"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14

            If this verse doesn't put the fear in you to do right, I don't know what will!  Our Creator has told us our duty is to obey His commands.  Now, you and I both know we are imperfect humans and it is impossible to keep every single command every single minute of the day.  But that is where forgiveness comes in.  We ask for forgiveness in prayer so that our sins are washed away.  This is why it is best to be completely open and honest when speaking to our Father during prayer.  He flat out said He would judge us on the things we try to hide.  Be forthright when speaking to Him.  Put it all out there: the good, the bad and the ugly.  When you try to hide something, you're really only holding onto the shame you feel for whatever it is you have done or are doing.  God already knows and sees all.  He's just waiting for you to admit your wrongdoings and repent so that He may wash those sins away and keep them off the "naughty list!"

            On the flip side, He also said He would bring your "good" deeds to judgment.  Our rewards in Heaven for the good things we do on earth are far greater than any reward we could receive here.  So do your good deeds for the glory of God, live humbly and with modesty, and be obedient to His callings.  My hope and desire is that my "nice list" will be long and he will say, "Well done my daughter, well done!"

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"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

This verse absolutely warms my heart.  I love the visual that comes to mind of our "Sovereign Lord" who "comes with power" and who's "arm rules for him" gently carrying a small, lost lamb in his arms next to his chest. (Isaiah 40:10)  Our God is jealous for us, and wants only for us to love him through worship and spending time with him each day.  We are his children, and if you're a mother like me, all I want from my own kids is for them to accept and reciprocate the love I have for them.

            Okay, okay...and for them to mind the first time, not complain, not fight with their siblings, do well in school, not talk back, pick up after themselves, brush their teeth without having to be told, not leave all the lights on in the house, make good grades, make good choices in life, etc, etc, etc...!  Sorry, got a little carried away there.  That tends to happen with four children.  But in all honesty, what we want for and from our kids are the same things our Heavenly Father wants from us.  And there are times in life that we will discipline and rule our children with an iron fist in order for things to go well with them, but most of the time we will love them mercifully, gracefully and tenderly.  How wonderful that God created us to feel much of what he feels so that we can understand him more intimately.  Thank you Father!

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It's not often I get to lie in bed and watch TV.  The opportunity presented itself to me when my daughter, Alex, wasn't feeling well.  She is a Momma's girl through-and-through and so she was quite content snuggled up next to me as we watched a movie about a young lady who had fallen off of a horse and was paralyzed from the waist down.  It was one of those movies whose sole purpose is to bring hope to those who watch it.

            The young lady lived with her widowed father, and after the accident her long-term boyfriend broke up with her.  He couldn't handle the drastic change in the girl he had originally fallen in love with.  The one constant person in her life through all of the ups-and-downs was her dad.  And like all great movies of hope and inspiration, it had a happy ending with the girl being able to walk again.  As she thanked the people who helped her get there, she told her dad she appreciated him never giving up on her.  He said, "That's what unconditional love is, sweetheart." There was one word that caught the attention of my inquisitive daughter and she asked, "Mom, what's unconditional?"  She was very familiar with the word "love" as it is used often in our house.  But she was puzzled by the adjective preceding it and wanted to know more.

            "Unconditional means that no matter what, I will always love you.  For instance, I will still love you whether you are good or bad, happy or sad, angry and mad, near or far, sick or healthy... no matter what!"  She just looked at me with her big brown eyes and gave me a sweet smile.  I planted a tender kiss on the end of her button nose, and we just lay there holding each other a little while longer as the credits rolled.  It was one of those moments you want to cling to forever.

            I started thinking about that conversation again today.  I thought about how unconditional love is truly rare in relationships these days.  Let's face it, everyone has put conditions on love at some point in their life if we're all being honest here.  We could at least hope that every mother has unconditional love for her children, but sadly that's not always the case.  There is more to love than just saying, "I love you."  It's showing it through ones actions.  We live in a world filled with selfishness and many people will rid their lives of children and/or people for their habits, the almighty dollar, revenge, or even spite.  These are strong accusations, but the truth can often hurt.  Praise God for people who help the abandoned.  I say all that to make the point that even a mother has to make a choice to love unconditionally.  It's not easy; especially when those children get consumed by the world and make horrible life choices.  So can there really be unconditional love?  Does it really exist?

