Lifesong In The Limelight/Debra from Clothed With Scarlet

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born.

Debra from Clothed With Scarlet has become a friend of mine in the world of blogging. Her writings are authentic, purposeful and Christ-filled. I've cried at some of her posts, and laughed at others. She is a blessing to so many in the blogging community with her God-given gift of encouragement. I couldn't be more excited to share her heartfelt testimony today as this Saturday's

Just As I Am
by Debra Kaye

The song that deeply changed my life was the hymn Just as I Am by Charlotte Elliott. I was 9 years old and standing in a small Baptist church on 27th Avenue in Vero Beach, Florida. The choir stood at the front of the church up by the baptismal tank in their long flowing robes. The pastor would come down from his standing place and stand at the front aisle and the choir would begin to sing each Sunday morning.

This particular Sunday they began to sing Just as I Am. I had sung it many times with them but this Sunday I heard the Lord speak to my heart. The pastor was standing at the front praying and interceding and the Lord said "Come...Just as you are."

My heart raced and I did not want to step out of my seat and walk forward, but the pull was so great. Not knowing how I was at the front of the church in front of everybody and why my face was soaked with tears, I stood there looking at the pastor and he took my hands and began to ask me the questions about Jesus.

Did I want to accept Him? "YES," I cried. Did I know and recognize my need as a sinner? OH YES!! I couldn't imagine why He would forgive me but I was assured...Just as I was, He would. The pastor prayed with me and I will never forget and typing this brings back that wonderful feeling of a clean slate...forgiveness. No longer carrying around a burden. Knowing love. And what had I to offer Him? Only me....Just as I was...It's still hard to comprehend!!

There is never a time that I hear this song that I do not recognize the impact it had on my life. The reassurance that Jesus would accept me and forgive me. I am eternally grateful!! I have written the words for you below.

Just as I am

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, tho tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears, within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Debra Kaye is a humble servant of her Lord, Jesus Christ. She is the devoted wife to Jason, whom she considers her true gift from God. She is also the mother of Krystle and Joshua.

It is her desire to reflect Christ in her life in all areas and loves the blog community that God has plugged her into. She can be found at her blog, Clothed With Scarlet.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Betsy Markman

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born.

No doubt, today's featured writer will strike a chord within many of my readers. She certainly did with me. Betsy Markman from Just Another Clay Pot is someone who writes with the Lord's power behind her words. She's not into fluff writing--it's the deeper things with her. And I love it! Anyway, I'll let you see this for yourself in this Saturday's...

Why The Old Hymns Bring Tears
I had a precious time in the Scriptures with my two youngest children one Sunday morning. It was a divine appointment. We were supposed to be at the first hour of church/Sunday School, but we just weren't able to get it together in time. My hubby took our oldest to youth group, but the two youngest stayed home with me and got ready late.

And somehow I just knew that God wanted to meet with us.

When the kids were ready, we sat down in the Living Room and opened the book, "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. I read to them from it, and some good conversation came out of that.

Then I got out the old hymnal and went looking for a song that would fit what we'd been discussing. I came upon "Jesus is All the World to Me," and I knew I'd found what I was looking for. I knew I wouldn't be able to sing it. I get too choked up. But I figured I could at least read the words to the children.

Wrong.

I got partway through, and suddenly the tears came. It worried the kids a bit, until I helped them understand that these were caused by joy, by beauty. In the end, those tears added a great deal to the sweetness of our time together.

Why can't I sing hymns any more? Why the huge lump in my throat, and the streams from my eyes?

Partly its the joy of seeing old friends. The songs themselves, I mean. So many precious friends rest hidden in between the covers of that old hymnal...friends that filled my mouth not just on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week. Friends that visited me over the radio. Friends that I sang next to my dear Nana in the choir loft, where she taught me to sing harmony. So many friends that I haven't seen in far too long. They've been replaced in church services by the new songs on the block.

I miss them. And when I get to sing them again, it's too sweet to bear, especially when we slow down and sing them at a pace that lets me savor the words.

