It goes like this the fourth the fifth the minor fall and the major lift the baffled king composing hallelujah. Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah.
I love Jeff Buckley’s soulful Hallelujah. It’s penetrating, moody. Beautiful.
And today, my heart cannot stop singing hallelujah. Not Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, but my own hallelujah. It’s the lovesong in my heart that can’t keep from escaping from my lips. Over and over again, the simple yet convicting chorus croons from the depth of my soul. My Daddy—my Jesus—is so good.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Becoming Sanctified
Sanctification is getting out of what you know and getting in to what you don't know. Setting yourself free from what you know.
Hearing these words Sunday morning, I was struck by one eternal truth: God always confirms His word. It might be phrased differently each time, but the word remains the same. It’s timeless. Eternal. And steadfast. And there is no room for doubt when it has been uttered over and over and over again by people I’ve never met. People who have no idea that God’s already given me the same word. And that He’s using them to confirm that word.
Until Sunday, I didn’t know the word for what we are doing. I didn’t know that stepping out of the boat meant that we were becoming sanctified. But of course that’s what it means. Because why else would Daddy draw us out of safety? To draw us even closer to Him. And to make us holy and pure. {The phrase refined by fire rings a bell right about now}
As I step out of what I know and jump into that which is unknown, I find that instead of fear, I have begun courting a strange and addicting concoction of excitement and curiosity. My curiosity insists on pushing the envelope. Investigating the depths of my Father’s mysteries and tapping into the abundance of His heart. And my excitement at the sheer thrill of living day-to-day, moment-to-moment all but suffocates me at times.
When the world sees recklessness and foolishness, I see freedom. When it appears as though I've forsaken knowledge, education and even the laws of nature, I am living my best moment. I am becoming holy and pure. I am becoming sanctified.
Hearing these words Sunday morning, I was struck by one eternal truth: God always confirms His word. It might be phrased differently each time, but the word remains the same. It’s timeless. Eternal. And steadfast. And there is no room for doubt when it has been uttered over and over and over again by people I’ve never met. People who have no idea that God’s already given me the same word. And that He’s using them to confirm that word.
Until Sunday, I didn’t know the word for what we are doing. I didn’t know that stepping out of the boat meant that we were becoming sanctified. But of course that’s what it means. Because why else would Daddy draw us out of safety? To draw us even closer to Him. And to make us holy and pure. {The phrase refined by fire rings a bell right about now}
As I step out of what I know and jump into that which is unknown, I find that instead of fear, I have begun courting a strange and addicting concoction of excitement and curiosity. My curiosity insists on pushing the envelope. Investigating the depths of my Father’s mysteries and tapping into the abundance of His heart. And my excitement at the sheer thrill of living day-to-day, moment-to-moment all but suffocates me at times.
When the world sees recklessness and foolishness, I see freedom. When it appears as though I've forsaken knowledge, education and even the laws of nature, I am living my best moment. I am becoming holy and pure. I am becoming sanctified.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Running, running, running
I don't make New Year's Resolutions. I don't hate them. They're just not my style. If I need to wait until the New Year to officially start something, then I probably should have already started it. And if I know there is an official start date and I'm particularly dreading the discipline that lies ahead, then I'm probably also self-destructing to the fullest possible extent until that deadline comes. You know how it goes. You say you're starting your diet on Monday and then proceed to shovel everything and anything, especially bad things, into your mouth until 11:59 Sunday night. The first day of the diet is no problem. Your body eats up all the french fries that are left in your system and the excitement of having a bikini bod keeps you from noticing the growing growl in your gut. Day 2 is okay, but by Day 3, the hunger is overwhelming. The miniscule portions of protein and tsunami-like intake of water just isn't cutting it anymore. Sure, you still have plenty of donuts stored in the recesses, but your brain doesn't remember. All it remembers is how delicious they tasted going down. So then you start to bargain with yourself and you know, deep in your heart, that it's over. Because once you start bargaining, it's over. You lost. And you didn't even diet enough to lose all of the pre-diet binge weight, so when you quit the blasted thing (you've found a better diet that you'll try next month), you're actually a few pounds heavier than you were before you even started. It's obviously a cruelly psychological and highly emotional nightmare for me and I fail. Every time. So, I've learned that I am better off setting my mind on a goal in the heat of the moment. I'm not sure whether I trick myself or my self tricks me in this clever game, but it really doesn't matter. I feel like I'm in charge of my decision to make a goal, I'm ready to start on it so I'm fired up and when I'm finally at the point where I want to see the goal completed, then I have no problem maintaining the discipline to follow through.
