worshipworshipworship

worship! it is one of the ultimate gifts we can give to our creator. it's our heart's response to Him when we realize just how much we need Him and that we can't live without Him. it's the art of being broken open and repaired all at the same time. it is so simple, yet can be so complex and stirred up for a number of reasons.
God is always the same - He's constant - yet worship can always be so different and powerful depending on what's going on in our lives and how He's gently pointing us back to the truth.
this seems to be all that i've been thinking about these past few months, and i think that means it's just the start of a beautiful journey with myself and the creator of the universe.

the song of today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoXWIK1lfyo

Hope's Anthem

He's awakening the hope in me

By calling forth my destiny

He's breathing life into my soul

I will thirst for Him, and Him alone

He has come like the rain

That showers on the barren plain

So my heart and tongue confess

Jesus Christ, the hope of man

My hope is in you, God

I am steadfast, I will not be moved

I'm anchored, never shaken 

All my hope is in You

You've captured my heart. 

the definition of trust

–noun

1.

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

So what do our lives have to do with trust, anyway? I feel that lately God's been speaking to me quite a bit about this word. Mainly because I feel as if my next few steps are cloudy and could almost go in any direction (literally). I used to wonder why God didn't line up our whole lives before us, so that we might know exactly where we should be and how we can properly move forward onto our next chapter. But if life were this way, there would be no trust involved. I am so thankful that in our weakness He is made strong. He always comes through! This is so encouraging to me, especially when I feel as though it's in my DNA to worry about a particular thing. God is asking us to put our trust in Him, and once we do that, He takes care of everything from that moment on. One of my favourite verses talks about how we may stumble, but we'll never fall, for He holds us by our hand. How reassuring it is to know and be in love with the God who created the oceans, the forests, and the mountains! We were created to worship Him, and there is no one like our God!

- N

this is what you do;

you make me come alive.

soo cute

This baby is singing in tune!!

the new year

Something happened. As soon as the clock struck January 1st, 2011, my mind instantly referred to this new year as a new season. Translation, "Spring". Only problem is, we are halfway through winter with no signs of green grass or tulips on the horizon. That does not stop my pattern of thought, however! Because the Lord is doing a new thing! I am SO excited with what this new year holds, and for what God is going to reveal to me. Everyday I just feel so grateful for everything. I could go on and on...

Music is blossoming in my life. I got a glockenspiel (YES) for my twenty-first birthday and have been writing new tunes like the dickens since last September. It's nearly effortless to sing/create new melodies about what God has done and what He's doing when it springs up so naturally from my heart.

The time spent in Kansas City over Christmas break was priceless: God revealed more of His mysterious self to me and caused my soul to crave Him even more than before. In Him is where I am found, and where I am fully alive! My God's not dead, He's surely alive, He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion!

I cannot wait to see what this year will hold. And right now it's only the beginning!

- N

un mélange d'émotions

It is so strange to feel so many things at the same time...
This probably has to do with my insanely busy winter-time schedule.
I am very thankful for the work that God is doing in my heart. He's really showing me how to slow down and focus on the things that are most important. Last night I noticed there was a fold on one of the pages in my bible, and when I flipped open to that page, it was exactly what I needed to hear. God is so good!

- N

p.s. Christmas is coming!!

the first day of my favourite month.

It's here. It's finally DECEMBER!! So beautiful. 
I celebrated by drinking a cup of candy cane tea with honey.
Not that I don't already do that every night anyways...


-N

decisions decisions decisions

Man, these past few weeks have been cra-zy! I do feel as though I am one step closer to making my final choice for next fall, though. I just wish it wasn't so complicated. Although I do know it'll all work out!

On a lighter note, the snow has been falling and it is so lovely! I'm enjoying driving around in my '96 Buick listening to old Norwegian Christmas cassette tapes. Let me just say that the accordion is the main instrument on one of them :) 

I love my heritage. 

just a little while

it's just a little while longer and i'll see you

it's just a little while longer and i'll know you

it's just a little while longer and we'll be together 

warmth

If you want to get warm, you move near the fire. If you want joy, peace, eternal life, you must get close to what has them.

 -- C.S. Lewis 

running in the morning is so much more wonderful after a night of rain! 

i'm forever yours

I love everything about this video. The hanging light bulbs, the cello, and this beautiful song that invites God's presence into the room!

you give me joy

hallelujah, hallelujah, you make all things new, all things new

you bring restoration to my soul

thought for the day

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors" -- African Proverb. 

here we go!

i don't want to talk about you, like you're not in the room
i want to look right at you, i want to sing right to you

something new

So lately I've been feeling like I need something new. Something fresh, or light, or maybe just something completely different. Sometimes these thoughts are spurred from me being tired of all my music all at the same time, and I just need a new tune to let linger in my mind and to hum out loud; other times I feel tired of routine, such as if I go for a run and I see the same trees and the same sidewalks and the same squirrel (I'm pretty sure it's the same squirrel) all the time; or if I feel like I'm constantly working and busy; or maybe it starts with me feeling like I have nothing to wear, even though I have plenty of clothes (more than enough, actually)...

But then I realize that I just need to become less of myself. The more I give to Him, the less of myself I become, and the more I can impact the world around me for the better. Ohh yeahh!