Sometimes the tears come because of old associations. Faces of those long gone, who once stood beside me and sang those sacred words with me. That's true of all the old familiar hymns, because I sang them all with my loved ones so many times. But there's one hymn in particular that slays me because of a very strong tie to particular people. I had never even heard "Be Thou My Vision" until my uncle and aunt chose that as their "life song." They had lived far from the Lord for decades, but had repented and turned to Him, and then felt called to the mission field in Ireland. "Be Thou My Vision" was sung at their dedication service, and in my heart it is forever linked with them.

My uncle was killed in a motorcycle accident several years ago. I can't help but weep when I sing that song now. Or rather, when I mouth it. I can't actually sing it around the lump in my throat.

Partly hymns make me weep because of the deep meaning of their words. Modern songs sometimes can match their earlier counterparts for depth and richness. "In Christ Alone" is an exceptional example of a song almost too good to be new. I'm thankful for those types of songs, and glad that we sing them in our church. Some of them bring tears, too.

But there's a slightly different taste to the tears that come from the old hymns, and I've recently realized what it is.

It's fulfillment.

Think of a movie that has made you weep because of its happy ending. Think how the fulfillment of the promise of joy at the end felt so moving, especially contrasted with whatever hardships had to be overcome to get there.

That's what I feel from the old hymns. When I sang them as a child, they were unproven theories. Untested promises. Unfelt praise to an as-yet unknown God. I enjoyed them then, but they were only implanted seeds. I could not yet taste the fruit of promises kept.

Now I taste it.

Oh, the hardships I've known on my way here! The grief, the heartache, the overwhelmedness... and all of that only makes today's joys sweeter. Jesus is becoming "all the world to me." I've spent time "In the Garden," and I know there really is delight in His presence there. I've truly come to cherish "The Old Rugged Cross." Jesus is becoming my vision. "Trust and Obey" is starting to take root and blossom.

And all of the old associations become more precious. It's not just that I used to sing that song with Nana. It's that Nana now enjoys, with unveiled face, the God about whom we sang. And call me corny, but I feel a growing kinship with people I've never met, people perhaps in long prairie skirts and bonnets, singing the same words a hundred years ago. I feel as if my voice joins in a chorus that stretches back through time, all affirming the eternal goodness of our mighty God.

And when you boil it all down to its main point, it's really Him. The greatest sweetness of all is not just that promises were fulfilled, but that He fulfilled them. I feel no kinship with anyone who sings hymns only out of religious duty. I sing in chorus with those who love Him, who cherish Him, who praise Him, many of whom now see Him face-to-face. He is the promise of the hymns, and the fulfillment of them. He is their melody, and their harmony. He is their heartbeat.

Why do the old hymns bring tears? Because they touch me with the music of the One I love.

Betsy is a wife, mother, and homemaker whose life is enriched by family, by a love of writing, and most of all by a wonderful, loving, holy God. Her husband is John. Her sons are Nathanael (born 1995), Phillip (born 1997) and Andrew (born 2000). Her hope is that, with her blog, Jesus would shine through, and "that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us." Visit her blog, Just Another Clay Pot or see some of her other writings at Faithwriters.com.

On another note, my friend Yvonne, from My Back Door keeps the hymns and great songs of the faith alive by sending out a "Morning Song" to your email each morning. Head on over there to sign up if you're interested. I find that when I read them each morning, I am singing them all day long.


In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Beckie Stewart

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born.

Beckie's testimony is about healing, and I hope someone who needs to read it does so today. With her vulnerability and humility, I'm excited for her to be featured as this Saturday's...

On the Journey to Healing
By Beckie Stewart

Without all the gory details, I wish to tell you about the journey the Lord has me on from bondage and brokenness to freedom and wholesomeness. I’m not fully healed and complete right now, but I’m definitely on my way.

I’ve been a Christian for thirty years, but I’ve been living in the wilderness. Like the Israelites who were in bondage in Egypt, it took them forty years to let go of what they knew and embrace the freedom the Lord had for them in the Promised Land. The Lord allowed my present day difficulties to reveal to me my slavery mentality. The Promise Land is around the corner for me now. I know it.

After an awful run-in with a friend of mine, I called a counselor. As a wife of a pastor, this was a difficult step for me. The first several months focused on coming to grips with my present day problems. As I finally learned to lay them daily at the feet of Jesus, I found myself ready to deal with who I had become due to my past.

