me... I dare you to... 'cause there's an empty cross, there's an empty tomb."

He's alive. And He lives in my heart.
Won't you ask him into yours today?

Learning Never Ceases

Hello world!

Boy, sometimes it's scary thinking that anybody in the world who finds my blog can read what little me has to say. Then other times I laugh and say "Hello world, isn't it a beautiful day?" ;)

I spent a ton of money this week on beads. You see, after my last jewelry show I was cleaned out, and my little (okay, HUGE) stash of beads needed to be replenished with both some basics, and some fresh items to jazz up my existing inventory.

I was feeling euphoric when I walked out of Jo-Ann fabrics with a sack full of plunder a few days ago (they had a 40% off sale on their beads, woohoo!) But the order to Fire Mountain (the online place I get my basics like headpins, beading wire, and crimp tubes... you know, the stuff that holds my bits of glorious sparkle together...) left me feeling ukky. I cringed when I looked at the total. (gold and silver has gone waaaay up. Forget about through the roof, we're banging into the moon at this point) And then I sent up a devout prayer that I would sell enough jewelry to cover my expenses... and maybe, perhaps, possibly, make a teensy bit of profit. :D

I'm still praying.

As for other news...

I found this free wordart the other day and saved it for inspiration. :D



My mom and dad talked to us recently about 'the finishing process' and how their job now is to give us the final polish for us to be ready to be adults. ;) Mom compared us to a green tomato... how we're fully grown but not ripened all the way yet. :D It was very inspiring and I thought her object prop was brilliant. :D My mommy is so wise.

One of the gifts and skills Mama wants to pass on to me is learning to play the piano by chords, so that I could play for a worship service if I ever had the opportunity. I already play by ear but haven't learned my chords yet. Should be fun! :)

 She also wants to help me develop my voice. Mama is fully equipped to be a voice teacher, packing a double major in music and education. So now those teaching skills are going to be turned full blast my way. :) I'm looking forward to it. I love to sing, and I'm excited about polishing my voice.

Another thing I want to 'polish' is... my writing.

I hope to be back soon with a recipe for my very favoritest it's-so-good-I-could-just-sink-through-the-floor soup, made with a delectable creamy broth and ham and potatoes. Also celery. And we're having it for dinner! *dances*

Until then, I hope you have a lovely week!

I am thankful for... Music

Music!

"Seated one day at the organ,

I was weary and ill at ease,

And my fingers wandered idly

Over the noisy keys

I do not know what I was playing,

Or what I was dreaming then,

But I struck one chord of music

Like the sound of a great Amen."

- Adelaide A. Procter

~*~

Music... among the gifts that God hath sent, one of the most magnificent! - Longfellow

~*~

The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is moved with concord of sweet sounds,

Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.

-Shakespeare

I had a lovely day today meeting with some friends for praise and worship and a message this morning. We had a yummy lunch and some sweet fellowship.

Mama played the piano and I acted in the part of lead singer to help some of our friends learn some new songs... my head cold is lingering, so I had to be silent for a while after singing to let my voice recover. But at least I didn't croak. :D

Nope, it wasn't perfect. But it was music, and it was joyful, and it was unto the Lord. It was wonderful. I love music! I love the act of singing praises unto God.

I also love fun, bouncy music that you can play while cleaning the house  - to keep your spirits up while you eradicate dust and dirt.

And I love quiet, contemplative, instrumental music to play when I'm in a thoughtful or quiet mood.

I enjoy playing celtic-style music and hymns for energizing background ambience once in a while. (Did you know I have some Irish blood flowing through my veins? I'm mostly Dutch, but the love of an Irish jig did not wholly pass me by!) ;)

Music is so expressive. With it, one can speak out joy, sadness, praise, despair, and any degree of emotion in between... without using a single word.

Today, I am thankful for music!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the 30 Days of Thankfulness
at http://younghomemakers.blogspot.com!

What is your favorite kind of music?

I'm thankful for those who "show Jesus".

Welcome to day 1 of my part in the 30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge hosted by Miss Rachel! :)

This one has a story behind it. Recently I bought a new music album. I wasn't planning on it, but as soon as I listened to the previews on iTunes, I knew I had to have it. :D

The album was "One Song at a Time" by Jamie Grace. And this post is about my favorite song from the album... "Show Jesus".



And yaaaaay, I found a video of the song and lyrics on YouTube! You really must watch it, it brings a smile to my face every time I listen to it! :)
And wow. Do I ever wish somebody would write a song like this inspired by me someday. I want it to be 'written all over' my face, the way I love Jesus.

I am so thankful for the people in my life who 'show Jesus' in everything they do. You can just "tell". They know him. It's in the way they look, what they say, and what they do. It is so special, and so rare.

The world is watching, my fellow Christians. What will we show them?

There Could Never Be A More Beautiful You!

I heard this song, More Beautiful You, written by Jonny Diaz, on the radio today and I wanted to share part of the lyrics with you. Our world today is so corrupt. Even as a young christian woman I also have felt the pressure to conform to its demands. These lyrics might lift someone up today like they did me - I know I have several young readers, so this was posted with you in mind!

More Beautiful You
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine

Says she wants to look that way

But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake

And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see

That beauty is within your heart

And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair

Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you

Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do

So there could never be a more beautiful you

Blessings!