the prodigal comes home

That is the name of Michael English's newest CD. Back in my early college years I came to love Michael English. It was around that time he had his first album out and every one was listening to it. His biggest hits like, "In Christ Alone" and "Mary, Did You Know" were on his first album and those are standards even now. But Michael lost his way and ended up away from Christian music for some time. He had inner demons to battle. His website shares a little bit about this fall from grace and how he has come back to Christ.

Here is an excerpt from The Wall Street Journal review written about his book:

But his personal life was not what it should have been. When Mr. English was
only 20, he had married a pretty young Christian music groupie named Lisa.
They were both ready for a divorce a few years later, but Mr. English's
managers wouldn't allow it, worried that the scandal of divorce itself would
ruin his career. Instead, he was sent to California for a three-week therapy
session. It didn't work. In the early 1990s, just as his reputation was
soaring with the release of "In Christ Alone," his biggest hit, Mr. English
fell into an adulterous relationship with another Christian singer, Marabeth
Jordan. When the affair became public, his publisher stopped all promotion
of his records and pulled his songs off the air.

That was only the beginning of Mr. English's troubles. When his relationship
with Ms. Jordan didn't work out, he began taking Loritab, a prescription
painkiller, to alleviate his depression and his panic attacks. Over the next
several years -- as he tried to rejuvenate his career by singing straight
pop music and eventually Southern gospel again -- he plunged deeper into
drug and alcohol addiction. By 2000 he was "a grungy unwashed hermit" who
sold his performance clothes and other collectors' items on eBay to finance
his drug habit. He began taking cocaine and heroin.

But one evening in late 2001, something happened. Mr. English was listening
to the television's drone and floating on a narcotic high when he found
himself looking down on the swollen, dirty, pathetic man he had become. A
voice told him that he "could keep heading down the road of addiction and be
dead at forty." Or he could turn his life over to God. As Mr. English
describes it, the experience wasn't like Saul's on the road to Damascus, an
audible admonition. Rather he felt a voice speaking within him. Whatever it
was, Mr. English considers the moment a miraculous one. Rolling off the
couch, he knelt down and prayerfully promised to tell the world of God's
goodness and mercy if only he might be helped to get off drugs.

The song I chose today is one of Michael English's new songs, "Feels Like Redemption". Knowing his story and hearing him sing this song really strikes a chord with me. We are all like the prodigal son, we choose to go our own way and live our life the way we think is best. We squander what our Father has given us and we end up hitting rock bottom. We realize we can't do it on our own and we need the guidance and love of our Father. The greatest visual of the prodigal son is that the father was looking with anticipation for his son to come home. What an awesome thought that our heavenly Father does the same! He waits in eager anticipation for us to come back to Him. He forgives and we are redeemed...

I know how hopeless feels
When you’re staring at the bottom of an empty hole
In my life I know how forgotten feels
Wondering if the world even knows who you are

But I’ve never known anything, felt anything
Like the love of Jesus
And it’s hard to describe what’s happening inside
But right now all I know is

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

Now I know how thankful feels
Cause I am overwhelmed by this gift of grace
And I know how healing feels
Cause all my pain and all my shame
And all my tears have been erased

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

Say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
No more night
The sun is shining

It feels like redemption raining down on me
It feels like forgiveness is come to set me free
All my chains have been lifted
Cause when the hands of love touch a broken life
It feels like redemption

I cried out to the Lord, He heard my cry
He healed my heart and He touched my life
It feels like redemption

So say goodbye, the past is ending
Say hello to a new beginning
Feels like
Feels like redemption

2 for the price of 1

I have always liked Keith Green. My earliest memories of listening to him are through my brother. My brother had his albums and would play them in his room. The album cover that is pictured here is one that my brother would actually hold up in front of his face and he would move around to the music! It was pretty funny and I guess you probably had to see it to think it was humorous. But those are fond memories I have. When I rediscovered this album,"For Him Who Has Ears to Hear", I downloaded it to my ipod. I couldn't listen to it enough! It has so many wonderful songs on it that are full of truth. The songs that I've picked today are "You're Love Broke Through" and "When I Hear the Praises Start". They both are beautiful songs with words that are so poignant to me.

"You're Love Broke Through": This song is a wonderful picture of how Christ comes and transforms our lives when we come to know Him. People continually search for something to fill the voids in their life. If they would only realized the only one that can fill that is Christ. It's as easy as just asking Him!

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through

All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It's like the power of the wind

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through

"When I Hear the Praises Start": When I started to listen to this song again it really became quite an emotional song for me. One day as I was driving home I was looking to the mountains and the sun was just glistening over top of the vista. This song came on and I felt God saying these words to me. I didn't realize until just today when I found this video clip that Keith Green wrote this song because he heard those words from God. In essence God wrote it for him. I just felt such an overwhelming love and peace when I was listening to this song in my car...just weeping as I thought of Christ wanting to rain down upon me blessings that would fill my heart! Seeing no stain on me because I am His child and He knows me...
Wow!

