March 19, 2011
These times, they are a changing. It was a beautiful day outside today, and I am so glad that spring is hitting Boone (as much as it can). Light sweaters, flip flops, and shorts are going to be all the rage in the up coming week. And where will I be? Sporting a new hair cut by chance or maybe kicking it way old school (middle school to be exact) with a top row of braces. It's going to be a week of adjusting. Adjusting to the loss of hair, addition of metal, and hopefully, an acquisition of some self-confidence. I mean I'm going to need to dig deep and still be o.k. looking like I belong in pre-algebra and not Bio II.
Here's to change.
The song: Cowboy Take Me Away
So many things are right about this song. The voices, the instruments, the lyrics. What girl doesn't want to be transported to a land far away with the guy she's supposed to be with forever? I know I do! I have thought a lot about what that would be like, I think a lot of girls and women do. It's hard not to, it's like we're wired that way. And I don't think it's wrong to want those things. But it's hard not focusing on finding them.
I have been single for about a year now, I mean I haven't been involved with anything serious. It's a weird adjustment, and even weirder how not weird it is. I find missing things that I wasn't sure I would miss, I guess stuff I took for granted when I had a boyfriend. I miss the companionship of the whole thing. Having someone to tell everything to, and who actually kind of wanted to know all of it. Having someone to hang out with pretty much all the time. Having someone to plan the day, week, forever with. I think that's one of the weirdest things, not being sure about the future. I'm not saying that I had it all figured out when I was dating someone, but there was one less piece of the puzzle I had to work out. He was just there and was going to be for as long as forever lasted. Making those plans were easy and certain. Giving that up, was like giving up my future. It's hard to plan all that and then realize none of it is going to happen that way, at least in any way you imagined.
I have heard all of the cliches, "There's someone for everyone" or "It'll happen when you least expect it." Does that mean I have to stop wanting it to happen? I have to be totally fine thinking I'm going to be golden by myself? Do I have to convince myself it won't work out for it to come to fruition? I don't want that! I understand there is a contentedness in Him people need, and He is my number one, that's most of the reason I am single. We weren't good for my relationship with God. I want and hope that I am focusing on God and building a great relationship with Him. But I do want someone to love me in a tangible way. Lord, I hope You have someone out there for me. And that he is looking just as hard as I am.
Psalm: Nueve
David starts out real strong with this one. Thank goodness, I was getting tired of hearing how bad he has it. He offers up praises of how great God is, he seems to be genuinely happy to talk to Him. This goes all the way until verse twelve and then he starts being David again.
It kills me how much I am like David. He can see the greatness and beauty of God for like a split second and then lose it to what's in front of him. He goes from saying how amazing the Lord is, to reminding God that he has all these enemies that are after him. Geez, God, I am sorry that I do this. I make every conversation we have about me and what's going on with me. "Hey God, You're great, wonderful, beautiful! I can see you everywhere and You are the reason that I have a chance to experience today. Speaking of me, do You see how terrible my life is? School is lame, I'm fat, I have no direction, and I'm lonely. Me, Me, Me." I'm sorry, for real. You give me so much more a reason to sing Your name than need be, yet I still find time to plug my problems.
I know that You want to hear about my life, and those things that I am going through are things you care about, but I want our talks to be more than just about what I am unhappy with or need help with. You pour out blessings everywhere and I want to thank You for all of the great things that You, and only You have given me. I know that You're always there, but do I thank You? I know that You love me, but do I verbalize it to You enough? I know it's not about what I do or say, but I do appreciate You. I do want to know about You too.
Help me to stop monopolizing our conversations, God teach me to listen and be with You instead of just talking all the dang time.
Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you need only to be silent"
Cowboy Take Me Away
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Gardener- The Tallest Man on Earth
March 18, 2011
It's officially been a week! The last two days have been a struggle, maybe it's because my motives for writing have clouded. I want this to be for me and Him. I want to have this be a chance to talk to Him and journal and just let it all out. I appreciate readers, but you're not the reason I am writing.
That being said, thanks God for the wonderful weather. I have realized more and more that I need to have confidence to make decisions. The smallest ones become the biggest chores. Do I want to cut my hair, what am I doing this summer, what am I doing next semester, what am I doing with my life. I think I want to cut my hair to do something completely different, get rid of nine or so inches of the past.
THE GARDENER
This was the first song that I listened to from The Tallest Man on Earth and I have to say it is still one of my favorites. I love his voice, the instruments, and the lyrics that don't make sense to me. As random as they seem to me, they all still fit so well. Just everything about how I feel when I listen to this song makes it wonderful. I have run to it so many times. I have driven around Ocala to it so many times. I have walked around outside to it so many times.
The song kind of makes me want to adventure. Go out and find a new place or look at the place I'm in a little differently. Sitting outside in some grass, sippin lemonade, barefoot. I think this is a picture that will be so artfully painted tomorrow. Great music, great weather, and awe for an even greater God.
Step outside and experience the Son.
