Heat makes me sick. Seriously, when the temperature keeps climbing and even the nights are too hot to sleep, it makes me physically ill. I get a headache that lasts for days, my energy is drained to the point of exhaustion, I become nauseated and no matter how much cold water I drink, my skin is hot to the touch. It's very uncomfortable for me and if it persists, I am sure it becomes unpleasant for those around me because the unabated exhaustion drives me to an irritable stage.
The past several days have been miserably hot and dry around here.
No wonder that when we were awakened this morning by the sound of rumbling thunder, we got up and quickly went to the porch! It was about six-thirty, I think. The air was cooler and a gentle rain began to fall. I went back inside to put the coffee on, then hurried back to the porch.
How wonderful was the fresh scent in the air!
How refreshing were the raindrops on my upturned face!
How beautiful was the pale light on the fringe of the heavy clouds!
How sweet was the song of the birds in nearby trees!
How melodious was the music of the bells from the neighboring church steeple!
We walked hand-in-hand (taking care of the relationship) through the yard and back to the garden, in the gentle cascade. When we returned to the porch, we sipped our coffee and silently watched and listened as the day dawned fresh. Life is better on the porch!
It's still June, so the blinding heat is bound to return, but no matter; I am refreshed and renewed today. And one day at a time, all is well. All is well.
That got me to thinking...
In our lives, with frightening frequency sometimes, the heat is turned up, and things get harder. Often, like summertime weather, there is no way to know when relief will come. Dangerously near collapse, we yearn for relief. Doubt, fear, and unbelief are as real as the oppressive and relentless heat of summer. Wave upon wave it continues, until we are sick at heart and our faith is bordering on exhaustion.
I have learned that these times, like a heatwave, never last, but God's love and faithfulness are uncompromising in our behalf. His gentle rain of comfort and peace will surely come to the parched spirit of a weary soul. We will be refreshed by His presence and we will speedily recover.
What a beautiful illustration of His unfailing mercy and grace! The next time you see clouds gathering in your life---RUN! Run to the porch of His love and stay until you are refreshed and renewed!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Steve & Annie
For those of you who asked (regarding the previous post: Finding Center), the reference to Steve and Annie Chapman was made because several years ago, (I think, maybe three or four decades) they were performing in the Christian music field, a husband and wife team who wrote and performed their own music.
Of all their songs, my personal favorite was about us being like a house. I think the title was "My Heart Is Like A House." I am not sure of the title, but I do remember most of the lyrics and it tied in with the song by Freelance Whales that I mentioned.
"My heart is like a house,
One day I let the Savior in.
There were many rooms
where we would visit now and then---
But, one day He saw 'that' door---
I knew the time had come too soon,
And I said, "Jesus, I'm not ready for us to visit in that room."
"That's a place in my heart,
where even I don't go---
I've got some things hidden there---
And I don't want no one to know."
But, He handed me the key,
Tears of love on His face---
He said, "I want to make you clean;
let Me go in your secret place."
So I opened up the door,
And the two of us walked in---
I was so ashamed;
His light revealed my hidden sin.
But, when I think about that room now;
I'm not afraid anymore.
I know my hidden sin
No longer hides behind the door.
It just made sense to me to tie them together---our 'heart' house and the generator that lights it up! Find your CENTER early in the day, keep coming back to it, so the house will always chant a peaceful song, and more importantly, so that you won't get flung off!!!!
Of all their songs, my personal favorite was about us being like a house. I think the title was "My Heart Is Like A House." I am not sure of the title, but I do remember most of the lyrics and it tied in with the song by Freelance Whales that I mentioned.
"My heart is like a house,
One day I let the Savior in.
There were many rooms
where we would visit now and then---
But, one day He saw 'that' door---
I knew the time had come too soon,
And I said, "Jesus, I'm not ready for us to visit in that room."
"That's a place in my heart,
where even I don't go---
I've got some things hidden there---
And I don't want no one to know."
But, He handed me the key,
Tears of love on His face---
He said, "I want to make you clean;
let Me go in your secret place."
So I opened up the door,
And the two of us walked in---
I was so ashamed;
His light revealed my hidden sin.
But, when I think about that room now;
I'm not afraid anymore.
I know my hidden sin
No longer hides behind the door.