            Let me ask you another question.  If you were put in a situation to die in order to save everyone around you, even those who hated you and made your life completely miserable, would you do it?  Would you honestly trade your life to save theirs?  "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Christ died so that through Him, we can live an eternity in Heaven.  That is the true and ultimate "unconditional love," one that cannot be replicated.  People in our current state of being on earth are going to put conditions on love.  They may still say they love someone, but their actions may prove something differently if they are mad or disappointed in that person.  But God, He will always love you no matter what.  He created the way for us to be forgiven for our sins so that there are no walls separating us from receiving His love.  The barriers of condition are broken when we receive Christ in our hearts.  Do you know of this Unconditional Love I speak of?  If the answer is no, then write to me, and I will introduce you to my Father!  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

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Life is hard enough.  Don't try to tackle it on your own.  We are all in this together trying to find our way or make our way.  The greatest successes come with the support and encouragement from others.  In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 God tells us, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, the other can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to lift them up." 
In my opinion, we all fall into one of two categories every single day.  Are you a stumbling block or are you a helper of others?  Are you quick to jump on the rumor mill when you hear vicious talk or do you smolder the fire before it spreads?  Do you laugh if someone is getting picked on or do you stand up for the victim? Do you sneer when your peer gets promoted or do you celebrate with them?
Listen, there isn't anyone who hasn't gone through, going through, or will be going through tough times, so be understanding of others if they don't seem friendly.  That's when they need those around them to give a kind word or two just so they can make it through their day.  They need someone's smile for assurance that they matter.  There is enough awful in this world. Don't pollute the air with more garbage.  Negativity, jealousy, envy, coveting, and spitefulness will succeed at bringing people down, including yourself.  Instead,  be the supporter, encourager, and team player that you want others to be for you while you have the chance.  Remember, we're all in this together.

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I pulled this one from "the vault."  It was an article I had written in 2008 for Father's Day for a local newspaper.  I thought it still appropriate for Dad's special day in 2011.  It's a bit long, but it has a wonderful message.

I knew after I wrote, "Can I Get an 'Amen', A Mother's Day Story," that I would have to be fair to the men out there and write a Father's Day story when it was their "special day."  All is fair in love and war, right?  I had to really think long and hard about this one though, and after much thought and consideration, here was what I came up with.  "What good are fathers anyway?"  Men, stay with me on this one!

If you look at how many single moms there are in the U.S. raising their children on their own, you can quickly determine what "good" fathers are.  According to the US Census Bureau in 2000, "out of the 12.2 million single family homes in the U.S., 10 million were single-mother homes."  And it's no coincidence that the growth in criminals has a direct correlation with the fact that there are no father role models in these homes.  According to The Heritage Foundation: A Leadership for America, Dr. Patrick F. Fagan states, "Over the past thirty years, the rise in violent crime parallels the rise in families abandoned by fathers. High-crime neighborhoods are characterized by high concentrations of families abandoned by fathers. The rate of violent teenage crime corresponds with the number of families abandoned by fathers."

The title of "Father" has a tremendous amount of responsibility attached to it.  These are the men that young girls will eventually model their own husbands after.  These are the men that will instill in their sons how to treat a wife someday.  A father works hard to provide for his family. He puts the toys with terrible directions, or written in Japanese, together from birthdays or Christmas so that the kids can play with them. He "fixes things" that break around the house with his manly tools and knows how to set up all of the electronics no matter how many wires or connections there are.  And, he steps in as disciplinarian when mom has had enough! "You just wait until your father gets home!!"  I think most importantly though, children seek and crave attention from their fathers.  They want their dads to read books to them, take them fishing, play games and sports with them, swing them at the park, wrestle and tickle them, pray with them, tuck them in their beds at night, support them in school activities and simply enough, talk with them.  A father shows great strength and authority, yet, has a tender heart when there's a boo-boo from a bad fall.  These examples are about showing love, being loved and feeling loved.  So I ask, "What good are fathers?"

