Country At Its Newest.

Because I know you've been begging, well not really. But you want some help navigating the waters. So here I am at your service. To be real I'm going to start off with some oldies, because they are the best and everyone needs a true foundation. Today's country, is well.. different.

Hank Williams Jr- Family Tradition

( I really do need to introduce you, so yes the old goodies are necessary, I love old country!)

Johnny Cash and June Carter- I'll Fly Away

(Yes, all for the Lord yes)

Johnny Cash and June Carter- Jackson

(Yes they are wonderful, love them)

Dolly Parton-Jolene

(Yes and Yes)

Hank Williams Jr- A Country Boy Can Survive

(Please and Thank you)

Merle Haggard-Momma Tried

Waylon Jennings- A Good Hearted Woman

Willie Nelson-Always On My Mind

Clint Black-When I Said I Do

(My childhood, but seriously)

Garth Brooks- The Thunder Rolls

(Can I be five again?)

George Strait- Check Yes or No

(My brother used to sing this to my mom all the time, sweetest thing I've ever recalled)

Toby Keith- Should Have Been a Cowboy

(Everyone needs to love this, otherwise how will we relate?)

Alan Jackson- Chattahoochee

(The fact the title is a real world, speaks volumes)

Brooks and Dunn-Boot Scootin Boogie

(When they were still together and going strong)

David Lee Murphy-Dust on the Bottle

(He wasn't around for long but this is a classic)

Travis Tritt- Best of Intentions

(The 90's were the best of times)

Collin Raye- Little Red Rodeo

(I'll marry whomever knows all of this, not even possible, I'm moving to the south)

Clay Walker- If I Could Make A Living Out of Loving You

Diamond Rio-Kissable, Huggable, Lovable, Unbelievable

(Seeing them in concert was a dream come true)

Aaron Tippin- Kiss This

Jo Dee Messina- My Give a Damn's Busted

(My mom always said it was okay to cus in song lyrics)

Shania Twain-Any Man of Mine

Faith Hill- The Way You Love Me

Deana Carter- Strawberry Wine

(Always a favorite)

Trisha Yearwood- She's in Love With the Boy

Martina McBride- My Baby Loves Me

(Also a dream that came true when I saw her)

Reba McEntire- Fancy

(She's Number One)

Reba McEntire- That's the Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

(This is powerful, beyond one's way of understanding)

Vince Gill-When I Call Your Name

George Jones- He Stopped Loving Her Today

(RIP my friend, also this song is out of order)

The Judds- Grandpa Tell Me About the Good Old Days

(This song gets my heart, I love this)

Pam Tillis- Maybe It Was Memphis

(Also blessed to see her)

Tanya Tucker- Two Sparrows and a Hurricane

(heck yess)

Mindy McCready- Ten Thousand Angels

(Rest in peace, love)

Lee Ann Womack- I Hope You Dance

(This song taught me how to really live, it really spoke to me as a child)

Tim McGraw- Don't Take The Girl

(Seriously)

John Michael Montgomery- I Swear

(My childhood and parent's wedding song, so there's that)

Alison Krauss- When You Say Nothing At All

(all of this, all of these songs, are so great, dying over here)

Jamie O' Neal- She's Somebody's Hero

(Because this made me cry as a child)

Rosanne Cash- Tennesse Flat Top Box

(For real thought, love love)

Lee Ann Rimes- Life Goes On

Dolly and Kenny Rogers- Can't Make Old Friends

(Because these words need to be known)

 

John Anderson- Straight Tequila Night

Restless Heart- When She Cries

(An honor to see them)

Patty Loveless- I Try to Think about Elvis

(Also need to hear How can I help you Say Goodbye)

Mary Chapin Carpenter- He Thinks He'll Keep Her

Jessica Anderws- Who I Am

Sara Evans-Born to Fly

Blake Shelton-Austin

Kenny Chesney-There Goes My Life

Billy Currington- Walk a Little Straighter Daddy

Randy Travis -Three Wooden Crosses

(so important)

