So we were just in Houston…KSBJ invited us in with Phillips, Craig & Dean for a concert in Sugarland…it was such a great night. We always love returning to a warm, Houston crowd! It’s also the only city that my hair can get big from humidity and it’s okay…it’s Texas! We had to have our Lupe Tortilla Fajitas of course; thankfully there was one right by the church…nothing like Mexican food at 10pm. We’d like to say thank you to KSBJ for having us in and for playing the new single “No Not One”…after all these years they still play our songs and we are truly grateful for the commitment they have to ministry in the Houston area.
We are headed home this morning, full force into a fall schedule. I find I’m always ready for routine when summer ends and always ready for a new season… It’s amazing how we begin to crave what is next…we almost feel a pull as each season has prepared us for the next. When I say a fall schedule, that includes the kids in school and all that goes along with that…Nathan on the road with Matt Redman some…me leading worship at various conferences and events…and it also means that Passion City Church will move forward with more public gatherings starting September 20th. Passioncitychurch.com I’m so excited and full of hope for what is to come in the great city of Atlanta…our new home.
I’ve been closing with the song “By Our Love” when we’ve led worship in various places and I continue to be challenged to live what I sing. When I stand in front of the mirror, before I step on stage, lately I’ve breathed the prayer…”by Your Spirit Lord”…not by power, not by might, not by persuasive speech or song, but by the Spirit of God let me shine…let me live LOVE. I think we all want that… We sometimes just don’t know how to get there. So instead of trying to figure it out in those moments when I’m walking out to lead people in worship and suddenly feel extremely small and normal for the task ahead…it’s always best to just posture my heart around Him and the idea of His Spirit leading, guiding, working, healing and loving completely and beautifully through us. I hope as Christ followers we never rely on our songs or anthems to lead us to His spirit…but that we would rely on the Spirit of God in us to rise up and be carriers of His song and His presence…
I long for this to be a part of my day, everyday…to not just sing a language that some can understand…but to live LOVE by His Spirit, for that will transcend any language barrier and open the heart like nothing else… God make that true in us…
Christy: I’ve followed your career since your first album - saw you open for Point of Grace and bought your CD on the spot. Have always felt the worship in your lyrics - always says what I want to say but never have the words for. So glad to hear you guys are in Atlanta. I’ve been here since 1995 and think you’ll really love it. Thank you for always following Father and praise Him for the talent He’s given you.
Agape!
When I purchased tickets to attend the concert at Sugar Creek Baptist, I knew it would be an enjoyable evening. I had no idea that my heart would .. or should I say could be moved in such a way as I was by your total witness for our Lord! Now, seeing your ability to convey your thoughts so clearly and so effectively, I know the ability comes from a total surrender to His will.
Listening to your CD brings my wife and it serves to recharge the enthusiasm built within us to find our own way to open our hearts to live His love. I must admit my disappointment in knowing the opportunity to see you in person again will not happen in the immediate future… unless we vacation in Atlanta! If I knew we were assured to hear you again, I think I would book the flight!
Thank you for helping me realize how much more I need to seek ways to tell about our Savior’s unending grace. I wish you all the best and look forward following your ministry.
In His name,
Larry
Correction:
Listening to your CD brings my wife and I great joy and serves …..
“A Mighty Fortress”
Christy,
I hope you get the chance to read this because I was totally touched and reminded of God’s unfailing, unending, and unchanging love for me yesterday in church…please read this story if you have time….
SO I was down on thursday and friday night. I had a bit of a problem growing up and decided not to drink anymore from the age of 17 on. So I am 24 years old now and very recently married to a man who “thinks maybe once he might have been tipsy.” That being said alone, isnt that amazing and GOD? Ok, so I was craving alcohol for the first time since our honeymoon July 6-11th. I am a marriage and family therapist and my young clients were talking on and on about alochol and their party lives. Anyways, it was a rough few days and by the grace of God I resisted any temptation…it is a true desire for my husband to tell my children someday that “daddy has never seen mommy drink.” Saturday was a rough night though. We went out and all the friends we were with (besides my husband) drank, one of them being a great woman of God who knew my struggles and even prayed for them a few hours before. I felt betrayed and down. I had surgery last week too, which probably had something to do with my emotions coming down off of everything they pumped into me. ANyways, so sunday we were going to learn about Self Control because we are doing the Fruit of the Spririt series. I did not want to hear it, did not feel well, and did not want to go to church. My husband knew something was wrong at that moment because I LOVE church and Sunday is my favorite day of the week because I get to worship Him with other believers!!! So, of course we went to church.
