Smell-Bound

BOOKS----there's just something so appealing about real books.
I like the feel of a book in my hands. I like the covers---the feel of the book jackets.
I keep trying to read on my iPad but there's just something about the feel and "smell" of a book!

I like to underline in my own books. I've underlined in an on-line book---but sometimes highlighting takes off and does too much. 

I like to pass on books that I think others will like.

When God Doesn't Fix It by Laura Story is one of those books. Most folks are probably familiar with her because of her "Blessings" song---

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindropsWhat if Your healing comes through tears?What if a thousand sleepless nightsAre what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this lifeAre Your mercies in disguise?

In this book Laura begins by recalling the unexpected call that changed her life. Life as she once knew it. A reminder to us all that we are all just one phone call away (p. 1) Yet, encouragement continues as she share a better story which God had for her (&for each of us) which often begins with brokenness.

Her myths at the end of each section are highlighted with the truth. Truth which needs to be taken to heart. (A complete list is in the back of the book with the reminder "Don't Forget")

MYTH--Things have to get better before I can get better.

TRUTH--My situation may not get better but I can get better. (p.272)

A real book that has reality spilling off its pages kept me spell-bound.

A real book, that I could hold in my hands, kept me smell-bound as well.

Saturday’s Question: ♪♪ a song for the soul ♬ ♬

7/14/12 What makes your soul sing? If you can only answer, "My soul sings when blessings come,” then that’s the wrong answer. Unless, you understand that blessings can "come through raindrops and healing through tears." (Blessings, Laura Story)

How do I know? I’ve experienced it---blessings can come through those hard places, the deepest pain and our greatest struggles. Sometimes that’s just hard to see when we’ve just begun the walk through that battle. In fact sometimes we aren’t even upright at first, just on our face, struggling to breathe and inch forward. But God……in his mercy is there. Sometimes it’s the prayer of a friend or a message from His word or maybe even song lyrics.

Lyrics---I just wish you could hear the melodious singing from our Ukraine leadership meetings-- Lyrics that can help your soul to sing, even in your hard place……

♪♪ I could sing of Your love forever…

Over the mountains and the sea

Your river runs with love for me

and I will open up my heart

and let the healer set me free.  (I could sing of Your love forever, Mercy Me)

♪♪And this is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved

Of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flames…. I will bring praise…. I will bring praise

…..All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship (The Desert Song, Hillsong)

♪♪The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes (10,000 Reasons, Matt Redman)

….as I listened and prayed for several of you this morning. Know I love you and so does God. He longs for your soul to sing once again.

♪Sing like never before

O my soul ♪(Ibid)

Are you singing?

ROADWAY RECOLLECTIONS

6/21/11 Emotionally and physically drained----will post thoughts tomorrow.

Sorry, “that tomorrow” came and went but here are ramblings from my “steno” as I traveled to Memphis the day after Daddy’s funeral.

• Storm clouds looming----reflective of my mood as Molly and Larry bookended me as we drove to Memphis. Molly lead and her big Explorer was easy to follow (after I had a major meltdown) Larry was following in his Jeep to pick up the pieces and protect if I got off course again.
  

• Molly shared from today's Jesus Calling---she read Penni Liles copy that morn. Mine was still packed in the trunk.
  
• Grateful that Josh & Megan were safely home in Brooklyn & that Scott Liles took Buddy to catch his EARLY flt to Dallas----not sure I could have said good-by to one more loved one & not sure I even had the energy to fight the Nashville commuters’ traffic.
  
• As rain streaked my windshield & tears streaked my face, Fish radio (94 FM) played “…. what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
 What if Your healing comes through tears?....”
  
• Recalling funeral message morsels of words that described Daddy and the emphasis that though he was a man of few words, his life spoke volumes---a man of faith, a man of more walk than talk.
  
• Love language Daddy shared with his kids, from pig Latin to alfalfa/wolf talk.
  
• Surreal feeling when arriving home---as if I had left a daughter, and came home without that tag on my identity----like an orphan, yet knowing how ridiculous that sounds because I have great memories of my earthly father and the ever Presence of my heavenly Father.
  
• Realizing that I still had socks he wore on Monday (6/13) before they understood he could no longer even sit up.
  
• That night I slept in Daddy’s socks!