Happy Thanksgiving and a Poem

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have so much earthly wealth in this nation of ours; we have been so blessed. But as I thought over all the things I am thankful for, I realized that when it comes down to it, the most precious things of all are not the earthly things made with human hands or the fleeting pleasures of this world, but the things that are not of this world: my JESUS who gave up all for me and for every human being, the SALVATION that comes from belief in Him, the HOPE and JOY that He brings, the HEARTS of my family and friends whom I love, and the list goes on. But today I would like to look into one more very important thing that I am thankful for: THE PROMISED LAND.

By amazing power and wondrous miracles my God has freed me from the yoke of bondage and brought me out by His mighty hand. He went before me through the wilderness all the way, raining down angel's fare from heaven, providing water of life from the Rock, and showing His wonder in a thousand ways. My shoes did not wear out, for He carried me all the way, and when we had come to the river's edge He set me down to make a choice. I could hear Him declaring that the Land before me was mine for the taking, and that I therefore should go up and posses it and not fear, for He was with me and would fight for me.

The majority of men with me turned their eyes on the giants in the Land,and looking at the mighty Amalekites, forgot their GOD and cowered in fear. But Caleb and Joshua looked up into the face of their mighty SAVIOR and said, "Do not fear, God is with us!" And when I looked up, I too saw my beautiful SAVIOR, bidding me to choose LIFE.

So with the minority, I took the step of faith into the water's edge. We were not bearing the coffin of some god, but the VERY PRESENCE OF THE LIVING GOD! And with that tiny step, the giant, overflowing waters of the Jordan were piled up on either side as we walked into PROMISED LAND.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I wrote a poem the other day and I would like to share it with you. Though I really like poetry, I never write it, so this is pretty odd.It is not much, but it tells a lot about what I have been learning recently....which brings me to another thing I am thankful for... GOD's WORD is so amazing, it goes ever deeper and deeper and never, ever runs dry.I am only beginning to scratch the surface of its wonders. Thank God for His Word!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

My life began with Egypt's load,

And early I was wrapped in chains.

Twixt heart and hand was no long road,

And that was spilling from the stains.

-----------------------------------------------------

How shiny were the pleasures there,

Where truth is crushed and darkness prized!

For life was fun, without a care!

In ignorance my birthright I despised.

--------------------------------------------------------

Then came the load and heavy hand

Pressing down, for slave was I.

Hope was buried 'neath the sand

And surely no one heard my cry.

-----------------------------------------------------

How then miraculous freedom came

Through spotless Lamb and poured out blood!

Escape from death and terror's reign!

I walked, I sang, protected through the flood.

------------------------------------------------------------

Now pow'r was great, and hope was bright.

I walked with God; He led the way

Through cloud by day and fire by night

His faithfulness was e'er displayed.

---------------------------------------------------------

Here to sorrow my tale could turn

Like Israel so long ago.

To disobey and fail to learn

Humility at what the law had shown.

--------------------------------------------------------

Failing love to God steadfastly;

Failing faith to cast out leaven.

Longing for some food of fancy;

Hating precious bread from heaven.

-----------------------------------------------------

But no! GOD'S WORD now teaches me

Through wand'ring Israels mistake.

And here in Kadesh land I see

Before me is a choice that I must make.

Though Anak's kin would bring dismay

And keep me from the Life beyond,

I will not fear! God parts the way!

His Spirit will not lead me wrong.

---------------------------------------------------

So here on Jordan's edge I stand.

I'll take the step, by God Almighty.

And enter in the Promised Land

Which overflows with sweetest milk and honey.

(Ten verses times four lines makes 40, which is the correct number to describe this poem!)

And though the Promised Land is still full of Amalekites (for surely Flesh seems way too tall and giant to overcome),they will not stand when we,like David,take up our swords and obey the Lord to destroy them. For every inch of ground upon which we set our feet is ours by faith, for the battle belongs to the Lord and victory is ours through Jesus. Let us therefore enter the Land!

Shelter- by Scott Cunningham

Recently I got Scott Cunningham's new album called 'Til The Whole World Hears, and there is a song on it that is just so beautiful. He sings it with his daughter Madison. I can't stop listening to it; I really like it. Here are the words:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shelter

-------------------------------------

Oh God, I need You. O God I need You here with me. I know You hear me. You're my hope all of my days. You're my hope all of my days.

Jesus, Savior,Protector of my soul, O Messiah, Redeemer, You're the Shelter in the storm.

O God, I love You. O God, I love to speak your Name. I know you hear me. You're my hope all of my days. You're my hope all of my days.

Jesus,Savior, Protector of my soul, O Messiah, Redeemer, You're the Shelter in the storm.

I'll be watching, waiting, till Your love comes back for me, and I'll be watching, waiting still, till Your love comes rescuing.

Jesus, Savior,Protector of my soul, O Messiah, Redeemer, You're the shelter in the storm.

