The Power of Music

A song that has recently had a great inpact on me is one called "Time In Between" by Franchesca Battistelli. 


Her songs usually speak to me because of their meaning and passion she puts into them. This one, however, has more. It has the power to bring tears to the eyes of anyone who has no clue what's going on for two reasons: 1) It's beautiful and passionate and 2) because it shows the world's Creator being tortured in a gut-wrenching way. Here are some of the words and a link to the song you can find by clicking  here. Enjoy!

You were there when your Father said
"Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3) 
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb (Matthew 1) 
Three days in a borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:57-61) 

(Chorus One)
But it’s the time in between (Matthew 1-26) 
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me (John 3:16-21)
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

(Chorus Two)
But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all

(Chorus 3)
But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe (Acts 16:31)
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

The parts with the highlighted areas are where I looked up passages to go with these statements. There are also different ones for most, except Genesis 1. There are four gospels like John and Matthew, and there are many ways to communicate it. These are simply the ones I chose. 

~Caitlin 

Unimportant Arguments

I hate fighting with God. No matter how much I get upset about things that I think he does just to irk me, if I go to Him, and appeal to Him, he is faithful and shows me again and again that He loves me and whatever I am being stupid and sensitive about, is actually for my own good and He is being my loving protector.

Passages like 1 Timothy 2 where it talks about the purpose of a women in the church makes me so mad. Guys get so much responsibility and God works through them in a great way. But what do I get? I get to pray? Behind the scenes? I'm supposed to submit? And stay quiet when it comes to teaching?

Sometimes, I plainly do not agree with what God does. But not too long ago. Like, literally 10 minutes ago, I went to Him and told him I wasn't happy. I was upset that I wasn't being "treated right" or wasn't getting the same "responsibility" men have in the church because of a woman HE made so long ago was deceived by a fallen male angel. This may not be correct to the whole extent, but that was my argument. But God answered faster than I could cry out.

"Do you trust Me?" He asked.
"... Sometime, I actually wonder.." I admit guilty.
"What have I done for you? Who am I? How much do I love you? he kept asking and I had no answer.

Ouch...

All right. Jesus? You win. Still. Again. Always.

I do love you. Thanks for loving me too.


P.S. No that was not the whole argument. I had a LOT more to say. And so did He. But this was the crucial part.

Sovereignty Through Something Like Music

God has a way of bring me to my knees by the things I love. Music is a huge part of my life, and I love seeing God work in me through it. Today on our way home from church, All of these different songs, with very differing words filled the the car with their lyrics and overtook me, my emotions, and I felt God working, changing me. 

All these songs spoke to me. In the way the music moves and has such truth in each one. And God allowed them to be played in this order on the way back.  They all have meanings and all meant something very huge to me all at the same time. The perfect order, the perfect songs for what Jesus knew I needed today. And now I will shut up and let the words speak for themselves.  

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns 


Be careful little eyes what you see
It?s the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings


And thoughts invade, choices are made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

It?s a slow fade
It?s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattering leads to compromises
The end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises
Leave broken hearts astray


People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day




                      ~(*)~
What Do I Know of Holy? - Addison Road 


What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?


                       ~(*)~


Blessings - Laura Story 

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

What if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise

                    ~(*)~

My Savior, My God - Aaron Shust 

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

~Caitlin 

Faithfully

Four weeks ago, Nick and I started reading a book called "When God Writes Your Love Story" and we loved every minute of it, no matter how grueling it may have been to read about how we have failed. But we know that God is always faithful, even if we aren't. This song is one that the authors wrote together and sang themselves when they were much younger. They have a truly amazing story and I can't wait to start reading "When Dreams Come True" by Eric and Leslie Ludy as well. 

We love the book we read together, and will now embark on reading the next one together. Lord willing, we will get a lot of out seeing a Christ-like relationship lived out, even if our circumstances are different. 

Here are the lyrics to the song above:

Tonight I saw a shooting star
Made me wonder where you are
For years I have been dreaming of you
And I wonder if you're thinking of me too
In this world of cheap romance
And love that only fades after the dance
They say that i'm a fool to wait for something more
How can I really love someone i've never seen before
But I have longed for true love every day that I have lived
And I know that real love is all about learning how to give
So I pray that god will bring you to me
And I pray you'll find me waiting faithfully

Faithfully, I am yours
From now until forever
Faithfully, I will write
Write you a love song with my life
Cause this kind of loves worth waiting for
No matter how long it takes I am yours
Faithfully

Tonight I saw two lovers kiss
Reminded me of my own loneliness
They say that i'm a fool to keep on praying for you
How can I give up pleasure for a dream that won't come true
But I will keep believing that god still has a plan
And though I can't see you now,
I know that he can
And someday I will give you all of me
Until I find you, i'll be waiting faithfully

Faithfully, I am yours
From now until forever
Faithfully, I will write
Write you a love song with my life
Cause this kind of loves worth waiting for
No matter how long it takes I am yours
Faithfully

Embarking on New Adventures...

