Make a Joyful Noise

"... It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this..." 2 Samuel 6:21-22a (NIV)

I read this in my Proverbs 31 daily devotional today and it really stopped me in my tracks.  I continued to read and she mentioned how Micah thought that King David was uncouth, so undignified in his dancing.  She was looking at him with disgust and so passed judgment, and then went onto tell him so!  Now, if I had been in David's place with how my life has been going for the last few days, it would have crushed me.  I would have let someone else's opinion of me get me down and destroy the joy that had been expressed in the unplanned and un-orchestrated dancing.  And why - because I would have been listening not only to the voice that criticized, but to that little voice inside that loves to makes us doubt and wonder.  AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN WRONG, JUST AS I HAVE BEEN ALL THIS WEEK!!!

So, when given this invitation, why not rejoice in whatever way feels right?

Matthew 11:28:  "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

It has been such a hard week, that Nickelback has been on my playlist, and this song really stands out for these lyrics:

Nickelback - If Everyone Cared  

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died
And I'm singing

Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, I'm alive

I AM ALIVE!!!  And I can only wish that everyone lived as the lyrics state!  But they don't and so I listened to 2 voices this week and let them completely ruin not only my week, but several of those that I care for and who care for me.  I cannot control that other person's mouth, or how they might ever realize, if they ever do, the impact of those words and the perceptions that resulted from them.  I wish I could make them see, but I also wish that I could make all the alcoholics realize what they are doing to themselves.  Is that ever gonna happen?  Not likely.

So, what do I do? 

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Colossians 3:8

Man, this is hard.  I have been so hurt and disillusioned this week, and this is the dictate that I must turn to and follow.  I could hold onto that anger and hurt, but what would that do?

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

Not good. So, I need to work on letting that go.  Step back and look at what happened.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11

In listening to the false words of both voices, not only did the venting fool show himself, but I turned into one!

You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place? Job 18:4

I didn't necessarily want the rocks moved, just his hard head to the truth.  Well, again, I cannot control that, and he has a really hard head!  So, time to move on.  And how do I do that?  Music!

Casting Crowns – Praise you in the storm 

Chris Rice – Small the Color 9

I should have been praising rather than crying and ranting and raving.  It is so easy to forget that!

I need to remember the bible story about the silversmith and smelting the cilver to get to purity.  Maybe the heat of that other person's anger was helping to rid me of some of the crap that needs to be gone so that I am better aligned to God.

And this last song - can you smell either a color or a number?  NO!  I was basically trying to do something similar and with the same results.  None.

I have hurt so much this week, and all I had to do was change my mind.  That's all it takes.  Mom kept telling me to FROG – fully rely on God.  But I didn't and l rode my anger right into fatigue, hurt and so much more.  There is still hurt, but I am not going to let it control me.  I vented at the person who hurt me.  Not in the correct way, at all, but they are aware of some of the impact of their thoughtless words even if they choose to do nothing.  I have no control over that.  But – I can control my reaction going forward and try to do like David, and not give 2 flying figs who may be watching!

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

 Third Day – Consuming Fire 

P U S H !

P. U .S. H.

Pray Until Something Happens

This is the newest tool to try and get it through to so many, pray until something happens.  But what if you pray and you don't see anything happen, or worse, what you didn't want to happen, happens?  How do you help, what do you do, say, feel?

That's Why I Pray 

There is so much wrong, so many hurting, and we all want to help, so, we pray.  We pray to ease the pain, to stop the tears, to ask for something better, easier, happier.  Big & Rich lay out a few examples here, and the carried TVs with the haunting images really smack you in the face.

