The Best of the Best!

     I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, and today I got pretty bored and finally got around to doing it. haha. As you know I like music, and I enjoy music countdowns. So, I have created my Top 50 Favorite Christian Songs of All-Time…..in order. haha. If you haven’t heard any of these songs, I highly recommend that you listen to them! (:

1. How He Loves- John Mark McMillan
2. You Hold Me Now- Hillsong United
3. There Will Be A Day- Jeremy Camp
4. Always Forever- Phil Wickham
5. The Inside Out- Hillsong United
6. My Offering- Third Day
7. Until the Whole World Hears- Casting Crowns
8. I Can Only Imagine- MercyMe
9. Cry Out to Jesus- Third Day
10. Empty and Beautiful- Matt Maher
11. Speaking Louder Than Before- Jeremy Camp
12. Our God- Chris Tomlin
13. Jesus Paid it All- Krisian Stanfill
14. With Everything- Hillsong United
15. Revelation Song- Phillips, Craig and Dean
16. Mighty to Save- Hillsong United
17. The Glory of it All- David Crowder Band
18. How Great Thou Art- Carrie Underwood
19. Forgiven- Sanctus Real
20. The Stand- Hillsong United
21. Get Back Up- TobyMac
22. Word of God Speak- MercyMe
23. Something Beautiful- NeedtoBreathe
24. True Love- Phil Wickham
25. Jesus Saves- Jeremy Camp
26. What Faith Can Do- Kutless
27. Your Love Never Fails- Jesus Culture
28. He Is With You- Mandisa
29. Hold Us Together- Matt Maher
30. This Man- Jeremy Camp
31. Lifesong- Casting Crowns
32. Orphans of God- Avalon
33. Washed By The Water- NeedtoBreathe
34. The Motions- Matthew West
35. What If His People Prayed- Casting Crowns
36. Let it Fade- Jeremy Camp
37. Savior, Please- Josh Wilson
38. Love is Here- Tenth Avenue North
39. God of This City- Bluetree
40. I Will Rise- Chris Tomlin
41. The Words I Would Say- Sidewalk Prophets
42. Lead Me- Sanctus Real
43. How Great Is Our God- Chris Tomlin
44. Lay Em’ Down- NeedtoBreathe
45. Times- Tenth Avenue North
46. Praise You In This Storm- Casting Crowns
47. Starry Night- Chris August
48. Your Hands- J.J. Heller
49. By Your Side- Tenth Avenue North
50. Does Anybody Hear Her- Casting Crowns

Beautiful Things.

     This week I chose, “Beautiful Things” By Gungor. It’s a great song about the beautiful things that God has created. I’m one to believe that there is beauty in everyone and I like to find that hidden beauty in different situations and in every walk of life. I actually just found this song yesterday, and I have completely fallen in love with it, and I just wanted to share it with all of you! (Also, Gungor’s whole album “Beautiful Things” is really good, you should check it out!)

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“All this pain,
I wonder if I’ll even find my way.
I wonder if my life could really change at all.
All this earth,
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of us.

All around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground.
Out of chaos life is being found in You.

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of us.

You make me new, You are making me new.
You make me new, You are making me new.

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of us.”

What’s Your Story, about his Glory?

      About this time, almost exactly 12 years ago, I made the most important decision of my life. I decided to accept Jesus Christ to come live in my heart.

     I was 5 years old, it was late on an October night, and My Older sister (who was 7 at the time) and I were spending the night at my Grandparent’s house. I don’t remember what all had happened that day, but it was late, and Megan and I were in the double bed in the guest bedroom. I remember we were just laying there about to go to sleep, when out of nowhere, it was like God tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Macey, I want you to invite me in.’, I just started thinking about Jesus, and I wanted to know how to become a Christian. I rolled over in the bed, and asked my big sister, how can I become a Christian?

     I’m sure the question totally threw her off, it was pretty late, and then I just randomly asked her a very serious question, (keep in mind that she was only 7, about to turn 8). She basically explained to me that I had to admit that I was a sinner, and I had to believe that God sent his only son, Jesus, down to the earth to die for my sins, so that I wouldn’t have to. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and all I had to do was believe that, and then invite Christ to come live in my heart, and by his Grace, he would save me.

