music monday// fighting for me

hi ya'll! 

i know, it's been a terribly long time since i poked my "face" here. a lot has happened. from finally completing my master's, while healing from a motor accident to publishing new books...life has been quite a roller coaster, not to mention this 'rona pandemic. anyway, i would love to encourage you with a song that's one of my new favs. 

fighting for me by riley clemmons

I need the kinda love that

Can outlast the night

I need the kinda love that

Is willing to fight

When the going gets tough

And my strength's not enough

I see You showing up like never before

This battle for my heart

You took on from the start

You are the peace when my mind's at war

And o-ohh

You will never stop fighting for me

When I can't fight for myself

Every word is a promise You keep

Cause You love me like nobody else

You stand up for me

In the darkest night

When my faith is weak

You're still by my side

You will never stop fighting for me

You will never stop fighting for me

In the perfect timing

You make all things right

You paint a silver lining

In this heart of mine

When the going gets tough

And my strength's not enough

I see You showing up like never before

This battle for my heart

You took on from the start

You are the peace when my mind's at war

And o-ohh

You will never stop fighting for me

When I can't fight for myself

Every word is a promise You keep

Cause You love me like nobody else

You stand up for me

In the darkest night

When my faith is weak

You're still by my side

You will never stop fighting for me

You will never stop fighting for me

Your love

Is winning me over

Your heart

Is pulling me closer

Your love

Is winning me over

Your heart

Is pulling me closer

You will never stop...

Fighting for me, fighting for me

Every word is a promise You keep, oh, o-ohh

You will never stop fighting for me

When I can't fight for myself (when I can't)

Every word is a promise You keep (oh, oh)

Cause You love me like nobody else (nobody)

You stand up for me (You stand up for me)

In the darkest night (In the darkest night)

When my faith is weak (yeah, yeah)

You're still by my side (my side)

You will never stop fighting for me (You will never stop)

You will never stop fighting for me

i hope you remember that Jesus, our Redeemer, is fighting for us.

pray, talk to Him, trust Him in the waiting.

it's like in the Lord of the Rings trilogy...evil is eventually destroyed and good wins.

take heart, we win in the end. :)

xoxo,

gen.

happy new year + my new book! :)

happy new year folks! :D

i know, i know, we're like 2 weeks into the year  and i'm kinda late in the new year wishes but it's still pretty new. ;)

i hope you had a warm, meaningful and peaceful christmas season and i hope you've started your new year on a great note!

my christmas was a very peaceful one with lots of buddy time with sweet Jesus. i got to rest from all the to-dos and the sometimes super tight schedules.

Aaaaand, by the amazing grace of the Lord i got to publish my second book in december! wooo-hoooo! sometimes it's surreal!i'm so thankful to Jesus for helping me through the writing process.

it's titled UNASHAMED! it's available in paperback and the kindle version on amazon. it's my testimony in a memoir form. i talk about the areas in my life which the Lord has redeemed and how He has miraculously healed and restored me. you can read more about it on amazon right here. :) it's only $9.99 on amazon. if you want a paperback kindly let me know and i'll send it your way!

xoxo,

delali

music monday// shoulders

itsss monndaayy!

this sonngg! i checked it out just this past weekend. and i loved, loved it! 

i've always been a big fan of for King & country. and when moriah peters got hitched to Joel i loved them even more. ;) hihihihi

aside the richness of the lyrics, i love this song because of how God mysteriously provides help to the characters in the music video through an angel who helps each of them. the whole hooded figure makes it so intriguing. 

have your fill! :)

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shoulders// for King & country

When confusion's my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
I will feel no fear
I know that You are near
When I'm caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company
I'll find my comfort here
‘Cause I know that You are near
My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
You mend what once was shattered
And You turn my tears to laughter
Your forgiveness is my fortress
Oh Your mercy is relentless
My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from you
Don't have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it's true
My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from you
Don't have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it's true

 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from? 

 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    He who watches over you will not slumber; 

 indeed, He who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 

 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    He will watch over your life; 

 the Lord will watch over your coming and going    both now and forevermore.// psalm 121:1-8

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling, 

 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.

For He will command His angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways; 

 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.// psalm 91:9-12

 “Because He loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. 

 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him. 