Psalm Eight
Goodness, He has a way about Him. Doesn't He? This Psalm goes pretty well with how I commonly experience God's presence.
People have been asking me a lot lately, and it's completely understandable, why I decided to move to North Carolina. I have a couple of different answers, but a lot of the reason I moved is that Boone is so geographically different than Ocala or Orlando. I love Florida, please do not get me wrong. The beach is one of my favorite places on the planet, and when I am home, well I can't really describe the feeling. But Boone and North Carolina in general has so many ways to see His handiwork. Just take a look at the mountains and it puts how small you are in to perspective. I think seeing the sun go down behind a mountain is one of the prettiest things I have ever witnessed.
It doesn't just put my size to scale, but also it makes God seem unimaginably big. These mountains are huge, and they aren't even the most impressive ones that are on the face of the planet. A God that placed them on the map has to be at least big enough to pick them up and put them there. Those are giant hands!
"I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?" (Psalm 8: 3-4)
Why take a second look our way? It's crazy to think the God that created this vast and various landscape took the time to make me as intricately has He did. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! That's what He does with us. And He trusts us enough to put us in charge of it. We get the chance to wake up and experience the gifts He has given us with, the ones He entrusted us with. Those big ole hands that made the earth are holding us so tight.
I'll say it again: Step outside and experience the Son.
The Gardener
It's officially been a week! The last two days have been a struggle, maybe it's because my motives for writing have clouded. I want this to be for me and Him. I want to have this be a chance to talk to Him and journal and just let it all out. I appreciate readers, but you're not the reason I am writing.
That being said, thanks God for the wonderful weather. I have realized more and more that I need to have confidence to make decisions. The smallest ones become the biggest chores. Do I want to cut my hair, what am I doing this summer, what am I doing next semester, what am I doing with my life. I think I want to cut my hair to do something completely different, get rid of nine or so inches of the past.
THE GARDENER
This was the first song that I listened to from The Tallest Man on Earth and I have to say it is still one of my favorites. I love his voice, the instruments, and the lyrics that don't make sense to me. As random as they seem to me, they all still fit so well. Just everything about how I feel when I listen to this song makes it wonderful. I have run to it so many times. I have driven around Ocala to it so many times. I have walked around outside to it so many times.
The song kind of makes me want to adventure. Go out and find a new place or look at the place I'm in a little differently. Sitting outside in some grass, sippin lemonade, barefoot. I think this is a picture that will be so artfully painted tomorrow. Great music, great weather, and awe for an even greater God.
Step outside and experience the Son.
Psalm Eight
Goodness, He has a way about Him. Doesn't He? This Psalm goes pretty well with how I commonly experience God's presence.
People have been asking me a lot lately, and it's completely understandable, why I decided to move to North Carolina. I have a couple of different answers, but a lot of the reason I moved is that Boone is so geographically different than Ocala or Orlando. I love Florida, please do not get me wrong. The beach is one of my favorite places on the planet, and when I am home, well I can't really describe the feeling. But Boone and North Carolina in general has so many ways to see His handiwork. Just take a look at the mountains and it puts how small you are in to perspective. I think seeing the sun go down behind a mountain is one of the prettiest things I have ever witnessed.
It doesn't just put my size to scale, but also it makes God seem unimaginably big. These mountains are huge, and they aren't even the most impressive ones that are on the face of the planet. A God that placed them on the map has to be at least big enough to pick them up and put them there. Those are giant hands!
"I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?" (Psalm 8: 3-4)
Why take a second look our way? It's crazy to think the God that created this vast and various landscape took the time to make me as intricately has He did. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! That's what He does with us. And He trusts us enough to put us in charge of it. We get the chance to wake up and experience the gifts He has given us with, the ones He entrusted us with. Those big ole hands that made the earth are holding us so tight.
I'll say it again: Step outside and experience the Son.
The Gardener
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Vesuvius- Sufjuan Stevens
March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patty's Day! I feel like I have just been running off steam for the past couple days. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I haven't gotten too much sleep and that I have literally walked the metaphorical pants off Boone. I must have walked close to five miles yesterday and about three today, and all of that is on top of the exercise I have been doing. I'm pooped, and ready for Friday. To be completely honest, I am making myself write the entry for today out of obligation and guilt. Guilt that if I didn't do it today, I wouldn't have really spent any time in the Word. So, I hope that He and I still have a productive time. I need to focus.
A big volcano: Vesuvius
I have been kind of obsessed with this song for about two months, it already has thirty-eight iTunes plays, and that doesn't count the near five hundred CD plays it's had. Other than having an interesting name, Sufjuan (pronounced Su-fee-yawn) has an interesting style. It uses a lot of fabricated sounds, those being the ones that don't come from traditional instruments (look at me making up musical terms, and convincing myself the are true...I am so tried).
