merbecca's Xanga

Another CD recommendation :)

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:34:33 GMT

I post a lot of lyrics on this blog because the often strike me in powerful ways - I only wish I could write that well sometimes! Anyway, I think it's one of the ways God speaks to me – and it always comes at just the right time.

Recent example: Bebo Norman is one of my favorite artists, but I didn’t find out about his 2006 release until Dec 2008. Of course I then asked for it for Christmas - and I got it (thanks parents!).

The title alone stirred something in me because “Between the Dreaming and the Coming True” feels like a place I’m at right now in my life, and also it’s the place we’re all in: here on a broken earth (so far from Your design) waiting for the renewal of all things. Louder than the groans of creation, Oh, my God, be the voice of hope.

I played the CD non-stop on the plane home from my Christmas trip to Texas, and I’ve played it a lot since then. Many of the songs reflect what’s in my heart for 2009.

Though the waters rise
They will not pull me under
When the mountain slides
And crashes to the sea
I will lift my eyes
And call out to You, Father
Be my covering

-----

I will lift my eyes
To the maker of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes
To the calmer of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes
To the healer of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

'Cause you are and you were and you will be forever
You’re all that I need to save me
Because you fashioned the earth and
You hold it together, God
So hold me now

-----

Father, reach out Your hand
I have given all that I can
Still I’m sinking, I’m still sinking

I need You to bring me to life

And show me Your Kingdom Come
Father and let Your will be done
Here in me as it is in Heaven

-----

The ache of life is more than you are able

What you don’t know is the signs are right for the turning tide

Hold on, hold on
It won’t be long
So hold on  

------

Hear my prayer at night 
Let the morning find me alive 
For I am tired and weakened by the Fall
Let all the earth bear witness to my cry

Mercy, weep over me 
Let Your tears wash me clean 
Majesty, be merciful with me 
For my eyes have seen Holy

Happy Flag Day

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:28:00 GMT

"For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s unity, as well as a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens.

Born on June 14, 1777, the second continental congress determined that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternating between seven red and six white; and that theunion be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation. The 13 horizontal stripes represent the original 13 colonies, while the stars represent the 50 states of theunion.The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white signifies purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Traditionally, a symbol ofliberty, the American flag has carried the message of freedom, and inspired Americans, both at home and abroad.In 1814, Francis Scott Key was so moved at seeing the stars and stripes waving after the British shelling ofBaltimore’sfort McHenry that he wrote the words to the star spangled banner.

In 1892 the flag inspired Francis Bellamy to write the “Pledge of Allegiance,” our most famous flag salute and patriotic oath. On this day in July 1969 the American flag was “flown” in space when Neil Armstrong planted it on the surface of the moon.

Today, our flag flies on constellations of air force satellites that circle our globe, and on the fin flash of our aircraft, in harms way, in every corner of the world. Indeed, it flies in the heart of every airman who serves our great nation.The sun never sets on ouru.s. air force, nor on the flag we so proudly cherish. Since 1776 no generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom… today’s airmen remain committed to preserving the freedom for generations to come.

By displaying the flag, and giving it a distinctive fold, we show respect to the flag and express our gratitude to those individuals who fought, and continue to fight for freedom, at home and abroad.Since the dawn of the 20^thcentury, airmen have proudly flown the flag in every major conflict in lands and skies around the world.It is their responsibility…our responsibility…to continue to protect and preserve the rights, privileges and freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy today.

The United States flag represents who we are.It stands for the freedom we all share and the pride and patriotism we feel for our country.We cherish its legacy, as a beacon of hope to one and all. Long may it wave."

--Flag folding ceremony official text per AFI 34-1201

Best phone call ever

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:06:48 GMT

So I was going to try to describe this clip from a Gilmore Girls episode I watched last night, and then I thought, "hey somebody has probably put it on youtube." And I was right!

This is definitely one of my favorite Gilmore Girls clips. Why? Because it's a perfect example of how to have the kind of conversation women are always saying we want even if we forget the rules when talking to our friends: don't tell me what to do, don't try to fix it, just listen. Absolutely perfect.

Wow

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:14:46 GMT

I turned on my computer this morning to write a blog that would likely have been very mean because I was so mad.

Before I got to xanga, though, I checked my email. I watched a video someone had sent me that is a good reminder of God's love and power to change lives. And what do you know, I'm not so angry anymore.

