Thursday, December 13, 2007
"Forgive" Ransomed Heart Ministries
We must forgive those who hurt us. The reason is simple: Bitterness and unforgiveness are claws that set their hooks deep in our hearts; they are chains that keep us held captive to the wounds and the messages of those wounds. Until you forgive, you remain their prisoner. Paul warns us that unforgiveness and bitterness can wreck our lives and the lives of others (Eph. 4:31; Heb. 12:15). We have to let them go. Forgive as Christ has forgiven you. (Col 3:13) Now – listen carefully. Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling – don’t try and feel forgiving. It is an act of the will. “Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving,” wrote Neil Anderson. “You will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made . . .” We allow God to bring the hurt up from our past, for “if your forgiveness doesn’t visit the emotional core of your life, it will be incomplete.” We acknowledge that it hurt, that it mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to our father, our mother, those who hurt us. This is not saying, “It didn’t really matter”; it is not saying, “I probably deserved part of it anyway.” Forgiveness says, “It was wrong. Very wrong. It mattered, hurt me deeply. And I release you. I give you to God.” It might help to remember that those who hurt you were also deeply wounded themselves. They were broken hearts, broken when they were young, and they fell captive to the Enemy. They were in fact pawns in his hands. This doesn’t absolve them of the choices they made, the things they did. It just helps us to let them go – to realize that they were shattered souls themselves, used by our true Enemy in his war against femininity. (Captivating, 102-103)
"Too Easily Pleased" Ransomed Heart Ministries
We usually think of the middle years of the Christian life as a time of acquiring better habits and their accompanying virtues. But inviting Jesus into the “aching abyss” of our heart, perhaps has more to do with holding our heart hopefully in partial emptiness in a way that allows desire to be rekindled. “Discipline imposed from the outside eventually defeats when it is not matched by desire from within,” said Dawson Trotman. There comes a place on our spiritual journey where renewed religious activity is of no use whatsoever. It is the place where God holds out his hand and asks us to give up our lovers and come and live with him in a much more personal way. It is the place of relational intimacy that Satan lured Adam and Eve away from so long ago in the Garden of Eden. We are both drawn to it and fear it. Part of us would rather return to Scripture memorization, or Bible study, or service—anything that would save us from the unknowns of walking with God. We are partly convinced our life is elsewhere. We are deceived.“We are half-hearted creatures,” says Lewis in The Weight of Glory, “fooling about with drink and sex and ambition [and religious effort] when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (The Sacred Romance , 137)
From The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge, reading 329 Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"I Don't Know Why" by Shawn Colvin
I don't know why
The sky is so blue
And I don't know why
I'm so in love with you
But if there were no music
then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But somewhere dreams come true
And I don't know where
But there will be a place for you
And every time you look that way
I would lay down my life for you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But some are going to make you cry
And I don't know why
But I will get you by....I will try
They're not trying to cause you pain
They're just afraid of loving you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
The trees grow so tall
I don't know why
I don't know anything at all
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
I know these things but I do
The sky is so blue
And I don't know why
I'm so in love with you
But if there were no music
then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But somewhere dreams come true
And I don't know where
But there will be a place for you
And every time you look that way
I would lay down my life for you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But some are going to make you cry
And I don't know why
But I will get you by....I will try
They're not trying to cause you pain
They're just afraid of loving you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
The trees grow so tall
I don't know why
I don't know anything at all
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
I know these things but I do
Thursday, December 6, 2007
"Great Friends"
I got a call out of the blue today from a friend that I haven't seen in years who is one of the most incredible musicians and writers I have ever known. It was such a surprise and great to hear from him . If I were to mention his name you might not recognize it but if I started to name the songs he has written( that we all know), the list would be amazing!! We talked for a long time and caught up on old friends, his work, and his great success and all the pressures and responsibilities that go along with that, and music among other things. He said he was thinking about some of the Christmas albums he has played on, and thought about a session that we had done together with alot of the country music stars here in Nashville. We laughed alot remembering how they had the studio decorated and Christmas cookies and eggnog, and oh by the way it was one year in July!!! He said he thought about all the great times we had working together, and had to track me down and call me! We are going to talk again soon...he is heading out to Aspen for a couple of weeks. This is definately a season of surprises! So keep expecting wonderful things!!
