Category: music

Gratitude and Double Nickels

On By mygodroomIn blessings, gratitude, music, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Yesterday, we returned to TN from worshipping at Brandon Lake’s Tear off the Roof Tour in Charleston, SC on 5/5/2024. It was the quickest trip we have ever planned or taken. Leaving my glorious 55th year behind in January, my heart’s desire was to worship at a Brandon Lake event. His music very much marked all of 2023 for me, including the miracle 10/17/23. We prayed about it and agreed to go to Charleston, SC, to celebrate my 1/21/2024 birthday, my ninth baptism birthday (5/3/15) and our 9th wedding anniversary (5/10/15) in advance. Praise God for healing my blood pressure issues of February, March and April, in His Timing! (Isa 55)

After a spiritual warfare grenade thrown by a certain pastor last week, I am exponentially grateful we sacrificed some things in our normal budget to obtain floor seats. Heck, we were even blessed in the City Market buying that brick washed red Charleston cap. The sweet vendor told me I was “meant to have that cap” at a 33% discount! We met up with an old friend of mine who is four months pregnant with her second child. She will be fifty in July and the baby girl will be born in late October/Early November. Blessings upon blessings!

We cut the visit a pinch short to ensure we made it over to the Credit One arena on time. The Holy Spirit was present in a palpable way; it felt like Jesus was holding my hand most of the evening. It did not surprise me Brandon Lake opened with “Praise You Anywhere” and ended with “Praise”. From beginning to the end of his set, Brandon Lake led authentic, gospel-based worship. Of all the Christian artists I have ever experienced in person, I do not recall a single one used more by God to move me closer to Him. I thank God for the soundtrack he has given to my faith, including Brandon Lake.

After Doe’s opening set, there was an extended call to sponsor World Vision children in need. Lake was on stage at 8:02 pm. Roughly 40 minutes into the show, Brother Brandon joked about being too sweaty to put on his Coat of Many Colors. He shared the story behind his coat before placing it on his sons. In doing so, Lake spoke of the double portion of Spirit and anointing his father prayed over him and how he prays for his three boys to receive the same.

I have seen quite a few clips/shorts of Brandon Lake. Never had I heard him refer to a double portion. It certainly isn’t the first time the Holy Spirit has returned a Word back to me through another person. In that moment, I knew exactly why the Spirit had me write out “One Response” to the aforementioned pastor BEFORE leaving Nashville. It was the nudge to include a reference to 2 Kings 2:9-14 and a double portion of a different variety. Such a blinding bright light of a Godwink in the middle of the show!

Truly, I love how the Holy Spirit moves…including through music and the internet. I somehow ended up here after looking up Brandon Lake’s earlier music. How perfect! Brandon Lake wrote a song with Matt Redman, Brian Johnson, and Phil Wickham and called “We Praise You” on Redmond’s Let There Be Wonder compilation four years ago. The same Matt Redman the pastor praised while denouncing Brandon Lake’s song, Gratitude. The pastor wrote, “Lake is connected with Bethel Church …and along with their music labels promote questionable teaching all the time.” I suppose it depends on how one defines “connected.” Still, I rebuke such statements, as God will judge me or condemn every useless word, including mine.

I didn’t find or know this song before writing “One Response”, so I am including it here for posterity. Yes, Brandon Lake has collaborated with Elevation Worship, Bethel Music, Hillsong, Maverick City Music and more. I emphatically deny that all music from them should be silenced under the presumption of “bad theology”.

I assume ALL GOOD in any person is from God, as I believe all GOOD and GOOD KNOWLEDGE come from God. I have also experienced God through some secular music. I respect churches being intentional about how they lead worship and which songs they choose. However, blindly banning any group of artists and reading the devil into all their songs surely borders on blasphemy.

Praise can be a weapon to silence the enemy!

Roughly a year later, this is Elevation Worship with Maverick City and Brandon Lake. This video was posted three years ago and as of today, 3.3M views:

Forward another year, Lake’s Gratitude was used on The Chosen. 33 million views to this version alone. I believe God has used this song to sew countless seeds among those 33 million views. Brandon Lake can’t convert people to follow Jesus in his own power. However, there is no denying God’s hand on this song and, I believe, on Mr. Lake, himself. Lord, thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do. You have the master list 🙂 Today, I humbly ask all those who come to Jesus through his ministry grow to full maturity in their faith. In Jesus sweet name, Amen.

January 4, 2024

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Obedience requires action. For reasons unknown to me, I must share this texted response…

Lol. I thought I was being funny by using my last name!

