~ Butterfly Flutterby ~ My Snow White-ness is Inherited ~

October 2015

 

Several days ago I posted the above pic to my Instagram . I saw this beautiful butterfly sitting on my grandparents car port . As I bent down to take a pic , ooh and aww over it Jack Davis came through like a bull in a china shop . He surely stepped right on this delicate thing with out even noticing . After going in and chatting with my grandparents for awhile , I told them about the butterfly outside . As I went to leave we checked and the butterfly was still in the same spot in the same position lightly fluttering its wings . Mamaw being the curious George she is , picked it up by the wing to inspect . I thought if this poor thing isn't dead I am sure it wants to be .

 

My Snow White tendencies are apparently inherited . The days following this little interaction all Mamaw seemed to be concerned about was the butterfly on the porch . She continued to check on it through out the day and she even asked if I knew what butterflies eat . Mamaw is forever concerned with everyone being fed properly , or over properly . I told her what I thought and she went back to tending to the insect . Today when checking in with Mamaw & Papaw she was very happy to say that she had brought the butterfly into the house for her and papaw to discuss what they could do to help it . Which I of course was tickled by , however after their discussion and inspection she decided just to take it back out side with a cap of water for it to drink from if it wanted . Much to her bliss after taking the butterfly back out side it took off from her hand and back into the woods . It hadn't seemed to be able to hover more than 5 or 6 inches after Jacks trampling so , this was a real surprise . She said she came back into the house praising the Lord !!! It made her feel so much better that it was able to get back to it's normal comings and goings .

 

All this to say , how many people do you know that would be this concerned and grateful over something like a butterfly ??!! A INSECT !!!!! My question is , how do I become the kind of person that is THIS concerned over ALL of God's creatures ?! Family is family and much like Vegas , what happens there , stays there . But , I must say at 82 and just shy of 88 my grandparents are still teaching me every day what it is to love like Christ . They don't get out and about very often and really can't , but they do what they can with their small neck of the woods . Literally .

 

On this #MotivationMonday I would hope this silly little tale would encourage and challenge you wherever you are , to do whatever you can , for whomever needs . Talk about a actual visual of Matthew 25:40 ! LOL !!

 

Matthew 25:40 King James Version (KJV) " And the King shall answer and say unto them , Verily I say unto you , In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren , ye have done it unto Me . "

~ New Music Monday ~ Oct. 5th ~ Happy Fall Y'all ~

Live @ The Fillmore Silver Springs

Kip Moore & the Slow Hearts - "Running for You"

fr Wild Ones

 

It's that time again where I share wicked sweet tunes with you and you run off to download them ASAP , ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ !!!! In honor of this song hitting the air waves m'first post belongs to ‪#‎KipMoore‬ and the second release off his newest album ‪#‎WildOnes‬ titled , "Running For You" . I am not a love song lover , but this one goes above and beyond lyrically . It speaks of letting go , loving from afar and knowing that's sometimes what true love is . It could be heard from varied perspectives not just that of romance . Give it a listen and get on the phone , twitter , email , carrier pigeon , smoke signals , etc . and start requesting it at your local radio !!!!! I know I say this a lot , but trust me on this one . It's the real deal . No official video , but I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Moore comes up with for this one . For now this performance vid will suffice . There is also a audio clip from the album on youtube !

"I'm gonna miss you , but baby there's no way that I can go with you ."

BONUS: To see Kip and the Slow Hearts live check out https://www.kipmoore.net/home for the upcoming dates of the Wild Ones tour . Tour starts THIS THURSDAY and will be in Knoxville, TN on November 5th at the Tennessee Theatre . I am 100% sure it is a show you will wanna see .

Second for ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is ‪#‎CassadeePope‬ and her brand spakin' new track , "Invincible" . I have been belting lines from this all weekend . I am sure my neighbors appreciate it . Cassadee is one of the many Team Blake winners from The Voice . Since her win she has been touring her first album and writing new tunes . This one for all the fighters , girls made to feel less than , and those getting proof that there's life on the other side of the darkness that brings us down , here is your new anthem . My fave line currently is "Nothings gonna make me break or shatter . No ones gonna tell me I don't matter ." I do not know if this will be a stand a lone single or if it is apart of a to be released album , but either way I think this one is gonna echo with Pope's fans . So , take a listen and find some strength in this powerful "phoenix from the ashes" anthem . I can see your glowing lighter held in air from here .