Do you remember one of those sappy Hallmark commercials where a young woman is getting married, and the father looks at his daughter and thinks back to when she was a little girl? He begins to reminisce about a time when they were slow dancing together, with her little feet on top of his feet, and then he picked her up and twirled her around.  They were both smiling, and laughing, and seemed so happy.  I remember it so clearly because the very first time I saw that commercial, I cried like a baby, and wished that was me.  Sad but true.  Even though I was already a grown woman, I wished that could have been my memory of me with my dad.  You see, I am a statistic of a divorced family and of an alcoholic father. Most of my childhood memories were of him always working or out "living it up" until way after my sisters and I were asleep.  I think one of the happiest times I had was when he took me and my sister to a Campfire father/daughter banquet.  Of course I had to split my time with my sister, but I didn't care, I was so proud to have him there with me anyway.  I remember packing our fried chicken dinner so carefully into a box I had made especially for the occasion, and making sure my hair looked just right.  That was one of those nights I will never forget.  The reason I am sharing this personal part of my life is because I hope you will understand the life-long affect parents have on their children.  Even to this day, I am saddened at the fact that I did not have that close father/daughter relationship that is often depicted in commercials or movies.  So I ask again, "What good are fathers anyway?"

When my husband came back from a hunting trip after shooting and killing his first deer, he was so excited to tell me every single gory, yucky, bloody, horrific detail of the whole experience.  While I am sitting there squirming and grossing out, feeling sorry for "Bambi's mom," my oldest son got excited right along with him and wanted to know step-by-step of how the deer was shot.  I knew right then that God made men and women so completely different for a reason!  Men were created to be the provider and protector of the house.  Way back in the day, the men had to go out and kill to feed his family, so they have a natural killer instinct and the blood and guts don't seem to bother them much.  I know there are some women hunters out there, but I have to assume they had to "acquire" their taste for hunting.  My point is men and women have very distinct roles in the family, which is how God meant for it to be.  Children need that balance of having both perspectives in order to gain their sense of who they are, where they came from, what their values and morals are, and what characteristics they acquire.

I know there are a hundred and one different circumstances out there which may be preventing you from being a "complete" family under one roof, and this article is not intended to judge or criticize anyone out there.  But if you are a father reading this, I hope you know and understand just how important you are to your children, and how much they need you in order to have a better chance of not becoming a statistic, but rather becoming a confident, strong-minded, happy and successful individual.  So fathers..."What good are you?" After reading everything I have said in this article, if you still don't know, go ask your kids!  I'm sure they will say that their fathers are pretty darn good to have around!  My hats off to the men out there who have chosen to take the title of "Father" seriously, with pride and with commitment.  Your children are blessed to have you.  And while I am sure having a pedicure on your special day is not what you have in mind, I hope that it will be filled with the things that you love to do!  Happy Father's Day.

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How does one even begin to properly thank the brave men and women who fought valiantly for our freedom and ultimately sacrificed their own life so that we may continue ours?  How do we get word to the families directly impacted by the loss of their beloved that their fallen hero is also a hero to our country and their legend was born?  Though they are no longer here in body and in spirit, they leave behind a message to the world that we are all born with a purpose and a destiny and they were not afraid to fulfill theirs. 

I believe a soldier is born a soldier.  They have the heart of a lion; ready to defend and protect his pride, ready for what may come their way, but never ready for defeat.  They selflessly sacrifice days without a good meal, a refreshing shower, hugs from their child or spouse or mother, and the ability to just relax as they are always on guard.  And without even a second thought, they put themselves in harms way to preserve the life of another.

