Random Musings

One of the greatest joys in my life right now is being Aunt Christy to some precious little ones. The song below was written for my dear friend Holly's son, Luke. I love getting to sing him to sleep. It's such a precious time for me. Last week, Luke's dad, Michael, and I took to the studio to record this song. I hope you enjoy it! If the video doesn't load below, you can view it on YouTube by clicking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BfInd4BwY

I've been thinking alot about grief lately. I think that's common during the holidays. It's been hard not to think about it. Several people I know have lost someone close to them recently. And, it's that time of year when we all become nostalgic for years gone by and remember those who are no longer here. One of my closest friends lost a friend and mentor. I've cried over the loss he and his wife feel. The tragic circumstances of his death have given me great pause. Life is so fragile. We forget that sometimes. My sister-in-law lost her Uncle J last week. He was like a Grandfather to her. As I joined her and her family in their grief, there was peace in knowing he was in a better place. And, extra joy in knowing that he was joining his beloved sister, Olga, and getting to tell her all about the great-granddaughter she had prayed for and loved before she was even conceived. My pastor's wife is saying goodbye to her mother right now. I can't even imagine a mo...

I have amazing friends. That's pretty much the story of my life. Over the years, I've been humbled and awed by the calibre of people I've been honored to call friend. They have been such blessings in my life and I'm sure I don't tell them so often enough. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" - Proverbs 27:17 I've been blessed to always have those kinds of friends in my life; the kinds of friends who sharpen, challenge, and encourage me. I spent some time catching up with one of those friends this week. True to form, she began asking me questions meant to stir up my spirit and get me thinking. As we talked, as so often happens, I began to process things out loud for the first time. I realized that I feel stuck right now. Stuck. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever looked around and wondered why you're not miles farther down the road? Or, have you felt like you just keep spinning your wheels but not making any progress?...

Those of you who know me well know that my life has been filled with turmoil this year. There has been significant strife in several of my personal relationships and in relationships that are interconnected with mine. And, again, if you know me well, you know that this is the thing I hate most: Broken Relationships. I'm exhausted. I'm confused. I'm hurt. I barely feel like this is real life. And, sometimes I'm really angry. In the last 2 months, I've become increasingly frustrated with the number of people who presume to tell me what I think. Yes, you read that right. I have had a number of people decide what it is I think and have taken action based on that assumption. It's maddening. I've had someone latch onto the last half of something I said, completely disregard the qualifier in the sentence, and decide I have a particular view that I can do nothing to change in his mind. I've had someone view my facebook posts and decide that I was being dis...

In my last post, I spent a moment expressing thanks for an amazing God who overwhelms me with His grace. But, I have so much for which to be thankful, that I felt like posting a second Thanksgiving blog. I'm thankful for being raised in a godly home. My parents protected me from so much of the world and, although it annoyed me as a teenager, I find it priceless as an adult. They've helped me preserve my options in so many ways. I'm thankful for growing up in a home where I was the only girl with two awesome brothers. It taught me many things and gave me a sense of love and protection. I'm thankful for my sister who loves me as if there is no such thing as "in-law" and for the one I will call sister in the future. I'm thankful for the miracle of life that I see everytime I see my beautiful niece. I'm thankful for her inquisitive nature. I'm thankful for her innocence. I'm thankful for her laughter and the fact that she recognizes mine. I...

Psalm 100 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to HIm and praise His name. FOr the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. It's the end of Thanksgiving week and I'm sitting on a balcony, overlooking the ocean, with my mom and her best friend. It's at the ocean that I feel the Lord's power and presence the strongest. Maybe it's because I was born near the water, or maybe it's just because this is one of the ways He chooses to speak to me. For the song set this morning, I wound up with an "ocean" theme. It wasn't intentional, but the thread was definitely there. "God of infinite worth, with hands that carved out the ocean". ...

I received an email from a friend today and he was sharing some things going on in his life. Right after I read his email, I opened to the passage for Chad's upcoming message on November 14th. I don't believe it was a coincidence or random happenstance. Here's what I wrote to my friend (and needed to hear myself). Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet f...

