Soul Mates
Are like radioactive power...
Energy of vibrant love...
Soul Mates
Assist Life...
Soul Mates
Possess the capacity to help each other grow
And develop...
Soul Mates
Are the tongue and groove
the tenon to the mortise...
Soul Mates
Are more than just physical attraction...
Soul Mates
Spread love like wildfire to people around them...
Soul Mates
"See one another like the piece of marble in Michaelangelo's hands...
confronted with hammer and chisel...the inner figure waiting to be
sculpted out...Not easily percieved and mostly invisible except to their poetic eyes"
Thomas Moore
Soul Mates
Understand the meaning of "Divine Grace"
Soul Mates
Born of pure Spirit....
Soul Mates
Twin Flames...
Soul Mates
Realize the inner blueprint is underneath...
Soul Mates
Understand and yearn for intimacy...
Yet they understand...seclusion...independence...and
solitude...
Soul Mates
One complements the other...
Soul Mates
Understand "concentrated cultivation"...
Soul Mates
Share a sacred labor....a common mission...
Soul Mates
Together fulfill a "blueprint for God"...
Soul Mates
"Help you navigate the rapids that rise up along the river of your life" Michael Franks
Soul Mates
"Know they are in deep...." Michael Franks
Soul Mates
"Know their love will go the distance..." Michael Franks
Soul Mates
"Devotion is like a candle in the night..." Michael Franks
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
"Noble Simplicity & Quiet Grandeur
This is just cream of the crop...what a beautiful ministry Gary has...Just wanted to share this for today from their ministry...be encouraged.
I have been intrigued by the phrase "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur"
which was used by the German art historian Johann Jachim Winckelmann describing the Greek aesthetic. (I don't want to sound like something I'm not - an intellectual and a broad-reader. I ran across this expression on the internet as I was researching the word "noble".) To live a life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" seems right and true. For, it is the man or woman with "a noble and good heart, who...produce a crop." (Luke 8:15) We are to live in "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:3) We are to be "a display of God's splendor." (Isa. 61:3) And, we are to "be completely humble, gentle and patient..." (Eph. 4:1,2) A life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" stated another way would be: A life that is magnificent (lofty) and yet unpretentiousness (genuine), majestic (splendid) and yet unobtrusive (humble). This is the life that you and I, as those who have been restored and released by the work of Christ, have been given. But, it is not the life that this world values and therefore it must be battled for. As Paul disclosed, "I press on (strenuously pursue) to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil. 3:12) In other words, living this life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" is hard-won. Why? Because, we are up against so much resistance to this authentic life, this pilgrim's life which is characterized as traveling lightly with great purpose. We encounter the vastness and complexity of life.We encounter the expectations, demands and verdicts on us by our culture.We encounter the overwhelming needs that surround us. Thomas Merton wrote, "To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is itself to succumb to the violence of our times. Frenzy...destroys the fruitfulness of our work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." Perhaps the greatest assault against us living this life is the belief that we hold deeply in our heart about who we are, what we have to offer and how life works. This belief or image that has been formed over decades of interaction with our world has everything to do with the type of life we choose to live; in other words the plan that we form of how we will interact with our world. Prov. 20:5 says that "a plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out." Years ago I asked God to reveal to me what I truly believed about myself since He knows my heart better than me. Instantly, Radar O'Reilly in the TV series M.A.S.H. came to mind and it made complete sense. You see, Radar O'Reilly was accepted in the "player's circle" because he could do things for them. He was needed for what he could do, not wanted for who he was; which had become my personal philosophy - the life-plan which had been scratched into my heart over the years. Therefore, my life was filled with trying to prove myself and earn my way into relational and work circles through carrying heavier loads and working longer hours. It was not a life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur", but rather to have "succumb to the violence of our times" as Merton wrote. Paul said that we can "exchange the truth of God for a lie" (Rom. 1:25) which is exactly what I had done because the lie remained in darkness unaddressed. I confessed my accepting / agreeing with this lie, renouncing it and announcing the truth of scripture about my life. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31) Peter wrote, "I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you... to stir you up by way of reminder." (2 Peter 1:12) Paul admonishes us to "stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth" (Eph. 6: 14) Let us strenuously pursue this magnificent (lofty) and yet unpretentiousness (genuine), majestic (splendid) and yet unobtrusive (humble) life God has given us and called us to - that we my alter the world. Your friend and ally, Gary
The Noble Heart, Inc.