As they roam around a foreign country and on strange land,  they may wonder if what they are doing all those miles away really even means anything to anyone.  They may wonder if the work they signed up for is in vain.  But I am here to let them know that though they may be thousands of miles from where I stand, their presence is very much felt.  Their presence allows millions of Americans to go to sleep in peace each night.  Their presence allows us to go to work each day to support our families and pursue our dreams.  Their presence ensures our freedom continues to exist because they are ready to die for it.  So to answer the question, "Does your work mean anything to anyone?"  You're dang right it does!  It means everything!

You--my countryman, my soldier, and my hero--will never be forgotten.  You are leaving a legacy of valor, honor, commitment, and most of all love.   You stand each day proudly representing the United States of America, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty, and Justice for ALL.  Thank you, from the very depth of my heart, thank you for what you are doing or what you have done to preserve the rights of every single American in this great nation of ours.  And to the families who shed their tears of pain because they will no longer get to feel the touch of their beloved, thank you for supporting your brave soldier to fulfill his or her destiny.  Thank you for giving them to us and being their number one fan and encourager.  Your strength is not unnoticed and neither is your sacrifice.

I salute our soldiers on this weekend of remembrance.  But let us not stop there.  For each and every day that we are allowed to tuck our children in their bed at night, wake up to their smiling faces, and go about our hustling, bustling day-- WE SALUTE THEE!

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My spirit grew weary.  The tasks demanded of me made me feel insufficient.  I was, and still am, pulled in so many directions at work and at home that I couldn't give my all to any of them.  I began to feel useless.  Stupidity replaced my confidence and suddenly, my thoughts no longer followed a straight path.  I began to question everything I had ever done.  I began to feel nothing I did was ever really good enough.  "Why am I so stupid, Lord?"  I felt sorry for myself, a pattern I have been used to throughout my life.  The feelings of not being good enough were unearthed up from the darkness.  Satan was heavily attacking my spirit with plans to keep me from my purpose.  "What is my purpose anymore," I questioned.  Satan is very good at his job.  Every part of me wanted to go into hiding.  There was so much to be done that I had no motivation to do anything.  I began to shut down. 

I couldn't take the attacks any longer.  I knew what I needed to do.  I fell to my knees and prayed to my Source of Strength, to my Deliverer, to my Guide in life.  I wasn't even sure of what to say.  I felt ashamed of my feelings.  This wasn't who God made me to be, and yet, they were my feelings all the same.  My weak spirit cried out to God while my temple poured its tears. "Lord, I know I am nothing without you.  My heart is heavy with burdens that only You can lift from me.  I feel so insufficient.  I am good at nothing.  I have failed so often my self-confidence has fled my body.  I have failed you, Lord.  Forgive me."

As I continued to weep tears of sorrow, I felt these words enter my soul.  "You are not defined by the tasks assigned to you.  Take them for what they are because they are not you.  My mercy and grace have made you sufficient enough. You ARE sufficient because I live in your heart. Through Me, all things are possible.  I will be with you.  I am with you.  Now go...continue the works I have already begun in you."

I knew right then that if I were sufficient enough for my Father, I was sufficient enough for this world and all the tasks that are demanded of me in everyday life.

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A Graduation Story: I dedicate this to all of you graduating seniors out there, and to the mothers and fathers who have to let them go to their next stage in life!