I’m in the midst of working with a Christian counselor leading me through a therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It basically helps you understand your belief system caused by trauma in your life. You are guided through beliefs and incidents to a true understanding of who you really are in Christ.

My drive to my counseling session is forty-five minutes each way, and so on the way, I always listen to our local Christian station. They’re pretty repetitive in their song selection, and so after a while you realize you are listening to a lot of the same music. Do you ever really hear any of it?

However, this last week as I left my intense session and turned on the radio a song came on that said, “Listen closely. This is for you. It’s to give you a hope for your future.”

As I listened to my journey of healing being sung, I realized that the week before, the Lord played this song for me as well. I just didn’t hear it like I did that day.

I know the group Sanctus Real didn’t write this song for me. In fact until I got home to search for the words and author, I never heard of Sanctus Real. However, I know that the Lord had them write this song for me for this time in my life.

The song speaks the rest of my story. Healing is indeed coming.

Whatever You’re Doing
By Sanctus Real

It's time for healing, time to move on.
It's time to fix whats been broken too long.
Time to make right, what has been wrong.
It's time to find my way to where I belong.

There's a wave that's crashing over me,
and all I can do is surrender.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
it feels like chaos but somehow theres peace.
And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see,
but I'm giving into something heavenly.

time for a milestone, time to begin again,
re-evaluate who I really am.
Am I doing everything to follow your will?
I'm just climbing aimlessly over these hills.

So show me what it is you want from me,
I'd give everything, I surrender to...

Whatever you're doing inside of me.
It feels like chaos but somehow theres peace.
And though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see,
I'm giving into something heavenly.
Something heavenly...

Time to face up, clean this old house.
Time to breathe in, and let everything out,
that I've wanted to say, for so many years.
Time to release some of held back tears.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
it feels like chaos but I believe...

You're up to something bigger than me,
larger than life, something heavenly.

Whatever you're doing inside of me,
it feels like chaos but now I can see...
This is something bigger than me,
larger than life, something heavenly.
Something heavenly...

It's time to face up, clean this old house.
Time to breathe in, and let everything out.

Here is the song for you to listen to:

Beckie Stewart is a mom of 5 who loves Jesus with all her heart, soul, and mind. She would tell you her greatest joy is loving and serving Him and then my family and friends.

She enjoys writing devotions, articles on adoption, and articles to encourage daily Godly living. Visit her devotional website, God's Gracious Gems, for practical spiritual lessons that glorify Jesus Christ.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Josh Janoski

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born.

Josh from Just Joshing blew me away with this testimony, and it is such an encouraging one that will hopefully help someone who needs to hear it today. If you want to know someone who loves to encourage, desires to passionately pursue Christ and who has a great sense of humor, then you need to know Josh. He's a phenomenal writer and a faithful Christian friend to me and so many others in the online Christian community. For all of these reasons and more, I'm so privileged to feature him as this Saturday's

God Speaking Through Song - Who Am I?

The first time I heard this song, I wasn’t all that inspired, because to be honest, I wasn’t really listening to the words closely and absorbing the song’s message. However, during June 2007, I found myself fighting a deep depression that caused me to not want to leave my apartment. My mother had given me a Casting Crowns CD, and I decided to play it. The song "Who Am I?" was one of the songs to come on, and I immediately recognized the tune, but this time I decided to listen to the words closely.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Lord of all the Earth. That’s a big position. And yet He takes time to know my name? To feel what I am feeling? He understands this depression I am experiencing?

Bright and morning star. Wow! He could choose to horde His light from me but instead He lights my path and steers my heart in the direction that it needs to go. Why am I depressed if God has my path laid out perfectly?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I’m so worthless. Why leave this apartment and go outside to a world that doesn’t care…but wait a minute. HE CARES! Why? After all I’ve done to hurt Him and other people, how can He love me? I guess it’s not because of who I am, but because of who He is. It’s His loving nature shining through. It’s not anything that I’ve done to deserve this, it’s what He did. He made the sacrifice. He bore the sin and shame.

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

My life here is temporary. I am getting older every day. Each breath takes me closer to my last breath. I am but a tiny grain of sand on a large stretch of beach, but He hears me when I cry out to Him! He understands this pain I am experiencing right now. He is listening to me. He wants me to seek His help and counsel.

