Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

God Bless

You are good, You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

Related articles

• “You are good, You are good when there’s nothing good in me.” (newequus.wordpress.com)
• Worship as “a church that’s ‘running to Your arms’” (wordsatworship.com)

Cover of You`Re All I Need (Mlps) (Shm)

Last night I was watching the new musical show called “Duets” and heard this great duet as made famous by the late Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye.  I had to look it up and post it for you to enjoy today.  There are many music videos of this song on youtube – but I think this is the nicest one – what a GREAT song!!

It’s a funny thing – how listening to a certain melody or some past lyrics in a forgotten song,  can totally transport me to an earlier time and circumstance.

The year was 1968 – I was 7 years old.  I used to watch a television show that would feature different popular artists in the 60′s.  My favorite song was “Up, up and away” by the 5th dimension.  I thought it was important to have a favorite song, even when I was 7 – so that was it.  And only because I saw them perform that song on television.  I’m sure that I must have also heard “You’re all I need to get by” on that same program because I am almost sure that it is on that show where I first heard it.  But if I’m wrong about that detail it would have been when moving to Seattle from Canada in 1969 and I listened to top 40 hits on a little transistor radio.

Do you remember it?  Where were you when you first heard it?  Take a listen and see if it doesn’t take you back.

Of June (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It promises

whispers

weather that messes with me

gets inside my head

and tears me down

A hint of newness in April

A beautiful blossom in May

a tease

hearing songs

smelling scents

seeing clothes

feeling

light and airy

free and easy

kisses of freedom

sighs of yesterday

reaching and grasping

pushing and straining

fast forward

retracting

long-lost fall

winter a distant memory

spring

forever spring

eternal spring

wells up

and deepens

settles in

surrounds

and saturates

feeds a feeling

permeates my being

calls to me

pretends to be

something it is not

it beckons

casts a spell

beguiles and bewitches

desperately imitates

yearns

and struggles

to be summer

forever changing its mind

like a lost child

tossed in the wind

and rain

resisting the warmth

and sunshine

a lost traveler

a tempest on the raging storm

the edge of laughter

and safety

looking for the sun

a reprieve from the scattering

a reason for the chaos

a rest from the shivering

a time to hope

a time to dream

a time to reclaim

yes

This is June

Conviction (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night Greg and I watched a movie called “Conviction” – starring Hillary Swank, based on the actual events of a man sent to prison for a murder he did not commit.  He was convicted by a faulty legal system without DNA testing to prove him guilty.  Because of this injustice his sister decided to dedicate her adult life to becoming a lawyer so she could one day represent him, run a formal investigation and then have him released after being proven innocent by testing DNA samples that miraculously were not destroyed after 10 years as was usually the case in the state of Massachusetts.  It took time but she was finally able to get him released 20 years after his original conviction.

This movie moved me so much that I even dreamt about it last night.  In the dream I was friends with the sister and brother and was witnessing first hand the day he was released from prison and sent on his way home.  I was one of the special people allowed in to take pictures of them in a secluded room.  The absolute joy of these siblings was tangible in my dream.  And I was moved beyond words knowing he had missed his daughter growing up and countless other things due to a corrupted legal system that put him away for life in prison without the possibility of parole.

It is impossible to put myself in the place of these siblings whose love for each other is immeasurable.  To simply sacrifice myself for another in that extreme is incomprehensible to me.

The Bible tells us that “while we were yet sinners – Christ died for us” – we were unloving, unwilling and unknown – and yet – Christ still died – sacrificing Himself for us so that we would not have to miss out on anything good in this life and the next.  He gave the best for us even though we were guilty.  Someone might have tried to rescue us, like this sister did her brother because he was innocent – but only God’s great love will do and go beyond the reasonable limits – to find out and seek us out long before we really know and understand.

And I’m grateful.  God loves me that much.  And He loves you that much too.

God Bless

English: Picture of Jason Scheff taken at Interlochen Center of the Arts, July 2003 Taken by Jennifer Wicker (KellysMom) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I LOVE 70′s music and bands. Chicago is one of my very favorite bands with their rich vocal and instrumental harmonies. However, this is a band that went well into the 80′s too and after the departure of Peter Cetera they still had many number one hits – like this one featuring new lead vocalist and bass player, Jason Scheff. I heard this on the radio the other morning and had to jot it down. I also love it because it came out in 1987 some 24 years ago – the same year that my daughter was born. I found this music video and wanted to share it with you – great song – great memories.

When was the last time you heard a song on the radio that really took you back?