Like every other Friday afternoon, Mary and her mother went to the park to play before lunch time. On this particular day, only fifteen minutes into the trip, Mary spotted a beautiful butterfly resting on a nearby bush. She ran up to the precious insect, and to her own surprise, it didn't fly away. She carefully placed her palm under its belly and allowed it to crawl onto her hand. She was so excited to have this amazing little creature to love and take care of.
"I think I'll name you Sparkle," she whispered to the curious butterfly as it crawled up her arm and onto her shoulder. Mary gently stroked its colorful wings, then told it stories as if it knew what she were saying. The butterfly seemed content resting on Mary, so she began to sing all of her favorite songs to her new beloved creature. She absolutely adored her little butterfly and vowed to always take care of it.
When Sara, Mary's mother, said it was time to go, Mary cupped the butterfly between her two hands and began to walk toward the car.
"Mary, you have to let the butterfly go, sweetie."
Mary thought about it for a second and said, "No... I don't want to let her go, Momma. Something might happen to Sparkle, and I promised I would always take care of her."
Her mother saw the worry in Mary's little eyes, but still insisted she let it go. "But, Momma, what if a bird tries to get her? I have to protect her from those bad birds out there that want to eat her."
"The butterfly must learn to defend itself."
"But, Momma, what if a bad storm comes? I need to protect her from the hard rain and wind."
"I'm sure if a storm comes, it will find a safe place to rest."
"What if she gets lost, and she doesn't know where to go?" Mary persisted.
"Mary, your little butterfly found you once before; if she needs you, she will come to you again."
With tears now flowing freely, Mary finally asked, "Momma...what if...if... she forgets about me?  Will she remember the way I loved her and told her stories and sang to her?"
"Sweetie, your little butterfly will never forget the love and nurture that you gave her. But if you take her home and keep her caged, she won't get to spread her wings and see the world out there. God made little butterflies to bring beauty into this world and give happiness to others just like she gave you. I know you love her, sweetie, and will miss her very much, but it's time to let her go so that she can lead the life God meant for her."

As Mary contemplated letting her butterfly go, she asked her mom one last question. "Momma, will you take a picture of me and my butterfly so I can remember this day we had together?"
"Of course, I will; let me go get the camera from the car. I'll be right back."
As Sara walked to the nearby car, Mary had a very serious talk with her butterfly. "I know we only got to spend a short time together, but I want you to know how much I love you. When we found each other, you made me so happy. But just like Momma said, you need to go out into the world and bring beauty to it and make others happy."
Mary's mother quietly walked up and listened while her four-year-old finished her speech.
"Just remember, I'm here every Friday at 11:00 if you ever need me."
Sara smiled as she heard Mary explain to the butterfly how to find her again and said, "Okay, sweetheart, open your hand and give me a big smile."
Mary placed the palm of her hand right in front of her heart, opened it up all the way, and smiled as her mother snapped the picture. Two seconds later, the butterfly flew away.
Her eyes quickly filled with tears as Mary watched her butterfly disappear into the trees.
"Momma," she said grasping for air as she continued to sob. "Why does my heart hurt so much?"
Sara looked into Mary's big, brown eyes and softly responded, "Because it's not easy letting go of the things that you love," and then quickly wrapped her arms around Mary, holding her tightly in her own cocoon until she finally stopped crying. And though the tears stopped flowing that day, Mary would often think of Sparkle and wonder where she was. Each Friday, as they entered the park, Sara would watch her daughter run to the bushes, hoping to catch another glimpse of the beautiful butterfly.

Time flew quickly by, and fourteen years later, Mary was getting ready to walk across the stage to receive her diploma. As she put her cap and gown on and posed for pictures, her mother began to cry.
"I can't believe my little girl is all grown up and going off to college. The house will be awfully quiet without you here."
Mary hugged her mom and tried to comfort her and then said, "Mom, I've got to go now. They're calling all the graduates to assemble. We'll talk later, okay?"
Later that evening at Mary's graduation party, she pulled her mom aside and presented her with a card. Sara gave Mary an odd look.
"This is your celebration, sweetheart, why are you giving me a card?"
"Just open it! It's my way of saying 'thank you'...okay?" she urged her mother with a smile. Sara quickly opened the card and out fell the picture of Mary, holding her butterfly when she was four. She began to reminisce over that very special day and, of course, her eyes instantly filled with tears.
She then read these words:
Dear Momma,
I know how your heart is feeling right now, but it's time for me to go; this is my time to 'Sparkle!' Thank you for letting me spread my own wings so that I can see the world. I know there will be 'bad birds' out there wanting to eat me; I know I will face some awful storms, and I know there may be times that I get lost.  But I also know that I will always remember how much you have loved and nurtured me, and I will get through life's journey that God has in store for me because of this. And if ever I need you, I know I can call you on the phone and say, 'Meet me at the park at 11:00,' and you will always be there. I love you, Momma!

