Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Fade to Grey"

But in my state of blind confusion
No God can pull me out

This line caught my eye the first time I listened to this song because I didn't really understand what Dan Haseltine meant. No God can pull me out? But my God is all powerful. He can do whatever He wants. And then I remembered- He can do whatever He wants...except for one thing. He won't force Himself on us. We have the freedom to turn toward or away from God, and He respects that choice. The only reason God couldn't, or wouldn't, pull me out of a state of blind confusion would be because I don't let Him.

Sadly, there are plenty of times where I don't let God in on what I'm doing. I try to keep Him boxed up and let Him be around only when it is convenient, or only when it is easy. But blind confusion is not easy. I need to let God into the tough times, into all times.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Fade to Grey"

They keep me in chains and I wish they'd release me

I know many times it is not the world that is keeping me chained, but it is myself. I've noticed lately how much a hold on to my sin. Instead of letting God take the weight, take my sin, I hold on because I have trouble forgiving myself. It's something I've talked to others about before but it is something that is so much easier said than done. For me, it is so much easier to forgive others than it is for me to forgive myself. But if God, who is all-knowing and knows every sin I've ever committed and yet is able to forgive me, why shouldn't I forgive myself?

Katie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Fade to Grey"

Your trance of love is seeking

(I know the line goes past that, but I'm stopping it there.)
It's so easy for me to think "God love us" but much harder for me to think "God loves me." I know God loves me, but I can't ever seem to realize just how much He loves me. Even if I was the only person on earth, Jesus still would have come and died for me. He not only loves me, He's seeking me out, because of this love! I'm like a little wandering kid in a toy store, and God, my Father, is constantly running after me to bring me back to Him because He loves me and He knows that's what's best for me. I'm praying I'll be able to stay close to God this time. I'm praying I won't be so easily distracted by the many shinny, distracting toys.

Jen's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Fade to Grey"

And if you follow me
You'll see all the black, all the white fade to grey

As a follower of Christ, I see most things in black and white. The Bible makes it pretty clear what is right and wrong. So when I was reading the Fade to Grey lyrics I got a bit confused. Why, if I'm following God, would things go from black and white to grey? I was thinking, doesn't God want us to be hot or cold, not lukewarm? Why would we want to fade to grey? Doesn't that mean we aren't standing strong in our beliefs?

After I talked it out with my mom I realized this is a different kind of black and white. So often religious people see things black and white. We should do this to become saved, and this to lead others to Christ and sinners do this, etc. A good example is the Pharisees in the Bible. They did all the right things, but there was no faith involved. Jesus got super annoyed by the Pharisees. However, when we embrace Jesus and his teachings and become more like Him, our thinking begins to change. We are humbled and realize how little we know. Things aren't so black and white because we're continually realizing the greatness of God and how little we are in comparison. Things fade from black and white to grey because it's less of us and more of God. When we allow God to turn us "inside out" as the song says, we are humbled and challenged in our beliefs because we're having a more Christ-like outlook on things instead. Basically, this song is reminding me that I need to decrease so He can increase.

Does that make sense?

Megan's prayer: Falling Up's "Ambience"

About three months ago, I wrote about the joy that I find in going to bed early, wrapping myself with blankets, and just being in God's presence. What I never shared was what happened after I posted my blog that night. I snuggled into bed, very close to falling asleep, when I was overwhelmed with the feeling that God loved me. It was so calming, so peaceful. I think about that night often.

Today's song reminded me:

Listen deep, you'll hear the sound
Whispering, it's all around

Chris' prayer: Falling Up's "Ambience"

Listen deep, You'll hear that sound
Whispering, it's all around

I just started reading Michael Yaconelli's Dangerous Wonder in hopes of using it in a small group this summer. In the first chapter, Yaconelli talks about the voice of God speaking to us, but not in loud, thunderous tones as we read about in the Bible, but rather in whispers. God is always speaking to us, Yaconelli continues, but at some point, our lives get too filled with *stuff* to hear the whispers. Too much homework to do, too many meetings to go to, too many commitments to fulfill.

This line from Ambience reminded me of that for obvious reasons. His voice is everywhere. It's all around. I just have to take the time, and retrain my ears, to listen.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Katie's prayer: Falling Up's "Ambience"

Last year was a very trying time in my faith. I felt alone often, in both my life and my spiritual life. I think the problem stemmed from how my roommate and others on my floor treated me. For reasons unknown, they delighted in talking about me behind my back, ignoring me when I was around, messing with my stuff and so on. I prayed for the year to end and end quickly. I prayed that they would change, they would realize how horrible they were being, and they would stop. My big summer project was learning to forgive those girls for everything they had done to me. The main reason behind my urgency in forgiving them was because I believed one of them, my roommate, would die from brain cancer over the summer.

Away from these girls, it was easier to get back into my faith life, and with that extra boost of faith, I was able to forgive them. The hurt they caused returned when I got back to school and found out my roommate was a pathological liar. Among many other lies, the biggest - she never had brain cancer. It has been very hard for me to move on past this. The anger and resentment I felt towards them, particularly my roommate, resurfaced. In my mind, I took back my forgiveness. And in all honesty, I still hold on to some of that. But I feel, as I have for a while that I "MUST move on."

It's finally time to completely forgive them for everything, all the hurt and loneliness they made me to feel and for all the lies that were told. Holding onto a grudge is only going to hurt me and definitely not what God wants for me.

Jen's prayer: Falling Up's "Ambience"

The first thing I noticed about this song was the title: Ambience. First of all, I spell it ambiance and got confused by its spelling, so I had to look up the definition to see if there's a difference. There isn't. The definition caught my eye, though: "ambience is a particular environment or surrounding influence." In college I had a surrounding influence that was not positive and it dragged me down. I allowed the surrounding people to influence me and make me believe I would be happier if I was more like the world. I have never abandoned my faith as much as I did my senior year of college. I found that the more I withdrew from God, the worse things got for me. It was a learning experience and I've grown from it, but this song reminds me of what it was like then. Especially this part:

So I stand, all alone
With no chance, on my own
Will I just sustain, moving on in vain?
Cause this glow, you and I
Have come to know, is a lie
And we must move on

Being raised a Christian and then falling away from Christ is one of the scariest things I've experienced. I was alone with "no chance on my own." The question was, was I going to be too vain and prideful to admit to Jesus that I messed up and needed Him? I'm a very prideful person and hate to admit mistakes and somehow admitting to Jesus that I had severely screwed up and could not do things alone was one of the most difficult things ever. However, just like this song says, "we must move on." I had to move on, out of that ambience at school and back into Jesus' arms. I am so thankful for Jesus' intricate love that accepted me again and loves me even more than I can imagine.

Catie's prayer: Falling Up's "Ambience"

This love is so intricate I feel it taking

God's love. It's something I write about on here a lot I think. But if we all realized how much God loved each of us, the world would be such a different place. The intricate, gentle, powerful love our Lord has for each of us is so incredibly wonderful. To have someone know our inmost being and still love us all the more. It's beautiful. The love of God will take us to new heights, things we couldn't even dream of, if we let it.

Catie's prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Only One"

Cause you live in repetition

I live in repetition it feels like. While my days are very different, they are very much routine at the same time. I know there is more to life than this. God doesn't want us to be in a routine, he wants us to go out of our way, out of our comfort zones, out of ourselves to live for him. But repetition can be comfortable, we like our comfort zones, we like the familiar. However, we can't reach for more, if we continue to settle.

Chris' prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Only One"

I love the intro to this song. It seemingly has nothing at all to do with the song, just a kid strumming a guitar and making up words as he goes. Even the melody stands in stark contrast to the sound which directly follows it. But it reminds me so much of my own life and how I often live my life.

Many times, I feel like such a child in my faith. Like I should be more mature, or more responsible, like I should have mastered some of the same old sins I struggle with. I keep forgetting how to get past them, much the way the child in the song forgets the words to the song he has just come up with.

