What Fans Are Saying

God With Us - By The Ketchums

I think that, over the years, I lost connection with the amazement and wonder presented with the Christmas story. God has renewed that in me this year. I assume (possibly wrongly) that most of my readers have grown up hearing the Christmas story as well as the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. It is easy for those stories to become "common" or "normal" in our brains because we have heard them so much when in actuality there is nothing "normal" about either one. I encourage you to stop and ponder the reality of the Christmas story today.

God--seriously GOD--the creator of the universe--came to earth in human form. He became like us! Stop and think about what He gave up in order to do that! HEAVEN--Hello? Isn't that where we are all looking forward to going, and he gave it up for us!! I think a lot of people assume (as I did) that even though Jesus came as a baby, he was somehow a supernatural baby who was only a baby in the physical sense. No no...he became like us completely, which means he was completely a baby. He cried, got hungry, maybe even had the cholic. He was dependent on his parents for food and shelter. He grew up, just like we did. Seriously, God became one of us! That is just amazing to me!

The following by Francesca Battistelli helped me put it in perspective. It is written from the point of view of Mary, the mother of Jesus. (stop and think a minute about her position--WHOAH! Here you've been entrusted with the baby who is to be the Savior of the world!)

You're Here
Hold on now, I gotta take a deep breath
I don’t know what to say
when I look in your eyes
You made the world before I was born
Here I am holding You in my arms tonight
Noel, Noel, Jesus our Emmanuel
You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but You’re here
Don’t know how long I’m gonna have You for
But I’ll be watching when You change the world
Look at Your hands, they’re still so small
Someday You’re gonna stretch them out and save us all
Noel, Noel, God with us Emmanuel
You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but you’re here… you’re here
Someday I’m gonna look back on this
The night that God became a baby boy
Someday You're gonna go home again,
But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy
You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here…
You’re here Hallelujah… You’re here… Hallelujah... You’re here
I think the most overwhelming part of the whole thing is that He's still here. Each and every day for each and every one of us. AMAZING!

http://mandmketchum.blogspot.com/2008/12/god-with-us.html

It's not often that I get REALLY excited about a cd, but since September, two have come along that I can barely keep off my iPod. The first was Lincoln Brewster's fabulous "Today Is The Day" album, and now the debut from major label hotshot Francesca Battistelli.

What makes this album doubly exciting is that Battistelli is a committed, and very open Christian, a fact which comes over loud and clear on this Warner Brothers/Curb release.

Aside from a very cute paper heart shaped lyric booklet, you first notice just how mature a songwriter this 23 year old from New York City really is.

Immediate reference points I guess (although I really don't like having to do that) would be Sara Bareilles with a possible hint of Nichole Nordeman, but musically Francesca sails a lot closer to Bareilles, as the more up-tempo songs have some real guts and groove without being musically overbearing.

It's not often you can say, hand on heart, that there is not one poor song, or filler on a record, but I can honestly say this applies here.

There are three types of song really on display here; the uptempo rockers (opener "Free To Be Me", "Unpredictable"), the songs with a groove (the excellent funky title track along with "Blue Sky") and then the ballads, which on this album are not just used as quiet interludes, but which are quality songs in themselves.

Recent single "Beautiful Beautiful" is a sensitive worship song in which Francesca sings

"Now there's a joy inside I can't contain/But even perfect days can end in rain/And though it's pouring down/I see you through the clouds/Shining on my face"

The brilliantly simple worship song "Forever Love" which I could easily see being sung in churches accross the land, and closer "Time In Between", which is again very cleverly written.

The playing is at all times sympathetic and never overshadows Battistelli's work, and her voice itself is a tour de force; at times a powerful growl, at other times a soft purr, but always mesmerising.

This album will easily sit in my top 3 for 2008. Francesca is coming to Medford in November, and I for one cannot wait to hear her in person.

http://stevebest-livingthedream.blogspot.com/2008/10/francesca-battistel...