I have been staring at the lyrics for about twenty minutes, reading about what people think he actually says, and perusing the potential meanings of the song. Some say the actual volcano and some say it's about much, much more. It's about the "Fire of Fire." Fire, back in the day was one of the most powerful things and God is referred to as the Lord of Lords, so the fact that there might be a little more to the song that ash and lava isn't that silly. Especially since Sufjan is a fan of the Big Man. Even with the lyrics hashed out, it doesn't make a lot of sense. But there is a part that I can relate to.
There is a part in the song where he talks to himself in the third person, "Sufjuan follow the path...Sufjan follow your heart." There are two things that can be going on here. One is that he may be self motivating or two, it could be someone else talking to him. In one of the interpretations they think that Sufjan is struggling with "walking the straight and narrow." Living his life out as a Christian isn't going as smoothly as he'd hoped, and he's at a crossroads. To follow what he knows is right, or to follow what is easy. The reference of his name in the third person, could be the Holy Spirit motivating him to keep going. "You got it kid!" I think that may be it, because the lyrics go:
"In your breast
I carry the form
The heart of the Earth
And the weapons of warmth"
Happy St. Patty's Day! I feel like I have just been running off steam for the past couple days. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I haven't gotten too much sleep and that I have literally walked the metaphorical pants off Boone. I must have walked close to five miles yesterday and about three today, and all of that is on top of the exercise I have been doing. I'm pooped, and ready for Friday. To be completely honest, I am making myself write the entry for today out of obligation and guilt. Guilt that if I didn't do it today, I wouldn't have really spent any time in the Word. So, I hope that He and I still have a productive time. I need to focus.
A big volcano: Vesuvius
I have been kind of obsessed with this song for about two months, it already has thirty-eight iTunes plays, and that doesn't count the near five hundred CD plays it's had. Other than having an interesting name, Sufjuan (pronounced Su-fee-yawn) has an interesting style. It uses a lot of fabricated sounds, those being the ones that don't come from traditional instruments (look at me making up musical terms, and convincing myself the are true...I am so tried).
I have been staring at the lyrics for about twenty minutes, reading about what people think he actually says, and perusing the potential meanings of the song. Some say the actual volcano and some say it's about much, much more. It's about the "Fire of Fire." Fire, back in the day was one of the most powerful things and God is referred to as the Lord of Lords, so the fact that there might be a little more to the song that ash and lava isn't that silly. Especially since Sufjan is a fan of the Big Man. Even with the lyrics hashed out, it doesn't make a lot of sense. But there is a part that I can relate to.
There is a part in the song where he talks to himself in the third person, "Sufjuan follow the path...Sufjan follow your heart." There are two things that can be going on here. One is that he may be self motivating or two, it could be someone else talking to him. In one of the interpretations they think that Sufjan is struggling with "walking the straight and narrow." Living his life out as a Christian isn't going as smoothly as he'd hoped, and he's at a crossroads. To follow what he knows is right, or to follow what is easy. The reference of his name in the third person, could be the Holy Spirit motivating him to keep going. "You got it kid!" I think that may be it, because the lyrics go:
"In your breast
I carry the form
The heart of the Earth
And the weapons of warmth"
And that's where He is, in my h-e-a-r-t and that's who keeps me going. Maybe this song has been with me for a while so I can substitute Annie-Grace in for Sufjan.
"Vesuvius
Fire of Fire
Fall on me now
As I favor the Ghost"
Seven
I've decided against changing it. This is where I was last night. Here is a part that I did read and wanted to leave here:
"I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High"
He loves us, even though we deserve the exact opposite. It's a free gift. Take advantage of it. Build a relationship with it. Stake your life on it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Postcards from Hell- The Wood Brothers
March 16, 2011
I did it! I went to Rydell, and now I want to learn even more! Earl Scruggs, The Kruger Brothers, and Abigail Washburn; just to name a few. The sound is so great, and there are so many different types of them. But the only downside is that they are pretty darn expensive. I just need a patron of the arts, I can pay them back in sweet, melodic tunes. Today was an all around good day a visit from an old friend, lots of walking, banjo talking, and braces in the works. And RUF was great tonight, God does so much in one day and this is just my little ole life.
Song: Postcards from Hell
Okie doke, so the title of the song might throw you off a little bit, considering that I'm all about Jesus, but I have to say that lyrically it's great. The chorus is just a repetition of "I've got a soul that I won't sell." The song is about a guy who is apparently really good at singing his blues, so much so he "sings like a choir girl" and he "uses the breeze as a telephone wire."This guy is so good that he uses the wind to sing to you! The man who the song is about can take you anywhere with his music, an alley, on a freight train, or to a church. But never sells out.
Two things about this song that I want to point out. One, is my interpretation of the verses. This guy can take you places and connect with you on incredible levels. He can sound as sweet as a choir girl or as fierce as to burn down a house. Isn't this what music is supposed to do? Move us? Take us to places that we would otherwise not have been able to journey (maybe that's why the band got its name). And my next question will lead me to point numero dos. Isn't that what a lot of popular music lacks? I am not begrudging anyone their musical preferences, but we all have to admit that there are different levels of success and of talent. Some view success on money and how recognizable something is, others see it as being completely happy. Talent is also subjective...and here I need to ask forgiveness for being mean to the person I was about to put in parentheses. But really, I think that once you put a price on something, it automatically cheapens it and it's not really yours anymore.
