Photographs and Memories

I love how an old photo can cause a flood of memories. It's amazing how much emotion we tie to certain events in our lives. Just like when you ask someone where they were when the twin towers fell seven years ago today. Almost everyone you run into can tell you exactly where they were when they got the news, what they were doing, and what they did to get a live feed of the events. Being that today marks the seventh anniversary of that fateful day, I have been reading several articles and browsing through famous photos taken throughout the weeks after the attacks. There were several families that lost so much that day. There were also many who were fortunate enough to go home to their families. I think about those who lost, those who were granted a second chance, and those who were not directly affected. We as a nation have all been changed by the events of that day.

As a part of a school project that year (2001), we were commissioned to put together a scrapbook of September 11th. I will always look back on that school year with thankfulness for my teacher who encouraged us to remember the past and embrace the future. She told us that as we go through life, there will be memorials that we set up to remember the trials we have been through, and as we traveled along lifes highway, we could alway revisit those memorials. She went on to explain that just as you visit a park, you cannot live your life on a park bench. You must remember the past, be thankful that Jesus has brought you through and rejoice for what lies ahead. Her words of wisdom resonate within my spirit to this day.

It is so vital as we remember the past, to look to the future. Often times we get stuck in tragedy and cannot break free from it. But in Jesus you can find the freedom you need to overcome fear, pain, and loss. Freedom to live in such a way that you don't mourn the past, but you become healed from the hurt and can go on living, remembering, reflecting, and rejoicing.

I recently stumbled on a song, that has become somwhat controversial, yet still holds truth. It's called Healer, by Hillsong. Here are the lyrics.

Healer

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You

I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

You hold my world in Your hands

When we are in the darkest times in our life, Jesus is by our side, urging us to trust in Him to be our healer, to be everything we need, and to know that nothing is impossible for Him.

My favorite Poem

I love the poem Aspire by Emily Dickinson. It is by far my favorite poem of all time. This actually is amazing because any time someone asks me what my favorite this or that is, I often reply with I have too many to name a favorite. But there is something different about poetry, an this poem specifically. Each time I read over the lines, I feel pulses of passion rushing through my veins, I come alive, and somehow gain confidence that "Hey, I can be who I was created to be!"

It's funny how I got to the place where I actually enjoy and understand poetry. I always thought as a child that couldn't understand the meaning or even attempt to decipher what lie beneath the surface. But somehow in my growing up I have discovered how much I enjoy a poem, how it can move me, how it can so perfectly describe an emotion or the way I view the world. Poetry is a word artist's brush, in which they stroke the page with meaning and depth that makes a lasting impression.

So if you feel the way I used to about poetry, I encourage you to try something different for a change. Grab your favorite cup o' Joe and find a big overstuffed chair to sit in and read a book of poetry. I think that somehow you will find what I am talking about.

Until next time I leave you with my favorite poem:

Aspire

We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise
And then if we are true to form
Our statures touch the skies

The Heroism we recite
Would be a daily thing
Did not ourselves the Cubits warp
For fear to be a king.

Spring

Spring. Spring has finally arrived with all it's beauty and splendor. I could not wait for winter to be over this year. I hate how the cold weather makes me dreary and sad. But now that spring has come, I feel a sense of newness and re-birth. It's invigorating to walk out every morning and smell the fresh air, and hear the birds sing their playful melody's to the wind. Now by everything I have just said, you would think that spring is my favorite season, however it is not. Quite the contrary. I love fall. I love the feeling of fall, the leaves falling on the ground, football season, the relief of cooler weather, and all that comes with fall. But recently I can not help but noticed that I am starting to fall in love with spring. There is a sense of excitement in the air, knowing that summer is almost here. School will be out and vacation can finally take over your thoughts and dreams. I love the color of the trees as I drive around, each bursting with it's own essence of new life. The flowers budding all around, bring a smile to my face. And as I stand outside in the forceful wind, I understand that everything will be ok. Life isn't so hard that Jesus won't be there. His mercy is new every morning. Just as I wake each day and discover something new, He is there with me, guiding me to new places and seasons. His love never fails us, it grows deeper and stretches farther than we can ever imagine or think. He gives us the strength for today and the hope for tomorrow. He is always faithful to birth new things on the inside of us. Thank you Jesus for spring and what it means. You truly are an amazing God!

Pictures

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

My favorite flower.
Music makes my heart beat.

I'm so ready for summer.

This is a guy walking on a grass wheel. So funny to me. :)

Here is the Cover Artwork for the CD I talked about below.

New Song

Chains be broken

Lives be healed

Eyes be opened

Christ is revealed



I have decided

I have resolved

To wait upon You Lord

My rock and Redeemer

Shield and reward

I'll wait upon You Lord



As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us

Certain as the dawn appears



You'll come

Let Your glory fall as You respond to us

Spirit rain

Flood into our thirsty hearts again

You'll come

You'll come



We are not shaken

We are not moved

We wait upon You Lord

Mighty deliverer

Triumph and truth



We wait upon You Lord

As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us

Certain as Your word endures



You'll come

Let Your glory fall as You respond to us

Spirit rain

Flood into our thirsty hearts again

You'll come

You'll come



Chains be broken

Lives be healed

Eyes be opened

Christ is revealed



I love this new song from Hillsong United's new album Hearts as One. It's mostly comprised of songs we've heard from Hillsong United, with an exception of two or three songs. This is an amazing song, that expresses the inner hearts cry to be freed from the chains that so easily entangle us, in order that Christ may be revealed. I encourage everyone to go out and buy the new Hillsong United CD Hearts as One. It's a good one. :)

Total Praise

Lord I will lift my eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from you
Your peace you give me
In times of the storm

You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you

Amen..

When everything around me seems to be shaking, and life has taken it's toll, I will lift my eyes unto the hills, knowing that He is the source of my strength. He will lead me into His courts and rejoice over me with singing. For the Father delights in His children and desires that they dwell with Him. When the road is rocky, and your faith is being tested, reach out for the hand that was pierced and filled with healing. When your feet cannot tread the rough terrain, fall into the arms of the one who took your place. He will never leave you; He will never give up. How deep is the Father's love, you might never know, but sometimes faith, in the knowledge that His love is bigger than we can fathom, is a great thing. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power......and after you have done all to stand. Stand firm then...." Ephesians 6:10,13-14

Penny's

Here's some food for thought. If everytime someone asked you what you were thinking, you received a penny, over the course of one year how much money do you think you would have? If the answer is not much, then your friends and loved ones aren't very interested in your life, however, if your answer is that you would have an abundant amout of money, congratulations. Your life should be full of people who care enough to reach down into the depths of your mind and be concerned. It's not everyday you find people who will love you unconditionally. But when you do find people like that, hold onto them. Because they are as rare as finding $100 bill on the side of the road. Remember to cherish those you love, and who care enough to ask about you as well as speak into your life. You are loved.