Songs for the key to life

Happy Hands

2009-11-03T07:50:00.005-05:00

Why should feet have all the fun when you're running? I was so happy to be back outside moving and listening to great music that I just HAD to move my hands and arms nearly as much as my feet and legs. It felt a little weird but FUN, FUN, FUN! I'm sure there were a few people driving by (oh yes, I exercised on a main thoroughfare through the neighborhood) that had something to talk about at work (STRANGE woman along Shaker Drive). I DON'T CARE! Well, yes I do because if I weren't somewhat self-conscious about the whole thing I would have kept it up as I passed the middle schoolers at the bus stop. I'll have to work on that.

Today was the first I've gone out running for about 5 weeks and it felt so wonderful. The doctor said I should work into it gradually with walking and running (and I did). I still don't feel "right" and there is daily pain down my leg but I'm moving on. We'll see how I feel this afternoon! Honestly, one of the things I missed the most was the music.

There's an old song called "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer and I got a great message from it (try listening to that song and not dancing around the room...or down the sidewalk).

Here it is sung by Bing Crosby and Bette Midler:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45EB4TiYz4

You've got to accentuate the positive

Eliminate the negative

Latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum

Bring gloom down to the minimum

Have faith or pandemonium

Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate his last remark

Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark

What did they do

Just when everything looked so dark

Man, they said we better

Accentuate the positive

Eliminate the negative

Latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

No, do not mess with Mister In-Between

Isn't that great advice and insight? Put our efforts into the POSITIVE...what are we doing well and which is good? Let's do it even better! Eliminate the NEGATIVE...dwelling on the negative has a way of weighing us down! And don't mess with "Mr. In Between." That's the luke-warm area...just let it go!

"Have faith or pandemonium is liable to walk upon the scene." So true! Faith brings order to the chaos...every day.

May it be a day of spreading joy up to the maximum and bringing gloom down to the minimum!

"No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away." Ezra 3:13

Treating the Symptoms

2009-09-26T10:17:00.005-04:00

The orthopedist told me last week that my back bones are good. That's great news for a tallish, thinish 50 year old white woman. He could only guess--based on lots of "does THIS hurt?" questions--that my radiating leg pain is due to a pinched nerve in my back somewhere. He showed me a cool little model that helped me understand how the back bones can push out the softer disk in between (herniating) which then presses on a nerve (pain). I'm to treat the symptoms, attend a back class and wait it out for a few more weeks to see if it gets better (which, I'm told, it does in about 70% of the people).

And exercising is okay...more than okay...it's a good idea. As long as I don't do too much (I told him I'm not that kind of an athlete!). So I ran again this morning. A gentle little run that was all down hill or flat. What a wonderful way to spend some time on a beautiful fall morning. And then I took my prescribed naproxen when I got home! Treat the symptoms, remember?

I had pandora on my iphone as I ran and if you've never used it (it's free and available from your computer too) you should. I listened to "Jars of Clay Radio" which plays (without DJ's or commercial interuption) Jars of Clay songs but also other artists or songs that it deems "similar." It gave me the inspiration for my children's message tomorrow but I'm going to write about something else today.

Another cool app on my iphone is the Bible. It's called the "YouVersion" and I have no idea what that means. I downloaded it because it's free but also because it has a TON of translations, a search option, and especially because of a daily read. It gives you three chapters in three different books to read each day. They are sequential from day to day. So, I've been reading 1 Chronicles, Ezekial, and Luke. Honestly, I've been slogging through the first two to get to beloved Luke's writings. 1 Chronicles in particular is painful. JUST A LIST OF NAMES. If you're ever searching for a boy's name for a baby, this is the book of the Bible for you to read.

Today, however, something very interesting caught my eye and my thoughts. 1 Chronicles 9 is about "The People in Jerusalem" and I was skimming "Of the Shilonites"...and "Of the Zerahites"...and "Of the Benjamites"...and "Of the priests"...and "Of the Levites" and then came to "The gatekeepers."

The gatekeepers? It lists lots of names but it also explains what they do...

"(The gatekeepers) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord....The four principal gatekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning."

It's an interesting read of all the things they were entrusted to care for--articles used in the temple service, furnishings, flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices. And it got me to thinking...

How well do I guard the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord (me!)? If I believe the Lord dwells in me (and I do) then how well am I doing with that responsibility? How great of a gatekeeper am I in watching what comes in to my body, mind, and soul? How well am I teaching that to my children? To other children in my charge? I could be doing a whole lot better.

Taking care of our body, mind and soul has got to be a whole lot more than just treating the symptoms when we're hurting. What symptoms have you been treating recently? How could you be a better gatekeeper to the Lord's dwelling place?

More Dancing

2009-09-15T07:56:00.007-04:00

I'm always "weepy" on my birthday. It's not that I don't like birthdays! 8...18...25...40...even 50....bring em on! There's just something about the day that brings my emotions close to the surface. And today is no different. Lots of tears as I ran to words of many songs.

A bit of pain too. I've got a perpetual pain down the side of my right leg. Runs from my butt on down to my ankle. Creeped in a couple of days after running the Iron Girl relay three-and-a-half weeks ago. And so I haven't run since deciding to wait until after seeing a doctor. But the appointment isn't until next week and after getting advice from a runner who I think knows what he's talking about (thanks TB) and waking up on a beautiful birthday morning, I decided to go ahead and run anyway.

Isn't it interesting that it hurts more after stopping than during the run? I ran so slowly that on a cardiovascular level I felt like I could have run forever! But I didn't. And now I'm sitting here with a pack of peas on my hip. IT WAS WORTH IT!!

My on-the-go playlist today contained lots of songs about making use of your life: Don't Blink (Kenny Chesney), Lord of the Dance (Stephen Curtis Chapman)...and my favorite (and greatest tear-inducing song) this morning:

I Hope You Dance (LeAnn Womack)

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

I hope you dance

(Where those years have gone)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTQfERb9HVk

I love the background voices of the men in that song especially (the lines in parentheses).

My first 50 years have been beyond what I ever would have expected or anyone could have described to me and I'm pumped to see what God has in store for the next 50.

Raising the Roof with Grace

2009-08-04T08:14:00.010-04:00

Wow! Running was almost...well...enjoyable this morning. I have never had that experience with distance running. Sprinting was almost always fun...except when I had to run "long" distances like more than a quarter of a mile. Or jump hurdles while running. But I digress...

I did the run to the cross and back (I think it's more than 2.5 but probably not 3 miles). On the way back down the hill, I spied a beautiful expanse of grass in our church's side yard that almost never gets used for anything and decided to take a little "field trip" and sprint to the far fence and back. More fun! Woo hoo! I think I now can do that horrible little trip around Centennial Lake for the Iron Girl relay in a few weeks. Hills and all! Maybe if I repeat that enough I really will believe it!!

I listened to lots of music this morning. That really seems to be key to my being able to run longer (and faster). So my theory is if I train enough with music I'll be in good enough shape to run the race without it (very strict guidelines...I think the rules stipulate that body guards will yank anyone off the course who they see with plugs in their ears). Hopefully no waterboarding involved...

Grace Like Rain

todd agnew

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

Was blind but now I see so clearly

Chorus:

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me

Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Chorus

When we've been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sunWe've no less days to sing Your praise

Than when we first begun

Chorus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_fgE8V0Kuw

There are MANY versions of Amazing Grace out there! From the Eagles' "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" to the tune of "Theme from Gilligan's Island" (yes, really). But my very favorite of all time Amazing Grace MOMENT was actually a challenge of the Amazing Graces that happened pretty spontaneously at the LOGOS Youth Conference East this summer....

Setting: Evening Vespers Building (Men in one auditorium, women in the one next door)

Timing: Last night of Vespers

Background: Men ALWAYS sing Amazing Grace to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun" and they sound incredible...the only song that they will really belt out and they raise the roof with it! Women decided they would close vespers singing Amazing Grace too...but the more traditional version.

What happened: Men started singing Amazing Grace apparently unaware that the women were singing it too (we could hear them, they could not hear us...yet). As they continued to sing, we got louder and stronger. It sounded so..well...ROOF RAISING! As soon as they ended and started filing out of their auditorium past our room, they could hear us singing. We got louder. They started singing "their" version again. Back and forth...the challenge of the Amazing Graces. Who could sing about God's grace louder and stronger? QUITE a moment!!

Have you sung loud and strong about God's grace recently? Have you even whispered it? It's really something to raise the roof about!

Too Small to Ignore:

2009-07-28T13:20:00.007-04:00

I had the privilege to participate in a group blogging project recently that reviewed the book, "Too Small to Ignore" by Dr. Wess Stafford, founder and president of Compassion International. I reviewed chapter nine. To read all of the reviews and the blog that created the project, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/nhspvp

Chapter nine of Wess Stafford’s “Too Small to Ignore” ("Breaking the Silence") is a disturbing piece of his life story yet one that explains his advocacy for “the hurting children of the world.” He lived as one of those hurting children during his time spent in a boarding school in Africa while his parents were missionaries in another part of the continent. It must have been a difficult chapter to write following on the humiliation described in the previous one. Here we learn about abusive practices at meal time from the adults in charge—backhands across the face for his nervous tic and being forced to eat until vomiting (and then having to return to the table to finish the meal). Those abuses are compounded by the sexual exploitations of all of the children of the school also described in this chapter, fortunately not in great detail.

What is amazing to me is how his faith remained intact through this period in a “Christian” school. There were twisted communion services and “guest speakers” for “special meetings” who told little children that they deserved “the damnation of hell, the hot fires of Hades itself” because they were all sinners. Stafford experienced this as a six year old.

Stafford believes these defining moments at the school were used by God to call him into his life’s work with Compassion International—that he needed to be one of the adults to speak up for “the vulnerable and the weak” so that they know they are “not abandoned; they are loved.” The chapter was a difficult one to read because of its content but did a lot to explain his passion for why he believes “the least of these matters most.”

Liz Perraud
The LOGOS Ministry
http://www.thelogosministry.org/

Help Get the Word Out

2009-07-21T08:27:00.004-04:00

It's been nearly a month since I wrote but definitely not that long since I've run! I mean I have a RACE at the end of August! I'm training hard...pushing the limits...fitting it in all times of day whenever I can. NOT. I'm still running just about once a week maybe twice. Problem is, I know that's "good enough" to be able to endure a 5K. I'm also counting on the swell of adrenaline at a big event. And the accountability of having two other people on the team that I can't let down. I don't know if it's a good thing or not that the running leg is the last of the tri-atholon.

I just set my ipod to shuffle this morning and listened to a variety of songs as I ran. Interesting thing is, I listened to this WONDERFUL song that I decided I wanted to burn to a cd to give to K before he heads off to college...all about God not being finished with me yet and having a plan for my life. Even starts off with being born at the end of July...which is the same for K! But now I can't find the song. I've scrolled through all the artists to see if I can figure it out but no luck. I'll have to look through song titles later to see if anything jumps out.

If someone asked me what is the ONE thing that I wanted to pass along to young people it would be that God loves them, has a plan for them and they'll discover that plan through a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's a plan for the "here and now" and a plan for eternity. That's a plan for how they are to live their life and how they are to treat others. Doing destructive things to your body and mind start to mess up that plan. Good thing we worship a forgiving God.

I think there would be a whole lot less depression and suicide if more kids understood that and really believed it. Will you help me get the Word out?

Multi-Tasking for Better or Worse

2009-06-25T08:59:00.009-04:00

I ran to and around the lake this morning (some walking) and got in a really good work out. An impending "race" will do that! Damien's 5K run is on Sunday and I think I'm ready.

I saw something unusual in my run. A woman was walking her dog. She was all decked out in intense exercise gear...visor, lycra shorts, running bra, tank top, good shoes. And she was DOING NEEDLEPOINT. She had about a 4" x 6" canvas in her hands and the needle and yarn. She was actually stopped on one of the bridges as I ran by but she wasn't resting on a bench and obviously was in the middle of her walk. She was DOING NEEDLEPOINT. I've never seen that combo of multi-tasking before.

I'm so guilty of other kinds...Answering email while on a phone call (guilty). Answering email while listening to music (guilty). Texting/twittering while at the table with others (guilty). Texting/twittering while in a line at the grocery store (guilty). Reading the paper while riding in the car with someone (guilty). Reading the paper while watching tv (guilty). Making a shopping list while listening to a sermon (guilty). Taking notes while listening to a sermon (guilty).

Is it the combination that makes it an acceptable or unacceptable multi-task? I think so! None of those things are unacceptable alone. Some of them are really good to do together. And others take us out of relationships when combined.

Our church is taking about 18 high school kids to the LOGOS Conference East in Radford, VA in about a week. This year, for the first time, the conference is deemed "Cell Phone Free." We've allowed cell phones for years...always during "free time" only. Unfortunately, it's been more and more difficult for the kids to refrain from using them (mostly texting) when they're not supposed to be (adults too). It's caused a rise in disciplinary issues and so this year the line was drawn. No cell phones. Leave them at home. If you've got one and it's discovered, it will be taken away until you leave for home. Maybe removing the temptation will make it easier to avoid.

We talked about it last night when they gathered for a cookout and to write thank-you notes to the financial supporters of the trip. They're not angry about it, but they sure did whine! And tried to rationalize why they NEEDED their phones. Biggest question, "HOW are we going to communicate with our friends (at the conference) when we need to meet up?" I told them, "You can do it!" They had some jokes then about sending up flares and using tin cans and strings. Ha!

But can I do it? How can I expect teenagers to make the break if I'm not going to do it as well? I could rationalize with the best of them for why I need to blog (I'm writing ABOUT the Conference for goodness sake), keep up with facebook (I might lose out on some networking connections for the MINISTRY), read and write twitters (see networking argument) and the best...there might be an EMERGENCY and I'll need to be available.

So...gulp...I'm going to make the break too. I will shut off all twitters for the week. I will post a status on facebook that says I'm away for the week. I will put an auto-reply to my emails that I'm away building relationships. I will not blog. I will put my phone on silence. The emergency argument is a legitimate one though because I am an adult on the trip responsible for the kids and parents may need some way to keep in touch. (We've suggested buying their kids phone cards if there's the need to call home...I don't think that's the need). They can text me or leave a voice mail on my phone. Please pray for me!

You May Not See it Now

2009-06-23T08:53:00.007-04:00

I have a bone to pick with my neighbor and friend Linda! She sent me on a new running route promised as "almost no hills." I think her definitions of "almost" and "hills" must be quite different from mine. Whew! Needless to say, I didn't run the whole way. At least I WAS running when my friend Joyce drove by...twice! Thanks for the encouragement out the window! I'm signed up to run another 5k on Sunday (8 am...I plan to still make it to church on time). It's called Damien's Run. Here's their mission:

Our mission is to awaken the community to it's natural instinct to nurture and support teens. We encourage empathy, assistance and treatment for teens abusing substances and those afflicted with the disease of addiction. Through acknowledgment and education, Damien's Recovery, Inc. strives to eliminate teen apprehension in seeking assistance and treatment. This cultural change will stimulate and develop positive self-esteem enabling teens to stay clean, and become vital members of the community.

If you'd like to read more about it (and to find out who Damien is), check it out here: http://www.damien.tv/Drtitle.htm

Now...my thoughts while running today. They're all for my friend Cathy who just had her first child three days ago. I remember what that was like...joy, worry, sleepless nights, crankiness, amazement, wonder, and feeling like you didn't have a clue (sometimes). Get used to it! It's called "parenthood." Good to know you're not in it alone. God is there. Always. And you and a whole community will be there to help introduce your daughter to God through his son Jesus Christ. I'm pumped to be a part of it in any small way!

Here's a song dedicated to you (well...Stephen Curtis Chapman wrote it for his wife but I'm posting it for you).

One Heartbeat at a Time

You're up all night with a screaming baby

You run all day at the speed of life

And every day you feel a little bit less

Like the beautiful woman you are

So you fall into bed when you run out of hours

And you wonder if anything worth doing got done

Oh, maybe you just don't know

Or maybe you've forgotten

You, you are changing the world

One little heartbeat at a time

Making history with every touch and every smile

Oh, you, you may not see it now

But I believe that time will tell

How you, you are changing the world

One little heartbeat at a time

With every "I know you can do it"

Every tear that you kiss away

So many little things that seem to go unnoticed

They're just like the drops of rain over time

They become a river

And you, you are changing the world

One little heartbeat at a time

Making history with every touch and every smile

Oh, you, you may not see it now

But I believe that time will tell

How you, you are changing the world

One little heartbeat at a time

You're beautiful

How you're changing the world

You're changing the world

You, you are changing the world

One little heartbeat at a time

Making history with every touch and every smile

Oh, you, you may not see it now

But I believe that time will tell

How you, you are changing the world

Oh, I believe that you

You are changing the world

One little heartbeat

At a time

And you're changing the world

Cathy...I can't wait to meet this precious little girl and say "hello and welcome to the world" in person. Congratulations to you and Jon and know that you ARE changing the world...one little heartbeat at a time.

Love,

Liz

What Puts the "Ape" in Apricot?

2009-06-18T08:54:00.006-04:00

Thanks to girlfriends in my same "age bracket" I got back out there today! You encouraged me just by your enthusiasm for running and I didn't want to get left behind. I think once I spoke the words "I'm only running once a week" I actually believed that was okay and started falling into the pattern. And yet, it often became LESS frequent than once a week because "things" kept coming up and the good intentions got shoved aside for something else that seemed more interesting and easier. So, with a coolish, mistyish morning, I ran about 2.5 miles in the neighborhood with no music. My nano had lost its charge and I DID IT ANYWAY.

I needed something to keep me going and so I tried concentrating on a word. COURAGE. It was sort of a prayer time and sort of just thinking about the word. I don't know how that word popped into my head. I actually thought first about "peace" and then "love" but "courage" came next and it stuck.

God...grant me...

the courage to parent well.

the courage to respect all.

the courage to be a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

the courage to keep going and the courage to stop.

I think it's pretty cool that the word "courage" is in the word "encourage." I'm appreciative of all of my family, friends, co-workers, authors, bloggers, and twitterers who encourage me. But I believe that true courage comes only from God because true courage is grounded in love.

What do you need God's granting of courage for today?

The History Book on the Shelf

2009-06-06T10:54:00.004-04:00

Non-rainy Saturdays are meant for running. Trouble is, I need to find some Tuesdays and Thursdays to run too. My coach (aka "husband") handed me an article to read this morning about running a 5K every weekend...or at least once a month. I haven't read it yet but I'm already thinking it's a good idea. I consider myself a hard worker with a good work ethic but I SO need accountability factors built in to whatever I do or I get sooooo lazy. No one coming home for dinner? I'd eat popcorn every night! No deadline on that project? It would move to the bottom of the pile. Goals, benchmarks, check-ins are my motivators. That's not to say I always reach or exceed the goals, they just help me move along toward action.

I was walking out the door this morning and one of my walking buddies was just passing our house so she and I walked at a good clip for about my first mile and then we separated for her to continue her walk and for me to start my run. I ended up covering a lot of distance (=walk + run) and I listened to my Chestertown Race playlist. "Burn, Baby, Burn" got me up another hill! "Waterloo" got me running again when I just wanted to walk.

And then it was a line from Waterloo that gave me some thoughts...

The history book on the shelf

Is always repeating itself

And I thought about another book on the shelf that is part history book...The Bible. Too bad we couldn't just learn from what the Israelites learned or the messages of the prophets or all of the wise advice to all of those churches that Paul visited and wrote to.

