A New Year

Okay. First of all, I have a disclaimer. I know this post is filled with rather random things, and my thoughts don't all flow together, but I hope you can at least understand what I'm saying. And if you can't, don't worry. It's not the first time someone hasn't understood me. ;) I hope that something I wrote stands out to you, and means something to you. Even if it is all random and lacks all hope of organization. So, without further ado, welcome to my thoughts. My ramblings. And, try to enjoy. :)

It's snowing again. Oh, snow. There's so many things that come to my mind when I thing of snow. But today, one thing is more predominant than the rest. Today is the last day of a 2013. I can't believe time has gone by so fast. Some days, it seems like it was just a few weeks ago, when I was standing with all my friends (most of them) in the yard, laughing, talking about random things, and finally, having to say goodbye. Yet, other times, in seems like it's been years since then. But, back to snow. :)
Snow. It falls, and melts. Comes, and goes away. A new year has come, and gone away. Snow goes away, but we know it will come back. The new year ends, but we know another will come.

The New Year is a time of happiness, but a time of sadness too. The New Year is exciting, yet dreadful, wonderful, yet heart-wrenching. It's hope, and dread, peace, and anguish. It's full of so many emotions and thoughts, there's no possible way to explain them all.

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, mostly because I either fail at them, or forget them before the end of January. But, if I were into New Year's goals or resolutions, I would probably form it around the song below.  The chorus says:
"I wanna live with abandon
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart Jesus
I place in Your hands
I wanna live with abandon"

To me, these words are so powerful. They show so much passion, and excitement, and devotion. They show peace, and humility. They show fearlessness, and trust, and a selflessness beyond what my mind can comprehend.

If I were to write a goal for this New Year, maybe it wouldn't even be the chorus of this song...

But a prayer that God would give me the strength, and trust, and selflessness to sing this song.
And truly mean
Every.
Single.
Word.

So, now, my goal is not to live with abandon. My goal is to say "I want to live with abandon." And really, truly mean it. My goal is to learn to trust God in every single way. My goal is to know that his way is the best way. Even if it goes against everything I want. My goal is to trust completely. Entirely. Unknowingly. Always.

So that I can say "I want to live with abandon. I want to give all that I can. I want to give you myself. I want to offer to do whatever you want me to do. I want to see you change my world. I want to be part of you changing the world. I want to help like you. I want to love like you. I want to shine like you."

I want to say that. But I need God's help.

It's a goal that I need God's help with. Isn't that just down right funny?! My goal is to trust God, but I need God's help with that! Doesn't that just sound confusing? But isn't it a picture of how great and powerful God is?

Anyways, I hope something I said made sense, and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Live With Abandon ~ Newsboys



What are your New Year's goal/resolution?

Happy New Year!

Love,
Rebekah

Sunday 12.29.13 Words

Think of all the times someone had said something to you that brought you down to the ground. But all they said, was a bunch of words.
Think of all the times someone said something to you, that made you feel like you were several feet off the ground. All they said, was a bunch of words.
Think of all the times someone looked at you like you had just saved their life. But all you said was a bunch of words.

A picture is worth a thousand words.... But words still mean a lot.

Our words can lift others up to the highest of places. Or bring them down to the lowest of places. Our words are powerful.

This song says, "I don't want to speak a word unless it points the world back to you." While it's true, it's still so hard. (Especially this week...) ;)

But, wouldn't it be something if everything out of our mouths pointed the world back to Jesus?

Words ~ Hawk Nelson



Love,
Rebekah

Happy Day After Christmas

I hope you all had a very, Merry Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior! I wish you all a Happy Day After Christmas, as we remember that the reason we celebrate Christmas, is a reason for us to celebrate all year long.
"Happy day after Christmas and merry rest of the year, even when Christmas is over the light of the world is still here."

Day After Christmas ~ Matthew West



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.24.13 O Holy Night

This night, is a holy night. "Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born..."

Merry Christmas everyone. :)

O Holy Night ~ Newsboys



Love,
Rebekah

Christmas Medley

Here's a hilarious medley of 25 Christmas songs in 2 minutes! Enjoy!




Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.23.13 One Last Christmas

Even thought this song doesn't directly have anything to do with Jesus, it's one of my favorite Christmas songs. If the title of the song wasn't enough of a clue, you'll find out why when you watch it. :)

CAUTION: You might want to have some tissues handy.

