Tune-In Tuesday: Draw Me Nearer

Once again, it is Tune-In Tuesday! A day where we meet together to worship. Here is what we do on Tuesdays at Grow Where You’re Planted:

Each week, I share and write about a song that God is using in my life. One that is speaking to me in whatever season I may be going through. The invitation is for you to jump in and do it, too! Here are the steps:

1. Pick a song that is especially meaningful for you at this time in your life and write about it. Really think about the lyrics… and let them change you.

2. Link up here using the linky tool at the bottom of this post. Use the name of your song as the title of your link. (If you haven’t done this before, feel free to email me with questions.) If you don’t have a blog, you can leave a comment sharing your song.

3. Visit other people’s blogs and worship with them.

4. Spread the word. Grab the button in the left column and add it to your post. That way, others can link up, as well. Tweet about it… Try to get others in on the conversation.

5. And the main thing… worship! 🙂

—

My song today is Draw Me Nearer by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it below and then read on…

Our family has recently been battling spiritual warfare. Some days are harder than others. I am coming to some ugly realizations about myself. Painful. But God is trying to break me of some need-to-be-broken habits. Along with some extremely sinful attitudes. Again, painful.

As I was running last night, this song came on my Pandora station. It hit me pretty hard that if I don’t let HIM draw me nearer, I’m always going to be searching. Not that I didn’t already know this. I’m the good church girl, right? How many times have I responded with “I know” when confronted with a truth. But my very wise hubby has always told me that until something becomes a revelation, real change won’t come. (See Babe, I do listen.) 🙂 Hopefully, this time it’s all sinking in.

So, now all I want is for God to draw me to Him. To pull me away from the shell of myself that will never be complete until He fills it with Himself. He has been tugging at me for a long time, yet I’ve blinded myself to the goodness He wants for me… and for my family.

As I ache today, only from self-inflicted pain, this song is ministering to me. I hope it will minister to you, as well. The answer to all of our heartache, pain, sorrow, guilt, frustration, tears, anger, and everything else in between is found in letting Him draw us near.

Your turn. What song is God using in your life right now?

In That Moment {Encouragement Cafe}

God is connecting me with some incredible women lately, including the ladies at the Encouragement Cafe. I feel honored that they allowed me to share my heart through a devotion on their site today. It’s a bit of my testimony… and I hope you will join me…

Click here to visit the Encouragement Cafe and read. After you read, I would love for you to come back here and share a comment with me.

Tune-In Tuesday: I Lift My Hands

Today is Tune-In Tuesday! A day where we meet together to worship. I’m a little late getting this post up, so I’m going to keep the linky alive a little longer. Here is what we do on Tuesdays at Grow Where You’re Planted:

Every Tuesday, I will be writing about a song that God is using in my life. A song that is particularly speaking to me in whatever season I may be going through. The invitation is for you to jump in and do it, too! Here are the steps:

1. Pick a song that is especially meaningful for you at this time in your life and write about it. Really think about the lyrics… and let them change you.

3. Visit other people’s blogs and worship with them…. Leaving comments as you do.

4. Spread the word. Grab the button in the left column and add it to your post. That way, others can link up, as well. Tweet about it… Try to get others in on the conversation.

5. And the main thing… worship!

—

A new favorite worship song of mine is I Lift My Hands by Chris Tomlin. It’s on his new CD (And If Our God Is For Us) and is probably my favorite song out of the whole bunch. Push play and listen as you read…

My biggest stronghold is well… myself. I always seem to try to do things my way instead of trusting that God knows what is best for me. We all struggle with selfishness, but sometimes I think I am the queen of self-service living.

This beautiful song calls me to lift my hands…. to believe again… to believe that He alone is my refuge and my strength. To let go and let Him lead me.

Saturday night at She Speaks, Ann Voskamp called us to open-handed living. To live not closed-fisted, as how we were born, but to open our hands and accept the incredible gifts God has placed in our lives. Her talk reminded me of this song. And when we sang it Sunday morning, I felt an incredible freedom.

Today, I’m inviting you to join me in lifting up your hands to believe again. Wherever you are in your life, whatever you are going through, allow God to be your refuge and strength. Your healer. Your fortress. Your faithful friend.

Let faith arise.

Winner of Notes to Aspiring Writers eBook

The winner of a copy of Notes to Aspiring Writers is… Kandi Hampson! Thanks to all who entered… Don’t forget that you can get Brooke’s eBook right now for just $2.99 here: Notes to Aspiring Writers.

If you missed reading my review of this awesome book, you can read it here.

Notes to Aspiring Writers {A Review… and a GIVEAWAY!}

***And the winner of a copy of Notes to Aspiring Writers is… Kandi Hampson! Thanks to all who entered… Don’t forget that you can get Brooke’s eBook right now for just $2.99 here: Notes to Aspiring Writers.***

As an “aspiring writer,” I was excited to see what new tidbits of information Brooke had to offer. I have admired her since I found her in blogland. Her heart… her sweet spirit… her pure joy of writing… and her desire to see moms on their knees in prayer for their sons. What I found in this eBook was more than I expected.