Why can't God just say it once and we'll listen and obey? Why is it that I can read the same book or chapter or even verse many times and it's as if I'm reading it for the first time? Am I that dense? That forgetful? That disobedient? Or have I not built in enough accountability that I need to listen and obey?

I'm not striving for perfection, just a little better at remembering the lessons. How do you do it?

Commencement

2009-05-28T09:23:00.005-04:00

Today is the day...my husband and I cross fully into the next phase of parenting...parenting three young adults. I've heard that "it" never stops. I'm glad. But I'm also a little scared. Our youngest graduates from high school at noon and then turns 18 in about two months. Wow. It HAS gone quickly as everyone tells you it will but there's quite a collection of memories from raising three boys too.

I ran to the post office this morning to mail his graduation announcements. I meant to get them there BEFORE today but I think it's okay that they landed in the box before we leave for the ceremonies. I then ran back home. The whole time I was running I prayed for and about my son. I thanked God for the blessing of spending this time with him and I prayed that God would show me how to be a really good mother for three young men. I thanked God that this thing of parenting has actually brought my husband and me closer together rather than farther apart (which was just as likely!).

I also prayed for my son's launch into college. I prayed for his freshman roommate...whoever that may be. That it would be someone who would draw him closer to Christ, not farther away. I prayed for this upcoming "Senior Week" at the beach...that good and wise decisions would be made by all. Unending prayers.

But now it's time to shower and finish wrapping gifts and get ready to experience this new beginning.

Just Breathe

2009-05-23T14:27:00.009-04:00

I did it! I ran the entire 5 kilometers without stopping. The music was key and strategically placed. I started out with a slow "Band on the Run" (Wings) then ramped up a bit to "Born to Run" (Springsteen) and started to climb the hill with "Disco Inferno" ("Burn, Baby, Burn"), rounded the corner at the top (and half-way point) to "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, kept the pace the rest of the way down the hill to "Waterloo," (Abba) rounded the last corner for mile three to "Every Heartbeat" (Amy Grant) and just about died to "Valley Road" (Bruce Hornsby). If Art hadn't been there to say NOW for the last little bit and motion me to pass the two old geezers in front of me I really would have "Take(n) it Easy" to the Eagles at the end. So having my "coach" run with me helped too.

The best part about running this race? Finishing it...in other words, the end! I was glad to get it done. I still don't "enjoy" running. But I did enjoy the sense of accomplishment and for the first time in at least ten years being able to mingle after a race with having been a participant and not a spectator.

Another good thing was learning peoples' stories. The lady in line in front of us at the port-o-potty was from the town and organizes a kids race every year for the locals. She was also getting ready to send her son off to grad school in Wisconsin--"1000 miles away" and she wasn't looking forward to it. Also, there was a guy who ran barefoot! We talked to him after the race and he told us that about ten years ago he broke his neck and was told he couldn't run again. He runs barefoot because it's the only way he can do it without aches and pains in his joints. Recently, he ran a 35 mile race through lots of towns to raise awareness for the homeless. I think he ran it alone but he told us he had police or motorcycle escorts in front and back the whole way. His 38 year old daughter had run with him today...her first race.

Oh! And then there was Barney. We passed him as we were heading down the hill (Rocky stretch) and he was heading up. He was wearing a t-shirt with his name and the number "84" (his age) which looked like it had been re-written every year for a new race. The t-shirt also had "Running On Empty" printed on it. Indeed he was NOT!

Stories are good. My favorite sermons include stories. Not the made up kind or the ones that have been emailed around, but real, personal stories about life and faith. How God has been working in the storyteller's life. How they've stumbled and recovered. Or haven't recovered. I like asking people, "What's your story?" And they always have one. And sometimes they're even willing to share it.

Lucky #13

2009-05-16T11:07:00.012-04:00

I am a little concerned. I've dropped to running only once a week and I'm supposed to be building up so that I can run a 5K and not suck too much wind or worse....WALK. The plan is to run in the Chestertown 5K next Saturday. Check out what a celebration this town will have going on! Chestertown Festival .

I'll probably be fine! We'll see...

I listen to "The Happy Song" often when I run and today it gave me thoughts about worship.

One of my sons just returned from a trip to Berlin and Prague that was part of a film class in college. He had great experiences...the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, a concentration camp, a soccer game, Radio Free Europe, a pub (or two). One of his stories really stood out for me. He said that whenever they were traveling by bus in Prague the people were really stoic. Hands folded, looking forward, no conversation, no eye contact. In fact, the students stood out because they were NOT like this. They got stares (oops! no eye contact!). And that also made me think about worship.

Are we too often afraid to be happy in worship? I understand the need for reverence and respect but seems like too often we take that too far. When my youngest was about five, he and his brothers attended another church while visiting relatives. On the drive home, they described the service to me as being so serious! And then the little voice in the back of the car said, "I was thinking it was a little TOO holy!" Good news is happy news. And we should behave like it is.

Here's something to think about. A report just came out from the Methodist Church that I'm sure would apply to most mainline protestant churches (at least). A study was done (among United Methodists) about what most people expect to happen in worship. The centrality of God to worship was "high" for only 20% of those who responded. When the specific question was asked, "Do you expect to have an experience of the living God, the risen Christ, or the power of the Holy Spirit when you worship?" 72% said no, 53% had never thought about it or didn't understand the question, 13% would like to, and only 11% said yes (multiple answers could be made). Read the full study here .

Does it seem like a disconnect to you? If we're "dour" in worship because we're being respectful and reverent toward God...how does that make sense when most of us don't even expect God (or Christ or the Holy Spirit) to be present?

I am so excited about worship tomorrow at our church. There are thirteen young men and women getting "confirmed"...making a public declaration of their faith in God through Jesus Christ and joining the church. Three of them are also getting baptized. I can't wait! I have gotten to know these young people very well over the last year of Sunday morning classes, service projects, and a retreat. They are such great kids and they are READY.

I am expecting to have an experience of the living God, the risen Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Persevere in it Forever

2009-05-01T14:40:00.007-04:00

Good grief...I've been away from blogging for so long that google has even changed some of the format. I see that I can now blog from my phone. I'm not that good on the touch screen yet but that's good to know! I haven't written for about 2 weeks and I hope that's not the kiss of death in the blogosphere. The good news is (at least for me) I HAVE run since then. I used the treadmill in the hotel in Iron Mountain, Michigan (where the "yoopers" live) on Monday. It was windy, rainy and about 37 degrees there while it was 88 and sunny in the Baltimore area. Tough to take!

So, I just finished a pathetic run through the neighborhood (back in Maryland now). Really good first mile and a quarter but could not do much on the way back. I don't know why. Just couldn't. Or maybe just didn't feel like it.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about our visit to Iron Mountain. My sister-in-law (that's my husband's sister, not my brother's wife) took her final vows as the "Rite of Religious Profession for the Discalced Carmelite Nuns." It really was a beautiful ceremony even if I did have trouble following much of it. I really liked how "sensory" it was...the scent of the incense and the clanging of the incense container as it was waived back and forth was good. I liked the Bishop's homily. He referenced the sin that got us in to all of this economic mess in the US....greed. I sat and thought about all of the levels that was appropriate for...and I agreed.

Couple of things tripped me up though...

My sister-in-law (and the other cloistered sisters) were in a different room than our sanctuary. Their room was off to the side with a common wall that was a huge grate. There was a small window (picture a McDonald's drive through) where the Bishop could speak to her and she could respond. The picture above shows what I'm describing. I have a problem with the "separateness" that it all symbolized. But I'll get over that.

There was communion and I didn't feel welcome to participate. I listened carefully to hear any words of "all are welcome" or "only some are welcome" and heard no direct reference but I still knew that in a very strict Catholic church, it wouldn't be the right thing for a Protestant to participate. So I did it "in my mind" and I know God understood.

But those weren't even the biggest rocks that tripped me up. And let me say this now. I GREATLY ADMIRE ANNIE FOR HER SERIOUS AND FOCUSED DISCERNMENT THAT GOT HER TO THIS PLACE. It's been a long journey and she is so at peace with this decision that I am at peace with her decision. And that's probably what makes it so difficult for me to understand what I've been wrestling with since her profession. Or rather...since the middle of her profession. She answered a series of questions and I was jolted by the second:

"Are you resolved, with the help of God, to undertake that life of perfect chastity, obedience and poverty chosen for themselves by Christ our Lord and His Virgin Mother, and to persevere in it forever?"

And she answered, "I am."

And I have no doubt that she is resolved and will live that life...forever. But I couldn't stop thinking about the priests who have also taken that vow of a "life of perfect chastity" and have not "persevered in it forever" and have, instead, abused young boys. People are fallen, people are sinful, people do horrible things and I "get" that it's part of our nature and it will happen. What I don't "get" is how a church can turn a blind eye and protect those who have broken this vow in a way that destroys so many other lives. Pretend that it doesn't "really" happen. And it felt like that situation watered down the vow that Annie had just taken. It really bothered me for her. I felt like asking the Bishop about it but we sat at a different table for lunch.

Human or Dancer?

2009-04-17T09:00:00.004-04:00

Love the blue skies! Love the bearable temps! Love the running 2.5 straight miles...NO WALKING! It was the best I've done since I started running last September. WOOT! Now I know I can do a 5K in May.

I created an On-The-Go playlist this morning. I always wondered what that was until I spent an hour at the Genious Bar at the Apple store last Saturday patiently waiting for my Genious to figure out how to get my iphone to send email. The store has screens that give helpful tips and I read how to set up the list...and as with most things apple, it was pretty easy. So, I had this relatively random list of songs to run to this morning but I wanted all with a positive message of some sort.

First off was Tony Bennett singing "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive." GREAT SONG! (also has been sung by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Willie Nelson):

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

After that a long "Burn Baby Burn (Disco Inferno)" that got me up to the TOP of the very long hill:

The heat was on (burnin’),
rising to the top, huh!
Everybody's goin' strong (uhu hu hu)
And that is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say
Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!

I think that worked a whole lot better than the Sound of Music's "Climb Every Mountain." What do you think?

But my favorite song was from a group I know very little about and "Human" is the only song of theirs that I have.

Human
The Killers

I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was brought but I was kind
And sometimes I get nervous
When I see an open door
Close your eyes Clear your heart...Cut the cord

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance,
They always did the best they could
And so long to devotion
You taught me everything I know

Wave goodbye
Wish me well..You've gotta let me go

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?

Will your system be alright
When you dream of home tonight?
There is no message we're receiving
Let me know is your heart still beating

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
You've gotta let me know

Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human
Or are we dancer?

HUMAN

I'm really not sure what to make of this song but I like it. I'm fascinated by the use of the word "dancer" rather than the expected "dancers."

I did my best to notice when the call came down the line. Up to the platform of surrender I was brought...And sometimes I get nervous when I see an open door...Close your eyes, clear your heart, cut the cord.

Is it about a "leap of faith" to believe in something? Someone? "The" someone?

I don't know...what do you think? What do you know about the Killers?

Obsessions

2009-04-11T10:47:00.008-04:00

I was really hoping the rain would hold off until late morning but no such luck. So I hauled myself over to the indoor track at the gym. Not as packed as I had assumed for a rainy Saturday morning. Lots of guys playing basketball in the middle but the track wasn't too crowded. I ran for about 25 minutes straight mostly jogging but taking a few laps here and there at a really quick clip. Felt good!

I'm obsessing right now on a workshop I'm leading in about a week. It's called, "Hey You! A Workshop for Helping Volunteers Discern God's Call on their Lives." It's being done by LOGOS for churches in our Presbytery, the local judicatory for our denomination. I'm excited to take what we've always used to teach the local church how to find volunteers for their LOGOS ministry and expand the thinking for the whole church...officers, committee people, lay readers, Sunday school teachers, etc., etc., etc.

Something becomes an obsession for me when it infiltrates all I do. I can't watch a movie without hearing lines about God's call on peoples' lives and the same goes for songs. It enters my mind when I read newspaper articles and scripture. I even dreamed about the workshop last night! I woke up with an idea and had to jot it down immediately. And then right after waking up, a song went through my head that I hadn't thought of last night when I was putting together a playlist for my iphone on the topic (see? obsession!). I ran to the playlist this morning and this was the last song added:

Here I Am

by Downhere

Sometimes Your calling, comes in a dream

Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze

You reach for the deepest hope in me

And call out for the things of eternity.

But I'm a man, of dust and stains,

You move in me, so I can say

Chorus

Here I am, Lord send me

All of my life, I make an offering,

Here I am, Lord send me

Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,

Here I am

When setbacks and failures, and upset plans

Test my faith and leave me with empty hands

Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand

I know that You will finish what You began

And these broken parts You will redeem

Become the song that I can sing

Chorus

Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness

And the fear that I'll fail You in the end

In this mess,

I'm just one of the pieces,

I can't put this together but You can

Chorus

Here I am, all my life an offering to You, to You

Somehow my story is a part of Your plan

Here I am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-hBqYpEYY

What a GREAT song that describes the call of so many in the Bible (Moses, Esther, Samuel, Jeremiah, Mary....) as well as us today. "HUH? Me? You want me to do WHAT?" "I don't think so!" I'm too young...I'm too old...I'm too busy...I'm not worthy...I'm over qualified...

But when we feel that tug on our heart, that whispering in our ear, that sacred echo, that TWO by FOUR hitting us upside the head, all we have to do is say,

"Here I am...somehow my story is a part of your plan." I love that!

A blessed Easter to you all! I look forward to replying tomorrow (as we can say everyday), "He is risen, INDEED!"

Who is Your Cinderella?

2009-04-03T14:47:00.004-04:00

Our office closes at noon on Friday and so because I heard the weather forecast I knew that the rainy, dreary morning was going to turn into a salvagable afternoon and I'd be able to run outside. I did something I rarely ever do...didn't take a shower in the morning (home offices are really good for that). Because if I had showered and done the hair and the make up I wouldn't have felt like exercising in the middle of the day.

It's 3 pm, my work day is over, I've had my run and I REALLY NEED to take a shower!

I went with several friends last night to a concert--Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith...their "United Tour." They were really FUN to see in concert together! My preference is for SCC but they sang individually as well as together and even sang each other's songs. I admire Steven for his courage to speak about the tragic death of one of his youngest daughters because of an awful driveway accident less than a year ago. His song "Cinderella" took on a whole new meaning for everyone, but especially for him after the accident.

Steven said he didn't know if he could ever sing the song again (it was written after battling bath and bed time one night with his little girls several years ago) but decided that if he REALLY believed God's message then he knew that he would be dancing with his Cinderella again some day. So he sings the song...

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,

Without a care in the world.

And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.

It's been a long day and there's still work to do,

She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I approve of the dress

She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,

And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh,

I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She will be gone.

Well, she came home today

With a ring on her hand

Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned

She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away

but I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh,

I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

http://tinyurl.com/5ma8wb

Who is your Cinderella? Who is moving through your life all too soon? Is it a child? A parent? Grandparent? Good friend? Spouse?

And when we do let them go...they move...go off to college...into the military...or even die...do we really believe that we will join them again sometime?

I don't know how people keep going who don't believe it.

Problem Solving

2009-03-31T08:47:00.006-04:00

I ran to Andy Stanley this morning. Go ahead...google him if you've never heard of him or his songs. You won't find any songs that he's recorded! He's the senior pastor of Northpoint Community Church in the Atlanta area. He has also written lots of books on leadership and I listened to one of his podcasts today called, "High Performance Teams." The podcast was a little over 30 minutes and I had a pretty decent run!

Sorry...no music to post here but I do have a nugget to share from Andy.

In his sermon and then de-briefing interview afterwards, he challenges teams (in the church) to NOT identify goals to accomplish, but problems they believe God is calling them to solve. And then to work together to come up with solutions to solving that problem.

And I think that's a powerful challenge for us as individuals.

What problem might God be calling me to solve? What might not happen if I opted out of God's team or just dropped the ball?

If the problem is HUNGER that you believe God is calling you to help solve, then define it as a local and achievable problem: Hungry families in my county. Then you can define the solution with hopes of solving the problem.

Once you've defined the problem, and created a solution, it's a whole lot easier to move forward. Who do I need to help me solve this problem? What resources do I need to create the solution? When can I get started? How will I measure if I've solved the problem?

This might be a great exercise to try with your family. What problem might God be calling us as a family to solve? What's our plan for helping to solve that problem? Who will take on what part of the solution based on gifts and interests and age? It's a good way to help each member of the family (extended family too) really feel an integral part of the whole...whole earthly family...and whole family of God's Kingdom.

One finger or two?

2009-03-26T09:27:00.011-04:00

I was determined to run today and woke up to a cold and rainy morning. So I went back on my vow to NEVER run inside again (okay...maybe it wasn't quite that strong but I was afraid it was messing up my ankle so it isn't my ideal running location) and headed to the gym anyway.

Rainy rush hour traffic makes for angry drivers. I thought I was in the clear gettting off the little "highway" onto the cloverleaf but apparently not, because suddenly I heard an angry blast of someone's horn. Interesting how we can speak through that horn and communicate different feelings isn't it? I thought he couldn't mean ME because I hadn't cut anyone off. But the blast came again because I guess I wasn't acknowledging my mistake. So I turned to my left and gave my best "Really? What did I do?" look out the window in his direction and that's when I saw IT. The international signal of "you screwed up and now I'm going to let you know about it." And he was looking right at me and gesturing very clearly (even through the rain). Yuck. I hate that.

But honestly, I didn't think about it much more until I was driving back home (extra cautiously). And then one of the songs I had been listening to popped into my brain, "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath.

Give Me Your Eyes

Looked down from a broken sky

Traced out by the city lights

My world from a mile high

Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black top

Hold on for the sudden stop

Breath in the familiar shock

Of confusion and chaos

All those people going somewhere,

Why have I never cared?

Chorus:

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

Ones that are far beyond my reach.

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

Step out on a busy street

See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me

To hide what's underneath

There's a man just to her right

Black suit and a bright red tie

Too ashamed to tell his wife

He's out of work

He's buying time

All those people going somewhere

Why have I never cared?

Chorus

I've been there a million times

A couple of million eyes

Just moving past me by

I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well I want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all along

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c

[It's a great video] The chorus is a PRAYER! Give me your eyes, God, so that I can see everything that I've been missing...Give me your love for humanity, your arms for the brokenhearted, your heart for the ones forgotten, your eyes so that I can see. For just one second, please.

I prayed that prayer as I drove home and I thought about the guy who was so angry with me this morning. And I wondered what the rest of his day was going to be like, what his morning had already been like, what kind of relationships he has, what job he was on his way to. And I realized that I had NO idea. And until now, I really didn't care.

Well I want a second glance, so give me a second chance to see the people the way you see them all along.

Next time someone gives me "the finger" I'm going to return the gesture with "two fingers"....the peace sign. And then say a prayer and try to see that person as God sees them.

Thank God for second chances!

