Today's post could very well piggy back on the "Hallelujah" post, for it has struck my that I must be tenacious in my praise. God wants all of it, all of me, all of the time.
I had the joy of an hour this morning that was filled with walking and singing. This was my first "Praise Walk" as opposed to a "Prayer Walk". It felt as though God was telling me to surround a certain spot with praise, (It is a large area.) and as I sang every hymn and worship song that came to my mind, joy was shining and hope was rising.
So, I guess I should also link again to my favorite songs..."How Can I Keep From Singing?" I can't, because of the "Glorious Impossible"! - but you can scroll down to hear them again. :)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, Monday...
Museful Mondays - celebrating creativity, curiosity and learning.
Hmmm. Today started out pretty rough. God had to get me out of bed with a false fire alarm at 8 am. I have not been sleeping very well for many months and it has started to catch up with me. It feels like there is nothing in the pot to draw from for creativity, curiosity or learning. So...what to do???
Think on these things:
The smooth, spiky texture of a Kiwiana. Don't know how to eat it or what it even is really, but it looked interesting at the market. Visually, it is a treat. Not so much to the taste.
An eleven armed star fish. How's this for asymmetrical??
A magical path.
Although this is a picture of Miss A, it is where I am right now today...
Hmmm. Today started out pretty rough. God had to get me out of bed with a false fire alarm at 8 am. I have not been sleeping very well for many months and it has started to catch up with me. It feels like there is nothing in the pot to draw from for creativity, curiosity or learning. So...what to do???
Think on these things:
Although this is a picture of Miss A, it is where I am right now today...
Lord, Here I am to worship with hands to the sky,
My day has been rough and I've had a good cry.
I know You are near me and have me in hand,
Please guide me along as I continue to stand.
Thank you for bringing Your Word to my mind
as I look for Your comfort, what treasure I find!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Today was better than...
Yesterday (Saturday) TAPM asked if he could take us to see something down by the waterfront after church. Ok. Sounds good. All night last night I was wondering what it could be, as he would give me no hint.
Today (Sunday) I received a wonderful gift. The mystery took us to the City Gallery and the Janet Cardiff Exhibition, "The Forty Part Motet". We walked past the wall detailing this particular exhibit quickly as he seemed anxious to get us in there.
Around a corner and into a large room. Two benches and open space surrounded by 40 black speakers at head height on individual stands that gave me the feeling of being encircled with sternness. Individual chatter is played and I stop near one to listen. Not knowing what I was in for, I wonder if somehow this is live and somewhere behind the scenes are people waiting to pop out.
What followed was something I could never have guessed. The most rapturous music I have heard in too long of a quiet spell. Why have I let this area of my life go silent and lie dormant for so long? Why did I let life get in the way?
Many times during the 11 minutes of singing I found my heart ready to burst with joy. Tears came and went as I thought about the gift I was listening to, and who brought it to me. One of the kids asked outside when it was over if Grampa would have liked that. Oh yes, a hundred times YES! I don't know who would like it more, him or me?
So, from the bottom of my heart I say "Thank You" to The Artistic Pixel Man. Today was better than diamonds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncsqIe-S-Fg&feature=fvw
Today (Sunday) I received a wonderful gift. The mystery took us to the City Gallery and the Janet Cardiff Exhibition, "The Forty Part Motet". We walked past the wall detailing this particular exhibit quickly as he seemed anxious to get us in there.
Around a corner and into a large room. Two benches and open space surrounded by 40 black speakers at head height on individual stands that gave me the feeling of being encircled with sternness. Individual chatter is played and I stop near one to listen. Not knowing what I was in for, I wonder if somehow this is live and somewhere behind the scenes are people waiting to pop out.
What followed was something I could never have guessed. The most rapturous music I have heard in too long of a quiet spell. Why have I let this area of my life go silent and lie dormant for so long? Why did I let life get in the way?
Many times during the 11 minutes of singing I found my heart ready to burst with joy. Tears came and went as I thought about the gift I was listening to, and who brought it to me. One of the kids asked outside when it was over if Grampa would have liked that. Oh yes, a hundred times YES! I don't know who would like it more, him or me?
So, from the bottom of my heart I say "Thank You" to The Artistic Pixel Man. Today was better than diamonds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncsqIe-S-Fg&feature=fvw
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Timely Power Outage
After they left to go home for a nap, Math became the focus of our day here at Mosley2. One of my favorite things as the "teacher" is when one of the kids is having a time understanding the lesson, and all of a sudden...BING! On snaps the light bulb and the difficult concept is now understood. I also enjoy the corrections...sitting and working through the problems with them. Checking the mistakes and rechecking the answers. (Now, if they would only understand and apply the knowledge that checking math work before handing it in makes much better sense!) Lord, Thank You for my children. Thank you for my time with them at this wonderful age.
One last reason of thanks...Lord, Thank You for timely reminders of so many important things lately. Focus for my brain, devotion for my heart, gentleness towards others, and how time is spent. Please help me to apply the reminders in a way that honors You.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Power of Praise
I recently read of a family with many children and wish to retell it in my own words as I can't remember it verbatim. They were struggling to make ends meet and the fridge was often low or empty. Mom and dad were people of great faith and did hope that God would provide. A minister friend joined them for a meal one day and observed the mom giving a great sigh whenever she opened the fridge door. He asked why.
"Well, because it is often so empty and we try so hard to use our resources wisely." His wise reply..."Sister, don't you think that God will supply what you need? Instead of a fretful sigh, why not shout 'Hallelujah!' each time you open the fridge or give thought to your need?"
