The Pruning 5/5/10

This morning I pruned about 4 of my 8 lilac bushes.  I LOVE lilacs and try hard to take good care of my bushes.

My mother recently bought me another one for my collection for my birthday and they gave us a paper on how to take care of your lilacs.  I've already been practicing some of their suggestions, but was glad for the detailed information.

"Deadhead (remove spent flowers) each year immediately after the bloom period.  If spent blossoms are not removed, flowering will be severely stunted the following year, for the lilac will expend energy into seed production at the expense of next season's flower buds."  Courtesy of Ashcombe's instructions.

As I was trimming off the dead blossoms, I was struck with wonder to think that I am doing something that will affect next year's growth when we've only begun to enter Spring for this year.

I sat down at the piano just a little bit ago and decided to play what I felt a lilac bush must experience during this process.  It starts with clip, clip, clip - but slowly, new growth will return in even more beautiful array than this year.

Do you feel as if you're just getting into the blossom stage of life and then you get clipped back?  Take courage my fragrant-minded friend!  God is always thinking ahead - in fact, the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world.  Guess He was already thinking about next year's growth.

Listen to "The Pruning" here

Bird Song 5/3/10

I was away for 3 days leading worship at a camp with about 70 women.  It was an awesome weekend!  The women were easy to lead in worship and that always makes it a great experience for me.

We were located on a beautiful campground and so Sunday morning I got up early and went for a walk in the woods.  I heard one loud squirrel who seemed quite upset by my presence there and saw two beautiful deer jumping gracefully through the forest.  Funny how they didn't make a sound.  I only saw them because I noticed their bright white tails ahead of me.  I watched them move majestically away from me.

I had to chuckle to myself at the stark difference between the loud scolding squirrel and the serenely quiet deer.

I took my walk this morning. I walk faster when I listen to upbeat music, but since I walk by a stream on part of my walk, I just had to shut off the music and listen to the birds.  They fill my soul!

Today I tried something different for my devotional notes.  Decided to just sit at the piano, hit record and see what would come - though I definitely wanted to give the feel of the birds singing to each other.

Enjoy! Listen here.

Every Word of God Is True

Good morning!

Prov. 30:5 really stuck out to me this morning as I was reading.  "Every Word of God proves true.  He defends all who come to him for protection."   

We cannot base our faith on our experiences, as powerful as they may be.  That sometimes has been my problem I think.  When I have wonderful experiences, my faith is strong and I can conquer anything, but when my prayers seem unanswered and even unheard, I am not very strong. 

That's why our faith must be based on the Word of God - not our experiences.  His Word is true and it will not return void but it will accomplish what he sends it out to do.  We MUST believe and live a life of faith based only on His word.

Take a listen to the song based on this scripture for my devotional notes today.

Listen to "Every Word Of God Is True"

Planning my own birthday party

Just getting back this morning to working on 'devotional notes' this week.  I had a different kind of a week.

My birthday was on Monday, April 26th and I tried something different for once.  I planned my own birthday party.  Yes, I really did!  It all started because I've been dreading aging since I turned 40 and I used to really anticipate my birthdays.  I decided to try planning something I'd really look forward to and it worked!  I had such a wonderful time and barely even noticed that I turned a year older.

It felt really awkward at first and somedays I found myself saying "what on earth have I done".   Other days I was excited about getting together with the friends I invited.

As the day grew closer, I was pretty much excited and less nervous.  My sister came down just for my birthday party (from Canada) and it turned out to be an incredible experience in so many ways.  Maybe I'll try having another party next year and invite ALL my friends.....I'd have to start saving now though.

This morning I decided to do something I know as opposed to writing something fresh.  Sometimes we need that in our devotions.  Start with something known and venture out into something unknown.

I think you'll recognize this tune - enjoy!

Listen to "Praise To The Lord"

Watch Out For The Snake

Well this was an interesting one.  I did read Proverbs 23 today for my devotions, but had to run and pick up my 87 year old mother to go clothes shopping.  We weren't successful because there were no clothes for sale where she thought they were supposed to be, but we had a nice day together.

I came back home and decided to see if I could write something this afternoon based on what I read this morning.  Sure enough, when I had been reading this morning, I could tell there might be a song there about food....with a deeper meaning of course.

Low and behold, a song has come forth.

Have fun and watch out for the snake!

Listen here: Watch Out For The Snake

More to life than silver and gold

I'm on my 3rd morning of sharing 'devotional notes'.

Every morning I've been writing a song to captivate the phrases I feel the Lord speaking to me from the scripture, or whatever He chooses to use.

I am thinking of it as a way to be 'unhindered' and 'unleashed'.

As a songwriter, it's so easy to get caught up in honing, rhyming, syllablizing (I know - that's probably not a word) and wondering if it could be a hit or not.  Just being honest.  And if I want to make a living doing this, I should think about those things I guess.

But I'm wanting to get back to just singing to the Lord without any of these hindrances.  Don't get me wrong, they still creep around the corners of my mind, but I must press on and put aside any hindrance!

So here's the one for today: (based on Prov. 22:1,2,4,9, 17-18)

There's more to life than silver and gold
The rich and poor, God made them both
True humility and fear of the Lord
Lead to riches, honor and more

     Listen to the words of the wise
     Apply your heart to the truth
     Keep it inside of your heart
     Keep it on the edge of your lips

There's more to life than silver and gold

The rich and poor, God made them both

Being held in high esteem

Gets you more than money could bring

There's more to life than silver and gold

The rich and poor, God made them both

Blessed are those who give away

Give to the poor it's the Kingdom way.

Listen to it here:

http://tinyurl.com/MoreToLifeThanSilverAndGold

Tap, Tap, Tap

I try to read a chapter from Proverbs every day.  I've done that for years because I find myself always in need of wisdom.

Today I read from Proverbs 20 (it's the 20th of April) and I came upon one of my favorite verses.

Proverbs 20:5 says "though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out."

That tells me that deep within my heart wisdom sits, waiting to be drawn upon.  As I allow the Holy Spirit to fill me, He gives me an overflowing supply ready for me to tap into.

I began to play a pattern on the piano and sensed the 'tap tap tap' coming up from within.  As I focus on the words I hear, I find a haunting melody comes forth.

Maybe you will enjoy it too.  Remember, take time to tap into the well you have within you. Take a listen here ("Tap, Tap, Tap")