Prince Valiant

My dear Prince Valiant
Warrior Strong
Come away for a moment
And I'll sing you a song.

My heart has been singing
Come away,
Love, and rest.
Your body is tired.
Your soul needs a rest.

My arms are around you.
My body with yours.
Forever embrace you.
Tu es m' amour.

To hold you till your brave heart melts
And keep you safe and warm.
I offer myself as your princess of love.
I am shelter from the storm.

Fight on Prince,
Valiant Warrior Strong
And remember your heart sings, too.
And when your heart for a shelter yearns--
Remember my offer to you.

October 17, 2005

conglitteration: (roots, family, freedom, and wings)

To: princess strong heart
For springtime
In the garden of dreams

The old shell has fallen to the ground
and life breaks forth anew....

Fresh air dispelled to the musty places.
(Open your heart.)

(Were you scared before
for the life passing before you
might only disappoint you ?)

(Enter in.)



Winter has come with a blanket of love to cover the past.
Again.

I say rest.

Child, again, I say, "rest."

The elements:
of
the cold,
the harsh,
the angry
the scared

Protected.
And done, now.

Spring has come..

Death has no victory. Absolutely no sting.

(The shell has been broken.)

Your free hearts can sing!

The tomb of bright expression has pressed forth from within.
Your dream has been planted.

Begin.
Again.

And the world will know.

that wisdom and love
married dancing and singing.

And grace has come for the poor and the needy.

(Love is patient.)
Watch it grow.

Love grows up......
and roots grow below.

Gentle breezes
and warm rains know....

It's a Michigan summer.
(but fly away home)

(Desire. desire.)
My heart is on fire.

and i long for you.
i hope for you.
and today you told me my dreams could come true.

enter in,
you say.
to my warm embrace

fear Pain
No more.
settle into my grace

though Sorrow.
Will come.
you will weather each storm

Come in,
My love,
I will keep you warm.

My dear Princess,

Strong Heart.
Remember the dove.

My arms, they
await you.
with unfailing love.


seeds planted in the soil of My heart will bring a perfect gain
you will gain the whole world and lose not your soul

be loved, child.
in the garden of your dreams
i dream for you, too
beloved

unwinding cable car

emotive unstable.
your like an unwinding cable car.
listening for voices,
buts its the choices that make us who we are.

go your own way.
even season have change.
just burn those new leaves over.
so self-absorbed,
you've seem to ignore,
the prayers that have already come about.

this is the correlation of salvation and love.
(dont drop your arms)
dont drop your arms.
i'll guard your heart.
with quite words i'll lead you in.
la la la la la la la la la la lala la la la la la la la la la la

backing away from the problem of pain.
you never had a home.
you've been misguided.
you're hiding in shadows for so very long.
don't you believe that you've been deceived?
that your no better than...

the hair in your eyes
it never disguised
what your really thinking of.[x2]

this is the correlation of salvation and love.
(dont drop your arms)
dont drop your arms.
i'll guard your heart.
with quite words i'll lead you in.[x2]

you're so brilliant.
dont soon forget.
your so brilliant.
grace marked your heart.
this is the correlation of salvation and love.

dont drop your arms.
i'll guard your heart.
with quite words i'll lead you in and out of the dark.

la la la la la la la la la la la
dont drop your arms.

la la la la la la la la la la la[x2]

this is the correlation of salvation and love.
(dont drop your arms)
dont drop your arms.
i'll guard your heart.
with quite words i'll lead you in.

-anberlin/cities

Sarah's verse

"And the Lord was gracious to Sarah just as He had said. And the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised."Genesis 21:1

by Jenny Messinger

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Hopeful Unbelief
Grieve, my heart.
Weep with those who weep.
Unbelief and sorrow.
Mourning and tears.

Sing, my heart.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Hope in things not seen.
Believe, Trust.

He will never put more on us than we can bear.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace...." (Matthew 11)

At the Edge

To Sarah--

Finally,You have come this far
To the edge of a new world.

