Shallow--Inspired while in Uganda

Drums...lots of them...
Children...playing them with passion and fervor
Singing that was coming from a deep place of gratitude, intimacy and love towards Heavenly Father
...left me speechless, in awe of God, and helped my heart connect with the lover of my soul in an inexpressible way... This song called Shallow came from worshipping with children in Uganda on a Friday night...the best Friday night of my life!!

Here's a link to some of the songs we sang with them along with Shallow...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dux3SQvzXU0&feature=youtu.be

Pearl of Africa

Uganda Africa...As I reflect on this missions trip, I was invited into a symphony of love.  God used many "instruments" to show me more about his love and heart for the nations of the world.

Intruments included-

The children-Selfless, full of love, still kids and awnry stealing my heart even more, and they worshipped God at a depth I have never seen nor experienced before...beautiful and humbling.
The mothers-Each one was a widow who cared for 4 boys and 4 girls.  They worked hard, cared deeply and had untold stories in their hearts I wish I could have heard.
My teammates-Honorable men and women who serve the Lord with passion.  I look up to them all and value each one of them and the ways they showed me how to love in greater measures...and they made me laugh daily!
The missionary couples-They have laid down the comforts most of us are used to and live sacrificial lives to serve at Restoration Gateway. They have testimonies of God's faithfulness in calling them to Uganda.  I wish you could have heard them share about how God made this orphanage a dream come true...His dream...vessels who said yes...and miracles still unfolding.  Check out their website... http://www.restorationgateway.org/
Click here to see pictures and listen to the song Pearl of Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9IVYmZHzOuE&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Can you imagine a childhood where mere survival is often a luxury few can afford? Where HIV, war and fear of being
abducted or killed are the norm?

Since the 1980s, AIDS and war have ravaged northern Uganda. A million have died from AIDS. 60,000 children have been abducted and forced to be soldiers or slaves in a war they did not want. [Read More]

For more than two decades, the


Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been terrorizing and victimizing the people of northern Uganda. The LRA is a brutal rebel group that has abducted from 30,000 to 60,000 children, often younger than 10 years of age. Throughout the 20-year war against the Ugandan government, children were forced to serve as soldiers, slaves or wives. The LRA has killed and mutilated many thousands of other children and adults.
1.8 million people were forced to flee their homes and villages to live in squalid Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, relying on humanitarian aid for mere survival. Peace finally has returned over the last few years as a result of the LRA being forced out of Uganda. People now are returning to their villages to rebuild their lives, though many in the younger generation have lost the opportunity to learn job skills and many have felt abandoned by God. Most families in northern Uganda have felt the trauma of losing loved ones to the LRA, either through murder or abduction. Every family has felt stark terror at the possibility of attack.

If the atrocities of the LRA weren't enough, Uganda also has long been plagued with an HIV/AIDS epidemic. 1.2 million people are living with the disease -- 150,000 of these are children. Uganda has the highest percentage of children orphaned by AIDS worldwide. Although medications exist that can help those living with HIV, very few Ugandans can afford them. Often these medications cannot even be found by those in need. This problem increases exponentially in the rural bush of northern Uganda, where medical care is woefully inadequate. HIV/AIDS continues to pose a very significant threat to the population of Uganda.

The needs and wounds in Uganda are staggering.           

Only God can heal deep wounds, but He uses people like you and me to do it. Restoration Gateway exists to join Christ in restoring peace and healing wounds among the vulnerable children and war-torn people of Northern Uganda. 500 acres of land overlooking the Nile is being developed into a holistic, reproducible community through Orphan Care, Health Care, Empowerment and Ministry to the Church. You can help.

The Scourging

A man...the Son of God...sacrifice...tortured...crucified...love poured out...for you and me.

http://stations-of-the-cross.com/ 
...This is a visual art and music experience created by a group of artists from Madison Wisconsin.  I was invited to create a music piece on The Scourging of Christ.  The website is being finished.  In the meantime, you may click on the following link to listen to a two minute piece of  "The Scourging".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ns36aaSNY&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Tapestry

This song was inspired by two friends..one who said her life is but a weaving between God and her. Another wonders what her life has come to the older she gets...the disappointments loom. This picture of a tapestry came to mind to unfold stories in their hearts..in my heart as well. I believe God can use all things in our life including pain, suffering, heartache, mistakes...and use it for our good, the good of others and mostly for Him to be made known.  The artwork above is the song communicated on canvas board. 

