Friday Reflections ~ Come Away with Him

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the magnificent and delightful gifts God has given us. ~ Martin Luther

Worship is the natural outflow of a heart that is fixed in careful meditation upon the beauty and glory of Yeshua. It is something I have always been passionate about and, yet, have wrestled to enjoy. In all my years of music education (and instrument collection - three of which shown here, hehe! Aren't they CUTE?!), I never grasped the "be still" aspect of the Christian's life. I was caught up in presenting my talents before the LORD and was not aware of how filthy my good works were in His presence. Now, on the other side of that mentality, having grown weary and unfulfilled in my pursuit of music and laying that down for a long season, I've managed to over-think the purpose of what the LORD was revealing to me through all these years. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with all that music stuff. And because I haven't received a distinct, clear answer, I don't feel led to spend time playing the way that I use to, thus avoiding it altogether. I only know I don't want it if He's not there when I play or sing.

There's a tendency to complicate things in the Christian's life and I'm guilty of this in almost every area. However, instead of asking "should I?" or "shouldn't I?" and attempting to search out my own intentions in this matter, He has shown me in so many ways how simple this really is. He says, "Come away with Me..."

The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. ~ Psalm 50:1-2

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;to you, O LORD, I will make music. ~ Psalm 101:1

David's reflection upon the LORD brought a song to his lips. It was pure and natural because it was brought forth by the Spirit. I often wonder why it is that we suppress the Spirit for fear that it might really be of the flesh, instead of just letting Him flow through us. I just want the mind and heart of a child in this regard! A child doesn't make something complex when it's really just simple. When you love someone or something, you're invested in it and long for it at all times. You write about it! You talk about it! You sing about it! Why wouldn't you? It's natural! To not speak and sing of it would be strange! And that is what David does, whether in affliction or times of peace...he sings. Oh how beautiful, oh how marvelous! LORD, teach me to truly sing to you and for You for the first time in my life.

I've recently been obsessing (yes, obsessing! ha) over the beautiful melody and lyrics to Kerah Hanes' latest song, Come Away With Me (Zemer Levav - the third track on the bottom of their page), which so perfectly captures the heart of Yeshua to His Bride. Read His heart for you as the tones soar about you...

The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes,
leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Behold, there he stands
behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away,
for behold, the winter is past;
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away.
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the crannies of the cliff,
let me see your face,
let me hear your voice,
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom."

My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle
or a young stag on cleft mountains.

~ Song of Solomon 2:8-17

Oh, this is healing for a heavy heart, dear LORD.

My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary. ~ Martin Luther

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. ~ Martin Luther

The church with no great anguish on its heart has no great music on its lips. ~ Karl Barth

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.

~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Friday Reflections ~ Home Sweet Home

It's officially summer in my world because I'm finally done with the semester. And, it's not just any old semester, but my last semester at college. I have found that college is a tremendous blessing, but is often difficult for people like myself. If I could sum myself up in a recipe it would be:

1 Introvert

3 Cups Dreamer

1 Cup Visionary

1 Tsbp Procrastination

1/4 tsp Discipline

And a spicy dash of Perfectionism

And, everyone should know that the difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that a dreamer is habitually stuck in the rut of dreaming, whereas a visionary actively pursues and works towards the dreams in mind - haha! I'm working on the discipline part. :-/ Let's just say, this recipe is quite combustible. Just don't stick someone like this in a college setting because there is often much conflict and heartache along the way. Stepping outside of my shoes for a moment, I find it quite humorous. But don't tell myself that I said so.

Anyway, having spent 5 years at college, wandering aimlessly and still managing to get myself a rather pointless degree, I definitely have much to be thankful for! The LORD has taught me tremendous things through the ups and downs of these years. And when I write 'ups and downs,' I mean UPs and DOWNs. O_O

But since when have I never had to learn discipline, contentment, joy, patience, and true character through the weaknesses of my flesh and personality? Feels like I've been learning the same lessons since as far back as I can remember. My poor, poor parents. :-/ But thanks be to God, I'm a more free, joyful, and disciplined person today than ever before....all because of the grace that He lavished on me through Christ! I'm sure my college years will look very wasted to many (and the fact that I'm pulling out at only 22 years of age...what an unheard of thing!), but I know I gleaned more in these five years than some who go on to obtain their Masters or doctoral degrees. One thing is for sure, I could never pursue something for myself. In fact, that's why my first few years at college were some of the most difficult in my life. I have grown to detest anything that has self-ambition written all over it. Although, I must stress that I believe college is the perfect option for many others, who are being called to use the skills/knowledge that they acquire there for the LORD's kingdom. However, there are many, like myself, who have not been called into that direction. Our Father has fashioned our hearts and He knows best where we belong and how to discipline and challenge us in that place.

