Mother’s day musing: May all Mother’s be blessed

Today, Sunday May 8^th, 2011 is a day in this culture set aside to honor Mother’s.  It is a day we set aside self focus and the demands often made on Mother’s to draw them honor and attention.  It is a day we let them know how much we care and appreciate who they are and what they do.  A mother is a very special creation of God’s. The role of mother reflects God’s love uniquely.  A mother is one that builds up and nurtures growth. A mother sees that daily needs are addressed and attended.  A mother is there to give comfort and attention when we are hurt or ill.  All and all a mother loves and therefore shows us part of God.  Sure, we live in a fallen world and the love of a mother is imperfect.  Yet, every mother uniquely reflects God’s love. So today, we take time to honor mothers. It is a day to show them God’s love and show gratitude.  Each of us in our own will spend time to uplift, serve, and thank our mothers in our own ways.  It is a day we share from our hearts to touch their heart.   It is a day we bless those who have so blessed us.

 

A Mother’s Day Blessing

For nine months you carried me, inside your womb.

It was you, me, and God. 

You carried me, nurtured me, saw to it that I bore life as God knit me together.

Many thanks to God and above and Blessings to you for giving of yourself that I may have life.

As you carried me, you felt pain ever increasing until the day I was born.

You endured great pain for the Joy of Life.

This pain no man will ever know the depth of but God knows it intimately.

In your pain was wrought life. 

Many thanks to God above and Blessings to you for all pain endured that I may have life.

As a baby you held me to your breast.

Providing nurture and attending to the helpless me.

You held me, fed me, held me close you your heart.

You introduced me to the world expanding and the creature known as Dad.

Many thanks to God above and Blessing to you for tending to the helpless me, nurturing me into greater life.

As a child you loved me, taught me, nurtured me, and disciplined me.

You saw to every need and met what you could, often at cost to yourself.

You saw that I wanted not and sacrificed much that I will never know.

Many thanks to God above and Blessing to you for all you gave to the growing me, training me up into who I was to be.

As an adolescent you steered me in the right paths.  You let go.

Through many tears, fights, and pains you endured, loving me every day.

We did not see eye to eye, yet you pointed me in the right path.

Pain was your constant companion as you had to let go.

Many thanks to God above and Blessing to you for your love and care as you set me on the path to become a man with pain and cost.

As a man, you love me still, from a far. There to listen, to guide, to love, to celebrate.

We walk each moment and it is a pleasure to share the joys and pains of life. 

Many thanks to God above and Blessing to you for the untold support you give as  I walk each day

And time comes, each day, as time works its way that small measures are repaid.

The ravages of age and this twist world, reduce you from what you once were

Yet, you are always mom, and any comfort aide and service required is but a drop

Compared to each day of love shown in this life.

So many thanks to God above and Blessing to you, for the live I live and the love I give could not happen with out you.

Many thanks and Blessings to all mother’s dear. May you receive back untold for all the love you give both in the now and in what is to come.

Many thanks to God above who has given us this taste of His love with Blessing each and every day with joy and pain, he gave us Mother’s so dear. 

Resurrection Sunday Video’s for Meditation and Reflection

 Hope you are having a blessed Resurrection Sunday. Last year posted a variety of Video’s celebrating the Resurrection. Takes some time to review them: https://peacebringer7.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/resurrection-day-songs-of-worship/. This years approach is a little different. The videos being posted are really ones to meditate and reflect on what Jesus Resurrection means for us and the impact. There are some interesting pieces that are not quite as well known at least by me. Some comment will accompany each piece. So take some time and examine and see what God stirs in you. Then perhaps go back to the video’s posted last year and celebrate.

The starting point is a piece of music and choreography reflecting on our brokenness and the need for resurrection. The piece was created by Nicole Sponberg in 2008. The Dance is by a dance group, Selah Warriors:

From that piece the next one is passed on Psalms 30, a Psalm that really points to the resurrection. A key element of the psalm is that God will turn our mourning into dancing. The song is entitled Alright Psalm 30 and is by the group Tree63. (Apparently need to go to you tube to watch it, click on the video to watch it on you tube)

 Next up is a 5:00 minute sermon jam on the empty tomb and related facts. I do not know who the quotes are taken from, perhaps John Piper, but it worthwhile to listen and review the facts related to the empty tomb. 