Other Side of the Radio

2009-03-19T08:17:00.004-04:00

This morning's run wasn't so bad...wasn't so great either but sure was a glorious morning. It's nice to see the sun out again. My nano is messed up--my playlists have disappeared. They're still in itunes but won't sync up with the nano and I can't figure out why. I googled enough words to hit on other people with the same problem and all I can see is that it might be a memory issue so I deleted some playlists (one of the suggestions) and synched (?) again but no such luck. Because I didn't want to run alphabetically or one artist, I shuffled. That's always fun! Who knew that "My Favorite Things" could be a "kick it up a notch song"? My thinking song, however came as I sat on my front step at the end of the run and heard Chris Rice's "Other Side of the Radio." Here's some of the song:

Here I am on the other side of the radio

Wonderin' why I'm here and why anybody cares what I say

No I'm not a better man cause I'm singing my songs on the radio

Cause were all the same, at the end of the day

Now I imagine you on the other side of the radio

Doin' your homework or driving with your windows down on the freeway

I see you tappin' the wheel I see you bobbin' your head to the radio

Oh and it makes my day, to see that smile on your face

And in some small way, I remember my place

Cause it's you and me singing the same song right now

And maybe this will bring us together somehow

And maybe there's a million people all singing along

Somebody started thinkin' about the third line

And maybe someone's saying a prayer for the first time

And that's enough reason to keep me singing my song,

Singing my songs, on the other side of the radio

So, today's thoughts are just about all the radio disc jockeys who do good in the world by playing the songs that maybe a million people all sing along to or that give people something to think about so maybe they say a prayer for the first time.

Keep doing what you're doing even if it seems like no one hears what you say or laughs at your jokes or nods at your observations...the between the songs kind of things that you do! You make a difference. My "twitter friend" Tim from JOYFM in St. Louis helped me realize that being a DJ is a lot like writing a book or an article...you just have no idea what the reaction is unless someone tells you. How often do we all fail to tell others what difference they've made or are making in our lives?

What's So Amazing About Grace?

2009-03-17T08:52:00.008-04:00

Wimpy run this morning but I'll keep plugging away! My husband and I have signed up for a 5K run (I refuse to call it a "race"). It's the Chestertown (MD) Tea Party celebration (I know that's not the official name but I don't feel like looking it up) in April. The citizens did like those in Boston and dumped tea into their harbor to protest the taxes from the British. They commemorate this historical date every year with a parade, festival and a run. Last year I walked the 5K while my husband ran the 10K. So he's taunting me by asking if I'll be able to beat last year's time. Let's HOPE so! I am pumped to support any town that protests too many taxes! I am a direct decendent of a judge from Maryland who among others repudiated the Stamp Act (another tax from those across the pond). So...it runs in my blood.

I listened to my "Celtic Ladies" cd this morning to get in a St. Patrick's Day mood. The first song was Amazing Grace and I'm intrigued by one verse in particular....

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

I believe that God's grace is always there...like God's unconditional love...but do we not see it until we believe? Or when we believe does it become "precious"? Or was this just John Newton's experience? "Precious" seemed an unusual word to describe grace (I first thought) because I immediately thought of "cute" and "adorable" or maybe even "beloved." NOT the appropriate definition of the word here. We're talking "of high price or great value." YES! The mud has been wiped from my eyes upon belief. NOW I can see how valuable God's grace is!

I know that John Newton's "Amazing Grace" is not scripture but I think he had a powerful conversion experience while on his slave ship in 1748 that made God's grace precious...valuable...worth a lot and he wrote the song to tell others about it.

What do you think? Is God's grace precious to you? Is there an appreciation for how valuable it actually is? During this time of Lent we reflect that God's grace is SO very amazing that he sent his son and whosoever believes in that son shall not perish but have eternal life.

Life

2009-03-12T11:31:00.004-04:00

I had a GREAT run this morning. I did something I don't think I've tried over these last 6 1/2 months since I started running again. I sprinted. I don't know what got into me! Maybe it was the song I was listening to that triggered it, maybe I was so warmed up by then I had a flashback to high school when I WAS a sprinter, maybe it was remembering my friend M telling us a couple of weeks ago at LOGOS that she just decided to start sprinting on her tredmill! Whatever the reason...it was fun...and UPHILL! And it didn't kill me. In fact, after crossing the most dangerous intersection in the world (truly) and a slow jog, I did it again! And then I had a relaxing cool down walk the 1/2 mile to home.

I listened to Steven Curtis Chapman this morning and the song that got into my brain was "One Heartbeat at a Time." It was the first time I've listened to the song and I'm operating with a set of headphones that is no longer a "set" but a single ear piece so I couldn't hear the words too well. Now that I see them in print, I see that it is a tribute to mothers. Here's part of it:

So you fall into bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Oh, maybe you just don't know
Or maybe you've forgotten

You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

One Heartbeat at a Time

Because I couldn't hear the words too clearly (and the chorus is repeated), I assumed that the song was speaking of God...that God is the "you" who is changing the world one little heartbeat at a time. And that led me to thinking about abortion...and then the death penalty. Heady stuff during a run.

It's odd...I take firm stands on lots of issues but on these two I don't. And I couldn't even tell you why (or why not). I can tell you that I fall more "against" abortion than "for" it and more "for" the death penalty than "against" it. And conversely, I've always wondered why those who favor the right to an abortion are not supportive of the death penalty. Why do we not group these two together and either support both or not support either? I include myself in that "we."

In my mind, I do separate the two. The abortion ends a life that never had a chance--a clean slate. The death penalty ends a life where some heinous choice(s) have been made. But I can find exceptions for allowing (or not allowing) for either. Why do we have a jury decide one but not the other? I know these are both two hot, divisive, emotional issues but I'd like to invite some (rational) discussion anyway.

Questions and Dreams

2009-03-08T22:31:00.008-04:00

I was planning to run before going to church this morning but some gremlins got into the alarm clock on my cell phone and I got up at 8:45 instead of 7:45. I teach the 8th grade class starting at 9:15. Good thing I live 3 minutes from our church! I was disappointed because it was going to be very warm today and I had back-to-back plans through dinner with the family at 6:30.

So, I ran at night in the dark which is possible because this route is alongside the main road through our neighborhood (but not as well lit as I expected it to be!). I listened to my songs in the ipod (had just downloaded some new Steven Curtis Chapman tunes to get ready for the concert in April) but what's really been in my brain all day are the songs for our spring musical with the LOGOS kids. We had our all-cast rehearsal this afternoon.

We're doing "The Tale of Three Trees" and it's a wonderful folktale about dreams of these three trees who want to do and be something wonderful and they think at first that their dreams have not been fulfilled. Turns out, their dreams are fulfilled, just in very unexpected ways.

Dreams, we all have dreams,

What we can be, what we can do.

Lord, with all we are, we pray that our dreams will lead us,

Will lead us to you.

See our hands, what will they make, Lord?

See our feet, where will they run?

See our hearts, who will they love, Lord?

See our lives, we've just begun!

Dreams, we all have dreams,

What we can be, what we can do.

Lord, with all we are, we pray that our dreams will lead us,

Will lead us to you.

http://tinyurl.com/3trees

I spend a lot of my time with kids who are approaching high school and college. The pressure is great to make very big decisions about what they want to be and do with the rest of their lives. They ask, "What classes should I take in high school? Should I go to college? Where should I go to college? What should I study there?"

My prayer for them is that they keep asking other questions, "See our hands, what will they make Lord? See our feet, where will they run? See our hearts, who will they love Lord?" And I'm sure if they keep asking those questions OF God, then that is exactly where the dreams will lead TO. And all the rest will fall into place.

What's the Question?

2009-03-06T08:13:00.004-05:00

I ran tuneless today. It was disappointing at first but then I found that I really needed to talk to God and that's hard to do when I'm listening to music. I've got something to deal with and I needed to go to God about it. What I heard as an answer was...."What's the question?" Don't get all worked up about what is NOT being asked. Cut through the details and look at the real question. And that's exactly what I was NOT doing...I was questioning my ability and my experience and strength for difficult decision making. But the only request was for my presence.

I can do that.

I started wondering if I do that all the time...try to solve problems without really listening to the question. I do. Yuck. That's not a good thing.

I pray on Friday

All our problems gonna be worked out

I pray on Friday

God'll show us what love's about

I pray on Friday

To do your will each day

I pray on Friday

That I'll be with you in heaven some day.

Amen.

The More

2009-02-26T09:20:00.011-05:00

First this...(see Tuesday's post for background):

I pray on Thursday
That the sick will soon be strong
I pray on Thursday
The Lord will hear my song.
I pray on Thursday
That God will lead the way
I pray on Thursday
He'll get me through another day.

I ran one mile out, about half a mile back, and then finished walking the rest. I ran along the main street in my neighborhood and on my way out, I passed three people walking the same direction that I was running. Two young boys with backpacks and an adult with a heavy limp. On the way back, I was walking as I came on them. The adult with them was likely their grandmother. It wouldn't have been a stretch to guess she was their great-grandmother. As I approached, I was concerned that if they were walking to school (valid assumption given the time of day, their location and the backpacks) they were taking the LONG way and maybe they were new to the neighborhood so I would stop and point out a short cut for tomorrow.

So I asked, "Are you heading to ABC Elementary School?" The adult just looked at me confused and so I asked one of the boys. He answered, "No, CDE Elementary School." My response to that was, "OH! Then you have a ways to go and have to cross over the bridge!" The rest of the way home I pondered lots of things about how far they must have walked...had they missed the bus or did they not have a bus to take? Why that school? And then I thought about how early their day must have started and when I was substitute teaching several years ago I never really thought about my students' lives before they walked through the classroom door at 9 am.

The More
I met You like a little child
Wide-eyed and mystified
That You could love even me
So I'm here to testify
That it's been an amazing ride with You
And I have never walked alone

Wanna give You every moment, every minute

It's takes a lifetime to know You, to know You

And the more You show me, the more You grow me; The more Your glory becomes all there is; And the more I know You, the more I need You; The more I love You, the more You become to me

Fast-forward to the golden years; A smaller pride and a bigger fear; But still, no way are we done yet; I pray that You would keep me mystified; In every way that I will still abide in You; Till You come to take me home

Wanna give You every moment, every minute; And take a lifetime to know You, to know You; Wanna give You every moment, every minute; I'll take a lifetime to know You; Hold me Lord, keep me; Draw me closer every moment of my life

http://tinyurl.com/bqqcrm

It takes a lifetime to know you, and the more you show me the more you grow me, the more your glory becomes all there is....I'll take a lifetime to know you.

Here are my thoughts...we never stop growing if we never stop learning. And when we stop learning we do stop growing. Ew! Is there anyone who is really perfectly satisfied with their current condition? That would be the only valid reason for no more learning. I just LOVE that one of my good friends celebrated her birthday recently by buying a flute and taking lessons! It's inspired me to think of what I could do!

I also thought about all the wonderful teachers I've met along the way from my school days and my kids'. And then I thought about the ones that are teaching for God knows why! And truly, only God could know that. I think boring or mean teachers are sinful. Yup...I know that's being judgmental. Sorry about that but it's honestly how I feel. Being in school (or Sunday school) is like being in a maze for most kids and as teachers we can either show them the way through or throw up walls so they stop.

Who are some of your favorite people who have helped you grow?

I Pray on Tuesday

2009-02-24T08:28:00.006-05:00

I just ran. It is freezing outside. Warm inside. Back to that in a minute....

I checked in on facebook before I started blogging and was struck by the first four status updates in my newsfeed:

"One day: A few years ago I came across a little two-word phrase in scripture that got into my spirit: one day."

"______ is grateful for today's blessings and taking life on life's terms. Acceptance is the answer for today!"

"______ is trying a little thankfulness."

"______ is praying for a day filled with hope and good news."

What a great way to start MY day...by reading the prayers and thoughts of others on the start of their days. I'll have to compare those with the end of the day postings. And now back to running.

I considered delaying my post-Valentine's Day run (yuck...it's been 10 whole days that means) to Thursday because it's going to crack 50 but my thoughts went like this...."I can at least walk...if I can walk I might as well run because I'll warm up more quickly...okay I can run today." So I did. It's my favorite 1/2 mile route...all down hill! Yee haw! I did walk back up the hill to get home. I'm awake now!

I had my nano on shuffle and enjoyed this song from Harry Connick Jr:

I Pray on Christmas

I pray on christmas

That the lord will see me through

I pray on christmas

He'll show me what to do

I pray on christmas

He'll help me understand

And I pray on christmas

He'll take me by the hand

I pray on christmas

That the sick will soon be strong

I pray on christmas

The lord will hear my song

I pray on christmas

That God will lead the way

And I pray on christmas

He'll get me through another day

I pray on christmas

He'll get me through another day

I pray on christmas

All our problems gonna be worked out

I pray on christmas

God'll show us what love's about

I pray on christmas

To do your will each day

And I pray on christmas

That I'll be with you in heaven some day

I pray on christmas

Oh, the sick will soon be strong

I pray on christmas

The lord will hear my song

I pray on christmas

That God will lead the way

And I pray I really pray on christmas

He'll get me through another day

He'll get me through another day...

http://crackle.com/c/Music/I_Pray_on_Christmas/1541655

It's been in my ipod but I never paid attention to the song before (not even at Christmas!). It's got many messages embedded in one little song. I have no idea why Harry wrote it (and he did write it) as a "Christmas song" except possibly for marketing purposes or because he's not a "Christian recording artist."

Maybe I'll take a verse a day for the next four days and substitute the word "Christmas" with the day of the week as in...

I pray on Tuesday

That the Lord will see me through,

I pray on Tuesday

He'll show me what to do.

I pray on Tuesday

He'll help me understand

And I pray on Tuesday

He'll take me by the hand.

Amen.

Have a good, cold Tuesday friends!

LOVE Song Quiz

2009-02-14T11:49:00.006-05:00

YES! I ran today. YES! I ran outside today. YES! I ran outside and ran far today. But this morning's blog is totally dedicated to Valentine's Day and I've got a love song quiz for you. I loaded up a "love song" play list in my nano and I thought this would be fun to do. It's an eclectic assortment of my songs. I've written several lines from each song. Here are the rules:

1. You must identify the song title (precisely) and the artist or writer (I'm not picky here).
2. Submit your guesses by replying to the blog (if you've never done that before it's not hard...just might take a few minutes to set up). Enter the song # and then the title and artist.
3. You MAY "phone a friend" (or the equivalent) but you may NOT google the lyrics to find the answer. Please be honest.
4. I will post the answers (and who answered it) as they come in.
5. HINT: All songs have the word "love" in the title.
6. Maybe there will be a prize for the one who gets the most correct. I don't know...this is pretty hard. Harder than I thought it would be.

Here we go....

1. Love Doesn't Come In A Minute, Sometimes It Doesn't Come At All [Silly Love Songs, Wings]

2. He never tells me I'm not good enough, Just give me unconditional love. He loves me tender and he loves me mad, He loves me silly and he loves me sad [My Baby Loves Me, Martina McBride]

3. I dunno what goes down the moment we die, Do we get halos & harps? Do we sleep? Do we fly? I dunno how, when and why this world will finally end, Speculation’s gonna grow, who knows best, I dunno [Your Love is Better than Life, Newsboys]

4. Lots of choc'lates for me to eat, Lots of coal makin' lots of 'eat. Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet. [Wouldn't it Be Loverly, My Fair Lady]

5. Words come easy but don't mean much, When the words they're sayin we can't put trust in, Wer'e talkin bout love in a different light, And if we all learn to love it would be just right [Luv is a Verb, DC Talk]

6. All my dreams fulfilled. For my darlin I love you, And I always will. [Love Me Tender, Elvis]

7. We were in love before But now it's so much more, Cause when I kiss your lips I can't explain, What I feel in my heart for you [More Than Love, Los Lonely Boys]

8. Have mercy, baby on a poor girl like me, You know I'm falling, falling, falling at your feet, I'm tingling right from my head to my toes, So help me, help me, help me make the feeling go. [Say You Love Me, Fleetwood Mac]

9. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, And we pray that our unity will one day be restored [They'll Know We are Christian By our Love, Jars of Clay]

10. You just slip out the back, Jack, Make a new plan, Stan, You don't need to be coy, Roy, Just get yourself free [50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon]

11. All the colors of the rainbow, All of voices of the wind, Every dream that reaches out, That reaches out to find where love begins [Testify to Love, Avalon]

Roots

2009-02-13T08:51:00.007-05:00

I wore my hoodie today from my sons' high school and it's got BIG, BOLD letters of the school across the chest. I amused myself while running that maybe the cars driving by would wonder why a high school student was running at 8:00 am when she should have been in class. Ha! Okay...whatever it takes sometimes....I probably run like a middle aged woman anyway so there wouldn't be much foolin even the fastest of cars.

Have you watched a child run lately? Legs flying, arms flailing, laughing. Why do we get so much more tight and controlled as we get older? Is it fear of embarrassment or is it that we learn how to run more efficiently (I remember getting "coached" into this in high school) and so we lose that look (and feel) of spontaniety? I'm sure that could translate into a good message about faith and life, but I'm going a different direction this morning. I listened to....

The Kindergarten Wall

When I was a little kid not so long ago
I had to learn a lot of stuff I didn't even know
How to dress myself, tie my shoes, how to jump a rope
How to smile for a picture without looking like a dope

But of all the things I learned my favorite of them all
Was a little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

CHORUS:

Of all you learn here remember this the best:
Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess
Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat
Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street
And remember the seed in the little paper cup:
First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!

Well, it was first, second, third grade, fourth grade, too
Where I had to learn the big things the big kids do
To add, subtract, and multiply, read and write and play
How to sit in a little uncomfortable desk for nearly half a day
But of all they taught me my favorite of them all
Was the little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

Chorus

But lately I've been worried as I look around and see
An awful lot of grown-ups acting foolish as can be
Now I know there's lots of things to know I haven't mastered yet
But it seems there's real important stuff that grown-ups soon forget
So I'm sure we'd all be better off if we would just recall
That little poem hanging on the kindergarten wall

Chorus

http://music.yahoo.com/track/694885

It's written and recorded by John McCutcheon but I'm sure he must have gotten the idea from the "Everything I know I learned in kindgergarten" book. I played the song a couple of weeks ago for my confirmation class as we talked about developing the fruit of the spirit...and I particularly wanted them to hear about the roots having to go down before the plant can grow up. I even made them DANCE to it! Well...sway from side to side? I'll give them a break...it was early on a Sunday morning and they are 8th graders. Nuf said?

There's a lot of scripture in that little song....

Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess
"...love your neighbor as yourself." (from throughout the gospels)

Take a nap everyday, wash before you eat
"Be still and know that I am God..." (from Psalms)
"After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, 'Serve the food.'" (from Genesis)

Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street
"...so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (from Romans)

And remember the seed in the little paper cup,
First the root goes down and then the plant grows up.

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (from Deuteronomy)
I like thinking about sprinkling seeds and helping to grow roots. Working with children and teenagers will do that. Trying to raise children well will do that too. Life stinks sometimes...so our roots better be good and strong to face it. I'm recommitting to help the children that I know and ones that I don't know.

How are you involved with sprinkling seeds and helping develop roots? Here are several causes if you need one....

http://www.thelogosministry.org/

http://www.ulmanfund.org/

http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

Who can add to the list?

Dance!

2009-02-10T08:55:00.003-05:00

"Quick run" turned into run...walk...and dance! Yes, I danced about the last fourth of my course and it was so much fun! (I wonder what the neighbors thought) I was all set to write about "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew and then "Lord of the Dance" came on. Not the "Dance, then whatever you may be...I am the Lord of the dance said he...and I'll lead you all wherever you may be...I'll lead you all in the dance said he" but the Stephen Curtis Chapman "Lord of the Dance."

