Good morning, friends, from New Orleans!!! This is a quick entry as I wait for my breakfast to arrive at the table…already had a delicious biscuit and my fresh hot coffee tastes simply amazing just now. Of course part of the reason for that may be I got very little sleep last night…since I was rocking out to Mumford and Sons – they put on an incredible show and I definitely don’t regret driving here from Houston to see them!! …of course, the main reason I was here was to see Maryanne and enjoy the show with her. Hurrah for good times!!! Reading Psalm 105 just now and reminded how good it is to thank and praise the Lord for all his many blessings to me. So…praise the Lord!!!! Now, my chicken and waffles and potatoes have arrived. Breakfast time. Peace and love.
Tag: music
Citizen Erased
Hi friends!! Thought I’d jot something down quickly here, even though I really should be starting work momentarily! Anyways, it’s a simply gorgeous Friday morning…streaks of pink and purple fill the sky as the sun rises above the horizon…beautiful. Now, I’m drinking my peppermint mocha and pondering a new day, wondering what adventures I’ll encounter today. After work today, going home to have a quiet evening and rest in anticipation of trip to New Orleans this weekend to hang out with Maryanne and see Mumford and Sons! (of which I’m much more excited about the former than the latter!!) I must be off now for real – be well, my friends – peace and love.
In Memoriam
This has been a rich morning. And can I describe it all to you here, dear readers? Well, maybe not sufficiently, and most likely no one will care to read this quite as much as I am enjoying remembering it, but it is my journal and so I will make full use of those inherent rights and privileges as I ramble a bit this morn…about small and sundry things that won’t mean as much to you, but have been gifts to my soul this morning.
As I sat on my couch this morning, with my honey-sweetened coffee in hand(always a good way to start the morning, no?), I got to read so many sweet sections of scripture. Starting with Psalms 115 and 116(two of my favorites, bliss! Not to us, oh Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth”) and then after reading Proverbs 29(also containing some sweet wisdom which I will not delve into further here) I continued in my journey through Ezekiel. Ezekiel is a very strange and wonderful and dangerously sobering book. And today I read what I still maintain is one of the most chillingly frightening chapters in all of scripture – Ezekiel 22. “‘…and they have forgotten Me,’ declares the Lord GOD.” So after reading in graphic detail the sins of the people of God and of the grave seriousness with which the Lord took the affront to His name, I then turned to Romans, which I’ve just started. Romans is always a perfectly delightful book to read and I’ve really enjoyed the first couple chapters already. So today read chapters 3 and 4, with a very little bit of 5(because really – the first few verses of 5 are just marvelous!! I can’t remember them off-hand, which means you get to look them up). But my reading today(which I seldom describe, but again, I will indulge myself today!) took me from from the depths of despair that is our sin against God…to the heights of glory upon realizing the grand plan of God which encompasses both Jew and Greek – salvation for all who have faith in Him. Faith alone – naught of what we’ve done! This salvation through Jesus Christ, because of His propitiation for our sins – oh beautiful thought! And so I really can’t think of a more perfect combination of chapters than Ezekiel 22 and Romans 3-4…and God granted me such a gift by allowing me to read them this day. And so as my heart was lifted and my spirit enlivened and my soul strengthened from above, I drove off to work…and fortuitously enough, my current CD ended and I popped the next one in – which happened to be the Oh Hellos “Through the Deep Dark Valley”…very possibly my current favorite album and a masterpiece of emotion and grace and joy and light. And I had no doubt as I continued to be encouraged by their music as I drove through the slowly lightening Houston morning that God had given me yet another gift…listening to such sweet music that encourages me so. And now this rambling paragraph must draw to a close, I know this. And all these thoughts that I write – they are for my memory and for me to look back on in times of darkness and doubt…so that I will remember the things the Lord has done for me. So that I will see the many beautiful blessings of God that I have been given. I have been given much and thus do I love much. Be deeply encouraged this day, every one of you – rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation and dance in the light of the gospel of God. Peace and love.
