Magazine Review~Variance Magazine

Mia Koehne
...Already in Progress

"If you don't know what to say / say God is good / if you don't know what to say / say He is faithful"

If ever a voice, lyrics, and music came together more perfectly to praise God than Mia Koehne in her new album ...Already in Progress, we certainly can't think of it while listening to her gorgeous music.

Mia's life story is a compelling story of sin, surrender, sanctification, and song, and all of this is evident in her lyrics. Each line gives praise to God. Her soulful voice pays wonderful homage to her Savior and beautifully illustrates the pain and beauty of life.

Mia was wise to keep her music simple but deep. It perfectly complements the worship she gives God and moves the heart with every single listen. Where many Christian contemporary albums today are over-produced, leaving you wondering if the singer can really sing at all, Mia's voice shines through in every song, especially "Rags." This song is positively heartrending and beautiful.

For a fantastic musical journey, pick up Mia Koehne's new album ...Already in Progress. You won't regret it! ~Variance magazine

I am a Liar-But God is a Forgiver

Let me just state for the record, that I don't "feel" like writing this blog. I like writing blogs that make me look good and display how obedient I am to God, but I'm going to write it because, well I don't know, just because, so here it goes...

I am a liar. And in Celebrate Recovery fashion..."Hi, my name is Mia and it's been 4 hours since my last really BIG lie."

I am a liar and what I find so ironic about this statement is this.....a few weeks ago I stood at a Celebrate Recovery meeting and gave my testimony and said "I used to be a liar, thief and a cheater." Now hear I am today with the reality and truth that I am still a liar thrown right in my face. It's really ugly and I don't like it and I don't like to admit it. I don't like how the lie in hand just rolled off my tongue and justified itself on the way out. It kinda of nauseates me how I have the ability to rationalize it and make it an "ok" kind of lie.

Now the story. This morning, my day started out great. I had a wonderful meeting at Starbucks with a local Pastor as we discussed worship and the excitement of the upcoming Sunday. We talked, prayed and went on our way. It was great.

I then moved myself to an outdoor table to continue on my own in Bible study and personal prayer time. I opened my Bible and read a devotion from "My Utmost for His Highest" and was moved beyond words. I had to stop mid devotion and pray. This was my prayer "God, will you please use me right here, right now to be a light to someone. Will you bring someone that will come to my table so that I can sit and pray with them." That was my prayer and I waited in expectation for the person he would bring.

I sat there continuing on in my time with the Lord, peeking my eyes up to the people that went through the doors throwing them a warm smile, wondering.."Is this the one Lord?" Then a man on a bike came up to the lady next to me asking for money and then opened His invitation to me as well. THAT'S when it happened I opened my mouth as he came over and I said "I don't carry cash, but I would be happy to go in a buy you a coffee or something to eat."

Arrrgggggg! That was my lie and here is how my mind justified it. Truth is this "Normally" I don't carry cash, but today I did and I knew I did. "Normally" I am very happy to give to people, but today, I wanted to control HOW I gave and give the way I wanted to. FACT: Once you open your mouth and lie, it is very difficult to back pedal without making yourself look bad and I didn't want to make myself look bad and fess up.

So I asked him what else I could do. He asked me to pray for Him. (whammy, right in my face) He was the one God sent and I blew it. Now, with a bit excited and looking for a little redemption, we sat there, prayed together and I marveled at how the Lord worked. This humble man was not bitter, not angry because I "supposedly" didn't have anything to give, He just trusted and prayed. Now don't tune off cause this is not the end of the story.

After we prayed he came back to me and said "The Lord is laying on my heart for us to read, before you make a final decision, Deutoronomy 15: 9-10, (but I am going to list verses 7-11. They are powerful) 7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Talk about a smack in the face. This was no accident. God DID want me to read this. God knew the condition of my heart and the lies that I used to justify this condition. Then to top it all off, He, the man on the bike, prayed for me.

I needed a moment. I asked him to give me time and He did. That's when I went before God, asked for forgiveness and crawled my way back to my purse. The walk of shame, BUT also the walk of forgiveness in grace. One of my regrets now as I sit in my home is this...that I didn't give him more. Even after all that, I held on to something that wasn't even mine to begin with. The money, the cash, it doesn't even belong to me. Why do I think I can hold it back.

So I guess what I have re-learned in a shameful, grace-filled way is what 1 John 1:5-10 says
"... that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." "AND MOST IMPORTANTLY "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

I am thankful that God forgives, I am thankful that he reminds me how much I need him to battle my flesh every moment. I am thankful that He is not done with me yet and that His grace and mercy cover me everyday. I need him. I can't even open my mouth, which is like a grave, without him. (Romans 3:13 Their throats are open graves;their tongues practice deceit.) I need him to guard my every thought, every action, my heart and mind in Christ. I NEED YOU GOD!

