The Voice!

I recently went to a David Phelps concert...oh my goodness, it was incredible!!!
What beauty! What power!
Everything about his voice is just perfect. His seemingly limitless lung capacity is the real driving force in the mix, and I love the clarity of his voice. It's such a pure sound (much like Sandi Patty). Most singers sacrifice beauty for power, but Phelps' voice is a perfect union of the two. I think that's was really hits home for his audience; his strong, power-packed notes retain the glorious beauty of his most gentle tones. The concert was mostly Christmas music with a few other hits thrown in including- End of the Beginning, Fly to You, and Nessun Dorma. It was a full night of amazing singing and I hope to see David Phelps in concert again. He has my utmost admiration and respect, not only for his vocal genius, but also for his genuine humility. I've seen some good vocalists perform and it's a little too obvious they know they're "all that". David accepted the multiple standing ovations with grace and sincere delight.
Another reason why it's a joy to watch him perform is that he sings with conviction and passion that is necessarily lacking in good secular singers, ie: Josh Groban.
The longer I live, the more I notice the fingerprints of God in His marvelous creation. Sitting there, listening to one of the greatest singers of all time gave me a sense of awe reminiscent of my first airplane flight when I saw the clouds from above and the time I beheld the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. Truly, there is no more powerful demonstration of the Lord's majesty than that which is displayed in His creation. Only His hands could form these wonders...
"Every good and every perfect gift is from above."  I am so thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity to enjoy this exquisite gift from the Author of beauty.
I highly recommend that all of you see David Phelps in concert, and don't forget to take me with you!

Goodbyes can be tough.... but it's not the end of the world!

        Last Sunday the youth at my church said goodbye to two of the most Christlike people I have ever known. It was not easy. Mike and Tara have led the youth Bible study for a couple of years now and it's been amazing to see how God has worked through them to transform lives for His glory. If I were to tell all the ways they've been His hand extended, His words of life spoken, this post would end up a mile long. My life, and the lives of many others, has been changed for the better because of their obedience to Jesus Christ and their desire to see Him alone glorified. Looking back on the time Mike and Tara were here, I can clearly see God's presence and guidance all along the way. I guess that's one reason it's so hard to see them move on.
Monday morning was really difficult for me because that's when I finally let reality sink in. The sad part wasn't just the fact that we'll miss them terribly, but also the question: what now?
Wednesday I was reading in the book of Mark chapter 8 which begins with the account of Jesus miraculously feeding the 4,000. Verses 15-21 really spoke to me;
"Then He charge them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
They said to Him, "Twelve."
"Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
And they said "Seven."
So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?""

I looked down the page to see if there was any commentary on these verses and this is when it was clear to me what the passage was saying. Here's what it says about verse 21;
"Here Jesus' role in teaching the Twelve comes into the foreground of the narrative. His question to them is a reproach for failing to realize that the Lord who miraculously provided for five thousand and four thousand men with their families is capable of taking care of twelve men's physical needs. Indeed, they should know that Jesus is worthy of their total faith in all that He will reveal to them in the days to come."

Here's what I wrote in my journal after reading this.
Wow! This really hit me as a word regarding my doubt about Mike and Tara leaving, wondering what will happen now that they're gone. We were so blessed to have them leading us, they are so rare...I felt so sad that their incredible influence would be gone. They were one of the best things that ever happened to us. These verses and the commentary rebuked me for my doubt and lack of trust in God. If God has been so faithful in providing for my spiritual needs thus far, how is it that I do not understand? He will provide. He knows best today just like He knew best when He brought Mike and Tara here a couple years ago.
        Lord, forgive me for my doubt. Forgive me for forgetting Your wisdom. You give us every reason to trust You. Thank You so much for speaking to me, for comforting me, for reassuring me. May I never cease to trust You and to praise You for Your faithfulness. Let Your will be done always!
Amen

Celebration!