Like everything else, “wonderful” is subjective. I was giddy on the way home last night because God showed off in three big ways yesterday. Three separate strangers with completely different stories- just confirmation galore about a bunch of stuff I’ve been wrestling with lately.

God has been doing a ton of showing up and showing off in my life since February. No doubt, 2023 has been the most favorite year of my entire life.

Flip side- they have not let me/us visit since returning from Italy in October. The repairs from the car crashing into our Boro shop didn’t get done until Late December. Big drama at our tiny church- no longer our church. Other things have been challenging and beyond gut-punching.

Too much for a text. Clearly. Lol. Love you and hope we catch up soon.

God Moves Mervat

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

In the past three years, I have met several people from Egypt in Smyrna, TN. Each time, there has been an opportunity in conversation to bear witness to my “favorite Egyptian”.

More than a week ago, I made a video at the house. In the video, I am talking about two particular mountains I know God moved in my life.

Of particular note to me was realizing the language I was led to use posting about meeting Mervat in January 2017. I wrote “ You moved the FDA mountain.

It perplexed me in the best way! Why? Simply put, The FDA Mountain was officially moved 11/2/2017 So, that must have been in reference at the time to be something about extensions which kept getting granted.

God answered a prayer in real time on this day with Mervat. I was wrong to combine it with the FDA Mountain for the long term. But, “I see what you did here”, too. I wouldn’t have realized “my error” was not an error.

Lord, you are so good to me. I love you.

Confession

On By mygodroomIn anger, blessings, music, obedience, prayerLeave a comment

Mark has a 1991 New International Version Bible.  If you search the NIV today, the word “confess” is not present.  However, when I opened his Bible this morning, Romans 10:10 said, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

I am fairly certain no one on this earth could understand the depth of what I felt this morning better than Mark.  He completely understood that out of the entirety of every word on that page, the word “CONFESS” took me back to our conversation yesterday morning.  I believe God is leading me to really look deeply at the subject and necessity of confession.  Scratch that, I believe He is leading US to look at it.

romans10v10

Yesterday, there was an intense, yet brief, period of disagreement between myself and my children.   They are teenagers, so this is not a foreign occurrence in our home.  Still, it was exceptionally brief and intense.  As they went upstairs to sulk, pray or think about it, I was praying and seeking guidance downstairs.  Ultimately, I texted them my apology for allowing anything to impact me enough to agitate me and asked them earnestly to forgive me, sooner than later.  Texting wasn’t an ” easy way out”, it was a thoughtful one.  When my kids are irritated, the fewer the words, the better.  It is hard for them to truly hear me and look at me at the same time when they are remotely upset.  Heck, it’s hard for them to hear and look at anyone at the same time, happy or sad!   Regardless, we had a wonderful evening and Mark was unaware we had any issues before he arrived home last night.


Today,  I am praying and considering the sins which I need to confess to anyone in my life.  What can I share in the most loving of ways to shed light on any darkness I may have brought into the world?  What could I say to my mother?  What things should I share with my husband?  My children, friends, church family?  Bottom line, I do believe the “Catholics got confession right” in the spirit of needing confession.  I don’t believe one must confess to a priest.  Mark and I talked again about how the cross changed everything.  We can take it all to Jesus, yes.  But, what should we confess among ourselves?

Father God, thank you for loving me enough to give us your son, Jesus, on the cross.  Thank you for every opportunity to make restitution in our daily lives.  I pray you will use whatever is broken in me to let your light in even brighter. I pray you will reveal to us those transgressions you would most desire for us to confess.  Thank you for the talent in Jason Gray and using it to speak to my heart.   Thank you, so very much,for using me with Sarah to have her find you in “Grace Wins” by Matthew West.  Thank you for all the music, all the words, all the melodies and for the choir of every angel on this earth.I am overwhelmed with your songs and your silences, Lord.  The tears which flowed down my face this morning, knowing you are speaking me, are priceless. I am so grateful you have given me a husband chasing your heart with me, Lord!  Thank you for letting me share with our friends, again, YOUR power and grace in removing their obstacles to buying their new home.  Thank you for allowing J &D to see the new life you are blessing them with dance and wave at the doctor’s appointment this week.  Please keep this treasure safe and bring the new baby into the world in such a way that everyone will praise you as much as they do.    Knowing you used me with Sarah to bring her directly back to you in such a real way is priceless, as well.  How perfect we are worth more to you than rubies and sparrows.  Yesterday would have been my Mamaw Ruby’s 90th birthday.  Thank you for the 13 years you gave her to me, as well.  Please, Heavenly Father, keep your hand on the Tunnell’s so firmly they feel your power when their son arrives this week.  May we all sing your praises and give you thanks for all the blessings in our lives. 

