Can You Hear the Music?

Can you hear the music?
Heavenly music
The Music
from the throne of Grace
Listen
Listen with your heart
It responds to the melody
As if somehow it recognizes a long forgotten love
Your heart strains to remember this melody
Your mind races through your life's memories
But you cannot fathom this mysterious song
So you settle in
relaxing to enjoy every single note
you savor the sweetest sounds
You strain and the music begins to fade
Disappointment and frustration set in as you search for more of this beautiful tune
But your search is in vain
what you don't know is that this music is from the throne of Heaven
From the presence of God
Yes you've heard it before
when you were in your mother's womb
the Heavenly orchestra
sang you to sleep
And the sweet kisses of your Creator
comforted, and surrounded you with love
You've forgotten
But your heart remembers
So turn your face to Heaven
call on the name of Jesus
And you will hear that music again
and it's melodies will become clearer and more beautiful
everyday

Life

Vibrant, movement, wiggling, squirming, dancing, jumping, skipping, blood pumping, circulating, overflowing, heartbeat, warmth, refreshing, healing, freedom, giggles, joy, purpose, feeling, satisfied down to the core, content, at peace, complete, my soul is at rest, excitement, anticipation...

Jesus is the source of life
apart from him there is no life
In Him life has no end
it overflows
like a rushing waterfall
yet its a most gentle and refreshing flow
It calls me
He calls me
to himself
that I might be healed
refreshed
that my thirst might be quenched
that I might be satisfied
cleansed
that I might be filled
with His inexhaustible life
 So that many others may drink
and be brought to life
there is no growth without life
there is no rest in our hearts without life
there is no hope without life
there is no beauty without life
Jesus isn't a source of life
He is the One and only source
All others who claim to give this life are posers and fakers
They are wolves in sheep clothing
They promise life but they bring death
no growth
no joy
just inner turmoil
they heap burdens of performance upon us
or feed the beast within us
the sin that I cannot seem to overcome
they want to destroyus
Yes, they look like angels of light
and their promises are tempting
but their mouths are full of lies
and their bite is full of poison
turn away from them

Come with me
whoever is thirsty
Come
Let Him take the free gift of the water of life

Our hearts long to be with you Yahweh
though our minds may not understand this longing
And many promise to fulfill this longing
and no one succeeds
Our heart only aches all the more
at the disappointment

Taste and see that Yahweh is good
Happy is the man who trusts Him

My Debut CD is out!!!!! Graceful Beginnings

I've been working for the past 5 years on a music CD, and I've finally released it.  Go to http://instrumentofgrace.bandcamp.com/album/graceful-beginnings to check it out and download it for FREE!

If you click the Buy now button, you get to set the price.  You can choose 0 cents if you'd like. (I think.  I haven't tried it.)  I just want to bless as many people as  possible.  If you decide to pay for the music, all funds will be donated  to organizations like World Vision, and International Justice Mission.

If you are blessed by the music, please pass it on to others.

Here's a sample:

40 Days of Discovery- Day 38

Today my daughter asked me if I was excited that this time of fasting and seeking the Lord was almost over.  I didn't answer, because today was so, so good.  I just thought to myself, "Do I really want this to end?"  I'll be honest, there have been moments when I've wanted to quit and give in to my physical cravings.  Yet, I've persevered, because I know that joy awaits.  I'm pressing forward for the blessing of being nearer to my Father.

I don't know if you know this, but I was adopted 31 years ago by the perfect Father.  By the King of the Universe.  I'm still learning how to receive His love.  I'm still learning how to live as a child of the Most High King.  I'm still learning how to trust Him completely.

But there are days like today when I know my Father loves me.  He shows me in such tangible ways.  It isn't simply a theory.  I know!

My heart is just overflowing with His joy! 

Oh how I love Jesus!
Because He first Loved me.

There is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. If you have not tasted of His sweetness, I challenge you to call on His name today.  Those who earnestly seek Him will be rewarded with His sweet, sweet presence.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 37

I'd like to share a few quotes from "Come Away My Beloved" that blessed me today.

I am aware of your needs and will provide in abundance, but it is for my glory and honor and I will  have praise.  You will tread lightly and not allow your feet to be ensnared in the net of undue concern for the things about you.  They are mine, just as all things are mine and you are mine and I am more interested in you than in things.  Likewise, I want you occupied with Me rather than my gifts.  You will be my mouthpiece in places where there are no other voices to be heard.

You will magnify my name in a dark corner.

You will not allow your foot to be bogged down in the mire of earthly cares and riches.

Thank you Lord for speaking so clearly to your people.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 36

Honestly, I've lost track of the days.

Today was a difficult day.  A day that I felt unmotivated, uninspired,and  tired, tired, tired of the same old struggles.  Tired of being tired.  Tired of waiting. 

But I keep pressing.  I keep praying.  I won't stop until I touch the hem of His garment.

And tonight I heard the voice of my Jesus.  It wasn't anything new, really.  It was his reassurance.

He loves me.
He has a plan for me--and it is GOOD!