Now, it's not that I don't love the pursuit of knowledge and education. I'm just more unconventional in my approach....with a dash of an old-fashioned mindset! In the words of Ms Paulina (a fellow blogger and dreamer!), "I've always admired autodidacts. People who take their education into their own hands, relying not on the system, but on the many (sometimes free!) resources available today." And, well, that's one of my goals now that I'm done with college. And, home is exactly where I'm learning. I cannot say how thankful and excited I am for this opportunity that my Heavenly Father has purposed for me.

I'm the kind of person that loves to dabble in everything, so I've found that, at home, my focus will continue in my studies of music, songwriting, herbalism, nutrition, sewing, cooking, baking, time management, various cleaning/organizational skills, and learning the practical, everyday,

'boring' things of life (haha!). Not to mention, my ever-growing book-list, which is both for spiritual and practical/homemaking purposes and learning. But, more importantly, seeking to learn character, perseverance, patience, listening-skills, and a whole host of virtues that only the Spirit could teach me, especially in regards to family and friend relationships. And, to start my day everyday, forever and always, seeking to grow in the love of Christ!

Some of my favorite blog posts as of late have centered around this topic and I have been encouraged by these sisters (two of which are stay-at-home daughters) in the LORD:

True Education ~ A Set Apart Life

Clinging to the Right Things ~ All She Has to Say

More on Godliness With Contentment ~ Practical Theology for Women

So, while my to-do list seems to be ever-growing, I have had to allow Christ to quiet me and focus my eyes on Him. It seems that in the heat of my pursuits and learning, and wanting to know skills and information to help my family and others, I often tend to follow it out in my flesh rather than the Holy Spirit's lead. In regards to this, Ms. Jasmine listed 3 truths that she has been learning and have found myself ever so thankful for them,

1. The stress that I sometimes attribute to the incompetence or idiocy of others is actually a result of my own failure to see every difficult circumstance as an opportunity to magnify Christ.
2. The stress that I often attribute to my inability to meet all of the goals that I set for myself is actually the result of my own failure to lean wholly on Christ and his finished work for my value (as opposed to leaning on my checklist).
3. The stress that I often attribute to apocalyptic circumstances is actually not that bad in the big scheme of things... it's just the Lord gently (well, forcefully) reminding me that he holds the reins of my life.

Through the trials, He is still always opening up my eyes to the evidences of His grace around me. God is glorious and good, my friends.

I depart with a quote on Biblical womanhood that I found today:

We hear much about women’s liberation today. I want you to be liberated. Here is the path of genuine liberation for a woman: submission. Submission allows her to run on the track; it allows her to make beautiful music in her home. When you do what God intended a woman to do, when you are what God intended a woman to be, that is when you will be most free. ~ Jay E. Adams

Being surrendered and submitted to God is the first step towards Biblical, Christ-exalting womanhood. This opens up the door for Him to make us conduits of His grace, to be poured out on those around us, for His Glory!

Friday Reflections ~ Excerpts

I told myself, "No more. Wait awhile." But, I cannot convince myself to stop reading missionary biographies and accounts for too long. Besides, it has been more than several months since last I picked one up.

The selection? The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson.

Oh my...upon reading the first chapter, the excitement washed over me again! Now, these are the stories that I love to hear - stories where the Spirit of the Lord is triumphant in the darkest of places! David Wilkerson records a moving account of the Lord's particular call on his life, during his early years as a husband and father, to reach the teenagers on the streets of New York. These were teenagers involved in violent, fighting gangs, homosexual gangs, Lesbian gangs, sadist gangs, and are all enslaved to pornography, heroin, various narcotics, obscene sexual acts, prostitution, etc.

I'm not yet done with this book, but I'm savoring every chapter of this incredibly miraculous story that occurred on the streets of New York about 50 years ago.

"Angelo," I said to him one day as were walking down a Harlem street together, "what would you say was the greatest problem have in this city?"