This song is not much of a happy one at all, reminding me again and again of my failures. And, despite its seeming innocence, the introduction, in its own way, does the same thing.


iTunes | Lyrics

Katie's prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Only One"

And when the day is done, there is only one there is only one

There is so much going on in my life right now, so many things demanding my attention. School, friends, lifeteen, FOCUS, the ever approaching graduation, people constantly questioning me about my plans for next year, the stress that comes with all of this, I could go on and on for days. It's so easy for me to get caught up in these various things and how I want them to turn out. Not that trying to figure out my life and what I want for my life is wrong. Where it becomes wrong is where I'm so caught up in what I want, that I don't stop and consider what God wants for me.

At the end of the day I need to remind myself, there is only one thing that matters in this life - God. If I put my trust in HIM, everything else will fall into place. I won't have to worry about next year, graduation, anything, God will provide, it's way past time for me to fully realize how true this is.

Megan's prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Only One"

Before the song even starts, before the singers from Cheer Up Charlie even sing their first lines, there is a child singing “listen to God, listen to God everyday.” I absolutely fell in love with this part of the song. It is so simple, so pure and innocent.

I’ve been around little kids quite often this semester since a lot of my classes require classroom experience. Even though I am supposed to be the one teaching them, I have learned a lot from them this semester. The most recently was when I was working with a boy in 3rd grade. We had just finished reading a story about a skunk. At the end, I asked him what he learned from the story. He told me that “I learned that animals and people are beautiful no matter what they smell like or look like. What matters is how they treat other people.” I was floored. From a simple story about a skunk, he was able to gain so much insight into what is important in life.

Maybe I should start thinking more like a child. Maybe this simple and innocent view is the key to happiness. Instead of over analyzing things or making life more difficult that it should be, I should focus on the simple things in life.

Jen's prayer: Cheer Up Charlie's "Only One"

You do it again, You do it again
Save face, butcher grace but your fine with it...

Your fine with it living in your blatant deceit
You’ve taken grace and bleed it dry with every lie you breathe
And so you breathe and so you breathe and so you bleed
How are you fine with the lie you are leading
Its only time, this isn’t right
To act like grace can be changed to fit your lie, to fit your lie

I think one of the hardest things for Christians is knowing the power of grace and abusing it. We think that knowing that Jesus will forgive us for anything is an excuse for us to go out and sin... "we take grace and bleed it dry with every lie" because in the end we can ask for forgiveness and start over again. After all, grace is about receiving forgiveness when we don't deserve it.

I feel like this song is talking about those who abuse grace and I know this is something I'm guilty of doing. I'll tell myself it's no big deal if I cave in just this once because God's got my back and will forgive me when I feel guilty later on and ask Him to forgive me. It took many years for me to realize I have to change my ways and truly feel convicted of that sin in order to be redeemed of my ways. Jesus knows when I'm truly wanting forgiveness from a sin. His grace is an amazing gift and definitely not something I should take lightly.

Megan's prayer: Michelle Tumes "For the Glory of Your Name"

Although I have been told the story of the Passion many times before, this year feels like the first year that I actually heard what was being said. At last week's lifenight, we talked about suffering, and heard a detailed description of the suffering Christ went through. At tonight's service, the thing that stuck with me the most from the Passion story was Jesus being pierced in the side which caused water and blood to flow from his body. I had heard these words before, but they had never really made an impact until tonight.

For the blood You shed was perfect

I feel that this is almost a bitter sweet line. While I understand the tradgedy that comes with the Passion, I was also reminded that this act is what God wanted. This death is a symbol of just how deep Jesus' love is, that he would suffer for me. His death and resurrection marks the beginning of a new life for everyone.

Chris' prayer: Michelle Tumes' "For the Glory of Your Name"

Where we wounded One so holy
Yet these wounds are life to us

I love the contradiction in these two lines. For it is through our sinfulness that we are able to experience the redemptive power of God's Love. It is through those wounds that we inflict on Jesus that we are able to be washed clean by His blood.

I'll leave it at that. A simple thought as my last post before celebrating His resurrection. The ultimate triumph of Love. Peace be with all of you.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Michelle Tumes' "For the Glory of Your Name"

Hanging there upon a cross
Where we wounded One so holy

Today is Good Friday, the day we as Catholics celebrate what Christ did for us on the cross. The perfect act of love, to lay down one's life for a friend. He did not have to die for us, he could have left us to die and we wouldn't have the same hope for salvation. Yet he didn't do that. He loved us so much as to endure the most painful death known to man. That is a great love. To die to one's self so that others may live. There are many things we can do throughout our day to die to self. It is only when we seize those opportunities that we can become one with the risen Christ.

Megan's prayer: Andy Cloninger's "Walk On"

I enjoy being in control of my life. Giving up this control, trusting someone with my life, and becoming vulnerable is very hard for me.

I admire the trust the Jesus had in his father. Although the path that God laid out for him was a hard path to follow, Jesus walked on.

I hope to give up that control in my life, to trust God completely with where he leads me - knowing that his plans for my life are much better than anything I could come up with.

Chris' prayer: Andy Cloninger's "Walk On"

Lord, you were worn out and
Lord, you felt like this before

Strangely enough, even though I have absolutely no idea what it means, it is somehow easier for me to think of Jesus Christ as fully God. I often forget that He was fully man as well, and experienced the same emotions that I feel today. He, too, was worn out after a long day. He, too, experienced sadness, fear, pain, as well as joy, hope, strength. He, too, wasn't sure about what He was being called to do. No matter what I'm feeling, I need to remember that my God has, too, felt these same emotions. He knows what I'm going through.

I'm not alone, no, I'm not alone
I have a God who's felt this way before

iTunes

Catie's prayer: Andy Cloninger's "Walk on"

Still you walked on

I think for me sometimes this is the hardest part. While most of time I am relatively driven, there are other times I just want to throw in the towel. However, Christ endured more the harshest punishment known to man, and he continued to walk on, he continued to forgive, he continued to love, even to the point of death. He walked on for you, for me, for all of us. Holy week is a time that we focus in on the great sacrifice Christ made out of love. We focus on how much God loves us. In my mind, there is nothing better to focus on as we approach the celebration of the resurrected Christ.

Megan's prayer: Raze's "Always and Forever"

Today's song made me feel a bit sad. As I listened, I reminisced about all of the "best friends" I have had over the years. It's no surprise that they have changed over the years as I have grown, but it is sad to think about all of those relationships that are now just memories.

What I ended up focusing on wasn't the past friendships, but the current ones. The line that really stuck with me was "miles and miles and miles are between us." I instantly thought of two of my favorite people who are currently 360 miles away from me.

Although I went from seeing them 2 times a week in class, plus on weekends last year, to only once every 3-4 months now, things haven't changed much, and that thrills me. When I get the chances to see them, we pick up right where we left off. Whether they like it or not, they are going to be my friends for a long time still to come.

I think it's no coincidence that we all met in a religion class. I truly feel blessed.

Chris' prayer: Raze's "Always and Forever"

There are a significant number of songs in my iTunes that I have "accidentally" run into. Songs that I never would have discovered if it weren't for some happy accident. This is one of those songs. This is the last track from the WOW 2000 CD, which was given to me by a friend. There are some wonderful Christian tracks on that CD. All kinds of songs about praising God, and listening to Him, and worshiping Him, and thanking Jesus, and then there is this song, sitting there at the end of the CD. Not explicitly Christian, it almost doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the music on the CD.

But it probably became the most played track from that CD. Just a simple message about friends who are there for us through all the ups and the downs, this track reminds me where I find a lot of the love that God has for me. I am so loved and so cared for by my friends. They show me, whether they are Christian or not, whether they attend services weekly or yearly or not at all, just how much God loves me. And they show me how long He will love me, too:

Always and forever.