One Last Christmas ~ Matthew West



Love,
Rebekah

Sunday 12.22.13 Scandal Of Grace

Grace, what have you done?
Murdered for me on that cross
Accused in absence of wrong
My sin washed away in your blood
Too much to make sense of it all
I know that your love breaks my fall
The scandal of grace, you died in my place
So my soul will live

Chorus:
Oh to be like you
Give all I have just to know you
Jesus, there's no one besides you
Forever the hope in my heart

Death, where is your sting?
Your power is as dead as my sin
The cross has taught me to live
In mercy, my heart now to sing
The day and it's trouble shall come
I know that your strength is enough
The scandal of grace, you died in my place
So my soul will live

Chorus

And it's all because of you, Jesus
It's all because of you, Jesus
It's all because of your love
And my soul will live

Chorus (x2)

 Oh to be like you
(To) Give all I have just to know you
Jesus, there's no one besides you



Grace is such a powerful thing. Because of God's grace, our lives are changed forever.

I love the first verse. It's just so powerful. I can't stop going over it in my head. :)
"Grace, what have you done?
Murdered for me on that cross...
Too much to make sense of it all
I know that your love breaks my fall
The scandal of grace, you died in my place..."
Oh! It gives me goose bumps!

What's you favorite part of the song?


Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.22.13 Come Now Our King

A song of hope, a song of prayer, a song of longing, a song of praise.

A beautiful song, with words so true,
I have decided to share with you.
I have no clue where that came from,
But I hope this song will make you... hum?
(I think that I should stop right now,
So without further ado, I take a bow,
I leave my stage, I leave my spot
And leave the words that I wrote with a jot.)

Come Now Our King ~ Chris August



Don't ask me what happened up there before the song....

Love,
Rebekah

Currently

I've decided to take an undetermined break from the 'Currently post' series. This may or may not come back, and if it comes back, may or may not be on a weekly basis.
If you want to see it come back, let me know!

Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.21.13 Jingle Bells

I decided it was time for another fun song! And who doesn't think that Jingle Bells is fun!?! Especially this version!

Jingle Bells ~ Colton Dixon



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.20.13 Hark the Herald Angels Sing

WOW! Only 5 more days until Christmas! I can't believe it! Something about Christmas and New Year's Day kind of does something to my brain and my emotions about the move... But, no rabbit trails! Back on subject! Are you ready for Christmas? Either physically or mentally? Can you believe it's only 5 more days?
I thought I'd share a 'normal' Christmas song. But it's not that normal... ;) This arrangement has some added country/bluegrass feel to it, which (I have a confession) I do enjoy. So, without further ado... Enjoy!

Hark The Herald Angels Sing ~ Rend Collective



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.19.13 Heaven Everywhere

Doesn't it just seem that people are more compassionate/giving/thoughtful/loving this time of year. Like there's a little bit of heaven everywhere? My brain can't fathom what the world would be like if people were like that all year round, instead of just at Christmas time. But, aren't we as Christians supposed to be compassionate, giving, thoughtful, considerate, joyful, and loving all the time?

Heaven Everywhere ~ Francesca Battistelli



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.18.13 Christmas Together

With this songs catchy tune, and a message that means a lot to me, it's one of my favorites this year! :) Hope you enjoy it too!

Christmas Together ~ Jamie Grace
"And unless you got 20 people stuck on an elevator, I can't imagine a time when we're all this close. (So close together, so close together)"
^One of my favorite lines. ;)




Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.17.13 Mary's Boy Child

I had never heard this song until I heard this version, and this version, still remains as my favorite! :)

TobyMac and Jamie Grace ~ Mary's Boy Child



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.16.13 Momma Wouldn't Lie to Me

Now, we've never done Santa in our house, and we never will, yet I still can't help but love this song! Even though Brandon Heath's in his thirties (I think) I can just picture a little boy thinking and saying these things! ;) So, without further ado...

Momma Wouldn't Lie To Me ~ Brandon Heath



Love,
Rebekah

Sunday 12.15.13 Jesus In Disguise

[Verse 1]
Ever get something in your head?
It's nothing you heard or something you read
Ever had a cut but you never saw a blade?
Brought to your knees, but you never prayed

[CHORUS]
Jesus in disguise, Jehovah passing by
The burden of a tear hanging in your eye
Jesus in disguise, a scar across the sky
You were looking for a king, you would never recognize
Jesus in disguise

[Verse 2]
Ever feel like you been somewhere before?
You hold the key, you know which door
Speak the word your lips have never known
Because your heart told you so

