The Cusp

Season of folly
Season of darkness
Season of telling my hands not to do
Season of crying
Season of sitting
Season, the season of waiting for you

Breaking me slowly
Watching me melting
Raking me out and wringing me dry
Left me there lonely
Dark before daylight
Then burst out like fireworks on 4th of July

Bring me in gently
Bring me in quickly
Fold me in closer to feel your embrace
Kiss me there sweetly
Gaze, ever-reaching,
Drawing me nearer to your tender face

Eloquent dignity
Shadowy mystery
Come, be drawn out; sit down next to me
Breathe on me warmly
Tell me your secrets
Let's run away somewhere no one can see

One Hand Waving Free

You danced a goofy dance with me this morning

in the holy place of my imagination.

After the Friday sun peeked slyly from under the horizon

You said You’d never give up on me.

I laughed. I cried. It was better than despairing.

Yesterday I rode my cart through the grocery store like a skate board.

Casting awkward looks aside,

I sailed, undaunted, north to the plastic cup aisle

because I don’t have a job in a month.

In the middle of the ditch

I realize I’m not so stuck.

And money, love and futuristic visions

don’t show me who I am

or secure me.

My security rests in who I know-

the You I know.

I’m running and jumping through this empty church

for no good reason

except that I’m alive and I can.

Where are we going? I don’t know.

How do we get there? C’mon,

let's go.

Songs of Water

Maybe you will enjoy this music as much as I am...



www.songsofwater.com

Asheville Music Festival 2012

I have been ecstatic and inspired by the concept of this event ever since I heard about at the Tikkun conference last month.Now their site is live!


Here's the vision for those who haven't heard:

"In the summer of 1969, forty young Jewish Yeshua-believers gathered together in Asheville, North Carolina, for what would prove to be one of the great turning points in the modern-day resurrection of Messianic Judaism. These young people conducted their own meetings, elected their own officers, and held their own teachings. As a result, the following year, the “Young Hebrew Christian Alliance” (YHCA) was officially recognized by the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America. A movement of young Jewish believers was born. Asheville ’69 activated a generation to step into callings that would awaken Messianic Judaism from its centuries-long slumber, thereby preparing the way for all Israel’s coming encounter with Messiah Yeshua.

One generation later, the movement returns to Asheville. We return with the shared vision of a music festival: a stage, a field, and over 1000 people—connected with the Messianic Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora—young and old, gathered together for three days of live music from promising young artists within this community. This is not a conference; it is a raw, groundswell gathering that wells up out of the hearts of young people in this community, who desire nothing but to step beyond the land of “what is” into the frontier of “what can be.” Like the pivotal gathering of young Jewish believers in Asheville, North Carolina, one generation ago, it will be a harbinger and catalyst for salvation, for renewal, for unity, and vision."

I am convinced that many in my community, as well as the body in the KC area at large, have pieces to bring to the table for this. It's not only a music festival, but many art mediums including visual, poetry, dance, drama and more.

I am especially excited to discover new Messianic artists as my music selection the past few years has been hacked away by the hatchet of conviction (thanks Cass for the music project you've been pioneering). Music is spiritual. To use a phrase of Tom's, let the warrior poets arise! Let sounds resonate through the atmosphere, into the cosmos and penetrate the darkness! To me, there is a big void of quality and originality among artists who are seeking to produce edifying music. I'm excited to see a rise in creative momentum among the people of God that will define the trend for our generation! I don't really know what kinds of artists will be there and what the things they produce will look and sound like, but I am very hopeful.

Check out the AMF12 site for a bit more info, although it seems they're still in the preliminary stages and have a lot of "coming soon" type notices there.

Beyond the Blue

Yellow and gold as the new day dawns 
Like a virgin unveiled who waited so long 
To dance and rejoice and sing her song 
And rest in the arms of a love so strong 
No one comes unless they’re drawn 
By the voice of desire that leads em’ along 
To the redemption of what went wrong 
By the blood that coveres the innocent one 
No more separation 
Between us.






Josh Garrels, "Beyond the Blue"

The Watershed Benefit @ CG

Don't be square.

Look! I just learned to tie my shoes!

www.commongroundskc.com

Independence Day with a Capitol D.C. (pt. 1)

I am trying to live up to the standards of my picture-taking comrades (you know who you are) and document a thing or two...so here's to that...

We headed off for our first family vacation in eons, to Virginia to visit Uncle Randy, Aunt Gee Young, and cousins Rachel and Maria. It was especially great to spend the time with them for Independence Day as my uncle actively serves as a major in the army working in nuclear detection. We are so proud of him and thankful for his service.

 We were able to go to a rad amusement park as well as spend the 4th in the city! Here are a few snipets...

typical dilllon.

Rachel made my mom a huge bouquet of origami flowers. That's because she's a G.

"Hey, take a picture with me...(click)..Connor! Smile...."

..."Fine."

typical.

cousins!

We hit the "slopes," if you will, at the King's Dominion, a VA amusement park. Uncle Randy observes  his soon-coming demise on the Shockwave...

I found this particularly funny. Connor was lecturing me about how I've become too sensitive while my dad was pointing out the big bumble bees and the flowers.

18 hours in the car with family = some level of insanity
Connor first said that if I showed anyone this video he would disown me as his sister and question my Christianity (his words), so you didn't see this.

(just kidding, he eventually caved and said I could post it.)

Independence Day with a Capitol D.C. (pt.2)

Casablanca

Mom and I at the Lincoln

Standing in front of Abe gets me every time, though, the text struck me as a little creepy this go around.

Leaping laberdoodles! I continue to hope for  the day that my own puppy prayer will be answered.

In-your-face fireworks. At the nation's capital. Seated at the Washington monument. 

 Twas' the best 4th yet!