Sharing

I haven't been posting much again... Difficult to find what I want to share sometimes. Busy days, swirling thoughts, dancing feet, learning heart, tired eyes, moving fingers, coffee and tea and a thermos of soup. Books and movies, friends and conversation, catching up with Mom, chasing children. Birthdays, sickness, work and exercise.
The cold is back. I'm dreaming of summer in good earnest now.
I'm still here; finding here; finding stillness.
Missing my brothers and friends who are away; wishing them the best there is to enjoy, but also wanting them to come back and share this space, and talk with me about life and hearts and things that matter.
Excited for the days ahead and what they will hold and bring and teach. What I can see, notice, appreciate; light to bask in. I want to speak life and love well.

I'm back here just to share a thing or two...

A spring poem by CS Lewis  on a favorite blog of mine... someday I'll see Addison's walk at Magdalen myself. Until then...

"still everything happens for a reason is no reason not to ask yourself: am i living it right?" - John Mayer

Out

Sorry I've been pretty out of it in the posting realm these days. Juggling work, life, gorgeous weather to appreciate (keeping an eye on that forecast for tomorrow, since I have to drive...) and driving out to my parent's to spend a couple of days with a bunch of crazy kids. It's good, I'm good, are you good? oh, good. Back soon.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek."
9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!  - Psalms 27

The Glory in Your Days

unseasonable warmth

one of these days I'll get back to posting properly...

First teatime outdoors of 2017

enjoying the sunsets and sunrises lately

I am called Liv

(called to live) 

Isn't Love Cool?

If you haven't been bowled over recently by the realization of God's overwhelming love for you, know that is what I want for you, and more than that, it's God's heart for you as well.

As I journey through these days, growing exponentially, processing the enormous work of the Spirit through our weekend retreat... the seeds planted, the walls broken down, the plowing begun... I'm just giddy with the glory of it.

Grace upon grace... there's just been an outpouring of prayers answered, and new joys, and reasons to rejoice with gratitude. Just want to mention a few things that I just love to death.

Friends. This isn't an accurate representation of course, but I don't have a good photo: we're always too busy being our hilarious, busy, and conversational selves

I'm just crazy about my city. Love this place. When the day clears up, and I see it gleaming before me... or when I get home after the weekend and look out my window to the lights glowing through a strip of trees, and the moon shining brightly above...

Early morning sunrise. Even when you've been up for three hours before this happens, it's a great view to have from the workplace.

Sing for your Heart

So you want to be free
See an end of the walls
He will take them all down
But it hurts when they fall

Lift up your head
You are loved my friend
You’re surrounded; give up
Only love can win

You’ll carry it with you
This safety and space
Wherever you go - love
You found in this place

Walk like a Narnian
Deny fear a hold
Open heart, open arms
Let your steps become bold

Fill your lungs with laughter
This crazy spinning world
Is yours in faith to wander
So leap with hope unfurled

Warm your hands on the cup
Find a place at the table
You are never alone
He is willing and able

Sharing minds and mealtimes
Opening your eyes
Morning rhymes with coffee
And so we arise

Souls in murmuration
Lives ahead to roam
Lifting up each other
And reaching for home

Let the hope in your days
Put a light in your glance
Let your shoulders swing free
Breathe in and just dance

Let’s see the world
Just get up and go
Don’t worry about it
We’ll go with the flow

Caffeine and constellations
Patterned city lights
Swirling concentration
Strolling busy nights

Lift up your voice
Step into your part
His Spirit is in you
So sing for your heart.

all rights reserved to this blog, January 2017

Love turns the whole thing around

who says i can't be free from all of the things that i used to be...

Brothers

This weekend we pour out our hearts together and lead our friends in worship

So grateful to be doing it with these guys

Pictures are from practice sessions, except the very random one of me, because I don't take pictures of myself singing, obviously. Not pictured here, our fabulous drummer.

Excited for Big Sandy like

Deep breath

During a busy week of work and getting ready for a busy weekend, it's good to be able to stop and relax.

Sometimes that's a cookie and a pot of tea, or a movie with roommates. Tonight it meant a long hot bath with lavender essential oils, small blue candles, and Bill Evans pandora.

This week has been a powerful one for my heart-journey, and I pray that all that would continue and grow as we go into this weekend and that the power and presence of the Holy Spirit would manifest itself in new ways.