I've been thinking alot about how I think and how I approach questions and conversations. I am very black and white and use strict logic, in most cases, when evaluating things. I like rules; they tell you what to do and show you the boundaries. I like structure; it makes me feel safe. I like logic. But, there was a time when my default reaction was one of emotion. There was a time when I would exagerate the situation because I was angry and just wanted someone to be hurt. I've been thinking of how I made the change from that girl to one who tries to react first with logic and remove emotion from the equation. (Unfortunately, that is not always how I react, but it is my current default setting). Tonight, I realized one of the turning points for me in this journey. When I was a freshman in college, I took an upper level seminar class called "Church and State". I don't know where my advisor was when I was choosing my courses, because I was definitely in ove...

So, if you've ever stopped by this blog or maybe caught it in a facebook note, you know that I pretty much write about whatever's on my mind at any given time. Today will be no different. I've had the opportunity lately to think about the kind of person my sister, Katie, is. What's that? You didn't know I had a sister? Well, I do. Now, she's not a biological sister; the Lord didn't give me one of those. I think He knew best on that one, actually. I loved being the only girl with 2 brothers. But, when my brother Daniel (you can read my recent post about him by going here: http://christysolly.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-brother.html) got married, I gained a sister. And, I couldn't ask for a better wife for my brother. She loves him and it's absolutely clear when you see them together. That's all a sister every really wants anyway - someone who loves her brother more than she does. And Katie is fierce about the people she loves. She fights f...

At Bible study last week, Chad said something that I've heard a thousand times, but for some reason, it struck me anew and has continued to echo in my thoughts. "You were bought with a price." It's true. I am not my own. I was bought with a price. A price I could never hope to repay. Today's "My Utmost for His Highest" is also along that theme and I wanted to share it with you as I continue to chew on that simple statement: "You were bought with a price". -/\/\----------------------------------------------------------------- \ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/ --\/------------------------------------------------------------------ November 1, 2010 YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN Know ye not that . . ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1co+6:19&sr=1 There is no such things as a private life - "a world within the world" - for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship w...

I spend alot of time thinking about what it means to love like Christ. It's such a small statement, but so difficult to truly live. I wrestle with my flesh all of the time when it comes to dying to myself and truly loving others as I've been called to love them. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35 It's a command. Love one another as I have loved you. If we claim the name of Jesus, we don't have a choice about this one. As I was thinking about it this morning, I came across a really familiar verse that struck me afresh. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, alwa...

I found this collection of verses warning about anger this morning. I'm wrestling with some and needed to go to the scriptures. I thought I'd share them here. Verses warning us about anger Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil (Psalm 37:8). A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult (Proverbs 12:16). Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18). A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated (Proverbs 14:17). A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly (Proverbs 14:29). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel (Proverbs 15:18). Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than ...

I've been thinking alot about resentment, bitterness, and hatred today. Writing often helps me sort through my thoughts. I welcome any commentary on this subject. Last year, about this time, I was really wrestling with forgiving someone. It was a new struggle for me. For whatever reason, in my life, I've not had trouble letting things go or forgiving people (for the most part). Maybe it's because I have a tendency to forget why I'm supposed to be angry, or maybe I've just been fortunate to not have too many situations where forgiveness has been difficult. But, whatever the case, I found myself in a new arena for me - wrestling to forgive. As a believer in Christ and one who believes the Bible is the ultimate authority on how I should live my life, I knew that hating someone and choosing not to forgive was wrong. But, truthfully, I didn't want to let go and forgive. And, so I wrestled. I made my way to the scriptures (after some wise counsel from friends) and sta...

So, there's something pretty important that you should know. It's life changing, really. It's actually already something many of you do know, but it's easy to forget and always worth hearing again. So, since it's been on my heart and mind all day, I'm gonna tell you now. You are so loved. It's true. And, even though many of you know that you are loved by your parents, or friends, or whoever, it doesn't always feel that way, does it? That's what happens when you are loved by imperfect people. Sometimes we forget to tell people that we love them. Sometimes we fail to show it. Other times, we let it die because of something silly or something we think we should hold onto forever. But, there's a truth that gives me hope even when I feel completely unseen, unloved, and unappreciated by those around me. You ready? Here it is: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with...

