I'll fly away

I’ll Fly Away – Day 60: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

While in Nicholasville, Kentucky, visiting a friend, we had the opportunity to attend Gospel on the Green. This young woman on the keyboard and vocals singing “I’ll Fly Away” is an amazing musician. Marlana VanHoose (who is blind with cerebral palsy) sang during the inauguration activities of President Trump. She said she told President Trump that the only thing that will make America great again is belief in God and His word.

Come Morning the Darkness Is Gone, Performed by Marlana VanHoose

National Anthem sung by Marlana VanHoose

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Copyright: mexitographer / BigStockPhoto.com

a small star

A Small Star – Day 54: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

“The world in which we live continues to grow darker by the day. But against that backdrop of black is light. We are the light, and we shine even brighter against a midnight sky. We can make a difference. As we join together with other men and women who want to light the world, our influence for good will shift the planet.” (Marnie Pehrson Kuhns, Light The World: How Your Brilliance Can Shift The Planet)

This reminds me of the song sung by Jana Stanfield, “A Small Star.” The lyrics are below the video below.

Joyce Johnson Rouse

You don’t have to feel brave to be brave
And I don’t have to feel strong to be strong
We don’t have to feel inspiring to inspire
Remember when your road is rough and long

Chorus

Even a small star shines in the darkness
For someone somewhere to see
It lights the way for those in the distance
That’s what your courage means to me

Maybe there are times you feel lonely
Like no one sees the world the you do
Remember each of us is made uniquely,
And no one ever sees their own magnitude.

[Chorus]

So don’t be afraid to be a little brilliant
Don’t be afraid to shine in someone’s eyes
If we can trust the gifts that sometimes make us different
Then we can all learn to shine, shine shine!

[Chorus]

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: Sarah Nicholl / BigStockPhoto.com

Redeemer

Redeemer – Day 52: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

I Know That My Redeemer Lives is one of my all-time favorite hymns. I asked for it to be sung at my baptism when I was 9 years old and have loved it ever since. My mother found this variation on the song, arranged by Paul Cardall, several years ago and bought me the sheet music. It’s a gorgeous piece and fun to play on the piano.

I just got a new Yamaha P125 a couple weeks ago and have been playing around with overlaying voices. This is a slow string with a grand piano combination. It gives Paul Cardall’s Redeemer a heavenly feel.

(Piano arrangement based on I Know That My Redeemer Lives) Lewis D Edwards, Arrangement by Paul Cardall)

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: paul shuang / BigStockPhoto.com

when it's all been said and done

When It’s All Been Said And Done – Day 45: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

My parents made this recording of my Uncle Bob singing When It’s All Been Said and Done. I love this song. I think it says it all about what lighting the world is all about. I’m so grateful for my parents and people like my Uncle Bob who model what it means to live your life for truth. Thanks to my sister for putting this up on YouTube.

When It’s All Been Said and Done

Don Moen Lyrics

When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?

When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Turning sinners into saints.
Hallelujah

And I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For you’ve shown me heavens, my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone…

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: sandramatic / BigStockPhoto.com

America

America – The Light of Liberty Shines – Day 42: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

As lost as sometimes Americans feel or as at odds we may be with one another, America … the idea of the United States of America and the foundations principles for which it stands … are of Divine origin. Those ideas and principles stand as a beacon of light to all people who seek liberty.

“Where the Spirit is the Lord is, there is liberty.” And the converse is true… where there is liberty, the Spirit of the Lord is present. Let us actively seek to live close to that Divine Spirit and continue to be a beacon of light and liberty to all within our influence.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image Copyright: Gino Santa Maria / BigStockPhoto.com

I Know that My Redeemer Lives

I Know that My Redeemer Lives – Day 41: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

Today, I decided to play one of my favorite hymns, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” on Yamaha with Guitar Setting. This is an extemporaneous arrangement of the popular hymn.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives Lyrics

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799.
Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858-1921

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Featured Image: © 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hope

Hope Through Music – Day 22: Light the World, Build the Kingdom

When you’re losing hope, when your life is falling apart, please find ways to hang on and have hope that things will get better. One of the best ways I’ve found to do that is with music.

In this segment I share several songs that have helped me keep going when things looked bleak and like nothing would ever come together for me. Sometimes you just need to hold on until the light can come.

Remember, if things look like they’re falling apart, hang on for the Glorious Unfolding!

Glorious Unfolding – Steven Curtis Chapman

Here are a couple more songs I mentioned in today’s segment that will help you find hope when things feel hopeless:

Just Be Held – Casting Crowns

Rocked in the Arms of God – Jana Stanfield

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, “What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?”

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere — in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you’re going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

 

Featured Image Copyright: Splendens / BigStockPhoto.com

O Jerusalem

O Jerusalem – Day 20: Light the World, Build the Kingdom (Year 2)

As I play the piano, I face a large painting of the Savior overlooking Jerusalem. It's Greg Olson's "O Jerusalem" and it's not only one of my favorite paintings of Christ, but also one of my favorite verses - Matthew 23:37.

As I began playing, I looked at this painting and thought of the words to the verse. As I did, this melody came. I recorded it and then put the words to the melody. I know I'm not the most professional singer on the planet, but I do enjoy composing music and singing. So today's Light the World is this tribute to my Savior Jesus Christ.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Thou that killest the prophets
and stonest them which are sent unto thee
how often would I have gathered thee --
Thy children together
even as a hen gathers her chickens
under her wings
and ye would not,
and ye would not.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem
I would have gathered thee
And ye would not,
And ye would not,
And ye would not.

How the Challenge Works

Step 1: Ask God each day, "What is one thing I can do to light the world and build the kingdom today?"

Step 2: ACT upon whatever He leads you to do. Go through the day EXPECTING for opportunities to arise.

Step 3: Document somewhere -- in your private journal or on your favorite social media platform.

Step 4: Share! If you share publicly, please use our hash tags: #BuildTheKingdom and #LightTheWorldNow so I can cheer you on! If you're going to be documenting privately, I recommend sharing your experience with a close friend or accountability partner. There is power in the sharing.

For ongoing support and a place to share, please join our Facebook group.

Photos: © 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

music

Day 61: Music Hath Charms

They say music hath charms to soothe the savage beast. Sometimes my own thoughts and fears are the most threatening beast I face.

Tonight a sweet friend called and serenaded me. I felt my mind calm and my body relax and had this sweet assurance “it’s all going to be all right.”

I’m so blessed to have such wonderful friends who support me, pray and fast for me. Thank you for lighting my world!

consider the lilies

Day 55: Consider the Lilies of the Field

Consider the lilies of the field,
How they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sheep of His fold,
How they follow where He leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky,
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth.
The pains of all of them He carried
From the day of His birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.

He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.