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I slowly descended down the rocky stairs.  I could feel my heart pounding, filling my head with the hot blood that rushed throughout my body.  It was so dark, yet I could see a dim light casting a glow below.  I continued down the stairs with caution when suddenly I heard a loud scream.

            "No.  Please don't kill me," the voice of a young girl cried out. 

            I wanted to run back up feeling completely ignorant for thinking I was any match for these demons, but something kept me in place.  I felt an urge to find out who was there and what was happening.  I ducked down and tried to adjust my eyes to see if I could make out what was happening in the darkness.  I could here a struggle, like someone who had been captured trying to escape.

            "Let her go, Nephula," the male voice demanded.

            Liam! I immediately thought.  I had to keep going.  I needed to see him.  I needed to see who the girl Nephula was now holding captive was.  I stretched one leg at a time down to the next step, still in my squatted position, and proceeded forward desperate to find the answers.

            "You see how your brothers abandoned you?  It is up to you alone to save her life.  Do you honestly believe you can fight my company of warriors all by your lonesome?  But there is another way...a more peaceful way. Come and work for me, and we will spare your precious saint."

            "No!  Don't do it.  She's bluffing.  Trust your heart," the girl strapped to the stoned table begged.  My eyes were drawn to her, though the darkness kept me from getting a good view.  Oddly, I felt connected to her somehow.  There was a familiarity about Nephula's latest victim, but from what I could see, I didn't know her at all. 

My focus shifted to the angel who was held prisoner by three slimy demons and surrounded by a dozen more.  I saw his beautiful white wings pressed down against his body--an obvious sign of defeat.  The demon facing him held Liam's mighty sword in his hand while another held his shield.  I tried to yell out, "Listen to the girl!" but my voice fell on deaf ears.  I tried again, "Don't fall for her evil trap," and still, only silence spilled from my mouth.

            I've got to get closer.  I must stop him.  I began running down the rest of the stairs, no longer caring if the monsters saw me.  I couldn't let him do this.

            I ran as fast as I could into the crowd of demons surrounding the girl and Liam.  His back faced me, and I could only see the nape of his neck as his chin rested upon the top of his collarbone.  The girl was crying profusely on the table as Nephula kept a sharp blade upon her throat, but I still couldn't get a clear shot of her face.  That's when I realized I had run straight through the demons.  I was merely a ghost and couldn't be seen or heard.  No...this can't be, I need to help them.

            I ran up to meet the defeated angel and saw it was never Liam.  It was Kyran.

            "Kyran, don't do this.  Have faith," I cried out, but he couldn't hear or see me.

He stretched out his hand toward the innocent girl and whispered, "Faith!"

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   I absolutely LOVE music.  As a matter of fact, I love it so much I wish God had given me the gift to sing and play instruments.  But since He didn't, I have to do a lot of air guitar and drums or lip-sinking as I am pretending to be on that stage singing to a sold out crowd of thousands!  I'm pretty darn good at it too!   But seriously, music has a way of really getting me fired up, motivated, or even in tune with my emotions.  Have you ever had a day where you just weren't sure how you were feeling, maybe a little blah or down but not sure why, and then you hear that one song that you connect with and suddenly a realization of where you are in that moment hits you?  Did that song help encourage you out of your funk or did it justify and fuel your funk? That's why it's SO important to make sure you're putting the right kind of lyrics into your mind.
   Have you ever fallen asleep or woken up to a song that's lingering in your head?  Happens to me all of the time and before I started mostly listening to Christian music, there would be some "not so nice" thoughts entertaining my mind dealing with sexual impurities, cheating, provocative dancing with strangers, being the "other" woman, lying your way out of something, taking what belongs to others, drinking, partying, etc...I'm sure you get the point.  Oh sure, the beat to those songs were incredible and catchy.  They would make you want to shake what yo' Momma gave you all day long!  But you see, that's how they get you!  That's how the world gets you and how Satan gets you!
   I have purposely listened to a song that was the complete opposite of what our God is about simply because I loved the beat.  Then I would have those soul stealing words stuck in my thoughts the rest of the day until suddenly I began to justify my choice in music. "Well, it's not really all that bad.  It's the world we live in today."  Isn't that how the devil works?  God Himself talks about song and music in the bible.  He makes it obvious how much He loves it and gave it to us to connect with Him and make us feel good, but the devil always finds a way to turn God's good things bad.
   For years, even as a Christian, I enjoyed listening mostly to secular songs.  Now and again I would find a great Christian song that I would really like and listen to it, but for the most part I was a fan of secular pop and rap.  It wasn't until one day when my eldest son wanted to go to an all day Christian concert event that my love for Christian music began to change.  I bought a few tickets so he could take his friend with us and not be stuck with his mom at a concert all day.  At the time I worked for a newspaper and through some networking channels, I was able to get an all access pass.  I was REALLY hoping to look like the coolest mom in the world and try and get my son and his friend backstage as well, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to pull it off.  To make a very long story short, the friend couldn't make it and since it was just Bryley with me, I was able to also get him an all access pass when we got to the event.  When we weren't back stage meeting the various artists, we were jamming right in front of the stage, and I was instantly hooked on Christian rock.  Skillet, who I mentioned in the book, Through the Night, a few times became my most favorite band.  I would drive around the minivan, windows rolled down, music blaring, just singing my little heart out to their music.  I would even throw in a little head banging!  That particular concert got me interested in more Christian bands that I never knew were out there.  These bands have not only the catchy, fun and exciting beats, but they also have amazing lyrics that inspire, praise God, and that one can easily identify themselves with.  There is Christian music for all tastes out there--rap, pop, rock, hard rock, easy listening--the choices are boundless.  Now when I go to sleep or wake up to a song, it's usually something that truly motivates me in life.  For instance, this morning I woke up bright and early to the song "Arise" by Flyleaf.  This is an incredible and powerful song that says "Arise and be all that you dreamed."  Seriously, it gets me excited and motivated to want to continue my writing and pursue my dreams.  Isn't that what music should do?  God created it so that we can have an expressive way to praise Him and feel a connection with Him.  If you're constantly listening to the, pardon my language, *crap out there that brings negativity and sin into your life, then isn't that how you're going to feel and act? (*Pastor calls words like that Christian cussing!  I do not mean to offend but I've got to keep it real!)  Now I know not all secular music is bad.  There are still some groups and songs I enjoy listening to, but they aren't chalk full of the junk that you shouldn't be doing in your every day life.  Be careful and be choosy, especially if your kids are listening to it as they are even more impressionable.
   I can go on and on about this topic as I am VERY passionate about it, but I will spare you this time!  Listen, I want to close with this.  Ever since I have changed what I put into my ears...which leads to my thoughts...which leads to my actions...I have had a stronger desire to be better and do better.  I will list several of my favorite artists below that I would encourage you to give their music a try.
   In everything you do, you must ask yourself the question, "Is this bringing me closer to God, or is it putting a block in the way of my relationship?"  Music is a huge part of our lives and this question definitely applies here! So start putting the good stuff in and I promise you, you WILL be blessed for it!  Here's to "Jammin for Jesus!"

Favorites: Fireflight, Skillet, Hawk Nelson, Flyleaf, Grits (rap), Group 1 Crew (rap & pop, they remind me of Black Eye Pea), Matthew West, Superchik, Third Day, TobyMac, Beckah Shae, Britt Nicole, Disciple...just to name a few!

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