Megan's prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Rejoice"

I was reading the book "The Year of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs today. In this book, he attempts to follow all of the rules or guidelines of the Bible literally for an entire year. It's quite interesting, and sometimes humorous, to hear of the things that he ends up doing.

One of the little rituals that Jacobs finds himself doing during the day is to constantly be saying "Thank you." Whether it's to the people around him, or giving thanks to God for the things happening in his life. He claims that saying "thank you" almost becomes an obsession of his.

While I was reading this, I was trying to decide if this is a bad thing. While it may get a bit tiresome to hear someone *constantly* saying "thank you" throughout the day, I feel like it would help remind me of just how blessed I am. Too often I forget to say "thank you" for the little things I take for granted.

Similarly tonight, Tomlin says "again I say rejoice." Rejoicing weekly at Mass isn't enough. Rejoicing should be a constant thing, something that we find our self doing constantly, not just when someone reminds us to say it again.

Chris' prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Rejoice"

Today was not a good day for me. Just coming off of a wonderful trip, I was happy to have zero stress. But that didn't last at all. My car is acting up, and I feel lucky just to make it home tonight without it overheating and being stranded on the side of the highway. I spent the better part of my evening absolutely consumed by stress, worrying about how I was going to get to work, or pay for the repairs, or pay for an entirely new (at least to me) car. A day removed from the trip, and my stress level is higher than ever.

In the midst of this, though, I discovered exactly what I have to do to take the next step in my relationship with God. If I want to deepen that, to more fully rely on Him, the ultimate act would be to surrender this over to Him. To run the risk of not being able to get to work, or not be able to afford the repair bills or the cost of a new car, and just trust Him with that. If I was able to do that, I feel like I could turn [my] sorrow into singing.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Jen's prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Rejoice"

Only You can satisfy

So often I think "If only I could do this..." or "If only I had this..." and THEN I would be satisfied. But that isn't true. It's a downfall of humans to think we'll be satisfied when we get more money or when we get married or when we're done with school...the list goes on. The only time I feel satisfied, though, is when I'm close to the Lord and following Him. And I just pray that I can continue to realize that is how I will be satisfied and the only way.

Katie's prayer: Chris Tomlin's "Rejoice"

See the morning, see it rising
Over the mountains high
See the mercy in the mighty hand of God

For some reason, the past few days it's been really hard to wake up. I've been wanting a little more sleep. 'Just a little more!' I tell myself as I hit that snooze button again and again and again. Instead of telling myself it's another beautiful day that God made just for me, I've been telling myself it's another day, another day I have to get up out of bed and do stuff when I'd rather be sleeping. Maybe it's cause I haven't said morning prayer since Wednesday! ahh! It's been almost a week! I pray that God might help me tomorrow to:

Turn [my] sorrow into singing
The song of life
Rejoice, Rejoice

Megan's prayer: Newsboys' "It is You"

Sometimes, at the end of a song at church, the pianist will stop playing, and just let the congregation finish out the song without any musical accompaniment. This is one of the best moments. I love hearing the voices of those around me, joining me in praising God. I love that, even if I'm singing as loud as possible, others around me drown me out.

As much as I love singing, it is just as wonderful to listen to the church during this time. Normally, first and foremost, I'm able to hear the person next to me singing loudly. But once I listen a little closer, I can hear distinct, recognizable voices of the teens who sit around me. It's wonderful to all praise God together.

What I loved most about this song wasn't necessarily the music, but the fact that it was a whole group singing together. Yes, the main singer was more noticable at first, but I was slowly able to hear the others in the background. It was all of them, together, that made the song beautiful.

I can't get through life all on my own. I rely on others to help me, to build me up. It is by joining together with others that I am able to praise God with all my heart.

Chris' prayer: Newsboys' "It is You"

Wow, it has been forever since I have heard this song. And, similarly, it has been seemingly forever since I've been able to blog. But just like an old friend who returns without anything changing, this song, and my blogging, return, bringing the promise of growth and comfort.

It is good to be back, to praise Him again.


YouTube | iTunes | Lyrics

Jen's prayer: Newsboys' "It is You"

When I was 16 I had the opportunity to be a "reporter" at a Christian music festival. I had been interning at a small Christian paper and when the owner heard I was going to be attending this festival, she gave me special media passes for certain shows, which included a Newsboys show one night. This song reminds me of that time. When the song goes, "will you meet us here?" the answer is YES. As I stood there, at first it was all about seeing the lead singer's bald head up close or the guitarist and his long dreads, but as I lifted up my hands and really sang my guts out, it was about Jesus. And when I reached out to Him, He met me there. And that is such a good feeling to know that Jesus IS real and He WILL meet us where we are when we truly try. Every day I want to remember this and fall more in love with Him.

