So, this one I wrote just because...well, why not? Today is just as good as any day
to praise the Lord! And indeed, this all His work. Definitely not mine because, usually, songwriting doesn't come this easy to me. But, in our weaknesses, God is strong, and today He must have wanted me to write Him a song, so He gave me the words. It's as simple as that, guys. If God wants us to do something we know we fall short on, He will guide our words and actions so that He will be glorified and we will succeed.
This number is very slow- almost like a hymn. The ideas presented are simple...and yet I hope they embrace the broadness of our God's glory. I also believe that, as Christians, simple awe as the point at which we should always be, for God requires nothing other of us in worship than to come before Him as we are.
Here is the song:
There’s a calm, sweet surrender,
At the break of day.
Dark skies are torn asunder,
With dawn’s first ray.
And I,
Can only wonder,
Chorus
Why You gave it all,
To me.
Clothed in majesty?
To think Your greatness far succeeds,
Everything the eye can see!
Oh, You are great,
My Lord and God.
There’s a great, brand-new promise,
Upon my every waking hour.
Because Your forgiveness,
Astounds me in its power.
So let me wondering be.
Chorus
And with the twilight of the old day,
Not yet wakened ‘pon the new.
I find another reason,
My wonderings to renew.
Chorus
Oh, You are great,
My God.
Oh, You are great,
My God.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Introspect- My First Nonfiction Work
The public is basically unaware of a potent yet oftentimes missing ingredient in the world of teenage factual literature. This market is strewn with would-be bestsellers written by adults who get what it's like because they've "been there". While doubtlessly any person who has grown and matured past the age twenty can truthfully say they have been through the teenage years, it does not exempt them from the question whether or not they recall it clearly enough to properly present it to the younger generation.
Above, I labeled books by such individuals as would-be bestsellers. Why do I coin this perhaps cliche term in relation to the inadequacy of their comprehension of the true subject matter? The answer is simple. It's that teens will be able to tell whether or notthe author understands what they are writing upon the same level as they do themselves. Frustrated, then, the reader is more apt to discard the book with disgust than apply the virtues to his or her life. After all, teens aren't generally expected to obey adults in the ordinary world, so why should they be expected to do so in respect with their reading?
The need for teenage authors is evident, and upon that basis I begin my first work of nonfiction, Introspect: a Look at the Inner You and Who You Were Made to Be. Introspect will be a Godly, Christian view on the inner qualities of a God-honoring, successful teen. I plan on writing it for a an audience ages 13-19, the majority of which will be Christians, but it will not be exclusive to non-Christians. It will work through issues such as confidence, inner beauty (and, for guys, the superiority of inner beauty over outer beauty), being right with God, purity,what God really says about the teenage years, diligence and hard work, the pursuit of dreams, etc.
I am extremely excited to embark on this newfound adventure God is laying before me. Being a teen myself, I have lots of questions that I often mull over in my room. Through the reading of my Bible, other books, and my own reflections on life, I have developed what I trust are considerably sound answers. With God guiding my hands, I hope to present these questions along with their answers to my peers, who, perhaps for the first time, are experiencing the same things I am.
Above, I labeled books by such individuals as would-be bestsellers. Why do I coin this perhaps cliche term in relation to the inadequacy of their comprehension of the true subject matter? The answer is simple. It's that teens will be able to tell whether or notthe author understands what they are writing upon the same level as they do themselves. Frustrated, then, the reader is more apt to discard the book with disgust than apply the virtues to his or her life. After all, teens aren't generally expected to obey adults in the ordinary world, so why should they be expected to do so in respect with their reading?
The need for teenage authors is evident, and upon that basis I begin my first work of nonfiction, Introspect: a Look at the Inner You and Who You Were Made to Be. Introspect will be a Godly, Christian view on the inner qualities of a God-honoring, successful teen. I plan on writing it for a an audience ages 13-19, the majority of which will be Christians, but it will not be exclusive to non-Christians. It will work through issues such as confidence, inner beauty (and, for guys, the superiority of inner beauty over outer beauty), being right with God, purity,what God really says about the teenage years, diligence and hard work, the pursuit of dreams, etc.