YouTube | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Raze's "Always and Forever"

we will be friends(strong)
forever and ever

There have been many times throughout my life where I felt abandoned, alone, like I had no one to run to. However, so many times I forget to look to Christ as a friend, someone there to help me out, someone who is my friend. A friend that will never leave, no matter how bad the storm gets, no matter how stubborn I'm being, whatever. He's in it with each of us, forever and ever.

Megan's prayer: Point of Grace's "Saving Grace"

I used to be a proud owner of a "WWJD?" bracelet. I wore it probably over 2 years. But although I wore it, I don't know how often I really thought about the question that was written on my wrist.

What would Jesus do?

Now, more than ever in my life, I find myself focusing on the answer to that question. I believe that the answer is "love." Jesus was God's perfect example of love that he showed to the world. Jesus' death is the perfect example of how much he loved the world. I think that if I was able to show even 1% of that love to others, I could change the world.

(It's) all about living love
Being Jesus to those he came to save

What could happen if we all loved just a little more? What would happen if we all took on the task of "being Jesus" to others?

Chris' prayer: Point of Grace's "Saving Grace"

We have to go where she lives

On a retreat a couple years ago, I was in a small group and we were sharing different things about ourselves. One of the questions was something like, "What is your best trait?" I was genuinely struggling to come up with something I really liked for an answer; something that was truthful and meaningful. The other adult in the small group said, "Chris, I think you are wonderful at making people feel comfortable."

I thought about it for a moment and I really hoped it was true. I believe that it is. It is something that I find so important, especially within youth ministry. I feel that, if I'm going to affect these teens in any real and meaningful way, if they are going to give me a chance, then they need to feel comfortable. And they are going to feel comfortable on their terms, on their turf. I need to be there, and not expect them to come to me. I've said a thousand times, "We need to meet them where they are. We need to love them for who they are."

I may be struggling with my calling to youth ministry, but that is one thing that does not waiver, and one thing that I definitely still enjoy- showing teenagers how much God loves them.


iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Point of Grace's "Saving Grace"

All about living love
Being Jesus to those he came to save
Sharing life and giving our own away
It's all about serving God

The above lines are what life is about. This is how we are suppose to live our lives. We are to show God's love to all, not just our family and friends, not just those who are extremely lovable. EVERYONE needs to be loved, respected, and cared for. Even if they are the most bitter, hateful person in the world, how will they ever know how to love if they never experience it? They won't. It is up to each of us to make sure that each person we come in contact with knows that they are cared for, knows that they are loved for it is through loving each other that we can best serve God.

Megan's prayer: Selah's "Be Thou Near to Me"

I had never heard this song until today, but I instantly fell in love with it. The lyrics are absolutely wonderful, but what struck me more was the calm melody in the background.

I was introduced to Jim Brickman, the pianist in this song, a few months ago. I have always enjoyed listening to piano players, and his music was no exception. He plays beautifully. There have been many nights where I would listen to the few songs of his that I had on my iTunes over and over, in an attempt to help me fall asleep. They always brought a soothing, calming peace over me.

Today's song was no different than the rest of his music. It brought peace, along with my prayer for the night, found within the lyrics.

O Lord, be thou near to me.

Chris' prayer: Selah's "Be Thou Near to Me"

Seeking the joy of love unspoken

When I was in college, my then-girlfriend and I worked at the same restaurant, and many times worked the same shifts together. One such time, she was working as the To Go server, while I was on the floor with four or five tables. She had already had a rough morning and a To Go shift was not the remedy at all. There wasn't much money to be made in that shift, but there was still a significant amount of work to be done. Her day was getting worse.

I caught one of her two or three total customers standing at the end of the bar waiting for the food to be bagged up and brought out. I asked this wonderful middle aged African American woman to do me a favor. I handed her a $20 bill and asked that she give it to her server, saying only that the woman noticed she was having a tough day and that she deserved so much more. The woman complied and that small gesture (and an abnormally large tip) turned my then-girlfriend's day around.

I never told her that it was me who gave the woman the money or the instructions. The satisfaction, the joy of that moment came in showing someone that they are loved and cared for without saying a word, without taking the credit. Seeing someone I cared about be happy was very much worth it for me.

I need to find more of those moments where I can seek the joy of love unspoken.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Selah's "Be Thou Near to Me"

Oh Lord, be Thou near to me.

I feel like this is more or less my prayer on and off throughout my life depending on what is going on. However, it should be my prayer constantly. No matter what is going on in my life, whether I'm singing praises or going through a storm, the prayer should always be "Oh Lord, be Thou near to me."

Chris' prayer: Out of Eden's "River"

Some try to tell me
That there's another something
That fulfills like You do

Forget "some."

*I* try to tell myself that there is another something that will fulfill me, that will make me happy, that will complete me. I may not say it explicitly, but in my actions I profess this almost daily. With the way I act, with the way I go through my day, with the way I treat others, sometimes it is painfully obvious that I am trying to fill myself with things that are not God. Unfortunately, despite how often it occurs, I don't do a good enough job of catching myself in the act. I only realize after the fact that I was putting something else before God, or seeking solace or happiness from it.

How blessed I am to have a God who is patient, kind, and merciful. He is always there waiting for me. He never leaves. Never gets frustrated. Never quits. He will outlast all of my sins, all of the times I try to fill myself with something other than Him, and then, when I'm finally done being selfish and turn toward Him, He will be there with loving arms surrounding me. How great is my God!


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Out of Eden's "River"

When the mountains fall, when the stars collide
I know you'll be there, standing by my side

This past year, I've tried really hard to be independent. I live by myself, cook for myself, and I am responsible for paying the bills on time. It's something I didn't know if I would be able to do it all by myself, but I took a chance.

Although it has been going well for the most part, sometimes I do come to a road block. I wish I could figure everything out on my own, but there are times when I have to swallow my pride, and ask for help from others.

And every time this happens, without any question, my parents are there for me. Ready to help me. No questions asked. They will do everything possible to help me through the hard times, whether it is something physical they can give, like a helping hand with rent, or just my mom's offer to drive down to my apartment just to be with me when I have a bad night. They love me so much.

As great as their love is for me, I know God's love is even more. He will always be there, standing by my side. This is amazing.

Catie's prayer: Out of Eden's "River"

I know You'll be there
And You will still be lovin' me

I don't have too much to say about this except for the fact that I need to remember this. There has been nothing else in my life that has comforted me more than knowing that God is there for me, loving me no matter what. If only I could keep that constantly on my mind and heart.

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Liquid"

He didn't die for nothing

When I think about how Jesus died for my sins, I don't think I fully grasp just how awesome that love is.

Would I really give my life to save someone elses? Would I give my life to stand up for my faith?

I like to think that I could answer "yes" to these questions, but would that change if I actually found myself in that situation?

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Liquid"

He didn't die for nothing.

This is the line that will always stick out to me. Always. I've seen Jars of Clay perform in concert probably 8-10 times and this is the song I look forward to. It isn't my favorite song from them, but that doesn't even matter. I want to hear this one. And I want to hear it for this line. The whole song builds and builds and builds until finally it can no longer be contained. And what comes out is this line sung, no...screamed...by the entire audience.

And what a great reminder it is with Easter Sunday right around the corner.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Liquid"

He didn't die for nothing

So many times I forget this. I forget that he died for me, you, everyone. It's one thing to to give of your life, but to actually die the most horrific death ever out of LOVE. Love is something that can be so difficult, but when it works the way is it suppose to, to be completely self-giving, to truly will the good of another, there is nothing more beautiful

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Flood"

Many times when I feel overwhelmed, the only way I can find to express that is by crying. Sometimes this is an okay thing. When I have this overwhelming sense of joy or happiness in my life, it happens. When I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition and I see just how much people care for one another, it happens. When I feel an overwhelming sense of love from someone, it happens.

