Media of the Week - In Christ Alone I Stand - Adam Young (Owl City)

I came across this song a few months ago quite by accident when I was searching for something else. I remember thinking it that I liked it. It was unexpected, not exactly what I was used to from this artist.

I'd almost forgotten the song until I ran across it again tonight. It seemed an appropriate post on this Sunday. A gentle reminder of where we should look for guidance, comfort, and strength.

"In Christ Alone"

- Owl City (Adam Young)

In Christ alone, my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm


What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My comforter, my all-in-all


Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious day


Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory


Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me


For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death


This is the power of Christ in me


From life’s first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny


No power of hell, no scheme of man


Can ever pluck me from His hand


Till He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Media of the Week - Shine Your Way - Owl City and Yuna

There are times in all of our lives when it may seem easier to hide our light under a bushel. It feels as though there is less likelihood of failure that way. And yet there is also less of a chance for growth, less ability to help or inspire others. I came across this song today and I thought that it was a great reminder for all us
to

SHINE....  

Shine Your Way

Owl City and Yuna

Just before the dawn,

When the light's still gone,

Shine, shine your way,

And you may not know, where to go,

Shine, shine your way

Open road but it's still dark,

Build a fire from a spark,

And shine, shine your way,

Feed the feeling in your heart,

Don't conceal it then you'll start,

To find, find your way

No one can stop, what has begun,

You must believe when I say

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

There's an open sky,

And a reason why,

You shine, shine your way,

There's so much to learn,

And now it's your turn,

To shine, shine your way

There's a feeling deep inside,

You can let it be your guide,

To find, find your way,

And there's no time for us to waste,

Got to take a leap of faith,

And fly, fly away

Don't have to walk,

Now you can run,

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/shine-your-way-lyrics-owl-city.html ]

Nothing can get in your way

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

Morning is breaking,

Darkness is fading,

We found a way to the light,

It's such a beautiful sight

Any time, anywhere,

Turn around and I'll be there,

To shine, shine your way

Like a star burning bright,

Lighting up the darkest night,

I'll shine, shine your way

Now I can see,

You are the one,

Sent here to show me the way

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

We're on our way,

Shine, shine, shine,

That's what we say,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

There's a reason why

You shine, shine your way

All of our tears will dry faster in the sun

Shine your way

Shooting Star - Media of the Week

There are times when we all feel discouraged and less than we know we can be.
 It is at those times that we need to remember that we all have a divine spark within us, urging us to become more than we already are, to take the beauty and majesty that dwells inside each of us and share it... 

No matter who we are...
No matter where we are...

"Shooting Star"

Owl City

Close your tired eyes, relax and then

Count from 1 to 10 and open them

All these heavy thoughts will try to weigh you down

But not this time

Way up in the air, you're finally free

And you can stay up there right next to me

All this gravity will try to pull you down

But not this time

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

Shine no matter where you are tonight

Gaze into my eyes when the fire starts

And fan the flames so hot it melts our hearts

Oh, the pouring rain will try to put it out

But not this time

Let your colors burn and brightly burst

Into a million sparks that all disperse

And illuminate a world that'll try to bring you down

But not this time

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

Shine no matter where you are tonight

A thousand heart beats beat in time

It makes this dark planet come alive

So when the lights flicker out tonight

You gotta shine

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight.

Silhouette... Life Through My Lens/Media of the Week

There are moments when an image speaks to you...
or
A song strikes you...
Lyrics capturing moments and emotions you weren't even aware were there..

Sometimes image and song combine to create a snapshot of time...

As I was listening to music and looking through photos I had taken while gathering rocks for a friend a song played....one I hadn't heard before.

I paused what I was doing and just listened.

Seeming to capture so many of the emotions of the past several months,
the melody and lyrics were hauntingly beautiful... 

Silhouette
Owl City (Adam Young)

I'm tired of waking up in tears

'Cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears

I'm new to this grief I can't explain

But I'm no stranger to the heartache and the pain

The fire I began is burning me alive

But I know better than to leave and let it die

I'm a silhouette asking every now and then

"Is it over yet? Will I ever feel again?"

I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own

But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone

So I watch the summer stars to lead me home

I'm sick of the past I can't erase

A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace

The mountain of things I still regret

Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget (no matter where I go)

The fire I began is burning me alive

But I know better than to leave and let it die

I'm a silhouette asking every now and then (now and then)

"Is it over yet? Will I ever smile again?" 

I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own

But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone

So I watch the summer stars to lead me home

'Cause I walk alone

No matter where I go

'Cause I walk alone

No matter where I go

'Cause I walk alone

No matter where I go

I'm a silhouette asking every now and then (now and then)

"Is it over yet? Will I ever love again?" 

I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own

But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone

So I watch the summer stars to lead me home

I watch the summer stars to lead me home.