     Even though I was only 5, I knew that I had sinned, and I knew that Jesus had really done all of those things, and I knew that I wanted to invite Christ to come live in my heart. I told Megan, and then she prayed with me, and right there, laying in a double bed, in the guest room of my Grandparent’s house, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior.

     There is nothing like that feeling, of when you first accept Christ. I was suddenly overwhelmed with happiness, I started crying, and I jumped up to go tell my Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. Me and Megan ran down the stairs and into the room where my Maw-Maw was, and I screamed “Maw-Maw! I just got saved!” She started crying too, and then we all ran into the Family room where my Paw-Paw was watching Tv, and I jumped in his lap, and told him, and he was so excited as well. Then, we called my parents, and I told them, and they were so happy too. I will NEVER forget that night for as long as I live.

     I accepted Christ as a 5-year-old. I have never doubted my Salvation. I’ve never questioned whether or not I was saved. I know for a fact that I am a Christian, and I know where I’m going when I die. But, it wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I really found out what’s it’s like to fully turn your life over to God. Not just to say “Oh yeah, I’m a Christian, I love God, I go to Church, I know I’m going to heaven.” But to live everyday for Him, to start having a quiet time, to study my Bible as much as possible, to spend time with Him…like really spend time with him, not just that routine prayer you recite before bed, or before a meal.

     In my earlier Teen years, I mostly looked forward to going to Church for the social time. I liked to get to hang out with my friends, and maybe sing a couple of songs. But when My family and I moved to Florida, and I started getting involved in a Youth Group, I realized that I was just going through the motions. I’d go to church, get out my bible, sit down, listen to the sermon, stand up, sing, come home, do something similar on Wednesday, then repeat the process the next week. I wasn’t growing as a Christian, and I wasn’t devoting my whole life to Jesus. After several weeks at Youth Group, I decided that I was going to make a change, and since then, I’ve devoted my life to pleasing Christ, and like Matthew West’s song says “I don’t want to go through the Motions, I don’t wanna go one more day without Your all-consuming Passion inside of me, I don’t want to spend my whole life asking, ‘What if I had given everything? Instead of going through the motions.’”. Since then, I’ve changed my Attitude, I’ve changed what music I like listening to, I’ve been on a Mission Trip, I’ve started having a daily quiet time, I feel more confident, and I have fewer Insecurities. I still make mistakes, many many many mistakes, and I still sin every single day, but I know that I have a Father in heaven, that will forgive me of every single one of those sins and mistakes, and it’s an incredible feeling. (:

     It’s amazing what God does to a person when they fully give themselves over to him. I’ve never been happier in my life. God has blessed me in so many ways, and his Glory never ceases to amaze me. If you’ve never asked Jesus to become your personal Savior. Do it. It’s the best decision you’ll ever make. Do you know where you’re going when you die? Don’t let another day go by, until you know for certain! God can’t wait for you to invite him into your life! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

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     I was listening to this song a few days ago,  it’s “Next Thing You Know” By- Matthew West and that’s what really gave me the idea to post my Testimony. It’s a great song about Matthew sharing his own Testimony through a song, and in the end he says “What’s Your Story, about his Glory?”. Everyone has a totally different story about how they came to Christ. You may have been a little kid, a middle schooler, a teenager, or an adult. There’s never a wrong time to invite Christ into your life.

     So the question that I’m going to leave you with is, ‘What’s Your Story, about His Glory? Have you found your place in the history of Grace?’

Thanks for reading!

-Macey.

(Lyrics from Matthew West- “The Motions” and “Next Thing You Know”)

“No Weeping, No Hurt or Pain…”

     I chose Hillsong’s ”You Hold Me Now” this week, because no matter how many times it’s played on the radio, or how many times you sing it at church or youth group, or play it on your iPod, or no matter how many times it get’s stuck in your head…the lyrics are absolutely incredible. I honestly get chills every time I hear it. I can’t even imagine a world with no pain, suffering, war, sorrow or darkness..that’s just how AMAZING heaven is going to be one day! There will be no more crying, death, sickness or fear! Everything is going to be perfect, and it will last for all eternity! (:

