New Song

Verse1:

Whether you lie or tell the truth

Always give or live to take

Keep a promise or let them break

Make your rent or living the street

You can come just the same

Sing a song that touches Him


Verse2:

Whether you love or wait afraid
Hide in shame or feeling free
See there’s beauty or just the grind
Make the times or getting by
You can come just the same
Sing a song that touches Him


Chorus1:

Take off your shoes now and dance, oh, dance

Unclothe your pride and make a sound

We lay down the idol of ourselves

We are in His courts, on holy ground


Chorus2:

Shake off your burdens and dance, oh, dance
Put on His yoke and take off your own
We forget the idol of our pain
We are in His courts, on holy ground

This One, A long Time I have Watched

An M. Night door.
Kim felt guilty for holding a flower I picked. We put it back!
This is on my back. A big, big tattoo.
Why doesn't anyone use stone anymore??? Stone her!
"Always dreaming away, looking to the future. Never in the now..."
Look at the size of that thing. What a beauty. Too close and it might fall on you, smashing you to pieces. Oh, feel the exhilaration.
Picture by Sophia. What an eye, what an eye! I am high, I am high! (not really)
"I am not a committee!" We all ran through the rain, stomped in puddles, and road piggy-back.

Dinosaurs

Well I had a strange dream concerning dinosaurs, again. I've to believe they're spiritual forces or obstacles in my own dreams. This time it was a herd of brontosauruses that were attacking. I was at some city near the ocean. I was with two other girls and we were walking along an embankment at night that shouldered the water. We had already escaped one dinosaur's mouth. We saw about three more in the distance and decided to turn around. There was one behind us too, so we sort of waded through the water, beyond a metal gate and kept moving past these seaside apartments. We joined up with another group of people but they were walking too close to the apartments. I felt like a dinosaur could reach its long neck over the building without us even noticing and we'd be caught up in its mouth. So we separated ourselves and moved out farther along the land (the sea had ended, it was day, and we were walking through these green fields). We saw some huge power generators. At first I thought they might be some kind of amusment park ride, then I saw sparks coming off them and the power lines above. I heard a sound farther off which sounded like another dinosaur. We ran for some trees to hide. It ended up being two ptarodactyls. They flew overhead but I don't remember seeing the other group of people after that. We hid alongside a fence and on the other side was a man mowing his lawn. And that's it. Oh yeah, I lost my cell phone. One of the girls wanted to call someone.

The Saintly Handicapped

Tonight is the friday night thing if you're wondering. We've got a little video especial. It was odd visiting St. Albans, although I didn't go inside. But imagining all those mentally ill people and the ware and tear it must have on the staff as well...well I couldn't help but weep for them. Someday...however the Lord leads...I'd like to be able to participate in the healing of such illnesses. Cause I believe it involves both body, soul, and spirit, and thus it takes wisdom and discernment to bring about full restoration. Not exactly an easy job...but mental illness in general really is the leprosy of today's world. Lepers were made to live outside the city, where no human contact was allowed from the "normal" people. They were never touched, never affirmed, nor had any hope of recovery. Until, that is, Jesus laid his hand of healing on their deformed bodies. I remember reading somewhere that pain, to them, really is a gift. They lose their sensory of pain and thus they injure themselves in accidents. Infection sets in etc. Pain is just the red light that, hey be careful, something's wrong here. There's a man that comes to get coffee at the mall. There is something obviously wrong with him. He cannot stand still; he can barely talk right. I wonder if there's anyone taking care of him. I wonder if there's anyone praying for him or knows what his real issues are. I know God has so much compassion for people like this. I imagine a parent who finds out their child has some malformity at birth. How do they feel when the person they already love so much is going to struggle unnecessarily through life, probably dying at a young age? How much more does God cherish, and fight for that life? How much more could we as Christians fight on behalf of the Lord for someone like that? I guess, if you've ever felt like that there's a grace to war. Otherwise, it'd probably suck you dry and best to do something else.

Signs of Spring

Randomness

Today was a beautiful day. Aaron popped by on Robert's motorcycle, which I later rode with Robert through my neighborhood. Blue sky, warm sun, and green hills. Then, I went to see Bugz about getting my tattoo touched up a bit. Small world. He told me to tell Robert to call him while he's in town. Later, I went to Barnes to look up a book and visited some old co-workers. Ah, I do miss them. Ya ever feel like you know exactly how your life is going to turn out, at least in some aspects, and then it does a complete 180 on you? Not in a bad way, but it's unexpected. You have to adjust, almost like you're a completely different person. The ole butterfly metamorphis analogy might apply here. *INSERT* Anyway, in all my randomness today, I found myself seeing new possibilities and getting excited about them. It's really spring. It's easy to feel trapped in one part of your life because it's what you've been living in. But all it is, is the next stage that leads onto the next and the next. My advice? Stay adaptable or learn to be. Don't be afraid to make huge mistakes. Make them! And have fun. Gosh, we have to be here a while, may as well be fun.

