The age of expression

I believe we are in what could be called "the age of expression."  Sure, there are all these ways of getting information and learning so we could still be in the "age of information," but I think we are surpassing that. No longer is the Internet just to find out the answers for your questions, but it is the place for you to, as YouTube says, "broadcast yourself." Blogs and articles on random issues, as well as quite serious and large issues, pop up all over. 

From singleness to dating to marriage to religion to workouts to makeup to equality to healthcare to politics...whatever is on our mind, we are free to express it. The famous Facebook asks, "what's on your mind?" But it is no longer a Facebook status. It's now links to the viral articles, viral videos, viral pictures or memes or riddles. It's not just "I'm enjoying time with my loved ones," but "...and this is my philosophy on loved ones."

Is it that we are desperate for attention? Desperate to be heard? Is it because, in spite of the various ways of communication, we worry that no one is listening? 

The truth is, I love to write. I love to write about what I love and what I think. And I'm not the only one. Gone are the days where you need an English or journalism degree to publish something for the world to see. Gone is even the need for grammar, perhaps. But one thing that will always remain is our human need to be understood. To be heard. To be listened to. To know that we matter. That our thoughts matter. 

Dear friend, don't you know that we cannot be that for one another? Not a single relative, friend, spouse, child, pupil....not one single person can complete you, being there every time you need something or want to share your thoughts. But there is Someone who is. 

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV)

God knows our thoughts before we even say it. Even when we feel He is far away, and when we are turned away from Him, even then He hears our thoughts. He is the One who completes, hears, and understands us at all times. 

Although I would love to have an article or book floating around in circles of influence, I know that my thoughts are known by the One who created me. The One who commands that I love Him with all my heart, soul and mind. So no matter how far I go, no matter how many people I reach, I know that my mind is to be used to love Him. And that's what I plan to use it for. 

A picture is worth a thousand words

A picture is worth a thousand words,

And words can cut one into thirds. 

So I will speak and speak I must,

Or else I fear that I may bust. 

Though pictures last and speak a lot,

Of what they speak do we give a thought?

Or perhaps sometimes we think to much,

And distort the truth and spread as such.

For can one photo say one thing,

But to another have a different ring? 

Who is right and who is wrong?

The question is short. The answer long.

For I may make a fire one night.

To keep me warm, and this is right.

But one shall see the burning flame

And think to eat with this dame. 

How disappointed she will be

When no food on fire she see.

Or if one sees the smoke as signal,

"Help me! Help me" it screams a full.

The blush and cower of the one

Who thinks me in danger and not in fun.

Still one, a next, can think he see

That I lit the fire not for me.

One picture of the fire that is made,

But many new plans to use it are laid. 

Not one is wrong, not one is right.

Except for the one who lit the light. 

So many ways to interpret one thing

Be it photo or word, bird or ring. 

May we see with eyes of love and peace

Each piece and part of all, please please?

One day I may set myself a fire

To beckon for help to get out of the mire.

The next may be to guide, a light,

Or cook a mammal after a fight. 

I cannot say what your fire is for,

But know that me it will so lure. 

For curiosity will endure. 

For now and forevermore. 

Rant

Reading proverbs is good. So good. I can't even explain. Paired with asking God to clean your tongue and mouth and  praying with others, can't be beat. So what I meant as a rant, let me knew as say, The Lord is my rock and my strength. My stronghold and shepherd. My life and my lover. My savior and my God. Glory to Him who closes the mouth that wants to drop forth foolishness and instead fills it with praise. I will praise You in the storm. Because when my eyes are on You and i am in You, there is no storm that can take You away. 

Old things gone

The old is gone, so far away.

Today and tomorrow are not yesterday. 

The past is the past and it's not right now

So we can't go back. No way, no how. 

The past may have good, bad, and ugly,

But we each change, even daily. 

So think of the good and smile, sure,

But don't ever think, " I'll go back to her"

We are new, we are being made new. 

Like each morning, the morning dew. 

It's not the old stuff; it's slightly changed

This very life has been rearranged. 

So don't worry and try to go back,

Because time just doesn't work like that. 

Move forward into the present and future

Holding onto our Father and our Creator. 

Jonah's song

So many things You have taught me Lord
So many trials You have brought me through.
How many times have I left Your herd?
How many times have I hurt You?

Through every season You lead the way
Even when I am stubborn and drag my feet
I know that You speak. I just need to obey.
Go to ninivah and new people I will meet.

To tell of Your love and mercy and grace
I should not run away or try to hide
But to them I should race and show them Your face
To bring into Your flock, Your body, Your bride.

Why do I fear to do what You say?
Make an excuse to go another place?
I know it is tough, but You made a way.
I need only to trust and seek Your face

So show me Lord so that I might obey
Show me I plead as I long to please You
Show me where to go and give the words to say
Let me honor You in all that I do.

surrender

Dear God, as I sit here wondering
When will I ever get my calling
I remember You have called us all
Into Your glorious presence and call
Us Your children that You love so dearly
So please Father God hear me clearly

I know I'm still holding on
to the things You have made gone.
You called me to surrender
But I hold on and remember.
I know I need to unclench these fists
To receive Your true gifts
But I'm still holding tight
I want this to be right

I feel so sure of what You said
But was it all just in my head?
If I knew it wasn't You
Would it change what I do?
Would I be able to sacrifice
And turn to virtue every vice

I know I'm still holding on
to the things You have made gone.
You called me to surrender
But I hold on and remember.
I know I need to unclench these fists
To receive Your true gifts
But I'm still holding tight
I want this to be right

Lord please open my hands
Take my dreams and all my plans!
Fill me with You, only You
Because You are everything it's true.
Lord please open my hands
Take my dreams and all my plans!
I give them all to You, my King
I give them all to You my King!

What do I really want?

 I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I knew what I needed. I thought I knew. I thought. When I didn't get something, I decided I wanted that, and then when I got that part, it didn't work out. I'm so confused!
I met a really great guy. Nearly everything I asked for. I was absolutely amazed. He bought me roses. Paid for out date. Called me "Pretty." Texted me sweet things. Due to previous encounters, I decided to give him the friend test. And HE decided to be out. Now i'm asking God , was it wrong to introduce a potential suitor to my closest friends?! I heard "number 8 13" and knew God had something to say.

Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the Lord. - Numbers 8:13

Well, seeing as one of those friends was actually named Aaron, this verse really stood out to me. The Levites had to stand before the man who was in charge.and then that man presented the.Levites to God.

It's important to test character. It's important to KNOW who you are getting. It's important that those who "know how it's done" have a say. It's important that those closest to God get a say in who gets to serve in the most intimate ways. It's important that my friends and family.get along with my potential suitor. And vice versa.

More important, it's essential that my suitor be able to be presented as an offering, a sacrifice, a present aroma to God