I’ve got another great song for you today.  Another mellow one, but it’s so good!  I just love Katy Nichole.  I found her album “Jesus Changed My Life” several months ago and I think I added every one of the songs on that album to my playlist.  I’m sure I’ll be sharing more in the future.
 
Verse one feels like a things-are-fine kind of verse…you wake up, and get going with your day…and you know where to find love and truth – Jesus.
 
Verse two feels to be addressing fears and chaos…and you know where to find comfort and rest – Jesus.
 
He knows us personally, He knows our name and there are a million reasons to turn to Him.
 
And for those of you who grew up in church, or just love old hymns (or both, Mother J), you’ll love the bridge in the middle. 

Enjoy! 

John 15:4-8 (The Message Version)“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.”

​This one came up out of the blue recently.  It’s from 2015 (which is why she looks so stinkin’ young – ha!) and from one of my favorite artists – who happens to also be a Louisianian.  I’ve not heard a song of hers I don’t love.  But here’s an oldie but a goodie – a reminder of trust in all things, higher plans and His will over ours. 
 
Isaiah 55:8-9 (New International Version)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
 
Psalm 143:9-11 (New International Version)
“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.”
 
Matthew 26:42 (New Life Version)
“He went away again the second time. He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this must happen to Me, may whatever You want be done.””
 
“When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move, When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through, When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You, I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You.”
 
Have a great weekend!

I knew I wanted to share this song with you today, but I had not yet written why I wanted to. When I looked the song up on YouTube to post a link to it, this is the version that showed up as the “official music video.” At the beginning is about a minute and a half of a story told by the Singer/Songwriter, Micah Tyler. While that’s not my exact story, I do believe it’s a message for all of us. It’s a great reminder that Jesus didn’t come to this earth to obey us. He didn’t give His life to to change our circumstances based on our emotions or desires, even if those emotions and desires come from good motives. He came as a King - and He gives us a choice to obey Him. He came as a Savior to change our circumstances based on His story and His plan - one of reconciliation and restoration and redemption. And it’s our choice to follow Him and seek out that plan.

“Jesus can you just change these things? … Can you stop the storms? … And I’m finding out that sometimes the best question is not Jesus can you change these things around me, but instead God can you change me so that I can handle the things that you’re walking me through? … I know that He IS changing me, and THAT it making all the difference.” - Micah Tyler

God, please continue shape us into the people You designed us to be. Please give us ears to hear your voice. Give us eyes to see others the way you do and courage to do as you say. Please change us as needed so we can better handle the things you are walking us through today. Help us be more like you, today.   


ROMANS 12:2 (New International Version)
​Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.