PO Box 49173Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9173
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102574259001&s=1211&e=0019crxSroEa8BfyrWWG03T83tYqTriaJ2U_aRxvv2RP3vv9tFcPW5eYZGRyru8RRSkoTSaxyMVoSsUiCwDkCHNKuTXzBFOH0FARJ1TnlMSwNdv4q_ctnsURQ==
I have been intrigued by the phrase "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur"
which was used by the German art historian Johann Jachim Winckelmann describing the Greek aesthetic. (I don't want to sound like something I'm not - an intellectual and a broad-reader. I ran across this expression on the internet as I was researching the word "noble".) To live a life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" seems right and true. For, it is the man or woman with "a noble and good heart, who...produce a crop." (Luke 8:15) We are to live in "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:3) We are to be "a display of God's splendor." (Isa. 61:3) And, we are to "be completely humble, gentle and patient..." (Eph. 4:1,2) A life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" stated another way would be: A life that is magnificent (lofty) and yet unpretentiousness (genuine), majestic (splendid) and yet unobtrusive (humble). This is the life that you and I, as those who have been restored and released by the work of Christ, have been given. But, it is not the life that this world values and therefore it must be battled for. As Paul disclosed, "I press on (strenuously pursue) to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil. 3:12) In other words, living this life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" is hard-won. Why? Because, we are up against so much resistance to this authentic life, this pilgrim's life which is characterized as traveling lightly with great purpose. We encounter the vastness and complexity of life.We encounter the expectations, demands and verdicts on us by our culture.We encounter the overwhelming needs that surround us. Thomas Merton wrote, "To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is itself to succumb to the violence of our times. Frenzy...destroys the fruitfulness of our work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." Perhaps the greatest assault against us living this life is the belief that we hold deeply in our heart about who we are, what we have to offer and how life works. This belief or image that has been formed over decades of interaction with our world has everything to do with the type of life we choose to live; in other words the plan that we form of how we will interact with our world. Prov. 20:5 says that "a plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out." Years ago I asked God to reveal to me what I truly believed about myself since He knows my heart better than me. Instantly, Radar O'Reilly in the TV series M.A.S.H. came to mind and it made complete sense. You see, Radar O'Reilly was accepted in the "player's circle" because he could do things for them. He was needed for what he could do, not wanted for who he was; which had become my personal philosophy - the life-plan which had been scratched into my heart over the years. Therefore, my life was filled with trying to prove myself and earn my way into relational and work circles through carrying heavier loads and working longer hours. It was not a life of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur", but rather to have "succumb to the violence of our times" as Merton wrote. Paul said that we can "exchange the truth of God for a lie" (Rom. 1:25) which is exactly what I had done because the lie remained in darkness unaddressed. I confessed my accepting / agreeing with this lie, renouncing it and announcing the truth of scripture about my life. Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31) Peter wrote, "I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you... to stir you up by way of reminder." (2 Peter 1:12) Paul admonishes us to "stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth" (Eph. 6: 14) Let us strenuously pursue this magnificent (lofty) and yet unpretentiousness (genuine), majestic (splendid) and yet unobtrusive (humble) life God has given us and called us to - that we my alter the world. Your friend and ally, Gary
The Noble Heart, Inc.
PO Box 49173Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9173
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102574259001&s=1211&e=0019crxSroEa8BfyrWWG03T83tYqTriaJ2U_aRxvv2RP3vv9tFcPW5eYZGRyru8RRSkoTSaxyMVoSsUiCwDkCHNKuTXzBFOH0FARJ1TnlMSwNdv4q_ctnsURQ==
Thursday, May 7, 2009
"Miss Priss and the Outlaws" (dedicated to Poodie, Waco's prettiest baby of 1952)
Yesterday I said that I would be posting a story very soon...a tribute if you will, to a group of men and women who changed my life forever.I didn't think I would be posting it this soon, but this morning I was given the news that an old friend, who has been Willie Nelson's road manager for the past thirty five years died yesterday. His name is Randall "Poodie" Locke. And he was my friend. Poodie was an amazing guy...he lived this life for all it was worth and had a heart as big as all outdoors. The last time I saw him was just a couple of years ago in Birmingham, Alabama. He thought we should surprise Willie and have me over at the side of the stage and just walk out when he started the "Gospel Set". And that is just what we did. It was amazing...Will and I hugged and with a few tears, started into "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" like we always had, when we were all out there, on the road together with Waylon and Jessi .....and Poodie was standing there just grinning. I have a picture of us from that night together....and I'm glad I do. So this story is dedicated to you today Poodie Locke....and there is "a better home awaitin'...In the sky Lord in the sky...."
Once Upon A Time....(and it was a time!)
In a land around the corner...
In a country right upstairs...
Lived a girl who was a princess...
But she needed to do something with her hair!!! haha:)
Soooooo....
"Welcom to Patti-Veesha's House of Beauty!!"
Where our specialty is "mega curl" miracles...
And we can lift those layers up in prayer!!
Between the manicures and pedicures, and the latest styles, you will always find those girls
laughin, and dancin, and always having a big time up in there!
Patti walked over to one of the chairs and sat down...she spun around and stared blankly in the mirror. She said "Mirror mirror on the wall...who's the fairest of them all? and tell me...how in the world did I ever end up here?" Her mind drifted off...to another time and another place. She actually did get to go to the "Palace"... the Palace theatre that is. And that night she felt just like a princess standing on that stage. "What a glorious evening "she thought. but all of a sudden she heard the sound like a bubble pop...the hissing sound....and the fumes of hair spray brought reality back around....like air leaking out of her beautiful balloon. Across the room her friend Becky could see the clouds hovering...watching her tumble back down to the ground.
She knew what was happening and she knew what to do! "Patti!! Patti Veesha!! Straighten up now girl and pin that crown back on real tight! Girl don't you ever let it start slidin to the side!!"
She was a mighty life force that Becky...she could laugh at the devil right in his face, and dance up a storm!! "Becky I didn't say a thing did I?" You didn't have to girl....I know what you were thinking about!"