Let's take Bob (my hypothetical trendy musician guy), he loves playing the spoons. He's got a pretty solid following of people and he plays because he loves it. Simply put, it makes him happy. Bob doesn't make a lot of money playing the spoons, but he kind of enjoys smaller venues, especially the fact that he can play on his terms. Well, Bob gets heard by major music executives looking for cutlery players and sky rockets to the top of the charts, for the low low price of giving up all creative rights. Bob has a choice, he can keep playing the music he wants to play or he can play what the executives and "public" want. He also has to use hokey tactics and crazy antics to get people to listen, somewhere along the way he loses the joy for the spoons, and wonders why it didn't feel the same. OR he could keep playing cause he loves it and be broke. I am definitely not saying that playing music for money is bad, I guess it's about moderation. Life's defined by unseen motivations, maybe unseen even to the person making choices. Why do I do what I do? Do I repost cards from Hell?
Psalm Seis
I've said this a bunch today, to various people, David is super complainy. I am kind of getting to the point where I could be classified as mildly annoyed, and it's only the sixth Psalm! David is constantly asking to be paid attention to, for his enemies to be thwarted, for his kingdom to prosper, blah blah blah. Grow up and be a man, man! This was how I felt the majority of the day, especially after I read this last one. But then, I thought about it a little more (or could feel God softening my heart a little more) and started to not only sympathize for David, but also start to relate a little bit.
How much are my prayers to God really just "why me's" or "it's not fair that"? Am I really talking to Him, or am I just laundry listing all the things that are wrong, how many hardships I go through, how my life is so much less than someone who has x,y, and z? To be entirely honest, they aren't praises, they aren't even requests. Hello gift horse, I can't see you, I happen to be looking at a lot of teeth at the moment. Fortunately for me life does a good job at living out life isn't fair. Why fortunately? Cause if it was, I'd be a goner. He's a just God, but He is also graceful and merciful. And in the end of all the Psalms so far, He's always come through victorious. That's what He does, is win, no matter what.
I think what a lot of this is evidence for why we need a savior. I heard something today in RUF that hit home. We can waiver with our faith and still be 100% A O.K. Why? Weak faith in a strong Savior, saves you. The fact that David is even saying this to God is proof enough that even though David doesn't "see" God working, that he has small enough faith in a more than enough God (Luke 17: 6) to complain to Him about it.
This was kind of tangenty, but His love and affection never waiver. We may try to find other solutions, try and increase our faith, or just be upset with Him. God won't change the way He feels about us, and that is still a love worth dying for. So, thank you, God, for being as great as You are and making life not fair.
Postcards from Hell
I did it! I went to Rydell, and now I want to learn even more! Earl Scruggs, The Kruger Brothers, and Abigail Washburn; just to name a few. The sound is so great, and there are so many different types of them. But the only downside is that they are pretty darn expensive. I just need a patron of the arts, I can pay them back in sweet, melodic tunes. Today was an all around good day a visit from an old friend, lots of walking, banjo talking, and braces in the works. And RUF was great tonight, God does so much in one day and this is just my little ole life.
Song: Postcards from Hell
Okie doke, so the title of the song might throw you off a little bit, considering that I'm all about Jesus, but I have to say that lyrically it's great. The chorus is just a repetition of "I've got a soul that I won't sell." The song is about a guy who is apparently really good at singing his blues, so much so he "sings like a choir girl" and he "uses the breeze as a telephone wire."This guy is so good that he uses the wind to sing to you! The man who the song is about can take you anywhere with his music, an alley, on a freight train, or to a church. But never sells out.
Two things about this song that I want to point out. One, is my interpretation of the verses. This guy can take you places and connect with you on incredible levels. He can sound as sweet as a choir girl or as fierce as to burn down a house. Isn't this what music is supposed to do? Move us? Take us to places that we would otherwise not have been able to journey (maybe that's why the band got its name). And my next question will lead me to point numero dos. Isn't that what a lot of popular music lacks? I am not begrudging anyone their musical preferences, but we all have to admit that there are different levels of success and of talent. Some view success on money and how recognizable something is, others see it as being completely happy. Talent is also subjective...and here I need to ask forgiveness for being mean to the person I was about to put in parentheses. But really, I think that once you put a price on something, it automatically cheapens it and it's not really yours anymore.