But, we don't need someone showing us images of far away in the world to know hurt and heartbreak and frustration and not being able to affect change.  Cancer anyone?  I have 4 people at least in my own life circle right now that I am praying for, due to cancer.  Death in the family?  A good friend just buried is 4 year old granddaughter.  Financial woes?  Stand in line?  Who isn't having some kind of financial woes right now except those running for office?!?  Big Kenny wrote this song for his sister:  Holy Water  

And really, where do we stand?  Between Raising Hell & Amazing Grace  You got that right!  And for some, we are the example of how and where we should raise hell and what that amazing grace can be!  Want to feel humbled?  Ask someone who you know is going through something if you can pray for them and watch the shock, amazement and humbling bafflement go across that face.  And if, if something positive comes out of it?  Well, then it's your turn to feel humbled when they come and tell you and then – wait for it – THANK YOU for praying! 


For so many, this is their life feeling - I'm gonna live forever.  Well, news flash, ain't gonna happen.  And then what?  We can't say prayer in schools, or pretty much anywhere in public and people wonder what's wrong with the world.  Joe Nichols If Nobody believed in you.  Can you imagine how He feels when we take Him out of schools?  Big & Rich speak a little to this in the first song, families are so shattered and spread so thin with activities as no one knows how to sit in quiet solitude with themselves, they don't like themselves much and don't want left with their own thoughts. 

And that is where the tempter, the whisperer comes creeping in.  Get thee behind me, satan!  We need to say this, we need to remember prayer walks, belief in the Word and the symbols of the faith that are so needing in this world today.  9/11?  Did you ever hear this one?  9-11 Song from God.  I heard this the next day, and had to pull over and cry, I couldn't breathe.  He was there.  So many asked how He could have let it happen, but HE WAS THERE!   They just all couldn't, or wouldn't, hear Him, even at the last.  Haven't been taught, or were driven out by organized religion versus true belief.

So, coming back to P U S H – what  if?  Garth Brooks Unanswered Prayers or Laura Story Blessings, or Casting Crowns Praise you in the storm. 

Sometimes, you can't and won't get what you pray for, but sometimes – what you do get is so much better!  So P U S H and F R O G – Fully Rely On God!

Maya Angelou and Caged Birds and me on a quest!

I listened to the abridged version of "I know Why the Caged Bird Sings", and loved it, and didn't realize that it was autobiographical and WANT MORE!!! So, I went to see and it is the first in a series of 5. But get
this, they are almost all song titles!

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Gather together in My name
Singin', Swingin' and gettin' merry like Christmas
The heart of a woman
All God's children need traveling shoes

Now granted, with some, you really have to stretch to get it, and the first is a poem, near and dear to this creative writer's heart. But 5! Can you imagine having that much to tell other people about your life?!? I can't! And yet - we all could. The detail that went into that first book was awesome, but then you
step back and realized this actually happened to the wonderful voice READING this story. She was raped and he blamed her! It actually went to trial and he was acquitted but justice still happened as her uncles were not going to let this go. I was amazed. So much heartbreak, and this beautiful, strong, courageous and elegant woman is the result! And - that is where we are heading!  She went thru the fire, she carried her cross, and this is the almost final result of God's work on her and in her.

Toni Morrison is another one that I am suddenly fascinated with and want to read and know more about. She has a new book out called "Home" about a Korean war vet with PTSD - another thing near and dear to my heart. And yet, while she might write it with some knowledge and great sensitivity, I have to read it to see if she realizes that it isn't just the vet that has PTSD, but his family will as well. That was a new term that I learned just today - generational PTSD. The children of the vets develop their own forms of the malady and need treatment.  I didn't know the term, but could educate legions about how it comes about and
what it does.

And so, knowing all that, just based off my curiosity, I have learned that I COULD write books about myself. Maya did a great job of it and so elegantly and educated millions with her words. Me? I am still at the point of being mad and so wouldn't so much gently educate as batter away at those that I feel don't listen.  I have a friend that will ask me about my playlist to determine my mindset - right now, with so much feeling is "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down.

I can honestly say that we all, in our own way, are suffering from Superman syndrome. In the US, for women it is called Supermom syndrome, even if part of us do not have kids. I know that I do.

And then the next song to come up on my playlist, with such perfect timing, is Kenny Chesney's You save me.  He does save me, save all of us.