I do have a question, though. I know we're supposed to honor our fathers and mothers. The Bible says to do so, and it promises a blessing, and it definitely doesn't say only to honor them if they deserve it. But what about other relatives? I've always thought that simply because they are our parents' parents or our elders, we should treat them with respect. But what does honoring them look like when we don't actually respect them? When they do things that make us sad about what is in our lineage? When they claim to be Christians and believe what's in the Bible but never ever act like they love Jesus and have submitted their lives to Him? I know we are supposed to treat them in a respectful manner, but I am tired of keeping my mouth shut and just going calmly along as though I'm not hurt and upset, or at least very very annoyed. *sigh* Lord, help me love them as you do.

To all of you who hate it when folks quote lyrics in their blogs , too bad!

Fri, 30 May 2008 01:35:27 GMT

Because I often feel like writing down the ones that I really like or that jump out at me or that express certain ideas really well. Here's the set for today:

Don't let your soul get lonely child it's only time it will go by

And the moon's never seen me before but I'm reflecting light

No one understands me quite like you do through all of the shadowy corners of me

Tu parles d'une mauvaise journée!

Tue, 06 May 2008 02:42:16 GMT

Avant de raconter ce qui s'est passé au pauvre oiseau ce matin, il faut vous décrire le portail de mon résidence. En fait, je dois commençer avec l'immeuble entier. L'immeuble dans lequel se trouve mon appartement est tout blanc et composé d'une trentaine d'appartements qui se facent l'un à l'autre. Il y a un cour au centre avec des plantes et une piscine.

Retournons au portail, celui qui donne l'entrée à ce cour magnifique. Le portail n'est pas un vrai portail. Ce n'est pas non plus une porte. Les portes sont laide. Les passants ne peuvent pas voir le cour magnifique s'il y a une porte. Mais les portails, ça ne donne pas assez de sécurité.

Au moins, c'est ce qu'on pense évidemment chez moi. Parce que là, il y a un portail (pour l'aspect esthétique) qui est courvert de plastique fort et transparent (pour la sécurité). Comme ça, on ne peut pas ouvrir le portail de l'extérieur et on peut se dire en passant, <<moi, je veux bien y habiter>>.

Alors, ce matin j'ai entendu quelque chose qui faisait "ouap!" quand je vennais de quitter mon appartement pour aller au travail. Un petit oiseau, qui avait trouvé le plastique du portail un peu trop transparent, est entré notre cour par dessous du portail par la force du coup.

Il restait juste là quelques minutes, à pied, bouche ouverte, sans bouger, le petit coeur qui battait fort et vite. Je ne savais pas quoi faire. Je suis allée tout près de lui pour mettre de la poste dans la boîte aux lettres, et il ne bougeait toujours pas. J'ai même ouvert le portail pour qu'il puisse sortir, s'il voulait. Mais il ne bougeait toujours pas. Si ce n'était pas pour le coeur qui battait visiblement, je l'aurais crû mort et collé dans cette position pour jamais. J'ai prié Dieu qu'il récupère bien.

Il s'en occupe des moineaux, n'est-ce pas?

Google-ish

Fri, 02 May 2008 01:52:41 GMT

Omg, I just found out about the "Street View" on Google Maps. I am in awe. And a little scared. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go to Google Maps, click street view on the map, and type in my current address (it's one that I know works, but any street outlined in blue has the feature). Freaky-deaky

I Want One of These

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:57:16 GMT

Pac Sun...and waves

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:03:11 GMT

The waves were cool on Palm Sunday because it was really windy:

And thanks to Sarah for sunset photos of me on the West Coast (10 Mar):

On With the New

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:34:48 GMT

Okay, so it's only taken me seven and a half months to post pictures about my new apartment in California. Wait, let's try that again: My new apartment in California. My new apartment in California...

Nope, still weird.

Anyway, I like my apartment for the most part. It's quiet and spacious and clean. However, there are a few minor but alarmingly annoying...annoyances. For example: my garage door has a padlock that I have to use a key to unlock and then have to manually lift to open. Every time. I also have no washer and dryer, which means I pay $3.25 to wash and dry one load. I'll spare you the rest.

For those in my family who haven't gotten to visit at all or since I bought furniture, here are a few photos:

View of my front door (I'm the one in the middle, first floor).

Living room and part of kitchen. I wish I could paint..

Kitchen

Bookshelves in office

Some plants I like from the apartment courtyard:

These poppies aren't by my apartment, but we like them too: