Singin' and swingin'
and getting merry like Christmas;
I'm getting the hang
of this praisin' thang...
Glory surrounds me
as the song in my heart grows;
carving out nooks for the Spirit
...and washing my spirit
in mercy and grace...
Singin' and swingin'
as a statement of faith;
as I am caught between the now
...and the "not yet" that I am so longing for...
Monday, March 17, 2008
It is Monday again.
I haven't figured out how to change the date on that last post. Suffice it to say, I did not post it on March 4. Bear with me as I try to figure out how to fix that snafu.
Joy,
Lynne
Joy,
Lynne
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Mixing Colors
My daughter has been experimenting with her creative side. Her mediums include crayons, food coloring, and poster paints. Her face is the canvas at times; as she creates new designs on her face, the floor, and the table. She is learning about mixing colors, too. Yesterday, she was experimenting with a kelly green and a stark white. It was a delightful color. I noticed as I started trying to get it out of her bedroom rug.
I think life is much like that rug, in a way. The colors that we have to work with separate and combine as expressions of who we are on any given day. The intensity of the hues varies to the degree that we let light in to either soften the color or keep the intensity strong. Our colors throw shadows and paint either joy or doors that shut out light for a while.
I have always loved the color of royal blue. The intensity and the impression of vibrancy have drawn me as a mosquito to a bug zapper. I could get lost in that color for weeks and not miss the outside world. I need other colors, though. The darker colors add important accents to my life; breaking up the luxurious color experience of the blues and the greens.
My prayer for you is to enjoy the colors you have on your palette today. Make your own music and rejoice in the day that the Lord has given to you.
Have a cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven...
Lynne
I think life is much like that rug, in a way. The colors that we have to work with separate and combine as expressions of who we are on any given day. The intensity of the hues varies to the degree that we let light in to either soften the color or keep the intensity strong. Our colors throw shadows and paint either joy or doors that shut out light for a while.
I have always loved the color of royal blue. The intensity and the impression of vibrancy have drawn me as a mosquito to a bug zapper. I could get lost in that color for weeks and not miss the outside world. I need other colors, though. The darker colors add important accents to my life; breaking up the luxurious color experience of the blues and the greens.
My prayer for you is to enjoy the colors you have on your palette today. Make your own music and rejoice in the day that the Lord has given to you.
Have a cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven...
Lynne
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Choosing Joy
I was listening to a woman on a talk show speak of the power of praising God regardless of circumstance. She went so far as to say that she would respond to an inquiry about how she was doing with a "choosing joy" response. I had recalled the verse that compells us to "choose life", and how our choices add up to either the abundant life or something far less than we were meant to experience. The phrase seemed to make sense. I have been thinking about that choice of joy on and off this week. Yes, I have been "brewing" something in response to that phrase. It will not release me from its' grasp. I figure that I am either just obsessing as a result of a personality quirk or the Lord is really trying to get my attention.
On the way to choosing joy this week, I got stuck here and there on the daily potholes and the overall picture of my life as I see it. Eventually, I started dodging the potholes and refocusing on the Lord. I may have to go back to a few of those potholes and fill them in as a part of being a responsible adult. In the midst of those responsibilities, challenges, and mountain shadows I long to praise Him with a single-minded heart. Regardless of the circumstance I find myself in, He is the Alpha and the Omega. This temporal struggle of life will be a small blip on the screen of eternity. Perspective is powerful; and when powered by faith it is a glorious propellant towards the abundant life.
My prayer today is that we will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to refocus our energies towards that powerful instrument of praise. He is worthy regardless of the view we get from the vantage point of our scratched lenses. His sacrifice and grace enable us to overcome the struggles of walking this earth in our clay packages.
Cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven to you...
Lynne
On the way to choosing joy this week, I got stuck here and there on the daily potholes and the overall picture of my life as I see it. Eventually, I started dodging the potholes and refocusing on the Lord. I may have to go back to a few of those potholes and fill them in as a part of being a responsible adult. In the midst of those responsibilities, challenges, and mountain shadows I long to praise Him with a single-minded heart. Regardless of the circumstance I find myself in, He is the Alpha and the Omega. This temporal struggle of life will be a small blip on the screen of eternity. Perspective is powerful; and when powered by faith it is a glorious propellant towards the abundant life.