Cassadee Pope - " Invincible"

 

Sam Hunt - "Break Up in a Small Town"

fr Montevallo

 

Last this ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is once again ‪#‎SamHunt‬. Last week I mentioned my hope was that his track , "Ex to See" would be the next single . Well , no one no where ever listens to me . So , instead , "Break Up in A Small Town" is the newest release from Hunt's album , Montevallo . I like it just as well as "Ex to See" so I guess I'll be ok . Per Sam Hunt style it is a little bit talk , a little bit song and a lot a bit good writing . I think anyone who has lived and loved in small town life is gonna understand this tune , beginning to end . No official vid as of yet, but this lyric video will do for now . Happy Listening and Happy New Music Monday !!!!

 

 

Don't forget that ALL THREE of these #NewMusicMonday posts are new releases and need YOUR help to get them charting and on air . Call your local stations and request , ney , DEMAND they play these tunes !!!! The radio cycle has everything to do w you . So , take your power and get these tunes out there !!!

~ Discount Diva ~ Birthday Freebies ~ Repost ~

Last year I took extra effort to turn my frown upside down when it came to the topic of my birthday . Well with this upcoming birthday feeling more overwhelming than past ones , I don't know that I have the energy I had last year to evade feeling elderly . Especially coming off of a small road trip that wore me out head to toe , inside and out . I have so fallen out of my go , go , go , pace from RD/AD life that even just a few days of go , go , go , wrecked me . Making me feel ever oh so elderly . So , while I'd love to say that this post is going to be encouraging , uplifting , and full of birthday glee.......it's just not gonna be . I have however decided to wallow in the freebies that come with turning another year older and sharing those freebies with you hopefully helping you to turn your frown upside down on your next birthday ! You know how I love saving a buck , scoring a deal , and obviously ANYTHING FREE !! Making the joy of my bday freebies no surprise to you . In my post  "Earn When You Spend"  I discussed companies that offer rewards for purchasing their products . Some of these companies , restaurants , and stores also offer special birthday gift cards , bonus' , and points . Most businesses with birthday rewards will e-mail or snail mail you the reward several weeks prior to your actual birthday . They will then give you a expiration date of a week after your bday or up to a month to use this freebie making your birth-DAY more like a birth - MONTH ! As my good friend Bridget says , " I'll celebrate as long as you want to celebrate me ! " .

I should be alarmed that these kind of return labels
do NOT alarm me . It's how I know something is
from a friend ! I wonder what the mail man thinks ?!

My bday is just a few days away and I have already enjoyed three birthday freebies and have three or four left to cash in . Some of the freebies I can recommend because I've had the opportunity to actually use them this year and in years past are TGIF Give Me More Stripes ,   Red Robin Royalty Club , Torrid Insider , Sears Shop Your Way , Rita's Italian Ice , & Starbucks . With these programs specifically you do not have to have earned a certain amount of points in order to receive a birthday bonus . With Torrid Insider  & Sears Shop Your Way I received a $10.00 "gift card " that could be used in combination with sale / clearance items , online and in store . If I chose to use them online I could then choose to have the item delivered to the store for free . I know you are dying to know what I got , a super cool necklace and a dog themed Christmas ornament that comes with a special holiday collar tag for Jack Davis . If you read my post  " My Favorite Things " you should already know that  freebies , jewelry , Jack Davis and all things Christmas are right at the top !!!

I knew this picture would come in handy some day .