So you see, all of you are amazed at the music in my life. Well, I am not always choosing it - in this case, while seemingly random, He is still there in such small ways.

And - I have requested the second in this amazing autobiographical series from the library! I am on a quest!

The Story of Dorian Gray

Remember the story of Dorian Gray? 

I remember reading this in school and feeling sorry for Dorian when the portrait was found and the magic reversed.  What a horrible thing to have happen!  But, now being older, I feel that that was the only just thing that could have happened.

Fast forward to my becoming reborn in Him, and learning the true meaning of sin; Sin is not just bad acts or thoughts, it is evil and ugly!  And so, now, put yourself in the place of Dorian in that story.  We want to stay “beautiful” and not bear the ugliness and horror of sin, but on our own, we cannot do that. 

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

Ginny Owens Call Me Beautiful Lyrics

I've been waiting
For a hero who's brave and strong-
Someone to love me,
Someone to tell me I belong,
So I pretend I'm satisfied,
And I stand watching on the sidelines,
Till You pull me into the light
And say, "It's Your turn now,
Welcome to your life!"

(Chorus)
And You call me beautiful,
And say You've loved me all along,
And You've always held the keys to unlock my soul
Oh You call me beautiful

Wow!  Remember being a kid and being told to “wipe that [fill in the blank] off your face?”  Well, He wipes that ugly right out of our lives.  That is the only way that we can be in His presence, without the ugly of sin.  That is why God had to turn his face away from Christ on the cross, He couldn’t bear the ugly in His presence.

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;
   you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?
   Why are you silent while the wicked
   swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Habakkuk 1:13 NIV

Chris Tomlin – Jesus Messiah  

He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Amazing!  As Chris sings it – “Love so amazing!”  We live our lives and make the sin happen, sometimes inadvertently, sometimes deliberately, but someone else has paid the price for it.  We have done nothing to deserve it, can do nothing to earn it, but we can ask for it.

Casting Crowns - Jesus, friend of sinners

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Third Day - Call My Name 

When you feel like you're alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I'll be there
You just call My name and I'll be there

Jesus said, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” (Luke 6:38).

Third Day - What Have You Got To Lose?

Sin and shame
Guilt and pain
Pride and your conceit
Here and now
Lay them down
At the Savior's feet

Jesus was given to be the pure lamb, the lamb with no blemish, to cover all sins for those who only will believe and follow Him.  That’s it! 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NIV

So, all Dorian had to do was to realize that outward beauty means nothing, as it is the inward beauty that will shine forth and show what kind of a person you really are!

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

I may not always like looking in the mirror, those pesky extra pounds may weigh me down (literally and figuratively), but I can always shine forth true beauty.  And like I stated in my last post, this true beauty can also be a mirror that can help wash away the lies that others are seeing themselves through and let Him shine forth in all of us.

Third Day - I'll Be Your Miracle

I'll be the one that's standing next to you
I'll be the one that's gonna help you make it through
When everybody else has gone
I'll be the one that's holding you

When you're down and you're falling fast
And you feel like your hope won't last
You know that I'll be your miracle

Thank you, Father, for the lamb that in no way deserved to pay for my ugliness, my sins, my taint.  Thank you for standing in my place at that cross, for taking on the punishment of the crimes, as related to Dorian Gray, the ugliness of the painting of my life, and washing it clean.

The word is mightier than you might think, forget the sword!

I read something on Facebook this morning that resonated with me:

“Our words become the mirrors in which other people see themselves.”  The Power of a Woman’s Words by Sharon Jaynes

Imagine that – what we say can directly affect how someone actually views themselves.  So, that tongue is a sword and you want to make sure it is sheathed!  Then, as I was contemplating those words, those powerful, powerful words, I heard this song:

Rascal Flatts

These words:

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

And those words really made me think and show that first statement.  I want to be that mirror and show that wish to someone!

Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

So, my challenge for you today – go out and be a mirror and a light.  Show someone, not how they see themselves, but how God sees them.  Be His mirror!

What if you believed?