Joy

Listen to this quote (sorry if it is a bit paraphrased) :

"Joy is central in the Christian's life, while sorrow is peripheral. The fundamental questions of life have been answered, while only the peripheral ones have not.

For the unbeliever, sorrow is central while joy is peripheral, because the fundamental questions of life for the skeptic are still unanswered; only the peripheral ones for the skeptic may be answered.

Joy, which is the small publicity of the pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian."

G.K. Chesterton

When I heard this quote, I was caught by surprise. I love it. It makes me want to shout. Isn't this so true?! Even in the most sorrowful of circumstances on the outside, are we not filled with joy on the inside? If we are not, then it is only because we don't know our Lord well enough. For when we know Him, even if we cry ourselves to sleep in pain and sorrow, we can still rise at midnight and give thanks to Him, and joy still comes in the morning. Perhaps you would say that I am young and have not really known sorrow, but I am not too young to have known joy. And in the end, joy overcomes sorrow, for truly death has lost its sting.....and is swallowed up in victory.

Song

I added another song to the ipod, if you'd care to listen to it. It is called "Learning to Love" and I really like it. I heard about Jason Upton recently and listened to a few of his songs and this is the one I liked.

These are the little kiddos I get to babysit!

This picture was from just the other day. Bubba wasn't feeling that well (he woke up with a cold that morning) and when he woke up from his nap he cried for a long time while I tried to distract him by talking about doggies and trucks and anything that might cheer him up, so his normal big smile is sadly lacking in this picture.


While Bubba mostly just totters around and grins, his Sissy is a bit more energetic. She and I play games, color with crayons, dance around singing Do-Re-Me, or sit at the piano while she flips through the hymnal and then bangs out her own version of the song she chooses.


Or better yet, we take rides in the baby bathtub! Or rather, I get the pleasure of whirling them around the house until I'm exhausted while they sit and squeal with excitement. They absolutely love it. (Bubba looks half asleep in this picture 'cause he had just woken up)

Abandoned

I had thought to remove this blog due to the fact that everyone has gone on to "facebook" and probably never comes on here anymore (I think this is the case with most of my friends). But I think that I will be here a little while yet.... I still have more poems and thoughts that I want to share with you (even if nobody is on here anymore.) So I will update this once in a while, and if there are just a few of you still here, perhaps you also will profit from these ideas. I won't be going to facebook, so this is where you'll find me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a poem that I came across recently. It is so beautiful. May these words be that which describe our lives too!

Abandoned

Utterly abandoned to the Holy Ghost!

Seeking all His fullness at whatever cost;

Cutting all the shore-lines, launching in the deep

Of His mighty power--strong to save and keep.

-------------------------------------------------

Utterly abandoned to the Holy Ghost!

Oh! the sinking, sinking, until self is lost!

Until the emptied vessel lies broken at His feet;

Waiting till His filling shall make the work complete.

--------------------------------------------------

Utterly abandoned to the will of God;

Seeking for no other path than my Master trod;

Leaving ease and pleasure, making Him my choice,

Waiting for His guidance, listening to His voice.

-------------------------------------------------

Utterly abandoned! no will of my own;

For time and for eternity, His, and His alone;

All my plans and purposes lost in His sweet will,

Having nothing, yet in Him all things possessing still.

-------------------------------------------------

Utterly abandoned! 'tis so sweet to be

Captive in His bonds of love, yet so wondrous free;

Free from sin's entanglements, free from doubt and fear,

Free from every worry, burden, grief or care.

-------------------------------------------------

Utterly abandoned! oh, the rest is sweet,

As I tarry, waiting, at His blessed feet;

Waiting for the coming of the Guest divine,

Who my inmost being shall perfectly refine.

-------------------------------------------------

Lo! He comes and fills me, Holy Spirit sweet!

I, in Him, am satisfied! I, in Him, complete!

And the light within my soul shall nevermore grow dim

While I keep my covenant---abandoned unto Him!

-------------------------------------------------

-Author Unknown

Kip

Guess what!?

Yesterday, as I began my 18th year of life, over in Colorado a little baby boy began his first day of life! Yay! The Ludy's new baby was born on my 17th birthday! I'm so glad that he made it past "big meanie night" to be born on my birthday! :D :D

See http://www.ericludy.com/

Meditation One --- Edward Taylor

What love is this of Thine, that cannot be

In Thee confined infinity, O Lord, confined,

Unless it in Thy very Person see

Infinity and Finity conjoined?

What! hath Thy Godhead as not satisfied,

Married our manhood, making it its bride?

-------------------------------------------------------

Oh, matchless love! filling heaven to the brim!

O' errunning it, all running o'er beside

This world! Nay, overflowing hell, wherein

For Thine elect there rose a mighty tide!

That there our veins might through Thy Person bleed

To quench those flames that else would on us feed.

------------------------------------------------------------

Oh! that Thy love might overflow my heart

To fire the same with love! For love I would,

But oh! my straitened breast! my lifeless spark!

