Month: February 2012

Music and inspiration were created by God. When we listen with His heart, we are given hope. Wisdom calls to us if we are listening…what if you could listen to a song with new ears? What if “she” was wisdom calling you…imagine?

Pro 2:2 (MSG) Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.

She’s got a way about her
I don’t know what it is
But I know that I can’t live without her
She’s got a way of pleasin’
I don’t know why it is
But there doesn’t have to be a reason anyway

She’s got a smile that heals me
I don’t know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She’s got a way of talkin’
I don’t know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin’ anywhere

She comes to me when I’m feelin’ down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She’s got a way of showin’ me
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin’
She’s got a light around her
And ev’rywhere she goes a million
Dreams of love surround her ev’rewhere

She comes to me when I’m feelin’ down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me, I get turned around oh oh oh

She’s got a smile that heals me
I don’t know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She’s got a way about her
I don’t know what it is
But I know that I can’t live without her any way *

* Song by Billy Joel, She’s Got A Way

The crane stood still and majestic along the roadside. It didn’t make sense that such loud passing trucks and vehicles didn’t seem to bother it. It was pure white. I marveled at its confidence as I passed it by. In time I saw yet another crane which was almost a mirror image again close to the freeway noise. I could only wonder why it would choose this place to stand. Within miles I saw a third white crane in the same position. I shook my head wondering about these cranes, wondering why I would notice them, wondering at their confidence in such a crazy environment.  Shortly I saw the last crane I’d see on this trip. Its wings lifted it gracefully to take flight…

I could hear a song in my heart, “I believe it’s time for me to fly”…..

When they look at me I can see their expectation. They want to find confidence in their own ideas of who they believe me to be. Turning away as best I know how, I begin to genuinely panic. At this point I feel like one of those Navy guys standing on a flight deck with a couple of neon signal indicators trying to wave a plane into the right position before take-off!

My spirit is politely screaming, “I’m not the man, Jesus is The Man, Jesus is The God”. It’s time to unzip my outer suit and expose the inner man. The one who is so weak I cry desperation. When they see how miniscule I really am, their eyes refocus on their own upward calling and these precious ones take flight.

The questions ruptured my heart and I sunk to my knees in response, “would you know love, if it came up to your face, would you know love if it happened to be grace*”? Mourning pressed upon me. Too many people did not know the truth of what love really was. Upon learning the name of Jesus, a layering of religion begins to cover love like a blanket of so much dirt.

Hollow efforts take the place of enjoyable relationships, what were once gatherings now became commitments. Mere words echo the same messages over and over. A distortion of what love should be twists up hearts. Where love had been an open invitation, the religious spirit has turned it into a begrudging duty.

Upon my knees I take up my hidden cloth of prayer. I let my tears pour onto this cloth and wipe away at the grime trying to hide the beauty of love’s truth.

*Would You Know Love by Jessie Goodman

Heavy thoughts kept trying to come upon me and the weight of them began to bend my frame of mind. I could feel them wanting to manipulate me. Wanting to manipulate what I would do. I spread my spiritual limbs outward as wide as I knew how, reaching ever upwards. One by one the negative parachutes dropped onto my branches.

A smile spread across my face in remembrance of who I was. “In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.”* I gathered each of these parachutes from my thoughts and journeyed to the water’s edge. One by one I threw them into the current to be carried away by truth.

*Isa 61:3b

He spoke to share what was upon his heart but something seemed wrong. The longer he spoke the less he communicated. A famous St. Francis of Assisi quote crossed my thoughts, “preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. In our culture this concept seemed like a lost treasure. My heart hurt for this man and so many like him. Leaning my head back I could hear words from a song begin to play in my mind.

There’s so much I want to say

But it’s locked deep inside

and if you look in my eyes

we might fall in love again

I tried to say I love you

But the words get in the way

*Song by Gloria Estefan, Words Get In The Way

Violins lament longing. Drums beat out a heart cry. In silence I sit listening to love being shared. I find depth of understanding in the song itself. No clumsy words to say a thing. Expression is perfect when we allow ourselves to be who we are meant to be. Loving God can be so easy when we throw away the box we try to put Him in for how He will speak to and through us.

Do you know me? Because you know my name, do you know me? Because you read some of my words, do you know me? When you cross my path and decide to talk to me, do you know me? When you need help to pray and call me, do you know me?

Imagine how Jesus must feel?

A famous rap artist speaks, “my name is” and the whole world takes note! It’s proclaimed upon every airwave media within the terrestrial planet’s capability. The declaration of self and one’s ability screams over and over again because it seeks affirmation.

Elsewhere are other “rock” stars performing; declaring a name other than their own. Their stage is not limited to a terrestrial plane….Jesus is boundless