Answered Prayer; A Healing Touch

"God is seldom early, but He is never late" ~

 Terry "Mateo" Mattson

I believe in the power of prayer. I am never reluctant to ask someone to pray for me when I am in need, nor am I likely to withhold a prayer for someone else who needs it.  This morning was one of those times where the need for healing prayer was my desperate request.

 I was singing on the Worship Team at our church this morning and in the middle of rehearsal something awful happened. I couldn't open my mouth all the way without experiencing shooting pain through my jaw! Now, it's a little hard to sing if you can't open your mouth, and I'm not trying to be funny. Some notes require a more mouth action than others and as I continued singing along, I found my jaw stubbornly and painfully refusing to cooperate. This was not good! 

I have had TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) episodes a few times over the years but is has been a long time since it's caused my jaw to lock or refuse to open wider than needed. When rehearsal was done, several of us gathered, as we do every Sunday morning before service, to pray. I made my plea for prayer for myself and explained the reason. My church family quickly gathered around me and prayed specifically for a healing touch, in order that I could sing.  

I didn't feel anything in that moment, nothing to indicate to me that healing had occurred. In fact the pain was still present and my jaw still stubbornly refusing to cooperate. But I was confident. I believed that God could and would take care of this for me. I really felt like I could handle this little painful episode; I just wanted to be able to open my mouth during singing in order to really make the joyful noise I'd been recruited for!  

Our leader for our Worship Team asked me if I was going to be okay and I nodded emphatically and told her I believed God would give me the ability to do what I needed to do, just when I needed it. 

Guess what? HE DID. 

We went into our worship set and I was able to open my mouth, to sing from my heart and there was no pain in my jaw. It cooperated beautifully. 

When we finished singing and I went to find my seat, I experimented a little by forcing some "yawn" action. OOooOh! Pain! And a limited amount of movement. Just as it had happened during rehearsal. 

I was actually somewhat amused that the pain and lack of mobility had departed just long enough to do what had been asked of me that morning. I mean, we did pray specifically for me to be able to sing and sing well and without pain! At the end of the service when we went back up for one last song I grabbed my mic with confidence that I would once again be able to do my part. 

Yep. No problem. 

After church we had potluck and I found it difficult to eat as once again the jaw was being stiff. but I was happy to report to those who had prayed for me that our prayers had been answered! 

As the day went on I did find the pain slowly subsiding and the ability to open my jaw returning.

In my lifetime I have witnessed and experienced God working in our lives.I have learned that He can do things in an instance and He can do things over a period of time. I don't understand it, but I believe that His timing is perfect and there is a reason only He knows as to why things happen the way they do. I don't understand it but I guess that's not my job. My job is to trust.  

(p.s. as an added bonus, this healing prayer episode seems to have also served as a breakthrough in a case of writer's block that's been plaguing me for a few weeks. So, Yay God!! Thank you!!)

Changes

I love to rearrange things. I grew up having built in beds, closets and bookcases. They were practical and sturdy and served their purpose, but maybe because of this, there's a restlessness within me that bursts out every now and again. I like to rearrange the furniture in the living room. I like to move pictures around on the walls. I love a new coat of paint on things and I like switching things up on my blog!

I've been toying with the idea of changing the name of my blog for some time now. As I state on my side bar, I started the blog when we were preparing to go on a mission trip. It was a great way for the folks at home to stay in the loop of what we were doing. I chose the title "How Beautiful On the Mountains" because of the verse from Isaiah 52 that says "how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news" It gets paraphrased a bit in Romans 10 but the meaning is the same. I thought it the perfect name for the blog and as you can see, we take pictures of all the places our feet have gone, in the name of Jesus.

But, more and more, Bruce and I realize that our mission field is right here in our backyard. Or up the mountain. The neighborhood we live in, the church we attend and the people we worship with, that's our mission field. It doesn't preclude that on occasion we may feel compelled to dig out our passport, pack our bags and fly away to Timbuktu! But for the most part, we know this is where we've been called to serve.

Deming, WA

I have also reflected on my posts over the past several months and notice that a lot of what I write about is more geared to my own personal battles, agendas and callings. I feel  compelled to share about my battle with depression, and chronic illness and my victory journey from an abusive past. I love to share how God is walking me through all of it. I celebrate what He has done, is doing and is going to do in my life. It's all good!

After some thought, I decided to change the title of the blog. I wanted to keep a tie to the original however. I use the name "Songbyrd" for my online presence so it seemed like a natural fit. I love to sing and I know God has put the song in my heart.(I have a small tattoo on my ankle of a heart with musical notes that represents just that.) I do feel that God has given me a new song to sing, a song of freedom, a song of rejoicing, a song of thanks.

So..... 
Welcome to (the new and improved) Songyrd on the Mountain!

He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40.3, NRSV

when we worship

My friend Chris worships with every thing that is in him. Legs spread apart, feet planted firmly on the ground, arms lifted high, face turned towards heaven, making a joyful noise, regardless of what others may think. Watching his face is like seeing a little bit of Heaven coming down. Pure Joy pours forth from his inner being, total awe, total surrender coming from his heart.

