[inspiration l music]
question of the day: how brave are you?
If you are a reader of my blog, you know that I *love* music…contemporary Christian music to be exact. Right now I have both of the newest Nichole Nordeman CD’s in my car ("Brave" and "Woven"/Legacy) and David Phelps new "Life is a Church" CD.
And…I…am…so…excited…
We are going to Nichole’s "Brave" concert on Sunday night!!! Just happened upon something, somewhere last week that said she’ll be here in, and I of course jumped up and down like a kid saying "…we HAVE to go see her!!!"…LOL. (Quick! She’ll also be in Phoenix Friday night 11/11/05!).
Such a sweetie he is to buy us tickets…
So, for this blog entry, I’d like to share the words to her "Brave" song…after reading them, you can listen to a bit of the music on her Brave CD by going to the "launch music player" button on the left side of her site. The first song that comes on is "Brave"…and so many other awesome songs from that CD too.
The gate is wide, the road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in.
Welcome to the middle ground…
You’re safe and sound…
And until now it’s where I’ve been.
‘Cause it’s been fear that ties me down to everything.
But it’s been love, Your love, that cuts the strings.
So long "status quo", I think I just let go…
You make me want to be brave.
The way it always was,
is no longer good enough!
You make me want to be brave.
I am small and I speak when I am spoken to.
But I am willing to risk it all.
I say Your name, just Your name,
and I am ready to jump…even ready to fall.
Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?
I’ve never known a fire that didn’t begin with a flame.
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain.
But if You believe in me, that changes everything.
So long "status quo"…I think I just let go!
You make me want to be brave.
The way it always was, is no longer good enough.
You make me want to be brave.
-song lyrics by Nichole Nordeman
The first time I heard this song a few months ago, I was so inspired. So uplifted. So energized. Because I could really relate to it…being brave to "just let go" of what people think, and be more concerned with what God thinks.
It spoke to my heart in a very energetic, up-beat way that reminded me of the day I was brave enough to stand up, against the popularity of the world, and share my faith. My thoughts. The real me.
It was day I took off my mask.
It took a long time for me, but several years ago, I realized I was "hiding" my faith and only sharing it when I thought it was…appropriate.
On that day, several years ago, I decided that I wanted to be…BRAVE.
I no longer wanted the "middle ground". I was done with the "status quo" of living my life trying to be politically correct and proper in the eyes of the world.
I wanted to be brave in the sight of God.
Being brave…it’s all about:
*being brave enough to say "no" when the world around you says "yes".
*being brave enough to stand up and say "that’s not okay with God".
*being brave enough to know what you believe, and believing that it’s good enough to speak up about it.
*being brave enough to say we shouldn’t take the "under God" words out of our Pledge of Allegiance.
*being brave enough to say "in God we trust" should ALWAYS remain on our coins and bills.
*being brave enough to speak out against the things that God does not stand for.
*being brave enough to live, walk and talk like a Christian the *other* 6 days of the week. Even around your co-workers, friends, non-believers.
*being brave enough to say that virginity and purity before marriage is STILL God’s plan…He hasn’t changed His mind. It’s not outdated. Even for boys and girls, men and women. Even today.
*being brave enough to say alcohol is as dangerous as illegal drugs. being brave enough…to say no.
*being brave enough to share your soul, your beliefs, your thoughts, even in a world that may not like what you stand for, what you believe, what you think.
*being brave enough to tell your children to always choose righteousness over popularity, even when you know it will mean they may not be well received. being brave enough to stick to it even when it hurts your heart to see them being "unpopular". being brave enough to teach them to look forward to the reward at the end.
*being brave enough to speak out against the violence and the immorality that comes across the television screen into our homes…yes, the popular shows that…are…supposed to be…about reality. being brave enough to say "THAT’S NOT GOD’S REALITY NOR WHAT HE WANTS US TO BE POURING INTO OUR MINDS".
*being brave enough to speak out against the fact that our society shows too much skin. being brave enough to say "modesty" is good, right, moral. being brave enough to be different than most.
*being brave enough to stand up for what you believe. being brave enough to believe in something…or you’ll believe in nothing.
*being brave enough to turn your cheek when you’d rather…be rude back.
*being brave enough to realize that "garbage-in, garbage-out" applies to adults too. being brave enough to say "no" to immoral television programming (which is…most television programming).
*being brave enough to speak out against the immorality of our world. being brave enough to uphold God’s Word even in a seemingly godless-society.
*being brave enough to stand up, even though you might be the only one that’s standing.
*being brave enough to push the "publish" button on this blog entry.
Okay Teri – In the words of another woman on your previous post – you NEVER cease to amaze me!
Thank you so much for being brave. It is a testament that God is working in us and through us.
Funny how God works. I was a “camouflage” Christian for many, many years! Not really fitting in with my non-Christian friends OR my Christian friends! Feeling “in the middle”. Then in college after I had moved out, I somehow ended back at home with my mom. And for a year I had to drive 1 1/2 hours to work one way every day. For some reason all I listened to was Christian radio. Not music, rather teaching. Every day, three hours a day, for one year. My life was forever changed. I was in traffic, cultivating and nourishing my mind with the things of the Lord. Even though I went back home to be with my mom, the Lord, wanted me back home with him.
Since then, sure I have fallen short of God’s glory. I have failed many times. But God is always there to lift me up. To teach me. To refine me. There is an awesome reward to standing up to your faith in this world that is so against God. It is truly undescribable, isn’t it?
