Thursday, October 4, 2012

Steadied Hearts

                                                       Kari Jobe - Steady My Heart

Sometimes we just have tough days... sometimes we need Someone Who can steady our hearts and help us through because we aren't sure what to do, where to go, who to trust, or when something will occur that we've been waiting for. Sometimes we need Someone bigger than us, Someone Who truly knows us inside and out and from beginning to end, to remind us of who we are and Whose we are...

Sometimes we have to say, Jesus, please, come steady my heart in this place; in this challenge; in this space; in this crisis; in the waiting; in the unknowing; in the chaos; in the stillness; in the dark; in whatever is going on.

A friend of mine had this song posted on her facebook tonight, and I had not heard it before, so I'm quite glad she did... it's a lovely song, sung well, with meaningful and heartfelt lyrics that remind us it's God Who is always there; in the pain, in the storm, He is our Refuge and Comfort if we allow Him to be.

Who Has the Grapes?

In the parable of the vineyard Jesus discusses just prior to going to the cross we learn about Jesus our Vine and how we, followers, are branches within and attached to Him at differing levels in accord with our faith and action.

Recently, I read Bruce Wilkerson's awesome little text, Secrets of the Vine. There were some interesting, even fascinating points made regarding the different levels that the Messiah discusses with His disciples. This story is found in John chapter 15 verses 1-17, which is as follows (Complete Jewish Bible):

“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me. 
“I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
“If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
“Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you. This is what I command you: keep loving each other!"

 All through the years, the interpretation I had of the branches who are cut off was that God was totally removing someone, but Dr. Wilkerson mentions that this is actually discipline and testing; not removing. Cutting isn't always removal; sometimes, it is a painful event or set of events. Such a different and more honorable interpretation that, indeed, in the Greek, actually makes more sense.

There are four baskets underneath vines, Wilkerson illustrates. One has nothing; one has a bare bit; one is about half full, and the fourth is full of the best looking grapes you've ever seen. Like the grapes Joshua and Caleb bring back to Israel from Jericho when they went in as spies to survey the land in Numbers chapter 13, these are plump, luscious, and as close to perfect they could be.

Basket one represents those who need cutting; discipline and testing. The Christ-followers whose baskets are empty are those who have made some decisions that go against the grain of the Lord's plan for their lives. There is unforgiveness, bitterness, or some other issue hindering them from moving forward and bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Once they are disciplined, though; once they are cut, they bear some fruit. Basket two has a few clusters that show promise, and so the Master Gardener prunes away some unnecessary, dead wood: deeds and relationships and attitudes that are not conducive for growth.

The fruit is good, and Father God, our Gardener, is encouraged, so He prunes away some more... more hindrances are removed; more definition is created. It pleases Him that His children of the Vine are doing so well. There is half a basket of ripe, delicious fruit to show now.

But God wants His children even closer; He seeks intimacy with us. To have a full basket is the goal of those who are truly seeking Him with all that they are and craving Him more than anything else. Full baskets; lives full of fruit from the Kingdom of God come from those who have had the deepest pruning, which comes from the deepest walk with God and therefore the most removal of what is not like Him. The more we become like Jesus... like the Vine... we bear fruit that resembles Him, in deed and Spirit.

Grapes with beautiful fall foliage; weheartit.com

We read that faith comes by hearing, and that by the Word of God, as well as that faith without works is dead (Romans 10:17; James 2:14-26). We also know that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control," (Galatians 5:22-23a, NASB) which we know are going to help us do the good deeds we were called to before the world began, because God predestined each of us from before the world began. Those who are in Christ are predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:28-30). Pruning, I believe, is one of the processes that He uses over time to create us into who we were meant to be. While destiny involves co-creating our lives with Christ - His plans and our actions - no matter what happens, God can turn it all for good. If we will accept the discipline and correction, accept the pruning, and run TO God instead of FROM Him during the process, we will become full to the brim with the life and fruit of the Kingdom.

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit," Paul writes in Galatians 5:25.  To allow God the Father to be the Gardener we we are healthy branches in the Vine, Jesus Christ, then we are indeed abiding in Him and He in us, and therefore we are walking by the Spirit of God and bearing much fruit.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Of Orchids and Orchestras

Music and flowers have always had a place in the hearts of the people...