My son, my son, why are you striving
You can't add one thing to what's been done for you
I did it all while I was dying
Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start
I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do for me

My child, my child, why are you weeping
You will not have to wait forever
That day and that hour is in my keeping
The day I'll bring you into heaven

For when I hear the praises start
My child, I want to rain upon you
Blessing that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and you know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done remains
Only what you do in me

My precious bride, the day is nearing
When I'll take you in my arms and hold you
I know there are so many things that you've been hearing
But you just hold on to what i have told you

For when I hear the praises start
My bride, I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child, and you know me
To me you're only holy
Nothing that you've done will remain
Only what you do for me

May these songs be an encouragement to you as they are to me.

song of the day~September 12th

Well, I failed to put on a song yesterday so I'm making up for it today.

Yesterday we spent a lot of time watching the huge hurricane, Ike on TV. The stories of people evacuating and pictures of barren streets. Then through the night we watched the waves and winds tearing through the coast.

The other sad story from yesterday that took the backseat to Ike was the deadly crash in Los Angeles. The collision of a freight train and a passenger train. This morning they have confirmed 18 dead.

Of course on September 11th we revisted another tragic moment in our country's history.

The events that happened within the period of the past two days are beyond our comprehension. The death toll will most likely rise in the train accident, we don't know the full impact of the hurricane yet, and our country still mourns the losses of 9/11 but the amazing thing is that God is not surprised by any of this and He is in control. He has never left our side. I received a very touching email on September 11th. This is what it said:

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

The song of the day has to do with us never being alone. God is with us even through our darkest nights.

"You're Not Alone" by Meredith Andrews.



I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I’ll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You’ve had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
**sayin’

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s love you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true… Forever
For my love will carry you….

You’re not alone
for I… I am here
let me wipe away every fear… Oh yeah
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

have you forgotten?

September 11, 2001, is a day that I will never forget. I remember being at work and having the radio on. We didn’t get the full story of what was going on but we knew something wasn’t right. I ended up going home for my lunch break and turned on the TV. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was horrific. I couldn’t break away from watching the events unfold. I wept. I tried calling my parents because they were on their way to Maine. They had been hiking that morning and I finally reached them on their cell phone.

The days following I just sat and watched the stories as they flooded in about the people who were lost on that day. I felt such sadness and yet so much pride in my country. I remember picking up newspapers and magazines and seeing the devastation and yet there were pictures of a nation coming together as one. I used those newspapers and magazines to do something that became quite therapeutic for me. I made 2 scrapbooks. The first one was black and it contained pictures from the dreadful day. The second one was red and it held pictures of hope and promise; pictures of flags, pictures of people helping one another, pictures of our soldiers, police and firefighters. I don’t know if you remember, but in the newspapers after 9/11, companies were taking out advertising space to write their letters of condolence to those who lost loved ones. It was amazing to see people in our country coming together to express love and concern for those who were mourning. I clipped all those letters and notes and put those in my scrapbook. Another thing I did was with a friend of mine. We got together and made pins to wear. We made yellow ribbons and red, white & blue ribbons. It helped us heal during a time of such hurt. It also was a way for us to show our patriotism. We also took time to write letters to our elected officials, police, firefighters and service members. It was through these tragic events that I met my husband.

I have to say I thought that I was a pretty patriotic American before I met Art but in all honesty I had no clue to what it was really like to be patriotic until he was deployed just 5 months after we were married. That year of him being gone was awful but it was a time I would never change. I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. I felt such pride in my husband and such pride in my country for which he fought. It killed me to watch the news and not know of Art’s well being every moment of each day. It hurt me to hear people arguing over whether or not we should be in Iraq. Bottom line was…my husband is there, it doesn’t matter how he got there, let’s support them! Still to this day I get very emotional thinking about it and reliving those moments. I really believe the only people that can truly understand this level of pride are those who have protected our freedoms and their families. You haven’t a clue until you are actually faced with it. I will always be a proud Army wife and even more proud to be an American because of Art’s sacrifice for me and all of you.

As we reflect today on the events that took place 7 years ago let's not forget our military men and women who are defending the freedoms that we take so easily for granted...you can have an opinion and share it because of those who guard your freedom to do so. Those out in the world that protest the war are only able to do so because of the men and women of the military that preserve that freedom.

Thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines and Airmen for your sacrifice to our country. Thank you to all the spouses and family members...you have the toughest job in the military.