Let's take Bob (my hypothetical trendy musician guy), he loves playing the spoons. He's got a pretty solid following of people and he plays because he loves it. Simply put, it makes him happy. Bob doesn't make a lot of money playing the spoons, but he kind of enjoys smaller venues, especially the fact that he can play on his terms. Well, Bob gets heard by major music executives looking for cutlery players and sky rockets to the top of the charts, for the low low price of giving up all creative rights. Bob has a choice, he can keep playing the music he wants to play or he can play what the executives and "public" want. He also has to use hokey tactics and crazy antics to get people to listen, somewhere along the way he loses the joy for the spoons, and wonders why it didn't feel the same. OR he could keep playing cause he loves it and be broke. I am definitely not saying that playing music for money is bad, I guess it's about moderation. Life's defined by unseen motivations, maybe unseen even to the person making choices. Why do I do what I do? Do I repost cards from Hell?
Psalm Seis
I've said this a bunch today, to various people, David is super complainy. I am kind of getting to the point where I could be classified as mildly annoyed, and it's only the sixth Psalm! David is constantly asking to be paid attention to, for his enemies to be thwarted, for his kingdom to prosper, blah blah blah. Grow up and be a man, man! This was how I felt the majority of the day, especially after I read this last one. But then, I thought about it a little more (or could feel God softening my heart a little more) and started to not only sympathize for David, but also start to relate a little bit.
How much are my prayers to God really just "why me's" or "it's not fair that"? Am I really talking to Him, or am I just laundry listing all the things that are wrong, how many hardships I go through, how my life is so much less than someone who has x,y, and z? To be entirely honest, they aren't praises, they aren't even requests. Hello gift horse, I can't see you, I happen to be looking at a lot of teeth at the moment. Fortunately for me life does a good job at living out life isn't fair. Why fortunately? Cause if it was, I'd be a goner. He's a just God, but He is also graceful and merciful. And in the end of all the Psalms so far, He's always come through victorious. That's what He does, is win, no matter what.
I think what a lot of this is evidence for why we need a savior. I heard something today in RUF that hit home. We can waiver with our faith and still be 100% A O.K. Why? Weak faith in a strong Savior, saves you. The fact that David is even saying this to God is proof enough that even though David doesn't "see" God working, that he has small enough faith in a more than enough God (Luke 17: 6) to complain to Him about it.
This was kind of tangenty, but His love and affection never waiver. We may try to find other solutions, try and increase our faith, or just be upset with Him. God won't change the way He feels about us, and that is still a love worth dying for. So, thank you, God, for being as great as You are and making life not fair.
Postcards from Hell
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
You (feat. Dixie Chicks)- Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
March 15, 2011
Ahh the banjo! I am definitely going tomorrow to Rydell! I feel like looking and listening to music with the banjo has consumed my day. Thinking of wedding presents, Easter eggs, and summer. I really hope I can play, it just seems so pure. Bluegrass and Singer/Songwriters have become more prevalent in my playlist selections. Keeping Mr. Martin company is a newly discovered band The Wood Brothers and an old favorite, the Dixie Chicks. The instruments and words carrying the emotion of a culture. I think you could say anything with a banjo and it would make it four-hundred times cooler or soften the blow of the most crushing of news. If I end up being able to play, I think I'll write a break up song with it, 'cause who could be THAT disappointed whilst being sung the bad news?
"You"
This song has so many great components. I am probably saying this waay too much, but I mean it has the banjo! And it also has the beautiful voices of the Dixie Chicks. And the marriage of the two is perfect. I downloaded the album "Rare Bird Alert" today and with it came a digital booklet, which proves that I purchased it from iTunes. The song is about "love lost without regret, but with a lingering frisson of memory." I know that I haven't lived very long, and have loved a lot less, and lost even less than that. I feel like I keep drumming this lament into my head, but you know what, I don't care. Life is too short to sit and be mad about or regret decisions that we have made or things we have allowed to happen. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and we're never alone when we are going through the repercussions of said decisions.
I don't think that it is bad or unhealthy to look back on things we've done, but what I want to change and encourage is what we're looking at. In these experiences we have been given opportunities to learn about who we are, who we aren't, who we want to be, and Who is the only one who can get us there. He also brings us joy everyday. Life would look pretty uneventful if we got rid of all the stuff that we weren't happy with, and even more so, we wouldn't be able to see the greatness of all the amazing things in life.
Think about it. Think about it. (for you Amo)
"Things have changed, rearranged. Everything is new. Spirit's high, all blue sky. I've someone to talk to. But when I night is blue, I will think of you. Someone who, loves me too. After you withdrew. Kinder ways, better days. Words exchanged are true, but winter settles in. Thoughts of you begin. Tell me how, I allow this memory to go on? It is done, on the run. Nothing else to do, I know this mood's unreal. The heart takes time to heal. Time goes on, days are long. Summer's gone, you. Saturday, sadder days. Silence plays, you. And when the night is blue, I still think of you."
Cinci
And to the Psalm. Parties are great! Unless you're the uninvited, then they stink...a ton. I have been blissfuly ignorant to many of the goings on in the party realm, but knowing about them and not being remembered or intentionally left out really beats up the ole self-esteem. But as David writes, we're invited to the most intense party ever! This sounds kind of dumb, but it's exciting! The desire to be wanted is something we all strive for, and having it lived out is one of the greatest feelings ever. When someone tells you that they miss you or that an event would have been exponentially better if you were there, goodness, those are some of the sweetest words anyone could hear (especially as a girl, young lady, or woman).
