Ramblings about today.

Today, all but my baby head back to school. I am conflicted. I am sad on one hand as I will miss them,  but I am also looking forward to getting used to a new, more structured schedule. Me, being the scheduling challenged adult that I am, need external forces to guide my day, apparently.
One thing that I am exceedingly excited about is getting my quiet time back. Try as I may, I am not  naturally an early riser...and trying to find some quiet during the day with 5 active children was virtually impossible over the summer. The school year, is a different story...
So, this morning, I read Psalm 2. While some may see this Psalm as "fire and brimstone" I see God's love...and dare I say it...JEALOUSY for us. Ohhh....I know what it feels like to be jealous. I know what it is to feel threatened that my love may not be returned. I know what it is to fear being hurt. I know what it is to try and prove my love to someone through my actions. God feels this for me? Really...this big God who created the heavens and the earth...seriously?
Yeah...seriously!!
Look at carefully at your life. Here I will give you a minute:

 Can you see it?
 You know, that time you felt conflicted over a decision...one that possibly went against, what you know God wants for you?
 Or maybe you don't know what God necessarily wants for you, but there was that one time, when something terrible should have happened and it didn't...
Or what if it did? As you lay weeping, was God weeping for you? With you?
I say,  indeed He was.
 What about that one decision you made that caused you so much pain...that you wanted to die...yeah...with you then too...what you felt as weakness...was actually God's strength...holding you...holding me.
How do I know?
 For a long time, I didn't.
But then, I took the time. I took the time to seek God out. Yes, creation, nature, the stars, they all point to him, but to really get it, I took the time to...read. Yup...this is where the Bible comes in.
 For some, the Bible is a life line, for some, its a boring history book. Yet, for me, this book is ALIVE!
God meets me here, in this book. Today, in Psalm 2, I was reminded of His jealous love for me. Can you imagine...someone who knows my very thoughts, ya..even THOSE thoughts, loves me enough to feel jealous of THOSE thoughts and things that pull me away.
This is when I proclaim...OH MY GOD!!!!  Yes, the proper use of OMG comes to play here! =)
I guess what my heart is overflowing with at this point is thankfulness. I have a glimpse of where and who I would be if it were not for giving in to this Jealous God...and I am so glad I am not there.
Where there would be bitterness, I now have joy and peace.
Purity has replaced immorality through Jesus' blood.
My thought life is filtered, through the Holy Spirit, which affects my tongue.
My attitude is transformed. I understand that things are not simply done to hurt me...like a mess left in the kitchen, or a forgotten birthday...this gives me grace.
Far from perfect, I am working on all the above, but JOY feels so much better than hopelessness...and i will take that any and everyday!!
Have you found your JOY?
Have you been looking?
Maybe...its been waiting for you...for a long time.


(whispered...) pick up THE BOOK

With much Love and Joy...
Amy

DCNewsboys Talk???

Its been a while since this has really been news. Yes, Peter Furler left the Newsboys. It seems like yesterday that Phil Joel also left, but alas...time flies quickly when you are raising children. 
I have to confess, I have a thing for the Newsboys. They have gotten me through some pretty tough times. They have inspired me to Thrive, and be strong in my Lord. I have invited the Lord's Presence into my home and even my car through their music. I have had a car full of kids rockin out to Breakfast...so much so that the singing was louder than the cd. We have danced to the Disco and worshipped the one who Reigns. We have even on a couple of occasions met the Newsboys, The first time was on the Adoration tour with Rebecca St. James and Jeremy Camp. It was Peter Furler who found us looking lost and showed us the way to the backstage area. He left quite an impression on our family, as did Phil. Needless to say, we were sad to see them go. 
I was unsure what would happen to the Newsboys. It was obvious they were not the same after Phil left, what would happen now? 
Flash Back!!
July 2005
Recently saved, Amy and long haired rocker husband Clay enter a Christian store. Guy opens door, looks at Clay and says.."Dude...DCTalk!! That was that. Christian music entered our lives for the first time,  Jesus Freak was our introduction. Until then, we had no idea. It was the first time I looked at the Christian life and said..."I think I can do this" 
July 1997
Spirit West Coast 
Newsboys (Thursday)
DCTalk (Friday)
We missed Newsboys that year, but DCTalk blew us out of the water. The energy of these guys...the quality of the music...WOW. 
Fast Forward to present day
 Michael Tait of DCTalk leads Newsboys??...Curious.
My first thought "He's not Peter Furler" 
...and ya know what? He's not...He's Michael Tait!!! 


He's got the vocals to pull off just about any sound. He's got the energy to carry a show for hours. He's got the moves to bring out the funk in ya. He's got the attitude to bring 26,000 people not only to their feet, but he can also lead them to their knees.


This is the second act!!! 
This is the new Newsboys!!!

The title track Born Again is somewhat symbolic. The band has been born again in a sense...and Michael Tait is no longer a solo artist. ...Gonna tell you what I believe...This is what it is, this is who I am....I met the one with two scared hands...Given Him the best of, everything thats left of, the life inside this man...I've been born again. 

While I enjoy every song on this album I think my two faves would have to be When the Boys Light Up and the track immediately following Build Us Back.  Light Up is exactly what you expect from the Newsboys. Its fun to rock out to, sounds great really loud in the car, has solid lyrics...and a great harmony mid song and is wonderfully catchy. (great hooks guys) As always it gives God all the credit...Build us Back, I love for personal reasons. I can't tell you how many times God has built me back. He has restored me unto himself...I think most recently this applies to my marriage. We hit a rough spot as all marriages do...but I can say with out a doubt, while our foundations may have been shaken, we have been built back with precious stones. This song reminds me of Isaiah 60-61.

I love how the band acknowledges the history that DCTalk and the Newsboys share by including Jesus Freak on this album. It has been tweaked a little...but its still and always will be a classic. 

 Knowing the camaraderie that DCTalk and Newsboys  have shared throughout the bands lifetimes, having Michael Tait take the baton as passed by Peter Furler seems natural. It takes some getting used to, I mean I have grown up spiritually with Peter has the frontman of Newsboys...but this Newsgirl certainly approves!! This album is fairly new...and I am already looking forward to the next one. After seeing The Boys live recently...OHHH...I can say without a shadow of a doubt, this band is NOT fading away!!!