Yippee for Boundaries!

Setting boundaries sometimes can be such a good thing. I set one on March 3, and it was the most painful thing I have done all year, but I am reaping the fruit of that four weeks later.

Today is a VERY good day!

The Nativity Story

I am on a Mike Rich fest since he is an Oregon screenwriter (The Rookie, Radio). I loved this film for its simplicity, its music, its love story between Mary and Joseph (Joseph rocks - what a risk he took. We all knew Mary did, but this brought out what Joseph must have gone through).

Loved it. I am going to have my kids watch it next Christmas!

British Poets: Blake

WOW! I just read Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience by William Blake and loved it.

It was so weird because as I read Innocence, I sat by my bedroom window on this second day of Spring and felt the sunshine and the grandkids of our neighbors out in the yard to play. Then, when I got to the reality of Experience the sky grew dark and rain began to pour. The grandkids, no doubt, scampered inside, and the joyful sounds of Innocence disappeared!

Isn't that amazing?  I will write more soon.

Spring Break

Slept in 'til 10
Couldn't sleep till 4
Felt squishy but loved church
Have to set some boundaries
For my soul

Calm After the Storm

Weather last Saturday was
Gorgeous and sunny
While a storm raged inside


Step by step I walked
And poured out the storm
Into the ears of him who loves me


The ache of my toe
And ache of my heart
Were one in unison


He spoke truth after I poured
But he knows me so well
I don't believe him 


He has seen the grieving stare
He knows to just stand by
Until I hear the Voice on high


It's not that I don't like 
That he speaks truth
And listens with heart


I feel he can't judge
Objectively
Because he loves me


He doesn't want me
To hurt when
He knows I try so hard


So he waits
And prays
And loves


Hours later
Right before light
On a Sunday morning . . .


I heard


The Voice was clear
The Voice was sure
And silenced the enemies lies


Now the storm is outside
But my heart is calm
With sunshine inside

Seurat Painting Photo

First example of Seurat Painting Photo, originally uploaded by OldOnliner.

Love this take on this famous painting by George!

Forgiveness from Jane Eyre

HELEN (my favorite character in all of literature)
You mustn't be revengeful
You have to be strong
To offer good for evil
Return right for wrong
We must not hold a grudge
And we must learn to endure
Then as God is your judge
At least your heart will be pure


Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward


When they bruise you with words
When they make you feel small
When it's hardest to bear
You must do nothing at all


Forgiveness
Is the simplest vow
Forgiveness
Of all their crimes
Is your deliverance now


Bless those souls
Who would curse your name
When the last bell tolls
You'll be free of blame


You can continue to grieve
But know the Gospel is true
You must forgive those who lie
And bless them that curse you


Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness
of those you fear
Will be your highest reward


The time will come when we will leave this world,
and then the injustice and the pain and the sin will fall away from us,
and only the spark of the spirit will remain - returning to God who created it


You must never lose faith
You must never lose heart
God will restore your trust
And I know you're afraid
I'm as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love

Forgiveness

HELEN
You mustn't be revengeful
You have to be strong
To offer good for evil
Return right for wrong
We must not hold a grudge
And we must learn to endure
Then as God is your judge
At least your heart will be pure
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
When they bruise you with words
When they make you feel small
When it's hardest to bear
You must do nothing at all
Forgiveness
Is the simplest vow
Forgiveness
Of all their crimes
Is your deliverance now
Bless those souls
Who would curse your name
When the last bell tolls
You'll be free of blame
You can continue to grieve
But know the Gospel is true
You must forgive those who lie
And bless them that curse you
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
The time will come when we will leave this world,
and then the injustice and the pain and the sin will fall away from us,
and only the spark of the spirit will remain - returning to God who created it
You must never lose faith
You must never lose heart
God will restore your trust
And I know you're afraid
I'm as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love