I've been a big sister since just before I turned 4. When my parents brought Daniel home from the hospital, I was a little disappointed that his blanket was blue - not pink. But, that disappointment was short lived and I stepped into my role as big sister. It's a fun job. I had the opportunity to witness a milestone in the life of my brother last weekend - a milestone that highlighted the role of siblings in each other's lives. On Sunday, we had a baby dedication for Ansley Katherine in which we had the opportunity to commit to help them raise her in the ways of the Lord. It was a precious, precious time. As I stood and watched my brother sit there with his wife and little girl, I couldn't help but think of the other milestones I've witnessed in his life. I remembered when he really came to understand the power of God in his life. I was in awe of a middle school boy who boldly presented the Gospel to his friends. I remember being challenged by the way he hel...

Last night, I was thinking about relationships and how they sometimes fall apart before you even realize there is a problem. Have you ever had a friend suddenly get angry with you and then you realize it's been building for a long time and you didn't see it coming? Or, have you ever said something that you didn't know was received in the wrong way until months or years later? I've been thinking alot about that lately and last night, a passage of scripture came to mind that I had never before thought about in this context. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:13-15 Here's where I think this applies in our relationships. I think, sometimes, we get an idea planted in our head ab...

It seems I've heard alot of talk lately about how Christians aren't to judge. We are all familiar with passages like Matthew 7:1-5: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. But, is it possible there is a difference between judging someone and holding someone accountable? I believe that there is, even if that line may sometimes be quite fine. As this question was presented to me recently, I've begun looking for answers in the Scriptures. It seemed appropriate to start w...

As I was growing up, my mom’s favorite verse was Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I can remember growing to cringe everytime she responded to our questions with that verse. “Mom, can we go see this movie?” “Is it pure and lovely?” “Well, it’s PG-13, so probably not” “Then, no”. AUGH! How frustrating for a teenager! Nothing in the world is pure and lovely! Wait. Maybe that was her point. As I’ve grown up and had the opportunity to look back at my upbringing some, I realize that my mom was teaching us to be discerning about what we let into our minds and hearts. If we couldn’t apply that litmus test to the upcoming activity and come away clean, then it’s something we probably didn’t need to do. Today, as I was thinking about conflict in relationships and how sometimes we get so far down a ro...

Hello all! I'm researching some things for a project I've been writing. I'd love it if I could get some outside input for my research. I'm studying and writing about the lies we believe about ourselves, our families, our relationships, God, our situations and circumstances, etc. For instance, some of the lies I have believed in the past are: "I am an unfinished mess." "I am broken. I am not whole." "I can't do something because I am afraid." Please post your lies below. By posting comments directly on my blog at http://christysolly.blogspot.com, you may post annonymously. Feel free to post as many as you feel comfortable. These can be lies you've believed in the past or something you are believing now. Things that affect your view of yourself, of God, of others, etc. Thanks so much everyone! ****Update July 20, 2010****** Hello everyone! I'm doing my best to respond to each comment. I realize that some of you who are pos...

A friend shared this with me this morning and I'd like to re-post it here. You can see the original post at: http://www.walkintheword.com/WeeklyWalk.aspx (There's a very interesting story about Leonardo DaVinci and The Last Supper in the last 5 paragraphs) The Power of Forgiveness "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:31-32 There isn't one person reading this who hasn't been hurt by another person. Question: what are you doing with that offense? Do you hold them hostage for the injury they inflicted on you? How many hours and days have you wasted thinking, "You owe me and I'm going to make you pay?" That's a tough question on a painful topic but you have to get it settled. In order to navigate your way through relationships, you need to hold a conviction about how you...