It also happens when I'm overwhelmed with school work, with stress, with frustration. Those are not the most enjoyable times. It's during these times that I need to remember to turn to God, to ask him to "calm the storms that drench my eyes, dry the streams still flowing."

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Flood"

I remember hearing this song on the radio when it was first released. It was actually even before I had really taken ownership of my faith and invested into my spiritual life. Nonetheless, the feeling I had then is one that I continue to have today: I find myself amazed whenever something spiritual or religious, whether it be a song like this one, a book, or a television show "crosses over" and becomes mainstream. It catches me off guard to find the secular world catching on to something religious.

It probably shouldn't surprise me. I think I recall hearing that something like 90% of Americans believe in God, and something like 80% identify themselves as Christian. It seems like the secular world is so far removed from that statistic, though...that God is part of our lives on Sundays for an hour, then perhaps a minute before meals, and then contained in privacy for the rest of the week. It is refreshing, and yes, amazing, when we as a culture allow Him to escape that box and make an impact on our secular world.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Flood"

Lift me up - keep me from drowning again

There have been many times in my life when I felt like I was drowning. Not literally but in the sense that I was in way over my head. Earlier this week I felt like this. I just had so many little things that had built up and I felt entirely overwhelmed. But God lifted me up. After a while I realized I didn't have much control over what happened in some of the situations so worrying about them was pointless and whatever God wanted to be done was going to be done. It's hardest when we don't have control to want control more than ever. But we were never in control of the situation to begin with so why not give control to God?

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Boy on a String"

The marionette has your number

There are many times in my life where I feel like a boy on a string.

Sometimes, even though I know I shouldn't, even though I don't want to, I still choose a sinful path. It is like there is no other path. Whether that sin be lying to a family member, killing a friend through the use of words or actions, or lusting after some picture in a movie or on the internet, I sometimes feel like I'm outside my own body, watching it sin, watching myself be lead astray even though I know better.

There are other times where I find myself doing good despite not choosing to. The most prominent example here is when I'm able to step outside my comfort zone with my youth ministry program, either in welcoming a teen, making a fool out of myself for some skit, or leading in something I don't particularly find myself good at. Even though I may not always want to, I still find myself doing these things.

Even though it may not always feel like it, in a way I'm the one in control of the strings. I choose who gets to pull them. Is God pulling my strings today? Or is the devil? Who have you trusted to pull yours?

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Boy on a String"

You can't feel anything
You're a boy on a string

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out if this is a good or a bad thing.

On one hand, if God is the puppeteer, guiding my every action, maybe I don't feel anything because God makes all the decisions, and doesn't take me anywhere where I would feel hurt.

But what about love? If I can't feel anything, then I obviously can't feel love. If I'm just a "boy on a string," I'm not being able to make my own decisions. I wouldn't feel joy or happiness. I would basically be lifeless.

Maybe it is good to feel, even if those feelings are of hurt or pain. At least then we are able to tell we are alive. And if we can feel hurt, then surely we will be able to feel love. And that, I think, is the greatest feeling of all.

Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Boy on a String"

And youre just wasting time

I feel like I've been doing this a lot lately. Not so much wasting time in not getting things done, more like what am I doing with the time that I've been given. I feel like if every moment, every minute, every second is a gift from God, then I'm not spending the time I've been given very wisely. I need to make every moment that God has given me count, and not take any of them for granted. I'm not sure how to do go about that quite yet, but I'll get there in time.

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "I Need You"

Strangely out of place

I think it's rather obvious just how much I enjoy noon mass at Cletus. I've written numerous blogs about it. But this past weekend was different.

Normally, I ride to mass with Chris, get there super early and have time to spend talking to the teens and other Core members before mass, listen to Carrie practice a few songs, yell "Hi Bob" while he does announcements, sing at the top of my lungs to all the songs I know (and even a few I don't), watch the teens dance, and then spend 20 minutes afterwards trying to figure out where to go to lunch.

This past weekend didn't quite go like that. It took me an hour to get to Cletus, and by the time I arrived, mass was just starting. I missed spending time with the teens before mass, and yelling "Hi Bob". I missed sitting next to Chris, who sings so loud that I know I can sing from the top of my lungs without anyone really noticing. I missed getting two hugs from Matt, one for me and one for my brother.

It's amazing how I could be in the exact place as I had been the week before, yet some how feel so strangely out of place.

Lord, help me to see and experience your love at all times. Especially those times when I most feel out of place.

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "I Need You"

Only had a second to spare
But all the time in the world
To know you're there

I cannot believe that in less than two weeks, it will be Easter Sunday. Lent has completely flown by and has left all of my grandiose plans for preparing myself scattered and broken. I am left with but a second to spare to prepare myself for this Easter season. Fortunately, I still have what seems like all the time in the world to know that Jesus is there for me. With me.



YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "I Need You"

I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for

This I think pretty much sums up where I'm at right now. I'm realizing lately how much I just need to depend on God because lately all I'm wanting to do is his will. That's all I want to do. But that is so much easier said than done. There's such a large gap between what I know I should do and what I actually do. I'm trying to make that gap smaller, but I'm just not quite there yet. I need Him in order to do that.

Chris' prayer: Matt Maher's "Just Like You"

I wanna go where You lead me to

What a great line. Although, if I had written it, and done so completely honestly, it would have been more like "I wanna know where You want to lead me to. And then I'll decide if I wanna go there." Because, as much as I love great suspense movies, theme park rides, and new adventures, I always really just want to know what is up ahead. It's hard to do anything without knowing what to expect, but it's even harder trying to live the personal aspects of my life that way. I really do want to go where God leads me...I would just like to know where that might be first. So I can let everyone know where I'll be, or something.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Matt Maher's "Just Like You"

About a month or two ago, I was at noon mass, but having a hard time concentrating. I was surrounded by only teens, and the little chitchat was starting to get to me.

It wasn't until the final song that I felt God's presence. It was Matt Maher's "Just Like You" and the teens around me forced me to dance. I got "deeper, and deeper, and deeper" right there in the pews. Although I'm not normally a fan of being forced to dance, it really helped me to see "I'm dancing in Your holy presence."

Catie's prayer: Matt Maher's "Just Like You"

With reckless abandon to Your truth

Reckless abandon. At first hearing this, reckless abandon might not sound like the best idea in the world. Nobody ever thinks of abandoning something as good and being reckless isn't something most people would pride themselves on. However, when we give in to reckless abandon to the truth, that is when our faith really starts to go deeper, to really make a difference in our lives. When we abandon our will to follow God's will, that's when the changes happen, that's when we get to see more of a glimpse of what God wants for our lives as opposed to just what we want for our lives. And if we follow God's will, there is nothing on earth that could make us happier.

Chris' prayer: Matt Maher's "Welcome to Life"

When I first started prayanewsong, I was doing my prayers in the middle of the day while at work. I enjoyed stopping everything, relaxing, and praying in the middle of my day. Unfortunately, the work around me doesn't stop and so between being interrupted and distracted by what is going on around me, my prayers lacked the depth that I found they had when I would have to pray at night.

So, I decided to pray before I went to bed. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten into the groove of having to pray before sleeping, so I'd be on my way to sleep when I'd get a text message from my lovely girlfriend reminding me to fulfill my daily obligation. Which leads me to the lyric that stuck out most to me:

So please, if you don't mind, let me remind you

I need more people like Megan in my life, people who are there to remind me to talk to God everyday, to call me out when my actions aren't consistent with my title as "Christian," and to encourage me to love more often and with more depth. I can be a forgetful person who often looks right through my own mistakes and would rather be selfish when it comes to loving others. I need those constant reminders in my life pointing the direction to the Cross upon which my Savior hung.


iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Matt Maher's "Welcome to Life"

Today.

In between yesterday and tomorrow.