Brad Paisley- He Didn't Have to Be

Carrie Underwood- Jesus Take the Wheel

Mark Willis- Don't Laugh At Me

Alan Jackson-Remember When

Steve Wariner- Two Tear Drops

Sawyer Brown-The Walk

(My first concert at five, thanks mom and dad)

Blackhawk-Goodbye Says it All

Little Texas- What Might Have Been

Alabama- Dixieland Delight

Alan Jackson-Blue Ridge Mountain Song

(This man is pure country, and he is still going strong, this song is beautiful lyrically I mean most songs are but this is more touching than the rest, tissues ready)

Craig Campbell-Out of My Head

(He's had some hits, and they are wonderful, loving this completely)

Eric Paslay-Friday Night

(He is also new and this is his first single, great so far)

Jon Pardi-Up All Night

(These newbies are giving country music a run for its money)

Jake Owen-Days of Gold

(I always love this man and his hair, oh and his songs too)

Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert-We Were Us

(This is a combo I've never thought of and yet it is golden)

Cassadee Pope-Wasting All These Tears

(A Voice Winner, Blake Shelton sure knew what he was doing, she's wonderful and this song is a good break up one)

The Band Perry-Don't Let Me Be Lonely

(How did I not know about this the day it came out? LA LA LOVE)

Dierks Bentley-I Hold On

(The manly man song you are missing in your life)

Danielle Bradbury- Heart of Dixie

(Another Voice winner of Blake's, she's young, fun, and got some great vocals, woman power song)

Joe Nicols- Sunny and 75

(This man has been on the scene for over 10 years now, and he is so underrated, listen to more!)

David Nail-Whatever She's Got

(He is always great, and this is pretty darn cute)

Luke Bryan-Drink A Beer

(Okay if you've known someone who has died, or have yet to experience that, this song is a necessary listen, get them tissues)

Zac Brown Band-Sweet Annie

(What isn't to love about them, this is pure magic)

Jennifer Nettles-That Girl

(This is her first solo single, and it is great)

Chris Young-Aw Naw

(How can you not love)

Scotty McCreery- See You Tonight

(Soul mate, need I say more, it's that voice that gets me every time)

The Henningsens- I Miss You

(They've had one great hit so far, and let's just add this to the list)

Parmalee-Carolina

(They are fresh on the scene, and I'm diggin' this to the fullest)

Eli Young Band-Drunk Last Night

(Saw them they are good, they continue to surprise me with awesome, because it seems unexpected)

Thomas Rhett- It Goes like This

(He is newer and a little know fact he is Rhett Atkins son, so that's pretty great)

Florida Georgia Line-Stay

(They in no way are overrated, they are great, and I think it's great everyone loves them and they are coming to the home city so that's exciting!)

I could post so much more, but this has to be it for now.

Positive Words Only.

Why am I so negative? Why am I complaining? Why do I whine? Why is it always about me?
I'm sure we realize that these questions should be asked to ourselves regularly. We know we need to keep ourselves in check. But do we? Or do we just brush it off our shoulders and think it is no big deal because it was simply a sentence. But was it really just a sentence? We know our words carry so much weight, and yet we still don't care. What if I went around during my days and only let positive things escape from my mouth. What if I kept the negative quiet inside, till it eventually faded. What if I prayed instead of whined in my mind. What if I stepped outside of my little box and payed more attention to those around me. What if I could become a caring person? What if I could be the lover? What if I could try and go above in beyond? What if I left only positive words in the minds of those whom I come in contact with. What if I left the world a better place than I found it. So we know what we need to do, we just actually have to try. How profound. What if I actually smiled more? What if I was more thankful and vocal about it? What if I complimented others more? What if I was kind? Loving? And I listened? What if I let go of my cares and opinions and respected all things around me. Whether it's your style of life, your choice, your habits, or just simply you. What if I stood up for those who are being put down. What if I kept my thoughts that aren't positive in my head. What if I realized I am so small and my thoughts are insignificant. Then maybe I'll stop being all about me and start to think about others. What if I wasn't grouchy? What if I cared about my actions? Let's love, let's smile, and most of all when we want to say something that has no positive meaning or purpose we just shut up and shut it off. There's no excuse to be a grouch, there's no reason to be rude, so let's stop. Smile, breathe in and out, and go out into the world and clean up the nasty negative complaints. And I get it nothing goes right, everything is difficult and draining. But I don't care we have bigger fish to fry then care about ourselves, let's go give ourselves to a purpose to those around us it doesn't matter who. Let's let ourselves go, and just be peacefully.

