worship Archives - LeeAnn G Taylor - Embracing the Mosaic Life

Finding God in the Seeking {Worship Wednesday}

February 24, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Are there days you question everything? Well, maybe not everything, but do you question whether or not you have any idea what you’re doing at this thing called life?

Oh wait, maybe that IS questioning everything…

Well, that’s me sometimes. So many questions swirl around in my head. At times the doubts become a tornado of thoughts that spin completely out of control. And I wonder.

Am I a good enough wife?

Am I a good enough parent?

Am I a good enough daughter/sister?

Am I a good enough friend/coworker?

My husband says I can be overly critical of myself. In reflecting on his observation, I’m learning I have a tendency to set expectations that are too high for myself. I doubt my own ability to become the best version of myself I’ve created in my mind. I forget on a regular basis to give myself grace.

In reality, I think what’s really happening is I’m trying to rely on myself.

In the past I’ve felt that somehow I should have already “arrived” at the strong relationship with God I’m seeking. I should already know the perfect thing to say to my 2 year old in the middle of the fifth tantrum of the day that will point him to Jesus. I should already know how to be the thoughtful and generous friend I desire to be. I should already have the perfect morning quiet time I’ve imagined a hundred times in my head.

I should, I should, I should.

All the expectations I have of myself can be crippling!

I know dwelling on “shoulds” and my own doubts is not particularly beneficial nor productive. Instead of focusing on the destination (the “I’ve arrived!” moments), I’m learning to find God in the seeking.

Sometimes we find God where we least expect him, in the middle of our seeking.

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And so, instead of looking toward myself for the answers when I feel like I just don’t measure up to my own unattainable standards, I’m looking to the Truth instead.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:13

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ~ Matthew 7:7-12

I read these words and my soul feels a little more rest, just a little more at peace. The answer is right in front of me. I just need to know Him.

I’m learning that it’s a process. I need to keep on asking and seeking before I will find what I’m looking for.

And as I continue to feast on the bread of Truth, I will find Him in the seeking.

It is my prayer for you that you too find God in the seeking. I pray that together we learn to lay down our self-reliant, self-sufficient mindsets and remember who gives us life and breath to begin with. May today’s Worship Wednesday song remind us of how desperately we all need Him.

Oh How I Need You

Lord I find You in the seeking
Lord I find You in the doubt
And to know You is to love You
And to know so little else

I need You
Oh how I need You
Oh how I need You
Oh how I need You

Lord I find You in the morning
Lord I seek You everyday
Let my life be for Your glory
Woven in your threads of grace

Light glorious light
I will go where You shine
Break the dawn
Crack the skies
Make the way bright before me

Performed by All Sons and Daughters.

Parenting With Purpose: Day 13 – Memorize Scripture Using Music {Giveaway}

October 16, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Be sure to read all the way to the end for an INCREDIBLE giveaway you won’t want to miss!

Looking for more ideas and resources for Parenting With Purpose as you create a God-centered home? You can find the whole series here.

It’s Sunday afternoon and I realize we’re going to be late (again) to our discipleship group. I grab the diaper bag, just hoping it actually has diapers in it, and shoes for the still groggy kids I just roused out of their Sunday afternoon naps.

It’s an act of will and a healthy portion of God’s grace that helps me maintain my composure instead of giving in to the rising frustration I feel in these rushed moments headed out the door. Finally, the kids are safely strapped in their carseats and I’ve verified that we do, indeed, have two sets of matching shoes and a diaper bag stocked with wipes and at least two diapers.

I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful for the 10 minutes of relative peace in the van I will have before joining our group as we discuss whatever deep meanings we’ve gleaned from the text this week in our “read through the New Testament in a year” plan.

I turn the key and the CD player, left on from our last excursion around town, quickly spurts out a tune.

Remembering my husband was the last one to drive the van, I’m fully prepared to hear lyrics from Jimmy Buffett’s Cheeseburger in Paradise, since my daughter has taken a liking to the tribute song to all things beef and toppings.

Instead, I hear these words floating through the speakers…

Call to me, and I will answer you

And tell you, great and unsearchable things, you do not know

Call to me, Jeremiah 33:3

My soul, previously anxious and frustrated by all the rushing, in a moment’s time calms. I am almost instantly transformed from a momma caught up in the whirlwind of our schedule into a momma remembering who I need to be calling on in the challenging times.

Music and Mood

As parents, we aren’t particularly effective at creating warm, happy memories with our children when we’re stressed, anxious, and in “whirlwind” mode.

When we’re trying to cultivate a God-centered home on top of the warm, happy memories in the middle of the stress? Well, sometimes we just need something to “reset” our minds and hearts.

For our family, we’ve discovered the easiest way to quickly change everyone’s mood and turn our hearts back to God. It’s MUSIC!

