good people (period)

Who am I? Who are you?

Hebrews 4:12-13 (I'm not going to type it out. Take the time to look it up, we never do enough of the work and discovery ourselves anymore).

On the thought-side: I find it fascinating how we all define things so differently from each other. What a co-worker defines as fun...I might define as terrifying. What a friend defines as irrational...I might define as reasonable. And vice versa.
I have encountered a lot of people recently whose definition of Forgiveness, Truth, and Unconditional Love seem vastly different than mine...
I don't know whether there is always a right or wrong in these situations, but if some people would "act" half as much as they read or half as much as they talk...God's kingdom would be much larger. I'm fed up with people who preach and stand on their soapbox and forget that we are all here, now, together. And if they would just shut-up for half a second, they might actually be able to listen...And hear God speak. We forget that God doesn't always talk through burning bushes. Maybe he wants us to hear Him speak through someone else's voice. So, if you think whatever you have to say is more important than anyone else because you know how to articulate and manipulate the English language...perhaps you should spend less time on adverbs and adjectives and more time on the subject. While you're busy getting tangled up in trivial verbal nonsense...your co-worker, neighbor, friend, cousin is wishing someone cared what she/he has to say when they open their mouth. Their salvation is the subject...(I could insert some stupid pun here...like "so act like a verb, " but that would contradict a portion of my point).
So many places in the Bible I recall people running up to Jesus and asking Him, begging Him for things, but he didn't silence them before they were able to speak. He waited. He listened. And then because he cared, He acted.

(This is not typically my style of communication: the whole bitter, ranting, raving route. But I'm working on a book...and well, sometimes you have to get into character)

"a thirty dollar for a dead duck style" situation

Here are some of my recent ponders, poems, pictures and plainsongs (any simple and unadorned melody or air):

From an April sermon (Ponder): "Your lifestyle will eventually scream who your God is..."

***To the man in the picture: I'd like to meet you, if you are out there...find me.***

From a famous poet (Poem): "I want you to know one thing.

You know how this is:

if I look at

the crystal moon, at the red branch

of the slow autumn at my window,

if I touch near the fire

the impalpable ash

or the wrinkled body of the log,

everything carries me to you,

as if everything that exists,

aromas, light, metals,

were little boats

that sail

toward those isles of yours that wait for me."

From Company of Thieves (Plainsong): "I am angry all the time*No one’s fault but mine*Tell me how you fashion kind when you’re out of style*I have tried hard to answer* All the questions that you’ve posed*Tell me now how should I care when I feel so alone and so unloved*The pressure is rising*I mean it, it’s binding*I’ve been compromising for you..."

I dropped the camera and it can no longer provide panos. I'd like to honor past panos and mourn the panos that will never be... Here is a memorial of a few since I got the camera in December.

Wishin' I was with the fam. Missin' the father.

"One love, one blood, one life, you got to do what you should...one life with each other, my sisters and my brothers. One life, but we're not the same, we get to carry each other..."

iLu.iMu.Dad.

(Happy Birthday to my sister's awesome kids. Sorry I wasn't able to come Marilyn. I hope you know how much I love you.)

One can have all the facts and miss the truth (speaker at a college graduation)

(I apologize if a google search led you here when you searched for "something awesome.")

Spring Cleaning...

Sometimes we ignore the clutter, we let the past pile up so high...the present can be hard to find and the future is definitely covered up. I started a spring cleaning (which I personally like to call the spring purge). I cleaned out unneeded texts on my phone, I piled up unworn clothes, I threw away bits and pieces of the past...and I found myself feeling a sense of freedom. It's like the things I owned and the memories I was letting dust live on, were weighing me down. We do the same thing with God, we let the clutter of our past, our bad choices, and our doubt...keep us from being able to focus on the present with Him. As I clean up my room (physically) I also pray that I will clean up my relationship with God...focus on the present with Him so that He can continue to build my future.

Noteworthy: Cars break. Jobs don't always pay enough. But occasionally if you ask, you might get something worth its price...(pizza below was five dollars in total. thank you katherine).

Bear fruit?

So this is what happens as a result of "be fruitful and multiply..."

(The baby who lost at the Strawberry Festival's Miss Tiny Strawberry Contest...to a baby in a pink outfit. Yes, I did say LOST...I know what you're thinking "injustice exists even at the Strawberry Festival"...)

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First page of a book I opened to at a shop in Saluda, NC. Awesome. Enough said. Period.

Listen up clover hunters everywhere.