And that's precisely where I find myself right now. Ready to run again. (It just happens to be timed up with New Year's resolutions). I miss long runs on the trail in the crisp winter air. An hour or two of running, spending time with my Lord--mostly praising him but sometimes pleading that I'll make it back home. This reminds me of a time when someone asked me whether running was a spiritual exercise for me and I replied "If you count the times I plead with the Lord to get me back home when I've gone out too far, then yes...it's quite spiritual." So, I've decided to sign up to run the St. Luke's Half Marathon in late April.
The last time I ran 13.1 miles, I was wishing that I had only run 13.1 miles. It will have been 5 years to the date of the St. Luke's Half and it was the day that I ran my first (and only, so far) marathon. I remember coming up to Mile 11, which was the split-off for those running the half marathon. As I trotted past that mile marker, I wondered whether I had made a very grave mistake. So many times, I considered jumping the course--it would have been so easy to just cross the flat, pathetic little median strip separating me at Mile 12 from those at Mile 18. No one would notice. But even if no one noticed, I could never cheat. I could never live with myself. So, I trudged onward. Slowly. Painfully. But steadily. And the pride and joy that overcame me when I crossed that finish line after running 26.2 miles was so worth the pain of every step and the nightmarish recovery that I would know intimately for the next week. So what if I had to pick up my legs in order to roll over in bed. I ran a marathon!
And so, I am once again ready for the feeling of accomplishment. For the exhilaration of running. For the added benefit of being fit and able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. And for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of creation that Jesus made just for me!
And that's precisely where I find myself right now. Ready to run again. (It just happens to be timed up with New Year's resolutions). I miss long runs on the trail in the crisp winter air. An hour or two of running, spending time with my Lord--mostly praising him but sometimes pleading that I'll make it back home. This reminds me of a time when someone asked me whether running was a spiritual exercise for me and I replied "If you count the times I plead with the Lord to get me back home when I've gone out too far, then yes...it's quite spiritual." So, I've decided to sign up to run the St. Luke's Half Marathon in late April.
The last time I ran 13.1 miles, I was wishing that I had only run 13.1 miles. It will have been 5 years to the date of the St. Luke's Half and it was the day that I ran my first (and only, so far) marathon. I remember coming up to Mile 11, which was the split-off for those running the half marathon. As I trotted past that mile marker, I wondered whether I had made a very grave mistake. So many times, I considered jumping the course--it would have been so easy to just cross the flat, pathetic little median strip separating me at Mile 12 from those at Mile 18. No one would notice. But even if no one noticed, I could never cheat. I could never live with myself. So, I trudged onward. Slowly. Painfully. But steadily. And the pride and joy that overcame me when I crossed that finish line after running 26.2 miles was so worth the pain of every step and the nightmarish recovery that I would know intimately for the next week. So what if I had to pick up my legs in order to roll over in bed. I ran a marathon!
And so, I am once again ready for the feeling of accomplishment. For the exhilaration of running. For the added benefit of being fit and able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. And for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of creation that Jesus made just for me!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
To My Darling Burke: The First Two Months
Dear Burke,
Your short little life has been packed full of exciting new things for both you and for Mama and Daddy. In your first month, you did a whole lot of growing. You grew nearly 3 inches and gained about 1.5 pounds!
You are such a strong boy, too. We watched you push yourself up when on your tummy so that your eyes could look straight out. Such a strong neck! Daddy is very happy now that you can control your head and neck so well...he does not have to worry so much. You think you're bigger than you are, trying to sit up when reclining on the Boppy!
While you found your hands at 6-7 weeks, you really started studying them intensely around 8 weeks. They must be very interesting! And you found that cute little tongue too, because now you love to stick it out just for fun. You haven't slept through the night quite yet, Love, but it's mostly because you go to bed a little earlier than we do. You did sleep for seven hours the other night, which was so wonderful for Mommy and Daddy! With all that sleeping, you are growing so much! You grew another 1.5 inches (so now you're 23 inches long) and about 4 pounds. You weighed 11 pounds 11 ounces at your two month check-up! I love those little rolls of chub that are forming around your legs, arms and wrists. And those chins and cheeks are just irresistable, Burke. You are one handsome and abundantly loved little boy! Mama could not love you any more!