What kind of flowers, and what kind of music, of course, depends on the person's taste, and yet they are common. The differences among them make them unique.

One person might enjoy orchids and orchestras. Someone else, lisianthus and Smashing Pumpkins. Another, roses and Radiohead. Everyone's different, and some of us are really eclectic in our tastes...

Lisianthus in purple. All photos from WeHeartit.com

All three of these flowers, I appreciate... and I appreciate a wide variety of bands, orchestras, and other musical artists... that is part of what makes me unique.



We read in the Bible that our treasure is where our heart is... what we meditate on, what we cherish... these will show others what we treasure. This is as true in music and flowers as in people and belief systems. It is also as true of God as it is of us... There is a parable that talks about a man who finds a treasure hidden within a field. In order to procure it, he hides the treasure back in the field where it was found, sells all that is precious to him, and buys the field so he may obtain the prize he so desired.



This treasure can be seen in two different ways:

The kingdom of God is a treasure to those who find it... to those who find Jesus Christ, the treasure of heaven, and sell out for God.

It is also God selling out for US. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth as a human being, divesting Himself of all His rights and privileges and died on a cross... for US. He humbled Himself as He asks us to humble ourselves... and He went above and beyond all He has asked of us in this regard.

Heaven to one might be orchids and orchestras... to another, it might be lady's slipper and Sixx AM or Guns and Roses... the point isn't what our preferences are here on earth as humans, but our beliefs and faith in the kingdom mindset and lifestyle. Where our treasure is, so is our heart. What we cherish, what we believe, what we have faith in... ultimately shows where our lives will end up. We all have a destiny and God has allowed us to co-create it with Him.

What are you co-creating?

UPDATE 7/16/13-- COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...


Saturday, September 1, 2012

There's Always Something About September

Happy September to everyone!



September is one of those months... one of those times of year... where a new year both begins and ends. It is the ending of summer, the beginning of fall; it begins a new school year. It begins the holiday season off, albeit slowly.


September is a time to renew relationships with family and friends. It is a time of change and wonder and beauty. It is a turning point.

Welcome, September.

We await your gifts!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Fave Fifteens - Songs that Amaze!

Fifteen of the most wonderful songs I've heard... fifteen favorites, in no particular order!

Maggie Quiroz- Before Your Throne
Athena Cage - All or Nothing
Sixx A.M. - Skin
Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe
Lonestar - Amazed
William Murphy - Like Never Before
Steven Tyler - Amazing Grace
Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply
Priscilla Ahn -Dream
Isaac Caree - In the Middle
Idan Raichel - Bo'ee (Come With Me)
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - It's Your Love
Josh Groban and Deep Forest - Never Let Go
Train - Drops of Jupiter
Michael Jackson - Man In the Mirror


Thursday, July 19, 2012

New Life... Transformation

A lot of people talk of having a new life...

A new life when this job comes through.
A new life when he recognizes me for who I am.
A new life when my family gets through this.
A new life when we get a house.
A new life when the baby gets here, or we get married, or... the list goes on.

UPDATE 7/16/13-- I'm working toward a BIG change, that will benefit us all. :) COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...


All images courtesy of weheartit.com

What about new life as it is? TRUE life. Life that comes from the Spirit of God when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior?


Of all new life, that is the most transformative...

It takes us from the caterpillar of humanity, aside from the Spirit of God, and  cocoons us in God's love until we are saved, constantly being transformed into the likeness of the One Who Created us... Like a butterfly, we gain wings and can take flight. We are no longer relegated to solid matter, but are able to become air-borne in the strength of the Savior Who transformed for our sakes at the cross... out of love for us.

Color is added to who we are because of Whose we are, and we can take wing in confidence that He will catch us when we fall because of that great Love He has for us as His people.



 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Fave Fifteens - Wrap Dresses!

What woman doesn't love a wonderful wrap dress?

