Tag: worship

The Goodness

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. Psalm 66:16 ESV

In a world where fear and uncertainty often seem to dominate, I’ve been reflecting on the goodness of God and the dreams He plants in our hearts. I believe the Lord gives us dreams and passions that sometimes we are fearful to pursue and it’s all too easy to get caught up in insecurities, doubts, and practical barriers like time and resources. Yet, it’s through these challenges that God invites us to trust Him and step out in faith.

Music has been a central part of my life. It’s woven into the very fabric of my being. My grandfather was a jazz pianist, my father is a gifted pianist, my mom, a singer, and my sister’s voice is truly special. Growing up surrounded by this musical talent, I was immersed in a world where music calms the soul, unites people, and evokes deep emotions. It’s been a constant source of comfort and joy for me.

Even with this deep connection to music, my journey hasn’t come without challenges. About 13 years ago, I began leading worship at my church, which felt like a clear calling from God. Yet, every time I led, I wrestled with self-doubt. To build my skills and confidence, I signed up for voice lessons. My first teacher was a blessing—she taught me to rely on God and believe in the gifts He had given me. She taught me how to have confidence! My second and current teacher helped me understand the science of music and has pushed me to grow in ways I could not have imagined.

In mid-2023, my teacher asked me about my music goals. To be honest, I hadn’t thought beyond my role on the church worship team. I remember specifically telling her I knew what I did not see myself doing, that was writing music. I actually even said that writing music wasn’t something I felt capable of. About a month later I was driving and I started to sing a melody and the words of a common prayer I pray often fit with the melody. The next day it happened again but with another melody and another 30 second clip of music. It happened several more times within the next few months so I just kept voice recording them on my phone not really knowing where that would lead.

Around November, during one of my quiet moments with the Lord, He prompted me to revisit those melody clips I had recorded. It felt like He was nudging me to share them with my son, Austin and to pursue turning them into real songs. I began to see these melodies as pieces of a bigger tapestry that God was weaving together.

Despite this, I was overwhelmed with self-doubt. I thought, “Who’s going to want to listen to these songs? People might think I’m being vain. What if no one supports this? And let’s face it, recording music costs money and I don’t have the resources right now. Plus, I’m short on time…” But deep down, I felt God telling me to involve Austin in this project, to make it part of a legacy for my family, and to create something special we could work on together. Austin, who is an exceptionally talented musician and loves music as much as, if not more than, I do, has taught himself countless instruments and has an incredible knack for creating music. So, I shared the idea with him, hoping he would help me write and record these songs and he agreed we should do it!

New Year’s Day 2024, Austin and I spent the day at the piano—an incredible “dream” gift I received in 2023, another testament to God’s timing and provision. That day, we finished “My Prayer.” A few months later, we completed “Hallelujah to the One.” Throughout this journey, doubts and fears tried to take hold, but God provided peace and built my faith at every turn.

A few months later, I shared the project with my dad, and it turned out he had just started to tune pianos at our local community college. They had recently built a brand-new recording studio and were looking to rent it out! This was a perfect opportunity for this project. Another God moment.

Over the following months, we wrapped up the songs, reached out to some incredibly talented friends and musicians to play various instruments, and scheduled the recording session. While we faced some setbacks—people initially agreed to help but then couldn’t for one reason or another— I chose not to see these as failures or closed doors. Instead, I kept praying and trusting that God would guide me to the right people, and He did! The musicians who ended up being part of this project were exactly the right ones for the job, and they were truly the people God intended to bring these songs to life.

Another big challenge was understanding music copyrighting, licensing and distribution. Just as I was grappling with this, a friend I met at a worship retreat three years earlier started offering consulting on music licensing. Her help came exactly when I needed it, a clear reminder of how God orchestrates everything for His purposes in His timing. Another God moment.

Recording day in August 2023 was a beautiful experience. Seeing the project come to life with the help of talented friends was a testament to God’s goodness. We’re still finalizing the project, but I am deeply grateful for how God has guided us through every step and while I have no idea what He plans to do through these songs I am humbled that he chose to use me.

If you have dreams that seem daunting or out of reach, remember that God is with you. Dream boldly and trust that He will open the right doors at the right time. Take each step as He leads, and be patient with the process. The journey might be long, but walking with God makes it all the more meaningful. He wants to bring your dreams to fruition and, more importantly, He wants to deepen your relationship with Him along the way. So take that leap of faith, and watch how the goodness of God transforms your dreams into something even more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. Psalm 145:5-7

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

The more I seek you the more I find you

Sharing personal stories, especially ones of joy and success, can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield. There’s a delicate balance between celebrating our victories and acknowledging the struggles of others. No one wants to diminish another person’s hardships, especially when they’re going through their own trials.

As someone who’s walked through wilderness seasons, I understand the struggle all too well. I’ve faced my fair share of wilderness seasons. During those moments, hearing about others’ joy-filled seasons sometimes left me feeling even more hopeless. It’s tough to see the light when you’re surrounded by darkness. But through it all, I’ve learned that even in the darkest times, the light illuminates the darkness. It’s why the bible tells us that the word of our testimonies is so powerful. It can help others in overcoming adversity. So that’s what I share today, a testimony….

I’m currently in a season of growth and flourishing. Though I still encounter challenges, I wake up each day filled with hope and gratitude for the blessings the Lord has given me. I often find myself overwhelmed with gratitude and humility, reflecting on the journey that has brought me to where I am today.

