..burst..

"But i will sing of your strength;

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress

and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,

for you, O God, are my fortress,

the God who shows me steadfast love."

- Psalm 59.16-17 -

I just read this and thought to myself how true it is and how it makes me want to sing. I also just remembered a short period i spent in hospital in Sheffield, when i was in a little room by myself wired up to a machine for a few days. I remember thinking to myself at the time that it was completely incredible that Jesus was there with me, in that little room. I remember knowing more distinctly than ever that He was there and all was okay. I had been very confused so was grateful for that peace. It's not like i always so tangibly feel that awareness, maybe it was because people were praying for me, i don't know. Sometimes i feel 'distress' instead. But what i do know is, that whatever i tangibly feel, i am so happy that i do have God looking after me and that He is my refuge. Why am i writing this? I don't know, except that i suddenly feel that awareness again and feel i could burst with thankfulness right now, and so guess i am letting it out here.

Fudge

Yesterday was the first day of SUmMeR. Or so i believe..
..and today the sun is SHINING. That makes me smile.
It's gone 4pm and i hAven't gOt dresSed yet, or haD lunCh yet. Some may say that's LAzY, but never mind.

when i went downstairs earlier i was greeted by a beautiful bunch of flowers ..

that also made me smile,
and right now the birds are twittering outside and i feel like HUmmING a little tune alongside them.
.....today is the ONLY friday 22nd june 2007 that will EVER exist. It sounds like the birds know it. What an honour to be alive for it.

thanks goes to GoD for that.

The above picture is from a JaPaneSe magazine called 'FUDGE'.

My beautiful sister Hannah gave me it when i was particularly unwell a little while ago. I don't understand the Japanese, but the viSuAl side of it fascinates me for hours.....

Silver and Gold

Seeing as i've got into the habit of quoting songs and the like, i shall include a snippet of another today. I heard it a couple of days ago, when i wasn't feeling that great, but it suddenly reminded me again how God brings beauty from all things. Anyway, it goes as follows:

"When the rain falls and it some days will,
Then the pavement under my feet
Sparkles silver and gold, in reflected light
That i otherwise wouldn't have seen.....

..So Jesus don't You keep me from that storm
I want to walk that sacred ground
For You are master of it all
And i am just a lost and found...."

-Robin Mark-

Considering the fact that on Sunday night i would have done anything to get the 'storm' to go, i'm suprised and glad that i am able to say and mean the lines of that song again today. I don't even have a real storm to worry about anyway. I apologise for my negative mood in my prior post. In fact God has been so faithful and merciful to me that He deserves to be praised continually.

Today i feel...

Today i felt a little like this......Quite incredible really - It would appear that the lady is asleep inside the shop window. Is she trying to copy me i wonder?!! Today i felt and acted a little like her, and a little like this: I also feel a little like this man looks: But the sun is still shining down on him, i'm happy to see that. Maybe soon i'll be feeling like this again:

Photos by Lara Wechsler

Thistles?

These are by Angie Lewin, who is a printmaker i came across. I like the top design the most. The second one is of teasels, but i originally thought it was of thistles and it reminded me of when Hannah was very little and used to say 'Why did God put thistles in my garden?!'

I've just remembered that Rachelle gave me a beautiful piece of artwork on Sunday, that she had painted herself. When my camera is working, i will put a picture of it on here. I was very touched to receive it.

34.18

The Lord is near to the broken hearted. - Psalm 34.18

The Hermit

"There is something about all this that i do not understand; but if ever we need to know it, you may be sure that we shall."

- The Hermit in 'The Horse and His Boy' by C.S.Lewis

Patience

Here is another image by Mandy Sutcliffe who i made reference to once before. This one is entitled 'Patience'.

Not me

"The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances." - Elizabeth Elliot

The watchmaker's suitcase

"Will you carry it off the train, Corrie?" he said. I stood up and tugged at it. It was crammed with the watches and spare parts he had purchased that morning. "It's too heavy," I said. "Yes," he said. "And it would be a pretty poor father who would ask his little girl to carry such a load. It's the same way, Corrie, with knowledge. Some knowledge is too heavy for children. When you are older and stronger you can bear it. For now you must trust me to carry it for you." - from 'The Hiding Place' by Corrie Ten Boom

Just two pictures

by Stina Persson

Moose

Here's some nice simple 'reverse graffiti' by a guy from Leeds called Paul "moose" Curtis. He does 'clean tagging' by cleaning grime off city walls and streets and therefore producing a reverse graffiti image. I saw some pictures once by an artist who drew amazing images on the back of filthy cars. I can't remember his name or find an example of his work, but it was good!

Note for a child

"I am the question and you are the answer

I am the lyric with words, who, like dancers,

Need you, the melody, to give life to my song

I am a boat in the sea all alone

You are the North Star, guiding me home

I'm the explorer and you are the treasure I seek

And how can I dare to believe

I wake from this dream to see

Impossibly beautiful, you walk beside me

And all that I see in you

I just want to be with you

Impossibly beautiful, but beautifully true

I am a Japanese house made of paper

You, like a hurricane, lay me to waste

Here in my brokenness, everything changes but you"

- Lyrics from a song by 'Note for a Child' -

Stop

Someone showed me this piece of graffiti displayed on Wooster Collective. It's on the streets of Bloomington, Indiana. I just think it's clever.

Wake Up

I am finally emerging from my week of sleep! Admittedly it was still 4pm by the time i was up and dressed today, but at least i have a little energy. As i was trying to get up I remembered the line of a song i like. It goes:

"Awake my soul and celebrate, the wonders of His grace"

I kept saying it to myself in the hope that it may have some effect, and i actually think it has had! How about that. In fact, relatively speaking, i am much more awake now and feel quite inclined to burst into song. ha ha. The lyric was from a song by Eoghan Heaslip. I can't find the words for it, but it was a re-write from a classic old hymn by Charles Wesley. It goes:

"Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the pris'ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Saviour come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy!"

Good lyrics i think.