I have a little bit of an obssesive personality. (i know, you couldn’t have guessed that could you??) I tend to get addicted to things for periods of time. Like, I’ll get hooked on a certain cd, or tv show or whatever. This is what I’m addicted to right now… this is Francesca Battistelli. The song is called Free to be Me. She tells the story of how the song came about b4 she sings it, it’s a funny little story. I just luv her voice and how she tells stories w/ her songs.

http://doulangel.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/some-friday-fun/

Today I heard a song by Francesca Battistelli called "Time In Between." It's a gorgeous song. I don't actually know what it's about since I only heard it once, but the title inspired me.

Those of you who know me probably know that my life is constantly running and changing. Life-changing events are actually run-of-the-mill in this home. I greatly dislike having to be busy all the time -- except when I'm not busy. You see, there's just one problem with a life that's always moving: In those moments in between, I get really, really bored. If my life isn't suddenly turned upside-down, suddenly it doesn't seem like my life anymore.

Recently, I haven't had any of those life-changing events. Almost this whole year has been an adjustment period mixed with the mundane. And quite honestly, it's hard to take interest in these in-between times. It's so easy to become depressed. It's very discouraging to think, Nothing worthwhile is happening. God's not working in my life right now. If He's not interested, why should I be any different?

I've got some news for you (and me, while I'm at it): God is so interested in this in-between time. This is the time He's working the most! When you're not caught up in the next thing you have to do, He can say, "Good. You have nothing else to do, so sit there and listen." This is a preparation time for that next upside-down moment. The next time your life breaks, you'll be ready. The next time the world spins out of control, you'll have something to hold onto because God loved you enough to give you a time in between to prepare you. He's so wise, He knew we would never be able to stand up against a constant onslaught of pressure from the world and our circumstances. I'm so glad He did, because if there's never a quiet moment, when are we supposed to be still and know that He is God? Let's not forget why we have a Sabbath. God knows we need rest from the world. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." Resting is actually key to our salvation. It gives us that time to take a deep breath and remember who God is and what He can do, to refresh our trust. And then when tragedy hits, we are so much stronger. We can handle constant running, because He's carrying us.

Jesus promised peace and rest for us. And even though we get bored, believe me, we need it. Don't look at your next quiet moment as "boring." You'll regret it later. Take the time to sit down with God and get to know Him better. Take an hour, an afternoon, or even better, a whole day and give it to God. Clear your schedule for Him. Go on a walk. Learn. And rest.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint," says the Lord. ~Jeremiah 31:25

Oh, and I found a player for that song, so maybe you can tell me what it's about ;) It's the last one, Time In Between.

http://battlementsofrubies.blogspot.com/2008/11/time-in-between.html

Francesca Battistelli
Behind the Scenes

I know I just posted a song from this artist a couple of days ago but now that I've gotten a chance to listen to more of her songs, I had to share this one too. I wish you could all hear this song. It's so beautiful. I don't think just posting the lyrics does the song justice because the lyrics and the melody together are what make it so great. The verse that really caught me was "Sometimes I can’t see anything through the dark surrounding me and at times I’m unsure about the ground beneath my feet. If it’s safe and sound. When it’s hard to find hope in the unseen, I have peace in knowing it will find me". I have a feeling this song will get a lot of play on my iPod while I'm in South Africa because those lyrics speak to me and say that even though I don't know the experiences that are awaiting me on this trip, God is working behind the scenes and everything will work out just as He intends it to and my hope lies in believing that with all my heart.

Here's the chorus...

Things aren’t always what they seem
You’re only seeing part of me
There’s more than you could ever know
Behind the scenes
I’m incomplete and I’m undone
But I suppose like everyone
There’s so much more that’s going on
Behind the scenes

http://lifeandlyrics-jamey.blogspot.com/2008/09/song-of-day_25.html

As you can see this is Francesca Battistelli. I had never heard of her before, but I was in a store and I saw her CD and I really liked the cover and how it was designed so I bought it. The cover of this CD was what got my attention to buy it. When I opened it, the inside was cut into hearts because the name of the CD is "My Paper Heart". I thought that was very creative.

http://marybethgd1.blogspot.com/2008/09/cd-sleeve.html

Just the other day I was talking with someone that has turned their life around and is walking with Christ in amazing ways. However, they struggle with guilt from their life before coming to Christ and some of the decisions they made. I heard this song just after having that conversation and I love how it talks about letting go of the past.