Thank you also to our police, firefighters and other servants in our communities. You face dangers daily and we thank you for your sacrifices on behalf of our safety.

Below is a video from when Art was deployed. It's made up of pictures from his unit. Take a moment to see some of the faces that have protected us.


This next video is a reminder of the events that happened 7 years ago today. To see some of the pictures and footage is haunting. It brought back many thoughts for me and caused me to cry. But maybe that's what we need...we have gotten back into our own way of life, often forgetting what did happen on 9/11/2001 until it is remembered today. Have you forgotten?



The Psalm below is one that I would read almost daily the year that Art was gone. It was so very encouraging in some of my darkest moments. It's the Soldier's Psalm.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

The ABC's of Me

I saw this on a friend's blog today and I thought it was a varied form of the "Getting to Know You" email that we all seem to circulate. So here are the ABC's of Me!

A is for age.
34

B is for burger of choice.
Cheeseburger

C is for what car you drive.
VW Beetle

D is for dog's name.
Don’t currently have a dog

E is for essential item you use every day
Water

F is for your favorite TV show at the moment
Retro game shows on Game Show Network

G is for favorite game.
Scrabble

H is for hometown.Dayton

I is for instruments you play
Piano, Violin

J is for favorite juice.
Does Lemonade count? If not, CranGrape

K is for who you'd like to kiss.
My darling husband

L is for last restaurant you ate at.
Olive Garden

M is for your favorite Muppet.
Ooh that’s hard…
1.Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
2.Beaker
3.The Swedish Chef

N is for number of piercings.
One on each ear

O is for overnight hospital stays.
Plenty…probably too many to count

P is for people you were with today.
Church people, Art & Kay

Q is for what you do with your quiet time.
Just open the word most days. Spend a lot of my time in prayer.

R is for biggest regret.
I don’t see things as regrets since I am the person today through all life’s moments but I wish I would have pursued one of my dream jobs (news anchor or a star on Broadway)

S is for status.
Married for 5 years

T is for time you woke up today.
5:29 AM right before my alarm went off

U is for what you consider unique about you.
I auditioned for the Dayton Opera

V is for vegetable you love.
Carrots

W is for worst habit.
Eating too much…guilty as charged!

X is for number of x-rays you've had.
Once again, probably far too many to count since I broke my leg twice as a child

Y is for yummy food you ate today.
Weight Watchers Chocolate Cake with Icing…YUM

Z is for Zeal
I’m passionate about my relationship with Christ and encouraging others to experience Him as I have.

by jove, i think i've got it!

I was thinking last night how much I love music and how I have so many favorite songs. There are just too many to name! Well, I thought about how people have Verses for the Day, Devotionals for the Day, Quotes for the Day, etc. Then a light clicked on and I thought, why not have a song for the day! Ingenious isn't it? : ) So I will attempt to have a song for each day. If I don't get to it every day, I'll shoot for every other day. We'll see how I do.

So today's song...it's one I just heard not too long ago but every time I hear it, I want to turn it up and sing it as loud as I can! It's "Top of My Lungs" by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I found a video on youtube that is done by a church praise team. It is a beautiful song. I hope you will take time to listen to it. Perhaps you will even find yourself singing at the top of your lungs as you praise God for all He has done!

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

it's been a long, long time...

I kind of went on a bit of a hiatus from writing on my blog and I’ve missed it. I guess when you have time on your hands, you tend to do other things and things that have more priority…other things get left behind. This definitely was one of those things. But I’m back and it’s time to move forward…

Things have been good.

Life is good.

I spent some time back home with family celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday. What a fantastic time that was! I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of it. My dad has a tremendous testimony for Christ and has given me a godly heritage and legacy that I hope to continue.

Work is great.

Yuma is hot.

Hubby is wonderful.

God is AMAZING!

There is a song that’s been stuck in my head for a while, “I Am” by Mark Schultz. It uplifts me and encourages me every time I hear it. Here are the words:

I am the maker of the Heavens
I am the bright and morning star
I am the breath of all Creation
Who always was
And is to come

I am the One who walked on water
I am the One who calmed the seas
I am the miracles and wonders
So come and see
And follow me
You will know

I am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

I am the spirit deep inside you
I am the word upon your heart
I am the One who even knew you
Before your birth
Before you were

Before the Earth (I am)
The universe (I am)
In every heart (I am)
Oh, where you are (I am)
The Lord of love (I am)
The King of Kings (I am)
The Holy lamb (I am)
Above all things

Yes, I am almighty God your father
The risen son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

I’ve highlighted the lines that just really encourage my heart. He is the healer of the broken…He is the one who knew us before we even were…what an amazing visual and just makes me realize my worth in Christ and His amazing love. HE IS EVERYTHING WE WILL EVER NEED! End of story…