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that music can significantly affect our mood.

While we all can turn on the Happy Song and change our family’s mood in a minute, one simple way to change your family’s mood AND direct their hearts to God is listening to music that focuses on God’s truths.

Music and Memorizing God’s Truths

My swift attitude change in the car that Sunday afternoon wasn’t a product merely of a catchy tune changing my mood from sour to sweet. Instead, it was the words of TRUTH spoken into my heart that changed me that day.

I’m a firm believer in the importance of daily remembering and reflecting on God’s truths. In this series we’ve talked about the value of having God’s word in your home.

For me personally, that often means investing in my morning quiet time.

For my kids, since they’re so young and the oldest is just learning to read, this means scripture memorization. While my husband and I have worked with our daughter to memorize a few scriptures and I’m now using tools like printable lunchbox scripture cards to reinforce them, I love that we’ve found a gem of a tool to plant seeds into our children’s hearts through music.

Seeds Family Worship

I’m thrilled to share with you our favorite resource for hiding God’s word in my children’s hearts using music – Seeds Family Worship.

Seeds Family Worship is a music-based ministry that creates modern, relevant word for word scripture songs for families. I absolutely LOVE that my kids are singing their way to memorizing scripture.

Music creates a connection between the mind and the heart and I fully believe these songs they’re learning now will translate into God’s truths being deeply planted in their hearts.

I love this testimonial I found on the Seeds Family Worship website about their newest album, Word of God. It speaks volumes about the power of these songs and reinforces the fact that both kids AND adults love this music!

The musical diversity, energy, and synergy they have going on this album is unmatched in my opinion. My appreciation for it only grows with each listen. My heart is drawn to the heart of God and his Word more and more through these songs.” ~ Rachel

4 Ways to Listen to Seeds Family Worship Music

We all consume music differently, so I wanted to share a few options for ways to listen to Seeds Family Worship music in your home or on the go!

1) Order the CDs or download the mp3 files.

You can order all the CDs on Amazon. This is especially great if you have Amazon Prime since you get free shipping. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can get a free trial with 30 days of free shipping.

Order them directly from the Seeds Family Worship Store.

2) Download many of the digital music files for free!

For those of you who use Amazon Prime like me, I’ve recently found out about a program called Prime Music. Prime Music gives you unlimited, ad-free access to over a million songs and hundreds of playlists.

There are almost 100 digital music files from Seeds Family Worship on Amazon Prime Music – here is the list of the 60 songs available for FREE!

3) Create a Seeds Family Worship playlist on Spotify.

I’m new to Spotify as a way to listen to music and maybe you are too. Most people are familiar with Pandora and Spotify works in much the same way. Choose your favorite music and create a playlist or listen to one already created. The service is free although there is a Premium service available as well. This is a great way to play music using your phone, tablet, or computer.

4) If you are really strapped for cash and aren’t able to purchase the CDs or MP3 files, there is still an option for you!

The Seeds Family Worship team has made many full length songs available directly on their website. The newest album won’t be available to listen to online until November 16, 2014, but you can still get a feel for the music by listening to the other albums.

The Heart Behind the Seeds Family Worship Team

One thing I love about Seeds Family Worship is their heart behind everything they do.

From their website:

[We created this music] to especially bless and encourage everyone, young and old to plant God’s Word deep within our hearts so we can genuinely proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord! We believe that no other book is “living and active, sharper than any two edge sword” given by God to instruct us and speak into our very own lives as nothing else can.

Everything they do centers around planting God’s word in people’s hearts and impressing God’s truths on their lives. As such, they include two awesome bonuses with their music.

Planting God’s Word – Buy 1 – Give 1:

When you purchase any Seeds Family Worship album, you will receive two identical full-length CDs. One album is for you and one is to give away.

They want you to be a ‘seed planter’ and encourage you to pray about who God wants you to share the second album with.

Scripture Memory Cards

If your children are old enough to read, you will love this bonus.

FREE Scripture Memory Cards are available on their site to go along with each of the albums. You can print them out on colored card stock and keep copies around in your home or in your car to reinforce the memorization process.

Enter to Win All 9 of the Seeds Family Worship Albums

Remember how I mentioned I love the heart of the Seeds Family Worship team? I wasn’t kidding! They are incredibly generous and have offered The Mosaic Life readers a chance to win the entire set of 9 Seeds Family Worship CDs. Remember, each one comes with an extra copy for you to give away, so you’re really winning two copies of each CD.

Click on the Rafflecopter widgit below to enter. Email subscribers may need to click over to the blog to enter.

There are lots of ways to enter and you’ll get extra entries for sharing the giveaway with your friends!

Giveaway runs from Thursday, October 16 – Monday, October 20th.