 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”// psalm 91:14-16

Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out His plans, listening for each of His commands.// psalm 103:20

 

 our help really comes from the Lord. sometimes we kinda forget, right? in the video right before the crash Joel was all worried, so of course the enemy stood on that and made him lose his awareness of where he was and BAM! the other car hit right into his.

 moral? when something bugs you, channel all the worries into prayer instead. thankfully, we have angels on assignment who help us when we tell God what's going on in our lives and submit our requests a.k.a prayer. 

and sometimes we make it by the skin of our teeth like Joel did. and He sends help.

our angels are always with us, waiting for us to talk to God i prayer so that he can help us.

this song reminds me of a book on angels i finished reading earlier on this year titled Angels on Assignment by Charles and Frances Hunter. it gives much explanation to how angels operate.

angels are so real. they are the means by which God answers our prayers. they protect us, guide us, even communicate with us.

I've come to really understand that God loves us so much!

  as our Father, He wants the best for us. so if you're having a bad day or week or month do remember that God is waiting for you to talk to Him, and His answers are not always, yes. sometimes they are "no" or "wait."

He has us on His shoulders, He's cool like that! :)

xoxo, delali!

music monday// giants fall

Isn’t it interesting how Job’s wife told him to curse God and die when God permitted the enemy to afflict Job? In the creamy, sunshiny years of abundance she basked in the provision of God but when trouble came she lost hope and decided to persuade Job to do same. We’ve got to be careful who we listen to when things are shaky in our lives. The enemy can use people close to us to work fear and helplessness into our hearts.

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The mountain is gigantic, true. The pain is like torture, true. But don’t you dare give up. whatever pain you’re feeling now is way better than the fire and torment of hell. Even when it feels like hell, remember hell is far crazy and eternal than what you’re going through. the affliction now is only temporary, and the Lord will deliver.

Sometimes I feel too small and inadequate to do the things the Lord lays on my heart. You may have felt that too. But remember the thing with feelings. They are tricky. It’s one of the tools the enemy can easily use to rob us of victory. David didn’t have time to look at how small he was in comparison with goliath. His confidence didn’t come from himself at all. He rather dwelt on the power and strength of God. So clearly, we ought to focus on God’s confidence, His power, His ability through us.

 giants fall~ francisca battistelli

Everyone’s telling you

To let go of what you’re holding to

It’s too late, too far

You’re too small, it’s too hard

Throwing water on that spark

Living deep inside your heart

With oceans of reasons

The things you’re not seeing

But oh, maybe they don’t

Know what you know

That you’re not alone

Don’t you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything’s possible

So step into the fight

He’s right there by your side

The stones inside your hands might be small

But watch the giants fall

We could really live like this

Can’t you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Ask and believe

You’re gonna see

The hand of God in every little thing

Miracles can happen

Anything is possible

Watch the giants fall.

“the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“david said to the philistine, ‘you come against me with sword and spear and javeline, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of israel, whom you have defied.” 1 samuel 17:45

“reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.” 1 samuel 17:49

You may be feeling inadequate because you see yourself as average or a plain jane. Please, don’t let your petite size, or looks fool you. You are made in the likeness of God, the Almighty! He does not called the qualified, He qualifies the called. You matter, your words matter, your gifts to serve people matter. Whatever He’s calling you to do, you can do it! and watch the giants and criticism fall.

xoxo, gen

music monday// we dance

This is one of the songs by bethel music that I really love. it's about God and us. it’s soothing to the soul. hope you like it.

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(by the way, don't you just love outdoor weddings? i sure dooo! :)

 we dance~ bethel music

You steady me

Slow and sweet we sway

Take the lead and I will follow

Finally ready now

To close my eyes and just believe

That You won’t lead me where You don’t go

When my faith gets tired and my hope seems lost

You spin me round and round and remind me of that song

The one You wrote for me

And we dance

And we dance

I’ve been told to pick my sword and fight for Love

Little did I know that Love had won for me

Here in Your arms, You still my heart again

And I breathe You in like I’ve never breathed till now

When my faith gets tired and my hope seems lost

You spin me round and round and remind me of that song

The one You wrote for me

And we dance, and we dance

And we dance, and we dance, just You and me

And I will lock eyes with the One who’s ransomed me

The One who gave me joy from mourning

And I will lock eyes with the One who’s chosen me

The One who set my feet to dancing

We dance, just You and me.
it's nice to know, i'm not alone
i've found my home here in Your arms

“… I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.” Zephaniah 3:19

“ ‘but you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “you are my servant” I have chosen you and have not rejected you.’” Isaiah 41:8

“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

There are some days when I just decide to twirl around not necessarily bcos my life is perfect but bcos of the truth that Jesus loves me. :) I decide to go against my unpleasant feelings and just dance quietly in the presence of my Redeemer. And I so bet He joins in and dances with me.