I am extremely excited to embark on this newfound adventure God is laying before me. Being a teen myself, I have lots of questions that I often mull over in my room. Through the reading of my Bible, other books, and my own reflections on life, I have developed what I trust are considerably sound answers. With God guiding my hands, I hope to present these questions along with their answers to my peers, who, perhaps for the first time, are experiencing the same things I am.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Star Spangled
Eight years ago today, one of the most barbarous atrocities commited upon American soil shattered our world. It left us grieving, bereft of the citizens we will never regain. Some of us lost loved ones- others showed a universal love by shouldering the weight of each other's sorrow. For the weeks, months, and years to come, we recalled the first blood shed from those front-line soldier- the unmerited warriors of freedom- who were not so by choice, but rather just everyday people who happened to be there. It could've been you, and it could've been me.
But it wasn't. God allows nothing to occur by accident. Even the devil has to ask His permission before setting out on his missions. We might never know why so many had to die that day, but we do know this: that God opted to let us live for a reason. With every passing second we linger upon this earth, we may rest assured that He has laid a path before us; we are not finished here yet, and He won't take us to be with Him until we are. Please, keep that in mind as you pray for the victims of 9/11 today. Pray also for yourself, that God will show you His will in your life, for, just as those innocent people arose that dark morning with no premonition of their fate, so we as well, have no idea whether or not this our last day, hour, or even breath.
The cataclysmic events of 9/11/01 catalyzed a comparatively dark lapse of time as compared to the last few decades. Within a day, President George W. Bush officially declared to the world what had been crying out of our hearts- war. And here we are today, still sitting the ruins of a war that has proved catastrophic indeed.
Since 9/11, many have argued hotly against the battles occuring overseas, saying it was too much of a loss. Others still fervently defend it, because, even though they agree upon its monstrous severity, they deem it necessary that terrorism is confined.
Whichever side you happen to take, however, I think I can rightfully say that we all look upon 9/11 as a day that should've never happened. We all feel various degrees of sadness, pity...and, yes, a tinge of patriotism and perhaps even wounded pride. In commemoration of that bitter day, I made an album that I think sums up ever Christian's view on the past eight years of our history. The song selections begin with a reminiscience upon the above stated events, and move through melodies which dramatize sorrow that has stung so many. And, finally, through it all, we pick our tattered flag, set our eyes to heaven, and, knowing everything's in God's hands, loudly proclaim, "In God We Still Trust."
Where Were You (Alan Jackson)
If You're Reading This (Tim McGraw)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
In God We Still Trust (Diamond Rio)
I have named the album Star Spangled.
But it wasn't. God allows nothing to occur by accident. Even the devil has to ask His permission before setting out on his missions. We might never know why so many had to die that day, but we do know this: that God opted to let us live for a reason. With every passing second we linger upon this earth, we may rest assured that He has laid a path before us; we are not finished here yet, and He won't take us to be with Him until we are. Please, keep that in mind as you pray for the victims of 9/11 today. Pray also for yourself, that God will show you His will in your life, for, just as those innocent people arose that dark morning with no premonition of their fate, so we as well, have no idea whether or not this our last day, hour, or even breath.
The cataclysmic events of 9/11/01 catalyzed a comparatively dark lapse of time as compared to the last few decades. Within a day, President George W. Bush officially declared to the world what had been crying out of our hearts- war. And here we are today, still sitting the ruins of a war that has proved catastrophic indeed.
Since 9/11, many have argued hotly against the battles occuring overseas, saying it was too much of a loss. Others still fervently defend it, because, even though they agree upon its monstrous severity, they deem it necessary that terrorism is confined.
