"Maria Makes Me Laugh."

Kate, I pray that you have heard this. It's incredible song. My sediments exactly. "I'd like to say a word on your behalf.." is what Sara must have said when she wrote that. "Yes sister Margeretta?"

"Less Like Scars"
It's been a hard year
But I'm climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it's

Less like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like remember

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

Less like a prison, more like my room
It's less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

Just a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars (x3)

And more like
Character

Here I Am

There's a place where I can go
Where the angels hear me pray
"I want to change
Yes I need Your touch"
I'm waiting here for You

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet
Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son
Here I am

Here I come to Your threshing floor
Where the angels fear to tread
I'm waiting here for the King of love
And to hold the hands that bled

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet

Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son"

...i went on a walk today and this song came on and i stopped in the middle of the street and it was beautiful. its real. i feel this is both of our heart's desire's. Are we ready to say that, Kate? If you get a chance, download it--Michael W. Smith sing it. It's beautiful. I miss you, I'm praying for you.

The Feelings of Sun 4:16pm

"Brighten My Heart" -Sixpence None The Richer

My heart is as dark as the soil sodden with winter rains.
My soul is as heavy as the peat freshly dug from the bog.
My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds.
My body as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey.


Help me open my heart to You,
Help me open my heart to You,
Help me open my heart to You, oh Jesus.
It's what I long to do.

My heart is as dark as the soil sodden with winter rains.
(Lord, brighten my heart)
My soul is as heavy as the peat freshly dug from the bog.
(Lord, lighten my soul)
My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds.
(Lord, still my thoughts)
My body as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey.
(Lord relax my body)

...Kate, what's with your grandma???? Is she okay? I missed you again today, but sometime we shall talk--I promise. I love you and miss you.

Mel

But if the blessing's in the valley then in the river I will wait

Find Me In The River

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price

Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone and I'm cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I'm waiting here

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if the blessing's in the valley
Then in the river I will wait

...

King Of Love

King of Love you've called my name
You gave me life although the shame,
Had covered me, you took my hand,
And here I stand, I'm saved by grace.

Father God, you heard the prayer
From deep within my spirit cried
If there's a God, come rescue me,
Now here I stand, I'm saved by grace.

I will thank you for saving my soul,
For you've shown me the truth in your Word,
I will take up my cross and follow you,
Now I live for the glory of God.

Now we turn, to walk away,
From selfishness, the pride and hate,
And when we pass through stony ground,
We'll gladly walk upon our knees,
So we cry out, "Come change us Lord,
Into a church that loves your Word"
We will return to knowing you,
With joy we walk beneath the Cross.

We will thankyou for saving our souls,
For you've shown us the truth in your Word,
We will take up the Cross and follow you,
Now we live for the glory of God.
Now we live for the glory of God.
Now we live for the glory of God.

.,,,i write more later. just mull over these lyrics (though i'm sure you've heard them. i love you and miss you...)

Abba

I'm reading this magazine, Discipleship Journal; there's this section in the most recent issue that is a gift of God to me now -- it's called "Loved by the Trinity." There was a little sidebar in it, in the part about the Father, with an excerpt from a Brennan Manning book called 'The Rabbi's Heartbeat.' Which I haven't heard of. Anyway, I immediately thought of your post in your blog about the little girl crying for her Abba, and with this being by our Ragamuffin author, I had to share it with you...

"Abba: Jewish children used this intimate colloquial form of speech in addressing their fathers, and Jesus employed it with His foster-father Joseph. As a term for divinity, however, it was unprecedented not only in Judaism but in any of the great world religions. Joachim Jeremias wrote,

'Abba, as a way of addressing God, is ipsissima vox, an authentic original utterance of Jesus. We are confronted with something new and astounding. Herein lies the great novelty of the gospel.'

Jesus, the beloved Son, does not hoard this experience for Himself. He invites and calls us to share the same intimate and liberating relationship.

Years ago, I related a story about a priest from Detroit named Edward Farrell who vistied his uncle in Ireland on his 80th birthday. On the great day, they got up before dawn and went walking in silence along the shores of Lake Killarney and stopped to watch the sunrise. Suddenly the uncle turned and went skipping down the road. He was radiant, beaming, smiling from ear to ear. His nephew said, "Uncle Seamus, you really look happy." "I am, lad." "Want to tell me why?" His 80-year-old uncle replied, "Yes, you see, my Abba is very fond of me."

I miss you Mel, I'm sorry I missed your call this weekend!! I have a phone card and I would love to call you back, when would be a good time for you??
Have you heard anything about Capernwray? I have to tell you about something that I think God may be calling me to for the beginning of the summer. I wonder if you would be interested too. I'm not sure about it yet, and I'm still listening to God on the Capernwray front! We'll talk. Tell me when to call. I love you, I've been thinking of you every day. Had the strongest wish to just talk to Jesus together yesterday. Your Abba is very fond of you, dearest beautiful Melanie.