The Beauty of the Desert

There is a Psalm that is well marked on the pages of my Bible. Each time I read it, I mark it for emphasis. The ink has begun to bleed through to the other side. 

It reveals the despair and hopelessness of a worshiper. One who had known the joy of His Presence as worshippers were led into the house of the Lord. It is a Psalm of desperation, and yet it shows hope ... I will not give up! I will praise Him! 

I will put on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The oil of joy instead of mourning, and a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61)

The success of a blog is dependent upon the consistency of the blogger. Though the last four months have uncovered a storm of words. It seems none have made it beyond the pages of my journal or the margins of my Bible. 

My Soul longs for God - the Living God. May he rain down on me ... may he reign in me.

As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for You, God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,
while all day long people say to me,
"Where is your God?"

I remember this as I pour out my heart:
how I walked with many,
leading the festive processions to the house of God,
with joyful and thankful shouts.

Why am I depressed?
Why this turmoil within me?
Put your hope in God, I will still praise Him,
My savior and my God.  Psalm 42:1-5 (HCSB)

It is in the dry places that we grow thirsty. Our heavenly bridegroom allures and leads us to the desert. And it is in the desert where he speaks tenderly to us. He restores our vineyards, and causes the places of defeat to become a door of hope. It is in the desert that our songs are restored. (Hosea 2:14-17)

"...joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

A Harvest of Joy: 

a mother/daughter memoir 

Due out March 2013

Cathedrals of the World

Melk Abbey Austria ©

Once we travelled the rails and snaked our way high into the Swiss Alps to Andermatt. On our way back to the station we found a small church with huge wooden doors. Together my husband and I sat in the holy hush of candle light; surrounded by murals and sculptures from another time. I imagined the workers who built this haven so high on the rocky peaks.

I have walked cobbled stoned paths in Israel, Austria, Germany and Pompeii. I've bathed in light that danced its way through a million stained shards of glass, and rested in the splendor of places with domes covered in gold. I've watched the tourists with their careless cameras disrupt the faithful few. And listened to the walls hoping to hear the prayers of a thousand years. I eavesdropped once, though the language I did not know, to the prayer of one broken heart. Once I found an empty space, and risked singing an anthem of praise just to hear it echo off the ancient stones. When the tour ended, I filed out in hallowed silence, though my heart hungered for more.

But there's a faraway place that I hold so dear. A place that fills my heart with unspeakable delight. It has been the most magnificent cathedral of all. The artistry and worship were more than my senses could bare. No murals crowded my view of the sky, the walls were mud, but draped in vibrant cloth. I hold this place close to my heart, and think of it when the difficult days come (and trust me they do). 

The rhythm of their praise still echoes in my ear -- These were the songs of joy Christ must have heard as he endured the cross. Every tribe and tongue singing praises to their King. -- I remember that place and the sounds of their song. 

I remember their smiles and the way the children danced. The dust covered faces and ragged clothes. Nowhere near were there domes of gold. 

"Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God" Matthew 5:3

The Windows of our Heart

The Windows of our Heart

I love to imagine the scene from 2 Samuel 6 as it describes King David bringing the ark of the covenant - God's presence - into Jerusalem. They escorted the ark with shout of joy and praise, and David danced before the presence of the Lord.

Melk Abbey © TLW

In verse sixteen it reads, "Michal, the daughter of Saul looked out the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before God; and she despised him in her heart." She despised his exuberant and expressive worship before the presence of Jehovah, the covenant keeping God. David danced before the One who had been faithful to keep his promises to a shepherd boy. He knew the One he danced for. But Michal was so far removed from God's presence that all she could do was criticize and despise.

The part of the chapter than stands out the most, is verse eighteen and twenty. In verse eighteen we read that David offered up a burnt offerings, and blessed the people; in verse twenty he went home to bless his household. Instead he was greeted by a critical wife, she attacked him with her words.

Her critical spirit caused her to miss the blessing; she remained barren for the rest of her days. 

My prayer is that I will never be so removed from God's presence that I cannot rejoice with those who rejoice. And may I never allow criticisms to deprive me of the blessings. Lord, defined my life with fruitfulness and not barrenness! 

My Husband's Heart

Durnstein, Austria 2010 © 

My Husbands Heart

My husband had an echocardiogram this morning. Sound waves echoed through the chambers of his heart -- I wonder if it picked up the echoes of the praise that pours from his mouth. 

I imagine the tech may have heard tunes of Worthy is the Lamb, or Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing ...  

We could have saved everyone the time and money. You see, all is well within the chambers of this man's heart.

There may be a few physical aberrations in his physical heart - but with the heart that beats eternal -- all is well. 

 "Grow a wise heart —you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you'll find a good life."