"Watermark" by Sleeping At Last

You were carved out of the sea
Watermarked by your ancestry
In a tug of war between the tide and me
What felt like loss was a victory
Cause you were swept ashore like bottles holding prayers

You were carved out of the earth
Safe and sound in your second birth
Gravity has tied your ankle to the shore
As a lighthouse tamed the endless ocean war

Against the calming light our silhouettes are changing shape
The stories you've been told have made you brave

Such inheritance was formed within the sand
Like the shells you gather in the safety of your hands
Dive in with your eyes closed
For the life you were born to claim
And the water will be paralyzed
By the courage you contain
And the flutter of your earnest heart
It will fill the silent seas
And all will be restored in your memory

A Thawing Heart

For sometime now I have been pondering the question, "Why should my heart not dance?" When I read this question posed by Orual, I have realized that I am more like her and less like Psyche:

"And my struggle was this. You may well believe that I had set out sad enough; I came on a sad errand. Now, flung at me like frolic or insolence, there came as if it were a voice-no words- but if you made it into words it would be, "Why should your heart not dance?" It's the measure of my folly that my heart almost answered, "Why not?"

I have tasted life's bitterness, and have spent more time questioning than praising. I admit to having been in a battle against my thawing heart. A thawed heart means a move towards transparency. There is something incredibly desirable and frightening about that prospect.

As I come to understand my Redeemer's love for me, as He reveals His truths and promises to me, my heart can't help but thaw. Just as in nature, spring follows winter.

Spring is my favorite season. I love the delicate flowers, the brisk mornings, and the singular blades of grass. Although it's never predictable in Colorado, the marks of a thawing are always evident.

Spring is my heart right now. The seeds have been planted, the roots have grown deep. There are signs of life above the surface. I am being grown to look more like Psyche and less like Orual. My heart is learning to  dance.

 

A Song of Praise

The Lord said to me, “This is not for you! You are no longer a captive to the things that you once were. You are my child; I have bought you with my blood! Do not think on those things. Do not believe those lies. Keep your head held high because you are mine! I love you fiercely. The mountains tremble and the seas part under my love for you. Do not forget!” I will sing, “How marvelous is your love for me, my God, Savior, Redeemer, King, and Lord. How wonderful are your thoughts about me. When I am exhausted, you give me rest. When I am fearful, you comfort me. Praise your name. You have anointed me with your purpose. You have taught me your ways. How marvelous, how wonderful, then my soul will ever sing! How marvelous, how wonderful, is your love for me. My heart will dance with joy, and my lips will proclaim your works. You know my innermost being, and you have written revival upon my heart.”

Up!

Love the animated film "Up?"

Check out this real life "Up." http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/upinspired-floating-house-14?xg_source=facebook

Hmmm... ideas....

Someone Like You - Adele - Classical Cover by Aston

Name Play

Recently I've been digging deeper in the book of Esther with a group of incredible and insightful women. One of the things we have discussed is the meaning of names. Esther mean "star" and also "to conceal." Isn't it ironic how the book of Esther is filled with a story of God's plan coming to full revelation and the name of the protagonist means to conceal? Lesson learned? God is deliberate and intentional in what He choses to reveal and also in what He choses to conceal.

I have been thinking about my own name. Angela means "Messenger of God," yet I feel like one of my largest hurdles has been communication. Ironic isn't it? Perhaps it's not so much as it seems. Another lesson learned: God's strength is shown best in our weaknesses. So, a theory might be that since communication is a weakness for me, it allows much room for God's strength?

Hmmm... so just like Esther, God can take a willing heart and unveil an incredible plan. I think this is what He has in store for me- an incredible plan, and my name has something to do with it.

Favorites

My three new favorite artists:

1. Dale Chihuly has brought a whole new life to glass blowing by transforming it into an abstract artform. Check out http://www.chihuly.com/ for images of the brilliance of his sea-inspired creations, his artistic eye for combining nature with the synthesized in his installations, and the stunning enormity of his chandeliers.

2. Brian Dettmer uses books, glue, and surgical tools to create these intricate designs. Take a look at http://briandettmer.com/ for images of what someone with talent, focus, and patience can do to transform a book into a living work of art.

3. Mark Lawrence is one of those artists that uses a canvas, brush, and brightly colored paints to convey scriptural truths. When I first began to view the detail, textures, and contrasts between colors in his paintings, I could actually see the scriptures taking form. I think his work is the perfect example of how even the abstract can bring a certain amount of clarity and can reveal truths. See if you agree by taking a look at his works at http://www.marklawrencegallery.com/.

Last but not least...  http://www.googleartproject.com/  This website is the most amazing tool for viewing artwork! As much as I would love to see these works of ingenuity in person, reality does not allow for it. However, because of this website I can still visit each museum and explore their vast collections.

Enjoy!