The Written Word

Every. Single. Day. All. Over. The. World. Things. Happen. That. Are. Horrible.

And I don't understand. 

But instead of being gripped with fear, overcome with worry, or lashing out in anger, I go to The One who sees the bigger picture and I sit.  I sit before The One Who was and is and is to come.  And that's the root of this post...

I'm a sucker for the past.

For those more modern lovers of the past, nostalgic things of days gone by may be referred as: retro, vintage, mid-century modern, even antique, or archaic, though that one's been around a while.

I'm retro (circa '70's), my parent's are vintage (post-war), and my grandparents were antiques (early 1900's).

I love history, the ways in which it has shaped us, as well as the impact it has on our hearts for how we view today and the future, even how we love people.

Specifically, I like pens and paper.  As one bent toward writing, I'm nostalgic for ink and a notebook, the beauty of cursive and creative expression that transfers from heart and mind onto paper, whether just for myself, or for the encouragement of others, brings life to my bones. 

This year my word is #INTENTION.  Intention with God.  Intention with myself.  Intention with my family and friends.  Intention in the day to day, the little things, things which others may find trivial.

I guess I'm a sucker for believing God can speak to me any way He wants, without a giant cathedral or pulpit, "popular" speaker or teacher, without formal training in a man-made seminary.  I'm a sucker for moments when the thoughts that are smarter than ones I could think up on my own are poured out onto the pulp in front of me, in real life.

And so I sit with pen and paper and an open heart before God.  Because boxing Him in hasn't worked so well for me in the past...and I'm still learning this.

I sit.  I wait with #INTENTION.  And as I sit, mouth closed, ears open, heart ready, pen in hand, He speaks.  Just as He has throughout history, He speaks today, using the true words scribed in the past, making it alive today because of the Holy Spirit at work in us.

His words bring life to our bones.  And every word has been, and always will be, part of His love story with us...

Here's a visual:

I'm so thankful for the day my parents told me my Bible was a book in which I could write notes...

*Are you a sucker for pen and paper?  What are some of your favorite ways of recording or remembering the promises and whispers of God's love to you?

Sing Your Heart Out!

I may get passionate about some things.  Don't get me wrong, it's great that Beyonce has a voice and she uses it.  We need to use the gifts we've been given...I just think she and the rest of her posse could have accomplished the goal of singing a few great songs with their clothes on, that's all...if that was the goal?  Em thought they could have used some more clothes, too...

So, imagine if the reason you sang songs was for a greater purpose.

Say, like a purpose other than receiving all the praise and glory for yourself...profound, huh?

Imagine being wired in such a way that songs just came naturally to you, you were gifted with the ability to write them, the music to accompany them, and then share the songs with others, enabling people to convey what only their hearts and heads think and feel but are unable to express.

I am no song writer but I know a few awesome ones.  I won't lie.  I can't even sing.  BUT, when some people like my friend, Todd Ballard, make music, the songs are able to express my heart, and I believe that is a powerful gift.

Photo courtesy www.toddballard.com

Jason and I have known Todd for 6 1/2 years now.  In fact, he and his awesome wife weren't afraid to get to know us while we were holed up as a family at Children's Hospital for Noah's short life.  We had met them a couple of times prior to Noah being born, but what blows my mind is Todd and his wife took the time to get to know us and bless our lives by getting into the thick of hospital visits with us.

Situations like that show the true character of a man.

Todd even gathered his band together and led us all in worshiping the Lord at Noah's funeral.  Jason and I were and are so very grateful for that memory.

Anyway, Todd's the real deal and he sings not for himself or to stroke his own ego.  He sings because he's totally in love with the Lord and wants to share that love and experience with hearts that are willing.  Every time I have the chance to worship while he's leading, I literally feel like I'm in God's presence, without any distractions.  It's awesome!

So, I just wanted to encourage you, if you want some new music in your life that points your eyes and heart to God's face rather than your day to day circumstance, Todd's album is being released today.   

I have it in my car already and Ryan and I sing our hearts out as we cruise around town!  Spread the word and go download yours, too, if you want some awesome new worship!