Please click on the following link to listen to song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp76K-ySzrQ&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Tapestry

From the backside of this tapestry you see tangled threads

Nothing but a mess

Knot upon knot you’re confused and lost

It’s not making sense

Wondering when you’ll get

to see the other side

of this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry

From the front side of this tapestry the colors tell a story

There’s movement forward

Stitch by stitch each one’s in place

The weaver knows what He is doing        

There is nothing to change

even from  the other side

of this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry of life

Bridge:

You don’t see

You don’t know

The big picture’s not always shown

but it’s making something beautiful

On the inside of your heart believes the best

There’s got to be a purpose

Knot upon knot you’re still confused and lost

What’s this story all about

Wondering when you’ll get to see other side

On this side of heaven

Oh this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry of life

Painted Red

I've found I need to hear simple truths over and over because I just don't get it the first, second, or twentieth time...
The anecdote to anger is submission to God.
The anecdote to sadness and depression is hope in God...(that seems so simple or a pad answer but walking through it is not always easy..a surrendered heart...sometimes feels like it's getting ripped up but it's being -exposed-vulnerable-broken down- to be built up and restored...and I find beauty in that..hope in that. Hope in my heavenly father who is gentle and kind.  Wanting my heart to be right before a loving, merciful and Holy God...I continue to let go, ask for forgiveness, responding to that nudge when bitterness, frustration and disappointment rise up...I lay my heart before Jesus knowing my sins are painted red...A reason to praise today and everyday.

Please click on the following link to hear this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH17DmdbbYA&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Painted Red

There’s disappointment in your eyes
A loss of sparkle to your smile
Something’s bringing you down
Something’s bringing you down
You say you’ve got a broken heart
Been mad your whole world’s torn apart
Anger’s taking ground
Anger’s taking ground
     Maybe it’s time to let it go

Chorus:

It’s painted red- the finest shade
It’s painted red- for your sake
Love came the perfect sacrifice
It’s painted red-Jesus paid the price

There’s a burden on your back
When’s the last time you laughed
Something’s bringing you down
The load is getting heavier
You’re not meant to carry it alone
Sadness is taking ground
Anger’s still around
     Maybe it’s time to let it go

Repeat Chorus

Bridge: 

Come to him Lay it down He forgives Be set free
Let your heart agree

Repeat Chorus

He Winked

I was driving back from a Christmas gathering and I looked up at the sky.  I get a little crazy about the moon and God's creation.  Sometimes I stop in my tracks if I'm walking and just gaze in awe...it blows me away at the art work around me.  Well, the moon was bursting at the seams as if it were knocking on my car window saying, "look up here." Just a half a moon that night but it was so plump and robust...and God winked at me...I sensed that His eye is on me..I'm not forgotten. My heart needed that touch and truth.

He Winked

Driving south on I-80
half a moon caught my eye
like a boulder it was solid
but cracked on one side
                Then sent from above
                a gift of love
               it looked like an eyelid was shut

Chorus:

He winked he winked
It wasn’t just a blink
intention extended
to capture my heart
Oh he winked he winked
with no second thought
I know it was from God

Sometimes I’ve wondered
when sudden things appear
like an orchestra of birds
am I the only one who hears
                 I sense a nod
                 A gentle nudge
                 I smile bashfully because

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

It was once a mountain covered in snow
Dew dripping from a rose
Kissed by the sunlight on my nose

Exposed

Suicide is a horrible thing.  I've been wrestling with sadness and anger of losing a friend who committed suicide.  I knew the battle that was raging for years...unfortunately, she was a casualty of the battle.  I was looking at a picture from her memorial one day..I had to put it away because I just could not look at it.   I knew I had some unfinished business in my heart that needed to be voiced.  So I decided to write a letter to my friend for some closure.  I had been avoiding her in my mind and I wanted to share the things that were on my heart.  It really helped.  I was looking out a window noticing the bare trees.  I am a fan of trees especially in the winter when they don't have leaves.  You can see their bare bones per say...they have nothing to hide.  Well, my heart was raw and bare and I began to write and write.  A new song was also birthed as I looked out the window at the bare trees and saw the horizon...I saw hope....

Please click here to listen to Exposed  www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCGvQ38gbpQ&feature=youtu.be 

Exposed

What if I never felt bare
like a tree without leaves
What if my heart never unthawed
wrapped in a layer of frost
fully covered
fully covered
how far under would I be

Chorus:

Here I stand exposed
shedding secrets that have poisoned my soul
not wanting to let go
knowing you see right through me
what I need the most
is to stand exposed

What if the cold north wind
never sent a chill
What if my hands never reached up
like the branches of
a tree saluting
a tree saluting
how far under would I be

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

I can see the horizon from where I am

Chorus:

Here I stand exposed
shedding secrets that have poisoned my soul
being vulnerable
knowing you see right through me
Here I stand exposed