Many reflective souls, especially in today’s culture it seems, have asked themselves the question, “What have I done with my life?”  Those same individuals may at another point in their lives utter, “I never in a million years would have imagined myself here.”

Time is a funny thing; it can be seen as a friend or a foe, or sometimes both.  Although we sometimes wish differently, the VCR of life has no fast forward or rewind button; it is invariably stuck on play.  Hopefully, the song “Only Just Begun” can serve as a reminder that as a child of God, your life has meaning, regardless of whether or not you are enamored by what you’re doing this very minute.  Every string of events leads to another string of events, and through it all, we must remember that all of these stepping stones are integral in making us who we are today, in this very moment.  So soak it in and remember that God is just getting started on you, working everything out for your good and more importantly for His glory.  Be confident as Paul is in Phillipians 1:6: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“The Fall” grew out of a time in my life that was a constant trial for me, both physically and emotionally. Out of the fog of pain and struggle, there was a blessed moment of clearing when the words of this song poured out of me, almost in desperation. I was reminded of God’s faithfulness in my life and saw purpose in what I continued to face, even after this song was written. God drew me to Himself in a powerful way, and refined me, tested me, strengthened me. I was reminded of the fact that even through the inconsistencies of life, God is constant. Anything worth having is worth the struggle. And God’s promise is true and good: if we fall down on our knees and humble ourselves in His sight, He will lift us up. I am so thankful to God that this time of struggle did not last forever, that my mourning was turned to laughter, and I was able to appreciate simple things more than ever. But I know that there will be other struggles. I pray that in those times, I will remember that being lifted up anew in Christ Jesus is really worth the fall.

I wrote this song for someone I am very close to who does not know the hope that Christ offers through His immeasurable grace. This fact burdens my heart to no end, yet pushes me to share the hope I know and experience daily. What makes God’s grace so beautiful? It is saving, compelling, changing, unconditional. So what does this mean in a believer’s life? It means joy, hope, love, life. It means a reuniting with one’s Creator, a return home. It also means a responsibility to pass this grace along, not out of duty but out of love for one’s Savior and thankfulness for the mercy given through Jesus. Most live their lives hoping that in the end, when they are knocking on death’s door, they can look back and see a full life behind them. But through God’s mercy extended to us by sending His son for the sacrifice of all who would believe, not only will our lives be full of the joy, fulfillment and purpose that knowing Christ brings, but it will not be a thing of the past, even when we leave this life. Praise God for His beautiful grace!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Perfect love. Unblemished, spotless, unconditional, unfailing love. In a world tarnished by broken promises, hidden motives, and broken hearts, who can find it? It does not exist, save from the perfect lamb, Christ Jesus, who embodied spotless love by being the sacrifice for the sins of humankind. So what is this to me? It is everything. The love and grace Christ brings me is transforming. As a child of God, I have the privilege of being filled with His Spirit. The joy and love I have for my Savior should not be contained in a lock box. Instead, it should spill out onto everyone I encounter in order for my life to reflect Christ and the glory of God. This kind of love should be selfless, humble, unconditional, forgiving, and irresistible. May I forever be both humbled and swept away by the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ. The lameness at the gate is waiting.

It is fairly easy for us to list what we want in life. It is a much more difficult task to identify the things we actually need. Our understanding of our own needs is quite foggy at times because, as they say, we are only human. I was originally moved to write this song while discussing some common trends found in the Church today. What we as the Church think we need and what we really need can be two very different things. Somehow, the Church has been overcomplicated, and in the process, God’s truths have taken a back seat to programmatic thinking, moralistic teaching, and spiritual slackness. Instead of treating the cause, we treat the symptoms. Instead of sinking in roots, we fluff up the leaves a bit. So what is the root of it all, this ultimate need? What we need, always, is more of Christ. We are told to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things will fall in line. Not seek first His programs; not seek first His morality; not seek first his earthly riches; but simply to seek Him, His kingdom, His righteousness. Let us be a Church that loves our Heavenly Father more and more every day. Let us be a Church that is rooted in Christ and bears authentic fruit of true believers. Let us be the Church.

Let me be honest. Most days I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, running (sometimes quite literally) from one thing to the next. Most of the things I am running to are things I either have to do, love to do, or both. In this crazy rush, how easy it is to let a might God slip through the cracks. I have heard it said that we have more information today than ever but less wisdom; more options but less true commitment; more conveniences but less time. Somehow, what matters most in life threatens to get swept under the rug, and unless we search for clarity amidst the chaos, truth amidst imposters, and Christ amidst the distractions, we will be terribly grieved in the end. May our outlook be one that sees through the world to the One who saves us, the Creator of this world and everything in it.

Magical the way we are chosen to display the mystery of our Maker…

I have been known in the past to say, “I could never be a pastor’s wife.” Well I’m sure God got a huge kick out of that one…and I’m sure the college and career pastor at the church I was attending did as well, especially since I am now married to the man. Throughout my entire childhood, I observed broken marriage after broken marriage and while I wanted to get married, I certainly had low expectations of this “covenant.” When my husband and I were engaged, countless people told us that the joy of love will soon wear off and that marriage is nothing but a hardship and another responsibility to add to your list. I hope that our marriage has and will continue to prove these theories wrong. Marriage is so much more and serves a much greater purpose. It is a unique relationship in which two become one and are called to reflect in their union the union of Christ and the church and the unconditional love shown therein. Grasping this reality is difficult in a culture where marriage is seen as a casual, inconsequential, and dispensable thing. The more believers grasp that by loving their spouse they are reflecting the good news of Christ, the more unconditional their love is bound to be. I now thank God that I am married to a man who loves ministry and God’s Word. I love Jeff more today than the day I married him. Seeing my husband’s unconditional love displayed for me moves me to love him more, just as it should be with Christ.

“For this reason a man will leave His father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the Church.” Ephesians 5: 31-32

I wrote this as a love song to my husband, who I just keep falling for over and over again. I know, I am a complete and utter sap.