 Next brings us to spend time focusing on God’s act of love and that Love Crucified Arose. This piece is by Michael Card and draws into the focus of what Jesus did and the importance of His resurrection and how the grave became a place of hope.

The next piece is from Hillsong United: My Redeemer Lives. It is a song of some celebration of what God has done with God conquering sin and His cleansing us from sin. (Apparently need to go to you tube to watch it, click on the video to watch it on you tube)

The celebration continues with a piece of music from Tim Hughes focusing on how Happy this Day is for each of us. (Apparently need to go to you tube to watch it, click on the video to watch it on you tube)

The next song really continues the meditation and celebration of the Resurrection. This is more widely know. It is Casting Crowns Glorious Day with focus on Jesus coming to this earth, died, and then rose again to justify us. It looks forward to His return, the next Glorious Day. (Apparently need to go to you tube to watch it, click on the video to watch it on you tube)

The next piece focuses worship to God Almighty for His actions, for the victory the resurrection provides. It is by a group called Forerunner and is based on Psalm 136 with the key phrase: His love/mercy endures forever.  

After focusing on giving thanks to God for His love that endures forever, the next piece of music is a worship song known as the Victory Chant.  It follows the Celebration and focus on Jesus return and surrender to the Lamb of God who is the Lion of Judah.

The last piece for meditation is a “flash mob” kind of experience. Last year in Budapest Hungary a worship dance was performed.  This year the plan is for the same dance to occur in multiple locations around the world. Information on this action is found at http://uptofaith.com/.  When I watch the video the Holy Spirit was stirred within me. It is the perfect video to draw this post to a close.  I hope you were blessed by the Music, let God stir within you what He will.  Celebrate the Resurrection:

(Disclaimer: Nothing is known of the varied groups the pieces of music included on this blog or the theology of the people who compiled the music.  The pieces of music were what God led me to include. The inclusion does not show support or promotion of theology of the people who created the pieces.)

Video Selection: Everlasting God- Lincoln Brewser

During the worship time at the AACC National Conference the song Everlasting God was frequently a part of the worship.  Unfortunately there is no  online video of Michael O’Brian playing the song to give you full flavor but wanted to share a video of this song.  May you be blessed and enriched as it speaks to the surety of God and his ability to touch us in our frailties. 

Resurrection Day Songs of Worship

He’s Alive: Don Fransico

Because of your love by Phil Wickham

True Love by Phil Wickham

Steve Green with Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Up from the Grave He Arose: Hymn sung by Daniel Thorton

Keith Green with live performance of Easter Song

Agnus Dei (Alleluia)

Dan Adler with the powerful song, Resurrection Chant

Halleljah Chorus- Handel’s Messiah

Video Selection: ¡Alarma!

When I first started writing this blog there was a post about Lakeland and recent events entitled https://peacebringer7.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/daniel-amos-the-%c2%a1alarmachronicles-prophetic/.   The content of that 4 album series is still appropriate today.  Given the recent post related to “The coin game”, decided to see if I could find a you tube video of the song alarma and was able to do so. It was preformed live at the Cornerstone Music Festival in 2000. 

¡Alarma!from the album “¡Alarma!”