Enjoy and God Bless

Take me as I am
Put your hand in mine
Now and forever
Darling here I stand
Stand before you now
Deep inside I always knew

It was you
You and me
Two hearts drawn together
Bound by destiny

It was you
And you for me
Every road leads to your door
Every step I take
Forever more

Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
’cause I can’t go on
No, I can’t go on
I can’t go on
If I’m on my own

Take me as I am
Put your heart in mine
Stay with me forever
‘Cause I am just a man
Who never understood
I never had a thing to prove

‘Till there was you
You and me
Then it all came clear so suddenly
How close to you that I wanna be

Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
‘Cause I can’t go on
No, I can’t go on
I can’t go on
If I’m on my own

Do you believe a love could run so stong?
Do you believe a love could pass you by?
There was no special one for me
I was the lovely one, you see
But then my heart lost all control
Now you’re all that I know

Just say you’ll love me for the rest of your life
I gotta lot of love and I don’t want to let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life?
‘Cause I can’t go on (I can’t go on)
No, I can’t go on
I can’t go on
If I’m on my own

I can’t go on (I can’t go on)
No, I can’t go on

‘Cause I can’t go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can’t go on (Just say you love me)
Can’t go on
Without somebody I can call my own

‘Cause I can’t go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can’t go on (Just say you love me)
(Stay around) Can’t go on

‘Cause I can’t go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can’t go on (Just say you love me)
Can’t go on
If you could say your love

‘Cause I can’t go on (Will you still love me?)
No, I can’t go on (Just say you love me)
(Stay around) Can’t go on
You’ll never be alone

1992

The other day I got a “blast from the past” as my daughter and son-in-law on a recent road trip to California sent pictures back to me from a life of ours 20 years ago when we lived in Fortuna. Greg was the pastor of a small church for 3 1/2 years, our daughter was 14 months old when we moved there – and our son was born there 3 years later. Consequently, we have many good memories of our time in that place. I think everyone would agree with me – the best times of your life are when your children are small – and it is no different for us, however the humble beginnings and places we’ve lived while raising them.

After visiting that town that Ashlee hardly remembers because she was only 4 years old when we moved away – she called me that night and said, “Mom – how did you live there?  There’s nothing there!”  So true – and yet – we were happy.  We did not have cell phones, computers or any way of social networking.  I went to the park with Ashlee and worked on crafts during the day.  A stress break for me back then was baking.  Life was incredibly simple as we lived in the parsonage right next to the church – so we hardly ever needed the car except to go to the store and on occasion to the mall in a nearby larger town.  Fortuna was small – with one or two grocery stores – but they did have a Papa Murphy’s pizza which was called “Murphy’s” back then.  And you should see the one story hospital where Shawn was born!  The town and circumstances did not dictate to us if we would be content and full of joy in our “job” – we simply were.  Home is and always has been where our heart is.  How fortunate for us in our many moves throughout our ministry life – that we have always rested and relied on that fact.  It doesn’t matter that our children are now grown-up and live away from our home – we established our family home many years ago with them – and they still remember and forever keep it in their hearts.

This song from the recent winner of American Idol, Phillip Phillips – says it all.  I wanted to share it with you today.

Enjoy and God Bless!

God Bless

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As far back as I can remember – laughter has always been a part of my life. Even today while relaying a very funny story to my husband as we were traveling to an appointment out of town – I was reminded that humor plays such an important role in relationships. Without it, our relationship over the years would have been much too serious, too dry and stale – as humor seems to work like a balm of soothing medicine – breaking down misunderstandings and helping us from becoming too inwardly focused.

I’m sitting in a crowded Starbucks this morning while writing this. I forgot my earphones which turns out to be a rather fatal flaw in my attempts to fully concentrate – as I am sitting rather close to another table where two young men are talking really loudly about scripture, the bible and what they are learning about both. Normally it would be a curious thing for me to observe and silently witness those around me as I am a captive audience in a small room with many people – even humorous if you will – but today as I try to write it does not seem very humorous. In fact – the more intent I am about keeping to myself – the more they seem to talk even louder – as if, somehow – they are trying to witness to me and everyone around us. Funny. I’m afraid to raise my head up from my keyboard – even though it would be amusing to stop, and look right at them and say, “You needn’t try so hard – it’s okay – I’m already in”

Life has so many of the humorous “moments”. Laughter breaks any tension in a room – between people and removes awkwardness in a second. My students are so funny and I have spent much time over the years in my music studio just laughing. Yesterday one of my teenage male students was there with his guitar practicing with me for an upcoming recital in a couple of weeks. He was telling me a funny story about his brother and I’m still giggling about it today!

Another side note – I have a portable case and keyboard for my iPad 2 that I am typing from. It is wireless and for the most part works. However, once in a while I will strike a key and I get it repeatingggggggggggggg like this. So frustrating – not sure what I’m doing wrong for it to have that function and it takes SO MUCH TIME to go back and keep correcting! Once the repeating letter seemed to have a mind of it’s own and went for 6 lines before stopping!! Yikes. Not a good feature. But you’ve got to admit – it’s funny.

Well that is my blog article today. Between the distractions of the two young men trying “get me saved” and my portable wireless keyboard – that’s all I’m good for today. Both these things will make a great story to tell Greg later – can’t wait

God Bless

God Bless

The Wind (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shadows are falling and I’m running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile

If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile

When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile

There’s a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sometimes when you’re doing simple things
around the house
Maybe you’ll think of me and smile

You know I’m tied to you like the buttons on
your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Engine driver’s headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile

These wheels keep turning but they’re running out
of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Keep me in your heart for awhile

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Flower (Photo credit: RedTail_Panther)

I believe that it is a choice to focus on living in the present – wherever I am – I want to be fully there.

When was the last time you had to get a hold of your thoughts and tell yourself to relax, focus and just be there?

God Bless