Saturday, November 25, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Praying The Names Of God by Ann Spangler: Elohim
I just started reading this book last week, and I thought during the weekends that I will blog about the past week's chapter. I like that it is laid out with something to read each day of the week, and then nothing on the weekend. It gives me time to ingest some more what I read - and to blog about it! :-)
This past week was about Elohim - God, Mighty Creator. At the very beginning, when everything was created God revealed Himself as Elohim, which is the plural form of El which is one of the oldest words used for divinity in the ancient world. The Hebrews actually borrowed it from the Canaanites, and so it can be used for pagan gods or for the one true God. Elohim is used in the Old Testament 10 times as much as El, and the reason is that the plural form better emphasizes the majesty of the one true God. I agree with Ann Spangler that it probably also hints at the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A lot of times it is paired with Yahweh (which I'll read about in chapter 6) and translated into English as "LORD God."
I have difficulty understanding people who look at the beauty of the Earth and proclaim that God doesn't exist, and that He didn't create it because it happened "all by itself." Puhh-leease! Just looking at the vibrant colors, the variety of plants and trees and animals, the different climates, the mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, and oceans is amazing!! And then, I think about Biology class and how delicate the balance of everything is, especially when thinking of human beings and what it takes for us to survive. A mile closer to the sun it would be too hot, and a mile further away from the sun it would be too cold. All of this points to Elohim - God who is the Creator, the God above all gods.
Since this is about praying the names of God, now I will type out a prayer, guided by the book and the questions in it, to pray to God who is Elohim.
Thank you, God, for creating this beautiful Earth. You are truly amazing, mighty, and awesome, and that is so evidenced by Your creation. Show me more of your Glory in all that You have created. You are also God who can give me everything that I need, and You know what I truly need. There are a lot of things I desire, like being married and less stress about money, but I desire the most to follow You and be in Your will. Help my desires to conform to Your desires. Thank you for all that You have already provided for me, and what You have already planned for me to have in my life. I pray that I can use it all for Your honor and glory. You are the God of yesterday, today, and forever, and You truly do not change. I can always trust You, always depend on You, and always lean on You. Thank You for being my Rock, and my Firm Foundation. You are also the God who has promised to bless His children, and You have a plan for my life. You will not fail to accomplish not only Your purpose for me, but Your purpose for the whole Earth. Help me to look for Your face, and to have the courage to walk towards Your dream for me which will further Your Kingdom. Thank You for loving me, and giving Your Son to pay for my sins and allow me to be in Your presence. Hallelujah! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now I will close with a song that this study of Elohim brought to mind, and played over and over in my mind. Hopefully this will not break copyright laws to post the lyrics. Go out and by the CD with this song, it is GREAT!! I haven't signed up for the nifty thing to be able to link that to a place where you can buy it, but I think most people have heard of places like Amazon.com and such. I actually would rather you buy from CBD (Christian Book Distributors) or from your local Christian bookstore.
Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching
Everlasting God
The years go by but You're unchanging
Is this fragile world
You are the only firm foundation
Always loving always true
Always merciful and good
So good
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are the same, You never change.
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You.
We will trust in You.
Uncreated One
You have no end and no beginning
Earthly powers fade
But there is no end to Your kingdom
Always loving always true
Always merciful and good
So good
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are the same, You never change.
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You.
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
In You
Yahweh God unchanging
Yahweh firm foundation
Yahweh God unchanging
Yahweh firm foundation
Yesterday today, and forever
You are the same You never change
Yesterday today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
Faithful God
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
Faithful God
This past week was about Elohim - God, Mighty Creator. At the very beginning, when everything was created God revealed Himself as Elohim, which is the plural form of El which is one of the oldest words used for divinity in the ancient world. The Hebrews actually borrowed it from the Canaanites, and so it can be used for pagan gods or for the one true God. Elohim is used in the Old Testament 10 times as much as El, and the reason is that the plural form better emphasizes the majesty of the one true God. I agree with Ann Spangler that it probably also hints at the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A lot of times it is paired with Yahweh (which I'll read about in chapter 6) and translated into English as "LORD God."