Here are fifteen wonderful wraps to start the blog off with. :)

                                             Gigi Lace Cinch Dress, from Kiyonna.com


                              Chantilly Wrap Dress, from Sealed With a Kiss, swakdesigns.com

    Rachel Parry White Label Rocio Cheetah-Print Wrap Dress, found at celebstylecentral.com

                                                   Isabela Wrap Dress, from Igigi.com

                                             Sweetheart Knit Wrap Dress, from Kiyonna.com

                                                    Vadela Wrap Dress, from Igigi.com

                                       Moroccan Wrap Skirt Dress, blue silk, from Cayadutta.com

                                                   Signature Wrap Dress, from Igigi.com

                                             Samantha Cinch Dress, from Kiyonna.com

                                       Kiyonna Legacy Wrap Dress, found at after7boutique.com

                          Evangaline Wrap Dress, Sealed With a Kiss, from swakdesigns.com

                                            Cheryl Wrap Dress in Teal Multi, from Igigi.com

                                                Alfani Floral Wrap Dress, found at womensplusdresses.com

                                         Wrap Dress by Jessica Verona, stunningdresses.net

                                           Finn Flutter Wrap Dress from Bloomingdales.com

Here we have them... Fifteen gorgeous wrap dresses for the lovely plus-sized woman to dazzle in. I hope you've found inspiration to glam up or dress down to your heart's content! Wrap dresses work for any woman's shape and size, and are versatile. One can go from work to dinner and a show with a change-out of accessories in a snap. :) And that's a wrap!

UPDATE 7/16/13-- COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...





Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Introducing the Fave Fifteens

The Fave Fifteens is something I will do on here periodically, just for fun, to add some variety to the blog. I hope you enjoy!

UPDATE 7/16/13-- COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Message is Clear...

                                   Ephesians 2:7-10 (MSG) 

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. 

Beautiful in any language... 


(French)

Maintenant Dieu nous a où il veut que nous, avec tout le temps dans ce monde et le suivant à la grâce de la douche et gentillesse à nous en Jésus Christ. Épargne est toute son idée et tout son travail. Tout que nous faisons est lui suffisamment pour lui faire confiance de le faire. C'est Don de Dieu du début à la fin ! Nous ne jouent pas le rôle majeur. Si nous le pouvions, nous irions probablement autour de vanter que nous avions fait tout ça ! Non, ni nous rendre, ni sauver nous-mêmes. Dieu est la fabrication et l'épargne. Il crée chacun de nous par Jésus Christ pour se joindre à lui dans le travail qu'il fait, le bon travail qu'il a obtenu un prêt pour nous faire, travail nous avait mieux faire.

(Arabic)


الآن قد الله لنا حيث أنه يريد منا، مع كل الوقت في هذا العالم والقادمة إلى سماح الاستحمام واللطف علينا في "المسيح يسوع". يتم حفظ جميع فكرته، وجميع ما قام به من العمل. كل ما نفعله هو الثقة به ما يكفي السماح له بالقيام بذلك. أنها هبة الله من البداية إلى النهاية! ونحن لا يلعب الدور الرئيسي. إذا فعلنا ذلك، سوف نذهب ربما حول تفاخر بأن قد فعلنا كل شيء! لا، ونحن لا تجعل ولا إنقاذ أنفسنا. كل من صنع وحفظ الله. أنه يخلق كل منا قبل "يسوع المسيح" الانضمام إليه في عمل ما يفعله، العمل الجيد أنه حصلت على استعداد بالنسبة لنا للقيام، العمل كان لدينا أفضل أن تقوم به.

(Japanese)

今神はここで彼は私たちのこの世界とシャワーの優雅さと私たちに親切でイエス ・ キリストへのすべての時間と欲求があります。省は、すべての彼のアイデアとすべての彼の仕事です。すべての我々 は彼は十分な彼にそれを信頼です。それはスタートからフィニッシュまでの神の贈り物です !我々 の主要な役割を再生されません。場合は、おそらく我々 全体のことを行っていたことを自慢する周り行くだろう !いいえ、私たちにも自分自身を保存します。神は、作成と保存の両方を行います。彼は各を作成するに私たちのイエス ・ キリストは彼が仕事で、彼に参加するには、彼は私たちのために行うには、準備ができてしまって良い仕事を私たちがより良い仕事を。

(Italian)