Far Too Beautiful
Good morning, dear friends!! It’s a beautifully cold morning here in Houston and it’s about time for work to begin – but thought I’d pop on to the dusty world of livejournal and say hello. I’ve had an interesting few days(I’m terrible I know…no time to share the details!) and while it can at times be easy to moan and fret about the things that go not the way I’d prefer, I really can’t stomach the thought of complaining when I know the God I belong to. And on this morning that I’ve been constantly reminded of the rich and endless love that has been granted me, I leave you with these words from one of my favorite songs lately…
And heaven knows
I’m prone to leave
the only God
I should have loved,
and yet You’re far too beautiful to leave me.
For Emma
Hello friends!! I am at Starbucks in Houston…and really wanted to write something good and proper on this second day of the year 2016. But I can’t think of what to say. Tragedy of tragedies. And so just to fill this space, will post the track list for my most recent mix CD(one I gave to Maryanne and Laura for Christmas! Oh, and to John too. And Julie). And we’ll see if it stands the test of time, but I am very pleased with it and think it may be my most favourite mix yet. Thus, I present:
the tragic fall and most surprising Redemption of anakin skywalker
1. Thus Always to Tyrants – The Oh Hellos
2. Pressing Flowers – The Civil Wars
3. Poison and Wine – The Civil Wars
4. Tip of My Tongue – The Civil Wars
5. Flume – Bon Iver
6. Master of None – Beach House
7. Danse Macabre – The Oh Hellos
8. Auburn and Ivory – Beach House
9. Re: Stacks – Bon Iver
10. Seven Swans – Sufjan Stevens
11. Paths – Seryn
12. I Was Wrong – The Oh Hellos
13. Hold On – Seryn
14. To The Desert – The Branches
15. Going Home – The Branches
16. Lay Me Down – The Oh Hellos
17. At the Table – Josh Garrels
18. The Sower’s Song – Andrew Peterson
19. Revelator – Josh Garrels
20. Trees – The Oh Hellos
And you may notice quite a bit of repetition..but I just couldn’t help it. This list very much reflects my new favourite artists and albums of 2015 – you’ll see Beach House, Bon Iver, Sufjan, Branches, Josh Garrels, Andrew Peterson, etc…and what I’m saying is my very favourite of this past year – The Oh Hellos(many many thanks to John for introducing me to them and persuading me to go to a most awesome concert of theirs in Austin!!! I am most grateful). This mix is also very much thematically arranged. My sisters and Caisson had much fun trying to figure out how this mix mapped to Anakin’s journey…and while that somewhat works, this mix is most of all designed to show the journey of a lonely broken person from darkness into light…from the great sickness of the soul(complete with pride and sorrow and supreme self love…) to the realisation that we cannot save ourselves and that we are totally broken and lost…and there is only One who can save. And that is the story and metaphor of this mix. Although it’s not perfect, I do love it and it also happily matches my current music tastes as well. What can I say?
And that was a bit longer than I even thought I could write today!! Now it’s already far too late in the afternoon and I am off to Trader Joe’s to do some food shopping(thinking sausage and mash tonight for dinner!) and then back to my place to enjoy a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Will most likely read some more of my George Whitefield bio…it’s so so good. I can now un-categorically state that it is my favourite ever biography(sorry Edwards!!) and I am very sad that I am already almost halfway through Volume 2. So good and so encouraging. Oh that I could be blessed by God in such manner as Whitefield! Oh that I could serve my God in so wholehearted a fashion and with such pure and passionate love! And I then muse upon my current state and realise how very blessed I am. I am known by God. I am loved by God. This I know and in this I rejoice. And now I pray – in this knowledge and joy may I live my life and walk day by day. May my heart’s song ever be raised up to my Lord and my God. Forever and always I sing,
Oh for a thousand tongues to sing – my great Redeemer’s praise!
Thus Always to Tyrants
Let me die, let me drown, lay my bones in the ground
I will still come around when the time for sleep is through
Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale
Do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you
Every tomb, every sea, spit the bones from your teeth
Let the ransomed be free as the revel meets the day
Let the valleys awake, let them rattle and shake
In the wind that remakes all that time has worn away
To and fro, I will not follow
Where you go, I will not also
I will look for you as the sun rises higher
When the dry bones dance with the timbrel and lyre
There’s a wind alive in the valley
It will fill your lungs, if you’ll have it
Where I go, will you still follow?
Will you leave your shaded hollow?