Whichever side you happen to take, however, I think I can rightfully say that we all look upon 9/11 as a day that should've never happened. We all feel various degrees of sadness, pity...and, yes, a tinge of patriotism and perhaps even wounded pride. In commemoration of that bitter day, I made an album that I think sums up ever Christian's view on the past eight years of our history. The song selections begin with a reminiscience upon the above stated events, and move through melodies which dramatize sorrow that has stung so many. And, finally, through it all, we pick our tattered flag, set our eyes to heaven, and, knowing everything's in God's hands, loudly proclaim, "In God We Still Trust."
Where Were You (Alan Jackson)
If You're Reading This (Tim McGraw)
Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)
In God We Still Trust (Diamond Rio)
I have named the album Star Spangled.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 17, June 22nd, 2009
I forgot to tell you about something funny that happened last night. Well, yesterday, we decided we had exhausted our de-chocolatized diet and so boldly set out in search of the creamy, hard delicacy. We were standing outside of a store when a car honked, summoning us to turn our heads. With the window rolled down, a young man held his cell phone up and snapped our photo as he whizzed by!
This morning, we had approximately 2 hours between breakfast and when we loaded up the van to go swimming, during which we perused some stores. I bought Brant a machete, and we visited the Roman Catholic church, where people were burning incense and kneeling in the dark interior, beseeching the spirit of a saint or ancestor. It was a sad sight to behold- people so deceived they thought they had to do this- thoguht they must seek the favor of the deceased souls in order to secure ease in this life or the next. Couldn't they see the statue of the Savior before them? Wasn't the answer in sight?
I stood there, awed by Satan's success in this place. Masquerading as the Lamb, he devours daily those souls as they bend their knees in what they think is Christianity. I had always heard of ancestor worship, but never before had I confronted it firsthand, standing helplessly on the sidelines with a vast language between me and these lost sheep. Suddenly, God opened my eyes to a gaping need- a need to reveal this deception for what it is and the presentation of the Good News.
The van finally picked us up, and we made our way up the mountain to a remotelocation where there was a pool right on the mountainside. A house was right next to it, as was a pavilion with plastic tables, a hammock, and Christmas lights. Laura tried plugging the cord in, but immediately pulled it out when she heard a static sound. However, when she inserted it into another outlset, we found that we heard not static, but a small music player rigged to play Christmas carols when the lights were plugged in!
The water was very frigid, and only a handful of us were brave enough to actually go in. Literally, Kris-Ann could not stop chattering forever and Adriana dove in and was like, "Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh!" Eventually, our bodies adjusted to the temperature change and we managed a few games such as Knot and Marco Polo. A couple of us got burned, but it was really fun1
Back at the church in San Miguel, Arvid sat us down at 4:30 and conversed with us about what we'd learned on the trip. Many people brought up great lessons aobut dealing with pride, lesser-possessions, etc. But Rachel really hit the nail on the head for me when she said that depending on God was her biggest lesson. She gave a few examples, like when Abby got dehydrated in Stiquisislaj (sticky-SEE-slah), a village in which some of us stayed.
"I'll admit, I was scared," she says. "I was really scared. I had no idea if she needed serious attention or how we'd get it or anything."
Fortunately, God put it on their hearts to pray and Abby got better soon after that. Also, Rachel related something I totally agree with- trusting God on those twisty, turvy, unpaved roads where there's sometimes not even an inch between you and death.
Also, God has shown me what little others have, and how much I can do without (I went days without a shower because water availability was sporadic). It really shocks me now as I think of our culture- so upscale seems even gas stations and roads and cars. We live in a world where stuff defines success- they live in a world where success defines itself. For many Central American families, this might be as simplistic as putting food on the table. I think plunging from one to the next with only a four hour plane ride in between might be a little difficult. I pray I will soon get over it, but not forget this lesson.
