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.

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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.

road to discovery

as i sat in the passenger's seat of the car, with the wind cheerfully touching my face, the song playing from the radio captured my thoughts. so soothing, so gentle and edifying. mh, i like this song, i both thought to myself and said aloud. the rest agreed it was a nice song. do you know who sang it? i asked my friend driving. nope, he didn't. i froze a couple lines of the chorus in my brain, with the thought of looking it up later on good ol' google. it was so good i had to have it and sing it to myself.

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you see, i was used to beyonce, rihanna, shontelle, trey songs, chris brown, jason derulo, t pain and overly sad country songs and a slew of others. and though i knew the songs by these folks don't glorify God and fed my carnal self, i just didn't know what i would listen to if i did do away with them. don moen? urm, i liked his songs but i didn't know how i could possibly listen to him all the time and not want to skip back to my carnal fueling, overly emotional, sensual, self-centered songs. thing was, i didn't have such great options of Christian songs that really resonated with me.

so when those soothing lyrics and music floated from the radio into the breezy, happy atmosphere of the car, i was curious. you are changing the world one little heartbeat at a time, making history with every touch and every smile, oh you, you might not see it now, but time will tell how you, you are changing the world one little heartbeat at a time...the singer crooned. it felt like he was talking to me (though i wasn't and currently not a mom.)

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that was three years and some months ago when i was heading back to campus from a church service i was invited to. i was still in my lukewarm nature. not so into God, not so evil too, you know. i knew most secular songs didn't portray Christian values and the enemy was (still) using them as a way to sear our conscience and manipulate our thoughts to think and do sinful things. the enemy likes to confuse the pure love of Christ with lust by using these songs. so they aint really love sings like we're mistaken to thinking but rather lust songs. bcos, let's be real, they do not depict the selfless, genuine, patient nature of love. just some sensual junk.

 a friend also reminded me to listen to only Christian songs. i went like country songs aint that bad, right? haha but i came back to my reasoning-if i do stop doing beyonce and the like, what am i going to frigging listen to?! it's like i was being told to run away from something dangerous, with little help of what specifically i should be chasing after. christian songs seemed broad to me. like which singers? what specific songs?!

i didn't try to actively look for christian songs, i just kind of let it sit at the back burner. i had few options-don moen, cici and bibi winans... hanging out with just these folks alll the time didn't seem so fun and interesting for me. so, i did enquire from dr. google about the lyrics- i typed them in, and i found the song and the singer that had intrigued me- one little heartbeat at a time~steven curtis chapman. i hadn't heard of him. i finally downloaded the song and a number of other songs by him. this is so good, i thought to myself. i found similar artists through him and discovered a world of amazing Christian songs that i could really relate to. no one had to tell me to delete the secular junk. i quickly did! i was beginning to crave these edifying songs that convicted me and encouraged me. i became more mindful of what i was feeding my mind and soul.

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there was laura story, britt nicole, brandon heath, meredith andrews, casting crowns, tenth north avenue, chris tomlin, chris august, josh wilson, natalie grant, francisca battistelli, mandisa, matthew west, sidewalk prophets, dara maclean, jj heller, john waller, kari jobe, dave barnes, jamie grace...and a whole lot more to choose from. aaahhh, this is soo good! where have these songs been all my life?! i felt like i had been living under a rock all those past years, or better still in the cave set in the distant mountains where lot and his two daughters sought refuge when God destroyed sodom and gomorrah. 
i was so happy! like a kid with lotsss of candy and colorful smooth pebbles. i got hold of their songs and i soaked them in. i liked how the songs were based on solid scriptural verses.

and though i know the songs could never replace the whole relationship i have with Jesus, i believe God speaks to me through them sometimes. they are such great tools for my worship sessions and praise breaks and they make for great company when i take walks, or just want to relax, dream, ponder life and the awesomeness of God.

if you've ever felt like you want to have access to songs with Christain values and edifying messages (that can be either soft or upbeat), you can check out the artists i mentioned above. this is why i blog about music monday, to share great edifying songs that people might not know about. i take it upon myself to find out the background of the singers to make sure they are Christ followers before listening to them.

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well, so this is like my road to discovering songs that glorify Jesus, edify my soul, feed my Spirit and really resonate with me. Christ centered songs do not have to be 'boring'. i used to think like that based on the limited knowledge i had on them. but here i am, so in love with these songs that declare the love and beauty of my Best Friend!

who/what are some of your favorite Christian singers/songs? do share! :)

xoxo, delali.

music monday// forgiven and loved

the love God has for me is so great, i sometimes can't seem to fathom how wide and deep it really is. this song reminds me of how i cannot earn my way into the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ! like, He loves me not because of my own good deeds, but because He simply loves me! i need to be careful not to work for God's grace[undeserved favor], but to work from it. the outflow of His love into my life eventually fills up to the brim and spills over through me to others!

