I Give You To His Heart

[eyesoflove]

Hey, everybody. Well, there's this online karaoke community that I goof around on sometimes (and yes, it truly is just as dorky as it sounds) and they recently added "I Give You To His Heart" to their collection of available AKUS tracks and I was giving it a shot. I've always appreciated the sweetness of this song, but only when singing it did the real story hit me.

I've been told the story of Moses all of my life, but for some reason, I never really factored in his mother as part of his life's equation. The line in the song that says "A shining road that leaves me all alone," suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. I finally realized that the story of Moses isn't *only* about Moses. In the very beginning of his life, there was his mother who had to make a very difficult decision. That line put a little ache in my heart for this woman as I imagined *me* being the one who stood in a river, watching *my* baby boy float away from me and into the arms of another woman to be raised as hers and not mine. It was such a sacrificial decision that his mother had to make. I thought of the impact that Moses grew up to have on his people and how different history would've been had his mother not made that very difficult decision. And then I saw how it relates to our lives today.

Moses' mother acted on faith that God was leading her to do His will and that He would bless her in return. She could easily have ignored God's will and tried to save her baby boy her own way, but she put her faith in God even though it required her to do something she would never want to do. I know there have been times when I've stood at a crossroads and had that still small voice inside of me, directing me down the path that God would have me go. I'll admit, I haven't always heeded that voice. Thankfully, God keeps me regardless of my mistakes.

Something that I've learned throughout the years is that everything works together for good for those that love God. Not only does God give us that promise in the Bible, but I've seen it in action. I can look back on my life and think of a few pretty devestating experiences and hard trials that I've had to fight to come through...but even those bad times - if not *especially* those bad times - have led to some of the biggest blessings of my life. It makes me glad to know that there is a Higher Power holding me because, God knows, I'd have missed out on a lot of wonderful things in this life if I was the one in charge.

Anyway, I felt like sharing all of that with you guys because it's kinda AKUS related and mostly, I just feel like it's my testimony to give. I hope I didn't step on any toes with it.

Stacy

PS...Here is the link to my stab at the song. Obviously, I'm no Alison and I flubbed a lyric in the last verse, but oh well. It's a one take deal with this recording software, so you can't expect greatness lol.

www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b4df4fd7

[tal]

Hey Stacy!
that was an interesting read!
But , to give my personal take on what I think is the essence of what you are saying...and I hope you don't mind?
It is interesting I have also experienced how following that little voice inside always works out best in the end and that everything works together!
And I do not believe in a god they way you do!

So, to give my testimony...I think if you do right as in choose the positive path of love, the reason for choosing the path doesn't matter really! The path still leads to the same place, so to speak.

[eyesoflove]

Thanks for that response, Tal. I see what you're saying completely, but I wouldn't say that is the essence of what I personally was saying because, for me, the Reason is all that matters in my life. But I see where you're coming from. Sometimes the "right" path is full of hurdles and sacrifice and heartache, but something tells you that it's the way you're meant to go. When I've gone against that still small voice, it's usually been some sort of temptation that I gave in to and 9 times out of 10, following temptations only feels good for a short while. For me, it's not so much about following the path of love, but about following the path of righteousness...which will lead to love and all those wonderful blessings. Thanks again, Tal .

[tal]

You're welcome Stacy!
But thank you for the opportunity to exchange thoughts on this.
I do think we are talking about the same path! It's just that "righteousness" is a term so easily misunderstood/ misinterpretted!
And I understand the reason is important to you as it is to me! I just meant to explain that the reasons can differ but still lead one onto the same path.
Basically tried to say that I believe, believing in god is not the only reason one can choose to follow the same path.
I mean, even people who do name this as the reason can differ! Some do so out of believing it is right whereas others do so out of fear!

[eyesoflove]

Yes, people can choose the same path, but for different reasons. For some, the reason is to be an overall "better" person. I'm not saying that's not part of my goal, for sure. But I try to make decisions based on the ways God has commanded us to live. That is righteousness, to me. I'll never perfect, sinless, or blameless. But I shouldn't stop working toward that goal. You're right; terms can be so often thrown around so nonchalantly that, for many, the word becomes useless. "Holy," "religious," "righteous," "spiritual," are all good examples of that. In fact, I refrain from using the term "religious" when I speak of myself and my beliefs because I know that if you ask 100 people what "religious" means to them, you'll get 101 different answers. But as a Christian, I know that God has provided me a roadmap on how I should live my life and, if I consult with Him, I will always find the answer He would have me choose between choices A, B, or C, know what I mean? That's a promise that He gives. He doesn't expect us to go it alone or to figure it out for ourselves. He *is* that still small voice inside of me. And again, you're right...people usually have their reasons, their subreasons, their reasons.1a, etc. I'd say that I myself have several subreasons if I really started breaking it down and, admittedly, fear would probably be one of them. But then there would be all those explanations of "fear" to factor in and the outline would start to get really cluttered lol. It's not so much about "me" believing in what's right and wrong (two more terms vastly open to interpretation) and living accordingly. I believe in what God tells me is right and wrong. If I say a path is wrong, it's not because I've deemed it that way but because God has deemed it that way and I'm following His direction, know what I mean?