The Weeping of Rachel

Well this is still in the works. I think I'll probably add a bridge.

Verse1:
She weeps like a willow, her head low
Bent by bitter water, a bitter soul
There is no hope in her reflection
When she looks there is no alteration
And who could love such a woman
And who could see more than weeping

Chorus:
Sometimes love is best in grief
If redemption has a sound
Sometimes hope sleeps like beauty
If it’s lost it can be found
Sometimes pain strips our dignity
If a naked heart is what You crown

Verse2:
She weeps for the lonely, is she heard
Tears like a canyon river, bitter deep
There echoes of a comforting word
Nothing can separate us, no nothing
And she forgets all that is dying
And for a moment finds His love alive

ART

My first question is...who got voted off American Idol last night???

I'm looking forward to some art projects coming up. Yes, Jen, my first priority is to finish the epic translation of Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe from book to canvas. Then, I have to get rolling on a couple of tattoo ideas for Danielle and Maranda. Scott Vernon also asked me to do a banner similar to the one hanging in the sanctuary for him. And, finally, I want to design a girl shirt for speakingtothedead. If that's not enough, I want to begin designing a cd cover which I've had several ideas for.

I've been working on my longer story of late. According to Steven King you never set something down for long periods and come back to it. But rules be damned. Mark Twain put Huck Finn down for ten years before coming back to it. I'm enjoying just working on my writing skills. Gotta keep them fresh and sharp. Also, I was inspired by a passage out of Jeremiah, and another song I just love by Kevin Prosch. So I'm writing something about the weeping of a woman like that image of Rachel in Jeremiah. Dad, I'd love to work on this one with you. I'm thinking somber melody. Hey, that's my forte. Well...time for the daily grind.

Stargate Does Rule!

This was a great compliment to me today, with just a slight hint of humor. Okay, so I was working at the coffee place in the hospital and a chaplain came up to get coffee. Jason introduced him to me etc. He left to do something. About ten minutes later he comes up and says to me, "Ever watch Stargate?" I laughed. "Of course!" He said, "You look like Amanda Tapping." I said, "Thanks! She's awesome." So he said he's gonna call me Sam, which is her name on the show. I think it's funny cause, 1) I love her character. I wrote about her once on here. But she's a leader, can use a gun, very smart, and very pretty. 2)I don't even have blonde hair right now. I use to say when I was kid, I want to be an actress. Then when I went to Morningstar's psychic connection, they said "I'm hearing dramatic arts." I laughed. Well, if the right role ever comes along. ;) We shall see.

I Did It

"It" as in I got my tattoo. And I love it. I love just looking at it. It was painful no doubt but not unbearable and when he changed needles, started filling it in, I thought that was much easier on the skin. Except at the end when my skin was getting a little raw and he kept going over the same area. But it's done. Right now it feels good cause it's slightly warm, almost like a sunburn. I can't sleep for some reason. It's around 3:45 am. Usually when I can't sleep, I do something like watch a movie, take a shower, or listen to music. But, tonight, I think I'll just write about how pleased I am witht the outcome of the design. Bugz, from Ancient Art did the tattooing. He's a nice, down-to-earth guy. He has a picture up of an old gas pump out in the middle of Wytheville. The number on it says, 666. He said it freaked him out and he was sober. The guy's a Christian, as far as I can tell. He was raised Catholic, rebelled, and then had an encounter with the power of God when he was about 23. Gracie...if you read this...get a tattoo. It's an experience worth every penny. I wish I could call someone in a foreign country, who'd be up right now.

Something to Chew On

Hey Chris, no hurry, but if you have some time, could I borrow some music? I picture this song having more of a funkier guitar groove. Something maybe like Dave Matthewsish. I don't know...but I feel it'd be beyond my playing skills right now. So if anything comes to mind let me know. :)


When the sun rises find lovingkindness
An addiction to fill up my veins
where my loss is Your gain, Your medicine
Despite what I’ve done, call me friend
Friends enough that I can listen
It’s okay God to be Yourself

I’ve got to be honest, I’m still afraid
That all You give can be taken
But I still believe I’m Your beloved
And I’ll love like a tragic hero
If I die or tears are mistaken
What I’ve given makes the rough smooth

(Verse)
You know why I’m here, why we mesh
I want Your heart or I’ll break apart
More than a guest, less of a slave
I want Your heart or I’ll break apart

A Dream

So last night I dreamed I was walking through some water at night, a lake that wasn't too deep even though I was pretty far off from shore. But I got scared that eels were going to attack me so I ran back to shore. But once there I saw a huge snake and it started moving toward me. I ran but the thing only moved faster. I came to a hill and running up it was too hard. As the snake got near to me, I turned and with a long staff, just smashed its head over and over.