[CHORUS]
Jesus in disguise, Jehovah passing by
The burden of a tear, hanging in your eye
Jesus in disguise, a scar across the sky
You were looking for a king, you would never recognize
 Jesus in disguise

[Bridge]
So open my eyes wide as I can
Blind as I am, blind as I am (2x)

Jesus in disguise, Jesus in disguise
Jesus in disguise
(So open my eyes wide as I can
Blind as I am, Blind as I am)
Jesus in disguise
(So open my eyes wide as I can
Blind as I am, Blind as I am)




I just thought it was funny, that the site I copied the lyrics from had 'Jesus in disguise' written like this: 'Jesus in disgu-ah-hah-aah-ah-haa-ise'. Maybe that's just me, and it does make sense, but I still find it slightly funny. ;)

Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.15.13 You're Here

'I'm staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator. And You're here...'
Wouldn't it be absolutely amazing to be able to sing that to baby Jesus. Jesus was one of a kind, but so was Mary. Nobody else would/will ever experience being the mother of Christ, except for her. Mind. Is. Blown.

You're Here ~ Francesca Battistelli




Love,
Rebekah

Currently for December so far

I thought I should just mention to you all, there won't be a currently post today. I might get to it tomorrow, but don't hold your breath. ;) You all will have to wait for next week! Sorry..

So, I'll share some funny pictures instead! (Do I know how to pull of a bribe, or what!?!?!) (...Definitely a what.)

Which one was your favorite?


Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.14.13 Once A Year

At Christmas time, everyone shows love, but if Jesus is important all year round, isn't it important that we show love all year round too?

Once A Year ~ Josh Wilson



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.13.13 Christmas Time Again

This song is so fun and festive! And fabulous! ;)

Christmas Time Again ~ Steven Curtis Chapman





Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.12.13 I'll Be Brave This Christmas

The surprise video from yesterday made me think of this song. :) So once again, you might want to keep your tissues nearby. I thought I'd go ahead and share the lyrics too. ;)

Dear Daddy, I missed you today
When Momma unpacked our old Christmas tree
And that sweet angel never looked so good on top
But my heart felt sad when you weren't there to lift me
It's been a while since you went off to fight the war
So this year it won't be presents I'll be wishing for

Chorus
I'll be brave this Christmas
While you're still far away
And I'll kneel beside my bed each night
Praying Jesus keeps you safe
'Cause I'm so proud of you,
I hope you come home soon
But until you do,
I'll be brave this Christmas

I see bright colors light up the Wilson's house
While rockets flash across your evening sky
And we sing carols, ooh, all over town
While you're living out the cost of peace on earth tonight
But if another little boy can grow up just like me
Living in a land that's safe and free

[Chorus]

Freedom isn't free,
there's a price to pay when duty calls
It takes sacrifice from us all

[Chorus]




Love,
Rebekah

The Christmas Connection

Christmas Connection Video « The Skit Guys

This movie is funny, and reminds us that while Christmas is all about Jesus, Jesus isn't all about Christmas.

Enjoy! You can find more funny, yet meaningful videos at www.skitguys.com.

Love,
Rebekah

TobyMac - Surprising a Family

W. O. W. This video just made me enjoy TobyMac and Jamie Grace so much more. (I never thought that was possible...) I had no clue that what happened was going to happen. I'm not going to give you any more spoilers. Just. Watch.




By the way, you might want to have some tissues handy. :) If you're as emotional as me, that is. ;,)

Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.11.13 Baby Boy

This song holds so many truths to remember during this Christmas season. It all started with a baby boy.
Endless hope. Relentless joy. Started with a baby boy.
Alleluia, we can sing it. Alleluia, heaven's singing.

for King & Country ~ Baby Boy



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.10.13 Light of Christmas

A fun, yet meaningful message to show people what Christmas is all about.
"Light me up! I've finally figured out what Christmas is all about!"

VeggieTales "Light of Christmas" Official Lyric Video - Owl City feat. TobyMac



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.9.13 Christmas Makes Me Cry

This song is so true.
"Tears of faithfulness, tears of hope, I cry tears of joy at Christmas because I know There is peace on earth for every heart to find,  And sometimes Christmas makes me cry"
What makes you cry at Christmas?

Christmas Makes Me Cry ~ Matthew West and Mandisa



Love,
Rebekah

Sunday 12.8.13 This Is Amazing Grace

A beautiful picture of what truly is Amazing Grace.




Once again, the lyrics are in the video. :)

Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.8.13 Hope Was Born This Night

When Jesus was born, hope was born.