I have difficulty understanding people who look at the beauty of the Earth and proclaim that God doesn't exist, and that He didn't create it because it happened "all by itself." Puhh-leease! Just looking at the vibrant colors, the variety of plants and trees and animals, the different climates, the mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, and oceans is amazing!! And then, I think about Biology class and how delicate the balance of everything is, especially when thinking of human beings and what it takes for us to survive. A mile closer to the sun it would be too hot, and a mile further away from the sun it would be too cold. All of this points to Elohim - God who is the Creator, the God above all gods.
Since this is about praying the names of God, now I will type out a prayer, guided by the book and the questions in it, to pray to God who is Elohim.
Thank you, God, for creating this beautiful Earth. You are truly amazing, mighty, and awesome, and that is so evidenced by Your creation. Show me more of your Glory in all that You have created. You are also God who can give me everything that I need, and You know what I truly need. There are a lot of things I desire, like being married and less stress about money, but I desire the most to follow You and be in Your will. Help my desires to conform to Your desires. Thank you for all that You have already provided for me, and what You have already planned for me to have in my life. I pray that I can use it all for Your honor and glory. You are the God of yesterday, today, and forever, and You truly do not change. I can always trust You, always depend on You, and always lean on You. Thank You for being my Rock, and my Firm Foundation. You are also the God who has promised to bless His children, and You have a plan for my life. You will not fail to accomplish not only Your purpose for me, but Your purpose for the whole Earth. Help me to look for Your face, and to have the courage to walk towards Your dream for me which will further Your Kingdom. Thank You for loving me, and giving Your Son to pay for my sins and allow me to be in Your presence. Hallelujah! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now I will close with a song that this study of Elohim brought to mind, and played over and over in my mind. Hopefully this will not break copyright laws to post the lyrics. Go out and by the CD with this song, it is GREAT!! I haven't signed up for the nifty thing to be able to link that to a place where you can buy it, but I think most people have heard of places like Amazon.com and such. I actually would rather you buy from CBD (Christian Book Distributors) or from your local Christian bookstore.
Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching
Everlasting God
The years go by but You're unchanging
Is this fragile world
You are the only firm foundation
Always loving always true
Always merciful and good
So good
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are the same, You never change.
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You.
We will trust in You.
Uncreated One
You have no end and no beginning
Earthly powers fade
But there is no end to Your kingdom
Always loving always true
Always merciful and good
So good
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are the same, You never change.
Yesterday, today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You.
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
In You
Yahweh God unchanging
Yahweh firm foundation
Yahweh God unchanging
Yahweh firm foundation
Yesterday today, and forever
You are the same You never change
Yesterday today, and forever
You are faithful and we will trust in You
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
Faithful God
We will trust in You
We will trust in You
Faithful God
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The gospel in a nutshell
I got Chris Tomlin's new CD today (as if I would wait!)...and I am totally blown away by the chorus he wrote with Louie Giglio to go with "Amazing Grace". I'm having a hard time not breaking down right here at work, I can't wait to listen to it in the car LOUDLY. As if "Amazing Grace" all by itself isn't powerful enough...
"My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace"
--copyright 2006 Sixsteps Music
"My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace"
--copyright 2006 Sixsteps Music
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
THE THREE TREES
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest.
People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree, the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenter, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in him, God will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
--Author Unknown
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest.
People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree, the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenter, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in him, God will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
--Author Unknown
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
The next big step
Beside Still Waters Ministries
Leading worship for retreats/conferences/seminars and concert-style special worship events, serving as a "substitute" for church musicians who need some time off or a church in transition while trying to fill an open position, serving as a peacemaker for churches whose musical groups are in conflict and disunity, and offering consultation and assistance for churches who feel led to begin to transition to or add some "contemporary" worship music to their services. God has gifted me to be able to play in a variety of styles on the piano, to also sing and play the guitar, and to adapt to most any situation. This is His Dream that He wants me to follow.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
This week: Aldersgate Conference
I guess I should stop saying "I'm going to post [day/week] about whatever..." because the reality of my life is that it may or may not happen. :-/ The seminars I went to at Ichthus and Alive are still cooking in my brain, and I don't want to post about it until I process it further.