Sometimes after work the girls would head on down to "Fido's Coffee Bistro" and sip on a couple of "Pink Poodles". One night they sat there at one of the tables, talking, and "stirrin those clouds up in their coffees". Patti leaned back in her chair, and said "Becky! I want to tell you a story!" Patti always had these good stories. Becky said"O.K.....tell me a story!" Patti said "Becky ...Once Upon a Time...there were two ladies who knew, that God could put the heart of a king inside a flesh and blood man. They were women who could baton down the hatches, and ride out all the storms. They stood with their feet planted firmly on "the Rock of Ages" I would listen every night as Jesse sang...".storms never last do they baby? And bad times all pass with the wind..." One night we played at a beautiful old theatre in downtown St. Louis and I stood in the wings and listened as John and June Carter Cash sang "the taste of love is sweet...when hearts like ours meet. I fell for you like a child...Oh but the fire went wild!" These two ladies both had degrees from the "University of Tough Love." Jessi was the air that Waylon breathed... and the calm in all of the chaos. And sometimes when she needed to, she could talk him down from way up there on the" high wire" and bring him back to the arms of unconditional love. They walked it out on the bottom line...Waylon and Jessi, John and June....walkin that line come hell... or high water. Yes, and sometimes the waters got high....But they meant business!! I'll tell you Becky......... you know Miss June was always so kind, and did I ever tell you Becky that John Cash once gave me a red rose that I keep in my bible...and I'll never forget the afternoon that I spent with Will, and he played me all the songs from "Angel Eyes". And Becky I tell you true, I could always see the love of God in Willie Nelson's eyes.....I tell you Becky, these were close encounters of a whole other kind!!" Sometimes in the back of that" black coach" movin down the highway, Jessi and I would talk and laugh and sometimes pray...and there were times when Mac and Shooter would come along and there would be a lot of laughin and jokin along the way. Waylon and Jigger and Gary and Floyd and Dan, and Mr. Moon would sit up front playin cards. Jessi was my sister and Waylon was my brother, and when he walked me down the stairs of their house the day I got married...he was like a father...but always my friend...Waylon and John...Willie and Kris. Authentic and one of a kind.
Well anyhow Becky those men were like modern day "Shadrak Meeshak and Abednigo" kind of guys. They stood and would not bow to that "idol" of homogenizin and pasturizin" music they wanted them to play. "Do it our way!" the Nashville music exec's said" Or you can take the highway!!" And that is exactly what they did! The Highwaymen...keepin it real...to the highways and the byways they would go! They had the love of God in there hearts...and the people knew they were for real too! They were true to themselves.... They were true to their music...true to what they held sacred...they loved each other, and the people too....it was the only way they knew....they marched to the beat of a different drummer... and I did too....yeah Becky....and to this day ..I still do too.
In that fiery furnace you could hear them singin... "songs of love and freedom" Becky, ....they were the kind of men right out of a Louis Lamour western...each one just a wonder...rare ...real and true. They were tough but vulnerable...rugged, but sometimes I'll tell you girl they could be so smooth! And when you were invited for the ride they would take you to a mountaintop and show you the most magnificent view. What a time Becky.... What a time! They could really blow your mind.... I would see them pretty low sometimes, skimming the depths of hell itself, and then watch while the angels themselves walked them clean out to the other side. After wrestling with the devil...... one more time!! It was life on the high wire and a trip to the moon.....and it was over way too fast...and it ended much too soon. And I tell you true Becky...no one will ever play a steel guitar quite like Mr. Moon.
"And you know what Becky?" "If I had the chance to do it all over again...I would do it in a heartbeat....and feel the music take my breath again.......... with The Highwaymen and Jesse and June..... one more time....." I'm still hummin a song Becky....yes I am...down deep inside.
At "Patti-Veesha's" you can always be a princess...
Just bring your dreams inside.....
Cause if you want a happily ever after....
Like Becky says " You just can't let that crown slide to the side!!"
So hold on tight little girl....
Cause it's coming around again....
Destiny is waiting for you ....its coming around one more time!
I can still hear the song of the "Highwaymen".....
"Across the river deep and wide..."
"And with the Highwaymen, along the coach roads I did ride"
"And still....the song remains...
And always will.... again...
and again......and again.
Lyrics from the "Highwaymen" by Jimmy Webb
Once Upon A Time....(and it was a time!)
In a land around the corner...
In a country right upstairs...
Lived a girl who was a princess...
But she needed to do something with her hair!!! haha:)
Soooooo....
"Welcom to Patti-Veesha's House of Beauty!!"
Where our specialty is "mega curl" miracles...
And we can lift those layers up in prayer!!
Between the manicures and pedicures, and the latest styles, you will always find those girls
laughin, and dancin, and always having a big time up in there!
Patti walked over to one of the chairs and sat down...she spun around and stared blankly in the mirror. She said "Mirror mirror on the wall...who's the fairest of them all? and tell me...how in the world did I ever end up here?" Her mind drifted off...to another time and another place. She actually did get to go to the "Palace"... the Palace theatre that is. And that night she felt just like a princess standing on that stage. "What a glorious evening "she thought. but all of a sudden she heard the sound like a bubble pop...the hissing sound....and the fumes of hair spray brought reality back around....like air leaking out of her beautiful balloon. Across the room her friend Becky could see the clouds hovering...watching her tumble back down to the ground.