Today, my primary thought is that I would like to be a more faithful Christian. I want God to teach me to depend completely on Him for everything, and to follow His lead for the rest of my life.
In Christ,
Brittany Goodrich
This morning, we had approximately 2 hours between breakfast and when we loaded up the van to go swimming, during which we perused some stores. I bought Brant a machete, and we visited the Roman Catholic church, where people were burning incense and kneeling in the dark interior, beseeching the spirit of a saint or ancestor. It was a sad sight to behold- people so deceived they thought they had to do this- thoguht they must seek the favor of the deceased souls in order to secure ease in this life or the next. Couldn't they see the statue of the Savior before them? Wasn't the answer in sight?
I stood there, awed by Satan's success in this place. Masquerading as the Lamb, he devours daily those souls as they bend their knees in what they think is Christianity. I had always heard of ancestor worship, but never before had I confronted it firsthand, standing helplessly on the sidelines with a vast language between me and these lost sheep. Suddenly, God opened my eyes to a gaping need- a need to reveal this deception for what it is and the presentation of the Good News.
The van finally picked us up, and we made our way up the mountain to a remotelocation where there was a pool right on the mountainside. A house was right next to it, as was a pavilion with plastic tables, a hammock, and Christmas lights. Laura tried plugging the cord in, but immediately pulled it out when she heard a static sound. However, when she inserted it into another outlset, we found that we heard not static, but a small music player rigged to play Christmas carols when the lights were plugged in!
The water was very frigid, and only a handful of us were brave enough to actually go in. Literally, Kris-Ann could not stop chattering forever and Adriana dove in and was like, "Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh!" Eventually, our bodies adjusted to the temperature change and we managed a few games such as Knot and Marco Polo. A couple of us got burned, but it was really fun1
Back at the church in San Miguel, Arvid sat us down at 4:30 and conversed with us about what we'd learned on the trip. Many people brought up great lessons aobut dealing with pride, lesser-possessions, etc. But Rachel really hit the nail on the head for me when she said that depending on God was her biggest lesson. She gave a few examples, like when Abby got dehydrated in Stiquisislaj (sticky-SEE-slah), a village in which some of us stayed.
"I'll admit, I was scared," she says. "I was really scared. I had no idea if she needed serious attention or how we'd get it or anything."
Fortunately, God put it on their hearts to pray and Abby got better soon after that. Also, Rachel related something I totally agree with- trusting God on those twisty, turvy, unpaved roads where there's sometimes not even an inch between you and death.
Also, God has shown me what little others have, and how much I can do without (I went days without a shower because water availability was sporadic). It really shocks me now as I think of our culture- so upscale seems even gas stations and roads and cars. We live in a world where stuff defines success- they live in a world where success defines itself. For many Central American families, this might be as simplistic as putting food on the table. I think plunging from one to the next with only a four hour plane ride in between might be a little difficult. I pray I will soon get over it, but not forget this lesson.
Today, my primary thought is that I would like to be a more faithful Christian. I want God to teach me to depend completely on Him for everything, and to follow His lead for the rest of my life.
In Christ,
Brittany Goodrich
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Song- Not Yet Titled
Today I decided I was in the mood to write a song, but we were about to leave for the hairdresser's, so I grabbed a notebook and pencil and prepared to get my creative juices rushing through my brain and out my arm. For an hour, I sat there....a big zero. Nope. Nothin'. Zilch. Not even love songs- and my late-at-night-in-front-of-the-bathroom-mirror ballads are hits, ya know :).And yet I wanted desperately to write a song.
Well, after a good deal of no productivity and yet not having the attention span to finish my Gulliver's Travels reading, I once again deemed it an honorable hour to take my writing weapon into my hand and wound the purely white page with whatever my imagination happened to barf out of its recesses.
And this time I had a theme (thank God...maybe it wouldn't be so terrible after all). As of late, I've been learning about complacency and the dangers that accompany it. Inspired by both my experience with it (or, rather, my struggle to defeat it), the thought of who God wants me to be, and Britt Nicole's song Walk on the Water, I set my pencil upon the paper...and came up with this. Tell me what you think.