As wonderful as yesterday might have been, and as much as I can't wait for tomorrow, neither of those things are quite as important as today. The present is what is important. I need to realize that, and not wish away the days.

I hope that I get it right

Catie's prayer: Matt Maher's "Welcome to Life"

Let go of the future so unclear

God has slowly been teaching me how to do this lately. My plans for this summer are unclear with where I am going to be and at the beginning of the week I was freaking out about it. I have people on my back about what I'm going to decide, but I can't quite make a decision yet because other people aren't getting back to me. Yesterday, I finally just let it go. It's hard though. I've never wanted to do God's will so much before in my entire life. And I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I'll make the wrong decision, afraid that I'm just doing what I want over what God wants and that terrifies me more than it ever has before because God's plan is greater than anything else and to not do what he wants of me would break my heart. But sometimes all you can do is let go and let God.

Megan's prayer: Steven Curtis Chapman's "Facts are Facts"

I'm just givin' my opinion with a rhythm and a clever rhyme

I wonder how many times I believe what someone says only because of the way they say it. Maybe they put their opinion in the middle of a believable story, and so I accept it all as truth. Maybe they just state their opinion in such an eloquent way that I find no reason to question it. Maybe this opinion is coming from someone who I trust, and I take it as fact instead of opinion.

While I think it is important to have faith in people and not question everything they say, I have also found the importance of questioning some things. If I just accept everything at face value, when someone challenges my view, I have no backup reasoning for why I support this particular view. Questioning things allows me to grow, to understand why I believe what I believe, and it gives me the ability to defend my beliefs.

Chris' prayer: Steven Curtis Chapman's "Facts Are Facts"

I don't want these words to sound
Like I think I've got it all figured out

When I was younger, I used to say that Rich Mullins' song "Creed" echoed my sentiments about my faith. "I did not make it. No, it is making me" was a line that I felt described who I was. In the midst of seemingly everyone who was journeying spiritually, I felt blessed to have faith that did not waiver, that was not questioned.

But now, I'm completely at the other end of the spectrum. I question everything. I have very few things figured out, and most of my beliefs are subject to change at any moment. Rather than feeling confident that I know the truth, I find myself constantly searching for that truth. And I'm happier for it.


iTunes | Lyrics

Catie's prayer: Steven Curtis Chapman's "Facts Are Facts"

and God can be found

This week, my life has been going absolutely crazy. Or at least to me it has seemed that way. Actually, not so much crazy, more like having a million things to do, having people get on my back about stuff and I'm just not sure what I need to do to make them happy. However, in the midst of all of this, God can be found. I went wondering around last night to try to clear my head and ended up sitting in front of a Marian grotto. I sat there for a while just looking at the statue of Mary, wanting her peace. After sitting there for a while, I gained a little peace of mind, so I got up and walked around some more and found myself looking up at a crucifix. There's this quote that really hit me hard when I was looking up at it. It is something along the lines of "Let us fix our eyes on the crucifix in every difficult moment, and that gaze will renew or strength." I was able to draw strength last night from Christ's strength and in that, I found God and in that found the peace of Christ.

Chris' prayer: David Crowder Band's "Undignified"

I love this song. It is such a great praise song. There is so much energy in the beat and instruments that it causes me to jump up and down when I hear it. Awesome. The thing I love most is the paradox contained in the title. Usually when I think of worshiping God, I don't think of "undignified" as an appropriate response. Being undignified means that I will show a lack of a composed or serious manner that is worthy of respect. It seems like it would be appropriate to be composed and serious and show respect when I worship, but Crowder is asking me to do something different.

He is asking me to be wild and crazy, impassioned, enthusiastic, unapologetic, and determined. Nothing, Lord, is hindering this passion in my soul. It is such a great call to action.


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Megan's prayer: David Crowder Band's "Undignified"

This past weekend I jumped into a freezing cold lake while on retreat. A yearly tradition that I was excited to once again take part in.

Some may says it's foolishness.

Maybe jumping into a cold lake isn't smart. Maybe it leaves me more susceptible to become sick or something like that. There is a chance that my parents, other Core members, maybe even some of the teens think that it was foolish to do this.

I'm okay with being a bit foolish. I didn't jump in cause I had some intense desire to swim at that particular moment. I jumped in to share that moment with the teens, to share in something a bit crazy. It was a great time. It gives us a shared moment.

I hope that these shared moments continue to happen. I hope to grow closer to the teens. I hope to be able to share both fun and foolish experiences with them as well as serious experiences. I hope that sharing these things with them can help draw both me and the teens closer to God.

Catie's prayer: David Crowder Band's "Undignified"

It's all for You my Lord!

I try to live my life in this way. That is, in such a way that everything that I do is for the honor and glory of God. However, it doesn't always work that way- the things of this world distract me. Other things sometimes look better than what God have to offer. However ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is better than what God has to offer each of us. Even though something else might look more appealing, nothing can substitute living our lives completely for our Maker.

Chris' prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Exalted Forever"

You turned my mourning into dancing

In just one week, it will have been 7 years since my mom passed away unexpectedly. I remember receiving the phone call while I was at work. I remember riding a bus all night to get back home. I remember my entire family in ruins.

And I remember proceeding into her funeral Mass behind the casket. As I did, I looked around and I saw my family and my friends and a bunch of people I didn't even know, all who had come together to pay respects to the wonderful lady my mother was. And I remember smiling during that procession and almost dancing into church that day. For my mother, I had no doubt, would be reunited with her Maker soon and how happy I was to know that.

This is where God's real power lies- His ability to turn mourning into dancing.


iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Exalted Forever"

The music found at St. Cletus’ noon mass each Sunday is simply wonderful. The music found at each monthly Encounters is amazing. These times finally give me the chance to satisfy my desire, my thoughts of “Oh, I just want to sing your praise.”

I can’t imagine the joy and gratification that comes from a job such as a music minister or a youth minister. Each and every day, as a requirement for their position, they are doing God’s work. Music ministers get to constantly sing God’s praise.

I hope that when I finally grow up and get a real job that I will be able to experience that joy each day. I hope I am blessed with a position that allows me to share that joy with others. It doesn’t have to specifically be a job within the Chruch or ministry, but I hope that I can turn any ordinary job into a chance to show God’s love. To somehow sing his praises each and every day.

Catie's prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Exalted Forever"

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands

Last week I was in El Salvador building better houses for a few people who live there. Overall it was an absolutely amazing experience. The last full day we were there, we visited two communities children's centers. The first one we visited, we played with the kids all morning. I have yet to see God as present in people as I did in those kids on Friday morning. I constantly saw Christ present in the people down there all week, but Friday it really hit me. They were all just so excited we were there and so excited to spend time with us. The community that we visited in the afternoon was so welcoming. We didn't get to talk to them much, there was a brief presentation of the history of the children's center, then we did the stations of the cross with them. They were so welcoming and so excited to see us which is something rare here in the states. They didn't know any of us but they loved us just the same. But this is how it is suppose to be. We are suppose to appreciate and love and care for each other no matter what. We are to sing in joyful praise to God for the people he has placed in our lives, because the smallest thing, could be seen as the biggest blessing.

Chris' prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Being in Love with You"

I've been keeping a secret. It is even something that I haven't fully admitted to myself. I'm still coming to grips with it.

I am having such a hard time with Life Teen right now. I'm wondering if it might be time for me to be done. And that thought scares me so much. I remember how scared I was to join the youth ministry program, and this fear is right up there. It is just that I feel like I'm doing so much, and trying to take on even more, and I'm left unfilled by it all. I just feel empty.

Even so, I told one of the kids tonight, "Just spend this weekend being loved. Let everything else go." And then this song comes along. Sometimes I need to be reminded of the things I tell others. With everything going on this weekend, I need to spend time just being in love with God and forget about evrything else.

I pray I'm able to do that.