New life.
New hope.
New future.

Territory.
Not for the weak of heart.
Put on your fightin’ suit.

It is time for the end of mediocre living
Exchange your heavy heart
For trust in the Lord.

Resting with waiting
Has come to an end.

Arise and shine for your light has come.
The glory of the Lord rises on you.

A promise given.
A promise kept.

Why is life worth living?
Romance.
Adventure.

Sitting on the couch with Him
You overcame.
Learning it is Christ who will carry your victories.

Raise the banner high.

He is at work
So we can rest.
Always rest.
Fully rest.

Now. (Selah)

Put on your victory suit.
It is time to conquer and defeat.
The enemy is at your feet.

Worship God
With the captain of the host of the Lord.
You are standing now on holy ground.

This battle is not for the faint of heart.
But God has given you the victory.
Go now at His command.

Do you see what I can see?
The enemy trembling.
(God is for you.)

Your battle is not against flesh and blood
Have no fear.
Be strong, my dear.

God is stronger.
Fiercer in His justice.
Seething in His fury.

Suddenly…
The enemy is at His mercy.

Have no fear.
Stand firm, my dear.

"You know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed." Joshua 23:14

God of the city.

It has come to my attention (after a momentary lapse of about a year) that God is a God of the city. Not to say that I didn't know this, but God himself has brought it to my attention in a way that has captured me once again as a city girl.

My heart is aching once again to be reminded of all that I have to see and learn here. I am in awe--of how much I don't know--of how many PEOPLE I don't know. It seems there is so much to learn when there are so many people you don't know--b/c people primarily learn through people.

How do I know what my neighbor is like...unless I get to know my neighbor? How can I be sure that I "know it all" when I am clearly limited to my own experiences and need an "in" to the experiences of others.

There is so much to learn.

I am amazed as I walk by strangers everyday--realizing that b/c I am here (literally here in this city) that I am only one step away from knowing somebody new at every turn. All it takes is a smile and friendly gesture, as well as a sort of opening heart.

People have barriers and soft spots. There is so much to learn...and so much to know.

And I have so much to share.

In the neighborhood or at the city bar, I am always open for new friends.

God is here.

"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, non-religious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized--whoever.

I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ--but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be IN on it!"

I Cor. 9: 19-

The whole that fills us.

"The very fact that we humans experience desire is proof that we are creatures. Incomplete in ourselves, we desire whatever we think is beckoning to complete us. God alone needs nothing outside of himself, because he himself is the highest and the only lasting good. So all objects we desire short of God are as finite and incomplete as we ourselves are and, therefore, disappointing if we make them the objects of ultimate desire."

-- Os Guiness, The Call, 13

The Altar of Love:

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy! He who goes weeping, carrying seed to sow, Will return with songs of joy, Carrying sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:4-6)

"Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)


The Desert:

Much-Afraid looked to the left and right, but through it seemed incredible, there was no way possible by which they could continue to climb upward. The hill they were on ended abruptly at this precipice, and the rocky cliffs towered above them in every direction straight as walls with no possible foothold.

"I can't go down there,' panted Much-Afraid, sick with shock and fear. "He can never mean that --never! He called me up to the High Places, and this is an absolute contradiction of all that he promised."

The she lifted up her voice and called desperately, "Shepherd, come to me. Oh, I need you. Come and help me." In a moment he was there, standing beside her.

"Shepherd, I can't understand this. The guides you gave me say that we must go down there into that desert, turning right away from the High Places altogether. You don't mean that do you? You can't contradict yourself. Tell them we are not to go there, and show us another way. Make a way for us, Shepherd, as you promised."

He looked at her and answered very gently, "That is the path, Much Afraid, and you are to go down there."

"Oh no!" she cried. "You can't mean it! You said if I would trust you, you would bring me to the High Places and the path leads right away from them. It contradicts all that you promised."

"No," said the Shepherd, "it is not contradiction, only a postponement for the best to become possible."

