Worship through music is a big deal to me. Music is a very powerful thing and using it to worship our powerful God has brought me to my knees over and over. Some of my favorite time spent with God is driving while singing worship songs to Him. There are so many incredible worship songs out there, and today I want to share with you some songs I've currently got streaming through my favorite worship playlist. Ready to do this? It is Well by Bethel Music Do it Again by Elevation Worship Reckless Love by Cory Asbury Turn My Eyes by Bonray Come as You Are by Crowder How Deep the Father's Love for Us by Skillet Even When it Hurts by Hillsong United When I'm With You by Citizen Way Completely by Ledger What's on your current worship playlist? Comment below and let me know!
Happy Monday, friends! Today I am celebrating the launch of my friend Livy's new program, Fire Starter: Launching a Blog that Blazes. As part of her blog tour for the program, we decided that it would be tons of fun to share about the program through an interview. But not just any interview. A video interview! We thought you would have the enjoyment of getting to watch Livy and I interact on screen, as well as hear Livy explain the program for herself, instead of just reading about it. Our great plans for a video interview didn't quite work out due to our technical difficulties (or lack of tech savviness *cough cough*), but we did manage to convert it into an audio file for you! So you can still listen and join in our fun. :) And also excuse the voice echo towards the end of the recording. Totally a part of our tech savviness. *cough again* So go ahead and kick back in your favorite chair and listen in on our conversation above... Watch Livy's introductory video to Fire Starter here... I've always heard mixed opinions from single gals on this day called Valentine's Day. This day of the year where the prices of roses and chocolates are doubled simply because they can be, and all of the stores are selling out of the red and pink cards lining their aisles. If you're single on Valentine's Day I'm sure you've got your share of mixed opinions as well. Maybe you love it and go all out celebrating the day and then enjoying the excuse to eat all the discount chocolates. Or maybe you dread the day and can't wait for it to just be over so you don't have to see anymore red and pink cupid arrows decorating the store windows and reminding you of your own relationship status. Or maybe throughout the day of Valentine's Day your opinions fell back and forth between both of these things, depending on where you found yourself at the moment. Here's why I think this is: We have a wrong idea about Valentine's Day. As a culture we have developed opinions about Valentine's Day that aren't all that accurate. And more than that, we have defined love on that day as being centered around a romantic interest. Just look at the aisles in Walmart next Valentine's Day and you'll catch the hint that most of the cards and cute (yet sometimes ridiculous) sayings on the candy or decorations are geared towards that "significant other." So why do I think this is the wrong idea about Valentine's Day? Because if we're celebrating a day focused on love--this idea that we humans honestly fall so short of understanding sometimes--then... isn't that a day every single one of us can celebrate with great joy? Because I don't know about you, but I have the greatest love of all to celebrate. And actually, I do know about you... because you've been given the same great, overwhelming love. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10) "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) This love... this overwhelming, unending, out-of-this-world love is the greatest thing we could possibly celebrate on a day focused on this four-letter word. So why then did I celebrate Valentine's Day as a single lady? Because I believe that I had the best reason of all to celebrate. And you've got it too. Because, you friend, have been given a love like no other. Only Jesus can love you completely. Any boyfriend and significant other could easily forget Valentine's Day. He could easily forget to deliver roses to your doorstep or surprise you with all the chocolate a girl's heart could possibly desire. He could mess up all the words you hoped he would say and leave you feeling just a twinge (or okay a full force blow) of disappointment. But the love of Jesus? It's so great and complete and perfect... you can celebrate it every day, not just on the 14th of February. He will never forget you. He will never walk away from you. He will never stop loving you. He is the One. The One your soul needs and your heart longs for. He is the One who loves you completely. And that... that is a reason to celebrate on Valentine's Day, even as a single woman. And now, friend, go buy yourself some discount chocolate. You deserve it. *drum roll please* Today I have a special announcement for you, friends! Announcing the... 3rd Annual Worth it All Blog Story Contest! Last year I hosted my story contest, Beauty for Ashes, here on the blog and how much fun that was with all of you who entered. I'm so excited to announce our 3rd story contest, with the theme of "True Love" for 2019. It is February after all. So are you ready for more details? "True Love" Story Prompt At this time of year with Valentine's Day just around the corner, everyone starts thinking about this four-letter word...L.O.V.E. But do we even understand what this word means? Do we understand that love means more than chocolates and roses on one day of the year? Through story, your goal is to capture what real love looks like. What is true love? What is love in action? The greatest love the world has ever known came through Jesus. How do we give that to others? Capture the meaning of true love in your short story! Details: Contest Begins: February 4, 2019 Deadline for entries: March 4, 2019 Winner announced: March 11, 2019 Rules: (Any stories not abiding by these rules will be automatically disqualified.) ~Maximum of 2,000 words. Fiction story can be anywhere between that word count, but cannot exceed that amount. Any stories that exceed 2,000 words will be disqualified. ~Type your story in a Microsoft Word document in Times New Roman font and font size, 12. ~Only include story title and story content in your first document. ~In a separate document include story title, your first and last name, and your age. You may also include, if you so desire, a short bio and picture for the blog to be used if you are chosen as a winner. ~Our judge will not know the authors of the stories when she is judging, which is why we need two separate documents. Do not include your name in the document with your story, but do not forget to include the story title! ~The above story prompt must be used in some way in your story. Use this to launch your story ideas and plot. Use your imagination to make your story unique and your characters come to life. ~Please submit all entries to: [email protected]. ~If you have any questions or concerns, contact me using my email address or the contact form here on my blog! Prizes: Grand prize: Winner will receive ONE FREE Cheerleader Session with myself and Livy Jarmusch! To learn more about Cheerleader Sessions, go here. Winner's story will also be featured right here on my blog and shared on my social media accounts. Runner up: The runner up will have their story featured on my blog and also shared on my social media accounts. Announcing Our Special Guest Judge for the Contest! Our guest judge who will be judging the stories for the True Love Story Contest will be...MacKenzie Morganthal! I'm so grateful Kenzie agreed to judge for this contest! Kenzie has been a writer for over ten years and has authored two novels in the Mission for Freedom series, Not Abandoned and Out of the Dark. She has lots of wisdom to share regarding writing and I know she will do a great job as a judge for this contest! Thank you, Kenzie. Are you ready to get writing? Comment and let me know if you plan to participate! <3 |
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