Will you greet the daylight looming,
Learn to love without consuming?
(Disclaimer: Not written by me!! My new fav band, the Oh Hellos. I’m a bit obsessed with them just now. Just a bit. Happy Wednesday, dear friends.)
Hazelnut Lane
Hello my friends!! I am posting this before work begins this morning, partly because I realise I haven’t properly written anything in far too long! And I thought that trend of not posting needs to be arrested immediately!! And even now, I don’t have the time to say much. But it is a beautifully cold morning here(low 40s – for Houston, shockingly cold!) and it’s pretty awesome finally getting to wear a turtleneck and sweater to work again. Yes, I am easily made happy. And so as I drove to work this morning with my hazulnut mocha, feeling warm and cosy in my car as I watched the sky slowly lighten and listened to Sufjan’s soft jams…I just realised how truly blessed I am – I have been given so much. No doubt there, none at all.
And really, I think back over this past weekend – and am even more thankful!! I’ve been having an interesting few months here(and few weeks! Maybe I shall discuss in depth at a later date, we shall see) and I know God has definitely been teaching me to even more fully rely on Him and enjoy Him purely and above all else. And I’ve still been feeling a bit emotionally weary…and then right before this upcoming weekend trip to Austin, I ended up getting physically sick! A nasty cold and fever…you know, all that good stuff. I almost cancelled the trip to Austin, but John talked me into it. And I’m very glad he did. Drove up with John to Austin Friday afternoon and spent some quality time hanging out with him that night and Saturday morning(before Melissa and Jim drove up to join us!). Me and John got lots of talking time…of course interspersed with some quality Doctor Who watching. Of course. And once Jim and Melissa joined us, we had a sweet afternoon(more wonderful talking as we walked in the Colorado River Wildlife Sanctuary in the middle of Austin – gorgeous walk, did not see any wildlife. Still, would come again). And as I walked on the woods trail and breathed deep of the crisp wintry air and looked at the piercing blue sky above…I gave thanks to God for his many and diverse blessings that He has given me. Later that evening was the object of our trip – the Oh Hellos concert! I’d not really listened to their music much(Christian folk/rock, I guess?), but John loves them, so I figured it’d be fun! And it was simply a grand time! Outdoor venue, so very very cold though – had my coat zippered all the way to my chin, still shivering in between sets! But being with Jim and Melissa and John…hearing beautiful music and looking up at the moon shining down on us from the nighttime sky and feeling the sure confidence that comes from knowing I am loved by my Father God. And so yesterday morning, we enjoyed a sweet breakfast at a French cafe, then worshiped at a church in downtown Austin…and after a much enjoyed pizza lunch, me and John drove back to Houston, where – of course – more quality talking time was had. And so now I am back in Houston, about to embark on another work week(ok – a very short two day work week!!) and though I know not all before me will be smiles and laughter, I know that God is with me and I cannot wait to see the things He has in store for me. The Lord God is my joy and my confidence – now and forever.
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that shall I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
Streets of New York
Hey friends – happy Saturday!!! I am very wisely making use of the wi-fi here at Starbucks and hence you all get a small update. I do apologise that my literary(or not so literary??) output has been so drastically reduced ever since I moved to my new place. My new apartment is rather fine, if I say so myself…but I don’t think I’ve yet written an entry from there. Alas.
Anyways – it’s a fine September day here in Houston and I’ve already gotten quite a few things done(the most important – obviously – being the crafting of my newest mix CD. I’m not sure if it’s perfect yet, but figure I’ll take it to NYC this weekend and let Maryanne trial it out(and if it proves acceptable, I may post the track list here eventually…)) Oh have I not mentioned that yet? Yep – me and Maryanne are going on a city adventure this weekend – I fly out Thursday morning and then me and Maryanne have a glorious four days to explore NYC(and Philly! – on Saturday). I’ve never visited NYC(to my shame?) and I’m pretty psyched. Of course, mostly because me and Maryanne get some quality hang-out time. Who cares about the city anyway, eh?