At first she thought it silly, to shout at the fridge. Would her family think she'd gone mad?? Instead of a shout, she started with a whispered "Hallelujah." each time she opened the door and saw the meager status of their food supply. Within the first week or so of her doing this, an unbeliever was moved to provide them with his excess...enough to fill their fridge and freezer to overflowing! What started as a whisper did indeed turn into a shout.
"Well, because it is often so empty and we try so hard to use our resources wisely." His wise reply..."Sister, don't you think that God will supply what you need? Instead of a fretful sigh, why not shout 'Hallelujah!' each time you open the fridge or give thought to your need?"
At first she thought it silly, to shout at the fridge. Would her family think she'd gone mad?? Instead of a shout, she started with a whispered "Hallelujah." each time she opened the door and saw the meager status of their food supply. Within the first week or so of her doing this, an unbeliever was moved to provide them with his excess...enough to fill their fridge and freezer to overflowing! What started as a whisper did indeed turn into a shout.
Psalm 146
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,
8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.
1"Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 6 "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (from Revelation 19)
HALLELUJAH!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Whatever is Worthy
Yes, He is able..."Now to Him who Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
I was reminded of this today while on the phone with my mom. We were talking about comfort zones and how God sometimes removes us from them in order to keep working on us to grow us to what He wants us to be. It was good to be reminded that I am in God's capable hands. In "His Zone" is a good way to think of it.
Tonight at prayer time Mr.E was praying for God to do something "very soon, no, do it in Your timing because I know that is best." Ah, LORD, what are you trying to tell me??
I was reminded of this today while on the phone with my mom. We were talking about comfort zones and how God sometimes removes us from them in order to keep working on us to grow us to what He wants us to be. It was good to be reminded that I am in God's capable hands. In "His Zone" is a good way to think of it.
Tonight at prayer time Mr.E was praying for God to do something "very soon, no, do it in Your timing because I know that is best." Ah, LORD, what are you trying to tell me??
Stop and look to see where I have been... Many times that road was rough, but He carried me over the bumps. The Lord has been more than faithful to care for us all.
Think about where I am now... Some days I am not too sure, but I know that God has me here for a purpose. My time with my family is so precious and good. If I wasn't here now, I would be missing so much.
Hope for the future... My marriage, my children... Yes, He is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. And I'm so glad for His sovereignty.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Technology and Other Conveniences
Who would think that something we lived without 20 years ago would be so indispensable now? After having been without an internet connection at home for the past 2 weeks, I can now say that I no longer take it for granted. As much as I would like to live off the grid, and with a small carbon footprint, there is something to be said for technology. It does provide a sense of connection, which in my particular case these last couple of weeks has been sorely missed.
In the area of other conveniences, I would like to give thought to the area of location, as I was thinking about it today while on the bus from Newtown. Living without a vehicle is purely dependent on location. In a large urban area such as Wellington, NZ there is little need for a personal vehicle except when travel to the outskirts is warranted, and at such time one can be rented for the necessary occasion. In Lynchburg, VA however, I think a vehicle might be almost absolutely necessary as the shops and such are so spread out. Public transportation - or the lack of it, is clearly the key item to this equation. Although not ever having used the Lynchburg transit system, I am afraid that I cannot give a clear and unbiased opinion of the subject. Wellington's buses seem to go when they are needed and stop at most places that are close to where one needs to be. And if one is not in too big of a hurry, there is always the tried, true and more healthy mode of transportation that is already connected to a body...that of two feet and legs!
Now that I think about it, there is another convenience to be enjoyed here in Wellington, that of the Mt. Victoria - Wellington Town Belt. The children and I were up on the hill yesterday, and what a hill it is! It reminded me of the hill behind the house where The Artistic Pixel Man and I used to live while he was working in Latrobe, PA. We were in the basement of an old house at the base of a mountain with a quarry at the top. The side of the hill seemed to go straight up. Now that I think of it, I think that hill in Ligonier was a bit more steep...I don't remember getting to the top.
So nice to have trails so near our front door, and wonderful to be back online. I may be physically far away from those I love and miss, but at least now I am mentally connected.
In the area of other conveniences, I would like to give thought to the area of location, as I was thinking about it today while on the bus from Newtown. Living without a vehicle is purely dependent on location. In a large urban area such as Wellington, NZ there is little need for a personal vehicle except when travel to the outskirts is warranted, and at such time one can be rented for the necessary occasion. In Lynchburg, VA however, I think a vehicle might be almost absolutely necessary as the shops and such are so spread out. Public transportation - or the lack of it, is clearly the key item to this equation. Although not ever having used the Lynchburg transit system, I am afraid that I cannot give a clear and unbiased opinion of the subject. Wellington's buses seem to go when they are needed and stop at most places that are close to where one needs to be. And if one is not in too big of a hurry, there is always the tried, true and more healthy mode of transportation that is already connected to a body...that of two feet and legs!
Now that I think about it, there is another convenience to be enjoyed here in Wellington, that of the Mt. Victoria - Wellington Town Belt. The children and I were up on the hill yesterday, and what a hill it is! It reminded me of the hill behind the house where The Artistic Pixel Man and I used to live while he was working in Latrobe, PA. We were in the basement of an old house at the base of a mountain with a quarry at the top. The side of the hill seemed to go straight up. Now that I think of it, I think that hill in Ligonier was a bit more steep...I don't remember getting to the top.
So nice to have trails so near our front door, and wonderful to be back online. I may be physically far away from those I love and miss, but at least now I am mentally connected.
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