You see, this “how to” eBook is not what you would think. It’s not about how to technically improve your writing. It’s about how to ready your heart for what the Lord has in store for your life. It’s about finding HIS plan for your life, NOT chasing your dreams.

As I have been preparing to leave for She Speaks, this very easy and quick read has spoken to my heart in a very convicting way. As I go to the conference this weekend, I will be seeking what God wants to do with me next. Not what I think is the next step in my writing journey.

If you are an aspiring writer (or anyone who is trying to figure out God’s plan for your life), I encourage you to read this great eBook. It will convict you and it will change your perspective… in a good way.

Thanks, Brooke, for giving me the opportunity to receive a copy for free to review for you. I am honored to be able to recommend Notes to Aspiring Writers to those who read this blog.

And as a special gift, I am allowed to give away ONE copy to a reader. Here are some ways you can get in on the giveaway:

1. “Like” Notes to Aspiring Writers on Facebook;

2. Tweet about this review (making sure to include my handle – @paulaebert);

3. Leave a comment about why you want to read the book.

You can do any or all of the above. Leave a comment below telling me each thing you did (obviously #3 will speak for itself)… and each will be a SEPARATE entry. 🙂

I will close the entries on Monday evening, July 25^th, at 5:00pm EST and the winner will be announced on Tuesday morning.

If you want to go ahead and buy the book so you can start reading, you can do so by this link: Notes to Aspiring Writers by Brooke McGlothlin.

Tune-In Tuesday: How He Loves

Today is the first Tune-In Tuesday! I’m so excited! I love music and I love to see people connecting with their Creator through worship music.

We all like different types of music. Some of us like it all. Some of us only like one style… or maybe two. My prayer is that Tuesdays at Grow Where You’re Planted will become a place where we meet to worship together. To learn about each other’s heart languages. And maybe to even experience worship through someone else’s heart language.

So, what’s the plan? Every Tuesday, I will be writing about a song that God is using in my life. A song that is particularly speaking to me in whatever season I may be going through. The invitation is for you to jump in and do it, too! Here are the steps:

1. Pick a song that is especially meaningful for you at this time in your life and write about it. Really think about the lyrics… and let them change you.

2. Link up here using the linky tool at the bottom of this post. Use the name of your song as the title of your link. (If you haven’t done this before, feel free to email me with questions.)

3. Visit other people’s blogs and worship with them…. Leaving comments as you do.

4. Spread the word. Grab the button in the left column and add it to your post. That way, others can link up, as well. Tweet about it… Try to get others in on the conversation.

5. And the main thing… worship!

I have no idea how today’s will go. Since it’s the first time, we may have no one link up, or we may have a lot of people. If you stopped by today and God used this in your life, I hope you will make this a regular stop on Tuesdays.

—–

My song today is How He Loves (the David Crowder version).

There is no other song that speaks to my heart as much as this one does. It is my favorite running song, my favorite worship song, my favorite anything song. It is the song that seems to always bring tears. The one that causes me to literally forget where I am (physically) for a moment.

He is jealous for me. Really? The God of the universe desires my heart that much?

But it’s these lyrics that get me the most:

When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And I’m reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18…

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer selfis wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

God loves us so much that He is using our afflictions for His glory! We forget this too often… stay wrapped up in the here and now. But it’s when we let go of our present pain and allow room for His beautiful future that we really experience God.

Oh… how He loves us… And I don’t have time to maintain these regrets.

—–

Your turn! Link up below and tell us about a worship song that touches your heart. Don’t have a blog? That’s okay… just write about it in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by!

Music That Moves Me, Part 3

It’s finally Friday!! 🙂 Which means it’s finally time to talk about my very favorite running song. But it’s more than just a running song. It is my favorite worship song. My I-could-listen-to-it-over-and-over-again-and-never-get-tired-of-it song. Here it is… (Amy, I know you’ve been waiting all week.) 🙂

Favorite running song #1 – How He Loves by Passion/David Crowder

Listen to it here and read the lyrics below (the words that speak to me the most are bold).

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane; I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And O how He loves us
Oh, O how He loves us
How He loves us all

(repeat all)

Yeah He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about… the way

He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves

(lots of repeats)

I could talk a lot about what this song means to me (and I will… on Tune-In Tuesday). But for today… just know it is my favorite running song.

Do you have a favorite song? A favorite worship song that truly brings you into the throne of grace? Keep it in your mind for Tuesday!! Just another reminder about Tune-In Tuesdays… Starting next week (July 19th), we will link up here to share songs that God is using in our lives.

I’m really excited about this! I’ve always wanted to do a “linky party,” and being a musician… this is a perfect fit! Learning to truly worship Him through the songs we sing is simply amazing. So there you have it.