My prayer today is that we will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to refocus our energies towards that powerful instrument of praise. He is worthy regardless of the view we get from the vantage point of our scratched lenses. His sacrifice and grace enable us to overcome the struggles of walking this earth in our clay packages.
Cup o'joy
and a fresh taste of the bread of heaven to you...
Lynne
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Attitude
I have discovered a patch of unloveliness in the pattern of my days this week. It is fair to say that I have been "in touch with my inner...witch...". It has not been either edifying or lovely by any stretch of thought. I have apologized as I have had opportunity, but I still feel as if I am wearing mud on my face. The dirt on my countenance has felt heavy and has thrown a pattern of heavy earth over me. My imagination paints such a picture of human weakness that I am squirming in my skin.
In describing my attitude as unlovely, I have been generous to myself. Irritations have built up and nettled my spirit to set a depth charge to the molten lava within me. Yes, I have been ready to fight and contend with any presented threat to my comfort zone. I've rationalized my attitude to the point where I label it as "crabby". I doubt that Jesus sees it in such frivolous lighting.
The good news about my attitude is that the Lord can change it around and actually use it for good. How? I can't see that far right now; but I know that He forgives and restores as a matter of routine; imparting grace to the human heart that earnestly seeks Him.
I pray to be restored to the joy of the Lord at His earliest convenience. His desire is that I be a blessing to those around me. He knows that I cannot do that in my own strength; and longs to come alongside and within to breathe new life into my frame and spirit. He is always faithful. I only have the longing to be half as loyal to Him as I trod along in this earthsuit. The meeting of the two camps is set to converge at a divinely appointed time.
My prayer is that the appointment is scheduled and attended by both parties before any festering occurs. The inner closet needs some cleaning. I say Spring cleaning takes place now. The abundant life calls for nothing less.
Joy to you,
Lynne
In describing my attitude as unlovely, I have been generous to myself. Irritations have built up and nettled my spirit to set a depth charge to the molten lava within me. Yes, I have been ready to fight and contend with any presented threat to my comfort zone. I've rationalized my attitude to the point where I label it as "crabby". I doubt that Jesus sees it in such frivolous lighting.
The good news about my attitude is that the Lord can change it around and actually use it for good. How? I can't see that far right now; but I know that He forgives and restores as a matter of routine; imparting grace to the human heart that earnestly seeks Him.
I pray to be restored to the joy of the Lord at His earliest convenience. His desire is that I be a blessing to those around me. He knows that I cannot do that in my own strength; and longs to come alongside and within to breathe new life into my frame and spirit. He is always faithful. I only have the longing to be half as loyal to Him as I trod along in this earthsuit. The meeting of the two camps is set to converge at a divinely appointed time.
My prayer is that the appointment is scheduled and attended by both parties before any festering occurs. The inner closet needs some cleaning. I say Spring cleaning takes place now. The abundant life calls for nothing less.
Joy to you,
Lynne
Saturday, February 16, 2008
He Is My Joy
He is my joy in the morning;
showing me the love that endures
in ways my speech cannot convey to mortal ear.
He is my joy through my day's journey;
sustaining the breath within me
by the grace and mercy flowing from the cross.
He quiets me with His love as I lay down upon my bed;
dispelling the fear that looms to steal His joy from my grasp,
and singing His love song to me as I dream of the vineyards.
showing me the love that endures
in ways my speech cannot convey to mortal ear.
He is my joy through my day's journey;
sustaining the breath within me
by the grace and mercy flowing from the cross.
He quiets me with His love as I lay down upon my bed;
dispelling the fear that looms to steal His joy from my grasp,
and singing His love song to me as I dream of the vineyards.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Greetings!
I was feeling a bit on the talkative side tonight, and I posted two pieces of mental deposits below this one. I hope there is something that the Lord will use to quicken, soothe, cheer, or bolster you in the coming days.
Joy to you,
Lynne
Joy to you,
Lynne
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