life: acoustic & amplified

poetry, quotes & thoughts about life

Archive for the category “Encouragement”

27 Aug 2013

The real essence of the universe is endless grace – which is the theological term for surprises. – Ann Voskamp

Yeah – there are weeds and disappointments and seeming failures. There are days that tear out still-beating chunks of your bare heart, whole seasons that feel like every breath is through burning smoke. There is always hope. The real essence of the universe is endless grace – which is the theological term for surprises. As long as there is still time –there will be surprises.

Apparent failures can be the way your Father births a successful faith.

Shalom and I fill vases with wildflowers.

“See? Doesn’t matter if you didn’t get to plant sunflowers this year, Mama. God was growing something else to fill things up.”

And I swallow hard and nod. God is always growing something to fill the empty places up. And it’s always possible – joy is always surprisingly possible. You can have joy any moment you turn hidden greed for more into honest gratitude for now.

No matter the prison, you can be Freed by Gratitude.

Joy isn’t about how much our lives have, but how much we enjoy our lives.

Joy is never made by Having More. Joy is always made by EnJoying More.

– Ann Voskamp
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Posted in action, attitude, awareness, beauty, Blessing, Choice, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Happiness, Letting Go, Life, Love | Leave a comment

19 Aug 2013

Be strong and of good courage.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8, 9 NIV

Posted in action, attitude, courage, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, power, soul and spirit, strength, success | Leave a comment

14 Aug 2013

savor each gift

Posted in attitude, awareness, Choice, Encouragement, find art at pinterest, fun, Habits, Happiness, Life, Love, Miracles | Leave a comment

07 Aug 2013

1 Comment

no rainbows or flowers without a little…

Posted in art, attitude, awareness, Choice, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, Letting Go, Life, Love, Miracles

31 Jul 2013

I am God. I don’t make mistakes. – God speaking to/through Katherine Wolf

Sunday I spent most of the day reading a really wonderful blog called thought gently whispers by Kate Robertson. http://stoneriverstudio.blogspot.com/ – it was very encouraging. Music speaks to Kate like it does to me and so I was in a very good place reading her words and listening to her music. Good, good stuff.

One of her posts took me to a blog and a short film by Jay and Katherine Wolf, called Hope Heals http://hopeheals.com/. I hope you will take the time to watch. Such beautiful grace. No, God does not make mistakes. God does not cause our brokenness, but even our most broken places can be redeemed by God. Love always means ALL things for good.

Posted in action, Adventure, attitude, awareness, beauty, Becoming Yourself, courage, dark, determination, Encouragement, Faith, grace, healing, Hope, Impossible, inspiration | Leave a comment

29 Jul 2013

let us count gifts today

New Newsletter up on the website!
http://www.somgsfromthevalley.com

We are given many gifts
over our lifetimes.
Gifts are heaped upon us.
Every day we receive.
The way we acknowledge these gifts,
the way we receive,
the counting of gifts,
awareness in each moment,
is our most important choice.
This one insight brings us life as
grace or prison.
Heaven or hell
is bound up in gratitude.
I have had many strange and wonderful gifts
received over my life,
so far,
this knowledge,
the ability to see,
to choose to see
the good in all I receive,
has been the best gift
of all.
My cup runs over.
My path is lined with diamonds.
My sky is bright with twinkling stars.

AL 7/26/13 35b21034a277a5d90d8e23d892524060

Posted in awareness, beauty, Blessing, Encouragement, giving, Love, mystery, nature, Newsletter, People, Songs from the Valley | Leave a comment

28 Jul 2013

the purpose of love is to create trust in good – Mary Baker Eddy

What if this is as good as it gets?
What if THIS very day is the best life will be?
What if this is what you are called to?
What if this moment is your purpose?
What can you do to find the joy in this moment?
How can you be happy and satisfied right now?
What are the miracles that are happening for you as you read this?
What joy-filled moment is hanging in the air above your head,
ready to splash all over you?
What gifts are being offered, if you will just receive them,
allow them to tumble all around you?
Maybe, just maybe, these questions hold the true secrets of life.
Maybe, living life in joy-fullness right now –
not waiting for some dream to come true –
Not holding back till your illusion of happiness materializes.
But, right now, sitting in whatever circumstance you are in,
no matter if it includes
pleasure or pain,
birth or death,
sorrow or joy,
broken hearts or full.
What if, this very given moment,
you look around and begin
finding the avalanche of jewel-blessings
surrounding you NOW.
Maybe this is the best, and only, secret.
Don’t wait for happy.
Don’t postpone your celebration.
Don’t wait to dance.
Laugh hard until your belly hurts today.
Cry hard until the salt heals your hurts.
The goodness of life is available now,
as well as, every minute
of this day,
Then when this day is done,
and you have enjoyed it’s vast array of gifts,
do the same tomorrow.

AL 7/27/13

Posted in attitude, awareness, beauty, Blessing, Choice, Dancing, Dreams, Encouragement, Faith, find art at pinterest, fun, Happiness, inspiration, Joy, laugh, Letting Go, Life, Miracles, Passion, thankfulness, time, Today | Leave a comment

27 Jul 2013

what about now?

I didn’t write a poem yesterday
The third day I have missed writing at least one poem,
for the past 8 months.
There were many moments I could have captured –
But I didn’t.
moments of grace,
moments of failed attempts at grace,
moments of beauty,
moments of ordinary life,
in an ordinary day,
disgusting moments of clean up,
moments of peace watching the breeze sway the trees,
moments of aggravation trying to feed an old dog pills,
unexpected treasures of a cool wind at noon in July,
and unexpected hardships walking from the grocery store overloaded with bags.
There were lovely moments of frosting cupcakes with fresh buttercream,
moments of friendship, shared laughter and food,
hard moments of garbled, angry speech,
blissful moments of holding new baby, Eli –
that was definitely a poetic moment!
There were painful moments of looking at a very ill face,
winning moments as the Mets beat the Braves.
all these moments,
and so many more
each a gift I received,
each a story to be shared with humanity.
Such are the moments of our lives,
our stories to scribe on our hearts and on paper.
So many miracles to notice,
to acknowledge,
to record.
So many ways to write a poem –
and I chose none of them