Faithful

I wasn't going to write a song today.  I read Proverbs, meditated on I Samuel 17 again with the story of David and Saul, but I didn't sense any kind of song.

Somedays I just need to have it be just me and God if you know what I mean.  Sometimes I can feel the self-imposed pressure to get a song out of my devotions so you will hear it and enjoy it.  Today I fought that feeling (like I do other days) and felt victorious to spend time with God without having a song.

I know - I'm complicated.  Just letting you see inside me.

I started to go about my day and a song began to come to me, however.  Though I have flower beds to tend, a song of love to write, a concert to rehearse for, etc.  I knew if I'd sit down and begin playing the song, more would come - it usually does.

So here it is - my thoughts about the kind of guy David must have been since God chose him to be king.

Faithful to the sheep
faithful to the palace
faithful to the king
not a trace of malice

This is the heart of a worshipper
This is the heart of a follower
To love the Lord in all your ways
to seek His Kingdom every day.

Faithful to his friends
Faithful in the battle
Faithful in his trust
nothing could dismantle

This is the heart of a worshipper

This is the heart of a follower

To love the Lord in all your ways

to seek His Kingdom every day.

Faithful in his heart
Faithful in his music
Faithful when he sinned
not afraid to say it

This is the heart of a worshipper

This is the heart of a follower

To love the Lord in all your ways

to seek His Kingdom every day.

Listen to "Faithful" here.

The Name of the Lord 5.18.10

"The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe."  Prov. 18:10

This is the verse that stuck out to me today in my reading.  I've contemplated the name of Jesus quite frequently.  The scripture has so much to say about the name of Jesus.  I know there is much more available to me just in that name alone.

I also turned to I Samuel 17 again to continue focusing on what God has been trying to say to me through the story of Saul, David and Goliath.  Last week I felt as if He was speaking to me about trying to put on 'Saul's armor' in my own life.  I've been trying to discern what He's saying to me through that.

David said 2 things in this passage that spoke to me this morning:

1) "David shouted in reply, "You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty - the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."  I Sam. 17:45

2)  "Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head....and everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people.  It is his battle, not ours."  I Sam. 17:47

Once again, there is the pattern of the power of the name of Jesus.  David had full confidence in the name of His God.  David had proven God's dependability in the small things.

I want to have that kind of confidence in the name of Jesus - starting with the small things.
Listen to "The Name of The Lord" here.

What are you afraid of?

I just got back last night from visiting 4 radio stations in Ohio.  Visiting stations helps to build relationships between the artist and the radio programmers.

I love doing that and was sad to see it come to an end for this trip.

I had plenty of down time as I covered over 1,000 miles.  Normally I listen to music, podcasts, stories, radio, etc., but for the most part I craved quiet time, so I turned it all off for a good portion of the trip.

In those quiet moments I think I heard my Abba Father speak to me.  My next few blogs might focus on fleshing that out as I share what I think He said.

It seemed quite simple at the time, but I think it's a nugget that I must begin to pray over and search out.

King Saul wanted David to wear his armor when David went out to fight Goliath.  David tried it on, but it didn't fit right.  He was used to facing enemies and saw Goliath to be no different than the bear and the lion.

Sure - no problem - just walk right up to that bear and lion and snatch the little lamb from its jaws - no big deal!  I wish!  But David must have spent lots of time out in the fields alone with his God and his sheep.

Taking a little lamb from the jaws of a lion was no problem for him.  He had seen God work many times in the 'little' things (if you can call a lion little).  I'd prefer to start with taking a cricket from the jaws of my house cat.

All he had to do was apply the principles he learned in the field to the battle facing him now.  King Saul didn't see it that way.  But David stood his ground and said let me do this the way I've always done things before.

The Spirit of God began to speak to me about wearing someone else's armor.  Uh oh.

I'm not even sure what all this means yet, but I know this - I want to search out why Saul couldn't kill Goliath (technically he should have) and why David was so confident to fight Goliath with just a staff and a sling.

The first clue I've discovered this morning is that Saul seemed prone to fear of man and David was not. But that's another blog.

"What are you afraid of, who is holding you back?
Who are you trying to be like, do you wanna live like that?
Listen to the Spirit, listen to Him calling your name
He will bring direction, there's no need to strain

Put away their pressure, put away their armor
Do what He made you to do,
Rise up
and be the way He made you to be!"

Listen to the song "What Are You Afraid Of" here.

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"