Lord of the Dance

On the bank of the Tennessee River

In a small Kentucky town

I drew my first breath one cold November morning

And before my feet even touched the ground

With the doctors and the nurses gathered 'round

I started to dance

A little boy full of wide-eyed wonder

Footloose and fancy free

But it would happen, as it does for every dancer

That I'd stumble on a truth I couldn't see

And find a longing deep inside of me, it said...

I am the heart, I need the heartbeat

I am the eyes, I need the sight

I realize that I am just a body

I need the life

I move my feet, I go through the motions

But who'll give purpose to chance

I am the dancer

I need the Lord of the dance

The world beneath us spins in circles

And this life makes us twist and turn and sway

But we were made for more than rhythm with no reason

By the one who moves with passion and with grace

As He dances over all that He has made

I am the heart, He is the heartbeat

I am the eyes, He is the sight

And I see clearly, I am just a body

He is the life

I move my feet, I go through the motions

But He gives purpose to chance

I am the dancer

He is the Lord of the dance

Lord of the dance

And while the music of His love and mercy plays

I will fall down on my knees and I will pray

I am the heart, You are the heartbeat

I am the eyes, You are the sight

And I see clearly, I am just a body

You are the life

I move my feet, I go through the motions

But You give purpose to chance

I am the dancer

You are the Lord of the dance

I am the dancer

You are the Lord of the dance

http://tinyurl.com/ck52ol

Last night I attended a dance concert at the high school and I just wanted to BE dancing with them! It looked like so much fun (and yes...a ton of work to prepare). So, maybe that was just itching to be released and when I heard the first beats of the dance song I just couldn't help it...I had to dance down the sidewalk back to my house.

And this was (and is) so true for me: But it would happen as it does for every dancer...that I'd stumble on a truth I couldn't see..and find a deep longing inside of me.

I move my feet, I go through the motions...but you give PURPOSE to chance!

HOW DO PEOPLE WHO DON'T ACCEPT THERE IS A GOD AND HUNGER TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST GET THROUGH THEIR DAYS? How do they get back up after being knocked down? What is the source of their joy? What's the accountability for their days...for their lives?

These are not rhetorical questions...I really want to know (perhaps I should ask).

Heaven?

2009-02-07T12:35:00.006-05:00

Heaven must be like...being able to run without gloves and hat and freezing temperatures. It sure felt "heavenly" to me just now to be outside in gorgeous sunshine and almost no frozen patches on the sidewalks. I'm down to running once a week and that just won't do to be able to run in a 5K anytime soon, but it will have to do for now. It was a good run. Not a great run, but a good one. And I'm GOOD with that for today. And tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer!

The song for today is "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys. I've seen them in concert and they really ROCK! They were opening for Santana and I enjoyed their set the best. Please watch the video if you've got the time.

Heaven

Vamonos!

Save me from this prison

Lord, help me get away

Cause only you can save me now

From this misery

I've been lost in my own place

And I'm gettin' weary

How far is heaven?

And I know that I need to change

My ways of livin'

How far is heaven?

Lord, can you tell me?

I've been locked up way too long

In this crazy world

How far is heaven?

And I just keep on prayin', Lord

Just keep on livin'

How far is heaven?

Yeah, Lord, can you tell me?

How far is heaven?

Cause I just got to know how far, yeah

How far is heaven?

Yeah, Lord, can you tell me?

(Solo)

Tu que estas en alto cielo

Echame tu bendiciòn

Cause I know there's a better place

Than this place I'm livin'

How far is heaven?

And I just got to have some faith

And just keep on givin'

How far is heaven?

Yeah, Lord, can you tell me?

How far is heaven?

Cause I just gotta know how far

How far is heaven?

Lord, can you tell me?

How far is heaven?

Cause I just gotta know how far

I just wanna know how far...

http://tinyurl.com/28tnxs

So....how DO you get to heaven? I was thinking about this a lot on my run after hearing the song and I know this brings up more than a little controversy in many circles. In order to answer "how" I think you need to know what heaven is first. Is it a place? A state of mind? Non-existent and just a hope?

Hmmmm...I'll take a stab at expressing what I believe. I think it's a place in that we will "exist" in some form and we'll see and taste and touch and hear and smell there...and probably some other senses that we can't even imagine. We'll worship and never be sad. But I don't think it's a place that at least my mind can picture. It's not a "level" as in if you qualify you can get there (is that what the game halo is about?...I really have no clue). I believe that HEAVEN is being in the presence of God (fully). And so the opposite of heaven...or hell...is the separation from God.

I have no idea what hell might be like (yes, I know there are some very graphic descriptions in the Bible) but I think there are lots of people walking around on earth today who are experiencing it already...because of their separation from God.

So, how do you get to heaven? Christians believe (as do I since I am one) that we come into a full relationship with God through a relationship with Christ. I don't know what Jewish people believe about how you get to heaven, but I'd be interested to learn. Same goes for Muslims. Do Buddhists believe in heaven (or "a heaven")? I've never understood why people who DON'T believe there is a God get their britches all twisted up about others believing that some will go to heaven when they die and some will not. If they don't believe in God, why would they want to even think about spending time after death there? Or do they want to believe in a "heavenly place" but don't even think about the God part?

I really like the lines from the song that asks the question and then answers, "How far is heaven? I just got to have some faith and just keep on givin'"

As confusing and complicated as it all seems to me sometimes, that sums it up! I don't have to worry about how far it is or where it is or when I'm going to get there (or who else is going to be there).

I just got to have some faith

And just keep on givin'

Vamonos!

Funeral Songs?

2009-02-01T15:52:00.005-05:00

What a treat to have a nearly 60 degree day! I am done with running indoors because I think that's what is messing up my right ankle. The tight turns on the 10-laps-to-a-mile track have not been kind to me. I wonder if I could run in the Mall with all of the walkers (pre store openings)? There's not many of them so it's not like I'd be knocking people over and geez...I don't even run that fast! Someone dare me! Pathetic, isn't it, that I'd consider that a big risk?

So I ran outside this Sunday afternoon and dodged icy sidewalks and huge puddles. Ran half of a mile, walked up a very long hill, turned around and ran back down, walked it in uphill. All told, maybe 2 miles. Not bad after not having run for over a week. The weak ankle felt pretty good because I wrapped it. I listened to mostly Jars of Clay and noticed that they write a lot of songs about death! What's up with that? Started with "I'll Fly Away." I've heard about people starting funeral files with their church....you know, songs they want sung, scripture they want read, etc. This would go in mine.

I'll Fly Away

Some bright morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To that home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away oh glory

I'll fly away (in the morning)

When I die hallelujah by and by

I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone

I'll fly away

Like a bird from these prison walls

I'll fly

I'll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet

I'll fly away

No more cold iron shackles on my feet

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joys will never end

I'll fly away

http://tinyurl.com/dmyo35

It's an old gospel bluegrass song and I really like Jars' cover of it.

I started to think...maybe all of their "death" songs are not about our bodily death but death to sin and a new life in Christ. Maybe that's why they sing about it so much. I'm mean look....

Dead Man (Carry Me): So carry me...I'm just a dead man...Lying on the carpet...Can't find a heartbeat...Make me breathe...I wanna be a new man...Tired of the old one...Out with the old plan

My Heavenly: So when I'm lonely or when I'm old...life is more behind me...All the stories have been told...I can fix my gaze up through the clouds...Where I'm gonna be, where I'm gonna be... my heavenly...My, my heavenly...My heavenly

Flood: Downpour on my soul...Splashing in the ocean,...I'm losing control...Dark sky all around...I can't feel my feet touching the ground

Have you ever been with a person who was dying...really dying...and ready to die? I have. It was my grandmother. She was struggling with this life and ready to go to the next. And as difficult as it was to watch, I was at peace with it because she was so ready.

I wish I could let go of the old ways as easily. In church on Sundays I feel like I confess the same things week after week. God, help me be a better mother or a better wife or a better friend or a better neighbor or better co-worker because I haven't had enough patience or kindness or love this week in those directions. And I believe I'm forgiven but then I go right back to the old ways.

In the 8th grade Sunday school class this morning, we were talking about the Fruit of the Spirit and I think I needed to learn that lesson more than the kids did. The FRUIT (love, patience, kindness, peace, humility, goodness, self-control, joy, and faithfulness) only blooms forth from a healthy spiritual life. No soil and water and attention...no lemons and apples. No study, prayer and worship...no patience and kindess.

Help me here...what are some good ways you build in good spiritual practices that make them a habit?

Change Your Mind

2009-01-23T09:33:00.008-05:00

Have I mentioned that I hate the cold weather? Probably... Well, this morning felt like a little glimpse of spring after that nasty run of freezing temps we've just had in Maryland. I considered waiting until it gets to be FIFTY this afternoon but I know myself too well. If I wait, I probably won't run. I think it's mostly the re-showering and drying the hair thing. Stupid probably, but the reality.

Not a great run (maybe I over-bundled) but I "covered" two miles...mostly walking but a fair amount of running the first mile. I had my nano on shuffle and after "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (John Denver), "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" (Tavares), and a few others I heard "Change Your Mind" by Sister Hazel.

I used to know only one Sister Hazel song...and I love it..."All For You" until one of my sons booked the band to play for his fraternity for their annual fund-raising party (a particular fund for Designated Driver awareness...good thing to do on a college campus). So, I thought I should learn some more Sister Hazel songs before the event and this was one that I downloaded.

Change Your Mind

Hey, Hey

Did you ever think

There might be another way?

To just feel better,

Just feel better about today

Oh no-

If you never want to have

To turn and go away,

You might feel better

Might feel better if you stay.

Yeah yeah

I bet you haven't heard a word I've said

Yeah yeah

If you've had enough of all your trying

Just give up

The state of mind you're in

[Chorus]

If you want to be somebody else,

If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself.

If you want to be somebody else

Change your mind, change your mind.

Hey hey- Have you ever danced in the rain

Or thanked the sun

Just for shining- just for shining

Or the sea?

Oh no!

Take it all in

The world's a show,

And yeah, you look much better,

Look much better when you glow.

Yeah yeah

I hope you heard every word I’ve said.

Yeah yeah

If you've had enough of all your trying

Just give up

The state of mind you're in

[Chorus]

Hey hey- what ya say

We both go and seize the day.

'cause what's your hurry,

what's your hurry anyway?

Yeah yeah

I hope you’ve heard every word I've said

Yeah yeah

If you've had enough of all your tryin'

Just give up

The state of mind you're in

If you want to be somebody else,

If you're tired of losing battles with yourself

If you want to be somebody else,

Change your mind, change your mind.

Out of your mind, out of your mind,

Just lose your mind.

http://tinyurl.com/6nfcf8

I listened to several "deal with today" kind of songs this morning and I think I really needed to hear that message. I tend to plan for and think about the future a lot. My nature? My upbringing? My birth order? Because I'm a mom? I don't know why....I just do. It's not at all a "I'm worried about the future" kind of dwelling...it's just the planning ahead that I'm a bit obsessed with.

The Bible has many messages about today...one of my favorites says:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I think that means deal with today. The songs says, if you want to "feel better" about today (I'll translate that to mean make today really count for something) then STOP with all of your "trying" and change your mind.

Look at things from a new perspective? Change your opinion about people? About certain people? In his letter to the Romans, Paul says they need to be transformed by renewing their minds (so that they don't conform to the patterns of this world). The Romans were pretty smart people I'm thinking, so that must have BLOWN THEIR MINDS to hear that.

Which is more difficult, changing your mind or trying to DO better? "Try" is the kicker, isn't it?

Fan the Flame Pt II

2009-01-22T10:02:00.004-05:00

I didn't run today but I did exercise in front of the tv....to Christian music stations (Contemporary Christian and Gospel). It was fun but doesn't get the heart pumping too fast for me! Not only was I too much of a wimp to run outside but I get a "weak ankle" every once in awhile and I had that this morning. If I run on it (no pain, no gain) I pay for it the next day. So, I was being cautious...

Nothing to say about any of the music I listened to but I do have some scripture that is very interesting in conjunction with my "heretic" posting of Saturday. It was suggested to me by a good friend AND a good pastor! It comes from The Message in the Gospel of Luke:

Jesus has gone to the house of a Pharisee for dinner and the Pharisee is SHOCKED and "somewhat offended" that Jesus doesn't wash up before he eats so it gives Jesus the opportunity to light into the guy about surface cleanliness and insides being filled with maggoty greed and secret evil. You'll have to read it because it's really good, but here are some highlights:

"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God's love."

"You're hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help."

And my absolute favorite....

"You're hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won't go in yourself, and won't let anyone else in either."

It sent the Pharisees into a RAGE!

I'm at a low point right now about how I feel about too many "Pharisees" that seem to have the reigns of control. I'm not feeling good about it at all.

Fan the Flame

2009-01-17T16:25:00.008-05:00

I am going to be a heretic. Or I am a heretic. Or I have been a heretic but didn't know it but now that I know it I'm going to be even more of one. More on that later...

I had a terrible "run" because it was much more walking than running but at least I exercised and it was outside and it wasn't freezing cold. It wasn't even cold. When the wind picked up I had to put my sweatshirt back on over my t-shirt but that wasn't so bad. I'm in Louisiana...which ties into the heretic thing. It was 2 degrees when I left Baltimore this morning. They were de-icing the wings of the plane. I'm always reminded of the awful plane crash in about 1982-83 in DC...the Air Florida Jet that crashed into the Potomac River. I was living right in DC at the time. Very vivid, scary stuff!

So maybe my legs felt like lead because I had a long flight and then drove 2 hours to get here. Maybe it was because I ran yesterday and I haven't done any back-to-back running yet. Whatever...I got to run outside and shake off some of the "travel dust."

My song of the day is "Light the Fire" which contains the line "fan the flame" which is also the title of my sermon for tomorrow (which is why I'm a heretic).

Light the Fire

I stand to praise You
But I fall on my knees
My spirit is hungry
But my flesh is so weak

CHORUS:
Light the fire (Light the fire)
In my soul (In my weary soul)
Fan the flame (Fan the flame)
Make me whole (Make my spirit whole)
Lord, You know (Lord, You know)
Where I've been (Where I've been)
So light the fire in my heart again

I feel Your arms around me
As the power of Your healing begins
You breathe new life right through me
Like a mighty rushing wind

[CHORUS]

I don't usually like this to be about me (or is it always about me?) but I'm going to tell you that I've had two pastors tell me that only those who have attended seminary and have been ordained are really supposed to preach (I'm not sure they even used the "really"). I guess it's in the Bible somewhere (show me please...). And so I must be a heretic if I've been told I shouldn't and I continue to do it. If I were in some denominations you could add "and be male" to the list of "musts" before preaching.

But I've also had other pastors encourage me, coach me, and invite me to preach in their churches. What's up? Who's to believe? Guess what...I'm either doing something not so outrageous or it IS so outrageous enough to label me a heretic.

On the flight here, I was reading "Tribes" by Seth Godin. Go read the book. It's powerful and it's a "good" read...he gets to the point without a lot of extra words (see yesterday's posting for my view on extra words). He writes a lot about heretics. He thinks the world could use a few more to get some things done. Sign me up!

Ancient Words

2009-01-16T09:11:00.006-05:00

Below ZERO with the wind chill factor! Indoors with everyone else this morning. My time was limited (because I wouldn't get out the door early enough) so I just ran for 15 minutes, walked a lap and then ran for about 10 minutes more. I had to be back close to 9 not only to get ready for work but also to check in for my Southwest flight tomorrow morning. Might be a LITTLE difficult to get on that plane just after the Hudson River Landing. I noticed that I got a better boarding position than expected. I wonder if there were some cancellations...

I listened to some of my classic Christian "hits" this morning and one of my favorites is Michael W. Smith's "Ancient Words."

Ancient Words

Holy words long preserved

for our walk in this world,

They resound with God's own heart

Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope

Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e'er we roam

Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS:

Ancient words ever true

Changing me, and changing you.

We have come with open hearts

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith

Handed down to this age.

Came to us through sacrifice

Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world.

They resound with God's own heart

Oh let the ancient words impart.

http://tinyurl.com/8s7dc4

I wrote about this song in early October (I had to check because I easily forget) and had an entirely different insight and focus than this morning. Today I was thinking more about the title...really half of the title...WORDS.

I like to write and for anyone who has ever received an email from me, you know I tend to write a lot. Twittering and Facebook are good disciplines because they make me cut to the essential. Jesus was good at this. I guess it's possible that those who recorded his words didn't record ALL of his words, but you can tell by what they did record that he wasn't a man of "extra words." And he often answered questions with a question...I love that!

Why do many religious people (particularly those who have studied theology extensively) seem to feel a need to explain things with LOTS of words? Don't they realize it tends to be more confusing that way? I really appreciate it when those who obviously know a whole lot more than I do (and maybe ever will) can give a bite sized answer to a specific question rather than a gluttonous meal sized portion..."SUPER SIZED" if you will! If the "bite" wasn't enough to answer my question...I'll ask for more.

What do you think?

Jesus Take the Wheel

2009-01-13T10:12:00.006-05:00

I was thinking about what to write as I drove home from the gym this morning. I had a good run...1 mile running (10 times around the little track)...1 lap walking...1 mile running...cool down. I started with a flashback because I was listening to 70's music and remembered what it was like to compete in indoor track in high school. The only facility I remember was the Armory at the University of Maryland. And my strongest memory of THAT event was the ride home from the high school after we had returned from the meet. A teammate's father gave me a ride and I feared for my LIFE because it was obvious he had been drinking and he was weaving all over the place (and these were some scary, winding, wooded country roads back in the day of 1970's Germantown). So...lots of thoughts in my brain while running!

After my last posting about country music, a friend from church passed me some cd's he thought I might like and I spent my second mile this morning listening to some of those songs. My favorite was Toby Keith's "If I Was Jesus" and I was thinking about writing at my amazement at how obviously "grounded" many country singers are in the faith. I wonder if Toby wrote that song?

And then...my thoughts were immediately distrupted by another car sideswiping mine. It was so bizarre. He came flying by on my left side as if he were trying to drive in my lane and then as I was about to turn left in the intersection he went straight and buzzed around me, ripping off my front bumper in the process. I stopped the car and sat there...confused by what had just happened! And then I looked to my right where a whole line of drivers sat at their red light and who had to have seen the accident and was relieved that I'd have witnesses who would surely testify that it wasn't my fault. Then I saw the police car lights and pulled out of the intersection as I watched the other driver keep going and head toward an office complex. Yes...he did come back. And no, no one was hurt. My poor car is drivable but a mess.

He is a doctor, father of 5, grandfather of 6. He had nearly been hit himself a few lights back when someone ran a red light. He was searching for a building he couldn't find. He was trying to get to a funeral in an hour. So, he was distracted and lost and it was TOTALLY his fault (he didn't say that but I know it). He did apologize a lot. But now he has to corroborate that story with our insurance company so the repairs are paid for from his policy and not mine (same company).

Surely he will, won't he? The insurance company is now having trouble getting in touch with him and I've got a grain of doubt that I didn't have before. And I look at the bottom of the police print out that follows all of his contact and insurance information. There's a section labeled: WITNESS. And it's blank. No one stopped to testify.

Do you? Where have you witnessed God's love in action and decided not to tell anyone else about it? Were you in a hurry? Not really sure enough to describe the scene? Just didn't want to get involved? What's the consequence of not testifying?