Lord, help this flower that withers away! Lord, help me to take this time I have and not use it to be depressed or downtrodden! Let me use it to serve you! Catch me Lord as I take a dive backwards into this pit of despair! Catch me and pull me out!

What is that Lord? What did you say? I am…yours? You mean you take possession of me? Even though I feel like I have no one to turn to, you still claim me as your own? I’m yours? Really? I ask this and yet somehow in my heart I know it to be true. I am yours. I am a child of the Almighty God.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am dirty. The weight of my sin bears down on me, leaving me weak and weathered. My hands are covered in the grime of this world that I have wallowed in for so long. I thought what I was doing would make me a better person, but instead my actions seek to haunt me and destroy me. Your eyes see my wrongdoings. You know all and see all, and yet, you don’t kick me when I’m already down. You watch me get back up using the strength of the hand that you have stretched out towards me.

I feel this storm inside me calming. I see you standing there and commanding this storm in my life to cease. I see now that no matter what I do, how I feel, or where I’m at, that I can trust in you. You care about this tiny grain of sand mixed in among millions of other grains.

I am a flower quickly fading
I am a wave tossed in the ocean
I am a vapor in the wind

But most of all…

I am Yours.

That right there is the message that carried me out of that depression and brought me back to the truth of God’s love for me. I hope that if you haven’t listened to this song that you do so, because I believe it will bless you just as it did me. it's strange, because I heard it on the radio yesterday after church, and I had just got done thinking about writing this post. I sang the song as I headed home, and I took the time to remember who I am in Jesus Christ.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Josh is a 26 year old Network Administrator living in the beautiful mountain state of Colorado. When he's not tinkering with technology, Josh likes to read, exercise, play games, surf the Internet, and of course - write. He sees his writing as a ministry, given to him by God to help encourage people and lead them to the hope that is Jesus Christ. Whether it be through humor, fictional Biblical re-tellings, or non-fiction confessionals, Josh's goal is to put a smile on people's face and remind them of the love that God has for them. Please take time to visit his ministry website: Uplifting Words or his personal blog at Just Joshing.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Kim, aka Homesteader In Training

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith.
Well, people submitted, and I was moved.
That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born:

Wellza, lemme just tell you, if you don't know Kim from Homesteader's Heart, then you're missing out! Big TIME! She prides herself on her sense of humor, and that she has in full measure. But truth be told, she has even more to offer her readers than that. I've learned a LOT about home organization, cooking, homeschooling, and (YES, Kim,) THE LORD, through reading her blog each day. All of these reasons and more are why I am so excited to feature her as today's:

Amazing Sunday (I gave it a title, Kim.) :)

My song is Amazing Grace. I was raised in a Christian home and we went to church every Sunday. I remember singing this song plenty of times as a child, never really thinking about what it was saying or better yet what I was saying. It was after I rededicated my life to the Lord and was in church one day with my husband that this song came to life. The church we had been attending for about 5 years had grown quite a bit. They played mostly Contemporary Christian music each Sunday, but this particular Sunday they whipped out the classic. 

I don't think I made it through the second line, when I started crying. It hit me like a ton of bricks what my Lord and Savior had done in my life. Near the end of the song they stopped all the instruments and just let everyone sing. The church sounded like a group of Angels that morning, and I got a glimpse of what Heaven is going to be like some day. 

I can't sing that song without thinking of what the Lord is to me and how His grace covers me. The lyrics are below, and I want you to take the time to just read them, well, sing them to yourself and really think about what it's saying to you.
Blessings my friends.

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me -
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught -
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear -
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares -
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me -
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be -
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years -
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise -
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me -
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Kim, aka Homesteader in Training, is the wife to one wonderful man and the mother to three beautiful children, ages 15, 6 and 3. A stay-at-home-mom since her marriage in 1996, she calls herself a “domestic engineer and a homeschool mom who wouldn’t want it any other way.”  If you were to ask Kim to tell you a little bit about herself, as well as her blog, A Homesteader’s Heart, she would say, “I've met some great gals in this blog world and am slowly finding my niche. I am kind of a jack of all trades, master of none. I have my hand in a lot of different things and end up blogging about most of them. I love to laugh and that probably shows in most of my posts. Hence the birth of my Meme, Friday Funnies. (Boy, that was a sad plug wasn't it?)”  

Isn't she fun? For more on Kim, check out her blog, A Homesteader’s Heart..

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Dee Yoder

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born:

You'll love meeting Dee from My Heart's Dee-light, because, well, not only is she a delight to know, but also her love for the Lord shines through everything she writes. She's my friend, a kindred spirit and someone I admire deeply, but I'll let you see for yourself as she writes for

God Speaks Through Music: My Songs

There are so many times in my life that God spoke to me through music, but three times in particular come right to my mind.

When I was in college, I struggled often to find funding for classes and textbooks, but one time in particular led to a miracle! I was working 30 hours a week and also carrying a full load so I would qualify for my loan. I had Human Anatomy and Physiology and found that I just couldn't stretch my budget to buy the book for the class. So I was going to the library every night to read the text book in the reference section. I couldn't keep up. No matter how hard I tried, I was slipping behind. One afternoon, I was feeling really low. As I walked away from my class, I looked up in the sky and saw a whole flock of sparrows. I thought immediately of the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow":

"Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely,
and long for Heaven and Home?
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."
(Words: Civilla D. Martin, Music: Charles H. Gabriel)

I was still worried, I have to confess, but I felt peace. The next day, as I was leaving the Human Anatomy class, a girl I didn't know came right up to me and said "God told me to give you this." She handed me a brand new Human Anatomy and Physiology book...the sticker was still on it! By the time I could speak, she was gone. It was just a book, but when hard times came to me later in life, I remembered that song and that book. His eye is on the sparrow...and I know He watches me.

The next song that had a great impact on me was the chorus "Give Thanks". My husband was dying of cancer. He had been in the hospital for several days and I could see he was slowly slipping away from me. His mother and I took turns staying with him all night because we didn't want him to be alone. One night, he was restless. He had pulled and tugged at his oxygen mask and he just looked frightened. I remember leaning over his bed and stroking his dark hair and I began to softly sing to him:

"Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks, because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son...
And now, let the weak say 'I am strong'
Let the poor say 'I am rich'
Because of what the Lord has done for us...give thanks."
(Words and Music by Henry Smith)

Jim immediately grew still. His brown eyes locked onto mine and he smiled and then he slowly fell asleep for the night. I can't sing that song without reliving that moment and remembering his smile and his brown eyes.


After he went to Heaven, life was so hard for me. I missed him so much, I literally thought I would die myself. I can't begin to describe the despair and the pain of those first few weeks and months. I had my little boy, only three years old, and I had to get on with life, but there were nights and mornings when I just wanted to go to Heaven myself. It hurt so bad. I would try to be strong all day, but when night came, and the house grew quiet, I'd lie in our bed and just weep. I'd struggle with reading God's word and trying to find comfort and even trying to find God. One night, I was awake all night. When morning came, I looked out the window and saw the pink dawn. In my head, I heard the song:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me."
(Words: Thomas O. Chisholm, Music: William M. Runyan)

Oh! I sang it over and over that morning and all the lonely mornings to come and one morning, I meant it again.

Music has always had an impact on my life, but these three songs are some of my favorites because each time, they pointed me to a loving Father who cared and KNEW me, inside and out.

Dee is a wife and mom living in Ohio. She has a degree in Biological Sciences, with minors in German and Religion from Lee University. She has been a Home Educator for 6 years. She has several short works of fiction waiting for future publication in the Faithwriters Anthologies. She also had an article accepted by Pathway Press, for publication in the Church of God Evangel magazine, and an article published in the December 2007 issue of Faithwriters magazine.(Exit Quickly, Stage Right) She is currently doing research for her latest NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project; a novel titled "The Miting." This is a story about a girl who decides to leave her Amish faith...and the consequences of her decision. You can read more of Dee's short fiction pieces, devotions and other writings on her blog and at Faithwriters.com.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Sita Henderson

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born:

So you just gotta meet Sita. Her blog, Sita's Sanctum, is all about giving people a place to visit for peace and safe harbor. I know you will enjoy her incredible testimony that she was willing to share for today's

