In Honor of Dolly Parton

I was never actually a Dolly Parton fan,
But she showed up in various entertainment I watched.
I saw some of her interviews,
And it was very clear that she knew God.
 
There is so much information about her,

And so many interviews recorded.
The world knew her,
But Jesus knew her better.

In this world, Dolly lived like it was only God and her.

Every person she loved.

People from various religions/ views/ political leanings

Have shared memories and stories of her love.

I actually only recently learned of her love for animals,

And I deeply respect her talent.

However I am most amazed how she truly was like no other -

Because she lived in the presence of Jesus.

I'll Always Remember

 Lyrics

I always knew this day would come
We'd be standing one by one
With our future in our hands
So many dreams, so many plans

I always knew after all these years
There'd be laughter, there'd be tears
But never thought I'd walk away
With so much joy, but so much pain
And it's so hard to say "goodbye"

But yesterday's gone
We gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments
So glad I got to know you

The times that we had
I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you

Another chapter in the book
Can't go back, but you can look
And there we are on every page
Memories I'll always save

Up ahead on the open doors
Who knows what we're heading towards?
I wish you love, I wish you luck
For you, the world just opens up
But it's so hard to say "goodbye"

Yesterday's gone
We gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments
So glad I got to know you

The times that we had
I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you

Everyday that we had
All the good, all the bad
I'll keep 'em here inside

All the times that we shared
Every place, everywhere
You touched my life

Yeah, one day, we'll look back
We'll smile and we'll laugh
But right now we just cry
'Cause it's so hard to say "goodbye"

Yesterday's gone
We gotta keep moving on
I'm so thankful for the moments
So glad I got to know you

The times that we had
I'll keep like a photograph
And hold you in my heart forever
I'll always remember you

I'll always remember you
Yeah, hey, yeah, yeah
I'll always remember you

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Mitch Allan / Jessi Leigh Alexander

I'll Always Remember You lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company, Happy Tears Music, Lylas Music

In The Middle

In the middle of addiction,

I used to say, "Something has to change." 

That's how something little, one at a time, changed.

I've Been Deceived

No one likes to admit they have ever been deceived,
But I have been.

God only knows all the ways I have been deceived,

But thankfully He does not leave us alone here on this earth 

And reveals to us things in His time.

At least, this has been the case for me.

I think this is the case for others as well,

But alas, I can only tell my own story.

My first deception was thinking that I am the most important one.

Bred from childhood, but not caused by caregivers which were my parents.

This is innate,

But is the fall of mankind that distorted our value to being the most important person in the room. 

People are valuable.

This is truth - But not the full truth.

Lifeline

 Lyrics

Here I am
Drowning in a sea of my own choices
Holdin' to a hope by a thread
Yeah
I'm lookin' round
I'm callin' out, fear pulls me down
When the waters rush over my head

You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline

How many times
How many turns will it take till I learn
You reach for me in my need, yeah
And when I cry I will faithfully find you
When life comes crashin' on me

'Cause You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline

Your there in my brokenness
In my distress
My rock when I'm strong or when I'm powerless
You hold me in rushing tides when waters rise
And I always find

You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline
You are my rescue
Strength in my weakness
Light in my darkness
You are my safety
Lifter of my head
The air that I need when
I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline
You are my lifeline

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jason Barton / Rob Ghosh / Tony Wood

Lifeline lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

 

What Does It Really Mean?

Matthew 6: 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 

This is the ESV version.

I used to think this verse meant everything, all at once.

Now I understand it to be every little thing, piece by piece. 

It's easy to think you are saved and that's it.

And many churches in the US teach that.

However, what if it is saving pieces of our soul one by one?

Every part we give to God, He uses.

It is easy to tear apart Bible verses one by one,

And without understanding of both the text and of God

Anyone would think it's ridiculous.

But it brings hope to one who knows both.

The One He Speaks Through

Car stalled, side of the road
Everybody looking out the windows
For some reason you feel the need to help
Or maybe, somewhere you're standing in line
An old friend comes to your mind
And you get the urge to call and see if all is well

Do you ignore it or go for it?
Is this human or divine?
All these promptings tell us something
They're all proof that He's alive

He might use your words to heal a heart that has been bruised
He might use your hands to rescue
He might use your whisper, maybe your smile
To tell somebody that they're worthwhile
You might be the one He speaks through
The one He speaks through

This God, great as He is
Still uses all of us to accomplish
His perfect plan to reach the world

So don't ignore it, just go for it
We are led by the divine
To be His heart, His love
And show this broken world that He's alive