I keep deciding to choose and pursue joy no matter what. Try dancing sometimes despite the heaviness your soul feels. It might just help cheer you. :) 

xoxo, gen

music monday// fix my eyes

this song! how i love it so! it's like my personal soldier of Christ song. whenever a foul mood wants to creep on me & i hit 'play', i start smiling, nodding, eventually moving my blessed limbs and start dancing! the bedroom floor becomes my dancing ground and i sing and dance for my Jesus!

fix my eyes~ for king & country

hit rewind, click, delete.

stand face to face with the younger me.

all of the mistakes, all of the heartbreak,

here's what i'd do differently.

i'd love like i'm not scared, give when it's not fair

live life for another, take time for a brother

fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom

find faith in the battle, stand tall but above it all

fix my eyes on You.

i learned the lines and talked the talk (everybody knows it, everybody knows it)

but the road less traveled is hard to walk (everybody knows it, everybody knows)

it takes a soldier who knows his orders to walk the walk i'm supposed to walk.

the things of earth are dimming in the light of Your glory and grace

i'll set my sights upon heaven.

i'm fixing my eyes on You

i'm fixing my eyes on You

i'm fixing my eyes...

love like i'm not scared, give when it's not fair

live life for another, take time for a brother,

fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom

find faith in the battle, stand tall but above it all

fix my eyes on You.

i fix my eyes on You.

"therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." hebrews 12:1-2

"you therefore must endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier." 2 timothy 2:3-4

"my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." james 1:2-4

"finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." ephesians 6:10-18

we are soldiers of Christ on this earth, and our major weapon is prayer, which is mighty in God to pull down any stronghold. whatever distractions the enemy brings your way, do not lose sight of Jesus. keep your eyes on Him, and your heart in Him. the enemy would want to use fear to break your focus on Jesus, cause you to panic and become desperate to try and make life work all by yourself without God, wandering from the fold of God to seek your own 'green' pastures. don't let the enemy get you. 

no matter what, against all odds and hope, keep your eyes on Jesus. pray your way through the situation, pray to God like your life depends on it. pray to summon God's angels to fight your battles into victory. take heart, we are in the Lord's army. the Lord of angel armies never loses a battle. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

linking up here and here.

music monday// before the morning

i know sometimes when we hear things like "God will make a way" "everything will work out just fine, wait and see" they sound like cliches. it sure happens to me sometimes when i dangerously begin to lose focus on God's word. but it's truueee. 

via

when we put all of our hope in God, trust and obey, miracles happen! today's song is birthed from an amazing miracle God did in a family's life. here's a quick video on the story. tears swirled in my eyes when i first watched it. God is really faithful!

before the morning~ josh wilson

do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you?

if there's a God who love you, where is He now?

maybe, there are things you can't see and all those things are happening 

to bring a better ending someday, somehow, you'll see, you'll see.

would you dare, would you dare to believe

that you still have a reason to sing

cause the pain that you've been feeling,

it can't compare to the joy that's coming

so hold on, you got to wait for the light

press on, and just fight the good fight

cause the pain you've been feeling,

it's just the dark before the morning.

my friend, you know how this all ends

and you know where you're going,

you just don't know how you'll get there

so say a prayer, and hold on

cause there's good for those who love God

life is not snapshot, it might take a little time

but you'll see the bigger picture.

once you feel the weight of glory, all your pain will fade to memory

once you feel the weight of glory, all your pain will fade to memory

memory, memory, yeah

c'mon, you got to wait for the light,

press on, and just fight the good fight

cause the pain you've been feeling,

it's just the hurt before the healing,

the pain that you've been feeling

is just the dark before the morning, yeah, yeah

before the morning.