Words and Music by Terry Taylor
©1981 Paragon Music Corp./ASCAP

It’s a brain drain laid down on the reel to reel
The warning of the after life the after birth
And telling how we feel

Alarma, somebody’s crying
Alarma, somebody’s dying
Alarma, somebody’s turning away

Sugar cane in cellophane is playing at the radio station
Laughs out in the gallery believing that it’s all elation

Alarma, somebody’s pleading
Alarma, somebody’s bleeding
Alarma, somebody’s turning away

A wise guy in the sky invites you to a guilty party
Won’t charge you at the door
But sure knows how to get your money

Alarma, he’s pointing a finger
Alarma, he’s such a dead ringer
Alarma, somebody’s turning away
Somebody’s turning away, somebody’s turning away
Alarma, somebody’s turning away
Alarma, somebody’s turning away
Alarma, somebody’s turning away

Poetry: Recessional by Rudyard Kipling’s

Recessional

Rudyard Kipling

God of our fathers, known of old– 
Lord of our far-flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
   Dominion over palm and pine–
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
   The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
   An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
   On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
   Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
   Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe–
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
   Or lesser breeds without the law–
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
   In reeking tube and iron shard–
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
   And guarding, calls not Thee to guard–
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

Blog author’s note:  It is worth noting that Rudyard Kipling is a noted freemason. Yet, this particular poem fits truth and some things God is pointing me toward, so felt worth republishing this poem. Do not take the publication of this poem on the blog to point to his other poems and writing as being inspired by God. This poem is worth further study and contemplation.

 

Be Thou My Vision: Musings with Lyrics and Video

The Christian poem and Hymn known as by though my vision has been on my mind and heart recently.  Now perhaps it is connected to my mother’s vision loss issues but there is more to it.   If we are truly surrendered to seeing with God’s vision, eyes can be opened to things people are blind.   When surrendered to the Kingdom of God and have your eyes, ears, and heart opened to the realities of God there is awe, wonder, and fear.  You also are aware of the reality of how lost people are in the darkness of the world.  People are lost because not only are there the realities of God but the realities of evil.  People need to have eyes opened to see.  If they do not see their own sin, the lostness, the emptiness, the futility they cannot turn to the light.  Part of sharing the light of the Gospel is presenting things in such a way that they may see.   This in part is the essence of Matthew 5:16.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  What people do see and are attuned to, is what we say and do.  They see our reflection and if there is nothing different that makes them take notice there is nothing that will open the eyes, ears, and heart to that which they cannot. 

Yet, God as our vision is not just being aware of the spiritual realities, it is also a matter of our focus.  The things of this world including the joys and the pains can easily distract and result in a loss of focus.  When we loss focus it is easy to be swayed by fears and despairs.  We begin to sink like Peter.  So we need to continually have our vision and focus checked.  Time in God’s word and prayer is one way to have our vision and focus checked.  Another way is engaging in fellowship with other believers.  Ultimately it requires submission and exposure to the truth.   At the core even ultimately it is the truth of God’s word that checks our vision.  In particular it is the things God has outlined as being right and wrong that are checks on focus.   It is a moving outside of our own conscience to what God has revealed in his word.  Even more to the point it is the daily presences of the Holy Spirit giving meaning to God’s revelation to the specifics of what God is moving in our own life.    So ultimately these thoughts really come down to a question of how is your vision and focus? Are your eyes, ears, and heart open to the moves of God in your life?  Have you lost focus or vision?   Turn to God and make the old Irish Hymn your prayer: BE THOU MY VISION.   Please take time to think on the song and lyrics and ask God to open your eyes, ears, and heart to that which He is directing in your life.

Be Thou My Vision
anonymous, 9th century (translated by Eleanor Hull)
 http://www.rc.net/wcc/ireland/early8.htm

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, Naught is all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day and by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true word; I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord. Thou my great father, I Thy dear son; Thou in me dwelling, I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for the fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower; Raise Thou me heavenward, power of my power. Riches I heed not, not man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance now and always. Thou, and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art. King of the seven heavens, grant me for dole, Thy love in my heart, Thy light in my soul. Thy light from my soul, Thy love from my heart, King of the seven heavens, may they never depart. With the high king of heaven, after victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Christian Poetry: Who am I? by Kris Blake

My mother recently wrote a poem that I consider to be in the form of a Psalm.  It really stresses our identify in Jesus and God being mindful of us. It reflects on who we are to God.  Please read and pass this on!  