My fireless flame! What chilly love and cold!

In measure small! in manner chilly! See!

Lord, blow the coal, Thy love enflame in me.

-Edward Taylor

Come Away

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.

As God has said:

"I will dwell among them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people."

Therefore

"Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you."

"I will be a Father to you,

And you will be My sons and daughters,

Says the LORD Almighty."

-2 Cor. 6:16-18

Come Away

How long, oh sons of men

Will you turn My glory to shame?

How long will you love falsehood,

And every worthless thing?

Don't you know that I am calling your name?

Come Away, Come Away

Come away with Me, My love.

Come Away, Come Away

Come away, My fair one.

I have set you apart

All for My glory

Let Me capture your heart

And make you holy.

Beloved, you are Mine.

I have loved you.

Yet you say, "How have You loved us?"

Oh, how you are blind.

Don't you know that I want all of your life?

Come Away, Come Away

Come away with Me, My love.

Come Away, Come Away

Come Away, My fair one.

I have set you apart

All for My glory

Let Me capture you heart

And make you holy.

(Scriptures: Psalm 4, Song of Solomon 2:10, Malachi)

The Very Breath

Recently I started taking voice lessons, and over the past weeks have had four lessons. If I thought I could sing before, I was mistaken, because there is so much more to it than I ever imagined! (I actually found out while I was writing this that my lessons have to end for a while, but it was worth it to get a few.)

The reason that I am telling you this is because, aside from learning to sing, I am learning something of much greater value, and that is what I want to share with you.

First of all, there are some things which appear to be completely essential to singing, because over and over my teacher stresses them. He states that there are 3 basic elements to singing, and never ceases to repeat them to me. So here they are:

(1) Relaxation---There must occur a complete relaxation of not only the throat and the mouth, but of the whole body.

(2) Placement---There must occur such a complete openness in the throat and mouth so as nothing is in the way. This openness could be illustrated as when one is joyfully surprised or struck with awe. The quick intake of breath and widening of the eyes produces the perfect example of this unhindered openness. When the correct open placement is achieved, you have found your "sweet spot", as my teacher would say.

Okay, I'm already leading into the 3rd (and most important) essential:

(3) Breath. For breath to enter in it's full strength and power, the complete relaxation and openness must not only be obtained, but must remain that way. To confuse you all the more, the only way they can be "complete" and "remain" is by the breath. When the breath is thus obtained and allowed to move through the body at its fullest, it is then spilled forth unhindered and strong. In this manner it must be continually drawn; and the only natural response is for it to continually pour out. And what does this produce?

The sweetest, most beautiful sounds imaginable, the pouring forth of pure, clear tones on the ears of all within range....the amazing sound of singing.

As my teacher exhorted me in these things and they were ingrained in my head, [please note that when one knows these things, it does not mean it has been achieved. Notice I said "head". That is where any knowledge will remain unless we stand up and act upon it.] I began to see the parallel, and it is so beautiful.

(1) The relaxation is REST. The Lord states it simply: "Be still, and know that I am GOD" (Psalm 46:10b) and "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7b). Also, we have been told where we can find that rest! Jesus says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt. 11:28)

We are to rest in the fact that Jesus is God, and that He is all which He proclaims Himself to be.

"Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" (Deut. 6:4)

Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." (John 15:9)

(2) The placement of openness is the state of our hearts. If we are surprised by His love, joyful in His mercies, and struck with awe at His greatness, then we open wide our hearts to Him and ask Him to come in and take the throne, to consume us with Himself, and thus allow to enter:

(3) The Breath. And what is the breath but the very Spirit of God? "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." (Job 33:4)

Do you see!? If we rest in the knowledge that He is truly all-powerful, Almighty God, and place our hearts in such a way as to allow His Spirit access to move freely as He wills, (I would also note that the only way we can be "complete" is by Him) then the only natural response is for His Spirit to pour out of us! When nothing is preventing Him, God's Spirit can both fill and pour out of us unhindered and awesome.

And what is the result? The very breath of God is poured out in the sweetest of songs through the surrendered life of the vessel. Our life is emptied so that the Spirit of God can fill us and spill out on all nearby.

"...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Eph. 5:18-21)

Can God sing through your life? I think that He can; all it takes is surrender. Then let us ask Him! Truly, one of my favorite verses is 1 Thess. 5:23-24: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

I love that! He is the one who does the work, He is the one who is faithful, even when we are not.

The surrender is really part of the rest. There must be a silence before a song can begin, or it would not be a beginning. There must be surrender before God can use our life, or it will not be His song.

"For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'." (Rom. 8:13-15)

As one final note, let me again bring to attention that the only way the very breath of God can enter and rule a human life is by the blood of Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb who was slain, He is the blood over the door of our hearts, He tore the veil of our hearts so that we could be one with Him, casting out the spirit of bondage and death to bring us the Spirit of freedom and Life.

"But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3:15-18)

Let's sing!