After shoving the front bumper into the back seat of my car (my new "friend" helped me) I could hear a song coming out of the earphones of my nano. Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel." Indeed.

Left Behind

2009-01-08T08:58:00.005-05:00

I wore the perfect hat! I went digging around in one of our winter bins where we keep ski supplies, lots of scarves and baseball caps that aren't worn regularly. And I found it! It's so "retro" because it's circa 1965-1970. Really. I have very vivid memories of wearing it under the age of 10 (because I wouldn't have been caught DEAD in it after that!). I think it set me up for never being pleased with another hat the rest of my life because it's...well, perfect. It covers my head and ears and doesn't mess up my bangs! Not many hats out there like that. The only dorky thing about it is that it has to be tied under the chin to stay on. Ew. I wish I had a picture of me wearing it at age 7 but the best I could do is to give you a picture of me at about the age I would have worn it and let you imagine the awful rest! I did a run/walk combo of over 3 miles this morning but I wish I had run at least 2 miles straight.

I decided to listen to my country playlist. But that meant that I had to create my country playlist first. Which meant downloading country songs first. I figured out really quickly that John Denver didn't count. OK...I did have one country song because a friend had recommended it, "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney. So I bought a Carrie Underwood ("Jesus Take the Wheel") and a bunch of Randy Travis. I couldn't find the country song about "I want to go to heaven but just not yet" that my friend L told me about because I couldn't remember who sang it and doing an itunes search on "heaven" didn't help. Anyone know it?

Seems that I like the story telling in country music, I just don't like that twangy way they pronounce some of the words. I'm also not a huge fan of the violin (I know...it's a fiddle) or the guitar played with a slide and layed down flat. So I need to find a more mainstream singer who covers country songs and then I'll have the best of both worlds. I laughed at "Long Sermon" (Brad Paisley) and considered writing about how we (Christians) are our own worst enemy sometimes. But then I heard "Three Wooden Crosses" and I cried. What a wonderful story. It starts out like a bad joke....A farmer, and a teacher, a hooker and a preacher... but it's a wonderful song and I'd like you to listen to it rather than reading the words:

http://tinyurl.com/69zxl5

It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. What do you hope to leave behind?

Burn For You

2009-01-02T09:02:00.005-05:00

I started my run annoyed. Annoyed that I had to wear so many layers. Annoyed that it's cold. Annoyed that it was difficult to operate my nano through gloves. Annoyed that someone had borrowed my ear phones and not returned them. Annoyed that the substitute pair I found only worked on one side. Annoyed that it took me a really long time to find "the song" for the message. Why aren't I more greatful?

I should be greatful that I can run (my friend B cannot). I should be greatful that I have layers to wear (the people at the cold weather shelter at our church this week do not). I should be greatful that I have gloves, an ipod, and ear phones. Greatful that I can hear. Sorry God.

I was greatful that I found a great song!

Burn For You
I'm a brand new man, I'm a conscious man
I'm a man who's burnin' for you
The mistakes I've made have been chased away to the bottom of the ocean blue
I'm a brand new man in a foreign land, I'm a man who's feelin' that fire
And it's all so clear when I'm standing here at the peak of my desire

So won't you move me like you used to
I want the world to know I burn for you

I feel revived again, I am alive again
(Burnin' for you) You got me lifted and lifted you lift me up
I feel revived again, I'm energized again
(Burnin' for you) You got me lifted and lifted you lift me up

Woke up in a sweat, those ghosts in my head
Had a grip, but I slipped on by
It's a whole new day as the darkness fades
And the sun's climbing in the sky
I concede, my love, that I need your love
I'm before you, a broken man
And it's only you, no substitutes who can renew this soul again

You got me higher than Kilimanjaro
Got me believin' I can "save the day"
I'm up and running like their ain't no tomorrow
I'd rather burn for you than fade away
I'd rather burn for you than go my way

I'm a whole new guy with a whole new vibe
Changed inside - more flame in the fire
Can't stop, won't stop praying for desire
Like the bunny on the screen feel so energized
Old shell gone without a trace, new face
No more shortness of breath, new pace
Live life now without the taste of fear
TOBYMAC, Double Dutch now let the smoke clear

http://tinyurl.com/87yarr

I almost laughed out loud when I decided that this would be the PERFECT song to hear in church immediately following our "time of confession." Wouldn't it? It's the point when I really stop and take an accounting of the last week (or so) and apologize and then ask God through Christ to wipe the slate clean.

I concede, my love, that I need your love. I'm before you a broken man. And it's only you, no substitutes who can renew this soul again.

My mistakes have been chased to the bottom of the ocean blue...at the peak of my desire...I'm up and running like there's no tomorrow...changed inside-more flame in the fire!

You have to listen to the song in the cool rap-but-singing style of Toby Mac! I'm not a rap fan but I love Toby!

I don't think I'd get away with having my ipod and (good) earphones in worship...even if no one else noticed (and I know they would) I'd feel weird...so I'm going to print out the lyrics and carry them with me to read at that moment. Maybe I'll get a chance to use the actual music some day some where. I'd be really greatful if I could.

Love

2008-12-30T10:59:00.005-05:00

I received an amazing Christmas gift...NICE WEATHER so that I can still run and walk outside. I don't know how long it will last but I've even said "yes" to WALKING a New Year's Day 10K run. I used to think people were nuts for choosing to exercise outside this time of the year.

I didn't have much time this morning to run. No alarm set because it seemed I could easily wake up naturally, run, and still make it to K's doctor appointment by 10. This is the first of several appointments because of his nasty skateboarding accident on Sunday afternoon (you'll have to look at my facebook postings for the string of prayer requests and updates for that hairy day!). He's going to be fine with "just" a concussion and a broken clavicle but I think mom and dad popped a few extra gray hairs in the whole ordeal.

So, I only had about 20 minutes and it's too bad because it's just a glorious day and I would have enjoyed running longer. I chose my Jars of Clay playlist and heard a message affirmed and confirmed in "They'll Know We are Christians By Our Love."

They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqa0dJhhmxk&watch_response

On the surface, a pretty simple song. So how come it's so difficult for us to get this right? The song's been around for awhile...I remember singing it in high school Christian gatherings. The concept has certainly been around even longer! (Duh!)

What if every church meeting, every sermon, every conversation between Christians just was spent answering the question, "What should we do or say that shows others LOVE?"

How should we spend the budget to show love? How should we repair the roof and show love? How should we welcome visitors and show love? How should we revise our website and show love? What message can be preached to remind "us" to love and so "they" see that we love? How do we offer communion and show love? How do we organize our children's programs and show love? How do we welcome the teenagers into worship with love? How do we take care of our elderly and show love? How can we pool our resources with the church down the street and "work side by side" showing love? Wouldn't that be simple?

Guess not!

What are Christians known by? I fervently pray that the word "love" leaps to mind but I sadly believe it's not. If you want to know the truth, read "Unchristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. That will tell you what we're known by and for. It's not what WE think we're known for that matters...it's about what THEY think (and see and hear).

And who are the "we" in the song? "We" have arguments between denominations, within denominations, within the local church. Doesn't look much like we're working side by side. And who is the "they"? Non-christians? Former Christians? Former church-attending Christians? Our children?

How about this...what if "they" were the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Put that "they" in the context of the song and it's a little jarring, isn't it?

I don't mean to sound angry and I don't want to even imply that I know how to get this right because I definitely don't. But it's going to be my New Year's resolution to start trying a little harder.

The organization I work for (The LOGOS Ministry) has just developed our "service standards" and #1 is LOVE (followed by Faith, Excellence, and Stewardship). I've got the list on the wall near my desk so I'll remember. The explanation of this standard is:

Love: This is our life's great command from Jesus Christ and it sets the stage for everything we do. It puts Child of God theology into action and places our focus on serving the needs of others, just as Jesus would.

I'm a person who functions best with accountability. Will you help me remember this resolution?

And we'll pray that all unity will one day be restored. Amen.

God's Creation

2008-12-26T16:54:00.006-05:00

I ran with "coach" today. It was helpful but it was also different. He got me some trail running shoes for Christmas so we tried them out...on the trails! It was a good distance to train for a 5K run (which I'm going to attempt this spring) because it's a mile and a half each way. I whined a little (okay...a lot) about not being able to blog afterwards. He said, "Sure you can still blog!" And I asked, "About what? I can't listen to music and run with you." So, he suggested I blog about God's creation (I could see a whole lot more of it than where I usually run, I'll give him that). Fine. I'll blog about God's creation. I covered the 3 miles with a couple of breaks for walks so I did pretty well.

No song to post here...I did hear a little blast of "Flood" by Jars of Clay (my ringtone) when my oldest called to see if I could meet him at the phone store to purchase his Christmas gift. Not enough to hear God's message for me this morning though.

My observations about God's creation are drawn from the river we ran beside (I guess that does relate to "Flood" doesn't it?). Poets and authors write about "meandering" streams and this is one of those. Isn't it interesting how rivers and streams wind back and forth...not like a switch back hiking trail with sharp angles but slight curves and turns? In some spots the river is narrow and others it widens. Sometimes it's shallow with lots of rocks and other times it looks deep and calm enough for swimming.

I learned how to canoe in junior high school and even attended a Girl Scout camp for two weeks devoted entirely to canoeing. We ended camp with a 4-5 day trip on the Delaware River. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time. I remember that we had to really watch for the rocks because "eddys" formed around them and if the rocks were large enough and the eddys swift enough and the water deep enough, you could get kind of sucked in and overturn the canoe.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this except to think that my faith journey must be like a trip on the river. When things are calm and there are no rocks or other dangers I tend to practically ignore God. It's when life gets a little scary that I pay better attention...and then sometimes it can even be quite exhilarating. I want to use the easy-going moments to get to know God better, grow my relationship with Christ, so that when the rough waters come I don't forget how to paddle.

What do you do it? Do you use the calm waters to prepare for the rapids? How?

Juxtapose

2008-12-19T11:24:00.004-05:00

Juxtapose. Cool word. Without looking it up, I'd say it means lining up two things or ideas (or songs!) next to each other. And usually when you juxtapose two things you notice something that you wouldn't have if they hadn't been next to each other. Like a wall that I thought was clean until it's juxtaposed next to a freshly painted wall and then I notice that the other wall isn't so clean. Or a dark sock that is juxtaposed next to a pair of dark pants that helps me see that the sock isn't black but blue.

I ran inside today because it was another rainy day and I had no energy for a third straight run in the rain. I guess lots of people had the same idea because the parking lot at the gym was packed and I had to park far from the door which meant I still had to run in the rain (to get inside). But they weren't on the track or the basketball court so I guess they were all lifting weights or whatever you do in the room where I haven't ventured yet.

I was anticipating a good run because now that I've done two days of running two miles without stopping and in not-so-great conditions, I figured I'd do even better indoors on the track. But what I didn't count on was a mind trick! I was feeling pretty decent at lap 9 knowing I only had one more lap to go to reach my goal but then half-way through lap 10 I realized that 10 laps is only ONE MILE and I was only nearly HALF-WAY done, not nearly done. Rats. My confidence tanked and I wasn't so sure I could do it anymore but I did. And I listened to two very interesting songs juxtaposed against each other...

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

(last verse)

Yea, lord, we greet thee,

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to thee be glory given;

Word of the father,

Now in flesh appearing:

O come let us adore him

Christ the lord

It was the Amy Grant recording that I was listening to and it's so beautiful with the guitar. And they were lyrics that (as is often on my runs) I had never really "heard" before. Especially these: "Word of the father, now in flesh appearing."

John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

Jesus...God is with us...Emmanuel.

And then I switched from my Christmas play list to another and heard this song (that I've written about before but never heard juxtaposed with "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful"):

Dare You to Move

Welcome to the planet

Welcome to existence

Everyone's here

Everybody's watching you now

Everybody waits for you now

What happens next?

Were they writing about the baby Jesus? Was that what it was like? Everybody watching and waiting for what happens next? Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and later...the Kings? And much later...today....us?

Is it all about just watching and waiting? Maybe the first time...I believe that's one reason why God sent Jesus. There was too much watching and waiting. Not many seemed to "get" the message of what to DO. God needed to come to earth...in human form...walk around among us...be just like us...get in our faces...ask the questions...listen for the answers.

Are we still watching and waiting?

Jesus Freak

2008-12-16T08:39:00.006-05:00

I am a child of the 70's. I graduated from high school in 1977 so I "experienced" the 70's. No....not THAT! I experienced the "Jesus movement" of the late 60's and early 70's! Remember the "I Found It" bumper stickers? I had one on my notebook. Loved my New Living Bible with all the modern words. There were MAINSTREAM bands singing about Jesus...Doobie Brothers ("Jesus is Just Alright"), Norman Greenbaum ("Spirit in the Sky"), Simon and Garfunkle ("Jesus loves you more than you could know...."). I read Hal Lindsey's "Late Great Planet Earth" (the rapture was supposed to happen by 1988) and another book having something to do with chariots. Anyone remember what that was? I never labeled myself a "Jesus Freak" but I'm sure my brothers did. I felt like my church might have thought I wasn't good enough to be called one. I was kinda caught in the middle....

Another 2 mile run this morning! Again the rain...can't wait to see what I can do in nice weather. Same loop as Thursday...to the cross and back. And I listened to Toby Mac and dc talk.

Jesus Freak
(selected verses)

What will people think
When they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?
What will people do
When they find that it's true?

People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger
People say I'm strange, does it make me a stranger
That my best friend was born in a manger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2zSNOWpI9s

I attended McLean Bible Church during this time. If you know the church, it's pretty "mega" right now with a campus and parking garage and all kinds of ministries. I attended "back in the day" when it sat just off the DC beltway in a single building. I loved my high school Sunday school class. Very "cool" teacher who was a painter (the kind who paints walls not canvases) and married to the pastor's daughter. He had an incredible story about drug use/abuse and jail.

I don't remember a thing he taught (besides the drug story) but I did like going to class so much that I crossed the Potomac River from Maryland every Sunday to get there! I'm sure I did grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ during those days, but here was my take away....You're not a good enough Christian if you haven't said the "magic words" to become a Christian (I sat in worship one day when a guy I had known from class for several years stood up and bawled because he hadn't "really" been a Christian and now he was ready to be. I knew this guy. It made NO SENSE to me at all and the disconnect obviously really stuck with me).

The other thing you had to do was go to the shopping center (or the beach) and hand out little booklets to strangers so that they could have a relationship with Christ (huh?). I couldn't bring myself to do it (ever) so I walked away thinking I wasn't really a Christian or good enough Christian compared to those who could (and did). It took me awhile to get over it and I'm going to accept that the experience was a very valuable part of my faith journey (maybe if I repeat that enough I'll believe it!).

Am I a Jesus Freak? If it means that I stand out as different because of my faith, I hope so. If it means that people think I'm weird and want nothing to do with what I believe, I hope not. I just noticed this morning that this song lifts up the greatest Jesus Freak of all...John the Baptist:

There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak

Any Jesus movement experiences that you'd like to share?

Praise in the Rain

2008-12-11T08:26:00.004-05:00

I did it! I actually did it! In the worst conditions possible, I did it! It was an eclectic music mix this morning. I decided to set my nano on shuffle songs. I listened to everything from Jack Johnson to Jump 5 and just when I thought there was some internal reason to be stuck on "J" artists, on came Celtic Ladies! Drats! I was looking forward to John Denver, Jimmy Buffet, Jars of Clay, Johnny Cash....and then on popped Julie Andrews! The only thing consistent about the run this morning was the rain. Yuck.

I was running to the cross again this morning and passed the mark where I had started walking on Tuesday...and kept running. It was hard. My calves hurt and I was not breathing easily and I was cold and wet. But I started thinking about all of the people that I know who are going through tough times...surgery recovery, divorce, death of a spouse, stress fracture of the back, job loss, cancer...I could put a face to each one! And I said to myself, "RUNNING UP A HILL IN THE RAIN WHEN YOU'RE TIRED IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH! SUCK IT UP!" And I'd like to say that that's what got me to the top of the hill where the cross was, but it wasn't. It was the knowledge that I would be able to stop in a few minutes and the recovery would start immediately. I even knew that I could just turn back and head down the hill...still running...and the pain would immediately lessen.

And I knew that none of the others had it that easy. They can't look out and say, when I cross THAT line I know that I'll immediately start feeling better. But I do know that if they keep their eye on the cross at the top of the hill (wherever their "top" is), they will continue to heal a little more each day. God promises us all that.

In my entire 2 mile run (yes...that's what I did...ran 2 miles without stopping and I am CELEBRATING!), not one song about God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit surfaced on my nano. I don't think "I Saw Three Ships on Christmas Morn" counts, does it? I had just come to the end of "Sing" by the Carpenters (a great "kick it in song"!!) and then when I started walking to cool down I heard it...."Praise Adonai"...

Praise Adonai
Paul Baloche

Who is like Him
The Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne

Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts
Praise Adonai

From the rising of the sun
‘Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing Praise

Who is like Him
The Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts

Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
‘Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing Praise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s8Spq4Zs0M

And so I give praise this morning for the cross....the death and the rebirth of Christ... so that I may live today and forevermore. Amen.

Hope

2008-12-09T08:03:00.003-05:00

I ran to the cross this morning. Okay...I walked the last bit. But it was uphill---it's the cross in front of "my" church. I think walking is a more reverent way of approaching the cross anyway, isn't it? Fine....I was tired of running and just needed to walk. I'm sure there's a message in THAT little analogy but it has nothing to do with the music I heard this morning.

I listened to the David Bailey CD called, "Hope." I was "introduced" to David about 10 or so years ago when I went to visit my friend Doris, who is David's aunt. She told me about his music and she told me about his story. Maybe you've seen him on 60 minutes talking about his diagnosis of a brain tumor in 1996....given months to live. It's 2008 and he's still here and writing and singing and loving...and bringing hope.

On a Day Like Today

I couldn't find the lyrics on line so I'm going to post my best version after listening (boy I'm spoiled by google!):

On a day like today how could you be angry?

On a day like today how could you be scared?

On a day like today how could you be silent?

There are too many moments waiting to be shared

On a day like today eternity is present

On a day like today I can hear a gentle voice

On a day like today a mystery surrounds us

There are two worlds before us and we all must make a choice

Chorus:

Live here, right now or wait for something different

Live here, right now or hope for better days,

Live here, right now embrace the world around you

Tomorrow's always one day too far away

On a day like today everything is sacred

On a day like today nothing stays the same

On a day like today everyone's a soul mate

On a day like today every moment has a name

On a day like today the dreams are for the taking

On a day like today memories will be made

On a day like today barriers will be broken

If you believe as I, there's no reason to wait

Chorus

No youtube link to listen to it either so you're going to have to buy the CD and while you're at it...buy a second copy for someone in your life who needs a little Hope. http://cdbaby.com/group/dbailey

If you've never heard of or listened to David Bailey, he's kind of a Cat Stevens-James Taylor sound...if you like acoustic guitar music and a fabulous voice and meaningful lyrics you'll love all of his songs.

Now...the song...this hit me on so many different levels and I'll be curious to know what you think!

Live for today....tomorrow has it's own worries

Enjoy life now...it's short

But what I really heard was this....Christians talk a lot about the after life and the second coming of Christ. I'm really pumped for that time too but I think too often we waste our time here in THIS life as we wait for what's better to come. I have no doubt that the "next life" will be better because it will be perfect. BUT there's a purpose for each one of us to live out during our time here and now. Let's not "hunker down" and wait. Let's live. What do you think?