In this Psalm, David calls himself "An invited guest" and do you want to know what he thinks about that? "it's incredible!" Can you imagine receiving that invitation in the mail or even trumping that over the phone (I wonder what You sound like. I imagine a deep, knowing voice. I'm hearing a voice like Morgan Freeman)? That would be THE most incredible feeling!
I guess going back to what I was saying about the song, and kind of my take on the difference between Christians and non-Christians, recognizing that I have messed up and that I, Annie-Grace Maria Shaffer, can do nothing of my own power to fix it, is something He wants us to know. He knows how broken we are, and He still wants us. All of us, all the dirty, gross things. But the people who think they have it figured out, who don't need anyone to help, well there isn't any room for Him there. He makes us new, wonderful, He is the one who is realizing our potential. He's there the whole dang time, loving us.
He not only has saved us, but pursues us! And He wants us to pursue Him too, He not only wants us, but wants to be known by us (Deuteronomy 4:29). He's all about us, like it's going out of style. So what are we waiting for? Who else wants all of us bad and good...ALL THE TIME. We can be blissful, but not ignorant. We're invited to God's fiesta, and as David writes:
"You welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to You. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration. You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight." Psalm 5:11-12 (The Message)
Ahh the banjo! I am definitely going tomorrow to Rydell! I feel like looking and listening to music with the banjo has consumed my day. Thinking of wedding presents, Easter eggs, and summer. I really hope I can play, it just seems so pure. Bluegrass and Singer/Songwriters have become more prevalent in my playlist selections. Keeping Mr. Martin company is a newly discovered band The Wood Brothers and an old favorite, the Dixie Chicks. The instruments and words carrying the emotion of a culture. I think you could say anything with a banjo and it would make it four-hundred times cooler or soften the blow of the most crushing of news. If I end up being able to play, I think I'll write a break up song with it, 'cause who could be THAT disappointed whilst being sung the bad news?
"You"
This song has so many great components. I am probably saying this waay too much, but I mean it has the banjo! And it also has the beautiful voices of the Dixie Chicks. And the marriage of the two is perfect. I downloaded the album "Rare Bird Alert" today and with it came a digital booklet, which proves that I purchased it from iTunes. The song is about "love lost without regret, but with a lingering frisson of memory." I know that I haven't lived very long, and have loved a lot less, and lost even less than that. I feel like I keep drumming this lament into my head, but you know what, I don't care. Life is too short to sit and be mad about or regret decisions that we have made or things we have allowed to happen. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and we're never alone when we are going through the repercussions of said decisions.
I don't think that it is bad or unhealthy to look back on things we've done, but what I want to change and encourage is what we're looking at. In these experiences we have been given opportunities to learn about who we are, who we aren't, who we want to be, and Who is the only one who can get us there. He also brings us joy everyday. Life would look pretty uneventful if we got rid of all the stuff that we weren't happy with, and even more so, we wouldn't be able to see the greatness of all the amazing things in life.
Think about it. Think about it. (for you Amo)
"Things have changed, rearranged. Everything is new. Spirit's high, all blue sky. I've someone to talk to. But when I night is blue, I will think of you. Someone who, loves me too. After you withdrew. Kinder ways, better days. Words exchanged are true, but winter settles in. Thoughts of you begin. Tell me how, I allow this memory to go on? It is done, on the run. Nothing else to do, I know this mood's unreal. The heart takes time to heal. Time goes on, days are long. Summer's gone, you. Saturday, sadder days. Silence plays, you. And when the night is blue, I still think of you."
Cinci
And to the Psalm. Parties are great! Unless you're the uninvited, then they stink...a ton. I have been blissfuly ignorant to many of the goings on in the party realm, but knowing about them and not being remembered or intentionally left out really beats up the ole self-esteem. But as David writes, we're invited to the most intense party ever! This sounds kind of dumb, but it's exciting! The desire to be wanted is something we all strive for, and having it lived out is one of the greatest feelings ever. When someone tells you that they miss you or that an event would have been exponentially better if you were there, goodness, those are some of the sweetest words anyone could hear (especially as a girl, young lady, or woman).
In this Psalm, David calls himself "An invited guest" and do you want to know what he thinks about that? "it's incredible!" Can you imagine receiving that invitation in the mail or even trumping that over the phone (I wonder what You sound like. I imagine a deep, knowing voice. I'm hearing a voice like Morgan Freeman)? That would be THE most incredible feeling!
I guess going back to what I was saying about the song, and kind of my take on the difference between Christians and non-Christians, recognizing that I have messed up and that I, Annie-Grace Maria Shaffer, can do nothing of my own power to fix it, is something He wants us to know. He knows how broken we are, and He still wants us. All of us, all the dirty, gross things. But the people who think they have it figured out, who don't need anyone to help, well there isn't any room for Him there. He makes us new, wonderful, He is the one who is realizing our potential. He's there the whole dang time, loving us.