"Lonesomeness," said Angelo quickly.

It was a strange answer; lonesomeness in a city of eight million people. But Angelo said the feeling came because nobody love you, and that all of his friends in the gangs were basically very lonely boys. The more I came to know New York the more I grew certain that Angelo was right.

(pg 48)

Strangest of all, they were afraid that something...might make them cry. Bit by bit I came to realize the horror these young people have of tears.

What is it about tears that should be so terrifying? I asked them again and again, and each time got the impression that tears to them were a sign of softness, of weakness and childishness in a harsh world where only the tough survive. Yet I knew from my work in the church how important a role tears play in making a man whole. I think I could almost put it down as a rule that the touch of God is marked by tears. When finally we let the Holy Spirit into our innermost sanctuary, the reaction is to cry. I have seen it happen again and again. Deep soul-shaking tears, weeping rather than crying. It comes when that last barrier is down and you surrender yourself to health and to wholeness.

And when it does come, it ushers forth such a new personality that, from the days of Christ on, the experience has been spoken of as a birth. "You must be born again," said Jesus. And the paradox is this: at the heart of this newborn personality is joy; yet the joy is ushered in by tears.

What instinct was it that told these boys and girls they might have to cry if they came into contact with God? They had their own way of expressing this fear, of course. I paid return visits to the gangs I had met, the Rebels and the GGI's, the Chaplains and the Mau Maus, inviting them to the rally, and everywhere it was the same. "You're not going to bug me, preacher. You're not going to get me bawling."

Everywhere the same fear of the unknown, the same clinging to the familiar no matter how wretched, the same resistance to change.

(pg 67-68)

The enemy lurked in the social conditions that make up the slums of New York, ready to grab lonesome and love-starved boys. He held out easy promises of security and freedom, of happiness and of retribution. He called his promises by innocent names: Clubs (not murderous gangs); Pot (not narcotics); Fish-Jumps (not an anger-filled, unsatisfying sex stimulation); and Jitterbugging (not a desperate fight to death). He built in his victims personalities that were almost impossible to reach. He threw around these boys a walk of thick, protective hardness; he made them proud of being hard.

Against his strength, I considered my own weakness. I had none of the usual weapons. I had no experience. I had no money. I had no organizations backing me. I was afraid of the fight.

...Perhaps there was a curious paradox in my lack of strength. Perhaps in this very weakness lay a kind of power, because I knew absolutely that I could not depend upon myself....perhaps God would choose just such a palpably ill-equipped person as I, so that the work from the very start would depend on Him alone. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

(pg 52, 54)

Friday Reflections

There is joy, joy found nowhere else, when we can look up into Christ's face when He says to us, "Am I not enough for thee, Mine own?" with a true, "Yes, Lord, Thou art enough."

He will be enough for you. "Shall never thirst" is a true word, and whatever His thoughts may be for your life, He will satisfy you. "Thou, O Lord, art the thing that I long for." And to you He says, "I have longed for thee." That deep, wonderful word amazes me again and again. Psalm 132:14 Prayer Book Version: "For the Lord hath chosen Zion to be a habitation for Himself: He hath longed for her."

This morning I read the two letters to the Thessalonians. Don't you think it is lovely that "the joy of the Holy Spirit" should be mentioned in connection with suffering? You are now in a very good position to prove that gift of joy. It is easy to rejoice when everything is as one wishes it were. But when things are exactly as one wishes they were not, it is not so easy. Then is the time to prove the things we believe. Your whole life now is a proving of His power to enable you to do anything. You will never be able to fear again, I think, after all this.

~ Amy Carmichael, Candles in the Dark

Friday Reflections

Some random reflections for the day in pictures. Memories that make me smile!

2/06/11 ~ His Little Feet performing in Scottsdale, AZ.

Being able to reunite with the HLF interns - dear friends from Ellerslie!

Left to right: Aaron, James, Me, Brooke, Carrie, Rachel

11/03/10 ~ Zemer Levav performing at coffee shop in Payson, AZ. Healing melodies of worship to our King.

11/03/10~ Taking a walk with my sisters in Payson.

