This is collection of songs I've written through the years I hope will be an encouragement to the church, just like Lars in "The Secret Meeting Place," who was instructed to awaken the slumbering souls in the village down below. This is one of the ways I hope to do that. The title track sums it up for me. Here are the lyrics:
Verse One: Thirsty soul tired feel empty hands heavy heart, This is not all you have, you have been given more Chorus: Pilgrim man don't give up though the road be long and the journey hard. You are not alone and God will carry you. Hold on pilgrim man, you're almost home Verse Two: Faithful friends by your side. burning heart, hope in sight. He's been down this road before, He's walking with you now Repeat Chorus: Bridge: You might think you've had enough, but the best is yet to come Repeat Chorus: Benediction: May the Lord grant you peace (On your journey home), May the Lord grant you grace (On your journey home), May the Lord grant you joy (On your journey home), May the Lord grant you faith (On your journey home)
July 2, 2007
May 14, 2007
Crap.
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Honestly, I don't know how much more I can take. The partially-cleaned carpet stains are right near my feet as I type. The smell isn't so much overbearing, as is it a curiosity-inducing "what is that?" Every once in a while, the acidic sweetness of urine wafts past my nose. See, my dog wasn't feeling too well the other night. Or she was mad at me. Or she was lonely and didn't think I was ever coming home. I have no way of knowing if anything goes through her brain except "I have GOT to get rid of this crap ASAP!" Being the sensitive female that she is, she made sure she did it out of the way of the main thoroughfares of my house, hoping not to disturb order too much. But did she ever dump a load or two. Sweet thing.But between you and me, when I got home Sunday about 2am to find these lovely deposits, I was too worn out to really clean it up. I picked up the biggest chunks…and left the rest. The remnants. And I'm guessing that's what I'm smelling right now. So I've lit a candle. That buys me some time before I really have to dig in and clean up her…my mess. She made it; then it became my mess. It's no longer hers. Dogs have no ownership of their messes. This is where we differ. I own my messes. Or at least, I'm supposed to. And I can't help but wonder if my life is filled with lit candles covering up the rank odor of my sloppy depravity.
I can't know completely how to answer that. But I can begin by cleaning the carpet today. And when I see something else that needs cleaning, clean that. It's easy to light a candle. But I don't want to be a person who walks through all of life's crap simply smelling artificial cinnamon scents.
April 25, 2007
Worship Is...
Worship Is....a choice. I have a choice as to how I'm going to respond to God's love for me. I could sit around my house and revel in the fact that the God of the Universe is passionately in love with me. Or I could allow that powerful love to be the fuel that gets me out of the house, filled with strength, courage, compassion, and creativity to interact with the world around me.
I've tried worship where I sing with eyes closed, arms outstretched, seeking to have a "good worship experience." And sometimes I feel all gushy and warm, like "God really showed up." But the fact remains that God has shown up...and will continue showing up...regardless of how I feel. Actually, it requires for me to have more faith in the truth of God when the "feelings" of His presence are absent.
Worship Is...continually choosing to not place such high value on my own feelings, and place higher value on the people around that God puts in my life--people who are desperately wanting to experience God's love, hope and compassion. I receive from God, not so I can hold onto it, but so that I can give it away to others.
God so loved the world that....he gave His only son. God showed his love to the world by sending his son. I desire to show God my own love for him...in worship. The best way I can do that, in my opinion, is by sending myself out into the world around me. God so loved me that...I can give my own life away to others.
I've tried worship where I sing with eyes closed, arms outstretched, seeking to have a "good worship experience." And sometimes I feel all gushy and warm, like "God really showed up." But the fact remains that God has shown up...and will continue showing up...regardless of how I feel. Actually, it requires for me to have more faith in the truth of God when the "feelings" of His presence are absent.
Worship Is...continually choosing to not place such high value on my own feelings, and place higher value on the people around that God puts in my life--people who are desperately wanting to experience God's love, hope and compassion. I receive from God, not so I can hold onto it, but so that I can give it away to others.
God so loved the world that....he gave His only son. God showed his love to the world by sending his son. I desire to show God my own love for him...in worship. The best way I can do that, in my opinion, is by sending myself out into the world around me. God so loved me that...I can give my own life away to others.
October 10, 2006
May 14, 2006
You have no idea how much I love you
You have no idea how much I love you, though at times I do believe you catch glimpses of it. Those are the times of peace that you encounter--it's kind of a peace that blows you away, right? You dont have to work very hard to feel my love--it's always present. If I could give you a little advice, I'd say, Man, I'm so proud of you. I made you very special. I believe you know that, and I love how you live your life always looking for ways to bring love and joy to other people. That's awesome! You are doing so much really great stuff and being used so well, that it's hard to think you'd be better off somewhere else.
