Art 4 the HEart

Looking Up

2009-05-11T17:02:00.002-05:00

I'm standing here, Lord;
knowing past reason that You are near.
Looking up towards the heavens
and all that You have made;
the music of heaven wells up
from the depths of my soul
to loosen the toughened roots of bitterness.
Looking up brings me down to level
needed to lay my sacrifice at the altar.
I'm standing here, Lord;
knowing past reason that You are near
as I seek Your heart.

Mental Deposits

2009-03-18T17:57:00.004-05:00

The weather is turning warmer and I can feel the seratonin levels in my brain rising with each passing day. That is a wonderful thing. I haven't posted much these days; on account of finding work. Yes, I am working full-time right now and spend my days depositing my energy into the tasks set before me there. In honor of the impending season of SPRING, I am going to celebrate in the face of working so much. In short, I choose joy.

My mental deposits for the moment are a whirl of meandering sentences and phrases sitting in a holding cell. SPRING has snuck out of the enclosed area and burst forth in my consciousness with a renewed spunk. Snow is going to have to wait until a colder month to come back for a visit.

What are your mental deposits for the day? Mine were a tad quirky today(so feel free to be silly if you are so moved).

Cup o' joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven....

Lynne

IT'S MY 1ST BIRTHDAY !!!!!

2009-01-24T13:21:00.003-05:00

Ponderings...

2008-12-21T13:05:00.002-05:00

I have been reading a book entitled, "In God's Underground" by Revrend Richard Wurmbrand. There is a passage that I especially want to share with you at this time of the year. The Christmas season is often a difficult time for many people; pulling their thoughts(hopefully)towards heaven. I pray that this passage propels you to think about our reason for celebrating this season all the more as the day approaches; and as the new year progresses.

Wumbrand: "But it's the crimes and errors of the Church which give us so much more to admire in it"

Patrascanu: " What do you mean?"

Wumbrand: "A hospital may stink of pus and blood; in that lies its beauty, for it receives the sick with their disgusting sores and horrible diseases. The church is Christ's own hospital. Millions of patients are treated in it, with love. The church accepts sinners-they continue to sin, and for their transgressions the Church is blamed. To me, on the other hand, the Church is like a mother who stands by her children even when they commit crimes. The politics and prejudices of its' servants are distortions of what comes from God-that is, the Bible and its' teachings, worship and the sacraments. Whatever its'faults, the church has much that is sublime in it. The sea drowns thousands of people every year, but no one contests its' beauty."

This is only a brief snapshot of the jailhouse conversation between these two men. The rest of the book is worth a read to see how persecution and struggle is like manure to a rosebush. Yes, that is a graphic image; but metaphorically accurate in my estimation. He is worthy of our praise in season and out of season.

Let's celebrate at the power inherent in the message of Christmas. He came, He died, and He rose up to complete the most lavish gift of all: Salvation. He is worthy.

Praises and much joy,

Lynne

Rising Up

2008-11-29T18:22:00.003-05:00

Rising up;
ready to put on the garment of praise...
fiesty, I am;
gearing up to do battle; preparing to fight off
person, place, or memory....
Rising up;
assured of His willingness to rescue my cause
for the sake of His glory;
Rising up;
knowing past reason that His paths
are laced with that bittersweet balm
flowing down from the mercy seat.
Rising up;
raising my hands in defiant praise
as I strain to ignore emotion's pull.
Rising up;
determined to trust in my Lord as our hands meet once more on the journey.

Fire and Water...

2008-11-13T11:13:00.004-05:00

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you.
~Taken from Isaiah 43:1-4(NLT)

Not Alone...

2008-11-09T20:04:00.002-05:00

Praise you Jesus that on this road of life

we are not alone!

"When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:17-20

Blessing

2008-10-16T10:13:00.005-05:00

"Daniel blessed the God of heaven, saying,

'Blessed be the name of God,

forever and ever.

He knows all, does all:

He changes the seasons and guides history,

He raises up kings and also brings them down,

He provides both intelligence and discernment,

He opens up the depths, tells secrets,

sees in the dark—light spills out of him!

God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise!'"

~From The Message, Daniel 2:19-23

Love in the Ring

2008-10-12T17:40:00.002-05:00

I pray for angels
to encamp around me;
knowing that eternity
has been planted in my heart.
The gift of eternity presents itself;
showing me that love in the ring of time
knows no bounds...
He seeks me in the morning;
like a lover waiting to meet with me...
His ring of faithfulness supporting my steps
as He orders them towards the path of life...
Love in the ring of His mercies never ends;
as the new day breaks out into music in the heavenlies...
...and restores the rock under my feet once more.

Descending Calm

2008-09-26T14:46:00.004-05:00

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

He called to my heart
in the midst of the storm;
waiting for my tempest
to return to the teapot...
The soft voice drew
the deep unto deep;
eliciting the calm that comes
in His presence...
He called to my heart
in the midst of my storm;
knowing how joy would return
to the choppy shores within my inner rooms.
His calm descended
as "Peace, be still" reverberated across the waters.

