Air It Out--- "Stranger"

Nobody believes me when I tell them that you're out of your mind.
Nobody believes me when I tell them that there's so much you hide.
You treat me like a queen when we go out,
wanna show everyone what our love's about.
All wrapped up in me whenever there is a crowd,
But when no ones around;

There's no kindness in your eyes,
The way you look at me, it's just not right.
I can tell whats going on this time,
Theres a stranger in my life.
You're not the person that I once knew.
Are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do,
Then they would see a stranger too..

Did I ever do anything that was this cruel to you?
Did I ever make you wonder who was standing in the room?
You made yourself look perfect in every way,
So when this goes down, I'm the one that will be blamed.
Your plan is working so you can just walk away,
Baby your secret's safe.

There's no kindness in your eyes,
The way you look at me, it's just not right.
I can tell whats going on this time,
Theres a stranger in my life.
You're not the person that I once knew.
Are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do,
Then they would see a stranger too..

Such a long way back, from this place that we are at.
When I think of all the time I've wasted, I could cry..

There's no kindness in your eyes,
The way you look at me, it's just not right.
I can tell whats going on this time,
Theres a stranger in my life.
You're not the person that I once knew.
Are you scared to let them know it's you?
If they could only see you like I do,
Then they would see a stranger too..

---"Stanger"  Hillary Duff
Thanks to my shuffle I re-found out what this song was talking about. 

Fight the Good Fight

I've wrestled this circumstance in my heart and my mind
It's grip grows stronger - and how defenseless am I?
The grip of pride, impatience, and pain
The grip of uncertainty - of things insane

Lord I need your light on this ambiguous path
I need your hand - I may need your wrath
But I will hold strongly to you as this match drags on
Until it is finished and the bell has rung

Let them all rejoice the winner in this tainted fight we purge
Lord, no matter my closing stature I will not have the urge...
Of vengeance, of hate, of sorrow or loss
For you put Christ in my corner when you put him on the cross

My victory will not be in the understanding of Man
It will be in your honor, in your name, in your glory - Amen.


by ME :)

Hello Lover---

What have I taught myself?
What have I allowed myself to be considered Love? Intimacy? Passion?
The heart seeks to encounter, not conquer, the one it calls to as "lover."

Here I am relearning. 
Here I am opening myself to new forms of physicality that are not what I've considered intimate and passionate before.  The shallow-waters of a simple touch.  The simplicity of a kiss.  The gentleness of hair being brushed from my cheek.  Allowing the "love" in my life to be himself and comfortable in his skin. Being patient as he grows into a matured mate.  Respecting the time needed for the channel of pure openness to create between us.  This is my new intimacy. Understanding is my new sensuality. 

"Man... is always an individual, a unique entity, different from everybody else.  He differs by his particular blending of character, temperament, talents, disposition, just as he differs at his fingertips.  He can affirm his human potentialities only by realizing his individuality.  The duty to be alive is the same as the duty to become oneself, to develop into the individual one potentially is."  --- Erich Fromm

The Bully In Me

As Christians, I believe we are called to play an unusual role in dealing with bullies. It is not a role the world plays-filled with anger and vengeance. It is not a role of passivity. It is not a role of hate. We can't gratify our flesh and play tit-for-tat games. In other words, it's not easy.

We are called to love our enemies, to pray for them, but to stand firm against unrighteousness and injustice. We are called to draw a line in the sand about our beliefs. We aren't aggressive, but we are assertive. We aren't boastful, but we are confident about our God's wishes for His people. Most importantly, we can't ignore the problem.

Facing the problem takes courage - addressing the problem takes work - solving the problem takes the bully out of your life. 

I have been a bully to myself.
No. Satan has been a bully to me but he uses my thoughts and words and actions against me.  In a small moment I can switch off the power of good and leave myself vulnerable to the power of evil.  How easily I have let him take control....  I must be courageous, I must do the work, so that I can live His Life.

"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  

Micah 6:8

How Often I Bite My Tongue

Not so long ago I allowed my tongue to flap freely - if I had an opinion I stated it, if I didn't have an opinion I created it, if the room grew silent I restated it.  Over time it became obvious that my opinions didn't matter so much to those around me.  My thoughts, which I put worth in to, became worthless to the ears I presented them to.  My opinions became an annoyance.  AND now that my opinions were worthless it made other things worthless - my verbal praises, my requests, my stories that should be shared - all became lightweight and easily tossed aside. 
I wish I were strong enough to take a vow of silence but that will NEVER happen in my life.  However, I have taken the vow to bite my tongue.  To know when to speak.  To know if what I speak is worth speaking.  To question if it is just valuable to myself, or is there value for others.  How much more can I learn from those around me if I hush my own thoughts and stop my tongue and truly listen to theirs?  How much more can I give by saying nothing? 

"No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made.  Destiny is made known silently."
- Agnes DeMille

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:15

A Verdant Field

My impatience is daunting today.  I love my life but I am impatient with its progress - I'm READY for things to start happening - I'm READY to move forward - I'm READY for the promises God has made.  All of which takes obedience, discipline, and courage.... and time... and I am not a fan of things taking time.  I am Mrs. Right Now!!  If it were not for Microwaves, I would live on cereal!!
When things don't happen quickly I begin to doubt, I begin to worry, I begin to take charge and I don't let God continue to do his divine work - Even when I know his ways are far better than my own! 

We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
--Romans 5:3-5

Today, Heavenly Father, I embrace your timing as my own. Today I place my faith in the divine wisdom that unfolds the seasons each at its proper time. I am a verdant field in the care of your mighty hand. I allow myself to be nurtured by Your Divine providence at the proper tempo for my perfect blossoming.

"If I acted crazy, I did it for God."

Never before have I been one for quotes -- this Blog Experiment has made me search for things that will help me open up - Quotes serve as an excellent conduit.

"All that is necessary to make this world a better place to live is to love - to love as Christ loved..."  Isadora Duncan

And if I could also insert a passage from 2 Corinthians 5:11-14 (The Message)
"It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We're not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we're on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do."

I don't believe that people come into our lives for no reason.  Every relationship has a purpose in our lives.  I believe there are some relationships that are only meant to last a season or two; but it is in those short seasons that we leave impressions on them as well as learn from them.  We are all here to help one another IF we understand our spiritual strengths and only WHEN we allow God to use those strengths and the help is NOT to be done by our own devices. 
I have tried forcing God on some in my life - I have not let God touch others.  I can stand in the way so often.  BUT here are my strengths --- Forgiveness. Humility. Empathy. I may pry, as some might say, but I find it a God-given ability to be curious and intrigued on topics of human nature that so many chalk up to mere casualties of their existence. I believe in deeper meanings in the most shallow waters. 
I have acted crazy -- I have been overly serious.  These times are not always for God but for my beliefs, and my strongest belief is in the Power of the Holy Trinity.  Assume what you will on that. 
I know I have gathered strength, self-knowledge, world-knowledge, patience, and understanding by allowing my spiritual gifts to come into contact with others.

What are your spiritual strengths?  What has God equipped you with?
Are you making this world better by letting those strengths shine?
Has Christ's love moved you to any extreme?