     This song for me serves two different purposes. First off, whenever I’m having a bad day, or if I’m going through a hard time, or if I know of someone I love that is dealing with things, this song serves as an encouragement that this world is temporary, and life on this earth is very short, then we will be rid of all of these problems and hardships, and it will all vanish and we’ll never have to deal with it ever again! Second, I sometimes look (or listen) to this song from another perspective…there are so many lost people out there that have no idea that there is a solution to their hardships. They don’t know how much God loves them, and how he has prepared a place for them in a land where there is no more darkness and sorrow. They feel like they have all the weight of the world on their shoulders, and they have no one to turn to. It’s so sad, and it makes me feel guilty for knowing about the Love of God, and not just going out and telling everyone I happen to run in to! EVERY single person deserves to know about the Love of God, and about the place that he is preparing for us. He wants to see all of his creation in heaven one day. Heaven is going to be beyond the comprehension of the human mind, so why wouldn’t we want to tell everyone about it?!

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“On that day when I see all that You have for me, when I see You face to face, there surrounded by your grace. All my fears swept away, in the light of your embrace, when your love is all I need, and forever I am free.

Where the streets are made of gold, In your presence healed and whole. Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone…No weeping, No hurt or pain, No suffering, You hold me now, You hold me now. No darkness, No sick or lame, No hiding, You hold me now, You hold me now.

In this life I will stand through my joy and my pain, knowing there’s a greater day, there’s a hope that never fails. When Your name is lifted high, and forever praises rise. For the glory of your name, I believe it for the day, When the wars and violence cease, All creation lives in peace, Let the songs of heavens rise to you alone!

No weeping, No hurt or pain, No suffering, You hold me now, You hold me now. No darkness, No sick or lame, No hiding, You hold me now, You hold me now.

For Eternity, all my heart will give, all the glory to your name!

No weeping, No hurt or pain, No suffering, You hold me now, You hold me now. No darkness, No sick or lame, No hiding, You hold me now, You hold me now!  We worship you Lord! You hold me now, You hold me now!”

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A few other lyrics that come to mind are Jeremy Camp’s “There Will Be A Day”

     “There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears. There will be a day where the burdens of this place will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face-to-face. But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always.”

Some of my other favorite lyrics are the bridge of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Heaven is the Face”, it’s absolutely incredible, and I can’t wait for that day!

     “In my mind’s eye I can see a place where Your Glory feels every empty space, All the cancer is gone, Every mouth is fed, And there’s no one left in the orphans’ bed, Every lonely heart finds their one true love and There’s no more goodbye and no more ‘not enough’ and There’s no more..enemy. No more.”

Lastly, there’s that song that almost all of you probably know, the classic MercyMe, “I can Only Imagine”. I’ve heard this song probably over a hundred times, and yet it still gets to me every.single.time. Wow. I’d like to post the whole song, but I’ll just share the chorus, if you by any chance haven’t heard any of these songs that I’ve listed I highly recommend that you do!

     “Surrounded by Your Glory. What will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine.”

“Your Love NEVER Fails.”

     This week I chose, “Your Love Never Fails” By- Chris Quilala (Jesus Culture). This is one of my favorite Christian songs, the lyrics bring a smile to my face every time I hear it. (:

     As you’re reading these lyrics, try to take in what they’re saying. God’s love for us is beyond measure, and hopefully these words will help put it in perspective for you. His love never changes, it NEVER fails, No matter what we do or say, God will ALWAYS love us! Isn’t that crazy?! Even when we’re struggling with sin, or having a bad day, he’s there and he loves us. He’s always there when we need him, and he makes all things work together for our good! When we’re going through a hard time in life, he sees the big picture, and he’s going to turn your troubles and hardships into something good! There may be pain in the night, but Joy comes in the morning, because our Father in heaven is looking down on us, and even in our worst hour, his love is still present. Wow. That is truly incredible to me!

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“Nothing can separate, Even if I ran away, Your love never fails. I know I still make mistakes, But You have new mercies for me everyday, Your love never fails.

 You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes. There maybe pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. And when the oceans rage, I don’t have to be afraid, Because I know that You love me, Your love never fails!

 The wind is strong and the water’s deep, But I’m not alone in these open seas, Cause Your love never fails. The chasm is far too wide, I never thought I’d reach the other side, But Your love never fails.

 You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes, There maybe pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. And when the oceans rage, I don’t have to be afraid, Because I know that You love me, Your love never fails!

 You make all things work together for my good!”