He wasn't always like this. He's rather a new believer actually. I think he accepted Christ as Lord of his life about 3 years ago. It's been absolutely wonderful to watch the changes take place in him since that time. He is a sponge, soaking up the word of God, asking questions, seeking for better understanding. He buys study guides and wants to be more familiar with the books of the bible so he can find them quickly and follow along with the pastor as he reads it on Sunday Mornings. Clean and Sober for 6 years now, Chris greets each day fully aware of the fact that THIS IS A NEW DAY. He always has a smile and a cheerful "Good Morning, And how are you today" greeting for each person he meets. His philosophy of life seems to personify that scripture that encourages us to "do everything as unto the Lord."

I love corporate worship. Being gathered together with like minded believers, our hearts all tuned to the Holy Spirit, giving all the praise, glory and honor to the One Who Sits on the Throne. Whether its on Sunday Morning in our places of Worship, or a Concert at the Fair or a Praise Gathering in the Park, it gives me goosebumps.... it overwhelms me to the point that some times I cannot sing. I just stand and listen to the sounds of the voices reverberating around me. I look around and see men and women, faces lifted, palms open, eager to give it over to God. I am both humbled and proud as I watch, listen, observe.

Singing has always been as closely linked to my worship life as writing. I worship best through singing. Talking often trips me up.... I fumble for the words when I am praying, or trying to describe my feelings. But give me pen and paper and I am able to extract words and phrases that explain and describe so much better than my tongue can. And when I run out of things to say, it is comforting and exhilarating to know I can use the words of someone like Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin, to praise God, connect with Him and feel him in ways I never can otherwise.

Last year in Dream School, we had a module on Worship and Joel the Worship Guy led us in some simple songs of worship. He encouraged us to try worshiping in a different way-- perhaps on our knees or even on our faces. I was surprised to find myself leaning against the wall, knees tucked under my chin, just listening. I am usually bouncing up and down on my toes, singing exuberantly, with all that is in me. But not that night. That night I was silent.

Lately I find myself doing this more and more. I really think the Holy Spirit told me that night to just listen. Rest in the moment of the worship around me, be aware and be thoughtfully engaged, without opening my mouth.

there's a mighty lesson in that. 

When we worship, God want's our ALL. And I think sometimes I make it more about me and my voice and my actions, not totally loosing myself in worship but really being more caught up in the ACT OF worship.

Does that make sense?

And so it seems for right now, God is teaching me more about listening and feeling His Presence through  the stillness of worship (be still and know that HE is GOD) than through the act of worship.  Chris Tomlin wrapped up his concert Wed. night by singing a well known song written by Matt Redmond. It's been playing softly in my heart ever since and it's lyrics serve to remind me to do an attitude check on my act of worship every now and again....
I leave with these beautiful thought provoking words, from the song, "Heart of Worship"

 Verse 1
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

Bridge
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath

Jesus Loves Even Me

I woke up this morning with a cherished song from my childhood rising up from where it was tucked, in the memories of my heart. 

I love mornings like these. 

 I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

 Some days I don't feel very loving or very lovable. Those are the days I need the reminder of God's unfailing love most. 

 I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

 Some days are fraught with stress and strife and threaten to crowd me before my feet have even hit the floor. Those are the days I need a song to sing even more. 

 Though I forget Him, and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms I do flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me. 

 There is a reason I have a tattoo on my ankle of a heart with musical notes rising from it: God put a song in my heart. When He rescued me from a broken miserable existence and  brought restoration and renewal to my life, He transformed me from a sad little shell of a girl into a woman with a song in her heart. 

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

 Some days I sing louder than other days. Some days it's just a hum, a vibration, a single note.  Some days it feels like an entire orchestra has been dispatched just for me, to play my song and play it with all the vibrancy and imagination that is available. 

 Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

Even on the days when the music is so low that I have to strain to hear anything, I know His GRACE is there, His LOVE. 

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blessed;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

 I hope you find a reason to sing today. 

Words & Music: Phil­ip P. Bliss, 1870 

That Baby is My King

it's going to be a WET Christmas..... but we are off to a wonderful start.

We attended a Christmas service last night at our friends church that featured singing (of course) a skit and a great message about Promises that will never be broken because of the One who Makes the Promise. We also got to hear  a brand new song  written and performed by a sweet couple on the praise team there. (who also happen to be daughter and son-in-law of the friends who invited us) Yay! We ended the evening with communion and then singing Silent Night by candlelight.

It was a sweet evening. We saw friendly faces we had not seen in awhile and it was so good to connect with people. After all, isn't this what Christmas is about, truly? The Relationships.  God, who loved so much that He sent us His Son so we could have a Relationship with HIM. It's a little mind boggling when you really stop and think this through...

I hope whatever you are doing in the midst of your last minute preparations for the holiday gatherings, you will take a moment to stop and reflect on that truth.

As you gather with family around the dinner table or
Christmas tree,
as you gather in a church somewhere to sing the sacred songs,
take time to focus on the baby, but don't stop there.

