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Friday, January 2nd, 2004
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11:41a - Spontaneous psalm
I feel like going walking. It's wet out and pretty cold, but I have this sudden desire to pull on boots and coat and wool hat and head down one of those pretty trails up at Gunpowder Falls. It would be muddy but I might see a deer or two and I could take my camera and a thermos full of hot tea. I could just be alone with God and the sounds of the woods and the rain dripping from the trees... Hm. It sounds so nice. I miss the woods. Wish I didn't have to sit in an office building instead.
I bought "Third Circle," the latest of the Enter the Worship Circle series that I have been anxiously waiting for. It's so good! So many of these songs are so orgininal and comforting. Simple guitar arrangements and hand drums with lyrics like these..
"I know that you saved me,
But I don’t know--I don’t know--
How far you had to reach
I swim in your deep love,
But I don’t know--I don’t know--
How wide or how deep
I know that you’re good, Lord,
But I don’t know--I don’t know--
Why you’re so good to me."
Ahh, it just restores my soul to remember things like that. My God is gracious and compassionate. His kindness has painted my empty life with rich colors I had never imagined. His sweet mercy and gentleness have poured on my head when I deserved a cross and death. His strong arm has thrust aside all obstacles in His determined goal of revealing His extravagant love to me. And what kind of love is this? It is a surprise to us, for it will always endure our rejection and apathy and yet remain patient and kind. It does not boil over with jealousy; it is not conceited or tainted with pride. It is pure.
This love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not love like ours--that is touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it! It pays no attention to a suffered wrong.
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. This love bears up under anything and everything that comes, it is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening.
This love never fails to love us! It never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. It endures throughout eternity! Nothing we can do will shake it. Grace and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, though we walk each day through valleys of death and sorrow. He makes rivers in the dry sand; He fills the air with songs from the throats of redeemed children, forgiven and free. He plants an oasis in the desert of our lives and fills it with the beauty of friendship and peace. We are so precious to Him, He is Emmanuel and He will remain with us always. He will never, no never, no never leave us; He will never, no never, no never forsake us--most assuredly not! Amen! Amen!
current mood:  jubilant
current music: 100 Portraits, "I Don't Know" (comment on this)
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