"...weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning." psalm 30:5

"for i consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." romans 8:18

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"for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not see. for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 corinthians 4:17-18

"i wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word i do hope. my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning-yes, more than those who watch for the morning." psalm 130:5-6

everything that God does is for a reason. the pain is for a greater purpose, for a beautiful glory that's coming. don't let anything break your focus on God. hold on, friend. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// God is good

there're seasons where i need God the most and it seems He checked out on me. i believe we've all faced these kinds of seasons at some point in life. it's like dry spell all around, and the doubts come crashing in, threatening to make you question the goodness and ever-constant presence of our really good Father. 

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i love how accurate this song captures the season or moments when unbelief creeps up on us, and how we need to continue telling our souls that despite the current circumstances, despite the unimaginable, totally unforeseen details of the hurt we face, God is good! He works ALL things for our good, not just the obviously good things, but the bad, messy, ugly, painful things too.

via

God is good~ dustin kensrue

even when it seems the answer's no, the promises of God all find their yes

in Christ who worked the Father's will below, that all who run to Him would find their rest.

and even when it seems He hides His face, and darkness seems to be our only friend,

we look to Christ who suffered in our place, that one day all our suffering would end.

God is good all of the time, all of the time God is good.

God is good all of the time, all of the time God is good.

and even when it seems He pays no mind, we have a guarantee of His great love,

in Christ who came and left His crown behind, that one day we would reign with Him above.

Lord, we believe but help our unbelief.

Lord, we believe, but help our hearts to sing 

that You are good all of the time, all of the time You are good

You are good all of time, all of time You are good..

Lord, You are good.

"for we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." romans 8:28

"be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." romans 12:12

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"you intended to harm me[joseph], but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." genesis 50:20

"'...everything is possible for one who believes.' immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'i do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!' " mark 9:23-24

our Father is not going to waste whatever experience or situation you face. He will use ALL for your good + His glory. whatever you are facing, Jesus overcame it on the cross, trust Him to lead you through. i pray you get to look back and laugh in awe at how God's hand was present in your life+story, in the details, working and turning the downright messy + the good into something really beautiful. He IS good. He IS near. He IS here.

much love
xoxo, gen delali.

our deepest fear

the first time i ever heard these words was when i was happily watching akeelah and the bee. anyone remember that movie? it's a great one! the words were meant to pump courage into my fragile teenage heart, and they still ring so true in my life, especially now! they are from marianne williamson's book: a return to love, which i'd be swoon to lay hands on!

our deepest fear~ marianne williamson

our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

we ask ourselves, who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

actually, who are you not to be?

you are a child of God. your playing small does not serve the world.

there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

we are all meant to shine, as children do.

we were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

it's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

"you are the salt of the earth. but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? its is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and tramples underfoot. you are the light of the world. a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. in the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." matthew 5:13-16

let your light shine, darling. someone needs to see it to be encouraged.

i hope you guys have a lovely weekend! i'm so excited about the singles summit we'll be holding at church tomorrow! good stuff! :)

xoxo, delali

music monday// a way to see in the dark

this song is one of the many prayers i sing to God. i don't have this brutiful life all figured out at all, but He's the only thing that makes sense to me. typically, i sing it more often when my trust issues with Him rear up their heads. isn't it amazing how songwriters and creative arts folk just know how to put words to how we feel deep inside?!

a way to see in the dark~ jason gray

here i am begging for certainty again. but simple trust is what You're asking me to give. 

if i am saved, You tell me it will not be by sight. so when i pray, i close my eyes, i close my eyes.

i'll reach for Your hand in the night, when the shadows swallow the light

cause i'm giving up, giving in

once again a childlike faith is my only way to see in the dark.

the question mark hung at the end of every fear is answered by the promise that You are with me here.

and that's all i've got when the lights go out and i lose my way.

so i'll close my eyes. i won't be afraid, i won't be afraid.

if every star falls and the sun fails to rise, still in my blindness i'll see.

if You are my help, my hope and my vision, one step at a time You will lead.

"for we live by faith, not by sight." 2 corinthians 5:7

"now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. this is what the ancients were commended for." hebrews 11:1-2

"when Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" john 8:12

"then Jesus told him [doubting thomas], 'because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" john 20:29

"at that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'who, then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. and He said: 'truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. and whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me." matthew 18:1-5

xoxo, delali