This week I'm going to the Aldersgate Conference on the Holy Spirit. Aldersgate is a ministry connected to the United Methodist Church, for the spiritual renewal of the UMC. This will be my 4th year, I think...no, my 5th year going to it, and it is always a HUGE blessing. I warned the church where I'm currently attending that I may be a pretty on-fire and outward in my worship for a few weeks afterwards. :-) I'd rather be that way all the time, but this is a very traditional quiet church and it would be overwhelming to them.
Last year was an awesome conference - I got to sing in the worship team, and I was so on fire it took until I got laid off to simmer down some. What has bothered me a lot lately is that despite my best efforts to keep from getting down, getting laid off from the church has really hurt my walk with the Lord. It isn't that I don't trust Him, it is that not only does the future look really blurry, so does the present. I wish I could understand what is going on -- I know, I know, our ways are not His ways, and there is no way I could understand God's plan. I'm just tired and frustrated that at the end of a year that for the first time I truly felt like I was totally focused on Him and being obedient to His will, the wheels came off and now I feel like I'm lost.
I'll keep trusting that He will work it all out, and that He will give me my heart's desires.
This week I'm going to the Aldersgate Conference on the Holy Spirit. Aldersgate is a ministry connected to the United Methodist Church, for the spiritual renewal of the UMC. This will be my 4th year, I think...no, my 5th year going to it, and it is always a HUGE blessing. I warned the church where I'm currently attending that I may be a pretty on-fire and outward in my worship for a few weeks afterwards. :-) I'd rather be that way all the time, but this is a very traditional quiet church and it would be overwhelming to them.
Last year was an awesome conference - I got to sing in the worship team, and I was so on fire it took until I got laid off to simmer down some. What has bothered me a lot lately is that despite my best efforts to keep from getting down, getting laid off from the church has really hurt my walk with the Lord. It isn't that I don't trust Him, it is that not only does the future look really blurry, so does the present. I wish I could understand what is going on -- I know, I know, our ways are not His ways, and there is no way I could understand God's plan. I'm just tired and frustrated that at the end of a year that for the first time I truly felt like I was totally focused on Him and being obedient to His will, the wheels came off and now I feel like I'm lost.
I'll keep trusting that He will work it all out, and that He will give me my heart's desires.
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Alive Festival
Well, if you didn't see on the news last weekend, the Alive Festival had some adversity with the weather but pulled of a great success!! Because the tent I borrowed leaked, and blew down partially one day, I slept in my car all but the first night. Boy, am I glad that my Escape is as big as it is! However, it took me all week to recover from the lack of sleep - actually I'm still working on it. :-) I feel bad for all the people who were going to go to CreationFest this week, and didn't get to.
Alive, though, was truly a blessing and spiritually uplifting. I'll be posting about some of the seminars I went to at both Ichthus and Alive in the coming week. I also have some more pics from Ichthus, but sadly, all of the pictures I took at Alive disappeared before I got them onto my computer. My digital camera is a little one that to change the batteries you have to take out this screw, and last time I put in new batteries I didn't put the screw back in so I'm assuming that the batteries got loose enough that they lost the pictures. :-( I had great ones of Paul Baloche, Desperation Band, and Parachute Band.
Ah, well, that is the way it goes.
Alive, though, was truly a blessing and spiritually uplifting. I'll be posting about some of the seminars I went to at both Ichthus and Alive in the coming week. I also have some more pics from Ichthus, but sadly, all of the pictures I took at Alive disappeared before I got them onto my computer. My digital camera is a little one that to change the batteries you have to take out this screw, and last time I put in new batteries I didn't put the screw back in so I'm assuming that the batteries got loose enough that they lost the pictures. :-( I had great ones of Paul Baloche, Desperation Band, and Parachute Band.
Ah, well, that is the way it goes.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
No posts until Sunday
I may get a quick post up tomorrow, but I'm leaving straight from work tomorrow to go up to Twinsburg and get my gear with the set-up crew and then staying at a friend's house for the night. Then, on Thursday I'm BOUND FOR ICHTHUS!!! YAY!!
Needless to say I won't be posting until Sunday since I'll be camping in a tent out in the middle of a field in Kentucky. Though I shoulda asked Dave about whether he has enough electricity for a laptop! LOL You scoff, but we have fluorescent lights and an oven (yes, a REAL oven for baking cookies and heating garlic bread) in our campsite. Oh, the wonders of car batteries and an electrical engineer for a youth group leader. He is truly the man.
Anyways, I will post about my weekend once I get back and I'm quite sure it will be entertaining and inciteful. I'm taking my el-cheapo digital camera, too, so I may have pics, too!! Pray for our travels, and that the weather report I saw yesterday holds (80 degrees and sunny the whole weekend).
Oh, by the way, thanks for the prayers about Alive. I got a call today that they do need me to sell tickets, so I get to go! YAY! I really must be nuts - not only do I want to camp in a tent an additional 5 nights after the 4 day extravaganza I'm going to this weekend, along with the potential mudfest that Alive often becomes, but I'm actually willing to WORK in order to go! What we musicians suffer through just to catch our heroes in action.
Blessings!
Needless to say I won't be posting until Sunday since I'll be camping in a tent out in the middle of a field in Kentucky. Though I shoulda asked Dave about whether he has enough electricity for a laptop! LOL You scoff, but we have fluorescent lights and an oven (yes, a REAL oven for baking cookies and heating garlic bread) in our campsite. Oh, the wonders of car batteries and an electrical engineer for a youth group leader. He is truly the man.
Anyways, I will post about my weekend once I get back and I'm quite sure it will be entertaining and inciteful. I'm taking my el-cheapo digital camera, too, so I may have pics, too!! Pray for our travels, and that the weather report I saw yesterday holds (80 degrees and sunny the whole weekend).
Oh, by the way, thanks for the prayers about Alive. I got a call today that they do need me to sell tickets, so I get to go! YAY! I really must be nuts - not only do I want to camp in a tent an additional 5 nights after the 4 day extravaganza I'm going to this weekend, along with the potential mudfest that Alive often becomes, but I'm actually willing to WORK in order to go! What we musicians suffer through just to catch our heroes in action.
Blessings!
Monday, June 12, 2006
formatting in Internet Explorer
Okay, I did try to fix the problems I created when I put in my own header into the template, and it looks fantastic in Netscape, but still terrible in IE. For some silly reason that is beyond my understanding, it has the border on the right side too far over and makes it look like the middle posting section is off-centered.
Microsoft - what else do I need to say? If anyone wants a better browser, go get for FREE Netscape or Mozilla. I recently downloaded Mozilla, but I haven't really tried it out - it looks like it is basically the same as Netscape so I may not switch over to it.
Anyways, if it looks funny on your browser, I'm sorry. I can't fix it.
:-)
Microsoft - what else do I need to say? If anyone wants a better browser, go get for FREE Netscape or Mozilla. I recently downloaded Mozilla, but I haven't really tried it out - it looks like it is basically the same as Netscape so I may not switch over to it.
Anyways, if it looks funny on your browser, I'm sorry. I can't fix it.
:-)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Vacation
Here is where I'll be next weekend!!
and here is where I'll be the week after - I must be crazy!!! Actually, I hope I'll be at this. I can't afford the ticket along with silly things like food, so I signed up to volunteer to sell tickets or whatever so that I get a free ticket. I haven't heard back from them yet, so pray that I get to go!!
Great music, great speakers, and even better fellowship! I can't wait!!!
and here is where I'll be the week after - I must be crazy!!! Actually, I hope I'll be at this. I can't afford the ticket along with silly things like food, so I signed up to volunteer to sell tickets or whatever so that I get a free ticket. I haven't heard back from them yet, so pray that I get to go!!
Great music, great speakers, and even better fellowship! I can't wait!!!
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Changes to blog
I don't think anybody is reading this yet, but just as a point of note for the future - major changes today to the look of the blog!! I had so much fun making the header (and there will be other different ones as the mood strikes me) and I've learned so much about Paint Shop Pro and how to do some of this stuff.