...alone, yet again.

Sort of. The last 18 hours has been a shocker for me. And a big one. One of my biggest fears of dating came true. And not only did it happen, but what makes it even harder, I watched it happen with my own eyes while it happened.
What a kick in the stomach, and head, and lungs, and anything else that would take your breathe away so badly you feel like throwing up and haven't eaten in 24 hours. This never happens to me. I'm kind of like a boy when it comes to food and eating, but I have felt like an emotional eater, today especially in the sense that I am not hungry. I've drunk a lot of water to fill my stomach that hurts, but it's pain. Not hunger. Maybe God wanted me to fast for a few days. Maybe. And if so, it's definitely happening because I know I won't keep anything down anyways.

Life right now, is a whirlwind of emotions, broken promises, hurt feelings, immature decisions (on both parts), heavy hearts filled with regret, and deep depression.
I haven't felt depression like this since I was 18, not sure if I would live another year.

I hear all the time that it's selfish to want Christ to come back and take all this hurt away. But I also hear that it's selfish to want to stay here so we can see our kids graduate, get married, get married ourselves? But the truth of the matter is that we are to do what the Lord commands as long as He commands it. No matter what. No questions asked.
I fail. I want to know what the purpose is for this. But then God rebukes me; I know why it's happening - for my own good.
Yesterday, before all this went down, I was sitting in church and heard a quote that I loved..not knowing yet that it pertained to me in such a vast way.

"Every trial we face is allowed by God for our ultimate good." - James MacDonald

Also, one from the week before... " If God doesn't plan to use it, He wouldn't have allowed it."

I thank my savior for the series we have been covering in church. It was a blessing without a trial. It is a stronghold with a trial.

I praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

II Corinthians 12

So This Is Love

5 Months. 

Sunday, February 12, 2012 marks five months with the love of my life. 

I love that man. 

He makes me mad. He makes me happy. He brings the best and worst out of me. 

These were the pictures we got taken right after our 4th monthiversary.  A "just for fun" couple shoot.

The closeness of these just astound me. I truly amazes me how comfortable we not only feel, but look when we are together. 

The Lord has truly blessed me in the last 11 months since I have met this wonderful person that has been allowed to be in my life. I have always wanted someone I could be myself with. I found myself when I met him. He pushes me in my relationship with my savior and loves me even though I am human and show it. God, through him, shows me grace and an unconditional love. I love him with all of my heart I have to give. 

Sunday: what an amazing day to celebrate how God brought us together! 

I love watching God work. I love being a part of His handy work. He is amazing and I am so incredibly excited to see how Christ leads the next chapter in our lives and He brings us closer together, through Him.

Photos by J<3DH Photography. 

Bringing In The New Year

2011...

Well, this has been, by FAR, the best year of my entire life.

I have:

1) Worked two jobs without getting overwhelmed or so sick that I had to quit
2) Met the guy of my dreams
3) fallen in love with this guy I’ve been waiting for my whole life
4) God called me to go to school and see my guy every day
5) I get to learn about my Jesus every day at school
6) Improved my relationships at home with parents and siblings, both
7) Become best friends with my sisters
8) Fell in love
9) Moved to Wisconsin for school
10) Started the adventure of dating my wonderful boyfriend
11) Passed ALL my classes at school
12) Learned a little more about life and people.
13) Just one more year to seeing my Lord and savior
14) Made LOTS of new friends
15) Made this year different because of a different attitude towards life
16) Rode my first roller-coaster
17) Drove 9 hours by myself
18) Added 3 more states to my "have been to's"
19)....Etc

I may not have enjoyed every single aspect of this year, but it was definitely the best year I have ever had and I can honestly say that I can not wait to see what the year 2012 brings and what the Lord brings into my life.
Starting on January 1st of 2012, I am starting a new Bible study with this amazing man of mine and we are reading the Bible in a year. Chronologically.  I am so excited to see how the Lord will use this in my life to better and further my relationship with Him and others, my prayer life, and life in general.

My new LIFE’S resolution: Love God. And love others. Live life. Love life. Be a doer and not a hearer only. But listen, as God leads.

New YEAR’S resolution:
Read the bible in a year successfully
Forget about ice cream
Stay away from corn products and corn syrup in soda’s.

Seems simple, right? Sure, but it never is. I will need my God’s grace to get through everything I encounter from now, till the end of my life.

My prayer is that I will become the woman God has called me to be - according to His excellent purpose and will for me.

I also have quite a few books on my reading list for this year.

This list includes, but is not limited to:
Radical
Radical Together
Preparing To Be  A Help Meet
Re-read: A Woman After God’s Own Heart
The Bible


I pray 2012 will bring some heat, so we may all learn. As a smart person once wrote “ No pain, no gain”.


I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33 ESV)