And back to David. He's had a recurrence of a tumor and it's complicated. He's cranking out more songs which is his best way to cope but you can also read about what's current in his condition and treatment here: http://www.davidmbailey.com/

Circle of Friends

2008-12-02T08:39:00.003-05:00

"Dress in layers." That's what my friend always says whenever anyone comes to Nashville in November. It's just that kind of weather in that place at that time of the year. And so being the good rule follower that I am, I do. And she's always right! It works.

And it works when you run in Maryland in December. It requires a few more layers but layers are my friends. Something about the air (hopefully warm) that is trapped between the clothes that makes the difference. I think it's just that wearing 5 shirts is more comfortable in 32 degree weather than 2 shirts! And then once I'm warmed up I can start to unsnap, unzip, and allow those trapped warm buffers to escape. Or something like that...

I hadn't run in almost a week. I had only even done my morning walk with friends once. And way too many great meals in between. But it wasn't as hard to get out there this morning and move as I thought it would be. God was doing a lot of talking to ME this morning (different than last week when I was doing all the talking).

Three songs blasted into my consciousness (Go, Signature of the Divine, and Circle of Friends). I'll have to remember the lessons that I learned from the first two but for today, it was "Circle of Friends" that I need to write about. Have you ever had songs that you really LIKED but then once you really listened to them (or had someone explain the "real" meaning) you didn't anymore? For me while growing up it was those hidden drug songs. Horse With No Name (Heroin), Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (LSD), Puff the Magic Dragon (Pot). THOSE SONGS ARE JUST RUINED FOR ME NOW!

Circle of Friends

Point of Grace

We were made to love and be loved

But the price this world demands will cost you far too much

I spent so many years just trying to fit in

Now I've found a place in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends we have one father

In a circle of friends we share this prayer

That every orphaned soul will know

And all will enter in

To the shelter of this circle of friends

If you weep, I will weep with you

If you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too

But no matter what you feel inside there's no need to pretend

That's the way it is in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends

We have one father

In a circle of friends we share this prayer

That we'll gather together no matter how the highway bends

I will not lose this circle of friends

Among the nations, tribes and tongues we have sisters and brothers

And when we meet in heaven we will recognize each other

With joy so deep and love so sweet

Oh we'll celebrate these friends

And a life that never ends

In a prayer

That will not be long before

All will enter in

To the shelter of this circle of friends

That it will not be long before

All will enter in

To the shelter of this circle of friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AltGNRMe8Kw

Well, reading the words now it's not QUITE as bad as the drug-ruined songs because there are some redeeming lines. However....what struck me this morning was a visual of Christians in this big circle holding hands and everyone else on the outside. And it's like you've got to "bust" into the circle (like that awful game of Red Rover). The Christians are there singing and loving on each other and smiling and swaying and just looking at each other (as you do in a circle) and the visual just didn't sit right with me.

I'm all for a support base....believe me...I've got plenty! But could we change the circle into a horseshoe?

I have other thoughts about lots of lines of this song but I'll ask you (because I haven't heard from anyone much in awhile here)....what do you think of this song?

Let Us Pray

2008-11-25T14:15:00.004-05:00

I ran this morning but I was more focused on praying. I have two good friends in need of healing prayers and they were both on my mind as I spoke to God. I'll admit it. I don't think I did any listening to God this morning at all...just talking. My prayers have been pretty wimpy lately. But not this morning. One friend has been in the hospital for several days because of high fever. Turns out he was bitten by a mosquito in a foreign country and it delivered him a nasty virus. They can only treat the symptoms so I'm glad he's in the hospital where they can treat him well...and around the clock. And I'm glad at least they figured out the cause of the infection. Prayers were prayed for his strength and comfort and healing. Also for his family that is having a rough time with it as you can imagine.

My other friend was having quadruple bypass surgery this morning and I found out about it in an emailed prayer request from his wife. Several mild warning signs were the only things that allowed the doctor to catch this accident waiting to happen. This is a man in his early 50's (at the most), who exercises, recently lost 10 pounds, and doesn't smoke or drink. No family history either! He might has well have been bitten by a nasty mosquito! I prayed lots for his doctors this morning because I was running while he was in the operating room. And then I drove to the hospital to pray with his wife and two wonderful sons.

After I spoke with God, I listened to this song over and over again:

Let Us Pray
Steven Curtis Chapman

I hear you say your heart is aching
You've got trouble in the making
And you ask if I'll be praying for you please
And in keeping with conviction
I'll say yes with good intentions
To pray later making mention of your needs
But since we have this moment here at heaven's door
We should start knocking now, what are we waiting for?

CHORUS:
Let us pray, let us pray, everywhere in every way
Every moment of the day, it is the right time
For the Father above, He is listening with love
And He wants to answer us, so let us pray

So when we feel the Spirit moving
Prompting, prodding and behooving
There is no time to be losing, let us pray
Let the Father hear us saying
What we need to be conveying
Even while this song is playing, let us pray

And just because we say the word, "Amen"
It doesn't mean this conversation needs to end

Let us pray, let us pray, everywhere in every way
Every moment of the day, it is the right time
Let us pray without end and when we finish start again
Like breathing out and breathing in, let us pray

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence
As our prayers draw us near
To the One who knows our needs
Before we even call His name

Let us pray everywhere in every way
Every moment of the day, it is the right time
Let us pray without end and when we finish start again
Like breathing out and breathing in, let us pray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiKuj99EnmU

So I'm hoping to be able to "approach the throne of grace" now with more confidence and use my prayers to draw me nearer to the One who already knows my needs. I long for the day when I can pray as naturally as breathing.

And a P.S. to KB...I hope and pray that you are convicted even more in your call to serve Christ because if these massive barriers are being thrown down by Satan to try to shake your faith, God must have great things in store for you!

Everything

2008-11-22T09:43:00.005-05:00

Another day of stretching/moving/dancing indoors in front of the television tuned to Christian and Gospel all-music stations. This is really "stretching" (pun intended) my exposure to new music! I'm enjoying the free form exercise up to a point. I think it's time to really be running again. And I'm thrilled that I actually FEEL like doing it...it must be approaching a habit. What's the rule of thumb? Do anything for 3 weeks and it becomes a habit? When my kids were little, it was do something ONCE and it becomes "what we always do." I wish it were that simple with exercise.

Today's song AND GROUP is brand new to me (although it looks like they've been recording since 1998).

Everything

by Watermark

Everything,

Lord I bring everything

I lift my hands and show You what I bring

I bring You everything

Everything, Lord I bring everything

My heart rejoices and the angels sing

When I bring everything

(repeat)

All of my heart I give

My life is to You an open door

Spirit, You're welcome to walk right through

And take with You...

Everything, Lord I bring everything...

(repeat first part)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar756iGf2NU

Certainly can't be accused of writing complicated lyrics! But that's highly helpful for me when I'm trying to listen to a message in a new song while exercising. I heard some other more lyrically complicated songs but without the ability to hit "replay" like on my ipod, they didn't do me much good!

This was a very helpful song for me to hear today. I've been wrestling with the concept of prayer recently. How are we to come to God in prayer? Are we to pray specifically for healing or just for "thy will" and for doctors' wisdom? Are we to pray for hardened hearts to be softened or does that not matter because it's all up to God anyway? Are we to come in silence to be able to listen to God speak or are we to speak to God with what is troubling us? Do we pray in a particular order--beginning always with praise and adoration-- or just "as the spirit moves"? Do we pray rote prayers ("Our Father who art in heaven...") or more conversationally?

I don't know why this was troubling me so much. In fact, it was actually getting in the way of my being able to pray. I think I found the answer this morning to "What should I bring to God in prayer?"

Everything

Lord I bring everything.

I lift my hands and show you what I bring.

I bring You everything.

Amen.

Will Not Be Moved

2008-11-20T08:32:00.004-05:00

I decided to try something new this morning. My back is still not so great but it doesn't hurt that badly that I couldn't exercise and I didn't feel like walking. So, I did my own little self-led aerobic workout in my living room. I turned on the tv and found the Contemporary Christian Music cable station and went back and forth between that one and the Gospel Music station. I really missed clicking past songs on my ipod when it wasn't fitting the work out though! I started with stretching (especially for the back) and then worked up to some running in place and okay...a little dancing too! You can't do that on a tredmill! I excercised for about 40 minutes and I'm thinking this is going to be a good option as the temp drops even lower outside! I know...it doesn't replace running but it will be a fun supplement.

Here's the song (sung by Natalie Grant) that I thought about this morning and it's not one that is very familiar to me even if the message is:

"Will Not Be Moved"

I have been the wayward child

I have acted out

I have questioned Sovereignty

And had my share of doubt

And though sometimes my prayers feel like

They're bouncing off the sky

The hand I hold won't let me go

And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]

I will stumble

I will fall down

But I will not be moved

I will make mistakes

I will face heartache

But I will not be moved

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart

Many times before

My life has been like broken glass

And I have kept the score

Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed

That I was far too gone

My brokenness helped me to see

It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life

Has been a badge I've worn

Though I have been torn

I will not be moved

[Chorus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyEMJBhCtU8

What is God saying to me this morning in this song? The title is in direct confllict with another song I've written about and really like..."Dare You To Move" (Switchfoot). Are the messages in conflict with each other too? I don't think so. Through movement and non-movement...wherever I go or don't go...when I'm wayward or questioning...falling and stumbling...making mistakes and facing heartache... (in other words...a typical day!!)...I have an anchor.

When I stand on the solid ground of Christ I'm okay. I'll have to make more of an effort to remember that.

Hallelujah!

2008-11-18T08:35:00.005-05:00

I didn't realize that it has been a whole week since I've run. I did make an intentional decision to rest some though because my back is still bothering me. I've been walking but this is the first day to pick up the impact so I did take it easy. BUT I WAS VERY BRAVE. It's 33 degrees and I ran outside. I was behind schedule and didn't really have the time to drive to the gym. However, it probably took me just as long to layer on all of the clothes I needed to wear to get out there! Special socks, long underwear, wind pants (lined ones), two layers of special shirts, thermal sweatshirt and vest. Oh, gloves and hat too. Whew! I imagine that I looked like the little brother in "A Christmas Story" (you know...the "you'll shoot your eye out, kid" movie) after his mom dresses him to walk to school in December. At least my arms weren't out at 90 degree angles! (check my math on that statement someone)

My thoughts while running and listening to music gravitated to the children's sermon I need to prepare for this Sunday. It's "Christ the King" Sunday and here's an honest revelation....I really don't know what that means. I learned at a church meeting last night that it's probably the most important day to celebrate in the church. Ugh...did I feel less than worthy to talk to the kids about it when I didn't even know about it myself! But I LOVE learning new things and I've got google at my fingertips so I did a little research this morning.

Turns out...it's a day when we need to be CELEBRATING because it's the culmination of the church year and always happens the Sunday before Advent. Here's something I found:

"It is a Sunday for fanfare, for joyous celebration, for uninhibited expressions of delighted gratitude for all that God has done for us in Christ. Yet, while saying “Christ is King,” may surely seem faithful to Scripture, it is hardly enough. "

Well, that certainly sounds like The Happy Song to me!

Oh I could sing unending songs of how you saved my soul

I could dance a thousand miles because of your great love

My heart is bursting Lord

To tell of all you've done

Of how you changed my life and wiped away my past

I want to shout it out

From every rooftop sing

For now I know that God is for me not against me

Everybody's singing now, cause we're so happy

Everybody's dancing now, cause we're so happy

If only I could see your face

See you smiling over us

And unseen angels celebrate....HEY!

For Joy is in this place!

Hmmmm....how could I share this song with the kids? Play a snippet from it on my ipod? Get a friend to play and sing at least a verse?

And then there's another song that is equally as CELEBRATORY but on the other end of the "style" spectrum...the Hallelujah Chorus:

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah [3x]

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah [2x]

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth [3x]

Hallelujah

(Side note: isn't it kind of ironic that contemporary music gets blasted for being too repetitious and yet this is one of our best loved traditional pieces?)

I wonder if I can get our adult choir to sing a section of this?

Just thinking out loud here....you'll have to show up on Sunday morning to see what I do to convey to the children this joyful day in the life of the church.

Your Own Personal Jesus

2008-11-11T08:59:00.008-05:00

If an alien landed in my neighborhood today, it would think that we celebrate Veterans Day by raking leaves! But I digress....

Interesting phenomenon...outside temperature changes really quickly when you've been exercising for 35 minutes. Or maybe it's just the perception that the outside temp has changed when actually it's something else? Hmmm.... I ran inside this morning because although it's sunny and bright here in central Maryland, it's just a little too nippy for me to get pumped up about being outside at 8 am. I wore knee length exercise pants and just dashed into the gym....CHILLY! There's a very welcoming blast (and I mean blast) of warm air when you first enter the gym (nothing says "welcome" like warm air on a cold day) and I relaxed. But then...."Doh!" I had forgotten my ipod in the car. I had to dash back out again to retrieve it. CHILLY! CHILLY! CHILLY! Ahhhh.....welcoming blast of warm air.

I did my 5 laps of running, 2 of walking, etc. to go 2 miles. It was a good workout! Then the strange phenomenon....when I left the gym I no longer had to dash to the car. It's not likely that it warmed up THAT much in 35 minutes but my body sure had. So...I got to thinking about my spiritual life and wondered if our perception of the world and how we relate to others could possibly change when WE change. Do you think? If we wait for the environment to warm up it's a slow, chilly process (usually). But if we exercise our spiritual life and then go back out into the environment, we're warmed up to interact a little more enthusiastically (usually).

Picture this....entering the gym all hunched over and moving as quickly as I can not stopping to say anything to anyone. Then...leaving with my head up, enjoying the sunshine and smiling at others.

Do you think enthusiastically embracing the world might be more likely to happen with a relationship with "your own personal Jesus"? Johnny Cash thinks so!

Your Own Personal Jesus

Your own, personal, Jesus

someone to hear your prayers,

someone who cares

Your own, personal, Jesus

someone to hear your prayers,

someone who's there

Feeling unknown

and you're all alone,

flesh and bone,

by the telephone,

lift up the receiver,

I'll make you a believer

Take second best,

put me to the test,

things on your chest,

you need to confess,

I will deliver,

you know I'm a forgiver

Reach out and touch faith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcNiD0Z3MU

Doesn't that song just cut to the chase of personal faith? "Things on your chest...You need to confess...I will deliver...You know I'm a forgiver." Simple yet critically specific. "Lift up the receiver, I'll make you a believer." Jesus is there....but we've got to make the move to "reach out and touch." A telephone is no good if you don't pick up the receiver, flip it open, push the on button, or make some gesture to initiate or respond.

Nothing says "dead faith" more to me than being around Christians who just go through the motions...or worse yet don't even go through the motions.

How do you reach out and touch faith? Please share some thoughts. And I'm back to needing some encouragement to approach the 2.5 mile mark of running. And does anyone know why Marilyn Manson did a version of this song? Kinda creepy...

I'm Never Going Back to OK

2008-11-07T07:56:00.007-05:00

Rainy morning in Nashville and my husband is concerned about my running in the city so I did the inside fitness center thing again. Too bad. It's really been fun doing all this traveling now that I'm running to be able to experience these different areas while exercising. But, I'll be here for a few days so maybe I'll have another opportunity.

I had a cool experience in the Baltimore airport with some extra time while waiting for my flight yesterday. I had breakfast at a Silver Diner and the whole airlines/airport/good food thing is the butt of many jokes but this was a FANTASTIC meal. It started with the largest cup of hot tea (and they had regular decaffeinated which not many restaurants do) and the most montrous glass of ice water that I've ever been served. I ordered a spinach, feta and mushroom omlette and potatoes. It also came with a bagel and cream cheese and I told my server I knew it wouldn't change the price but I didn't want the bagel and so not to waste the food by bringing it. Instead of stopping there, he offered me multiple substitutions and I found one I liked! The breakfast was ready quickly and oh mamma....what an omlette! It was the best I had ever had. And now here is the important part....I told the server that and asked him to please relay the message to the cook.

Because it was a diner, they had the open cooking area so I could hear the server go back and very loudly share my review of the meal (I think he added a few ever ever's to my "had" but he sure was relaying my sentiments! I hope it made the cook's day. Funny thing was...it made MY day.

And now I'm never going back to "okay."

Never Going Back to OK
The Afters

It's not the end
But it feels like it is
I'm waking up
Like I'm back from the dead
I'm stepping out
And I feel so afraid
But as long as I'm moving it's all right

I feel alive
And it hurts for a change
And looking back and it's hard to believe
That I was cool
With the days that I wasted complacent and tasteless and bored but
That was yesterday

We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK

This discontent
Like a slap in the face
Of mediocre
I've had enough of this place
This party's over
And I'm moving away from the frills of you Beverly Hills but that was yesterday

We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK
We're here to stay

This is our time
Our only life
Our chance to live
We're never going back to OK
We're never going back to easy
We're never going back to the way it was
We're never going back to OK

So...I'm ratcheting everything up a notch. I'm 49 and a couple of months so the second half of my life I'm determined to do less cruising and more intentional...what?....everything?...the things that matter? YES. All of the above.

I'm going to start with how I appreciate other people. Better focus, more listening. Less okay and more excellence.

Hmmmm....go look at that song and notice the chorus. It says "WE'RE never going back to OK." Are you with me?

Shout to the Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant Alice Gretsch!"

2008-11-04T08:50:00.004-05:00

I combined running and voting this morning. My voting location is the local elementary school and my boys were all "walkers" to the school but this is the first time I didn't drive to vote! I'm no tree-hugger but I felt pretty good about that. And it brought back some interesting memories as I ran the path that we used to walk over 7 years ago. No sidewalks in the neighborhood where the school is...because as many times as it came up for approval it was always shouted down by the residences. The argument most frequently heard was if there were a sidewalk in front of my house and someone were injured while on that sidewalk in front of my house then I would be liable for their injury. Wow. And then I remembered the campaign to widen the bus circle in the front of the school for safety reasons because as the population in the immediate neighborhoods aged and the feeder parameters into the school widened, there were fewer and fewer walkers and more bus riders...bringing in more buses. This improvement was also shouted down by some residences. The argument that I remember was that it would knock down trees and that was more important. Wow.

But my BEST memory from my morning run to the polling place was of my friend Alice Gretsch. Alice went to the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday after prolonged complications from a stroke. Alice was a friend from church who lived in the neighborhood of the elementary school. She was a retired high school English teacher, former children's choir director and someone who greeted our kids coming to LOGOS on Wednesday nights for several years. She tirelessly learned all of the names and USED them! She served as our Communications Director and took that job very seriously. And it made a difference. Alice made a difference and she will be greatly missed by all! Oh...and not only did Alice live in the neighborhood, she also served many years for the League of Women Voters in our county. You knew what was important to Alice!

I strive to be like Alice...for people to know what is important to me. And so today the song that resonated in my exercising was "Shout to the Lord!"

Shout to the Lord
My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;
Let ev'ry breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Chorus
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY

Enough said.

Stay Clear of Moving Parts

2008-11-02T07:15:00.007-05:00

I'm in a hotel in New Jersey this morning and so I have had another experience with an indoor running machine! I ran and walked for only about 25 minutes because I got bored and just didn't feel like doing it anymore. The whole experience gave me some thoughts about the church.

