A Lesson in Tuning In

I had reason to fly to California this past week. I flew into Oakland airport one evening, From Oakland, I drove to my company's headquarters in San Ramon. As I drove out of the rental car company driveway, I turned on the radio in the rental car then did my usual "seek, seek, seek" until I could find an amenable radio station. Let me tell you, Northern CA is stuck in the 80's and 90's! I really couldn't find anything pleasing. I think I circled the FM dial two or three times. By this time, I'd made my way to the mountains. This is where I had an interesting experience.

I finally found a radio station, though not coming in strongly, and settled in for the rest of the drive (about 30 min) -- listening to Contemporary Christian Music (Strong Tower by Kutless). Well, in just a few minutes, I was losing that radio station and another radio station was tuning in. It was also a Christian radio station, but a much more traditional one. On air was a brilliant tenor singing "How Great Thou Art" with great passion. I was amazed that two radio stations (probably separated by the mountains) were transmitting on similar frequencies.

I loved it! Because they were both singing about the same thing... just in VERY different styles. As I drove up and down the mountains each radio station would take turns coming in stronger.

It made me think. It made me think about a couple of things:

- How each of us is transmitting our own praise and worship at the same time. And how God can pick up our frequencies, each and every one of ours, and listening intently and intimately and not missing a beat. How big is He that he can multitask to each of His children with the greatest of intimacy without even working at it???

- How each of us has our own, unique style and yet it is brilliant in its own regard. Because it's not about the style, it's about the content... who God is.

All for now,
Lisa

P.S. he he ... isn't it interesting that He took me to San Francisco to get a lesson in "tuning in" (i.e. it was the hippie Berkley professor Timothy Leary who coined the term "Turn on, tune in, drop out" in the 1960's)

Erin Go Bragh!

translated means "Ireland Forever"


The most beautiful music of all is the music of what happens. - Irish proverb

Happy Texas Independence Day!

On this day in 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and actually became a nation unto itself (prior to agreeing to be part of the United States). I believe Texas is the only state among 50 that has this distinction. Can you tell I'm a proud Texan?!

All for now,
Lisa

Ashes Ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic churches offer ashes to be placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death. From what I understand, God's words to Adam are often used in the ceremony: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

My friend Susan Ince wrote the following last year. I've kept a print out of it above my desk at work since then. I thought it would be worthy to share here:

I would like to suggest one way of making room for God during this Lenten
season: choosing not to do some things (fasting) and choosing to do other things
(feasting). Tradition teaches us to fast during Lent, because Lent
prepares us for Easter, the victory of life over death, we need also to feast on
the life God offers as we seek to deepen the divine life within us. It is
appropriate then to fast AND to feast!

Fast from harsh or mean words.
Feast on words that encourage and support others.

Fast from anger.
Feast on patience.

Fast from worry.
Feast on God's love and care.

Fast from sadness and depression.
Feast on joy and peace of mind.

Fast from complaining.
Feast on appreciation and gratitude.

Fast from bitterness.
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from resentment.
Feast on acceptance.

Fast from jealousy.
Feast on being oneself.

Fast from self-centeredness.
Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from excess.
Feast on moderation.

Fast from acquiring.
Feast on generosity.

Fast from apathy.
Feast on caring.

Fast from discouragement.
Feast on hope.

Fast from judging others.
Feast on finding Christ in them.

All for now,
Lisa