Megan's prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Being in Love With You"

We leave for retreat in about 3 hours. I'm still not ready. I'm excited for retreat, but I'm so worried that something isn't going to go right, that me and Andy's session won't turn out right... and then I listened to this song.

I don't need to try to be
The flawless example
...
All I need to do is just be me
Being in love with you

If I'm enough for God, that's all that matters. If he loves me just as I am, there is no reason to worry about not being good enough.

Finally, I think I'm ready for this retreat.

Megan's prayer: Matt Maher's "Ressurection Day"

Tonight I watched "Sister Act" on TV. I loved watching this movie when I was young, and nothing has changed. One of my favorite parts of the whole movie is when the teens, or young adults, who are standing on the street, hear the music coming out of the Church, and decide to go inside to see what is going on.

The excitement in the song, the joy coming from the choir, brought them into the Church, brought them back to Jesus.

Great things can happen when we sing for joy.

Chris' prayer: Matt Maher's "Resurrection Day"

I recently finished the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm a big fan of Gladwell's, so I had to pick this book up, his newest release. Overall, the book is about the subtle opportunities and choices that make someone or something outstanding.

In one of the chapters, Gladwell talks about how language and culture affect the airline industry, and in particular, how pilots communicate with their copilots and ground control. He uses this lens to explain a crash that occured several years ago in New York. In relaying information about fuel to to the ground control, the copilot does not communicate urgency and panic at all. Rather, the tone of his voice downplays the perilous situation they are in and accepts the instructions from the ground crew, who have no idea that this plane does not have enough fuel to comply.

Sometimes, the tone of one's voice can mean everything. It can tell us when a friend is having a bad day, even though their words might suggest otherwise. It can also, as illustrated in Outliers, be vital to correctly pass along a message.

The tone of this song is absolutely perfect for its message. It is the perfect exclamation point to what we are waiting for this Lenten season. The words and the tone come together to show the excitement that Easter holds for us this, and every, year.

We sing for joy, we shout your name
We celebrate your resurrection day

iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Kutless' "Treason"

With my two lips I will praise your name
Then I turn around and only curse and blame

I struggled with this song tonight. At first I thought it was because I was unable to connect with the lyrics and understand what the song meant, but I finally realized that I knew all too well what the song meant, and I just didn't want to admit it.

Chris' prayer: Kutless' "Treason"

I can't say that I was terribly familiar with this song before tonight. I'd heard it before when my iPod was on shuffle, but, if I was paying attention to what I was listening to, I always hit the skip button. And if I wasn't paying attention, well, then I wasn't paying attention to the lyrics at all.

And the lyrics I find so fascinating and so poignant. The lyrics describe exactly what sinning is for a Christian: treason. A betrayal of something that we know to be true. At least, that's what it feels like when I sin. It feels exactly like this:

I give you my life then I run in haste
I swear I'm back but then it turns out it's only a season
…
With my two lips I will praise your name
Then I turn around and only curse and blame

Fortunately for me, fortunately for us, this line reminds of the truth which we know to be true:

Your blood it covered all my sin
You changed a traitor into kin

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Chris' prayer: Casting Crowns' "What if His People Prayed"

I'll be the first to admit, I don't pray as often as I should. Also, if I'm being honest, I don't pray as sincerely or as deeply as I should when I do pray. This song calls out to me, asking what would happen if I actually prayed as sincerely, deeply, and often as I should. The thing is, I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in all the things the song says could happen if I, as one of His people, prayed. And yet, I don't.

I was hoping that this Lent would be a time to get my act together and really focus and make strides in my faith. But then I run into weeks like last week, where suddenly it is Saturday, and I'm wondering where the week has gone. It seems like there is always something that I let keep me from doing the things I know I need to do to deepen my faith. "Hopefully, Lent will help." Or, "Hopefully, the Easter season will help." Or, "Once Easter passes and things settle down, then I'll be able to focus."

If only.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Casting Crowns' "What if His People Prayed"

There never seems to be enough time to do all of the things that I want. In my personal activities, in church activities, in my school activities, I always feel that I could be, and should be, doing more. In today’s song, it sounds like I’m not the only one who should be doing more.

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords?

What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate?

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth?

What if his people prayed?

I fail to understand why these things are happening. Why are God’s “armies” doing so little that their swords are dusty? Why is the Church not seen as stepping up to the plate? Why are we pursuing a life that is not based in truth? Why are we not focused on the power of prayer? I feel like we should be doing more. I will try to do more.

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Famous Last Words"

Famous last words.

The other night, I was playing a game with my girlfriend and a couple friends of hers, and the question came up: "What would you like your famous last words to be?" Usually the phrase famous last words is used tongue-in-cheek, meant as a joke. Appropriately, I answered the question as a joke.

But I sincerely hope that my famous last words are something meaningful. I hope that the last thing that I'm able to share with others as I pass from this life, whenever that may be, is something that affects those who heard it. I hope it means something to them. Similarly, I hope that the famous last words of my actions aren't a joke. I hope that I'm able to make an impact on those I meet and leave them knowing that they were loved by me.

I hope my famous last words are words of love.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Famous Last Words"

Up until about 10 months ago, I had never thought about living by myself. I always thought I would have roommates during college and then move back home afterwards until I found others to live with or got married. But then things changed, and I took a very scary step in my life, and I moved into an apartment by myself. And I love it.

I’m able to eat dinner when I want, watch the TV shows that I want, play music whenever I feel like dancing, do my homework in peace, and go to bed at any time.

Today’s song pointed out something a bit different to me.

When loneliness is such a sanctuary
Empty are the musings and wasted are the days

Living by myself does not teach me how to compromise, how to get along with others. I no longer get to enjoy the random thoughts and stories that my roommates would always share. Even something inside of me is being lost. I no longer have the perpetual opportunity of sharing my wisdom or my love with those who live with me, and maybe it just becomes wasted because I live alone.

While I’m most likely not going to give up my apartment because of one song, I will start working on not allowing my loneliness to become a sanctuary.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Jars of Clay's "Famous Last Words"

You were only waiting

This kind of irony seems to sprinkle life, or at least, I can think of examples in my own. Especially in my faith life. When I ask God for something, obviously He provides, but sometimes I find myself getting so wrapped up in what I hope/want/think the outcome should/could/would be that I forget to keep my eyes open for what it is. My plan for my life is very different from God's for me. I'm completely okay with that, all I need is for Him to take charge of my life and show me where to go and how to get there. I feel like I would think that I could see God walking out on me when really He is just waiting for me to catch up so He can take me somewhere better. It reminds me of the footprints in the sand poem. My prayer is to always recognize what God has in store for me and to be open to the ideas that He comes up with (i hear they are usually right :-P)

happy [john] 3.16 everyone! i guess even Jesus felt like God walked out on Him sometimes, when He cried out "Father, why have you abandoned me?"...but even there God had it all worked out already.

Chris' prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Fields of Grace"

There's a place that I lose my selfish pride

If there is one thing that being in youth ministry has taught me it is how to lose my pride and just be wild and crazy and free. To dance like no one is watching.

In real life, I feel like I have to follow all kinds of social rules and norms. I have to contain myself. But when I'm at youth ministry events, or Christian concerts, or adoration, I lose that sense of self-consciousness and am free to just be with my Father, dancing for Him while He sings over me. It is where I am...me.


iTunes | Lyrics

Erinnicole's Prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Fields of Grace"

I dance for my Father

of all of the things and actions that i should offer up to my Father, why can't it be the little things? why must i try and do huge things, lest feel like i've let him down. i can do things like dance for Him! literally and metaphorically. I can "dance" for Him in my simple words and deeds; the choice to do right over wrong. Especially in Lent as I prepare to do the most joyous dance of the church year! amen!

Megan's prayer: Big Daddy Weave's "Fields of Grace"

There's a place where religion finally dies.