“Cause Me To Come To Thy River…”

I could not fathom it. The anchor I had tied my life on had been rudely dislodged and I was adrift in a sea of pain that consumed me. My fiancé had just broken off our engagement 2 months away from the scheduled wedding. This in itself was not the primary issue. It was because I was a new immigrant and my fiancé had made this new terrifying country somewhat manageable, somewhat like how it used to be at home. He was also the recipient of my gift of compassion which I poured liberally as he had lost both kidneys and had ongoing health issues. Then he said, “You are nothing to me, you never were…I just needed companionship”. He did not need it anymore. So here I was, lost, and discounted, devalued to nothing.

Then in my fog of pain, I looked to God, “For You to allow this to happen, there must be a reason…Teach me, my Lord.” Then suddenly I remembered having sung this song:

Cause me to come to Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to come to Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to come to Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to come,
Cause me to drink,
Cause me to live.

Cause me to drink from Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to drink from Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to drink from Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to come,
Cause me to drink,
Cause me to live.

Cause me to live by Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to live by Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to live by Thy river, O Lord,
Cause me to come,
Cause me to drink,
Cause me to live.

This song had become reality this day. I had been singing it without realizing what it meant. So, “Cause me..”, He did. And I was never more needy to drink and live. In the next couple of months, He continued to show me that my words were important and that He is a holy God who would not allow me to use His Name or words flippantly. I had to say what I meant and mean what I say.

He had me look at my newly adopted country and its people through His eyes. I had been viewing myself as a victim of discrimination and using this to justify my coldness towards white Canadians. He gently pointed out, “Who do you think you are? Do you really think that I have favorites? That you are better to me because you feel victimized?” Then it struck me, most of the people I saw as ‘racist’ were simply ignorant or afraid of new people, people outside of their comfort zone. And their sin was no greater than mine. Here I was professing to be His child, going to Bible college to prepare for ministry, with a heart cold towards a sector of the family of God. There followed a time of repentance and forgiveness and wonderful reconciliation. My heart became so tender as I grew in intimacy with my Lord. It was a time that sealed forever my faith, because whenever there are times when God feels absent, I KNOW He is present, I KNOW He loves me.

Since then, I pay attention to my words, His Words, words about Him, words to Him, for I know that He is holy, and that I will be held accountable. So take heed, think about what you say or sing. He is listening, and He may just take you at your word.

Sita Henderson is a woman saved by grace, married to a wonderful man, with 2 awesome boys. Fashioned and shaped by His own Hand for the first half of her life in the island of Trinidad & Tobago, and now in Ontario, Canada, she seeks only to serve Him in whatever way He chooses. Visit Sita's blog, Sita's Sanctum, to read more of God's testimony and wisdom through her.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Chely Roach

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born:

This is where I introduce you to Chely, a friend of mine from Faithwriters.com. She is a phenomenal writer, a passionate person and just all-around wonderful. She's started a new blogspot blog called Blissful Torture, and I know it is going to be AMAzing. Anyway, I'll get on with today's

Hard Pew, Hard Heart
By Michelle Roach

Before that February morning, I heard a thousand hymns, but never listened to a one. I held hymnals and programs in my hand, but never felt one devour my heart. I noticed the hardness of the pew under my rump, and the fervor of the preaching, but never noticed the hardness of my heart, or the passion of the Spirit in the preacher. The latter was the key to my deaf, dumb and blinded existence. Those first thousand hymns fell on the deaf ears of a lost soul.

In the summer of 2001, I finally fell on my face before Jesus. I truly believe that it’s harder to reach people like me for Christ; the ones that so firmly believe that we are already Christians—as if I inherited my faith like my freckles. I received an Easter basket every spring, and opened Christmas presents every winter…those were the "fruitful" signs I showed and observed to categorize faith. Sad.

Before my rebirth, I had searched out spirituality at a couple different churches; neither yielding relationships with Christ nor His followers. The music was lame, the preaching was lame, and the fellowship was the lamest. I went back to sleeping in on Sundays.

I wish I could say they after I was saved by grace, I fell right in line with how I should’ve been behaving. I didn’t. I was über-skeptical about “organized religion”, and continued to smoke acres of pot, among other less obvious sins.