 

Who Am I?

by Kris Blake 

Who am I that you placed a cup before me?
Who am I that when I was hungry that you fed me?
Who am I that under your wings you hide me?
Who am I that when I was naked you covered me?
Who am I that when I sleep you guard me?

Who am I that you carry my burdens for me?
Who am I that you place a banner over me?
Who am I that you built a tent to shelter me?
Who am I that you put your cloak upon me?
Who am I that you put a shield around me?

Who am I that you bind my wounds for me?
Who am I that you mend my broken heart and uplift me?
Who am I that when I fall you pick me up and hold me?
Who am I that when I cry my tears are gathered for me?
Who am I that you sit down beside me, and you whisper that you love me?

Who am I that you clear the path and go before me?
Who am I that you wrote down your story for me?
Who am I that you open the doors for me?
WHo am I that your right hand is held before me?
Who am I that when I run the race you are cheering for me?

Who am I that you build a fire to warm me?
Who am I that your wind blows all around me?
WHo am I that your oil runs down upon me?
Who am I that your water washes over me?
Who am I that your table is prepared before me?

Who am I that you keep thinking of me?
Who am I that you looked down and saw me, and then you chose me?
Who am I that you listen to me?
Who am I that you delight in the fragrance of me?
Who am I that when I knelt down you put a crown upon me?

Poetry/Prose: The Meaning of Peace

See the waves prose in previous article. This articel was submitted by a Phoebe McKell to the same website.  I think the pictures go well with the prose as well.

http://www.mountainwings.com/past/Sunday.htm

 The Meaning of Peace
==============

There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who
could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried.
The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two
that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror
for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was
a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture
thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged
and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in
which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled
a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny
bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird
had built her nest…. a perfect picture of peace.

Which of the pictures won the prize?

The king chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a
place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be
calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

That is the REAL meaning of peace.

~Author Unknown~

Poetry/Prose: Waves

 

The Waves
=======

One moment you have shortage. . .
The next you have excess. . .

One day you have nothing to do. . .
The next you don’t have time to get it all done. . .

One day the refrigerator is empty and you are hungry. . .
The next you have a half eaten meal in front of you and you are
stuffed. . .

One month you’ve got money to spare and you wonder what to buy
The next you’ve got a bounced check. . .

One moment you are full of energy and can’t go to sleep. . .
The next you are drained and can’t get up. . .

One day you are the center of attention. . .
The next you wonder if anyone knows you are alive. . .

It’s the waves of life.
They carry us up and down and all around.

Money, friends, your body, your relationships, your job, and the
rest of the list, they all vary. They all go in waves.

It took me a while to really understand the statement,
“The Kingdom of Heaven is Within.”

No commercial can show you that.

Commercials make you believe it’s in the jazzy new car or the
big screen TV. Yes, those things can thrill you for a moment,
but it’s only a wave. After a little while, the thrill is gone.

I have always recognized that if money and things brought happiness,
then all rich people with things would be happy.

It ain’t so.

We easily see how poverty can cause unhappiness, but we are
deluded into believing that money solves all things.

Life is full of stuff. I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone,
it’s one of the most blessed that I know, but it’s still full of
stuff. One thing after another, one challenge after another,
one situation after another, day by day, never-ending . . .

It’s the waves and there is no stopping them from the outside.

You can only calm the inside, so that like a submarine, you ride
deep beneath the waves.

Though a storm is raging, you are at peace.

Most are tossed and turned by waves.
Some like the sub, ride deep beneath the daily storms in peace.
Some simply surf the waves and have a lot of fun.
Some drown.

You can’t stop the waves; it’s the nature of the ocean of life.

You can only choose which method you will use to handle them.

You can be tossed like most.
You can drown like many.
You can surf and have fun while you can, but even a surfer gets
tired and there’s nowhere to sleep on a surfboard.

To ride comfortably beneath the waves requires a ship containing
breath that is not our own.

That ship. . .

. . . is not crowded.

Peace – Be Still

~A MountainWings Original~

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http://www.mountainwings.com/past/1229.htm