What am I,
Doing here,
Starin' out the window?
Watching life,
Pass on by.
It's just another day.
Never once,
Have I thought,
Or cared about tomorrow.
It'll be gone before you know it anyway.
CHORUS
But how do I,
Even know,
That I'll live to see tomorrow?
How can I,
Be assured,
I'll live throughout the day?
Father God,
Yes, I know,
Your footsteps are hard to follow.
But I'd rather die tryin,
Than live,
This way.
How can I,
Live a lie,
And say this is how You made me?
When I know,
Deep inside,
That I was made for more?
Father God,
On my knees,
I beg You to forgive me.
For choosing to simply waste away.
CHORUS
So I'm left,
Standin' here,
Starin' out the window.
Watching the sun,
Slowly set,
On another wasted day.
And since there's no,
Guarrantee,
That I'll be here this time tomorrow.
It's time to start livin' the right way.
Yeah, livin' the right way.
Ooooooo.....
So there it is! But I also need your help! As you can see, this project as of yet needs a title, so if you could please suggest one by leaving a comment (look at the bottom of this post), that would be great! Thank you, and God bless!
Well, after a good deal of no productivity and yet not having the attention span to finish my Gulliver's Travels reading, I once again deemed it an honorable hour to take my writing weapon into my hand and wound the purely white page with whatever my imagination happened to barf out of its recesses.
And this time I had a theme (thank God...maybe it wouldn't be so terrible after all). As of late, I've been learning about complacency and the dangers that accompany it. Inspired by both my experience with it (or, rather, my struggle to defeat it), the thought of who God wants me to be, and Britt Nicole's song Walk on the Water, I set my pencil upon the paper...and came up with this. Tell me what you think.
What am I,
Doing here,
Starin' out the window?
Watching life,
Pass on by.
It's just another day.
Never once,
Have I thought,
Or cared about tomorrow.
It'll be gone before you know it anyway.
CHORUS
But how do I,
Even know,
That I'll live to see tomorrow?
How can I,
Be assured,
I'll live throughout the day?
Father God,
Yes, I know,
Your footsteps are hard to follow.
But I'd rather die tryin,
Than live,
This way.
How can I,
Live a lie,
And say this is how You made me?
When I know,
Deep inside,
That I was made for more?
Father God,
On my knees,
I beg You to forgive me.
For choosing to simply waste away.
CHORUS
So I'm left,
Standin' here,
Starin' out the window.
Watching the sun,
Slowly set,
On another wasted day.
And since there's no,
Guarrantee,
That I'll be here this time tomorrow.
It's time to start livin' the right way.
Yeah, livin' the right way.
Ooooooo.....
So there it is! But I also need your help! As you can see, this project as of yet needs a title, so if you could please suggest one by leaving a comment (look at the bottom of this post), that would be great! Thank you, and God bless!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
My Two New Albums- Words of Praise and Bubblegum
Hey, ya'll! Well, as I mentioned in the previous post, I have done a bit of fiddling around on iTunes trying to create mix cds from the music arsenal I have stored there. As of late, I have two new creations- Words of Praise and Bubblegum. Here are their synopsises, as well as the playlists:
Words of Praise-
Having grown up in a Christian home with the love of my Savior all around me, I saw it as both an obligation and a pleasureable bit of service to give back to God with music. As a result, I selected a group of songs that are amoung my favorites in the Christian genre- ones that I believe both bring glory to God and challenge us to be all we can for Him. The true Christian is one that serves God in humble reverence, always trusts Him, and never fails to follow His will. I wanted this album to reflect that.