He not only has saved us, but pursues us! And He wants us to pursue Him too, He not only wants us, but wants to be known by us (Deuteronomy 4:29). He's all about us, like it's going out of style. So what are we waiting for? Who else wants all of us bad and good...ALL THE TIME. We can be blissful, but not ignorant. We're invited to God's fiesta, and as David writes:
"You welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to You. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration. You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight." Psalm 5:11-12 (The Message)
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Banjolin Song- Mumford and Sons
March 14, 2011
I have to be completely honest, finding a song for today was difficult. I was able to walk around campus and ride the bus, which gave me a chance to get up close and personal with many of my new musical acquisitions. Even with all that time to listen, it wasn't until 6:27 p.m. that I had nailed down a song. I think that's just what kind of a day it's been, letting myself HAVE to motivate me to get things done. But with that being said, the latter half of my day was pretty productive considering that I have no real responsibilities other than school.
THE BANJOLIN SONG
This lovely piece of musical styling is brought to us by Mumford and Sons. They marked a turning point in my preference of genres. With their lyrics, instruments, and overall bravado, they altered my iTunes considerably, and for the better. I had previously not been a floksy, bluegrassy type of gal, but I have fallen in love with the banjo. I want to learn how to play and I think I may walk to Rydell Music Store and ask about the possibility of getting lessons. Not only would it help fill up my week and get me out of my apartment, but it would also allow me to experience music in a different way. I mean, if I succeed I can start to appreciate the process, and if I fail I can understand how talented and dedicated the people who make music are and I think change my love for it.
But the song itself, minus the melodic blending of the banjo, mandolin, and Marcus Mumford, is simple. Not many lyrics, but what they say means a lot, especially given my summer happenings and winter finishings. It sucks sometimes, but combining one of my (recently) most favorite sounds and hopeful lyrics lets me smile and be grateful for the good memories that I was able to share with someone and helps me keep my head up for my future adventures of the cardiac persuasion.
"Well my eyes shall see light again, and my heart shall bleed right again."
FOUR (the one that inspired my excursion through the Psalms)
It's true, this Psalm holds one of my most favorite verses (4:8). I have been looking forward to this for, well four whole days! I realized this yesterday, but forgot to write it in; Psalms are all songs. So maybe that is the connecting factor, seeing how important music is. A popular way to worship God is by singing about Him and to Him. And David played the Liar, which is a sort of harp, music is that personal way of talking to people and really commanding an audience.
And that is something we have with Him, we don't necessarily have to break into song and dance while communicating with God, but it is a powerful way to connect. There is a part of this Psalm that says the "Lord hears when I call Him" and I know I've said it before, but how great is that? The guy who made everything not only listens, but wants desperately for us to talk to Him. He knows what's going on in our lives, but He wants to hear it from us. And you know what He does with that information, brings comfort. There have been so many times when I have had something, a desire, judgement, random thought, that I didn't particularly want to tell anyone else, but was more than happy to share with Him. Why? He already knows it. It's a lot easier to talk to someone who will listen and understand, and most importantly bring a peace no one else can.
It's that peace that brings us joy in every circumstance. Yeah, things might not look great at a given point in time, but we have a God that not only listens, but one that loves. Loves with the biggest heart imaginable. And with that I want to go to verse eight. "At day's end I am ready for sound sleep, for You, God, put my life back together." (The Message).
Thank You, God, for keeping my heart safe.
The Banjolin Song
I have to be completely honest, finding a song for today was difficult. I was able to walk around campus and ride the bus, which gave me a chance to get up close and personal with many of my new musical acquisitions. Even with all that time to listen, it wasn't until 6:27 p.m. that I had nailed down a song. I think that's just what kind of a day it's been, letting myself HAVE to motivate me to get things done. But with that being said, the latter half of my day was pretty productive considering that I have no real responsibilities other than school.
THE BANJOLIN SONG
This lovely piece of musical styling is brought to us by Mumford and Sons. They marked a turning point in my preference of genres. With their lyrics, instruments, and overall bravado, they altered my iTunes considerably, and for the better. I had previously not been a floksy, bluegrassy type of gal, but I have fallen in love with the banjo. I want to learn how to play and I think I may walk to Rydell Music Store and ask about the possibility of getting lessons. Not only would it help fill up my week and get me out of my apartment, but it would also allow me to experience music in a different way. I mean, if I succeed I can start to appreciate the process, and if I fail I can understand how talented and dedicated the people who make music are and I think change my love for it.
But the song itself, minus the melodic blending of the banjo, mandolin, and Marcus Mumford, is simple. Not many lyrics, but what they say means a lot, especially given my summer happenings and winter finishings. It sucks sometimes, but combining one of my (recently) most favorite sounds and hopeful lyrics lets me smile and be grateful for the good memories that I was able to share with someone and helps me keep my head up for my future adventures of the cardiac persuasion.