Friday Recap

For some reason I've been finding my old blog site a little tedious to keep up with. It's strange cause usually I love to write anything...it's about getting thoughts down. I'm not sure I have a whole lotta thoughts right now on the subject of Friday night except that I thought it went well. I enjoyed it very much. It's funny cause I got hit with lonliness pretty hard Saturday night. And as I write this, that old feeling is creeping around. I was listening to a Kevin Prosch song today and he sings about the subject. He says something like, "it tells you this is your portion." I guess that's the lie I gotta fight. Tammy prayed with me this morning. She said she admired my strength and knew it was from the Lord. But I don't feel strong at all. I think I'm learning though, something through these past few days, that although the warfare increases, so does His mercy and grace. We say that, but to live it, that's another thing. This means less of me, and more of Him. Less of my strength and more of His. It's bull when you're with people who really love you but you feel isolated all the same. We need each other. As long as you stay in the herd you're not picked off. Anyway, I'm gonna go enjoy His presence for a while.

Come One, Come All

FRIDAY friday friday

NIGHT night night

THING thing thing

8pm 8pm 8pm

Getting My Creative Groove On

Well we needed a banner. The word is tehilla, spontaneous praise. Much bigger in person.

It's our secret weapon. If we don't know what to do...we'll be like, look at the picture! Should look phat under some black lights.

Friday Night Thing Update

Sunday night was an interesting time with the Spirit. I love this passage in John. "Truly, truly I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go" (21:18). It's not that I did not want to be there, at the church, that night but it's hard when you are called to work with a team of people. We're all so different with different ways of seeing things and we all come from different backgrounds and hurts. So what did we do? We started praying, asking God for various things, especially to be among us. We want what He wants and we want to see Him move this Friday night. Then I felt like we were suppose to pray over the men, as leaders, to set them apart and build them up. They lined up and the girls got at their feet. I started weepeing for the things that had been buried in them because of the world's hurts and ways of saying "this is what you're suppose to be." Katie prayed destiny over them and Maranda laid her hand on each of their backs, quoting the scripture that He will lead them wherever they go. Then, Ben said it was time for us and we grouped together in a huddle. The men circled around us. I was filled up with joy. They didn't even have to say anything. A few things were prayed but the Father wanted to pour out His peace and joy over us. Laura, Katie and I laughed for quite some time. Maranda told me later she wanted to run out of there for particular reasons. But all in all, the Spirit moved. Ben prayed that we were His little girls. James got a picture of us pressing wine in a vineyard and Jeremy asked for our faith to arise where it had been perhaps deadened. And then...we worshipped some. That was a good night.

Oh yeah, I figured out how I'm gonna pay for my tattoo. My tax return!

New Looks

Well it all started with a dare. Katie and I had been talking earlier how for me anyway it's easier to do out of the norm stuff if there's a dare backing it. So out of the blue, we're hanging at my house after having gotten back from Roanoke and she says, "Hey Amy, I dare you to dye your hair dark brown." I thought for a minute, grabbed Amber and jetted to the bathroom to see what my face looked like with Amber's locks over my forehead. Maranda convinced me it would look alright so off we went to Kroger. While there, we picked up a cheap box for Jeremy as well. So I ended up having to go back to the store to buy another box for my hair cause it was a little splotchy first time around. But we got the job done and I have to admit I kinda like it. I enjoy the shock aspect when people see me. And it's only temporary, so it'll fade soon enough. A woman at work said I ought to keep it like this but I think I'm gonna miss my blonde. After much toil we convinced Jeremy that his would not be a huge change and he went for it as well. It makes him look younger in my opinion and wasn't really a drastic change.

Cascades

Noah enjoyed his surroundings...little nature boy.
What a beautiful day.
Pixie had a near-death experience.
The pool after the pool where Pixie almost met her maker.

Dream Time

I can remember a fragment of a dream last night, among many fragments none of which seemed to make any real sense but they were remembered all the same. The part that struck me as the most important was the issue of a train. First I was looking out my bedroom window and it was barely morning. I saw a huge black train moving just beyond the treeline in my back yard. It felt as if my house was moving because of the way I was looking at the train (I suppose). Then I went outside and got on a smaller, more futuristic looking train. I strapped in cause it moved more like a rollercoaster (in the same sort of family as the outer limits). We (there was someone else with me but I can't recall who) did several twists and up-side down moves on that train before it stopped. We got off because we had to go back home. I was about half-way home when the young boy who'd been driving the train called out to me. He apologized for not taking me home and said he would go the rest of the way if we wanted him to. That's all I can remember about that.

Some symbolic meanings from Streams:
trains- church movements
bedroom- intimacy
backyard- past or bloodline
window- vision

I remember at some point in another unrelated dream my hair had gotten caught in these hanging thorn branches. I was trying to knock a spider off its string that was hanging in my pathway. And then it changed into a little man (I think) and it started to swing back and forth. That's when I backed up and my hair got caught.

Anyway, just relating a few of the night images. Thanks for emailing your dream Dave. I got it at a crucial time on Sunday, so I don't think it was coincidental.

My Tattoo

Sorry for the blurry image. This is what I'd get...I'll ponder it awhile but I love how it turned out. What ya'll think?