Restaurant rewards that I have had in years past and are going to take advantage of this year are Red Robin's Royalty program which offers you a free burger of your choice . All their burgers seem to already come with fries leaving you to pay for whatever you drink . If you get water you could walk away with a completely free meal . ( Of course be sure to tip your waiter/tress ) The program is free and you can sign up online or in store . You receive a credit card type card to keep in your wallet to show at your visits and keep up with your points / freebies . This program also offers you varied freebies and discounts throughout the year . You earn points on each visit that eventually add up to free appetizers , drinks or desserts . TGIF , Give Me More Stripes program works in a very similar fashion . The only difference that I have noticed is that with your free birthday dessert you have to have purchased an entrée at your visit in order to redeem the birthday offer . It can be redeemed with lunch or dinner so it can be done for a reasonable price . Their desserts are so delicious that it is still a great deal ! Rita's Italian Ice & Starbucks will send you their freebie via e-mail or ap . Their freebies do not require you to purchase anything in order to receive your bday bonus . Rita's offers a regular sized Italian ice in the flavor of your choice . You simply bring in the printed out offer from the e-mail they send you prior to its expiration date . Starbucks offers you any handcrafted drink of any size with any alterations or bottled beverage or food item AND 15% off at their online store as your bday reward . All you do to sign up is register any Starbucks gift card you purchase or receive . Once you have registered the card and created an account through that registration all that's left is to sit back and wait for your bday to roll around . I have the Starbucks Ap , of course , and it will keep track of any gift card I register , purchase I make , rewards I earn and alert me to freebies , bonus' , and discounts that are offered year around . Including aps and itune downloads .

Starbucks makes all things more bearable , especially birthdays !

The above are programs that I have used personally so I feel that I can recommend them 100% !! I believe there are other companies that offer similar deals such as Dunkin Donuts . I am not a member of their rewards program , simply because we do not have one located close enough to my town , but I have friends that are avid DD drinkers that recommend the program . I know that most people when offered the chance to sign up for a rewards or bonus program when eating at a restaurant or shopping see it as a trick or too big a deal , but all the programs I have benefited from where super easy and quick to sign up for . They do not overwhelm my inbox , txts , or aps with push notifications or alerts . I have found them all to be very beneficial .

So , as I work at celebrating my upcoming bday one freebie at a time I hope that you take this opportunity to sign up for some birthday rewards of your own !! Happy Birthday to You !!! If you know of any programs that should've been mentioned in this post please feel free to add them in the comment section below ! Who doesn't love a free treat ??!! I don't even know !! If you are interested in looking into the programs , businesses or past posts mentioned in this blog , feel free to click on any of the highlighted links throughout the post .

 

For updates on The Faith Journals follow me on Instagram by clicking the icon below .

~ New Music Monday ~ Sept. 28th ~

Starting the ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ posts w ‪#‎SamHunt‬'s "Ex To See", off his debut album "Montevallo". It isn't a single yet , but I have fingers crossed that it could be . Hunt is a writer (See Also : Keith Urbans , "Cop Car") and I love the lyrical play on words w this one . There is no official video since it isn't currently a single . So , the lyrical will have to work for now . Take a listen !

Sam Hunt - "Ex to See" - fr album Montevallo

Kip Moore & Slow Hearts - "Come and Get It"

Jimmy Kimmel Live - Writers Series fr Album

Wild Ones

 

Of course Kip Moore is once again apart of my ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ selections . If you haven't gotten ‪#‎WildOnes‬ yet let me give you one "Moore" (see what I did there) reason to add it to your list . This is Kip Moore and The Slow Hearts performance of "Come and Get It" from ‪#‎JimmyKimmel‬'s writers series . Stellar performance , as expected . Check it out NOW !!!

 

 

I debated keeping this weeks #NewMusicMonday an all musical dudes zone , but changed my mind last minute . Cause I'm a girl and we can do that . Seeing how Hunt and Moore are seemingly single , I thought "Dibs" by Kelsea Ballerini would be a cute addition . So , lastly on this ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is what is expected to be the next single from Ballerini titled "Dibs". I think it's such a cute song ! No video yet so , once again this week the lyric video will have to do for now .

 

                                     

Kelsea Ballerini - "Dibs" fr the album

First Time

 

 

 Happy #NewMusicMonday ! Hope you have a musical week !!

Share with us what you have been listening to in the comment section .



