"No More, No Less"

"Let me introduce myself to you. This is who I am, no more, no less."

This is the opening line of the chorus of this upbeat song by Mercyme. This song is also the theme song for my upcoming album, "Made To Worship" which is out on October 29, 2013, the same day that one year ago, I joined the greatest team ever, Team World Vision! I chose this song because I am returning with a new name and a new "label." My old name was Miss Adoration. I am now Amy Foto. My old "label" was TH Records, which are the initials of my old youth pastor who helped me get my first album out. My new "label" is Adoration Records, which is my personal label that I created to produce this album.

Back to the song. the artist is introducing himself to the world. He doesn't want to hide anything, he doesn't want to be something he isn't. He wants to be real with everyone. It's about the change. He is a blessed man because of God. At the end, he hopes that people have seen the heart that has been beating. He is a man trying to get home, to heaven. Read the lyrics and go out and introduce yourself to the world!

I'm not trying to hide anything
I wear it on my sleeve
I wear it on my sleeve
I'm not trying to be something I'm not
This is all I've got
This is all I've got
I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel
Just trying to be real
Trying to be real
I'm not trying to say follow me
I'm not the one who leads
I'm not the one who leads

Let me introduce myself to you
This is who I am
No more, no less
I am just a man who understands
Because of You I'm blessed
No more, no less

I'm not trying to prove anything
It's all about the change
It's all about the change

Let me introduce myself to you
This is who I am
No more, no less
I am just a man who understands
Because of You I'm blessed
No more, no less
Let me introduce myself to you
This is who I am
No more, no less
I am just a man who understands
Because of You I'm blessed
Nothing more and nothing less.

I hope you stare just long enough to see
The heart that's beating here inside of me
Beyond all the things you may think you know
I'm just a kid trying to make it home, that's it
No more, no less
Lord, I want to go home
Nothing more, nothing less 

"Slow Fade"

I first heard this song when I watched the movie "Fireproof" and it is amazing. It really speaks the truth. It doesn't take a day for someone to stumble and fall, it is a slow fade. This song doesn't just relate to relationships, it relates to singles when they stumble and fall, like a Christian fading away from their faith. Recently, I have seen one of my friends who has seemed to slowly fade away from her faith. We have to be careful what we say, hear, see, and where we go. It could lead down a bad path. If you are starting to fade away from something good to something bad, I strongly encourage you to find help. Find someone who you can talk to and who can keep you accountable for your actions. Find someone who will pray for you and guide you as you turn your life around. Also, pray to God that he will help you overcome your failure and  rediscover him.

Read the lyrics to this song and let them just speak to you. If you ever listen to this song, take to heart what the young girl is singing at the end. I will bold that section of the lyrics so you know what part it is.

"Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

"Hello, My Name Is..."

This song has been recently playing on Shine.FM and it is just absolutely amazing!!!! I was once a sinner. I had a bad habit of talking to myself. I tried many times to break the habit, but I eventually would slip back in a few days later. Recently, I FINAALY gave up. I surrendered my bad habit to God. Today, I am a child of THE ONE TRUE KING!!!!!!

Read the lyrics to this song and be amazed at the power of how God can change your life.

"Hello, My Name Is" by Matthew West

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life
What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King

"You Never Let Go"

I can't remember exactly when I first heard this song, but it was during a chapel at my high school. At first, I didn't get into the song because I didn't know the words. When my church started playing it, I was able to see the words and actually sing them to God. With it's upbeat tempo, we are singing to God that he will not let us go, no matter what happens to us. He will be there during our highs and our lows. Every time I sing this song at my church, I always raise my hands to God and just sing it out. Read the lyrics and sing them as a thank you to for God for not letting us go.

"You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

[Chorus:]
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

 Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

"Only Grace"

Recently, I have been hearing Matthew West's song "Only Grace" on Shine.FM. In the past, this song hasn't made an impact on me, but recently it has. I am reminded that my sins are gone and that the only thing left in this crazy world is God's grace. This song is very comforting for me to hear when I am nervous about something. I also listen to it when I am in need of comforting. Read the lyrics and be comforted knowing that your sins are gone, and that there is only grace.

"Only Grace" by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday has disappeared
The dirt has washed away And now it's clear

[CHORUS]
There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy
And believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There's nothing left now
There's only grace

You're starting over now
Under the sun
You're stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy
And believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There's nothing left now
There's only grace

 And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back up
Get back up again

There's only grace
There's only love
There's only mercy
And believe me it's enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There's nothing left now
There's only grace 

"Proof of Your Love"

My other current theme song is "Proof of Your Love" by For KING and COUNTRY. I have heard this song many times on Shine.FM. Most recently, I was at another church and we sang this song. Since that Sunday, this song sparked an interest in me because I see it as a prayer to God.
In the song, the two singers sing the first 3 verses of 1 Corinthians 13, the love passage. There is also a version of the song where in the middle, one of the members quotes the 3 verses as a monologue. The music video is really dramatic. They really did a great job. Check out the lyrics and sing or recite them as a prayer to God.

