Beloved

On what is truly a Monday, I needed to read this:

Since Before the Foundations of the World

O Living Flame of Love . . . How gently and how lovingly Thou wakest in my bosom, where alone thou secretly dwellest; And in Thy sweet breathing full of grace and glory how tenderly Thou fillest me with Thy love.

These words, penned by St. John of the Cross in his book Living Flame of Love, capture the heart-cry of every soul for intimacy with God. For this we were created and for this we were rescued from sin and death. In Ephesians, Paul lets us in on a little secret: We’ve been more than noticed. God has pursued us from farther than space and longer ago than time. God has had us in mind since before the Foundations of the World. He loved us before the beginning of time, has come for us, and now calls us to journey toward him, with him, for the consummation of our love.

Who am I, really? The answer to that question is found in the answer to another: What is God’s heart toward me, or, how do I affect him? If God is the Pursuer, the Ageless Romancer, the Lover, then there has to be a Beloved, one who is the Pursued. This is our role in the story.

In the end, all we’ve ever really wanted is to be loved. “Love comes from God,” writes St. John. We don’t have to get God to love us by doing something right—even loving him. “This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Someone has noticed; someone has taken the initiative. There is nothing we need to do to keep it up, because his love for us is not based on what we’ve done, but who we are: His Beloved. “I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me” (Song 7:10).

(The Sacred Romance , 97–98)

So darn cute

I found this on a friend's blog. Oh the cuteness you can find on Youtube! Check out the change in facial expression when the kid sticks his finger in Charlie's mouth! Classic.

A Little Otis for your Friday

I'm weary at the end of this week so here's a little advice: Try a little tenderness.

	Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness
	Found at skreemr.com

I love some Otis Redding so enjoy one of my fave tracks. If you're not familiar with Otis, you may recall this tune from a scene in Pretty in Pink where Ducky lip syncs this song in the record store. Classic.

Post 200!!

So, the last post that included one of my fave Weezer tunes was my 200th post! Do I get a prize?

Weezer

This song immediately takes me back to Wilmington, NC. I remember driving around College Road with my friend John Knox in his Jeep Wrangler with the doors off and blasting this tune. Enjoy this little bit of Weezer goodness.

	Weezer - The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
	Found at skreemr.com

The world has turned and left me here
Just where I was before you appeared.
And in your place an empty space
Has filled the void behind my face.

Sunday afternoon recreation

Josh
Vivian
Molly




This afternoon I spent some fun time with the Finks and the Metzls at Sports Connection in Ballantyne. The highlight was Laser Tag because it was my first time playing....ever. Marty and I had to join up with the red team which was comprised of a bunch of little girls who were party of birthday party. We were battling a bunch of little boys who were there for another birthday party! Good times ensued. I really enjoyed myself. I also enjoyed being "Auntie Steph" to Josh, Molly and Viv. It's fun to have kids in my life here in Charlotte. I pray that i can remain the coolest aunt ever. Ha!

By the way...

I still like to dance and I've still got some moves.
Ha!

I have a lot to say today

So bear with me. I'll put it in different posts because the thoughts are all over the place: reflections on Charlotte One, music, spiritual stuff, etc.

I'll start with this:

Last night I was chatting with my friend Lisa who is going through a tough time. I shared some of my current "stuff" and we vowed to pray for each other. This morning, I get to work, sit down and open my e-mail. As I'm scrolling through, a new email pops up from Lisa. Her email included a devotional that is for today, March 6. It is amazing how appropo it is to her life and to mine -- and really to any of us who are waiting on the Lord.

March 6

"Behold I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry aloud, but there is no judgment." Job 19:7

When God seems indifferent, He is often most concerned. We may imagine that He does not care, when He permits us to pass through affliction, grief, and sorrow. Our prayers may seem to be unheard. The heavens appear to be brass above us. But all the time He is looking down upon us in sympathy and compassion, as to magnify His grace and glorify His name. He is actively engaged on our behalf even when we as yet fail to realize it. What is needed is that we learn not only to wait on Him in faith, but to wait for Him in patience.

"God's no means something better
I can trust Him with my all
The God who formed the universe
Attendeth when I call
And when in love and wisdom
He withholds my heart's request
His no means something better
He will give me what is best

God's wait a while's bring blessings
That His right away's withhold
When He's tried me in the fire
I shall then come forth as gold
Oh, what peace it brings in sorrow
And what comfort fills my breast
Just to know, whate'er His answer
He will give me what is best!

Depression

So lately I've been interested in learning (or re-learning) about the Great Depression. Since I work in the subprime lending industry, one can't get away from negative thoughts about the economy. I've seen movies that depict what life was like back in the 10 years of the depression, but it's hard to imagine what it was really like. Men in business suits were standing in soup/bread lines. These same men stood in groups early in the morning at employment agencies hoping to get a day's work in to be able to feed their family for that day. How far are we from similar situations? I found this article to be interesting. This author discusses some of the causes of the Great Depression.

I like this song

This is Yeah! Oh Yeah! by The Magnetic Fields. A beautiful tne with some crazy lyrics. Well, they're dramatic.

For example:

Are you out of love with me?
Are you longing to be free?
Do I drive you up a tree?
Yeah! Oh, yeah!
Do I drive you up the wall?
Do you dread every phone call?
Can you not stand me at all?
Yeah! Oh, yeah!