 

~ New Music Monday ~ Sept. 21st ~

Lauren Daigle - "Trust in You"

This weeks first #NewMusicMonday goes along with my status posts the last few days . I'll add them to the end of this post . A sweet friend sent this song to me several weeks ago . I keep  going back to it as I linger on the idea of waiting and waiting expectantly . We've gotta find it within ourselves to make a way to trust and believe in His timing for our lives . My goal first and foremost is to always be where He wants me to be . He is NOT a purposeless God . If you are in a time of waiting I would encourage you to give all of today's New Music Monday selections a listen .

Second on ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is ‪#‎CastingCrowns‬, "Just Be Held". I am in love w the lyric, "your worlds not falling apart its falling into place". I feel this addition to #NewMusicMonday also goes well w the idea of waiting expectantly. I didn't plan this weeks ‪#‎NMM‬ far in advance like usual and its correlation w Psalms 5:3 is kinda bowling me over. I pray you are as encouraged by all this coincidence as I am. ‪#‎nothingiscoincidence‬ ‪#‎Heplans‬ ‪#‎Heplants

Casting Crowns - "Just Be Held"

 

Crystal Lewis - "Dyer Road"

 

My last ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is actually a throw back. ‪#‎CrystalLewis‬' "Dyer Road" is a song I have been listening to since I was a sophomore in college. So much of the lyrical content is just so comforting to me. The truth of "I've got a God that knows my situation" & "sending me a sign now and then to make sure that I'm still listening" is just too good not to share. So, while it may be a older tune for me it may be new to you making #NewMusicMonday worthy. Happy #NewMusicMonday !!! I hope you have found some encouragement in it today.

Below are my Facebook status posts for yesterday and today . Just things I felt I needed to share from my devo's . As I thought on #NMM I found it so encouraging how what He has been trying to tell me goes with the songs He lead me to . He will always get His words to us . It is our job to have our heart , mind , and ears open and ready to hear them .

 

" In the morning , O Lord , you hear my voice ; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation ." Psalm 5:3 - We are to share w Him our requests , the desires of our hearts and we are then to wait w expectation that He WILL answer us . It doesn't say "to lay our requests before Him and then wait in doubt" . No!! "Wait in EXPECTATION"!!!!! He hears you . He has a plan already set into motion . Wait in expectation of Him . What a exciting thought !!

Mkay ! For the second morning in a row Psalm 5:3 has been pointed out to me by Him . So , I am reposting yesterdays status . When seemingly odd things like that happen I always feel so strongly that it isn't just for me . So . I gotta share . Along w yesterdays post I wanna add the following fr #JesusCalling , " I am the Creator of the entire universe , yet I choose to make My humble home in your heart.......it is there I speak to you in holy whispers ." We ask God and then we 1 . Tend to doubt He will answer and 2 . Expect His answer to be shouted from heaven. God whispers . Matter of fact . As you bring your burdens , praises and requests to Him today I would challenge you to sit in a moment of quiet . Give your heart a chance to listen for His whisper . God already knows your needs and even your wants . He has a plan to answer both if He hasn't already . Open your heart , mind and ears to the idea it could come in a quieter fashion than you might expect . You are loved .  You are not alone .

 

 

Happy New Music Monday !!! I hope that all this ramblin' proved helpful and encouraging to you in some way as you begin another week . What music has been helping you through ?!! Please feel free to share in the comments !!

~ New Music Monday ~ Sept. 14th ~

Hey Gang ! I got so amped thinking about this weeks #NewMusicMonday that I started working on it last Wednesday . I couldn't help myself . This week we are starting with The Cadillac Three , " White Lightening " . I am just getting to know the tune myself . I became curious after reading/hearing of varied other artist mention the trio in interviews and on social media . I always feel like if other bands and artists are speaking of a band/artist on their own accord and not because they are working on a project with them then it is something worth checking out . Their style both musically and vocally may feel familiar , but it still somehow very unique as well . Weird ! I know . When I heard the southern , rough and soulful growl of lead vocalist Jaren Johnston I couldn't help but think of Kid Rock . Take a listen and judge for yourself . Either way I think I'll be keeping my ears open for whatever is next from this group .