What if we didn't let the differences in religions cause tension? What if we weren't so worried about pushing our beliefs onto others and accepted that person for who they are? What if we just loved everyone?

I think that might be what heaven is like.

Chris' prayer: Jennifer Knapp's "A Little More"

With all this motivation I still find a hesitation
Deep in my soul

Why is it so hard to live a Christian life? Why can it be so hard sometimes to do the right thing when I know exactly why I should, when I realize all the wonderful gifts You give me? Why, despite knowing life would be better lived for You do I still insist on living for me, on pursuing what I want, on attempting to fulfill my needs?

Despite all my demanding I still find You understanding
Show me grace

And even though I insist on doing things my way most of the time, You are still patient with me. You are still there to pick me up, to dust me off, to give me another chance. You patiently teach me Your ways, instructing over and over until I get it, never growing weary. You forgive me despite all my failures, all my faults.

All of it, all of it, Lord, is way more than I deserve.


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Erinnicole's Prayer: Jennifer Knapp's "A Little More"

With all this motivation I still find a hesitation

i have anxiety problems, they used to be much much worse but i still have them. as a result, i am an extremely cautious person. my mind is always flooded with worst-case scenarios; not in a negative thinking way, in a way of being prepared for anything. it seems that when i have an opportunity, this quote seems to be how I react. No matter how much there can be going for me, i still will hesitate and try to figure out what could go wrong. my prayer is to relax and just let God be God. I have faith that He will take care of me.

Megan's prayer: Jennifer Knapp's "A Little More"

I have proved to live a dastardly day.

Although I have heard the word before, I didn't know the exact definition of "dastardly," but the Internet helped me out. Dastardly means "despicably cowardly" or "given to backstabbing." Not exactly the most friendly or loving word, but Knapp uses it to describe how she lives some days in her life.

As much as I hate to admit it, I know I have had my fair share of those moments and days - the times where nothing about my demeanor was "Christ-like."

About a week ago, I was at a talk where the speaker was talking about the importance of being Catholic not only while we are attending church, but in our everyday lives. He talked about how the people that we encounter each day may not have a personal relationship with Christ, and as Catholics, we must realize that with each person we encounter, that person is encountering Christ through us. Our words and actions should be examples of love and grace.

It's made me think a lot about how I treat others.

Catie's prayer: Jennifer Knapp's "A Little More"

A little more than I can give

Lately I feel like a ton is being asked of me. A ton of future things are being put on my plate for what I am going to do, next week, this summer and next year. The thing is I know I can do all that is being asked of me, but I yet I don't know. The thing is, so many times we don't trust in God's ability to work through us. We trust more on what we think we can do as a person over what we can do with God working with us and through us. There's this quote that I really like that I think sums this up pretty well- "Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness." When we think we have nothing left to give, we can turn to God and he will fill us up so that we can give even more. We just have to be the ones to go to him.

Megan's prayer: Mary Mary's "Thankful"

There are so many things in my life that I thank God for daily, but there are countless other things that I don't even think about. I thank him for the beautifully sunny days, but when was the last time I thanked him for the rain that brought life to the earth?

Everything he does deserves thanks, and sometimes I forget that. This song served as a little reminder to me of just how thankful I should be.

Chris' prayer: Mary Mary's "Thankful"

I'm pretty sure Mary Mary says "Thank You" about a hundred times in this song. Over and over again, their message is pounded into my head. But it's a good pounding. (: I should be taking everything that I have, every blessing that He's given me, back to Him in praise and thanking Him for all of it. And, although Mary Mary only mentions the good stuff in this song, I should be thankful for the times when things don't go quite right. I should be thankful for everything, for as it says in the song,

Lord, you didn't have to give me one more day

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Catie's prayer: Mary Mary's "Thankful"

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
It's plain to see
all that he's done for me
I thank you for everything
I live my life
So I can let the world
know that I am

Do I live this way? Do I live in a way that people know that my life has been changed by the one true God? I know I don't always live my life like that. I know my actions don't always reflect the great love that God has for all of us. But I should. God has done so much for each of us and knows us well enough to know what is best for us. God loves us more than we could ever imagine. Why wouldn't we want to let the world know that they are loved?

Megan's prayer: Mark Harris' "For the First Time"

I was waiting for a push, waiting for a sign
Waiting for the perfect moment to arrive
Steady as a clock, caught between the line
Living for myself until I realized
There’s too much life You’ve given me
To let it slip away

I feel like a lot of times I have these great ideas, these great plans, but I keep putting off doing them until a later time. I kept pushing off school projects and papers until spring break. Well spring break has arrived, and now I just want to push them off more.

I'm not sure why I don't realize that NOW is the time. NOW is the time to start fresh, to be productive, and do school work.

I feel like my faith falls into this trend also. The days leading up to Lent I thought "I can't wait till Lent because I'm going to be more dedicated to daily prayer." Why did I wait? Why didn't I just do that right then?

It's something I need to work on.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Mark Harris' "For the First Time"

'Cause being wild at heart is really who I am

The word "wild" has begun to take such a negative connotation in today's society. ie: Girls Gone Wild. But in this sense, I love it! Just being wild at heart, being crazy for God and spontaneous in the ways that I express His love for me. I love the image that I get of being crazy with love for someone - so crazy that I would do anything for them. Just like God does and will do and always has done for me. John 3:16!

Chris' prayer: Mark Harris' "For the First Time"

Ready to live? Exciting! Ready to breathe? Essential! Ready to take in everything? Sounds awesome! Ready to shine? I've always wanted to shine! Ready to live this life of mine? Can't wait! Ready to jump? Scary, but thrilling! Ready to fly? Who doesn't want to fly??!

I feel like the line that I skipped should have been "Ready to be loved?" Being loved is wonderful. It makes me feel all warm and squishy inside, makes me feel so good about myself, makes me smile, makes me happy. I can't think of anything better than being loved. Being loved fits right in with all those things above.

But ready to love? That is a lot of work. It's hard. Sometimes it is less than rewarding, or at least it feels that way. Other times it downright sucks. When others insult me, disappoint me, frustrate me, and hate me, I am called to love them. Am I really ready for that?


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Catie's prayer: Mark Harris' "For the First Time"

"If Christianity is simply about being nice I'm not interested...I'm ready for a Christianity that 'ruins' my life, that captures my heart and makes me uncomfortable. I want to be filled iwth an astonishment which is so captivating that I am considered wild and unpredictable and...well...dangerous. Yes, I want to be 'dangerous' to a dull and boring religion."
- Danger Wonder
I think the above quote, in a way, sums up today's song.

'Cause being wild at heart is really who I am

I think many times we don't think of religion as "dangerous". I mean, religion seems pretty safe, it's about a peaceful, all-loving, all-powerful God. In today's world however, being religious and being Catholic is pretty dangerous. I mean, God wants our lives. To give up control of our lives is pretty scary, pretty dangerous. However, when we take that first jump, that first leap of faith, there is nothing more freeing.

Chris' prayer: Jason Sweet's "Where Will I Go"

I like that this song has so many lines that end in a question mark. It kind of represents where I have been in my faith life for the last few years. I used to be one of those guys that just accepted everything related to my spirituality and never felt the need to question it. I felt blessed to not have to journey to find the faith that was right for me. I'm only beginning to realize the power of questions. My faith is so much deeper now that I have had the courage to ask the difficult questions. The answers haven't always come right after asking the question, and in fact, I am still waiting for some answers, but the process of trying to figure out the answers has been so much better for me than the juvenile accepting of faith just because my mom and dad said so.

If every journey begins with one step, then every spiritual journey begins with a squiggly line sitting above a single dot.


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Erinnicole's Prayer: Jason Sweet's "Where Will I Go?"

