This last weekend I did a vocal workshop that was absolutely amazing. It was called Come Sing With Us, held at Kent Nazarene Church, and I'll tell you what.... LOVED IT. For many reasons. First, because I got to see a good buddy from high school & his wife. He'd been asking me to come to their church for a while, especially when they have their music-related events, and it had never worked out before, but this time I made sure it did. Yay! Second, I LOVE GOSPEL MUSIC. Love it! Worshiping God, lifting your voice in song, and adding that wonderful element that IS gospel music.... *happy sigh*
While learning one of the songs, I think I witnessed what I can only describe as someone else's Soul Cry (link to a post that somewhat-explains these).... The person leading the workshop was talking about how he envisioned choirs of angels in awe as we were singing, and the look on his face.... I knew that look.... He was seeing the Kingdom of Heaven, and described it for us. Then he started talking about how we need to remember that - through the hard times, the pain & suffering, this earth is not our home, that Home is in the Kingdom, with God.... Part of me wanted to approach him afterwards, to talk to him, see if he really does experience the Gifts of the Spirit like I do, because it's so intense, and so rare, and I would love to have someone to share this with! Part of me wanted to run-n-hide, incase it was "contageous", because I've been dealing a lot with my own health issues & didn't, and don't have the emotional/spiritual/physical strength to allow a Holy Spirit-take over.
So what did I do? I got up & left the sanctuary, and cried. It was a selfish cry, a self-pity cry, but I needed to do it. I was bummed that I didn't get to hear the rest of the testimony, but I'm hoping that a conversation in the future might happen. His words got me thinking about Carly's suicide and what her pastor said at her funeral; it got me thinking about my current heart condition and the struggles it's posing as a potentially chronic, potentially incurable condition; it was just too much....
We don't have to be strong, but we need to find strength. It's okay to not be able to hold it all together, but know that God will help keep us going. Seeing someone else's faith - Faith - manifested in a vision of Heaven helped me to feel like God's with me, that I'm not alone... seeing a Soul Cry from the outside definitely gave me a new perspective.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
You Move Me
This is a song I've been listening to on repeat one for... oh.... a week?! I absolutely love it. It's been rather inspiring as I'm trying to come up with some ideas for the youth group, and I just had to share it with you. Another gem by the late Carly Henley.
Like the bird in sync with me as I drive
Soaring, dashing, flying by
You make me, you make me free
Like the swaying trees with the breeze
Moving oh so effortlessly
You move me, you move my soul
How do you love so much,
So close I can feel your touch,
It’s just the things you do,
You really see me through…
Like the colorful sunset
With all the beauty this earth can get
You paint my, you paint my world
Like my dancing shadow
Anywhere it wants to go
You’re always, always with me
How do you love so much
So close I can feel your touch
It’s just the things you do
You really see me through
Thank you, thank you for all you do.
It’s evident your love is true.
Thank you, thank you for all you give,
You make my life so great to live.
How do you love so much
So close I can feel your touch
It’s just the things you do
You really see me through, see me through…
Carly, rest in peace.
2000
Dear Readers,
We have hit 2000 views!
This week, you're reading from United States, Ukraine, Russia, & Germany, but our fellowship actually encompasses 10 different countries!! It's such a wonderful example of how the Holy Spirit brings us together.
Be seeing you soon...
Peace be with you,
Melinda <><
We have hit 2000 views!
This week, you're reading from United States, Ukraine, Russia, & Germany, but our fellowship actually encompasses 10 different countries!! It's such a wonderful example of how the Holy Spirit brings us together.
Be seeing you soon...
Peace be with you,
Melinda <><
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Last Words
If you knew the last thing you said to someone was going to be the last thing you said to them, would you still say it?
That is the question I posed on facebook the other day after a suicide, again, touched my life. Life is so short, so precious, and we never know the impact that our actions/inactions, how our voice/silence may have on someone’s decisions, someone’s life.
Many times we see snippets in the media about this person tweeting something, that person posted about (insert controversial opinion) and is now retracting the statement and apologizing for how their words hurt and/or insulted someone. So why do we even say it? It's not like "I'm sorry." will take away the pain we've caused.... Sure, it may make it easier for us to sleep better at night knowing we retracted our offensive statement or apologize for our obnoxious behavior, but it doesn't erase the memories or the pain that our words, our actions caused. Why do we feel justified in putting it out there in voice, in print? What ever happened to the good ol’ cliché phrase “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) says “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
To be like-minded: agreeing in opinions, goals; compatible, harmonious, of one mind
Sympathetic: feeling/showing sympathy, understanding (see Sympathy)
Sympathy: the act or power of sharing the feelings of another, compassion
Love: to have a deep tender, ineffable feeling of affection toward a person
Compassion: deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it
Humble: meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, spirit; not arrogant or prideful
So, how does following what Peter tells us have anything to do with speaking out against someone? How does it justify telling someone that their life-choices will land them in Hell, and how does it make it any better to try to apologize (on FB no less) after they've already died? We don't have the right to treat anyone with anything less than compassion, sympathy, love... in following Jesus' footsteps, we are called to walk in humility, to love, not to judge.
