music monday// touch the sky

I got to hear this song not so long ago and, yeah, you guessed right. I fell in love. I could listen to it countless times a day, milking its essence into my soul. I bet you’d love it too! :)

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touch the sky~ hillsong united

What fortune lies beyond the stars,

Those dazzling heights too vast to climb

I got so high to fall so far

but I found heaven as love swept low

my heart beating, my soul breathing

I found my life when I laid it down

Upward falling, spirit soaring

I touch the sky when my knees hit the ground

What treasure waits within your scars

This gift of freedom gold can’t buy

I bought the world and sold my heart

You traded heaven to have me again

Find me here at Your feet again

Everything I am reaching out, I surrender

Come sweep me up in Your love again

And my soul will dance on the wings of forever

“let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help is in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-20

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” john 14:2-3

It’s amazing how we have direct access to the throne of God, how we get to talk to Him and have Him speak in so many different, unique ways to our quirky hearts. Wrestling in prayer on our knees is such a powerful weapon we have against the enemy.

And oh, the eternal pleasures that await we who believe in Christ! He totally traded His comfort to come to this broken world to purchase us back to Himself with His holy, precious blood. I keep reminding myself to live each day in light of eternity, cause all of this down here is just temporal. Let’s keep surrendering our lives, our dreams and hopes to the One who knows best! Not easy, but completely worth it.

I recently got a new perspective in relation to the last verse- john 14:2-3. Someone in my Sunday bible class mentioned a testimony of a person who had one of those near death experiences and was taken by angels to see heaven and hell. In that experience, the person saw tall mansions, and little houses in heaven. The angels explained to the person how the deeds of the saints are translated into building materials of precious stones. Meaning that the rooms Jesus said He was going to prepare for us is actually based on our individual obedience…so your level of obedience determines what building the angels are commanded to build for you. Shortly put, the testimony reveals that we build by our obedience/deeds. It got me thinking of the faith without deeds is dead verse and 1 corinthians 3:11-15 which says

“for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved- even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

Well, I don’t know for certain how true and accurate the story is but it did really get me thinking, like seriously. I had never thought of it that way before. What I do know is even if I don’t get a super glamorous mansion when I get to heaven, my soul will still soar for joy, knowing that I get to have eternal life in the presence of my Savior, which of course is wayyyyy better than eternal damnation. Good thing is, there’re no negative feelings like jealousy or the need to compare and be discontent in heaven. There’s no night or rain or suffering there. So whatever my lot in this passing life and in heaven, it is well with my soul.

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// storyteller

Life is a journey. Sometimes it’s such an uphill climb that leaves us bruised and hurting. It’s like a range of mountains we keep climbing. The valleys in between aint no sunshine and flowers either. most times it’s like I just can’t catch a break.

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But when I cast my mind back on the paths I’ve wandered and journeyed on, I can see that even in the heartaches, I wasn’t alone. I can see that the pain doesn’t last forever. Even though in the moment it looked like that was the end of me, I didn’t stay in the moment of hurt. God helped me through it, and it comforts me to know that He’ll keep helping me through.

It’s such a great thing to get to journal all that the Lord’s been doing in and through me, to get to write about His faithfulness. An anthology and book are sure to grow out of it someday soon. ;)

This song. I love, love, love it. loved it the first time i heard it. it reminds me of the storyteller that God has made me to be. Oh, and I like how Jamie grace echoes in the background. (if you haven’t caught on, jamie and morgan are actually sisters :) I hope you like it!

 storyteller~ morgan harper nichols

On a Sunday evening I’m looking back

over all the years and where I’ve been

Looking at old photographs

I’m remembering You were right there,

and You have been ever since

with every page that turns, I see Your faithfulness

oooh, the mountain where I climbed, the valley where I fell

You were there all along, that’s the story I’ll tell

You brought the pieces together, made me this storyteller

Now I know it is well, it is well

That’s the story I’ll tell

there were some nights I felt like they would last forever

but You kept me breathing,

You were with me right there (tell ‘em)

And all that You have done for me

I could never hold it in

So here’s me telling this story over and over again

You hold the broken,

You hear my every cry, my every cry

(You hear my, You hear my)

My eyes are open, I know that it is well, it is well

oooh, the mountain where I climbed, the valley where I fell

You were there all along, that’s the story I’ll tell

You brought the pieces together, made me this storyteller

Now I know it is well, it is well

That’s the story I’ll tell, that’s the story I’ll tell

For years and years and years I’ll tell

That’s the story I’ll te-e-e-ell

(love both the music and lyric videos)

“even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” psalm 23:4

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 corinthians 1:9

“because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

Dear friend, however twisted your story has been, the Lord is faithful to use it to bring you good and glory for Himself. I’m so not where I thought I’d be by now. You might be thinking along the same lines with your life too, but God knows what He’s up to. Let’s allow Him to write His story through us.