Also – got some fun news today – two people I haven’t seen in quite some time messaged me and asked if we could hang out when they’re in town. I was definitely confused(but elated!) to get messages from both in one morning! Joe Patz is going to be back in October and Mark Neish(wow I haven’t seen him since…I left Scotland!!) will be here in November for a week of training. So long-missed-friend-reunion times…coming up. God is good. Indeed, I get reminded now how much I’ve been blessed with FAR TOO MANY amazing friends in my life. These are just a few of them…always remember the good things that God has done for me, indeed.
Any other news of late? I’m sure I could think of some random tidbits, but really nothing else crazy in my life right now. Hopefully this post makes up for my long absence. Peace, my friends – peace and love.
Cinnamon Jump
Happy Saturday, y’all!!! I seriously am only going to write a few words, because my feet are tapping and I’m eager to get out in the bright sunshine…and leave Starbucks behind, where I’ve spent far too much time today(shocking, I know!). But – it has been a most productive morning…got lots of little online chores done(having no Internet at home means Saturday Starbucks is my best time for online tasks, naturally…). I also mostly got my community group lesson for next week done, which is a pleasant surprise as I didn’t think I’d be able to complete it today. I probably will work on tightening it up a bit tomorrow…but it’s in good shape so I am happy. Looking at prayer and Philippians 1:9-11. Good words. I really did want to write a little something beautiful…like a poem or something…but I’ve been here too long and since I’m getting antsy – my heart is not in the poem-writing mood. Alas.
Quickly, before I fly! Last night! Spent a marvelous night with friends – reminded again as always of how much I’ve been blessed. Went out north to the Woodlands for a concert(of course accompanied by a fine tex-mex pre-show meal at Chuy’s…). Ernie, John, Michelle, Abby, Claire and Julie and I had such sweet times…talking, laughing, being silly…and then enjoying a quality rockin’ show by The Avett Brothers – they’re a folksy band that really knows how to rock!! I’d never heard them before, but not at all sorry I was there.
And oh I said I would only write a few words…how has it spilled to three paragraphs? Oops. Anyways, I’m going to leave and continue enjoying my Saturday. This is my last Saturday in Houston for a couple weeks…as next week, I’m going to be going on a fine Maryland adventure – return to my homeland indeed!! Will be some quality times with a quality friend…and I’m pretty psyched, cannot deny! Now I’m off for real. Need to do some shopping(thinking a fine dinner tonight of chicken, baked potatoes and homemade stuffing). But I can’t end this without simply stating how thankful I am for the blessings of my God. He has blessed me much. Peace, my friends. Peace and love!!!
Spaced
Hello friends!! It’s a calm Saturday afternoon here at the house…at least now it is! I’ve been happily productive today – got up and a had a sweet reading time with my coffee – then drove around Houston, doing various errands. One of them involved being at work for an hour. Joy. But hey – I’m actually glad I went in, because I got all my necessary work done and I can now relax this fine evening! After work, went to the grocery store to get necessary items…then I came back home(in the pouring rain, naturally) – all the way listening to my new mix CD – “Starlight City”. A thing of beauty if I do say so myself. I’ll post the tracklist here eventually, but not yet – just in case Daniel does read this entry! It’s his farewell present…not that I want to think about him moving away. You know. Because I’m silly and I love music, I also sent the CD to a few other far-away people! Anyways, once home, I made coffee to go with my lunch of pineapple and saltines(unorthodox meal, I know…) and then I turned on the TV to watch Eurovision 2015. Because yes. Oh Eurovision, never stop being weird. I watched the first few songs(Armenia being my favorite…but as is usual, my favorite is never the popular one…sadness) but then got interrupted by Caroline on Skype. Because we have not talked in far too long!! Two hours(and a cup of tea) later, and after some quality chat, we finally decided it was her bedtime and my dinnertime. But oh do I love good friends such as her…being able to talk on all matter of subjects even though we haven’t seen each other in months….quality friendship. Thank you, Lord – for dear friends such as her!!
And now my dinner is in the oven(another…interesting meal – a burger, green beans, and yellow squash, seasoned by garlic, black pepper, rosemary and lemon juice…and baked in the oven. Don’t judge). I’m going to walk to the mailbox now – hoping to see a parcel from Chris and Jo – according to Chris, it should be here soon! And it’s lovely outside now, all clean and fresh after the rain shower. So I’m going to take a walk and close this entry. Be well, my friends. Peace, always!
Something Weird 