Even still, I want to empower you to go after what you desire deep down, and trust that I'm with you. Really dig in and go after your dreams. I'm not going to be a genie in a bottle for you, but I'm with you. Cheering you on.
I love to see you happy and while I want you to know that TRUE happiness is only going to be found by resting in my love & peace, there are great joys to experience in this world so GO FOR IT! But, be patient and don't let your place in the journey ever get you down, or make you feel like there's something wrong with you or your abilities. Step back and see it as a beautiful, valuable story that's being written--it's not about you getting everything you want, or it's not about you being perfect, or amazing, or even great. It's about taking the next step in the direction that you hear me whisper. You HAVE been doing that really well--but I sense discouragement when you focus too much on the FUTURE. The problem with being ambitious is that you continually run the risk of not being present. That's why you have to work extra hard to stay present and see all that I'm giving you today, and all that you have --you truly have all you need for your deepest joy TODAY!
You are tempted to believe that what you have isn't enough--that somehow it's old, or no longer valuable, that it's time for something new to keep you juiced up -- this isnt true. New is exciting, but there's great peace in laying into, or sinking deeper into what you have today--that's where you can best feel my love. Your conceptions of what will be nice to have in the future will never match up with reality. Your quest for new only keeps you on the treadmill of discontent.
I made you a beautiful person though you are still prone to sin and its consequences--this is the area where you need to trust me the most. Trust me that I'm taking care of you and will continue to. You will be tempted to look to other people to take care of you--that's very natural. But trust me--I've got you and I'm not letting go. You have some amazing people in your life who love you very much. You have a choice to love them and let them love you. Don't feel that you have to communicate more of struggle then what is really happening, just to get their compassion. They love you already--be honest, but don't manipulate their love by manufacturing struggle.
TRUST ME. TRUST MY LOVE FOR YOU. DON'T FOCUS ON YOUR STRUGGLE SO MUCH--though it's hard, it does nobody any good! Feeling that your struggle is so difficult will hinder you from true compassion for others that I desire for you.
You are smart, creative, a great problem solver, a lover, a great friend, a deep soul, you inspire people, you bring great joy to others. You are a great success--what more could you want!
Even still, I want to empower you to go after what you desire deep down, and trust that I'm with you. Really dig in and go after your dreams. I'm not going to be a genie in a bottle for you, but I'm with you. Cheering you on.
I love to see you happy and while I want you to know that TRUE happiness is only going to be found by resting in my love & peace, there are great joys to experience in this world so GO FOR IT! But, be patient and don't let your place in the journey ever get you down, or make you feel like there's something wrong with you or your abilities. Step back and see it as a beautiful, valuable story that's being written--it's not about you getting everything you want, or it's not about you being perfect, or amazing, or even great. It's about taking the next step in the direction that you hear me whisper. You HAVE been doing that really well--but I sense discouragement when you focus too much on the FUTURE. The problem with being ambitious is that you continually run the risk of not being present. That's why you have to work extra hard to stay present and see all that I'm giving you today, and all that you have --you truly have all you need for your deepest joy TODAY!
You are tempted to believe that what you have isn't enough--that somehow it's old, or no longer valuable, that it's time for something new to keep you juiced up -- this isnt true. New is exciting, but there's great peace in laying into, or sinking deeper into what you have today--that's where you can best feel my love. Your conceptions of what will be nice to have in the future will never match up with reality. Your quest for new only keeps you on the treadmill of discontent.
I made you a beautiful person though you are still prone to sin and its consequences--this is the area where you need to trust me the most. Trust me that I'm taking care of you and will continue to. You will be tempted to look to other people to take care of you--that's very natural. But trust me--I've got you and I'm not letting go. You have some amazing people in your life who love you very much. You have a choice to love them and let them love you. Don't feel that you have to communicate more of struggle then what is really happening, just to get their compassion. They love you already--be honest, but don't manipulate their love by manufacturing struggle.
TRUST ME. TRUST MY LOVE FOR YOU. DON'T FOCUS ON YOUR STRUGGLE SO MUCH--though it's hard, it does nobody any good! Feeling that your struggle is so difficult will hinder you from true compassion for others that I desire for you.
You are smart, creative, a great problem solver, a lover, a great friend, a deep soul, you inspire people, you bring great joy to others. You are a great success--what more could you want!
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