Walks are a great way for me to clear my head and work off all the cookies and coco puffs I tend to enjoy nightly. On this particular walk, my goal was to blare Adele's sultry soulful voice into my ears and sing loud enough that the neighbors would alarm police of a possible crime in the area. I did not bring out Greenville County Police Squad, but I did find five four-leaf clovers. I wasn't looking for the clovers. I just kind of "happened" upon them.
It got me thinking about how we find good solid friendships. Four-leaf clovers are rare, but they aren't impossible to find...and well, if you find one you make sure to treat it with care and keep it. And usually with a little time, one will lead you to another one.

That leads me to this story: Once upon a time at a place we'll call "The Trigger," I found myself in a kitchen surrounded by a diverse group of people who shared a common love: Jesus. I was invited to the Trigger by my artistic, intelligent, and sincere friend Keller Bean. I was immediately introduced to Rene Hips and Ame Gaine, who were cooking in the kitchen. As the night progressed, we were all joined by Grady Pine, Clare McClary and Milton Wents. Each "character" was so distinct, we had Rene (the northerner), Ame (the very southern belle), Grady (the midwest comedian), Clare (the gullible Texan), and Milton (the All-American jock). But what captivated me most about this experience was what I could learn from each person in that room.

Keller made me think about my own sincerity and intentions. His actions were direct. And his affections toward his friends and myself were genuine. He was insightful, but not someone who had to draw the limelight and conversation to himself. He was satisfied in the shadows of the room, a mild patient man. I enjoyed that kind of patience. It was clear that he thought before he spoke and he made me aware of the truth in the old saying, "think before you speak." He doesn't voice an opinion on everything, but when he does voice...his opinions are strong. His creativity and talents were sprinkled throughout the location...in the forms of furniture and art.

Rene was sweet, but strong and bold. There was no doubt in my mind she was extremely intelligent. I could learn from her, the art of articulation. Her words were clear and came out with power, backed by discernment. She was a nurturing and maternal figure amongst the group. Seemingly someone you could count on in a bind.

Ame had the warmth of a southern woman, with a gentleness about her. There was no doubt her vocabulary included frequent "ain'ts" and "ya'lls," but her personality was endearing. I could learn from her to be more welcoming and warm, not to put up the guard before words are even exchanged.

Grady could make a mule laugh (if such things are possible). He had the gift of humor. His words seemed completely uncalulated or premeditated, yet all the punchlines fell in the right place. I could learn from him the value of a laugh and a smile. His presence seemed to fill all the awkard silences and bring a sense of comfort to the group. He complimented the two girls who had cooked...and reminded me how important it is to verbalize thanks.

Clare was adorable. I found her enchanting with a real southern charm. Her innocence made me want to be more Godly: pure in thoughts, words, and actions. She smiled constantly and her naiveness was something I admired. I pray that she will always remain so unpretentious.

Milton, whom I believe showed up last, was the founder of the Trigger. He seemed like someone you would respect, but that you wouldn't be afraid to approach. He was just country enough to make it charming, but not enough to make him a redneck. His location was very open to anyone. Though he showed up last, you could tell his God and his service (job) came first. His discipline and willingness to share his space made him easy to appreciate.

As we play our part in life, we should never ignore the cast of other characters. It is through them that we learn about ourselves and the role we will play for an Audience of One.

What a "berry" pleasant weekend!

I will start by saying, that the posts about this weekend...will be week long, because one post would not do it justice. The weekend was "berry" eventful and "berry" fun...

Since Thursday, I accomplished: DTA, Greek Festival, Main Street Jazz, Brass Band Courtyard, Soby's Sidewalk Acoustic Session, Warehouse Attire and Tunes, Strawberry Festival in Slater and the Arts Fest in Saluda.

Food for thought: Sometimes you can't just look at the outside of something and know what to assume or expect about what it's filled with...

Music for thought: They don't sing on key, they need a better drummer, and they are far from charting Billboard record album sales anytime soon. But if you listen...you may learn from their lyrics.

Art for thought: They might make it, even create it, but you discover it's value. It's only worth, what you will invest in it.

Thought for thought: I want to be more local, more home-grown. I want my first name used at the coffee shop and a predictable order at the diner. I want to walk dogs with the Jeffersons and talk about antiques with the Smiths. And on occasion I want to share dreams and play a game of scrabble with John Doe.

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Side item--Artis Overchurch, a new friend of mine (whose name has been changed not for his protection, but in fact to remind him of the significance of "his choice"), was conflicted by two different options for the weekend. My advice to Art was to think and decide what he wanted to do, and then choose the opposite or other choice. Selfless selection is always rewarding. Mr. Overchurch did not listen to me...but I think with time he will see the painted picture or steel sculpture is often created through sacrifice, not at the gallery.