She knew what was happening and she knew what to do! "Patti!! Patti Veesha!! Straighten up now girl and pin that crown back on real tight! Girl don't you ever let it start slidin to the side!!"
She was a mighty life force that Becky...she could laugh at the devil right in his face, and dance up a storm!! "Becky I didn't say a thing did I?" You didn't have to girl....I know what you were thinking about!"
Sometimes after work the girls would head on down to "Fido's Coffee Bistro" and sip on a couple of "Pink Poodles". One night they sat there at one of the tables, talking, and "stirrin those clouds up in their coffees". Patti leaned back in her chair, and said "Becky! I want to tell you a story!" Patti always had these good stories. Becky said"O.K.....tell me a story!" Patti said "Becky ...Once Upon a Time...there were two ladies who knew, that God could put the heart of a king inside a flesh and blood man. They were women who could baton down the hatches, and ride out all the storms. They stood with their feet planted firmly on "the Rock of Ages" I would listen every night as Jesse sang...".storms never last do they baby? And bad times all pass with the wind..." One night we played at a beautiful old theatre in downtown St. Louis and I stood in the wings and listened as John and June Carter Cash sang "the taste of love is sweet...when hearts like ours meet. I fell for you like a child...Oh but the fire went wild!" These two ladies both had degrees from the "University of Tough Love." Jessi was the air that Waylon breathed... and the calm in all of the chaos. And sometimes when she needed to, she could talk him down from way up there on the" high wire" and bring him back to the arms of unconditional love. They walked it out on the bottom line...Waylon and Jessi, John and June....walkin that line come hell... or high water. Yes, and sometimes the waters got high....But they meant business!! I'll tell you Becky......... you know Miss June was always so kind, and did I ever tell you Becky that John Cash once gave me a red rose that I keep in my bible...and I'll never forget the afternoon that I spent with Will, and he played me all the songs from "Angel Eyes". And Becky I tell you true, I could always see the love of God in Willie Nelson's eyes.....I tell you Becky, these were close encounters of a whole other kind!!" Sometimes in the back of that" black coach" movin down the highway, Jessi and I would talk and laugh and sometimes pray...and there were times when Mac and Shooter would come along and there would be a lot of laughin and jokin along the way. Waylon and Jigger and Gary and Floyd and Dan, and Mr. Moon would sit up front playin cards. Jessi was my sister and Waylon was my brother, and when he walked me down the stairs of their house the day I got married...he was like a father...but always my friend...Waylon and John...Willie and Kris. Authentic and one of a kind.
Well anyhow Becky those men were like modern day "Shadrak Meeshak and Abednigo" kind of guys. They stood and would not bow to that "idol" of homogenizin and pasturizin" music they wanted them to play. "Do it our way!" the Nashville music exec's said" Or you can take the highway!!" And that is exactly what they did! The Highwaymen...keepin it real...to the highways and the byways they would go! They had the love of God in there hearts...and the people knew they were for real too! They were true to themselves.... They were true to their music...true to what they held sacred...they loved each other, and the people too....it was the only way they knew....they marched to the beat of a different drummer... and I did too....yeah Becky....and to this day ..I still do too.
In that fiery furnace you could hear them singin... "songs of love and freedom" Becky, ....they were the kind of men right out of a Louis Lamour western...each one just a wonder...rare ...real and true. They were tough but vulnerable...rugged, but sometimes I'll tell you girl they could be so smooth! And when you were invited for the ride they would take you to a mountaintop and show you the most magnificent view. What a time Becky.... What a time! They could really blow your mind.... I would see them pretty low sometimes, skimming the depths of hell itself, and then watch while the angels themselves walked them clean out to the other side. After wrestling with the devil...... one more time!! It was life on the high wire and a trip to the moon.....and it was over way too fast...and it ended much too soon. And I tell you true Becky...no one will ever play a steel guitar quite like Mr. Moon.
"And you know what Becky?" "If I had the chance to do it all over again...I would do it in a heartbeat....and feel the music take my breath again.......... with The Highwaymen and Jesse and June..... one more time....." I'm still hummin a song Becky....yes I am...down deep inside.
At "Patti-Veesha's" you can always be a princess...
Just bring your dreams inside.....
Cause if you want a happily ever after....
Like Becky says " You just can't let that crown slide to the side!!"
So hold on tight little girl....
Cause it's coming around again....
Destiny is waiting for you ....its coming around one more time!
I can still hear the song of the "Highwaymen".....
"Across the river deep and wide..."
"And with the Highwaymen, along the coach roads I did ride"
"And still....the song remains...
And always will.... again...
and again......and again.