There are moments when I’m reminded of the darkness I once faced – battles with addiction, harmful relationships, and both emotional and physical abuse. But despite the darkness from which I emerged, I am here today, a living testament to the transformative power of God’s grace. I am grateful every day that He didn’t leave me in those dark places but instead lifted me out and saved me.

In the fall of 2023, I was intrigued by a pastor’s message on the significance of bucket lists. He emphasized the importance of setting goals to work towards and having things to look forward to in life. Bucket lists, he said, not only provide hope and focus but also have the potential to strengthen our faith.

Reflecting on this, I found myself contemplating my own list. Many of my aspirations had already become reality, leaving me wondering what else to add. Then, I recalled the pastor’s advice to include seemingly impossible or even silly desires. So, I began to jot down ideas: traveling to Europe, recording music, embarking on a family mission trip… And then, almost out of nowhere, Carnegie Hall and New York City crossed my mind.

Admittedly, the thought of singing at Carnegie Hall seemed silly and far-fetched. I laughed to myself, deeming it too unrealistic for my bucket list. However, the pastor’s words echoed in my mind: “add things to the list that seem silly and impossible.” So, with a mix of amusement and curiosity, I added it: “singing at Carnegie Hall.” With that, I tucked the idea away in my mind, not dwelling on it too much.

A few months later, my husband and I were driving home when I received a text from a close friend. It read: “I have an opportunity. Performing with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes in Carnegie. Thoughts?” Initially, It sounded like an amazing experience, and since it was in New York, and of course Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, I replied with a simple “Um YES!”

As the weeks went by, the magnitude of the opportunity began to sink in. Shortly before all this took place, I had been wrestling with uncertainties in my music journey. Unsure if pursuing music, recording, and leading worship was what the Lord wanted for me, I had even found myself contemplating putting it on hold. Up to this point the bucket list conversation with the Lord that I had tucked away had not come back to my mind yet.

I continued to pray and seek God’s will about my music future. Then, one December day while driving and listening to worship music, God gently reminded me of our previous conversation about bucket lists. He assured me that even though it seemed like a silly request, it was a dream I had in my heart. He told me He was opening an impossible door to show me that even the seemingly trivial desires matter to Him because of His love for me. It was a gift to me packaged from Him.

The journey to Carnegie Hall wasn’t without its challenges. There were logistical hurdles, financial commitments, and my ongoing battle with fear and anxiety around flying. In a previous blog post titled “Do it afraid,” I shared about my fear of flying. This fear became evident during a trip to Israel in 2023, where I experienced nightmares and panic attacks leading up to the flight. Reflecting on this, I’ve realized it’s a spiritual attack of the enemy. Both before my Israel trip and my recent journey to Carnegie Hall, I faced anxiety, nightmares and sleepless nights anticipating the flights. However, upon returning home from each trip, I felt zero anxiety and even a sense of calm and peace.

These trips taught me that the enemy often targets our weakest areas. For me, fear of flying is one such vulnerability. Yet, I remained steadfast in my faith, refusing to succumb to fear and cancel my trips. I relied on God’s strength within me, knowing His power is greater than any obstacle. Overcoming fear and anxiety is an ongoing journey. While God freed me from anxiety needing medication years ago, I still face moments where I must confront these emotions. However, I hold onto the truth that my feelings do not dictate reality, and with God, all things are possible.

Saturday was filled with rehearsals and a meet-and-greet with Kari and Cody, who proved to be blessings to everyone they encountered. Their humble spirits and reverence for the Lord were evident in all they did. It was truly an honor to stand on stage with them and their team. Following a fun evening touring the city, enjoying a show, we returned for a restful night’s sleep.

The next morning, we had the privilege of attending the vibrant Times Square Church. Witnessing the overflow of worship in the heart of Times Square was a refreshing reminder of God’s presence amid the city’s turmoil. After church, it was off to Carnegie for our official rehearsal with Kari and Cody. As we stepped into Carnegie’s main hall, Stern Hall, the grandeur of the venue took our breath away. The room was filled with history, humbling us as we prepared for the evening’s performance.

The evening concert was filled with awe and wonder. Sweet moments of sporadic worship and just the voices carrying through the room was what I believe to be a small glimpse of what worshiping in heaven before the throne will sound like. All voices and instruments in one accord praising the one who gave us breath and life.

We closed the evening with a beautiful performance of The Blessing, ending with an acoustic, vocals only moment singing Amen, for all of heaven to hear. The congregation, the choir, Kari and Cory all singing in harmony with the sound reverberating off the acoustic walls of Carnegie Hall. What a sight it was to behold.

This trip made me realize I witnessed firsthand how God’s blessings transcend our own limitations. Despite my wavering faith at times, He remains faithful, showering me with strength and hope each day. He sees the desires of my heart, ones I’m often too timid to voice, and brings them to life in ways I never imagined possible.

Reflecting on this journey, I’m moved by the memories it holds—moments of pure joy, heartfelt gratitude, and the formation of lasting friendships. Like my time in Israel, this trip has left a profound impact on my soul, reminding me of God’s goodness and grace. So, I’ll keep adding impossible, silly things to my bucket list, confident that God has even greater plans in store.

I want to encourage you, to hold fast to hope and keep seeking Him because the more you seek Him the more, He will show up! No matter how dark your circumstances may seem right now, know that God is with you. He sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and delights in blessing you abundantly. Keep trusting, keep believing, and keep dreaming—for with God, all things are possible.