With all of my love to you.

One of my favorite songs growing up...She's Gonna Make it, He Never Will by Garth Brooks
(Well I couldn't find it on youtube, so go look it up elsewhere. Love everything about it)

For all of the alternative listeners..

Johnnyswim- Heart Beats ( I actually love love)

The Head and the Heart- Another Story

(Also this, yes)

Shakira- La Tortura

(No matter how many times I'll deny it, I'm still in love with the language, but don't let the others know)

It's a great thing you cannot understand the lyrics

Mumm-ra- She's Got You High

(Because this will always be good)

One Republic- If I Lose Myself

( I can go mainstream with the best of them, they will always rock)

Band of Horses- The Funeral

(If you ever ask what my favorite song in the world is, it will always be this, ALWAYS)

I mean let's be real, this song gets my soul, the lyrics like understand me, well not really, this is actually a depressing song, like really depressing, incorrect use of commas I couldn't care less.

Taylor Swift-Come Back Be Here

(The red deluxe album is seriously underrated this is pure gold)

Taylor Swift- Girl At Home

(I'm not kidding so underrated, I love love love)

Jennifer Lopez- On the Dance Floor

(Because how can you not dance to this, let yourself go come on...)

The Postal Service- Such Great Heights

(Well hello beloved freshman year of high school)

M. Ward- Chinese Tradition

(Just found this moments ago, and yes please)

Darius Rucker- Radio

(My one plea, everyone must try out country music till they find one song they cannot get enough of, if I try your stuff you must try mine)

Lana Del Rey-Summertime Sadness

( Is this video the original, because if not it isn't as good, I've love loved her, no matter what everyone told me she was all about, how did I not know?)

Sara Bareilles- Brave

(This woman has been great from the start, she's too cool, love her and her messages)

Juanes- La Camisa Negra

(Okay, but seriously don't tell anyone, must make a spanish playlist on my to-do list)

Regina Spektor- On The Radio

( I don't even know, but it's tight)

The Fratellis- Chelsea Dagger

(You've got to be tappin' them toes)

FiveMinuteFriday.

I cannot believe I stumbled upon this while I was perusing twitter. But I swear to you when the Lord wants to talk to us, he'll make it happen. It's beautiful how things fall together sometimes, at the right moments just when we need it most. Even if it's as simple as reading encouraging blogs and writing one of your own.

Have we lost sight of the Lord's plan lately?

I feel like on a daily basis I can get caught up in momentary ridiculousness and forget about the Lord's plan and his purposes. I will feel all of these pressures to do certain things or to be somewhere. When sometimes I need to just allow myself to sit back and not worry about my should do's. I need to allow things to be and in those moments when I'm letting his grace flow into my life like a river, in those moments I believe great things come and take place. When I quiet my busy mind when I sit down and pray, that is where He wants my mind to be.

So, I don't know where you've been and things are going...

But I hope we can all find time to just sit and pray, to think and care. To love and stay still. To be quiet and calm. So when the Lord is calling us to make a move and go do, we will know and be prepared for his call. But for now we need to prepare we need to be patient and stop over analyzing everything that doesn't really matter anyways. We need to just be with the Lord and get to know Him and His will and ways so we will be properly equipped when He calls.

So I  hope this shed a bit of hope for you, I hope that you can reside in His Grace. I hope you can just be and find the path He chooses you to walk.

For now, I will be caring and thinking and praying for you. Lots of Love! And seriously, try this FMF, it truly works for the greater good.

Taylor Swift-Sweeter Than Fiction