Monday, December 3, 2007
"The Essence of A Woman"
I hope you are all blessed with this....John and Stasi Eldredge's ministry speaks my heart.....
The Essence of a Woman12/02/2007
When we speak about the essence of a woman – her beauty – we don’t mean “the perfect figure.” The beauty of a woman is first a soulish beauty. We know – it’s a harder jump to make. We’ve lived so long under the pressure to be beautiful. But stay with the thought for a moment, because it will really help. The beauty of a woman is first a soulful beauty. And yes, as we live it out, own it, inhabit our beauty, we do become more lovely. More alluring. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, “Self flashes off frame and face.” Our true self becomes reflected in our appearance. But it flows from the inside out.The essence of a woman is Beauty. She is meant to be the incarnation – our experience in human form – of a Captivating God. A Godwho invites us.“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.” (Songs 4:9, 15)Beauty is what the world longs to experience from a woman. We know that – somewhere down deep, we know it to be true. Most of our shame comes from this knowing and feeling that we have failed here. So hear this: Beauty is an essence that dwells inevery woman. It was given to her by God. It was given to you.Surely you would agree that God is nothing if not beautiful. All around us God’s creation shouts of his beauty and his goodness. The way snow creates a silhouette of lace on a barren tree, the rays of sun streaming forth from a billowing cloud, the sound of a brook trickling over smooth stones, the form of a woman’s body and the face of a child anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck all speak of God’s good heart if we will have but the eyes to see. The coming of spring after a hard winter is almost too glorious for a soul to bear. God’s beauty is lavished on the world.Beauty may be the most powerful thing on earth. Beauty speaks. Beauty invites. Beauty nourishes. Beauty comforts. Beauty inspires. Beauty is transcendent. Beauty draws us to God. A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet centre where God dwells that He finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy and in him, she is enough. In fact, the only thing getting in the way of our being fully captivating and enjoyed is our hiding and striving. So Jesus says, “I will quiet you with My love” (Zephaniah 3:17). A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest; trusting God because she has come to know Him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm; a sense of rest; and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; that all is well; that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, one can release the tight sigh that so often grips our hearts, and breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good.This is why we must keep asking. Ask Jesus to show you your beauty. Ask him what he thinks of you as a woman. His words to us let us rest. And unveil our beauty. (Captivating , 130-132)
From The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge, reading 336 Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com
The Essence of a Woman12/02/2007
When we speak about the essence of a woman – her beauty – we don’t mean “the perfect figure.” The beauty of a woman is first a soulish beauty. We know – it’s a harder jump to make. We’ve lived so long under the pressure to be beautiful. But stay with the thought for a moment, because it will really help. The beauty of a woman is first a soulful beauty. And yes, as we live it out, own it, inhabit our beauty, we do become more lovely. More alluring. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, “Self flashes off frame and face.” Our true self becomes reflected in our appearance. But it flows from the inside out.The essence of a woman is Beauty. She is meant to be the incarnation – our experience in human form – of a Captivating God. A Godwho invites us.“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.” (Songs 4:9, 15)Beauty is what the world longs to experience from a woman. We know that – somewhere down deep, we know it to be true. Most of our shame comes from this knowing and feeling that we have failed here. So hear this: Beauty is an essence that dwells inevery woman. It was given to her by God. It was given to you.Surely you would agree that God is nothing if not beautiful. All around us God’s creation shouts of his beauty and his goodness. The way snow creates a silhouette of lace on a barren tree, the rays of sun streaming forth from a billowing cloud, the sound of a brook trickling over smooth stones, the form of a woman’s body and the face of a child anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck all speak of God’s good heart if we will have but the eyes to see. The coming of spring after a hard winter is almost too glorious for a soul to bear. God’s beauty is lavished on the world.Beauty may be the most powerful thing on earth. Beauty speaks. Beauty invites. Beauty nourishes. Beauty comforts. Beauty inspires. Beauty