Things that put a smile on my face

There are so many things in life that bring a smile to my face. But I, like most every one else, get so tied up in the often times mundane details of every day life, that I forget to smile and be happy about the simple things. Today, I took the time to write down the things that brought a smile to my face and I've decided to share. Some are silly, some are more deep, but here they are:

- It's Wednesday - which means it's hump day, which reminds me of the commercial with the camel asking "what day is it?", which makes me think of camels, which puts a smile on my face!! (I know I've mentioned the camel commercial before on the blog, but it brings me so much happiness, I decided to mention it again!!)

- Both American Idol and Duck Dynasty premiere tonight and even better they don't overlap each other which means, after church I'll be watching TV all night long - haha!!
- It's church night - I love getting a middle of the week pick-me-up, worshipping the Lord and seeing all my church family. It was a great sermon by Dad on salt and light.
- I slept an extra 5 minutes this morning (however, it was NOT on purpose!!) and still made it to work at my normal time :)
- It didn't snow last night!!! Sorry for all those who love snow, but I'm a Southern girl and like warm weather :)
- I have an AWESOME job that I love going to every day. I seriously could not ask for a better a job. I realize how extremely blessed I am even to have a job at all, but to have one in my field and one that I love with all my heart - that's a blessing that can only come from God!!
- I got all my Christmas decorations taken down and put away this past weekend - which means I don't have to worry about taking them down anymore and all my Valentine's decor is up.
- Stuart (my brother) made me dinner last night (spaghetti) which meant I didn't have to worry about what to feed myself!
- I watched Chicago Fire last night which always puts me in a good mood!
- I've had the song "Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin, which I affectionately refer to as the "Angel Armies" song, stuck in my head all day. As opposed to other songs (like jingles from TV commercials!) I don't mind having this song stuck on repeat in my brain!
- I type the date a lot during the work day and all day today I was dyslexic and kept typing 1/14/15, thereby jumping ahead a year. It made me laugh every time I did it, because you would think that after the third or fourth (or fifteenth!) time, I would have gotten it right. But logic said: "14 goes before 15" thereby having me type the wrong date all day today!
- I like the outfit I'm wearing today. I'm dressed all in gray, which normally isn't a happy inducing color, but I have a green shirt on under my gray sweater and I'm wearing my fun tights (they are striped)....so I like my outfit!!
- A rainbow showed up on my desk at work. It's just another reminder of God's promises!

- It was a full moon tonight and absolutely stunning!!
- I got to talk to my best friend, Julie on the phone. Since we live in different states, it's always awesome when I get to talk to her!!

I know the difference between happiness and joy. While most of the things above will bring me temporary happiness, I know that true joy comes from the One who gave me life to experience the happy things in. I know that happiness is fleeting and circumstantial, but joy is everlasting. May you have joy in your heart and in your soul.

Worship and Praise

I want to share with you two songs that have spoken deeply to me in last few months we have been singing them at church. They are both worship songs and ironically, they are both written by men named Matt :) The first one is "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" by Matt Redman and the second one is "Lord, I Need You" by Matt Maher. I've posted the lyrics here so you can read them, and I urge you to YouTube them to get the music in there too! I hope you get as much out of them as I do! There are particular stanzas is each song that jump out at me as my favorites.

In "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)" it's these lyrics:
"And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore"

And in "Lord, I Need You" it's these lyrics:
"Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay"


I love how the Lord can speak to us through song. I may not be the best singer in the world, but I always remember that the Lord said to make make a JOYFUL NOISE unto Him and that I can do!! :) I get both of these songs stuck in my head regularly and when this happens, I choose to think of it as God reminding me of His precious promises.

I hope that you can worship and praise the One who gave you life today. Always remember that JOY comes in the morning and may you blessed today and always.

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

____________________________________________

"Lord, I Need You"


Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You