Friday Reflections

It's been awhile since I've done one of these. However, upon reading these posts and watching these videos, I was moved to share them. It is a great need in the Church today to be reminded of those things outside of our home and church-body. There is a great cry in the land and Christ is calling you and I to lift up prayer and intercede for these little ones, and the ones yet to be born! Sometimes, I become so burdened by the cares within my own little circle that I feel I can hardly make the time to lift up deep, fervent, Spirit-born prayers for these little ones. But our Lord can and will powerfully move within a half hour of your time surrendered to His kingdom's cause.

Today, We Remember ~ Kisses from Kate

Compassion for the Orphans ~ Douglas Phillips (Vision Forum)

The Auschwitz Within - Church at Ellerslie - Eric Ludy sermon

Friday Reflections - The Lost Ones

These colorful beads are handmade by the women of the Karamajong tribe in Africa. This is how they make an income to provide for their family. It's simply amazing to wonder about the soul whose hands made this necklace. Who is she? Who are her children? And does she know Jesus?

I've recently been purchasing several of these for friends and family through 147 Million Orphans, which gives to ministries like Amazima and Project Hopeful. Even in the midst of an incredibly busy college semester, the Lord keeps directing my heart to the lost ones, the ones without names. In the past months, the ache has been ever present and, yet, it's easy to get so caught up in one's own life and trials among a circle of family/friends. How is it possible to have a burden for the souls you know near at home as well as for souls abroad of whom you've not even met? How is it possible to not be driven to despair at the brokenness in front of you as well as for those nameless souls across the miles and across the seas? Because there is a Sovereign hand that upholds all. Nothing I give, say, or do for any one, home or abroad, is effective unless I am first wholly devoted to my Yeshua, no longer caught up with the cares of this world or my own life. I am reminded of a precious quotation from Amy Carmichael that humbles my heart when I begin to despair a little:

"...there are some among us who heart-break is that they have no sure and certain hope about their dearest, who have passed beyond reach of human love and influence. May I offer this which comes to me in the form of a question: Does to be out of reach of our love and influence mean to be out of reach of His who said, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me?" ?"

- Amy Carmichael

As I wait upon the Lord's direction of my life, He continually gives me glimpses into His heart for the orphan, the widow, the afflicted, oppressed, or slaves...each of them living in the shadow of hunger, shame, death, abuse. Hearts crying out for salvation. Hands eager to receive. Souls ready to be loved.

Sometimes, it makes you feel so utterly desperate. O Lord, I am willing for you to use me in any way You so desire and will. If You are only asking me to pray for these little souls tonight, then, Holy Spirit of God, pray in and through me. Don't allow me to become indifferent as I have so many times before!

From a blog called Conspiracy of Hope (Orphans):

Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa

Every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans

Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)

143,000,000 Orphans in the world today.

Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but…

Every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system

Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT

Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home

In Ukraine and Russia 10% -15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18

60% of those girls are lured into prostitution

70% of those boys become hardened criminals

Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves. Millions of girls are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.

"While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight, I'll fight to the very end!" ~ William Booth, founder of Salvation Army.

Lord, teach me first to fight on my knees interceding for these souls. Here I wait for Your call to Go.

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. ~ Psalm 68:5

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God,

who made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is in them,

who keeps faith forever;

who executes justice for the oppressed,

who gives food to the hungry

The LORD sets the prisoners free;

the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;

the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD watches over the sojourners;

he upholds the widow and the fatherless...

~ Psalm 146:5-9

Friday Reflections

It's Friday again! So, here's a small variety of my favorite posts that I gathered for the day. Feel free to leave feedback! I pray that these are edifying to my readers as they have been for me.

A Starry Cluster ~ Jim Elliot

Singing And Logic ~ Of Austen and Conflict (a very clever, wonderful post by a very dear sister of mine!)

Stay at Home Daughters Fellowship ~ Single-Minded: Content in Him

NRJohnson ~ Praying Till We Pray (A.W. Tozer)

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,

for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

~ Psalm 34:9-10

Friday Reflections

I follow way too many blogs, in case one hasn't noticed by now. :-D I thought to share particular posts by some of my favorite blogs every week.

They are simple, thought-provoking, edifying, and Christ-consumed. May they be words of grace to you this week as they were for me.

The Stay At Home Missionary - She Has No Name

A Sweet Fragrance - The Last Surrender (Lilias Trotter)

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home - Characteristics of a Meek & Quiet Spirit

Aspiring Homemaker - Living a Quiet Life

Nathan Johnson - How to Study the Bible (Samuel Brengle)

The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

~ Psalm 50:1-2