You know that I like to run to music. You may even understand that I NEED to run to music. This morning the music stopped. It's not like "the day the music died" in "American Pie" but just that my nano lost its charge. Just like that in the middle of Stephen Curtis Chapman's "Let Us Pray." Drats! So...it gave me some time to look around the room and read the signs so that I could keep moving. The more I read, the more I connected this whole exercise experience to the church. And I got a little motion sick as I typed in notes to my cell phone...yes...as I still kept moving on the indoor running machine.

What if these signs were posted in the church narthex or in the Sunday bulletin?

Always warm up before and cool down afterwards.

Translation: Worship is going to require some energy...you better be ready to go! And be sure to take some time to recover afterwards.

Do not [attend church] alone!

Translation: Wherever two or more are gathered, God is there.

Stay clear of moving parts.

Not sure what to say about this one!

Keep others at a safe distance.

I think we'll scratch this one from the bulletin.

No eating or horseplay permitted.

Translation: Save that for the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

Stop exercising immediately if you become light headed , faint, or show any signs of pain of any kind.

I hope I do become light headed, faint, and show signs of pain...it means I'm growing in my faith.

At the first sign of discomfort discontinue.

See above comment...

I Listen and I Remember

2008-10-31T08:48:00.004-04:00

Silly start to my run this morning. I was driving to the gym to run indoors and kind of on autopilot. I was following the three cars in front of me and assuming THEY were all going to the gym too. However, once I turned after them I realized that they were all going to Starbucks...the driveway immediately before the gym.

I was talking to my "coach" this morning before he left for work and told him that I wanted to run more than the mile straight that I ran on Wednesday but not sure if I could do it. He suggested I try running 5 laps (1/2 mile), walking 2 laps, running 5, walking 2, then running 5. That would give me a total of a mile and a half of running and also a total of 2 miles "traveling" assuming a cool down of at least a lap. It worked!

I listened to a variety of music today but I realized that the songs I really got pumped up to were the ones that provoked a memory...where I could "see" someone or groups of someones or I could place myself in a location when I heard the song.

You Never Let Go

Matt Redman

It's less than a week ago and I'm in the sanctuary of our church where our high school group, adult leaders, and friends from some area churches are singing this song for our "LOGOS Sunday." I was among the bunch as a high school leader. My absolute favorite new song! "Oh no, you never let go. Through the calm and through the storm. In every high and every low. Oh no, you never let go of me."

You are My All in All

Dennis Jernigan

Quite a few years ago and I'm at a LOGOS training event in Cincinnati where I'm teaching some adults creative sign language to this song and my friend T is playing the guitar to accompany us.

"You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all."

Blessed Be Your Name

Newsboys

I'm at a Newsboys concert in Baltimore with my friend B and we are rockin' to their music and enjoying the amazing stage show.

"Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say...Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be your name."

And when I hear this song I also always remember a pastor once telling me that Presbyterians pronounce the word "blessed" with one syllable not two (after I had read a devotional for a meeting and pronounced it ala the Newsboys' song). Don't know quite what to say about THAT!

Music is a powerful memory jumper. I had a great lunch and conversation the other day with a good college friend after not having seen her for over 15 years. We could almost complete each other's sentences remembering songs from that intense time of freshman year of college. AND where we were (specifically) at the time.

I wonder what songs the angels will be singing when I land in heaven? Will it be my favorites? A collection of faithful songs from my whole life's journey? Certainly couldn't just be the classical hymns! All new songs that I've never heard before but will instantly be insane about?

What songs flood back the memories for you? What songs will you be singing in heaven?

Let It Rain

2008-10-29T08:38:00.007-04:00

I ran inside today. Not because it was raining but because it's cold and windy. If I have any chance of continuing through the winter I'm going to have to come up with coping mechanisms to get through. Running on the indoor track will be one of them. It's only about 7 minutes from my house so I don't eat up too much travel time and that is key! I don't know whether to be elated or depressed about my run this morning. The good news is that I ran for a mile straight. The bad news is that it took me 13+ minutes to do so. It's one of the few opportunities I've had to actually time my distance because of the track (10 loops to the mile). There are no hills and the only thing that might have slowed me down is the tight little turns as I ran around and around the basketball players in the middle. I walked for another 13 minutes and then gathered up my stuff and drove home.

This morning, I listened to some worship songs and then landed on "Let It Rain" by the Newsboys. Sometimes I wish I were an English teacher in a Christian school and could assign these songs to the students to analyze. I had a great teacher in 8th grade who did such a thing with "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Vincent" and I still have vivid memories of the assignments whenever I hear those songs. I never realized that "Let It Rain" is being sung by Jesus's disciple Peter! Did you?

and I have watched in wonder
as with a word You calmed a raging sea

I have seen You make the wine from water

mud and water made a blind man see

water still reminds me

of the seaside where our eyes first met

let it rain

Lord, we're waiting for Your rain to fall

let it rain

bringing back the wonder of it all

and I can see Your face again

when You let it rain

and I've been bathed in mercy

by every gesture, every word You've said

once I spoke of power and high position

you took a towel and washed my feet instead

water, like a promise

heaven opens, but I'm not there yet

let it rain...

I've been foolish

thought I knew it all

three times I denied Your name

Your forgiveness, like a waterfall

washes away my shame

a new dawn is breaking

another hour, and then I leave this place

I am ready, Lord, to give my life up

I'm so ready, Lord, to see Your face

water, like a promise

and in this final hour, I think my final prayer shall be

would You let it rain?

let Your Spirit fall afresh on me

let it rain...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AoxU1ChzUw

As I listened, I figured it was sung as someone who had walked with Jesus (but I had never even realized that much until this morning). I have watched in wonder as with a word you calmed a raging sea...I have seen you make the wine from water ...mud and water made a blind man see.

The "aha" moment came with this part: I've been foolish, thought I knew it all, three times I denied your name. Peter is saying this all right before he's about to die and see Jesus again. He wants it to rain again because the rain brings back the memories of water that connect Peter to Jesus...calming the sea, meeting by the seaside, wine from water, mud and water. He says, I can see your face again when you make it rain.

What helps you see Christ more clearly? For me, it's the water during a baptism as we welcome a precious one into the body of Christ. It's excitement in the face of a friend who is getting ready to return to the Mississippi coast to do God's work. It's hearing one of my confirmation students "get" what God's love means and how to demonstrate it to others. There are many more. Where do you see Jesus?

So Long Self

2008-10-27T08:36:00.008-04:00

Field hockey weather....it took me the whole run (a long one too...30 minutes total with more running than usual) to figure out what the weather reminded me of. Not running weather because I used to run primarily in the spring and it's that just-starting-to-get-not-so-cold temperature of the year coupled with the smell of cow manure that reminds me of track. But field hockey weather is clear, crip fall and the feel of exercising (sweating) and then finally enjoying the cold breeze at the end of practice.

It was a fun run this morning and I was a little afraid because I hadn't done much since last Tuesday! Walking around for a very long day in the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday counts for a little but not really a "work out."

I ran a new route that took me out of my neighborhood and along a very busy road with lots of people heading to work. I know many thought I was nuts because I couldn't help but get into a few of my songs by raising my hands. "Shine" by the Newsboys does it for me everytime. It got me running farther and being much more demonstrative with my faith. I'm hoping that not many people interpreted my hand raising and mumbling (singing along VERY quietly) as talking to myself but that does lead me to my song of the morning..."So Long Self" by Mercy Me. I never realized before what a hilarious "break up" song it is!

Well if I come across a little bit distant

It's just because I am

Things just seem to feel a little bit different

You understand

Believe it or not but life is not apparently

About me anyways

But I have met the One who really is worthy

So let me say

So long, self

Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else

So long, self

There's just no room for two

So you are gonna have to move

So long, self

Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell

Oh well, goodbye, don't cry

So long, self

Stop right there because I know what you're thinking

But no we can't be friends

And even though I know your heart is breaking

This has to end

And come to think of it the blame for all of this

Simply falls on me

For wanting something more in life than all of this

Can't you see

So long, self

Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else

So long, self

There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move

So long, self

Don't take this wrong, but you're wrong for me, farewell

Oh well, good-bye, don't cry

So long

Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)

There'll be better days (there'll be better days)

Don't go away mad (but by all means)

Just go away,go away

So long, self

Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else

So long, self

There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move

So long, self

Don't take this wrong, but you're wrong for me, farewell

Oh well, good-bye, don't cry

So long self

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an4WuXCSvzM

I hope you watch the video...it's a real music video done by the band and it has them throwing their other selves out of a concert gig while they reclaim the stage. These guys have a sense of humor!

So what does it mean to me? For me? As with any breakup (actually something I'm very inexperienced with...) it happens gradually. In this case it's "me" telling "myself" "it's been fun but I've found someone else." This is one of those Christian songs that never mentions God and Jesus and I'm curious if it's given main-stream air time (anyone know?) but besides the direct references to kissing myself good-bye, it does give the reason:

Believe it or not but life is not apparently about me. But I have met the One who really is worthy.

Obviously it's about the One who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life"! The song is telling me that there's not room enough for the self-centered me and the Jesus-centered me. Have you ever looked at how many "self" hyphenated words there are? Self-appointed [esp. pompously the dictionary says], self-complacent [smug], self-contained [uncommunicative], self-esteem [inordinately favorable impression of oneself], etc. I selected the negative ones, others are a little more positive but they all are...well...self-centered.

Seems to me that we're instructed to have a love of God and a love of others primarily. It doesn't mean we don't "love" ourselves but not to the exclusion of the other two. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And then he said the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

He didn't just say "love your neighbor." What do you think that means to "love your neighbor as yourself"?

P.S. I have a favor to ask...I am pumped about being able to see where people are located when they read this blog. It's been entirely United States with one exception...one reader in the Netherlands. I can even tell the state (hey...I can even tell the city!). I would love you to pass this link on to one friend in another state and even another country. Thanks!

Dive

2008-10-21T15:11:00.011-04:00

Just finished a run in Orlando, FL. Gee...that sounded as strange to me as the last run in Williamsburg, VA! It's a beautiful day and a little warmer than I've had it for awhile (hurrah!...see my very first posting about hating the cold and not knowing what I'm going to do come winter). I ran for a solid 8 minutes, mostly around the parking lot of the three Marriott hotels that form this complex and then decided to go use the path next to the road. By this time I was walking and eventually came to another kind of complex...a religious one. I was intrigued by the name of it...Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. In fact, it was such an unusual name to me that I opened my cell phone (which I use as a stop watch) and typed in the name on a notes page because I wanted to remember it. Why is Mary "Queen of the Universe"?

I'm not Catholic although I have attended a fair number of Catholic services and my husband was raised in the Catholic church. Some of my best friends are Catholic!

The building was majestic and the grounds amazing. They even had a garden area with the stations of the cross. I followed the brick pathways to each station and read the titles and then looked at the engravings. My Catholic friends, I need some help here....I got to station #14 (Entombment) and then I couldn't find anymore. I looked around A LOT to be sure. That was the end, I'm pretty sure. But it is not the end of the story. Why isn't the resurrection included? Why does it stop with the burial? Is it because this is the "up to Good Friday" part of the resurrection story?

Yes, I was listening to my tunes this whole time and after several Toby Mac/dctalk songs I decided to listen to one of my favorites, "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman. By this time I was in another part of the shrine grounds where there are lots of palmetto trees, an expansive brick area and small pools. I sat on a bench looking at the water and heard:

There is a supernatural power

In this mighty river's flow

It can bring the dead to life

And it can fill an empty soul

And give a heart the only thing

Worth living and worth dying for

But we will never know the awesome power

Of the grace of God

Until we let ourselves get swept away

Into this holy flood

So if you'll take my hand

We'll close our eyes and count to three

And take the leap of faith

Come on let's go

I'm diving in

I'm going deep in over my head I want to be

Caught in the rush lost in the flow in over my head I want to go

The river's deep the river's wide the river's water is alive

So sink or swim I'm diving in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=098PwlqHD-o

The song reminded me of a friend I had in high school who was a professed atheist. We used to have discussions about faith and I remember one discussion in particular when I told him that every day we act on faith. Even when we approach an intersection we have faith that the other cars are going to stop for the red light when ours is green. He wasn't swayed by my deep theological reasoning! I did see him last year at our 30th high school reunion and now I wish I had asked him where he stood on God. Something tells me though, that he would have mentioned it if his views had changed.

So then thinking about taking leaps of faith got me to thinking about my life and how I haven't made too many "leaps of faith" or certainly not in a very long time. I've made plenty of decisions and they haven't been inconsequential but more often than not I had based the decisions on whether it was something I could take on or manage or handle myself. Maybe with a little help from others on a team or committee. I'm sure I even prayed about the decision. But the reliance wasn't on God so much. I didn't consider whether it was a choice I was being called to make regardless of whether I could manage or handle it myself.

But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood.

Swept away? That sounds dangerous!

I'm diving in, I'm going deep. In over my head I want to be.

NO! I never want to be in over my head!!

Caught in the rush, lost in the flow. In over my head I want to go.

Caught? Lost? That's not in my nature.

But that's exactly where I'll have to go and be if I really want to know the awesome power of the grace of God.

So, if you'll take my hand God, I'll close my eyes and count to three. I'm taking the leap of faith. Come on, let's go!

October 17 Post Script

2008-10-17T08:24:00.002-04:00

I should clarify that yesterday wasn't ALL stinky by any means.
I had breakfast with a very dear friend from college.
I had dinner with two of my cousins and their wonderful families.
And I THINK there was even something good going on in the in-between time despite all the mishaps because you know, How Great is Our God!

I'm heading to Radio Shack now...

How Gray is Our God...NOT!

2008-10-17T07:05:00.005-04:00

I'm in Williamsburg for most of today and it was a true flash from the past to be running here. The last time I did any appreciable running (my one and only 10 mile run for instance) was while I was a student at the College of William and Mary (Go Tribe!) and my feable attempt to run on the cross country team. But we won't go there. God is all about "do overs" and new beginnings, right?
It was a rainy run which aided the flashback because it always seemed to be raining in "the burg." I had a modest run because (a) it was rainy and not particularly warm and (b) I was under a time constraint to get ready for the day and (c) I didn't wake up early enough to allow for that! 8 minutes running past Hooters, Dunkin Donuts and every hotel chain you've ever heard of and then I turned around and walked 20+ minutes back to my hotel. Chris Tomlin ran with me this morning and I was thankful to hear "How Great is Our God"

The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS:
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great,
How great
Is our God

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead,
Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great,
How great
Is our God

Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise and
My heart will sing how great
Is our God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CITjo9QsHaM

I needed to hear that song this morning. I had a stinky day yesterday. Not life changing and awful but just kind of stinky. A series of stumbling blocks that kept getting in my way. Minor inconveniences like a dead battery in my remote for a power point slide presentation to something major like not having the slides I needed on the laptop! Missing a vital connecting cord to show a dvd that was critical to my presentation was in there too. I prayed a lot yesterday morning and looked for ways to do a work-around. And through it all "How great is our God."

It's NOT "How GRAY is our God" (which I'm sorry...is often what I hear when I listen to this song and I keep thinking I want to suggest to Chris T. that he enunciate the "t" a little stronger...not that I know him or anything!). God is not gray and all in-between and vague. God is GREAT.

Despite the panic that sets in trying to recreate a presentation in 20 minutes that took hours to prepare....How great is our God...despite having two people (out of a total of 12) sneak out the back of the room once a workshop started because they weren't hearing what they came to hear...How great is our God...having the GPS go whacky on the way to a place I'd never been...How great is our God. Then getting a call from my husband that his car window had been smashed and his wallet stolen while he was out running...How great is our God.

Let all the earth rejoice...HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD.

How was your day?

Bless the Beasts and the Children

2008-10-14T07:52:00.020-04:00

Woo hoo! Or rather something stronger....WOOT! Who would have guessed that I would have had my best work out to date to the Carpenters' songs? Has anyone else ever noticed how many of their songs could be "praise to Jesus" songs? I see a Sister Act 3!! No kidding...I ran for a steady 15 minutes this morning (I had also picked a totally down hill route) and then walked fast for the 25 minutes back home (mostly uphill). Here's a selection of my morning workout that could work for a worship service:

Sweet Sweet Smile

When I wake up in the mornin'

And I see you there

I always whisper a little prayer

I gotta see your sweet, sweet smile everyday

I gotta know that you love me

And that you want me

And that you'll always be there

I've gotta know that you care

Sing

(this would bring in the children's choir)

Sing, sing a song

Let the world sing along

Sing of love there could be

Sing for you and for me

Top of the World

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation

And the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around

Your love's put me at the top of the world

I Won't Last a Day Without You

Day after day I must face a world of strangers

Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong

It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to

Who will always care, you're always there

When there's no gettin over that rainbow

When the smallest of dreams won't come true

I can take all the madness the world has to give

But I won't last a day without you

The sermon would be called "Bless the Beasts and the Children"

Bless the Beasts and the Children

Bless the beasts and the children

For in this world they have no voice

They have no choice

Bless the beasts and the children

For the world can never be the world they see

Light their way when the darkness surrounds them

Give them love

Let it shine all around them

Bless the beasts and the children

Give them shelter from a storm

Keep them safe

Keep them warm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR36gV6vW4

That was my running message from this morning. I don't know about the "beasts" (I love my cat but...) but I am focused on our need to ask God to bless the children and for us to help "light their way when the darkness surrounds them." We need to "shelter them from the storm" and "keep them safe, keep them warm." What does that mean? Those are all protection words. Unfortunately, it's not enough to keep them close to us and prevent all bad from happening or even right the wrongs when "bad" does happen. Because, they will need to go "out there" eventually and that's the most haunting line of all in the song:

"For the world can never be the world they see."

What does that mean? Do we need to change the world? Do we need to prevent them from seeing it as it is? What?

I really don't know but I do believe that the place to start is to nurture our young ones into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Because I do believe that this saving relationship is THE most important thing in life and the thing that will help them deal with life. And the best way to do this is to demonstrate for them the love that Christ shows us. It's not always easy. It's often not convenient. It's pretty messy sometimes. But I believe it's the best way to ask God to bless the children.

What do you think?

The Happy Song

2008-10-11T09:55:00.009-04:00

I decided to run on the high school track today. It was the first time I needed to drive to where I was going to run and that was a strange feeling! I've always just headed out the front door or down the hotel hallway (see "I am Free"). The parking lot was nearly empty and there's a short walk past the tennis courts to the entrance to the track. It used to be completely open but a fence was built around the track and football field several years ago. Or maybe the fence has always been there but they added THE GATE. I stopped abruptly. It never even occured to me that it could possibly be locked. But the gate was shut and I was severely disappointed. Lots of options ran through my head about where to run now but then "Doh!" I looked a little harder and noticed that the MAIN gate was locked but the little side gateway was open. Lesson for today: Look before you leave.

Running log: About 28 minutes with running about 3+ laps and then walking/running the rest. For the first nearly 25 minutes I was completely alone and that was a cool experience...even had a few memories float through from my running in high school. However, I was a sprinter, not a distance runner and so my mind told me to STOP after just one lap. I'm not sure if this is a good place to run for me now!

My song for today's run and reflection:

The Happy Song

Oh I could sing unending songs

Of how you saved my soul

Well I could dance a thousand miles

Because of your great love.