I think I told you this story before, but when my mom first came to know the Lord, she was asked by a friend to go “witnessing” in a park. My mom did NOT want to go! She didn’t know WHAT to say to strangers. But her friend just said, share your testimony. Share what you DO know. So reluctantly she went to this park. She walked up to a man with his daughter and said, “Do you know Jesus?” He looked at her a bit strange, said “No” and just walked away. That was it. The next day, my mom went to work and immediately when she walked in her office, people said she was “glowing” just beaming. And my mom could not stop smiling. She said she had so much JOY that she could not contain it. If she had anymore, she said, her body would literally burst. And then she knew what the joy of the Lord really was!!! She has never felt it again – but knew that God gave her a small taste of what heaven would be like because she was faithful to his call, even though she felt inadequate.
God is so good. I am so glad my mom was brave so that I could look to her to be my living example. If only I could be that to my girls. That is my hope.
To be brave.
Blessings,
Melissa.Runcie
P.S. You are so awesome! ;)
Amen to everything you just said. I couldn’t say it any better. Being brave in the present world can be a challenge…the quest is not worrying about the “good opinion” that others have about yourself, but rather wanting to seek God’s good opinion of who you are…in the end it is always between ourselves and God, not between us and the world.
We need more people like you in this earth (with your strength, determination, inspiration, courage, morals…) to make this a better place!!! Keep shinning your light for the world to see.
Maria
Teri, I’m brave enough to respond that you are an incredible woman of God, and undoubtedly an inspiration to many. Count me among them.
I’ve often commented on your blog, but today your words are so noteworthy that any comment doesn’t do them justice. I will print your entry today and keep in at hand as a reminder when I need to stand up and be brave in my own Christian journey.
Thank you for sharing today.
Ciao,
Dee
PS — Don, go give this incredible wife of yours a big hug. She merits it — and so do you!
Teri, I am so glad that I found your blog. Thank you for your willingness to put yourself out there . . . to be brave. I love the song, knew some of the words, thanks for putting all the words here so that I can get the full meaning of it. I am so convicted through your words about TV programming. I’ve let my guard down recently and we are watching things that seem okay but really aren’t. Thanks for the reminder. Again, thanks for being brave enough to take your stand here, you have certainly inspired me in more ways than one. God is truly using you.
Hugs,
Susan
Teri,
Remember when we talked about help coaching me spiritually… well at first I was hoping we would be in more contact and really grow closer and learn together more and more… when I read your blog today I have to tell you that you have done just that! You are totally right on 100% and you will be rewarded for being you and for trusting in HIM no matter what! When we look at today in the midst of eternity we should be spending more of our time building the kingdown as our time here on earth we never know when it will in fact be over and then what?? our friends and even family may not be with us when are gone… it is up to us to do our best now to live for Him and not for others… we may be the only ones who have the chance to tell or show someone His love for them. Right now is the time.. even if it is uncomfortable. Thank you for clearing things up again and for sharing so much of your heart. I love you and thank you for it! Have a great day. Hugs to you and your family! Love, Tawnya
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing! Something we struggle with too…knowing HOW and WHEN to share HIM…wanting to draw others to HIM and not scare them away!
Elizabeth
Teri-
so important to not just have beliefs, but to share them and stand up for them–what a wonderful post! And someday, your kids will thank you for your stand–probably when they have kids of their own and pass their beliefs on to them!
Love that song… I must find my cd… it seems to have disappeared when we bought the new car. Maybe it got left in the old car and is encouraging someone else to be brave. Thanks for the reminder. : )
-kelly
Teri,
I have been reading your blog for the last 2 weeks and I am so inspired by it.
You are truly an amazing woman. Although I have never met you personally I hope that someday soon I will.
Your blog could serve as a devotional for me. Everytime I read it, I find myself drawn to the Lord even more.
After the Tradigi book is complete maybe you would think about a devotional book. I would buy it.
Anyway, I know that the Lord has given you a great platform to speak His truths and to be “Brave” for Him.
Thanks again.
Christian
Have a great time! I don’t think I’ve heard the David Phelps CD – I’ll have to look into it! Our church has a bookstore so I’ll see if they have it in yet. Thanks for being BRAVE! It is an encouragement to all of us!
Man you so Rock! I heard “What If” on the way to work on Wednesday. I encounter so many people in the leadership role I am in at church, who desire to know God better, but are unwilling to let go of control. They question everything, which is good, but at some point you just gotta let go and believe. The What if song speaks to that so well. You are my inspirational hero! You write so well.
Thank You for your spirit! Reading your blog always brightens my day! I can’t believe she is going to be in Phoenix tomorrow night. I am bummed I wish I would have known sooner!!!! Have fun at the concert
wow- how crazy is this? I just led a youth Sunday morning worship service at our church last week and my topic was on “masks” and hiding behind them for fearing people would see the person that we really are.
Thanks for your thoughts- very inspiring.
Teri, once again thank you SO much for inspiring me. I couldn’t have said what you said any better. It is so good to know there are still MANY MANY good people in the word. People who have the same values and beliefs as I do. Thanks for uplifting my spirit today. :)
Also thank you so much for introducing so many new musical artist into my life. I look forward to hearing the inspirational music when I visit your blog. Can’t wait to hear more :)
Wow….you summed braveness up so well! Terri…..you are always inspiring me. I’m going to share this with my children. Thanks for being so open and being “brave” enough to hit publish!
Teri – always you inspire, always you lighten. Thank you for for being “Brave”. This is an entry I will print out and re-read again & again.