Two Prayers June 28, 2008

I was weeding in the literature section yesterday in the library and came across of book of prayers.  These two by Soren Kierkegaard really spoke to me.

Faith

Teach me, O God, not to torture myself, not to make a martyr out of myself through stifling reflection, but rather teach me to breathe deeply in faith.

Your Hand, Lord Jesus

We receive everything from your hand, Lord Jesus.  Your powerful hand stretches forth and turns worldly wisdom into holy folly. Your gentle hand opens and offers the gift of inner peace.  if ever it seems that your reach is shortened, it is only to increase our faith and trust, that we may reach out to you.  And if ever it seems that your hand is withheld from us, we know that it is only to conceal the eternal blessing you have promised–that we may yearn for that blessing even more fervently.

One More . . . June 28, 2008

Jill Phillips, Nobody’s Got it Altogether (the entire album)

A Musical Challenge June 26, 2008

Melissa N. challenged me to make a list of 7 songs that were shaping my summer.  I don’t know that I have specific songs as much as specific artists that I’m listening to this summer.  I have some old favorites, but I’m always on the lookout for new music and have a bad addiction to iTunes (admitting it is the first step, right?).  So, here goes:

1.  Vienna Teng–A work colleague just suggested her to me and I love her voice and the piano.  Any thing on Warm Strangers and Dreaming Through the Noise.  Safe in Your Harbor is a personal favorites.

2.  Chantal Kreviazuk–Feels Like Home–always liked this song and thanks to Pandora (another cool music website) I now know who sings it.

3.  Kim Richey–A Place Called Home (do you sense a pattern?)

4.  Patty Griffin–Heavenly Day

5.  Counting Crows–Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby, Hanging Around, Colorblind

6.  David Crowder–Wholly Yours, Here is Our King, Foreverandever etc., Everything Glorious

7.  Jack Johnson–Curious George soundtrack–just for fun.

Like a River Glorious June 20, 2008

Tonight, I was reading my Choosing Rest book and praying through some things that cause me unrest.  This weeks chapters are about dealing with loss and disappointment and finding peace and contentment not in spite of loss, but allowing the things that cause us unrest to be the gateway to God’s peace and rest.

As I was reading, I was listening to Chris Rice’s Living Room Sessions album (my favorite for chilling out and relaxing).  Like a River Glorious started playing.  I looked up the lyrics and read a little about the hymn writer here.  My prayer tonight is that I will experience that glorious river of peace and find God wholly true.

1. Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
   Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
   Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
   Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
   • Refrain:
     Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
     Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
2. Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
   Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
   Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
   Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

3.  Every joy or trial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;

We may trust Him fully all for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Right Time for Talking June 18, 2008

I love it when I have conversations with people about something and then read about the same thing somewhere else.  That’s been happening alot lately.  It usually means God is trying to tell me something and I need to listen.

We talked about this very thing last night in the women’s Bible study at church.  We’re studying the book Choosing Rest by Sally Breedlove.  It’s a great book, and I’m really excited to get to share it with the ladies at church.

So, today when I read this article today from Gifted For Leadership, I just had to share it here on the blog.