sidestory to fully understand this:
There is a woman at my church that I barely know, but she has your voice and she has an amazing Godly presence like you do. I fell in love with her presence and beauty even though I know very little about her. SHe makes me happy and I see Christ in her. My husband asked her to sing in our wedding and I walked down the aisle to her singing “How Beautiful” with a beautiful string trio. SHe feels the same about me, we pray for each other all the time but have still never hung out alone. I dont know you or her very well but there is some connection, the connection we have as sisters in Christ. Ok, so when I finally got your new cd, which came out at a bad time with my wedding being June 6th and all…but when I got it, I fell in love with “A Mighty Fortress.” Two weeks ago I called my church (which is big) and requested they play it, totally not thinking they would since noone knows it and its new. I called Mary and told her she would sing this song beautifully and it would be so powerful if sung in church.
ok, so back to this past Sunday. You probably at this point know whats coming, but I will say it anyways. Mary sang “A Mighty Fortress.” I totally started balling because it was such a reminder that God knows my heart and He loves me and while everyone around me will hurt me and sin against me, even my amazing husband!, I am loved unconditionally by my Heavenly Father! I cried, Mary cried as she sang it in front of our huge congregation, and my girlfriend who listened to that song at least 20 times in those 2 days cried. I was so so so happy. The sermon was on Faithfulness, not Self Control…I got ahead of myself. It was so good and really answered my prayer because thats my one prayer request…to be below God in my husbands hierarchy of people. It KILLS me that I am above Him to my husband. It was such a God day! God is good all the time….all the time God is good!
You are probably asleep by now. I used to have huge storys like Crysta and Fruitcake but I am so happy to say that at this point in my life, this is my amazing story. My amazing story that tells of a princess who is loved by her King, her Master!
Please email me or write back to let me know that you read this so that I can think that you were blessed by what God is doing through you and through your beautiful voice and presence!
Blessings and Love,
Lisa Giles
We Love your music, the shafer family Grace (7) Autumn (6) Tonya (18) Ron and Sue
Hi Christy–
I have loved Watermark from your first CD when you and Nathan toured with Point of Grace. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I walked into the Christian bookstore and found a new CD by you. I must say, that I love it, Love it, Love It! God is truly speaking to me and touching my heart through the words that He has given you. As God would have it, I am also reading Frances Chan’s book “Crazy Love,” so I am getting a full dose of insight into God and His love for us. It is humbling to realize all that He is and how I measure up.
Thank you for your ministry and for allowing us/me to be a part of that journey!
May God continue to minister in and through you.
Blessings!
Mindy
Hey Christy,
I live in Perth, Western Australia and am a mum to 4 boys- Kaedmon(6), Zion (4), Ethan(3) and Josiah (21 months), and also worship lead at our church. I remember seeing you singing on a Passion DVD a few years ago and I didn’t know who you were but your voice I really noticed and I was like I must know who this singer is. Somehow I figured out, probably from the credits, your name and I have been hooked on your voice ever since. I just got your new album this week and have been playing it everyday. And I guess I just want you to be encouraged to know that you are an encouragement all the way over here in Perth! You are not just an artist but a worshipper and one God has anointed to lead others into His presence and I love that you write the songs you sing….the words embrace the love for our Saviour that flows from your heart. So I dont have a habit of commenting on blogs…but I just wanted to say hi and thanks for being a faithful servant…be blessed.
Mel
I was recently introduced to your music at a Worship Arts conference in Kansas City - your song “By Our Love” was a powerful and moving call. I’ve since spent hours enjoying the whole CD. Thank you for your sharing your praises with us.
Christy,
I had the joy of meeting you this past weekend, such a treat! My 3 friends and I were at the MOPS convention. I went in knowing much about you and they came out just meeting you, but truly relating to you and your songs. Even though this post is older, I wanted to tell you that your desire for letting the Spirit work through you is seen loud and clear. You are truly leading us in worship and showing exactly what it should look like (if that makes sense!).
As you shared where you’re at right now, wanting to be lead by God wherever He would take you. I too am in that same place (on a smaller level) and listening to your songs about this have been so encouraging.
I’m so glad God gave you the songs for this album!
Love,
Cory
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