It just made sense to me to tie them together---our 'heart' house and the generator that lights it up! Find your CENTER early in the day, keep coming back to it, so the house will always chant a peaceful song, and more importantly, so that you won't get flung off!!!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Finding Center
Recently I was prompted to listen to some music by the group Freelance Whales. My granddaughter, Katie, provided a link, so I tuned in. They produce a very fun and whimsical style of music and lyrics, and I liked it so well that I purchased their CD. As I listened to the lyrics of "Generator-1st Floor," I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to the thought-provoking words...
"We get up early just to start cranking the generator,
Our limbs have been asleep---we need to get the blood back in 'em...
"We keep on churning and the lights inside the house come on,
And in our native language we are chanting ancient songs,
And when we quiet down, the house chants on without us..."
As I mulled those phrases over in my mind, I suddenly realized the depth of their meaning to me.
You see, I think we all wake up the same way---we hope it's a good day. The next few moments, after our eyelids begin to flutter, can determine the course of the next several hours. For me, there must be a connection to my creator, my Father God..."and in our native language we are chanting ancient songs."
If I am "chanting" the song of the redeemed, with a grateful heart, I am sure to have a blessed day. By the same token however, if I am chanting the song of the disgruntled and dismayed, I will surely miss the very same blessings that will come, with or without my participation or acknowledgment! So it is true..."and when we quiet down, the house chants on without us..."
I'm convinced that, (as Steve and Annie Chapman reminded us so long ago) "my heart is like a house..." and the house will chant on and on even after we have abandoned our focus. "A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine." So, whatever we begin the day with, whether love and joy and peace or griping, complaining and unhappiness, our "house" will continue the chant, and so goes the day---if we don't pause and find our center.
I'm defining center as that place where we retain a more perfect balance, enabling us to deal more efficiently with the trials that the hours ahead may produce for our consideration.
I suppose it's a bit like the old, metal merry-go-rounds in the neighborhood parks of my childhood. They were blistering hot in summer, and freezing cold in winter, but, even so, we could not resist them. We'd pile on and scream at the pushers, "Faster! Faster! We need another master!" It didn't take very many turns to figure out that if you wanted to keep your balance and not be flung off at a frightening speed, you needed to stay near the center. If you were too close to the edge, you couldn't hang on, and what resulted was raw scrapes, various bumps, and a very bruised ego.
So go ahead, chant your ancient songs, set the day in motion, but remember...if you wander too far from your center, you will meet with sudden discomfort that probably could have been avoided altogether.
"We get up early just to start cranking the generator,
Our limbs have been asleep---we need to get the blood back in 'em...
"We keep on churning and the lights inside the house come on,
And in our native language we are chanting ancient songs,
And when we quiet down, the house chants on without us..."
As I mulled those phrases over in my mind, I suddenly realized the depth of their meaning to me.
You see, I think we all wake up the same way---we hope it's a good day. The next few moments, after our eyelids begin to flutter, can determine the course of the next several hours. For me, there must be a connection to my creator, my Father God..."and in our native language we are chanting ancient songs."
If I am "chanting" the song of the redeemed, with a grateful heart, I am sure to have a blessed day. By the same token however, if I am chanting the song of the disgruntled and dismayed, I will surely miss the very same blessings that will come, with or without my participation or acknowledgment! So it is true..."and when we quiet down, the house chants on without us..."
I'm convinced that, (as Steve and Annie Chapman reminded us so long ago) "my heart is like a house..." and the house will chant on and on even after we have abandoned our focus. "A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine." So, whatever we begin the day with, whether love and joy and peace or griping, complaining and unhappiness, our "house" will continue the chant, and so goes the day---if we don't pause and find our center.
I'm defining center as that place where we retain a more perfect balance, enabling us to deal more efficiently with the trials that the hours ahead may produce for our consideration.
I suppose it's a bit like the old, metal merry-go-rounds in the neighborhood parks of my childhood. They were blistering hot in summer, and freezing cold in winter, but, even so, we could not resist them. We'd pile on and scream at the pushers, "Faster! Faster! We need another master!" It didn't take very many turns to figure out that if you wanted to keep your balance and not be flung off at a frightening speed, you needed to stay near the center. If you were too close to the edge, you couldn't hang on, and what resulted was raw scrapes, various bumps, and a very bruised ego.
So go ahead, chant your ancient songs, set the day in motion, but remember...if you wander too far from your center, you will meet with sudden discomfort that probably could have been avoided altogether.
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