But the Lord of Lords was still on His throne. And still whispering to me. He led me to Christian radio…not musical radio, but authentic, Biblically sound teaching radio. Every moment solidified my ever growing faith, and my ever growing conviction that I was a hopeless sinner. Worse yet, I was sinning on purpose. In parenting terms, I was being willfully disobedient, and quite deserving of some type of corporal discipline.

The whispers became shouts.

I began to research denominations and local churches. If I was going to re-immerse myself into a church, I had some criteria they had to meet. They had to be Biblically sound, not touchy-feely, have a balance of liturgy and contemporary, and be pro-life in word and deed. After months of inner debate, God led me to my church home.



But I didn’t go. I drove past it frequently, and browsed their website…but on Sunday I remained home.

The shouts became screams.

On a Tuesday morning in mid February, 2003, I prayed in the shower as I sobbed. I wanted to be obedient. But I needed His help. It was as if He replied, “I have been waiting two years for you to ask, my daughter.”

I permanently put down the drugs, and that Sunday, I went to church.

During the worship service, the congregation sang a hymn I had never heard. I didn’t know then that it was a relatively new song, written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend titled, In Christ Alone. Never in my life have four stanzas spoken more clearly to me, and to this day, I cannot think of a more eloquent or succinct description of the essence of the Gospel, set to music.

I remember a sensation of fullness swelling in my chest during the crescendo of each verse, stifling my lungs…making me gasp for air. The lyrics pummeled me, and then soothed me. For years as a nominal Christian, I would look sideways, almost doubting the charisma of people that would raise their hands in worship as they sang. I thought they were fakers or plain wackadoos. But that morning, as the climax of the song mounted—the resolution enraptured my soul, and I raised my hands to the stained glass rose window above the chancel, embracing the Holy Spirit. For the first time, I sang out praises to the Savior, in public, unashamed. “For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.”

One hundred and ninety four words—sung with faith and fervor by about the same number of mouths—opened my eyes to the love that God has not just for me, but for His Church…His Bride.

And by His grace, those hard pews have softened at the same rate as my heart.


"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Michele is a married women of ten years, who has recently been blessed with twin girls. When she is conscious and coherent, she loves to play with her toddlers, write whatever God puts on her heart, and volunteer at her local crisis pregnancy center in her hometown of St. Louis. You can read more of Michele's writings at her newest of several blogs, Blissful Torture, or at Faithwriters.com

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Laurie Ann

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born:

So allow me to share Laurie Ann's song testimony that she posted on her blog: A Magnolia's Heart Beats. I hope her authenticity and passion move you as much as it did me...

The song, I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb, deeply changed my life. Instaneously. I heard it sung in church by a friend who sang it 10x better than the original author/recorder, and this southern baptist girl was on her feet by the time the song ended - a huge step for reserved Laurie Ann, who almost jumped up and fled out of fear the first time she heard applause in a new church at the age of 14. Grew up in the same church all my life till then, and when we changed, even though it was still southern baptist, they clapped after a song was sung and it scared the fool out of me. But this is not about that. This is about how this song moved me so much that I was standing on my feet by the song's end.

I was deeply moved in spirit by God asking me three distinct questions. During the song! (No, not out loud. I would have left the building for sure if He spoke to me audibly, although I think I have heard Him whisper before, but that's another post.)

1) Do you pledge your whole allegiance to Me? (Yes, God.)
2) Would you die for Me? (Yes, God.)
and
3) Are you really ready to reject the world and embrace the Cross no matter what? (Huh? Yes, God, but I'm scared.)

Because I chose to reject the world and embrace His Cross in total and complete obedience to Him, I immediately knew it was going to cost me a friend. A dear friend. She had referred to my God as the Sky Fairy, and I had been praying about how to respond to her post. Was I to try to back off from sharing my faith with her, perhaps pushing her farther away? Was I to respond to her post in love and with forgiveness? No, God is not to be mocked, and I knew I had to Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb. In losing my friendship with her, I lost connection with about 9 other women with whom I felt inseparable at the time. Only one friend remained, and she emailed me the other day and told me she had found God. It was worth it to reject the world and embrace the Cross, pledging my total allegiance to God, and being willing to die for Him (my life was not threatened as this "friend" posted this offense from a gazillion states away and I only saw her once a year). But the question was asked, "Are you willing...?" Yes, God.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb as sung by Ray Boltz (no endorsement of Mr. Boltz, but he does have a great voice.)

