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

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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.


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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.


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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.


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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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