Isaiah Seven.

As the trees of the wood

Are moved by the wind

Let my heart be stirred 

for You.

As the birds of the air

Soar up to the sun

Let my spirit lift praise

to You.

As the flowers of the field

Bloom in great glory

May my life release beauty

through You.

As my feet on this earth

Are treading these paths

May my patterns be chosen

by You.

Also just wanted to share a poem by a wonderful man called Steve Brehm whose talent seemingly has no end....

It was so quiet

It was so quiet that I could hear,

in nervous whispers, the disciples fear,

the mocking thoughts of the ruling glass,

the drops of sweat on the lifeless grass.

It was so quiet that I could hear,

a soldier smile and a high priest sneer,

the wrenching pain of a mother's loss,

my sins being paid for, at such a cost.

It was so quiet that I could hear,

the pride of Satan disappear,

death crushed with an almighty blow,

the dawn of life and His Kingdom grow.

I find this poem-in particular the last verse so moving and powerful. So glad he shared it with the church, it really impacted me.

Pride comes before a church hall?

So yesterday at church we had this Illuminate day which was to celebrate God's creativity being outworked in His people and it was truly lovely. The church had several flower displays which were beautiful, and many people contributed art and poetry-all of which were astounding.

I wrote a poem about six months ago which Tom heard and felt it could be a song for our church. He and Charlie crafted my words (and added some others) into a little ditty which I very much enjoyed. I was humbled that my thoughts could be taken and formed into something which could bless other people. Sooooooo I learnt that this song was to be played in church as part of the creative day, I was assured of my anonymity. Of course Russell D informed the congregation exactly who wrote the song which I suddenly felt very shy about.

I knew when I wrote it that what I was expressing were desires that my heart and surely every other Christian heart should want to experience, but I never imagined that vulnerable words I had penned, would be so starkly laid out for people to critique, judge or ruminate over. I prayed: "Father I wrote this for you, so I give it to you, I don't hold onto any comments about it-good or bad, it reflects my heart and God I pray other people would somehow use it to be drawn into deeper love for you, anything creative in my being comes from you-the Father of Heavenly lights so I use it now to worship."

I learnt yesterday to let go of my pride and tried to discover too what it means to be truly humble. They played the song twice just to really ram home the message to me. Tom and Charlie-thank you for bringing the words to life and for singing them so beautifully, for having confidence in your giftings and for being lovely men.

I have so many more irrational emotions on this subject but I'll not bore you with them now, here is the original poem and my heart.

Let my love for You be constant
Let my love for You be true
Let me put no other before You
Let me only want to worship.
Let my life reflect Your glory
Let my heart rejoice with praise
Let me give You all the honour
Let me love Your Holy name.
Let Your presence be my fragrance
Let my clothing be Your grace
Let me please You dearest Father
Let me long to spread Your fame.
Let me live a life of victory
Let me love creation's song
Let me lead many others to You
Let me fight 'til the battles' won.
Let me run this race with vigour
Let me see it to the end
Let me always want to serve You
Let me see You as my friend.

France

I love France, I always have, to me it is peace. The Mediterranean makes my heart happy, so it was so wonderful to return there with ten other beauts for a week. We stayed in a glorious villa with utterly lovely views. In our garden we had a hammock which looked out across the valley-being in that was incredible! I am sad to no longer be surrounded by vineyards, cheese and wine.....

My heart it felt alive before,

but suddenly now aflame.

My memories of that place so dear,

re-awakened they remain.

My France you are such beauty,

you delight my every sense.

My God you made this wondrous land,

while far away is home.