Take a deep breath, my friends, as we head toward the weekend. Whether you're heading on a retreat, or finding solace in your own heart, at the table Jesus has set before you, or both... rest your head. Let joy find you. Pray for our Big Sandy weekend. Pray that your own heart would be bowled over by new knowledge of the love of God for you.

Peace.

Today was a good monday

I was in a very good mood for no reason at all. Even a long, very slow work day didn't dampen my spirits much. Let's go Tuesday... Cheers!

Busy rest and restful busy

I was able to start my Sunday slow today, go to the late service at church, and then fill my afternoon with productivity.

I first headed off to the laundromat, with my backpack and pile of laundry. Settled in on a chair while I waited, and was able to put in some time studying Jeremiah, various devotions, notes, and list-making for the week. Copied out some lyrics for the weekend. 

Then I headed home to do some cooking -- I haven't gotten time to properly cook in a while -- before heading out to watch the game later on.

part of my adventure into gf df veggie lasagna.
turned out rather well, and satisfied my desire for pasta, lasagna, and pizza

Quite the Super Bowl upset. I wasn't terribly invested in the Falcons winning, so I was able to enjoy the suspense and final victory. I tend to like underdog wins anyway, and with all the records they set tonight, I'm totally happy for them.

Young and full of running, tell me where has that taken me? Just a great figure eight or a tiny infinity

A busy day, but full of good things. Friends-like-family for a (very) large breakfast. There was of course bacon, and pineapple. Not to mention pancakes and hash browns. Cooking together, much laughter, and singing practice. Then a long afternoon of work at the coffeeshop. Winding down now...

Shout out to Adriene

Highly commend Yoga with Adriene to anyone looking to grow their home practice. She's all about Find What Feels Good, and tending to your body for gentle, systematic improvement. But in the space of a month, she can transform the way you look at exercise and stillness, confidence and patience.
Mobility, balance, strength, shape, all improve drastically with this steady, day-after-day practice.
I've been using her videos off and on for years, and have great enjoyed both her 30 days of yoga, and her 30 day yoga camp. Doing those thirty days in a row really helps to build a habit, and enables you to see results and the positive influence on your daily movement.
But I'm extra thrilled about her 31 day yoga revolution that I just finished. Not only is it a great way to keep the muscles from seizing up through these cold winter days and long work shifts, but it is an enormous help against the winter blues (cabin fever/seasonal affective disorder/etc), both in clearing the mind, and in strengthening your body for each day ahead.
Just as a little personal excitement, I've realized a great many changes just over the last month of doing the January revolution challenge. In addition to finding more ease in downward dog, dandasana, and even plank, I've been able to improve my balance in tree, and vakasana, even started growing my eight-angle-pose! And as I go, the practice of the breath assists both strength and relaxation, spinal health and posture improve, and I'm just much more ready to face February.
Did I mention Adriene's funny and laid-back?

February. Can you believe it friends?

...

My heart is full right now. What started out as a normal day--work etc.--turned into blessed hours of fellowship. Ben stopped by work as I was getting off and we started off the afternoon with a good chat about this and that. Went home, did yoga and took a nap, and then get a text from a friend asking if I was available for a drop-in visit: puzzle-making and coffee.
Some things are an automatic yes.
And then people started poking their heads into the room, knocking on the door; joining conversation and sharing stories and hearts. It was beautiful and full of connection and community of spirit. Working on a difficult puzzle gives hands and eyes a pleasant occupation, conducive to the fast-slow, quiet-loud of conversation.
There was singing of course.
There's always music when we come together. Once in a while someone would drift into the other room and play piano... background serenade. We'd sing about the love of God, and how we find it hard to let him love us, and talk about the work and words of the holy spirit.
And we talked about other things too. Work and days and coffee and tea, and silly stuff. And we laughed hard as always. We made and ate food, and just sat on the uncomfortable floor staring at puzzle pieces in lovely van-gogh-esque color schemes, and enjoying each other's company.
I'm looking forward with a growing heart to Big Sandy next week.
Next week! I can hardly believe it.
Lord, meet us there and speak. May Your bigness and Your love and the work of the Spirit just blow our minds, and bow us down, and lift us again to praise and joy.