So the bit of irony is that as I reflect on my Starbuck's prayer to God, for Him to bring me someone to pray for, I believe the true prayer that went up was, bring me someone to pray for me. And God answered and He answered quickly. Praise be to God!

And today I laugh! Hahahahah!!!

I have heard this before, but today it made me laugh again. My husband shared with me how one of his co-workers complimented me on my unique fashion style. First of all, we must ask the question, what does unique mean? If by unique we mean "she doesn't match and must be color blind" I concur and totally agree and I take that as a full compliment. Although there have been times where my children have warned me not to go out looking the way I do and looking at one picture from a few years ago, I would have to agree, but never-mind that.

What I found even more sweet was my husband's response....."It's called Savers" and by this one should translate it as "We are too broke for my wife to go out and buy clothes from the 1st hand store that actually match, hence the eclectic look is created out of pure necessity."

But seriously doesn't everybody wear cut offs jeans under their Sunday dress:)

I'm thinking of becoming a Thrift store model ......any one got any hookups out there..... or maybe I should stick with Music Ministry:)

God is Good

There is something I have realized in the past week. I'm just gonna say it and you might think, "Well, Duh", but what has hit home to me this week is this...It Is Not About Me.

Sometimes I feel like I learn the same lessons over and over, but in new ways. Recently I have dealt with selfishness in not wanting to sing certain songs because emotionally they are too difficult and they stir up some tough memories. I just want to keep them for myself. Ironic thing here is that this was the first hurdle I had to get over when I used to play my songs at the piano for my personal devotion time. My husband kept telling me to share them and I said no, these are for my quiet time. Then I heard the call from God. So I find it funny that I would go through this again.

So this week I am talking about "Julies Song" aka "God is Good". What I realized is that it is not about me, it's not about how I sing the song, it's really not even about the song. It's not about my ability to write or lack of ability to compose. It is about the Power of God, the Power of His truth and the Power in His name. That's it. It's not about me.

God humbles me...constantly. I have so much to learn, yet I have so much to give. I just pray that He continues to allow me opportunities to do what He has called me to do. This I have no doubt He will do for His names sake.

May each of us go out knowing that God's truth is bigger than our realities, our pain and our hurts, even bigger than our temporary joy. May we make His name famous and declare to the world that He is good.

Now if I'm correct, to the right of this post is a music player and you can hit the forward button and hear the Song "God is Good" and listen to the wonderful names of our Lord. There is Power in His name. Be blessed to be a blessing.

God Is Good

by,

Mia Koehne ©2009

Chorus:

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “God is Good”

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “He is Faithful”

Verse:

Or say His name Jehovah Jireh (my provider)

Or say his name Jehova Nissi (My victorious banner)

Or say his name Jehovah Rophe (my healer)

Just say His name Jehovah Prince of Peace (my Shalom)

Verse:

Say His name Jehovah Kanna (my jealous Lord)

Say His name Jehovah Sel’i (my Rock)

Say His Name Jehovah Tsori (my strength)

Just say His name Jehovah Hoshe'ah (my lord saves)

Bridge:

God Is Good

God Is Faithful

New Songs

Last night was a fantastic night for me for several reasons. It was my first concert in Phoenix, it was my first concert with my new band and it was the first time I got to give my testimony here in my new home state. It was an amazing night. It was kind of like the worship leader said during the concert, "We're churchin it." It was a great night of worship of an Amazing God.

After I gave my testimony I sang a new song that I wrote the other day. It has a very personal meaning to me, not only because I once was that person, but because I also now pray for that person that I am singing about. I didn't really sing it perfectly, but I'm glad that I did. The great part about it is that even from the first time, Michael, the bass player heard it, he already has suggestions to make it better. I love that about my band! So, I'm excited to see where the song goes and what it becomes.

Just want to post the words as a prayer for all of us. Not sure of the title yet, but I had some great suggestions from the crowd last night, as of now it's simply called........

"A New Song Rather Than The Old"

You’re alone in the crowd on the corner

Chasing rainbows that go with no end

There’s no grand pot of gold in your story

You keep running with eyes to the wind

CHORUS: And your sad, sad story

Sings a song of desire and tears

You keep singing that sad tale of glory

You keep running behind all your fears

You've been running this race now for so long

Here’s a hand let me help you to stand

You are worth so much more than you know now

Sing a new song, the song of I AM

Sing

Sing

Sing, sing a song of redemption

Sing for the whole world to hear

Trust in the Lord

I needed to meditate on the words..."Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I need to trust Him today for things that don't seem possible and things that don't even make sense to me. My own understanding just isn't cutting it. Yet, when I read Proverbs 3:5-6, I can hardly stop because what follows is just as great to chew on. Enjoy some chewing action.

PROVERBS 3

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

² for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

"...already in progress" The Trailer