Ora Dio ci ha dove egli vuole che noi, con tutto il tempo in questo mondo e il prossimo a doccia grazia e gentilezza su di noi in Gesù Cristo. Risparmio è tutta la sua idea e tutto il suo lavoro. Tutto ciò che facciamo è fiducia in lui abbastanza per fargli fare. Essa è dono di Dio, dall'inizio alla fine! Noi non giocare il ruolo principale. Se abbiamo fatto, probabilmente sarebbe andato intorno a vantarsi che avevamo fatto il tutto! No, noi non fanno né salvare noi stessi. Dio fa la fabbricazione e il risparmio. Egli crea ciascuno di noi da Gesù Cristo di unirsi a lui nel lavoro che fa, il buon lavoro che egli ha ottenuto pronto per noi fare, lavoro che abbiamo avuto di meglio fare.

 (Hebrew)

כעת יש לנו אלוהים היכן שהוא רוצה אותנו, עם כל הזמן בתוך העולם הזה, הבא בתור מקלחת חסד וטוב עלינו במשיח. השמירה היא כל רעיון שלו ואת כל העבודה שלו. כל מה שאנחנו עושים הוא לבטוח בו מספיק כדי לאפשר לו לעשות. הוא מתנה מאלוהים, מההתחלה עד הסוף! לא משחקים את התפקיד הראשי. אם עשינו, כנראה ילך סביב bragging אנו עשו הכל! לא, אנחנו לא לעשות ולא לשמור לעצמנו. אלוהים גורם ייצור וחיסכון. הוא יוצר כל אחד מאיתנו החל ישוע המשיח להצטרף אליו הוא עוסק, הטוב עבודה הוא התארגנו עבור העבודה שאנו עושים, היה לנו דברים טובים יותר לביצוע.


(Greek)

Σήμερα, ο Θεός μας έχει όπου θέλει μας, με όλη την ώρα σε αυτόν τον κόσμο και τον επόμενο ντους χάριτος και ευγένεια σε μας στον Ιησού Χριστό. Αποταμίευση είναι όλα την ιδέα, και όλα το έργο του. Μόνο που κάνουμε είναι εμπιστεύεστε τον αρκετά για να το κάνει. Είναι δώρο του Θεού από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος! Δεν μας να διαδραματίσουν το σημαντικότερο ρόλο. Αν κάναμε, κατά πάσα πιθανότητα θα πάμε γύρω από bragging ότι είχαμε κάνει το όλο θέμα! Όχι, εμείς δεν κάνει ούτε σώσει τον εαυτό μας. Ο Θεός κάνει τόσο για τη δημιουργία και αποθήκευση. Δημιουργεί κάθε μας από τον Ιησού Χριστό να συνταχθώ μαζί του το έργο του, το καλό έργο που του έχει πάρει έτοιμη για εμάς, εργασία θα έπρεπε καλύτερα να κάνουμε.

(Danish)

Nu har Gud os, hvor han ønsker os, med al tid i denne verden, og næste til brusebad nåde og venlighed over os i Kristus Jesus. Gemme er alle hans idé, og alle hans arbejde. Alle vi er tillid ham nok at lade ham gøre det. Det er Guds gave fra start til slut! Vi spille ikke en større rolle. Hvis vi gjorde det, ville vi sandsynligvis gå omkring bragging, vi havde gjort det hele! Nej, vi gør hverken spare os. Gud gør både til at oprette og gemme. Han opretter hver af os ved Jesus Kristus til at slutte sig til ham i det arbejde, han gør, det gode arbejde, han har fået klar for os at gøre, vi havde bedre arbejde gør.


I think by now, you get the point. Hopefully you understand at least one of these languages, but if not, I'm sure it can be found for you or translated. The message of the GRACE OF GOD in Jesus Christ and the BLOOD He shed on our behalf is the most beautiful there is. And this passage reminds us that we cannot save ourselves, as much as we did not create ourselves. We might create a persona; we might create a brand... but GOD created US as people. We might be able to help ourselves in some areas, but save ourselves we cannot. Jesus can, and He did the work of it already. The work on OUR part is to ACCEPT the work He did and believe on and trust Him that He did it, then follow His example in the world - an example of loving and caring about the people He puts in our lives.

