Yeah, you know….we all want to change the world. Even the Iranians. Don’t believe me? Read this blog post. YOU can help. You can Twitter, you can talk about it, you can call attention to the situation on your blog, Facebook, MySpace, etc. Most importantly, you can pray. Many, many want Ahmedinejad and/or the Ayatollah out of power. Most want fair elections. You can’t ignore the thousands in the streets, and the many more silently agreeing. Revolution may be afoot in Iran. The world cannot afford to ignore it, even if it seems politically safe here to do so. It’s been on my mind & heart lately…I am struck by the thousands risking their lives to get a fair shake in the political process there. Conversely, I feel like America is asleep to this and many concerns abroad and at home. [We're all tempted to get sucked into the 'Jon & Kate' drama, when there are many couples going through their own marital meltdowns privately, alone, and with less resources available to them. C'mon.] On one hand, I’d like to bury my head in the sand. On another, I want to shout from the rooftop. Instead, I blog.
Because I Need To Remember This: I caught Reese singing a few lines under her breath today, and it took me the better part of an hour to figure out what she was singing…”Jesus conquered the grave.” Turns out, she remembered it from Sunday worship and tells me it’s her favorite song:
[I find it a little awkward to watch a live-worship video - but I sure do like the song. So just close your eyes if it bugs you like it does me.]
I got to explain to Reese what it means that Jesus “conquered the grave” – and she brought out her children’s Bible to show me her favorite illustration – the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb. Bought the song on iTunes, and while we were playing it for the umpteen-millionth time, Reese spread a banquet of play food across the floor “for Jesus”, she said.
She made a meal for Jesus, because it just made sense to her. She and Liam danced together in circles.
It blew my mind a little to see how much our girl has taken to heart. In the mundane of our days, I tend to forget about these new-ish lives, absorbing everything that comes their way. The wonder. When Michael came home from work, Reese shouted out the window, “DADDY! WE HAVE JESUS IN HERE!”
Like a child. Be still my heart.
Reese turned four on May 3rd. I am so behind on my blogging - I hear in my mind all of these words – and can’t find the time to jot it all down lately. And it breaks my ha-ahahah-ahahah -ahahahahah-art. So please bear with my bloggy sluggishness while I enjoy the nice weather while it lasts! It never lasts long enough, does it?
Back to the birthday. The only thing Reese wanted for her birthday was a Sleeping Beauty cake (my little girl is suddenly into princesses! eeek-ack-gag-ahem-ohhowsweet), and I was inclined to oblige. Thanks to my friend, Deanna, who has the princess cake down to a science, Reese got the Sleeping Beauty cake of her dreams. She even made it blue, just like R.P. wanted it. (’R.P.’ = ‘Reecey Piecey’) Tell me that isn’t glorious! We were all delighted.
So our little girl is four years old. Wowza. She astounds me and delights me on a daily basis. The apple of my eye. By the way, have I mentioned that I wanted to name her Apple? Or Scout? Yeah. Both got vetoed by the other voting party. Maybe it was for the best. Either way, I’ve got a lovely, ornery daughter, and I’m glad to have her.
Got a sore throat yesterday….and this morning, I sound like this chick. Or Larry King, who provided the voice. Whichever you prefer. But I like the image of Doris the Barmaid better.
Ever hear a song that you love, but can’t figure out what it is? This happens to me all the time. Apple commercials (thank goodness they now list those on iTunes), Dove body wash commercials, CVS Pharmacy commercials, etc. I can usually Google it and satisfy the itch.
Enter the epic-movie-battle-scene-song. That’s what Michael and I have always called it – and, being married to a man with a penchant for ancient-epic-bloody-battle films, I’ve seen my fair share. This lovely, tragic sounding, full orchestral, choral piece has always eluded us. It just bugs me to no end that we can’t figure it out.
Thank you, Gatorade, for including it in your newest Kevin Garnett ad. Because tonight, we saw the ad, recognized the song, and couldn’t remember exactly in which ancient-epic-bloody-battle-film it’s appeared. A quick Google search (”Kevin Garnett Gatorade commerical song”), and not only did I find the tune (”O Fortuna” by Carl Orff, from Carmina Burana), but apparently it was also in King Arthur. Well, lookie there. We even own the flick. For ninety-nine cents, I can guarantee you this song will soon be playing on his iPod, in the car, and blaring through the duplex anytime Michael needs to feel victorious or vindicated. Yippee, skippy.
Feels so good to scratch that corny itch!
Listening to: Sarah Maclachlan’s Afterglow. It’s about right where I’m at today. I’m belting out the lyrics while I make the kids’ lunch. Heartbreaking, humbling, hopeful. Hope the neighbors don’t hear me.
Humble pie is hard to swallow. Thank the good Lord that it goes down a little easier with a tall glass of grace. And that it’s available by the pitcher, always sitting on the table, poured by Someone with great mercy for me. Otherwise, I might choke. I’m sitting at that table today, knock-kneed legs dangling from the chair. Tie the napkin ’round my neck.
Have you seen this documentary mini-series from American Experience (on PBS)? If not, you’re really missing it. We didn’t really study Native American history in school – we touched on it, but my indian education is limited to the movies (raise your hand if you loved Last of the Mohicans!). This series is wonderfully filmed and narrated, and the commentary is poignant. I hope it wins an Oscar. It really should.
I’ve come to learn, through watching this series, that the history of the American Indian is really fascinating – rich, tragic, heroic, complex and steadfast. I’ll say it – just like white America did great wrong by keeping and trading black slaves, it did just as horrible, if not worse, things to the native population, too. There was no Emancipation Proclamation for them. We – white America – took and didn’t ask. We committed ethnic cleansing. We showed them a form of tyranny that was never forced upon us. I won’t lie – it makes me a little less patriotic. Reparations wouldn’t even begin to make restitution. There is no easy answer for what was done, and what is still ignored. Just as African sold African into slavery, Cherokee turned upon Cherokee. What is to be said? What is to be done? What is the response, as a 21st century audience? These are the questions I’m asking myself this afternoon. I’m not really coming up with anything.
One thing I found especially moving while watching the “Trail of Tears” episode, was the fact that, as the Cherokee – numbers dwindling by the day due to sickness and starvation – marched thousands of miles west, barefoot over frozen wilderness, and sung Christian hymns (many Cherokee had converted by the 1830s) – hymns sung by the very people who denied them rights to the land the Cherokee had inhabited for generations. The narrator cited the hymn “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”. Imagine this quiet, starving, frozen processional singing these words:
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land / I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand. / Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me til I want no more. Feed me til I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain whence the healing stream doth flow / Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. / Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield. Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside / Death of death and hell’s destruction, land me safe of Canaan’s side / Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee; I will ever give to thee.
check out this lovely blog. i got a kick out of it – you might, too.
Been thinking about hymns lately. I love ‘em. This past week being Holy Week, I’ve had a few going ’round in my head. I thought I’d post a few lyrics here.
Ever heard of the Phos Hilaron? Literally, “Hilarious Light”, it is the oldest recorded Christian hymn. Written originally in Greek, here’s a modern translation:
Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured
Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies – Jesu Christ our Lord!Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!Worthiest art Thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world Thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen.
One of my favorite hymns for Good Friday:
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure That he should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finishedI will not boast in anything, no gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward; I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom
Been humming this little one around the house this week:
Jesus, all for Jesus / All I am and have and ever hope to be / Jesus, all for Jesus / All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans / I surrender these into Your hands / All of my ambitions, hopes and plans / I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free / For it’s only in Your will that I am free.