(Mr. Overchurch, I am aware that your personality is such that you can handle such criticism...and that is why you and your actions unknowingly became blogworthy (in terms of my definition, which is not yet official on dictionary.com)) .

Breaking News: assistants serve up some sugar and share some smiles

Katherine, a lovely Godly co-worker of mine whose name has not been altered or changed for this blog, and I decided to serve up some sugar. The workplace (which will remain nameless) can often seem a little "bitter." And for the sake of our souls' taste buds....we wanted to add some sweetness to the seemingly sour week. The cookies, featured above, were well receieved and even brought a few people out of their healthy new year's resolutions. See, what simply seems like $10 dollars and 90 cookies to some, to us represented serving Him (Jesus) by serving others. We may have only given out free cookies, but the smiles we got were so much sweeter than all that sugar. In other unrelated news, you know how you feel when you give up chocolate for lent or sodas and french fries for bathing suit season...and then there's that day you get to taste it again. And oh how you savor it! Today was that day... I got a gift from a friend...that piece of chocolate...that medium-sized waffle fry with polyonesian sauce. And I'll still be savoring it's sweet taste tomorrow...and appreciating the gift giver for knowing how to satisfy the craving (aka sweet tooth). I had an awesome dinner with two genuine awesome female friends. And an unexpected e-mail from a long time friend finished off a great Thursday night. I hope that everyone will find moments to savor and people to truly appreciate.

...how to live among the wolves...

Patrick Kenzie: I always believed it was the things you don't choose that makes you who you are. Your city, your neighborhood, your family. People here take pride in these things, like it was something they'd accomplished. The bodies around their souls, the cities wrapped around those.....
When I was young, I asked my priest how you could get to heaven and still protect yourself from all the evil in the world. He told me what God said to His children. "You are sheep among wolves. Be wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves."
(From GoneBabyGone)

While I do highly recommend the movie, it does have quite an extreme amount of language and violent content that I am not normally in favor of watching.

"Be careful, then, how you live- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15)

Thoughts formed based on the movie and my current scripture readings:

Christians need to become more unified (and not in a clickish way) and flock together...allowing the Shepherd to govern over all that we do and say, hour by hour, day by day.

Trials and Trails, both have art in them...God's art.

Turtles are synchronized swimmers. I wish I had more legs. Mountain Laurel is the new black.
(The picture collage from my hike today...)

"This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ...When we trust in Him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go..."

(Ephesians 3:7-13 from The Message)

Lights, Camera, Call to Action...

As a theatre minor, I'm familiar with the glare of the spotlight--that rush that comes before you enter stage right or left, where you completely fear forgetting your lines. And then as you step out into the light...the character takes over you and for a brief moment you become Betty, the coal miner's daughter, an emotional wreck and a struggling single mom.

Isn't that a lot like our view of life? We play different characters--desperately seeking the one that fits us best. You know that one that feels the most natural, the most like who we think we are. Sometimes we forget who is in charge of the casting, the directing, the staging...GOD. Christ is the real star and sometimes we just need to Clear the Stage so that He can perform.

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CAUTION: Awesome and potentially moving song lyrics and video link included below!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6MvZLDBFpU

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Clear the Stage (Song by King Ross)

Take a break from all the plans that you made

And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.

Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.

Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

Cause you can sing all you want to.

Yes you can sing all you want to

you can sing all you want to

But don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.

You can sing all you want to, but don't get me wrong...WORSHIP is more than a song...

Prepare for flight...

Welcome to my blog.
My opinions are often heavy, my mood is not always light, but My God is real.
And what and whom I seek is beyond the clouds.

Dear Father,
I've been "spiritually packing" for a long time, but you've yet to reveal where I'm going or when you intend for me to arrive there. I think this is a feeling that many believers can share. And I feel like without knowing all the details, I can't guarantee that I packed the right things (although I can guarantee that I overpacked, seriously...I'm a woman...enough said). I'm excited and I think I'm ready. But how do I know it'll be any better than where I am now? See, I've prepared for the flight...but I haven't prepared for the landing...or for really anything that comes after the free nuts and water on the plane. In these moments God, it should be our prayer that you will gives us the ability to be patient and to trust and to know that when I get off that flight, I may be somewhere even more vulnerable than I am now. Somewhere even more foreign to me, but it is not my job to book the flights, or even to coordinate the landing...it is only my job to pack and be prepared for whatever destination you place me in.