"Proof of Your Love" by For KING and COUNTRY

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise
If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

If I give
To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
Oh, let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

"One Thing Remains"

One of my current theme songs is "One Thing Remains" by Kristian Stanfill. This song is just absolutely amazing because I am reminded that God's love for me never fails. He is an AMAZING God. Every time I sing this song at youth group, I always raise my hands and praise God with all of my heart. I joked around with my friend that one day I'm going to throw my arm out. I'm sorry, but I love this song so much and I love to praise God with everything that is in me. Read the lyrics and be reminded that God's love for us never fails.

"One Thing Remains" by Kristian Stanfill

 Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me (x3)
Your love

 On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me (x3)
Your love

 In death, in life
I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid
There's nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love

Your love never fails it never gives up
Never runs out on me (x3)
Your love

"The Hurt and the Healer"

Read this journal entry I had to write on one of my theme songs. My theme song right now is "One Thing Remains" by Kristian Stanfill.

For most of my life, I have never had a song that I could call a theme song. At the end of my freshmen year, I found a song that made an impact in my life. The song was “No Matter What” by Kerrie Roberts. Since then, I have had different theme songs. Some include: “Walking on the Stars” by Group 1 Crew, “Speak, O LORD” by Keith and Krysten Getty, “Mighty to Save” by Laura Story, and “Strong Enough” by Matthew West. As of right now, my theme song is “The Hurt and the Healer” by MercyMe.

When this song first played on the radio, I was somewhat paying attention to it. As it was playing more and more, I started becoming interested in it. I would sing little parts of it at school while walking through the hallways. Eventually, it became my theme song because the lyrics relate to me when I am hurting and I need a healer.

In this song, the artist is saying that he doesn’t know where the healing comes from. He wants to dwell in his circumstance, such as a death of a loved one, or someone being sick. He doesn’t want God to let him go. He is all he has left. Sometimes the only thing that he can do is to just breathe. His pain is so deep that he can’t move. This is when the artist presents himself to God because he needs Him to pull him through his situation. In the chorus, he says that when he is around God, he is alive, even though he is still suffering. God takes his heart and breathes it back to life. When he is upset, he can fall into God’s arms, which are open wide. This is where the hurt (the artist) and the healer (God) collide.

“I’m alive.

Even though a part of me has died

You take my heart, and breathe it back to life.

I fall into your arms, open wide.

When the hurt and the healer collide.’

Another part of the song that has meaning to me is the Bridge. In this section, the artist is saying that when the hurt and the healer collide, things change. All of his questions are gone, and his scars are taken care of. In the end, he will bow before God, and hear Him say “It’s over now.” This part gives me a glimpse of hope that God is coming. He will come and calmly say, “It’s over now.” I look forward to this time when He says that.

It’s the moment when humanity

Is overcome by majesty

When grace is ushered in for good

And all our scars are understood

When mercy takes its rightful place

And all these questions fade away

When out of the weakness we must bow

And hear You say “it’s Over now.”

Lately in my life, I have had a lot of things that weigh me down. I am hurting from all of the stress. I feel dead. I like hearing this song and hearing that God is there with His arms wide open for me to fall into when I am in need of comfort. When I hear the chorus, I am reminded that even though apart of me is still hurting, I am alive. God takes my heart and breathes it back to life. Sometimes I am hurting so much that all I want is God or a Christian song. This is a song that I can definitely turn to when I am like this.

"Temporary Home"

While in the shower this morning, I had my phone and I was listening to music. One song that came on was "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood. I haven't listened to this song in a long time. As I was listening to it, I was reminded of how this world is temporary; we are on our way somewhere else. For most of us, it is to Heaven to be with God; for others, we don't know if we are going to Heaven.
The song tells the story of three people who are each on their way to a place. A boy is going to a new home, a mother is trying to get a job, and a dying man who is on his way to Heaven. Read the lyrics and be reminded that this home is temporary.

"Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone.
Another new mom and dad, another school,
Another house that'll never be home.
When people ask him how he likes this place...
He looks up and says, with a smile upon his face,

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

Young mom on her own.
She needs a little help, got nowhere to go.
She's lookin' for a job, lookin' for a way out,
Because a half-way house will never be a home.
At night she whispers to her baby girl,
"Someday we'll find our place here in this world."

"This is our temporary home.
It's not where we belong.
Windows and rooms that we're passin' through.
This is just a stop, on the way to where we're going.
I'm not afraid because I know this is our
Temporary Home."

Old man, hospital bed,
The room is filled with people he loves.
And he whispers don't cry for me,
I'll see you all someday.
He looks up and says, "I can see God's face."

"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This was just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know... this was
My temporary home."

This is our temporary home.

"Glorious Day(Living He Loved Me)"

 I love to sing and praise God with all of my heart. I also love to play keyboard and sing praise songs. I have been singing since I was 5 years old. I sing at churches and family functions. One praise song that is my favorite is "Glorious Day(Living He Loved Me)" by Casting Crowns. This song really tells the story of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. Read the lyrics of this song and be amazed at how awesome our God is.

"Glorious Day(Living He Loved Me)" by Casting Crowns

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net ]

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day