Today my beautiful sister and I celebrate our birthday! We've already had a super day shopping in the city with our wonderful Mother, and we're having a blast just being together. It's shaping into one of the best days of my life. = )
So right now I'm dropping by to wish Brianna a Happy, Happy Birthday. God gave me my very first (and most precious) birthday gift when He gave me you. I love you SOO much! You're the best sister in the whole earth, moon and stars combined! lol   (it's a joke from when we were little)

This past year was great. God has been so faithful, His never-ending grace amazes me the more with each passing day. I'm looking forward to what He has in store for this coming year and I'm so thankful that I get to share it with my dear sister...
Love you B!!!

An amazing discovery

I was listening to some Sandi Patty on youtube yesterday when I stumbled upon David Phelps...WOW. This guy can sing! His voice is incredible and his music is beautiful. I can't believe it's taken me this long to find him! You have to listen to the whole song, it gets really good towards to the end.
Enjoy!

Hear my cry, oh God
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings...

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved....
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us...

God, You are my God
Early will I seek You
My soul thirsts for You
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water...

As the deer pants for the waterbrooks
So pants my soul for You, oh God
My sould thirsts for God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been food day and night
While they continually say to me,
"Where is your God?"
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God
With the voice of joy and praise...

Why are you cast down
Oh my soul?
And why are you disquieted withing me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countanence
The Lord will commend His lovingkindness in the daytime
And in the night His song shall be with me
A prayer to the God of my life....

SKYDIVING!!!!

Yesterday Brianna and I went skydiving and it was the most extreme experience of my life! I don't even know how to describe it. Brianna was the first one to jump (out of our group of 8) and it was a profound moment when we waived goodbye, knowing that it could possibly be the last time I'd see her alive (seriously, it was dramatic). The airplane was really small so they could only fit 2 pairs of jumpers at a time plus the pilot. It took about 10-15 minutes to reach the proper altitude. It was a perfect day for skydiving; clear skies, not too hot, not too cold, and it was a Sunday, what could be better? The emotional build up while waiting for my turn was like nothing I've ever experienced. I had no clue what to expect and I was praying that Brianna's chute would open. It did, of course. = )  Once she landed (lol) I got ready to go.
The airplane ride itself was lots of fun and the view was absolutely beautiful! As my instructor began the final preparations I looked out the window and thought, "this is crazy! why in the world am I going to jump out of this thing?". Then the door opened! I can't begin to decribe the feeling that washed over me. It's just so against instinct to open an airplane door at that altitude. I held onto the pilot's chair as I placed my left foot onto the aluminum step outside the plane. Then I put my right foot out  and the instructor grabbed my hand from off the pilot's seat and we dove. What a flight. It was the most exhilirating experince of my life. So crazy. So exciting. The free-fall was the best part. Honestly, it's not at all what you would imagine free-falling to feel like. There's no stomach tickle, no real physical sensation, it's mostly psychological. For the first second you know you're falling but then all you feel is the wind against your face and you're just riding the air. I didn't even think about whether or not the chute would open and it was a little disappointing when it did because I wanted the fall to last longer. Don't get me wrong, I did want the chute to open. = ) 
The rest of the ride down was great. It was breathtaking to be up so high with nothing between me and the wind. I loved it! I'd like to do it at least once more in my lifetime, it was unbelievable. I'm so glad I didn't back out, it's really not as scary as it sounds. I was more nervous thinking about it than actually doing it (except for getting out of the plane,  pretty traumatic). I think skydiving is something everyone should experience. Just make your peace with God and man before you jump. ; )
p.s thanks to all of you who prayed for our safety
p.p.s I'll be sure to post pics as soon as possible

Happy 9th minute of the 9th hour in the 9th day of the 9th month in the year 2009!!!!!

A Summer's Revelation

I absolutely love Worldview Academy! It's a wonderful Christian camp focused on equipping young people, intellectually and spiritually, to give a reason for the hope that is within them. If I were to attempt a blog post all about Worldview, it could end up a mile long. = ) There are so many things I enjoy about the camp; the Christian environment, the staff and faculty, the education, the friendships...the list is endless! Needless to say, I highly recommend Worldview to every young person out there. But this post isn't really about camp or why you should go, it's about one of the biggest things I learned from WVA this year; sister appreciation.

