What does renewal look like?

Posted on May 29, 2012 by K

Sometimes, it looks like
sunshine and art and hymns and courage and prayer.
Long walks, staying up too late reading good books,
and bright paint on fingertips.

Current Soundtrack: Hymns

Posted on May 27, 2012 by K

Hymns this weekend…

(And this is one of my favorites.)

Have a blessed Sunday!

A Weekend Soundtrack & My Heart’s Desire

Posted on May 11, 2012 by K

I just can’t get enough of this song (and this band!):

And this band, too:

I’m feeling closer to Him than I have in a long time, and my heart is beyond thankful. I’ve been rejoicing in the way creativity can share and shine His light and reflect His love.

And lately, I’ve realized just how much it’s my heart’s desire to share the gospel through creativity and making beautiful and meaningful things that point back to Him. Like the quote I recently shared from Shauna Niequist, I, too, believe that God’s story and who He is can be revealed through so many different mediums — through words and poems and stories and paintings.

And it’s on my heart to do that — to keep creating and to keep sharing who He is by being true to who He created me to be.

Lyrical Inspiration

Posted on May 4, 2012 by K

Been loving this song lately (and maybe you will, too!)…

Happy Friday, friends! :)

Lyrical Inspiration: Already All I Need

Posted on April 6, 2012 by K

Asking where You are, Lord. Wondering where You’ve been. Is like standing in a hurricane, trying to find the wind. And hoping for Your mercy to meet me where I am. Is forgetting that Your thoughts for me, outnumber the sand. You filled the sun with morning light. You bid the moon to lead the night. You clothe the lilies bright and beautiful. You’re already all I need. Already everything that I could hope for. You’re already all I need. You’ve already set me free. Already making me. More like You. You’re already all I need. Jesus, You’re already all I need. Walking through this life without Your freedom in my heart. Is like holding onto shackles that You have torn apart. So remind me of Your promises. And all that You have done. In this world I will have trouble. But You have overcome. And every gift that I receive. You determine just for me. But nothing I desire compares with You. In Your fullness. You’re my all in all. In Your healing. I’m forever made whole. In Your freedom. Your love overflows. And carries me. You carry me.

(Already All I Need by Christy Nockles)

Lessons Relearned

Posted on March 24, 2012 by K

(Lyrics above from All Sons & Daughters, Dawn to Dusk)

In the midst of a season I don’t fully understand, I’m clinging to His promises and relearning the importance of surrender.

The truth is surrender doesn’t always come easily. In fact, it’s often pretty hard and uncomfortable and frustrating — until we’ve truly let go and done it. Once we’ve surrendered to His plan and His will, we can find rest and freedom in the knowledge that He’s the author of our story — and He’s able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Despite my mistakes and fumblings, I know He is good and faithful. I know He can take my brokenness and make it beautiful. And I know that in my surrender, I’ll find the freedom my heart so desperately craves.

Thank You, Lord

Posted on March 18, 2012 by K

Thank you, Lord …

…for little reminders — like these lyrics that you brought to my heart in three different ways this weekend.

…for this faith of mine that you’re building and for your patience with me.

…for the blessing of sunshine and Your Light that shines into the darkness.

Thank you, Lord.

You’ve been walking with me all this time…

Posted on March 10, 2012 by K

I’m getting baptized tomorrow.

All week, my heart’s been filled with thoughts and reflections on who I was and who I am now, what I’ve experienced and what I’m experiencing now — and how God’s plan for me is woven throughout all of those moments.

“No matter what comes, you will never leave. I know you’re for me, and you’re restoring. Every heartache and failure, every broken dream, you’re the God who sees, the God who rescued me. This is my story.”

~ Britt Nicole

I was saved as a child, but it was only a head belief for me — not a heart belief. It wasn’t until about five years ago, that my relationship with Christ took root in my heart.

The change occurred after a relationship I had invested a huge portion of my heart and time into came to an end. In the midst of that broken time, God provided, and I found myself blessed with real, authentic friendships with some amazing Christian women who challenged me and encouraged me to grow in my faith. Slowly, I started to see what a relationship with Christ looked like and what it could mean for my life. I realized that for so many years, I had been keeping God at a distance, and I realized that during those very same years, He was patiently pursuing me, waiting for my heart to soften and let Him in. And even though I hadn’t been acknowledging Him, He’d still been there, by my side, walking with me.

As I look back on the last five years, I see all the changes that have occurred in my heart. I see the ways God has been refining me and making me a more authentic, true version of myself. I see His faithfulness in the way He’s guided me through some difficult moments and seasons. And I see the way He’s been teaching me, building my faith, and deepening my relationship with Him.

I’m still learning and seeking today, five years later, as I watch each new chapter unfold, according to His will for me. This season, my heart holds a lot of questions, hopes, and possibilities. I see God working in so many ways right now, doing incredible things in me and around me. And every day, even on the days I feel overwhelmed, worried, or unsure …