Remember Joseph? I bet he thought his dreams of becoming a prominent leader seemed like a distant fantasy while he was a slave + in prison. But see how the good Lord used that time to train him for leadership, and the dream actually became a reality! We may be seeing the end goal now but God knows the process through which we’ll be refined for that end goal. Let’s trust that He’s in the process with us. We are never alone.

xoxo, gen delali.

my favorite movies!

Hi guys! So today, I decided to blog about my favorite movies. These movies reveal and remind me of what’s important and what’s true; faith, hope and love. 

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Some are quite popular, some may be new to you. I hope you discover meaningful stories from these movies that resonate with your own story or a story close to home. In no particular order:

·         Amazing love (based on the book of hosea.)

·         Facing the giants

·         Fireproof

·         Letters to God

·         One night with the King (based on the book of esther.)

·         Pilgrim’s progress (old one, I know. Haven’t read the book yet so the movie does it for now ;)

·         This is our time (ethan’s story in this film is so close to mine at the moment)

·         Taken by grace

·         What would Jesus do

·         Akeelah and the bee (love it cos of my love for words ;)

·         Anne of green gables series (oh, how this story expresses my desire for a stable, warm family. Sigh)

·         Beware of ‘christians’ (this is such a good one, I promise. It’s actually a film by a few college guys. You have to watch this!)

·         Brother white

·         Christmas with a capital C

·         Christmas angel

·         Courageous

·         Cutback

·         End of the spear (this is a must watch, guys! It’s a film based on a true story.)

·         Hachi, a dog tale

·         I am Gabriel

·         Jonny (I got to memorize some lovely scriptures through this movie.)

·         Left behind I and II

·         Marriage retreat

·         Me again

·         Love comes softly

·         Loves everlasting courage

·         Love begins

·         October baby (lovely one!)

·         Preacher’s kid

·         Pride and prejudice

·         A mile in his shoes

·         A shine of rainbows

·         Revenge of the bridesmaids

·         Safe harbor

·         Sarah’s choice

·         Soul surfer (very inspiring!)

·         Suing the devil

·         The blindside

·         The encounter

·         The nanny express

·         The ultimate gift (it’s filled with so much wisdom about life… who true friends are)

·         To save a life (if you’re battling depression or know someone who does, please carve out time to watch this. Really important.)

·         The grace card

·         Snowmen

This is quite a list, huh. hahah I’m a story kind of person, so movies, films, they speak to me, especially faith based ones. Lemme know if there’s any on my list you’ve watched. i hope you get to watch any of them this weekend. and please share titles of any great movie/film you’ve seen which isn’t on my list. enjoy!

music monday// the words i would say

Hi guys!! So, most of my posts lately have been scheduled due to connection probs. ;) looks like I’ll be scheduling for a while. So yeah, this is scheduled too, including most of the subsequent ones.

Oh well, guess who turned twenty something today!! Yurp, this lass here is in her mid-twenties already! Woahhh! Feels like it crept up on me. I don’t know how mid-twenties is supposed to feel like but I don’t feel or even look it. haha. Sometimes I feel like I’m still only 20, you know. Time sure does fly by, and for some reason I would want time to wait a while for me to figure some things out before it goes ahead and tick on. but we all know that’s just not gonna happen. 

i'm thankful to my buddy, Jesus for walking with me all these years. it's been quite a journey. And though I’m not where I thought I’d be by this time in my life, I trust that all things are working together for my good. I’ll probably share details later, but certainly not today. today deserves an extra topping of joy. :)

Welp! happy birthday to me!!! I’m sharing this song by sidewalk prophets today cause the words mean so much to me, especially more so this day. i'm imagining my 40-something self speaking to the me of today. I need to remind myself to be strong in the Lord. Enjoy!

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the words i would say~ sidewalk prophets

It’s three in the morning, and I’m still awake

So I picked up a pen and a page

And I started writing

just what I’d say if we were face to face

I’d say just what you mean to me

Tell you, these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord

And never give up hope

You’re gonna do great things

This I, already know.

God’s got His hand on you

So don’t live life in fear

Forgive and forget

But don’t forget why you’re here

Take your time and pray

These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke

You said you were hurting

And I felt your pain in my heart

And I wanna tell you, I’ll keep on praying

Love will find you where you are

I know cause I’ve already been there

So please hear these simple truths

From one simple life to another

I would say, come find peace in the Father

“have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2

“now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

“the Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Let the truth of this song wash over you and be encouraged to let love and hope keep you going through this life.

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// shadowfeet

give me anything brooke fraser and I’ll love you forever! The truth flowing from this song resonates so much with me. a few years back, Heaven was not necessarily on my mind that much. I knew it exists but my actions didn’t reflect that I yearned to be a citizen of Heaven. All the chaos down here could easily sway my focus. Glad my focus is where it’s meant to be now, and I’m yearning to do all I do in light of eternity.

There are many, many things that could easily draw our hearts into fear, desperation, despair. Just take a look at the news and fear is ready to work its way into your heart. But when you are planted in Christ, even when fear shows up you have a sure hope of a better place awaiting you- Heaven! 