Much-Afraid felt as though He had stabbed her to the heart. "You mean," she said incredulously, "you really mean that I am to follow that path down and down into that wilderness and then over that desert away from the mountains indefinately?"

"Why" (and there was a sob of anguish in her voice) "it may be months, even years, before that path leads back to the mountains again. O Shepherd, do you mean it is indefinite postponement?"

He bowed his head silently, and Much-Afraid sank on her knees at his feet, almost overwhelmed. He was leading her away from her heart's desire altogether and gave no promise at all as to when he would bring her back. As she looked out over what seemed an endless desert, the only path she could see led farther and farther away from the High Places, and it was all desert.

Then he answered very quietly, "Much-Afraid, do you love me enough to accept the postponement and the apparent contradiction of the promise, and to go down there with me into the desert?"

She was still crouching at his feet, sobbing as if her heart would break, but now she looked up through her tears, caught his hand in hers, and said trembling. "I do love you, you know that I love you. Oh forgive me because I can't help my tears. I will go down with you into the wilderness, right away from the promise, if you really wish it. Even if you cannot tell me why it has to be, I will go with you, for you know I do love you, and you have the right to choose for me anything that you please."

....Obediently Much-Afraid raised a little heap of sand and loose stones, which was all she could find in the desert, and again laid down her will and said with tears (for Sorrow had stepped forward and knelt beside her), "I delight to do thy will, o my God."

From somewhere, though they could not see the source, there came a spurt of flame which consumed the offering and left a little heap of ashes on the altar. Then came the Shepherd's voice. "This further delay is not unto death, but for the glory of God; that the Son of God may be glorified."

Joy comes in the morning!!! (Ps. 30)

Hallelujah!


I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ; you spared me from going down into the pit.

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."

O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Girl For the Nations

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord,
Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

by Dan Schutte S.J

There must be more than this...

There must be more than this...Oh breath of God come breath within. There must be more than this....Spirit of God we wait for you. Fill us anew we pray! Fill us anew we pray!

Consuming Fire--Fan into flame--a passion for your name! Spirit of God fall in this place! Lord, have your way...Lord have your way with us.

Come like a rushing wind. Fill us with power from on high....Now set the captives free! Leave us abandoned to your praise! Lord let your glory fall! Lord let your glory fall!

Consuming Fire--Fan into flame--a passion for your name! Spirit of God fall in this place! Lord have your way...Lord have your way with us!

Life is a challenge!

Within the sound and guarded will of God...

"If it makes me scared, I should probably go for it."

To the young:

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. (I Timothy 4:12)

To the young:

Follow the Leader.
Your leader is Christ.
Obey your Teacher.
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

Honor and respect your elders
with love.
(And elders remember…
A child can lead you.)

Holy Spirit come.
Light a fire in this generation

For the hearts that are young
Please come.

Fill us with fire!
Let your anointing fall
On the next generation.
As your Spirit is poured out
And your gifts are ignited with fire
Let us be a generation that burns.

When we burn, let us burn for you.

For a new generation...

"He commanded our ancestors to teach them to our children, so the next generation might know them--even the children not yet born--that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands." Psalm 78:5-7, NLT

"He who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks--it is opened." Matthew 7: 8

"He who seeks to make footprints and do sublime things is a failure. A self-conscious poser is a loser. Let self intrude and the whole is spoiled. Excellency is proportioned to the oblivion of self. A fisher for compliments has lost God. Self-consciousness must go. We are too conscious of the other fellow, we need a God-consciousness. Humility, not infallibility, becomes fallen creatures. Infallibility is the apex of Satan's proposition to man. The deepest repentance and humility and our own frailty and weakness must be realized before we can know God's strength. Receding guns vanish out of sight after firing and so must we, for safety. WE NEED TO BE BROKEN!"

--Frank Bartleman

I am crucified with Christ--nevertheless--I live! Yet, not I, but Christ lives in me! The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.... For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature! If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law!
...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit!

Galatians 5:24,25

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature he will reap destruction, but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life!

Galatians 6: 8