Katie's prayer: Newsboys' "It is You"

As we lift up our hands
Will You meet us here?
As we call on Your name
Will You meet us here?

One thing that struck out to me about this song was the question: 'Will You meet us here?' Not believing God will be there, but instead questioning, 'Will You be there?' I think I go through that sometimes in my own life. Asking in a somewhat desperate voice, 'God, will you be there?' 'God, I'm here trying to worship You, are you here?' 'God I'm going to adoration tomorrow, will you be there?' 'I'm here God, where are you?' Instead of just trusting in the fact that God is everywhere, I question.

Megan's prayer: Third Day's "These Thousand Hills"

I knew this week was going to be busy, so I made a plan to keep myself organized. I wanted to spend my free time studying for my midterm I had today, and I wanted to catch up on some sleep.

I thought this would be easier accomplished if I stayed at home, instead of my apartment, so I could save driving time.

But those precious hours I had set aside to sleep and study didn't happen. Instead, I found myself hanging out in my dad's office while he worked, petting my dog. Or talking to my mom while she got ready for work in the morning. Or staying up until 2am with my siblings, talking about how work had been that night.

It was great to be home. It was great to have that quality time with my family that I feel like I miss out on cause of school and work sometimes.

I feel like my love for my home here on earth will be exceeded by my love for my home in heaven. Tonight's song made me feel so peaceful, so excited to spend every day with God.

When heaven's hills at last I roam
Forever settle in my home

Katie's prayer: Newsong's "All Around the World"

When I was in middle school, there was a girl in our class we thought was the next Mary. She got all A's, was really quiet so we never really got to know her. We thought she was perfect, sinless, going to give birth to the next Jesus. After middle school, I got to know her a little better, realized she isn't perfect, she isn't sinless, and most likely isn't going to give birth to the next Jesus.

But the possibility is still there. Jesus could really come back to earth anytime He wants! Or He could take me from this earth anytime he wants! I had a teacher that once said "America is the only country that believes death is avoidable." It's true. It's stupid, but it's true.

I've been reading recently about Charles Untz, a young man who died a few years back, who many to believe a saint. Here's a quote from one of the things I read from his website:

Speaking about usual teenage issues and events that seem to tire and drain one spiritually, he states, "Don't let yourself get caught up in that never ending cycle. Keep in mind that Heaven is the ultimate goal of life, all other goals and things should be directed in attaining it." Charles loved life, but he understood his goal! He once said, "I'd rather be in heaven than spend one more day on this earth."

So here's the point of all my random musings:
The end of the world could come at anytime. Death is not avoidable at all, but that isn't a bad thing. Death = life in Heaven with God. But until that time when death comes (and it will come) we should (I mean I should) be treating everyday as if it were the last.

All around the world
Can't you hear creation calling
Make way the Savior's coming

Jen's prayer: Newsong's "All around the world"

I was gonna try to not copy the same line as Megan, but it's a good one. So too bad.

So let us not becoming entangled by the trappings of this world

The Bible tells us to always be ready for Jesus to return. You never know when you might die, or when Jesus will decide, "Hey, let's just take all my pals up to heaven now." (Apparently Jesus is talking to children or something.) But anyways, it is hard to always be ready, anxiously awaiting for Jesus' return if you're entangled with the world.

I think right now I'm trying to learn what that balance is between being IN the world and not OF the world. How do you connect with people and show them Christ's love without being so much like them...but you can't be such a nun that people don't want to be around you either, ya know? It's something I think I need to pray about more.

And that line is also a good reminder that this worldly stuff that bothers me is simply that: worldly. I should be more concerned about becoming more like Jesus.

Megan's prayer: NewSong's "All Around the World"

So let us not becoming entangled by the trappings of this world

I get so hung-up on things that shouldn't matter all that much. These things cause me to struggle in my faith sometimes.

Dear Lord, help me to not get caught up in the pointless things of my life. Help me stay focused.

Megan's prayer: Steve Angrisano's "Sweet Redeemer"

I'm not very good at living out the phrase "Offer it up". I tend to complain, wanting others to feel sorry for me. It's not really an attractive quality - I would like it to be differ, I am trying for that to be different.

Tonight I could sit here, praying, and complain to God about my day, a day that didn't really turn out great. Instead, I'm going to do what the lyrics say.

I surrender all I am to you.

All of my stress, all of my bad day, all of the things that are preoccupying my mind right now - I surrender them all to my God.

I pray that tomorrow I can continue to surrender it all to God. I also pray that I'll be able to surrender all the good along with surrendering the bad.

Jen's prayer: Steve Angrisano's "Sweed Redeemer"

The word that stuck out to me in this song was "ALL."

I surrender all I am to you

How often do I give Jesus parts of my life and not ALL of them? Jesus, you can have my job and my family, but I'd like to choose which friends I have and the fun stuff. Don't get into that area, okay? But Jesus gave ALL of him for me, so why wouldn't I give up all to Him?