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"therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 corinthians 5:17

forgiven and loved~ jimmy needham

tell me i'm forgiven and loved, cause i hear it from the street corner priests

on how God is love and how man can be clean

but my joy has been on holiday and my peace has almost passed away

tell me i'm forgiven and free

oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.

now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation in You.

oh, whisper to me now that it's for real

oh, cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal,

dirty deeds have done me in

oh, but that can't stop the faithful Friend

giving mercy once again as You heal

here it is, i'm feeling it

oh, oh, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.

now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation

oh, He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation

and His blood commands my guilt to leave

now on Calvary i stand, empty pockets, open hands,

oh, there is no condemnation for me.

oh, i tried, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

but i bought the lie, i still have work to do

now i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation

but there is no condemnation in You

child you're forgiven and loved, child you're forgiven and loved.

child you're forgiven, and child you are loved,

child you're forgiven and loved.

no matter how farrr you think you've gone in the wrong direction, bad choices, sinful nature, Christ beckons you to come to Him! He has forgiveness that's rooted in a deep, deep, ocean of pure, unconditional love.

 and if You've confessed your sins and asked for forgiveness, He has forgiven you! really! don't allow the enemy weigh you down with the shame and guilt of the mistakes you've made. you. have. been. forgiven. believe it and move on in Christ! constantly let His truth fill you up to shut out the lies of the enemy.

you are truly forgiven. :)

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// little light

sometimes we just need others to tell us they understand what we're going through you know. that it's hard, yes, but that there is hope. this is a song from me to you reading that i know how life can be-frustrating, painful, agonizing, seemingly hopeless. but there is always light at the end of the struggles, beyond the pain and darkness.

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little light~ rachel platten

looking for a little light to illuminate the truth and the stillness after everything is blown away.

life fades in the cuts and the struggles, i just need a light at the end of the tunnel.

look up, do the lines on your face cut a little bit deeper? i know you're not feeling very young.

so tired, stuck in this place like you don't wanna be here. 

i know voices call you in the night- come away, come away.

just looking for a little light to illuminate the truth and the stillness after everything is blown away.

life fades in the cuts and the struggles, i just need a light at the end of the tunnel.

hey now, from the wells of your eyes comes a deep frustration. sometimes it can seem so hard to try.

everyday is a need for money, you bleed. you're lonely when there's someone beside you.

i know that in these arms you'll find all of this will pass.

cause everybody needs a harbor in the tempest,

a reason to believe you're more than what you have,

even more than what you had, cause all of this will pass.

"many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' but You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." psalm 3:2-3 

"in  all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. these have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."1 peter 1:6-7 

"...and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." romans 5:2-5

we'll always find redemption if we hold on to Jesus especially in the tough times. this too shall pass. hold on to the glimpses of hope God has placed around and within your heart.

xoxo, delali

praying for your husband

hi guys! so, guy talk today. ;) 

i remember years back through my teen years till young adulthood, i didn't particularly pray for the guy who was going to be my hubby. i prayed about other stuff like good health, protection, wisdom, provision...but the thought of praying for the one guy who was going to be joined with me to become one flesh? psht! it escaped me. totally. looking back i wonder how i missed that important part of me.

i thought, well, whichever fine, God-fearing guy it will be... well, que sera, sera, you know. like, aahh, don't get so serious about it, it'll figure itself out. whaaat?! i know. praying for the future hubby wasn't really my priority. i forgot that the enemy is out there seeking to kill, steal and destroy. and that i needed to pray for his protection, spiritual growth, his walk with the Lord. i was like, erh, when i grow up and  meet a potential then i'll start to pray that prayer. not now. now is too young and far from the future. fail.

but thank God that mentality began to change two years ago. i realized the importance of covering my future hubby in God's love and grace. i began to hit my knee and pray for his character, and even for our unborn kids, our future family. prayer is so powerful! it changes things, ya'll. it's a game changer. it causes destinies to be changed for the better. 

"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that i will be free from pain.' and God granted his request." 1 chronicles 4:10

"and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. ephesians 6:18

i stumbled upon this post a few months ago which talked about 31 days of praying for your husband. the prayer plan is originally by nancy leigh demoss. although it's intended for wives praying for their current husbands, i've decided to go ahead to use it in praying for my future hubby. ;) and i'll pray similar prayers for me alongside too, to be the Godly wife he needs. so august is going to be rich, full of beautiful, hard, much needed prayers!

Day 1 

Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)

Day 2 
Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)

Day 3 
Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

Day 4
Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Day 5
Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)

Day 6
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Day 7
Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Day 8
Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

Day 9
Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Day 10
Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Day 11
Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Day 12
Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

Day 13
Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

Day 14
Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

Day 15

Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)

Day 16

Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

Day 17
Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Day 18
Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)

Day 19
Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)

Day 20
Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

Day 21
Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)

Day 22
Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Day 23
Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Day 24
Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)

Day 25
Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)

Day 26
Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Day 27
Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

Day 28
Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)

Day 29
Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)

Day 30
Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 31
Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

whether you're single or married, i believe this is a great tool/mini devotional of a sort to pray for the man you'll be joined to in marriage or the one you're already married to.

 xoxo, delali.

have you considered praying for your future husband? will you join me to pray for our [future] hubbies?

[all photos are directly linked to their source.]

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