To research their sound further you can click here .

                                                    The Cadillac Three - White Lighting

Second on #NewMusicMonday is from Kip Moore and the Slow Hearts . I am still on a #WildOnes high and have yet to get enough of this long awaited album , currently available in stores and online .  " That Was Us " is a picture of small town friendships with nothing to do on a Friday night . It is a reminiscent tune for me and I know that there are several of you that will feel the same way . While there is not video beyond live performances available at the moment you can listen to the audio by clicking the link below .

Kip & the Slow Hearts will be at the Tennessee Theatre November 5th . To get tickets or check for other upcoming headlining dates click here .

Audio File - Kip Moore - "That Was Us"

Last on #NewMusicMonday is Maddie and Taes' , " Fly" . While this single has been around since last Spring the duo's first album just released . Heading toward the end of the Sounds of Summer tour with Dierks Bentley , Kip Moore , & Caanan Smith the girls have dropped their first album , " Start Here ", just two weeks ago . Starting with the super catchy and totally on point , " Girl in a Country Song " Maddie and Tae have gotten the attention not only of Nashville , but of country music fans everywhere . I am fan girling over this duo not just because they are on tour with some of the most talented men in country music , but because of their writing skills . My love of music is not dependent on an artist writing all their own stuff , but I do seem to feel a deeper respect when I know that they have had a part in creating what they're performing . It just makes it more personal and passionate for me . "Fly" , the second release from " Start Here " is a song I could listen to again and again and still have a tear in my eye every time . Maybe because it hits so close to home with my current journey , but maybe because it is just that good of a song !!! Local music lovers - Maddie and Tae will be at Cotton Eyed Joes in Knoxville on October 15th and in Chattanooga at Track 29 on October 17th . You can click here to see more dates , go to Maddie & Tae's website , get tickets , etc .

Maddie & Tae - "Fly"

Happy listening everybody !!! I hope you have a great music filled week !! What have you been listening too ? Please feel free to share in the comment section !

~ 9/11/01 ~

#‎regram‬ ‪#‎tbp‬ #911 ‪#‎neverforget‬ ‪#‎patriots‬ ‪#‎heros‬ 📱❤😘 🇺🇸 "Where were you when the world stopped turning ?" - Alan Jackson 🎶 I can recall vividly being in my last two classes at Liberty University , working for the school news paper & in the Campus Pastors Office . I think God placed me in all those places intentionally for that time . I can't imagine having been anywhere else .

My boss/friend called me into the office early. I hadn't watched TV or listened to the radio that mor...ning as I had class first thing . I walked into a bustling office as someone was rolling in a TV & my boss/friend came toward me talking a mile a minute . I couldn't get my head wrapped around what was going on . I first thought maybe something had happened to our chancellor or The President. Everyone was moving around so quickly . I felt like I was stuck in quick sand . I could hear sniffles from behind office doors & cubicles . I don't recall ever making it to my desk that day , though I am sure I must have as a special campus wide prayer service was called by our Chancellor & President . I worked in the office that made those kinds of arrangements at the time . My boss was the Campus worship pastor and my co-workers where other Campus Pastors & fellow students . I recall hearing everything that was being said but not understanding a bit of it then turning toward the TV that had been rolled in & plugged up just as the second tower was hit . I got sick immediately . I had never felt so far from home , so instantly afraid, and shocked before . I could not grasp the reality and gravity of what was happening . So , I focused on the organizational tasks at hand .

As I finally got to the prayer service I walked in through the tunnel (a staffers only type area) into a sea of students on their knees literally crying out to God for mercy . Some from NYC, some already finding out a loved one was lost , some terrified of the possibility , others sympathetic to their peers & so much more . It all finally caught up to me.  It finally set in . I sat on the floor of the Vines Center , in a dress on dusty floor coverings , looking at the flag facilities had quickly pinned to 4x4s & set as a back drop . It was real . This was happening . Never forget.

Pic from The Band Perry's Instagram