He might use your words to heal a heart that has been bruised
He might use your hands to rescue
He might use your whisper, maybe your smile
To tell somebody that they're worthwhile
You might be the one He speaks through
The one He speaks through
The one He speaks through, yeah

I remember I was in a pit
And you prayed me out of it
I bet you didn't even know that you
Were the one that He spoke through
So listen, keep on listening, oh

He might use your words to heal a heart that has been bruised
He might use your hands to rescue
He might use your whisper, maybe your smile
To tell somebody that they're worthwhile
You might be the one He speaks through
The one He speaks through

You are, You are
The one He speaks through
You are, You are
The one He speaks through
You are, You are
The one He speaks through
You are, You are
The one He speaks through

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Ben Glover / Colby Wedgeworth / Mandisa Hundley

The One He Speaks Through lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing

The Songs of Life

I know I have posted lyrics most recently,
But when life is overwhelming,

Sometimes lyrics speak to the soul,

And says things I myself cannot put into words.

One of my coworkers made a poem

For each of her teammates this week,

And it was inspiring to me,

So much that I wrote one back.

In the realm of nostalgia,

When everything goes black,

There are many things that come to mind.

Go with the One who spoke before the foundation of the world.

Lyrics

God will make a Way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By the roadway in the wilderness He lead me,

Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade

But His word will still remain.

He will do something new today

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

By the roadway in the wilderness He lead me,
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His word will still remain.

He will do something new today

He will make a way, He will make a way

With love and strenghth for each new day,
He will make a way.

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Don Moen

Battles

Lyrics

This current is trying to wreck me
Like castles of sand, castles of sand
My fear, like an enemy army
Is marching again, but I'm making a stand

You surround me on every side
Your love is my armor, I fear no evil
Darkness runs from Your light
So I won't be afraid, I won't be afraid

You're going before me and oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles
When my feet are failing and my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles

You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles

Time after time, You're my refuge
You heal every scar, You're guarding my heart
Your promise, the hope that I cling to
My rescue, my friend, You come rushing in

And surround me on every side
Your love is my armor, I fear no evil
Darkness runs from Your light
So I won't be afraid, I won't be afraid

You're going before me and oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles
When my feet are failing and my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles

You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles

You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles

In my weakness, You are strong
Every trouble, You have overcome
In my weakness, You are strong
Every trouble, You have overcome
In my weakness, You are strong
Every trouble, You have overcome
You have overcome

You're going before me and oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles
When my feet are failing and my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles

You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles

You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles
You're fighting my battles

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Daniel Ostebo / Jess Cates / Jordan Mohilowski / Joshua Havens / Matthew Fuqua

Battles lyrics © Amplified Administration, Music Services, Inc, Walt Disney Music Company

His Strength is Perfect

Lyrics

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me
No great success to show
No glory of my own
Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in His power, the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end
He hears our humble cry and proves again

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in His power, the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jerry Dean Salley Jr. / Steven Curtis Chapman

His Strength Is Perfect lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jerry Dean Salley Jr. / Steven Curtis Chapman

His Strength Is Perfect lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

There is a Picture

There is a picture of me at 7 years old,

Where the lighting makes me look like I have blond hair,

Even though it was a medium dark brown.

I always wanted blond hair as a child.

When I was a teenager I saw this photo, 

And I did not recognize it, and I asked my mom who it was.

My mom told me it was me.

And I still wonder about this time.

I was in a green fishing vest with a fishing rod,

Even though I didn't like green or fishing.

I remember a man encouragingly helping me into the vest,

And it was by a pool, with people my parents knew.

I know that it was after I was sexually abused

By a half brother of the girl I spent the night with.

I remember feeling in a haze in this picture,

But I am not sure why.

I did have a dream once of being abused by distant family friends,

And found out I was one of many.

I do not remember if it was before or after I remembered my abuse,

But I have a vivid memory of the end of the dream where I found out.

It does not compare to the abuse many have repeatedly faced,

But hearing others' stories brings up this memory

Of a time I can hardly remember,

And I have more questions than answers.

It's a Different Year

What Now?

I don't know what this year looks like.

I know that it has many unknowns and many sorrows,

But also God is here, so there is Good in this world.

It is really hard to see.

God is in this world,

so there is Hope.

I wish

I wish every single person would experience the greatness that is the God I know.

I want to see this God again, but I am stubborn, lazy, and having a hard time seeing past my present shadow.

This has been an odd Christmas, and a very difficult year.

So much has been lost, and no sight of what has been gained.

I wish everyone would know that misogyny lies to us all - 

Because we are all humans, all equal in what God has given us 

And all equal in what has been taken away from us by the fall of us humans.