Think before you speak. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and really, really ask yourself if it's worth it. Think about who else is around you, who else is reading your tweets, fb posts, and blogs...
That is the question I posed on facebook the other day after a suicide, again, touched my life. Life is so short, so precious, and we never know the impact that our actions/inactions, how our voice/silence may have on someone’s decisions, someone’s life.
Many times we see snippets in the media about this person tweeting something, that person posted about (insert controversial opinion) and is now retracting the statement and apologizing for how their words hurt and/or insulted someone. So why do we even say it? It's not like "I'm sorry." will take away the pain we've caused.... Sure, it may make it easier for us to sleep better at night knowing we retracted our offensive statement or apologize for our obnoxious behavior, but it doesn't erase the memories or the pain that our words, our actions caused. Why do we feel justified in putting it out there in voice, in print? What ever happened to the good ol’ cliché phrase “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) says “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
To be like-minded: agreeing in opinions, goals; compatible, harmonious, of one mind
Sympathetic: feeling/showing sympathy, understanding (see Sympathy)
Sympathy: the act or power of sharing the feelings of another, compassion
Love: to have a deep tender, ineffable feeling of affection toward a person
Compassion: deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it
Humble: meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, spirit; not arrogant or prideful
So, how does following what Peter tells us have anything to do with speaking out against someone? How does it justify telling someone that their life-choices will land them in Hell, and how does it make it any better to try to apologize (on FB no less) after they've already died? We don't have the right to treat anyone with anything less than compassion, sympathy, love... in following Jesus' footsteps, we are called to walk in humility, to love, not to judge.
Think before you speak. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and really, really ask yourself if it's worth it. Think about who else is around you, who else is reading your tweets, fb posts, and blogs...
Friday, August 31, 2012
Still Listening...
Following up with my last post, I'm still listening, not quite ready to publish anything just yet. And I'm okay with that.
Actually, God's okay with that too, I'm pretty sure - taking last week's song choice as His approval....
Actually, God's okay with that too, I'm pretty sure - taking last week's song choice as His approval....
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You say
Word of God speak
Would Your pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
Monday, August 13, 2012
I'm Stuck...
I really am, total and complete writer's block!
There are half-phrases that I want to write from, but I just can't seem to string enough words together to form anything worth posting.
.... perhaps this means it's just a time to listen....
"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." ~ Peter Drucker ~
There are half-phrases that I want to write from, but I just can't seem to string enough words together to form anything worth posting.
.... perhaps this means it's just a time to listen....
"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." ~ Peter Drucker ~
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Verse of the Day
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
We've all done it... gone to church, listend to the Word, and on the way out the door done or said something in sin. Even something as little as stubbing your toe in the parking lot and saying "Jesus!" or forgetting you needed to get groceries on the way home and let a curse word drop nice & loud as you turned the car around. Or this one.... I know we all do this.... while greeting people & watching the crowds exit church, we start thinking, maybe saying something to our friends or family there with us, about how so-and-so did such-and-such, and can you believe it... passing judgement.
We're human. We make mistakes. That's what forgiveness is all about... But it's not an excuse to not be diligent about living God's words in our day-to-day lives. As you prepare yourselves for church this week, or weekend- rather, I challenge you to not only be receptive of The Word, but hold yourselves accountable to it.
We've all done it... gone to church, listend to the Word, and on the way out the door done or said something in sin. Even something as little as stubbing your toe in the parking lot and saying "Jesus!" or forgetting you needed to get groceries on the way home and let a curse word drop nice & loud as you turned the car around. Or this one.... I know we all do this.... while greeting people & watching the crowds exit church, we start thinking, maybe saying something to our friends or family there with us, about how so-and-so did such-and-such, and can you believe it... passing judgement.
We're human. We make mistakes. That's what forgiveness is all about... But it's not an excuse to not be diligent about living God's words in our day-to-day lives. As you prepare yourselves for church this week, or weekend- rather, I challenge you to not only be receptive of The Word, but hold yourselves accountable to it.
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