Now, I must confess that I did not take the photograph that I used for the header(s). I'm not quite that good a photographer - one can only have so many hobbies! The bummer is that I would give credit to whoever did take it, except that I don't know. I had a bunch of pictures that I downloaded a LONG time ago to be desktop backgrounds, and I don't remember where I got them from. I do remember that it was from a free website - so please don't think that I failed to pay for them, they were offered for free. I'm very careful about that, because I understand the need to pay when it is requested - after all, I'm a musician and I do expect to get paid when I play for a wedding or some other concert/occasion unless it is a friend and I offer to do it for free. I'm offering some music I arranged and recorded for free, so I know how that goes.
Anyways, I'm way excited about how it is looking. Except somehow I screwed up the side bar and it's margins. Hmmmm....I'll have to figure out what I did wrong and fix it. Html, XML, and CSS is really confusing!!! This is especially for someone who only knows basic HTML - just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to know how to do it totally correctly!! Oh well, I'll get better as I do more, and as I create my full website. ;-) Yes, in case you didn't catch that, I will have a full website, eventually, but I'm not going to put it out in cyberspace until I have a good deal of it done. I hate going to places and click on stuff expecting to see/get whatever the label says, and then it opens a page that says "coming soon". AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! It is a major tease!
Well, toodles all. 3 posts in 3 days...woh, someone might actually start thinking that I like writing, which I actually do not! LOL
Now, I must confess that I did not take the photograph that I used for the header(s). I'm not quite that good a photographer - one can only have so many hobbies! The bummer is that I would give credit to whoever did take it, except that I don't know. I had a bunch of pictures that I downloaded a LONG time ago to be desktop backgrounds, and I don't remember where I got them from. I do remember that it was from a free website - so please don't think that I failed to pay for them, they were offered for free. I'm very careful about that, because I understand the need to pay when it is requested - after all, I'm a musician and I do expect to get paid when I play for a wedding or some other concert/occasion unless it is a friend and I offer to do it for free. I'm offering some music I arranged and recorded for free, so I know how that goes.
Anyways, I'm way excited about how it is looking. Except somehow I screwed up the side bar and it's margins. Hmmmm....I'll have to figure out what I did wrong and fix it. Html, XML, and CSS is really confusing!!! This is especially for someone who only knows basic HTML - just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to know how to do it totally correctly!! Oh well, I'll get better as I do more, and as I create my full website. ;-) Yes, in case you didn't catch that, I will have a full website, eventually, but I'm not going to put it out in cyberspace until I have a good deal of it done. I hate going to places and click on stuff expecting to see/get whatever the label says, and then it opens a page that says "coming soon". AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! It is a major tease!
Well, toodles all. 3 posts in 3 days...woh, someone might actually start thinking that I like writing, which I actually do not! LOL
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Beauty
Today I had my bible study with other singles at The Chapel here in Akron, and we are studying Captivating by John and Staci Eldredge. We're on Chapter 2, "What Eve alone can tell" and man, did it ever speak to me. One of the main things is the realization that I AM BEAUTIFUL!! I know that probably sounds silly to a lot of people, but I've just never even thought that about myself. I'm still having a hard time believing it 100%, but God is working on it! :-)
The other thing I realized is that my love for creating music that is beautiful comes from the desire to share in God's beauty. He made this Earth so amazingly beautiful, with birds that sing His praises and waters that rush with the sound of His thunder. I like all kinds of music, but I have always been especially good at playing on the piano the slow, pretty pieces of music. I like the fast, peppy ones, too, but I feel like I can really be expressive with the ones that have beautiful melodies and phrases. Same with singing, and I think I sing the slow ones better, too.
Well, I'd like to talk about beauty more, but I need to get my (ahem) beauty sleep! LOL
The other thing I realized is that my love for creating music that is beautiful comes from the desire to share in God's beauty. He made this Earth so amazingly beautiful, with birds that sing His praises and waters that rush with the sound of His thunder. I like all kinds of music, but I have always been especially good at playing on the piano the slow, pretty pieces of music. I like the fast, peppy ones, too, but I feel like I can really be expressive with the ones that have beautiful melodies and phrases. Same with singing, and I think I sing the slow ones better, too.
Well, I'd like to talk about beauty more, but I need to get my (ahem) beauty sleep! LOL
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Worship
St. Francis of Assisi is often quoted to have said, "Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words." I'd like to expand that to a different level - Worship God, if necessary use words.