Lyrics from the "Highwaymen" by Jimmy Webb
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
"So Thankful ! "
Today I ran into an old friend...an amazing writer and musician. We had the most wonderful conversation, catching up on our lives and old friends......and.... where is that Floyd Domino? And remembering Mr. and Miss Moon (no one will ever play a steel guitar quite like Mr. Moon!) I have had the honor and privilege to have some of the most amazing people in my life over the years. Some very famous and celebrated, and some who are not visible in that kind of way, but special people who have been and are hidden treasures along the way....sometimes off the beaten path in very remote places. I am thankful that God has given me eyes to see and ears to listen. After our talk, today I have been thinking so much about Waylon and Jessi (who I have missed very much) John Cash and June, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson and Lisa. I thank God everyday for the incredible blessing that he gave me when he brought all of them into my life. All the fun times on the road...cuttin up and making music all over the near world!! "Miss Priss and The Wild Bunch!" Why me? I will never understand why I was chosen to go on that "great adventure" with them, for that season in my life, but I can tell you this...... there will never be men or women quite like them ever again. They were and are cut from "another cloth" and totally marched to the beat of a different drummer. And I guess I did too....still do. Oh the wonderful times we had, and those memories will remain treasure's in my heart forever. I wrote a little vinyette ...a funny little story about my times with them. A tribute...with much, much love that I will be posting soon.
Thank you God for all my yesterdays...my today....and I really look forward to all the tomorrows you have planned for me. It is truly great to be alive...Yes, and as Dorinda Clark Cole sings "I'm Still Here"...so just "Thank You!!!!:)
Love,
Patricia
Thank you God for all my yesterdays...my today....and I really look forward to all the tomorrows you have planned for me. It is truly great to be alive...Yes, and as Dorinda Clark Cole sings "I'm Still Here"...so just "Thank You!!!!:)
Love,
Patricia
Thursday, April 30, 2009
"Miss Bessie and... "Church off the Chain!"
Last night was just an amazing interlude in the day of a life. That is for sure! One of my closest and dearest friends is a woman by the name of Rochelle. She is an incredible woman full of love and comapssion who works as a social worker for the elderly. One of her giftings is her special love and her way with elderly forgotten people...and the poor. It touches my heart so much. The stories she has shared with me are amazing to be sure...but then Rochelle is one amazing woman! Rochelle grew up in the inner city of Detroit, Michigan..I grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio. She is black and I am white and we both have seen the ravages of racism in our lives growing up where we did. That is one whole big other story! At any rate Rochelle told me the other night she would be preaching at her church on Wednesday, so I told her I wanted to be there to support her in that, because I have never heard her preach before and this was her first time. So last night I stopped at my house after work before I headed out to Rochelle's church. I had forgotten to take the big trash can from off the curb, so down the driveway I went (in high heels of course:) to roll back the trash can ( you just take tinier steps thats all:) haha..) when I looked up and saw this very elderly lady across the street from me rolling her trash can back. I immediately stopped and walked over there and asked her if I could help her with it. She looked up at me and smiled and said "Oh no darlin I think I can get this." " Well I would be so happy to help if I can!" I said. She smiled at me and said" I've seen you out in the yard over there...did you just move in?" "Yes maam, just a few months ago"(I was living in the "hood "in Nashville, and now I have an adorable place with a big back yard and trees and flowers in a charming little neighborhood, and I don't hear gunshots in the night anymore! Thank you Lord...) " Well my name is Bessie and I have lived in this neighborhood for over 56 years in this house right here.....I was married for 56 years...my husband died just a few years ago...." Her eyes teared up...I thought as I looked at her"Oh my gosh!! 56 years...that is totally amazing. Her eyes were still moist and shining. I reached out and put my arms around her and hugged her and said "Miss Bessie that is so amazing....to spend your life with someone for 56 years and to have lived in the same house all these years...I bet you have seen so much!" I pointed out the beautiful Peony bush across from us that is getting ready to bloom...(One of my very favorite flowers!!) She told me her favorite flowers were red geraniums. She told me a story about the man who used to own the house on the corner and how the two yards where the town house I am now living in used to be covered in Peony bushes. The very spot I am living in used to be a huge garden! That blessed me so much. She began telling me how she washed her curtains that day and soaked them in epson salts before she hung them out on the line outside. "Won't you come in and see them?" she said. I said "Epson salts Miss Bessie?!!"" The only thing I have ever soaked in epson salts before has been me!! " She laughed as we walked in her house. She said"There they are!" so proudly," and you don't have to iron them either when you soak em like that!" Well there they were in all their glory...pretty as a picture little cottage curtains...ruffles and all!!:) I said "Miss Bessie they are just beautiful!" she said" Go on..you can touch them.." I was amazed! They looked like they had been perfectly ironed and felt like they had been starched! I knew I really needed to run on and get to Rochelle's church so I hugged her goodbye. When I got to my house I looked out in the back yard at the big pots of red geraniums that I planted last weekend. " I felt the prompting from within "Go on... just do it!!:)" I picked up one of the big pots full of the red geraniums and trotted across the street...it was heavy!! And I was still in those little black high heels:)...rang the doorbell, and watched Miss Bessie's face light up "Oh Honey!! What have you gone and done!!"
"Happy Mothers Day Miss Bessie!" I said as I choked up a bit...I imagined myself handing the red geraniums to my Mom who just recently passed away. "Oh honey they are just beautiful...you just shouldn't have done this...."I said :Oh yes Miss Bessie...oh yes! It is my greatest pleasure to do this!" And it was....it truly was.