I went to a funeral the other day – volunteers were requested to line the path from the funeral home to the cemetery with flags to show gratitude and recognition of the sacrifice this young soldier made to our freedom.  So I went, and I stood, and I cried – and I saw.

The windows in the family car behind the hearse are always tinted dark so that you cannot see in to their grief.  But I was so close, I saw.  I saw the stunned wonder, amazement, profound grief, and gratitude to those standing for their lost one, for the recognition given of their sacrifice.

There is a song that I have heard, that for the family of a fallen veteran, will bring you to your knees:   James Wesley - Real

We acknowledge fallen soldiers with processions and flags and tears.  We say goodbye and share their grief.  But, that got me to thinking – how do we do this for the One that sacrificed all for us?  Which made me think of another song:   Jeremy Camp - Would you take the place

Would we?  Could we?  I try very hard to be honest with myself and would like to say I would try, but I know the answer to the second question would be no.  If I have trouble dealing with my own issues and struggles, how on Earth would I take on everyone’s struggles and pain for all of time, past, present and future?  There just is no way.

So, how do we acknowledge what was been given to us so freely?  First off, just by saying, I am a sinner and you died for me and my sins and I thank you, Father, for this wonderful and so undeserved gift.  After that, it really is up to each person to decide how to show our recognition and gratitude for this gift and sacrifice.  Some take up foreign ministries, while others do the same at home.  Some quietly give without wanting personal recognition, while still others seek out ways to give in which they are seen but turn all recognition of their actions to the One who saved them.

How do you show your gratitude and recognition of His gift?   Third Day: Take My Life

Father, I believe!  Joe Nichols - If nobody believed in you

I am so a Gomer, how about you?!?

Gomer in the Bible: Hosea 1:3
Gomer was the wife of Hosea, one of the prophets of the Old Testament. Hosea married the adulterous Gomer because God told him to. Their marriage and children provided a ready example to the Israelite people of their relationship to God.

Hosea 1:1-3 (New International Version)

The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel:

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.”  So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim,

Hosea 3:1-3 (New International Version)

Hosea’s Reconciliation With His Wife

 The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

 So I bought her for fifteen shekels^[a] of silver and about a homer and a lethek^[b] of barley.  Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”

A wonderful friend bought me the book “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers and I couldn’t put it down!  It was fantastic, such a wonderful love story, and then the hammer hit – this was exactly what God’s love for us is, has been described in the verses above, but it took a whole book, fiction at that, to get it thru my thick head.   It is so hard to imagine that Angel, or Gomer, would have gone back to that life, right?  We wouldn’t, would we?  Or would we?

• Drug addictions
• Abusive spouses
• Gambling
• Approval addict (hand raised high here!)
• Sexual addictions
• Theft
• Comparing yourself to others and left feeling inadequate (again, hand raised high!)
• Listening to the wrong “little” voice
• Living beyond our means

Need I go on?  But why, why keep going back?

Dixie Chicks "Am I the Only One"

Psalm 50:15 (New International Version)

and call on me in the day of trouble;
   I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Casting Crowns “Blessed Redeemer”

Rich Mullins “Hold me, Jesus”

I am also reading Max Lucado’s, “It’s not about me,” and on page 122 he writes:

Your pain has a purpose.  Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end – the glory of God.  

In a way, we are all Gomer.  We keep going back to what hurts us.  And Hosea?  He kept forgiving Gomer, kept going and getting her back and restoring her as his wife.  Kind of like Hosanna – our Father.

Matthew West “Strong Enough”

Both "hosanna" and the biblical name "Hosea" come from the same root word, which is the Hebrew "hosia," meaning "to save" or "to deliver." Hosanna is an appeal for salvation, and actually means "deliver us." (http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2200121)

Third Day fans are called “Gomers” and I loved it!  We DON’T deserve the mercy or grace, but “Redeeming Love” made me see it even more.  And the best part of having read it – the book was a gift from a friend who wanted to share the beauty of His grace.

Kutless “Redeemer”