Hope Was Born This Night ~ Sidewalk Prophets





Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.7.13 Just A Girl

To think upon the fact that Mary was just a girl, is mind-blowing. Mary was most likely younger than I was. And that's about all my tired brain can fathom at the moment. :)
There's the line that says 'Did she even know that she had changed the world? She was just a girl.' She was young and scared, and I'm sure she had no clue how much her baby would affect the world. But the song sums it all up.

Just A Girl ~ Brandon Heath




Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.6.13 Feliz Navidad

I love this creative and meaningful twist on the classic Feliz Navidad.
You can also watch their original version.  I just liked the Acoustic one more. ;)

Feliz Navidad (Acoustic Performance) ~ Unspoken



Feliz Navidad! :)


Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.5.13 Christmas Is

"Christmas is all of these fun things for sure. But, Christmas is really, oh, so much more..."
Here's a reminder that, even though there's so much hustle and bustle, the real reason for Christmas is (surprise, surprise), none other than Christ.

Christmas Is ~ Francesca Battistelli



Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.4.13 This Is Christmas

A true reminder of the real reason behind celebrating Christmas. What is Christmas without Christ.

This Is Christmas ~ Kutless





Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.3.13 Angels We Have Heard on High

I just happened to see this earlier, and my immediate thought was, 'This is the song for today!' :)
It's so pretty and amazing! Enjoy!

Angels We Have Heard on High (Christmas w/ 32 fingers and 8 thumbs) - The Piano Guys




Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.2.13 Leaving Heaven

To think that Jesus would leave heaven, to come down to earth, is amazing. To realize that the reason he left was to die for me, is just mind-blowing. Thank-you Jesus.




Love,
Rebekah

Currently 11.30.13

Yes, yes, I know. It's not the 30th, and, it's not even November! But I didn't want to miss two weeks in a row, so...

I am currently...

...reading

• Reunion by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley.

Rate ~ Don't panic!!! It's not what you think! I have been reading!!! Just not that book. :)

• The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Rate ~ You may remember this book as one of the books that I recently purchased. I LOVE IT so far! And I can't wait to finish!!

...watching

• Same stuff. I haven't been watching, (and not sure if I want to) Robin Hood lately....

Rate ~ ...We finished Season 2, and the last episode was heart-wrenching. I don't want to give anything away, but..... I'll just leave it as they make one of the main characters die.  SERIOUSLY!?!?!?! Who does that!?!?!?! (Besides the people in charge of Robin Hood.) Anyway, part of me wants to know what a happens next, and a part of me sees no sense in continuing to watch it with out that character.... :(

On a happier note!
...listening to

• Christmas Is Here ~ Brandon Heath

Rate ~ :) Love it! Get ready to be seeing/hearing some of the songs on here, sooner or later! ;)

• CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!!

Rate ~ The wonderful thing about Christmas music, is that you really only listen to it for a month or two, so when next year rolls around, it's almost as if you're listening to new music!

• When I'm not listening to Christmas music, a variety of stuff. :)

Rate ~ I'm still listening to it! ;)

I have currently.... (Are you ready for this?)

...read

• The Merchant's Daughter
• The Healer's Apprentice
• The Fairest Beauty

Rate ~ All by Melanie Dickerson. :) I LOVE THEM! I've read these books at least 4? times each now, and I've enjoyed them EVERY time! :) It's almost weird at times reading The Captive Maiden, because it's my first time reading it, so I don't know what happens!

...watched

• Dick Van Dyke

Rate ~ Funny!!! Unfortunately, Net-flix may not be streaming them any more.. :(

•  Road to Morocco

Rate ~ It was okay. It's an old black and white with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

• Iron Man 3

Rate ~ It was kind of.... weird at some points. Once again, it had some language (do any super hero movies not have bad language!?!?!), but we enjoyed it.

• Hugo

Rate ~ This movie was really cool! It had real history, mixed in with fiction, and a very interesting plot. :)

...listening to

• As I said earlier, Christmas music! :) One of my favorites has been Momma Wouldn't Lie To Me by Brandon Heath. Lil' sis and I have been walking around singing it. :)

Well, I hope you enjoyed! What have you currently been reading, watching, and listening to?

Love,
Rebekah

CHRISTmas 12.1.13

Come On, Christmas ~ Matthew West

As the month of December starts, the excitement and anticipation for Christmas grows, and grows. Part of me can't believe it's December already, but part of me can't wait!

Love,
Rebekah

Sunday 12.1.13 - Love Take Me Over

Well, the lyrics are already in the video. :)

Love,
Rebekah