Let every burning heart be holy ground

Removing the Mud from Chicago Tabernacle on Vimeo.

Advent Day 20

It is ironic that this same heart that pumps
life to lungs and limbs
could simultaneously harden and atrophy.
There is no surgeon that can soften
a calloused state of being or remove the thorns
that have crept in-between ventricles and atriums.

I cannot self-apply a balm that will
turn this heart into fertile ground.
I cannot administer an injection that will
anesthetize or staunch a bleeding heart.

Perhaps unseen procedures are best left to
unseen forces.

Advent Day 6

I sat behind opera guy at Chicago Tabernacle this past Tuesday and I timidly tapped his shoulder and introduced myself. 

"Hi, my name is Grace and I just wanted to say that the way you worship the Lord is really moving."

He smiled at me and gave me a look like he was going to share a profound secret. And he did.

"Don't give the Lord half-hearted worship. Many things will try to distract you, but He is worthy of our full attention." 

Ha ha. Ironic that I was semi-distracted in my awareness of this man during service! But it was a good kind of distraction that propelled me to stand in awe of the Lord. 

Advent Day 4

A prayer.

Help me to be disillusioned and dissatisfied with 

anything less than what you desire - a heart fully 

abandoned to you.

Living Spirit, active and moving

Help me to submit, and anticipate 

the deeper waters that you compel me to.

Darkness retreats, lies are cast down 

At the mention of your name.

Glorious King, you allow me to draw near. 

Advent Day 2

Soften this heart, prepare this heart
for numinous glimpses and appearances

Startle this heart, shake this heart
out of busyness, into stillness

Humble King
spirit, soul, body

Anticipate you

Thankful List

-Thanksgiving miracles and the Lord's redemptive plan for my family. 

-Being able to spend Thanksgiving with Grace, Alison and her family up in Northern Wisconsin. 

-Small group at Brielle's. Sharing moments when we have encountered the numinous presence of God.

-Hanging out with Alison and taking her friend to the Bean and watching people ice-skate (cue the giggles and silliness that ensued).

-Advent worship - thankful for the people who couldn't make it and the people who could! Thankful that Lisa Werner stuck around and hung out with us for a few hours.

-Homemade biscotti and a hot cup of coffee.

-The power of worship and prayer.

-Start of Advent season - I pray that the Lord would take me deeper and would instill in me a sense of awe and fascination in Him and in this season of life.

-Rainy mornings.

-Knee High Vintage (one of my favorite stores in the city - I walked in trying to sell my mink coat and walked out instead with some other lovely articles of clothing).