All three of us (Luke, Brie and I) attended Worldview last year and loved it so much that we signed up to go back this past summer! I was eagerly anticipating the week, imagining what it would be like with a new small group leader, wondering how the alumni track would be, looking forward to meeting up with the girls in my group from last year, etc. I knew things would be different from last year and that was fine, but I never imagined Brianna wouldn't be there with me! Only 2 days before leaving, she informed me that she was transferring her slot to a friend because she no longer wanted to go to camp. I couldn't believe it! I was hoping my parents would make her go, but my hopes were in vain. This was going to be an experience like no other, a very special week of my life spent without my twin. God would use this very unexpected turn of events to show me how very much my sister means to me and what an enormous part of my life she is.

At first it was really weird, I kept forgetting Brianna wasn't there. I thought of so many things I wanted to tell her, I'd look behind me to see if she'd noticed so and so's look-alike and then I'd think "of course she didn't because she isn't here". I kept looking around the cafeteria or auditorium to see where she was sitting and then remembered I wouldn't find her there. That part of the experience was to be expected. What caught me completely off guard was the strangest sensation I felt every time someone called my name. It was as though they were speaking to a different person, another Tasha. It's like I've always been Tasha plus Brianna, but for the first time in my life someone knew me as simply Tasha. I wasn't part of a unit, I was an individual. Brianna is such a huge part of who I am, she's my back-up, my security blanket, the one person who always understands me, and to be without her was the most profound experience of my life. God definitely knew what He was doing when He gave me a twin. Brianna brings such meaning to my life and she's played an enormous role in making me who I am...I honestly don't know how I'd survive without her. Although it was kind of fun experiencing life as an "individual" I love the comfort of being part of our little unit, it's such a gift. That's really what family is all about.

Throughout the everyday routine of life it's so easy to take family for granted. Spending an entire week without Brianna made me realize how fortunate I am to have her in my life. She's my closest friend and so perfectly suited to be my twin. We're so different yet we are of one mind and I can't describe how much I missed her during my week at Worldview. I thank God for opening my eyes to this precious gift, this beautiful blessing, my sister.

I love you B!

Quote

"Life's not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

Awaken-the meaning behind the title

The title Awaken is filled with deep meaning for me.

It symbolizes the beginning of a completely new way of life. A coming out of a passive existence into a life filled with passion for Christ. It's a beautiful sunrise and at the same time it's a convicting one.

Here's a poem of sorts I recently wrote which encapsulates much of what the word awaken means to me.

Blinded eyes to righteous fray
Mute to what we need to say
Unaware that it is day
Then the trumpet sounds Awaken!

Paralyzed we quit the race
Let the stronger keep the pace
Forget again to seek God’s face
Then the saints cry out Awaken!

Deafened ears hear not His voice
Fainted hearts make not the choice
Can’t make sense of all this noise
Then the Savior shouts Awaken!

Awaken! To the beauty of a life infused with holy passion
To the sky stained red with the blood of the innocent
To the plight of the helpless and destitute in need of an advocate
To the cry of the orphan for a father’s love
To the weeping of those who mourn
To the searching of the lost souls desperate for meaning and purpose
To join the ranks of the righteous in the battle for truth

Awaken, my Church, my Bride
Awaken, my sons, my daughters
Awaken! To the dawn of your destiny
To a new life of purity
To the light of hope casting out the darkness of despondency
Awaken! To the cry of My voice calling for reckless abandon to My ways, My heart, My mission

Awaken, oh daughter of Zion, Your Maker calls

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!

I'm so excited about having a place to share my thoughts and ideas with all of you!
My desire for this site is that it would be a place of encouragement and inspiration; An assortment of posts on various topics and events all focused on bringing Christ alone the glory and honor.
I 'm looking forward to your comments (and critiques) and hope you enjoy taking a look at the world through my eyes. = )