As I got in the car I called Rochelle to let her know I was on my way. She said "Why don't you sing tonight before I preach!" I said "Oh my gosh girl...I mean....well uh...I uh....well!" "Patricia...get in that house and just bring a track...I want you to sing tonight! I said "Lord have mercy Rochelle...I mean I guess I could....welll......uhhh" You would never have thought that I have ever sung a day in my life!!! This sure isn't the way it has always been for me. You would never know now that I have spent most of my life touring, recording, and singing professionally.......before audiences of thousands and thousands of people.Have you ever seen the movie "The Natural"? It is one of my favorites...I relate to Roy Hobbs in that movie..."Yeah...Ive just been out of the game for a little while..." he said. What do you do when you have a gift and a passion for music from God? It never leaves...it is a gift. ( I will have to write about this at another time...it is a story in itself!!:) Well the long and short of it is ...my other dearest friend, several weeks ago insisted that I go buy a couple of tracks..Linda said "Patti...just go out and get some tracks and sing in the house..I mean you are singing already.... just get ready!!" I said "Ready for what Linda?!! Singing at the reception desk at my job!!? Right." I have to remeber that God's promises are for real!! If He says something he will do it! Our job is to believe! "OK...OK...I'll do it!" Well I ran back in the house and looked at these two tracks ( I would rather sing live with just a keyboard or guitar I thought...sometimes I just have an aversion to tracks!!) I looked at the one which I have never even sung and the Holy Spirit said" Yeah...that one! WHAT!! I said...Oh my gosh! I grabbed it , ran down the stairs, got in the car and started listening.... and singing...it feels safe in the car!!:) I thought this is crazy.....what am I doing?!! And this track is just off the chain...funky...horn section....loud!! Oh my gosh...what if this is just too much? I kept driving...and listening....
I got there almost on time! The church is in a small neighborhood.... in the hood!... mostly a black church with loving hearts and the sweetest pastor. I went in and Rochelle was already seated on the platform. I sat behind a row of little children.....sooo adorable. The service began and while we were in worship I opened my eyes and looked down and one of the little girls was looking up at me..I smiled at her, closed my eyes and continued singing in worship...when I opened my eyes I looked down and she was still looking up at me....now along with three other children. Then she started motioning to me..I smiled at her..... but sensed something...I looked up and Rochelle was looking at me from the platform and she mouthed to me"She is deaf" My heart was gripped. At that moment the little girl walked around the pew to me and reached up with her arms to me. I was done!! Just go ahead and put the fork in me....I was done!!!....I picked her up and held her so tight and kissed her little cheek. She sat close to me for awhile, and then the pastor introduced Rochelle, who then introduced me....I was J E L L O!! Yes indeed folks!!! J E L L O But something happened!!! I started to speak about the song that I was about to sing called"No Limits-Breakthrough" and how it was time to believe for the impossible and breakthroughs in our lives and I started to tear up...I was speaking to myself too. I was so overwhelmed, but I didn't cry...and Rochelle was standing right behind me saying"Yes!" "Go on now!" "Hallelujiah!" "Tell it straight girl!" and I didn't want to hear later "Girl don't make me have to come over there and tell you to go somewhere and "setdown"!:)...ha ha ha.... no one says it like Rochelle anyhow!! When they started the track and I opened my mouth my heart was pounding out of my chest..... suddenly I saw an explosion in the Spirit!! I felt like a stick of dynamite! Everyone got up on their feet, and I think the sound system kept going in and out , but it didn't matter!! I could feel the Lord's presence so tangibly in me and in the room, and the faces I was looking out at were so sweet, and receptive, and everyone was smiling and clapping and being blessed...it just didn't matter if my voice wasn't perfect...the children were dancing, people were given hope and me.....I had opened my mouth and sang my heart out for all it was worth in front of God,( with God ), and everyone, and Rochelle preached about recieving the Holy Spirit like a woman from another world...totally off the ever loving chain!!
And that group of little ones....those precious children! My new friend Lisa who is a friend of Rochelle's has had a huge battle with drugs and is now walking in recovery and helping other women who have struggled. She is going to have a home now, built by "Habitat", her very first home, and this was the first time I could celebrate with her! She has two adorable little boys and one of them was baptized Wednesday night..... , and some of the other children recieved the power of the Holy Spirit last night. It was such a humbling and powerful thing to witness...these babies filled with His Spirit....I trembled and wept. One of the little girls walked over to me and took my hand and stood so close to me and just kept looking in my eyes for the longest time...it was so powerful.... and precious. .(Isn't it something that we as adults can barely hold a gaze with someone for less than thirty seconds at most.... sometimes.) She has three sisters and her Mom and Dad were right there just beaming...what a sweet family. And what a special night...one that I won't soon forget. Dear God,I pray that you will continue to help me to overcome this fear and give me the strength and courage that I need to do what you want me to do.
As I look out my window upstairs I see everything turning so lush and green and the beautiful ivy climbing up the huge tree in my backyard..I see the old swing hanging from the tree...I remember how I used to love to get in a swing when I was a little girl and go as high as I could and laugh and laugh...I want to do that again....I want to laugh and laugh and get in the swing and go as high as I can!! But now, he has given me another picture.... I can see His hand holding the ropes .....It makes me think about something Jesus said.... Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdon of heaven." I want to enter in...how about you?