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Sometimes I ask God to hurry with His plan of when the saints will be taken Home to the new Jerusalem. As much as I’m eager to be there already, I remember that there’s a mission here still to be done before that happens. And I know there’ll always be people who’ll think I’m crazy for believing in all this ‘Jesus stuff’ but that’s ok.

 shadowfeet~ brooke fraser

Walking stumbling on these shadowfeet

Towards Home, a land that I’ve never seen

I am changing, less and less asleep

Made of different stuff than when I began

And I have sensed it all along

Fast approaching is the Day.

When the world is falling out from under me

I’ll be found in You, still standing

When the sky rolls up

and the mountains fall on their knees

when time and space are through

I’ll be found in You

There’s distraction buzzing in my head

Saying in the shadows it’s easier to stay

But I’ve heard rumors of true reality,

Whispers of a well-lit Way

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things

When the world is falling out from under me

I’ll be found in You, still standing

When the sky rolls up

and the mountains fall on their knees

when time and space are through

I’ll be found in You

When the world is falling out from under me

I’ll be found in You, still standing

Every fear and accusation under my feet

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in You,

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in You

When time and space are through

I’ll be found in You.

“the fool says in his heart, “there is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3

“and let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meetings together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

“it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. but everything exposed by the light becomes visible- and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”  Ephesians 5:14

“enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

“whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’…” Revelations 21:5

I hope you have your hope placed in Christ. Whether the earth quakes, whether an avalanche, flood, plane crashes, tsunami, hurricane occurs, though your heart may fret, the Beloved washes you with His peace when you trust in Him. these things happen to fulfill the prophecies about the end times.

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// the reason i sing

There are so many things we do in relation to the various spiritual gifts and talents the Lord has given us to use to point people to Him. and there scores of motives underlying why we do what we do. The Lord out of His grace has blessed me with the gift of writing. It’s one of the clearest ways I express my thoughts and what He places on my heart.

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This song convicts me of the why I write. I must write to ultimately bring God glory, not to draw attention to myself. It’s all about Him. maybe you draw fantastically, design, sing, dance, engage in public speaking, act, write, play an instrument, have a special love for kiddos…whatever creative art the Creator has blessed you with, I urge you to use it to serve Him. personally, I know that even if it’s a small platform the Lord has given me now to point my writing to Him, as long as I keep being faithful with it, He is faithful to open wider doors.

 the reason i sing~ jimmy needham

If it’s just to top a song chart

To feed the kids and get a bigger car

The skies already have a lot of stars

And they all sing Your name

And if I’m here to write a number 1

To get a gold or maybe platinum

Make me a singer who is unsung

Cause You won’t share Your fame

Cause even accolades someday

Will fade away, oh just like me

Yes everything but You, yeah

And many years from now

It won’t matter how

I write the rhymes I do yeah

Help me get back to the reason I sing for You.

I’m always looking for the limelight

To dim my house and make the stages bright

Compared to You I’m just a night light

Against the blazing sun

I enter rooms and hope they notice me

To fill my social insecurities

I’m asking if there’s any hope for me

Cause there’s only room for one

Why are we so convinced

a bigger audience is simply common sense to have?

Maybe success is measured best

by nothing less than our obedience.

So if i’m destined for a small stage

The small crowds and the small pay

Then maybe even in a small way,

I can bring You fame.

“ “well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” Luke 19:17

“he who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but He who speaks of the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” john 7:18

“to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 samuel 15:22

“I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8

“heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35

“for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

“there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” 1 corinthians 12:4-5

                                   what are the special gifting the Lord has blessed you with?

Are you doing what you do just for the money or to draw attention to yourself? Ponder on this a little more and resolve to use your talents and spiritual gifts for God’s glory. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// find rest

welcome to may, my favorite month! :)

I love how the verse of this song is straight from the sixty-second psalm! It’s a lovely song to me, reminding me that God alone is my source. Not a friend, job, husband, material possessions, approval of humans. All of these can easily slip away, but God is steady and never-changing. He’s constant! And that’s why my soul must continually find hope in Him alone!

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 find rest~ annie lawrence

I find rest for my soul in God alone

My hope comes from Him,  from God alone

He alone is my Rock and my Salvation

He’s my fortress, I will not be shaken

Through the fire and storm,

Lord my heart is Yours

I will trust with hands held high

When the waters rise

Lord Your love is life

I will trust with hands held high

You are my God and Savior

You’re my Deliverer

 you can find annie's song here.

“yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. truly He is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6

“when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2

“may my prayer be set before You like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2

“I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4

‘but I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16

“You are my hiding-place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

“the Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” zephaniah 3:17

Is your soul finding hope in God alone? If you lost all you have like Job can you sincerely still praise God and say your salvation in Christ is the most important treasure you have? Allow your soul to find rest in God alone.

xoxo, gen delali.