"Well my eyes shall see light again, and my heart shall bleed right again."
FOUR (the one that inspired my excursion through the Psalms)
It's true, this Psalm holds one of my most favorite verses (4:8). I have been looking forward to this for, well four whole days! I realized this yesterday, but forgot to write it in; Psalms are all songs. So maybe that is the connecting factor, seeing how important music is. A popular way to worship God is by singing about Him and to Him. And David played the Liar, which is a sort of harp, music is that personal way of talking to people and really commanding an audience.
And that is something we have with Him, we don't necessarily have to break into song and dance while communicating with God, but it is a powerful way to connect. There is a part of this Psalm that says the "Lord hears when I call Him" and I know I've said it before, but how great is that? The guy who made everything not only listens, but wants desperately for us to talk to Him. He knows what's going on in our lives, but He wants to hear it from us. And you know what He does with that information, brings comfort. There have been so many times when I have had something, a desire, judgement, random thought, that I didn't particularly want to tell anyone else, but was more than happy to share with Him. Why? He already knows it. It's a lot easier to talk to someone who will listen and understand, and most importantly bring a peace no one else can.
It's that peace that brings us joy in every circumstance. Yeah, things might not look great at a given point in time, but we have a God that not only listens, but one that loves. Loves with the biggest heart imaginable. And with that I want to go to verse eight. "At day's end I am ready for sound sleep, for You, God, put my life back together." (The Message).
Thank You, God, for keeping my heart safe.
The Banjolin Song
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Cripple Me- Elenowen
March 13, 2011
It's been a lazy Sunday, especially with all the daylight that we are saving. I am really missing Florida, but the weather was wonderful today. I'm struggling a little with my lenten promises, but hey, they're not supposed to be a piece of cake. The song today has something that has really been on my heart. Not entirely sure if the band is Christian, but everything that is good is God. So a truth that is honest and good is completely applicable to the most honest and good God.
It's been a lazy Sunday, especially with all the daylight that we are saving. I am really missing Florida, but the weather was wonderful today. I'm struggling a little with my lenten promises, but hey, they're not supposed to be a piece of cake. The song today has something that has really been on my heart. Not entirely sure if the band is Christian, but everything that is good is God. So a truth that is honest and good is completely applicable to the most honest and good God.
la canción: Cripple Me
I have acquired a massive amount of new music the past couple days (admittedly some in not the most legal of ways), but regardless it has made me realize how big a part it plays in my life. I think that there are so many times that songs say things so much better than I ever could. They embrace feelings and memories. They are powerful enough for us to link times in our lives to them, some we hold on to and others we would give anything to forget.
This song is so great. First of all Elenowen is a super talented band. So chill. "Cripple Me" is kind of a prayer, more so now than it has been in the past. I've been talking a lot about trying to stay put in my life today. And what is a more permanent state of staying put than not having the ability to move. And more importantly, someone I don't want to move from. I mean just take my struggles about Lent, there are small things that can get me to willingly leave God's side. Paul says it a lot in his writings that he is a slave, a prisoner to Christ. I love God, whole heartedly, but some days I think it would be so much easier if He just held me there, keeping me fixed on Him.
The first verse is telling of where I am, and where He will always be...here for me.
"I see you waiting, but I'm not ready To take that first step towards home
So please be patient, God knows I'm trying
But these good intentions are not enough
You've pulled back your veil, laid it all on the line
But I've turned my back and covered my eyes
Please, please, please, please cripple me
So I cannot keep running away
Away from you"
But these good intentions are not enough
You've pulled back your veil, laid it all on the line
But I've turned my back and covered my eyes
Please, please, please, please cripple me
So I cannot keep running away
Away from you"
Psalm: Trois
I'm taking a break from The Message version today. I use Biblegateway.com and it is incredibly helpful in looking at His Words in different ways. And for Psalm Three, I'm going with the New Living Translation. David is accredited with writing a majority of the Psalms, and three is no different. The gist of the Psalm is that David has a lot of enemies, something that seems to be a common theme for this cat. But the greater part of this Scripture is that he feels safe and confident in God, which is also something that he tends to write about. I think that hearing that God is bigger than any enemy, imaginable or unimaginable, is an idea we all could get drummed into our heads a little more. Maybe then we could live it out. Do I feel safe, because I should. He's got me. Jesus and the whole dying for our sins wasn't a last ditch effort, some spur of the moment decision. He knew that when He created the world, there would be a Savior, and that Savior has willed me to live.
I think the greatest thing about writing this all out is it lets me tie other scripture to it. Matthew 6:26 "There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds." Careless in the care of God. So sleep well, "Lay down and sleep, wake up in safety, for the Lord is watching over you." (Psalm 3:5 Annie-Grace adapted)
He loves me. He loves you. He saved me. He saved you. We're never far from His reach.
Isaiah 49:16
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