"Happy Mothers Day Miss Bessie!" I said as I choked up a bit...I imagined myself handing the red geraniums to my Mom who just recently passed away. "Oh honey they are just beautiful...you just shouldn't have done this...."I said :Oh yes Miss Bessie...oh yes! It is my greatest pleasure to do this!" And it was....it truly was.
As I got in the car I called Rochelle to let her know I was on my way. She said "Why don't you sing tonight before I preach!" I said "Oh my gosh girl...I mean....well uh...I uh....well!" "Patricia...get in that house and just bring a track...I want you to sing tonight! I said "Lord have mercy Rochelle...I mean I guess I could....welll......uhhh" You would never have thought that I have ever sung a day in my life!!! This sure isn't the way it has always been for me. You would never know now that I have spent most of my life touring, recording, and singing professionally.......before audiences of thousands and thousands of people.Have you ever seen the movie "The Natural"? It is one of my favorites...I relate to Roy Hobbs in that movie..."Yeah...Ive just been out of the game for a little while..." he said. What do you do when you have a gift and a passion for music from God? It never leaves...it is a gift. ( I will have to write about this at another time...it is a story in itself!!:) Well the long and short of it is ...my other dearest friend, several weeks ago insisted that I go buy a couple of tracks..Linda said "Patti...just go out and get some tracks and sing in the house..I mean you are singing already.... just get ready!!" I said "Ready for what Linda?!! Singing at the reception desk at my job!!? Right." I have to remeber that God's promises are for real!! If He says something he will do it! Our job is to believe! "OK...OK...I'll do it!" Well I ran back in the house and looked at these two tracks ( I would rather sing live with just a keyboard or guitar I thought...sometimes I just have an aversion to tracks!!) I looked at the one which I have never even sung and the Holy Spirit said" Yeah...that one! WHAT!! I said...Oh my gosh! I grabbed it , ran down the stairs, got in the car and started listening.... and singing...it feels safe in the car!!:) I thought this is crazy.....what am I doing?!! And this track is just off the chain...funky...horn section....loud!! Oh my gosh...what if this is just too much? I kept driving...and listening....
I got there almost on time! The church is in a small neighborhood.... in the hood!... mostly a black church with loving hearts and the sweetest pastor. I went in and Rochelle was already seated on the platform. I sat behind a row of little children.....sooo adorable. The service began and while we were in worship I opened my eyes and looked down and one of the little girls was looking up at me..I smiled at her, closed my eyes and continued singing in worship...when I opened my eyes I looked down and she was still looking up at me....now along with three other children. Then she started motioning to me..I smiled at her..... but sensed something...I looked up and Rochelle was looking at me from the platform and she mouthed to me"She is deaf" My heart was gripped. At that moment the little girl walked around the pew to me and reached up with her arms to me. I was done!! Just go ahead and put the fork in me....I was done!!!....I picked her up and held her so tight and kissed her little cheek. She sat close to me for awhile, and then the pastor introduced Rochelle, who then introduced me....I was J E L L O!! Yes indeed folks!!! J E L L O But something happened!!! I started to speak about the song that I was about to sing called"No Limits-Breakthrough" and how it was time to believe for the impossible and breakthroughs in our lives and I started to tear up...I was speaking to myself too. I was so overwhelmed, but I didn't cry...and Rochelle was standing right behind me saying"Yes!" "Go on now!" "Hallelujiah!" "Tell it straight girl!" and I didn't want to hear later "Girl don't make me have to come over there and tell you to go somewhere and "setdown"!:)...ha ha ha.... no one says it like Rochelle anyhow!! When they started the track and I opened my mouth my heart was pounding out of my chest..... suddenly I saw an explosion in the Spirit!! I felt like a stick of dynamite! Everyone got up on their feet, and I think the sound system kept going in and out , but it didn't matter!! I could feel the Lord's presence so tangibly in me and in the room, and the faces I was looking out at were so sweet, and receptive, and everyone was smiling and clapping and being blessed...it just didn't matter if my voice wasn't perfect...the children were dancing, people were given hope and me.....I had opened my mouth and sang my heart out for all it was worth in front of God,( with God ), and everyone, and Rochelle preached about recieving the Holy Spirit like a woman from another world...totally off the ever loving chain!!
And that group of little ones....those precious children! My new friend Lisa who is a friend of Rochelle's has had a huge battle with drugs and is now walking in recovery and helping other women who have struggled. She is going to have a home now, built by "Habitat", her very first home, and this was the first time I could celebrate with her! She has two adorable little boys and one of them was baptized Wednesday night..... , and some of the other children recieved the power of the Holy Spirit last night. It was such a humbling and powerful thing to witness...these babies filled with His Spirit....I trembled and wept. One of the little girls walked over to me and took my hand and stood so close to me and just kept looking in my eyes for the longest time...it was so powerful.... and precious. .(Isn't it something that we as adults can barely hold a gaze with someone for less than thirty seconds at most.... sometimes.) She has three sisters and her Mom and Dad were right there just beaming...what a sweet family. And what a special night...one that I won't soon forget. Dear God,I pray that you will continue to help me to overcome this fear and give me the strength and courage that I need to do what you want me to do.