Do you really think about the words when you’re singing them on Sundays? Or is it just part of the routine when you go into the worship center? This is a chance to allow God to draw you into a closer worship experience with Him… maybe in a more intense way than you ever have before.

Don’t have a blog? NO PROBLEM! You can write about your song in a comment.

What I’m looking forward to is believers coming together to share with each other in our own heart languages. We all have different types of worship songs that touch us. From hymns to southern gospel to contemporary. My desire is that Tune-In Tuesdays will be a place where they can all come together… After all, we are worshiping the same Creator! Would LOVE to have you all join us! And PLEASE help me spread the word! 🙂

In case you missed these…

Monday’s song: Awakening by Passion/Chris Tomlin

Wednesday’s song: Grace Will Be My Song by Fee

Music That Moves Me, Part 3

Favorite running song #1 – How He Loves by Passion/David Crowder

Listen to it and read the lyrics below (the words that speak to me the most are bold).

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane; I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And O how He loves us
Oh, O how He loves us
How He loves us all

(repeat all)

Yeah He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about… the way

He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves

(lots of repeats)

I could talk a lot about what this song means to me (and I will… on Tune-In Tuesday). But for today… just know it is my favorite running song.

Don’t have a blog? NO PROBLEM! You can write about your song in a comment.

In case you missed these…
Monday’s song: Awakening by Passion/Chris Tomlin
Wednesday’s song: Grace Will Be My Song by Fee

Music That Moves Me, Part 2

Today, I’m just jumping in and announcing my second favorite running song! You may not know this one…. but it has become one of my favorite Fee songs. I’ll talk more after the lyrics.

Favorite running song #2 – Grace Will Be My Song by Fee

Listen to it here and read the lyrics below.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; You ransomed one like me
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Your blood, my liberty
And now my shame is gone; and grace will be my song

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Lover of the weak
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; with strength to carry me
And now my shame is gone; and grace will be my song

Glory, Glory, Glory to the one who saved my soul
Glory, Glory, Glory to the Everlasting Lord
Glory, Glory, Glory to the King who sits enthroned… Our God
(This repeats a few times)

Are you seeing the pattern? My favorite running songs have simple, yet powerful lyrics. They start slow and soft, then build. By the time I get to the end of the song, I’m lost in it. Worshiping my Savior. Forgetting where I am for a moment. Maybe not the safest thing when I’m on the road!! 😉

I like to plug this one in as my second song. Right after the warm up. By the time it gets to the 2^nd time through the glory, glory, glory part, it explodes.

LOVE. IT.

But it’s not just the way the music builds. The words are so incredible you just want to shout them! And now… My shame is gone! And grace will be my song! I guess you could say this is one of my lifesongs. Because of where my choices led me about 10 years ago, this song means quite a bit to me.

We all have a story. And we probably all have songs that particularly remind us of the individualized grace that was shown to each of us. God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us on the cross. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been. What we’ve done. And if you believe this and have accepted Him as your Savior and Lord, your shame IS gone. Grace IS your song. If you are reading this and do not know Jesus, I invite you to read The Story and learn more about how He can change your life. You can also click on the “Know Jesus?” tab in the top menu.

Did you miss Monday’s song? Check it out here.

So, what do you think Friday’s song will be? Here’s a hint… It’s probably my favorite worship song of all time. Just think of the song that lifts the roof when it is sung. The one that EVERYBODY knows the words to… I know all of our churches are different, but… any guesses?

Music That Moves Me, Part 2

Today, I’m just jumping in and announcing my second favorite running song! You may not know this one…. but it has become one of my favorite Fee songs. I’ll talk more after the lyrics.

Favorite running song #2 – Grace Will Be My Song by Fee

Listen to it here and read the lyrics below.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; You ransomed one like me
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Your blood, my liberty
And now my shame is gone; and grace will be my song

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; Lover of the weak
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; with strength to carry me
And now my shame is gone; and grace will be my song

Glory, Glory, Glory to the one who saved my soul
Glory, Glory, Glory to the Everlasting Lord
Glory, Glory, Glory to the King who sits enthroned… Our God
(This repeats a few times)

I like to plug this one in as my second song. Right after the warm up. By the time it gets to the 2^nd time through the glory, glory, glory part, it explodes.

LOVE. IT.

Did you miss Monday’s song? Check it out here.

Grow Where You're Planted

…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content… Phil 4:11

Tune-In Tuesday: Draw Me Nearer

In That Moment {Encouragement Cafe}

Tune-In Tuesday: I Lift My Hands

Winner of Notes to Aspiring Writers eBook

Notes to Aspiring Writers {A Review… and a GIVEAWAY!}

Tune-In Tuesday: How He Loves

Music That Moves Me, Part 3

Music That Moves Me, Part 3

Music That Moves Me, Part 2

Music That Moves Me, Part 2