Without a doubt there is something more to my life than this

some people have said "high school are the best years of your life". my grandpa tells me that and the people that sell class rings say it, and many others of course. but i keep thinking to myself, this simply cannot be as good as it gets. I know that God has so, so much more in store for me than the highlight of my day being an A on a spanish test. Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated that I can't see what God does have in store, but i think i should simply take comfort in the fact of knowing that He has a plan for me at all and just be thankful that I mean that much to Him.

Megan's prayer: Jason Sweet's "Where Will I Go"

So what should I do?

For those who know me, this is probably a common question they hear coming from my mouth often. I'm horrible at making decisions. I think part of this is because I hate being wrong. If I make a decision, and it ends up being the wrong one, I'm the only person to blame. I like to ask others for their opinion, what they would do, etc, so that I'm not solely relying on my own thoughts.

Maybe this wouldn't be a problem if I started out by asking God "So, what should I do?" He's got some pretty good ideas, and if I could slow down enough to listen to these ideas, maybe I could be more confident in the decisions I do make.

Catie's prayer: Jason Sweet's "Where Will I Go"

Where will I go from here
And will I know for sure that You will be there
Where will I go from here
Without a doubt there is something more to my
life
than this

I spent the past weekend at the Motherhouse of the School Sisters of Christ the King on a silent vocations discernment retreat. I've never been on a silent retreat like that before. I always thought I was open to a vocation to the religious life, but I realized this weekend that I wasn't as open as I thought I was. I was more open, and now I'm trying to remain open, but it is hard. I don't know where God is leading me. I don't know where I am going from here. I'm at a point where I am asking "where will I go from here". I know there is more to life than this life that I am living but I'm not quite sure what that is.

Well I giving it all up to You

While I don't know where I am going to go from here, I know that God knows my heart and that he knows what will make me happy. If he wants me to be a nun, he will get me there. I'm giving it up to him.

Erinnicole's Prayer: Building 429's "Glory Defined"

never a moment without your presence

this past week has been "go, go, go" with no "stop" at all. i've been doing so many different things and not truly getting enough sleep. in the shuffle of this past week and the next week with all the musical stuff, it will be easy for me to forget that God will be with me amongst the frustrations and even sometimes in the excitement. i pray that I don't get so caught up in the moment that I forget to share it with the One who gave it to me.

Marie's Prayer: Building 429's "Glory Defined"

there's always a bridge that needs crossings

Whenever I get through a difficult Time in my life, there Always seems to be Something else that needs to be done. I need to realize That when I need to cross a bridge I can Call on God to help me. Because no matter what, I will get over the bridge.

Megan's prayer: Building 429's "Glory Defined"

Never a moment without Your presence

To me, this is such a relieving thought. God is always present. Even during the times when my mind is consumed with other things, when I go a day forgetting to pray, when I lose sight of what is important. Even in those time, God is there, which is awesome because those are the times when I truly need him most to be there.

Chris' prayer: Building 429's "Glory Defined"

the best is yet to come

I hope that I always feel this way. About work. About my family. About my friends. About my faith. I hope that I'm always on the upward side of the slope, with anything and everything to look forward to, knowing that, as good or as bad as things might be right now, things are just going to get even better. My Christian faith offers that hope for me that the best is always yet to come. My God has more in store for me than I could ever imagine.

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Catie's prayer: Building 429's "Glory Defined"

But I know that you're guiding me
and the best is yet to come
You've given me hope for tomorrow

This is probably one of the most comforting things (for me at least) about God. Lately I've been ridiculously busy, constantly running around like a chicken with its head cut off. However, when I slow down and remember that God is in fact taking care of me and that I don't have to go this alone, it gives me great peace of mind. He is my hope for tomorrow.

It's always the simple things
it's always the obvious that crashes over me
It's always in front of meit helps me to remember
this is what I live for
and I can't wait

I want to say something about this but I don't know what to say. The verse in it of itself though is the story of my life. I constantly have to be reminded that God is what I live for, nothing else.

Chris' prayer: Plus One's "Run to You"

And I get lost in You
When I don't have the faith

Huh? I've been lost in God a few times over the years, so in love with and on fire for Him, and feeling so very loved. But those times were always when my faith was strongest. I can't say that I've ever been lost in God when I don't have the faith. That whole idea kind of astounds me.

And it also inspires me. It is something to look for in my journey of faith. When I am completely lost, without any direction and having no clue where I am, when I am just plain out of faith, am I still lost in Him? Am I still madly in love with Him? Will I allow the perfecter of my faith to do just that?


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Megan's prayer: Plus One's "I Run to You"

In a place of chaos You're the
One thing that brings me peace

Life truly is chaotic. Some days I really feel like I'm way in over my head, that I have too much on my plate and that I just want time to rest. During these times, I find it most helpful to place myself in the presence of God through adoration. These weekly trips have become so important to me. They give me a chance to just rest, to feel a peace wash over me. During that hour, I feel like I can handle anything.

What a perfect feeling.

Catie's prayer: Plus One's "I Run to You"

I run to You

This line is repeated dozens of times in this song and I feel like it more or less sums up my life. I find myself constantly running to Christ, running to the chapel and he is able to settle my uneasiness. Sometimes it feels like that is the only thing to do. And the thing with God is that he is always there, waiting for us to run to him. It's not like we are going to run to him and then he will not be there. Even if we don't he's there, or can't quite feel his presence in our lives, he is there. We just have to be the ones willing to run to him.

Megan's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Unforgetful You"

I don't like today's song. I just arrived home after an amazing adoration experience where I sang about how God is my everything, and then I listen to this song and seems to say that my love for God is conditional. That I'll call him King, but only if he gives me what I need. And how I won't take interest in things that don't pertain to me.

And on the flip side, it shows God as "unforgetful." He calls us "child", but not in the sweet innocent sense, but in more of a "likes to throw tantrums" sense. It's almost as if God is looking down on us.

Maybe I misunderstood the song.

I love God, unconditionally, and I believe he loves me the same way. I am his child, but in a sense that I am the one he wants to hold in his arms, not in the sense that he is upset because of my tantrums.

And yes, God is unforgetful. But not in a "I'm going to hold a grudge forever cause I never forget" but in a more loving way, in a way that shows that he loves us so much he remembers everything little thing that we do.

Marie's Prayer: Jars of Clay's "Unforgetful You"

I never thought to ask You
I always thought You knew

You know what? I never Actually asked God for anything Before. I always assumed He knew what I Wanted/needed. I know now that you can't Expect something to happen If you don't ask for it. Even though God is All knowing, you have To appreciate this fact And ask Him and He, being the Father, will listen and do What's best for me. All of a sudden there's This big lightbulb going On over my head: Eureka!

Chris' prayer: Jars of Clay's "Unforgetful You"

You never minded calling me a child
Well, I guess that's how I acted all the while
But You live through every tantrum
You see through every lie
Though they seem to be more common
I just wanted to know why oh why

Usually, when I hear about being a child of God, this isn't the image I picture. Instead, I picture a father picking his son up, tossing him in the air and spinning around with him in a park somewhere on a gorgeous sunny day. The father's love outweighs practically everything about the son except the son's existence. I never really considered that being called a child with respect to being a child of God could mean anything else. I never stopped to consider that being a child comes with, well, child-like actions– like tantrums, lies, and acting up. Suddenly, the picture isn't so pretty, and a bit more real. However, I think I did get one thing right in my initial image:

The father's love outweighs practically everything about the son except the son's existence.

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Catie's prayer: Jars of Clay's "Unforgetful You"

But You live through every tantrum
You see through every lie
Though they seem to be more common

Lately (as I might have said in past blogs) I am at this point in my relationship with God where I am constantly reminded of how much God loves me, no conditions, no matter what. God sees us at our worst, but is able to see past that to who he created us to be. So many times it's so easy to get caught up in the bad stuff that we forget that God is with us and that he loves us. I don't know who said this quote, but I think the following quote really sums up what I am trying to say. "God loves you the way you are but he refuses to leave you that way."