Monday, May 28, 2012

From Here to the Moon and Back

                                            Dolly Parton's From Here to the Moon and Back

I just heard this song for the first time a few minutes ago... and as a Dolly Parton fan, I find it a new favorite.

If you've ever loved someone with all that you are, all that you have, and would do anything in your own power to help them have the best life ever, whether that means you're in their life or not... I think you'll understand this song. :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Rend Your Hearts


Jeffrey Osborne - On the Wings of Love... 
Heartrendingly beautiful song


Have you ever had a broken heart?
I think in one way or another, most if not all of us have...
How did you respond to it? What went through your mind, and your heart?
I know that there have been times when I felt the heartbreak as much as Toni Braxton sounds when she sings Un-Break My Heart, or when it was the person who is closest to me... Madonna's Take a Bow.

Madonna - Take a Bow  

 Take a bow, the night is over
This masquerade is getting older
Light are low, the curtains down
There's no one here
[There's no one here, there's no one in the crowd]
Say your lines but do you feel them
Do you mean what you say when there's no one around [no one around]
Watching you, watching me, one lonely star
[One lonely star you don't know who you are]

Chorus:

I've always been in love with you [always with you]
I guess you've always known it's true [you know it's true]
You took my love for granted, why oh why
The show is over, say good-bye

Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye

Make them laugh, it comes so easy
When you get to the part
Where you're breaking my heart [breaking my heart]
Hide behind your smile, all the world loves a clown
[Just make 'em smile the whole world loves a clown]
Wish you well, I cannot stay
You deserve an award for the role that you played [role that you played]
No more masquerade, you're one lonely star
[One lonely star and you don't know who you are]

(chorus, repeat)

Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye

All the world is a stage [world is a stage]
And everyone has their part [has their part]
But how was I to know which way the story'd go
How was I to know you'd break
[You'd break, you'd break, you'd break]
You'd break my heart

I've always been in love with you
[I've always been in love with you]
Guess you've always known
You took my love for granted, why oh why
The show is over, say good-bye

(chorus)

Say good-bye [bye bye], say good-bye
Say good-bye


Toni Braxton -   Un-break My Heart

Don't leave me in all this pain
Don't leave me out in the rain
Come back and bring back my smile
Come and take these tears away
I need your arms to hold me now
The nights are so unkind
Bring back those nights when I held you beside me

Un-break my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt you caused
When you walked out the door
And walked out of my life
Un-cry these tears
I cried so many nights
Un-break my heart
My heart

Take back that sad word good-bye
Bring back the joy to my life
Don't leave me here with these tears
Come and kiss this pain away
I can't forget the day you left
Time is so unkind
And life is so cruel without you here beside me

Un-break my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt you caused
When you walked out the door
And walked out of my life
Un-cry these tears
I cried so many nights
Un-break my heart
My heart

Don't leave me in all this pain
Don't leave me out in the rain
Bring back the nights when I held you beside me

Un-break my heart
Say you'll love me again
Undo this hurt you caused
When you walked out the door
And walked out of my life
Un-cry this tears
I cried so many, many nights
Un-break my

Un-break my heart oh baby
Come back and say you love me
Un-break my heart
Sweet darlin'
Without you I just can't go on
Can't go on....


Commercial/ UPDATE 7/16/13-- COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...


Sometimes, though, when there is heartbreak, it is because a dream or family member, a close friend, a beloved mentor or other person one admires has died. When someone we love and care about dies, no matter whether or not we have actually met them, there is certainly heartbreak...

Sometimes the death of a dream is that art is misunderstood, and therefore the artist. Vincent Van Gogh had a dream when he painted Starry Starry Night... and most people didn't recognize it as he lived; it only came to light after his death. Vincent, by Don McLean, shares one version of interpretation.

Don McLean- Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant
For one as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
A silver thorn, a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will



Sometimes heartbreak is because of how absolutely BEAUTIFUL something is... that the beauty around us is so intense yet surreal; so spectacular and heartrendingly awesome that heartbreak is the closest word to how it feels. Sometimes, this is in the form of watching the relationship of two people you KNOW that you KNOW are totally in love, and loving one another on every level. This is rare, but it exists. On the Wings of Love, by Jeffrey Osborne - at the top of the page - is a song that exemplifies this.