No one person is better than another human being.

I wish people would realize that the study of science is the study of God,

Because God authored the methodology that defines science.

I wish people would stop being afraid,

Even me,

Because fear is NOT of God.

It is of the adversary, the One opposed to God.

I've been very jarred this year, and people don't truly know what has happened,

Except for God, the One who acts on behalf of those whose hearts pray to Him.

Merry Christmas Song

Build a fire and gather 'round the tree
Fill a glass and maybe come and sing with me

So kiss me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let's toast and pray for December snow
I know there's been pain this year, but it's time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We'll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We've both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see it through my eyes then you would know
My God, you look beautiful right now
Merry Christmas

The fire is raging on
And we'll all sing along to the song
Just having so much fun
While we're here, can we all spare a thought
For the ones who have gone?
Merry Christmas, everyone

So just keep kissing me under the mistletoe
Pour out the wine, let's toast and pray for December snow
I know there's been pain this year, but it's time to let it go
Next year, you never know
But for now, Merry Christmas

We'll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We've both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see it through my eyes then you would know
My God, you look beautiful right now
Merry Christmas

I feel it when it comes
Every year, helping us carry on
Filled up with so much love
All the family and friends all together
Where we all belong
Merry Christmas, everyone

It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas
It's Christmas time for you and I
We'll have a good night and a merry Christmas time

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Edward Christopher Sheeran / Elton John

Merry Christmas lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

I am Thankful for People

I am thankful for the people who came before me,

First my parents, who loved me from the start. 

They did not always understand me,

But they valued me.

I am thankful for my siblings, 

Who have known me since the beginning.

They were thrown into my world to some extent, 

And have been the best co-travelers there are.

I am thankful for all the teachers I have had,

Both those who were in person and those online - 

The ones in person growing up, had so much 

Influence in my life. 

Those online have been more fleeting, 

But I am thankful for the lessons learned,

Especially those early on

Who taught me that what you say online matters.

I am thankful for those in the church

Who have shown me God's love again,

When I had given up on the church. 

They prove God's love still exists within the church. 

I am thankful for my coworkers,

Who show up each day.

We all share a part of each other's lives

That cannot be taken away. 

It's A Big Deal

It's a big deal to me that my cat is back upstairs with me - 
She has been sick, my feisty Calico. 

I came back from a weekend in New York in July

To my cat, who couldn't help but have bathroom accidents. 

Turns out she's allergic to the food she had been on,

As seen in her yeasty ears,

And she has pancreatitis,

Which has been the big issue of concern.

She got meds, new hydrolyzed protein cat food,

And plenty of nights in the basement - 

She refused to use the litter box I brought to my room,

So she couldn't stay, to my dismay. 

Finally last night she was able to stay up again!

Her pancreas is no longer inflamed,

Per when she last saw the vet a few weeks ago,

And she is now weaned off the steroid Prednisolone. 

I cannot fully express the joy it brings me

That she was there all night, 

Seemingly healthy and eating her new food - 

The second one I had to get her as she refused the first.

I want as much time as I can with this 14-year-old girl,

The third I have called my baby,

The one God specifically gave to me to take care of and love,

And I cherish the time I have with her. ❤

Where I Stand

In this current political environment,
This is all I have to say:

For the Lord is our judge,
    the Lord is our lawgiver,
the Lord is our king;
    it is he who will save us.

-Isaiah 33:22 NIV

We are only answerable to the One who made us,

Who loves us the most deeply,

The One who knows us the most

And still loves us unconditionally. 

Scripture That Stands Out

 Ephesians 3:16-19 CSB

I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of is glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, and to know Christ's love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Jesus Loves Us

Love is what no person gets tired of hearing.

When I was being manipulated,
I realized that she did it through the façade of love.

JESUS LOVES US MORE THAN anyone or anything we love.

The Raw Fact

Still my mind is racing
We are broken in a way that I can't change
And it hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken
Tender hands on mine
Drawing me out of a daydream
Falling out of control
Falling in was so easy
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
And I don't wanna let you down
But I know too much to turn back now
Oh
Dancing around the dark
As the dark is fading
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open always hard to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken (2x)
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken
Tender hands on mine
Drawing me out of a daydream
Falling out of control
Falling in was so easy
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
And I don't wanna let you down
But I know too much to turn back now
Oh
Dancing around the dark
As the dark is fading
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open the hardest thing to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken in a way that I can't change
It hurts too much to hold another day
With a heart wide open always hard to say
Is sometimes you can't save what can't be saved
We are broken (2x)