is transcendent. Beauty draws us to God. A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet centre where God dwells that He finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy and in him, she is enough. In fact, the only thing getting in the way of our being fully captivating and enjoyed is our hiding and striving. So Jesus says, “I will quiet you with My love” (Zephaniah 3:17). A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest; trusting God because she has come to know Him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm; a sense of rest; and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; that all is well; that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, one can release the tight sigh that so often grips our hearts, and breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good.This is why we must keep asking. Ask Jesus to show you your beauty. Ask him what he thinks of you as a woman. His words to us let us rest. And unveil our beauty. (Captivating , 130-132)
From The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge, reading 336 Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com
"Ought Is Not Enough"
Once again from "Ransomed Heart Ministries"
Ought Is Not Enough12/01/2007
When the going gets rough, we’re going nowhere without desire. And the going will get rough. The world, the minions of darkness, and your own double-mindedness are all set against you. Just try coming alive, try living from your heart for the Sacred Romance and watch how the world responds. They will hate you for it and will do everything in their power to get you to fall back into the comfort of the way things were. Your passion will disrupt them, because it sides with their own heart which they’ve tried so hard to put away. If they can’t convince you to live from the safer places they have chosen, they will try intimidation. If that fails, they’ll try to kill you—if not literally, then at the level of your soul.Jeremiah lived the struggle of desire. He knew the deep ambivalence of living for the Sacred Romance. His decision to trust in the love of God and join the battle for the hearts of his people made him an outcast, a pariah. Like the Master he served, he was “despised and rejected by men.” After years of opposition, getting tossed naked into the bottom of wells, plots against his life, the shame of false accusations and the loneliness of isolation, Jeremiah has had it. He is ready to throw in the towel. He lets the passion of his soul forth, directly at God:O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived;you overpowered me and prevailed.I am ridiculed all day long;everyone mocks me. . . .So the word of the Lord has brought meinsult and reproach all day long.But if I say, “I will not mention himor speak any more in his name,”his word is in my heart like a fire,a fire shut up in my bones.I am weary of holding it in;indeed, I cannot. (20:7–9)He says, in effect, “You put this Romance in my heart, you drew me out on this wild adventure—how could I keep from following? But now that I have, it has only brought me the fury of my community. And what’s worse, I cannot walk away. I’m trapped by my desire for you.” Jeremiah may have become a prophet initially out of a sense of duty, but now he is caught up in the Sacred Romance because he can’t help it. When the going gets rough, ought is not enough to keep you going.(The Sacred Romance , 198, 199)
From The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge, reading 335 Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com
Ought Is Not Enough12/01/2007
When the going gets rough, we’re going nowhere without desire. And the going will get rough. The world, the minions of darkness, and your own double-mindedness are all set against you. Just try coming alive, try living from your heart for the Sacred Romance and watch how the world responds. They will hate you for it and will do everything in their power to get you to fall back into the comfort of the way things were. Your passion will disrupt them, because it sides with their own heart which they’ve tried so hard to put away. If they can’t convince you to live from the safer places they have chosen, they will try intimidation. If that fails, they’ll try to kill you—if not literally, then at the level of your soul.Jeremiah lived the struggle of desire. He knew the deep ambivalence of living for the Sacred Romance. His decision to trust in the love of God and join the battle for the hearts of his people made him an outcast, a pariah. Like the Master he served, he was “despised and rejected by men.” After years of opposition, getting tossed naked into the bottom of wells, plots against his life, the shame of false accusations and the loneliness of isolation, Jeremiah has had it. He is ready to throw in the towel. He lets the passion of his soul forth, directly at God:O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived;you overpowered me and prevailed.I am ridiculed all day long;everyone mocks me. . . .So the word of the Lord has brought meinsult and reproach all day long.But if I say, “I will not mention himor speak any more in his name,”his word is in my heart like a fire,a fire shut up in my bones.I am weary of holding it in;indeed, I cannot. (20:7–9)He says, in effect, “You put this Romance in my heart, you drew me out on this wild adventure—how could I keep from following? But now that I have, it has only brought me the fury of my community. And what’s worse, I cannot walk away. I’m trapped by my desire for you.” Jeremiah may have become a prophet initially out of a sense of duty, but now he is caught up in the Sacred Romance because he can’t help it. When the going gets rough, ought is not enough to keep you going.(The Sacred Romance , 198, 199)