When someone we love is going through a hard time, it can also be heartbreaking. Sometimes, what it takes to help them heal and in turn unbreak our own hearts is to encourage them. Josh Groban's You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) is a good example of how we can encourage someone who is depressed, down and out, or otherwise having a difficult time...

Josh Groban - You are Loved (Don't Give Up)


Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When you're heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one is to be heard
You are loved



 Sometimes the world around us, itself... the system... that is what breaks our heart. The things we can change if we try hard enough, and the things we know we can't, no matter how much we want to. These are the things that make us want to look at the Man in the Mirror.


What about when a baby is born? I've heard that at times, the mother so enjoyed the pregnancy that there is heartbreak over the loss of the pregnant state while there is joy in holding her child.

 However we define heartbreak, it makes us stronger; it helps us to FEEL things we otherwise wouldn't, and to learn about ourselves and the world around us. How we grow depends on how we respond to it, and what we choose to do with the emotional information coming into who we are as well as how we share that information with the world. And more importantly, what we decide to do with our lives, in spite of heartbreak, shows who we really are. Will we stop loving in order to try to hide from pain, or will we love again and again until we find the people worth the loving? The ones who will be there, no matter what?







  All this to get to the point of heartbreak: it isn't the end of the world. In fact, God tells us that when we sin, if we rend our hearts (become beartbroken) over the sin and turn to Him, away from what has held us in the constraints of our invisible chains (for sin and the world are, indeed, a prison of confinement), He will heal, deliver, and save us.

Joel tells us in verses 12-14 (NIV):
12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
13 Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
    and leave behind a blessing —
grain offerings and drink offerings
    for the Lord your God.

While the context of these verses is that there is a plague of locusts in the land, as well as drought (meaning that the agricultural and farming culture not only had little to eat, but lost out financially, as well) this is something that applies to all of us, isn't it? The people had gone against the Word of the Lord, and against God Himself, in their deeds and hearts, and the plague and drought were a result of it.



Sometimes our lives become spiritual deserts; sometimes our lives are plagued because of something that we have said, done, or thought - a choice we made - that we might not even realize until after it's over that we've done. 

Sometimes, one of the types of heartbreak mentioned earlier in the post is a result of what we have been doing that we know, deep down, isn't the right thing to do. Sometimes it isn't. But heartbreak can be a sign to us of something deeper. When we come to a place of heartbreak, what are we looking at: what we have gained, lost, or done? What was our part in the process, if any? What decisions did we make along the way to the heartbreak? 

Sometimes rending our hearts is better than grieving over things that cannot be changed. We have a choice, each time something happens in our lives, to do the right thing. We have a choice to make the best of each and every situation, no matter what has happened or where we have been in life. God is ALWAYS there waiting for us to return to Him if we have fallen away. He is there, no matter what...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Don't Give Up! He's Here to Draw You Close.

 As I sit here, leaning back against the headboard in my room, legs out on the lawn of the green paisley-floral bedspread and MASH in the background, and two people on IM, someone reminded me about the Pools of Bethesda... and so I went to her post about it...

I was reading her post, and this song, on Youtube, was added at the end of it. The lyrics of Sixx AM are powerful, life-changing, thought-provoking... and it was very fitting to talk about accidents and slips and the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus had compassion on a man whose life seemed to be one big "slip" in the eyes of many. He was one of hundreds, perhaps thousands of people waiting for an ANGEL to come and stir the water, for the first person to make it into the pool they were sitting near was healed by God at the angel's touch. (See the story in John 5:1-15

Verse five tells us, "There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years." This man, Jesus walked up to and interacted with, allowing healing to come into his heart, life, psyche, and body. This man, who had sat at the pools so long... this man who, to many, seemed to "fall off the wagon" or have slipped... or whose parents had slipped into sin... Jesus came in and encouraged, and He healed him.

Accidents Can Happen, by Sixx AM, is following... the words to the song reveal the deep-seated need for each of us to have someone be understanding. Like the man at the pools, we all have someone looking at us with compassion in Jesus... if we will but accept the compassion. No matter how we have fallen, or what we need in terms of healing, HE is the way!