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This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}. Sharing today with Fellowship Friday, Faith Filled Friday, and Essential Fridays.

A Reflection on Rest & Recreation – Psalm 62

August 6, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This week I’m away with my extended family for rest and recreation.

I’m in the middle of reading the book Simplify by Bill Hybels and he shares a perspective on recreation that I just love.

Recreation is a time to re-create energy in your life. If what you consider to be “recreation” is draining your energy instead of adding value and energy to your life, you may want to reconsider your choices of entertainment and recreation.

Note: I received a review copy from Tyndale House Publishers. The book doesn’t release until August 19th, but already I’d highly recommend pre-ordering it. He shares 10 practices to unclutter your soul and so far it’s fabulous! He shares wisdom from years of experience and gives practical suggestions for real life change. This is my kind of book for sure!

reflection on rest and relaxation - lake

photo credit: mclcbooks via photopin cc

So…as I pursue re-creation of energy in our lives, we’ll be sharing some time together as a family at the lake, taking the kids (5 kids ages 5 and under!) to the pool, trying out our hand at fishing and boating, playing lots of Ticket to Ride, reading, and just enjoying one another’s company.

My sister lives in Nashville (a 7 hour drive with no potty breaks), so my kids are thrilled at the opportunity to spend quality time with their cousins.

And my sister? Well she’s the best a gal could ever ask for so I’m pretty pumped about spending a week with her too!

As the summer winds down, I’d encourage you to take some time to reflect on how you can incorporate regular times of rest and recreation in your life. For Worship Wednesday, center your heart on this message and allow your soul to find rest in the security of our salvation.

My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation. And I will not be shaken.

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If you’re reading in an email or reader, click over to the blog to view today’s Worship Wednesday video and allow your soul to breathe.

Aaron Keyes – Psalm 62

My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation

A fortress strong against my foes and I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to Him who hears me

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

Find rest, my soul, in God alone amid the world’s temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold I’ll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go, don’t set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow are harvested in heaven

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

I’ll set my gaze on God alone and trust in Him completely
With every day pour out my soul and He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath, a sigh too brief to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death and I am His forever

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God
O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

O praise Him, O praise Him, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Note, this post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, our family receives a small percentage of your sale (at no cost to you). We’re in the middle of radically trusting God in our finances, and every little bit helps toward our goal of financial freedom so we can faithfully follow God’s lead in our lives. Thanks for your support!

When God Wakes You Up: A New Approach to Mornings

July 30, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

photo credit: demandaj via photopin cc

I’m not a morning person. As a teenager, my mom had a terrible time getting me out of bed. Even after Chuck and I got married, there were times when he literally had to pull me out of bed in the mornings. What can I say? I like my comfy bed!

Even now, my night owl self can stay up until the wee hours of the morning to get things done.

photo credit: Fosforix via photopin cc

There was a point a few years ago though that I realized I was missing out on an opportunity for the most productive time of the day – the morning!

It is no surprise that this realization came right around the time I had settled into a routine with baby #2. Staying up late at night was no longer a viable option when I was getting up multiple times a night to nurse and comfort a hungry baby.

The hour before both kids woke up was often my only distraction-free time during the day.

photo credit: Matthieu Luna via photopin cc

At the same time, I realized in order to stay connected to God and continue to build my relationship with Him, I needed focused time in the Word. In my current situation, that was happening sporadically at best.

That’s when I found Hello Mornings. Kat Lee (most wonderful encourager of moms!) from Inspired to Action published a free e-book called Maximize Your Mornings. After a quick download and review of the book, I realized I’d found something that might work for me.

photo credit: marfis75 via photopin cc

Sometimes we want something to change in our lives but we don’t take the needed steps to make the change happen.

After years of telling myself I just wasn’t a morning person, I changed my approach and started praying for God to wake me up in the mornings. I joined an accountability group through Hello Mornings, set out my Bible and journal each night, and set my alarm.

You know what happened? God woke me up!

When I purposed in my heart to draw closer to Him, He was faithful and woke me up.

When we purpose in your hearts to draw closer to God, He will wake us up!

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His word is true:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a

Today, I challenge you to start drawing near to God and make a decision about the time you intentionally set aside for growing your relationship with Him.

If you need a new approach to your mornings, try these steps:

1. Download the FREE Maximize Your Mornings ebook. Kat walks you through the steps of a morning routine in a grace-filled way that will set you up on a path to success.

2. Pray for God to wake you up! See Matthew 7:7.

3. Join a Hello Mornings accountability group. Registration for the next 6-week session starts August 4th and the official start of the session is August 11. Groups check in with each other in a variety of ways – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There’s a community for everyone!

If you have questions about my morning routine or Hello Mornings, feel free to email me at contact (at) leeanngtaylor (dot) com.