Captured

2008-09-14T23:26:00.002-05:00

I caught it in midstream;
that incoming thought
arriving to capture my attention.
Fascination burns,
uproots,
and sends my last thoughts flying
through a sea of unreachable comprehension...
Turning to my Lord,
my mixed desire arises to the throne of heaven;
seeking strength to turn away from the oncoming train.
I can imagine His hand sending wind to derail
the intended target of the incoming arrow...
ushering in the joy of the Lord
as I am rescued once again.

Declaration of Faith

2008-08-31T20:26:00.002-05:00

I'll raise my hands
to the Father;
celebrating breath
as the salty water recedes...
I'll raise my hands
to the Father;
rejoicing in
the sweet whispers of the Spirit
as my days unfold
in the newness
of His tender mercies...
I'll raise my hands
to the Father;
knowing that
I've been rescued from death
by the power of Jesus' name.

Sweet Worship

2008-08-28T08:22:00.004-05:00

Thank you Roy and Bill!

Rest, Quietness, Trust

2008-08-26T10:51:00.004-05:00

Retreat

Maine was amazing, the loons left an impression.

Lisa took these pictures during a visit to Acadia National Park in 2007

I wrote the score Friday night listening to the loons on Rangeley Lake.

Isaiah 30:15

...In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength...

Mercy's Reign

2008-08-25T18:30:00.002-05:00

Mercy's reign
comes down with grace;
enfolding us in the arms
of God
for the sake of His glory...

Mercy's reign
takes the lead in the struggle;
allowing His love to
raise high the hands of praise to His name.

He reigns in majesty;
allowing us glimpses of future glory,
and bringing His voice
to the spirit of man...

Nahum 1:7

2008-08-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him.

I came across this verse in Nahum this morning. Like many scriptures, there is much to be read and understood between the lines. Memories and those Spirit whispers
flood my mind as I read this verse; bathing the verses with a sustaining power only available in the realm of faith.

"The Lord is good". Oh, yes. He is good. He is past good and all the way to great in ways my flesh cannot fathom. Thank God I cannot see everything ahead of me. He knows better than that; and that the end result would be a straight jacket! His goodness is amazing. How can we imagine everything that he has ahead for us? How can we imagine the many ways that he works things out on our behalf? He is glorified in heaven with, I am sure; the most sublime melodies. Yes, He is good; and we are at His feet for His mercy and grace because we know that He is good.

I am thankful that He is my stronghold in those times of turmoil. What other hope do I have; save the exploding mercy of my God? He knows that I am dependent upon Him for His provision and grace. He even created within me that desire to fellowship with Him; making every subsitution weak and pale in comparison to the joy of His presence. He knows my heart, and yet still desires fellowship with me. Right there is the edge of my understanding. Beyond that, I have to just trust that He knows what is best.

My prayer is that I can discern His voice and follow with a whole-hog abandon that will show me His plans for my days. May he cleanse my lenses to allow a clear picture of who He is in the days to come.

May He do the same for you:).

Have a cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven...

Lynne

Beasts of the Field

2008-08-14T16:39:00.002-05:00

A psalm of David.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise

because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

~Psalm 8

Praise Him

2008-08-12T20:14:00.004-05:00

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing praise to your name,

O Most High.

Psalm 9:2

Perspective?

2008-08-11T18:22:00.003-05:00

I've heard it said that perception is everything. Pithy half-truth aside; I think that depends on the mental clarity and the health of perspective that exists. Lenses get filthy and obscure the true picture of any given situation. Perception is powerful; yet cannot hope to encompass the big picture.

Human perception is a malleable entity. Cultural, socio-economic and psycological distortions seem to conspire together(to obscure a comprehsive view and/or asessment of a problem). It is amazing to me the lengths that human personality will go in order to rationalize its' behavior. A transient perception can propel us towards far-reaching consequences. Perception can act as a betrayer of truth.

Perception. What a concept to consider; and how like a chameleon it can change. We justify our behavior because we perceive that our stated position is as gospel to the faithful! The heart unredeemed and not looking through the lense of eternity is painfully unable to pull itself out of deception's grasp.

We need the promise of redemption's glory to renew our hope; to renew our hope that our perception can be rescued. Seeing ourselves as we are; and yet seeing that we are still sought after in love and entreaty adjusts our perception. Our Lord can adjust our focus and understanding in order to heal our perception; enabling faith to buoy us in our Father's hands.

Cup o'joy and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven to you...

Lynne

Rain

2008-08-04T05:12:00.002-05:00

Standing in what I perceive(here and there)as manure; I wonder what God sees growing in the pile. The stench floating up to my nostrils is enough to make me pray for heaven; yet I am still standing. That alone proves much to me that makes the odor worth enduring...

Rain would probably be a good thing right about now. Maybe if it were hard enough the offensive material would be washed away and I could(maybe?)be blessed with a specific brand of amnesia to enable me to forget all of this...stuff. That is a pipe dream(no, I haven't been smoking anything...).

He did send refreshment, hope, and joy in the package of an infant born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. In Him we find our strength, our joy, and a sure hand to hold us up as we sometimes stand in...stinky stuff. My prayer for you today is to find your strength and joy in Him.

Have a cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven...

Lynne

Nothing But The Blood

2008-07-23T06:59:00.004-05:00

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again?