[tal]

Well yes, I think I get what you mean.
To me that inner voice is our innate sense of "morality" or "sense of right and wrong". And like you, I try to be a "righteous" person. Failing much of the time but that is , I believe, the human condition!
The purpose is to strive to get there, I feel!

( on a side note, this being an Alison Krauss board....personally, the reason I can still enjoy most of the gospel songs I have heard from her is that fact that they pretty much stick to that essence rather than "preach religion". If you know what I mean?)

I just feel that since indeed, as you pointed out, the definitions of "right" and "wrong" are open to interpretation, I prefer to go by that inner voice rather than any book telling me.
I do believe in that inner voice possibly being "god" but I am not so sure of human's interpretations of any book as to what direction is "god's".
But then, I am stubborn and argumentative Not for nothing I always liked Job

[tal]

Btw I listened to your song and though I now only heard you on two songs, I think you are a really talented singer and it proves the music business is screwed up if someone with your voice and ability is not widely known but the Britneys and what have you are! (And I mean that sincerely because I do not believe in empty compliments!)

[eyesoflove]

Ah yes, Job is definitely a prime example of faith at its strongest.

I understand what you mean as far as people interpreting the Bible and how that can easily go awry. I can feel secure, though, that God has provided me His unchanging Word because He made us a promise that it would never be destroyed. I also feel very secure with my preacher because I've known him all of my life and I know that he has devoted his own life to learning how to read and interpret and share the Word of God. I'm not saying that he's not human and doesn't err, but I trust that his intentions are always in the right and what he tells me isn't what *he* believes, but what he reads from the Bible and shares with me. I read along my own Bible while he reads and gives his sermon and everything he says, I can find right there in my Bible. If he's saying, "Such and such isn't living in the will of God," he preaches from the passage of scripture that says that.

And yes, I agree that we are all afflicted with the "human condition" and will always fall short, but like you said, the purpose is the goal of getting better and better. The more often you "do the right thing," the easier it becomes and, at some point, you don't hesitate in doing the right thing because it has become your nature to do so. That, in turn, makes you a better person to society.

And out of curiosity, I was wondering how you relate to the religious side of AKUS, so I'm glad you brought it up.

[eyesoflove]

Thank you so much, Tal. I often crybag over the injustice of it all lol. But I keep plugging away and hope that my time will come. But as we can all know, there *is* an audience out there interested in real music that is created to touch a person's soul, so all hope is not lost . There are those out there who will believe that all musicians/artists are in it for the money, but some are truly born with a true love and appreciation for music and have this driving force to create and share it. I aim to do that on any level that I can .

[tal]

Actually, it is Alison's approach in this matter that made me like her even more.
To be honest it, to me, could be a dealbreaker , so to speak. The way an artist "preaches" his or her believes within their art!

Anyway...no need to wait ..if you are wondering about something, just ask I am pretty easy that way. Little to hide and always willing to talk. LOL!

And please do continue to hang in there with your music! As you probably know from the CMT board, I also believe there is an audience for real music!

[eyesoflove]

I think many people have yet to learn how to openly discuss beliefs without making the other person feel judged. That goes both ways. I've been called brainwashed, stupid, and whatever else because of my faith and beliefs and I've also seen other Christians drive non-believers away with their approach at open discussion. For me, it's not an "argument" but just two or however many people talking about where they stand. I will argue "wrong and right" with a fellow Christian who says something that isn't Biblical or goes against what the Bible says, but that's because I'm talking with someone who supposedly bases their life on the Bible. It's a different situation when talking with someone who doesn't hold that same sort of reverence for the Bible. Does that make any sense? lol

[tal]

Absolutely makes sense and I am in complete agreement with you! And not just on religion but on any subject!
Which is why I am enjoying this conversation. I would like to think we achieved that very thing here today

[eyesoflove]

Absolutely, I think we have. Religious discussion is often by it's very nature a hairy subject, and it's especially difficult when happening over a message board because much gets lost in translation when you don't have tone and body language to interpret. But I think both of us can understand that neither I nor you would intentionally be rude or disrespectful, so that helps . Even with its murky path, I love to discuss beliefs and vantage points because it will hopefully always lead to more understanding. I know there are a lot of stereotypes out there toward Christians and I like to show someone that not every believer is the kind of crazy zealout that would use the funeral of a fallen soldier to picket a ridiculous point. And naturally, people are more apt to relate to another point of view if their own is being respected. I'd say music and religion are my two favorite topics lol.

[eyesoflove]

By the way, I also meant to add to my original post that the karaoke track is in the key of B and I really needed somthing higher...perhaps C...so...there, I said it.

[tal]

Religion is definitely one of my favourite subjects too! I love discussing music too but..LOL...I am afraid you got me on the key thing! I have almost no knowledge of the theory of music.
All I know is what I like and don't like and why. So , I will just believe you when you say you needed something higher! ( I think I would probably get it if I would hear both but for now all I can say is , again, you sound pretty good to me in key of B )