 

 

 

Lyrics and Obedience

I heard a song last Sunday for the first time.  It moved me so much, I sat in my car to finish listening to it.  I googled the lyric in my head when I got home. It was easy to find the artist, Jason Gray, and  the song “Sparrows“.  Unusual for me, I purchased the whole album, without any further research or listening.

If these words were on paper, I would file this under obedience.   Why?  I believed I was hearing what God wanted from me and I took action.  I didn’t care if it was weird or questioned.  I just did what I was told.  It’s kind of a big deal to me. Yes, sir, with genuine reverence.

I am not talking about buying  Where the Light Gets In, though it has proven to be an excellent investment.  So many of the songs speak my heart, His heart and move my spirit.  My husband digs it, as well.  I love that I am married to a man who loves the Lord and loves how I love Him.

The “weird or questioned” part comes into play because I shared a condensed version of my vision, the song and the explanation from the artist with the person who was on my heart from the minute I heard the melody. Instead of sharing privately, I was told to go out on a limb and share on her Facebook page.  In and of itself, it may not sound like a big leap. However, Jocelyn’s husband, David,  leads our Worship Music at Hope Fellowship . 

Jocelyn is a triplet and her entire family is well known in our church.  She and her sisters post the most beautiful encouragements, scripture and insights on their pages. They always speak the most encouraging words, too.    I have long since nicknamed them the “Sweet Jays”, as each of their names begins with the letter “J” and each sings His praises sweeter than any songbird.  

It is only human to doubt my words or thoughts were “good enough” to post on her page or any leader’s page.  It was impossible to deny that God wanted me to share it the way I did.

For three plus minutes, I kept seeing Jocelyn and her daughter dancing in a field of wildflowers.  I could see them dancing, singing, laughing and praising Him together.  “Even the Sparrow knows, He holds tomorrow” just resonated so deeply as a lyric. I could see brightly colored, matching dresses and huge smiles.   I could see birds flying over the ocean and knew it was God who made those wings work their perceived magic.   I could feel her husband , David, just beaming with gratitude as he witnessed their beautiful bond and giving Glory to God for his family.   The imagery was so powerful; only God could press it on my heart to such depth.

In less than three minutes,  that powerful vision was balanced with their testimony at church roughly three years ago. It was a powerful juxtaposition, to say the least.  I don’t remember every word, but I clearly remember how David talked about hearing “Oceans” by Hillsong United  and, in particular, the lyric which says “Spirit, lead me, where my trust is without borders.”

He shared scripture, spoke lovingly of his wife and shared openly about the two miscarriages they had suffered.  He asked us to pray with him for the third baby now growing in Jocelyn’s womb.  I believe David said something about how God used that song to reassure him that this pregnancy would be different and to have faith, no matter what, and to keep trusting His plan for them.    

When Jocelyn gave her testimony, she referenced Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  The way she spoke of her Sweet Jesus and her desire for all to know him still echoes.   I have prayed for their family and recalled their powerful, yet peace-filled testimony every time I have heard “Oceans” the past three years. 

I believe God has used their precious family for His Glory and His Kingdom in ways they may never understand.   I see His Grace magnified in their two-year old daughter, Joy.  I can feel His love, peace and presence each time I see their family together.  How perfect she is another “Sweet Jay”!    

After I took the leap and shared what was pressed on my heart, the response initially surprised me. Then, I remembered it wasn’t from me, it was from Him and it shouldn’t surprise me in the least.   Jocelyn wrote that God used me to bless her heart and that her sister had also shared that same song with her in a previous week. Thank you, Lord!    She actually read the link and  said, ” The message of the resurrection gives hope that even the worst will produce something beautiful in us, and will ultimately help make us who we most want to be. YES, more like Jesus because we’ve experienced more of Him, and He is so, so good.”  

I did not feel like I was not “good enough” to share as He led me; I was grateful to have been directed  to “trust without borders.” 

Listening, music and being obedient all matter.  Birds. Oceans. Babies. Lyrics.  Everything under heaven matters.  If we look closely and listen carefully, we can see and hear so much more of what Jesus longs to teach us and share with us.

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing…O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalms 30:11-12

On By mygodroomIn hope615, jason gray, music, obedience, Uncategorized, Where the Light Gets InLeave a comment