Redeemer, Lover

God is the author of Salvation, with love so deep that he stooped down and gave His son.  Jesus was filled with such compassion that he laid His life down for a condemned, sick, sinful people. And because of that reason, because of His death, I am made free.  I will never cease to pray for you and never cease to love you. May you one day know the deep love and peace He has to offer.

The Unsung Hero

For a while now I have always loved Ester.  I admired her courage and passion for her faith.  I admired her determination to save her people, even though she was going up against her husband.  I also respected her for hiding God in her heart, to the point that her husband (a non-believer), was intrigued with her God and wanted to find out more about Him.

But tonight, though I have read this book many times, thanks to a friend, I have learned something new, something I NEVER even saw.  I have a new found respect for Queen Vashti . 

For those who do not know Vashti’s story, she was the Queen of Xerxes, king of Persia.  One night he held a great banquet where only the finest food and wine was served.  As the night went on, so did the drinking, to the point that the King himself became intoxicated.  The King to summoned her and asked her to make her display herself in front of everyone (all men).  When the servants came to get Vashti, Vashti refused to go to the King.  

She refused to go to the king!?  That took some guts, I mean; a Persian King is revered and feared! His word was final; he could honor someone one moment and in one breath condemn that same man to death for one “step out of line”.  Vashti had guts; she refused to be paraded around so men could look at her in ways only her husband should look at her.   

Though the outcome was not “happily ever after”, she stood up for herself.  Now the situation I find myself in right now, I hope I’m not forgotten and NOT missed (and that he keeps me), but I consider Vashti’s courage to stand up for herself.  She knew what she was worth and to have hundreds of men look at her in a manner that was inappropriate while her husband encouraged it…she was not ok with it, and would not stand for it….

So Vashti, Cheers to you!! You have one chapter (not even that)  devoted to you in the whole book of Ester and the Bible……..your courage is noted and remembered…at least by this women.  

Flying...

So I feel what I'm about to say justifies why I'm watching a certain movie...and then I would like to talk about a book....

so...

I am watching Tinker Bell.  Now before you knock her down, lets remind ourselves that she can fly and we can't.  So many nights I've had dreams of spreading out my arms and jumping from a building and just gliding through the clouds.  Sometimes I'm running and just leap into the air....I LOVE those dreams.  Carefree and I could go ANYWHERE in the world, though most times I'm running away from something or somebody. But, has anyone else had that feeling? The feeling of just wanting to run away from your worries and taking flight?

My other thoughts stem from C.S. Lewis's book "The Horse and His Boy"
Now this book, I've never understood....I've only read it once because it has bored me...However, in the past week it has given new meaning for me.  As I re-read/listen to this story I am starting to pick up on somethings that I've never seen before.

What I mean is...The book is about longing....longing for a place that is much better, not filled with pain, worry, fear, tears....a place for glory, peace, joy and probably many more emotions I've never experienced before....I'm eager to hear more from this book....

On that note...I think I might start writing some of my books I've wanted to write....hmmm...not sure.

Traveler

A sea of strangers, the many people I have met along the way. But none, none like you. You have held my gaze through this dense fog. At times you have blended in, hiding your face, and then suddenly appear, like a ghost from the past and a dream from the future. 

My fellow traveler who are you? Your striking similarities are hard to push aside. As I walk faster you begin to blend in again, and so very rarely do you look back and when you do, such sadness in your eyes. However, there are those glimpses of light. Such brilliant light, a smile plays on your lips as if to ask me to dance a long with you, and then you're gone. Most times, my fellow traveler when I see you, confusion paints your face. You walk as if in a trance, not knowing to turn right or left, or to go straight ahead.

A sea of black and white, like flowers on a blank canvas, they disappear and come back. But you, you my fellow weary traveler, when you come out from hiding I see colors, so bright one cannot describe. Faces aghast with just one look, astonished by the striking similarity of you and I.

I have met many of strangers along the way, but none, none like you.

Dance

I am learning how to dance.....
in the rain.......
admits the lightning,
not jumping
when thunder arises
and dreaming of the
rainbow of promise.
This man who possess
more beauty my eyes
have ever beheld 
is taking my hand in his....
brushes off the dirt,
strokes my cheeks,
cresses me gently and
reminds me.
I take one step out.....and
one step in
He spins me and a thrill, a rush......
for only a moment
But leaves me breathless,
He brings me in close, 
so close I can smell His sent,
Staring into His eyes,
the love is too profound, 
something my soul has searched for
We move together and I feel secure,
and I am lost in the rhythm.

Play...

In the silence he whispered my name....play music for me my child!
In the silence He called me His very own.
In the silence where no one else was around He sat with me and asked that I sit with Him.
In the silence I played for Him, and played for myself, and in that time He smiled down...
In the silence our spirits danced to the melody of my piano,
In the silence He whispered to me....well done my child....well done 

Simple

Simple
Has many colors
Found in many facets of life
Open and turn around
And maybe you might
Find Simple in his eyes

Simple
Sometimes fragile
Like holding onto sand
Windblown tossed
Across many a horizon
Saturated in sunset, Simple finds its rest 

Simple 
Maps out the constellations
Spinning planets in due course
Sending stars flying
Wishing Simple to stay

Simple 
Crashes with the tides great thunder 
Baring seas hidden treasure
Maybe lapping at a seashore wonder
With lighthouse pleading warning
Guiding Simple on its way

Tonight...

This has me up tonight, waiting to be revealed tonight....
This has me up tonight, beating its endless rhythm tonight....
This has me up tonight, teaching its lessons again tonight.....
This has me up tonight, asking and hoping I will heed tonight....


It rolls around my head tonight, making its home in me tonight.....
It unleashes all my fears tonight, consuming all my dreams tonight...
It takes away my light tonight, casting shadows of doubt tonight.....
It gives and mostly takes tonight, leaving me empty and lonely tonight.....


I wonder if it will allow spring tonight, green growth filled with life tonight....
I wonder where the beauty is tonight, when fireflies will lite up the dark tonight.....
I wonder if forgiveness will enter trembling hearts tonight, or will it fade with the setting sun tonight...
I wonder if pain will sting tonight or if sunshine will vanquish pain's poison tonight....