He said that he's preparing me.  He said I'm like an unwrapped gift under the christmas tree.  Really?  A gift?  Sometimes I feel like I'm all wrapped up--but not in a good way. Sometimes I feel like I just want to break free.  But from what?  There's so much inside of me that wants to be free.

The Father says that feeling of not being content where I am is from Him.  He doesn't want me settling.  He doesn't want me comfortable being less than His best.

I thank you Father.  I thought I was losing my mind today.  Yes, I am hormonal and I'm sure that was  part of the problem, but I thank you that there is more.  I'm thankful for my family, for my children, for the opportunity to serve them, but I was made for more than cleaning, cooking and homeschooling.  I was made for more.

And if I don't embrace ALL of me, then none of me will be effective.  
I'm a better mom, wife, teacher, etc. when I'm walking in my full calling.  I know that there is more.  I just don't know what that looks like in this season of life.  But the Father assures me, that I will have enough time, and energy to do ALL that He's called me to do.  I believe I'll have more energy than I have now.

   

40 Days of Discovery- Day 30

Only 10 days left...  It's been quite a journey!

I've been seeking God about the matter of needs vs. wants.  I've heard over and over that God meets our needs not necessarily our wants.  As I wrote in a previous post, I'm asking the Holy Spirit to redefine "need".  I haven't given myself permission to enjoy some things in life.  I am very frugal, and simple.  Yet, I love beauty--beautiful art, beautiful music, beautiful homes, beautiful hairstyles, beautiful clothes, etc.,etc.  Somehow, because the world prostitutes beauty, I've not allowed myself to enjoy more beauty in my life.  Because there are children starving and dying around the world, does that mean I can't enjoy life?  I've started feeling a bit guilty about spending money on luxuries since I could give that money to help the poor.  That's not God's way.

The Holy Spirit is revealing the truth.  He's teaching me that I don't have to choose between feeding the poor and enjoying his gifts.  He's El-Shaddai, the inexhaustible source of EVERY good and perfect gift.  So He has enough to take care of ALL  of His children and care for the poor.  As I think of Israel, God told them continually to care for the poor, but He also promised that they would live in abundance.  They were to enjoy the land of milk and honey.  God prepared this place for them.

The problem is that we like to worship the gifts, instead of the Gift-giver.  It doesn't matter if it's a spiritual gift, or a physical gift.  We so quickly make life all about getting the gift, and keeping the gift.  Our eyes become fixed on the gift or gifts, and our hearts become devoted to it.  There's also this flesh to contend with.  It continually rises up so that it may be pleased.  Eating is a necessity.  A desire created by God to nourish our bodies.  It's good to eat.  And God gave us taste buds, and He gave food flavor, and scents so that we can enjoy the process of nourishing our bodies.  Yet, when our flesh masters us in the area of eating, we're unable to say "no" to food that we shouldn't eat or when we've had too much.  This is a sin.  We become a slave to anything that masters us.  And anything that masters us, apart of God, will destroy us.  God came to give us never-ending, abundant life.

1 corinthians 10

 ²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 

1 Corinthians 6

 ¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 

A  person who has the right perspective can give all that He's been given freely and generously 1) He knows where the gifts came from, and there is plenty more that the Father willingly gives to His children.  God's children will never do without anything that is needed.  Again, need has to be defined.  As one of God's children, I'm learning to defer my understanding to my Father who is perfect in His wisdom.  Sometimes, I need manna. Sometimes, I need to enjoy some fried crawfish!   2) It is an offering back to our God.  If we really understood the beauty and majesty of our God, we would willingly give back to Him every gift as an act of praise to Him.  Oh, Lord, open my eyes that I might see.

I think this struggle of enjoying God's gift, and being a generous giver, may be a constant struggle for me.  In some ways, I think that's good, because it means I'm  paying attention. On the other hand, I really want to live this out in peace--resting in His grace.  Actually, I can rest in His grace even as I strive to live this out.  I will fail, erroring in one direction or the other.  Yet, I desire to please Him.  He knows this.  And I am confident that His grace is fully sufficient for me.  I thank you for that, my God.

I was reading today about Amy Carmichael.  I was so encouraged to read that often she struggled in prayer, and she was a woman of GREAT PRAYER.  She struggled that her motives may not be pure.  (None are, really) She sometimes resisted asking the Father, feeling like the request was wrong to ask.  And yet, in one instance the Holy Spirit rebuked her for desiring something and not asking.  But she quickly learned the lessons that the Spirit taught.  Once she knew that God was guiding her to ask  for something, she persisted in asking until it was received.  Often she asked that God would confirm if a desire was from Him, with a sign.

Perhaps I'm making this too complicated.  I tend to do that.  Perhaps it's as simple as going to our Father with our needs (real or perceived) and desires, and releasing it into His hands.  Simply, trusting.  Asking that He would confirm our asking so we know whether we should persist in asking.  And then wait on Him to guide us to the answer.  So easily said.  So difficult at times to live out.  help me Holy Spirit!  Help me.

It is much simpler to live out as I live my life in a continual dialogue with Him.  I know that He led me to ask for a dishwasher, for it really wasn't even something on my radar.  And then after asking, He granted my request.  And I give praise to my God who supplies ALL things for His children.!!!!

1 Timothy 6

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.