Lifesong (Casting Crowns)
Remembering You (Steven Curtis Chapman)
What If (Nichole Nordeman)
Satellite (Shaun Groves)
Speaking Louder than Before (Jeremy Camp)
Yours (Steven Curtis Chapman)
East to West (Casting Crowns)
Revelation (Third Day)
Should I Tell Them (Shaun Groves)
Why (Nichole Nordeman)
Bubblegum-
Being a huge fan of the pop-culture tunes that blare from the radios, cds, iPods, whatever, I decided one day to create an album of all those songs. Originally, only teen pop was going to be given a home here (hence the name Bubblegum). However, when I realized that my teen pop consisted mainly of Jonas, Demi, Miley, David Archuleta, and a couple Jordin Sparks, I had to rouse my imagination in order to save my listeners from dying of boredom. And so the boundaries expanded to include some Jordin Sparks that borderlined the teen area as well as a Leona Lewis song....aaahhhh, so what? Might as well throw some Taylor Swift in there, too!
By the end, I was defining my creation as songs that had burned their way through the pricky brambles of criticism and made it to the top largely because of teen support. Now for the name...how could I adjust the name? Well, nothing was coming, and since everyone but Taylor is a pop artist, I thought, Hey, so what? Bubblegum it is, and Bubblegum it stays.
Burnin' Up (Jonas Brothers)
A Little Too Not Over You (David Archuleta)
One Step at a Time (Jordin Sparks)
Fly With Me (Jonas Brothers)
Love Story (Taylor Swift)
World of Chances (Demi Lovato)
Battlefield (Jordin Sparks)
You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)
Lovebug (Jonas Brothers)
Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato)
Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)
White Horse (Taylor Swift)
Crush (David Archuleta)
Catch Me (Demi Lovato)
No Air (Jordin Sparks)
Words of Praise-
Having grown up in a Christian home with the love of my Savior all around me, I saw it as both an obligation and a pleasureable bit of service to give back to God with music. As a result, I selected a group of songs that are amoung my favorites in the Christian genre- ones that I believe both bring glory to God and challenge us to be all we can for Him. The true Christian is one that serves God in humble reverence, always trusts Him, and never fails to follow His will. I wanted this album to reflect that.
Lifesong (Casting Crowns)
Remembering You (Steven Curtis Chapman)
What If (Nichole Nordeman)
Satellite (Shaun Groves)
Speaking Louder than Before (Jeremy Camp)
Yours (Steven Curtis Chapman)
East to West (Casting Crowns)
Revelation (Third Day)
Should I Tell Them (Shaun Groves)
Why (Nichole Nordeman)
Bubblegum-
Being a huge fan of the pop-culture tunes that blare from the radios, cds, iPods, whatever, I decided one day to create an album of all those songs. Originally, only teen pop was going to be given a home here (hence the name Bubblegum). However, when I realized that my teen pop consisted mainly of Jonas, Demi, Miley, David Archuleta, and a couple Jordin Sparks, I had to rouse my imagination in order to save my listeners from dying of boredom. And so the boundaries expanded to include some Jordin Sparks that borderlined the teen area as well as a Leona Lewis song....aaahhhh, so what? Might as well throw some Taylor Swift in there, too!
By the end, I was defining my creation as songs that had burned their way through the pricky brambles of criticism and made it to the top largely because of teen support. Now for the name...how could I adjust the name? Well, nothing was coming, and since everyone but Taylor is a pop artist, I thought, Hey, so what? Bubblegum it is, and Bubblegum it stays.
Burnin' Up (Jonas Brothers)
A Little Too Not Over You (David Archuleta)
One Step at a Time (Jordin Sparks)
Fly With Me (Jonas Brothers)
Love Story (Taylor Swift)
World of Chances (Demi Lovato)
Battlefield (Jordin Sparks)
You Belong With Me (Taylor Swift)
Lovebug (Jonas Brothers)
Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato)
Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)
White Horse (Taylor Swift)
Crush (David Archuleta)
Catch Me (Demi Lovato)
No Air (Jordin Sparks)
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