He came as a sweet innocent baby and that makes as all go soft and gooey inside but
He was born for a greater purpose.
Celebrate His birth but then, please,
go one step further to remember that
the babe grew up to be the
SAVIOR of the world,
willingly going to the cross to
DIE for us,
to CONQUER death and
RISE from the grave.

Wow.

I am including here a couple of links. the first one is to the transcript of the speech followed by a link to a video of the powerfully done That's My King by the late Dr. s.m. Lockridge. It seems fitting for this post. Enjoy. and, Merry Holy Christmas.

That's My King
That's My King (Video)

Joy and More Joy

I have the Joy~Joy~Joy~Joy, 

down in my heart~

down in my heart~

down in my heart~

I have the Joy~ Joy~Joy~Joy

down in my heart~

down in my heart~~to stay! 

Who doesn't remember this song from Sunday School? We had lots of verses to it... 'love of Jesus down in my heart', 'peace that passes understanding' was another. 'beautiful belief that baffles the Buddhists' was a popular verse in the 70's and the one that made us all giggle was the finishing verse "and if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack~sit on a tack~sit on a tack~sit on a tack and stay!" 

Ah, sunday school songs. My sister and I harmonized on many and we'd weave some of them together, singing as we did chores, out in the berry field, as we rode in the car.... we sang because we loved it... we sang because we DID indeed have Joy in our hearts! 

I love singing so much that, when at the age of 35 I decided I had wanted a tattoo long enough to know I was serious about getting one, I chose a heart with musical notes coming out of it representing that I did indeed have a song in my heart. I have used that tattoo to share my faith as people have asked what my tattoo stands for and I say "Jesus put a song in my heart"

I guess my parents knew what they were doing when they chose my name.

when Bruce and I were on vacation last month, and we came across the little chapel~on~the~hill in Curlew, it was a given we'd go inside and upon settling into a pew, start to sing. (the acoustics were great by the way) 

We attended Catalyst the other night at church, which is a monthly event where we gather to sing praise and worship songs to our Lord and King. It's powerful.

This morning I woke up, foggy-headed and froggy-throated but still with a song in my heart for all the goodness God brings to our lives. Living in faith is stretching us but the joy we come to know as a by-product is beyond measure.

Rejoices with Singing

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

I LOVE this verse!! The very idea that my God is singing.... over me??

Earlier today I posted about the song "You are my Sunshine" and how I would sing it to my babies, often standing over their cribs as they fell asleep. And as I finished that post, this verse came trickling back into my memory. I have been meditating on it all day.

(google images)

As I recalled the old white crib, the tired, fussy baby curled up in a fuzzy yellow blanket and me, bent over the rail, one hand rubbing my baby's back, making soothing noises and then, finally, singing softly the one song that always seemed to stop the crying, I was hit with a fresh vision of My God, singing over me with delight, rejoicing in ME?!!

I was awestruck.

If you know me very well, you know I love singing. I love to worship Jesus through music. To me everything is a song, a musical--  just waiting to tap out the beat.  Everything in creation cries out in praise to its Creator. Rain splashing against the roof, wind spinning leaves off the ground, birds chirping, cows lowing, waves crashing against the shore....  all of creation rejoicing...

my life has certainly had its rough moments. times of crushing disappointment, crippling pain and betrayals. it has also had some fine moments. times of celebration, joy, healing, redemption. Through it all, My God who is Mighty to Save, has been with me.

When I was exhausted and could not take another step, when the tears seemed endless and my world was spinning out of control... when I was curled up emotionally hanging on for dear life, ready to give up...   in a holy moment, my Creator would bend down and caress my cheek, make that soothing 'hush-hush now" and then, softly, tenderly, sing over me.

Our God wants to sing over each of us, for He delights in His children. Would you stop long enough to listen to His Song for you today?

happiness

my daughter posted this sweet picture on my facebook wall and I just had to share it.
You see, this was the song I sang to her (to both my babies, actually) when I rocked her to sleep at night. Or stood over her crib. Or while we rode in the car.

It was the song my mother sang to me.  And the song my daughter sings to her children. Love that!

My daughter had a Winnie the Pooh bear that she had to sleep with every night. When her first baby was born, she found a little musical chip that played this song and sewed it inside the bear so her son could sleep with her Winnie the Pooh and she would sing to him in time with the music box. I found a little music box that played You are My Sunshine and gave it to my daughter for her birthday one year.

As you can see, it is a special song in our family.

I celebrate the family tradition today along with the fact that we also know the TRUE Sunshine of the world; our Heavenly Son-shine.

~~blessings this Friday~~

Singing Sisters

one of the things Anita and I love to do when we are together is sing-- and usually in harmony. We sing the old songs from our childhood... songs we learned in Sunday School, songs we trilled across the blueberry field as we picked those plump berries. Catching us on the flip-video is a real treasure for me. it means when I really get to missing my sister, I will be able to pull this up and feel that special bond we share, especially when we sing together. If That isn't Love!

Falling in Love

the first line in this song... ''give me rules, I will break them..." caught my attention the very first time I heard it. I was thinking, that's me! (chuckle chuckle) but then I listened some more and I just gotta say... This song captures my heart's cry. I need a truth that lives moves and breathes. ~enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUykOG0xhEk