As I look out my window upstairs I see everything turning so lush and green and the beautiful ivy climbing up the huge tree in my backyard..I see the old swing hanging from the tree...I remember how I used to love to get in a swing when I was a little girl and go as high as I could and laugh and laugh...I want to do that again....I want to laugh and laugh and get in the swing and go as high as I can!! But now, he has given me another picture.... I can see His hand holding the ropes .....It makes me think about something Jesus said.... Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdon of heaven." I want to enter in...how about you?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"Winds of Change"
It is the quintessential spring day in Tennessee if ever there was one! There is just no place like springtime in Tennessee.... but the winds are really high today...and as I stood outside in the sun, I closed my eyes..... in my spirit I heard "the winds of change are blowing"..yes these are the winds of change." Isn't it amazing how you can wait so long, pray and pray and pray for change, but as you sense it's coming you almost want to run the other way!! Not really but.....We are such an interesting lot:) Are we not?!!:) Then I had another picture...God gives me pictures sometimes...I saw the scene from the Titanic when Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are standing on the bough of the ship... she was scared at first, but she let go as he held her, and she opened her eyes and leaned into the wind. I just keep hearing the Holy Spirit say.................
"Just lean into the wind....Just lean into the wind...let it take you..I've got you...you're safe..Just lean into the wind and let it take you to where I want you to be. Just trust me...keep your focus on me and just trust me." God is so faithful. Even in all of our pain and questions, and not understanding so much....with no answers.... I've been thinking about my Mom alot today...I miss her so much...she passed away very recently...she is the one who brought music into my life...I remember the Sunday mornings when I was a little girl..I would wake up to the smell of meatballs, and spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove and some great jazz artist playing on the record player. And she would be singing in the kitchen along with Tony Bennett or Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald...so many others. That is the music I cut my teeth on I guess you would say. And R&B!!:) I remember right before she died, sometimes she would sing on the phone to me..I would say "Mom sing me a song.." And very feebly she would begin...sometimes she would forget words and I would help her...tears were streaming down my face, but I never let her know that i was crying on the other end...I spent most of my life away from her and missed her very much...and I still do. I know it is time to sing again...even though the doctors told me I might never be able to sing again...or even talk the same...Look at God! I talk exactly the same...and I can still sing. Lord give me the courage to see this through. I know it is what she would want me to do......I feel the winds of change....
Love,
Patricia
"Just lean into the wind....Just lean into the wind...let it take you..I've got you...you're safe..Just lean into the wind and let it take you to where I want you to be. Just trust me...keep your focus on me and just trust me." God is so faithful. Even in all of our pain and questions, and not understanding so much....with no answers.... I've been thinking about my Mom alot today...I miss her so much...she passed away very recently...she is the one who brought music into my life...I remember the Sunday mornings when I was a little girl..I would wake up to the smell of meatballs, and spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove and some great jazz artist playing on the record player. And she would be singing in the kitchen along with Tony Bennett or Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald...so many others. That is the music I cut my teeth on I guess you would say. And R&B!!:) I remember right before she died, sometimes she would sing on the phone to me..I would say "Mom sing me a song.." And very feebly she would begin...sometimes she would forget words and I would help her...tears were streaming down my face, but I never let her know that i was crying on the other end...I spent most of my life away from her and missed her very much...and I still do. I know it is time to sing again...even though the doctors told me I might never be able to sing again...or even talk the same...Look at God! I talk exactly the same...and I can still sing. Lord give me the courage to see this through. I know it is what she would want me to do......I feel the winds of change....
Love,
Patricia
Friday, September 26, 2008
Quote friom the movie "Basquiat" Directed by Julian Schnabel
I was watching the movie Basquiat. I heard this spoken and I had to stop. It completely arrested me and I felt it worthy of quoting and remembering..... The narration may have been by the director Julian Schnable.
"What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Artists are respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slums using one's sheer self as a medium. The money earned is proof pure and simple that the value of that individual is the artist. The picture a mother's son does in jail hangs on her wall, and is proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched, and this is a much different idea than art is a scam and a ripoff. But you could never explain this to someone who uses God's gift to enslave, but you have used God's gift to be free."
Basquiat was being interviewed and here are several quotes from him that I loved.
"People are generally crude...I don't know that many refined people."
The question was posed to him by the interviewer....
"Do you consider yourself a painter or a black painter? Basquiat responded....
"Oh I use a lot of colors besides black." (I love it!!!)
And something he said that I would like to put on a T Shirt....
"I don't exploit.....No."
"What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Artists are respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slums using one's sheer self as a medium. The money earned is proof pure and simple that the value of that individual is the artist. The picture a mother's son does in jail hangs on her wall, and is proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched, and this is a much different idea than art is a scam and a ripoff. But you could never explain this to someone who uses God's gift to enslave, but you have used God's gift to be free."
Basquiat was being interviewed and here are several quotes from him that I loved.
"People are generally crude...I don't know that many refined people."
The question was posed to him by the interviewer....
"Do you consider yourself a painter or a black painter? Basquiat responded....
"Oh I use a lot of colors besides black." (I love it!!!)
And something he said that I would like to put on a T Shirt....
"I don't exploit.....No."
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