From The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge, reading 335 Ransomed Heart Ministries www.ransomedheart.com
Friday, November 30, 2007
"Waiting"
I had lunch with one of my dearest friends today before she heads out west with her husband Tommy to spend the next month with their daughter Fallon, and son-in law Justin,(who I love so much:) and the two grandbabies in Prescott Arizona, where Justin is worship leader at a church there. We all just had the most wonderful reunion and dinner together with Nina's mom and dad about two weeks ago at their beautiful home up on the hill here in Franklin. As I drove up the hill to the house that night I reminised about all the good times...I remembered the big white tents when Justin and Fallon got married, and all the evenings with all the kids and writers and singers sitting around the bonfires and all the good music, when the road was not paved and it was hold on for your life as we would climb the hill with all of us piled up in Tommy and Nina's SUV and all the laughter. I will miss them very much during this season. The holidays can magnify so much when you are alone, without family, or children, and waiting on the Lord for the next step in your life. Nina and I were talking about all the varying vicissitudes in my life....we talked about waiting, and how it always seems we are all waiting on something at different times in our lives, and how God can be silent at times.
Those are the times that he wants us to just wait on him. I thought quietly. Nina looked at me and said "Patricia, we can't be sad in the waiting.." Nina can definately read me. I somehow felt all the lights go on! Nina said "What is the scripture Patricia... "Be strong and of good courage" And I do need to be strong right now and courageous! We talked about the fruits of the Spirit...Peace, Joy, Love,....Don't you want to show up for someone you love like that? It is the desire of my heart to show up for the people that I love like that. Maybe we can all gain some encouragement from these scriptures....while we are waiting.
Mr. Websters dictionary defined the word "wait" for us..."in waiting.... in attendance as upon a royal personage"......To remain or rest in expectation...to remain or be in readiness....serving, or bring in attendance.....
Here are some scripture verses....
Hebrews 6:15 "And so after waiting patiently Abraham recieved what was promised."
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning Oh Lord you hear my voice in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in anticipation."
Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord..be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 38:15 "I wait for you Oh Lord...you will answer Oh Lord my God."
Psalm 130:16 "My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers...wait for it...it will certainly come and will not delay!"
Those are the times that he wants us to just wait on him. I thought quietly. Nina looked at me and said "Patricia, we can't be sad in the waiting.." Nina can definately read me. I somehow felt all the lights go on! Nina said "What is the scripture Patricia... "Be strong and of good courage" And I do need to be strong right now and courageous! We talked about the fruits of the Spirit...Peace, Joy, Love,....Don't you want to show up for someone you love like that? It is the desire of my heart to show up for the people that I love like that. Maybe we can all gain some encouragement from these scriptures....while we are waiting.
Mr. Websters dictionary defined the word "wait" for us..."in waiting.... in attendance as upon a royal personage"......To remain or rest in expectation...to remain or be in readiness....serving, or bring in attendance.....
Here are some scripture verses....
Hebrews 6:15 "And so after waiting patiently Abraham recieved what was promised."
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning Oh Lord you hear my voice in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in anticipation."
Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord..be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 38:15 "I wait for you Oh Lord...you will answer Oh Lord my God."
Psalm 130:16 "My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning."
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers...wait for it...it will certainly come and will not delay!"
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