There is a lot of criticism I've read on other blogs about "contemplative spirituality" and the Emerging movement. One thing we all have to realize is that each of us is different, and therefore we experience God differently. For some people they feel that they can pray best with quiet solitude or quiet music, others feel that they need to be in a church or outside in nature, and still others feel closest to God when they are exuberantly praising God with loud noise or music. I do not think that God gave us free will so that when we become Christians that we all then suddenly become robots and all have to approach him in the same way. We all need to stop criticizing other believers just because they don't "do church" the same way we prefer to.
BUT - don't jump to conclusions here! The "way to God" is truly limited to one way - through Christ Jesus and receiving him into our hearts. I may be a little "postmodern" in my belief that there is no one "correct" denomination or worship style - they are all equal in God's eyes, all valued and cherished when His children are honestly lifting their worship up to Him. I get so tired of the "worship wars" and the back-biting we do to each other, to our own brothers and sisters in Christ! However, I am not so "postmodern" as to believe that any religion is a way to get to God - that is just plain and simply wrong according to the Bible. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The basics of Christian belief are consistent and plain, and they are the most important thing we need to use as a filter when we fellowship and worship with other Believers.
I have played the piano since I five years old, and I love to sing. I love to listen to music that has a vocalist singing words, and instrumental music with no words. Both have a time and place in my personal worship time. Both feed my soul. God is The Creator gave us creativity, and for me that means that I create through the music that I play or sing. A friend recently said that I pray through my piano playing. I had never thought about it that way before, but I realized that she is right.
So, when you pray, be willing to open your mind and heart to a new way of connecting with God.
There is a lot of criticism I've read on other blogs about "contemplative spirituality" and the Emerging movement. One thing we all have to realize is that each of us is different, and therefore we experience God differently. For some people they feel that they can pray best with quiet solitude or quiet music, others feel that they need to be in a church or outside in nature, and still others feel closest to God when they are exuberantly praising God with loud noise or music. I do not think that God gave us free will so that when we become Christians that we all then suddenly become robots and all have to approach him in the same way. We all need to stop criticizing other believers just because they don't "do church" the same way we prefer to.
BUT - don't jump to conclusions here! The "way to God" is truly limited to one way - through Christ Jesus and receiving him into our hearts. I may be a little "postmodern" in my belief that there is no one "correct" denomination or worship style - they are all equal in God's eyes, all valued and cherished when His children are honestly lifting their worship up to Him. I get so tired of the "worship wars" and the back-biting we do to each other, to our own brothers and sisters in Christ! However, I am not so "postmodern" as to believe that any religion is a way to get to God - that is just plain and simply wrong according to the Bible. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The basics of Christian belief are consistent and plain, and they are the most important thing we need to use as a filter when we fellowship and worship with other Believers.
I have played the piano since I five years old, and I love to sing. I love to listen to music that has a vocalist singing words, and instrumental music with no words. Both have a time and place in my personal worship time. Both feed my soul. God is The Creator gave us creativity, and for me that means that I create through the music that I play or sing. A friend recently said that I pray through my piano playing. I had never thought about it that way before, but I realized that she is right.
So, when you pray, be willing to open your mind and heart to a new way of connecting with God.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Graced again quote
I got this today in a weekly e-mail devo I get called Graced Again. Powerful.
“We delight to walk with our Lord down the path of life because through our repentance we have understood how altogether lovely He is. Our obedience is not the foundation or condition of God’s receiving our repentance; it is the natural outflow of a heart that has experienced His grace. Our new willingness to follow Christ helps reassure us that we have experienced the transforming power of grace. Our delight in walking with Him validates love for Him in our hearts even amid remorse for sin against Him. Thus, though there may be many stumbles and setbacks along the path, true repentance leads naturally to new obedience.” Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace
“We delight to walk with our Lord down the path of life because through our repentance we have understood how altogether lovely He is. Our obedience is not the foundation or condition of God’s receiving our repentance; it is the natural outflow of a heart that has experienced His grace. Our new willingness to follow Christ helps reassure us that we have experienced the transforming power of grace. Our delight in walking with Him validates love for Him in our hearts even amid remorse for sin against Him. Thus, though there may be many stumbles and setbacks along the path, true repentance leads naturally to new obedience.” Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace
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