These past two months have been the best of our lives, Burke. Daddy and I are so blessed and love you so very very much. We thank Jesus for you every day and pray that you grow up to love Him and to fulfill the destiny He has for you. We pray that above all you love deeply, for that is the most important thing in this life. And I pray that we are able to show you just how deeply we love you, for it is simply a love that words cannot describe. Happy two months, sweet boy!
Love,
Mama and Daddy
Your short little life has been packed full of exciting new things for both you and for Mama and Daddy. In your first month, you did a whole lot of growing. You grew nearly 3 inches and gained about 1.5 pounds!
About two weeks into your life I noticed that you started making tears. They still haven't rolled down your sweet cheeks, but when you cry (mostly in your car seat, which you are NOT fond of) your little eyes are very moist. It breaks my heart to hear you cry and I always feel guilty when you are in your car seat too long. You are just such an active boy, and have been from the start. You hate being confined--and I can't say as though I blame you.
You were about 3 weeks old when your belly button fell off. Daddy told me in the morning that it had fallen off sometime during the night, but he did not know where it was or when it had fallen off. (He does your diaper changes at night and then brings you to Mama to eat...such a good Daddy!). Well, I later found it in the lint trap of the dryer when I was doing your laundry (which for such a small person, you sure have a lot of), looking even more shriveled than before. Imagine a moldy raisin. No. I did not keep it.
Daddy said you gave him your first smile when you were three weeks old. But when I came to see this smile, you just cried. But we both witnessed you give away a big smile to a strange lady in the airport the very next day. From that day onward, you were one jolly boy, giving away many smiles to Mama, Daddy and anyone (or anything) else who caught your fancy!
It has been so fun to watch you grow, and observe, and laugh and talk. Each week you become more and more interactive, and you really are so happy in your waking hours!
You took your first airplane ride just two days before you turned 4 weeks old. And you did fabulous! We flew from Baltimore to Salt Lake City, UT so that Daddy could be the best man in his friend, Josh's, wedding.
You stole the show in your tuxedo onesie! The most handsome boy at the party. You also dazzled the flight attendants on our flight home. They were so nice to us and even had the whole flight crew sign a certificate memorializing your first flight! Just one month old and such a great little traveler.
You were just five weeks old when we drove nearly nine hours (overnight) to Myrtle Beach. While you are not fond of your car seat, you did great on this trip since we drove overnight. You were getting so much better at sleeping at night--sometimes 4-5 hours at a time! What a wonderful gift for Mommy and Daddy. We spent a week at the beach with Grammy and Pappy, Uncle Jonah, Aunt Moriah and Uncle Matthew.
Somewhere between six and seven weeks, you discovered your hands. And those chubby fists were at your mouth all the time after that. You began noticing your toys and even started batting at them during playtime. Playtime is never quiet with you, as you love to talk and coo and imitate the sounds we make. Such a bright and happy boy!
You are such a strong boy, too. We watched you push yourself up when on your tummy so that your eyes could look straight out. Such a strong neck! Daddy is very happy now that you can control your head and neck so well...he does not have to worry so much. You think you're bigger than you are, trying to sit up when reclining on the Boppy!
By eight weeks, Love, you were really tracking people and things and your dog boy, of course. You love to sit in your bouncy seat and play and talk to Mommy while I'm working in the kitchen and you follow me from the table to the counter and back again. So smart! And your Rutherford cannot leave your side. He loves you so much. You have really started noticing him these days and you watch him as he sniffs out crumbs under the table.
While you found your hands at 6-7 weeks, you really started studying them intensely around 8 weeks. They must be very interesting! And you found that cute little tongue too, because now you love to stick it out just for fun. You haven't slept through the night quite yet, Love, but it's mostly because you go to bed a little earlier than we do. You did sleep for seven hours the other night, which was so wonderful for Mommy and Daddy! With all that sleeping, you are growing so much! You grew another 1.5 inches (so now you're 23 inches long) and about 4 pounds. You weighed 11 pounds 11 ounces at your two month check-up! I love those little rolls of chub that are forming around your legs, arms and wrists. And those chins and cheeks are just irresistable, Burke. You are one handsome and abundantly loved little boy! Mama could not love you any more!
These past two months have been the best of our lives, Burke. Daddy and I are so blessed and love you so very very much. We thank Jesus for you every day and pray that you grow up to love Him and to fulfill the destiny He has for you. We pray that above all you love deeply, for that is the most important thing in this life. And I pray that we are able to show you just how deeply we love you, for it is simply a love that words cannot describe. Happy two months, sweet boy!
Love,
Mama and Daddy
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