Elevate Your Day with Andi and Brian Hale

Salvation Is Only The Beginning (Left It In The River)

“What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16 (NLT) Giving my life to Jesus was the best thing I’ve ever done. When I repented of my sin and asked Him to save me, that was only the beginning. Salvation isn’t the final destination; it’s the key that unlocks an exciting, life-long adventure of faith. My baptism became a marker for that moment. Baptism doesn’t secure your salvation. It’s simply a beautiful picture of a changed life before Jesus (going into the water) and after Jesus (coming out of the water). I experienced tremendous joy the day I was baptized, not only because of the change that was already happening inside of me, but my journey was just starting when I was 21. Along the way, I’ve developed some good habits that have helped me walk in freedom — ones that I’ve shared with you, like journaling, reading Scripture, and cultivating community. But I’ve learned that following Jesus isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily decision. Every day, I wake up and commit to following Him. Some days, I do a better job of following Him than others. Salvation doesn’t mean we’re suddenly perfect. It simply means we’re committed to looking more like Jesus every day. I’ve found walking with Jesus is truly the best way to live, but it all starts with that first step. Have you taken that step? Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins? Have you asked Him to be the Lord of your life? If you haven’t, I’d invite you to do just that. Your prayer doesn’t have to be polished or poetic. It just has to be genuine and heartfelt. Once you’ve prayed that prayer, get ready for the greatest adventure of your life. Find a church where you can study God’s Word with people who are further along in their journey of faith. Carve out space to spend time with God through prayer and Scripture every day. Intentionally build a Christian community with other believers who will encourage you and hold you accountable. Above all, believe that you don’t have to carry the guilt and shame you’ve shouldered for so long. God wants to take that weight from you. Give your heart to Him today. You’ll never be the same.

Never Meant To Be Alone (Left It In The River)

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help…” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT) In the past, I’ve really struggled with isolation. Ever since my parents divorced and my dad left, I’ve had a hard time trusting anyone. When I was a teenager, I tended to find myself in the wrong crowds. For the longest time, after finding Jesus, I didn’t even trust myself to make friends, afraid that if I chose the wrong crew again, I’d end up back in the old life I so desperately wanted to leave behind. Thankfully, despite my own trust issues and all of life’s unexpected detours, the Lord sent me some incredible friends when I moved to Nashville. Friends who love Jesus and consistently point me to Him. Friends who are kind and thoughtful. Friends who love to laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously. Friends who bring encouragement and truth. Friends who are loyal and true. I never even knew friendship could be this life-giving. A few of these friends are featured in my music video for “Left It In The River.” It was the first music video I had ever filmed, and I was nervous about being on camera. Having my friends there immediately put me at ease. In fact, there were times I forgot a camera crew was even in the room. These girls have been such a blessing to me. I think I’ve pursued Jesus even more, thanks to their example and encouragement. I hope you have people around you who make you feel that way. A strong Christian community is a game-changer for growth and identity and has made all the difference for me. I’ve found friends at church, friends through other friends, and friends who are also making music just like me. If you don’t have a circle of friends supporting you, encouraging you, and doing life with you, I’d challenge you to pray and ask God to bring just one or two like-minded friends into your life. I think you’ll be amazed at how He answers your prayer.

God’s Word Will Direct Your Steps (Left It In The River)

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT) Journaling isn’t the only practice that’s helped me chart a new course for my life after my transformative encounter with the Lord. Honestly, writing out your feelings might be momentarily therapeutic, but the process of journaling alone won’t get you through your darkest night. I never pick up my journal without picking up my Bible first. And here’s why: My feelings can ride along, but I can’t ever let them drive. Emotions are great indicators of where we might need help or what areas of our character need immediate attention, but emotions do not make good leaders. They will derail us pretty quickly. That’s why it’s important to allow God’s Word to guide us, because God’s Word points us to truth. Feelings often lie, but Scripture will always tell the truth — even if it’s the truth we don’t want to hear. There’s something so powerful about speaking the truth. That’s why I’ve developed a habit of reading Scripture out loud over myself. There’s always a Scripture verse to combat the lies you believe and the confusing emotions you might be feeling. When I’m anxious about the future, I read Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” When I’m struggling to love who God made me to be, I read Psalm 139:14: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” When I’m battling shame from my past mistakes, I read 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When I’m waiting for a breakthrough, I read 1 John 5:14-15: “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” Working through my feelings on paper helps me untangle my emotions, but God’s Word is the compass that directs my path. I’d encourage you to allow Scripture to illuminate the next step of your journey.