I read this today in my email and was completely overwhelmed by the sentiment it contained. I'm still wiping away the tears and trying to catch my breath as I write to share this with you. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read it. When God Sighed by Max Lucado Two days ago I read a word in the Bible that has since taken up residence in my heart. To be honest, I didn’t quite know what to do with it. It’s only one word, and not a very big one at that. When I ran across the word, (which, by the way, is exactly what happened; I was running through the passage and this word came out of nowhere and bounced me like a speed bump) I didn’t know what to do with it. I didn’t have any hook to hang it on or category to file it under. It was an enigmatic word in an enigmatic passage. But now, forty-eight hours later, I have found a place for it, a place all its own. My, what a word it is. Don’t read it unless you don’t mind changing your mind, because this little word might move your spi...

I just listened to the song by Trace Adkins called "You're Gonna Miss This". It really struck a chord with me today for a number of reasons. Here's a link to the song if you'd like to hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0QCCNCkvzI&feature=channel In the last few years, I've thought about the theme of this song a good bit. "You're gonna miss this...you're gonna want this back". I think, sometimes, we're so focused on what's next that we miss what's right in front of us. It's exciting to look forward, but all too often, we're looking back before we know it, wondering where the time has gone. Sometimes, we're so focused on pain that we lose years with someone over something that, in the end, really never mattered. But, in those years, we miss moments we'll never get back. Life can change so quickly with loves, marriages, babies, and even death. You don't get those moments back. It breaks my heart ...

Please visit: http://www.maxlucado.com/static/email_archive/2010/07.05.html I encourage you to sign up for Max Lucado's daily emails. I often find tremendous encouragement in his words. Behind the Shower Curtain by Max Lucado I’m going to have to install a computer in my shower. That’s where I have my best thoughts. I had a great one today. I was mulling over a recent conversation I had with a disenchanted Christian brother. He was upset with me. So upset that he was considering rescinding his invitation for me to speak to his group. Seems he’d heard I was pretty open about who I have fellowship with. He’d read the words I wrote: “If God calls a person his child, shouldn’t I call him my brother?” And, “If God accepts others with their errors and misinterpretations, shouldn’t we?” He didn’t like that. “Carrying it a bit too far,” he told me. “Fences are necessary,” he explained. “Scriptures are clear on such matters.” He read me a few and then urged me to be careful to whom I gi...

Lately, there's been alot going on in my life. Some of it has been amazing while some of it has been absolutely heartbreaking. One of the amazing things is that I'm digging deeper into music and into the gifts the Lord has given me. In light of that, I've been revisiting songs I've written and updating my artist profiles. There's still much work to be done, but it's an exciting thing to get started on the journey. Today, as I was uploading songs, I came across one that I wrote for my friend, Joanna Winter before she became Joanna Grimes. As a vocalist, I've worked with a number of brides. Each wedding has had it's own personality and each bride has provided a different experience. Joanna was one of my favorites. Joanna and I have been dear friends since high school. I've watched and walked with her as she has chased after the Lord and learned to honor Him with her life. As it came time for Joanna to marry Justin, she and I began to talk abo...

Friendship has been on my mind quite a bit lately. It's difficult for me when a friendship goes south, and it's usually quite a long process. I don't give up on people. I'm a hard friend to lose. But, as that has been a journey I've had to travel lately, it's made me think about the friends who remain in my life. And, I am overwhelmed. My friends are amazing. In the last 10 years, I've shifted in my ideas of friendship. Once upon a time, it was important to me that everyone like me and that I have a ton of friends. I wore myself out trying to keep up with it all and with trying to make sure I only showed the "pretty" parts of myself. It was exhausting. I had to make a change. I knew alot of people, but few people really knew me. It's been a crazy journey. The Lord had to break through some really tough walls in my heart and show me that it's ok to be imperfect and for others to see that. As I stop and take stock of where I am ...

Philippians 2:14-16a - Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life Word of Life Free Methodist Church had it's first official service in our new building with our new name today. It's exciting to mark this new chapter in the life of what once was "The Church at Whitewater" and "Fayette Community Church". I've spent nearly the last nine years calling this body of believers my church family. It's been an amazing, and sometimes interesting, ride. I've learned so much about myself, who I am in Christ, what it means to be part of a church family, and what it means to be in ministry. At times, it's been a hard fought battle to choose obedience, but I would not trade any of it when I look back over the road I've traveled. I'm excited about what th...