Personally, I have experienced what Francesca Battistelli talks about in this song with having my plans, dreams and destiny all figured out. Then going through the process of surrendering all these things to God and having Him turn them all upside down. I'm glad He did though as things have turned out MUCH better then if I had kept control. It always works this way with God. This song speaks to that journey I've gone through in my life.

http://lifechange.typepad.com/lifechange/2008/09/music---im-letting-go-b...

I've found a couple phenomenal quotes over the past couple weeks and wanted to throw them up here.

The first one is part of a Francesca Battistelli song:

"Now there's a joy inside I can't contain. But even perfect days can end in rain. And though it's pouring down, I see You through the clouds, shining on my face."

This is a good quote for the up-and-downs of life. Good bit of motivation.

I can't remember where the second one came from, but it's awesome:

"...and to believe You, I have to come as a child. So help me to rest in the mystery of what I can't understand."

I at first wanted to put my own thoughts along with this last quote, but I think it's best just left alone. So there it is!

http://likeapieinthefreezer.blogspot.com/2008/09/pictures-quotes-quotes-...

... Okay – the other thing I want to share with you is a new-to-me-music-artist that I am just really enjoying. Francesca Battistelli. She is a Christian artist and her lyrics are SO relatable. The sound is I don’t know…I just really like it. You can listen to 4 of her songs right on her My Space page. The one I fell in love with is Letting Go. But really they are all great. Okay this is all I’m gonna share for now. But I will be back soon (as in tomorrow or the next day) so do stay tuned…

http://artfullysaid.typepad.com/artfully_said/2008/09/i-am-not-dead.html

I've been listening to 94.9 KLTY a lot more lately. They play this song by a new artist named, Francesca Battistelli. Her debut album, "My Paper Heart" has a great song on it entitled, "I'm Letting Go". It's a great song! It talks about letting go of the life that I planned in order to accept the one that Christ has for me. It's soooooo......... powerful. It is exactly the place that I find myself these days. As I look back on the struggles and challenges I've faced, I often imagine what my life may have been like had I made some different choices. Then I realize that I am in exactly the place that God wants me to be. I decided a long time ago that God's plan was better than anything that I could dream up and I surrendered my plan for His. It's the least I could do, right? After all, He gave His son for me. This song just encourages me and helps me go a little further. Even though I don't completely understand the plan God has for me, I TRUST Him. When things get tough and I want God to just fix things, He always asks, "Do you trust me?" Each time I tell Him that I do trust Him and the fire gets just a little bit hotter but my faith grows that much more.

Lately, I have found myself having to "let go" of expectations. After getting married, I remember wanting so bad to be a mom and have a daughter, one just like me. Until having children of my own, I didn't realize that when they get here, they are already who God wants them to be. I had this romanticized notion that parents were the ones who shaped their children and that their personalities arose from that. Boy, was I wrong! God did give me that daughter, however, she turned out to be so different from the little girl I always imagined. She wasn't a "mini-me" at all. She is full of life and joy, has a quick wit, and will melt your heart in an instant. I'm still trying to "let go" of those expectations that I had. It's a daily thing that I have to do. Sometimes, I feel like I yell too much or that I'm not getting this parenting thing right. How can I be the kind of mom to my kids that my mom was to me? How can I shape them into being what God has destined them to be? Then, a song comes on the radio and reminds me to "let go" of the plans I had for me and my kids. After all, He chose me to be their mom. I know that I won't get everything right. I just have to accept His plan and do my best to teach them to do the same. Today, Trinity helped me put things into perspective. Even though she got into trouble today and I had to discipline her, she still told me that she loved me and that I was "The Best Mommy Ever". That just made my day. I really needed to hear that. I was feeling guilty for not spending as much time with her as I'd like to because I have to take care of Madison too. Inspite of it all, my kids know that I am doing my best and the truth is, they don't know any different.

I just wanted to share with you today that yes, sometimes it does feel like we're falling, but as long as we stay in God's will and "let go" of our own agenda, there is never a need to worry or to fear. His Word is true. He will never leave us or forsake us. We just have to be willing to "let go".

http://kendiking.blogspot.com/2008/08/im-letting-go.html