My heart is bursting Lord

To tell of all you've done

Of how you changed my life

And wiped away the past

I wanna shout it out

From every roof top sing

For now I know that God

Is for me not against me

Everybody's singing now

Cos we're so happy

Everybody's dancing now

Cos we're so happy

If only we could see your face

And see you smiling over us

And unseen angels celebrate

For joy is in this place!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptlq5hypEog

[This is a GREAT one to watch...the song is set to classic cartoon footage...watch for one of the 3 little pigs singing from the rooftop]

My reflections are not about this song specificially but about Christian music in general. This was one of the first songs of a "praise music" variety that I remember hearing and it was at a Youth for Christ middle school conference about 10 years ago. I'm sure I knew this music existed but I can't remember ever having heard it sung in a church. The closest I probably came was in college when I attended the Saturday night "Folk Mass" at the Catholic Church with my freshman roommate.

I don't mind (some) hymns but they just don't make me joyful in worship. There are a few..."How Great Thou Art" and "Joyful, Joyful" and...um...um...I'm sure I'll remember others if you give me a minute or hand me the blue hymnal. I often wonder if we kept the same music and same words but just picked up the pace a bit. Would that help? Sung them with the piano or guitar rather than the organ?

What do you think? I'd love to hear what kind of music helps you worship joyfully.

Go Light Your World...but don't burn others

2008-10-09T08:42:00.011-04:00

Mixed reviews on the running progress. I am having no problem cardio wise (for me that means I can breathe okay) but it's the legs...from the knees down. They just feel like lead. Should I go faster? Slower? More frequently? Less frequently? I like walking. This running stuff is hard. The music definitely helps a TON. If I'm walking along and come to a really "pump you up" kind of song I can't help but start to run again. The music even helps me walk better...faster. I'm sure my coach will let me know.

What is going well is the thinking...if you count being "disturbed" as going well! I was listening to Chris Rice this morning. I only have three of his songs in my ipod. The first two didn't resonate a message with me but were fun to listen to (the cartoon song and the radio song)...I guess I could consider them warm ups. But then I got to "Go Light Your World" and I almost started to cry...or throw up. Not like a "gag me" kind of throw up but just I felt so sick about something that it's the only reaction (the retching kind). Here's what I was listening to (I'm going to write about it in parts):

There is a candle in every soul

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold

There is a Spirit who brings fire

Ignites a candle and makes His home

What happens when messed up people get in the way of the Spirit who brings fire and then those who would otherwise receive the Spirit actually get burned?

Like here...

See now your sister,

she's been robbed and lied to

Still holds a candle without a flame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIIFJIxdUw

What happens when hopefully "well-intentioned" people think they are carrying the message of God to others but all they talk about is the rules and the regulations and the "thou shall nots" but forget to talk about God's love that trumps everything else? What happens when these "well-intentioned" people call themselves Christians but they really aren't because they don't behave at all Christ-like? Here's something else I listened to this morning...it's spoken as a preface to a dctalk song called "What If I Stumble?"

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

This morning I'm thinking that I'm not nearly as concerned about the people who haven't heard the good news of God's love yet...I'm sick about those who have heard something that they've been TOLD is the "gospel truth" but really is a lie. How do you recover from that? Many don't.

This is really personal to me because of a conversation I just had a few days ago with a wonderful young woman. THIS is her story. And I'm just sick about it. Maybe she'll respond here and talk about it because I don't want to share her story without her permission. But it could be the same story for a 12 year old boy who is belittled in Sunday school class by the teacher. Or maybe it's the story of the 64 year old woman who is told her husband died because she didn't pray enough.

What do we do about it?

SILENCE

2008-10-07T08:51:00.007-04:00

I went nano-less today. My aim was to listen to God as I did my run/walk. It's really hard! What was a little easier was the running part. I reversed my neighborhood loop this morning and started with the downhill half. Whew! It was kind of fun actually. Coach Art said I had to plan in a run that was a no-brainer and easy so I did. I'm sure there's a sermon in THAT analogy!

I ran for about 12 minutes without stopping and then when I started the back half of the loop that's heading uphill (very gradually) I walked. It still really felt like a good workout (=I sweated).

So...my focus on God this morning was to be in the listening mode. But here's what I found...when I just tried to listen and say NOTHING (even in my head) I was so very distracted and certainly didn't hear a thing. When I tried focusing on a simple phrase to keep me on track, I was no longer listening and couldn't hear a thing. HOW DO YOU LISTEN TO GOD?

I hope someone will post an answer to the big question. In the meantime, I'll tell you about what happened when I focused on the simple phrase. I've used this technique in teaching dramatic readings at LOGOS training events. Pick one short phrase, say it over and over but emphasize a different word each time you say it. Notice how each time the meaning (or at least the emphasis) of the phrase changes. I chose "You are the bread of life."

YOU are the bread of life (you alone God is all I need)

You ARE the bread of life (God is now--present tense)

You are THE bread of life (you provide exactly what I need)

You are the BREAD of life (you provide me with sustenance to thrive)

You are the bread OF life (your provision helps me live)

You are the bread of LIFE (without you I cannot live)

Okay...maybe some sound very similar but it was extremely helpful to just say that over and over again, "You are the bread of life" and that kept me thinking of, if not listening to, God. So what do you think...how do you listen to God and cut out all the extraneous noise around that distracts from the message?

Ancient Words

2008-10-04T10:28:00.010-04:00

Day 6

I moved out there for 30 minutes this morning. Some running, lots of walking. Constant movement. Okay...I lied...I did move off the sidewalk and stand and look at a yucky pond for several minutes. I wasn't "taking a break" I was trying hard to focus on the music. Really. And it worked. Other than that, a pretty uneventful "run." No deer, no dogs...just lots more cars going by at 9:30 on a Saturday morning than my usual 7:30 am weekday schedule.

Ancient Words

Holy words long preserved

for our walk in this world,

They resound with God's own heart

Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope

Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e'er we roam

Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS:

Ancient words ever true

Changing me, and changing you.

We have come with open hearts

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith

Handed down to this age.

Came to us through sacrifice

Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world.

They resound with God's own heart

Oh let the ancient words impart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7_l7UpRN5c

From God's heart to our own...

Lots of statements in this song about the scriptures, the Bible the "Ancient Words": long preserved, will guide us home, handed down, came through sacrifice, ever true.

One big assumption: We have come with open hearts

Have we? Do we? Will we? What does it mean to have an "open heart"? Do I approach reading or hearing or seeing the scriptures with the expectation that I might learn something new about God, about myself, about the world? Do I expect that something might change in me from studying these ancient words? Probably not...or at least not often enough.

The Word is "ever true" but we are the ones that need to change. All of us. And we change when we seek to grow ever closer to God and ever more like Christ. And are available to the Holy Spirit's help to do both.

The song has a great plea (I think it's a plea rather than just a request because of that "Oh" at the beginning):

Oh, let the ancient words impart

Impart what? What do you think?

And ps...I need some running encouragement and you're not holding up your end of the partnership by helping me here!! :) If you've never posted a comment to a blog, it's not hard. Give it a try...google will walk you through it.

In Wonder

2008-10-02T08:17:00.005-04:00

Running log: 28 minutes; 12 straight running minutes and then the rest mostly walking and a little running

If yesterday was the "zone" today was...well...NOT the zone. Hey other runners, is this normal? Conditions all seemed the same. It was just harder to start up out of the cul de sac this morning. However, once I got going and plugged into The Newsboys I forgot about how hard it was and actually ran more than on Tuesday. I CROSSED A ROAD. Not a little driveway into the local shopping center but the 4-way stop sign intersection. I also ran much longer without having to walk. It's fun to see measurable progress. Wish it were that obvious in my spiritual life!

Today's song....

In Wonder
The Newsboys

So much wonder
Carved in your coral seas
So much wonder
Shaded by ancient trees

I consider all that your hands have made
Every newborn’s eyes, every new sunrise
No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance

LET ALL CREATION SING IN WONDER
EVERY SEA, EVERY CREATURE, EVERY STAR
YOU OPENED UP MY EYES TO WONDER
WHAT A VISION, WHAT A WONDER YOU ARE

Such a wonder
Ordering time and tide
Such a wonder
Bridging the great divide
I consider all that you had, all you gave
And all that you endured
From this rebel world
What a wondrous cross you chose to bear
What a wonder you would even care

LET EVERY ROCK CRY OUT
LET EVERY KNEE BOW DOWN
YOU OPENED UP MY HEART TO WONDER
WHAT LOVE, WHAT A WONDER YOU ARE

No power can tame your presence
No light can match your radiance
Such a wonder...Such a wonder...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6bBxO37LE4

"Wonder"....cool word! I tend to use the word in a questioning way as in "I wonder what we'll have for dinner tonight?" or "I wonder when one of my sons is going to be home?" or even "I wonder what that means?" I forget about the other meaning...about awesomeness and surprise and amazement. But this song reminded me. It talks about the wonder of God the creator: "So much wonder carved in your coral seas, So much wonder shaded by ancient trees...newborn's eyes...sunrises...ordering time and tide."

But then there is a shift in the praise of wonder to God the Son and the "wondrous cross you chose to bear" and a wonder that he would "even care."

We hear the old saying about "wide-eyed wonder" and usually it refers to children...like on Christmas morning or seeing a hummingbird for the first time. I hope I can reclaim that "wide-eyed wonder" about God! Oh! Now that I think of it, I did experience a little wonder this morning on my run. I saw a young deer in someone's side yard. I wasn't running back in the woods on the bike paths this morning, I was running on the sidewalk parallel to a fairly busy street. And there was this little deer just eating the suburban grass and as I passed he looked up at me and then ran away into the brush next to the shopping center. So much better than an angry dog!

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Exodus 15:11

When have you experienced wonder at what God is doing?

Sunny Days

2008-09-30T07:45:00.007-04:00

I was in the "zone" this morning! Good tunes (chose my entire Jars of Clay playlist), legs felt great, coolish temp, and sunny. And then about 2 minutes into my run THEY came...three angry dogs ticked off at this person who was invading their space. They charged at me barking like all get out and I could tell they wanted to just tear me to shreds. But because God is good (and people with dogs know to build fences) they could only get so far and then they had to just run along beside me but no longer at me. Whew! I kept chugging away. And I really did feel good this morning. Last night, I think for the first time in my life, I was looking forward to exercising the next day! I know it's not just the exercise (because I've tried THAT before). It's also the music that motivates, the time to focus on the words I believe God is speaking to me and the desire to write about it afterwards.

"Sunny Days"
Jars of Clay

Sunny days keepin' the clouds away
I think we're coming to a clearing and a brighter day
So far away. Still I think they say
The wait will make the heart grow stronger or fonder
I can't quite remember anyway

So if you're waitin' for love
Well it's a promise I'll keep
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter

Winter, Spring... is what love can truly bring
Ice turns to water, water flows to everything
You can lose your mind, maybe then your heart you'll find
I hope you won't give up what's moving you inside
If the car won't start, when you turn the key

When the music comes on, all your cold, cold heart can do is skip a beat

It's a promise I'll keep
When you're waitin' for love
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cszXtWyeLn8

[It's not the best version to hear the song but the best I could find]

Running log: Chalk it up to bad eyes rather than good endurance because I ran longer than I intended to this morning. I thought the time said 7:53 but it was actually 8:03 so I went a little farther. So I did my walk/run (but more running this time) for nearly 30 minutes (26 is "nearly" 30, right?)

Art and I have seen Jars of Clay live (and believe me, they sounded a lot better than that recorded version above!) and I love their messages...it was tough for me to pick just one for today. But I latched on to "Sunny Days" because it's a great message of HOPE...but also a PROMISE. And a WARNING as well. And this song is different than so many Christian songs. Most seem to be our/my song to God. This flips it...it's God's message for us (or for ME this morning).

"If you're waiting for love, it's a promise I'll keep." God is there always but I believe that we have to do the reaching back. And not just once when we make the decision to accept Christ as the bridge to God...but daily....hourly...always. That's step one. Step two is my favorite line in the song, "If you don't mind believing it changes everything then time will never matter." However, my mind keeps connecting these two lines into one sentence: "It's a promise I'll keep if you don't mind believing it changes everything." And IF you believe that...then time will never matter. That's a good message for me because patience is not one of my virtues. What do you think it means that God's love will change everything?

Lord of the Dance

2008-09-27T09:36:00.010-04:00

Back to running outside today because I am home. Weird experience. My calf muscles were really tight from the moment I started running. I hadn't been experiencing any "soreness" the last couple of days at all so this surprised me. My first thoughts were, "Wow...I feel really strong!" I had a flashback to "back in the day" when I ran in high school. Top of my game...quick...many pounds lighter...kicking butt on the track for good old Seneca Valley High school. However...the longer I ran this morning the WEAKER I felt. MY strength almost immediately became a weakness. Is this what happens in my spiritual life when MY strengths get in the way of God's work and suddenly become weaknesses? Hmmmm...certainly made me stop and think. And I DID stop! I had to stop running because it was just a little too painful. I walked really fast though!

The song I listened to over and over again this morning was "Lord of the Dance." It's an older song but it's in my ipod and it was the theme of the LOGOS Youth Conference this summer. I have a children's version and so I only listened to the first couple of verses and the chorus.

I danced in the morning when the world was young
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
I danced for the fishermen James and John
They came with me so the dance went on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xra7Em11AAU

Running log: Day 3: Run/walk but I have no clue about the time because I forgot to check the clock before I left. Probably about 20-25 minutes.

My calves never stopped hurting as I walked. On the third time listening to the song I decided to try running again. An interesting revelation...they hurt the same whether I was walking or running. So I decided I might as well run! And then I REALLY listened to the chorus of the song and had my "aha" moment....Dance WHEREVER YOU MAY BE and I lead you all WHEREVER YOU MAY BE. Feeling strong, feeling weak, in the "shadows of death" (from another song I had been listening to) or in times of jubilation (love that word)...walking through life or running up the hill....God is there to lead if we will only follow.

Ah! That's the other thing about this song...it's all about the DANCE. We have a partner (God through Jesus Christ) to dance with but in partnering dances, one needs to lead and the other follow for it all to work best (ever watch "Dancing With the Stars"?). The song describes how the Scribes and the Pharisees wouldn't follow in the dance but James and John would. And because they did...the dance went on.

Still lots of thoughts swirling around my head about all of this. What are you thinking?

I am Free

2008-09-25T07:44:00.010-04:00

I woke up in a different city this morning. Well, it wasn't a surprise since I drove here last night. I have a workshop to conduct for the Methodist church and I always prefer to drive the night before (even if it's late) than to deal with the drive in the morning. Especially where I live. So, since today was going to be a running day, I checked out the hotel on line before I left home and found out they had an exercise room. I've never used an exercise room in a hotel. Ever. I always thought tread mills looked cool and after talking to a few friends last night about how to use one I figured I could figure it out! No problem. I even got to sing outloud to my ipod because I was the only one in the room. I was rocking to the Newsboys and timed everything just right to be able to shower, eat breakfast and take off.

Only, the card key didn't work when I went back to my room. Even after many attempts. Even after three trips to the front desk (from the FIFTH floor) and multiple other "let's see if these work" cards. I was starting to get a little panicky. Everything that I had (clothes, presentation, car keys, etc., etc.) were in the room. And I couldn't get in. I let the front desk know that I didn't THINK it was a card problem...it was a door problem.

My song for today is "I am Free" by the Newsboys...one of my favorites:

Running log: Day 2: run/walk 15 minutes on the tread mill (is .5 a good pace? don't answer that...)

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for You
(I am free to live for You)
I am free (I am free)
Yes, I am free (I am free)

Through You the kingdom's come
Through You the battle's won
Through You I'm not afraid
Through You the price is paid
Through You there's victory
Because of You my heart screams
I am free I am free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vwnGYfeilE

"Through You I'm not afraid"....those were great words for me to run/walk to this morning as I readied for speaking before a very large room of people. But my "aha" moment this morning was realizing the connection in the song between "Through You the price is paid" and "I am free." I always thought of the song in terms of free=freedom. But now I see the irony. I AM FREE....BECAUSE through you the price is paid. What clever song writers those Newsboys are! It was a biblical truth of my freedom through Christ's payment on the cross that I never "heard" in there before. I didn't have to pay for it because he did!

Tremendous!

I eventually did get into the room. Something about needing a little portable computer to do it. They had to call the manager to take care of it. He was at home. But I've showered, dressed and still have time to write this before I have to leave. I ate breakfast while the manager took care of the problem. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous to go out to my car this morning. On the drive here, one of those "maintenance" lights popped up on the dashboard. It was an EXCLAMATION point. THAT didn't sound good at all! It was low tire pressure (thank goodness for that big, thick book in the glove compartment). Yes, I stopped half-way to my destination and had to fill some tires with air.

Something tells me that it's really important for me to share this presentation this morning. I always believe that when barrier after barrier has been thrown down to try to prevent something good like this from happening.

But I am free to run and dance and live for Him. Yes, I am free.

"God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God." 1 Corinthians 6:20

Dare You to Move

2008-09-23T08:11:00.005-04:00

I've started running again. I'm afraid to say that any "louder" because someone might actually hear me and hold me accountable to it like asking me how it's going. I've done this before and have always stopped. Kind of like reading and really studying the Bible. I've gotten motivated to start and then I've drifted away. Oh, I read it and study it when preparing to teach a class or give an occasional sermon but that's more preparation for a set thing...not so much for everyday life. Kind of like training for a race and then stopping. OH! Guess I'm pretty consistent...

I'm calling this blog "Songs for the key to life" for a couple of reasons. First, I think it's a really clever play on the Stevie Wonder album, "Songs in the Key of Life" and that was a HUGE hit when I was in high school (and it's better than using Rumours, Rocket to Russia, or The Stranger although if you do a search on top albums in the late 70's you could come up with MANY clever blog titles!). But mostly, because I'm going to run with my ipod set to Contemporary Christian song playlists and think about the words a little more closely. Not sure how often yet.

And no, that's not going to take the place of personal Bible study and devoted time in prayer with God. But it's going to be the focus of what I write about...picking one song and really thinking about the message. I'm hoping you'll do this with me...share what the words to the songs mean to you and help me stay focused on the running (especially when it gets cold...I hate the cold). Encourage me, challenge me, share your "joys and concerns" with the activity.

Does this mean that I'm NOT going to look for ways to grow closer to God through study and prayer? Absolutely doesn't mean that. It's just that I'm choosing to write about the running and music.

And for today's song..."Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot

Running log: Day 1: run/walk for about 25 minutes around the neighborhood

It was the first song in my "CCM car tunes" playlist and seems QUITE appropriate for a first day of running song.

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK_E7xS7AtQ

So what does it MEAN? I've listened to that song scads of time and I never liked the "Like today never happened" line. That sounds awful! Why should I hope that today never happened? I don't have many bad days. But this morning I really heard the next line for the first time..."Today never happened BEFORE." Oh yeah! Each day is different. Each morning is a chance to start fresh...a new beginning. I've always been thrilled about God creating the day/night thing. He didn't have to do it that way. I love that one day ends and then you go to sleep and then wake up to a new day.

"The tension is HERE." Between who I AM and who I COULD BE. It's not...who I want to be...but who I could be. And I think that's the "who" God expects me to be. And there's the thrill of the Christian journey...figuring all that out! Maybe I should go look that up in the Bible and pray about it...

"He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning." Titus 3:5

Your thoughts?