To YOU, Lisa Marie, thank you... for introducing me to such talent and the beauty of their songs... and of Nikki's mind and heart. :)

We all need some encouragement, as my friend said in her post. We all need encouragement from INSIDE of us, as well as from others. We all need the encouragement God has for us, which much of the time COMES through others. And we all need a helping hand sometimes, too. As Lisa wrote in the blog post that has inspired me (Feb. 11, 2011...),
 "What if we were all moved by COMPASSION and we took some time to encourage each other, by simply saying... "Don't give up, It's never too late, Don't sit here any longer, You can do it, Get up... Walk.""

At some point, I might interact with this song... but for today, I just want to revel in, concentrate on, meditate on the words and what they mean... for they are powerful without any interaction at all...

Nikki, if you're reading this... THANK YOU... Godspeed, and may He continually bless you. You are a blessing to more of us than you have any idea. Much love in Jesus Christ... The One Who knows even better than we do that accidents happen and we all fall down and slip sometimes.(Nikki, se stai leggendo questo... Grazie... Godspeed, ed egli continuamente vi benedica. Vi sono una benedizione per più di noi che avete qualche idea. Tanto amore in Gesù Cristo... Colui che sa a volte addirittura meglio di noi che accadono incidenti e we all fall down e slip.)

Know He loves you so much more than you can ever know, Nikki! He is and will forever be there for you, and for each one. YOU are a blessing! (So che ti ama così tanto più che si può mai sapere, Nikki! Egli è e sarà sempre lì per te e per ciascuno di essi. VI sono una benedizione!)

May God bring Sixx AM all credit, and may Sixx AM give God all glory! (Può portare Dio Sixx AM tutti i crediti, e può dare Sixx AM Dio tutta la gloria!)

So without further ado,

Accidents Can Happen - Sixx AM


 Don't give up, it takes a while
I have seen this look before
And it's alright
You're not alone
If you don't love this anymore
I hear that you've slipped again
I'm here 'cause I know you'll need a friend

And you know that accidents can happen
And it's okay,
We all fall off the wagon sometimes
It's not your whole life
It's only one day
You haven't thrown everything away.

Take some time and learn to breathe
And remember what it means
To feel alive
And to believe
Something more than what you see
I know there's a price for this
But some things in life you must resist

And you know that accidents can happen
And it's okay,
We all fall off the wagon sometimes
It's not your whole life
It's only one day
You haven't thrown everything away.

I hear that you've slipped again
I'm here 'cause I know you'll need a friend

And you know that accidents can happen
And it's okay,
We all fall off the wagon sometimes
It's not your whole life
It's only one day
You haven't thrown everything away.

You know that accidents can happen
And it's okay,
We all fall off the wagon sometimes
It's not your whole life
It's only one day
You haven't thrown everything away.

So don't give up
It takes a while.


                                         Sixx AM- Accidents Can Happen


We can cry to Jesus... we can ask for the healing we need. We no longer have to wait at a pool for the angel to stir up the water. When Jesus died in our place, and when He rose again, He gave us access to the Father in HEAVEN, from Whom all blessings flow in Jesus' name by His Spirit...
  
Broken Before You


For a clean heart I come
Kneeling before You
Broken and humbled
For a clean heart I come
Kneeling before You
Needing renewal

For a clean heart I come
Kneeling before You
Broken and humbled before You
Your saving, cleansing grace I need
I come before You, Lord
Broken and humbled
Coming before You
Seeking Your face
A clean heart I need
Your saving, cleansing grace I need
Broken and humbled before You
For a clean heart I come

Broken before You, Lord
Broken before You
Broken before You, Lord
Kneeling before You

 (Lyrics by this author; all rights reserved)

Don't give up. Ever. Never let go of what God has given you unless He indicated it is time to let go... and trust Him to draw you closer to Him, have compassion on you, and love us, human as we are, knowing we are imperfect as He works to perfect us... He knows we are broken people needing healing... and He is here to bring the healing touch of His love and grace to our hearts and lives today and always.


                                         William McDowell - Closer/ Wrap Me In Your Arms

UPDATE 7/16/13-- COME OVER and check out my FUNDRAISER! Journey to a Thousand Voices...