It's so simple to say. So hard to live.

Katie's prayer: Steve Angrisano's "Sweet Redeemer"

I had my first official interview for a Youth Minister position last night. As I was lying in bed, all I could think about were the places I messed up. The times when I should have said something different, where I could have added more, where I didn't show my personality or knowledge as much as I should have. I kept replaying the interview in my mind, but with all these changes I feel I should have made. After a while of all this thinking and role playing, I realized it was all pointless. It doesn't matter that I might dream it went another way. It doesn't matter what I would change now. The past is the past and there is nothing about that interview I can change. Nothing I can do to make them like me any more or any less. Nothing more I can do to have a better chance of getting that job. I guess there's nothing more left to do then, but surrender it all to Jesus. Leave all my worries, fears, and hopes in His hands.

Sweet Redeemer, I surrender all I am to you.

Katie's prayer: Sean McConnell's "Madly in Love with You"

So I'm actually writing this blog on Wednesday morning. I'm a failure I know. But it's not my fault. My internet was completely down the whole day! But I think it's a good thing that I wasn't able to write until today because of the end of morning prayer this morning.

Lord, as daylight fills the sky, fill us with your holy light. May our lives mirror our love for you whose wisdom has brought us into being, and whose care guides us on our way.

It just reminded me so much of the lyrics for this song

Every morning sunrise says I'm madly in love with you.

Sunrise marks the beginning of a new day. How awesome is it that God sends us a new day. A time to start again. Another chance to be better. Another chance to be more like him. Another chance for us to realize just how much he loves us and wants to be with us!

Megan's prayer: Sean McConnell's "Madly in Love with You"

Someday you'll understand

I feel like I was told this a lot as a kid. During those times, I just had to trust in the person saying it to me. I had to trust that they knew better, and that even though I didn't know the reason behind things, they wouldn't lead me astray.

I feel like my relationship with God is constantly like this. I'm having to trust in him, without knowing the full meaning or reason behind what I'm doing.

I have a hard time with this trust sometime. I have a hard time not knowing the reasoning behind what I'm being asked to do.

I think with a little more trust in God, and knowing that he knows what's best for me, I'd be able to serve him better instead of always questioning him.

Jen's prayer: Sean McConnell's "Madly in Love with You"

I know you wish you could see me
That’s the way it has to be
Someday you’ll understand,
Don’t you lose your faith in me

I know you wish you could hear me
Sometimes it’s so hard to do
But every morning sunrise it says
I’m madly in love with you

I love songs like this...where it's like I'm hearing what Jesus is saying down to us. I'm pretty sure Jesus has been saying similar things to me today as the verses above. He's telling me what to do and saying, "Jen, don't lose faith in me. I've got this. I know it's hard because you can't see Me, but I'm here and I'm showing you the signs that I love you." I just have to open up my heart to see it and believe. Tonight I pray that I would open my heart to feel the Lord's love.

Megan's prayer: Veggie Tales' "My Day"

Your love was with me all throughout the day.

Today was the first day since the start of our relationship 11 months ago that I did not have the opportunity to talk to Chris. I knew, going into this week where he would be gone on vacation, that we wouldn't have the chance to talk, but that didn't make it any easier. A dozen times through the day I wanted to text him to see how he was doing, to tell him about my day, but I knew it wouldn't matter - he wasn't bringing his cell phone with him.

Even though I didn't have the chance to tell him how much I care about him today, or to hear from him that he loved me, it didn't change how I feel. I was still able to know how much he loves me. I was able to think about all the things in our relationship that clearly lead to the fact that he loves me. Just because I didn't hear those specific words, doesn't change the reality that I am loved. His love was really with me all throughout the day.

I feel like this same thought can be applied to God's love for me. So often I wish that I could hear it directly from God, or experience it in some obvious way - in a way that leaves me with no doubt that I am truly loved... but this isn't the daily routine. I don't hear God's booming voice every day say "I LOVE YOU". It is those times that I need to work on looking around me, looking at all the blessings in my life, and coming to my own realization that God loves me. He is always there, always thinking about how much he loves me. His love is truly with me all throughout the day.

Jen's prayer: Veggie Tales' "My Day"

You know, it makes a big difference in my day if I pray right when I wake up. While on vacation I woke up tired and cranky. I realized I was snapping off to my parents so after I got out of the shower I said to my mom, "I'm done being cranky." And she was like, "You must have been praying in the shower." And I had. I had been telling God my issues and realizing it wasn't a big deal.
It's true that you understand that God's love is with you all throughout the day, if you begin it with a friendly hello to our Father up above. That way, no matter what happens I know that God is there and he loves me. And the silly things, like singing out of tune, no longer matter.