And for today’s Worship Wednesday, I’ll leave you with the song that God woke me up with THIS morning! And a fun fact…in college, I was in a multi-cultural (but traditionally black-gospel style) gospel choir called Voices of Praise. This was one of the songs we sang on tour.

Today, I pray that God wakes you up! Remember His love never changes and He never fails!

If you’re reading in an email or blog feed reader, click here to see the video.

Hezekiah Walker – Wonderful is Your Name

All of my life I’ve never known You to fail
You remain the same and wonderful is Your name

You woke me up this morning
And You started me on my way
You put food on my table
You brought joy to my day

I’m glad Your love has never changed
And wonderful
And wonderful
And wonderful, wonderful is Your name.

Sharing today with Meredith at Woman 2 Woman, Saturday Linky Love, and Faith Along the Way.

Digging Deep Roots & Living in the Light {Worship Wednesday}

July 23, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Sometimes we forget.

Not the kind of forget where you head to the grocery store without a list (again) and run in for a couple of things but forget the milk…even though your 5 year old reminded you that she doesn’t like to eat dry cereal and mommy, would you please please please get milk.

No, not that kind of forget.

The kind of forget where we live out life separate from what’s true. Where our reality and our perspective totally and completely misses the mark of the truth.

And the result? We end up grasping for the light and living instead in the darkness.

photo credit: and12ey via photopin cc

Sometimes it happens only for a moment and our minds swirl with untruths that scatter our thoughts and erupt into frustration or outright anger. Other times, well, we live life like the truth doesn’t exist at all.

And friends, living life outside of God’s truth, outside His protective covering, well it surely doesn’t make for a joy-filled life.

And yet we try to figure out life on our own, seeking solutions in the next self-help book on Amazon or our friends on Facebook or the magazine on the rack in the grocery store checkout line.

But what if the solution to our longing is right in front of us?

Proverbs 119 tells us to hide God’s word in our hearts and when we do, His word will lead us into truth.

So today, dear friend, I’m sharing some truth as we seek to plant deep roots in God’s word so our lives will be lived out in the light of His truth instead of the shadows of the darkness.

“LORD, there is no one like you!

For you are great, and your name is full of power.”

Jeremiah 10:6

And so, we read truth. Take a moment to soak it in.

It’s God who is great. It’s God who has the power in our lives. There is no one like Him. There is no need to seek power and truth in other places. It He who teaches us, corrects us, and guides us into truth.

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Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. #WorshipWednesday

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Today for Worship Wednesday, reflect on the words of God’s power in your life. Let the words and the music wash over your soul to remind you of truth you may have forgotten along the way.

If you’re reading in an email or reader, you may need to click over to the blog to view the video.

Great Are You Lord from All Sons and Daughters {LIVE}

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

Do you have a song of worship that’s speaking to you right now? Share in the comments and it might show up on another edition of Worship Wednesday. (A special thank you to Karrilee for suggesting this song.)

For today, let’s pour out our praise to the One who brings light to our darkness, restores our broken pieces, and gives hope in the middle of our hopelessness. Great are you, Lord!

Worship Wednesday – Fall Afresh

July 9, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

It happens to all of us. And maybe to some of us more often than others.

This season of wandering, floundering, seeking, and wondering.

A dry season of our soul.

photo credit: Corey Holms via photopin cc

A time where we walk through life not sure how to connect with the God who created us, even after years of knowing and loving Him.

Am I alone?

When nothing else speaks to me during the dry time, music will. Worship in the form of powerful lyrics combined with a soul-stirring melody is the catalyst I need to awaken my dry, empty soul.

And so tonight I share. I share a song of worship that’s speaking to my soul, pulling me out of the desert and into life giving waters again.

I pray it is a blessing to you and that God’s Spirit falls afresh on your heart, waking you from your soul’s sleep as I’m awakening from mine.

photo credit: Tom Haymes via photopin cc

If you’re reading in an email or reader, you may need to click over to the blog to view the video.

Fall Afresh by Bethel Music (featuring Jeremy Riddle)

Awaken my soul, come awake
To hunger, to seek, to thirst
Awaken first love, come awake
And do as you did, at first

Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me
Come wake me from my sleep
Blow through the caverns of my soul, pour in me to overflow
To overflow

Awaken my soul, come awake
To worship with all your strength

Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me
Come wake me from my sleep
Blow through the caverns of my soul, pour in me to overflow

Come and fill this place
Let Your glory now invade
Spirit come and fill this place
Let Your glory now invade

Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me
Come wake me from my sleep
Blow through the caverns of my soul, pour in me to overflow
To overflow

Do you have a song of worship that’s speaking to you right now? Share in the comments and it might show up on another edition of Worship Wednesday. Thank you all for sharing this journey with me, dry season and all.