Thoughts on Love

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

-St. Augustine

Newborn's Conversation With God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.

And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,

"God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, Mom."

Don't Let it Fool You

Last night I completed chapter 7 of So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore. The chapter entitled "Don't Let it Fool You" contains the stories of women who have been fooled by insecurity.  I ran across another passage that really hit home with me that I wanted to share with you. 

"God Himself formed human emotions.  He knows how easily the heart can be broken.  The mind can be marred.  He knows life hurts ... because people hurt ... and then hurt people.  He also knows the resilience with which He made us and the innate capacity within each one of us to be restored.  Remade.  He knows we are capable of loving even when we feel unloved because He loves us enough to cover those who don't.  He knows we are not nearly as fragile as we think we are, but we will act like who we believe ourselves to be.  He knows we have the capacity to be astoundingly extraordinary, and not just in spite of where we've been, but because of it.

God knows we're insecure.  But we do not need to be.  And He will not leave well enough alone.  He has enough security for both of us, and for those of us who call Christ Savior, He slipped His own secure Spirit within our simple jars of clay.  It is in you to be secure, dear one.  Do you hear what I'm saying to you?  You have it in you."

Aly Mac

Seeking Satisfaction

A friend recently shared this photo with me.  The quality of it greatly impressed me because it looked like a picture postcard or a photo taken right out of a magazine. 

There is something about such a natural setting that really touches me deeply and this photograph was no exception. It must have been snapped at just the right second to have captured the young fawn looking directly into the camera lens. 

As I spent some time admiring it, I imagined the young deer innocently looking at the photographer and thinking, "You wouldn't want to hurt me, would you?"  But then as it continues to linger, it's as if the deer is saying "No matter how much I may fear you, I want this birdseed a great deal more, and I am willing to risk whatever danger you may present to me, in order to have what I want at this very moment." 

Then I thought about how often we as humans are just like that little deer. We often find something that we think we want, but in reality only compares to birdseed.  We look for fulfillment in so many things, but find that it doesn't last long and certainly doesn't bring real satisfaction. And yet, even in the face of danger, we often ignore the warning signs and continue doing and seeking the things that we think will bring us happiness and fulfillment in life.

That leads me to ask myself these questions ... How many times in my life have I settled for birdseed? and .... How much longer will I continue to settle for things that will never satisfy?

Psalm 145:15- 19 says, "The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him."

Beautiful History by Plumb

I have made mistakes
and I have been afraid
I have felt alone
Then you called my name

Things were crashing loudly
Happening all around me
But you're still small voice
Was all that I could hear

I am here
I'm holding you
You'll make it through this
I am here, I am here

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you're faith
It's just another stroke of
the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history

Well I have been such a fool
when I have known the truth
I've wasted so much time
Doing what I want to do

I've been living solely
for myself and myself only
but your still small voice
is whispering

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you're faith
It's just another stroke
of the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history

I toss and turn and scream
I try to do everything
with two feet on the ground
I just keep falling down again

I feel so far from home
Completely on my own
and then I hear you say
I am here, I am here

Whenever you run away
whenever you lose you're faith
It's just another stroke of
the pen on the page

A lonely ray of hope
is all that you need
to see
a beautiful history
a beautiful history
a beautiful history

So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore

Here is an excerpt from chapter one of Beth Moore's newest book that really hit home with me this week. The first chapter is entitled "Mad Enough to Change".

"Life is too hard and the world too mean for many of us to grasp a lofty sense of acceptance, approval, and affirmation early on and keep hold of it the rest of our lives ... come what may.  Circumstances abruptly change, and setbacks happen.  Relationships unexpectedly end. Or, just as cataclysmically, begin. Schools change. Friends change. Jobs change. Offenses happen. Betrayals happen. Tragedies happen.  Engagements end. Marriages begin. Kids come. Kids go. Health wanes. Seasons change. An old situation creeping up in a new season of our life can be more complicated than ever.  We can think we've murdered that monster once and for all, and then it rises from the dead and it has grown another head.

As if the battle isn't hard enough, we sabotage ourselves, submerging ourselves with self-condemnation like a submarine filling with water.  How often do we think to ourselves, I should be handling this better? So is it okay to ask why we're not?"

"To be honest, I don't know whether you and I are at a common place right now.  I just have a hunch.  See if this sounds like something that could erupt from your own pen: I'm sick to death of insecurity.  It's been a terrible companion.  A very bad friend.  It promised to always think of me first and meticulously look out for my best interests.  It vowed to stay focuses on me and help me not get hurt or forgotten.  Instead, insecurity invaded every part of my life, betrayed me, and sold me out more times than I can count.  It's time I got healthy enough emotionally to choose my lifelong companions better.  This one needs to get dumped."

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."  2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible

Back at My Heart by Natalie Grant

Strong on the outside
But coming apart at the seams
That's me
Tragically always together
But bruised underneath
That's me
I stand just to stumble
I trip on my pride
Why do I always try to hide

Meanwhile back at my heart
I'm desperate for all that You are
See through me and take me apart
Meanwhile back at my soul
Mend me, please make me whole
You know just where to start
Back at my heart, back at my heart

Patiently waiting to pick up
The pieces of me
That's You
Healer of hearts
When the world leaves it broken in two
That's You
Maker of heaven
The sky and the sea
When You stretched your arms
You reached for me

Meanwhile back at my heart
I'm desperate for all that You are
Undo me and take me apart
Meanwhile back at my soul
Mend me, please make me whole
You know just where to start

Back at my heart
Back at my fear
Back at my brokenness
Lord meet me here
I am exposed
And I'm not afraid anymore

Meanwhile back at my heart
I'm desperate for all that You are
Undo me and take me apart
Meanwhile back at my soul
Mend me, please make me whole
You know just where to start

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
You gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But youre stronger, stronger than you know

And don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesnt ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what youve heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that it can

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Snow Bunnies

Be Still by Story Side B

I remember all the times
the good times and the bad
I'm still holding on to you
some days I wanna run
some times I come undone
but I still belong to you

Be Still and Know by Steven Curtis Chapman

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Nothing Without You by Bebo Norman

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

Chorus:
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You
Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all the strength I can find

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
I have nothing

Take my time here on earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing, I am nothing, I am nothing without You

Hold My Heart by Tenth Avenue North

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?

Something Beautiful by Newsboys

I wanna start it over
I wanna start again
I wanna a new beginning
One without an end
I feel it inside
Calling out to me

It's a voice that whispers my name
It's a kiss without any shame
Something Beautiful YEAH YEAH
Like a song that stirs in my head
Singing love will take us where
Something's beautiful

I’ve heard it in the silence
Seen it on a face
I’ve felt it in a long hour
Like a sweet embrace
I know this is true
It's calling out to me

It's a voice that whispers my name
It's a kiss without any shame
Something Beautiful YEAH YEAH
Like a song that stirs in my head
Singing love will take us where
Something's beautiful

It’s the child on her wedding day
It's the daddy who gives her away
Something Beautiful
When we laugh so hard we cry
All the love between you and I
Something Beautiful
Something Beautiful