Olivia Newton John

It's been a long time since the 80's and I certainly don't claim to have the vocal range or acrobatics that I did back then...but with that being said, I have had the best bit of nostalgia tonight. Singing these songs were so satisfying. Healing you might say.

Olivia Newton John has a concert on YouTube that is My Jam! My songs to sing. 80's style.

And while I was singing down memory lane I discovered something. These songs that were so vocally satisfying to sing and dance to, were also very meaningful to me at the time of my young adulthood.

I think I can give all three of my children their own Olivia Newton John song ... from me. Here goes:

For Holly: "Falling"

For Ivy: "Silvery Rain" 

For Sam: "Sam" 

Why I chose these songs. Well, I think they will know.

Jesus in the Grocery Store

I'm sharing this. Goodness.

While standing in the line at the grocery store I read the message on the woman's shirt in front of me. It was written on the back of her t-shirt. The man in front of her could not see it. It read "You may be the only 'Jesus' some people see".

This made me smile.... to think that someone has a shirt like that, wore it, and probably because they wore it and had it, also believed it and made it happen. We are a reflection of Him.

And then to my delight, the man in front of her turned around and offered for her to go in front of him. He had a full cart, and she had just one item in her hand to purchase. The smile on his face as he offered was sunshine. I smiled because it was a reflection of the shirt on her back. He offered, she declined politely, he offered again, she declined politely.

Now, me.... he looked at me and said "Will you go ahead? Please be my guest." I laughed and shared my findings of sentiment and what I was currently witnessing. Exactly as Jesus planned. Exactly how we are to treat each other. I responded by saying, "Yes! if that is what you want, I would be happy to go ahead and relieve my arms, full of groceries. Thank you!"

As I was checking out, the man emptied his cart and proceeded to the cashier too. I joyfully said to her, "Please be good to this man, he is kind". His responding smile and joking instinct was quick to reply, "Not me....I'm not that nice." My response?

Thank you JESUS!

waiting.....

I'm waiting today...like yesterday...like the day before....

It can be difficult. I'm waiting to hear some news that will catapult me into the next phase of my life.
I am waiting to hear about a job that will cause me to make a move to a new town. Currently I am in a temporary state, not in a home of my own. But, still welcome, and with family.

I am so very blessed to be in the place I am. No complaints. Just waiting to hear.

It sounds selfish I guess. There  are so many people who don't have a warm and dry place to do their waiting. I'm blessed yes I am.

Jeremiah 29:11

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Praise God in all that I do, say and think.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.

Lord, make me a worthy candidate for this call to serve You.

Make it Easy!

I'm sitting at Starbucks and listening to the lyrics of a song :
"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy".
I'm not particularly fond of the other lyrics to this song but this phrase just caught my ear.

Lyricists are amazing communicators.
It's very difficult I'm sure to open your heart up so everyone on the planet can look inside you and know what you are feeling at the time you are writing the song.

I've heard that the Bee Gees write the music to a song first and then let the music dictate the lyrics. It just comes to them because of the way the melody moves. That has always fascinated me.

I'm going to try it....really....how many times have I said that?
I'm a church musician so it should be easy...right? I sing and play worship songs.
Glory to God. Praise and worship Him. Jesus saves. I love the Lord with all my heart.

If I were to write a song I would try this method:

Pray to God that He speaks to me in this moment
Open the Good book (bible)
Read the Word and know what it means
Say or sing it in a rythm
Re-write and Re-word
Let it settle
Record it

Make it Easy!

I'll let you know how it turns out......... :)

Silence

Let's just say that God is good all the time.

Because I believe that to be true with all my heart, I constantly look to find the words to comfort my friends, family, strangers or anyone who has lost a child.

In my own life, no matter how tough it gets I am able to make sense of the way God is working for my good. It's not always happy circumstances and is sometimes hard to swallow, but still I've reached a point in my Christian maturity to know that He has a plan for my good. The Light (Jesus) at the end of the tunnel is eternal life with Him, my family in Him and joy everlasting. But how to put that into words for immediate comfort to someone who has lost a child I don't know. Maybe it's ok to be silent. Maybe I have to allow silence in Him to do the work. It's always the wise one in the room who sits in silence.

Wisdom isn't for us to have. Wisdom is for us to use. It is a gift that God displays through us.
If I'm so lucky to have it, I am humbled and wish to use it wisely.

Here we will sit in silence to appreciate God's glory in all that is, even the children who have gone early to see Him.

"I MUST SAY!"

Well, hello. Peace, joy and love to you. It's been since March of 2013 since I last posted. I purposely did not read my past posts so that I wouldn't be influenced by them. But today I am drawn to write. I think partly because of the current government state, but also my own personal state. Here goes...

What I am is a person who likes structure and good order. I learned that as a child growing up in the home of a military father. He passively led us into good order by making it seem like any task was for the good of the cause. Like doing the dishes or weeding the garden. If you don't do it now, then tomorrow there will be more dishes to do or there will be more weeds to pull....the grass will still be there but only longer if you don't mow it...etc. Passing the chore on to the other siblings wasn't an option because they had their own work to do. So responsibility was big in my house. Do it. Just do it. Don't complain, don't put it off, just do it.

As a child the "just do it" philosophy was easy because there would be a consequence at the end if the job wasn't done. As an adult, however it's more difficult. WHY? My dad is gone to live with Jesus and my mom who was the enforcer is also there with him. I'm on my own....my own accord....my own thoughts and my own excuses. My tasks have changed now that I'm an adult. I'm no longer talking about the chore type tasks...those I have a handle on...but the task of making decisions that will effect my life. That's it.

I'm in discernment. I'm in decision making mode. I absolutely know and accept that God is in charge. But me, as a preparer and plan B'er to cover all the bases person, I have to explore all the options. Here we go...I realize as a Christ follower and Child of God that no matter how much I prepare and no matter how much I explore my options, God is in charge. I also know through many experiences that God has a sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it on me. LOL!

So there. I just talked myself into letting go. Let Go and Let God!

Pray for me bloggers. Pray that when God speaks, I am ready to listen and accept.
And I will pray for you.

Here I Am

Here I am.
I knew I would be here. This is where I would find myself.
I knew it a long, long time ago. And yet, I just found out.
This is where I should be. Meant to be. Will be.
I am here.
Here I am.