God Writes The Best Stories (Left It In The River)

“And then God answered: ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming…’” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (MSG) Lately I’ve been flipping back through some old pages…the ones that held me together when nothing else could. The scribbles, the prayers, the messy words that carried me through so much. Journaling has become such a cathartic ritual for me. Writing out my honest feelings keeps me from bottling them up. Maybe it’s the songwriter in me, but physically putting pen to paper helps me process life and faith in a very tangible way. Sometimes I write out my prayers. Other times, I simply attempt to put words to my emotions or my questions. Many times, I’ll write out Scripture verses that combat the lies in my head. As the ink dries, the lies get a little quieter, and God’s voice gets a little louder. The best part of journaling, however, isn’t even the act of writing. It’s the fringe benefit of preserving my story with God — the one He’s writing in my life. When I revisit my old journals, I see the Lord’s kindness to me, over and over again. I can easily spot bad patterns and unhealthy cycles that need breaking. Most importantly, I’m reminded of the countless prayers He’s answered and all the times He’s shown up. Since I gave my life to Jesus, journaling has become a lifeline for me. And you know what I’ve found to be true? God writes the best stories. My journals are proof that the Lord has a perfect track record of faithfulness. Those handwritten, tear-stained pages remind me that He’s been so good to me in the past, and that’s why I can trust He’ll be good in the future. Maybe you’ve recently started your journey with Jesus, and you’ve tasted the grace He provides. Still, you can’t quite shake the guilt and shame you feel from your past mistakes. Can I make a suggestion? Pour yourself a warm drink. Grab a pen, an empty notebook, and your favorite chair. And watch what He will do — the wisdom He’ll reveal to you, the truth that will set you free. The freedom you’ve been longing for might just be unlocked one word at a time. And what God gives to you, no one can take away.

I Left It In The River (Left It In The River)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV) I was baptized when I was 21 years old. I came from a pretty rough past. My parents divorced when I was little. I was in and out of group homes. I struggled with drugs and alcohol. I was a high school dropout. By the time I fully surrendered my life to Jesus, there was a lot to leave behind. I came out of that water, and the first breath I inhaled just felt like the most glorious freedom I’d ever tasted. That moment marked the beginning of a transformation only the Lord could do. I was so grateful to be a brand-new person. That day, my best friend and I ran circles around the lake, laughing, tears of joy filling our eyes. I really wanted a song to portray that feeling, and so, many years later, I finally have an anthem. It’s called “Left It In The River.” This song is really all about my born-again experience. It’s about what happens when you finally lay it down — the shame, the striving, the weight you were never meant to carry — and you leave it all behind. My prayer is that this song becomes your anthem of joy, renewal, and freedom. Lately, I’ve been seeing so many of your baptism posts using this song, and wow, my heart is so encouraged. Watching lives renewed and hearts changed is the most beautiful thing. I know from experience that when you’ve lived in sin for so long, though, it can be hard to let go of the past, forgive yourself, and seek forgiveness from others. It’s difficult to train your heart and mind to make different — better — choices that are in line with God’s Word. In my own journey, I’ve discovered three disciplines that have helped me stay true to the new person God’s called me to be. For me, journaling, reading Scripture, and cultivating community have helped me keep my eyes on Jesus and my heart in tune with His. Over the next few days, I’d love to share more about how these habits have transformed my relationship with the Lord in the hopes that you can make some of these rhythms your own. I think you’ll be amazed at how God will use them to refine your character and shape your faith.