I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb

as sung by Ray Boltz

CHORUS: I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

I have heard how Christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrant’s throne
They were told that he
Would spare their lives
If they would renounce
The name of Christ
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God, they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring

CHORUS I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

Now the years have come
And the years have gone
And the cause of Jesus still goes on
Now our time has come
To count the cost
To reject this world
To embrace the Cross

And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say
©1994 Word Music/ASCAP (a div. of Word, Inc.) and Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word, Inc.).

Laurie Ann loves her family, her friends and sweet tea. She married her best friend 17 years ago and falls in love with him again each day. The nest is empty but fills up again and again with frequent visits from her bonus daughter, son-in-law and grandsons. Her heart beats to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join her at her blog: A Magnolia's Heart Beats where her heart shines with humor, depth, authenticity and Truth in each and every post.

In the Key of HE,

Lifesong In The Limelight/Catrina Bradley

I'm trying something new on Saturdays. I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved.

This is where I introduce you to Catrina Bradley. I loved the testimony she submitted, and well, she is a woman of many talents. She is a phenomenal writer with a HUGE heart for the Lord. That's why I chose her for my very first...

Sit back and allow Cat to minister to you today...Thank you, Catrina, for livin' your lifesong outloud! ;)

The Change
by Catrina Bradley

One song got me onto that infamous straight and narrow path. One song turned my life around, and truly changed the way I live.

Before I started listening to Christian music, I was a die-hard rock & roll fan. Classic rock, new rock, oldie rock – just rock me. I especially like to sing in the shower. I’m all alone, and the acoustics are awesome. The radio in our bathroom at that time used a dial to set the station. One day, I dialed in the classic rock station and jumped in the shower. It wasn’t until I was sudsy and dripping that the commercial ended and the next song came on. Instead of Z93, I had landed on that Christian station right next door. (Not the first time they’re only .4 mHz away.) The music was ok, but I was lamenting.

As I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair, another song came on. This one actually had a pretty cool sound. I started listening. I might be able to get into this. I even had a bunch of that stuff he's singing about. Yah, I do that! I'm good

Wait. What did he just say?

I actually stuck my head out of the shower door, then turned the water off so I could hear better.

The singer was asking a question. “What about the change? What about the difference? …What about a life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change?”

Now, I’d been a believer all my life, but was seriously lapsed in the following part. I’d recently joined a Bible study group at work, and had become enamoured with studying and learning more about Jesus.

I kept listening to the lyrics. I was enthralled.

“If God’s Spirit lives inside of me, I’m going to live life differently.”

Wow.

I made sure I listened at the end so I could hear the artist’s name. That was the first time I’d ever heard of Steven Curtis Chapman. From then on, I started checking the station when I sent station surfing in the car, hoping to hear that song again. (It was only one tap of the search button from the classic station.)

Now days, I listen to Christian music pretty much exclusively. I have the CD and can listen to The Change anytime I want to. And my life IS showing the change.

THE CHANGE

Steven Curtis Chapman

Well I got myself a t shirt that says what I believe

I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my id

I got the necklace and the key chain

And almost everything a good christian needs yeah

I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door

And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor

I got a jesus bumper sticker

And the outline of a fish stuck on my car

And even though this stuffs all well and good yeah

I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

What about a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change yeah

I’m undergoing the change

Well Ive got this way of thinking that comes so naturally

Where I believe the whole world is revolving around me

And I got this way of living that I have to die to every single day

cause if gods spirit lives inside of me yeah

I’m gonna live life differently

I’m gonna have the change

I’m gonna have the difference

I’m gonna have the grace

I’m gonna have forgiveness

I’m gonna live a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

I want to live a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change

Catrina Bradley grew up in Iowa, but now calls Georgia home. She is happily married to her much better half, has a wonderful 23 year-old daughter, and a precious, long-haired dachshund named Lady. You can find more of Catrina's writings at her blog, A Work In Progress and at Faithwriters.com.

In the Key of HE,